Let me just say this.
It's been so long since I updated that I actually forgot how to update, yeah that's really bad.
But I swear on my life I had this chapter started months ago, there was just always something a little off about it and maybe there's still one or two things that don't work quite right but I needed to get it out I've been messing with it for too long now.
I think another problem is that this is almost double the length of a normal chapter, no where seemed like a good place to end so I just had to make do.
Overall some parts are good some parts aren't and its a pretty normal chapter, I hope you enjoy this update(finally!) all the same!
and as always thank you to those who have recently Favorited and followed and such~
"Tell me when you're ready to start Officer Elizabeth, and we'll begin with your first basic test."
I looked over to where Erol and the Baron were standing watch amongst a couple of tech heads behind holo-screens, and bullet proof glass for safety. Nodding towards them I removed my weapons and laid them down on a bench against one of the huge walls that sealed me in this dome shaped training room. It was empty for now, but once the tests commenced different obstacles would be put in place for me to overcome. Knowing that the combo of dark eco and this eco enhancer didn't actually boost the strength of red eco but rather prolonged it, it was probably going to be the same process as usual but tremendously lengthy.
I finished removing any form of hindrance such as armor, weapons, holsters and extra articles of clothing, tied my hair up and out of the way and pulled on both the enhancer, which had been left out for me, and another glove which would just aid with grip.
"Ready." I turned and called out to the techies who then began typing in commands into the computers that were hooked up to everything in this room allowing them to create whatever test their little hearts desired.
"Your record weight last time was nine hundred and fifty pounds correct?" one of them called to me. I was about to nod my confirmation when Praxis cut in.
"Begin at one thousand."
I had sort of expected this, having my limits tested right from the get go. I could already see how this was going to work out. Put as much pressure on me as possible now and by the end of it all there might be some forced improvement. I didn't protest against his request and just readied myself as everything was set up. Heavy metal boxes about half my size were set on the ground from above, each with a different number on them from nine hundred going up in multiples of ten to one thousand. I recognized this; it was used to determine what test to start with and whether or not I was ready to move on to something more intense. Once I was given the indication to start I walked over to the box that read '1000'. I crouched down to it and pushed my hands under it. One thousand was a little heavy for me but I wasn't going to struggle this early on. I made sure to keep the levels of eco I was using under control so I wouldn't tire myself out too much before this was all over and done with. I waited until the eco had travelled across my shoulders and into my legs before steadying myself and lifting the box gradually up and onto my shoulder. I held it for a good five seconds before the Baron nodded and I tried my best to carefully let it back down. That was one record broken and we had barely started.
My first few tests based on my current strength were slightly repetitive of what I do in training only with some added difficulty of either making me work harder or faster, sometimes both. A lot of it was pushing stuff around in a given time which normally had to be executed in a certain way, or I was put through endurance tests which pushed my eco reserve to its limits. The room would be decked out with replicas of buildings similar in size to those in main town or the slums. I would be given certain foot holds to help me along but I was really forced to rely on eco to give me an extra push across a gap or a burst of strength to pull myself onto a roof top. I would then be prompted to jump from the building which symbolised the finish line and 'soften' my fall by using eco again to reinforce areas which would receive the most impact.
In a training session like this on a normal day it could last maybe two hours. But today, given the circumstances, I had only just finished the first few tests and I had already been at it for three hours. I was tired, but not exhausted, which is the exact result I had expected. The second portion of tests normally consists of fighting agility and strength. Normally.
"Alright Elie, suit up."
"What?" I turned to Erol who was walking over to me holding a bottle of water.
"Unless you want to leave covered in even more cuts and bruises, I suggest putting your armour back on." He threw the bottle to me. I caught it, but glanced back at him.
"I assumed this was just going to be the usual 'how many back flips can you do until you fall on your face' kinda test? Or you know, when I just kick down a load of overly heavy targets? Armor's not going to help me with that." I said, unscrewing the lid on the water and taking a huge gulp of it.
"We decided that wouldn't push you to your limits any more than this has. We're simply raising the bar a bit."
"How so?"
Erol reached back out for the bottle as I handed it to him, waiting for his answer. He looked behind him and one of the techies gave him a nod.
"Let's see how many projectiles you can block."
"What!? Block?"
Before I could say anymore Erol was back safe behind the glass, leaving me out in the open, still not entirely sure what was coming my way. I heard something lower and move behind me and turned to face it. A large machine which looked similar to three wide barrelled guns attached together, had settled slightly suspended above the ground.
"Hey! What's the deal with this thing then?" I shouted out to them. Erol leaned forward to talk into a mic beside one of the screens.
"Beanbag launcher, Elie. Just block them while sustaining minimal damage."
I was dreading how long this would go on for. I could sort of understand the fundamentals though. After the first bean bag was launched I realized it was about the same size as a stinger metal head. I threw my arms up to block it making sure the armor was taking all the force of the impact. That then allowed me to deduce that they were also the weight of a scout metal head, the most common form. This was testing to see if I could hold my own against an onslaught of metal heads? No, it wasn't about holding them back; it was about seeing how long I could go for. If anything my eco stores should have been dried up over an hour ago. Even though this enhancer covered so little it was doing its job well. I figured this was due to the fact that it was constantly pressed to my wrist which was a main point of release for eco. From there it could control distribution around the top half of my body nicely. But my legs were definitely going through a lot more strain because of their lack of enhancement. I wasn't paying enough attention to that however and was caught off guard by a bean bag aimed directly at my knees. It took me by surprise and pushed my weight out from underneath me allowing another one to make contact with my chest. I had fallen onto my side and was gasping for air considering I had just had the weight of a big metal head rammed into my exposed chest. I pushed myself onto my hands and knees and continued to struggle for breath until I was finally coughing up a storm. I hadn't noticed that Erol had come to my side until he was gripping both of my arms and pulling me to my feet. He then quickly removed the armour covering my back and shoulders to release some of the strain. I didn't stay standing straight for long as I doubled over and coughed my lungs up. At least that was a sign that I was getting some air in and Erol just proceeded to rub my back. I eventually got in a few shaky breaths after what seemed like ages but was probably only a minute.
"Are you breathing yet?" He questioned, pulling me up straight again.
"Ugh…partially." I said in between smaller coughs. My vision had become blurred with tears from struggling to breath and I wiped at my face to clear it. "Good god…is that what it's like to get punched socked in the ribs by me?" Despite still breathing uncomfortably I managed to crack a smile at Erol which wasn't returned, in fact he wasn't even looking at me. He was still rubbing at my back slightly but he soon stopped the motion and simply rested his hand close to my shoulder blades. He was looking over to where the Baron still stood with the techs. I looked up to see the Baron not looking happy about my slip up, he never looked happy either way but I expected some form of enthusiasm after the way I had just worked. He leaned down and said something to the two techs before nodding at Erol and leaving the room. I sighed and let myself slump to the floor.
"What does he want from me?" I questioned. Erol let out a breath and shook his head.
"Improvement I'm sure."
"I'm sorry but was no one watching me for the past four hours almost?" I reached my hand up and hit Erol's leg. He turned to me and grabbed my wrist to pull me up. I bent down to one of the benches and grabbed a towel which had been set out for me and used it to wipe the sweat from my brow and neck. I needed a shower soon.
"We bumped up the level of the test considering how much you've improved as of late but what Baron Praxis was looking for was some sort of…understanding and extra usage of your new equipment."
"I understand it perfectly. It just isn't made to boost my strength the way he wants it to. I hate to break it to you but my red eco can't get any 'stronger' only I can, and I'm only human so that takes time."
"Maybe we'll have to schedule some more training sessions then?"
"You're killing me." I lolled my head back in exhaustion and glared at Erol. He shrugged and gently pushed me along with his hand on my back.
"For now at least, you can go home and rest. You're back on duty tomorrow."
I groaned but picked up my stuff and walked out. I was very much ready for a lazy afternoon at this point.
Erol hadn't been on duty today either, which was the first time in a while, so he came back to my apartment with me until his night shift started. I thought this would be a good opportunity to ask all those questions I had been discussing with Kiera, seeing as how Ashelin was too busy to get a hold of. After I had taken a shower and gotten changed we had settled on the couch watching TV although nothing much of interest was on. Ever since we had cut off any links to Kras City there had been very little in the way of entertainment on television. I had grown up watching The Grand Championship Race held once a year, part of the race was even held in Haven for a time. But once the metal heads became too much for us it was the last anyone saw of Kras City, its supplies and its racing. I had my head rested on Erol's lap and faced the ceiling just listening to the news report. Same old same old. Robbery, killing, shootings. We were both bored. I turned my head to look at the large screen just as a shot of Main Town came up.
"Oh look you can see my apartment." I pointed out. Erol nodded and started to flick through the channels again.
"Hey Erol?"
"Yes?"
"You know how you said I was brought to Haven for protection right?"
"Ye."
"And that it would have been dangerous to leave me where I was?"
"Where are you going with this Elie?"
"Well...where was it that was so dangerous to leave me there? I mean surely if I had of been left with family or something…" I trailed off, not wanting to push my luck with this.
He sighed before answering, "To sum it up, at this point because of the metal heads your home town is inaccessible, it's not going to prove useful telling you and I don't want you to dwell on it."
"What about family? I know I've asked before I just…can't ever remember getting a straight answer."
"Any family you could have had weren't around when we got to you."
"Oh…"
I stayed quiet, those weren't the answers I had hoped for at all. I wanted to ask or say more but just couldn't find it in me to talk again.
"I knew it would upset you if you ever asked." Erol said after a minute of silence.
"I'm not upset just kinda…I don't know."
"You are upset I can tell. I don't like when you ask questions because I don't like upsetting you."
"I thought me asking you questions was an annoyance, you normally act pissy about it."
Erol chuckled a bit and I turned my head on his lap to pout at him.
"I'm sorry; I'm not laughing at you. But you turn into a child when you're upset with me."
"Oh fuck off, you're such a jerk." I sat up quickly and turned away from him as he continued to chuckle at me. I crossed my legs and rested my cheek in my palm. It was still a bit sore but the bruise was fading at least.
"Sorry Elie, I was only teasing."
"Bite me."
After Erol had finally stopped laughing at me I continued to ignore him. He wasn't giving up though and reached out to grab me around my shoulders with both arms. I crossed my arms and protested meekly for a second but accepted the hug anyways.
"Sorry, I have been a bit of an asshole to you lately."
"A bit?" I grumbled, still pouting.
"Either way, I am sorry. I'm also sorry about not being able to give you better answers to your questions."
I sighed and uncrossed my arms. I was quite comfortable to sit like that for now, I was small compared to Erol so I always felt very sheltered sitting like this. Normally that would bother me but to be quite honest I felt like shit and having the only person who was as close as family comfort me was all I could ask for. I pressed my head into the side of the couch, I felt horribly vulnerable and just wanted to curl up as small as I could. I stayed like that for a while and Erol just rubbed my arm and continued watching TV. I untucked my head a little and turned to look at the screen myself a bit.
"You ok?" He asked and released one arm from around me.
I nodded before getting out a quiet "yeah" and shifting my position so I was sitting beside him but with my legs draped over his and my head resting on the back of the couch.
"I'm fine now. Thanks."
"Glad I could be your personal pillow for today."
"Don't ruin it." I said kneeing him gently in the gut "So when are you needed in? I figured I go wander around the bazar later, see what's up."
"Aren't you tired?"
"Nah, I wasn't given the chance to waste all my usable eco. I'll be good as new in a few minutes."
"Well I'll leave now then, don't get yourself into any more trouble."
"Oh please, you act like I try to stir shit."
Erol sighed and I smirked at him. He pushed himself off the couch and flicked me in the head on the way out. I chucked a pillow at him but missed again.
After another ten or so minutes of watching pointless crap on TV I was bored out of my mind. I wandered into my room and retrieved my comm unit before plopping down on my bed and pulling up Jak's number. He didn't answer, either he was in a pickle or Torn was having a go at him. I went with my earlier decision to go and explore the bazar a little and grabbed my jacket.
I took my time walking to the bazar which gave me a few minutes to think over what Torn had said to me earlier. It was pretty audacious of him to expect me to just join up with underground missions like it was no big deal, as much as I hate to admit it I was pretty loyal to the KG, mostly because I hold respect for Erol but it just wouldn't feel right working as a sort of double agent. Sure I pulled Jak out of a pickle a few times and I helped him with those artefacts but it's not like any of that was going to be of any harm to the Krimzon Guard in the long run. I hadn't quite figured out why I actually took it upon myself to look out for that 'ray of sunshine' but it seemed like the right thing to do. I'd grown to like him and, dare I say, the little fuzz ball too. On the other hand, things haven't been looking too good for us KG lately and there's something up with the Baron. There's definitely something going on and I don't like it. I hate to think that Erol's involved too but with how he's been acting there's no denying it. Even Torn seems to have caught on to something not quite right. That thought reminded me that I needed to go and talk to him about this huge issue I was so unaware of. I took a quick glance around and only saw a couple of KG patrolling. It was about time for them to be changing shifts anyway. I took a turn towards the slums and quickly made my way towards the hideout. I wanted to be in before the new patrol came along and out by the next switch.
I was greeted by a rather loud discussion when I entered the dimly lit main room of the Underground hide out. Of course Daxter was the main contender and from what I was hearing they had just finished up with that mission in Dead Town. Both Jak and Torn were faced away from me and were looking at whoever Daxter was arguing with. I peeked around Jak quietly to get a glance at the action but regretted it quickly. I was almost immediately spotted by non-other than 'The Shadow'. Just my fucking luck that Samos was here.
"Shit." I cursed quietly and grimaced as Jak and Torn both turned to me.
"We're seeing you an awful lot today aren't we?"
"Way to draw attention to me ass hat."
"So that really is you Elie!"
"Don't worry, you do a good enough job of that yourself."
I shot Torn a glare and turned my attention ever so slowly to Samos.
"Uh, I'm just here to talk to Torn. It'll only take a minute."
"The same way that 'stroll' only took a minute two years ago hmm?"
"That stroll had a very bad ending to it if it makes you feel any better."
"Well now that you're here, you can make up for lost time." Samos completely ignored any form of protest I tried to give and hopped up onto a box in front of a map. "Right now I need both of you to go to Haven Forest and root out a few Metal Heads."
"Hold up a second! I-"
"As you're well aware, Elizabeth, that forest is my source of power, but I can't protect it much longer. Chase down and destroy all the Metal Head scouts you find there."
I gave up on trying to get a word in and turned to go wait outside. This was a disaster, of course I walked in while Samos was there! I just wanted to talk to Torn. For now though I guess this was a chance to talk to Jak a little more and see what he knew.
"So you know Samos as well?"
"Unfortunately," I turned to Jak and sighed, "Another person I haven't had any contact with in two years, not that I'm complaining. Samos is a uhhhh-"
"A pain in the neck?" Daxter suggested.
I considered it and nodded. "He was my mentor for the entire time I stayed with the Underground, it was always 'don't do this!' or 'that's not what eco is for!' etcetera etcetera…I actually expected him to be a little more pissed at me."
"Why? What did you do?"
I caught Jak's smirk and gave him a look.
"It's not necessarily what I've done but more or less the way in which I do things."
"Such as…?"
"You know I don't like that tone of voice mister." I said, crossing my arms. "Let's just get going, I hadn't even planned on staying around to help you guys out."
"So any idea how we're gonna go about this?" I asked Jak. He shrugged and discarded his zoomer.
I rolled my eyes, "Typical."
I found a place the set my zoomer down next to the ramp so that it would hopefully not get taken and I wouldn't have to go searching for another. I followed after Jak and as soon as we walked into the air lock something caught the boy's eyes.
"What's that?" I said and pointed to the small metal disc, it looked a little familiar but I couldn't place exactly where I'd seen it if I had.
"This is what's gonna make this job go a whole lot quicker." Daxter smiled as the object grew in size to form a larger disc.
"Ohhh it's a hover board. But those things are meant for one person…or one person and a rat. How am I supposed to keep up then, hm?" I sort of found comfort in the fact that I might be able to sit this one out. it's not like I was dressed for the occasion either, Daxter had made that very clear on the ride over with his comment towards my jumper and leggings combo saying I looked like a 'Stuck up townie' which I again had to remind him was half true. Townie? Yes. Stuck up? Absolutely not.
"We'll see what the situation is and if theres anything you can help with then. Got any weapons?"
"Uhh," I reached down into one of my boots and pulled out a switch blade. "Not really."
"Can you throw it?"
"I don't think so."
"What do you mean you don't think so?"
I huffed, "Torn did teach me how to throw knives when I was younger but since joining the KG I haven't needed to so I just kinda forgot I guess."
Jak's shoulders drooped, "We'll see what we can do with what we have then."
We exited the air lock cautiously and surveyedour surroundings. I for one couldn't see any Metal heads in the immediate area, it was very likely they hadn't made it this close to the wall yet. Jak took the hover pad down to the forest first so he could clear out anything he found making it safer for me. But when I stepped off it and took a look around the bright and colourful forest, Jak was no-where to be seen.
"Fucking fantastic." I cursed.
Even though I trusted Jak I was still on my guard for any remaining metalheads. Being small has its advantages in a place like this; plenty of places to hide and my steps were a lot quieter than most. I had come out of a tunnel while admiring the wildlife when I heard Daxter yelp and caught a glimpse of the two shoot around a corner after not just a regular old metal head, oh no. Samos had left us a little short on his briefing, these were flying metal heads.
I watched as the two of them, chased down a couple of the metal heads and it seemed they already had a system to it. Using the hover board to chase the creature over any terrain and then leaping forward and slitting its throat. A little brutal but necessary.
'Ok,' I thought to myself 'This is simple, sure I don't have a hover board but I swear these two have never heard of the element of surprise.'
I found a spot in some of the taller rocky cliffs to climb around on. Being under equipped slowed me down a little however. I had less grip and traction on the slightly slippery rock face. I cursed when a sharp edge scrapped and dug into my hand and wished I had at least brought my gloves.
I found an area barely big enough for me to stand on covered by a few bushes and tree branches just a few feet above the ground where an oncoming metal head was flying away from Jak and Daxter. I concentrated on my target and peeked over the edge brandishing my switch blade, waiting for the metal head to be in just the right spot. When I finally leapt off the rock face, grabbed the metal head and hit the ground I regretted my plan a little. I slit the poor things throat and landed on my back, forgetting I had no armor and forgetting I needed to break my fall. I threw the dead creature to the side before it bubbled up into dark eco and lay where I was feeling pretty annoyed with myself.
"That was smart." Daxter sniggered.
I groaned and lifted my head slightly to glare at him "Fuck off."
Jak reached a hand down to me which I happily accepted. He pulled me to my feet and made sure I was standing by myself.
"You alright?"
"Yep, peachy. Jeez that's going to hurt for a while."
"I'm surprised you didn't seriously injure yourself there toots. For a second I thought we'd have to drag you back to the city in several pieces." Daxter said. I looked at him with a raised brow and crossed my arms.
"You'd be surprised how sturdy I am. And you're welcome by the way."
"That was a dumbass move Elie."
"Aww did I scare you?"
"I was thinking more of what Torn would do if he knew I let you get hurt."
"I can look after myself Kiddo."
"Clearly."
"Anyways, you" I poked Jak's arm, "Were supposed to wait for me."
"I figured there was little you could do."
I scoffed at him and indicated to the puddle of dark eco next to us.
"Clearly."
The ride back to the underground was a grouling one. I had done a little more damage to my back than I initially thought. This also meant I would need Samos to check on it for me. I wasn't too happy about it but I was hardly going to go back to the palace and get my usual check-up.
I sauntered in behind Jak and went straight past him to sit on the table. I sighed when I finally took some of the pressure off the injured area.
"What's up with you?" Torn questioned.
I shook my head, "Don't ask. Is Samos still around?"
Torn responded by jerking his head to the door leading into the back rooms. I slid off the table ever so slowly and crept over to the door. This was just getting worse, the quicker I rested the better. Getting back to my apartment would prove difficult though.
I looked into a couple of the rooms whose doors were open but they were all either empty or piled high with crap. I came to one closed door and knocked on it quietly.
"Samos?"
I heard footsteps on the other side before the short man appeared.
"Elizabeth? What brings you back again?"
"Hah, yeah. Look I need some uh, help. I-"
"Injured yourself?"
"…Yeah, I mean normally in these situations I'm doing Krimzon Guard work so it's easy for me to get back and get checked out with no fuss, but I think you can clearly see the problem with that right now."
Samos took a second to react before he stepped forward into the hall. I moved to make way for him and gave him a questioning look.
"You'll be more comfortable in your own room."
"My room? I'd be surprised if my room exists anymore."
Samos motioned for me to continue down the hall. I did so and stopped in front of the door to what had been my living space while I was younger.
"Wow, this is weird. Never thought I'd be standing here again." I shook my head and entered the small space. Everything in the underground is pretty basic and my old room was no exception. All it held was a small bed, nightstand and a chair which was normally used to pile your effects on top of.
"Ah, it still looks exactly the same, I'm surprised it wasn't given up to any new members."
"I suppose no one has really needed it with all the new safe houses being set up. Now then, it's your back you've injured correct?"
"Yeah I think so, my left shoulders a little dodgy too." I said as I took a seat on the bed.
"Hmm you've probably done something to the damaged nerves."
I could see a faint glow of green eco as Samos examined my injuries. It was sort of reassuring to know that I could leave here almost completely healed if I behaved.
"What sort of something did I do then?" I asked.
"Well your spine took quite a shock but it's nothing serious and you're nerves suffered the same outcome. You should be perfectly fine with some rest."
"Ugh getting back to main town isn't going to be fun, it was even hard to breath sitting on that zoomer."
"Hmm, turn around and I'll just check your lungs to be safe."
I cocked my head put turned anyways. "My lung's fine, hasn't bothered me in a while."
"Has it been checked up on regularly?"
Samos gave me a look and my eyes tailed off to the side.
"Mmmh no, but there really wasn't any need. I know my limits by now."
He sighed "Technically Elie, you're still in critical condition and you need to be extremely careful."
"Oh I know, I know. I'm capable of looking after myself."
"Hmm." Samos didn't sound convinced "You should go out and talk to Torn before you leave."
I nodded and stood, thanking him as I left the room. When I poked my head around into the main area of the hideout I didn't see Jak or Daxter anywhere, Torn really did keep them busy.
"Am I free to go then?"
Torn glanced around at me and gave a short nod.
"Before I do go," I added and I propped myself against the wall next to me, "I wanted to ask you something."
"Make it quick."
"What did you mean last time when you said there was something I wasn't aware of, was it to do with the Krimzon Guard? DWP? Erol maybe?"
"A bit of everything."
"Okay…so…?"
"You already know there's some very illegal stuff going on in the guard."
"Yeah well that's not to say I'm happy about it and don't say anything about me letting them inject me with dark eco."
Torn shook his head "Well we figure they're starting to take everything a step further."
"Whose they specifically?"
"The Baron and Erol-"
"Oh here we go."
"I'm serious Elle. Erol especially is good at keeping things quiet, so good that not even you would notice."
What Torn said made me think about the amount Erol hadn't actually been around lately, all the late nights he spent at the palace and dropping his actual commander duties onto Ashelin. But he hadn't been acting any different really. Maybe just a little but we're all stressed out with what's going on right now.
"You're all paranoid, there's nothing going on at all. I would have picked up on it by now if they were doing something big enough for all of us to worry about."
"Elle, we don't know yet exactly what's going on but even Ashelin's been more worried about you. She's noticed something's changed. Even though the metal heads just seem to be getting stronger and our shields are getting weaker the Baron doesn't seem worried that he's going to lose his city."
"So he's over confident maybe, big deal the Barons an ass hole anyway."
Torn sighed and turned back to his notes on the table.
"Just watch yourself."
"I always do." I pushed myself away from the wall and was about to leave the hideout when Samos called me back and handed over a small object wrapped in cloth.
"What's this?" I questioned
"Something to help the pain so you can get some rest."
"Oh, Thank you." I nodded and turned to leave.
I had been right about the ride home, it wasn't fun. I also had to be careful since I wasn't on my own zoomer and if another Guard recognised me there would be a bit of fuss but I was willing to take the chance to save walking back to Main Town. Once I got into my apartment I flumped down onto the couch and groaned. I lifted up the small package Samos had given me and un-wrapped it. Inside were two small green eco gel packs, they were like the type we got in the Krimzon Guard but these were probably a lot stronger since we don't have a Green Eco expert amongst us. I struggled to sit up again to find some bandages. I unravelled one and placed a gel pack in the centre of it before carefully lifting up my jumper and tying it around my torso with the pack pressed against my back. I sighed in relief as I slowly felt the pain start to fade. I tugged my jumper back down and went about getting myself something to drink. I contemplated calling Erol but it was an hour into his shift and he didn't like to be bothered on the job.
Well now I was just bored.
I strolled around my living room for a while looking out the window and just watching all the people down on the street. Main Town was oddly full of pick pocketer's lately, I say oddly because there's very little wealth in the city as is and normally it's up to citizens to barter for what they need. Only people within the guard or those of higher status have any spare cash for luxuries. There really isn't any gain in pick pocketing from a normal citizen. A lot of them seemed to be young too, around twelve or so, probably kids from the slums. I honestly felt bad for them, I was lucky to be in the good financial situation I'm in. I always had Erol to give me what I needed and wanted as a kid up until I was put into my own well-paying line of work. I wished I could do something for them, for everyone who struggled to survive every day. A lot of people would argue my job is its own struggle for survival but it's really not the same thing and it's sad how very few understand that.
I finished off my drink and headed down to my study, I had a bit of work and research to catch up on and I had nothing to do which would allow me to put it off any further. I ended up shuffling some pages around on my desk for a while until I found something interesting and sat down while reading the page I had picked up. It was a copy of my file from the database when I had first joined the Krimzon Guard. I never really think to look at my current files but I always felt that this one would come in handy at some point. A lot of it was just basic information like my name, Elizabeth; my second name was unknown as of right now, and my age, fifteen, a little young to be enrolling in such a dangerous line of work but the first few months don't involve any field work and even after I had to stay glued to Erol for weeks. There were still plenty of blank spaces on these pages though, and I was determined to fill the entire thing out.
I flipped onto the next page and there were a couple of pictures of me, one from my very first day as a Krimzon Guard and one taken probably a few months later after I had needed my first red eco injection. I laughed slightly at the change in my appearance from then until now. Even if it had only been a couple of years I had changed a lot. It was strange seeing my face without the grey tattoos that are typical to all Krimzon Guard although most have a lot more than me having only two on my cheeks. I also used to have such unruly short hair, I used to try and tie it up in a rather untidy manner but it would always just loosen and slip down so there was only one tuft left up. I sighed and flipped through a couple more pages, a lot of mission reports and info, successes, injuries.
I put the file to the side and picked up another piece of paper that was at hand. This one was a couple of observations and reports on my eco levels. I had never found anything to tell me that I was born with eco in my system so I assumed it was something I picked up since Erol told me I had discovered it when I was a toddler. But from what I've read and researched no one is just suddenly able to use eco straight from their own body. I remembered that Kiera had told me to look into the Sages but honestly I wasn't sure how it would help me. Maybe I didn't fully understand how their abilities worked. Samos was an eco channaller too though, I could ask him for some help but that wasn't really something I was too thrilled about doing.
I was broken out of my thinking state by my communicator beeping. I grabbed it off the desk and answered quickly having a slight notion as to who it might be.
"Ok what's happened now?"
"There's an eco tanker coming in but we think something might be up," Ashelin's voice said through the com-unit, "I need you to come down with the rest of your squad."
"My squad has the day off."
"Not anymore. Make it quick, it'll be here in a few minutes."
I hated being on call 24/7.
I really hated it.
I couldn't even take my time getting all of my gear back on and I just thanked the precursors that I was able to keep all my equipment at home. I was still putting some of my armor into place when I left the apartment block and hopped onto my zoomer. I clicked my mod gun into place on my back before heading off towards the Bazar where Ashelin was waiting. Those eco packs really did the trick and I was a lot more comfortable riding a zoomer and even standing.
I fought my way through a huge jam of traffic that was probably caused by the blockade that would have to be set up in the Bazar. I finally found my way to the small group Ashelin had assembled and lowered my zoomer down to them. Ashelin walked over to me once she had finished addressing some of the other guards and threw me some ammo.
"Thanks, but I have plenty."
"You might need it."
"So what's got everyone so worried about this shipment?" I asked while I clicked my mask into place.
"The transmission we received from one of Vin's tankers sounded off. I could only assemble your squad since I didn't want to waste time relaying my suspicion."
I nodded and didn't ask anymore, with the number of infiltrations we'd had lately we had to be watchful and pick up on anything we could.
"Got a plan then?"
"I already have everyone in position, just stay close and watch your back."
The shipment wasn't expected for another few minutes so myself and Ashelin did our best to clear out the civilians but there were always those who wanted to stick around and watch the action.
When we had done our best to secure the area Ashelin motioned me over to wait for the tanker to arrive. I stood at the front of the line with two more guards on either side of me. Ashelin was behind us where she was the most protected if things went sour. We were all waiting silently in anticipation and I was so focused on what could possibly happen that I jumped at the sound of someone's annoying voice.
"How's it riding in the hood, red?"
I quickly turned with Ash and the other guards to catch Daxter strutting his way on over and Jak following not far behind.
One of the Guards protecting Ashelin turned and shoved the blade of his gun in Jak's face but Ashelin was quick to stride over and push the gun and the guard back.
"Get out of the Area. This is Krimzon Guard business!" She gave the guard a curt look and he stepped back but held his gun ready. "One of Vin's eco tankers is coming in from the wasteland, but the clearance transmission sounded fishy. The driver was scared. We're going to check it out, just in case."
"How can we help?" Jak asked looking from Ashelin, who turned back around, to me.
"We've got it handled." Ashelin responded. I shrugged and turned to take up my position again but was startled when the tanker we had been waiting for crashed in through the roof of a building and landed on its side, sending all of the barrels of eco flying towards us. Ashelin was quick to dodge any coming her way and I stood my ground blocking one that came right for me. Most of the other guard weren't as lucky as us.
"Ahh!" Daxter screamed, "A Metal Head sneak attack!"
"Damn! It's just us!" Ashelin shouted over to me.
I cursed under my breath and pulled out my gun.
"Help us take out all the Metal Heads!" she ordered Jak. He nodded and readied his own weapon.
Some of the civilians had gotten caught up in the mayhem and I tried to help and protect all the ones I could. I directed them all out of the area while keeping the Metal Heads back. I spotted one woman trapped underneath one of the barrels. I quickly sprinted to her and lifted away the barrel with ease.
"Come on, you have to get out of here now!" I said pulling her up and not giving her time to thank me as I pushed her away from the chaos.
I ran back towards where Ashelin and Jak were fighting off most of the Metal Heads.
"Jeez how did this many fit in there?" I thought as I shot down a couple who had just crawled out of the door to the tanker.
"Elie duck!" I heard Jak shout from my side and I didn't hesitate as it took seconds for a bullet to fly right over my head and into and approaching Metal Head.
I gave him a thumbs up and climbed up onto the overturned vehicle to get a better angle on the creatures waiting on the other side. I took a quick look around me once that was done and couldn't see any more lurking around but kept my gun at the ready as I hopped down just to be safe.
"We got 'em all!" Ashelin cheered. "The Metal Heads are getting bolder every day. It's almost like they're testing our defences, like probing attacks. I've got a bad feeling about this." Ashelin looked to me and nodded before turning to leave. I let out a long breath and walked over to stand next to Jak.
"Yeah…you're welcome." He said after her, frowning.
"Not bad kiddo, you really can hold your own."
He glanced down at me and shrugged, "Looks like you can too."
I chuckled, "Ah you ain't seen anything yet."
"You seem to be in better shape too, what happened to those injuries caused by your own stupidity?" I ignored Daxter's cutting remark and blew some hair out of my face.
I placed the butt of my gun on the ground and rested my hands and chin on the other end. "So what brings you to the Bazar this late hmm?"
"We were on our way to Krew."
"Ugh not Krew again, you haven't gone and gotten yourself wrapped up with his dirty work have you?" I said raising a brow.
"He pays well."
"So a couple of gun mods are really worth risking your life then?"
"How do you know what goods Krew's giving us?" Daxter asked, crawling back up onto Jak's shoulder.
"I've dabbled in that line of work." I sighed and replaced my gun onto its holster "Well I'll go with you anyway, I could do with a drink and I've got nothing else to do for the rest of the night."
"Aren't you afraid you'll get caught hanging around us?" Daxter said.
I shook my head, "Erol's at the palace doing who knows what, he won't know what I'm doing or who I'm with unless I leave the city."
