Sorry this took so long. I'm beginning to get busy with finals coming up but I will be updating twice a week at least from now on. I can't help but think that I should write from the beginning of the game and add in the beginning chapters so that's what I'll do. I also have to edit and make sure the story is in correct order bc I know it's not right now. If you are a regular reader I encourage you to please review the story and tell me what you think about adding the beginning. Anyways Enjoy!
Jak turned on his heel and began the walk out of the sewers. He was anxious to leave because the dank, claustrophobic atmosphere of the sewers reminded him a little too much of prison. The trek back to the sewer gate was shorter than expected because it turns out the passage had led them in a circle. At least something was going right for the duo today. As they exited the sewers Jak had only one thing on his mind; Weapon upgrade. Jak looked up with a predatory glint in his eyes. Stealing zoomers seemed to be a common activity in Haven city, not just the work of outlaws such as Jak, but not many people could steal them straight out of the air. Jak leapt up and kicked the unfortunate driver out of their seat onto the metal ground below and sped to the Hip Hog at boundless speeds.
Once arrived the duo waltzed in confidently knowing they had met Krew's expectations. As they approached the immense Krew he asked "What is that horrible smell?" Daxter became immediately furious "Oh great we do your dirty work in the sewers and come back smellin' worse than a wet hip hog in a warm barn!" Then he leant over and whispered not so discreetly into Jak's ear "This could have a serious impact on the lady factor" Jak rolled his eyes. How could Daxter be thinking about women at a time like this? Jak's chances of getting a girlfriend were slim to none, what kind of girl would date a guy like Jak the eco freak?
"I think that was my lunch actually" Krew said as a rather offensive sound came from his general vicinity. Jak and Daxter shared a brief disgusted glance at each other before returning their attention to back to Krew. "Nice job in the sewers aye, I guess you're looking for that weapon upgrade hmm...Well theres a blaster mod stashed in some crates at the port. Find it and its yours" Krew then laughed mirthlessly and floated behind the bar.
Jak and Daxter then walked out into the port sector of the city and attempted to blend in with the crowd. Blending in was difficult though because while most citizens of Haven city looked to the floor as they walked with a sorrowful, hopeless expression. Jak looked straight ahead with determination. He looked like a man with a purpose.
It was a short walk to the gun course and as soon as they walked through the doors Jak found the updated blaster mod. The cool electronic female voice asked them if they would like to try the gun course. Jak stepped forward with a half-crazed half-gleeful look on his face. The cardboard metalheads popped up and Jak shot them with extreme accuracy. He caught himself wishing that the metalhead figures were KG figures, then grinned at his own thoughts. About halfway through the course the metalheads began to shoot back. This caught Jak off guard as he was shot in the chest by three consecutive shots of red eco. Jak let out a muffled grunt as they further injured his already compromised ribcage. He wheezed trying to get enough air to continue, but the red eco had already taken a toll in his ribs. He scooped a hand under his shirt to feel how many ribs he'd broken. Four. Three on the right side and one on the left. He quickly finished off the gun course after that and staggered out of the gun course.
Daxter looked down at his friend to his expression clearly twisted with pain. Jak never said what was wrong or when he was in pain. Perhaps it was a lingering effect of the years he had spent as a mute but Jak's expressive face always gave away the feelings he so desperately tried to conceal. With Jak there was never a need for words.
Jak walked until he came to a two seated zoomer. He stepped into it carefully and Daxter sat in the seat next to him. Today Jak didn't seem to want to take up the role of dangerous outlaw, as he obeyed traffic laws and moved painfully slow through haven city all the way to the Underground headquarters. He took special care not to bump into any red KG vehicles because he couldn't afford another dangerous chase through the city while he was in so much pain. It hurt to breathe at this point and all Jak wanted to do was curl up on one of those hard mattresses and sleep. He had been up for 36 hours and still going strong at the moment and he was not anxious to make it 37.
Jak switched hover zones and gingerly stepped out of the double seater. Daxter was seriously wondering about his friends wellbeing, since when did Jak obey traffic laws or any laws for that matter? Daxter knew his friend was in pain by his tense Jaw and creased brows, but he didn't know what afflicted him. Tired of waiting Daxter spoke up "What's wrong with you Jak? I can tell you got hurt you can't lie to me!". "I'm okay Dax, really" He answered completely brushing off the question. "Always gotta be the tough guy" Daxter huffed while crossing his arms.
Jak walked down the steps to the Underground hideout while pulling his shirt over his head at the same time. "Gonna Shower" He said simply. Torn looked up and raised his nonexistent eyebrows at the sickly purple black bruises that were beginning to form all over Jak's chest. "What the hell happened to you?". "See I knew it! You did get hurt!" Daxter yelled triumphantly. Jak ignored both because his attention was seized by the canister of green eco sitting on Torn's desk. Maybe green eco is like dark eco. Painful and uncontrollable when forced into my system but effective when properly channeled.
"Hey can I see that? I have an idea" Jak said gesturing to the canister. Taken aback Torn said "Fine". Jak approached it cautiously, like it was a bomb ready to explode. He unscrewed the lid and let the eco hover outside of its container. Daxter and Torn looked on with curiosity while Jak studied the eco.
Jak closed his eyes and heard Samos's voice in his head, repeating the words he heard all those years ago. "Feel the eco Jak, let it run through your veins like a life force. Harness the energy but do not let it overpower you. This is how you channel eco"
Jak closed his eyes and immersed his fingers in the eco. He slowly drew it into himself wary of another reaction, but it never came. The eco danced around his hand and it leapt from the gel into his body, healing his hurts. A serene smile graced his face, maybe this was something Praxis hadn't taken from him. It was a small victory but it filled Jak with hope and determination.
Torn and Daxter watched in amazement as Jak channeled the eco and his bruises melted away. The room was filled with a stunned silence until Daxter whistled. "I knew you still had it in ya Jak, just like old times huh?" Jak smiled, a real smile, and answered softly "yeah, never thought I'd be able to do that again".
An hour later Jak was lying on the cot fast asleep with Daxter sprawled over his torso, while Torn spoke with the shadow. "Ah yes it seems the boy has- or used to have- quite the talent for channeling eco." Torn was still amazed by what he had seen. Jak's channeling dark eco had always repulsed Torn, but to see the same man channel green eco blew his mind. Channeling was a gene that less than one percent of the population had, but all of them within reach had been killed by the Baron, except Jak. "But that does not mean that channeling the other ecos is closed off to Jak forever, though it would take some effort to learn the skill again." Torn listened attentively but something was bothering him. "But I thought that channeling dark eco was a line not even a channeler could cross?" he voiced apprehensively. Samos gazed over with an indistinguishable look on his face "Well thats the question isn't it? What should be impossible Jak does."
At this point Jak was beginning to stir as their conversation abruptly ended. He blinked up sleepily. "Sorry" he apologized as he hastily pulled on his shirt and boots "You had a mission for me?". Torn straightened and said "Yea, one of the Baron's mining operations is under attack by the metalheads." Jak grew frustrated at the sound of the Baron's name. He slammed his hands down on the table and said venomously "That's not our problem." Why is this kid such a smartass? Torn jabbed a finger in Jak's face and shot back "It is our problem when the formants' one of the Underground's best informants." "His name is Vin and he's just valuable enough to save" Torn said slightly calmer. "Find the warp gate at the power station and travel to the strip mine so you can rescue Vin's pathetic hide." It looked like Torn was about to say something else but was interrupted when Daxter jumped onto the desk and said "Hey tattooed wonder how come we get all the crappy missions?" Torn was absolutely sick of the talking orange rodent. He advanced on the scared ottsel pushing a little farther backwards with every word "Because I. Don't. Like. You" Daxter took one step too far and slipped backwards off of the table. "Fair enough" the ottsel squeaked while giving a thumbs up. Torn continued grimly "Whatever deal the Baron made with the metalheads, the city's eco is almost gone. His times' running out. If we don't get the kid back soon there may not be a city left to defend." Jak gave Torn one last hard look, placed Daxter on his shoulder and walked out to complete his new task.