Chapter 25

I was driving to the Bloody Hook bar to get Daxter. Jak was on the guns. I crashed through the side and a fish tank. Jak yelled, " Dax, get in the car!"

Daxter complained, " Rachel! Are you crazy? You ruined my story!"

I stood up and screamed, "Get in this fucking car!"

Jak said, "NOW!"

Someone threw a knife that barely missed Daxter's head. Daxter yelled, " Agghh! What are you waiting for? Step on it, Rachel!" I sat down and stepped on the gas shooting out a window to safety.

Jak said, " I told you not to go out. We're getting death threats, Dax. Someone doesn't want us here."

I said, "Ya think?"

Daxter said, " I say we take the next boat home."

Jak said, "No way! Faster Rachel."

I said and hit the turbo's, "You got it!"

Daxter yelled, "Raccchhhheeelll!" We drove to the place we were meeting with the others. I parked the car in the garage and we headed upstairs. Torn, Ashelin, and Kiera were waiting. Daxter hopped up on the table. Jak sat down in a chair pulling me down to sit on his lap. Daxter said, " Let's get this over with and blow this burg. Who called us here anyway?"

Kiera said, " Krew's daughter... Rayn."

Jak asked confused, " Krew has a daughter?"

I asked confused, "How was that even possible?"

Daxter said, " Krew... REPRODUCED? Eeew... Can you imagine what that tub of jelly must look like?"

Right after he said that a girl with blue hair and amber eyes entered. She said, " Thank you for coming to Kras City. It looks like some didn't make it, ah well... I'm Rayn. Before father died, his wishes were simple, to have his will played for his closest associates and for us to drink to his passing. This special vintage he kept for the very occasion... to toast his death. Here's to old friends, and to father's untimely... death." Everyone took a glass and drank from their wine glass. I thought it tasted funny but ignored the feeling. Rayn said and pushed out a button, " So, without further delay his message to us."

A hologram of Krew appeared and said, "Hello nearly friends and mostly enemies. If you're listening to this message then I must be dead, oh well... As you all know I loved racing, almost as much as I loved weapons. Alas I never fulfilled my living dream of winning the biggest race of all - the Kras City Grand Championship. But even in death, I will field the greatest racing team ever assembled and win the biggest race on the planet. You are the best and you will race for me." Everyone disagreed at once. Krew's hologram continued, " I expect you're all riled up by now so let me tell you why you will race, and will win. If all went as planned, you just gave a touching toast in my honor. Sorry to say, but I put poison in that special vintage, quite unsporting of me really."

Rayn gasped, " Father!"

Krew's hologram said, " This is where Rayn will probably get upset. Sorry dear. It's a slow acting poison, or you'd already be dead! You have just enough time to finish this year's racing season. If you race for me and win, my associates will provide each with an antidote to the poison. Simple, eh?" Krew's hologram faded away we all got up and crowed Rayn.

Ashelin growled and pointed a gun at Rayn, " What the hell did you do to us?"

Rayn held up her hands and said, " Please, I didn't know. I drank it too. Father never did play favorites."

Torn yelled, " Yeah, well your father's crazy!"

Keira shouted, "We're all crazy for coming here!"

I rubbed my temples and yelled, "You know what yelling isn't going to change the fact we just drank poison. So maybe we should stop yelling because your giving me a headache."

Jak asked me, "You okay?" I nodded and he said, " I think Rayn's telling the truth."

Krew's hologram reappeared and said, " Well, it's been one minute, so I figure by now you're all arguing about how to get out of this mess. My advice is trust no one! Win the race and save yourselves!" Krew's hologram faded away.

I asked, "Jak were not gonna die, right?" Jak looked at me and hugged me. He kissed my cheek and whispered, " I won't let you die..."

Daxter said still laying on the table, " Jak, next time you invite me to one of your little parties... DON'T!"

Jak turned and said, "We can do this. We can race and we can beat Krew at his own game."

Rayn said, "Father bought us the best mobile racing garage money can buy and each of you has a car waiting. We're in this together, so let's get to it." We headed over to the garage kind of relaxing room. Samos and Rayn were watching the Tv. Jak and I were watching to his arm around my shoulders my arms around his waist. Daxter was playing a game. Ashelin was pacing and listening while Torn watched Ashelin.

A man on TV said, " Welcome race fans to another turbo charged season of high stakes, high speed racing. As usual, yours truly, G.T. Blitz, will give you a pit row view of all the action as the best racers in the world swap paint in their quest to claim the Kras City Grand Championship Trophy. In the end, only one wheel jockey will claim the prize as the greatest racer in the land. And we'll be here to cover all the thrills, chills, and spills! The season's first race kicks off in a few minutes... so stay tuned, and keep those engines hummin'!"

Jak muttered, "The first race." I leaned closer to him. He looked at me and I smiled at him.

Samos said, " I fear this affair will end badly. A wise man once said be watchful of those in front of you, but beware of those behind."

Daxter tossed his game and asked," What wise man said that?"

Samos yelled at him, " I did!"

Torn said, " Look, none of us is happy about this, but we might as well make the best of it."

I looked at him and said, "Torn the fact that none of us is happy about this is a major understatement."

Rayn said, " My father provided everything we need to win. One of us can do it if we all..."

Ashelin growled at Rayn, " You father got us into this mess, so zip it before I come over there and play daddy!"

Blitz came in and said, " Well, well... I was told we had some fresh wax rookies this year, but I had to eyeball it for myself. G.T. Blitz is the name."

I said, "More like cheesy blitz."

Blitz growled and said, " Watch it sweet cheeks. Anyway I'm the Kras City Racing Commissioner and star of the highest syndicated sports event on the planet. I just came by to wish you luck and to skid down a few rules. No side bets. No cheating. No rule breaks or we'll break you. You in gear? This is show business boys... and girls. Only the best racers move up to the bigger events, so make me happy... and make the crowd scream!"

Jak said, " Let's race" and everyone headed to their own car's. I started to hop in mine, but Jak grabbed my arm and pulled me away from it. He said, " Will you be okay? You know racing by yourself because I think it would be fine if you didn't."

I smirked and said, "Jak I love you, but we will see who is waiting for who at the finish line."

I pecked his lip and he said, " Well its nice that you can still be competitive and something else over the recent circumstances."

I smirked and hopped in my car, "Lets go, pretty boy."

He ran over to his and jumped in Daxter waiting for him. Jak said, "You got it babe." I hit the gas and so did he. We drove to the starting lines Jak at my right, Ashelin my left, and Torn Ashelin's left. I blew Jak a kiss and smirked. I looked forward and pulled my sunglasses on. The light changed green and everyone stepped on the gas.