The voyage took three longer than first planned. Jolva's smart thinking got their only working engine running at full capacity. Their delay however made the trip of finding the Eco harder. Everyone on board the floating metal was practically bored and cramped from being out to sea for too long. So they invented small competitive games to pass the day and time. Soon gambling came to the people and even some silly games.

Anything to pass the time.

After seven days of being on the ship, Captain Kranzar looked from the front of the ship and saw a sight for sore and tired sea eyes.

Land.

Kranzar laughed as familiar excitement bubbled within him. Every time he goes to sea and sees land after a long time he gets excited. He called to all who were near to see the black mound over the blue horizon.

Many stood there as the orange orb rose out of the water once more. Jak and his friends were among them. Keira cuddled warmly into his buffed arms, Daxter sat on Sig's shoulder not wanting to be near the two lovebirds and Sig just stood there admiring the view before him.

Some people cheered as they saw the land. They were all weary of the sea and longed for their homes and beds.

"We're be arriving in a few hours. Get ready to depart" Kranzar turned to his crewmen, guards and civilians alike

He turned back and watched the scenery.

***

It was afternoon when they reached the new land. It looked like a large island. Jak was in his usual pose, leaning on the guardrail, looking at the strange place in silence. He noticed that the land look oddly dark in the daylight, water around the shores were an blue-black colour, the bushland that started away from the small beach looked dark also and he also noticed that there was no birds or anything else for that matter stirring in the unknown land.

He shivered as a cold feeling went down his spine. He had a feeling that this journey hasn't over come the hardest part yet.

Soon they reached the small-secluded beach and unloaded equipment from the cargo bay area. Tents were pitched and lights were set up around camp as the afternoon sun was setting.

Kranzar was barking orders to his crew. Jak and Sig were helping to unload and Daxter were telling them where to put it. The Krimson Guards patrolled the new area. Keira, Jolva and Tollanar set up the Eco tracking equipment inside one of the large white tents.

They were done when the sun was just peaking above the water, making the sky a purple to blue colour. Jak, with Daxter on his left shoulder, entered a large off white tent. Inside were Keira, Tollanar and Jolva or The Three Mechanics (as Jak would like to call them) and Kranzar.

"So what exactly are we doing?" Jak asked when he entered

He drew the attention of all four people but Captain Kranzar spoke. Jak fell into is typical listening pose. He crossed his arms and leaded from side to side for time to time.

"We're going to catalogue the Eco here," Kranzar pointed to the pile of electronic boxes and wiring

"Then what?" Jak asked

"Were sending people to map the area so we know where the Eco is on the map. So later a proper Retrieval Team can find the Eco and extract it for our needs" the large Captain boomed

"So when do I come in?" Jak asked. He didn't come all this way to do nothing.

"You and Sig are to help protect the people when we go off to map the area and also help with locating Eco. This place is too quiet. I fear what ever chased or killed the wildlife here can do the same to us" Kranzar explained

Daxter jumped down from his place and ran up to inspect the maze of wires and electronic gadgets that somehow fitted together and worked. Daxter saw a yellow button and his normal impulse was to press it. His hand reached out and was about to touch it…

"Daxter!" a scolding voice came. His hand immediately cringed back. "Don't touch anything"

Daxter turned to the voice and it was Keira. Keira had her arms crossed and looked at Daxter in warning. Daxter moved away from the electronic mess, his head coiled back and his hands in the air as a sign of surrender.

"So when are you going to make maps of this place?" Jak asked, completely oblivious to Daxter and Keira.

"Tomorrow," Kranzar reported

The Captain turned to a small radio device. He flipped the switch and the old machine sprang to life. He picked up the receiver and turned a number of knobs and pushed buttons to tune into a particular frequency. The radio crackled until Kranzar spoke.

"HC navy: 225640" Kranzar spoke, "This is Captain Kranzar reporting in"

Almost straight away a voice replied back, "This is Home Base, you may proceed"

Jak recognised it to be Torn's voice.

"We have finally landed on the new land. We're beginning Eco locations tomorrow 0800 hours," Kranzar reported

"Tomorrow!" Torn shouted informally, "We don't have much more time to waste, Captain! Our shield walls are critically low! We need that Eco real soon or this city will perish!"

"I understand you situation Commander, but we cannot proceed in the dark. It would waste precious time and energy. Especially with the unknown dangers that exist here, I will not risk my men's lives"

A loud harsh sigh crackled through the radio. Jak could imagine Torn's stressed and angry face.

"Fine" Torn sighed, "I already sent a Retrieval Team. They are due to arrive tomorrow. They will get the sufficient Eco we need while we wait for your mapping of the area. But I want the information as soon as possible!"

"Yes sir" the Captain said strongly, "Over and out"

Kranzar hung the receiver up and flicked the switch and the radio died. He turned back to Jak.

"You better rest up, we're starting early tomorrow" Kranzar told him, "I want to get this job done quickly, for our and the city's sake.

Jak nodded. This place gave him the creeps and also wanted to be off. Daxter rejoined his partner and together they walked out of the large tent to their smaller tent, which they shared with Sig.

They entered and Sig was lying on his sleeping mad with his blankets layed messily on top. His trusty Peace Maker was close by his side. Daxter hopped off and walked across to Jak's bed.

Jak pulled out his Morph gun and set it down beside his bed, he put his packed Jet board on the floor also. He took off his boots and his gloves and settled into his bed. Daxter curled up beside him and soon fell peacefully asleep. Jak sighed as he saw his sleeping friend then up at Sig's calm body.

He was glad his friends were around. Sig and him got to trust each other over time. Sig took a liking to Jak and their friendship soared from there. Sig was a tough and serious man at first but he warmed up to Jak and now were good friends. Jak was glad of that.

Daxter started to snore and muttering some words in his slumber. Jak smiled. His friend was amusing at times. He was the first and only person he'd known to fall into Dark Eco and survived…well not in his true form but still at least survive. Daxter grown to except himself in his form, even if he originally wanted to change back. He didn't let his change get down and achieve a lot in his current state.

Jak yawned. As his eyes felt sleepy. He shifted more comfortably in his blankets and allowed his eyes to close. Tiredness swept over him and soon was off to sleep.

Jak felt cold. He looked around and saw he was in the secret forest. Dak Eco lapped calmly in front of him as cold wind made his bones shudder. The green moon lit the night sky in it's eerie light. Jak curled his arms around himself to keep body heat.

The black lake rippled then splashed in the middle. Jak felt the tug again but he resisted. He wasn't going to give in this time. No way!

A shadow seemed to ascend out and above the dark water. Jak looked on in surprise as the shadow took some kind of human form. It had no features just recognizable shape.

"You have come again" it spoke in a dark hissy manner

"What?" Jak asked in surprise

"This place is the only place we can freely speak" it spoke again

"Who are you?" Jak asked the question he knew he asked before

"You know who I am," the figure hissed.

"No I don't! Just tell me!" Jak shouted sick of the thing's mysterious ways

"I was right in telling to be prepared" the figure ignored his demand

Jak looked at him oddly remembering his last dream, "You, you're the one who told me to be prepared?"

"Yes" the figure, hissed, "I hate the Metal Heads as much as you"

"What are you? Some kind of psychic?" Jak asked with some sarcasm

"No but then again our power is unknown" it replied

"Our power? What are you talking about?" Jak shook his head in confusion

"Us" it simply replied, "My time will come. You always had control but soon, real soon I will have control and I do not care for your friends"

Jak growled, "You make threats to me and you don't even reveal yourself or tell me who you are? Your more of a coward"

The figure hissed and Jak felt great amount of pain shock through his body. He shook through him like a shockwave then left him on the ground. Jak gritted his teeth as he coped with the stinging pain.

"Even if you have most control I at least have some…" it said in its deep voice

Jak woke up with alertness. He opened his eyes as his mind registered he was in his tent. Sig and Daxter weren't there. He sat up right and winced when he found his body sore. Sore? It wasn't meant to be sore! Jak's heart began to race. What was going on? Was his dream real? Or was he actually there?

Jak manage to rise to his feet. His muscles ached and shot out pain in protest. Jak moaned as he reached for his gun and Jet board. He felt confused as the dream or nightmare was strange and the shadowy figure kept referring to 'us' and kept telling Jak that he knew him.

Jak shook his head and rubbed his eyes. He walked out of the tent, every step he felt stinging pain. He saw his friends camped around a small campfire with something it the small cauldron on it. He headed their way slowly and sat down next to Daxter when he got there.

He moaned as he sat but sighed in relief when he didn't have to move anymore. His friends looked at him in concern as they saw his pale face, his dark circles underneath his eyes and he moaned from time to time.

"Are you ok Jak?" Keira asked as she passed him some food

He took it and replied, "No, just sore"

"Sore? Sore from what?" Daxter asked then paused, "Oh that sore, you know they have creams and ointment for that you know"

Jak sighed. Pain rippled through him he winced, "Not that kind of sore Dax. It sounds strange but…I think it's my dream"

"No it doesn't sound strange…it sounds stupid!" Daxter corrected

"Your dream? Dreams don't hurt you, they're just images of the mind, cherry" Sig said sensibly

"I know but…" Jak said quietly

Keira moved closer to him, sensing something emotional. She held his hand and squeezed it to show that she was here for him and he wasn't alone. Jak looked towards Keira.

 "What? What happened?" Keira pressed

Jak wanted to poor out all his deepest feelings, and tell her all his deepest fears and problems but he held back and just told her his dreams he had since leaving the city. Keira nodded telling she took in every word.

Daxter and Sig listened silently, knowing that Jak held back all this time and now saw that Jak trusted them enough with some of his problems.

"Is there anything else?" Keira asked softly

Jak looked at her. "Yes. I think I'm going insane! I think that I'm getting reckless and putting all of your lives in danger! I almost killed you and Daxter. I think my dark side is getting a little out of control and I can't do anything about it!" He wanted to say.

But instead he sighed and shook his head and muttered, "No, that's all"

Keira nodded and squeezed his hand. Captain Kranzar approached them.

"I see that you are all up. Good, I want you to start early today. We're mapping this area today. I'm sending scouts out to seek out the Eco wells. Today I want Jak and Sig to seek out some Eco wells for the arriving Retrieval Team. Tomorrow you two can accompany those who are mapping the areas"

Sig nodded, "That's fine by me. How are we going to find the Eco?"

"Eco trackers" Kranzar simply explained and handed them a small hand held device, "They'll help you to locate any kind of Eco"

He further explained how to use the device and what to do if they found Eco. After the lecture had finished they were due to depart. Jak rose from his seat to find that he wasn't sore anymore. He was a little bit but not greatly like before. Confused he followed Sig to a small group of Krimson Guards.

Jak groaned inwardly that he and Sig had to tag along with some Krimson Guards for the scouting mission. Jak kept a cold face as they set off and move out of the camp. Daxter sat on his shoulder, also taking a dislike to the Guards. Sig showed no signs of hostility and kept to the task at hand.

Following the signal that the Eco tracker was now giving they soon found Eco. They typed in some keys as they were lectured and kept on finding more. The lakes reminded Jak of when he and Daxter were running around different places seeing open Eco lakes, before they came through the Rift Gate long ago.

Jak remembered when he could charge his body with different types of Eco and make old Precursor inventions work. Even defeated Gol and Mia with White Eco.

White Eco.

He huffed bitterly; he couldn't even go near the stuff since his alteration. Not that there is any sign of White Eco near the city, but it sort of hurt him that he had such a dark entity inside of him and couldn't enjoy the empowering satisfaction of White Eco.

"This is boring Jak" Daxter wined snapping Jak out of his thoughts

Daxter was slumped over Jak's left shoulder, bored out of his skull.

"Well of course Dax, what did you expect?" Jak asked

"I dunno, maybe some beer and women," Daxter said flatly

Jak rolled his eyes, "Would you give it up Dax?"

Daxter frowned, "Why? Why should I? I am suffering from Party Withdrawal!"

Jak laughed, "Party Withdrawal? Is that even a word?"

Daxter sighed, "Yes, to me anyway! I can't stand it Jak. All I see, all I dream is Party, grog, women!"

"What happened to your sense of adventure?" Jak asked

"Left it behind in the Metal Head Nest" Daxter told him then said sarcastically, "Sorry I never went back for it. Maybe I should pick it up when I get a turn of your Peace Maker"

"Your such a Party Pooper" Jak accused

Daxter instantly propped up, "You callin' me a Party Pooper?"

"What? Do you need hearing aids?" Jak jibed, "Yeah, I'm calling you a Party Pooper"

Daxter grew seriously offended. He pointed his face in front of Jak's, just a few centimetres away from each other, "Never, NEVER. Call ME a PARTY POOPER!"

He emphasised most of his words and made Jak cringe back with every blow. Daxter pulled away and crossed his arms and looked at his surprised friend with a glare.

"Settle down Dax" Jak growled getting slightly offended himself, "I know you miss the Naughty Ottsel but you letting it get you. You shouldn't be so into partying all the time, there is a whole world waiting to be explored or discovered"

Daxter's anger died, his friend was right. He was so hooked on partying all the time that he failed to see the bigger picture or what effect it would have on him. Daxter slumped back of Jak's shoulder and heaved a sigh.

He needed a beer.

***

A large red Krimson Guard Air Ship lay on a clear spot away from the dark sandy beach. A few smaller vehicles floated in front of it with large barrels and a series of pipes connected at the top.

Jak, Sig and the rest of the Guard came back from locating the Eco. Kranzar met them as they approached the camp. Jak and Sig gave their tracking devices to him. Kranzar nodded in satisfaction.

"Thank you. The Retrieval Team has arrived. They'll be using these to find the Eco and collect it" Kranzar informed

"Yeah I see the party, so what now?" Sig asked

"Well after you had your lunch I want you two accompany some people who will map more into the forest area. Commander Torn is growing impatient. He tells me the Metal Heads are on the move and just practically waiting for the shield walls to go down," Kranzar reported

"Great" Jak said sarcastically at the news

Captain Kranzar turned to the new arrivals giving the leader the trackers and telling him some instructions. Jak and Sig silently walked off for a brake.

***

Sunset approached sinking fast into the sea. It shone last of it's brilliant orange before saying goodbye once again. Jak was tired. He pretty much recovered from his soreness from the dream but a felt a headache coming on.

Captain Kranzar had a change of plan and he wanted Jak to accompany a man to map the remaining known area. He and Sig were split up and so Jak and Daxter was left with one lonely scientist. He was dorky looking wearing camouflaged clothing. He had spiky green hair, blue eyes and he was short. This was all right for Jak, it didn't really bother him that he had to watch a short, scientist's ass while he used some complicated instruments to begin the mapping process.

What bothered him was the scientist's yapping mouth. He talked non-stop, jumping from subject to subject in a monotone voice that made Jak's brain switch off. Daxter got really annoyed and tried to shut him up but the scientist didn't take the hint. He kept yapping on about his family, friends, work, city life, Metal Heads and even about what stories he heard about Jak.

Jak noted that the Retrieval Team wasn't there. They probably left before he came back.

Jak walked to his tent. He was exhausted. His brain was in a complete melt down, his body was tired from walking and running all day and his lack of sleep as adding on to the tiredness. Daxter hopped down from his friend.

"I'm going to sleep Dax, see you in the morning" Jak said groggily as he chucked his gun and Jet board on the floor

"Fine with me" Daxter shrugged and ran off out side to have some well-earned dinner.

Jak collapsed in his bed not bothering to prepare himself or pull the sheets over him. His eyes drooped heavily and in a second he was off to sleep.

Jak opened his eyes. He saw trees, then he realised he was in a small clearing. He looked at the black shimmering lake before him and knew where he was.

He was back in the same dream.

He sighed wearily. He wanted rest, he wanted to be left alone from who ever was invading them but he had no power to do so. The figure suddenly slipped out of the ground in front of him, it's black form taking human shape. Jak saw it's deep amethyst eyes looking back at him. Jak moved back at the sight of it but soon put on his toughness.

"What do you want?" Jak growled

"To tell you that my time is soon. I will take control," the in human voice announced

"Control? Control of what?" Jak asked hoping the shadow would tell him this time

"The light in you has always held me back, always in control but soon the scales are going to tip" the creature continued

"What?" Jak asked surprised, "The light? Who are you? What do you want with me?"

"I wont tell you" the figure finally answered his question, even if it wasn't the answer he was looking for, "But you'll find out soon enough!"

"So you haunt my dreams just for that?" Jak growled, "To tell me pointless things and wont even answer my questions. I don't understand what you're telling me. I know you're dangerous and evil but haunting my dreams aren't going to scare me easily"

The creature hissed, "I do this to make you…weaker…"

Suddenly Jak heard a loud shriek. Then more shrieking noises filled the air as if they were a group of them. Jak looked around to find the source but there was nothing in the night air. He looked back where the figure was but it was gone.

Jak jolted awake. He heard the same shrieking, a high pitch throaty shrieks. Then he heard yelling, screaming and gunfire. Alertness took over as he sprang to his feet and ran outside his small tent. His blue eyes couldn't believe what they saw.

Out of the darkness were large ferocious looking flying bats.

Jak had seen bats before but not so big, not so carnivores, not so evil looking. These were black flying monsters with piercing yellow eyes, two long pointy fangs, loud flapping leather wings and huge pointy claws.

He was so awe struck that he didn't realise until to late that one of the beasts was coming straight for him. In a split second he grabbed for his gun from it's holster but he found it empty. His heart leaped as he realised he left it inside the tent. He ran to get it but it was too late the large beast already struck him.

He felt intense pain and darkness crawling into his eyes.

TBC…