Ashelin chucked her radio on the passenger side when she finished radioing her unit. If she got Torn out of this mess she'll kill him. He should have known not to get messed up with the Krimzon Guard, especially Erol. Torn and Erol had rivalry before Jak came into the picture. Even if Erol's determination was now focused on Jak she knew he wouldn't have forgotten what Torn did to him...
Though in the back of her mind she knew Torn wouldn't get messed up unless it was a good reason or something happened. She wished Daxter told her the full story instead of left her wondering.
She pushed the pedal harder to gain more speed on her cruiser. If Torn was going to be liquidized at first light then she'll need to hurry. Seeing people suffer that terrible fate was too much to watch, especially when she, herself, condemned many to it. She couldn't stand to lose Torn. Something inside of her felt a pull of distress and urgency. Emotions that will rise if Torn were to be lost. It was unnatural to her. She was a Krimzon Guard and Krimzon Guards do not have feelings. They are there to serve and obey.
She finally arrived. Her unit patiently waiting outside the entrance. Her unit was patrolling the area before the order was put through. Upon arrival the Guards rushed to get into a straight line from their messy mob. Ashelin hopped out of the vehicle. Her face hard and military as ever, enough to earn her tattoos all over again.
"There has been a breach of security at the fortress" she announced, "No military response inside, so we're going in and do a sweep of the building. Outlaws maybe on the lose"
No one flinched at the news or the order, but under his or her mask there was a mixture of concern and fear. Especially at the mention of Outlaws. That could mean the Dark Eco Creature that killed so many of them.
"Move out" she commanded as she entered the fortress.
Her unit did what they were told and started to sweep the base. After Daxter contacted her, Ashelin tried to contact the fortress but no one was responding. According to procedure, if this happened she had to assume that there is a security breach and had to do a security sweep. And what Daxter said about T.I.D.A.M being involved there had to be trouble about.
When they got to the main torture chamber. Her and her unit saw Erol and his gathered Krimzon Guard standing there patiently. A faint smile pasted on his lips as her and her unit entered the room.
"Hello Ashelin. Come to save the pathetic Traitor?" Erol smirked
She pointed her gun at him, "What the hell is going on? Why weren't you responding to my calls?"
At Ashelin's response Erol's Guards pointed their guns defensively at her. Her unit pointed their guns at them, making everyone in the room pointing guns at each other except Erol.
Erol folded his arms and his smile disappeared, "Nothing is going on. Just sentencing a person to death for Treason, by law, though I knew not responding to you will bring you here"
"You know damn well not to fool around with procedures. I don't have time to play games, if the Baron hears of this he'll have you put to death" Ashelin spat
Erol just laughed, "The Traitor is on his way now. Ready to suffer the acidic death. You better go and save him, but saving someone from death, especially someone who committed High Treason, is against the law and if you brake the law you can be sentence to death"
Ashelin growled. Erol was playing games with her. She disliked him as soon as he rose to the Commander rank. She knew he had a twisted mind.
"I'm not here to save anyone. Only to have you court marshalled and by then you'll be staring down my gun barrel"
Erol's grin turned to a sneer, "Just over this small thing? Humph, you must really love him, to hate me so much"
"Guards, do a sweep of the base. Make sure all suspicious persons and packaging you find are brought to me! Go!" she commanded
Her unit obeyed and split up to do the search.
"What are you trying to find? The Traitor? Its no secret that you have feelings for him" he sneered
Ashelin knew he was trying to get under her skin but she kept emotions under her military mask and determined to keep things professional as possible.
"No. There are reports of Outlaws walking freely around the fortress and I will not let the Baron's defence and weaponry base be used as a drug and a criminal syndicate!" she said strongly letting some of that anger she held pour into the statement
Erol unfolded his arms and clenched his fists, "The only criminals here are Underground scum. They are imprisoned and by law I am carrying out their sentences! Do what you want but you wont find any outlaws running around, I'll never stand for it!"
Ashelin lowered her gun as Erol's guards did the same. She knew Erol was trying to provoke her to do the wrong thing and he may come out slippery and on top. She had to find proof and somehow save Torn so that she won't risk court marshal and/or death sentence herself. She kept her icy stare on Erol determined to catch the slimy bastard.
"First missions are always scary" Colson said as they crept through the streets
"I guess..." Daxter murmured
"All we have to do is steal a few paintings and trinkets from an old rich geezer's place and come back to the hideout with the goods. Not too hard, your lucky I have experience in avoiding all the hazards and alarms" Colson said proudly
"Sure" Daxter mumbled flatly
Colson looked at the orange fuzz that laid on his shoulder in confusion, "What's wrong. Having doubts on my abilities?"
"Its not that" Daxter replied
"Then what is it?"
"Nothing"
Silenced followed then after Colson studied the fur ball that was slumped over his left shoulder he spoke up again, "I guess you didn't really want to join, did you?"
"Of course I wanted to join..." Daxter said in a sarcastic tone, "And be blackmailed into it! Besides I hate stealing"
"Why? You have the size and speed for it. Plus this will be like a Robin Hood thing. Steal from the Rich and give to the Poor. The rich guys wont even miss a thing!" Colson tried to convince
Daxter snorted, "More like giving to the organization and not to the poor. I don't really care. I don't want to steal from anyone and give it to an overgrown ass like Spran"
"Huh? Sure stealing isn't the right thing but it benefits the whole organization" Colson tried to justify
"More like the boss man's pocket" Daxter murmured
"Will you drop it?" Colson suddenly growled
"Drop what?" Daxter asked innocently, "I'm only stating the obvious!"
"The only thing your stating is being negative! We all have our ups and downs and most of us don't want to be in this organization but we have nothing else and it's not all bad because we even get paid for this!" Colson explained
Daxter sighed, "Stealing reminds me when I was 'street performing' " Daxter spat at that, "And I wish I could find Jak another way. I just have a feeling I'm going to wait even longer to see Jak than I should and I'm going to be taken advantage of"
"Did you experienced that with that man?" Colson asked referring to Oakan
"Yeah"
"Maybe your just paranoid, I don't blame you" Colson shrugged, "Just relax, if anyone one can find your friend, Spran can"
"I guess..."
Silence came about once more between the two. Night covered their positions as they crept through the upper class district. It was a big difference from the slums and this area. It almost made Daxter sick that the Baron could run a city like this. They approached an apartment building. Colson started to climb the building, using piping and the Fire Escape. He finally reached the apartment home.
There was a large sliding window in front of them. Colson took out two devices that were identical to each other. They were large metal block like things that had two lights on it. One green and one red but the red one was apparently glowing and the green wasn't.
"What are those?" Daxter asked
"Shhhh" Colson 'shhh-ed' fiercely
"Oh, sorry" Daxter lowered his voice to a hushed tone, "What are those?"
"These devices will stop the alarms detecting us" he replied also in a hushed tone
"How?" Daxter asked
Colson planted one on the wall next to the window, "These rich people have an alarm system that has motion detectors, heat detectors and sensors on the floors and walls"
Daxter gave a small whistle.
Colson put the second one on the opposite side of the window, "These things deactivate the alarm system without tripping anything. But we must be quick because the state-of-the-art ones changes their code every few hours and these devices only lock on to one code. Once the code is changed we'll be detected and you know the rest"
"Ok... so what are we suppose to steal" Daxter asked as the block devices' lights went green
"The Dreekle Necklace" Colson replied as he slid the window open, "Also a few oil paintings if possible"
"The Dreekle Necklace? Sounds expensive" Daxter commented
"It is. It was rumoured to be made from pure Eco ore from some sort of rare Eco" Colson explained as he crept across the lavished living room, "But no Eco energies were found in the stone and the myth proven false"
"Oh..."
"Still worth a small fortune though" Colson added
Colson crept into the small hallway and as he was instructed to open the door at the end of the hall to his left. Colson pulled out a small device, pointed it towards the door and pressed a few things on the keypad. The door slid open and Colson put some sunglasses on.
"Ah... Col--Cyri" Daxter whispered remembering he had to use code names, "It isn't bright in here"
"I know," Colson whispered back, "This is just to see if they have any security beams or other isolated alarms in this room"
"Oh..."
The room looked very rich like the rest of the house. Apart from the soft woolen carpet and the expensive rug there were book cases, statues, paintings, a large pool table and in the far side on a pedestal, the Dreekle Necklace. Colson looked around then took out another block, which looked like the ones that were placed on either side of the outside window, onto the white washed walls./p>
It clicked green and Colson stepped inside. Careful not to touch anything, Colson made his way to the back of the room. Daxter jumped off onto the pool table as Colson flipped out another block device and attached it to the pedestal, where the necklace was.
The light flickered green on the device, giving the go ahead for Colson to remove the necklace without any troubles. Colson took the sunglasses off as Daxter moved in for a closer look at the necklace. It had a gold chain with a ever-changing coloured stone as a pendant.
"Wow..." Colson gasped
After admiring the beauty of the expensive necklace. He pocketed it and went around taking the paintings off the walls. Daxter was busied himself by looking around the room.
"Oi you!" a voice snarled
Daxter turned to see a older man standing at the doorway. Colson immediately went into alarm mode and tried to look for an exit but the room was windowless. Daxter instincts took over and he ran and hid behind the bookshelf.
The older man flicked the light on and Colson was revealed. The man had some nightgown on with a gun in hand pointing straight at Colson. Colson held an oil painting in front of him but he knew it would do little protection.
"Don't move! Put those paintings down!" The older man barked
Colson had to comply. He gently put the paintings down.
"Put your gun down too" he ordered, "I know you have one"
Colson did what he had asked knowing the older man wouldn't hesitate to shoot.
"Another scumbag for the prison" the older man sneered
The older man's green eyes flickered away from Colson to the far wall then back to him.
"Give me the necklace as well" he growled
"What necklace? I don't have any necklace" Colson lied
"Bull. Give it to me or I'll shoot you and take it anyway!" the older man threatened
Colson knew there was no winning. He reached in his pocket to pull out the necklace but instead pulled out a secret second gun. He pointed and fired at the older man. The older man ducked as the bullets were recklessly fired and embedded into the walls.
Colson took cover behind the pool table while the older man started to shoot at Colson. Colson was protected by the pool table as bullets became dangerously close. Colson tried to return fire but the gun was shot from his grip. Knowing the older man had gain the upper hand he stalked closer to Colson, keeping his pistol trained for the slightest movement in that direction. Colson knew this and tried to think of a solution.
"You can't win boy" the man said victoriously
Daxter watched all this and saw the older man showing utter glee of victory. He saw Colson's fearful face. Colson was just a kid. A tough but cheerful kid, he didn't deserve to have his life taken away so quickly. He was only doing this to survive...
Daxter suddenly found anger in his system. The memory of him abandoning Jak to the merciless guards and the memory of Oakan's oppression circulated in his mind. The older man reminded him of Oakan and Colson reminded him of Jak. He must protect him, he must protect 'Jak' form 'Oakan'. He couldn't make the same mistake of running away. Not twice. He'd already let down his best friend and he wont let down another one.
Daxter suddenly sprang from his hiding place and pounced on the older man. The man fired into the air as Daxter covered his face with his body. Colson seized the chance and grabbed his revolver off the floor. The man managed to throw Daxter out of the way and managed to dodge Colson's bullets.
Whoever this guy was he had some sort of training with guns because he was quick to return fire and managed to wound the young man in his right shoulder. Colson screamed in pain as dark blood stained his red vest. Colson lost grip of his gun as he slumped to the ground. The older man directed the gun barrel right at Colson's head.
"Nice try boy, but you should have gave me the necklace" he sneered
Colson held his breath, closed his eyes and waited for the final blow. A single gunshot rang in his ears. No pain came to him. Maybe a gun blow to the head was painless way to die. But the silence that came after the piercing sound was interrupted by a slump.
Colson opened his eyes to see the man on the floor with a single bullet wound to the back of the head. Colson then saw Daxter holding gun, which smoke, still poured out of.
Daxter blinked then his hands shook. He dropped the gun as if it was a hot potato and backed away shaking his head. Colson clutched his shoulder and rose to his feet. He looked at the frightened Ottsel as he calmly approached.
"Thanks" Colson said, "You shot him just in time"
"No..." Daxter shook his head, "I didn't shoot him..."
Colson frowned, "Yeah you did"
"No..." Daxter shook his head harder not wanting to believe it, "I didn't! I couldn't... I wouldn't..."
Daxter saw himself pointing the gun and landing a bullet straight at the skull. He didn't know how... he didn't even know how he got hold of one. All he knew that he needed to protect Colson... but not like this. He just took a man's life away, by his own hands. Daxter never did that, never. He never shot anyone in his entire life. He was a village boy after all. All the training he received and all the people he'd seen shooting never prepared him for the shock reality that he stole a man's life. Just like that. And now his blood is on Daxter's hands.
Daxter fell down as his body shivered in shock. Colson knew he wouldn't be able to retrieve any paintings with his injury and Daxter couldn't carry such a heavy thing plus he was in shock. Colson picked up the shivering animal with his good arm and planted him on his shoulder then he ran out of the room, through the living room and out the window.
Colson climbed down slowly and as soon as he reached the ground he sprinted off into the night to make his delivery to boss man Spran.
Daxter woke with a loud noise. He rubbed the sleep from his eyes as he crawled to get a look at what woke him. He saw two guards taking Torn, between them, down the hall. By the looks of him he'd received some fresh wounds and injuries, which meant he was tortured. Daxter shivered as he saw the guards dragging him along.
He followed them to a large room. In fact it was huge. Daxter found himself, from the entrance, looking down to a liquid pit below. The liquid was light purple that strangely reminding him of Dark Eco. Maybe it was Dark Eco but it wasn't pure. It seemed to hiss and sizzle at him he backed away and turned his attention to Torn.
The guards dragged Torn onto a wide platform that stretched from the side to the middle. They dragged him to end and propped him up right on his feet. Daxter finally had an idea what liquidized meant and by the look on Torn's face, it wasn't good.
Torn stared down at the light purple liquid. All the memories came rushing back to him like a title wave. He felt funny as his knees began to feel wobbly. He was feeling something he hadn't felt since he joined the guard. Something that he was trained to block out or overcome, something that wasn't in the military MO.
Fear.
Cold fear. He never feared dying. It was a solder's job to lay his life down everyday and 'sacrifice' for the city. But this was different. This was torture beyond comprehension. It gives you the absolute and ultimate pain and suffering until you die.
If you died.
He felt a forceful push on his back. His body was unprepared to resist and so he fell forwards. In a second he felt himself loosing balance and falling. As he fell he twisted his body around and just hooked his hands onto the edge of the platform. What ever degree of fear he had he wasn't going down with out a fight.
The guards made an annoyance sound and walked up to Torn as he struggled to pull himself back on the platform to save himself from the death that awaited below. One of the guards kicked him in the face which made his effort useless and returned him back to just holding onto the platform for dear life. Torn felt warm blood trickle from his nose as he looked up at the guards with anger and resentment. The guards seemed to look back with cold and emotionless faces as one of them lifted his foot to stamp on Torn's hand.
Torn felt the Krimzon boot's grip imprinting on the back of his hand. Pain made his reflexes jerk his hand away from the platform leaving him to dangle from one hand. He heard on of the guard's chuckle as he lifted his foot again to strike.
Torn awaited the blow but he saw the two guards suddenly became distracted from behind them. As their attention was drawn away, Torn seized the chance to hold on with his hurt hand. The two guards turned away and started to shoot at something behind them. With this distraction in place Torn pulled himself up again, ignoring the pain in his hand.
He finally climbed onto his feet. His anger fuelled most of his strength as he pushed one of the guards towards the side of the platform. He fell screaming until he reached the murky goo, then his screaming reached new heights as hissing of acids arose from below. The other guard turned and went to zap Torn with his gun but Torn wrestled the rifle away, both dangerously close to falling in.
Torn was pushed backwards but regained footing and pushed the remaining guard to the side. He managed to trip the guard and sent the guard falling to his doom. Torn ran towards the side, away from the platform and away from the horrible screaming that echoed below.
He stumbled out of the large room, exhausted and aching. He wiped the dry blood away as he managed to catch his breath. He looked around only to find Daxter coming up to him.
"What are you doing here?" Torn growled
"Saving your ass!" Daxter replied
"I told you to stay!" Torn growled
"Do I look like a Croca-dog?" Daxter retorted, "You know a thanks would be nice"
Torn just looked at the orange fuzz ball.
"Look. If it weren't for me you'll be in that ooze now and judging by the screaming it isn't a pretty thing" Daxter pointed out, "Distraction something I'm good at"
"Talk later. We got to get out of here" Torn said instead
"Sure, that will be easy when guards are swarming around the base!" Daxter said with sarcasm
Torn ignored him and they made their way down the halls and through the fortress. Daxter was behind him being cautious as Torn was. Torn stopped at a corner when guards were passing through a joining hall around the corner. When they passed they continued through the maze.
Torn was about to turn another corner when he came face to face with a gun.
"Freeze" the person commanded
Ohhh! Quick! Click to chapter 6
Reviews are, of course, always welcomed in my 'fics :)