"Freeze!" the voice demanded
Torn stood up straight keeping his military face until he saw who was pointing the barrel at him.
"Ashelin?" Torn asked in surprise
"Torn?" she asked in the same fashion and lowered her gun
"Well isn't this a happy reunion" Daxter drawled
"What the hell are you doing here?" Ashelin growled
"I'm not too sure, but Erol organized a deal with T.I.D.A.M" Torn said
"You didn't answer my question" she pressured
"Long story. Better if in private" he explained
She nodded, "Take the back way out as I'll hold my unit off that area. I can't promise the guards here would stay away"
"Why can't you help us out?" Daxter asked
"I can't be directly involved. I could put my life as well as career on the line. I'm doing the best I can with in the boundaries" She explained, "Go quickly"
Torn nodded and headed around the corner with Daxter close behind. Ashelin watched them go and picked up her radio.
"All units sweep prison and weapon rooms" she commanded and walked off in the opposite direction
Jak woke up. His head felt groggy and his movement sluggish. He knew the feeling well. He always woke up this way after he was injected with some drug. He felt so clogged up with drugs that he didn't even think clearly. It's been awhile since he had eaten or drunk anything. He was confused that he was still alive and they kept injecting drugs that make him go to sleep. He had enough sleep to keep him awake for years.
A white-cloaked man appeared through the door. Jak followed him with his eyes to a small metal trolley that was in the corner. The man shuffled things on the tray and turned to Jak with a fresh needle in hand.
"Why?" Jak manage to slur out
The man frown at him, "You shouldn't be awake. I gave you enough Erotto to knock a man out twice your size for hours yet"
"Why...are...you...doing...this?" Jak managed to move his mouth
The man sighed as he rolled up Jak's sleeve, "Can't have a Dark Eco monster running around the base"
Jak slightly flinched at the needle as the doctor punctured his vein and began to draw out dark red-purple blood.
"Must eat" Jak murmured feeling emptiness
"Don't worry. You wont need food or drink for a while. We're giving your 'food' through liquid. Your needed alive until the boss decides that your not worth it no longer" the doctor replied casually and took the needle out after completing drawing blood
"Why...am I...here?" Jak slurred again as the doctor turned away
"Just a hostage. You know, reassurance" the doctor said causally as he fiddled whatever he was doing on the tray
"For...who?" Jak asked
"I don't know. I'm just a doctor and I'm told what to do and get paid for it" the doctor shrugged
"Please" Jak pleaded, the question was irritating to keep unanswered any longer
The doctor turned around and approached Jak with another needle in hand, full of liquid, "I'm sorry but I don't know anything. I'm sure you'll find out soon"
The doctor injected the liquid in Jak's arm. Jak's groggy self, groaned as he felt himself slipping back in to sleep again.
"Please.... no... more...." Jak tried to get out before succumbing to the effects of the latest injection
He didn't want to go back to sleep but he couldn't fight against the drug and darkness covered him once more. After the doctor injected the drug and the man was sound asleep he took the blood sample and left the room. He made his way through the tunnels to his own lab. He never saw such blood in a human before. He was eager to find out what it contained and if it would prove useful to his boss's cause.
"You had something to do with this, didn't you?!" Erol growled
"I had nothing at all to do with it. I'm not responsible for your mistakes!" Ashelin shot back
Erol growled. He had learned of Torn's escape and two of his guards dying in the acidic liquid. Not that he cared for their lives but it was a waste.
He approached her with so much hatred in his glare, "I'm not blind. Your father will hear of this and he'll deal with you"
She met him with the same glare, "Wait until I pin your ass on the wall for harbouring fugitives"
"What? You have no evidence," Erol snarled
A smile passed on her lips as he held up a small microchip, "I do and you're going down"
Erol pulled away with his face twisted with rage.
"Dealing with T.I.D.A.M are we? Not a good reputation when you are famous of disposing of them" Ashelin said smugly
Erol raised his pistol at her head, "You'll die before I let that happen!"
She pointed her pistol back at him, "So you do admit? Then you're coming with me... to hell"
Then a voice cracked on Ashelin's radio, which stopped the tension between both of them.
"Ma'am, we swept the base from top to bottom but found no evidence of outlaws here"
He let her arm snake to the radio and lift it to her mouth, "Thanks, Major. All units report back to the front"
She looked at Erol and put her radio and weapon away.
"We'll meet again, but I highly doubt you'll survive it" Ashelin said as she walked away
Erol called after her, "Don't think your untouchable, Ashelin. Everyone can die, despite their status and regardless who they are"
Ashelin seemed to ignore him as she disappeared through the door.
Erol growled as he heard his unit approach. He turned to them, "Find the rodent fast! I want to get this deal over and done with. Sooner I have Jak, the sooner you get a promotion"
His unit walked away. Erol was left alone. He went back to his 'office' in the fortress. How could Ashelin known about T.I.D.A.M? There we no camera's in my 'office' during the meeting. Maybe she was having me on trying to make me admit I had relations. Snaky bitch. I'll make sure I dispose of her. Erol thought.
Things went down hill from there. Daxter somehow felt responsible for the injury that Colson sustained. He heard Colson scream behind the door, as he knew they were trying to remove the bullet. The bullet, as Daxter was told, was made with special metal shell and within the bullets wasn't gunpowder or Eco. It was some sort of liquid that is injected into the bloodstream straight on impact. The liquid was making him sick. After the bullet was removed Colson was moved to the small medic hospital in the organization. You have to hand it to these guys. They have everything that is above ground, even the kitchen sink. Day after day guilt and anger hang over Daxter as he watched his new friend shiver in the infirmary bed. Even through the bullet was now gone he suffered from fever and other symptoms, which worsen to the extent that Colson, had to be put on a life support machine. His lungs were collapsing as his heart was failing. The liquid in the bullet seemed to be shutting down the vitals, determined to kill him despite the machinery. Ravenblade stood at the door and saw the little animal's guilt, grief and anger.
"We found the bullet to be filled with poison" he told Daxter shattering the silence
"Poison?" Daxter asked in surprise
"Yes. The bullets are used to kill Metal Heads at one time but they grown resistant to it so it's no longer used" Ravenblade took his place on the far wall and leaned against it
"Bastard" Daxter growled under his breath. He no longer felt guilty taking that man's life. This outcome actually angered him and made him glad he killed the older man.
"There is only one thing we can do for Colson now" Ravenblade said
"What?" he asked
"Wait. Wait until the body disposes of the venom. The venom can't be cured with Green Eco. I know it's going to hard but Colson is a tough kid and a fighter and he'll pull through fine" Ravenblade reassured
Daxter nodded, "Who was this older man anyway?"
"A retired Krimzon Guard" Ravenblade said quietly, "Expect to run into more Krimzon Guards while working here. They're trying to pin point the main base of operations for months. They'll wont hesitate to capture anyone and question them about this organization"
Months passed and Colson's condition worsened. Daxter got nightmares about the shooting, Jak, Colson, Oakan and blood. Lots of it. Daxter continued missions without Colson and grew cold every time he shot someone. He got a feel of weapons and developed a hatred for the Guard. Every time he was face to face with them he hatred swelled as memories of Colson's suffering and the victorious smile of the retired Krimzon Guard popped in his head.
Unfortunately the changes didn't stop there. As soon as Daxter got his pay check he went straight to a local bar and started to drink. The waitress there knew him. In some way she felt a bit guilty. She was the first person to offer him a drink. At first he didn't like it but he soon got use to it then she saw him come in from six to closing time drinking.
Between those times Daxter would chat to her then drink. Then chat to other people and drink more. Daxter picked up lots of slang from other gang members and locals through this nightly binge. She hated when she had to do close. Daxter was the only one left and she had to push him out the bar. He would sit out side with his last bottle of beer singing songs, harassing other people on the street as they walked pass. She felt sad that she had to leave him there. He wouldn't budge once he got to that spot.
Despite the weather Daxter would sit there night after night singing, drinking numbing the guilt and pain he felt. Hangovers were worse the following morning. He would remember why he had a hanger over and why he drunk so much. He wanted more drink to numb the emotions all over again. As soon as his morning hangover was nothing more than a headache he would go to his work and start his day all over again.
"Shit! The whole city is on high alert!" Torn growled as he and Daxter hid behind an ally wall
"Maybe because you escaped" Daxter pointed out the obvious
Torn rolled his eyes, "We've got to lay low for a while"
"Ya think?" It was Daxter turn to rolled his eyes
"Meaning we can't go back to the hideout" Torn growled at the orange fur ball's attitude, "They'll follow us there"
"So what do you suggest?" Daxter asked
"I have a second hideout nearby. We'll go there and workout what to do from there" Torn told him
"Great" Daxter drawled
Daxter followed through the back streets of the slums. They avoided guards where they could and made sure they kept well out of sight. When they finally got to the second hideout Torn sat on one of the cots stationed there. Daxter sniffed the air as he looked around. It was more empty than the main hideout but they were at least safe.
"Do you have any food? I'm starving" Daxter asked remembering he hadn't had anything since yesterday morning
Torn pointed to a box in the far corner. Daxter followed the gesture and opened the box. He pulled out some dry storage food and started to eat them. Once he had his fill he sat on the opposite cot looking at Torn. Torn laid on the bed, he was drifting off to sleep. He was tired from the lack of sleep and physically tired due the beatings before he was sent to the acid to die. Daxter decided to leave him alone. Last he needed was a grumpy ex-commander on his tail. Daxter sat around for a while but grew bored.
Days passed since the incident and alert went down a bit but it was still tense. Torn and Daxter managed to return to the main hideout. They were met with Samos and Keira. Even the 'shadow' decided to look into the matter. Torn brought them the bad news that he hadn't got Jak.
"The deal he struck with the leader was if I'd die the gang leader would give Jak to Erol" Torn explained
"Then if he finds out if your alive then-" Samos started
"He'll simply fake my death in order to get his hands on Jak but he would rather have the real thing. I'm guessing this is why the guards are looking for me" Torn concluded
Daxter was going to tell what he had heard but the Shadow interrupted him.
"Well we cannot operate while this number of guards are about" the younger Samos stated, "We've got to find the kid plus lead an assault against the Baron. We lost too many men this week alone and we're running out of time if the Baron is planning to crack the Precursor Stone"
"Then we're going to have to transfer some more to safe houses" Torn looked down at the desk he stood over
"Yes, I'm afraid so. But we can't wait any longer" younger Samos showed his worry
"To launch an attack at this time is suicide!" older Samos interjected, "We must find out what the Baron is looking for"
"He's looking for me" Torn interrupted
"Can you be sure? I have a feeling he's looking for something other than you" Samos shared his concerns
"Don't jump to conclusions. We don't know for sure" younger Samos pointed out
"What would you know? I say we should find a sure reason why he's upped the patrols," older Samos argued
"And how do you suppose we do that old growth? Go up and ask them?" younger Samos said sarcastically
"No. If you had some wisdom then you'll know to send some spies in the operations to find out why this is happening" older Samos shot back
"That would be useful, except that most of our spies are dead!" younger Samos growled
"Then maybe you're not running this operation properly" Samos sneered
"Oh? And I suppose you know how?" the Shadow snorted
"Well I at least I wont let the Underground fall apart" Samos forcefully pointed out
"The Underground is just as strong as it first started!" the Shadow rose to the defense
"Oh sure. Except now they're dropping like flies," older Samos pointed out
"If your so smart what do you think we should do?" younger Samos challenged
"Like I told you at the beginning! Why doesn't any one listen to me?" Samos growled, "Send in spies! Summon what you can and do it! The sooner we do this, the sooner we can ease the controls and sooner we can plan a course of action and hopefully save Jak"
"Fine" younger Samos gave in
"Hey, where's Daxter?" Keira asked changing the subject completely
All men in the room finally noticed the little orange Ottsel gone.
"Shit. He left. I told him not to go anywhere!" Torn growled, "I wish he was a Croca-dog!"
A plump bold man walked through the tunnels of his organization. He built it from scratch and was quite proud that he had made such a powerful and famous drug syndicate… maybe too powerful. Guards were constantly on the streets making the drug trade slower. He was loosing money. Once this deal was over he'll have a long hard talk with Erol. He headed to the laboratory and entered.
"Well?" he barked
The scientist nearly jumped out of his skin at the loud sound from the silence. He turned to see his boss looking at him.
"Your in time to see the test results" he murmured
Spran approached the scientist and looked down at what he was doing on the bench. The scientist grabbed a vile that was full of dark red and purple blood.
"This blood is amazing. It has so much Eco properties that I cannot comprehend. If this amount was in a person they would have died"
"So he's a conductor for Eco? The leader asked
"Most likely. Lets see" the doctor cut him off as he opened the vile
The scientist dropped a few drops of blood into a transparent liquid in a large glass beaker. He grabbed a mixing rod and slowly stirred the mixture.
"Well?" the leader grunted after the mixture didn't show any signs of fusion
"It's positive" the man smiled, "The blood is positive. If he is charged we can kick start it..."
An evil smile passed on the leader's lips, as he could smell victory.
"I long awaited this day. Lets say my operations will be... widely expanded" Spran grinned evilly
Ooooooh. What is the leader planning? Where did Daxter go? All will be revealed in chapter 7! Moohahahahaha!
Review. Let me know how things are going. Don't be afraid to tell me, I wont bite... much.