Jak II
ACT 1: A City Under Siege
Chapter 4: WasteLander! Hunts and Treasures!

"We come far, far away from here. But we come in peace. Heh Heh. I always wanted to say that. Getting back to what I just said, we came here to fulfill destiny. This boy is very important. He holds magical powers beyond anything ever known and is the key to a great fight coming soon. We must train him so that he will be able to handle his destiny."
Samos didn't reveal much the first time through. He was a jovial fellow, but he was certainly old enough to not trust someone right off the bat until he needed to. The little information he had given to me still intrigued me and I wanted to learn more about this destiny.
"Magic is powerful and the results will be shocking, depending on how you use it." Samos lectured me, "A person of magic senses when someone else has magic. Not many people understand it, the ones who usually don't usually…well, don't."
"Since I told you everything about the boy and I, I think it is fitting that you watch over the boy."
"Wait? Me?" I gasped, "You want me to watch over the child?
"Of course." Samos chuckled, "The boy needs a guardian."
"Why not you? You seem more suited for the job since you know him more then I." I retorted, unsure on what my mind was leading to.
"Too risky." Samos shook his head, "I must not get so well connected with the boy lest someone suspicious is watching over us." I remained silent.
"Please." Samos slightly begged, "The boy needs to be protected until he is ready." I thought hard for a moment. Watching over the small child would be such a huge responsibility. After the disaster with my son, could I truly love another boy? Take him under my wings? Would I replace my only son? This was the biggest decision I ever made and I knew once I made it, I couldn't turn back on it…
I volunteered to look over him.
"He needs a name change…for his protection." Samos explained.
I nodded and taking out a book of names, I searched for the perfect one: Jak. A simple name, but it meant "Child of the Heavens." And the boy…he did fall from the Heavens.

"Just one thing."
"What is it, Samos?"
"Don't get too attached to the boy…"

………………………

Underground HQ, Haven City Slums
Month 5: Mair, Day 15 (Spring Time)
Year: 299 TOMH (Time of the Metal Heads)
Placing a hand on the wall as he walked down the slope to Torn's desk, Jak sighed heavily. Daxter noticed the sorrow look on his friend's face, but he couldn't figure out why he would be so upset? He completed a mission and managed to rub it in the Baron's face. A small step towards revenge. Jak slowly eyed Daxter and smiled slightly which promptly got Daxter to stop worrying. They reached Torn.
"The 'demolition duo' has returned! One barbecued ammo dump served up hot!" Daxter proudly shouted as he leaped up to Torn's desk. Again, Torn showed signs of annoyance.
"LOTS of explosions, Master Torn! I was scared!" Puar suddenly pop out of Jak's pocket.
"HEY! You didn't even do ANYTHING!" Daxter cried out, "All you did was coward in Jak's pocket!"
"Master Jak told me to stay in there, so Puar did!" Puar shouted, flying over to Daxter, meeting him face to face, literally.
"Knock it off, you two, we have to tell Torn." Jak groaned.
"Tell me what?" Torn crossed his arms, a habit he did constantly.
"Well, we saw something odd while torching that ammo. The Baron's guards were giving barrels filled with dark eco to a group of Metal Heads!" Jak spoke.
"Really! The Shadow will be interested to hear that." Torn placed a hand on his chin after the small shock he received, "I'm not all that surprised he would pull off something risky like that. He'll do anything to remain his position as King of Haven City and the entire kingdom."
"You mean Haven City isn't all he rules?" Jak asked.
"No, you fool, of course not." Torn sighed, annoyed at Jak's lack of knowledge of the city and its way of life (Jak in return was annoyed at Torn's constant rude attitude), "Haven City is surrounded by many remote areas, something Mar and his descendents can easily take over. But over time, the kingdom of Haven spread it's dominance as they allied themselves with small town villagers. We got a pretty big kingdom and it's not just the city. Baron Praxis rules Haven Kingdom, not Haven City." Torn even showed Jak a map of the entire kingdom and true to his words, it was quite a spread.
"Oh." Jak nodded, eyeing the map.
"This city is merely the capital of Haven Kingdom, but the Baron is jeopardizing the kingdom with his senile laws." Torn sighed, "He's willing to sacrifice innocent lives just to destroy the underground. I shouldn't be surprised. I've seen his evil before, while serving in the Krimzon Guard. That's why I quit."
"You were a Krimzon Guard?" Jak gasped. Torn eyed him, the tattoos would be the most obvious sign to show he was a former Krimzom Guard. Of course Jak knew nothing, but that didn't stop Torn from staring harshly towards him anyways, "Huh. Oh, that explains your... charming sense of humor." Jak sheepishly cleared his throat. Then Daxter popped in. He couldn't go one minute without speaking.
"You know, so far your gigs have been easier than stealin' grass from a sleeping yakow." Daxter pointed out, "How 'bout some REAL challenge, tattoo wonder."
"Hee hee hee... You and the rodent want to start proving yourselves? One of our 'suppliers' needs his payment delivered - a bag of Eco ore. Head to the Hip Hog Heaven saloon in South Town. " Torn ordered, giving Jak a map to find the location, "Ask for Krew - he'll be there. And don't let the Baron's patrols stop you. By the way, when you get there, pump Krew for information. He's wired into the city and may know what the Baron is up to." Torn gave the bag of Eco core to Jak who took it, almost loosing his balance. It was slightly heavily that he thought. Torn then turned around, facing his back towards the duo.
Jak eyed Daxter and vice versa.
"If you survive, the slums will be indebted to you. If not, maybe we'll have a touching moment of silence in your honor." Torn grinned, still not facing the duo, "Oh, and here. " Torn gave Jak a flat passport, one like the passport keycard Jak found during his Ammo Sump mission.
"I made a passport keycard for you for the Tram system." Torn came in, "It'll get you to the Port much faster then a zoomer can. Get going, there is a schedule for those rides, you know."
"You can count on us!" Daxter saluted.
"Are you still here?" Torn sighed, facing his back towards the two.
"Come on, Daxter." Jak sighed as his friend leaped onto his shoulder.
Once outside, Daxter started to badmouth Torn.
"I'd like to give him a 'touching moment." Daxter growled.

……………

It didn't take long for Jak and Daxter to get out of the slums. They reached the industrial area which was an extremely different look then the slums. The most modern looks could easily be seen here. The entire industrial area had metal everywhere. On the ground, the walls, the buildings. Zoomers flew sky high in every direction above the industrial area. Robots and constructions were plentiful here and people, neither rich nor poor walked around, going about their own business.
During their walk, Daxter had to explain to Jak what a Tram was and after a few minutes of explanation and frustration, Jak finally understood it and found it.
"Wow, it's huge…and loud." Jak gasped. The tram was a long, skinny machine built to support at least a couple hundreds of people at a time. It traveled by a track which was built high and supported by pillars. People were either waiting/riding the tram or buying tickets inside a station nearby. It was basically Haven City's train system.
"Yea, well, it's what a Tram is and does, now get in." Daxter suggested, "The passport is what people use to get in the tram. Of course, some just pay for a ticket. The passport you can buy which last for a full year, but it's a LOT expensive to buy. Torn must have been a pretty rich fellow when he got that."
"Either that or Krimzon Guards are paid awfully well." Jak mumbled.
"HA! The way they act, I'd be surprised if they get a raise." Daxter scoffed, "Maybe he got it during the previous King's rules, heard he was a much nicer fellow."
"Yea, whatever." Jak muttered, only half paying attention. He showed his passport ("Thank you for taking Haven City Tram express, Mr. Jikins, have a nice day.")
Jak then went inside the tram and found out he was in a rather crowded vehicle. Jak squeezed in from the people who were standing and hanging onto ceiling railings and found an empty seat next to an old lady, clutching onto her purse out of fear and protection. Jak took a small sigh and waited as he watched the people slowly walk in. After a few minutes of nothingness, the conductors double checked and all was ready to do. The Tram started to move.
"Torn's last name is Jikins? How lame." Daxter chuckled.

Industrial Area, Haven City
Month 5: Mair, Day 16 (Spring Time)
Year: 299 TOMH (Time of the Metal Heads)
The ride came time for Jak to see the other parts of the city through a window. Daxter sat on his lap and Puar flew over Jak's head, eyeing the industrial excitedly despite the repetitive nature. The industrial seemed to go on endlessly over time. The Tram stopped every so often on a nearby station with a speaker latched on top announcing just what part of the city it landed on. It went by for hours. Because both Jak and Daxter left for the tram at late at night, the sun has started to rise. Daxter had fallen asleep in Jak's arms, curled up like the small animal he was. Some of the kids on the Tram stared and commented on Jak's little "pet" and Jak usually just gave a smirk. He too fell asleep a little later afterwards…

…………………

"Who are you?"
"What?"
"Who are you?"
"…..Who is this?"
"That's what I'm asking you."
"I'm Jak."
"Jak…are you sure?"
"Yes, I've been Jak all my life."
"There's another side to you…isn't there?"
"What the bloody hell are you talking about?"
"A less innocent side?"
"………………………….."
"And you are afraid of this power?"
"Who are you?"
"I asked you first.
"I said I'm Jak!"
"Jak…Jak of Sandover Village…"
"YES!…………..Wait, how did you know?"
"I know because I am you. Who knows me better then you?
"What!"
"Jak…are you sure you are Jak?"
"CUT THAT OUT! I'm Jak! I grew up in Sandover Village, the village I was raised in!"
"But were you born there?"
"As far as I'm concerned."
"You fell from the sky?"
"…I don't remember that."
"Well, you were unconscious. Your name tells you who you are. Many names do. Jak isn't a commonly used name around here."
"………."
"Hey, do you remember the festivals in Sandover village? It's held every fall and we would always have fun."
"Yea."
"We would dance and sing and party till the dawn. You were loved by everyone in the village…you were kind…gentle…innocent…what happen now? You're mean, dark, you curse…"
"People change."
"You probably wouldn't have if this happen to you…the torture they put you through…you had such a good time in Sandover…you wanted to explore and be an explorer like your uncle…where's your dream now? All you want is revenge. You have impure thoughts……..I like it."
"Leave me alone."
"What about Kiera?"
"Kiera…"
"Kiera…your first crush. You liked her a lot. You two kissed for the first time when you were both what…9, 10 years old? Both of you curious to see what a kiss felt like.. She was a bully to you when you were little kids…she beat you up a lot."
"Yea, Kiera is tough."
"I wonder what she'll think when she sees you again."
"Is she even here?"
"Who knows?"
"Kiera."
"You also felt something in Dead Town, didn't you?"
"Yea…you know what it is?"
"…Maybe. You'll find out yourself, I suppose."
"…Maybe…"
"You better wake up, we're here…"
"Huh? Already?"
"Wake up, we're here"
"What are you talking about?"
"Here…here…We're here…"
"Wha-"

………………

"WAKE UP! WAKE UP! WE'RE HERE! WE'RE HERE!"

"AHHHH!"

…………………

"Puar, next time, you don't shout like that." Jak grumbled as he got off the Tram and onto the Port.
"Sorry, Master." Puar dropped a bit low, "Puar is sorry." He started to walk towards the direction he was facing while mumbling, "Kiera." He nearly forgot about her.
"That's okay, Puar, just…don't yell like that so much." Jak rubbed the inside of his ears to make sure he still could hear, "So this is the port. A hell of a lot bigger then the one back home, eh, Daxter?"
"That was my first reaction." Daxter grinned. Indeed, the port was 10 times the size of Sandover's port, just not as elegant or innocent. It supported many boats of all size, ranging from boats from the Haven army to small fishermen ships.
"The water is really pretty." Puar giggled, but she took it back when she saw the edge of the water and saw pollution.
"Geez, this city is so dirty." Jak groaned.
"It wasn't always like this." Puar lowered down, "The water used to be pretty." She spoke in an eerily calm voice. Jak and Daxter gave their brief silence.
"The Baron isn't doing a good job taking care of his people." Puar mumbled.
"No, he's not." Jak sighed, "Come on, we better go find the Hip Hog Saloon." Jak ordered the two who were both staring at the polluted water. Jak started to walk on the Port.
The long walk on the port was something Jak didn't mind. After being in prison, Jak enjoyed the sightseeing. The people passing by were all colorful in his eyes, if only most of them weren't so damn rude. All the prisoners basically had on the same prison clothing. The entire port was peaceful and beautiful, unlike the dark and drabby Prison Fortress. A sunset came only a few minutes later, making the entire water even more dazzling. Sealicans (half Seagulls, half Pelicans), were often common in the air. The small, silent, "caw caw" was heard every few seconds. Bars surrounded nearly in every corner and seamen waltzed about, telling their fishing tales to those who would lend an ear to them.
After about an hour of walking, Jak, Daxter, and Puar were face to face on the doorway to Hip Hog Saloon.
"Finally, it's about damn time." Daxter sighed, taking in a deep breath of air.
"Daxter, why are you tired, you were on my shoulder half the time." Jak sighed.
"Hey, it can be exhausting hanging around your shoulder, buddy." Daxter retaliated. Jak groaned and slowly went in.
"Okay, now keep quiet, Daxter." Jak placed a hand on his lip as he walked in. Jak then stopped when a tall black man in a silver-ish olive colored armor blocked their way. His expression was like that blonde girl back when Jak first went to the Underground, mean and tough looking.
"Uhh…are you Krew?" Jak started, "I came here to deliver something."
The black man looked up and so did Jak. An obese figure lower down to Jak's level. Obese was not enough of a word to describe him. He was enormous. Sporting a green sleeveless tank top with darker green pants, he hovered down on some hover pod big and heavy enough to lift him up The bald headed man came flashing down near Jak, fan in one hand, wine glass in another, each movement jiggling his blubber body. Jak, Daxter, and Puar all stared in great shock. Never have they meant a man so large in their lives. Jak was utterly speechless and the obese man's smell was getting to him, not in a good way either.
"Are you…Krew?" Jak asked, hoarsely, trying so hard not to stare and look shocked.
"Who wants to know, 'ey?" The fat man asked back, giving off a disgusted look, Jak stared at him, "…Yes, I'm Krew, what do you want?"
"Well, here, your Dark Eco shipment," Jak presented the package to Krew who took it greedily.
"That's good 'ey, because a cargo of rare eco ore is worth more than ten of your lives, mmmm and of course, I'd be forced to collect... ah slowly. Heh heh." Krew grinned, "The Underground will take anyone with a pulse these days." Krew laughed heartlessly for a second there, and then turned his eye to Daxter who still had on his shocked expression.
"And what do we have here? The Shadow's mascot of the month?" Krew roughly stroked Daxter's head, annoying the heck outta him, but not changing his views on the large man. Not noticing the ottsel's looks, Krew admired more on his fur coat, "Oooh, soft... Sig, this fur would go well with my silk suits, ey?"
"I'm sorry, he's not for sell." Jak crossed his arms, "This ottsel is my pet and friend."
"Ottsel? Quite a deal, 'ey?" Krew grinned, "Ottsels are not common here, rumors speak of their extinction. No one has seen an ottsel for so long; people forgot what they look like, mmmm. People who, like me, know ottsel furs are worth millions can bag a handsome sum."
"He's still not for sell." Jak made it quite clear, frowned face, crossed arms. Krew growled a little. Daxter still has his eyes wide open on the man's physical appearance.
Jak sighed and started to talk.
"Look, we did you a favor, now it's our turn." Jak pointed to the fat man, "Why is the Baron giving eco to Metal Heads?"
"Questions like that could get a person killed 'ey!" Krew continued, " Sig, pay 'el Capitan' here and his friends a bonus."

Sig made his way to Jak, looking as though he was about to kill the three, so Jak cringed a little when Sig extended his arm out. His eye were closed for a second, but opened when he saw a gun on Sig's arms. He was giving it to him. Jak slowly took it, eyeing Sig in the process, wondering if Sig would strangle his neck or something. The frown never left his face since they first came in.
"If you're all that the Underground sees you to be, then why not accompany Sig in one of his Wastelanders course?" Krew grinned.
"Umm…okay?" Jak was unsure of what he was suppose to do, let alone know what a Wastelander was. He was kind of embarrassed to ask. He already had enough trouble learning the city as it is. Krew had other thoughts as he eyed Daxter.
"What the hell is wrong with him, 'ey?" Krew asked Jak, "He can't stop staring at me."
At that point, Daxter couldn't hold it anymore.
"LOOK HOW LARGE HE IS!" Daxter shouted at the top of his lungs. Jak practically had a heart attack and so did the others except Puar, who did nothing but watch in curiosity. For a brief few seconds, everyone stood in silence. Jak placed a hand to his face.
"So, a talking ottsel, that's even rarer. I could sell him to some animal freak show for quite a lot of money, ey? Enough that I probably wouldn't have to work as much."
"NO!" Jak snapped out, "Daxter's with me!"
"Oh, so he's got a name, 'ey?" Krew grinned, "Still a disappointment that he can't be sold."
"Hey, I like the furs ON my body and the freak show AWAY from me." Daxter suggested.
"Big mouth, 'ey?" Krew grinned again.
"Can we move on, he can talk, okay?" Jak sighed, "No need to spread it around." Krew made a mumbling noise which could have composed of words, but it was hard to tell.
"Look, what's up with this Wastelander job?" Jak came in, knowing he had no choice to ask. He eyed his gun and tried to see how to work it.
"What do you need to know? You accompany Sig on his latest mission." Krew sighed.
"Well, I don't bloody well know what a Wastelander is." Jak was about to be take the verbal abuse for his lack of knowledge, but he didn't as Krew actually explained.
"Wastelanders find items outside the city walls, 'ey. Any artifact or weapon worth having comes through MY hands." Krew started, "Work for me and I'll throw you some of the sweeter items your way, hmmm".
"We also hunt exotic animals, particularly the Metal Heads." Sig came in and actually spoke. His voice was rather jovial and proud.
"Kill Metal Heads. Get toys? Sounds good to me." Jak grinned, eyeing the gun that Sig gave to him.
"Slow down, Jak and the fat man; you two had better run that by me again, 'cause there's NO WAY I'm going outside the city to face more Metal Heads!" Daxter cried out, "Last time I went outside of city borders was before I met Jak around here and believe me, Metal Heads are NOT creatures you wanna tamper with!"
"Sig will show you the ropes. "Then he flew off, leaving Sig with the Jak crew.
"So y'all ready to be wastelanders, huh doughboys?" Sig grinned, his loud booming voice coming in Jak's direction, "Well we'll see what you're made of when we get out in the thick. Krew wants some new trophies to put butts in chairs at the Hip Hog. So I'm gonna bag him some nasty Metal Heads at the Pumping Station."
Daxter gulped, his claws digging into Jak's shoulder. Jak motioned Daxter to go on the other shoulder, where the metal part was.
"Don't wet your fur, chili pepper, cause we're rollin' with the Peace Maker!" And Sig showed off his weapon, a long gun and staff combination mix with a Metal Head-ish top on front.
"Woooooh, I need one of those! Where'd you get it?" Daxter gasped, eyeing the weapon. It certainly looked better then Jak's gun.
"Don't ask. Sig needs someone to watch his back while he tracks the Metal Heads, 'ey?" Krew interrupted.
"Come on, we're heading to the Pumping Station, ya got a Tram passport?" Sig asked.
"Yes." Jak nodded, proud he actually knew something.
"Listen Cherries, don't you leave me dangling in the wind out there!" Sig pointed to Jak. Jak grinned.
"Let's do it."
"Oh, Goodie." Daxter sarcastically groaned.

………………

Between the walk to the Tram and the team leaving Hip Hog Heaven Saloon, Jak manage to understand how a gun worked. Sig warned him not to make any unwanted shots lest he catch a KG's attention. Heck, it was best just to put the gun away, so he placed it in a holster on the back.
"We need to get you a license for that weapon soon." Sig warned, "Can't carry guns around without one."
"Precursians didn't have to worry about carrying weapons when the former King ruled." Puar mumbled softly, mostly to herself.
The team later reached the nearest tram.
The tram slowly took Sig, Jak, Puar, and Daxter to the Water Slums, an area just nearby the Slums.
"Almost there, Cherries." Sig smiled boldly.
Jak was quite excited to see Metal heads up close and personal. No more sneaking around or references by pictures and drawings the underground members usually showed him when he asked what they looked like, he'd see 'em face to face this time.
Jak eyed Sig every once in a while. While he didn't affect Jak and Daxter much, Sig had an intimidated feel to many nearby. His armor was completely Metal Head-ish, making Jak wonder if he made it out of Metal Head shells. And his big figure compare was the complete opposite of Torn's lanky figure. Once again, Daxter fell asleep in Jak's arm while Puar shut herself down and was in Jak's pocket, recharging itself. Only Jak and Sig were awake. The two kept silent, although Sig made a few light conversations here and there, telling bits and pieces of each other. Jak felt more anti-social then Sig was talkative.
The travel from the Tram lasted for a while, but afterwards, Sig woke up Jak and they found themselves back in the Industrials area. It was late in the night, about 10 PM as Sig lead Jak and an exhausted Daxter out. They took a taxi which flew them to the Water Slums. After Sig paid the toll, Jak saw himself in a watery slum which looked like a dystopian version of Sandover.
"Welcome to the Water Slums, boys." Sig announced.
"Hey, I'm not a boy!" Puar flew up, fully charged.
Sig laughed heartily.
"I like ya." He quickly pointed, and then he motioned for Jak to move. Jak eyed as much as he could of the small village of the Water Slums, noticing the water, all murky, but not so much as Dead Town's.
The walkway were wooden bridge like area, some rather mangled then others, but sturdy supporters, nonetheless. The banisters needed some work though, lest someone who can't swim could slip up and drown. The houses were mostly wooden and hut-like in shape and the people generally looked the same as the people of the slums, meaning they looked deadpan and raggedy.
"Okay, here we are." Sig lead Jak to a large tunnel out. Jak went in the small tunnel where a doorway from there opened for them. Once the door fully opened, Jak was outside to a remote sandy beach location, well, as remote as you can get with. There were machines everywhere. The Baron certainly took over this place.
"This is the Pumping Station?" Jak asked Sig, "What does this do?"
"It pumps up clean water for the people of Haven." Sig answered, "Now, come on."

…………………

And for the remainder of the night, Jak accompanied Sig on his mission to shot off some Metal heads. Sig kept telling Jak to keep a close eye on him as he charged up his Peacemaker. Jak had to keep other creatures off his back, which came in swarms. Daxter kept screaming and yelling half the time, and Puar, being the handy-dandy COMP that she is, got this all on camera. Only five Metal Head were gathered, but it was already sunrise when the two were done shooting. Afterwards, Jak had to help Sig load up the Metal Heads and literally, cut off their heads for trophies. He watched as Sig did the entire head cutting.
"What, you don't like cutting up animals?" Sig chuckled.
"I happen to be a vegetarian." Jak muttered, almost in an annoyed tone. Sig let out another hearty chuckle. The team started to head back inside the city.
"Ya did good, rookie." Sig grinned as they dragged the bags of Metal head's…er…heads.
"You'll make a good Wastelander yet." Sig continued, "Come on, let's go home. Maybe Krew will do some good and give you a reward."
"Yea, I'm sure." Jak mumbled.
To Be Continued…