Author's Note: Okay…so I said that I wouldn't write anymore notes in this fic, but its been so very long since I updated last and I feel I owe everyone reading this a BIG apology. If you can even remember who you are anymore. Yeah I've been having a rough time trying to finish this fic…so if this the last chapter I write on it don't be surprised. And one more thing…I started writing this fic before I had played Jak 3.
Chapter Seven: Free
Ashelin sat at the end of the long oak conference table, trying desperately to stay awake during the weekly report given by the city planner. But as his monotonous voice went on her eyelids began to get heavy. The toxic humid air of summer wasn't helping matters either. Ashelin glanced at the clock, only two more hours of excruciating long babble and she was free. Free to do what, she hadn't decided, but thought it might be nice to go see Torn, either that or bust some unsuspecting criminal. Her daydreaming was suddenly interrupted when the large oak doors flew open.
"Excuse the intrusion Governess, but you ordered me to alert you to any matters concerning Jak" The elderly guard at the door way said.
"Yes, go on"
"Well he's attacked a civilian and is now on the run and-"
"Enough, I'm on my way," Ashelin interrupted the guard and got out of her seat. Finally an excuse to get out of the meeting, but at what cost?
The Grand Council Chief stood up. He was a middle aged man with pointy features and rich attire. "I'm sorry Governess, but the meeting is not yet over," the sneer on his face was full of contempt. "I'm sure Commander Torn is…competent enough to handle this situation. And I'm sure the rest of the council agrees that you are needed here more than chasing that…that thing through the streets of our fair city." He through a menacing glare at the rest of the council.
"He's right Governess, we still need to discuss the plans for the city." Pointed out Breal, the eldest member of the council. Ashelin loved Breal to death, he had been more of a father to her than her father had, but she cursed him for his cowardice.
"Fine," she turned to the guard, "tell Torn to handle this one, and tell him to bring Jak here." And with that said, the guard left, closing the doors behind him, and Ashelin returned to her seat. The city planner stood once more and cleared his throat.
"Now, as I was saying-" he started with the same monotonous tone as before.
"Sorry, but if I may interrupt," the Chief said, cutting off the city planner. "But in light of recent matters, I feel it is important to discuss the problem at hand…Jak."
Ashelin shoot a look at him only to get one in return. Count Veger, the Council Chief, was the only member of Haven's Grand Council that had served under her father and that had agreed with his 'tactics'. He was a cunning man, using wit and the public to gain power and control. In some ways, she thought, Veger was more of a menace than her father was. Even though he lacked the physical brutality that her father possessed, he made up with the manipulation of politics. Ashelin had tried to dismiss him from the council, but with his knowledge and power over the people, she had no choice but to keep him. As the old saying goes; keep your friends close and your enemies closer.
- - -
Why is this happening to me? Jak racked his brain for answers to the unexplained outbursts of Dark Jak while racing toward the Underground Hideout. He had almost lost control back at the stadium; he had almost killed that girl. What ever power he needed to find, he had a feeling that he needed to find it fast or next time he might not be so lucky. He wished that the Oracle was more specific, and hoped that the advice given in his dream was not just his imagination.
He veered to the right, narrowly missing a stationary zoomer. He tensed as he came upon a blockade of several hellcats and even more guards. And as he neared the group he realized their armour was not that of the regular Krimson guards', but rather coloured blue were the red should have been. Jak weaved in and out of pedestrians, he had passed KG blockades before, and this one would be no different. He pressed on the accelerator making the zoomer go faster, if he could get the timing just right he may be able to use the ramp up ahead to fly right passed the blockade. He went hard for the ramp, ignoring the KG's orders to stop and surrender. Jak had gotten Keira to adjust the hover mechanism on the bottom of the zoomer to let off 50 more energy a while ago but he had never tested it. In theory it should allow for a higher vertical jump, but that was just a theory. Jak's thumb hovered over the little red button that would control the jump action and timing it just right, Jak pressed the button and the zoomer sprung off the end of the ramp.
For a few moments Jak was free. The responsibility of the safety of the world was lifted from his shoulders and he was the child growing up in Sandover Village again. His zoomer flew over the blockade and Jak gave a silent whoop. The darkness inside of him was forgotten and Jak felt unity within himself for the first time in years.
Reality came rushing at him like a tsunami. His zoomer landed and he struggled to control his years of built up emotions. Swallowing hard he turned his head to look back at the blockade, they were to say the least, in awe of what he had just done, and despite their orders they were not giving chase.
- - -
"Jak?" the harsh deep voice of Torn pierced the silence of the old underground hideout. Torn looked at the trashed place, his desk was reduced to slivers, maps had been slashed and the racing poster of Jak and Daxter had been ripped up. The bunk beds had also been chopped up save for the few closest to the door. Torn's survey of the area stopped when he saw Jak sitting in the farthest corner of the room. "Jak, Ashelin wants me to bring you in," Torn said in a low voice, unsure that Jak was in the mood to listen, "Look, I don't want to force you there, frankly I don't think I can, but I have to follow orders Jak."
"Just give me a minute," Torn could hear Jak's voice shake and his breathing was ragged and laboured. Finally the youth stood up, his head bowed, and his hands trembling, Jak began to walk towards the entrance of the hideout and finally the two emerged and boarded Torn's hellcat.