The sun set almost as fast as it came up. I wasn't sure if that was a good thing, or a bad thing, but I hadn't gone back to the hideout all day, and I didn't take any calls on my communicator. I know that Uncle Torn was going to murder me when I got back for being so ignorant, but hey, it would be worth it if I found out what I wanted to know.
I maneuvered my zoomer around carefully so I wouldn't hit anyone (I was going in the higher hover zone this time) and accelerated a little more. I was closing in on the palace. I'd be there in about… ten minutes. And then, my bloody communicator went off for the umpteenth time that day. Well, Uncle Torn won't leave me alone until I answer him, so… what the hell? I reluctantly grabbed my communicator.
"Yes?" I said slowly and as unenthusiastically as I could.
"Jakie!" Uncle Torn… oh joy… "What the hell have you been doing the whole day! You didn't answer my calls at all today! What the hell are you doing!" Well, he's certainly pissed off at me, isn't he? I took a deep breath.
"What I'm doing doesn't concern you," I answered in sort of a monotone. Then my dads voice came over the intercom.
"Jakie, are you all right?" he asked, almost franticly.
"Yes, dad. I'm fine," I answered calmly.
"Come back to the hideout, Jakie!" I inwardly smirked. Sorry, dad. As much as I'd like to, my curiosity is killing me.
"No," was my only answer. Then I heard Dawn speaking.
"Jakie, have you gone absolutely crazy over this?" she demanded. I chuckled lightly.
"No, Dawn. I haven't." Dad snatched the communicator from her hands.
"Please, just come back to the hideout!" he sounded like he was ready to get on his knees and beg. I just smiled.
"I'm sorry, guys. But there's something I have to do. Alone. I'll see you later."
"Jakie, wait!" dad cried, but I cut him off.
"Goodbye." And I turned it off. I felt guilty doing that to him, but I was almost at the palace. I couldn't let my family distract me from my mission, right? Right!
I parked my zoomer a few blocks away from the palace and walked the rest of the way. This way I'd have a quieter approach. When I reached the palace back door, the one my father and I had both escaped through, I snuck in and started retracing my steps to the torture chamber I remembered so well. Of course, I had to kill more than enough KG's to get to that point. I swear, the only think more annoying than the KG's was the marauders that inhabited the desert. There's no telling how many times I was nearly killed because of those fucking things. Well… here I go.
I carefully maneuvered through the palace, careful of the guards on patrol. Eventually I got to one of the more 'public' areas of the palace. That was WAY to risky, so I looked for another way around. Well… might as well do it the old fashioned way. I carefully unscrewed the loosely installed screws that held the vent on the ceiling in place, and hoisted myself up. Holy CRAP, it's tight in here! I could barley maneuver enough to get the vent back in place so no one would suspect a thing and started crawling very quietly.
The vent seemed to go on forever. But at least I heard several juicy conversations along the way. One poor sap was having troubles with his in-laws, and another guy was complaining about his gun always jamming up on him, but the one I found the most interesting was about me… three guards that were patrolling a hallway were sharing rumors that they'd heard after the Town Square Massacre.
"Boy, I'm glad I wasn't on duty that day," the first one said.
"No kidding. I heard the girl completely slaughtered almost all of the guards that were on patrol!" the second agreed. "And with nothing but a sword! Can you imagine!"
"What was her name?" the third asked.
"Jakie, I think it was," the second answered. You're damn right, buddy! I inwardly smirked as they continued.
"I think there was only about three guys that survived the whole thing," the first stated. "They said she was like an unstoppable killing machine. Just like that guy that got away a while back."
"I heard they said she could also change into some kind of monster! You think the two have a connection?" the third asked. The other two shrugged.
"I don't know, but I'd love to be the guy to catch her! Imagine the reward!" there was a brief silence as the three men daydreamed about the impossibility of ever catching me. Poor diluted saps. Felt a bit sorry for them. Oh course… that was the moment when the ceiling decided to cave in.
I yelped and hit the floor hard. Oh great! Now I'd have to start kicking some ass! The first thing I heard was "Halt! You're under arrest!" Nuts. I thought I was screwed, until I showed them my face. The three immediately cowered back in fear that I was going to kill them. I would've, if they hadn't suddenly been so nice to me.
"Please… don't kill us!" one pleaded. I cocked an eyebrow.
"I just found a girl friend! Have mercy!" another begged. Wow. I guess I'm more badass than I thought.
"What are you talking about? I'm not going to kill you three," I said, still keeping my eyebrow raised. They relaxed a little.
"You…you're not?" I shook my head and they instantly started thinking me. I blushed a little. Hell, I could probably use this to my advantage! Maybe I could get to Erol faster! Well, here goes nothing.
"As long as I'm here… would you guys mind helping me out?" I asked sweetly. Those idiots would rather help me infiltrate the palace than lose their heads. I realized that when they agreed without hesitation. "I need to get to Erol. Could you help me get there?" Again, they agreed. Good for them. I thought for a moment, then came up with a good plan to get by the rest of the KG's…