Author's Note: set two and a half years after their capture, Sol and Sareen are still fighting strong, will they survive? Read on to find out.

Sareen and Sol(stice) are © me, all other characters etc. are © Naughtydog.

Recollection

Sol groaned as he came to, he felt delirious, and had to lay staring at the ceiling for a while to collect his thoughts, what was he doing on the floor, and why was he in a cave? Suddenly he remembered and he shot up into a sitting position, and groaned in pain, his head was bursting but he forced himself to endure the pain long enough to take stock of his surroundings, he was in a small cell, other than a barred window set high in the wall the only entry into the cell was a reinforced door, making his way to it he peered through the window set in it, and what he saw sent his fists slamming into the hardened steel, on a platform in the centre of the room beyond was a table upon which lay a young woman, her blue-black hair confirmed her identity, Sareen.

Figures appeared on the walkway to the platform, a lean man wearing racing gear and a tall burly man, the latter of the two walked to the table and studied Sareen.

"Any change?" he asked, Sol strained to hear the conversation.

"None sire, would you like the tests to continue?"

"this time I want the concentration increased"

"As you wish"

The man walked over to a panel and began to change the settings, in the light Sol was able to recognise him as the man who had arrested them and Jak. Jak, where was he? Sol craned his neck to try and see the cells further along, but there was no sign of their mute friend, Sol turned his attention back to the table, the machine above it kicked into life, red and purple lightning sparked around it, Sol rammed his shoulder into the door, tears coursing down his cheeks as screams rendered the air.

Sol groaned as he came round for what must have been the hundredth time that morning, the light on his face disappeared as a leering face came into view.

"Feeling better?" the voice sneered

"Go to hell" Sol growled out, he spat at his tormenters face, but it had already retreated to the controls.

"It would seem that we hadn't broken you yet," Erol smirked as he pushed the levers that would increase his victim's suffering.

Sol closed his eyes with a groan as he heard the all too familiar crackling above him, his back arched off the table as wave after wave of pain swept through him, red and dark eco crackled up and down his body, a raged scream escaped his lips, cursing the gods for their torment, finally he collapsed back onto the table, neither in or out of consciousness, another face loomed over him and he growled as the Baron enquired about his 'patient'

"Like you give a fuck" Sol barely managed to say.

"Return him to his cell, notify me if there is any change"

"As you wish" Erol replied before motioning for two guards to take him away, they dragged him back to his cell and threw him in, not daring to go any further, the door shuddered violently as one of the occupants threw themselves against it.

Inside Sareen rushed to her brother's side, she dragged him over to the seat and lifted him onto it, grabbing a piece of cloth she soaked it in a bowl of water left earlier that day, and used it to dampen his forehead, gradually he came to, grabbing the water she offered it to him, he downed it in one go, then ran a hand through his hair, he had changed in the past year, they both had, his features had become more defined and muscular, his hair was longer and darker as was his eyes, the blue in Sarea's hair was more defined and was seen in her eyes, no longer grey but a dark blue-grey, the both of them had grown stronger, both physically and mentally, and were also more agile, it was this along with the self defence they had learnt as they grew up in their small village, that made them so feared by the Krimson Guards, as they tried to avoid meeting the same fate as their fellow colleagues, the floor still reeked of the blood which had seeped from their severed heads. The Baron was getting desperate, attacks on the city had increased and he was quickly loosing men, it was this that decided what was to follow. One morning both Sareen and Sol woke to find themselves in shackles, they were then escorted to a room usually used for interrogation, where they were drugged.

Two years later and Sol was found leading an attack on a Metal Head camp in the sewers, moments later the camp no longer existed, he checked round for injuries before sending his men back to the fortress, high above him the Baron was observing from a conference window, pleased at the results of his decision.

"You asked for me sire"

The Baron turned his attentions to his commander

"I did, how did the raid go?"

"The mission was executed successfully sire with few minor injuries, all are present and correct and the Metal Head camp was eliminated"

"Do you believe I made a good choice?"

"Sire?"

"Solstice, was he a good choice"

"Yes sire, he is an efficient leader and a ruthless fighter"

"And his sister?"

The commander licked his lips and collected his thoughts before answering, "She is as good a medic as she is a fighter sire, we have not lost a man to her yet"

"Very well, tell Solstice that he is free to resume his patrol when he may"

"As you wish"

Sol wandered round the slums, listening out for any signs of suspicion, rounding a corner he ran into a girl.

"Watch where you're going" he growled

"S-sorry" she stammered trying to straighten her top, she found her back rammed against the wall, she gasped for breath as the chain round her neck was pulled tight.

"Where did you get this" he growled at her

"I…I found it"

"When"

"Three years ago, in the industrial section."

Sol's eyes widened and releasing her he slumped against the wall in shock, the girl hesitated not sure what to do, she considered escape, but the man's laboured breathing caused her concern.

"W-what's wrong?"

Sol shook his head, trying to clear it, he allowed the girl to lead him to a building, he was in such a daze that he did not notice where they were going. She sat him at a table and handed him a drink, he sat staring at the wall, completely fazed.

"What the hell is he doing here?"

They both jumped at the rough voice, a Krimson Guard was standing in the doorway.

"I said what is he doing here?" he repeated, glaring at them.

"Who the hell are you?" Sol answered.

"I brought him here" Tess said, "He collapsed"

"That's no excuse, I want him out, and make sure he can't -"

"Wait, aren't you Torn?" Sol said.

Torn stopped, he stared at Sol, suspicious.

"What if I am? What's it got to do with you?"

"Nuthin, just thought-" He shook his head, trying to clear it, standing up he walked over to the boiler, trying to make sense of the memories flooding his mind, after a while he turned to stare at Torn again. "I want to join the Underground"

Torn snorted "And how do I know we can trust you?"

Sol turned back to the table, staring at a poster of Erol on the wall, his gaze hardened.

"Lets just say I've got nothing to lose any more"

Torn followed his gaze to the poster.

"Trouble in paradise?"

"There's always been trouble, I just didn't know till now"

"Tell us and then we might reconsider"

It took a record half an hour for Sol to relate his tale and convince Torn to trust him, with some help from Tess, Sol agreed to put the Baron of their scent, in return they would help him to help his sister.