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Chapter 2Ashelin stood in front of the raging commander with her arms crossed in front of her. They shared an intense glare as the anger rose up inside the room. They stood silent, listening to the heavy breathing of Torn who was trying to control his anger. He clawed at her wooden desk, awaiting some sort of reaction or comment from the crimson-headed woman. Ashelin finally turned away from him, facing the exit and just before she walked off, she turned her head to him. He had stood up from her desk, his blue eyes furrowed in anger at her stubbornness.
"If someone has the balls to try and kill me then I'll be sure to meet them halfway, with my gun in their face" She opened the doors and stopped again, "Give Jak his briefing on the mission I had for him, I'm going upstairs" She clenched her fists at her sides as she swiveled her hips out of the room. She didn't bother to look back at Torn's angry glare still on her.
Torn stood staring at the open doors where she had just stormed off. He growled to himself as he looked down at the letter still clenching in his grasp. He sighed in frustration as he headed to the guards outside the office. They both stiffened and felt the nervous sweat begin to build up as they had realized the angry glare on their commander's face. They knew he was intimidating to begin with but when he was angry, there was no telling what he was going to do to them.
"Atten-hut!"
"Yes sir!" They both stomped and raised their hands to their heads in respect to their commander's voice.
"I want you to go up to Ashelin's room and stand guard. Don't ask me why and make sure she does not see you. Whatever you do, do not let her out of your sight until you are given further instructions"
One of the guards was about to open his mouth in question but quickly snapped shut upon Torn's snarl.
"Is there something you want to say private?"
The man began to tremble slightly and somehow managed to answer him in barely a whisper, "S-sir, what if she needs to use the bathroom?"
"I don't care. Do not let her out of your sight and if you do your asses are mine! Now go!"
The two men quickly scrambled at the tone of Torn's roaring voice and headed down the hall to the staircase. Torn shook his head as he watched the two guards run up the stairs to head to Ashelin's room. He stared down at the almost crumbled piece of paper in his hands before deciding to close the doors behind him and meet Jak downstairs. He wasn't going to disobey Ashelin; he'd give Jak his briefing, except it would be on a different mission. He didn't care what Ashelin would think of him afterwards, it comforted him knowing that Jak would probably agree with his decision and gladly offer help.
"What the hells takin' 'em so long? Personally I'd rather be back at the Naughty Ottsel with Tess than waiting here in the lobby just so we can become metal meat" Daxter was ranting on as usual as he sat next to Jak impatiently.
Jak rolled his eyes and leaned back on his arms underneath his head. "Relax Dax. This is the fun part of the day remember?" Jak gave Daxter a friendly pat on the back.
"Fun part! Hah! I'm tired of risking my life all the time. I'm a precursor. I should be getting worshipped or something and what do I get instead? I get to ride on your shoulder and dodge bullets!" Daxter's loud voice echoed in the long hall of the lobby. It was full of framed pictures and flags hanging from the ceiling. Tall green plants hugged the six gray columns in the long room and a long burgundy carpet led its way up to a large empty chair. Some cushioned burgundy chairs were scattered throughout the room. Jak closed his eyes and was about to doze off in one of the chairs until he heard the loud slamming of the large entrance doors.
Daxter hopped onto Jak's shoulder as he got up, heading toward a very upset looking commander. He eyed the crumbled piece of paper in Torn's fisted hand and noticed Ashelin was missing.
He formed a half smile as he crossed his arms in front of him, "Trouble with the lady commander?"
Torn did not bother to pursue Jak's sarcastic comment. He quickly walked past Jak heading towards one of the chairs and beckoned Jak to follow. Jak knew by the expression on his face that this was serious and there was no time to joke. He obeyed and sat next to Torn, both him and Daxter listening intently.
Barely without a word, Torn handed the paper to Jak, "Read this to yourself" Jak nodded as he rested his elbows on his knees to read the letter, Daxter read with him over his shoulder. His eyes widened as he read through it, a reaction that they had all shared.
Ashelin Praxis
Once again we have crossed paths, except this time it will end in your death. Haven City will no longer be under your rule all in due time. I'd advise you to cherish the remaining time of your life before it is over. Don't try to escape; the city and its surrounding areas have eyes and ears.
Sincerely,
Your Demise
He calmly handed the threatening letter back to Torn.
"So what's Ashelin have to say about it?'"
"She's not taking it seriously. She's being stubborn…as always"
Jak shook his head in agreement, "Does she know that I'm reading this?"
Torn shook his head, "No she doesn't. She thinks I'm briefing you on a different mission but Ashelin's a smart girl. I'm sure she knows but she can't change my mind"
"So what can we do?"
"I need you to take this letter to Samos and tell him to analyze it right away. I'd like the results by tonight if possible" Torn folded it and gave it to Jak. Jak put it in his pocket and nodded.
"So what are you gonna do?"
"I'm heading to the Haven City post office to find the guy that delivered it. The envelope didn't have a return address but they should at least know if it came from within the city or elsewhere"
"Alright then, I'll head over to Samos and be back as soon as I can," the blond elf hopped onto his Jet board with Daxter and glided out of the room with a wave.
Torn stood silent and alone in the now empty room. His stern expression softened as a look of worry replaced it. He sighed as he whispered her name under his breath, "Ashelin". It had been two years of his ongoing relationship with the governor. She was 22 and he was 28 at the time, a big age difference but the woman knew how to handle herself. That's what had attracted him to the dominant woman in the first place but now it was the one thing he wished she wasn't. They had a silent agreement where neither of them really wore the pants and neither of them ever complained. They liked being equal status to one another. Yet this time was different, he wanted to protect her. Whoever was after her just wants her and no one else. He wasn't just going to stand there and let her handle it herself. He couldn't bear the thought of what he'd do with himself if something would happen to her. He had known her a few years before they got together when he was in the KG. She was his best friend, the woman who always had his back and now the woman he couldn't see himself without. He wished she realized this.
He shook his head in defeat and then decided to head on over to the post office so he could be back as soon as possible. Thoughts of apology clouded his worrisome mind.
I'm sorry Ash, but I need to find out who's after you?
Ashelin watched the tattooed figure head over to the vehicle parked outside the palace. She stood leaning against the red curtains of the large glass window as she watched him. She raised an eyebrow in suspicion as he drove away. She had seen Jak speed off on his Jet board just before Torn had come out. The mission that she had given him was to head over to Spargus and deliver a message onto Sig about their Eco supply. In order to maintain peace within the surrounding cities they traded goods and Eco between them. Usually Jak wouldn't ride on his Jet board unless the place he was headed was nearby. He obviously wasn't heading in the direction of Spargus.
She pondered where Torn could possibly be heading but an answer did not come to mind.
I still don't think it's that serious. It's not like I haven't had people hate me before.
She smirked at the thought of how many people she had made enemies with in the past, especially other woman who were either envious or disgusted by the way she carried herself because she wasn't a dainty pink pretty girl.
I won't stand around and wait for things to happen Torn!
She turned to look at the entrance to her bedroom. She knew they were there. They weren't very good at hiding the way they stumbled up the steps as if they were running from Torn. She shook her head to herself.
And I can't tolerate these two guards on my ass all day!
Finally she unfolded her arms and walked toward the door. She quickly pulled it open and the two guards jumped from being startled. They hadn't realized that she was approaching and didn't have the time to hide. She stepped out in between the two frightened guards.
"I'm leaving now, do not follow me!" She barked at them.
One of the guards managed to stammer, "B-but governor, we were told to stand gua-"
"I don't care. My authority rides over the commander's, do you understand?"
They both stomped in unison as they raised their hands to their heads, "Yes mam!"
She walked down the hall and yelled back, "Stay put and speak of this to no one"
"Yes mam!"
Her curvy figure vanished down the hall as the guards watched her leave. The released their respectful stances and exhaled in relief.
"Oh man, I don't like this. The commander's gonna have our heads" informed one of the guards as he spoke to the other.
The other guard simply shrugged, "Well she was right, she does out rank the commander. I wonder why we were told to watch her anyway"
"Who knows, but whatever the reason, our lives are still at the mercy of our commander once he gets back"
They both shook their heads in defeat, awaiting the consequences that would come once their commander would return.
Where is that crazy woman going, one of them thought. He had a bad feeling brewing deep in his gut and little did he know that he should've trusted his instincts.
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So was it a bit more suspenseful? Ehh I feel like I don't have as much drive with this story as I did with the others when I start them. I mean what I plan to make happen in the story, it's gonna get really good but right now since it's just starting off there's not much action or drama yet. I know I'm planning to have certain characters make cameo appearances (I won't tell Lol) and I can't wait till I get to the action scenes. So what will happen when Torn gets to the post office and where is Ashelin going? What will the results from Samos bring? Please review and keep on reading.