"My father left when I was a young girl, A month after my mother died. He… he began to change right before that. Became obsessed with researching Dark eco. So much that it consumed him and my aunt. It became his downfall." I said, not looking at the young Samos and watching the kid in my lap. He became attached to me for some reason, always following me around the hideout while I waited for Jak to return.
"And what exactly happened to your father?" Samos asked.
"Years later, Jak and I prevented his plan to flood the world in dark eco. And soon after I began my training to become his successor as the dark eco sage. Then things happened and we ended up here kind of putting things on the back burner. I was so focused on making the baron pay for what he did to Jak and I that I forgot about my training. But since things are more dire. you're the only person I know that can help me somehow control it more."
"alright Zoe, tell me. What happened the last time you used the dark eco?"
"Well, I stopped The Krimzon Guard from attacking an innocent. I just lit my arm up with the Eco and that was enough to scare him off."
"So, is it linked to your anger?"
"I think so. Last two times I used it before that time I was angry. It may be also a self defense thing? All I know that whenever I use it my arms burn and the marks- "I stopped myself. But it was too late.
"Marks?" He asked, I sighed and pulled up my sleeve. They were very faint, but the intricate lines were there. I quickly covered them, staring at Samos.
"It was a result of the Dark eco treatments. Or what I prefer to call it is Torture."
"I see."
"I cannot control it well. I was born with dark eco in my veins. What Baron Praxis did amplify it and now my body can't handle it. I'll either become my father, a monster, or it'll kill me. And if I become a monster, I rather be dead."
"Don't give up so easily. I will assist if you wish. Now, come outside with me." He got up and shuffled outside. The kid leaped off my lap and went after him, and his Croca-dog followed. I stood up, but the Holo-communicator I rigged for the hideout beeped on the table. Three times… it was a PSA. Which meant from the baron himself. Against my better judgement I tapped the button but quickly changed it to sound only.
"This Message is for anyone harboring Fugitives. If you are the keeping Zoe Acheron and the Man named Jak then you will face horrible punishment. And Zoe... If you are hearing this then I have an offer. Turn yourself in alongside the boy and I promise nothing will happen to your... friends. I can give you what you desire most. Refuse and I will send my elite out and search the city for you. You have two hours. Don't be stupid." He said, and it went silent. My heart felt like it was in my throat. I was dizzy, sitting back in the chair. I took a moment to clear my head, then I went outside.
"What took you so long- Zoe? You look sick. What happened?"
"I... we need to move the kid. It's not safe here."
"What are you talking about? It's never safe."
I quickly explained what happened and his eyes widened.
"We need to move him to where Kor is."
"Are you sure? I mean, the guy saved my life, but he seems. Off."
"Zoe, I understand your concern but we have this handled. I've been in this game longer than you."
"I know that but I've been in the fight longer than Jak and a few days he gets to meet the great Shadow but I risked my neck- "
"Zoe! Enough." He said harshly. I looked at him, I about to speak when I heard a zoomer land. I turning to face Jak and Daxter.
"Boys. Glad to see you're still in one piece."
"Yeah well it wasn't easy. How'd your training go?"
"Something came up."
"Zoe is correct. I want you three to escort the Kid to Kor at the power station. He'll look after the Kid and I'm just too busy to babysit right now." Samos said as said kid was running around with his Croca-dog. I was confused, why wasn't he mentioning what the baron had said? We were running out of time.
"Oh, and take the kid's... Croca-dog with you." He continued, it growling at him and he laughing nervously.
"So, what's this kid's story?" Jak asked, the kid stopping to look at us both.
"I just found him wandering the streets but that amulet around his neck means he just might be the lost heir to the city. Take the kid and the mutt to the power station. Watch out for guard patrols and protect the kid at all costs." Samos directed, the kid running to Jak and taking his hand. Jak pulled away instinctively, I picking him up.
"Jak... I have an idea."
"If it includes you as bait, I'm not for it."
"I… wasn't going to suggest that. I was going to be your gunner. Why did you think that I was going to suggest that?"
"Because you've done it before, Z. I don't want you getting hurt."
"Oh, please getting hurt is like the norm for us. Getting shot at, getting blown up, getting knocked out..."
"I get it, Zoe. But your plan might work."
"We get Vin to make an anoynomus call to the guards saying that they saw what looked like a sketchy vechicle heading towards the track and we wait a minute before taking a two seat ride towards the station. The kid and the dog will lay low in my lap, I using my gun on any patrols that catch wind on what we're up to."
"That could work."
"Brillant. Okay. Give me a sec to call Vin." I said, passing the kid to Jak who was not happy about it. I only smiled and ran back inside, only to run into Torn.
"Torn. Didn't know you were around." I said, walking to the table, about to hit the button but he grabbed my wrist to stop me.
"What the hell?"
"Zoe. I heard the message. You are not going to do it are you?" He asked.
"How did you… you never left. Did you?" I asked but he only shook his head.
"You're avoiding the question, Zoe."
"and you're hurting my wrist. Let go." I said, he releasing his grip and I jerked my hand away giving him a dirty look.
"Look, Im putting the kid somewhere safe. We're waiting this out. I don't have a lot of time here so if you're gonna stop me you have to try harder than this."
"I didn't authorize-"
"No, your boss did. So let me do this or youre going to have to worry about the Krimzon elite." I said. He looked at me for a moment, realizing that I wasn't going to back down. He scoffed, turning away and walking deeper into the hideout. I sighed, hitting the buttons needed to call Vin.
"Ah! Whatya want? Money? Extended warranty on your eco generator? Not gonna happen!"
"Vin! It's Zoe."
"Oh. Zoe. Nice to see your face. What can I help you with?"
I quickly relayed my plan, he nodding.
"And then your gonna be bait, right?"
"What? No, no. Why does everyone think I do that?"
"It is kind of your thing, Zoe. Self-sacrifice, don't want to burden others…"
"okay, I get it! Can you please make the call?"
"Got it. Eh, give it ten minutes."
"Thanks Vin, you are the best." I said, hanging up and heading outside, grabbing my long-ranged blaster as I went. I hopped into the zoomer with Jak, the kid in the back seat.
"We'll be set in a few; did you tell the kid the plan?" I asked Jak.
"yeah keep your head down until we say."
"Good." I nodded, watching the passing traffic.
"Uh, Z? I notice you're a bit shaken about all this. Everything okay?"
"Let's just focus at the task at hand, okay? I'll explain everything once this kid is safe." I said, perking up when I saw about 6 patrol zoomers fly north.
"That was fast. Let's go." I said, Jak putting it in drive and taking off. The wind whipped my hair and clothes, Jak expertly avoiding others and pedestrians as he moved through the low and high hover zones, turning corners smoothly.
"So, if you didn't do any training you could've joined me in the forest."
"And take away your fun? Nah man." I shook my head, keeping my eyes out. I checked the time for a split second... we still had an hour, good.
"Zoe, I know you're worried about the guard but it seems your diversion worked, so why are you so tense?" He asked but quickly spun to a stop when we ran into a line of patrol zoomers. But not just any, these were built different. Their armor… different.
"That's why." I said, aiming my gun at one as Jak shifted to low zone and flying underneath, zipping up just as one tried to block us. I fired, knocking its driver off the vehicle.
"Now would be a good time to explain!" Daxter piped up from the back seat as the now 5 elite cruisers gave chase, I taking the head rest off and tossing it to the floor and using the newfound space to prop my gun onto.
"What's there to explain, exactly?" I shouted over the wind, firing the gun at the lead car but they avoided it easily.
"These guys are stronger than the others!"
"Thank you, Captain obvious." I retorted and tried again this time hitting the one in the back's gas line, which caused and explosion. I sat back down to reload.
"We're near the ramp to the station, Z what's your plan?" Jak asked.
"Park near the base and get the kid inside, I have an idea."
"But- "
"Just trust me!" I said as he spun the zoomer sideways to park, helping the kid out and the dog following him. I stood in my seat, lighting up my arm with Eco and just as the first elite vehicle was close enough, I leaped, shooting the concentrated dark eco at it. It immediately grounded it, the Krimzon guard crawling out of the wreckage. I got a closer look, the chest plate… it looked to have been repaired at some point. But the damage looked like claw marks. The guard took their helmet off, it being a man.
"You… not you again."
"Why… why can't you just leave us alone?" I asked.
"I will… take you in, Zoe. You and your friends."
"No! No, you won't! Tell the Baron that if he wants me, he has to kill me and if he wants the Kid so damn badly, he has to step over my dead body." I said, picking up my gun from the zoomer and walking to the power station, watching the guards turn around and fly off. I entered the building, Jak looking relieved.
"You're okay. I was just about to go out there but- you look like you could use a nap."
"More like eight hours of sleep. Maybe ten? I don't know just… don't wake me up unless you have coffee or the baron is dead, Capishe?" I asked, walking up the stairs to the one bed Vin rarely (if never) uses. I kicked off my shoes, and sheded my jacket. The marks were dark again, outlined in purple.
"It's getting worse…" I muttered to myself.
"It seems that way." Kor spoke, causing me to jump.
"Kor! You scared me."
"apologies my young friend. I just wanted to thank you for protecting the boy."
"Oh. It was no big deal." I shrugged.
"Having a price on your head and turning down a deal with the Baron Is a big deal."
"I… god damn it how many people know about that?"
"It was announced to everyone. He is getting serious with finding the boy. You and Jak are the key to getting him. So that is why he not only wants the boy but the both of you as well."
"I mean without the Dark warrior project; the baron is losing the war on all fronts. He'll get desperate. He'll get sloppy do something brash and that… is when well strike. It's just that if we get to the palace, what are we gonna do? Beat the crap outta him? Because that didn't work out so well last time." I shrugged.
"Yes, well you are a smart girl, Zoe. I believe you can figure it out. Rest up." He said before sliding out the door, it shutting behind him. What he said… did he know more than he was letting on? I had to find out. But for now, I had to sleep even though nightmares awaited me. Maybe id get lucky… If only.
