I entered the power station, Vin frantically hitting buttons on his control panel.
"Vin! What's going on?" I asked him.
"Zoe, thank Mar you are here. The metalhead nests were draining power so I sent Jak and Daxter to blow them up with bombs, and Daxter set them all off and ran into the warp gate and it's been way past the time they had left-"
"Woah hold on a damn minute. You sent them off to blow things up without me?" I asked, "I'm the demolitions expert here."
"To be fair, Zoe you weren't here and they said you were busy getting the Zoomer ready." He spoke.
"That… is fair. It's almost ready. It just needs a few more adjustments so they can handle the extra juice I gave it." I explained, crossing my arms, "Besides I wasn't gone that long. How much trouble can those two get into?"
As I said this, both of them came flying through the warp gate, Daxter sliding at my feet.
"Zoe! Hey when you'd get here?" He asked as I pulled him up.
"Just a few minutes ago. Y'all blowing stuff up without me?" I asked in return, walking to Jak and offering a hand.
"Wouldn't dream of it, Z." Jak responded as he took my hand, I helping him up.
"Oh? Is that why Vin called me here thinking you died in an explosion?"
"Yeah. What a Brain-wreck. Vin is sure scared of metalheads." Daxter said, climbing off my shoulder onto Jak's.
"and for good reason. I've seen what metalheads do when they take a city. The Destruction, the killing, The devouring." Kor said as he entered the room, approaching us. "The Baron's Scheming will result in this city's falling prey like all others before it. We must replace Praxis before it's too late. I am happy to say that you two and your sidekick are causing quite the stir in our fight against the baron."
"You hear that Jak? You're the sidekick." Daxter said, crossing his arms. I shook my head.
"No."
"We have word that the baron is sending one of his large tankers out to the drill platform to pick up a load of Ill-gotten Eco. Go out to the Drill platform and knock out that ship. The Shadow will send a team from the underground to pick up the Eco later. Keep up the good work. We're counting on you." He continues, Ignoring Daxter.
"Why don't you boys rest here. I can handle the Ship." I offered, turning around to face them.
"What? Zoe, I think we should stick together." Jak Says.
"Look, you guys look exhausted. It's late, and you guys kind of stink. Did you go into the sewers again?"
"Yeah, but it could be dangerous."
"We've been doing dangerous stuff since we crashed here, Jak. Get some rest. The race is tomorrow, remember? I'll be okay, I promise." I said, he nodding and hugging me before walking upstairs with Daxter.
"That boy really must care for you." Kor says as I sighed.
"Yeah. He really does." I said, looking over where he was a moment ago.
(Next afternoon)
"-and done. The Z-100 is complete." I said as I wiped off my brow, sliding out from underneath the zoomer.
"Great just in time too. The race is soon." Keira said as I stood, admiring my work. Erol's Once red zoomer was now painted an electric blue color similar to the blue eco we once collected before. It had new engine, tailpipes and a fuel source to give it a boost when you hit the button.
"I just hope it's enough. I have no idea about the competition he's up against."
"If he's good enough driver as Krew claims then there's no need to worry, Zoe. That trophy is as good as ours." She says.
"I guess so." I began to wipe off the grease from my arms, the marks still being there from my episode the day before.
"We destroyed Krew's cargo." Jak announced as he entered the garage, walking to the curtain. I sat on the table, continuing to wipe myself off.
"Great. I'll send you a metal. Now if you don't mind i'm on deadline so scram." Keira said from behind the curtain.
"Are you always this difficult? Sound worse than Zoe sometimes." Jak said to her.
"Hey!" I exclaimed from the table.
"Let me handle this, Jak." Daxter said, jumping down from his shoulder. "Listen lady. We beat your stupid course and we can outrace anybody in this city."
"Wait. That voice.." She said.
"There are just two things you need to know. One: we don't wanna join your stinking race team. And two, you just lost a date with Orange lightning. Let's Go, Jak." Daxter said, turning around just as Keira opened the curtain.
"Daxter! It is you!" She exclaimed.
"Keira?!"
"Oh, I never thought I'd be so glad to see your furry mug!" She says, approaching him and squeezing his face. "and Jak, you look… Different." She says to him, covering her mouth. I hop off the table, placing a hand on his shoulder.
"It's been a tough Ride. For the both of us." He glanced at me.
"The Baron pumped our boy here full of dark eco and it did something to him. now he's got super moves or something. And a few anger issues as well." Daxter explained, I simply squeezing his shoulder gently giving Daxter a look.
"I've been looking all over for you guys for forever. Luckily, I recently Found Zoe, after uh... a visit from a certain Racer. I also planning on a way to get us back home. Somehow that rift took us far into the future. I calculated the time displacement, and I- "
"We found your Father. Well… Sort of." Jak Interrupts.
"Working with the Underground fighting the Baron. But He's uh…" Daxter added.
"What?" Keira asks.
"You need to go see him. And I need to get to the Baron." Jak says.
"You could try to win the class one racing championship. The winner of that big race always gets to meet the baron in the palace. But you have to qualify by winning the lower-class races. There's a class three race starting soon. You should drive for my team." Keira says.
"Yup. That's why I've been working on this beautiful piece of Machinery right here. Boys, Meet the Z-100." I wave my hands over to the shiny blue zoomer that was once Erol's."
"Z, it's…" Jak trails off, looking at it and walking over.
"Amazing? Perfect?" I prompted, grinning.
"Incredible! Can I?" He asked, running his hands on it.
"Of course." I nodded, he getting on it.
"But Guys, we should really think of getting out of here. I don't like this place and some of the people are creepy." She says and if on que, Krew flew in behind us. I immediately went on defensive mode.
"Speaking of Creepy..." I muttered.
"Jak my boy, I need that ruby key you found, eh. A special client requested it." He said, flying towards Jak, who got off the bike.
"sorry about that krew, heh heh. I must've forgotten." Jak says as he rubs the back of his head in false sheepishness, passing a large key to Krew.
"Right..." Krew snarls, flying off after he grabbed it from Jak.
Attention all Racers, the class 3 Race is about to begin in 10 minutes. All Racers must report to the starting Line.
I looked up at the speakers, then at Jak.
"I'll be watching from the Balcony. Good Luck."
"Thanks, Z." He said, getting back on the zoomer and starting it, it roaring to life.
"Oh! One last thing. It has a limited boost so only use it when you need to." I said, pointing out the button.
"Right. C'mon Dax." He said as Daxter jumped on his shoulder.
"Better hold on Daxter, this thing can go fast."
"counting on it, Z" He winked as they drove out of the garage, Keira and I soon following to watch the Race.
We sat on the balcony, the stands around us filled to the brim with people. Krimzon guards roamed to keep the peace, I hoping they not go near us. This was about Jak, I not wanting to miss this moment. I spotted him and Daxter, he in the third space from the line. I wondered if Krew was nearby to watch as well or if he had something foul to do instead. The light turned red, yellow... then green as the racers took off from the line, Jak speeding off quickly. I couldn't help but Grin at my work, proud of it. Keira was smiling too watching as a competitor in a green Zoomer whizzed past him. Our smiles dropped, now nervous.
C'mon Jak. Remember the volcano... use the track to your advantage.
Jak then slid on a turn, leaning his body near the ground and driving under the green zoomer and straightening out at the last second to pass him.
"Yes! Attaboy!" I exclaimed, nearly jumping out of my seat. But he wasn't out of the woods yet. It was only the first lap.
"That's one hell of a zoomer, Zoe. Looks familiar." That dreaded voice said behind me. I spun around to see Erol, followed by two guards.
"Erol. Seems you brought backup. What? Afraid I'm going to kick your ass again?" I taunted.
"Watch your tongue, before I cut it out of your mouth." He sneers.
"Really? Bold talk from the man who ran away."
"You were using the powers I gave you against me, Zoe. I gave you a chance to turn yourself in plenty of times. I come with a warning. The Baron is sick of you playing games so next time we meet I will not hesitate." He says, turning and walking down the stairs. I turned and sat back down, Keira placing a hand on mine.
"Are you going to be okay?" she asks. I simply nod.
"Is Jak in the lead?" I ask.
"No, he's in second and it's Lap two." She Says, pointing him out. I sighed and leaned in my seat against the railing as Jak flew past tailing the guy in first. He was so close... hopefully able to beat him. This went on for another 3 minutes, they leaving the others in the dust as the entered the final lap. I saw Jak drive up the guy in first, they being side by side and nearing the finish line.
Use the boost Jak! I thought, and if it was like he could hear me, I saw the rear end of his zoomer light up as the booster was activated. He shot forward and entered first place as they reached the finish line Jak winning.
"Yes!" I Jumped up cheering, Keira leaping up and hugging me.
We entered the Garage right after Jak, I laughing and running to him after he placed the trophy on the table.
"When is this city going to provide some challenge, huh?" Daxter said from beside the trophy, Keira sitting next to him.
"C'mon, we couldn't have done it without Z, Dax." Jak shook his head, side hugging me.
"Oh please, your Badass driving skills helped too." I smirked as Ashlein walked in, my smile dropping immediately.
"Hey. I watched your Race Today. You were Pretty amazing." She says to Jak, approaching him. He kind of stepped back a bit.
"Oh. Thanks. Uh, Keira this is Ashlein. She's just..." Jak began awkwardly began but Keira interrupted as she hopped down.
"Everyone knows who she is." She says, I surprised at her tone but stayed silent, standing beside Keira.
"-and Keira's uh..."
"-A friend. A very good friend." Keira says, placing her hands on her hips. In the background I heard Daxter make a cat call noise but I ignored it.
"Thanks for helping out with that tanker Jak. You saved a lot of lives." Ashlein said, placing her hand on his arm. Then turning around as Keira and I, both gave the same look to Jak who threw his hands up in defense. "I'm not my father you know. Ever since I was a little girl, I looked down at the city streets from that ridiculous palace and imagined a better place." She said as Krimzon guards walked by.
"By the way, they're hunting for you. I'd watch out for Erol. I can't protect you from him."
"We don't need your protection, Praxis." I snapped as she walked out.
"woo she's a betty. And she likes you Jak. Not that I could count for her tastes. I bet you'd love to pin some metals on her chest, huh?" Daxter said as I scoffed, walking out of the garage as jak tried to stop me.
"What? What did I say? What did you say Jak?" Daxter asked while I was still in earshot but quickly walked out into the streets, pulling my hood up to avoid detection. I was angry, angry that I let myself so close to him. Let my Emotions get in the way of my goal. Torn was right. I sighed, heading to the underground hideout for my next mission.
