**REVISED CHAPTER**

Jak and Daxter (c) Naughty Dog


Cry Of The Wolf

Chapter 10 – Fortress Trip


Torn leaned in to examine Jak closely. From what he could see, none of the guards had done any permanent damage to him, but from the way he just laid there, limp on the ground, made him think about it. He cocked his head to the guards and stood up straight. "So, what happened here?" he asked bitterly, putting a hand on his hip. The guards looked amongst themselves, before one had the courage to stand forth.

"Well, we did what you asked, Sir. We found him chasing a civilian. Did what we could."

Torn raised an eyebrow and frowned. "Okay. And what exactly was that, then?" he asked, surveying the closest guard through narrowed eyes. The guard dropped his gaze to the vulwolf form, suddenly uncomfortable.

"Well, we began shooting at him, and then he targeted us. Take a look at Rod over there. He's outta it right now, poor bastard. He needs medical attention," the guard said, motioning to another guard a few yards away, also lying unconscious.

Torn shook his head. "Look, we can stand here all night, or you can tell me what you did to him to knock him out," Torn barked, his patience waning thin.

Another guard stood forth to relieve the other one. "I crept up behind him when he was attacking Rod, and hit him on the back of the head with my gun butt. Is that a problem, Sir?" The guard locked irritated eyes with Torn.

Torn glared back, before finally letting the guard's attitude slide. Now was not the time to argue with his loyal men. He was grateful for the live capture of Jak, of course, but when his own men addressed him like that, his feathers were ultimately ruffled.

"Okay, I'll call for a caged hellcat. You two men," Torn pointed at the guards closest to Rod, "you escort Rod here to the Emergency ward. Tell me how he's doing when he wakes up. You two help me tie this up," Torn ordered, pointing to two other guards. The two guards stepped forth and retrieved the ropes tied to Torn's cruiser. "I want the rest of you to keep patrolling. There may be some civilian unrest."

Turning to his two elected guards, he watched as they approached the vulwolf fearfully, expecting him to wake up and attack them at any moment. Sparing a glance as Rod's designated helpers carried the man off, he knelt beside Jak and took a piece of rope himself. He grabbed Jak's hind legs and began binding them firmly. Once satisfied it was tight enough, he looked up to the other two to find them almost done.

"Good work. Now, when the hellcat arrives, I need you two to help me lift it into the cage. Got it?" he ordered, tying rope around Jak's snout. The two nodded as they secured the rope around the wolf's front legs and wings. When they had finished, Torn commanded the guards to step back and give the vulwolf some space.

Minutes of waiting and watching the vulwolf passed silently, before the hellcat finally made an appearance. The driver got out of the vehicle and unlocked the rear cage. He turned to Torn and then to the vulwolf that was to be transported.

"That thing's going in here?" the driver asked in disbelief, pointing to Jak.

Torn faced the driver, "He is in fact going in there."

"As you wish," the driver replied flatly.

"Come on, help me get him in," Torn ordered, walking up to Jak's head. The two guards and the driver spread out around the vulwolf and hoisted him into the air. It took enormous effort, but the four men managed to place Jak into the hellcat's cage. The driver closed and locked the cage and then got back into the vehicle. "Where you want it going?" he asked, turning the ignition on and rising a foot from the ground.

"Take him to the Fortress and stop outside the entrance. I'll meet you there."

Hastily limping over to the cruiser, Torn swung his injured leg over the seat and motioned for the two guards to come over. Standing next to their Commander, they were issued orders to meet him at the Fortress. They nodded their obedience and walked away towards their own transportation around the corner.

Torn watched as the hellcat driver switched hover zones and flew off in the direction of the Fortress. He could see the limp form of Jak in the back and shook his head sadly. Why did everything bad have to happen to the boy? Torn looked thoughtfully down at the handlebars for a moment, then placed his hands over the grips. Straddling the cruiser securely, he sped off after the hellcat.

It wasn't long before they reached the Fortress. Torn halted his zoomer and leapt off, pain springing once more up his leg when he made contact with the ground. Again he ignored it and jogged over to the hellcat's driver.

"It seems to be stirring. You might wanna get it outta there and into a cell pronto," the driver informed, motioning to the vulwolf's twitching muscles and nose. Torn nodded and looked around the dark street for his escort. The guards were late upon arriving, but Torn had no intention of quarrelling with them. They had very little time to get Jak into a cell before he became conscious again.

"Sorry we're late. Business with the road. Too many drivers out tonight," one of the guards said as they neared Torn and the hellcat driver. Torn shook his head at their excuse and ordered the driver to unlock the door.

"Same as before. We need to get him into the building. From there I'll deal with it," Torn muttered, heading into the cage. The three men followed him, albeit hesitantly, and together they lifted and carried Jak into the Fortress. Jak was dumped roughly on the ground when they had gotten inside. He was stirring again, but wasn't completely aware yet.

"Thanks for your help, men. You're dismissed," Torn said, turning his back on them as he approached the small control panel on the wall. He keyed in a few numbers and stood back, watching to make sure Jak was still incapacitated.

He had programmed the automatic-cell-shifter to bring a cell to his location. It would save him and his men the trouble of dragging Jak all the way through the building. After a few tense moments he looked up at the ceiling to see a large cell hanging from above. It was gradually lowered to the ground and opened up automatically when it hit the concrete. Taking a reassuring glance at it, he grabbed Jak's hind legs and dragged the vulwolf into the cell. By the time he was safely outside the closed cage, he was sweating and huffing harshly.

Jak was beginning to wake, which gave Torn little time to get him to the cell room. He ran back to the keypad and typed in a few more coordinates, before the cage was lifted back up to the ceiling and transported away. He watched it disappear eerily into the next room and sighed heavily. His leg was throbbing with pain again, his mind was tired and his eyes were becoming unfocused and itchy. He tried to tell himself not to give in to the exhaustion, but it was beginning to seem hopeless.

Without another thought, Torn made his way to the cell room to meet Jak. He just had to get the boy into one of the permanent cells, so he knew he'd be safe. Dragging his weary feet through the building, he arrived at the cell room to see Jak's large cage sitting on the ground waiting for him. He sighed, checking that Jak was still movable. He was, which made Torn's job a little easier.

The Commander limped over to the closest cell and opened the door. It was dank and relatively small, but it was the only option he had. Opening Jak's cage, it took Torn more effort to drag him into the cage. He stared down at the vulwolf at his feet one last time and then exited the cell, locking it.

Shifting to the cell beside Jak's, Torn collapsed on the bed within. He felt his straining muscles ease, but the pain in his lower leg was still biting. Leaning against the wall, he allowed his breathing to even out, eyes squinted shut. He wasn't sure how much time had elapsed until a voice called out for him. Sitting up, he peered out the cell and spotted the man he'd been waiting for.

"Over here, Klyde!" he said, waving the Freedom League Medic over.

"Sorry for the delay, Sir," Klyde said, stopping at Torn's side and rapidly scanning his brown eyes over his superior. As he visually searched for wounds, he slipped the medic kit from his back and placed it upon the floor beside him. Spotting the problem, he knelt on the ground and delicately removed Torn's makeshift bandage. A low whistle escaped his lips as the full scale of damage was revealed. "How long has it been like this?"

"Maybe forty minutes max," Torn replied, wincing as Klyde prodded a now gloved finger at his wound. "Can you mend it?" Klyde began removing Torn's leather strap and gaiter, hands working gently yet efficiently. Once the excess material was out of the way, he reached for his kit and took out some scissors.

"Sure I can, Sir," he murmured, cutting Torn's pants leg off below the knee. He whistled again, shaking his head at the sight. Torn left him to it as he cleaned the wound properly, only wincing now and again when the cleansing ointment stung. After a short while, Klyde rocked back on his heels, giving Torn a serious look. "I suggest stitches, Sir."

Torn was quick to dismiss the suggestion. "I can't leave the Fortress."

Nodding, Klyde pulled out some dressings. "I understand. I'll bind your wound for the time being. If it gets any worse, you must seek proper aid." The medic was quick to wrap the bandages around Torn's leg and once he'd finished, he fished out some aspirin from his bag. "For the pain," he said, giving Torn four tablets.

"Thanks, man," Torn said, swallowing two dry and placing the other two aside for later. Klyde reattached Torn's gaiter and got to his feet, stripping the gloves off. He gave his superior an appraising look, assuring himself that his Commander wouldn't suddenly drop-dead on him. Leaning over to retrieve his kit, he startled when Torn hastily pushed himself to his feet.

"Sir, take it easy!" Klyde warned, dreading what may become of his new dressings. Torn was quick to silence him as he stepped past and motioned for the man to follow. A sense of urgency clung to Torn's movements, so Klyde quickly trailed him.

"There's not much time, but I want you to go in there and check him for injuries." The medic looked through the barred cell window Torn was pointing at. His breath caught at the large mound of fur half hidden in shadows.

"What is it?" Klyde asked, still trying to peer through the cell window as Torn unlocked the door.

"Another patient."

Klyde didn't get much of an opportunity to voice his opinion as Torn pulled the door completely open and urged him inside. He hesitated at first, but after realizing the beast was tethered and looked to be docile, he crept in. Torn leaned against the doorframe, right leg taking his weight, as he watched the medic at work. Once done, the medic reappeared from the cell and Torn was quick to lock the door again.

"No open wounds, but he has a lump on the back of his head. I assume that is why he's unconscious?" Torn nodded silently, limping back to his temporary dwelling. Klyde followed him, continuing his analysis. "With the size of it, I'd say he's suffering from a concussion. Be sure to keep an eye on him. Although remember, I am no vet."

Reaching the cell, Torn collapsed onto the bed and lowered his head to the mattress. The tension was fading, coupled with the pain of his leg thanks to the aspirin. With waning strength, he waved the medic over.

"Thanks for the help. You're free to go."

With a firm nod, Klyde withdrew with his kit and Torn was left alone. It wasn't long before his exhaustion finally took hold and he sank into a shallow, restless sleep, the sounds of Jak growling and snarling stirring him every so often.