Elephant and Tiger

Disclaimer: I do not own Far cry 4, its characters or its story.

Warnings: Swearing, mention of blood.

Chapter 3 -Team work

Ajay and Jessica made their way to the quad bike, but they did not speak to each other. Ajay was mad at Jessica for risking her life like that. Jessica was mad at Ajay for thinking her weak like she can't protect herself. But on their way there suddenly Ajay spoke. The time of Jessica not talking to him for this long (even if it was a little while) was driving him crazy. "Look Jess, I'm sorry. I'm not thinking you weak or something. I just don't want anything happen to you." Jessica sighed. "I'm sorry I yelled at you. You were just trying to look out for me." "So are we good now?" Asked Ajay with hope. Jessica laughed lightly and answered. "We are good. Now let's work together."

They arrived under the village, where Pagan's soldiers took the hostages. Ajay decides to take the lead and make a plan. "Alright we are here. First we have to go up. I go first and you can use my grapple after I'm up." Jessica nods and Ajay throws the grapple up. He climbs and motions Jessica to go. She climbs and then gives the grapple back to Ajay. Ajay thinks what to do next but Jessica already has an idea. "Can I borrow your camera?" Ajay nods and she takes a look around with camera. "Alright I see four hostages and four guards. You go down and I go up. Hopefully none of them will see us." Ajay nods and adds. "Be careful." "Sure thing." She responds and goes to the upper part of the village. Ajay moves down. Jessica stealthy moves towards the first guy. She draws her arrow and releases. The arrow ends up in the head. 'Score one for Jessica' she thinks to herself as she moves towards the other guy. She pulls out her knife and stabs him to the back. Meanwhile Ajay moves to the guy with rifle. He kills him with his knife and slowly moves to the last guy. He kills him with throwing knife. Ajay looks around and finds no other enemies and slowly moves to the upper part of the village. Jessica meets him half way through and whispers. "Did you kill them?" Ajay nods and Jessica speaks again. "We can untie the hostages then." They free the hostages and all four of them are safe and sound. The hostages offer them money and they are both reluctant to have them, but in the end accept a smaller part of the money with words 'You need them more than us' or 'Use them for your family'. "Let's call Sabal. He ought to know we did it." Jessica says and Ajay picks up his walkie-talkie and calls Sabal. "The hostages are safe, Sabal." "You're doing your father's name proud, Ajay. This is what he wanted when he created the Golden Path, to help his people. And I thank you Jessica for joining too. You are making your family proud I'm sure." 'Yeah, they will be sure happy once I tell them what was I doing' she thought to herself. Ajay however did not like Sabal talking about his father all the time. And now he mentioned Jessica's family too! He doesn't even know them. "Look, I'm not here for my father, or any of this." "We could still use your help, brother. Look at the difference you and Jessica made. I know, I'm asking a lot from you two, but helping the Golden Path will take you to Lakshmana, I promise you that. We'll find it together." "Thanks Sabal." Ajay responds. "Well, that went well." Jessica sighs. "Did you not notice, how he always talks about my father? It's getting annoying." "Well maybe it is but didn't you always say that you wanted to know more about him?" Jessica asked Ajay. "Well I did say that, but I didn't want to know like this." He responds and sighs. "Well it seems like it is a quiet moment now." Jessica says but just then her a call interrupts her. "Jessica, it's Amita. I know that Sabal put you and Ajay up to recuing the hostages instead of taking back the outpost. It's okay. You two are new here and Sabal can be very persuasive." Jessica interrupts her. "We just wanted to do our parts." "And I appreciate that, but you have to see the bigger picture. I was already making arrangements to deal with the outpost, but now I have to re-task my fighters so they can protect the hostages you rescued." "Protect them from what?" Jessica asks with curiosity. "De Pleur. He doesn't like losing his playthings. Don't you see Jessica? There was a plan, and now it's fallen apart. It will be a while before things with De Pleur blow over. Meanwhile, the enemy soldiers in that outpost will have plenty of time to dig in." "Not if me and Ajay can help it." Jessica says with determination and Ajay looks at her confused as in what does she mean by that. "Jessica, attacking that outpost on your own would be suicide, even in two people. Wait until we can give you the proper support. "We can do this Amita." "Jessica, don't-" Before she can continue Jessica ends the call. "You know Jess she actually has a point." "Don't you start now Ajay. We can do this. I'm sure we can figure something out." Ajay doesn't move from his place and Jessica does the puppy eyes on him. "Pretty please?" Ajay sighs. "Fine. But it's not fair you used that trick of yours. But anyway I'm in." Jessica smiles. "Tactical decision from my part. Come on let's go!"

They move to their quad bike, which is parked under the village. Before they move on it a call from Ajay's walkie-talkie stops them. "Ajay? Jessica? Ajay? Jessica? Ajaaaayyyy? Jessicaaaa?" It's none other than Pagan. Both Ajay and Jessica annoyed say at the same time. "Yes?" "Awesome. Oh just making sure you two have been listening." He ends the call. "Eh what just happened?" Asked Jessica. "I have no idea. Come on let's get your outpost and then a good night sleep." Ajay says as he moves to the driver seat of the quad bike. Jessica moves to sit behind him. She places her hands around Ajay's waist. He stiffs for a bit but relaxes little bit later. He liked it more than he should. He stopped the thought right there and rode in the direction of the outpost.

They arrived in front of the outpost but not to the point so the guards could see them. "We will need a high ground for this." Jessica says as she moves to the hill next to the outpost. "Or maybe I could go closer to the lake there and you will take the hills?" Ajay suggests. "Not a bad idea. But the thing is Ajay, now I realized that we don't have any weapon with silencer. Expect the bow." Ajay nods. "So just go in and kill everyone? That doesn't seem like a smart plan." Jessica turns around on him. "Have any better idea Sherlock?" Ajay smirks and points to an elephant, who is surrounded by a fence. "You can't be serious! We don't know how to ride it." Jessica couldn't believe her ears. "Let's take out the guards around it and then we jump on it and I will drive, you shoot." Ajay lied out the plan. "As much as I don't like it. I will do it." "Nice. Follow me."

Ajay and Jessica move slowly to two guards standing next to the elephant cage. Each of them dispatches one. Ajay finds a key on one of them and opens the cage. He slowly moves to the elephant and jumps on his back. Elephant just makes noise. "Come on Jess." Ajay motions to Jessica. She slowly moves to the Elephant and Ajay helps her up. Ajay rides the elephant out and Jessica starts shooting. She hits the alarm pole and with that alarm is disabled. The trio kills all the soldiers and without the scratch, at least on Ajay's and Jessica's part. They set the elephant free to the wild and Golden Path members arrive to secure the outpost. "Do you think we can spend the night on the outpost? I don't really want to drive to Banapur after today." Jessica says as she looks to the safe house of the outpost. "I'm sure nobody will mind that." Ajay responded. But just to be sure they asked the Golden Path members who arrived, if they can. They said "Sure why not.". However there was one major problem only one bed. "I can sleep on the floor Jess." Ajay said as he took a sleeping bag from under the bed. "Are you sure? You fell from a cliff yesterday." Jessica asked concerned. "I'm fine Jess, good night." So before she can say more he just lies on the ground and Jessica moves hesitantly to bed.

Next day Jessica woke up before Ajay. He was snoring little bit, which she found cute. She didn't want to admit it to herself but in the end she did. She went outside and saw Amita walking towards her. "You made it! Good to see you alive. Where is Ajay?" "All in a day of work. He is still asleep." Jessica says with a smile. "Can I talk to you in private?" Asks Amita and Jessica nods. Amita and Jessica walk towards the cliff that outlooks the outpost. They climb up and once they are on the edge Amita starts talking. "First the hostages, then the outpost. You're not much of a listeners, you or Ajay, but I have to admit, you have done a good job yesterday." "Thanks. It just felt like the right thing to do." Jessica says. "You knew Ajay's mother?" Amita asks with curiosity. "Yes. She was like an aunt to me. She was always kind to me as well. I miss her. I can't image what it must be like for Ajay." Amita smiles. "She would be proud of both you and Ajay. You and him want to reach, what is it Lakshmana? Getting there won't be easy. We lost the north to Pagan Min years ago and we're struggling here in the south." Amita says as she moves closer to the edge and looks to the distance. "Ajay said he promised his mother that he would bring her ashes there. Her last wish, he said." Jessica says and Amita turns around. "Think about Jessica. Ishwari knew exactly what would happen once Ajay showed up here in Kyrat. The son of Mohan Ghale returning to the war-torn land of his birth. Ishwari was a smart woman. And Ajay even smarter to bring you here with him. You two being here and helping our cause is no accident. Stand with us. Join the Golden Path and I promise you, Ajay will fulfill his mother's dying wish." Amita says as she puts a hand on Jessica's shoulder. "Whether it was to spread her Ashes at Lakshmana or to accomplish something greater." She points to the landscape in front of them. "Did Ajay's parents really start the Golden Path?" Jessica asks. Amita nods. "They did. Their goal was to free Kyrat from Pagan's regime. Now you have a chance to help us finish the work they started. Just think about it Jessica. You can tell Ajay too. It's up to you two." And with that Amita leaves. Jessica thinks about it for a while. 'I will speak to Ajay about it.' she thinks to herself and goes to wake up Ajay. Once she woke him up, she told him all that Amita told her. He was surprised but eventually he said. "Well looks like we are staying for a while."

Later that morning they wanted to go for a bit of exploring. Before they could get to a car, one of the Golden Path cars arrived with a ginger man who had tracksuit and fingerless gloves and a headband. He also had a beard and was mounted on a gunner spot. "Did we miss it? Dude, no! We did not just miss the action." "You did." Jessica said while silently laughing. Ajay just looked at the man. "Have we met?" The man points to himself. "Man, I'm the cavalry, man. I was gonna roll up her like God damn Clint Eastwood!" He sighs. "I'm Hurk. I heard about you two, taking names and writing checks out to: 'Kicking ass' man. That's why I'm here, because you two and me together will be awesome trio! Golden Path won't know what hit them! Right in their faces!" The driver shakes his head and pops his head out of the window. "We are the Golden Path!" Hurk puts his hands in the air and says. "Man, I -do-not-understand-what-you-are-saying, I-don't-speak-your-language." Jessica now laughs uncontrollably and Hurk looks confused. Ajay smiles. "I think you meant to say is that, the Royal Army won't know what hit them. You see, we're the Golden Path." "Dude, seriously? These guys have been given me a lot of stink eye over the things I been saying about the Golden Path so that makes sense." Hurk shakes his head. "Okay, new plan then! Pre-emptive cavalry, that's right. You two need help, you call, we swoop in and help you-me or my uh ah..." He stops as he thinks for a name. "The Golden Path." Jessica says with a smile. "Yes Golden Path buddies. That's right. You two and me, The awesome trio, the new and improved iconic trio, that's right living the dream! Come on, punch it in!"He puts both of his hands in a fist and holds them for Ajay and Jessica to hit it. They do just that and Hurk is happier than ever. "Boom. I went French fries you stayed potatoes. That's all right. You kind came in on the slow bus too, but you got there, so I got respect for that. I'm gonna see you around though ok? Okay! Let's roll Golden Path homie! Whooooooo!" He motions to driver to ride and they leave both Ajay and Jessica in the dust. "Okay then..." Ajay looks to the direction they rode to. "He was funny!" Jessica laughs some more.

Later that day they helped some woman, who said that some royal soldiers took her friends and made them work. Jessica and Ajay used their left and right strategy again. All hostages survived and they could return to their villages. Also in the same day they delivered some supplies to the Golden Path safe house. In the afternoon after they found something small to eat and went to explore Kyrat. They liberated two bell towers and two outposts. After that they liberated few hostages and delivered more supplies to the Golden Path. It was a great team work.

Close to the evening somebody called Ajay. "Am I talking to Ajay Ghale?" "Who is it?" Ajay asks. "No time to explain. Meet me at my studio and make haste. Oh and don't forget to bring your lady friend." The call ends with that. "Who was it Ajay?" Jessica asks. "No idea. Let's see. I have the coordinates." Ajay and Jessica head out for the house, where the man told them to meet him. Ajay opens the door. "Hello?" Jessica closes the door behind them. The man turns around and sees them. "Oh! So the rumors are true. Come in, come in." He looks at them with curiosity. "I don't know whether to call you Ajay or Adonis. Those brooding eyes, that determined jaw, the clothes are more Salvation Army than Golden Path but I can work with this." He turns to Jessica. "Oh and we can't forget about the lady! The flaming red hair as fire. The green eyes as emeralds in the night. The clothes are more western type I would say, but it can be worked with." "Who are you?" Asks Ajay. "I am Mumu Chiffon, Tailor to the Crown by Appointment of King of Kyrat, his Royal Highness Pagan Min. But you may call me Mr. Chiffon. It's a pleasure to meet you." Jessica wants to shake his hand but Ajay stops her. "You work for Min?" Chiffon turn his back to them and explains. "I used to. The King and I had a falling out. He tried to kill me and now I'm in hiding. But that's ancient history. Let's talk about the future." He turns to look at them and continues. "Kyrat Fashion Week is coming up and I believe we can help each other out. You two need accessories and I need models. I would like to make you the centerpiece of my new collection for both males and females. I call it 'Combat Couture'." "And you want us to wear this stuff?" Jessica asks with curiosity and points to the clothes around them. Mr. Chiffon shakes his head. "These? Pfft, these are just experiments. No, only the finest raiments for the prodigal son and newfound daughter. I spent years studying Rational Garment Design at a top Parisian academy. A garment must be useful before it is elegant. Form must follow function." He first moves to Ajay with his meter. "Arms up." He proceeds to measure Ajay and Jessica silently giggles. Ajay shots her a glare and she playfully winks . "I will send you to gather exotic materials -furs, skins, feathers to accentuate your raw and primal attributes. I shall send you the design and locations." He finishes Ajay's measuring and moves to measure Jessica. Now it's Ajay's turn to laugh but Jessica just smiles. "I hope you're as good with a sewing machine as you are with a machine gun, because I'm going to make you two look fierce. " He finishes the measuring and Jessica and Ajay are standing still. Mr. Chiffon looks at them and says. "Well, don't just stand there. Time flies. Return when you have finished crafting my creations." They both leave and Ajay asks. "I hope you can sew." "Ehm, no." "Well shit then." "We will learn somehow." And with that Jessica and Ajay move back to the outpost so they can get a good night rest. This time Jessica takes the sleeping bag and Ajay sleeps on the bed. However he feels guilty about it.

Next day they head to the outpost they liberated two days ago. From one of the houses they hear angry voices. Soon they recognize them as Amita and Sabal. "We should check it out." Jessica says and Ajay nods. When they want to get in they are stopped by woman of the Golden Path. "I would not want to walk in there right now." "What are they arguing about?" Asks Jessica. "Pagan Min's soldiers are about to attack one of our camps. Amita thinks our priority should be the information the fighters have gathered. Sabal thinks saving our people is more important." She explains as Ajay wonders. "How long have they been at it?" "Long enough. The argument never changes, and their positions never move. Look, I don't want to bother either of you but you are Ajay Ghale and Jessica Brown, right ?" Both of them nod and she smiles. "Thank you for helping us. Everyone here appreciates it." "We owe Golden Path for rescuing us, but honestly, we are just...we are just here to scatter my mother's ashes." Ajay said with a serious tone and Jessica added. "No offense." The woman looks at them closely. "Perhaps, but now you see what Pagan has done to this country." She points at Ajay. "You are the son of Mohan Ghale." 'Oh boy here we go again' Jessica thinks as somebody again mentions Ajay's father. Ajay once again is annoyed by constant mentioning of his father. 'Okay I get it, he is a hero. But I'm not him.' Ajay thinks to himself. The woman continues. "Like it or not, your duty is Kyrat, and your choices will carry weight. We need someone to break this stalemate between Amita and Sabal. Keep that in mind when you are in there." And with that she walks away. "Is it just me or are you wondering the same thing, that thing would be how the hell did Golden Path survive for this long with such quarreling leadership?" Jessica asks as Ajay nods. "You and me both Jess. You and me both." They take a deep breath and go inside.