A/N: I know it has been awhile – I apologize. You know, Christmas is fast approaching (for those who are aware and celebrate it) and I've been shopping and decorating the house and tree. Also, both my son and husband have December birthdays, so we had some celebrating! Yay!
From here on, the chapters will be longer and will have more content. Some dialogue and situations will be different since Cara is involved and some missions, that I feel aren't important, will be skipped. However, they will be talked about or summarized. Thanks for continuing to read!
CHAPTER 19 – THE GIRL BEHIND THE CURTAIN
As the city of Haven stood silent, the approaching sun casted a blue hue over the shanty buildings. A few roosters in the farming district croaked at the sight, while tamed yakows chewed their wheat between their teeth. The streets and sands were damp from last nights storm and the sparse amounts of street lamps reflected off the puddles. The city smelled of crisp rain; a cold, moist mist that awoke that helped the KG fully awaken. The only voices in town were the static echoes of a few KG who had early morning duty. The town was, for the most part, dead. The guards joked and shoved each other, where cracked, radioed laughter ensued as they ate their microwaved, breakfast sandwiches.
Underground, soldiers slept, including our three heroes. While Jak usually slept on his stomach, he was now on his back. He had his left arm across his stomach, while the other was bent above his head. To everyones' surprise, including Daxter, Jak had awful sinuses. With the Underground housing over ten soldiers, all in which snored, coughed, and sweat, it became awfully muggy at night. With his lips slightly parted, Jak found himself breathing through his mouth only. Not only did this prove to be a solution, but it also helped him forget that he had multiple, sour smelling men sleeping next to him. But despite the circumstances, Jak dreamt. For once in a very long time, his mind was clouded in fiction; a time and a place that he'd kill to make a reality.
Jak opened his eyes to see himself on the sands of a familiar place. Daxter wasn't there and neither was Cara; he was alone, on the beach, and looking off into the setting sun. All he could hear was the calm tide rolling on the sand and a few seagulls in the distance. He turned around and froze. A breath of relief escaped his lips as his stiff shoulders loosened. Jak grinned as looked to all the cottages – all of them were there, in the same place, and he knew which one belonged to each island inhabitant. There was a single hut on the shore, a few on the grassy alcove above him, and a house on stilts; high above the water with a wooden bridge attached to it. Jak watched in awe, only daring to take a few steps forward, and realized that it was almost too quiet.
'Daxter?' Jak quickly turned around and studied the sands. There were no footprints; no tiny paws, and not even his footsteps were visible. With as must speed as before, Jak reached up and slid his fingertips across his bare shoulder. This wasn't normal, hell, this wasn't the perfect picture he daydreamed about. Jak looked up at the cliffs, 'Where is everyone?'
'Jak?' a woman asked.
Jak looked over his shoulder as he stepped to the side. He didn't know what to expect – this had to be just a dream. There was no way he was back in Sandover; there was no way he was home. But, the sight of the woman who called out to him made him reconsider.
The woman had her hands clasped behind her back and her head tilted to the side. Her aqua-colored hair blew steadily behind her as she pulled on a grin.
'Keira?' Jak asked, even though he was fully aware that it couldn't have been anyone else.
Keira laughed, 'Who else could it be?' After she saw Jak smile and turn toward her, she started to walk over.
Jak was amazed and just like before, he was infatuated with everything about her. The way she walked: graceful, but with a purpose, and her voice: raspy, but still feminine. Jak watched how her hips swayed and how her plum-colored capris still fit snug on her – how the brim was rolled down to expose her hip bones. His eyes wandered back up to her face as she continued to close the gap. To him, she walked to him in slow motion and he couldn't move, despite wanting to run into her arms.
When Keira was only a yard away, she stopped walking. 'I've missed you, Jak,' she said.
The corner of Jak's mouth curled up into a genuine smile, 'I missed you, Keira. More than you can imagine.' Jak looked to the ground, 'I thought I'd never see you again,' he said as he looked back up to her.
Keira's expression went from happy to concerned, 'What do you mean?'
Now, Jak knew it was a dream, but he didn't care. This was his time to see her and talk to her, even if she really wasn't there. He didn't know where she was; if she was even in Haven, or if she was even alive. It took a moment for Jak to respond, but he finally stuttered his words out, 'We were separated,' he began. He watched Keira's look of worry deepen as he continued, 'We went through the rift...the rift we found on top of the citadel.'
Keira blinked a few times and stayed quiet.
Jak let out a defeated huff and kept his smile, 'You don't remember, do you?'
With an upset pout, Keira shook her head.
'I didn't think you would,' Jak said as he looked away. His discomfort caused him to constantly shift; his feet crunched in the sand beneath him.
'Are you upset?' Keira asked.
Jak looked to Keira, 'What?'
Keira, who once had her arms crossed, dropped her arms to her sides. 'Are you upset?'
'About what?' Jak asked. He tried to mask his pain, but just like the Keira in real life, she knew.
Keira took a few steps forward, 'Don't be upset. I hate seeing you upset, you know that.'
Jak just kept his eyes on her, but didn't say a word.
'Jak,' Keira began, 'You remember what happened on this beach...right?'
Jak looked to ground as he drowned himself in the memories. Like a dream within a dream, he reminisced on him and Keira on that beach. After the journey to the Volcanic Crater; after the fight with Gol and Maia; after they returned to Sandover with the rift, they were able to confirm their feelings. Keira snuck out at dawn and met him under the fisherman's dock. Both scared but trusting, they gave in to each other. They kissed and made love under the fading moon and the dark cobalt sky; they were each others first and only. He loved her. They stayed on that beach until the late morning. They watched as the sun rose over the ocean, they made each other laugh, and kissed some more. That time was so innocent, so untouched by the realities of life, that they revolved around each other nonstop.
'Yes,' Jak said, though the sadness that engulfed him only let him breathe it out.
Keira, this time, walked right to him. 'So, don't be sad...okay? There are so many memories, good ones, that can be cherished. Even though we're apart..' She slowly brought her hand up to the side of Jak's face, which made him close his eyes and hold his breath. 'I love you, Jak.'
In a moment of desperation, Jak reached both of his hands up to cup Keira's face. He wanted to kiss her, he needed to kiss her.
His hands were met with nothing. Jak opened his eyes to see both of his hands in front of him, but no trace of Keira. Not only was she missing, but so were her footprints; it was like she was never there.
He accepted it.
Tonight, Daxter had decided that sleeping in-between Jak's covered ankles would suffice. He would coo a simple ooh and shiver whenever his back was greeted with the cold air. The situation became a routine; Daxter would yank the blanket down, only for Jak to pull it up five minutes later. Daxter would sleepily open an eye, grab the blanket from the bottom, and swaddle himself in it – which was always accompanied with a satisfied yeah. Jak's feet were left exposed, which warranted a wiggle of the man's toes. Jak would, this time, roughly jerk the blanket upwards, which left Daxter rolling out onto the fitted sheet in a cinematic fashion.
The third hero, however, wasn't having the best sleep that she could. For Cara, every night was a struggle and bucket of nightmares. Unlike Jak, who didn't know if his dream would classify as a dream or nightmare, Cara was certain this was a nightmare. That's all she ever had. While snores, mattress springs, sleepy grumbles, and coughs echoed throughout the Underground fortress, Cara tossed and turned. A quiet whimper escaped her lips as she turned onto her right side. As she clenched her fingers around the corner of her pillow, she brought her knees up to her chest.
'No, w-what have you done?' a man asked. This man couldn't be older than thirty, given his youthful, yet green-tinged, complexion. He wore a log stump on his scalp, though it was mostly covered with his leafy hair.
'Hush, you fool!' another man demanded as he whipped to face the man at the back of the room. His hair was alabaster and tied back into a ponytail, but his stray strands blew messily. 'To think you can even fathom my work is inconceivable!'
'–Where are we going?' a woman interrupted sternly. After she looked to the bundle in her arms, she looked to the man. Her long, pale-blonde hair blew against the small of her back as she waited for an answer.
The man looked to the woman as he placed a hand on her shoulder, 'Anywhere,' he began, but a fierce pain suddenly stuck him in his abdomen, causing him to hunch over in bitter anguish. He clutched his stomach as a monstrous growl came from within him. Swirls of purples, blacks, and blues encircled him as his groans of agony became deep, eerie echoes from his throat. When it ceased, he slowly stood up and looked the woman directly in the eyes. 'Anywhere,' he repeated with a ghoulish smirk, 'Anywhere, but here.'
The woman's eyes widened in fear as she took a few steps back. 'What have you done to yourself, brother? This isn't you,' she said with worry.
The man let out a psychotic laugh, 'Oh, but it is,' he said as he grabbed the woman by her upper arm. 'Just wait. Soon, you will join me and we'll show the world...what we can do.'
The woman jerked her arm out of her brother's grasp, 'I would never.' While the man looked to her in disbelief, she turned her back to him and walked over to a wooden bassinet. She curled her fingers around the bassinet's side and looked down into it. 'There, there,' she cooed as she ran a gentle hand over a, surprisingly, calm baby's head, 'Everything will be alright.'
'You are wasting time!' the man yelled as he clenched his fists at his sides.
'–You are wasting time!' the woman yelled back in return, not even bothering to look his way. 'If you wish to leave, then leave! You are stooge to believe that I'd join you.' The woman continued to comfort her young until she felt a tight hand around her throat. With a grunt, she was thrown to the ground.
The man immediately got on top of her and returned his hand around her neck. 'You ignorant matron!' he yelled. With the frightened woman underneath him, he continued, 'You think you have a choice, but you don't! If you do not heed my words, I will put an end to you myself!'
'I've done enough for you, brother!' the woman struggled underneath her brother's firm hands, 'I've stayed by your side during,' she coughed, 'all of this! I let you use me as lab rat; I've let you own my veins with eco! I'm infected with your experiments!'
With his hands, he pushed her harder into the ground, 'Are you saying my experiment has been a burden on you, my dear sister?' he hissed.
The man who stood at the back of room, in fear of the rift that the two had created, finally stepped forward. 'Gol, that's enough!' he shouted angrily.
'–Mind your business, Samos!' the man yelled as he look to the other man over his shoulder.
The woman responded weakly, 'All I want is a life of my own.'
'–You have had a life of your own!' the man practically yelled.
Suddenly, everything got blurry. Things that haven't been explained were left in question.
As Daxter slept soundly, both Jak and Cara opened their eyes in unison.
Jak stared at the ceiling and watched as droplets of water fell from an exposed pipe. Before, he wanted answers – not just how he got to Haven, but what happened to Keira and Samos during those two years he was locked up. Were they okay? Was Keira okay? Did Keira still love him? Did she even care about him and his whereabouts? Jak hated the thought, but it was a possibility: that she forgot about him and moved on. It would come as no surprise if Keira didn't treat him like Dream Keira if they were to see each other again. This was something he knew and had to accept.
Cara laid on her right side completely oblivious to Jak. Jak didn't have bad dreams, Jak is never sad, Jak doesn't care about anything, so why would he be awake in a state of panic? Cara didn't know anyone else was awake, so she sighed.
This, however, caught Jak's attention. He turned his head to look her way, but her lack of movement convinced him that his tired mind was playing tricks on him.
Cara laid there still and wondered. How were her dreams related to her? How could a couple of scientists going through a warp gate have anything to do with her? That man, though – the man with green skin, he looked familiar. But, why?
While Jak and Cara lulled themselves back to sleep, a man on the other side of town intended to stay fully awake.
He sat at his bar and tapped his portly fingers onto the wood, all while holding a communicator up to his ear with the other.
A man grumbled in his sleep before he threw his bed sheets back. He reached out in the dark and patted his fingertips on the end table until he felt his communicator. He let out a cough before he brought his communicator to his ear. 'Hello?' the man answered. He seem peeved, like the phone call interrupted his beauty sleep.
Krew coughed wetly before responding, "I have some news for you that will, how do you say, awaken your spirits."
'Krew?' the man asked.
"Oh," Krew chuckled, "Haven's commander is both a great racer and smart. Not that I expected anything less," Krew said sarcastically.
Picking up on the smuggler's sarcasm, Erol asked annoyed, 'What is it?'
"Let's just say that I can put a sure location on your AWOL, KG soldier, the escaped prisoner, and his rat," Krew said confidently, all while admiring the vast amount of rings on his fingers.
'Rat? What rat–that doesn't matter, where? If you don't release this information to me, I'll make sure that your bar burns to the ground!' Erol not only was awake, but he was flustered and angry.
"Of course, but I must ask of you a favor in return," Krew pressed heavily.
On the other end of the conversation, there was a miffed sigh. 'What?'
"After I send over a proper payment, of course, I'd like for you to take Cara, Jak, and his little, orange pest off the radar," Krew said casually. Almost like this wasn't even a deal and that he would get what he wanted with ease.
Erol rose from his mattress and sat on the edge of his bed, "Are you fucking out of your mind? They're criminals, all of them!–"
"–I want Jak to race," said Krew abruptly.
Erol scoffed and remained silent. Krew, the owner of Haven's racetrack and also Erol's sponsor, wanted to face him up with not only a new opponent, but rather a man Erol was quite familiar with? A man that Erol labeled a psycho?
Due to Erol's silence, Krew pressed on. "If you agree to this transaction, I could even have him lose the last race, hm?"
After taking a deep breath and thinking to himself, Erol answered, 'How much?'
Krew chuckled, "5,000 orbs, plenty?"
'5,000 orbs?' Erol repeated. That's more than the Baron pays him in a week, that's more than two race winnings. To him, that was enough for him to agree. Also, if Eco Freak blew the race, that meant even more orb. 'Deal.'
Krew chuckled once more, "That's what I like to hear."
'Oh, but Krew,' Erol began.
"What?" Krew asked in an agitated manner. He had closed the deal; he didn't need anything more from the red-headed brat.
'Say, by chance, he never makes it to the finish line,' he smirked, 'Would that count against our little deal?'
Krew smirked along with Erol, his rotten, gold filling visible, "That's good, 'ey?"
Erol let out a sigh as he ran his hand through his unarmored, red hair and dropped his communicator on the small desk next to the bed.
There was some stirring in sheets behind him. A woman with short, aqua hair sat herself up with her elbows and spoke, "Who was that?"
"No one, just Krew," Erol said tiredly.
The girl chuckled, "Ha, definitely no one then." When she noticed that Erol seemed stressed, she held the sheet against her bare chest and leaned forward, "Erol, what's wrong?"
"Nothing, Keira," he exhaled as he waved her concerns away, "Just a new racer, is all."
"Oh...well," she began as she sat up against the headboard, "You shouldn't be worried."
Erol grinned, his eyes still on the ground, "Well–"
"–Well nothing!" Keira said happily as she crawled over to his side of the bed, "You're a great racer!" Keira got on her knees and wrapped her arms around Erol in a backwards hug. "Besides, I'm sure he has nothing on you," she chuckled as she tilted her head to the side.
"You're right, he's nothing," Erol said as he leaned back into the hug, closed his eyes, and let out a relieved sigh.
"You have nothing to worry about," Keira cooed into Erol's ear as she ran a hand down his exposed chest.
"Mmm," he moaned at her touch. "Actually, you know what would make me feel better?"
"What's that?" Keira seductively whispered in question.
Erol turned his head to look at her. "Round two," he said with a smirk.
Keira bit her lip as she ran her hand back up to his shoulder, "I can do that."
"Yeah?" Erol asked.
"Yeah," Keira assured.
Quickly, Erol spun around and pinned Keira's naked body onto his bed, which caused a delighted scream and giggle from Haven's mechanic.
"We're lost, totally lost!" Daxter whined as he walked ahead of Jak and Cara. The trio hadn't had a lot of luck today, unfortunately. Due to them waking up late, there was no hot water or food at the Underground, and not to mention, the lack of unattended zoomers on the street. Jak and Cara could manage with food, but Daxter missed out on the poppyseed muffins...so it was the end of world. "This," Daxter began as he whipped around and pointed at the two, "–is your fault, ya little, sleep queen! If ya hadn't been so concerned over them dark, under-eye circles, I would'a been fed 'n I woulda been happy!"
Jak rolled his eyes and continued to walk past the ottsel.
Cara smirked, "Well, I'm sorry," she harassed.
"Not you, I was talkin' to Jak," Daxter said casually as he gestured a thumb his way.
"–Where are we?" Jak asked as he turned around.
Cara chuckled as she waltzed towards Jak, "It's a little harder to find your way around when you're on the ground, huh?"
"You know," Jak said as he peered up at the sky, "I think I have been on foot for fifteen minutes total since I got out."
"You mean snuck out?" Cara asked with a smirk.
Jak looked down at her, "I could say the same for you, right?"
"Yeah, yeah, we get it," Daxter said as he walked in-between Jak and Cara while swatting the air, "You're both fugitives, whatever."
Jak and Cara, in a way, had a staring contest. They just looked at each other, waiting for someone to say the next snarky comment. Cara held a facetious grin on her face with her arms crossed, while Jak just stood there.
Finally, Jak rose an eyebrow at her, which made her drop her arms to her sides. In a way, it didn't seem conflicted. Was Jak joking around with her? Oh, the Precursors!
"This way," Cara said as she gestured her arm to the right.
From a distance, Daxter turned to look at the stragglers, "Hey, Jak, ya wanna, I dun know, get on my shoulder or somethin'?"
Jak rolled his eyes at the constant badgering of, 'Jak, Jak, Jak, Jak, Jakko,''Hey, Jak,''Hellllooo?' and turned around to walk over to his furry friend.
As Jak began to walk, Cara walked beside him. "So," she began as she glanced over at Jak, "What are you going to do after Krew's next mission?"
Jak eyed her, "What do you mean?"
"Are you going to buy anything?" Cara asked, "Have you been saving up for anything? I mean, shit, have you even bought anything?"
"I've only bought shit for you," Jak said as he kicked a clump of dirt out of his way.
"Alright, so you have quite a bit then," Cara said as she looked over at him again, "Are you going to buy anything, are you saving up for something?"
"An apartment," Jak replied without even looking up at her.
Cara laughed, "The Underground life not good enough for you?"
"Nope."
Cara scoffed with a sarcastic smile, "You know, it's really hard to talk to you. It's like you've never talked a day in your life," she joked.
Jak's jaw stiffened as he continued to look down at the ground.
"Anyway," Cara sighed as the sand crunched underneath their feet, "I'm planning on moving back into my apartment near the slums. It's not great, but thankfully, it's not in the slums. I lived there back before I joined the guard; back when I was eighteen." Cara, once again, looked to Jak. He wasn't chiming in, but he seemed to be listening. "Right when I was released from the orphanage," she exhaled, "That's where I went."
Jak looked up to her, "You were an orphan?" It was strange, Jak sounded sympathetic.
Cara shrugged it off, "Ah, it's no big deal. I didn't know my parents; I never met them once. It's like I woke up and I was there," Cara said. Oddly, she sounded somewhat cheery, "What was cool was that I went from zero siblings, and me being alone, to dozens of brothers and sisters. I didn't mind being there," she finished.
By now, that had caught up with Daxter. They turned the corner and Jak nearly trampled the poor ottsel.
"Daxter, what are you..." Cara began, but noticed that not only had Daxter stopped, but he was frozen in place.
Four Krimzon Guards...right there...right in front of them and they were stopped.
While Jak was ready to take the guards head on, both Cara and Daxter took a few steps back. Out of fear, Cara shakily took Jak's hand into hers.
The realization that Cara was holding his hand caused Jak to look at her over his shoulder. He was ready to snatch his hand back, but saw the absolute despair in her eyes. Jak didn't know if he should be pissed or sympathetic, considering the hell he went through at the prison while she just sat around. One of the guard's voices caused him to quickly look back to him.
"By the order of Haven City, you are no longer wanted in the system. You are free civilians unless you commit any activity that warrants our arrival," he said. Then, they began to walk away, though one guard brought his armored face right in front of Jak's with a, 'I dare you, outlaw.'
When they were out of sight, Daxter relaxed, "Whew, that was a bit...odd, but I'm cool with that!" He said as he turned to face Jak.
Cara quickly let go of Jak's hand and looked away, "Yeah, that was strange." Cara tried to compose herself the best that she could, "Maybe, I mean, they said we're out of the system, right?" She looked to Jak and then to Daxter, "We're free!"
"I don't know," Jak interjected, "Something doesn't feel right. Someone did this, it wasn't because of good behavior, I can promise you that."
"How do ya know Jak?" Daxter asked as he climbed back onto Jak's shoulder, "Did you get a referral, a representative maybe?" His grin was huge, a sign that Jak was about to be harassed, for sure. "Someone that knew about your bad behavior in prison? A boyfriend, a butt buddy, perhaps?"
"Stop," Jak demanded as he tried to swat Daxter off of his shoulder.
Daxter simple leaped to Jak's other shoulder and laughed, "You didn't say no!"
"Oh, my god," Jak sighed as he ran his hands down his face, "Cara, do you know the way or not?"
Cara snapped back to attention, "Yeah, it's this way."
"Great," Jak sighed as he followed her down the street.
A few minutes later, they were down the street and approaching the port. Jak found Daxter's silence as a blessing and Cara walked next to him, just as quiet.
Suddenly, Daxter quietly snickered, "You dropped the soap, didn't you?"
Jak simply ignored him, while Cara barely contained a snort.
Once arriving at the Hip Hog, the three walked in. Immediately, Jak, Cara, and Daxter looked around, hoping to catch side of the owner; the blimp of a man, himself.
Daxter, who was back on Jak's shoulder, go figure, brought his hand to his chin. "Hmm," he said as he looked around once more, "It doesn't look like he's here, but, I mean, where would he go?" Daxter looked to Jak, but Jak simply shrugged.
"Right?" Cara chimed, "It's not like he could fit through the door," she finished with a chuckle.
"–That's what I was gonna say!" Daxter said as he slapped Jak's shoulder. "Darlin', you're right on tha money!"
"It's good to get a brisk walk in once in awhile, 'ey?"
"WAH!" Daxter shrieked, while Cara jumped from the realization that Krew was there the whole time.
"That was you?" Jak asked, fully aware that he had an ottsel wrapped around his neck and Cara peeking over his shoulder.
Krew placed a hand on his chest, "It was I. I felt that there's no need to have the guards all over my best errand-boy," he finished with a deep inhale. He watched Cara's eyebrows narrow from behind Jak's shoulder. "Errand-brats, I apologize."
Both Cara and Daxter rolled their eyes.
"Why, though?" Jak asked, "I mean, you're still a Haven citizen," Jak's tone then became drawn out and abrasive, "Aren't you afraid for your life?"
Krew chuckled, followed by a snort that made the three scrunch up their noses, "Good heavens, no! Now why would give someone I was," he air quoted, "Afraid for my life a job?"
Suddenly, a distance boom caused the Hip Hog to shake. Both Cara and Jak cowered, while Krew held his paper-weight fan above his head.
"E-E..Earth...EARTHQUAKE!" Daxter shouted as he hoped off of Jak's shoulder, "Everybody run for your LIFE!" He frantically ran around the bar, while Jak, Cara, and Krew watched with straight faces. "THE TABLES! THE CHAIRS! Find cover, people! THE BAR! No, wait, I'll hide at the bar!" He yelled as he scampered past the three and to the bar, "No one bother me, there's an earthquake!" Daxter said as he disappeared behind the bar's counter.
"Bloodsucking Metalheads," Krew fumed, but a tinker caused everyone to look up at the ceiling.
Krew's largest, gold trophy was wiggling back and forth.
"NO!" Krew exclaimed, "No, no, no!" He chanted as he dashed up to the trophy.
Jak and Cara looked at each other, surprised at Krew's speed.
Krew held the trophy in its place and breathed a sigh of relief, "Now, now, that's much better," he said as he patted it. He began to fan himself until he caught his breath, "I have a proposition for you, Jak." This made Cara and Jak walk closer.
In the background, you could hear Daxter as he pointed at a trophy above Jak. "Jak, if that falls, it's your head, pal."
Jak looked to Daxter momentarily, while Cara looked above them. She made sure to take a few steps to the side.
Krew continued, "Racing is the biggest sport in the city." He began to float around Jak and Cara, which made their glaring eyes follow him around. "Erol is the undisputed, grand champion. He's crazy and dangerous on the track." He chuckled, "My kind of guy." As Krew got only inches away from Jak's face, Cara stepped back. "Only a fool would dare race against him, 'ey?"
Jak swatted at Krew's lingering breath, while Cara scrunched up her nose at the display.
Krew began to make his way to the bar, "And that's where you three come in." Krew retrieved a security pass from the counter and made his way back over to the two, "A client of mine is looking for a fast driver for her raising team. He's a security pass to get into the stadium section.." Krew tossed the pass to Jak, but Cara, with a grunt, leaned over and caught it." The large man looked to packet of paper he was holding and looked to Jak, "And uh, your contract...and with just a few trifles from me, heh heh. I've already, uh, signed your name to save time, hmm?" he said as he pointed to the packet.
Daxter hopped up onto the counter and crossed his arms, "A contract? What exactly are we signing for?" Daxter walked over to the two just in time for Krew to toss the packet and for him to catch it. Daxter looked to the packet and started to read, "We the racers hereby agree to give Krew all proceeds from race earnings, endorsement feeds, broadcast royalties, syndication residuals, vehicle sponsorships, mall appearance fees..." That one, however, made Cara snicker. "Collectible card assets, fast food tie-ins, use of likeness rights, talk show deals, clothing lines, and all print rights; including book, novella, comic, pamphlet, ticker tape, neon sign and bathroom graffiti designs..." Daxter, then, took a huge breath, "Toy rights, shoe lines, mood rings, game rights, vitamin endorsement, city kickbacks, movie deals, and of course, all death and dismemberment accident insurance claims."
"Uh," Cara began, but Krew made sure to interrupt.
"Heh, we can work out the tiny details later.." Krew turned and pointed at Jak, causing him to back up, "If you can get from here to race garage, near the stadium, in less than three minutes. My client said she'd consider letting you drive for her team. Make me proud, hmm?"
Jak and Cara turned to walk to the bar's exit, with Cara in the lead.
"You driving?" Jak asked.
Cara turned around, "Nooo?"
"Then hand it over," Jak said as he opened his hand.
"That was worse than last time!" Cara exclaimed as she moved her hair from her face, including a 'pft' to get a strand from her mouth.
"Are we done?" Daxter asked, his hands still clenched to the handlebars with his eyes closed.
"You guys are such babies," Jak chimed.
"Yeah? Well going fifty straight at a building doesn't sit well with me," Cara said as she got off of the zoomer.
"Did you die, though? Jak asked, a false, sweet smile on his face.
Cara scoffed, "If you asked me that a minute ago, I'd say it was a possibility."
Daxter opened his eyes one at a time, "Oh, we're done!" Since Jak was quite a ways ahead, Daxter hopped onto Cara's shoulder as she followed him.
Once the reached the entrance, which they assumed was the place, they slowly walked in.
Jak looked around, a little unsure of the place. A part of him felt like they weren't supposed to be in here, but then again, Krew, the owner of the racing stadium, said that they could. Once again, Jak looked around – it didn't look like anyone was there.
"Hellooo?" Cara quietly chimed, all while taking in all the tools, equipment, and trophies.
"Uh, hello?" Jak repeated, "Krew said someone was looking for a race driver?" He leaned on one of the lifts and Daxter was quick to join him. Cara spun a single time, admiring the achievements, before joining the two.
Suddenly, a voice that somewhat startled everyone, called out from behind the curtain. "I'm busy right now. You must be Krew's errand-boys.."
Jak, Cara, and Daxter all looked to the curtain with a scowl. Jak, because he tired of being referred to as a mere errand-boy, and Cara, because she was tired of being called an errand-boy when she was, in fact, a girl.
"Look, I don't mean to be rude, you did get here fast, but I'm not interested in any new drivers right now," the woman said.
"What?" Cara whispered, causing Jak to turn his head, "Krew said that she was looking for new drivers, though."
"I know, sh," Jak quickly whispered back with a hush.
Cara rolled her eyes and stepped back with a huff.
The woman's shadow frantically looked to whatever she was looking at, "And I've got work to do!"
"Is there anything we can do?" Jak asked charmingly as he leaned further against the lift.
Cara's jaw nearly dropped at Jak's display. It took nearly a month for him to be civil with her, but he's flirting with a stranger? Figures, honestly. As she continued to watch Jak's pathetic act, Cara crossed her arms, "Really, Jak?" she asked in a harsh whisper.
Jak looked over his shoulder, "What?"
"You're just gonna fuckboy your way through this one, huh?" Cara asked with a smile.
Jak squinted his eyes. "Shut up," he exhaled before turning back around.
"No!" the woman exclaimed, "I'm, uh, working on, uh, secret vehicle project," she finished as she moved in front of whatever she was working on.
Jak rolled his eyes, "Okay, sorry."
"Listen, if you think you have the guts to race in this town, try taking my prototype jet-board out on the stadium course. Beat the stadium challenge and maybe I'll consider you for my team," she said.
With a smile, Cara walked over to Jak and the ottsel. "You did good," Cara chimed as she stopped in front of them.
"Oh ya! We put that stadium challenge in tha bag!" Daxter exclaimed as he hopped on Jak's shoulder, "But did'ya expect anythin' less?" Daxter asked as he leaned on Jak's head and inspected his nails.
Cara chuckled, "I'm surprised you held on for so long."
"What's that supposed to mean?" Daxter asked as he leaned forward with his hands on his hips.
Cara smugly crossed her arms, "Oh, nothing."
"Ya, that's what I thought. Don't be jealous that I got to be Jak's one freebie into the course," Daxter joked.
Cara rose an eyebrow as she surveyed Daxter's three-foot stature, "Yeah, definitely jealous," Cara snickered.
"Anyway," Daxter said as he peered down at Jak, causing Jak to look up at him, "Let's go tell Miss I'm-So-Happy-Your-Here that the course wasn't challenging enough and that these heroes need something that isn't a waste of time," Daxter mused.
As Jak turned around, Cara quickly brought a hand up to her mouth. The end of Daxter's tail was black and singed, with a little spark of flame at the tip.
Daxter stood up straight and flared his nostrils as he sniffed the air. "Mmm, what is that?" He sniffed again, "Steak? Chicken?" He sniffed once more, "Ham, maybe?"
"Oh, yeah," Cara interjected, "It's a big ham, for sure.."
"Well, whatever it is, it smells delicious," Daxter finished.
I planned including Ashelin in this one, but the chapter was already pretty long. I apologize for the blocky writing. I do not plan on jumping from place to place in future chapters; I just wanted to get the story to where I wanted it to be. Also, I know this chapter's content was mission-to-mission; there wasn't a lot of original material, but that's just how I set this chapter up.
Ninazu: Tess didn't always know Daxter and, besides, I don't think Tess was ever physically attracted to Daxter until she became an ottsel. To Tess, Daxter was her pet. Yes, she loved him when she was human, but only as a furry companion; like how you love a dog or cat.
Ralph: Thank you! Even when they get along, I don't think the banter will ever stop. Also, I hope you enjoyed this super long chapter! And with Jak, I suppose he's becoming nicer. He's alright with being sincere behind someone's back, but not really to their face. It's like, "You look pretty." "What did you say?" "Uh, I said you look shitty, goodnight."
thatguy4643: I'm glad you're enjoying it! Make sure to give your eyes a break, though. There have been times where I'm writing on here and then everything's blurry for ten minutes lol.
Luna Latanya: Maybe...? Maybe not...?
Unlucky Alis: Lol, well it's actually something you, as the reader, already know. Jak doesn't, however. There will be more on that later.
Oblique Strategies: Yes, there will be quite a bit of Vin. I'm looking to make Vin very involved; he will be in my story more than he was in the game. Ah, thanks for correcting me. I can go a bit comma crazy sometimes. I made sure to avoid that in this chapter. Any better?
ClanCusack: Your comment was great, thank you! I have worked very on hard on Cara. I don't want her to be too strong or too weak. To hear that she is a great character, well, I really appreciate it. This story is a lot of fun to write and to hear that it's incredible is really motivating. Thanks so much!