She paced back and forward in front of them her hands behind her back.
"Some of you will have noticed a rather large change round here, some will like it, some will not. I will now give those who do not want to be here the chance to leave." The hanger remained dead silent, it was almost dead airy as she paced.
"I will only give you one more chance, if your loyalty still lies with Baron Praxis, leave now." Her voice echoed again amongst the silence of her troops.
She paced backwards and forwards in front of the ranks.
"I am glad to see that even after all that has happened I have the faith and trust of my troops." She said with confidence to them.
A pair of boots echoed across the room, "Commander of the deck!" Serena yelled.
The thump of boots hitting the floor as each and everyone of her men and women saluted the new Commander brought a sense of pride to Serena's heart.
"At ease!" Torn told them.
"Troops, I want you to welcome back an old face, Commander Torn, he will be taking up his old role as Commander of the Krimzon guard, I want you to show him the respect he deserves."
"Thank you commander Acheron I look forward to working with our troops." He coughed slightly as Ashelin walked in.
Again the room echoed with the bang of boots on the floor and armour plates moving towards a salute.
"At ease." Ashelin told them, " I want to thank all of you men and women for the hard work you have put into helping save this city. Unfortunately it is far from over, a new threat has arisen and I want you to look out not just for the people of this city but for one another. This guard will change for the better. As the new governor of Haven I want our people safe from harm to be able to live freely and without fear.
This will be the New Haven City!"
The men and women began to cheer loudly at their governor's words.
"We will rebuild, like a Phoenix this city will rise from the ashes." She stood proudly infront of them, confidence poured from her.
Serena watched her friend with pride, but as she watched her vision became blurred, black spots began to invade her sight. She fell to a knee her head pounding as a deep and unknown voice spoke to her, she couldn't understand it, she raised her hands to the side of her head.
"Acheron!" Torn yelled, as he and Ashelin hurried to her side.
"Someone grab the medics immediately!" Ashelin yelled to her body guard.
"Serena, hang on help is on the way." She felt Ashelin holding her shoulders she could see her briefly in her vision.
"Someone get Samos, I don't think this is normal either," Ashelin mumbled to Torn.
Serena couldn't take the voices in her head and her mind gave out and the blackness of unconsciousness took over her.
"She's waking up give her some space." A muffled voice could be heard through the fog in Serena's head.
She opened her eyes slowly to see her comrades and friends surrounding her. "Seri...?" Ashelin spoke softly.
"What happened?" Serena spoke although it was like talking with a mouth full of cotton wool, dry and uncomfortable.
"Your in the medical wing, you had some sort of episode and fell to your knees and passed out." Torn spoke quietly from the chair of the room.
Serena raised a hand to her head, it was all so sudden and confusion clouded her mind.
"All I remember is the voices, dark voices speaking in another language to me, I couldn't understand them then my vision went blurry and I was out like a light." A edgy silence filled the room and the clack or Samos' cane could be heard, "my dear girl I don't like the sound of what you just described, I must do some consorting with Onin, see what I can find out, till then rest up, there are celebrations to be had tonight." The sage petted her hand and clacked back out of the room muttering to himself and shaking his head.
"Well what ever it was its over now, you rest up the doctors are going to run slow tests, I have put the troops on task." Torn said reassuringly.
"Not exactly what I had in mind for my comeback to the guard." Serena sighed and tried to sit up.
"I've taken the liberty of calling up someone to visit in on you as well too."Ashelin winked at her and smiled cheekily.
"I don't like that smile Ash, what are you up to?" Serena eyed her with suspicion.
"You will see." She smiled, "come on Torn let her have her rest, I am sure you will be up and about this evening in time for the opening of Daxter's new place."
The two left Serena to her quiet room, it was the same one she had patched Erol up all those years ago. The room was sterile and white, the sheets and blankets were scratchy and irritating her. She tried to lie back and rest but the machines kept up their resistant beeping.
She withstood ten minutes of it before she began ripping off monitors, pulling put IV lines and throwing the sheets off.
Now the machines were going crazy, she pulled the cords from the wall.
A snicker was heard from the doorway.
"Impatient as always, sweetheart." Serena turned to the sound of the voice her temper reduced and she smiled pushing her hair put of her face.
"Jinx."
"The one and only baby, now come give me some sugar." He held his arms wide as Serena laughed and found herself in his embrace.
She hugged him tightly as he stroked her hair.
"The doctor told me what happened." He reached up and stroked her cheek.
"You okay?" His look of concern melted Serena's heart.
"I am fine for now just a bit sore, I need to get out of here."
"Whoa now, let's see what the doc has to say first doll." He helped her to set on the edge of the bed.
"Look I will go get the doc you must stay here okay?"
She nodded as Jinx left the room.
Moments passed and Jinx came back with doctor in tow, "ah commander good to see your awake and about."
The female doctor spoke. "I am Doctor Quinn, I have looked over your charts and you seem good to go, your vitals are all normal you will just want to take things a bit easy. No alcohol at the celebrations tonight okay?" The small woman raised her brow above her black rimmed glasses as she said the last part.
Serena's brow furrowed, "why no alcohol?" Confusion and a slight sense of panic swept over her.
"Well you do want a healthy child right?"
Serena's heart dropped to her stomach, her world stopped she couldn't hear anything she shut into herself, then she felt a pair of arms grab her and give her a slight jerk.
The fuzziness faded as she stared into Jinx's face.
"I am guessing this was not known, I will give you two some time, you are free to be discharged too." The small doctor left the room.
A tear formed in Serena's eye, "hey look at me." Jinx grabbed her chin.
"You are going to be fine dollface, Jinx here will help you out." He kissed her lips lightly, "I am here for you."
She grabbed him and pulled him to her hugging him like there was no tomorrow.
"Take me home, I just want to forget this horrible day." She cried.
Serena sat on her couch a blanket on her lap and a coffee in her hands, she had time to process things.
She knew she had to hide this as long as she could.
Jinx had promised to the moon and back he would keep her secret.
A plan had to be made, she was the only one who knew Erol was still alive and if he found out she was carrying his child well he would just hold another card in his deck to use against her.
She needed out if Haven a plan was beginning to form in her mind.
She sipped the warm beverage.
As she put her cup down the communicator on the table rang, she hesitated and picked it up.
"Acheron here."
"Seri, its Ash, you better be getting your butt down to Daxter's new place, we have some celebrating to do." "Ash I really don't feel like it.."
"I am not taking no for an answer missy " Ashelin interrupted.
"But ash.." "No Serena, as governor of Haven city I am ordering you go to this celebration."
Serena sighed. "Fine I will go."
"Good, love you, oh and bring that arm candy with ya." Ashelin cut the line as Serena stared at the communicator unsure of what just happened.
She put it on the couch and curled her knees up to her chest and rested her head there for what seemed an age.
Sighing and throwing the blanket back she got herself ready and messaged Jinx to meet her at Daxter's new bar.
It was about time someone got rid of the old pig.
"Welcome to the naughty osstle! The hippest, hoppenest, happinest joint in town!" Daxter yelled at Serena as she walked in, she laughed and looked round the bar, all the trophies gone, replaced with lewd photos of woman, her friends there to greet her.
A small wave of sadness crossed her heart for a brief moment, not knowing how much longer she would see them.
"Check out the new decor!" Daxter pointed to the head of Kor proudly mounted over the bar.
"Oooo what a big trophy," Tess cooed, and stroked him.
"As if size matters!? I bagged that bad boy myself. Baby" he winked at her.
"Onin says she isn't sure who has a bigger head,him or you!" Pecker piped up as Onin's hands waved about one spilling the wine from the bottle.
Serena giggled and sat at the bar and swiveled her seat to look st the door.
"We must not forget Vin and all the others who have sacrificed their lives, in order to defeat this evil and protect the child." Samos clacked his stick as he walked, drink in hand.
Jak stared down at the emblem of Mar in his hand and gripped it tight, putting it in his pocket.
"I still can't believe... that little boy was me. Better times huh?" Jak spoke quietly as Keira cuddled up to him.
"You miss him huh? You know the kid grows up to be a handsome hero?" Jak dips her for a kiss, Serena smiled at the love the two had for one another.
"Hey! That's enough for you lady I'm cutting you off. Owwww." Daxter flew across the bar landing on his back, shaking his head from the eco zap from Onin.
Serena laughed as two arms snaked around her waist and she felt a chin rest on her shoulder.
"Hey sugar, miss me?" Jinx laughed.
"Always," she smiled and leant back into him as he passed her an orange juice.
Pecker walked to Daxter who was dazed. "Trust me she gets real mean when she I like this."
"What she say?" Daxer slurred as Onin began to sign language to the bird.
"Something about rubber tubing and certain parts of your mother...you don't wanna know!" Pecker looked in shock as Onin finished off the bottle of wine.
The door to the bar slammed open, the whole room turned and stared, a figure stood in the dark doorway, silhouetted.
"Ahhh metal head!" Daxter screamed.
The figure walked into the light.
"Sig!" Everyone yelled in unison "I knew that!" Daxter shouted again slightly embarrassed.
"Your okay!" Jak lept from the bar and walked to him.
"You cherries didnt think some nasty breath, giant sized lizard was gonna keep me from the biggest party in town did ya?" Sig asked the room.
"I knew you were too tough for em big guy." Daxter smiled.
"So good to see you again buddy." Jak said and the men embraced in a brotherly hug.
"As I told you cherries nothing keeps old Sig down."
"Glad to see your still around, Sig." Serena smiled up at him. "I need to speak to you later too."
He nodded at her, "I see you got away from that loon Erol, met yourself a decent man." Sig commented towards Jinx.
"I guess I have." She smiled as Jinx hugged her tight and kissed the top of her head.
The night went on, dancing, singing, drinking, and the smile never let Serena's face the whole night, she stepped outside for some fresh air.
"Smoke?" Torn spoke to her, she hesitated.
"No I decided new city, new me and I quit."
Torn stated in shock for a moment and chuckled lighting his smoke. "Your loss doll, looks like you and Jinx are close, I knew you always kinda had a thing for him back in the day."
"Yes well somethings just don't change now do they?"
"No, I am glad though he will look after you not like Erol. Thanks again for what you did."
Serena smiled and sat on the edge of the dock and began to watch the fireworks across the city.
Outside bar as Serena watched she leant up against the crate and turned her attention to the growing crowd of people walking out the bar.
"You saved the city and more my boy!
Metal Kor and his menace are history and somewhere out there an ancient race has begun again." Samos petted Jak's shoulder as Fire works lit up the sky and faces..
Jak looked from Samos to his crocadog and scuffed him.
"I'm just glad to be back home." He smiled.
"Yea well rest up! We got a lot to do and so much time to do it in."
"Dont say time the rift ring was destroyed remember?" Jak said in aspiration.
Sig approached the two men.
"You know my momma, use to read me bed time stories about Mar when she tucked me in, she used to give me a nice warm glass of yakow milk... and my lil poopsey bear." Sig reminisced as Serena laughed, getting a dirty look.
"Bedtime stories? Warm milk? Poopsy bear? Buddy ya just blew ya image!"
Daxter burst out unable to hold his tongue.
"I've got a feeling we will meet Mar one day, he may be closer than you think." Samos waved his hands about "You are the designated driver." Sig Hands the ruby key to Jak.
"Oh no I am done with adventures, besides you will tell us before something happens this time wont you Samos?" Samos looks about innocently.
"Right Samos?! " Jak put his hands on hips in fustration.
"arrrck you never know what the future may hold." Pecker waves arms.
"Wait!." Daxter Eyes him "you know something don't ya feather brain?" Daxter eyed him up.
"Who? Me... ah...no.. we are just guessing, right Samos?" He backed away. "Today... tomorrow...only time will tell!" He chuckled.
"No! Your gonna tell right now! Ahhh!" Daxter lept from Jak's shoulder at him.
"Ahhh.. you little ahhh!" The two tumbled, fighting Feathers and fur fly as the procession watches back and forwards, until Sig grabs both by the tails as they swing at one another "Jack my boy.." Samos grabs his shoulder, "the future awaits."
"You have been quiet all night Seri girl, what's up?" Sig sat on the crate she was leaning against.
"I need to get out of Haven back to Spargus." She looked at her hands.
"But what about Jinx and your job?" He asked concerned.
"Jinx knows and is on board, the council will be after me. I need out, just safe accommodation when I get back to Spargus . I will sort the rest out on my own, I need to dissapear, our friends can't know."
Sig nodded, "okay I will organise it."
"The council meets in a couple of days I have been summoned, Veger is out for blood." She hung her head "Be careful sugar."
"I will." She hugged him and thanked him.
If all went to plan she could take her child away from the inevitable war to come and keep it away from Erol.
Spargus used to be her home, she would welcome it back with open arms. Jinx had agreed once the wat had settled he would join her and keep in constant communication.
Their love for one another was strong, they had waited this long they could wait a little longer.
The council had convened, Serena walked into the circular chamber and stood silently as the tiers of seats sat above her filled with councilmen and women.
Whispers circled the room, a gavel was stuck and the room went silent.
"Serena Acheron, of the house of Acheron, do you have anything to say about the charges of channeling eco illegally infront of the city?" Veger spoke.
Serena remained tight lipped and stared in anger at the balding man.
"I take your silence as a no. You do realise that eco channelers are an abomination and are exiled from this city?" Veger yelled, the council murmured amongst themselves.
"Veger this is an unjust use of power!" Ashelin yelled. "Oh you may be Governor because your daddy died girl, but the council still rule this city." Veger growled.
The murders got louder in the crowd.
"Enough!" Serena yelled, the rook went silent.
"Are you telling me that you are kicking me out of his city even after all I have done to help and look after it? The lives I saved the sacrifices I made?! I watched the man I loved die that day! Now you want to exile me? Screw this city!" She yelled. "The only abomination in this room is you councilman Veger! You always had it out for Erol, now me too!" "The man was experimenting with dark eco, something your house knows all too much about! Get this abomination out of my sight! Serena Acheron you are here by banished from the city of Haven! You have till sundown to sort your affairs." He leaned over the railings the hatred on his face as clear as day.
"Veger you can't do this!" Ashelin yelled.
"You will find I can and I have done just that!" "Screw this city! You want me gone I am gone!" Serena dropped her secuirty passes and turned on her heel headed for the door.
"You can't do this!" Veger shouted.
"Watch me!" She yelled as she walked out the door flipping the bird at the council and leaving Haven for good.
A/n: well lovelies it is about time I wrapped up this book it's taken me long enough I hope you enjoyed my version of what happened behind the events of Jak 2, I am going to continue this on in a second book that will follow along the lines of Jak 3. It will take sometime as this one has but I want to thank those who have read from start to end.
Love you all! Love wastelander543 xxx