"Hey tattooed wonder? What gives with the whole incognito meeting?" Daxter asked as soon as the waitress left and we were seated in the sports bar. I had never been in here before. The place was fairly empty besides a few drunken people and a waitress who was also bartending. In the background a TV buzzed about the newest races in Kras City. We were seated in a table next to the window that would've viewed the palace perfectly if it was still standing. Torn took a second then adjusted his hat. He was sure to make his face as unclear as possible.
"Shut up you stupid rat. It's called being uncover, which is what you two are going be with this next assignment." He looked out the window. "If you heard any flying rumors about Ashlien it's true. Our intelligence tells us that a group of 17 men were escaped failed dark warrior programs experiments. When they heard that the baron was killed they stopped their plans for revenge."
"Sounds like I wasn't the only one with a bright idea." I said taking a long sip on my drink.
It was just water considering I refused to drink alcohol before a mission. Torn made a face at his reflection in the window. "Clearly." He huffed in his low voice. "Only you know when to stop. A part of the group have decided to killed everything once associated with Praxis. You remember Verger?"
"Lanky, Pale, coco for coca puffs? Sure we remember Vegan."
"Last we heard he was still an osstel in the wastelands." I chuckled at the inkling of Verger riding on Kliever's shoulder. Torn nodded and spoke very pricelessly. "He is dead now."
"Kliever finally broke out the ketchup ah?" Dax shook his head.
"No. It was a sniper." Torn shrugged. "Hit his little heart before Kliever even noticed his was a goner." He played with his pocket knife.
I raised an eyebrow. "Somebody is extremely skilled."
"And angry…" Daxter added nervously.
"But mostly well informed… Somebody knows of the events of the last two years. And I don't like it. I'm afraid their next target will be Ashlien. If she goes then-"
"You loose your lover?" Daxter mused making a kissy face. Torn extended his arm and caught Daxter up in a headlock. To everybody in the bar it looked like nothing more than a hug, but hidden behind Dax's neck was Torn's knife. It was quick and deadly. I hide my surprise and smiled slightly. We knew Torn wouldn't ever really hurt Dax, but it was the best way to keep him quiet.
"Yikes…" Dax breathed out slowly feeling the blade.
"Our relationship should never leave that furry little mouth our yours got it? The reason is that we all need ash running the show in Haven City or we risk another dictor." Torn said
"Got it. I didn't even know you liked gingers." Daxter wriggled free then quickly ran to my shoulder. I put my elbows on the table and leaned forwarded.
"So where does this put me?" I asked.
Torn looked back toward the window. "Because of the shadow and his connections we were able to get you in with one of members. You're job is to earn the gangs respect and stop them from killing Ashlien or otherwise."
Torn leaned in a little closer. "And most importantly find the head of the gang, and kill him. Otherwise you and your little mechanic will be hunted down everyday of your life."
I frowned and curled my fist. The thought of anybody hurting keira made me burn in anger.
"Got it. Get in. Knock a few heads. Get out." I said in a cocky tone. I smiled evilly. Bloodlust filling my thoughts again, the excitement of a mission pumping Adlerian into my veins.
"Oh boy!" Daxter grumpled. "Where's this one taking us?"
"To the Brink." Torn said softly.
AUTHOR'S NOTE: ok so yes I'm using the Brink, but no I'm not using any of what happened in the Final Fortier, because, well I don't like it. However the Brink is still like it is in the game, meaning the flying thing is effect. No pirates, no dark Dax No lack of eco. Thanks. Please resume.
"The end of the world?" I asked shaking my head.
"We have evidence that the group will set up in the most inconspicuous spot. That's in a part of the Brink called Destiny Island. (All rights go to Kingdom Heart's and their respective owners :D) It's a little island that doesn't get many tourists considering how far away it, however it's very luxurious. No one except crime at place like that." Torn's voice wavered slightly.
"Ohhhh! Luxury baby! That's all I need to hear! When do we leave?" Dax started dancing much like we did back as kids hunting for power cells. I chuckled.
"Now. I have you a ride set up. Plus." He pushed me a brief case. "Here's your pay in advance. You will take out whatever you need while you are there. There is more than enough to last throughout the mission plus here, unless you don't control your pest problem." He glared at Dax who grinned sheepishly.
I took a peek at the printed cash waivers which could be taken to the banks to be exchanged for orbs. There were hundreds of stacks. I grinned. "Oh yeah."
Daxter took out a bunch of wads quickly and latched it back. He pushed it towards Torn who gave him a odd glare.
"It's not for you." I said rolling my eyes. "Past it to Kir and Tess will ya?"
Torn nodded. "You have my word."
Torn was a lot of things, bad included, however he was very noble and chivalrous. He'd take care of the ladies any way he could if he had too.
"Well we are off." I stood up taking another long drag on my water, could be the last I have for a while. Torn nodded. "Head toward the Haven Forrest. The plane is waiting."
I waved at him over my shoulder and walked off into the rain again.
"Could be dangerous." Daxter mused over the roar of the rain.
I smiled. "Danger is my middle name." I put the suit case on the back of the zoomer and hotwired the vehicle.
"Then it also should be insane, because only the mentally challenge would do this for a living."
"It puts bread on the table, Daxter." I laughed and put my foot on the gas a little harder than I should. I always drove fast. I got used to either racing or running form the law so diving fast was now natural.
"And bullets into my beautiful skull if you keep being stupid. Yesh, Damas would have yakcows if he knew he were such a reckless asshole." Daxter yelled as he caught the suitcase of money before it fell. I laughed again and went faster flying off to the next adventure.
At the forest.
It's nightfall and the plane is sitting peacefully at the river's end. I got off the zoomer and walked up to it. Daxter jumped off.
"So are we flying now? Not like we can't mericousily learn these things in seconds." He asked rasing a fuzzy eyebrow. I shook my head. "I'm willing to beat Torn programed the coordinates to Destiny island before hand."
"Good call Cherry." Chuckled a voice.
"Sig!" Dax and I said happily.
Sig nodded to us smiling.
"Good to see you….In clothing?" Dax's jaw dropped.
Sig looked down. He was wearing ripped jeans and a muscle shirt with a sweater pulled over it. His cyborg eye shinned in the light.
"You like it? It's on the rage." He laughed. "Times are peaceful; I really don't need my armor. Didya think it was glued on my body?"
"Yes." Daxter admitted softly. I smiled. "Good to hear to taking it easy. If anyone deserves it is you."
"Well we all do kid." He yawned. "Torn told me you'd be out here, so I stopped in from the wasteland's farm land to pay a vist."
"Whoa, the wasteland has farm land?" I asked in shocked picturing the dry vast land.
"We found where the metals had been thriving. Now that they are gone we can make use of the many oasais out there. You'd know that we buried your father in one of the seven we found, if you actually came to visit." Sig gave me a look. My heart sank. The last I went to the wastelands was the last mission, but I avoided Spargus completely. Too many statues of my father staring me in my eyes. I looked down Daxter petted my shoulder. "No one blames you Jak." He said softly.
Sig snoared. "Kid you're twenty one years old. You need to start handling yourself better. I won't spare you your feelings." Sig shook his head. "However I guess I knew you would react like this so I buried him in a shallow grave. When you are ready, you can find him."
Daxter sighed and I nodded. "Is that all?" I asked getting a little impatient with the situation. Sig shook his head. "I found something you really ought to read." He handed me a leather notebook. It looked like it had been through hell.
"It's Damas' journal. I don't expect you to read it like a Harry Potter novel, but it's rightfully your since he left it too you in his will. It's the whole truth."
"Whoa! Bad ass Damas kept a diary?" Daxter said.
"Sig." I rubbed the cover and clutched it. "I don't know what to say."
"Say you'll take good care of it." He instructed as he turned around. "Come back safe from the Brink. I've been out there a few times. Had some WILD times there." He laughed at some unnamed joke as he started to walk off. "I'll be seeing ya around cherries!"
Suddenly as if on a que the plane roared to life. A gust of wind distorted my view of Sig and the plane's door opened.
"Come on, jak." Daxter yelled.
I took a deep breath and got a good hold on the journal and sprinted into the plane.