Warning: this chapter has more violence then the others, and may not be suitable for younger readers…

Chapter Thirteen:

Choices Made

The strange pulling on Jak's body slowed as his feet reached solid ground again. The teleportation device had sent him where he wanted to go. He had made his decision. Timidly, Jak opened his eyes. The familiar building stood before him, he looked it over like it was a long lost friend. It lasted only a moment, for he hadn't any time to spare if he was to save the world and Erin. His feet had a life of all their own, as he stepped forward.

Entering HQ, Jak raced passed all the on-duty Krimson Guards and headed for his destination. Torn's office wasn't too far down the hall; it took him no time in reaching it. Flinging open the door without so much as knocking, Jak ran in. Torn was started at Jak's unannounced entry.

His shock ended quickly, "Where have you been? I've been trying to get a hold of you all…"

"We need to move, now," Jak emphasized the last word with an urgent voice, "We have to get to the Hip Hog with an entire squad of Guards, any we have on-duty!"

Torn noticed the feeling of panic that emanated from Jak, "What's going on?" Torn asked, turning his attention completely to Jak.

"Krew's alive," Jak said, knowing it was the fastest way to force Torn into action. "He's behind everything and has hostages who'll die if we don't hurry!" Jak watched as Torn stiffened and got quickly to his feet, knowing that he had been harsher than he needed to be to get his point across. Thankfully, Torn didn't ask him to elaborate, pulling out his communicator, Torn announced to all the Krimson Guards on duty to meet outside HQ.

When they walked back out into the halls, people were running around, frantic with the news of their plan and gathering weapons, ammo, and green eco packs. Jak felt that they weren't moving fast enough, though it was all stuff that would be needed if a large battle broke out, which Jak was sure would happen. Krew would do anything to prevent himself from being caught again, even sacrificing his own men, which would send him back to prison, or maybe even the death penalty. Planning an assassination attempt on the city's leader was grounds for execution. All for the better, Jak thought, knowing that Krew was too dangerous to be kept alive. The current situation was proof of that.

But it wasn't Krew Jak was most worried about, for Cass was planning to betray him. A person as smart as Cass probably had many of Krew's men on his side, for just an occasion. Jak knew with certainty that Cass was already at the Hip Hog, probably having transported strait there. Would the fighting be over before they got there?

Jak cursed in his mind, knowing that with each passing moment Erin was in growing danger, and with each passing moment, the Dark Makers readied for their assault on the planet. Jak just hoped that his choice to save Erin didn't doom the entire planet. Countless lives stood on the edge of destruction, and if he didn't move fast enough, it would be like he killed them all himself. He would be the man who single-handedly destroyed the planet.

But Jak also knew that if he had caused Erin's death it would be worse than letting down the entire planet. He had thought he'd lost her once before, and it felt worse than he ever imagined dying would be like. But to loose her a second time… Jak abruptly pushed away the thought; he didn't have time for 'what-ifs,' especially ones that were so painful. Right now he would concentrate on doing whatever he could, and if he failed… he would deal with that when the time came.

Moving out front of Krimson Guard Headquarters, Jak waited while the many troops fell into line, standing at attention. Many in the ranks were novices, fresh out of boot camp. They didn't have the slightest idea what they were up against. Jak wasn't much older than them, but he did know. He had been in worse situations, and knew just how daunting the situations could be to the low of experience. Jak had been fighting for many years, even back in Sandover he would take on the Lurkers if they got in the way of his explorations. In the city, most didn't experience the same lifestyle that Jak had once lived, except for those who participated in the Metal Head Wars. Those who stayed with the Krimson Guard after the Baron took complete control were either dead from the many battles, or in prison for being devout followers of Praxis. The younger generation had come up to fill in the ranks, but without being truly tested in combat. Jak knew that there was a major difference between shooting a target and holding up arms against a fellow man of flesh and blood. Jak just hoped that they were up to the task, for criminals weren't the type to be merciful.

Torn called out to the troops and brought their attention to him and Jak. Walking before the young and eager standing in the customary lines, Torn assessed those under his command. Jak had to admire the loyalty that Torn inspired in those who followed him. Subconsciously those Guards that Torn walked past straitened their backs with pride, as if trying to prove their worth to the cause. Jak walked purposefully behind until they reached the front.

Turning, Torn addressed the waiting men who were ready to fight and even to die for the city and all that they knew. Every eye was avidly on him, taking all that he had to say. Some of the young troopers were afraid, but they hid it well. Word of who they were going up against spread like wildfire through the ranks, which filled the Guards with fear and anticipation. Perhaps it would've been better to not tell them, but knowledge can be a great weapon, or a great burden…

"Krew will fight," Torn said, murmurs spread through the men. The certainty in Torn's voice answered the question of whether or not death may be a factor. After a moment, the whispers died and Torn continued. "All Guards will be cautious when approaching the Hip Hog, for there will no doubt be sentries around the entire Port district. Squadrons one, two, and three will be under my command. Four, five, and six will be under Lieutenant Jak. Move Out."

When Jak had first met Torn, he had noticed that he didn't say much, and when he did it was short and to the point. This was no exception. Every Guard quickly moved into formation behind their commander. While waiting for half of the troop to fall in behind him, Jak turned to address Torn.

"I want to go in first," Jak spoke almost in a command. Torn raised an eyebrow at him, not liking the demanding tone Jak spoke with. "Sir," Jak added as an afterthought.

Torn looked long and hard at Jak, who couldn't help but notice that the many scuffling of boots on concrete had settled, leaving an unnatural calm before the coming battle. There was much riding on this fight, and Jak wanted to be up front so he could get to Krew first, and maybe even Cass, if he managed to get there first.

Torn didn't want to reach a decision lightly, for he knew how reckless Jak could be when hungering for revenge. The entire attack on the Metal Head nest the previous year had been a success, but Torn was sure that it was a fluke. Jak had gone on that self-assigned mission in the hopes of death. Torn looked deep into Jak's eyes, searching for some proof that he wasn't being reckless. What he saw wasn't so much anger or pain, but fear and worry. Perhaps the sincerity in his eyes is what made him give Jak his way.

"Very well," Torn answered shortly. With a wave of his hand, Torn sent the two groups on their way. Jak lead his southwest, while Torn went southeast. They were going to enter the opposite sides of the Port, and meet in front of the Hip Hog. Doing so would make sure that no criminal escaped, and so that the Guards didn't get surrounded.

Jak watched in a reverie as many people poked their heads out of their houses and looked with worried interest. They hadn't the slightest idea why a large number of Krimson Guards were walking in formation down the street. For all they knew, Torn was having a lust for power and the groups were heading for the Palace to start a coup. It didn't take much to loose the city's trust, but it could take generations for the Krimson Guard to be fully trusted by the populace again. It was terrible to think about how worried the people would be until Torn had time to clarify what had happened at the Hip Hog, and that the criminal ring had been shut down. The Precursors only knew what they would think until then.

The people of the city who met them on the streets cleared out of their way in a hurry, as if they would turn and fire at them for getting in the way. Perhaps that is what the Krimson Guards did under Praxis's command. Everyone in the city knew that the old Baron had no qualms with killing the innocent. If someone got in his way they were considered the enemy and quickly disposed of.

Jak could feel the tension in the air, emulating from the people in massive clouds. The younger and less experienced Guards under his command shook visibly as the air turned heavier from the sea breeze. They didn't know what possible fates lay before them, which approached as the moved closer to the Port. When they signed up with the Krimson Guard, they had thought of glory, but their young and ambitious minds had betrayed them. There wasn't glory to be found, but sorrow and possible death. There wasn't anything in battle to claim honor over. There is only the eminent doom of death, the harsh struggle for survival. Now that the fighting had grown so near, their glory-seeking minds had fled, leaving only the need to live, the basic instinct of survival.

Yellow blaster shots rained down from the sky. Instinct took over as Jak bellowed for his men to take cover. Most had scattered for cover before he had ordered it, but several poor souls hadn't been quick enough. So early into the battle they had all ready lost some on their side. Some of them were still alive, lying in crimson puddles of their own blood, but if anyone moved to help them they would risk getting shot. It seemed that Krew had sentries guarding the entry into the Port. Since neither Jak nor Torn had anticipated this, Krew now knew that they were coming.

A painful lump clogged Jak's throat, what would Krew do to Erin? Not thinking too deeply about his personal safety, Jak threw himself forward, away from the haven of the nearby buildings, and fired at the several enemies sitting from a higher vantage point on the roofs. The men on the roofs, not expecting such a fast and reckless counterassault, were shot in their chests at Jak's trained hands. Several men tumbled from the flat roofs, landing with a sickening, bone-crushing thud two stories down. Their life force slowly started to leave them as the blood poured out of the place their hearts had been moments before.

"Follow me!" Jak ordered to his men as he moved forward at a quick pace, but not so fast that they might run right into a trap. Stepping over their fallen comrades and enemies, his men moved forward, obviously shaken at what they had just seen. Moments before their friends had been unharmed, but in a blink of an eye they ended up lifeless on the hard ground. The reality of it hit them hard, which shown on their pale faces.

The more experienced warriors moved forward to keep up with their leader, the others fell slightly behind. Jak should have kept with the group, to discourage any runners or deserters, but Jak didn't care. For all he cared, they could run, and he wouldn't blame them. The first battle is always the hardest. Perhaps it would be better if they would run, for as far as Jak was concerned, this was his battle, and his fault.

The many voices coming from the communicator on Jak's wrist told him that Torn's group had run into a sentry group as well. Jak heard Torn cursing, "Where the hell are those Hellcats?" Jak's group moved from the sanctuary of the buildings to see a war going on at the other end of the Port. Torn's group had received the worse of the two directions, for there was a lot more men waiting for them.

Moving out to the large walkway lining the edges of the Port, more fire fell down around them from the neighboring buildings. More men from both sides fell as Jak led his troop to go reinforce Torn at the other end of the large horseshoe walkway. This time Krew had prepared for everything, it seemed. There was no way for Krew to know that Jak was going to betray him, so he must have had this precaution set up in case the Krimson Guard came sniffing around.

Their pace had to slow, for running and gunning cut down on accuracy, and the enemy was stationary, which gave them advantage when it came to holding their weapons steady. Giving Jak's group an advantage was that, since they were moving, they were harder to hit. Keeping a vigil eye on the rooftops, Jak moved forward, followed closely by those under his command. Many men tumbled from the roofs and, if the shots themselves didn't kill them, the fall surely did.

A shot tore through the armor on Jak's left shoulder, leaving a painful, gaping wound, and the realization that he was being careless. Somehow he had missed a man on the roof. Aiming quickly, Jak returned the favor. The man fell, lifeless, the many feet to be met by the metal walkway. The smell of his own blood mingled with that of the salty breeze, sparing a quick glance, Jak determined that it wasn't dire, so he left it. He didn't have the time to change into his light form to heal it, nor did he wish to spare precious seconds applying a green eco pack to anything that wasn't life threatening.

Ignoring the pain, he pressed forward. They were now about half way to Torn, and just a little ways from the entrance to the Hip Hog. Wishing desperately to be rid on his commanding status so he could storm the place now without having to abandon Torn, Jak was forced to walk past his intended destination. The place where Erin was being held was so close, but the oath he had taken for the Krimson Guard, and his almost-friendship with Torn, kept his feet walking to help his comrades.

Seeing that all the enemies on this side of the Port had concentrated on Torn and his group, Jak broke into a run, for the faster he helped Torn the faster he could save Erin. Krew's men had Torn effectively surrounded, from the rooftops and the street. He had set up his trap well, but perhaps he didn't expect two groups, because there was only the one trap.

Reaching the outer ring of enemies, Jak and his men opened fire at anything that wasn't in the Krimson Guard red and gray armor. Finally noticing their presence, Krew's men returned fire. The mixed colors of blaster bolts created a deadly rainbow which ended any life that got too close. A humming sound reached Jak's ears, and then he realized that the Hellcats which Torn had been cursing over had finally arrived, adding their larger and more dangerous weapons into the massacre.

Many more men fell in this skirmish, leaving the Krimson Guard forces depleted. Looking around, Jak saw that his group had been reduced by about a fourth, and Torn's was less than half of which he started with. Their forces were already low, and they hadn't even reached the man they were after yet. Many red and gray armored men lie on the cold metal, never to arise again. Death claiming them forever. Jak fought the nauseous guilt that rushed up to meet him, pushing it down, he would deal with it later…

Torn took command of the combined group and ordered the men forward. They ran at full speed, following Jak's lead as he tried to get there before something terrible was done to Erin. Running, he reached the Hip Hop's small door first and burst through the door, brandishing his weapon and firing at anything that looked dangerous. A small group of Krew's personal guard fought, died, at the hands of the larger Krimson Guard group.

Then there was only Jak and Krew, his hated enemy. The sounds of Krimson Guard boots that followed him into the bar could have just been coming in from the street. The labored breathing of the man behind him could have just been his own. It was just him and Krew, Krew and him. Finally Jak would serve the crime lord he justice he so rightly deserved, and save Erin.

Jak watched Krew, and relished in the fact that he could see fear in his eyes. A nagging thought entered his mind, but he ignored it. Raising his weapon, Jak aimed it at Krew's chest. "Surrender!"

A hardness entered Krew's eyes, but the fear was still there. "I'll never go back to that prison!" He bellowed as he reached for the small pistol at his hip. In reflex, Jak shot, hitting Krew in the side and effectively dropping him to the floor. Now Jak had the upper hand, how many times had Krew had Jak in a bad situation. Not anymore, this time Jak was going to win, and end Krew's reign as king of the underworld crime syndicate.

Jak moved over to Krew, leaning over him menacingly. Krew looked up at him with a hateful glare. Spitting blood at him, Krew cursed him. Apparently Jak had hit him in the lung, which would kill him if he didn't get some green eco soon. Jak wasn't too worried about it though. "Where is Erin?" He demanded from the collapsed form of Krew at his feet.

When he didn't answer, Jak leaned closer, quickly loosing what little patience he had. Shoving the barrel of his morph-gun into his overweight gut, he emphasized his demand from the irritatingly silent Krew. "Where is she?" Jak spoke in a deadly quiet voice so that Krew knew that he would pull the trigger.

A laughing filled the air, but it didn't come from Krew. It was much darker and menacing than what Krew's voice was, it was almost like something drawn out of a nightmare and brought to life. Whipping around from the helpless Krew, Jak searched for the laugh's origin. Turning, he was almost shocked to see all those people at his back; he had forgotten they were there. They seemed just as shocked and frightened by the laughter, which seemed to come from the darkness of the bar itself.

"You really think she's here?" The voice mocked.

Jak gripped the handle to his morph-gun even harder, now recognizing the voice, for he had heard it barely an hour before in the planet's catacombs.

A dark energy filled the space between Jak and Torn. Torn and the other Guards backed off in uncertainty and fear, but Jak held his ground, he wouldn't give him the chance to feel he had power over him. The form of Cass appeared amid the energy, and as the energy subsided, Jak realized what a shocking change had come over the man, he hardly looked human anymore. What was surprising was how fast the change had occurred. His face had paled into a purplish color; it almost looked like he was in his dark form, but permanently.

"Well, well," Cass smirked evilly at Jak, "I was wondering when you were going to show up. Faster than I thought you would, to be honest."

"Cass!" Torn bellowed in anger and lifted his weapon a little higher, meeting Cass in the chest. Cass didn't seem too concerned; actually it looked like he reveled in Torn's reaction.

Turning, Cass seemed to notice the rest of the men for the first time. "My, Jak, haven't you told them?" He gloated. A flicker of accusation greeted him as Jak looked into Torn's eyes. Cass was making Jak loose face, and he knew it. Jak, in his rush to get Torn moving, had neglected to tell them who the spy was, and how much he knew.

Cass laughed again, that horrid sound that seemed like it was brought forth from a dark, endless abyss. "Jak, Jak, Jak… Did you not tell them what they were up against before bringing them here? Would you lead them to their deaths just to save your precious Erin? I think you need to straiten out your priorities."

Jak gripped his weapon so hard he started loosing the feeling in his fingers. Everybody in the room was on edge, one wrong step and the whole room would become a war zone. How many more would die? How many more souls would Jak have to answer for in the next life?

If Cass was trying to turn them against one another, it didn't work, at least not fully. Torn wasn't going to turn his back on Jak, at least he trusted him enough not to just shoot him on the spot. The silence encompassed the entire room. It seemed to last forever, until Krew managed to pull himself to his feet.

Moving, he went towards Cass, holding his side. "Well done, Cass," his voice was thick from the blood coming out of his mouth.

Cass looked mockingly at Krew, "Don't misunderstand me, Krew, I haven't come here as your savior, just the opposite, in fact."

Krew's face, which had turned cocky and defiant at the appearance of Cass, returned to the horrified grimace once again.

"You shall die today, my old boss," Cass continued, his voice growing deeper with hateful loathing of the man before him, "for being ignorant of the true meaning of power. Allow me to demonstrate." Turning to the group of Krimson Guards, he raised his hands and with a voice that seemed to echo through space and time itself, he spoke. "Come, my dark minions! Do my bidding!"

All notion of what was going on left as countless fields of energy circled the men, spewing out monsters that couldn't even have been dreamed up in nightmares. They were blacker then the darkest nights, and light itself seemed to be consumed and lost in the dark energy that made up their bodies. Standing much taller than their enemies, they drove fear into their souls, as if they would drain the life from anyone who got too close. Screeching in some unknown language, they announced their dominance over this world. They had come to continue their mission to leave all worlds in darkness, to cleanse the light and life from all corners of the galaxy…

The Dark Makers had arrived, and Cass was helping them.

In fear, the Krimson Guards opened fire, trying desperately to save all that they knew, but the beasts had some sort of energy shield around them, preventing shots from penetrating their defenses. The men tried to scurry out of the paths of the dark creatures, but the monsters had an inherent speed and agility that far surpassed their enemy's. Without a way to fight back, the Krimson Guard was nothing more than yakows waiting to be slaughtered.

Turning, Jak sought to end Cass's life, and hopefully in doing so, would end the battle. Firing in rapid succession, Jak was irritated to learn that Cass had a dark shield of his own, rebounding his shots as if they were nothing but pebbles. Without hesitation, Cass drove a small dagger into Krew's heart, quickly ending his life, without giving as much as a fight in his shock.

Now that the business that Cass had come to finish, he focused his attention back on Jak. In a low and dangerous voice he spoke so only Jak could hear him. "You try and stop me, if I even so much as see you, her life will end quickly."

Jak lunged at Cass, but before he could reach him, he disappeared into black energy smog, leaving his minions behind to finish off the battle without him. Turning, Jak knew he had to help the Krimson Guard in this fight, but afterward, Jak would have to go, immediately. The Dark Makers had found their planet and planned to destroy it. Jak may have let it happen, in his choice to try and save Erin first, which had turned out drastically.

Turning into his dark form, Jak advanced on the Dark Makers. They faced each other, dark power to dark power. Charging, Jak broke through several of their dark shields, allowing for Torn and his remaining men to open fire. Moving to another small group of Dark Makers, Jak shattered their shields and attacked. Continuing to brake through their defenses, Jak was turning the tide of battle. The fight was grueling and long, for the Dark Makers were not easily killed.

Once he last Dark Maker had finally fallen, Jak didn't even look at the devastation he had wrought on the Krimson Guard. Without a word, Jak moved to the back of the bar and into the passages there. Once alone, he started running, looking for any door that looked like it held a prisoner. Spotting a large metal door, Jak changed form again and ripped the door off its hinges.

Entering the room, Jak knew this is where Erin had been. Bars had been placed over the small, filthy window. Jak collapsed to his knees, knowing that he had been so close to saving her, Cass must have taken her as leverage before confronting Krew, and now she was out of his reach once again. Unnoticed tears streamed down Jak's face, for he had no strength left to hold them back.

Jak had met Erin in a prison, much like the one he was in now. The rock hard bunks, the filthy state of the cell, the air of feeling that escape was impossible, they were all familiar. Their feelings for each other had taken root in the darkest and most miserable of times. Daily they were put forth as rats to be experimented on, and somehow, after all that, something beautiful had taken root. For the longest time they couldn't even touch each other, first because they were separated into different cells, and later because their darker sides wouldn't allow it.

Desolate and consuming depression took over Jak, much like when he had thought Erin dead, and held her seemingly lifeless body. He had been in a dark place then, like he was now. He couldn't even be sure Erin was still alive. Cass could have killed her and still used her as leverage over the oblivious Jak…

Jak chocked back a sob at the thought.

Shakily, Jak got back to his feet, knowing that he had to keep going, knowing he had to stop Cass and the Dark Makers. He should have seen to the Dark Makers first, but he had been selfish and put his own needs in front of the rest of the world. He would travel back to the core and speak to the Precursors, see about setting it right.

If it wasn't already too late.

Wiping his face on his sleeve, Jak turned to leave quickly, but he had been found. With incredible strength, a fist collided with Jak's jaw. The force sent Jak back to his knees. Glancing up, he found the furious face of his commander. Torn looked livid, and rightfully so, Jak had done a very foolish thing.

"You," Jak noticed that Torn couldn't even force his name past his lips in his fury, "led us here without any information. Do you know how many lives we lost? What were you thinking?" His demands were justified, which is why Jak didn't defend himself.

Rubbing his pained jaw, Jak moved to his feet. One he had gotten there, however, Torn punched him again with just as much power as the first. This time Jak was ready for it and managed to stay on his feet. He didn't so much as curse Torn, for he deserved much worse punishment.

"I should have you court-martialed! We could have prepared better if we had known that Cass was the spy, and that he could control those monsters! Many men died because we were ill prepared. Is there anything else you neglected to tell me?"

"No," Jak answered, and not wanting his list of crimes to be filled with speculation he defended himself, if only a little, "and I didn't know that Cass could control the Dark Makers. He must have found a way to contact with them."

"That's just wonderful," Torn bellowed, his anger still present but knowing he would have to deal with Jak's punishment later, "and how would he do that?"

"He was a subject in the Dark Warrior Program, he underwent the same dark eco treatments as me…and Erin," Jak had to swallow before he could say her name.

Torn grew silent pondering the information, in which Jak was going to take his leave. "Where do you think you're going?" Torn asked to Jak's turned back. "Come back here. You are going to tell me everything that has happened. That's an order."

Jak was just a second from telling Torn to stick his orders in a specific orifice of his body, for he didn't have time for this, when a commotion at the door caught his attention. A blonde blur threw her self into his arms, crying with glee.

"It's so good you see you!" Tess spoke. "I thought I'd never get rescued."Pulling herself free, she looked over at Torn, "what took you so long?"

"What do you mean, 'what took us so long'?" Jak answered instead.

Turning her attention back to Jak, Tess looked worried, "you mean Erin didn't get to HQ?"

"What are you talking about, Tess? We haven't seen her since her disappearance," Torn answered.

"Erin escaped a few days ago and they never caught her, she never turned up at headquarters?" Tess answered and asked for clarification.

Erin escaped… the two words echoed in Jak's mind. His clever love had managed to escape. "She must have made it to HQ," all the way to HQ, "and Cass must have found her."

"Cass?" Tess asked, still not knowing that he was the spy all along.

While Torn explained to Tess everything she had missed since her capture, Jak took the time to slip unnoticed out the door.

The Precursors help him, Cass had Erin, and longer than Jak had thought. The fight at the Hip Hog had mostly been a complete waste, and it was entirely his fault. He had wanted to save Erin, had led many men to their deaths, and she hadn't even been at the bar. She had been in Cass's hands for days, and the Precursors only knew what he had planned for her. Reaching the street, Jak took off at a run for the Palace; he needed to reach the catacombs and the core, stop Cass, and save Erin, if it was at all possible.

Authors Note: Ok, now that I am a college student, it will take longer to update (hence why it has taken so long) but don't give up on me! I haven't forgotten about this story, or those of you out there who read it!

Twenty-eight chapters down, two to go!

Also, I have a Forum set up in the Jak and Daxter Boards, called the Darkness Fades Discussion Board, where you can post questions, comments, or just talk about what you like/dislike(please don't be mean!) about my story!