Chapter 9: Driving, Shooting, and Boarding.
Music: The Hand That Feeds by Nine Inch Nails
"Just how deep do you believe?
Will you bite the hand that feeds?
Will you chew until it bleeds?
Can you get up off your knees?
Are you brave enough to see?
Do you want to change it?"
Mood: Sick :/
Disclaimer: Writers lie, just like your parents.
"What is that horrible smell?" Krew asked, the second we walked in the door, fanning his face. I subtly turned my head and smelled my arm, but I didn't smell anything.
"Oohh, great, we do your dirty work in the sewers, and come back smelling worse than a wet hip hog in a warm bar!" Daxter exclaimed, surprising me. He sniffed around for a second, and I saw him lean towards Jak, "This could have a serious impact on the lady factor." Daxter flicked his eyes to me and then back to Jak.
I smirked, "I was there too, Daxter."
"Well, we all still smell nasty," Daxter said.
"No, uh," Krew burped. "I think that was my lunch, actually." I looked at him disbelievingly. "Nice work in the sewers, 'ey, I guess you're looking for that weapon upgrade, mmm? Well, there's a Blaster mod stashed in some crates at the Port. Find it, and it's yours..." He said, laughing evilly as he flew away.
I looked at Jak, and wondered if my face looked like his. He shook his head, as if to clear it, and then grabbed my hand before walking out.
We made our way to the same building as last time. The boxes were still lined up around the edge, but this time there was one box in the middle with a glowing light. Jak opened it, and found two things in it; one new gun, and one new bow. I reached down and grabbed mine, examining the new attachments. It looked like it was better for hitting exact targets, it had a scope, and the arrows were sharper, rather than blunt, like the arrows in the Scatter Bow.
I hooked the bow onto the holding strap and slid it back next to the other one. "The Blaster is a good 'ol round choice with a nice range of fire." I heard Sig say. I jumped in surprise looking for him, and saw the small flying machine that I assumed is where his voice was coming from. "It requires more aiming abilities. You can switch weapon modes at anytime. You can combo your attacks by kicking, then firing your weapon. Kick your first target and shoot at the second one for automatic aiming."
Four cardboard enemies popped up out of the ground, and I assumed we were supposed to test the moves. I looked at Jak and he nodded, and I kicked the target, and fired an arrow at the second one, both exploding in a matter of seconds. "Now that's a wastelander move!" Sig said. "They won't know what hit 'em. Would you like to test your skills on the gun course?" The doors opened. I waved at Jak to have him go first again, and he did. "Good luck," Sig said, before the transmitter flew away.
The doors closed, and I heard vague sounds of shooting again, and in less than five minutes, Jak was out again and it was my turn. So I walked in the doors and started shooting at all the little carboard figures, pulling out the arrows and letting them fly. It was simple. I liked this mod.
Once I was out, we all walked back to Krew's saloon, where he was once again, waiting for us with a mission. I sighed. I was getting really sick of this fat man and his fucking missions.
"I have a proposition for you. Racing is the biggest sport in the city! Erol is the undisputed grand champion." Krew said, flying in circles around us right when we walked in. "He's crazy" He whispered in my ear, sending spit at the side of my face. I growled before wiping it off, but swallowed down my anger. We needed this man's connections. "and dangerous on the track." Krew continued before laughing harshly. "My kind of guy. Only a fool would dare race against him, 'ey!" He said, flying into Jak's face, jabbing his finger on his chest. I chuckled quietly when I saw Jak raise a hand to fan his face. "And that's where you three come in. A client of mine is looking for a fast driver for her racing team. Here's a security pass to get you into the stadium section." The fat man said, throwing a small chip at Jak, who caught it, and tucked it into my back pocket. I shrugged it off, I was better at keeping things than him, anyways.
Immediately when Krew talked about his client, a small bell started going off in the back of my head, something I should know, but just couldn't remember. I shook my head, trying to clear the warning, but it wouldn't go away. I needed to remember something. Something important.
" Uh, and your contract, with just a few trifles for me." Krew said slyly. He handed it to Jak, but I reached out to grab it, he pulled it back. "I've ah, already signed your name to save time, mmmmmnn."
He threw it down on the ground, and I picked it up, glancing at the signed names. "The hell, fat man?" I questioned loudly. "I don't sign my name with a fucking heart."
Krew grinned menacingly. "You do now." I growled and clenched my hands into fists, but dropped the paper.
Daxter automatically picked it up and started reading. "We the racers hereby agree to give Krew all proceeds from race earnings, endorsement fees, broadcast royalties, syndications residuals, vehicle sponsorships, mall appearance fees, collectible card assets, fast-food tie-ins, use of likeness rights, talk show deals, clothing lines, all print rights including book, novella, comic, pamphlet, tickertape, neon sign and bathroom graffiti designs..."
I saw Jak start to nod off, and I smacked him upside the head where he looked up and grinned at me.
Daxter flipped the page, took a deep breath, and continued reading. Toy rights, shoe lines, mood rings, game rights, vitamin endorsements, city kickbacks, movie deals, and of course, all death and dismemberment accident insurance claims." He finished with a sarcastic flourish.
Krew flew over, chuckling darkly. "We can work out the tiny details later. If you can get from here to the Race Garage near the stadium in less than three minutes, my client said that she would consider letting you drive for her team. Make me proud, mmmm!" Krew leered before flying away.
"Can't wait to be done with him." I said. Jak chuckled before walking outside to catch a Zoomer, getting a two seater. It was an unsaid rule that he was the one to drive us places, since he went the fastest, andi had the best aim for killing KG's.
We got to about Sector Six before Jak ended up hitting a KG. The mini map automatically started flashing red, and gun turrets popped out of the ground to start shooting at us. I got up on my knees and pulled the Blaster Bow from the slot and started shooting KG's. This gun was so much better for it.
I grinned, skewering KG's as Jak flew to the ground and 'accidentally' hit civilians and KG's alike. I shook my head, glancing at the timer on the mini map, it's neon green letters telling us we had a minute and 35 seconds left to get to the place, so I was pretty sure we were going to get there.
We flew and I noticed we were approaching a green screened off section, and I swiftly reached into my back pocket and tossed the security key at Daxter, who ran down the length of my extended arm and slipped the key into the lock, all without having to stop the Zoomer.
Jak pulled a sharp right, and I had to twist my arm inwards, scooping Daxter up and pulling him towards my shoulder to avoid him hitting a KG. Daxter immediately grabbed onto my hair and hid there. I laughed before pulling out my bow and taking out more KG's. A minute and a second left.
Jak took another left, and then another right, flying over some water canals. Okay, we were in Sector Five, almost there.
We pulled up to the stadium archway with just over thirty seconds left. When we got off the Zoomer, the timer blinked and the shut off, so I pushed the button to minimize the map and tucked it into my backpack.
"Good job, sweetie," I said sarcastically. Jak laughed at the endearment.
"'S no big, babe." He pushed me up against the wall, kissing me.
"Nope, not here!" Daxter said, shoving his hands between us, pushing our foreheads apart.
Jak smacked his head, but stepped away from me, and laced our hands together, pulling me along.
"Ah... hello?" Jak said when we walked into the door.
"Krew said someone was looking for a race driver?" I continued.
" I'm busy right now." We heard a voice say. The bell in my head only got stronger. Why did she sound so familiar. "You must be Krew's new errand boys." Jak and Daxter glared at the screen where we could see a silhouette of a young woman.
"Hey! I'm a girl." I said indignantly.
"Whatever. Look, I don't mean to be rude, you did get here fast, but I'm not interested in any new drivers right now, and I've got work to do."
"Is there anything we can do?" Jak said in a sultry voice, and I glared at him. He gave me that look that said 'just trying to be helpful.'
I shook my head at him.
"No! I'm... ah... working on a secret, ah... ah... 'vehicle project'." She said, obviously skirting around the point.
"Okay, sorry..." Jak said, throwing his hands up in the air. I giggled at him.
" Listen, if you think you've got the guts to race in this town, try taking my prototype JET-board out on the Stadium Course." Jak and Daxter looked at each other, mouthing 'jet board'. I smacked them both. "I've got two, so if both of you can beat the Stadium Challenge, and maybe I'll consider you for my team." Jak started at the curtain with an open mouth, obviously staring at the woman's body. I felt hot jealousy bubbling in my chest, but I tried to push it down, and just laugh as Daxter waved his hand in front of Jak's face. Jak shook his head, glancing at me apologetically.
I glared at him. What was he thinking? I turned and walked out the door, Jak following close behind me. I was about halfway out when he caught up to me.
"Hey." He said, pushing me up against the wall again. I noticed that Daxter wasn't around.
"Don't you 'hey' me." I glared, trying to hold onto my anger, because if he kept looking at me like that, I'd forgive him way too easily.
"Are you jealous?" he asked incredulously.
I huffed out a sigh. "What do you think?" I said, crossing my arms over my chest.
"That's… hot." Jak said, his pupils dilating, and a dark looking coming across his face. I had to look away so I didn't try to shove my tongue down his throat.
"Jealously is hot?" I asked, my throat dry, trying to hold me own.
"Yeah…" He trailed off in a sultry voice, leaning in, "I like when you get protective of me," He breathed into my ear, and I shuddered. He licked down the side of my neck, and my head fell back.
"Really, really hot. You look so sexy." Jak said, before attacking my lips with his, shoving his tongue down my throat roughly. I moaned quietly, but gave in to his demanding kisses, throwing myself into it with equal force, sucking on his tongue.
He groaned at that, so I sucked harder, hearing his groans turn into actual moans. Huh. I let go of his tongue, and he automatically began attacking my neck, sucking on my soft spots, his hands running up and down my body. I felt him place his thigh between mine and start rubbing at the heat there, and I couldn't help but moan, pushing down on his leg.
I let my head fall back against the wall, my skull smacking the plaster, but I didn't even really feel it. All I felt was pleasure, desire and lust. I felt completely ravished.
Jak pulled away, looking at me with swollen lips and pupils blown wide. "Do you forgive me?" He asked in a husky voice.
"Yeah…" I replied shakily. "Maybe I should get jealous more often.
He laughed out loud, pulling away completely, adjusting his pants, before offering his hand. I took it and followed him out. We walked out, holding hands and laughing together as we walked past KG's who were 'looking for suspects.' Precursors, they were stupid. The two biggest suspects in the city were holding hands in front of him.
We walked into another room, and saw two JET boards floating, waiting for us. Jak grinned at me, before dropping my hand to go play with his new toy, Daxter popping up out of nowhere and jumping on his shoulder.
I picked up the JET board, examining it, and jumping on. It seemed like it would require a lot of balance, but other than that, it was easy. "You can get on and off the JET board at any time." The mechanic said over the transmitter. "You can jump on the JET board." I tried it. It seemed that there was some sort of technology holding my feet to the board so I wouldn't fall off unless I wanted to get off. I jumped again. Okay, this is easy.
I followed after Jak, who was spinning in circles. "You can get a higher jump if you duck before you jump." I ducked and jumped. I did get higher. "Jump, and jump again after you've landed for an even bigger launch." I flew the board and double jumped up past a ledge, hi-fiving Jak when I passed him.
"You can land on a rail and grind on it." We were informed. I flew towards the rail that was separating two ledges, grinding on it. This thing was actually really cool. The mechanic continued to inform us until we knew all the moves, spinning, jumping, flipping, and we had to do the challenge.
Jak and I waited at the door for it to open. "I bet I'll get more points than you!" I said challengingly.
Jak grinned. "I doubt it."
The door opened, and we both raced down. There were two watch-like devices there, which would track our scores for us. We put them on - I took the red one, he took the blue one – and waited for the signal.
"Okay, three, two, one, GO!" We both took off, flipping, jumping and spinning and grinding to get higher points.
When the time beeped, I had 28,034 and Jak had 27,998. "Ha! I beat you!" I said in triumph, getting off my JET board and dancing around him.
"By like 60 points," He said sulkily.
"Still beat you," I mocked.
"You couldn't do it again," He said.
"Wanna bet?" I asked teasingly, thinking about the last time we bet on something. That turned out nicely. I grinned.
He smirked back, pushing a button on his timer watch, and I did the same on mine.
We tried again, and of course, he beat me.
The result was quite nice, though.
We went and put our JET boards back on the stands, Jak looking at his longingly for a second. I grabbed his hand and pulled him away.
"We beat the Stadium Challenge." I said when we walked in the door.
" Great. People do get lucky." I hissed. " Listen, don't you have someone to collect money from, or beat up, or something?"
"You don't like us, do you?"
"You work for that slime ball Krew. What's not to like?" She asked. I growled again. I heard her laughter.
Jak turned to the trophy case to our right. I could see a plan forming in his brain already. "Looks like you've won a few races. Isn't it true the city champion gets to tour the palace." Oh. I get it now.
"Yeah, why?" The mechanic asked confusedly.
"Could you get us into the palace?" I asked.
"A friendly visit I gather." She asked sarcastically.
"Yeah. We're real fans of the Baron." Jak shot back.
"Okay. I'll help you out if you stop bothering me." I grinned. We could do that. "I saw an old maintenance elevator at the base of one of the Palace support towers. That old lift might take you up to the palace, if you can find a way to turn on the elevator's power…"
-A/N: Okay guys, 124 of you viewed the last chapter, how come I only got one review on it? :( You guys should, like, review more and stuff. Not to sound like a review whore, though (I kind of am.) SO FEED ME YOUR REVIEWS NOM NOM.
But whatever, I hope you enjoyed this chapter, and sorry if it sounds kinda forced, but I'm tired and sick and didn't feel like writing, but I decided I should anyways.
Well bye! See you next time! Lol
xMonster