A/N: Hey guys. Sorry for the delay, :C I meant to have this chapter up much sooner, as well as its upload companion, chapter 14, but I got distracted. Plus I was working on updates for Channeler/Conduit as well as an update for May it Be(which are all written and about to be uploaded as well. They should be up by the time you're reading this.) We're starting to get into the nitty gritty now, and this chapter introduces us finally to a very very important character!
Please, Read and Review! Your feedback is always greatly appreciated!
The afternoon hours settled over Haven like a sauna, filling the air with choking humidity while the sun baked anything that wasn't in the shade. Whatever energy anyone had was immediately sapped by the oppressive temperatures. Sake's only saving grace was that she was moved too fast for the sun to combat the wind associated with high speeds. However as she slowed to a stop in front of the Saloon, she quickly fell victim to its suffocating effects, feeling herself drained and irritated.
The inside of the building was surprisingly cool for once though, with Krewe nowhere in sight for the time being. She approached the counter, squinting as she saw a bartender behind the counter. Why there was a bartender at this hour was a mystery, considering the place didn't open for another four or five hours at least. Either way it didn't stop Daxter from introducing himself.
"Hey sugar plum? You new here?" The Ottsel invited himself onto the counter, making sure to get an up close and personal inspection of the striking blond behind the counter. Sake exchanged looks with the girl. What the hell was Tess doing here? "Well what chya' got that's uh.. 'hot' and uh- Hey, I've seen you before- you're with the Underground!"
Tess immediately stared in horror, glancing side to side quickly with the fear that someone might've heard the obnoxious animal, then she put two fingers to his lips and shushed him. "I'm Tess- Torn sent me to spy on Krewe.. Play along and I may be able to get my hands on a few of Krewe's secrets..!"
Sake buried her face in her hand when she noticed Daxter's eyes wandering to the blond's certainly gifted bosom.
"Ooooo! I love 'undercover' work baby! ..But two can work better than one. Lemme help you out!" Daxter dove behind the counter and Sake heard bottles clinking against each other. Tess couldn't help but giggle at his antics.
"Tess.. Can I have a word with you?" Sake put a hand on Tess' wrist, completely distracting the blond as Daxter began tossing bottles about while muttering as he sampled each one he got his hands on.
"Sure.. Over here." Tess led Sake to the closest booth and the two sat as far into it as possible. They were great for keeping sound in.
"What the hell are you doing here? Did Torn really send you?" Sake's face was solid, mouth drawn tightly into a displeased frown. Tess' own expression wasn't much different.
"No, but I knew we'd never uncover Krewe's dirty little secrets without a little feminine persuasion. I've already learned more in a week than we have about him in MONTHS."
"Wait. You've been doing this for a WEEK now? Tess you have to get out of this place, its awful." Sake held both the girls hands in her own, giving a comforting squeeze and Tess nodded.
"You don't have to tell me twice. But I can't just leave yet. Just last night, Krewe had some of his thugs beat a guy half to death over a bad deal.. He's in with some nasty stuff, Sake. Drugs, weapons, slaves.. You name it he doe-" Tess froze mid-word as she heard the sound of Krewe's hover chair enter the room. Sake slid from the booth and came to stand, only glancing over long enough to make sure that Daxter hadn't gotten himself too drunk.
Krewe hovered up to the girls and gave a sickly grin. "Ahh Sake m'dear. A pleasure to see you. Where's Jak?" A glass bottle shattered behind the counter and the heavyset gang lord took a moment to glare in the Ottsel's direction
"...Occupied." Sake gritted out, stalking toward the counter to retrieve Daxter before he could do much more damage.
"A shame. Well, Suppose you'll be filling in for him then. I have a job for you. I need you and the talking rat to go around and make a few... collections for me." Krewe said with a grin as Daxter hiccuped loudly while limply prying himself from Sake's arms.
"Hey there.. five chins..." he began, words slurred and messy. "Hows.. crimes.."
Sake had to admit, that was pretty funny. With a grin, she hung her head and stifled a laugh.
"What's his problem, ey?" Krewe hissed.
"Nothin! I'm just fine!" Another hiccup broke the Ottsel's concentration. "Mind your own business!" Then he wobbled and fell back, before beginning to sing off-key.
"Listen- I have six 'clients' around town who are about to make money drops for me.. and I need you to collect each money bag as fast as you can.. and 'take care' of any Guards who get curious, mmm? Collect a money bag too late, and and some townie might walk with it-"
"Soo DRRYYY..." The Ottsel's drunken song reached a painful crescendo as he struggled to stand, wobbling to either side before steadying a little. "You know whats the trouble with you, Krew.. You got.. no vision. This place could be a real swingin' joint! Hap Heg Hevin... More dancin', more mac'n.. more WOMEN!" He gestured quite obnoxiously to Tess who looked quite embarrassed. Sake grinned sheepishly and lifted Daxter into her arms.
"Just collect all fourteen money bags before they disappear and bring them back here" Krewe offered Sake a map before drifting away, only noticing then that Daxter was practically making out with her hand then passing out on her shoulder.
"Sake, I can take care of him while you're out. Just.. be careful, okay? And hun.. Don't tell anyone yet, please.." Tess offered her open arms for the unconscious Ottsel and Sake gladly handed him over.
"I won't, and thanks. Stay safe yourself, Okay?" With a wave, she turned and left the Saloon. Her zoomer was where she left it, unmolested by any other would-be thieves. She donned it and made her way toward the first bag.
Six bags in and she had been mostly ignored by the Guards. A few seemed to recognize her but by the time it might've registered in their minds who she was, she was already around a corner and long gone. She was coming up on the seventh drop when she saw a man with the goods. He beckoned her over.
"Tell that fat bastard that I'm out. I'm through being his supplier." the man practically shoved the package into her hands, but it wasn't money. It was a square parcel wrapped in brown paper and tied off with string. "I heard about what he did to Nile. No way I'm sticking around for that." Then with that the guy stormed off.
"Hey, stop right there!" A guard shouted from a dozen or so yards away. Apparently he'd seen the transaction go down.
"Shit..!" Sake stuffed the parcel into the nearest compartment on the bag for the money and jerked hard on the accelerator. The zoomer lurched forward violently, plowing over the Guard. The blow hadn't killed him, only dazed and once he was back on his feet, he radioed in the disturbance and a sector wide alarm had been triggered. "Figures." Now it was a race of time.
The remaining seven bags didn't prove very difficult to collect, though the bullet wound in her shoulder certainly complained as she maneuvered the zoomer with all the grace of an eagle piloting a blimp. With the final bag in hand, she tucked into an alley and killed the engine as a train of guards flew by on zoomer and on foot in their futile search.
Several minutes passed and the alarm ended, the guards having given up their case. With a grin, Sake patted the duffel bag filled with money (and likely highly illegal substances of the mind altering kind) before inching back out onto the streets and making her way back to the Saloon.
She barely made it to the counter when Krewe hovered up behind her. "Quite the money collector, ey? Here's a gun upgrade, now get OUT!" Two modifications were set on the counter and Sake pocketed both. Tess entered the room from behind a counter, holding Daxter who was at least conscious now, though still quite drunk. "I need my beauty rest..!"
"Trust me brother.. there aren't enough hours in the day!" Daxter slurred with a big stupid grin on his face and Sake could barely contain the chuckle bubbling up from her stomach. Before leaving, she exchanged one last reassuring glance with Tess who nodded as if to tell her that everything was going to be fine.
Sake had certainly had enough of this place, and enough of Krewe for sure. As she was leaving the Saloon, her communicator went off. When she answered, she was greeted by Jak's name. A smile quietly crossed her lips and she answered.
That evening, the teens were able to get a little down time. Jak was a little scuffed around the edges, some Metal Heads at the Drilling Platform had roughed him up pretty good so Sake helped him attend to the wounds while Daxter slept off the alcohol induced coma.
"So how did your mission go?" Jak asked as Sake used a piece of gauze to wipe some dried blood away from a nasty cut. "Krewe didn't have you do anything too bad, did he?"
"No, he just wanted me to collect some money.. though I'm pretty sure one of the bags wasn't money. Lets just say that's the first time in my life I've handled drugs.." She said, topping it off with a halfhearted laugh.
"Could've been worse I suppose. Just glad to know that things went well. How's your shoulder?" Jak gently pulled the hem of her shirt aside to reveal the blood stained bandages.
"A little worse for wear, but I'll manage." She winced, blushing before pulling the shirt back over the wound. Jak cleared his throat and nodded solemnly.
"If you say so. I have to admit, I missed having you there." Jak's lips parted with a genuine smile and Sake caught herself staring, only to blush a little more before hanging her head and hoping that the horrible lighting in the main room of the Underground's HQ would hide her face.
"Yeah.. Sucked not having you there to help me deal with Krewe either. I swear I could feel that slime ball eying me."
"Doesn't surprise me—OW!" Jak barked.
"Sorry, but there was a piece of metal in the cut. Don't worry, I don't think it struck anything important." She applied some Green Eco salve to a bandage and began wrapping it around Jak's chest. Then once it was tied off, he slipped his tunic back on and yawned.
"We should get some rest. No doubt Torn'll have us jumping through more hoops in the morning." The blond stood, collecting his gear into a pile before making his way to the men's quarters. Sake nodded, gathering her things as well since she had removed all her armor and equipment once getting back to base. As Sake stood, she smashed the back of her head into the upper bunk of the bed they sat on. Jak immediately whipped around to catch her, though she didn't fall, instead only cursing loudly before sucking air in through her teeth.
She fought off the throbbing pain with a grin, rubbing her head before looking at her hand- No blood, but goddamn did that knock hurt. "Not to worry I'm fine." Then she turned and started off toward the curtain separating the main hall from the rest of the complex, only to stop when she felt Jak grab her arm gently.
"Oh Sake-"
"Yeah?" Sake suddenly realized that her face was inches from his and she tried hard not to blush again. He opened his mouth to say something, but instead breathed in deeply, cocking an unsure smile as he let go. "Goodnight."
"Yeah.. you too."
Once Sake was gone, Jak sat back down and ran one hand through his hair with a heavy sigh.
"You'll have to tell her eventually." Daxter said from the pillow next to his friend. He looked a little scuffed up and stank to high heaven of booze.
"Yeah.. I know. I've just.. never done this sort of thing before." Jak's voice shook as he tried to laugh off the nervous jitters. "And what if she rejects me?"
"Rejects you? Pfft Jak you really are blind.. the girl's crazy for you. All hail the mighty Jak.. Faces down Metal Heads and tyrannical Barons.. Scared to ask a girl out." Daxter slurred through a grin. "Bet she's great in bed.."
Jak's face instantly blanched and his palms began to sweat. Daxter practically laughed his fur off.
"Don't go getting' all hot and bothered pal, now go get some sleep, would ya? This Ottsel needs to sober up.." With a paw waving idly in the air, Daxter rolled over and buried his face into the pillow and Jak nodded.
"Ya, Night buddy." The Ottsel was already out cold, starting to snore lightly. On his way to the men's sleeping quarters, Jak looked into the women's quarters just long enough to spot Sake who was already down for the night. He smiled then turned in himself for the evening.
Morning came entirely too early as it always did. Sake roused slowly from sleep, hair disheveled and tossed like a bad salad. A little effort and it was tamed back down into its usual grace. Once pleased with her appearance, she took a moment to don her armor and equipment, holstering her knife and morph gun. She left the room, stopping by Tess' room on her way to the front.
The room looked like it hadn't been used in days, aside from when she woke up there. The bed had been neatly made, the shirt she left behind gone and who knows where. All in all it felt vacant. She hoped like hell that Tess knew what she was doing.
The kitchen was the next stop before reaching the main hall, and Jak was already at work fixing a couple sandwiches from the meager provisions in the cooler. She waved a good morning, then took the plate when he handed it to her. Seemed his idea of a sandwich constituted from some strange orange vegetable that smelled vaguely like onion and two thick-ish slices of mystery meat nestled into two pieces of almost-stale bread.
"Yakkow." he said as she observed the reddish brown meat curiously. It certainly reminded her of roast beef back home. Hopefully it tasted the same.
It didn't, but it was food. Sake chewed grudgingly through the otherwise tough meat which had a distinct greasy texture to it, which according to Jak, was natural to the animal.
"Grew up on Yakkow milk and meat." He said before taking another huge bite. His sandwich was almost gone and Sake had barely made a dent in hers.
"I see." It took time but she muscled through, placing the old metal dented plate into the sink before rinsing it and washing the oils from her hands.
Daxter soon found them in the kitchen as well, slowly climbing up onto Jak's shoulder with a long heavy groan. Sake squeezed her lips together to stop the oncoming grin.
"Hangover?" She finally squeaked out.
"Not the worst, but I'd definitely give it an eight or a nine.. I'll be fine." It seemed the Ottsel's charm was only partly diminished by the raging headache he no doubt had. For something so small, he sure could handle his liquor.
The trio made their way into the main hall where Torn was once again pouring over maps and reports. He turned to them when they entered.
"Bout time you sorry asses crawled outta bed. Morning was six hours ago. Sake glanced at the clock on the far wall, it was still early in the morning. 'Guess Torn's an early bird.' She thought quietly, though the bags under his eyes told a whole 'nother story. Daxter didn't look much better, dragging himself up onto the table. The light overhead swayed a little and it was obvious by the Ottsel's grin that he was planning something.
"Time to get down to business. We're a little low on supplies and because you two are on the shit list, you get the great honor of going to collect them. Then when you get back, there's chores that need doing." Torn growled while observing a document. It seemed he was transcribing something but Sake couldn't tell what. The words and letters were completely foreign to her, with the exception for a few symbols that she knew from musings years prior when she was just a dumb lazy girl playing games all day.
Then again, given their current 'mission', it was likely a grocery list. How lame. The older man finished the list and handed it to Sake. She stared at it, almost going cross-eyed in an attempt to make heads or tails of the symbols. With a shake of her head, she passed the list off to Jak who pocketed it.
"And if there's no missions after that, then guess what." Torn could hardly hide the smirk.
"More chores." Daxter whined.
"Bingo. Here's a Bizarre Security Pass and the funds. That's the exact amount, not a penny more. If there's change, I better get it back, and you better get everything on that list, or its coming out of your next payment." Torn seemed to be in an exceptionally bitter mood today. Sake blamed sleep deprivation.
Jak turned to leave the hideout and Sake began to follow before Torn called her name.
"Before you go, Have either of you seen Tess lately?"
Sake swallowed. She promised Tess she wouldn't tell anyone. Not even Torn, or Jak.
She shook her head. "Not lately, why?" She prayed like hell that Torn didn't notice she was lying through her teeth. Daxter opened his mouth but Sake shot him a dirty look so he closed it with a stiff swallow. Neither Jak nor Torn noticed, which was for the better. On their way back from the night before, Sake had insisted that the Ottsel keep his mouth shut or she'd skin him alive.
"She hasn't reported in in days. I'm worried. Ever since that little charade at the Stadium, she's been quiet. I can only hope that she's gone to ground, and not rotting in some cell in the Prison."
"If we see her, we'll tell her to call you." Jak said and Torn nodded, looking a bit lost.
The first words out of Sake's mouth were along the lines of 'holy' and 'shit', as the trio entered the bustling market. The Bizarre was a perfect name because vendors were pushing everything from filets of raw exotic looking fish over ice to all manners of hand made clothes and fabrics- things Havenites couldn't hope to ever afford if they lived in the dilapidated slums where the Underground worked out of.
The area had been sectioned off to prevent any zoomer traffic, so buyers all carried around large baskets with straps on their backs, or carried woven baskets on their heads. Sake wondered if this was what it felt like in the markets of a foreign country back home. The sights, the smells, and even the sounds of a lone performer plucking at an instrument that looked like a combination of a violin and a harp to Sake filled her senses.
It was only then that she realized she was almost drooling on herself at the smells, despite having a more than filling breakfast. She couldn't have ever imagined Haven would have anything so magnificent. Jak was busy looking at the list, trying to figure out where all the things were.
He stared at the list, eyes going cross-eyed. He really wanted to punch Torn right now. Just staring at the list made him angrier than it should have, but he was suddenly broken loose from his stupor when he heard Daxter say something to him.
"Huh..?"
"Jeeze Jak. I asked, where did Sake go? I don't see her."
Instantly Jak felt himself go into panic mode, not that he a) had to worry about her and b) should have because he didn't feel a single thing for her, nope.. not at all.. No feelings whatsoever-..
Yeah he'd better go and find her.
Jak fought hard to avoid being trampled amidst the absolutely insane crowds as the sun overhead beat down on them with its early afternoon intensity, though the colorful awnings and banners spanning the width of the pathways helped to cut out a good majority of the heat and light while strings of lights provided illumination in the more darkly lit areas.
Finally he called her name, but when she didn't reply after three or so times, he began to get worried, unjustifiably of course. She had weapons, a communicator, a knife, and had a pretty swift punch that he remembered quite well. So why was he worrying so much?
"There!" Jak turned to face the direction Daxter's finger pointed just as a large man filled the space, and Jak leaned to get a better look, smiling a little when he caught sight of Sake staring through a glass case at.. go figure.
Jewelry.
He called to her again and came up, looking through the case at the piece in question that captivated her so entirely that she didn't hear him calling her name. He was surprised that it was actually the simplest piece in the case- A bracelet, with orangy-gold metal glistening in the sun, set in with seven black-purple stones of varying sizes that seemed to almost glow dimly- Though he was sure that was just the light playing tricks on his eyes.
He also noticed the price-tag, a whopping 6000. He had to keep from screeching with shock, almost jumping again when Daxter leaned in and whispered into his ear.
"C'mon Jak.. It's obvious she likes it, trust me, with the way she's eyeballing it.. you should totally get it for her!" Jak shot the Ottsel a nasty glare- Of course he was already planning on buying her the gift, He wasn't a moron. But the price, dear Mar the price. He'd have to beg Torn for the money, especially since he had no idea when the next time they'd get paid was. He also refused to resort to lowly theft. That'd make him no better than the Baron and his cronies.
The vendor in question, a moderately portly old man with a gentle smile, noticed them focused rather intently on the bracelet. He reached into the case, lifting the bracelet from its holder. Sake seemed entranced by it and Jak had to admit, it was kind of nice, in a pretty, girly way.
"Would you like to try it on, young lady?" The man said, voice a little airy but filled with all the wisdom granted to him through years of life and experience. Jak was amused when Sake visibly stammered and nodded, then watched as she removed a leather cuff to slide on the bracelet, which seemed to be a perfect fit for her slender wrist. "It looks fantastic on you. I can see that you really want it. So how about just 4500?"
Jak felt defeated as he watched Sake's world come crashing down, and she removed the bracelet with a heavy sigh as she shook her head.
"I couldn't possibly hope to afford that." She admitted sheepishly, and the old man slid the bracelet back into the case before closing it.
"That's quite alright." He said with a smile. "I'm sure it'll find a home eventually."
The blond hero was helpless to stop Sake as she stepped away, only slightly disheartened by her inability to purchase an otherwise useless piece of flashy jewelry. But he had to admit- Daxter was right, he did have feelings for the girl and he wanted to show that to her, especially with something she wanted. He was about to step away from the stand when the old man called to him.
"Hey boy, before you go.. I can tell you haven't told her how you feel yet, so if you promise me that you will, I'll sell you this bracelet for 2000."
"Hey Old Man, this isn't some kind of scam, is it?" Daxter quipped, eying the white haired man with all the skepticism of a child and a treat.
"Most certainly not. I recognize true love when I see it." The man said with a knowing smile and the blond fought hard to push back the blush, masking it with a seemingly bitter glare. When Jak opened his mouth to argue, he raised a hand. "Ah, ah, ah now, Don't argue with me, I don't want to hear it. 1500, and that's final. Don't pass her up son, you'll regret it."
"Alright, I promise, but I'm not exactly made of money." Jak scowled, staring pitifully at the hundred total in metal chips he had in his money pouch and Torn would skin him alive for spending the Underground's chits on a fancy trinket.
"Tell me boy, what's your name?"
"Jak, and this is my friend Daxter." He said, pointing to Daxter who grinned.
"No last name?" The man said with one brow raised quizzically.
"Don't have one"
"Well, a pleasure to make your acquaintance. My name is Kaolinth. You'd best catch up before you lose sight of her again."
Jak turned and yet again Sake had vanished into the crowds like a ghost. He quietly cursed and nodded before turning and running off into the throngs of people to locate Sake. He quickly found her at another stand, passing a few metal chips to a vendor as she held a thin brown leather book in the other hand. The vendor passed back her change and she turned to greet Jak as he approached.
"Felt like buying a journal. Something to pass the time on our off days." She said with a grin while pocketing her money and securing it tightly from any would-be pick-pockets. "So how about those supplies."
The next two hours were spent collecting the supplies on the list and securing them in the back of a Zoomer before hauling them back to the Underground's headquarters. On more than one occasion, a vendor called them over by name specifically and handled the transactions a bit more discreetly than a typical purchase. It seemed Torn had his fingers in many pies, or at least, lots of support from the public.
They'd need it, especially when it came time to overthrow the Baron.
A/N: Hi again! Why don't you quit reading my ramblings and skip on to the next chapter?! I kid, hope you're enjoying it so far! and again, please R&R! It'd be greatly appreciated!