Chapter 22: The Finale Battle Part 1: Shut Down

Jak and Keira reached the bar, Keira needed Jak to help her up the step. When they got in, they found the captions crowed around one of the tables and heard Daxter's voice, "Then I pounced, and- ah!" Daxter fell off the table and the pirates laughed as Jak walked up.

Phoenix turned to see him, "Well, look who finally decided to show up."

"I ran into a little distraction." He admitted, as Daxter jumped back up on the table. Phoenix shook his head as Jak took his seat. "So where do we stand?" he asked.

Many stood on his chair, "My ship and crew are ready to go just give the word. My scouts found a small island about a mile from the city limits where we're going to drop the slaves off."

"And I've spoken with the volunteers," Phoenix chimed in, "They will be waiting there to help."

Jak nodded, and looked over at Chell who nodded, "I sent out a few of my men and we managed to capture an Aeropan boomer, It's not idle but it will work for your cover, they shouldn't suspect a thing."

"And you got this far away from the base, right?" Daxter asked.

Chell looked at him, "Do you take me as a fool? Of cores we did."

"Good and what about the armer?" Jak asked.

"Ah…" August said, "That's a bit of a snag."

Jak looked at him, "What do you mean?"

"Well, no offense lad, but you are on the sorter side of things, no one's going to believe you're an Aeropan boomer pilot."

Phoenix nodded, "That a far point," he looked at Jak "boomer are usually a bit more built up and a far bit older."

"Plush, whose going to believe you're an Aeropan?"

"Hey Jak," Daxter piped in, "What about that one guy? You know, the one who left Aropa?"

"No." Jak and Keira said at the same time.

Phoenix looked at Daxter, "What are you talking about?"

"Theirs's a man living here, he left Aropa after Skyheed turned him into one of his soldiers. He might be will to help."

"That might be a better option." The old caption said, "How long ago did he leave, do you know."

"Had to have been a few years, he has a kid." Daxter stated as Jak and Keira exchanged worry looks.

Phoenix nodded, "I like it, he could blend in much better the Jak."

"No." Jak stated, "We're not pulling him into this."

"He has a wife and a little girl." Keira stated, "We can't ask him to risk his live, what about his family?"

The pirates looked at her, Chell started to laugh, "Do you really think he's the only one with a family?"

Jak looked at Phoenix, "If it's just going to be me, Daxter and Keira, then I don't really think we need anyone else, the few people going to the barracks the less chase we'll be detected. Even if we can't find any armer that will fit me. I say we stick with the original plan. But none of this is going to matter if we don't have the access code for the gate."

"We do." Phoenix stated, "Our friend got it to use last night."

Jak nodded and looked at the teenager "And what about the weapons you promised us?"

The teen leaned back in his chair, grinning, "I got more than enough."

"Good," Jak said, looking back at Phoenix, "So should we go tonight or wait for tomorrow?"

"Well the sooner we get going the better, lest chase our spy is found out but on the other hand, if we wait for tomorrow then we'll have more time to prepare."

"I think we should wait." Keira stated, "The more time we have the lest likely we'll overlook something."

Jak nodded, "Okay, we'll wait. In the meantime, all of you should try to find as many people as you can to join." With that they disbursed. Daxter jumped on Jak's shoulder as the three friends left the bar, "So…" Jak said smiling at Keira, "Is there anything you want to do?"

Keira pulled out some papers from the pocket on her chair, "I really should get back to working on the hellcat, I want to get this done before the battel."

"Okay." Jak said a little disappeared.

Keira looked at him, "What is it?" she asked.

"Nothing." Jak said, kissing her cheek.

He took her to the Phantom Blade, and she got to work. If nothing else Jak was glad to see her get out of wheelchair but with her leg and ribs she did need some help to which both Jak and Daxter were more than happy to do. It wasn't how Jak had waited to spend the afternoon, but it wasn't all bad. If nothing else, he found out that she was trying to upgrade the guns on the hellcat to peace the armor of the Behemoth.

"Hey Keira, I've got a question." Daxter said from where he sat on the wing. Keira looked up at him, "Where is this gun going to get its power?"

Keira nodded, "I was wounding if either of you were going to ask." She said with a smile as she tighten a boult on the gun, "I'm working with a theory on this one. Eco is all around us and I'm hoping I can get this to pull the energy out of the air and use it to our advantage."

"Will that even work?" Daxter asked.

"If my theory is right, it should. But even so I would still only use it as a last resort." She looked at Jak, "I'm really hoping that we won't need it. but if so, at least we'll have something."

Jak looked at the gun, "will it be ready before tomorrow?"

Keira sighed, "I don't know but at least it's something useful I can do." Jak looked at her not sure what she was talking about but just shook his head and didn't say anything about it.

A few hours later Jak left to fide something to eat, and he came back with soup. Keira sighed as he instead that she eats. She took the bole, and gave it an annoyed look, "I swear I'm never eating cabbage again after this."

Daxter put his bole down and looked down at it, "I agree." Jak shrugged and counted to eat. Keira quickly finest her bole and got back to work. Jak waited until around elven to tell her that it was time for to stop for the night and go to bed. She protested for a bit before giving in and letting him pick her up and carrying her to bed. Daxter climbed into the hellcat and dozed off.

Jak laid her in bed and climbed in next to her and kissed her forehead. She snuggled closer to him and closed her eyes. Jak placed his arm around her and found himself staring up at the sealing. He tried shutting his eyes and forcing himself to sleep but it just wouldn't come to him, the fact was that the idea of tomorrow scared him; one way or another it would all be over, that wasn't what was keeping him up, it wasn't his safety he was worried about, it was Keira, she seemed to know what she was getting into but did she really? he looked down at her she seemed content, peaceful… a little too much so, "Keira?" Jak whispered, her green eyes popped open and she looked at him, "I knew you were faking."

"Well, it's not like you were sleeping ether."

Jak ran a hand threw her hair, "Keira do you really have any idea what you're getting yourself into?"

Keira softly smiled, "Yes, I'm not going to act like I'm not scared but after words, it's over, we can move on with our lives…" she wrapped her arms around his neck and held him tight, "We can do anything." Jak embraced her slim body, being careful not to agitate her ribs and kissed her forehead. Keira giggled, looking you at him, "Now," she tapped his nose, "Shut your eyes and at least try to sleep. We'll have a better chase if you're well rested." Jak smiled at her before shutting his eyes and allowing himself to drift off to sleep.

It is a funny thing how time seems to move faster when you want it to slow down, that was how Jak felt the next day when he was standing on the deck of Wind Scar. They were almost to the barracks now, Jak was already wearing most of the Aeropan armor, the helmet was sitting on the barrel next to him, being that the Phantom Blade, and the other ships had further to go they had left hours ago, if all went according to plane they should be reaching Castaway's old island just as the Wind Scar reached it's destination. That would put them just far enough away from Aropa to not be spotted and they would be close enough that once the shield was down they could start the attack, Jak was to radio Phoenix once Keira was working on the last generator.

Jak looked out at the horizon all things considered it was a beautiful day. Daxter jumped to his place on Jak's shoulder, nearly falling off, and looked out as well, leaning on Jak's head, "We need to get going, Keira's already in the plan." Jak didn't say anything, he grabbed the helmet and headed below deck.

The boomer was sitting in the hanger Jak could see Keira in the back seat her hands already in cuffs, he didn't like that but there was no arguing with it. Daxter jumped in as Jak put on the helmet, he really didn't like that, his face was completely covered and he could only see what was right in front of him. He climbed into the plane and took off, almost as soon as they had left the ship it turned around and started to head to Castaway's island.

A few moments later Jak landed in the hanger of the barracks. Phoenix had been right, after the last time they had been here security had been bummed up. They could see patrols both on the ground and in the air but thanks to the boomer no one bother them. The main communication tower called them over the radio, Phoenix had told Jak exactly what to say to get clearness to land in the right part of the barracks, and thanks to the armor no one paid any mind to Jak as he got Keira's wheelchair and jumped out. He stared to help her out as Daxter quickly slipped into the pocket underneath the chair. "Your being to gentle." She whispered to Jak as he set her down, "I'm supposed to be your prisoner, remember." Jak nodded and started to push her.

They reached the main door and found two guards standing outside it, Jak and Keira avoided eye content with them as the door opened. Once they were in, they headed right for the warp room. This room wasn't empty there were a few people in lab coats and about a dozen guards, they had planned for this, Daxter climbed out of his hiding spot and found a vent near the floor, Keira pulled out a screw driver from the bag and handed it to him, he began to unscrew the vent while Jak kept watch once the great was removed Daxter climbed in as Jak unlocked Keira's handcuffs, a few moment later they heard Daxter's voice over the PA system, "Attention, everyone is to report to the cafeteria for cake and refreshments, we have a very important birthday to celebrate." Jak and Keira peeked out from the behind the corner to see everyone leave the room.

Jak and Keira hurried over to the computer as the last of the guards walked out. Keira pulled up the security cameras and quickly scanned every hallway and room, before looking at the cafeteria, "I can't believe that actually worked." she said.

"Just get all the doors locked and get the warp-gate up." Jak ordered as he took off the armer. He was glad to be rid of it. He had his old close back, he had no clue where Keira had taken them but they were almost as good as new.

"Right." Keira said, quickly tapping a series of button as Daxter climbed out of the vent and hurried over to them. "And… got it!" the warp gate turned on.

Daxter jumped to his usual spot on Jak's should, "Remember when these things were simple?" He asked as Jak pulled his bag out from under Keira's chair and put it on then he looked at Keira who nodded. He helped her threw the ring, fouled her chair before jumping threw himself.

They arrived in an empty room, everything seemed to be covered in a thin lair of dust. Keira was laying on the floor, Jak hurried over to her and helped her into her chair. "Are you alright?"

She nodded, "I'm fine." She moaned, "Let's get going."

The sun was setting when they entered the city, the sky was red, and the city was calm. They had to take out the four generators around the city before they could deal with the one in the milled. They ducked into an alleyway as Keira pulled out the map that Phoenix had given her. Her and Jak looked it over while Daxter kept a look out, they were closer to the north-west corner of the city so that was where they headed, Keira fouled the map and they set off, doing their best to stay in the shadows as much as posable, Daxter stayed hidden under Keira's chair. Phoenix had been right there was no civilians out. However, they still had to duck into alleys or hide in doorways to avoided the guards that patrolled the streets. Several times Jak had to pulled Keira out of sight.

Finally they reached the first generator. There were only a few Aeropans guarding it. Jak looked at Keira as Daxter climbed onto Jak's shoulder, "Wait here until I deal with them."

Keira grabbed Jak arm, "Wait." He looked at her, "I think our best option is for you to distract them." Jak and Daxter gave each other questioning look. It was clear from their faces that they didn't think that was the way to do it, "Listen, the more generators we can take out quietly the bester our chances are. If you can get them away from the generator and keep them away long enough, I can be in and out before they even know what's happened." Jak nodded and went down the rood a little ways.

"Wouldn't it just be easier to kill them?" Daxter asked, Jak didn't say anything. "Couldn't you just use those green eco crystal and suffocate them? it would be quicker and easier."

Jak sighed, "Yeah, it would but…"

"You don't want to do that in front of Keira." Daxter finshened. Jak nodded. Daxter rolled his eyes, "What would you've have done if she wasn't here?" Jak didn't answer, "You would have run in, and taken them out. We would probably be on our way to the next generator by now if you did." he added as an after-thought." Jak climbed up onto a dumpster, grabbed the later to a fire escape pulling himself up. "Look all I'm saying is you seem to be trying to keep Keira from seeing a side of you that she already knows is there."

Jak gave an annoyed sigh as they reached the roof, "So you're saying I'm wrong from trying to be better for her."

Daxter looked up at the sky and shook his head as Jak looked down at the alley he had just climbed up, "You realize to her you're already prince charming, right?"

"Just hand me a few crystals." Daxter did as Jak asked. He took the crystal and his hand started to glow. Then he simply dropped it. The crystal grew as it hit the ground, ripping threw the buildings on either side. They didn't stay to see who came but instead Jak hurried back to the generator.

Most of the guards had gone to see what had happened with only about three staying at their post. Jak quickly looked around and saw Keira where he had left her. "Now it looks like you don't have much of a chose." Daxter commented. Jak exhaled threw his nose and jumped.

He shot yellow eco out of his hands to slow his fall as he came closer to the ground the sound got the attention of the remaining guards and they charged at him. As they did, he could see Keira wheeling herself to the generator. She started working on it as one of the Aeropans tried to grab Jak. He quickly dogged and uppercut the soldier his hands now glowing red. A loud snap ripped the air as the man's neck broke and he fell back onto the ground. The soldier companions didn't hesitate in their attack. One of them swiped at Jak with his claws, again Jak dogged and punched the man in the gut braking threw his armer and damaging the internal wiring that regulated the amount of dark eco that was pushed into the man's body. The man screamed as the thing that was meant to keep him alive killed him. The third soldier grabbed Jak form behind, nocking Daxter off his shoulder. Jak managed to slip out of the larger man's grip and leapt out of the way of his claws. Daxter jumped onto the soldier, climbing on top of his helmet and covering his eyes. The soldier grabbed Daxter's head and ripped him away as Jak punched him. he let go of Daxter as he two fell to the ground. Jak hurried over to Keira who had crawled into the generator, Jak could hear the soldiers he had mages to distract coming back and told Keira that she need to hurry up, he didn't hear her repose as he ran at the soldiers; taking them out as quickly as he did the others.

Six body now laid unmoving on the ground as Jak returned to Keira who had finest with this generator. "Hey, won't someone notice that the generators are going down one by one like this?" Daxter asked as Jak helped Keira back into her wheelchair.

"Yes, I'm sure someone would." she responded in matter a fact tone. "But I'm not taking them out one by one." Jak and Daxter looked at her confused.

"But I thought that was the whole point." Daxter said, scratching the top of his head.

"What I'm doing is setting them so that when we take out the last generator, they all shut down at the same time. So as long as we don't draw attention to ourselves we should be fine."

Jak nodded, "So where next?" he asked.

Keira pulled out the map, "The best thing we can do is just stay near the border of the city. Phoenix told me that most if not all of the city's population lives more in the city. These," she gestures to the building around her, "are all business and shops." She fouled the map and put it back in the pocket, "Let's go."

They moved quickly down the road meeting little resistance along the way, Jak was careful not to leave Keira to far behind, he wouldn't admit it to her but right now he was glade she had that chair. They reached the second generator, Jak turned to Keira, but before he could get a word out she cut him off "Wait here." She said for him. Jak closed his mouth and turned away from her.

He and Daxter peeked around the corner, "Second verse same as the first?" Daxter asked. Jak didn't respond, instead he sprinted at the soldiers. There were the same number of guards here then at the last generator. They saw him coming three of them threw dark eco at him, he quickly put up his shealed, having the wall of blue eco take the hit instead of him. Daxter saw one of the soldiers running away from the fight and told Jak, he saw him. Jak rocked himself forward with yellow eco, speeding past the soldiers that had just attacked him, knocking them over. The man was running to a nearby computer, Jak hit him with so much force that they slammed right threw it. Jak smashed the man's face in before his companions could get to them. While the soldiers were distracted with Jak, Kiera took her chase and headed for the generator, quickly getting to work as Daxter handed Jak a couple of crystals and Jak threw them. Three of the soldiers were completely encased. One of the remaining soldiers started throwing Dark eco blast at the two while his companions tried to grabbed Jak. He ducked out of the way as Daxter leapt off his shoulder to avoid being grabbed instead. Unfortunately, Daxter jumped right into the dark eco blast. It hit him right in the chest. He collapses on the ground.

"Daxter!" Jak yelled, he didn't response. The momentary distraction was enough for the soldier to grab Jak and force him to the ground. Jak whole body glowed red and he forced the Aeropan off of him. In a flash he was back on his feet, he grabbed the back of the man's head and slammed it into the cement so hard that his helmet shattered. Jak heard Daxter start to cough and went from red to blue as he willed a shelled around both of them. "Daxter are you alright?" he asked as the last soldier continued to throw dark eco blast at them.

Daxter pushed himself up, his arms shaking, "Yeah, I'm fine." His arm's collapse from under him and he fell back on the ground. Jak picked him up and plashed him back on his feet, "Really Jak, I just got the wind knocked out of me that's all." He said as he pushed Jak's hand away.

"You just got blasted."

Daxter razed a brow, "Did you forget that I'm immune to Dark eco." Jak eyes widen, and then he smirked as a slightly crazy idea came to his mind, "Now let's finest this guy off already." Daxter said, climbing back onto Jak's shoulder. Jak lowered the shield as he stood up. He just started at the soldier as he threw another dark blast, Jak didn't move, he just let it come right at him; he caught the ball of dark energy and absorbed it. The soldier was stunned for a moment and then charged at him. Jak allowed himself to go dark and slashed the man's throat. he quickly changed back as the soldier fell to the ground.

Jak hurried to the generator just as Kiera was crawling out, "Two down, three to go." She stated as she got back into her chair. She was very clearly trying to keep from looking at the bodies that laid around them. They set off down the street.

There was no one at the third generator, "I don't like this." Daxter said.

"Me nether." Jak glanced at Keira, "Stay here." She nodded and watched as they got closer.

Daxter looked around, "Hay Jak, you don't think they knew we were coming, do you?"

Before Jak could answer Keira screamed, there was a crash as her wheelchair tipped over. The two turned to see her struggling as much as she could to get out of the grip of the two soldiers that were dragging her away. The other four charged at Jak.

Yellow eco shot out of Jak's hands and rocked him forward. He put a shealed around himself and barreled threw them. "Let me go!" Keira screamed. Jak hit one of the soldiers holding her, forcing him to release her. Jak began to repeatedly punch the man in the face, braking his helmet open while Daxter jumped on the other one's helmet, beating on the top like a drum. He let go of Keira to try and grabbed him but Daxter mage to keep out of his grasp. Keira fell onto the ground and looked to see the other soldiers getting up, "Jak…"

He looked up and saw them. He went to her side, reaching into his bag. He pulled out a shard charging it a bit before throwing it onto the ground where it grew into a small barrier blocking Keira from the soldiers, "Stay there." Jak order, Keira nodded. As Jak when to help Daxter.

The soldier managed to grab him by the tail and threw him aside as Jak tackled him. They fell to the ground where Jak slammed his fist into the man's face.

"Jak, watch out!" he heard Daxter yell. He looked up just in time for the soldier to punch him right in the jaw knocking him off the dead Aeropan. He slid on the pavement, quickly rolling out of the way as one of the soldiers tried to bash his face in. Jak got to his feet, jumping out of the way as one of the soldiers tried to slash him.

Keira watched, safe behind the small barrier. She saw Daxter running to her. He too jumped behind it, "What are you doing just sitting here?" he asked, "They have their full attention on Jak, get going." Keira looked back at Jak as one of the Aeropans fell. She looked at the generator it wasn't far. She slowly started to craw, wishing a little due to her leg and ribs. Daxter stayed close to her keeping an eye on the fight. As long as Jak kept their attention they would be fine.

They reached the generator as another Aeropan fell. Keira climbed in, Daxter staying with her as she began to work. He watched as the two remaining Aeropans started to throw dark eco at Jak, he just let them the blast knock him to the ground. This also allowed him to go dark as he got back up, he quickly slid their throats and changed back. Panting, as he looked at where he thought Keira would be, by now the little barrier had shattered. Daxter saw a worried look come on to Jak's face and he quickly called to him, "We're over here." He yelled. Jak looked as Keira slid onto the ground.

Jak sprinted to them, kneeling on the ground as he grabbed Keira's shoulder, "Are you alright? Did they hurt you?"

"I'm fine Jak."

"I knew this was too dangers."

"At this point dose it matter? We only have two more generator to go. Let's get them shut down and then I'll find a way to get out of here." Jak nodded, there really was no point in arguing about it now. He kissed her forehead making her smile, "Now, can you please go get my chair so we can move on?" Jak nodded, getting up and running to the alley where her chair was. He came back with it and helped her get in before the three of them headed down the street.

Daxter jump onto Jak shoulder, "Hey Jak has this whole thing seemed a bit too easy to you?" Jak gave him a confused looked, "There's only been six men at each generator, and we haven't run into any resistance as we walk between them. I don't know it just seems a little sketchy to me."

"I agree." Keira said, "Something doesn't seem right."

Jak nodded, "If nothing else, that ambush proves that they know we're here." He looked down at Keira, "Stay close to me." She nodded.

The fourth generator was deserted. Daxter handed Jak a few crystals and the three of them made their way forward carefully. Jak kept looking up at the rooftops, were as Daxter eyes kept darting to the showdowns. They reach the generator without incident and Keira climbed in, getting to work while Jak stood watch, but there was no attack. Keira crawled out, "Well… all that's left is the one right in the middle of the city."

"And how much you wannta bet that theirs an army waiting for us there?" Daxter asked.

"It doesn't matter, that's where we need to go." Kiera stated sitting back in her chair.

"Hey Jak," Daxter started, "I've just had a thought, what if Skyheed bailed when he found out we were here?"

"He hasn't." Jak said with certainty.

"What makes you so sure?"

"Because we're right where he wants us to be." He looked at Keira, "Phoenix told me that when he faced Skyheed he was offered a deal, if Phoenix hands you and me over him, he would pulled back his forces. He wants us."

"So, we're more than likely walking right into a trap." Daxter stated.

Jak nodded; Keira gave him a worried looked. "I won't let anything happen to you." he told her.

"As long you take just as much care to protect yourself, both of you."

"We've managed this long." Daxter snarked.

They reached the building that house the finale generator. There were two guards standing outside the back door. Jak ran at them, throwing crystals which quickly incased them. When they shattered the men fell, dead. Jak called Keira she came over and punched in the security code, the lock clicked open, and they rushed in. Jak made sure the door closed behind them. He heard the door relock itself and nodded leading the way down the hall. "So, where exactly is the generator?" Daxter asked.

"It's in the basement," Keira answered, "we just need to find the elevator-"

"No." Jak cut in, "They could cut the power while we're in there."

"Jak, I can't get down the stairs."

"I'll carry you."

"And what if we get ambushed?"

"They can't use their guns, and I can put a shield around us."

Daxter nodded, "Got to go with Jak on this one. It's-"

"Shh." Jak interrupted putting his arm in front of Keira to stop her. They could hear heavy footsteps coming down the hall, it didn't sound like it was more than two people. Jak pulled Keira closer to the wall as he peaked around the corner.

"Heard some pirate got into the city." One of the soldiers said.

"It's no pirate you idiot. It's that guy the Duke's after." The other answered.

"How did he even get in the city?"

"Who knows, I'm still questioning the order that brought us here, I mean why hand him the generator?

"You heard what happened at the others. That could have been us if we stayed, instead we're here." They had walked past now, Jak, Daxter and Keira watched them until they turned the corner.

"I heard that if we don't catch him then we're all getting transferred to cleaning the gas chambers."

"Speaking of which, I'm sorry about your nephew."

"Well… theirs always one or two kids that don't make it. That's what I told my sister anyways."

The men had moved so far out of ear shot that they could no longer hear their conversation. Keira just started down the way they had gone. "Jak…" he looked down at her, "Promise me that if you find those gas chambers, you'll destroy them."

Jak and Daxter looked at the now empty hall, "I will." Jak took a deep breath, "We should get moving."

"Hey Jak, what if you and Keira find a place to hide and I'll see if I can't find the stairs?" Daxter asked, "I'm a lot less noticeable than you and Keira and we don't even know where we're going."

Jak nodded they found an open door that led to a room of empty office cubicles, "We can hide in here." Jak said as Daxter jumped off his shoulder, "Just be careful and hurry."

"On it." Daxter said, taking off down the hall while Jak and Keira hid in the dark room.

Daxter ran down the hall only pausing at corners to peek around them. It was a little odd that the only people they had seen in this whole building were the thoughts two soldiers. Where was everyone? He stopped when heard voices coming out of an opened door, he quietly creeped closer, "How could you have lost them?" said the angry voice of a woman.

"I saw them nip into a dark room a sort while back, they could still be in there."

"Well keep an eye on it and keep watch on the elevators, I want to know as soon as they're on one."

"Yes ma'am."

Daxter flattened himself to the wall as she walked past. Once she was gone, he peeked into the room and saw a wall of monitors. Some of them were black, if Daxter could find a way to get the light out then they could seek down to the generator without anyone seeing them. As he counted down the hall a thought came into his head he need to get where the cameras couldn't see him or else what was the point of sneaking around.

He slipped into a men's rest rooms and looked around quickly finding the ventilation shaft. In the corner of the room. He jumped onto the skink and leapt to the top of the nearby stull. He jumped to the next one and the next, he leapt at the grate, grabbing hold and just when he was starting to wonder how he was going to get it open he fell backwards taking the grate with him, hitting the ground with a loud thud. He groaned getting back to his feet. "Well, that works." He said rubbing the back of his head. He climbed back up and got in the vent.

He headed back out into the hall and made his way down it, stopping every so often to listen for footsteps or voices. Once he was satisfied, he would continue. He eventually found the elevator, given what he had over-heard, he knew that Jak had made the right call in suggesting to take the stares and there were a flite of them right on the opposite side of the hall from the elevator shaft but being that he was sure there was an ambush waiting for them just outside of the elevator he was going to have to find a different set.

Back in the dark room Jak (who was now getting a bit impatient) was rummaging in the desk. Keira shook her head as he counted; finally she asked what he was doing. "I'm looking for blueprints of this place or a map, something that can help us." He opened a drawer and pulled out a comic-book. He looked at it in the dim light, the cover read in big orange letter at the top Ollie, The First Pirate. At the bottom in in smaller text read: The Maiden Voyage. Jak looked back over at Keira who seemed a bit nervous. Jak went back to rummaging threw the drawer, he couldn't blame her, he was worried too, what was talking Daxter so long? He found a small flashlight and handed it and the comic to Keira who gave him a confused looked. He shrugged, "We have nothing better to do."

She took them and started to read. Jak pulled her more behind the cubicle they were in to try to keep the light from being noticeable. For a while the only sound was that of Keira turning pages and Jak's digging through the desk. "Hey Jak, was the fisherman from Sandover named Ollie?" Keira asked.

"Um… I don't remember." Jak said, sounding a bit shock by that realization. "Why?"

"Because I think this stories supposed to be about him." Jak looked at her confused, she looked at him, "Well, this comic starts in Sandover, and this Ollie is, in the comic's own words, just a humble fisherman. He then apparently leaves the village just as the Metal-Heads show up. Look." she held up the comic and the flashlight so he could see. The page she was showing him was a picture of a very thin, young looking man in what was definitely the fisherman's speed bout speeding away from what was unmistakably Sandover. There was thick, dark clouds over Sandover like a storm was rolling in Jak could also see Metal-Heads over taking the village. The only words on the page were in the far-right bottom corner which read, 'and he fled.'

Jak started at the page, "I don't remember the fisherman being that thin or that young."

"Neither do I." Keira said, "But it's a comic book, the writer or artist selling it is going to do whatever he can to make sure it sells."

"So you think the old fisherman from our village came out here and became a pirate." Jak asked turning back to digging through the drawer.

"Seeing as it's called 'The First Pirate' I think he stated the whole pirate thing." Keira said going back to reading.

Jak thought for a moment, "You know in some ways I can believe that."

"Bingo!" Daxter quietly cheered from inside the vent, he had finally found a set of stares that weren't near an elevator. They were on the other side of the building from where he had left Jak and Keira, but he did find them. And now he just had to find the power room, if he could get the lights off and even better the cameras then this would be even easier. He crawled back down the way he had come hopping that he had pasted it and not nested. He fortunately had, the door to it was just around the corner from the stares. He followed the vents into the room and kicking at the great until it came loss and fell off. With a loud clang, it hit the ground, Daxter quickly crawled deeper into the vent and waited to see if anyone would come to investigate the nose. When no one did he jumped out falling to the floor. He looked around and found the fuse box. He jumped up grabbing the side and opened it, he was just about to start flipping the switches when something clicked in his head, when the power went out this would be the first place they go and then with a flick of the switch everything would come back. And then what would the point of this be? Daxter let go of the panel and started looking around the room for something heavy he could lift. There was toll box sitting on a small table near the door. He opened it and pulled out a hammer. He weighed it in his hands and decided that it would work. He went back to the fuse box and chucked the hammer as hard as he could at it. With another lowed crash the hammer lounged itself into the fuse box.

Sparks flew from the box with loud popping sounds, the lights began to flash and then Daxter was plunged into darkness. "Oups." Was all that came to mind as he stood in the dark room. "Well now what?" he asked himself aloud. He couldn't see a thing, slowly he crawled to where he was sure the toolbox was and started rummaging through it looking for anything that would give him light. And then he heard voices in the hall coming closer and closer. He hurried past the door and squished himself against the wall, Daxter heard keys jingling and a lock click open before the door open. A skinny man walked in a flashlight in his hand. He held it up to the box immediately seeing the hammer, Daxter looked at the man, he needed that flashlight. He slowly crept up behind him.

The man was staring at hammer as if he couldn't believe it was really there. He pulled it out of the now broken fuse box. He looked at it, turning it over in his hand, clearly trying to work out how it got there finally he gave up and dropped it onto the floor. Daxter was now right behind him. he picked up the hammer as the man reached into his pocket, he pulled out a walky-talky but before he could call anyone Daxter swung the hammer as hard as he could, right into the back of one of the man's keen. The man yelled and fell to the floor. Dropping his flashlight and walky-talky. Daxter threw the hammer onto the walky-talky breaking it as he dove for the flashlight. Daxter grabbed it and ran for the door. He heard the man yell "Wait" Before Daxter closed the door, the key was still in the lock, the ottsel jumped up and locked the door.

He ran down the hall the flashlight in one hand and the keys in the other. He was looking for a way to get back into the vents he ducked into another office room, preceding to drop the keys into a random bin. He heard the door on the other end of the room open and saw beams of light streaming in. Daxter quickly turned off his flashlight and crawled under the desk. "Find them." called a woman's voice, "They couldn't have gone far." Daxter stayed low, crawling from desk to desk. He slipped back out of the room and felt his way along the wall making sure to tune the corner before tuning his flashlight back on.

Jak's eyes darted to the hall as the lights went out. Something was up, he told Keira to turn off the flashlight, she did, putting away the comic and moved herself closer to him, "What's going on?" she asked.

"I don't know." He told her, "Just stay low and keep quiet." She nodded.

For a few moments nether of them made a sound, every so often a soldier would run pass the room. Eventually someone did enter. He wasn't dressed like a soldier but rather just a security guard. Jak motioned for Keira to keep quiet then he started sneaking threw the cubicles. He managed to get behind the security guard just as he reached the cubicle Keira was hiding in, he grabbed the man Keira shrieked as Jak snapped the man's neck. He then pushed the body under the desk as more security ran into the room. Jak hurried between the cubicles staying out of sight of the men, silently taking them out one by one, he didn't have time to hide the bodies there were now just three of them. and unfortunately, one of the men still standing came across one of the bodies, "Oh shit!" Jak froze as the guard he had been standing behind turned shining his flashlight right into his face. The guard managed a small shriek before Jak grabbed him and killed him, as he heard one of them yell, "They're here stay alert." now there were two, the man that found the body and the one that was hurrying to him.

"What happen." one of them asked. Jak suddenly felt very tense, those voice were way to close to where Keira was.

"I don't know I just found him." the two were silent for a moment. "Does it seem quiet to you?"

Jak crept closer and closer. He ducked into a cubicle pulling out a crystal, "Let's get out of here. I'm not paid enough for this." One of the guards said.

"Yeah, I just took this job to pay for school, it's not worth dying for." The other man stated as they ran from the room.

Jak let them go. It was a risk but at this point it was easier then trying to kill them both. He went back to where he had left Keira, "Are you alright?"

"Yes, I'm fine." She said, her voice shaking a bit.

Jak took her into his arms and held her, "You know I would never let them get you."

"I know." He let her go as Daxter called out to them, "We're over here." She called back.

Daxter hurried to them, "What happened here?" he asked coming across one of the bodies.

Jak and Keira came out of the cubicle. "I had to do something." Jak said.

"Did you find the stairs?" Keira asked.

"Yeah, on the other side of the building. And I took out the power."

"So that's why everyone suddenly on high alert." Jak said.

"Yeah… sorry that was not how I planned it." Daxter said scratching the back of his head.

"What exactly were you planning?" Keira asked as Daxter jumped onto Jak's shoulder.

"I was just trying to knock out the lights." He looked at Jak, "They had cameras watching us, I thought this would make things easier but I ended up knocking out the whole power system."

"Wait, if the whole system for the building is down then does that mean the generator's out to?" Jak asked, looking at Keira.

"I don't think so, it would be stupid to have something that important connected to the building's power. I would think it has its own power source. That would also connect it to the other generators."

Jak nodded, "Then we better get moving."

"Just keep an eye out." Daxter stated, "Like you said knocking out the power might not have been my best idea."

They moved as quickly and as quietly as they could, Daxter giving directions keeping his flashlight pointed in front of them. They reached the stairs with little incident. Jak opened the door, picked Keira up and headed down the stairs. Daxter keeping the light on the stairs, as they descended down two flights they came to the basement and found a door, they could hear muffled voices threw it. Jak looked at Keira and set her down in the corner. "I'll be right back." Jak told her, she nodded. He gave her a quick kiss on her forehead before grabbing the doorknob and spitting out it.

It was pitch black, he couldn't see a thing, but he could hear them. As soon as he walked in the sound of footsteps hurrying towards him along with the heavy foot falls of some big four-legged creatures reached his ears. Both of his hands turned red and he and Daxter were illuminated in the glow of the red eco. This sudden bust of light at the very least gave the animals pause but the soldiers kept up the charge. Jak punch the first one that was in arms reach, the resulting crunch of he's helmet masked the sound of the man's skull caving in. Jak ran at the closet Aeropan who tried to slash him with his claws. Jak ducked out of the way and upper cut him, braking both the man's jaw and neck.

One of the soldiers slammed into Jak knocking to the ground. Daxter was flung off his should and slid into the darkness. The soldier was about to slice Jak when his claws when stopped by the blue shield that now surrounded him. "Daxter?!" Jak called.

"I'm here!" he called back. "uh-oh!" Daxter screamed running back to where Jak could see him. He was being chase by large dog-lizard hybrid. "Help!" he yelled. Jak quickly reached into his bag and pulled out a few crystals he channeled eco into them before dropping his shealed and rolling away from the Aeropan, before throwing them at the dogs. It encased the two closet to Daxter. An eerie green glow coming off them.

Daxter sprinted to Jak and jumped back on his shoulder. "Jak, behind you!" he yelled. Jak looked just in time to leap out of the way, one of the Aeropan had tried to slash him from behind. Jak punched him in the gut, damaging the armer. The man screamed as he was slowly killed by the very thing keeping him alive.

The room suddenly became filled with an eerie purple glow it seemed the Aeropans were done messing around. Daxter gave an audible gulp, seeing what was coming Jak grinned, he had been waiting for them to start doing this. Granted he didn't expect them all to do this at the same time and he knew this was going to hurt.

He grabbed Daxter by the arm, "Jak, what are you doing?!" the ottsel yelled, Jak threw him aside, he landed on the ground with a dull thud and quickly jumped back onto his feet. He managed one step towards Jak before he was surrounded by a blue eco shield. Daxter banged his fist on it, "JAK!" Jak looked at his friend with a confident smile. Daxter stopped trying to break out of the shield, trusting that Jak knew what he was doing.

The soldiers all threw their dark blast at him at once, knocking him off his feet. He body stung from absorbing so much dark eco at once, that mix with the blow itself was enough to knock the wind out of him He hit the floor hard and slid on his back. He laid there a moment; his eyes shut tight from the pain. Dark eco leaving him in small discharges, then in a flash he went dark. His eyes shot open, and suddenly he could see everything. Daxter was still where Jak had throne him no longer protected by the shield. Every one of the Aeropan soldiers were all shocked that their attack had failed to kill him. The last remaining dog cowering under a set of stairs that lead up to a cat-walk he could even see the finale generator on the other side of the room, behind the line of soldiers. Jak cracked his knuckles and charged straight at the soldiers.

Daxter stayed low, he heard Jak run past him but being that he couldn't see his own hand in front of his face he could only guess about what was going on and from the sound of it Jak was slaughtering the soldiers. An eerie purple light hit the corner of Daxter's eyesight. He looked up to see one of the soldiers charging another Dark attack, "Jak look up!" he called just as the soldiers threw the dark eco. Jak caught the blast and Daxter, now knowing right where Jak was ran over to him as he slammed the dark ball into the nearest soldier's chest. It broke through the armer and nocked the man to the ground. Daxter was plunged back into darkness, jest as he reached Jak he quickly climbed back up onto Jak and just made it to his shoulder as Jak leapt back. Daxter clinging on.

Jak tore through the soldiers, every so often needing to let the dark blast they threw hit him so he could absorb the eco. There wasn't many left now, body's lay on the ground, broken and bloody. Jak was starting to shake, he wasn't going to be able to keep this up much longer. And then he and Daxter heard Keira scream. Jak ran to the door throwing it open. Keira was scramming his name as she was dragged up the stairs. Jak ran up after her, "STOP!" the soldier holding Keira ordered placing his claws to Kiera's throat. Jak did as he said.

"What's going on?" Daxter asked, "I still can't see anything."

"Let her go!" Jak yelled. "I know Skyheed wants her alive. You're not going to do anything to her."

"There's a lot I can do that won't kill her." The soldiers put more presser on Keira throat just barley breaking the skin.

She whimpered, "Jak…"

"If you do anything to her, you'll live just long enough to regret it" he growled, he could hear the remaining soldiers coming up behind him and he could hear more of them racing down the stairs, they were surrounded. Jak looked at Keira, she couldn't see anything. There was really only one thing Jak could do, he took a deep breath and changed back to normal. The world around him became dark, he couldn't see a thing, but he could hear the soldiers behind him coming closer, and then he slammed his hand together, a blinding light surrounded him, and the world was still.

Daxter looked around, and then at Jak, "What are you thinking, you're going to kill yourself doing this!" he yelled as Jak sprinted up the stairs, punching the man holding Keira.

He grabbed her, allowing her to see things the way he and Daxter could as the man slowly fell back. Keira looked around and then looked at Jak, "What are you doing!" she yelled grabbing the front of his shirt. He didn't answer as he picked her up and ran back down through the door, he couldn't keep this up much longer, he could feel his heart pounding in his chest, it hurt. They ran through the door and Jak kicked it shut, Daxter locking it as Jak collapse onto his knees and time began to move properly again. He put Keira down as she wrapped her arms around his neck, holding him up, "Jak, Jak say something, please."

Jak wrapped his arm around Keira's should and held her in a weak hug, resting his head on top of her's, "Are you alright?" he asked, his heart rate returning to normal.

"I'm fine, I'm more worried about you."

"I'm alright." He let her go and got up, "Daxter?" He called into the darkness.

"I'm here, we better hurry that's not the only way down here you know."

Jak nodded and then knowing that no one could see let his hands glow red, it was at least better than nothing. The soldiers were banging on the door trying to break it down. Jak picked Keira back up and carried her over to the generator, Daxter running behind them. They reached it. Jak pulled off a panel and Keria crawled in, a green glow leaked out from it. Daxter jumped on Jak's shoulder and the two looked in, "Jak," Keira called out, "you better call Phoenix and tell him to get here."

Jak pulled out his communicator and called Phoenix, "How much longer?" Jak asked.

"I've almost got it." Keira said, Tell Phoenix to let me know when they can see the city. I'll drop it them." Jak nodded and relayed the messes to Phoenix and kept him on the line. Suddenly an alarm sounded. The banging on the door stopped, and the sound for hurried footsteps back up the stairs reach them. The alarm was so loud that Jak barely could hear Phoenix. Keira fortunately could guess what that alarm meant so she did the last things she had to do before crawling out, her hands were glowing green, Jak picked her up and hugged her.