Chapter 22: Sneaky Surveillance
Date: April 15, 3658
Location: Ruins of Wasteland City
Daxter laid his body out flat as he put his semi-automatic sniper rifle on its tripod. He spied through the scope as he watched Jak sneak closer towards the airship's lowered elevator. The dozen or so men standing around didn't seem to notice her. He pulled the rock colored cloak that had been in the dune hopper over his head to ensure nobody could see him. As long as he didn't need to move very quickly, he'd be fine.
Jak pressed herself up against a rock wall and peered around a corner. Her blue eyes spied two men pacing back and forth around an opening in the mountain face. She could remember the alleyways and tunnels that lined this city. The royal family and the Princess' uncle had been the red sage at Volcanic Crater. Strands of green/yellow hair blew in the wind, and she was about to move when she saw a raven haired man walk out of the hole with several others, who were carrying boxes filled with things. She frowned before looking skyward towards the airship. It was shaped like the old sea ship that use to sail near Sandover. It had a flag flying near the crow's nest. Using her ability of sight, she concentrated on the object until she found her eyes widening at the sight of the cross bones and skull. 'Pirates!' She thought, fear entering her mind for all but a second before Adriana spoke.
'Bring them on!' the dark creature snarled. I'll turn them into mush.
Jak smirked. 'That's true.' She watched the raven haired man for a while longer. Let's just wait on that. I want to know what's down in that hole.' She turned and snuck back to the hopper to wait for these men to leave with Daxter.
Daxter meanwhile sighed in relief as he watched Jak turn away and start heading back towards him. He then turned his scope on the men ahead of him and the boxes they were carrying. On the side of the boxes was a logo. He zoomed his scope in to get a better look. Barter Enterprizes was written on them with a Z. Daxter raised an eyebrow at that one. He'd never heard of that company, if it even was a company. He heard something and lifted his head slightly and saw Jak crouched low as she slid over to his position.
"Anything?" She asked quietly.
"Their ship is a pirate ship," Daxter stated, having seen the flag at the top.
"Yeah, I saw that," she said as she slid onto her belly. "What else?"
"The boxes belong to some company named Barter Enterprizes, spelled with a Z."
Jak chuckled. Of course Daxter noticed the spelling. After Samos' lessons on writing and reading, the red head had a habit now of correcting people's spelling, even if he spoke like a hick some days. "After they leave I want to check out that hole they're getting that stuff out of."
Daxter nodded in agreement. "If they're Sky Pirates, why are they here in the wasteland?" he asked. "The only city worth attacking is Spargus. The marauder city is worth shit. This place is dead."
Jak watched the last man get on the elevator. "Perhaps they're supplying for an attack," she said looking at Daxter. "There's the Precursor City now. They could be gearing up to attack that place."
Color drained from Daxter's face. "Shit." He pulled out his comm. unit and waited for the person he wished to talk to, to pick up after pressing the button.
King Damas' face appeared on the screen. Jak snatched it from Daxter. "Your majesty, we think you need to prepare the city for an attack."
"Why? What's going on?" he asked, a frown appearing on his face.
"There's Sky Pirates in the wasteland." She reported. "We don't know why they're here but they just picked up some supplies from the ancient Wasteland City."
The King stood and grabbed the floating device. "Wasteland City has been lost to the sands of time. Are you saying you've found it?" he asked, his voice betraying his shock.
"I've been here before. I know where I am. So yes, we are there," Jak stated before frowning. "Why?"
"Jak, listen to me," her father began, the sound of the elevator in the background led them to know where the King was. "There was a rumor once that said before the war started with the Metal Heads, and the people of Wasteland City had created a weapon so great and so powerful that it was hidden away and the only one that could open and activate the weapon was those with the king's blood and those who were channeler's." He paused to let that sink in. "Jak, I want you to find that weapon. We may be able to use it against Errol and his army when they show up." Jak nodded. "Be careful."
Jak looked at Daxter as she handed him his comm. unit. "Get ahold of Bruter, ask him if he knows someone name Barter or knows who uses that company name." She shook her head. "I think the lurkers have Sky Pirates as an ally."
"Why?" Daxter asked her as he eyed her. "You've got that crazy look Jak."
She smiled at him, the dark eco in her blood swirling in her one eye turning it black. "We need ships. If we play nice, we may get some new toys to shoot shit with." Daxter shook his head as he got onto the comm. line with their lurker friend back in Haven City.
"...so remember, only a few drops and you won't be infected with the poison...I wish I could give you a hug for continuing my legacy." The recording ended the holographic displayed image showed the obese crime lord Krew floating in his chair. A tall, slim female with amber eyes and dark blue hair pinned behind her head in a pleated bun with a red band and chopsticks stood looking at the hologram. She wore two pairs of golden earrings and a thickly braided necklace studded with golden, egg-shaped stones. Her clothes were a three-toned olive green jacket, held closed by a large belt, and white bell-bottom pants with a thick green stripe that runs from her hip to her ankle. She also wore blue, sandal-like high heel shoes. Her red lips were placed in a smile as she looked at a second hologram of a young green/blonde haired woman with a tri colored red haired young man. These were the two Krew wanted the most to race for him.
"I'll do it father." She said looking away as she began to look through the information on their friends. "But first I have to find a team for us out of all these names. Mizo won't know what hit him once we're through with this city." Outside her window the sign Welcome to Krass City lit up as darkness fell across the crime infested city.
M-Angel: Yay! I got another chapter out. Seems like my muse for this story is back. Good. I'll try to get another chapter out this month.
Xoxoangii: The plot thickens! dun dun dunnnnnnnnnn...