The Call
Samos sat reading a gardening magazine. Torn was drinking a beer and flipping through the channels.
"Torn, what do you think about Kor adopting the Kid?" He asked his lieutenant. "I'm still not convinced that it's a good idea."
Torn shrugged. "He likes the Kid. He's always looking out for him even when it's not his turn. He doesn't seem to have a family aside from us. Shouldn't it be his choice? Shouldn't the Kid have a say?"
Samos shook his head. "Of course but Kor is very old. The chances of him surviving to the boy's maturity are not good. The boy should adopted by a family. It would be better if we could find his birth family." He explained his concerns.
"Baron Praxis would not have left them alive. He would need to kill them to take over. Kor is the one who found him," Torn turned off the television with the buzzing of the holo-phone. A large holographic head with eight long spike whiskers framing his face. "Whoa! Um… so… you must be the metal head leader. Um, I'm Torn." He said nervously. The face looking back at him was hideous.
"Yes, I have heard of you. Your name echoes among my people as an honorable man who seeks to free his city."
Torn shrugged. "Well I'm not all that."
"I am the Great One. King of my tribe, the Hora-Quan. And you… you must be the Shadow. I am pleased to make your acquaintance," the creature said.
Samos didn't bat an eye at the monster before him. "Indeed. I was very surprised by your letter. Let me ask, what prompted you to make this offer?"
"Your newest recruit, Jak. He told me what he heard Praxis say and he has very honest eyes. He informed me that the Baron is maligning my people to maintain his iron-clad control over his people." The Great One explained. "You and I are not so different. We both just want a better life for our people. Will you accept my offer?"
Samos considered. "I must ask, what do you want in return? What is your price?"
The Great One sighed. "All I want is for the hunting of my kind to stop. I know our gems are valuable but they're more valuable to us. And stop destroying my eggs. They're my children."
Torn stood up. "If your kind will stop hunting us, we can agree to stop hunting you and your kind." He looked at Samos. "I think we should talk to everyone else. We're not like Praxis. We won't make promises of an alliance until we talk to the rest of our team. But we can at least agree that we won't hunt your kind anymore."
The creature nodded. "That will suffice. My people can be helpful to your people. We have the power you don't. The power you need to
defeat Praxis and put the Child back on the throne." He saw green eyes freeze. "Yes, I know about the child. Don't worry, I am fond of children."
Samos scoffed. "With or without ketchup?" Torn could have smacked the cynical sage. "I don't understand the draw of children to be honest. I will never subject myself to fatherhood. I'm far too busy."
The giant head simply rolled his eyes. "But my point has been made. You need me. But I won't help if my help is not desired. I won't attack nor will I order my people to attack unless they themselves are provoked but if you don't want my help, that's up to you." With a snap, the call disconnected.
Torn shook his head. "Maybe offending him isn't a good idea when he's offering to help us." He suggested. "He wasn't asking you to like kids, just saying he did."
Samos sighed. "If he's telling the truth. I want to believe him but it's just, there's something going on and no one's telling me. I don't like being out of the loop." The sage student explained his attitude. "But we'll have a meeting tomorrow to discuss it with the rest. I'll send a message to let the rest know not to aggress the metal heads and I'll talk to Onin. She'll be able to tell if he's telling the truth. Contact Kor and Jak. Tell them to make their way back here."
Torn nodded. "Kor might not come without the child."
Samos shook his head. "Trust me. He will." He reassured the man.
--
Science Fun
Kor grinned with satisfaction and pocketed his communicator. It was fun making the wanna-be sage squirm a little. He went to the metal heads standing with the eggs. "I will return to check on you periodically. Once the eggs hatch, I will help you to join our nest in the north. For now, they must be protected." He snapped at the first grunt and he stepped up. "What is your name?"
The large beast bowed. "Kal-el. This is my brother Kal-or." He indicated the second. "Thank you for agreeing to take us in. We were worried. Our King never laid an heir egg."
Kor nodded. "Worry no more. Unless provoked, attack no one. Protect the weak, punish those who victimize the weak. But don't seek out trouble." He ordered. "If humans come here to work, let them work. As long as they do not aggress you. If it comes to that, knock their asses out and send them back through the warp gate." When they nodded, he went to the warp gate and went through.
As soon as he stepped through the gate, he felt two tiny arms wrap around his legs. He looked down and smiled. "I told you that I'd be back."
Blue eyes smiled back up at him and he took the old, knotted hand and pulled him over to where they were still playing with the science kit. You
Jak chuckled. "He's been having fun, I think. According to Vin."
Kaj held up two vials, one with red water and the other with blue water. He carefully poured a little blue into the red and beamed when the color changed to purple.
Kor nodded. "Yes, red and blue together make purple. Very good." He couldn't help the feeling of pride. "You are so smart."
"Yeah! And Vin said when you got back, he'd teach us how to suck an egg into a bottle." Daxter said excitedly.
Vin laughed. "It's so nice to have students so eager to learn science." He got up and went to the kitchen. He brought back a bottle with an opening just slightly too big for an egg and an egg. "Alright, we have our milk bottle and our egg. It's already peeled. I'm going to light a match and throw it in." He looked at Kaj. "Now, you never play with matches. Not until you're much bigger. Until then, let adults like me, Kor or even Jak to handle the matches."
Daxter put his hands on his hips. "Hey! I'm an adult too! I can handle matches." He picked up the match box and struck a match. "See?" He put the match into the bottle and sniffed. "Huh?" He looked down to see his fur was on fire. "Ahhhhhh!" He ran around in a panic until Jak threw a cup of water on him. "Okay, I get the point."
Jak laughed and put his friend on his shoulder. "Good.
Kor chuckled. "Thank you for the object lesson, Daxter. So, tell me, I've never seen this before."
Vin looked at the old man in surprise. "Once the egg seals the top of the bottle, the match quickly run out of oxygen and, pfft, goes out. As the air in the bottle cools, the volume of air inside the bottle drops due to condensation of the water vapor. See the little "cloud" inside the bottle just as the match goes out and the cooling of dry air.
When the volume of the air drops, it exerts less pressure on the egg, while the air pressure outside of the bottle doesn't change. The egg is pushed into the bottle once the difference between those forces is sufficient to deform the egg and overcome friction with the neck of the bottle." As he explained what they were seeing, the egg finally fell into the wide bottom of the bottle. Kaj cried out and clapped. "You know, I don't know how old he is but… he doesn't talk. He has a voice, but he doesn't talk."
Kor nodded. "Yes, I know. He's been through a lot. He's four years old. He'll be five in just a couple of months."
Daxter looked at Jak. "Just like you, Jak. He only just started talking when I saved him. Which was what? A week ago, maybe two."
"The days blur together here," Vin lamented. "Everyday looks like the one before. And soon it's
Thanking Time again and you wonder where the year went." Everyone stood at attention when they heard the door open.
Kor swiftly pushed Kaj behind him right on time to hide him from Ashelin.
"Vin, my father wants reports on the eco shield. Oh! Hi, Jak." For a moment, he thought he saw her masking a smile. "What are you doing here?"
Jak waved his hand. "Nothing. Vin was just showing me a few science tricks."
Ashelin saw the kit box marked "Age 4." "Really, with a preschool science kit?" She couldn't help the giggle as she saw movement behind the old man. She looked behind him. Her eyes went to the child's chest, to Jak and the old man and Vin then back to the child. "Awww, is this your little brother?" She asked with an odd tone.
Jak nodded. "Yes, that's exactly who this is. My little brother," he lied, hoping Kor would play along and not take offense.
Vin nervous-laughed. "You know I love kids who take an interest in science. And they asked to see some tricks so…" He tried to explain but Ashelin just rolled her eyes.
"Vin, stop before you hurt yourself." She massaged her temples. "Hi, my name is Ashelin." She knelt and offered her hand.
Kor looked at the child. "Kaj is very shy and he doesn't speak to strangers. He's had a traumatizing first few years of his life." He picked the boy up. "And he is mine!" He glared at the daughter of his nemesis.
Ashelin held up her hands. "Look, I get it. Jak, you should know that my father is looking for you. Watch out for Errol, I can't protect you from him."
Jak shook his head. "You don't have to. I can take care of myself." Blue eyes met green. "Don't damage what you have with your father because of me."
Ashelin looked down. "You act like there's something there to damage. I'm not like my father. Please, don't hate him too much. He's… he changed after my mother died…" she pleaded. "But he used to be a good man. I miss him."
Jak nodded. "I'll do what I can. Maybe I can save his dumbass from himself." He looked into her eyes again. They had a familiar fire that he had only seen in one other person. "I'll try."
She nodded. "Thank you Jak. It was nice to meet you." She bowed respectfully to the old man before accepting the paperwork from Vin. "And I never thanked you before… for saving me at the Pumping Station. I think I was just embarrassed that I needed saving and I forgot my manners."
Daxter laughed. "Everyone needs saving sometimes, toots. I had to save Jak's butt a few times. Ow!" He looked up Jak who had just smacked him.
"It's no problem. Take care of yourself," Jak bade her farewell as she left.
Daxter whistled. "She's smoking. And I think she likes you, Jak." He looked up at his friend.
Kor chuckled. "I think you might be right." He looked down his nose.
Jak shook his head. "Daxter and I gotta get back to the hideout. Samos asked you to come back too." He told Kor.
Kor nodded. "I'm not going back without Kaj." He said forcefully, picking the child up. "If the Krimzon Guard can just come and go here, it's not safe,"
Jak nodded. "And neither is Vin." He looked at the scientist. "No offense."
The man sighed. "You're right, I guess. I was worried about that too but Samos insisted it would be perfectly safe." He looked around. "I'm going to have to choose someday. But right now, I'm more useful straddling the fence."
Kor considered. "Thank you for entertaining him for the afternoon. It was very educational." He looked at Kaj. "Say thank you, Kaj."
The little boy put out his hand and waved. Not a word left his lips but the inventor understood. "It was fun, little student. You'll come visit again and we'll do more fun experiments." He promised. "One day… one day, I'll own a school. I'll get away from this place and I'll teach the next generation."
The older man listened to the man's dream. "A noble aspiration to be sure. Yes, I can see that, one day, you will be a great teacher." He mentally guaranteed himself that Vin would be spared regardless. Alongside Jak and Daxter. Including Kaj, that made a total of four humans he had respect for. Perhaps the rest could earn his forgiveness as well.
--
The Baron's Daughter
Ashelin arrived back at the palace, the folder in the crook of her arm. She found her father in the throne room reviewing other paperwork. "Sir, I got the report on the eco shield from Vin."
Baron Praxis took the folder and read through the information without even thinking. "Damn! I don't know how much longer the eco shield can last against those fiends!" He smashed his fist against the arm of the throne.
Ashelin looked at him. "What? But what about all of the eco wells and the mining. Aren't they fueling the shield?" She looked at the paperwork. "Father, maybe… maybe we need to swallow our pride and ask for help."
Praxis glared at his daughter. "What did you say?" He demanded.
Red dreads hung as she sighed. "Father, we're losing ground. The metal heads are too many for us and they just keep growing in numbers! We don't stand a chance on our own." She stood up straight as her father stomped over, towering over her. "What if I… if I told you that… that Jak saved my life."
Praxis' eyebrows crooked. "Saved your life? And since when are you on a first name basis with the escaped dark eco freak?" He demanded.
Ashelin rolled her eyes. "When you sent me on that death mission to the pumping station. To get that artefact. You sent me alone and I was ambushed by no less than fifty metal heads! Jak used some strange attack and destroyed them all. I would be dead now if not for him." She explained. "Torn sent him when he learned you sent me alone."
The dictator glared deeper. "You let the traitor know of your mission? Have you betrayed me too, Ashelin?"
"I would never betray you, Father. But I also won't betray the people of this city," she stated. "I have a job to make sure that they are safe and provided for! And I take that job seriously!"
"And I don't!" Praxis shouted. "I'm up at the crack of dawn, every day. I don't get a Saturday or Sunday off like everyone else does. I don't get holidays! I'm up everyday busting my ass to protect and provide for these people!"
Ashelin got in his face. "You're busting your ass bullying these people! They're afraid to leave their homes unless it's absolutely necessary. Errol and the guards under his command terrorize and menace the people. The smallest infraction can cost a poor citizen his or her life, even if they're only a child! Is that protecting them? There are kids starving in the streets! Is that providing for them?" She shook her head. "You're lucky that I won't tolerate that from my troops. I'm doing my best for them, no matter what that means!" She held up a hand before he could punish her. "You know what, you keep trying it your way. I'll do it my way. Just don't come crawling to me when it blows up in your face." She stomped out of the throne room.
She walked down the hallway to another room. Candles lit the room and on the back wall, a black frame sat neatly on a shelf, white ribbons adorning the corners. She opened her bag and put two fresh scented candies in place of the nearly-burned out nubs. She put a plate filled with candied chestnuts in front of the photo.
"Father doesn't mean to forget. He's just so busy these days. I brought your favorite. Marron glacé." Ashelin looked at the photo and sat. "Happy Birthday, Mother." She took a deep breath and just watched the flickering of the candlelight on the photo in silence. A kind, gentle face with green eyes and long brown hair looked back at her. "I'm doing my best. Father is about ready for the looney bin. Mother, I don't know if there's any point in asking, but… if you can somehow help him to find his way again… please… do." She bowed her head, using all of her strength to keep her emotions down.
--
Back at the Hideout
When they arrived back at the hideout, Samos was not pleased. "I thought we agreed that the Kid was safest with Vin."
Kor shook his head. "It might have been if Krimzon Guards didn't come and go as they please." He clenched his fist around his staff. "Let's be clear, Samos, Kaj stays with me. You called me back here, he comes too. And no, he won't be staying with Vin." He held the boy in his other arm.
Samos tried to stare down the older man but Jak got between them. "Knock it off Samos. It's getting late and Kaj needs to get to bed." He looked at Kor. "Go ahead, take him to bed."
Kor went down the hall and Samos looked up at Jak. "I don't know who you think you are, boy. But you shouldn't be undermining me."
"Undermining you?" Jak asked. "Samos, who do you think you are? You're not in charge of this city. Kor doesn't need your permission. Respect your elders!" He snapped the admonition he'd heard all of his young life. "Now, did you talk to the metal head leader?"
Samos' eyes narrowed but Torn nodded. "Yeah. He was ugly as fuck. His face was framed by eight huge spikes. He had four eyes, two on each side. Sharp teeth bigger than a lurker shark. And on his giant forehead was a giant metal head skull gem." He described. "But in manner, he seemed okay. Definitely a Type A personality but okay. He just wants us to stop hunting them and in exchange, they'll help us."
Jak nodded. "That seems very reasonable. I could definitely agree. And I doubt I'm the only one." He saw Samos' uncertainty.
"You don't have to be stubborn about everything, you know, Grandpa Green," Daxter cracked.
His chevron mustache twitched irritably. "Listen, rat, I'm not being stubborn. I just don't know if we can trust them. It's too good to be true." He looked away. "We've called the rest to a meeting tomorrow. We'll discuss it in more detail."
Jak shrugged. "Great. Daxter and I are going to bed." They began walking back.
The hideout was very small. There were only two bedrooms. Each with several beds. It was okay, very rarely did anyone stay in headquarters. They found Kaj already asleep with the old man watching over him.
A few days ago, he had been prepared to despise metal heads as much as anyone else but when he realized who Kor was, Jak knew there had to be more. This was the first person in Haven to show him any kindness. The first person to offer aid. He surely had his own motives but actions mattered more to Jak then motives. It was more than enough reason to ask his side of it. Kor as his enemy just didn't make any sense based solely on what he was. Seeing the way he cared for the Kid confirmed it.
"I'm so sorry about him. He's even worse here than he was in Sandover. I don't know what's changed him so much. He didn't like teaching me but he wasn't deliberately cruel." Jak tried to defend the man.
Kor held up his hand. "It's what this city does to people. It is just a city of hate. But… I have a theory about your teacher. And the man out there." He pointed. "You said that the house in Dead Town was once his, that you grew up there. I'm wondering if time travel is involved. And that means your teacher might have time traveled before. I genuinely think this teacher hasn't met you yet. Nor has he had your Keira yet."
Daxter thought. "He does look much younger. Time travel is weird. So there could be another Samos the Sage out there. And Keira could be with him." He concluded as he jumped down to tuck in the child.
Jak looked at them. "I hope so. That makes sense. No it doesn't but… it's all I've got." He sighed. "If they're alive, why aren't they looking for us? Keira should have been looking at least."
"I'm going to help you find your friends, Jak. Tomorrow, we'll see Onin. She may be able to point us in the right direction," Kor said. "Kaj will like seeing Pecker again. You're helping me and I will help you."
Jak nodded. "Speaking of Kaj… this really isn't the best place either. Who would I talk to about maybe renting one of these shacks? The four of us could make that our home base."
"That would be Krew. He owns the slums and much of the city. Ironically he's a better landlord than Praxis," Kor replied. "I guess if I'm going to make Haven my home, it could be good to have a house. I suppose neither of my nests would be safe for Kaj. He is warm-blooded. He would catch pneumonia out there."
Jak nodded. "Makes sense. And I bet he'd know what we need to do to make the adoption official."
Kor nodded. "I have collected a great deal of treasure in my many years. We have no need of it but when you find something interesting, you keep it. I'm sure I have something that he'd trade a house for and he does have connections. Once everyone sleeps, I'll slip out. I trust you'll stay with Kaj. I don't trust Samos not to try and take him back to Vin."
Daxter nodded and lay down at the boy's head. "Don't worry, I'll keep him company." He looked up at Jak. "Jak, you and the kid need a bath tomorrow. You're starting to smell alike. Phew!"
Jak and Kor laughed in unison as Daxter fell asleep. "I'll sleep in the chair here so he'll see me if he wakes up." He sat down.
Kor nodded and the two sat and talked while waiting for the rest to sleep. Eventually the lights all went out and everything was silent. The old man snuck out of the hovel.
—————
In the morning, Jak woke to find the man had returned with a small satchel. "Good morning. Did you get home in time to get some sleep?" He asked.
Kor shrugged. "I slept a few hours at the nest. I don't need too much. Two or three hours. Okay, sometimes four but I am old." He held up the satchel. "I couldn't bring a lot but I think the promise of more will help. This is just to wet his appetite. The man is so greedy. We can train him to eat out of our hands. And believe me, my hoard is vast. He doesn't need to know that though."
Jak nodded. "Wow!" He heard a little voice moan and he looked at the bed. Kaj was rolled over, holding Daxter like a stuffed toy. "Hey sport, it's time to get up. We have a big day ahead and you need breakfast."
Kaj blinked and opened his eyes. He smiled at them.
Kor nodded. "On the way back, I took the liberty of breaking into a clothing store. Don't worry, I didn't break anything and I left money for this." He held up a child's blue sailor outfit with a blue hat. "Those clothes he has on are starting to become a little ripe. And if we take his amulet off, he becomes just another kid in the crowd."
Daxter laughed. "Oh that's great! I can almost picture Jak in that get up." He began rolling with hysteria.
Jak stuck out his tongue. "I bet Kaj will look great but you would never catch me in anything like that."
Kor shrugged. "Well they did have a second hand school uniform from the local high school." He held up a black school suit. "You're too noticeable as you are. You should only dress this way when on a mission. Otherwise, you need to blend in." Another smaller hanger held a much smaller similar uniform.
Both Jak and Daxter's mouths and eyes fell open. Jak chuckled nervously. "Oh gee, thanks… how'd you know our sizes?" He took the uniforms.
Kor shrugged. "It's a super power that all parents have." He explained.
"Not fathers, not generally speaking. Mothers maybe…" Daxter protested. "Look, we appreciate it, but…"
Jak nodded. "We have reputations as tough fighters." He tried to refuse but the man just stared at them as if he didn't understand. "Thank you… we'll go change." There was no point in arguing. Hopefully neither would fit.
"Take a shower, both of you. I'm going to give Kaj a much needed bath. Samos said Onin is coming here for the meeting. We'll talk to her then but first, we'll go to the Hip Hog Saloon for breakfast," Kor said.
Kaj clapped excitedly and let his caregiver lead him to the bathtub while Jak and Daxter reluctantly took their shower together.
"Jak, we don't really have to wear these things, do we?" Daxter asked. "We're going to get our butts kicked."
Jak sighed as they got dressed in the strange clothing. To his disappointment, they fit perfectly. "He was nice enough to buy them and we don't want to offend him. So, yes. We are going to wear them. For good or bad." He looked in the broken mirror on the wall as he fumbled with his tie. "Think of it this way. Now you have pants again." The knot was crooked and the tie sat awkwardly on his neck. "Not bad for my first time."
He and Daxter reluctantly went out to the main room of the hideout. Torn was getting his cup of morning coffee with Samos when they saw them. The redhead dropped his mug with an incredible crash as he looked at Jak.
"Oh my gods! What is that? What are you wearing?" He demanded as he tried to stifle his laughter.
The blond sighed and shrugged. "Kor thought it would help me blend in better. When I'm not on missions." He explained.
To Torn's credit, he tried but he could hold back the laughter anymore. His cackles echoed through the hideout. Samos joined his laughter.
"Um, yeah… you're not going to blend in wearing that." Samos chuckled as footsteps alerted him to others joining them.
Torn held his stomach and wiped his eyes. "But please, keep wearing it. I haven't laughed like this in ages!" He looked over at Kor and Kaj. The boy wore a light blue tunic with a white collar with blue stripes and a light blue pair of pants. A blue poofy cap covered his hair. "Oh wow. Well, someone's all dressed up. What's going on?"
Kor nodded. "His clothing and medallion were like beacons to the guard. Now, he's just another preschooler. He's no one special that anyone should pay any attention to."
Samos frowned. "You removed his medallion. Damn, if we lose that, we won't be able to prove who he is. We need that to get Praxis off the throne!" He scolded.
Kor held up the medallion. "Don't worry. I have it safely in my possession. Kaj is just a child. He doesn't deserve to be treated like some creature being hunted. This outfit will let him play outside and have some semblance of childhood." He pocketed the medallion. "Do you hate children so much that you can't let him be a child? Nevermind. Hopefully after today, you won't have to put up with him. Come." He cringed when he saw Jak and Daxter's ties. "Hmm, you never learned to tie a tie?"
Jak shook his head. "We didn't have these kind of clothes in Sandover Village. It was a lot less restricting."
Kor shook his head and fixed both knots. "There, I'll teach you when we have more time. Let's go to breakfast."
Samos stood in front of the door. "Breakfast? Where? What are you planning, Kor?"
Jak sighed heavily. "Samos, knock it off. We're going to talk to Krew about a house here. Someplace where Kaj can be safely hidden and he won't bother you."
"Kor, think about this. You are very old. What happens to the child if… I'm just not convinced this is what's best for him," Samos argued. "He does need some stability. But you need to be thinking about what's best for him, not for you." For a moment, Samos could swear the old man's eyes glowed a bright yellow but it was gone before he could confirm it. He continued. "Why is it so important all of a sudden? Until yesterday, you were fine knowing that you wouldn't have to care for him his whole life. You were pleased."
"I don't need to explain myself to you. I am at least eighty years older than you. He is mine. Unless you somehow find his father, he is mine," Kor wrapped his arms around Kaj. "Even then, that's conditional." He led Jak and Daxter out of the hideout.
————
