Keira's reunion with Jak and Daxter couldn't have come at a more perfect time. The Class 3 Race was a mere two days away. Keira spent that time training Jak (and Daxter, to some extent) in racing and common traps that racers would succumb to. Every year the race was a little different; pits were in new areas, shortcuts were edited. But the two consistencies were the danger and the speed boosts. These speed boosts, in fact, had played a part in Keira's journey to having her own garage. Once Erol found out about Keira's mechanical prowess, she'd seen how curious he was. She promised she'd find a way to innovate the races in a way never before seen. At the time, she had no idea what she would do, but she was going to give it her best and, if need be, find a way to escape. But she hadn't needed to. Keira designed these small orbs, consisting of condensed yellow and red eco, hanging carefully in equilibrium while floating in space. When these orbs came into contact with a vehicle, they could provide the vehicle with a small power boost. For Zoomers, this meant more speed. Erol had been so impressed with her invention that he personally ensured that she had a garage and all she needed to work on Zoomers, but specifically his. While he couldn't outright forbid her from working on other projects, he didn't like the idea of it.
When Jak was away on missions for the Underground, she worked on his Zoomer, modding it to perfection. She looked at her recent works. Hmm…I could potentially open these valves a bit more. The eco would be more efficiently absorbed into the engine and provide a larger speed boost. I didn't do it for Erol's, but Jak probably needs all the help he can get. Keira thought back to what she'd said. 'I'm a woman of my word, Erol.' But he's been racing for…gosh I don't even know how long. Definitely been longer than I've been in Haven City. Jak just started two days ago! It wouldn't be too bad if I just helped him out a little extra. Keira's wrench hesitated. After a moment, she moved on, leaving the valves as they were. Jak'll win. And I'm going to keep my word.
The crowd was deafening. Keira's throat was hoarse as she screamed from the sidelines, cheering for Jak and Daxter and watched them hug the corners of the race track. Erol was never far behind. Sometimes he overcame the pair or rode alongside them, kicking at their Zoomer in an attempt to force a wreck. A few instances made Keira hold her breath in fear, but her friends always swerved away at just the right time. In the final lap, only ten of the original twelve racer remained, but Erol and Jak were ahead of the other eight. The two Zoomers took turns in first place, each racer trying to force their Zoomer faster through sheer will. As they approached the finish line, a single eco orb floated in front of them, a promise of nearly guaranteed victory for the one to grab it first. Erol steered away from Jak, and then immediately towards Jak, trying to slam their Zoomers together. Daxter shouted and Jak tapped his brakes, forcing Erol to slam instead into the wall. Jak twisted the throttle to the maximum amount, flying forward and grabbing the speed boost. Erol cursed and hit the throttle as well, trying to catch up to this newcomer. The crowd went absolutely wild at the spectacle, many of them, including Keira, screaming for Jak to activate the eco charge and win the race! Jak however, laughed and flew across the finish line without using the charge, only setting it off once he and Daxter had won. He was showboating, bragging that not only he had grabbed the orb, but also didn't need it to win the race.
It felt like Erol's soul sank out of his face, down his neck, beyond his chest, and into his stomach. It left a cold chill inside the upper half of his body, one that would not be warmed by anything. He could not hear the chants, the cheers, the boos, the Zoomers, the announcer, none of it. It seemed so far away, muffled by the sound of his own disbelief. I lost. I really lost to that filthy, worthless monster. In a RACE. I'm going to kill him. I will kill him but NOT before I beat him. I will beat him and win and THEN I WILL DESTROY HIM. Life rushed back into his face, fury flooding his every sense. After staring at his plaything for a moment, he looked into the crowd and locked eyes with Keira. Her arms were crossed, a boastful smile on her face. She had kept her promise. He had lost. And it was on him.
Keira was putting away a few things around her cluttered garage when Daxter's voice made her turn around and smile. "When is this city going to provide some real challenge? We beat their assess so bad, I bet they're going home to cry to their mamas! Especially Erol! Did you see his face? Did ya? Boy Jak, he really hates you." Jak set the trophy up on a Zoomer lift.
"Well, the feeling is mutual. In fact, I hope he makes the first move. It'll give me a reason to really tear him up," Jak's face was dark as he thought about Erol, no doubt reliving the Dark Eco "experiments."
Keira wanted to break the tension, but was also moved by her love for her friends. She walked to them and put a hand on their shoulders. Her face shifted into a kind expression, looking at them each with hope and friendly affection. "I'm really proud of the both of you. What you did today wasn't easy. A lot of these racers have been riding Zoomers since they were kids, and you beat all of them! Sure, this is only the Class 3 race, and we still have two to go, but what you did today was really commendable." The boys smiled back at her. She took a step back, her hands going straight to her hips as she walked to their vehicle. "But! I do have some ideas for how I can mod your Zoomer for the next race! I'm thinking of opening the Eco distribution valves so it'll absorb more efficiently, making your speed boosts really blast you forward. I'm also thinking of how I can make you both and the Zoomer more aerodynamic, maybe if I adjust the placement of these tail fins that'll impact the…"
And she was off. Jak and Daxter chuckled to each other. It sounded like a foreign language when she started talking about her machinations; but, she was so happy when she talked about her work that they were happy to listen. After about ten minutes, Jak stood and poured her a cup of coffee and placed it on the Zoomer lifter. Instinctively, she walked to it and hoisted herself gracefully onto the Zoomer, eager to drink the coffee.
"Why don't we just relax for a minute? You've been working really hard on the Zoomer for me, and I really appreciate it. Keira, this win is as much yours as it is ours. We couldn't have done it without you." Jak smiled sincerely. Keira saw the young boy she grew up with, not the vengeful man filled with Dark Eco.
She conceded, and they instead discussed local watering holes around the city. Keira continued to sit on the Zoomer lift while her friends sat on the couch. She told them all about Brutter and his little bar, sitting not too terribly far from Keira's garage. Daxter went on and on about "the hottie" that worked at the Hip Hog Heaven Saloon. "She's an angel on Earth! My soothing summer breeze! My sweet lemon cup! And she's got real nice gazungas! AND she's into me!" Keira rolled her eyes at Daxter's animated display, obviously doubtful that a human woman would be "into" an ottsel. That is, until she made eye contact with Jak. He shrugged with his hands in the air, as if to confirm what Daxter was saying, though he did share her disbelief.
The trio sat for a while in the garage, talking and laughing, swapping stories of experiences in the city or outside the walls. They didn't notice a fourth person walking into the garage.
"Hey."
The three snapped their heads around at the surprise visitor. Keira realized quickly who this intruder was and her face turned to a scowl. Jak stood up from the couch in surprise, but he wasn't exactly sure why. Daxter's lecherous eyes took in the buffet of the curvy woman standing there, hands on her hips as she flicked a red loc out of her face. The Commander walked towards Jak with a natural sway, but she stopped before getting too close to any of them.
"I watched your race today. You were amazing out there." She had a serious but proud look on her face with no trace of a smile. Keira hopped down from the lift and stood next to Jak, if not just a touch in front of him. She squared her shoulders while the red-head shifted her gaze to Keira and looked her up and down with a face like stone. Jak stammered a bit.
"Oh, uhh thanks. Umm Keira…this, this is Ashelin. She's just…"
"Everyone knows who she is," Keira's words were intentionally laced with snark, taking her turn looking the woman up and down in disgust. What she said was true though. Commander Ashelin was the poster child for the Krimzon guard; she was the Baron's favorite and his daughter. I wonder if he knows that. Maybe he wouldn't be associating with the likes of her then. It's shocking enough that he's hanging around her in the first place! Any "wins" for the Krimzon guard was usually followed by propaganda posters and looped audio messages declaring the incredible power of the Krimzon guard and their fearless leaders, especially Commander Ashelin. Her face and name were automatically associated with the atrocities that the Krimzon guard executed in the name of "peace and order."
Jak looked to Ashelin, gesturing towards his childhood friend. "And Keira's a-"
"A friend. A very good friend." Keira crossed her arms and leaned slightly forward for emphasis. I don't feel anything beyond friendship for Jak, but right now I don't care if this bitch thinks we're more. I just gotta protect Jak from her. She's bad news.
Ashelin smirked at Keira but didn't verbally acknowledge that she'd spoken. She looked to Jak and talked with him about a mission they'd completed together, thanking him for all his help.
She must be working with the resistance against Praxis, but why? She has everything to gain from him being in power. Maybe…she's a spy? I'm going to have to find out more.
As they finished up their conversation, Ashelin began to walk out of the garage, but stopped before crossing the threshold. Keira noticed a slight fall in her shoulders and a sigh escaped. Seemingly unprompted, Ashelin spoke, still turned away from them.
"I'm not my father, you know. Ever since I was a little girl, I've looked down at the city streets from that ridiculous palace, and imagined a better place." Her voice seemed softer than it was before, a hint of vulnerability in her words.
Who is she trying to convince here? Keira uncrossed her arms, not entirely unmoved from the red-heads' words, but still wary of her. Ashelin's head snapping back up, hands went to her hips, and her words returned to the stern voice of a Commander. "By the way, they're hunting for you. I'd watch out for Erol. I can't protect you from him." She glanced over her shoulder, looking at Jak as she spoke. She looked at Keira again with that same stone expression before turning and leaving the garage.
The tension in the room was palpable. Keira glared at Jak as she willed with all her might for Ashelin to walk out faster so she could grill him about their relationship. Jak looked at Keira with fear in his eyes. You should be afraid, you big idiot! You've faced Metal Heads and Lurkers and Gol and Maia but now you have to deal with ME! Working with the Krimzon guard Commander, I can't believe you, you fucking lug!
"Whew, she is a BETTY!" Daxter's nasally voice broke the silence after Ashelin was barely out of earshot (or maybe she wasn't quite out of earshot, but Daxter obviously didn't care). "And she likes you, Jak! Not that I can account for her tastes! I bet you'd love to pin some metals on her chest, huh?" Daxter never could read a room, and Keira's anger reached a boiling point. She grabbed her mug of coffee and turned towards the Rift Rider. "What? What did I say? What did you say, Jak?"
So he is into her. By the Precursors, you fucking idiot, you don't even KNOW what she's done! What all of the Krimzon guards have done! And you're trying to get into her pants!
"Keira, I-"
Keira whirled around to face Jak, nearly spilling her coffee. "You know what, we've been friends since we were kids, and I thought I knew you. I've tried to look past everything you've done lately, because we're all trying to get home. But her? You're trying to bang Baron Praxis's favorite puppet? Are you stupid!?" Her emphatic gestures threatened to cover Jak in the contents of her cup. He did look a little scared. Fucking GOOD. But I mean, I don't entirely blame him for wanting to bang her….wait shut up, a good body does not excuse evil actions.
Jak looked a bit exasperated but took a deep breath and continued. "First off, I'm not trying anything with her. Second, she works for the Underground, Keira, we're all working towards a common goal. Ashelin has been invaluable to the resistance, she's been providing insider information to Torn for years now. She hates Praxis more than anyone else does, I think even more than I do." Keira looked away from him defiantly. Jak sighed and continued, "Look, you're probably going to be working more with her whether you like it or not. So it's up to you how that goes. But please, at least give her a chance. She's not what you think."
Keira looked at him and her shoulders softened. She knew when her best friend was hiding something, and she didn't see it in his face now. Even though she believed him, she sighed a bit overly dramatically and rolled her eyes. "Fiiiiine, I'll be nice as long as she is."
"Thank you, Keira, really."
Ugh, what time is it? Keira rolled over in her bed and looked at the clock. 2 a.m. and I'm not even tired. She's been tossing all night, but she finally resigned herself and sat up. Her apartment consisted of only three rooms: a kitchen/living room, a bathroom, and the bedroom. It was small, but it was enough for just her. Well, if I can't sleep, I might as well work. She stepped onto the rug, keeping her feet from the cold wood floor for just a moment more. She stretched and walked into her small kitchen, carefully measuring out and grinding her coffee beans for her late-night pot. As it brewed, she changed into her pants and tank top, grabbing a few supplies and collecting them in her bag. After hearing the machine chime, she poured the steaming beverage into a thermos and pulled on her boots, locking her door behind her and heading for the stadium.
Streetlights and the bright moon illuminated her short journey to her garage. The middle of the night usually meant less Krimzon guards, and less people in general, in the streets. The citizens didn't usually like to travel at night, unless of course they were in the nightlife sections of town. But even then, people tried to avoid the Krimzon guards when they could. Sometimes you'd run across one that was just having a bad day and wanted to make your night miserable because of it. They were a hassle, so it was best to steer clear. Keira wasn't stopped often by the guards though. They'd occasionally ask her where she was headed, but when she mentioned the Zoomer garage they'd usually just tell her simply to "carry on." Almost as if they had orders to not harass her. Ugh, Erol. She held conflicting emotions again; she was disgusted by him, but her life had been a lot easier because of his orders.
She shared a polite, smileless nod with a Krimzon guard as she entered the courtyard, her mind on the Rift Rider and potential modifications. She continued walking on autopilot towards the entrance to the garage. If I can safely adjust the flow of eco to slightly increase the output, then maybe it'll be enough to—wait, what is that?
Keira's thoughts and feet stopped as she saw a small, dark red spot of…something wet on the ground. She crouched down to look closer and saw a few more specks of it in a trail. Her eyes landed on a white, bumpy object. She took out her gloves, donned one, picked up the object and turned it in her hand. A tooth? What happened here? And that must be blood… She didn't know why, but she took out a rag and wrapped up the tooth, pocketing it. She'd ask around to see if anyone knew anything. I don't like that this happened so close to the garage. It might not be connected to me or my work but…it could be.
She quickly stood and turned. The Krimzon guard was watching her. She offered an innocent smile and wave, trying to dissuade him from walking over. He nodded and she turned towards her garage. With a quick unlock-enter-and-lock of the large door, she was in her safe haven. With a sigh, she poured a cup from her coffee thermos and started to work on their ticket home.