After going through the tediously tense mission of getting past a whole slew of Krimzon Guards that were shooting at us from above and below on our trip through the Industrial Sector of the city (and me only then realizing that my guard badge allowed for full access to all the areas of the city aside from the Black Access area and the Air Train), we then shook the tail of the KG by hiding underneath the bridge in the port and, once the coast was clear, we then took the package to the saloon and walked inside, with me carrying the shipment inside on my own... and MAN was it heavy!
"Oogh... heavy..." I groaned as I walked in behind the duo at a slower pace, me carrying it through the doors as Jak and Dax spoke to Krew after getting past the big man, Sig. And seeing Krew in person? It was way worse than seeing in the game... all the creases in his bulbous body, the fact he smelled incredibly rancid! I didn't know how Jak and Daxter were able to speak without holding their noses! I simply laid the shipment onto the table and sighed as I stretched my back after.
"You Krew? Well, we shook the heat and your shipment's in primo condition!" Daxter smirked.
"And it's heavy... next time, one of you two carries it in," I groaned.
"That's good ey? Because a cargo of rare Eco Ore is worth ten of your lives!" Krew smirked as he then hovered closer to our trio, me trying to avert his gaze as much as possible. "And of course... ah... I'd be forced to collect... slowly... hmhmhahahaha! The Underground will take anyone with a pulse these days!" Krew chuckled before then looking at Daxter. "And what do we have here? The Shadow's mascot of the month? Ooh... soft..." he smiled as he felt Daxter, him gagging after.
"Ey, big boy, don't toucha my boyfriend again," I frowned at him, which he looked at me in confusion rather than anger.
"Pardon? Boyfriend, hmm?" he asked in confusion. "Your boyfriend is a talking rodent?"
"He used to be like all the other elvines, but then he touched Dark Eco and, shortly after, he turned into an Ottsel... but that's not the important thing, we kind of need some information and we heard that you were the best man to go to for it," I said, Krew snickering at that.
"Indeed I am. So, what is this vital 'information' that you wish to know?" Krew smirked.
"We want to know why Baron Praxis is trading Eco with the Metal Heads," Jak said in a much more level-headed nature than in the game, since I was around to be the mediator. And Krew grumbled at this.
"Mmm... that's a very costly price of information. If I were to give you that information, you'll need to do something else for me before I give it to you. But first, Sig, pay el capitan here a bonus," Krew said as Sig then held out the Morph Gun to Jak and he was about to hand one to me, but I shook my head and showed my own.
"What the? A KG handgun? What are you doing with that, cherry?" he asked in confusion.
"I'll only tell you if Krew promises, no ifs ands or buts, that if we do at least two jobs for him that the information is ours," I said, Krew smirking at that.
"Very well, the promise is made," Krew smiled as he then held his hand in a knuckle and I then squeaked an 'eep' sound as I then bumped it, knowing I had to rinse my hand in a tub of soap afterwards.
"I'm actually a double agent for the Underground, secretly infiltrating the KG as Errol's newest recruit. For some reason, he doesn't want to let the Baron know that my 'test' of the 'program' was considered 'successful' because Praxis has gone off the deep end. I got my first job not too long ago and it happened to be trading eco with Metal Heads, but Errol wouldn't tell me as to WHY we were doing it," I said, which Krew then smirked at.
"Ah, smart to have a man on the inside. I have one or two of 'em myself," Krew chuckled. He was referring to Jynx, most likely, maybe others too. "So I expect you wish for that to stay between us, right?" Krew asked.
"Not a single price tag gets put on it. In exchange, we'll do whatever work you want us to do, so long as you give us a call. We draw the line at hurting innocent civilians," I spoke to him.
"Ah yes... el capitan, if you want to be prepared for your first job, go to the gun course nearby and test that baby out. Do well and I'll hire you for your first job," Krew smirked, me nodding as Jak then went out of the place while hiding the morph gun on his backsdie. Leaving me with the big man and Sig.
"So, you ever thought of being a Wastelander, miss... um... name again?" Krew asked.
"Oh, my apologies. I'm Dora, the blonde one is Jak, and my boyfriend is Daxter. My KG name is Adora P... but I'm thinking I should probably get some kind of accessory to disguise my ears. They're a dead giveaway," I pouted.
"Mm... I do believe I've seen a person who had ears similar to yours in the past," he said, me gawking at that.
"Y-You have?" I asked.
"But of course, of course! She was a Wastelander from outside Haven City. Her name was Lola, if I recall," he said... and when I heard that name? My heart sank down into my feet.
"L-L-Lola?... It couldn't be that her last name was Harvey, right?" I asked in concern.
"Indeed, I believe that was her surname... why are you asking so many questions? Information doesn't come cheap you know?" Krew asked, me then shuddering in place.
"T-T-This can't be happening! My mom can NOT be here! She can't! I thought I escaped her clutches ages ago! But she waltzes right back into my life, hundreds of thousands of years in the future?! GAGH!" I shouted as I felt it... I felt my dark side wanting to come out.
"Yes... let the hatred consume you..." the voice of the Dark Eco said as Krew and Sig then gasped as they saw something I couldn't. But I was going to beat it back as much as I could.
"No... I am not going to hate... if anything, I need to know where she is... so I can give her a stern lecturing..." I growled as I then managed to quell my anger... but I looked around with my eyes opened and saw that everything... looked like I was in heat vision?
"Whoa, cherry... you didn't mention you were one of 'them'!" Sig said as he held his gun at me as if he was about to shoot, but I held my arms in the air.
"A-At ease, soldier, at ease! I'm not dangerous, promise!" I said in concern, him then frowning as he then put it down as Krew then carefully floated over to me and inspected me.
"Mmm... a Dark Warrior program experiment? Now I see why you used the air quotes... if the Baron found out you were a successful experiment, he'd use you for horrible things. He'd probably send you at the Metal Head nest all on your lonesome. Wouldn't that be a tragedy?" Krew smirked as I sighed and calmed myself down by using green eco... it still felt as if I were on weed when I used it, so it managed to quell my panic attack and I returned to normal soon after.
"Please, I beg of you, don't tell anyone... Errol said that, for the plan to work, Baron must remain oblivious of my abilities... we need to find a way to dethrone both him and the Metal Head Leader before the city pays the price," I frowned.
"Ah, well... I can look the other way, but it'll cost you... let's say, 10 Precursor Orbs?" he asked, me sighing as I then gave him the dough, as well as one more extra. "That last one is for you to never touch me, Jak, or Daxter again... you smell absolutely horrible..." I gagged.
"Better to smell horrible so that nobody thinks of stealing my wallet or guns, ey?" Krew chortled after.
"Eugh... tell me about it," Sig groaned. "So how is your aim with that pistol, chilly pepper?" He was referring to my gun, I guess.
"Well, despite the fact I'd never used one until today, I'm shocked that I managed to get the silver record at the KG's guncourse at the fortress, with Errol teaching me how to do it," I admitted.
"Hahaha! Yeah, that hardass is hard to impress, but if you did that without even holding a gun, that proves you're wastelander material!" Sig smirked at me.
"Mm... that gives me a small idea," Krew smiled. "If you want the information as to why Praxis deals with Metal Heads... I can tell you if your male friends can clear the sewers of the Baron's new gun turrets... and if you, mm... team up with Sig to nab some Metal Heads at the Pumping Station," Krew smiled, me smiling at that as I then gave the message to Jak and Daxter... via my cell phone.
How could I do this? Well, Keira did the bangup job of actually updating my phone to be able to access our resident communication device, and it was able to connect to servers outside of the basic provider it was defaulted to. Or, in simpler terms, she made it so I could contact anyone on any communicator AND she also inadvertantly allowed me to be able to text to others when I got their contact information.
"Does that mean we can get contact info, in case you need me or Jak for anymore work? Same with Sig?" I asked Krew, him smirking as we then traded numbers and Sig then looked at my phone with intrigue.
"Whoa... what is that thing?" Sig asked.
"Oh, this? This is something you're free to share, since it's something that doesn't really matter to me... well, it does, but it doesn't matter if people know about it. I come from the past. Like, really, REALLY far in the past," I said, Krew frowning at that.
"By really far, how far do you mean?" he asked.
"By really far, I mean before the Precursors ever arrived to this planet, before Elvines became a thing instead of humanity, and where the worst war we had was World War 2," I said, which Sig gawked at.
"I think I read about that one where I come from. It's one of the oldest archived things... a time befoe the precursors, with people who were even deadlier than they were now, and all without Eco, too!" Sig gawked.
"Tss... yep... hit in the gall bladder with that one," I frowned as Jak and Dax then appeared, which Krew looked on a tv and smiled.
"Ah, excellent shooting, Jak! You managed to get the bronze award, too!" Krew smirked widely as I then looked at Jak.
"So what all happened while I was away? They look pretty uh... surprised by things," Jak asked.
"Nothing, just got the deal set in stone that, once we do a job for both teams, then the information is ours," I smiled.
"Oh, and a gun upgrade for the blondie. Unfortunately, I don't operate with the KG guns. They're bloodsuckers," Krew frowned.
"No biggie, I've been told by Errol that I'd get newer upgrades depending on my progress on KG missions... here's hoping that I don't have to do anything... nasty or immoral," I frowned.
"Heh, you won't get far being a wastelander with that mindset, cherry. It's survival of the fittest when faced with death," Sig frowned, which made me frown. "Don't fret, chilly pepper, 'cus we're rolling with the Peacemaker!" Sig smirked as he held his prized gun up.
"Whew! I need one of those! Where'd ya get it?" Daxter asked with a smirk.
"Don't ask. Sig and Dory will go to the Pumping Station to take out Metal Heads... while Jak, you'll go to the sewers, my favorite smuggling route, to get rid of the nasty sentry turrets the Baron's placed down there. As for the rat? He chooses which poison," Krew smirked, that being a tasteless joke. And Dax frowned.
"Oof, talk about tough choices! Metal Heads eating me? Or being shot to death?... Hmm... snarly bites of Dark Eco... Bulletholes and nasty smell... eh, I think I'll go with Dory on this one, Jak, sorry," Daxter said after, me smirking at the little guy.
"And you know that a decision is tough when Daxter has to think about which one is less likely for death, haha!" I chuckled at Jak.
"I'd rather be eaten alive than have to deal with smelling bad for a week," Daxter complained.
"Preach, brother!" I smirked at him. We then proceeded to go the cheating way to the Pumping Station through the Bazaar and through the uptown area to go to the Pumping Station faster. And Sig smirked at me doing this.
"Hehe, I see that being a guard gives you special perks, despite being from super far in the past," Sig smirked at me.
"Yeah, tell me about it," I said with a frown. "I just hope that this Lola Harvey business is a HUGE coincidence. Last thing I need is to have to encounter her and for her to start begging for money again," I frowned.
"Wait, what? You're saying there might be another person from your timeline in this world?" Daxter asked.
"My deadbeat of a mother... Jilly and I were the ONLY members of my family that weren't criminals. Sure, what we're doing is kind of criminal now, but my family did some nasty things. My dad robbed numerous stores at gunpoint, my aunt Gertrude almost blew up an entire school because they kicked her kids out for knifing a student, and my mother? She was the one responsible for numerous tax evasions and money laundering. Thank goodness that her antics didn't trickle down to me, since I was only 18 when she finally got caught. They simply held her in prison for the rest of her life and sold nearly all of her items to pay back the taxman," I frowned.
"Lucky for Krew, there's plenty to go around!" Daxter complained. We then finally reached the Water Slums and we then went to the Pumping Station via the storm drain. And after going through the security door, we then proceeded to blast away the Metal Heads. And after we finished the mission (and spilled a lot of Dark Eco blood that demanded me to use it. I refused) Sig smirked at me after and told me to tell Krew of the job well done.
"You did good, rookie!" he smirked at me.
"Thanks, sir," I smiled at him as I then went to the Oracle after alongside Daxter, as I now had enough Skull Gems to gain sagehood.
"Daxter, wait outside. I don't want to risk you getting hit with Dark Eco," I said to him.
"Uh, sure... you stay safe, too," he frowned as he then went out of the building and I proceeded to lay the Skull Gems of the Metal Heads in front of the Oracle. He then sucked them all up through his tubular nose and then, afterwards, he sent out a blast of Dark Eco at me... and this time, it actually hurt a bit, but not to the point where it was agonizing. Just like I were getting punched in a few places.
"Ow! Augh!" I groaned in pain.
"YOU DO WELL TO RID THE WORLD OF THIS METAL SCOURGE. AS A REWARD, I GRANT YOU SAGEHOOD OF DARK ECO. NOW YOU CAN USE THE DARKNESS AND TOXINS OF THE WORLD TO YOUR WHIM. BUT BEWARE, DO NOT LOSE YOURSELF TO THE DARKNESS. TOO MUCH USAGE WITHIN A SHORT TIME WILL MAKE YOU SLOWLY BECOME INSANE," the Oracle warned, me sighing at that.
"Yeah... thanks for the warning... by too much usage in a short time, can you give me a general timeframe?" I asked.
"IT WILL AFFECT YOU IF YOU USE IT FOR MORE THAN 5 MINUTES EVERY 24 HOURS."
"Okay, thanks for the general timeframe. I'll be careful as I can... thanks again," I smiled at it as I then exited the building and picked up Daxter. And then, as we proceeded towards the Hip Hog Heaven Saloon, I got a call from Errol.
"Hello?" I asked him.
"I have a mission for you to do when you get the chance. Meet with me at the stadium in 10 minutes. I'll brief you on the details when we meet up," he said, me nodding at that.
"Got it, I'll do that as soon as I can," I smiled at him. And then, afterwards, I got to the saloon and saw I arrived a bit after Jak did, and he already got his gun upgrade in the form of the Blaster.
"Excellent shooting, you did well! So, did things go well?" Krew asked me.
"Yes, things went well. We got the Metal Heads all handled and Sig's currently collecting them at the station for ya. We got 'em cooked and canned, Sig's words, not mine," I smirked.
"Okay, then I'll tell you about the information you desire," Krew frowned. "What I know is that the Baron made a desperate deal with the Metal Head Leader," Krew frowned before grumbling. "Metal Heads need Eco, ey? So the Baron supplies them with regular shipments. And in return, the Metal Heads agreed to attack the city JUST enough to ensure the Baron's continued, undeserved rule."
"Yeah, but how long could that deal last? From what I've seen, those beasties are kinda ruthless," I frowned.
"Well, the Baron is running short on Eco, ey? And the Metal Heads are short on patience! Baron Praxis needs this war to keep in power. Otherwise, the people would put the true heir on the throne, wherever the little brat is!" Krew frowned.
"Thanks for the information, Krew... so, now that that's done, do you have any other missions?" I asked.
"Yes, as a matter of fact. I have a proposition for you three. Racing is the biggest sport in this city. Errol is the undisputed grand champion! He's crazy and DANGEROUS on the track, haha! My kind of guy!" Krew smiled. "I happen to have a client who's looking for racers to fill out her team. Here's a green security pass for you, Jak... and your contract with just a few trifles for me. I even signed your names to save time, hmm?"
And then Daxter started to read through the entirety of the things Krew would get, which also included game rights, mood rings, and toy lines. "If you can get from here to the race garage in less than 3 minutes, my clients said she'd consider you joining her team. Now make me proud, mm?" Krew asked, me smirking at that.
"Huge coincidence, Errol wants to meet me at the stadium in... 7 minutes from now. How about we race there, Jak? First one to the finish line has to get lunch from the loser," I smirked.
"Oh, you are so on!" Jak smirked as he then got on a Zoomer outside as well as me, which we then proceeded to race fairly through the Industrial sector, through the Slums, and finally into Maintown. And when I got to the stadium, I saw that Errol was waiting at the entry to Keira's garage, but he looked to be in full gear. I had to wonder what his deal was.
"Let's just hope he doesn't do anything when he sees me," Jak frowned.
"I'll distract him, you sneak past after," I said, him nodding at me as we then got to the stadium... and I had to hope the plan worked... and I might be able to get Keira to recognize Jak sooner than later.