Kaj Meets His Family

Once the former king was gone, Kor finally let himself release a sigh of relief. He finished giving Kaj his breakfast while Jak came back to the kitchen.

"I told you I wouldn't let anyone take him," Jak reminded the old man. "You handled it well." He sat down.

Kor nodded. "Thank you for keeping your promise." He looked at Kaj. "I suppose I should introduce you to your family at some point anyway. I need to check on the eggs and the nests."

Jak nodded. "I'll come with you. I'd like to see how they're doing. See if there's anything they need."

Kor nodded. "They'll be glad to see you. I'd like for them to be able to come to me. But I don't suppose that's possible."

Jak thought about it. "No, they should be able to come to you. I agree. Hey, question, does Kaj know? About…. you know…"

The old man thought about the question. "When I found him he was under attack by soldiers. I had to take my true form to rescue him. I don't know if he recalls." He combed the child's hair. "What do you say, my son? Would you like to meet your brothers? I warn you, they might frighten you at first, they don't look like you, but once you get to know them, you'll love them and they will protect you as fiercely as I do."

The little boy smiled and nodded excitedly, hugging him. Jak laughed. "I think you'll find that kids have a different way of seeing things. They're not like adults. Just be honest with him and he'll understand."

Kor held his son tightly in his arms, savoring the unconditional love of a child for his father. "I only hope you're right." He stood up as Ashelin, Daxter and Sig came back in. "What are you still doing here?"

Sig shrugged. "Damas ordered me to guard you and his son. I guess I'll be crashing here awhile Jak." He laughed.

Jak nodded. "Sounds good to me, the more the merrier." He couldn't think of a way to refuse that would work without making this even more awkward. "You can take the couch. Father and I are headed out on a few errands."

Kor nodded. "Yes, Kaj needs a few things. Can you believe how fast he's growing?" He asked with mock incredulity.

Sig chuckled. "Well, let's go then."

Kor and Jak exchanged an alarmed glance. He frowned and glared at Sig. "That won't be necessary. I am more than capable of protecting my son and Jak and Daxter have proven more then competent at the task of guard. You may stay in my home for a brief while so you may report that you are following orders but I do not trust you yet."

Daxter grinned. "Am I going too, Buddy?" He asked. At his friend's affirmative nod, he jumped for joy.

Ashelin smiled. "You boys have fun. I'll hang back with Sig and keep him company."

Jak nodded. "Thank you, Ash."

"Just be back by 4. I called a meeting so we can make plans," she explained.

"We'll be back in time," he promised and whispered. "Maybe you can get Sig to join us." He suggested and she nodded with a cocky sneer.

"See you guys later." She looked at the wastelander. "How about a drink? You look like you could use one."

Sig nodded. "I don't care if it's only ten o'clock. Hook me up, sister." He followed her into the kitchen.

——————

Errol groaned in frustration as he left the palace. The Baron had grilled him all last night and into this morning. He was furious that Errol had not stopped the concert, even when the commander explained they had permission from the council. But the man was a stubborn ass,

He jumped onto his zoomer and zipped over to the stadium maintenance area. "Ahhh! That stupid bitch Ash!" He shouted as he sat down on a stool next to the work desk. "How could she do this to me?"

A young woman came from behind a curtain with a can. "Here, drink this. You'll feel better." She put a hand on his shoulder. "I don't know why you put up with Praxis. With the way he treats… everyone… including you."

Errol sighed. "Because… I believe in his vision for Haven City…. And he didn't used to be so bad. It's all that Eco Freak's fault!" He slammed his fist into the desk.

She picked up his clenched fist and made it unclench. "I saw you singing with them yesterday. You looked like you were having a good time."

He looked into her emerald green eyes. "I… I was… but that was one time and only because I didn't want to start a fight over a stupid concert." He tilted his head back. "I don't know what to do. He has the people eating out of his hands. He's going to incite them all to rebel. My men wouldn't stand a chance against all of Haven. And Praxis knows this. These people are like ants. I can deal with metal heads, I can take out the underground rebellion. But the rest outnumber us a hundred to one! The minute they figure that out, Praxis is done. And he doesn't seem to get that." He cracked open the beer and drank while she rubbed his shoulders. "I'm fighting three different wars and now I've lost my last comrade. She joined them! Praxis' own daughter! I'm fighting alone…"

"Then… again… why? Why do you still support him?" She asked. "You don't have to…"

Errol seriously thought about it. "I have my reasons. Can you trust me that I'm doing what's best?" He asked her. "I promised I'd protect you, remember?"

She blushed, remembering when he'd found her, sprawled out unconscious in an alley. She'd woken on his sofa, terrified and talking about the rift rider exploding. He had listened to her tale of the monstrous metal head and losing her father and her friends. He took care of her injuries and helped her find a place to live and work after she was ready to get back on her feet. She didn't like how his men treated people and he could be rude and even cruel but with her, he was gentle, kind, even sweet. "Of course I can… but… if you ever do decide to leave him, I'll support you." She promised. "I'm on your side. No matter what."

He leaned into her, taking a rare moment to let himself feel vulnerable and be comforted by someone he cared for.

————

The trip to Deadtown was uneventful. Jak parked the zoomer just outside the door and hid it carefully under the damaged road. Kor picked Kaj up as they crossed through the gate.

Upon stepping out onto the soft soil of the ruined sector, a scorpion popped out and ran over. It began rubbing up against Kor. "Well, hello there, my child." The old man knelt carefully and offered his hand to the creature. Happily, it skittered up the old man's shoulder and perched before looking at Kaj who was clinging to his opposite shoulder. "This is Kaj." He explained to the curious critter. "He's your new brother. Kaj… this little guy is but one of my many other children."

Kaj and the Scorpion regarded each other. The child looked at Kor then to Jak who chuckled. Timidly, he reached a little finger toward the Scorpion. The arachnid metal head sniffed his hand before leaping onto his head and curling up to sleep. Kaj laughed with amusement at the cat-like behavior.

Daxter laughed. "Well kid, looks like he likes you."

Kaj looked up and smiled at the creature. He reached up and petted him gently.

"That's right, Kaj, he is one of your brothers. Let me see," Kor drew closer and examined. "Ahhh, yes, Kirin. This child is one of us now. By rite of adoption," he clarified. He began leading them to the nest.

The hatchlings were playing together with some of the older metal heads. They cried excitedly when they saw Daxter, racing over.

Kor laughed as Kritten came over. The rifleman looked at the little boy. "Father, what is this? Who is this? A human child? Here?"

The old man nodded. "Indeed. Kritten, this human child is now a member of our tribe. He is my son, your little brother. Kaj."

"Kaj? You've named him for our greatest warrior? Father, are you sure this is suitable? You're bringing more and more humans into our territory. You are aligning us with the humans," the rifleman argued. "After your own stories. The ones you tell us to keep us away from humans? I don't understand."

"Kritten…. I know the stories I've told. And I am aware that I am taking a big risk but… I am asking you to trust me. It's possible that I have misjudged the humans," he explained. "Jak has proven himself to be a man of strong moral fiber. He has earned the right to call me 'Father'." He looked over to the blond man.

The jaded rifleman growled. "I just… I don't want anything to happen to you, Father, or to our people." He explained his distrust.

"I know but I trust Jak and you cannot tell me you're afraid of a preschooler and a rat," he gestured to Kaj and Daxter who were playing. "He's going to need a bath when we get home." When he saw his son wasn't completely onboard, he sighed. "You won't have to deal with him often. Being out here isn't the best for him."

"Well there is that too," Kritten said. "He's a human, Father. He should be with other humans. They do not thrive in these conditions as we do. I will try, Father. I just don't see this ending well for any of us."

Jak came over. "Kritten, I know you don't trust me but you don't have to. We are all in this boat together, Havenite and Metal Head alike. Whether we want to be or not. And if we don't figure out how to row together, neither of our civilizations have a chance. We have to work together. That's it. That's ALL of it. That is the bottomline. We can either work together or we can die together. Because sure as shit, if we don't end this pointless conflict, it will destroy this world and all of us with it." He didn't know if that would really happen but Onin seemed convinced it would.

Metal head and human met eyes, drilling into each other. But Jak didn't relent. Suddenly, a tiny hand patted the creature's leg and he looked down. Kaj was offering up one of the toys that Jak made for him. He accepted it with confusion. "Thank you…" he said tersely, earning a joyful smile and a hug around his leg from the child. After a brief moment, the little boy dashed back to play with the little ones.

"Kaj could be the first of a generation to grow up with a respect even love for our people," Kor suggested. "We are working on taking down Praxis."

Jak nodded. "You know… perhaps… what we need is to start fixing your reputations. It'll be difficult… Most of the population is unarmed… but the K.G. are not…"

Kor eyed the young man. Daxter laughed. "You know, it would be a hoot if the metal heads actually saved a human from the guards. If you were suddenly appearing long enough to stop the guards and leaving before they could even think to attack…"

"That would mean somehow getting them into the city…" the old man thought about the situation. He knelt and touched the ground. A bright light shot away from them. "Yes, I could easily make a tunnel to the house. But if Ashelin found it… If you could get her out of the house for a few hours. Her and that great oaf…"

Jak scratched his chin. "How could I do that? Without telling her?"

"You could always ask her out on a date," Daxter suggested jokingly.

Jak blushed. "I couldn't do that but maybe I could convince her to help me train for the next race. That could buy us some time." He suggested. "While we're gone, you can drill your way to the basement. She already knows not to go down there because it's your workroom."

"Very well, lad. That seems to be our best bet," he looked at Kritten. "I want you to prepare a squad of our bravest and strongest. I'll come back for them in a day or two," he promised.

Kritten groaned but his father's orders were law. "Yes, Father. I just hope this isn't a mistake." He bid farewell to his father and the humans. A grunt joined him. "You heard Father but… let's be smart… start with the cloakers and the scouts." He stared in the direction his father had gone. He was just sure that this would get them all killed.

AN: Sorry, I was involved in another big story I'm writing. I discovered the Sing universe. Please review.