In 300 HE, the Battle of East Bazaar was fought in Haven City between the Krimzon Guard under Ashelin Praxis against the Metal Heads under Metal Kor during the Metal Head Wars.
Why did it happen?
After his defeat at the Battle of Dead Town, Baron Praxis struck a deal with the Metal Head leader, Kor. In exchange for supplying the Metal Heads with monthly shipments of eco to their nest, the Metal Head armies would attack Haven City sporadically to justify Praxis’ continued rule. This deal was underwritten by the Baron Eco Fund, with mining operations being conducted at the Strip Mine and Drill Platform under the direction of Vin. However, as the Baron’s eco supplies began to run out, the Metal Heads tightened their grip on Haven City and attacked the Strip Mine in 300 HE. Although Jak and Daxter managed to rescue Vin, the Metal Heads later highjacked one of Vin’s Eco Tankers that had travelled to the Wasteland to mine for eco. Because the clearance transmission sounded suspicious, Ashelin, Baron Praxis's daughter and a Krimzon Guard commander, became notified and organised a squad of Guards to investigate.
Who was involved?
The Krimzon Guard forces at the East Bazaar numbered five individuals: Ashelin, Jak and three Guards. The Krimzon Guard planned to intercept the Eco Tanker and discover why the driver sounded nervous in his clearance transmission. The Metal Head forces at the East Bazaar numbered 12 Grunts and Juice Goons. While Grunts were the first line of defence in the Metal Head army, they did not carry any weapons, preferring to use their physical strength and numbers to outflank and overwhelm their enemies. In addition, Juice Goons wielded long shock staffs that could fire deadly bolts of electricity at their enemies. The Metal Head’s plan at the East Bazaar was to upkeep the deal between Baron Praxis and Metal Kor by testing the city’s defences and probing for weak spots in the Shield Wall.
What happened?
Upon receiving a suspicious report that a Krimzon Guard Eco Tanker was returning from the Wasteland, Ashelin and three Guards marched to the East Bazaar to intercept it. After Jak and Daxter arrived, the Eco Tanker crashed into the courtyard, killing Ashelin’s squad and leaving only her and Jak alive to deal with a small force of Metal Heads who emerged from the downed Eco Tanker. The first wave of Metal Heads advanced straight for Jak and Ashelin, who used their Vulcan Fury and Eco Pistol weapons to cut through the ranks of Grunts and Juice Goons. After running out of ammunition, Jak equipped his Blaster Rifle to target a second wave of Metal Heads emerging from the Eco Tanker. After brief but intense gunfire, the Metal Head force was eliminated.
What changed as a result?
The Battle of East Bazaar was a Krimzon Guard victory. In the aftermath of the battle, Ashelin grew concerned about the increasing Metal Head attacks on Haven City and walked away without acknowledging Jak and Daxter’s help. However, after the Class 3 Race at Mar Memorial Stadium, Ashelin rectified this by thanking Jak and saying, “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” (Naughty Dog, 2003). After this, Baron Praxis discovered that Ashelin had been spying for the Underground and threatened to kill his daughter for treason if the Underground did not reveal the location of the Precursor Stone. Despite this, Jak continued to work for the Underground, but in his desire to take revenge against Baron Praxis, he unwittingly became an agent for the Metal Heads, who had been trying to undermine the city for an eventual invasion. During the Siege of Haven City, the city nearly fell to the Metal Heads after Kor killed Baron Praxis. But after Jak killed Kor at the Metal Head Nest, the Metal Head army retreated, and Ashelin became the new governor of Haven City.
Bibliography
Jak and Daxter Wiki. “Intercept tanker.” Last revised August 9, 2021. www.jakanddaxter.fandom.com/wiki/Intercept_tanker
Naughty Dog. Jak II. Sony Computer Entertainment. PlayStation 2. 2003.
Off, Greg. Jak II: Official Strategy Guide. Indianapolis, Brady Games, 2003.
Schrader, Nathali. Jak II: The Complete Official Guide. London, Piggyback, 2003.
Tim H. “Bazaar maps.” Jak and Daxter Wiki. Accessed April 10, 2023. www.jakanddaxter.fandom.com/wiki/Bazaars?file=Bazaar_maps.png
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