Chapter 2: Swan Dive
Rekks, Rose and Tev were dragged from their cell through the passage ways of the Sparrow. Water seemed to drip from every corner of the rust covered ship. The heroes were led to a large set of doors. One of the pirates keyed in a pass code on to the keypad at the side of the door. Rekks nudged Tev in the side motioning toward the keypad. Tev peered over the pirate's shoulder and watched him key in part of the code.
The doors opened to reveal a large conference room. It was brighter than the rest of the ship they'd seen so far because it contained windows that let in the early morning light. It contained a large view screen complete with a circular table in the middle of the room. Eli sat by the screen smiling at the heroes as they entered. He held up a cigar to his mouth taking a big puff. Exhaling he motioned to them to take seats at the table.
Rekks, Rose, and Tev sat down cautiously as Eli's pirates surrounded the table. Eli took one last puff before putting the cigar out. Rekks, Rose and Tev remained silent, Rekks glaring at the pirate captain.
"Did you three have a good night's sleep?" smiled Eli
They remained silent.
"Sorry for interrupting yur wedding night, eh?" chuckled Eli
"Not now Eli. Why the hell are we here?" asked Rekks
"Alright then, I need your help. All of ye. I'm looking for something, something special.' Remarked Eli
"Gold, treasure?" inquired Tev
"More than simple treasure. I'm looking for a weapon." Smiled Eli
"A weapon?" Rose was dumfounded
"Aye, the greatest weapon ever. Do ye remember Mifune village?" asked Eli
"What do you know?" Rekks answered back leaning on to the table
"Enough. Now, do ye also recall a little thing called…….Vegnagun." smirked Eli
The hero's eyes widened at the mention of that name. Rekks clenched his fist.
"What does all this have to do with Vegnagun and Mifune Village?" asked Rose
"I assume ye learned from Mifune Village that ancient Spira's secrets run deeper than we thought." Laughed Eli
"The prototype Fayth." Stated Rekks
"Aye, before they created the Fayth, they tested da process. Now, what makes ye think dat was they only time they did so?" smirked Eli
"What are you talking about?" demanded Tev
Wait….Vegnagun…prototype Fayth. Are you trying to say that there is…..a prototype of Vegnagun out there?" asked Rose shocked
"Nay, ye thinking too small. Vegnagun was too wild and unruly to be a finished product." Remarked Eli
"This can't be, this is insane. Vegnagun was a one time only thing. It can't just be a prototype. This stupid!" exclaimed Tev
One of the pirates came up behind Tev and smacked him in the back of the head. Tev moved to punch the pirate back but Rekks stopped him.
"Are you on the level about this? How do we know we can trust about this?" asked Rekks
Eli smiled then reached in to his pocket. He pulled out a strange two pronged metal key. It was slightly rusted mostly likely due to it being very old. He tossed it across the table, landing right before Rose. She picked it up and began inspecting the ancient key.
"Ask your lady." Eli responded
Rose ran her fingers over the handle of the key. At the other end of the key was a Bevellian symbol.
"I don't believe it." Responded Rose
"What, what's so special about the stupid key?' asked Tev
"There's no way to tell how old it is without dating it, but it's defiantly a relic from Bevelle." Replied Rose
"What's this the key to Eli?" Rekks asked
"It's one of two keys to a chest. And in the chest are all the secrets of the weapon. And most importantly where it is kept." Replied Eli
"Why us then?" asked Tev
"Because, she's an expert on Spirian history, you're an engineering expert possibly able to help make sense of the stuff we find on the weapon, and Rekks well he's a wild card now isn't he? Best underfoot than in my way." Remarked Eli
"Eli you crazy bstard. Even if you do find this weapon, do you really think you control it? What the hell are you up to? This plan's too big for a man with your sized brain, who's pulling the strings?!?" demanded Rekks
"Think about it, that weapon is power. Power I can use to force the Government to make the lord of my own little part of da world. Think of it Pirate King Eli, has a nice ring to it don't it." Laughed Eli
Rekks and Tev growled in anger as they stood up. Rose took a deep breathe and motion for them to sit back down.
"Stop it you two, calm down. Now Eli where did you find this key?" asked Rose
"I like this lady. Let's just say that when I acquired this key, I found out a bit more about history than I wanted to that day. But everything I learned was…gold. So are ye in or out?" asked Eli
Rekks stood up slowly, taking a big gulp.
"In, now can we have a few minutes to speak with each other and talk this over?" stated Rekks
"Sure, I'll even move ya in to some guest quarters." Smiled Eli
"What about our gear?" asked Tev
"We'll be keeping your weapons for now, but ya can have the rest." Replied Eli
"Where's the other key?" inquired Rose
"Well missy, I'll be telling you when I decide so." Laughed Eli
"Wait Eli, now that we know, we're not your prisoners anymore. You know that we can fight back and the minute we get our weapons we can take you down." Stated Rekks
"And what if we don't give you your weapons back?" smiled Eli
Eli's pirates moved in closer pointing their weapons at Rekks' group. Rekks took a look at all the guns pointed at him. Taking a deep breathe a smirk spread across his face.
"If you wanted to kill us, you would have already. Like you said you need us alive. I have a feeling that you know that this whole thing is dangerous, so you need us armed and breathing to be able to help. If you want our full co operation, no problems, then I want an equal partnership." Smirked Rekks
Eli's smile faded.
"And what makes ye think I'd be doing that?" snickered Eli
Rekks stopped for a moment to think. He turned to Rose and saw the key. Taking a deep breathe he turned back to Eli, smirking again.
"Where's the other key Eli?" smirked Rekks
Eli remained silent.
"You don't know do you? That's why you need us. You could probably acquire it on your own. But you don't have the brains to figure out where it or the chest are do you?" smiled Rekks
"Don't try my patience boy." Replied Eli
"I out smarted you once, I can do it again. Now wouldn't you prefer to have me on your side?" Rekks answered
Eli began glaring daggers at Rekks. Rekks did his best to remain cool and keep a smirk on his face. Eli laid back and smiled.
"I remember why I hate you so much. Fine partners, but we're keeping ya weapons until we find the location." Smiled Eli
"And how do we find the location?" asked Rose
Eli shifted in his seat as he motioned to one of his pirates. The pirate placed a stone tablet in front of Rose.
"It was located then found by me. The writing on it is encoded, using an ancient Spirian code. I think your lady can figure it out." Answered Eli
"I can but it will take sometime." Rose responded
"Fine, my men will so you to your rooms." Stated Eli
"One more thing. As full partners, I think I'm entitled to know everything." Smiled Rekks
"I've told you everything." Responded Eli
"Who's pulling the strings Eli?" Rekks asked
"Don't insult me. This is my ship, remember that, partnership or no. I want that weapon, make no mistake of that. I'm a pirate, running from the law. If I had that thing, I wouldn't have to run. If anyone is pulling the strings here, It's me lad." Eli shot back
Eli stood up and headed out the door. A few minutes later the three off them were lead to a set of rooms at the end of a long hallway.
"Your room is on the left. You two are to the right." Stated the pirate
They nodded in agreement and all headed into Rekks and Rose's room to think things out. Rose sat down on the bed and started to adjust her dress. Tev walked over to a nearby sink and poured himself a glass off water.
"That was a bit of a gamble you made in there." Stated Rose
"Well what's life without a little risk." Replied Rekks
"I've never seen Eli this crazy, what makes you think someone else is behind this?" asked Tev
"There is…..trust me. Just think about it, wasn't everything a little too perfect. He caught us at the right time in the right place. Everything was set up so we couldn't put up a fight. He knew about Mifune, he knew about our skills. It's just too perfect." Replied Rekks
"Now that you mention it." Agreed Tev
"What do we do about this tablet?" asked Rose
"You change then look it over and see what you can find out. Meanwhile, Tev did you figure out the code?" asked Rekks
"Oh yeah, the idiots wrote it in Al Bhed think no could figure it out." Chuckled Tev
"Good, we're already a step ahead. Give me the code and I'll sneak it after everyone's gone to sleep and fill in Shay about the location. Rose take your time figuring that thing out. We can get through this, we just have to keep our heads in the game." Stated Rekks
"I hope your right." Sighed Tev
"Trust me." Smiled Rekks
"Well at least I can be happy about one thing." Chuckled Tev
"And what's that?" asked Rose raising an eyebrow
"If I was with Shay and the others right now I'd have to be dealing with her asshole of a brother right now." Tev chuckled
Back in Besaid Shay and Vid were sitting in the cockpit of the Celsius. Cana was back home asleep, while Vid and Shay waited for Lee's arrival. Vid sat lazily slumped over in the pilot's seat while Shay sat waiting by the communication consol.
"When did he say he was comin?" asked Vid
"He wasn't really too specific, but he should be here by now." She muttered back
The doors to the cockpit slid open to reveal Shay's angle eyed brother. Dressed in black, black vest, black pants, two finely crafted revolvers on each hip, with a broad sword strapped to his back. Shay and Vid shot out of their seats to greet him. Vid stuck out his hand, but Lee ignored him. Pushing past Vid Lee inspected the Celsius' cockpit.
"What in the world have you done to my ship?" Lee asked dryly
"It's my ship." Snorted Shay
"That was one of dad's biggest mistakes . The other was letting you marry that rube and total loser Tev." Retorted Lee
Vid gritted his teeth and approached Lee angrily.
"Hey back off Lee. We got more important stiff ta worry bout." Replied Vid
Vid poked his finger at Lee's chest. Lee snarled grabbing a hold of Vid's arm. He twisted it then tossed Vid aside.
"I'll work with you, but don't touch me. You got that Vid? I hold you in the same regards as my idiot brother in-law. Especially since this is all you're, Tev and that incompetent Rekks fault in the first place." Stated Lee
"Lay off will ya." Retorted Vid
"Both of you shut up! This isn't the time for your macho act Vid and you holier than thou bit Lee." Exclaimed Shay
"Fine." They both groaned
Lee sat down in the pilot's seat while Vid reluctantly sat down next to him.
"What do we know?" asked Lee fiddling around with the controls
"Nothing yet there hasn't been any word from Rekks." Answered Shay
"What's the name of this guy he was captured by again." Asked Lee with a slight smirk
"Eli." Answered Vid annoyed
"I've heard of him. Nasty guy." Chuckled Lee
"Yeah, well…..what can I say?" replied Shay
"Then there's nothing to do, but wait. Wait for our moment to strike." Smiled Lee
Later that day the sun had sunk below the horizon bringing on the night. Rekks sat on the bed looking over some books that were left on the selves. Rose sat at a nearby table, papers strewn about, books open, looking over the stone tablet.
"Anything yet." Asked Rekks tossing the book aside
"The code is old, really old. It looks like an older form of the Al Bhed language we know today, mixed in with a few other things. I can figure it out it's just hard to read." She replied
Rekks flopped back on the bed. He took a deep breathe and tried to sort tings out.
"I'm not accusing anyone, but it does seem odd that Eli knows so much about us." Stated Rekks
Rose turned to look at him confused.
"Are you insinuating that someone is betraying us?" she asked
"I don't know……maybe. It just seems odd doesn't it?"
"Why? You and Vid are Blitz celebrities not to mention all the fame already associated with all our families. And especially after what happened in Mifune, who didn't hear about it?"
"Maybe you're right. Its just something doesn't feel right."
Rekks sighed in defeat. Just then Rose shot out of her seat excitedly clutching her notes in hand. Rekks sprang up to see what was going on.
"What is it?" Rekks asked
"I think we have a problem?" stated Rose
"What is it?" asked Rekks
"According to the tablet the second key is in Macalania temple."
"I thought that temple sank to the bottom of the lake."
"It did."
"Then that is a problem."
To be continued……………….
I hope you all enjoyed these first two chapters. Its an intense battle between these three forces. It's a race to see who will get a hold of the weapon first? Keep reading. Remember to send your reviews, thoughts, questions, suggestions, opinions, etc. in the next chapter things get even more intense as Rekks uses the knowlege he has to try and gain leverage in the fight. Stay tuned for Chapter 3: Birds of Prey.
