Based on: Headlong, Queen
The wind is rushing past his face, anything in front a blur. He is going much too fast to use sight to steer, instead trusting his instincts to guide him on a collisionless path.
The signals can't reach his brain if he's to react fast enough.
It worked for as long as he remembers, save for that one time he had misconfigured the steering wheel and was sent careening into a brick wall.
The ships chasing him explode in a glory of sparks, those fool enough to follow him meeting a like fate. It is not long before, as always, even the staunchest hunter senses the folly of Balthier's maneuvers.
His first year in the business, and already he ratcheted up a nice price on his head.
It might have to do with the fact his favorite targets are usually quite well off, and thus apt to hire all manners of scum to put an end to him. That's not counting those who's income he's stolen by simple virtue of being better.
It also affords him a decent level of anonymity among the general populace, as nobles are not keen on admitting they have been relieved of several possessions, and rarely do average people know of the best criminals.
He is notorious already, but in those select rings where such things matter.
It might also be because of his work ethic.
He launches himself into one job after another, barely a hair's breadth between them. Any and all free time is spent on rather unsavory practices, but he doesn't care much about morals anymore.
Or at least he convinces himself that's the case. Regardless, the nagging of his conscience seems a rather light burden compared to the things he will not think about.
But in the context of the near certain doom of the last swift turns, it doesn't really matter. He pulls to a breathless stop, heart hammering. He discards the stolen vehicle, and proceeds to sprint to some improvised exit point.
There had been a few close calls, but he always pulls through in a spectacular combination of skill and luck.
It isn't until two years later that he meets a very interesting pirate, when they stumble on each other in another in yet another grand escape (this time better planned).
And, funnily enough, Balthier thinks the almost alien Viera understands him better than most humes.
AN: Balthier is 17 and at the end 19 here, and is thus rather reckless and immature.