Final Fantasy, all characters and concepts are the property of their respective creators. No copyright infringement is intended, nor profit made, from this work of fiction.

Globreim

0630

'Coffee?' Hope asked and Lightning looked up, wincing at the stiffness in her neck.

'Thanks.'

'No problem,' Hope said, moving to sit beside her. 'You were up all night. Did you find anything?'

'Not much. I found the incident on CCTV, but I still couldn't get a license plate number for the van. I did manage to find out who she is, though.'

Taking a sip of her coffee, she passed the tablet over to Hope, his eyes scanning the screen.

'Simonne Morin. 28 years old. Former employee of Starlight Innovations...that's interesting...'

'What is?'

'I managed to crack the encryption on that memory stick. It's a departure schedule and deck plan of a cargo vessel currently docked at the East Wharf. It's registered to Starlight Innovations.'

'I guess that gives us a place to start,' Lightning said and Hope frowned.

'Hold on, Light. This is a kidnapping. We need to call the Police...'

'And why should they believe us, especially since most of our evidence is illegally obtained? We need to do this ourselves...'

'Alright, alright. I'll do some digging and see what I can turn up. There's a spare room over there. You need to get some rest...'

Lightning shut the door and slipped off her jacket, sitting down on the bed, rubbing her hand over her eyes.

I guess a few minutes couldn't hurt...

'What time is it?' Lightning asked, as she stepped out of the bedroom, pulling her jacket back on.

'Almost 4:00,' Hope said. 'How do you feel?'

'I'm fine. What did you find out?'

'...nothing, really. Starlight Innovations is a scientific research company. Engineering advancements, computing developments, military contracts, medical breakthroughs, diplomatic negotiations, you name it, they've done it. Their CEO is Jean-Christoff Toussaint.'

'Did you find anything about Simmone?'

'Not much. She was with the company about a year until they terminated her contract due to her position 'no longer being required'. If we want to find out anymore, we'll need to be on the inside.'

'Any ideas?'

'One, but you're not going to like it...'

'What is it?'

'There's a reception tonight at their corporate centre. I've already got you an invitation and a dress sorted out.'

'Hope...'

'I said you wouldn't like it. Better scrub up, Light. You've got a party to go to...'

Lightning signed as she stepped under the shower, the warm water easing the last of her aches.

A party...why'd it have to be a party? I'd take a straight up fight any day. Or maybe that's the problem. Let's face it, fighting's all you've ever known...snap out of it, you've got work to do...

'This is ridiculous,' Lightning said, tugging at the red dress that Hope had somehow managed to procure for her. 'I can hardly move in this.'

'You need to look the part, Light.' Hope said, without looking up from his terminal. 'I've wired up a new earpiece for you that should go unnoticed.'

'Thanks.' Lightning said, slipping it into her ear as Hope passed her a small black box.

'I've just finished working on this. It's a Remote Data Access Module. If you can get it into their server, I can download everything from here,' he said, just as the door buzzed sounded.

'That's your ride. Make sure you're home by midnight...'

Simmone looked up when the cell door ground open and Toussaint stepped in, folding his arms over his chest.

'Where the hell am I?' Simmone demanded and Toussaint sighed.

'You don't seem to understand the situation you are in, my dear. You have stuck your nose in where you shouldn't and you have paid the price.'

'I won't tell anyone, I promise. You could let me go...'

'I'm afraid that is impossible. You know too much.'

'What's going to happen to me?'

'You know the secrets of our medical successes, my dear, and now you will get to experience them firsthand. In a few days, this vessel will set sail for Yrouis where we have one of our most prestigious medical research clinics. Fortunately for my...interests, their approach to clinical trials are more flexible than ours. It may be small consolation, but you will help to develop the next generation of pioneering medical techniques.

'Wait...!' Simmone cried as Toussaint stepped out of the cell, the door slamming behind him. 'Wait. Let me out of here. Let me out!'

Lightning stepped out of car and strode up the steps towards the corporate centre, her heels clicking on the stone steps. A large glass-fronted building, it towered towards the sky above her. Reaching the top of the steps, she passed through the doors into the lobby, which was already crowded with people.

I'm in, she subvocalised. What now?

'Get a drink,' Hope said, his voice crackling in her ear.

What?

'There should be someone serving champagne. Have a look around...'

'Drink, Madame?'

'uh...yes, thank you.' Lightning said, accepting a glass of champagne and taking a sip as the waiter moved off.'

Now what?

'Mingle. Now that I know where you are, I can try and find a floor plan and work out where you need to go. Give me a few minutes...'

Hope... Lightning hissed, but there was no response. Taking another mouthful of champagne, she started to make her way across the ballroom, almost bumping into a blonde-haired man in a tuxedo.

'I'm sorry...' Lightning began, and the man smiled.

'Do not apologise. These parties are a place to bump into people, non.'

'When you put it that way...'

'Exactement. But, I am forgetting my manners. Bonsoir. I am Alain Corriveau.'

'I'm...Claire,' Lightning said and Alain smiled, reaching out to take her hand and kiss it.

'Enchante. Ah, I believe our host is making an appearance...,' he said as a man with a neatly trimmed goatee stepped out on the balcony above them.

Toussaint...

'My friends,' he said, with a warm smile, 'it is my pleasure tonight to invite you all here. My name is Jean-Christoff Toussaint. During the evening, you will have an opportunity to see what Starlight Innovations can offer. Please, enjoy you.'

'Well, I'm afraid that I am meeting some friends,' Alain said. 'Perhaps will we meet at dinner. Au revoir.'

What was that about...? Never mind, you need to find somewhere quiet where you can see what's going on...

Finishing her champagne, Lightning glanced around and spotted a bar at the back of the room. Perfect...

Quickly, she made her way over, dropping onto a stool as the bartender looked up.

'Oui, Madame?'

'Uh...'

'Try the Starlight Mix,' said a dark-haired woman sitting on the next stool.

'Uh...yes, the Starlight Mix,' she said and the bartender nodded.

'Oui, Madame.'

'Thank you.' Lightning said and the woman shrugged.

'No problem,' she said as the bartender brought her drink. 'Cheers.'

'...cheers,' Lightning replied, taking a sip. 'That's not bad.'

'Yeah. The free drinks are the only thing that makes these things bearable. So, what brings you here?'

'Something of an obligation..'

'I know what you mean. Sorry, should have introduced myself. Sargeant Slyvia Jacquinot with the Globheim Police Department. Starlight Innovations produces a lot of our tech, so we need to keep them sweet. Which is why junior officers are 'invited' to these functions...'

'I know how that can feel. I'm Claire...' Lightning began, just as her earpiece crackled.

'Sorry to keep you, Light. I've found a way in...'

Thanks for the drink,' Lightning said, downing the rest of her cocktail and standing up. 'I'm going to get some air...'

'There should be a door about 10 metres on you're right,' Hope said, as Lightning made her way back across the floor.

I see it...

'Okay. That's your way in. I've set up a temporary access code for you. The number is 2-4-6-3-1.'

Got it. Wait one...

Lightning strolled confidently towards the door and punched in the key code, the door opening with a faint hiss.

I'm in...

'Good. Now, 5 metres ahead, there should be an elevator. Get in and go to the 11th floor.'

Okay. Now what?

'Once your at the top, go left and straight through the double doors ahead of you. On your right will be their server room. Use the same password to get in...

Are there any security cameras?

'Yes, but I'll take care of them. Good luck...'

The elevator doors hissed open and Lightning stepped out quickly, following the corridor to the left until she reached the server room. Glancing over her shoulder, she punched in the keycode and slipped inside, closing the door quietly behind her.

Alright, I'm inside. What now?

'Look for the local server. That'll be the standalone mainframe for the building, with no wireless connection. If there's anything dodgy, that's where it'll be.'

I see it...

'Good. Find a data-port and plug in the module.'

Lightning crossed over to the server and pulled the module from her shoulder bag, slipping it into the data-port with a faint click.

It's in...

'Alright. Starting download, now...'

How long will it take?

'About ten minutes...'

The minutes ticked by slowly, with Lightning straining her ears for a sound of footsteps, until Hope said

'Okay. It's done. Get back to the elevator and...damn...'

What?

'Two guards are heading you're way. You need to get out of there, now...'

I copy...

Lightning slipped towards the door and pulled it open, stepping out into the corridor and walking with a measured pace towards the elevator when there was a shout behind her.

'Qui etes-vous?

Lightning continued towards the elevator and pressed the button, as one of the guards called again

'Arretez, qui etes-vous?

The doors to the elevator opened and Lightning turned towards the guards, who were advancing towards her with their hands on their nightsticks.

'Arretez, qui etes-v...'

Lightning's fist struck him across the jaw and he staggered backwards, his colleague staring dumbstruck for a moment until Lightning's elbow slammed into his stomach and he collapsed with a grunt of pain. Before Lightning could move towards the lift, the first guard struggled back to his feet and drew his nightstick, swinging it towards her ribs. She tried to shift left, but the dress got in the way and she took a glancing blow. Fighting down the pain, she grabbed his wrist and drove her knee into his groin, shoving him backwards and stepping into the lift. Grimacing against the pain, she punched the down button and lift doors closed.

'Light, are you okay?'

Yeah. A little...winded, that's all. I think the evening's over, though...

'I think you're right. Get back here and we can take a look at what we've got...'

The lift doors hissed open and Lightning staggered out, leaning against the wall for support as she made her way towards the door that she had come in by and punched in the access code, slipping through as soon as it hissed open. Gritting her teeth, she made her way down the short flight of stairs towards the main doors.

'Hey, you okay?'

Turning her head, Lightning saw Slyvia making her way over, her face tight with concern.

'I'm fine...' She said, taking another step and letting out a grimace of pain.

'Right.' She said, putting Lightning's arm over her shoulder. 'Come on...'

Ignoring Lightning's protests, she helped her across the room and outside towards a dark red car, pulling open the back door.

'Get in.' She said. 'I'll drive you home...'

Slyvia pulled the car up to the curb and looked back at Claire, who was sitting ramrod straight with one hand pressed to her side.

'Hey, we're here...'

'Thanks. I can manage from here...' Claire said, pushing open the door, her face tightening with pain.

'Uh-huh. Come on...'

Slyvia helped her out and they made their way towards the apartment.

Hope, we're coming in...

'We? Light, what do you mean...?

No time to explain...just make sure everything's locked down... She managed, just as Slyvia pressed the buzzer...

'Light, you okay...?' Hope asked, coming down the stairs as Slyvia helped her towards the couch.

'She's hurt,' Slyvia said. 'I think it's her ribs, not that she'd admit it...'

'She's got you down, Light...' Hope said with a grin, as he knelt next to her and gently pressed his fingers to her side, Lightning biting her lip.

'Sorry. Yeah, you're ribs are bruised, but I don't think anything's broken. I'm going to give you a shot of painkiller and you should try to rest.'

'Okay...'

Quickly, Hope took out a single-use syringe from the medkit and pressed it to Lightning's arm before standing up and turning to Slyvia.

'Could you keep an eye on her for a while? There's something I need to do?'

'Sure...'

Thanks for reading. I hope you enjoyed it. Any reviews, comments and constructive criticisms very welcome.