Winter Camp - Part 10
Chocobos were truly magnificent birds. The deep snow barely slowed them down at all as they glided through the forest, finally emerging in the plains of Cleigne by midday. Noctis could see Lestallum clearer than ever, and unfortunately also saw the Imperial dropships hovering about. This madman Legatus would not give them any safe quarter. He had to be dealt with.
They ate as they rode, Wiz tossing the boys some plain wheat biscuits.
"This is for humans, not birds right?" Prompto asked.
"It's for anything that likes to not starve, boy," Wiz called back.
Prompto tried to seem grateful as he chewed on the hard, somewhat bitter biscuit. For its lack of a pleasing texture and taste it was surprisingly filling. Or perhaps Prompto was not masochistic enough to ask for seconds.
"I like it," Gladiolus announced. "Little bits of nutrition packed into every bite."
"It is chemically edible," Ignis replied, secretly seasoning his with some vegetable mash from his cooking pouch.
Wiz passed a second biscuit to Prompto.
"Oh, no thank you I couldn't-"
"It's for your bird numbskull!" Wiz shouted. "These ones are made with a Sylkis green blend. Great for chocobos."
Prompto hesitantly offered it to his peach colored mount and the chocobo gobbled the biscuit up gratefully. The others did the same, and noticed a slight improvement in their birds speed.
"Amazing how long chocobos can run without a rest," Ignis observed.
"If they're bred right," Wiz nodded. "I take good care of these birds and they take good care of me. It's a partnership. So you need to know that I won't be putting any of these birds in danger any longer than I have to."
"When it comes time to attack we'll leave the chocobos behind," Noctis said. "I fight better on foot anyways."
Wiz nodded. "I could come in with you, but I doubt you'd find me any use. I'm just a farmer."
"You can keep our chocobos safe and warm until we return," Ignis said.
Wiz smirked. "Well you couldn't have asked for a better man for that job."
"Hey, don't suppose I could join him on that one could I?" Prompto asked. "I mean I've already been knocked out once this trip."
"Sure," Noctis grunted dismissively, but with a hint of humor in his tone. "Stay back as far as you like."
"We wouldn't want you missing your nap," Gladiolus added.
"It's morally wrong to force the crippled to fight," Ignis finished.
Prompto sighed. "You guys suck."
They rode through the vast plains of Cleigne and it only became apparent to them when it shone in their eyes that the sun was not only setting, but visible.
"Clouds broke," Gladiolus observed, with almost a hint of disappointment.
"About time," Noctis sighed.
"Still plenty cold though. It may take some time to thaw," Ignis said.
"Well let's liberate the good people and then take toasty refuge somewhere," Prompto said. "Oh, and let's not die."
The sun hung low on the horizon as they finally found their rest area, a small Haven on a hill overlooking the Imperial Base. They spot was not only protected by the Havens natural enchantments, but by thick shrubs (which actually made it difficult for them to spot in the dim light).
"I was able to grab the tent. I'm afraid our chairs and most of our food was obliterated," Gladiolus said as he began to unfurl it.
"All of our food save for Wiz's gracious offerings," Ignis clarified.
"So what you're saying is this plan had better work or we'll starve to death," Prompto added.
"You wouldn't starve to death going one day without food," Gladiolus said. He then glanced over Prompto. "Well, you might."
"Hey, I'm a fat kid in a skinny adult body. I've been very good," Prompto announced.
"You all could do with a bit of muscle on you," Gladiolus retorted.
"We can't all be built like bears, Gladio," Ignis replied with a hint of a smile. "As much fun as this conversation is I daresay a meeting of strategy is in order."
"I'm beat Iggy, can't this wait until morning," Noctis whined.
"It cannot because we cannot wait until morning," Ignis explained. "Magitek Troopers require a charging period. The Imperials put most of them to 'sleep' during the night, leaving only a small guard force active. That means night time would be the best time to strike."
"We've been riding all day," Prompto grumbled.
"Ye ain't been running have you?" Wiz barked. "Let the man speak."
Ignis nodded. "Well the plan is simple in the saying, not so easy in the doing. An assassination. We scour the base under cover of darkness until we locate Aquila. We lure him out into the open and Prompto executes him from afar with a sniper rifle."
"Wouldn't it be better to keep him alive?" Noctis asked. He then quickly added. "We need to make sure he stops his raids."
"Where are we gonna keep him?" Gladiolus asked.
"I appreciate the logic in your suggestion, but taking an Imperial Officer prisoner isn't like to make us less of a target," Ignis said.
"But an assassination will?" Noctis asked.
"The assassination is only one part of my plan, Noctis. You are right, killing one man will only antagonize the Empire. We need to send a message that it is not profitable to continue their efforts," Ignis explained. "We will have to utterly destroy the Imperial Base and everyone inside."
Gladiolus let out a low whistle. "Man, Iggy, I don't know what group you're looking at but we're not exactly an army."
Prompto stood back up. "There is a way though."
Ignis raised his eyebrow. "Come to the same conclusion I have?"
Prompto grinned. "You're really smart Ignis, but nobody knows machines like I do. All we have to do is overcharge the Magitek Generator in the center of the base. It's the big machine that keeps the juice flowing to the MTs. We overload the circuit and pow, the whole place powers down. And as for the explosion, well I can definitely rig up a few noisemakers for us."
"Man," Wiz sighed. "You really are something to watch when you get wound up you know that?"
"It will work," Ignis affirmed. "But it is essential that we make sure Aquila dies first. If he somehow manages to escape then it will only bolden his desire for revenge."
"Should be a nasty shock for him though," Noctis observed. "Killed by somebody he thought he just blew up."
"With any luck we won't accidentally blow ourselves up," Gladiolus added.