Crowe, Nyx and Ignis caught up with Prompto and Noctis by the edge of the small passage. Prompto had a determined look in his eyes as he turned to look at Ignis. "What's the fastest way up to the 19th floor?"
Ignis reached out to squeeze Prompto's hand softly even as he went through the different options they had. They were well disguised, but with no identification or ways to know what kind of security measures were in place their best bet would be… "We can take the elevator to the 17th floor and use the auxiliary staircase to the 19th. The exit shouldn't be far from where Cor is being held." He returned the smile Prompto gave him and lead the way.
As they walked through the hangar, Ignis couldn't help the shiver of dread that climbed up his spine. The lined-up airships were a disturbing reminder of what they would have to face during their struggle to evict Niflheim from Lucis. He had read countless reports about Niflheim's military strength, but reading about it couldn't have prepared Ignis for actually seeing it in person.
The elevator Ignis planned to use was tucked out of the way. They kept a watchful eye on the MTs and the few clones but none of them seemed to notice the intruders in their midst. It was nerve-wracking for all of them, especially the two glaives accompanying them; and they only managed to relax once the elevator doors closed behind them.
Nyx and Crowe had quickly checked for cameras or microphones as they traveled through the first three floors. There was a single camera aimed at the door but no microphone. "Looks clear." Nyx said as he leaned against the walls. "What's the plan once we get up there?"
Nyx's words had everyone turning to look at the strategist of them all. Ignis hummed thoughtfully as he unfolded the map and folded it to the 17th floor sketch. "This is the elevator we're currently riding -" he tapped the symbol near the eastern side of the floor plan "- and we will need to pass through part of the ship before reaching the stairs here." He tapped the auxiliary staircase he had noticed when Pelna had printed the map.
Crowe studied the map carefully. She had used Nif-made plans to figure out where to send her spells and had some idea of what they might have as security based on the general shape of the area. "If we want to remain inconspicuous then I would suggest going through here." She outlined a path on the map that went from the elevator to the stairs.
It passed through what Crowe thought was most likely the quarters for some of the junior officers. Those officers would have been among the ones leaving to eat at one of the mess halls. It would take longer to reach the staircase but it would lessen their chances of getting caught.
Prompto frowned, "Isn't that going to take us longer? We should just head straight there!" He had his arms crossed over his chest, fingers tapping restlessly against his elbow as he spoke.
Crowe turned to him, "It's better to remain unseen than to risk setting off an alarm." She sighed, glancing over to Nyx before she added. "Look Prompto. Me and Nyx have done rescue missions before. Trust us when we say that you don't want to set off an alarm. We can handle the guards left here but Cor and Ravus can't."
She nodded as Prompto's mouth formed an O as horrified understanding bloomed in his eyes. He wasn't the only one either as Ignis and Noctis tensed up as well. Crowe turned back to the floor plan in Ignis hand and shifted the conversation back to what they had to do.
"Let's see what the 19th floor is like." Ignis shifted the map around until they could see it clearly.
Nyx interrupted before Crowe could take a good look at them, "We're here." The elevator dinged as the doors opened to grey steel walls. Ignis hurried to place the floor map away as they left the elevator one after the other. Crowe took the lead as they left the main hall.
The halls were smaller once they turned away from the main passage. Crowe lead the way, Prompto and Noctis following right behind while Ignis and Nyx closed off the line. They stayed silent except for the two times Crowe asked for the floor plan to check their direction.
Once they were safely at the staircase, Ignis called for a stop. "Crowe, Nyx. Do either of you have an idea of what to expect as we continue on?" He glanced from one to the other as he brought up the floor plan.
Crowe shrugged as she took a look at the plan. "Pelna said the area had an anti-magic barrier around it right? So we won't be able to count of our magic or weapons in case of trouble." The worries etched on the three younger men's faces deepened. Crowe grinned, "Flasks still work though but we have to keep them on us from now on." Nyx sighed at her words and she gave him a mock glare.
Nyx shook his head as he glanced over Crowe's shoulder at the plans. "I don't think potions and such will work either until we get out of the affected area." He glanced sharply at Ignis. "You know how to treat injuries, right?" Ignis nodded.
"I can as well!" Prompto said forcefully as he looked up at Nyx.
Nyx reached out to ruffle Prompto's hair. "I know but depending on what we find up there you might not be able to do that. It's better if we're prepared for it." He smiled as Prompto stopped pouting. "The area Pelna circled looks like it has at least three separate doors before we can even enter the area."
Crowe nodded. "That means serious security is there. Cameras, mics, alarms and card keys are the most common ones the Nifs use."
"So how do we deal with those?" Noctis asked. He glanced at Prompto, "Should we use Prom's tattoo?"
Crowe shook her head. "And set the whole place blaring with alarms? No. We can either try to find a card key and hopes it has the proper security level. Or we can try to trick the system into opening for us." Crowe looked over to Nyx. They both had a silent conversation before nodding simultaneously.
Nyx straightened and looked over the small group. If Pelna were here then there wouldn't be anything to worry about, but he wasn't. "Crowe and I will deal with the security and keep the doors open until you can get to Cor and out again." He and Crowe started summoning flasks and setting them on the ground.
Ignis, Noct and Prompto followed suit until they had all their flasks arranged on the ground between them. Ignis knelt down and grabbed one of each elemental type. "Here. It would be best to leave most of these for Crowe and Nyx since they are the most likely to have to use them. Prompto, Noctis, please grab a few for yourselves as well." Nyx nodded his agreement to the plan.
Noctis nodded and grabbed a few flasks to hand over to Prompto before grabbing some for himself. Crowe and Nyx quickly grabbed the rest of the flasks and they all spent the next few minutes getting ready to move to rescue Cor. Ignis fussed over Prompto and Noctis as they waited for Nyx and Crowe to have everything to their liking.
The climb up the two flights of stairs was tense for all of them. Ignis kept both his boyfriends within arm's length, reaching out occasionally to lay a reassuring hand on their arms or back. As they reached the top of the stairs, Nyx slipped ahead silently to check if it was safe to move.
Prompto slipped his hand into Ignis' and Noct's as they waited for the glaive's return. They shared a glance over Prompto's shoulders as they squeezed his hands gently. Thankfully it didn't take Nyx long to return. He smiled at the trio as he motioned them into the hall of the 19th floor.
This floor was quite different from the 17th, the air smelt of heavy duty cleaners and antiseptic made Prompto tense up. Ignis leaned forward, whispering softly, "Are you alright Prompto?" The nod he received in return was slightly shaky but determined. Ignis nodded and kept a hand on the small of his boyfriend's back.
Nyx led them through the fluorescent-lit hall, past darkened windows that did not lead outside. The atmosphere was heavy and their steps echoed in the silence. It didn't take long for them to spot the heavy looking doors standing in their way with its key card scanner on the left side.
Crowe knelt down by the scanner and managed to pry the top part off, revealing the countless wires underneath it. Nyx settled a few steps away, keeping a sharp eye out for anyone coming their way while Crowe started to work on bypassing the scanner.
Ignis settled on the opposite wall of Nyx. "Are you certain this won't trigger any alarms?" Nyx nodded, his eyes continuing to roam across the hall and the passages leading to it. Ignis looked over at Prompto, who was standing a few steps away from the door, hand tapping against his leg as he waited for them to open.
Crowe gave a triumphant grunt as sparks flew from the key card panel and the groan of doors opening was heard. The second of the three doors could be seen past the first threshold and Prompto gave a low infuriated growl at the sight. Noctis rested a hand on his arm and Prompto placed his own hand over it.
As the door finished opening, Noctis frowned as he felt something pass over him. On a hunch he opened his hand, willing anything to appear. Nothing did. "Looks like the doors also kept the barrier contained. We won't be able to use magic from now on." The announcement was expected and they simply shrugged it off.
Crowe finished up what she was doing before rising to her feet and moving onwards. She clicked her tongue as she entered the small space between the doors. There were nozzles that were set on both side, and a keyhole just under a computer monitor.
She moved up to inspect what was on the monitor for a moment before taking a small pouch from a pocket. The thin lock picks were a gag gift from Luche and Libertus but they had quickly proved invaluable. The keyhole was easily picked and Crowe swore as a panel dropped open above her head, the keypad almost hitting her as it unfolded outwards.
Prompto, Noctis and Ignis watched her work with growing interest as Crowe set about dismantling the keypad and fiddling with some of the wires. She glanced every so often up to the monitor, her face tense with concentration until the monitor blinked green. A fine mist started to spray from the nozzles and the heavy scent of some kind of antiseptic started to waft from the ground.
Ignis frowned heavily - what kind of interrogation area required such heavy sterilization just to enter? He glanced over to Nyx and saw the same kind of worried confusion on the glaive's expression. Ignis turned his attention back to the now opening doors and prayed his instincts were wrong.
The third door took a lot less time going through, requiring only that Crowe tricked the sensors before the second doors read as closed. As Crowe made her way back towards the exit, Prompto gave her a quick hug before moving past her with Ignis and Noctis in tow.
The darkness past the last door was broken the moment Prompto stepped through the threshold. Prompto felt his blood drain from his face as he recognized the rooms that could be seen through the wide windows on each side of the hall.
Each window showed an utterly sterile and ready-for-use operating room. Prompto stumbled back with a horrified gasp before he ran off in a panic. "Uncle! Uncle, where are you?" He checked into each window with growing panic until his sight landed on an immobile figure on the table.
"Shit! Shit! Shit! Ignis! Noctis!" Prompto shouted as he banged against the window pane. He couldn't see who it was but there was only one person that it could be.
Noctis ran up to Prompto as he started shouting, Ignis only a few steps behind. As Noct saw the motionless figure on the table he warned Prompto, "Out of the way Prom!"
In one smooth motion, Noctis grabbed the ice flask from his pocket and tossed it against the glass. The ice magic spread thick frost over it and the sound of it cracking was welcomed by the trio.
Prompto didn't hesitate as he drove his hand through the ice covered window. It shattered easily, pieces of the frosted glass piercing his skin but Prompto ignored the stinging pain as he jumped into the room.
There was nothing that would stand between him and his…. "Ravus?"
A/N: Well? Who saw this coming?