Author's Note: If any of you have ever played a Role Playing Game for the PC titled Baldur's Gate, you may recognize one of Harmon's rants as descriptive of one of the game's more colorful characters. I salute you Minsc (and Boo)…
FINAL FANTASY: INQUISITION
By Thomas Knapp
Act Three- Scene Five
"Okay… who tricked me into coming here again?" Yura asked, jogging in place trying to fight off the biting wind, and chilling temperature.
"No one." Creed replied, his tone almost as grating as the air that carried it, "As I recall, you came up with the idea to split up."
"So I was… but don't remind me." Yura said with a scowl then turned her discomfort on Harmon, "Harmon, why didn't you warn us that it was colder than Tamara's disposition up here?"
Harmon stammered, then finally said, "Fear not… I am shivering just as violently as all of you. I guess I never thought about the cold until I was in the warmer climates down south."
Creed huffed, and replied, "Either that, or you forgot again."
"That's also possible…" Harmon said with a flush, "I suppose…"
"What's with your memory anyway?" Yura queried, "I mean, I've NEVER seen anyone with a memory as bad as yours."
"Summoner, I suggest you let his past lie. He has his reasons, and that should be good enough for all of us." Creed warned.
Harmon stopped the monk from continuing, by stepping in with, "No… I suppose it is due time that I explored what made me what I am. The details are sketchy even to me. Perhaps, by looking back on it, I can enlighten even myself."
Moments later, inside a nearby tavern…
Harmon looked down, as if trying to gather what he COULD remember. "I was but a student in the magic school of Artica when the revolution began. I know that this probably sounds bad, but my school… aided the Rationalists in bringing down the Summoners…"
Fredros and Creed nodded, hearing that bit of history before. Yura on the other hand, was not as accepting. She stammered, "You… HELPED them?"
"Indeed. We aided the Rationalists in their efforts to undermine the previous governmental system. I personally agreed with the idea of advancing the sciences, and giving every person a chance at success, rather than those who had the luxury of birth to noble blood."
Harmon sighed, "However, it became apparent that our alliance was to be short lived. Mere days after the fall of Old Artica… the Rationalists… attacked the school I studied at. We were taken totally unawares."
As Harmon took a sip of the beverage he had ordered, Creed commented, "Sounds like Gregorian's work again…"
Harmon startled, inhaling some of his brew in the process, then promptly coughed and sneezed. Recovering himself, Harmon added, "Yes… YES! Gregorian was the one who led the attack. Gregorian, a man whose hatred veils one who has been deeply hurt by a lifetime of mistreatment. His pain and grief has stripped his mind of the rationality that he claims to champion."
"Anyway…" Creed griped, "I've heard enough of that man… continue, professor."
"Yes… where was I… oh yes… The attack came totally by surprise. We were all in classes at the time, and were soon assaulted by soldiers from outside, and cannon-fire from above. I honestly do not know just exactly what happened as I was struck by falling debris during the opening shelling. All I do know is that 3,215 students and faculty were killed."
"At that time, I thought I was the only survivor. I guess the head wound I received made them think I was dead. But in that blessing came a curse, for I do believe that trauma is what has affected my… information retention."
"A head wound causing memory problems?" Fredros stated, "That seems awfully unlikely…"
Harmon leered at the White Mage, and snapped, "Oh, what do think was supposed to happen? Was I supposed to start talking to a hamster I put on my shoulder? There is so little we know about the brain… anything is possible."
"You're drifting off the topic again…" Yura warned.
"Indeed I am." Harmon acknowledged, "Anyway, the new regime must not have recognized me, because I was able to meld into society once again, taking up the studies I had started in the magic school. The sciences have always been my heart's desire, and in time, I graduated with honors from Artica University, becoming a professor."
"I soon learned that there were other survivors of the magic school. They contacted me 7 years ago, and we began planning to take back what we had lost. Which is what brought me into hunting down the new king of Cairos."
Creed noticed that the Blue Mage was getting increasingly uncomfortable telling this story, so the monk intervened, "Time is of the essence here. We've got to find that Titan assembly station, and ALSO recover the summoner crystal. Midas and the others aren't gonna wait too long for us."
The three agreed with that assessment, and so they began to filter out of the tavern. Creed grabbed Harmon by the shoulder, and warned, "I had similar reservations as you. A long time ago, I wasn't totally dedicated to who I was. You're gonna have to make a choice, Harmon. Which world do you belong to?"
Harmon mulled over Creed's question as they prepared to leave the small town. Choosing a side seemed easy, in concept… the reality of it was much tougher. "Well… we should probably meet with the other members of my group. They would probably have a much better idea as to what has happened, and how to proceed."
That night, Outside Artica University…
"Harmon, it is good to see you again." A man in Black Mage garb said as he regarded the adventurers. "Where is the King of Cairos?"
Yura interceded, "He is acquiring the crystal of Earth from North Landing as we speak. He may have even completed that task already. I am here to take the Crystal of Wind here."
"So you are the summoner." The Black Mage stated, "How is it that the King of Cairos can handle one of the crystals?"
"It is a long story that we do not have time to discuss. We have more pressing concerns to deal with." Harmon interrupted, "On our way to the summoner's cavern of North Landing, we were attacked by Gregorian operating a modified… Titan construction suit."
The Black Mage nodded, "We had heard rumors that the Titans were being altered for a combat purpose, but we had not been able to confirm such. The assembly factory in Overlook had been secured with a large military presence. We assumed the worst, which you have confirmed."
"I wish to remedy this situation. I designed the Titans… I am responsible for them." Harmon explained, "Right now, finding the crystal takes a back seat. I MUST make sure that my creation will NOT be used for war."
"And how do you plan on going about that?" The Black Mage huffed.
Harmon faced the mage with a determined glare that none of his new friends he possessed. "The only way I can. Yura, Creed, Fredros… come with me. Together we shall solve the Titan problem, one way or another…"
Titan Assembly Plant; Overlook, Artica…
The complex looked more like a prison than an assembly plant. The walls were made of a bland tan brick, with barred windows and a barbed wire fence all around the perimeter. Large spinning objects cast light across the grounds, which Harmon explained were something called, "searchlights".
"What's a searchlight?" Creed asked. Yura and Fredros sighed, thankfully they weren't the ones that had to look stupid by asking.
"It's something that several engineers developed a year ago, capable of generating light tens of thousands times brighter than a torch. It works off the new sciences of electricity."
"Elec… what?"
Harmon sighed, and answered, "When you have about 7 months free, I shall explain the laws of electricity and other forms of energy storage and use. Until then, let's just focus on doing what we came here to do."
"So… just how do we plan to get into there, huh?" Creed muttered, "They've got this place sealed up like Hamil."
Harmon watched as the guards passed by, and he said triumphantly, "I know… a special way in. It was meant for people to be able to GET OUT of the facility quickly, but it is just as good for GETTING IN quickly. Follow me."
Harmon escorted them to the south side of the complex, hugging the outside of the barbed wire fence. He pointed to the ground just in front of him, and said, "All we have to do is push aside the dirt here, and it will reveal the tunnel hatch for the complex."
However, when the dirt was indeed pushed aside, all that was underneath was more dirt.
Harmon paused, and then put a finger to his chin thoughtfully, suggesting, "Wait… perhaps it was another 20 meters down…"
"In other words… you don't remember where it is." Yura moaned.
"I am certain it is right here. Somewhere…"
Creed looked away in disgust, and his vision caught the approaching movement of three patrol officers. He cursed, and then said, "You three try and find that damn entrance… it looks like I shall need to entertain our hosts…"
Before anyone could stop him, Creed had burst out in front of the patrol, right underneath a passing searchlight. General chaos ensued, and through it all, the three others were pretty much ignored. Long enough for Harmon to locate the hatch that led to the underground emergency exit.
They didn't need a torch, Harmo stated as they entered, and sure enough the tunnel was lit with small orbs that glowed with a soft light. Harmon called the curious balls, "light bulbs".
Eventually they emerged into a large room that appeared to serve as the main assembly hall for the Titan units. Various pieces of the robotic suits were lined up neatly by part, with several other suits halfway finished in the center of the room. Giant fans pushed air into the room, creating a slight breeze.
When Yura commented about magic, Harmon answered, "The only magic in this place is the magic of science." He turned thoughtful, and added, "But perhaps the term 'magic' is merely used to describe happenstance that we cannot understand. Perhaps the power we call 'magical power' is merely another facet of the scientific world, something that no one has bothered to study."
"That sounds like something you would hypothesize, Harmon." A robust male voice said with a chuckle. From behind one of the half finished Titans a gray-haired man popped up, his normally white apron covered in grease and metal shavings. He pushed the goggles off his eyes, and took Harmon's hand in a healthy shake.
"Micho, it is good to see you again." Harmon answered, then turned to the others to introduce each other, "Yura, Fredros… this is Micho. He is the main mechanic involved in constructing the Titans."
Micho grinned, then noticed the rag-tag state that the adventurers were in. Finally, the mechanics gaze caught sight of Yura's horn, and the truth began to sink in. Moments later, Micho fully noted the intricate blue robe Harmon wore. Surprisingly, he didn't say anything, just gave a knowing smile to the Blue Mage, as if it had been something Micho had been suspecting for some time.
"Micho, I need to confirm something dire." Harmon said grimly, "Two days prior I and my friends were attacked by a Titan, modified for combat."
"Yes… I know all about that." Micho nearly spat. "Gregorian's right hand man, Tarsis, remember him? He's been plotting this for a while it seems, and the moment you left, starting barking orders about a new objective for the Titan suits. Since, we've been required to test out different ways to make it a fighting machine."
"For what purpose?" Harmon asked incredulously.
"Well, I can't say for certain… but I think that nutcase Gregorian envisions an army of soldiers equipped with sleek machines of war." Micho nearly laughed, "But you know as well as I that will never happen."
"The Titans would make TERRIBLE combat weapons. I didn't design them for war. They were made for construction, not battle. They'd be too cumbersome, too unwieldy, to be used in combat in any large numbers."
Micho nearly laughed, and replied, "You don't need to tell me that… tell it to Tarsis."
Harmon sighed, and he said, "Micho… you know I can't let the Titans be used for this."
Micho frowned, and said, "Yeah… I figured you wouldn't, and I also figure that's why Tarsis waited until you left to issue the new orders. I take it you plan to…"
"Yes… How large is the petroleum stores right now?" Harmon asked.
Micho motioned to a side door, and said, "The entire room is still full of the stuff."
"What about something that could potentially be used as an explosive compound?"
"They shipped crates of cannon powder in these last couple weeks. They wanted to see if the Titans could be mounted with tiny cannons. Why do you… ohhhhhhh… I see your plan. You clever fox…"
Harmon nodded, his mind quickly working out a scenario. "Good… I think I know just how to end this. Hopefully we can act this out before Tarsis catches onto us."
"Frankly, I could care less if you blow this infernal hole sky-high. It has been nothing but an assault to my senses and decency. Hell, I'll even help you bomb this thing back to the stone-age." Another voice spoke, this time approaching from the large arched main hallway to the assembly room.
Everyone was more focused on the grey-haired muscled specimen with burning grey eyes that they never noticed Fredros nearly fall over. Micho quickly asked, "Why would you allow us to destroy something Gregorian was so intent on completing?"
Tarsis began ticking the reasons off on his fingers. "One… Gregorian hasn't BEEN here to realize how ridiculous this entire fiasco has been. Two… war fought with machines makes the war itself nothing but a game. And three… My valuable time that I could be using doing something actually important is being wasted in this demeaning manner."
Yura piped up, "There's another one of our group out there…"
"You mean that Alexandrian Monk running around outside like a chocobo with its head cut off? Don't worry about him, my guards won't be able to even TOUCH him, much less HARM him. The FOURTH reason I want this plant removed… I've been given MORONS to work with."
Tarsis then finally put his hands on his hips, his left hand grazing the sword at his waist. "Anyway… whatever you people plan to do, let's do it quickly. I've got other places I'd much rather be."
One hour later… just before daybreak.
With thirteen staggered explosions separated by a matter of four seconds, the Titan Assembly Plant collapsed neatly (or as neatly as a demolition goes) into a pile of rubble.
Micho wasn't the one who noticed that Harmon was on the verge of tears, but he was the only one who decided to say anything about it. "Harmon, this has been bothering me for a while now. I've sorta guessed that there was more to you than meets the eye. Now I know what that is…"
Harmon wiped his cheek, and said, "What are you asking, Micho?"
"I… just want to know, why you worked with us… knowing that we… well…"
Harmon sighed, and shrugged, "I'm not totally sure. No… correct that, I am sure. I don't believe that magic and science need necessarily be polar opposites. I just don't understand why reason and the arcane clash with each other so. For the last twenty years, I've been pressured into choosing one part of my life or the other. I just can't do that. My knowledge is just as important to me as my inherent skill. I've cultivated both, and take pride in my success… in BOTH fields."
With a deep breath, he stated proudly, "I don't need to choose what side to be on, since I've been on the right side all along. Being honest with myself."
"Quite a speech there." Tarsis said dryly, approaching the assembled group, "Nearly brought me to tears. Imagine that… Gregorian's right hand man crying over a monster… I should kill you all right now."
Then Tarsis regarded Harmon slyly, and said, "BUT… since you and your magic-loving dogs did me this great favor… I suppose I shall let you go… THIS time. Don't expect any quarter from me when next we encounter each other."
Creed snorted, and said with a scathing reply, "If those knuckleheads are ANY indication, I doubt you'll have much more success in the future."
Tarsis smiled confidently, and replied with a knowing sneer, "Well… you weren't dealing with ME." He strode away, to where the staff of the plant had evacuated.
Yura watched the man as he put more and more distance between himself and the four, and then stated, "You know… for a Rationalist… he was a pretty decent fellow."
However, no one heard Fredros mutter, "Decent is HARDLY the word I would use…"
End Scene Five