Chapter 11: Infiltration

            In three days, they had finally reached the borders of the rebuilt Bevelle camp in the Undying Lands.  Reaching the fully guarded camp, they stopped and dismounted on the chocobo.  With Shuyin's pat, the chocobo went away.  They surveyed the camp and settled in a nearby area where they were subtly seen.

"Tight security, huh?" Shuyin murmured.

"It appears so." Maechan agreed.

"I guess we have to kick their asses off!" Shuyin exclaimed.

"Hmph! Are you insane!? You won't even reach Lake Macalania if you do that! We have to be discreet to avoid commotion… We need a guise."

            Looking at the two guards who were on watch nearby, Maechan whispered his plan to Shuyin.  Shuyin put his fingers on his chin and nodded in agreement.  They were going to use those guards' uniform to infiltrate Bevelle.

            Carefully, they hid in the tall grasses and waited patiently for the two guards to fall into a vantage point.  Observing them intently, Shuyin readied his blade.  In no time, one patrolled in the area; Shuyin grasped the opportunity and knocked the Bevellian guard unconscious as he stripped him to nothing.  Finally, with a final blow, he stabbed him vengefully.

"You need not do that. Why?" Maechan asked.

"That's one for destroying Zanarkand, and this one is for the lives they have taken away. Someday, these arrogant bastards will soon learn how to bow to us!" Shuyin exclaimed as he delivered another stab on the unconscious soldier.

"But, as much as possible, we must preserve life; that's what Yevon taught the people."

"Yeah! Yeah! Yeah! Whatever… And look where it had led us." Shuyin argued.

            Maechan remained silent.  Sometimes, he wanted to believe that violence is the key.  After all, if they remained silent, it could just encourage the army to attack them whenever they wanted to. 

"Hmmm… True that some people think that they can take advantage of others, and if the weak do not let them, oppressors, know they can't, they will just continue to abuse the people weaker than they… But, don't you think that violence harms the one who does it as much as the receiver?" Maechan replied.

"Nah! As long as you get them before they can retaliate!"

            Another soldier went in the area.  He was looking for his partner whom Shuyin had killed a while ago.  Using a flashlight, he searched the area.  Suddenly, he saw blood trails along the tall grasses.  He gasped and quickly took out his communication radio.  He was about to call for back up when Shuyin jumped from behind and slit the neck of the helpless guard.  Finally they have two uniforms.

"Finally!" Shuyin exclaimed.

They took their new found crimson uniforms and quickly dressed up.  It was a good fit.  They disposed the body in the tall grasses where it was imperceptibly hidden.  They went towards the entrance to the camp.  The other guards were suspicious with their looks, but in the end, it was convincing enough. Finally, they granted them entrance. 

"What next?" Shuyin whispered.

"See that slope going upwards? We go there." Maechan said.

              They were about to leave when a Bevellian guard dressed in a captain's uniform halted them.  Heart pounding, both of them stopped and looked behind.

"Where do you think you're going?" The captain scrutinized them.

"Err… Ummm… To Bevelle… Uhhh… Sir!" Shuyin stuttered.

"Har har… You're new around here, are you? No one leaves this camp! That's an order!"

"But sir!"

"You dare oppose a captain!? The soldiers they give me these days!" The captain whined.

            As they were having an argument, another guard approached them and disrupted the captain. 

"Sir! We have received news from our spies scattered around the Undying Lands that the summoners are encamped in the foot of Mount Gagazet."

"What!? This early? What are those ruffians thinking!? Didn't we just destroy majority of Zanarkand?"

"It appears that they are going to retaliate quicker than we thought."

"This is bad… We are not fully prepared yet… No matter, tell our men to work double time! NOW!" the captain shouted.

            The messenger ran away to announce the new order of the captain.  Meanwhile, Maechan thought of a wonderful idea.  Eyes wide, he tapped the captain's broad shoulders.

"What do you want now? Did you just here what I said?" The captain yelled.

"Err… Yes… But, I have a suggestion if you would allow me to say."

"Spit it out then?"

"As you can see, we are incompetent soldiers… I am too old to fight and this lad is inexperienced to even follow orders. I suggest we just head to Bevelle and report this incident than send a more competitive soldier."

"Hmmm…"

Hoping for a good answer both of them started to perspire.

"You have a point there… Fine then. I grant you permission to go to Bevelle and tell them to send back up as soon as possible!"

            Inside them, they wanted to shout with joy.  They had deceived the captain and were now on their way to Lake Macalania.  They quickly went upwards the long slope of the Undying Lands.  When they reached the top, Maechan was panting, but Shuyin was still full of energy.

"Huff… Huff… Wait. I need a moment's rest."

"We don't have time! The summoners are already in the foot of Gagazet. It could start in no time." Shuyin yelled.

            Shuyin grabbed Maechan's hand and ran inside Lake Macalania.  It was a maze inside the dark forest.  There were many forks and intersections to take.  After some time, they were going in circles.

"I thought you know this place! Where the heck are we?" Shuyin complained.

"That was many years ago… If you would just wait and let me think!" Maechan yelped.

            Maechan observed the surrounding area.  He took out something from out of his pocket.  It was an ovular shaped with arrows pointing with the labels: N, S, E, and W. He pressed another button and a red dot appeared.

"And what is that?" Shuyin examined the unusual object.

"A Bevellian compass. Come on now. We'll be there in no time."

"Why didn't we use this a while ago?" Shuyin slapped his face as if frustrated.

"You were grabbing me here and there! How can I get it out? Hmph! Nevermind! Arguments won't take us anywhere. Let us carry on!" Maechan exclaimed.

            With the compass as the navigator, they were finally able to reach the city of Bevelle in no time.  It was huge and there were machinas everywhere as guards patrolled the surrounding area.  Shuyin was in awe as he looked around…

"So this is Bevelle… Now, where's Vegnagun?"

"Quiet! If someone hears you, it's all the over! Come!"

            Maechan led him inside the Bevelle council hall.  He operated the lift and went underground.  The security was tighter than ever.  The guards were everywhere as they rode the escalator-like transportation. 

"So this how Bevelle looks like…"

"Yes… It is like a maze in here.  Be careful, security's at its tightest."

            They reached an area with eight power generators.  These generators were the main security lock before they could reach the dwelling place of Vegnagun.  Using another lift they went down.  Maechan operated the generators like a pro.  In no time, spiraling platforms started to form, which led them into the next area.

"Not bad for an old man. You really are a spy." Shuyin commented.

"Hmph! I'd rather be called a scholar!" Maechan replied as if offended.

            It was another maze inside the Bevelle underground.  They ran back and forth as they tried to search for the machina. 

            After hours of running, they finally reached another lift.  This was the final lift before reaching it.  However, as they reached the inside, there were a huge number of guards; they were more than the guards in the Bevellian camp in the Undying Lands.  If they tried to force themselves in, they would surely be killed.

"This is bad… We can't possibly enter it with security such as this." Maechan looked around.

"I won't turn back now… I'm so near. I have an idea. Hehehe…  Is there a control center around here for the alarm?" 

"Errr… Yes, but the main vault of Vegnagun will be shut down.  It will be impossible to enter after sounding the alarm."

"Hmmm… We have to split up. I'm sure you can control the alarm system in here. Am I right?"

"Yes."

"That's good.  I will stay here while you sound the alarm.  After the alarm is sounded, I'll enter the vault before it closes." Shuyin planned.

            They split up as Maechan headed for the opposite direction as Shuyin went to the vault as he waited for the right moment to arrive.  He was too near yet too far from getting Vegnagun.  His and Lenne's fate would depend on Vegnagun.  It was their only chance, their only hope.