The New Mission

"Thank you so very much," Albert told the gang, "But can you do something more for me? Take this to our headquarters, on an island southwest of Jolly Roger. You need to get a Sandcraft, however, I think the lady in Jolly Roger is working on some. Once you get one, then bring this to our main temple for a good reward. I'm paying you five thousand here for your services already, two thousand for the taking of the flame to our founder, and he'll give you another six thousand upon arriving there. I trust the four of you to do this."

He walked off, and the group was forced to head back to Jolly Roger. They took the train from West Highlands to the Midland station, close to Jolly Roger. From there, they walked to the town, and entered the ARMs shop. Inside, they would be able to find out if the woman who worked there really was selling a Sandcraft. Indeed she was, for exactly fifteen Dragon Fossiles. They purchased it, and then took it to the Ark of Destiny. But monsters attacked them on the way, and they had to fight back. It was a lot different from regular ARMs fighting, let me tell you. Virginia was the gunnery, being the fastest, Jet was working a harpoon, Gallows took the job of deckhand, and Clive was driving. Every time they ran out of ammo, they had Gallows reload their gun. Clive dodged the attacks, while Virginia and Jet caused direct damage to the attacking monster. Most weren't too tough, but a few posed quite a threat to the Drifters. They would need to upgrade the Sandcraft, but to do that, they'd have to find so many more Dragon Fossiles for the parts.

* * *

"So you are the Drifters who managed to find the Kism Fire. Well done indeed. I am Lamium, the founder of the Ark of Destiny. Guided by the mysterious Saint in my dreams, I look for different items from our planet's long forgotten past. Maybe one day, I can make this world a better place for all mankind to live in. But enough of my prattling, here is your reward," the founder told them. One of his assistants walked up to them to take the Kism Fire, and handed the team another eight thousand Gella, more than was promised.

Clive stated, "Well, this is more than the amount agreed upon before this. I do not wish to make you pay unfairly, for either us or you." As he spoke, Virginia, Jet, and Gallows sweatdropped. It wasn't a thing they dwelt on, whatever you were given you took. And it certainly didn't matter if they were overpaid.

Lamium chuckled. "I think your services are worth much more than the original amount. Well, I would like to ask you something. Would you like to hear my story, about how I founded this Ark of Destiny in the first place? It all started nearly ten years ago, when I myself was a Drifter on a journey of my own."


Just then, one of the assistants came in, and began frantically whispering something into Lamium's ear. The founder took one look at her, and nodded. Virginia could only wonder what the two were talking about. It seemed urgent, whatever it was. She wondered if there was a problem of sorts for their group.

"I understand. Drifters, may I again ask for your services?" Lamium inquired, "You see, some one has broken into our excavation point, Survey Point 17. That is where the two priceless gems Agulite and Germetron are located. Someone needs to go there and stop these people before our whole operation is ruined. Those gems are an important part of our research, they must come back here at all costs. I need you four to go there, find those people, stop them, and bring back the crystals. Would you consider it?"

"Yes, we will go and do this for you. We can leave right away. Just, we'll need the coordinates or we might as well be trying to attack the air," Virginia said, giggling a little. Lamium gave her a map with the locations of all their survey points marked on it. The girl and her allies then headed on out to the dig site.

* * *

It wasn't too long until they found the ones involved. Just as you might have thought, it was Maya and her team. But the woman didn't feel like fighting today, and ran off. Virginia trailed her once more, in order to get her to stop. They needed the crystals to complete their mission. Once they had been briefed, they were promised a full ten thousand Gella to bring back those two gems. The girl thought they must be pretty darn rare, powerful, expensive, or valuable in order to be worth that. Precisely why Maya was here.

Soon, they found more trouble. It was Maya again, but she and her group wasn't alone. In front of them, arguing about the crystals, was Malik. He didn't seem happy to know that his plans were about to be interrupted by a group of Drifters, especially not the Guardian warriors. At least the four with the Mediums had some good reasons to fight, and might be worth taking a look at. But these were just normal humans in search of fortune, he was furious. That was, until he saw Virginia and her team in the back of their rivals.

Malik asked, "And what are you doing here? Oh, I know, you want Agulite and Germetron too. But you will not get them. Attack my loyal minions, kill all in your path." He summoned four monsters to fight.

Virginia laughed. One looked like a dog, another a cat, a third a donkey, and a fourth a bird. It was "Biogenetic Alteration Day" at the zoo. She began to Summon, and her companions did the same thing. In a short span of only a few minutes, the monsters had died. The girl turned to face Maya and her team then.

"Maya, I know we don't get along," Virginia stated, "But we need to find the crystals. You see, the people who run this site want us to get them, so we need them. I would, however, like to know if you want to help us. We'll split all the profits from this excursion fifty-fifty when we're done. So can we call a truce?"

"You know I really don't work with people like you as a rule. But since we're here already, I might as well make an exception. I won't, however, go easy on you once this is all over. We're going to have a fight at the chamber of Agulite and Germetron, and this time I won't lose to someone like you," she replied.

Virginia smiled, and said, "Whatever, at least we're working together now. I think you might just like it, looking out for someone besides yourself. Well come on then, the gems aren't going to just wait for us to arrive. Well, maybe they are, but it's only a figure of speech. Besides, who knows when the man will come back to try and get them again." With that, the eight Drifters began their long trek through Survey Point 17.

- - - -

Teefa's Last Words…

Stupid jokes ahoy! Once we get out of here, we'll do the whole event at the Ark, with the library, and then maybe we'll find out about Infinitum. I don't know about that, though, I may just end up with a lengthy scene at Virginia's mother's grave. With gratuitous comfort from Jet? Of course. If I do that scene, there will be some sweet moments between them.