Chapter Two

The imperial capital, Archades
Year 704 of the Old Valendian Calendar

Late that morning, just before noon, Ffamran headed for Draklor. After the lunch break, they'd leave for the experiment, and Ffamran would be going along. Though his main reason for going was to snoop around and find out more about the nethicite, Ffamran was a little excited about leaving the city. It wasn't something he got to do very often, and, well… there was a part of him that never forgot how much he wanted to see the rest of the world. The more dangerous experiments that Draklor preformed were always done in remote testing grounds so that, if anything went wrong, they wouldn't accidentally blow up something important.
Ffamran conferred quickly with the guards and entered Draklor Laboratories. Brown tiled floor, dull yellowish walls: the place was just the same as when he'd lived there. It never changed.
Ffamran made his way up to the lunch hall, where scientist sat around ever table, chattering and comparing findings as they hurriedly ate their lunches. Ffamran recognized almost every one of them. Then his eyes rested on one face he knew very well.
"Good morning, Reina!" Ffamran called out, worried his voice would be lost in the din of the crowded room, but Reina looked up from her table, her green eyes lighting up as she saw him. She called something back, but he couldn't hear. There were several tables and even more people separating him from her. During lunch break, the place was like the school cafeteria; people, people, everywhere. Ffamran remembered many days as a boy when he would hang around the scientists as they ate, listening to their chatter. He'd learned a lot by just listening.
Ffamran weaved his way through the crowd until he reached Reina's table. Serah sat there, too, to Ffamran's disappointment; of course, where you found one of the sisters, you were bound to find the other.
"Hey there." It was Serah who spoke. She wore her characteristic smirk, as infuriating as ever. Even if Ffamran loved Reina, he couldn't find it in himself to be friends with her big sister.
Ffamran ignored Serah's greeting, pulling out a chair and sitting next to Reina. His full Judge armer made chinking sounds as he sat down. The uniform was required for his official accompaniment of the experiment, even if he thought all that dark metal looked obnoxious. He had left the helmet behind; there was no way he was wearing that gaudy thing over his head all day.
"Good morning, Ffamran!" Reina said brightly, her whole face lighting up with that wonderful smile of hers. Before Ffamran could reply, Serah spoke up.
"What are you doing, Ffamran? Don't you know it's bad luck to see the bride before the wedding?"
Ffamran sighed. "I think any bad luck I work up will dissipate in two weeks."
"It's only one week and six days now!" Reina said.
Ffamran turned back to her with a smile. "Well, you're right." When he thought about that, he could forget about nethicite and his father, about his powers and just be a normal person, even for a moment. It was an incredible feeling.
"We're leaving in fifteen minutes," Serah said, spoiling the moment. "We'd better scurry down to the ship or they'll leave without us."
Ffamran bit back a sharp comment. If Reina hadn't been sitting right there, he wouldn't have hesitated, but he knew how desperately Reina wanted him and Serah to be friends.
"I suppose we should be going then," Ffamran sighed. This experiment… He wanted to learn more about that nethicite and what it was, but the thought of being around it for an extended period of time made him uneasy. Perhaps accompanying this experiment wasn't such a good idea. Well, too late to back out now.
"I'll see you when I get back, Reina," Ffamran bid a fond farewell to his fiancée.
She smiled and nodded. "Be careful."
"I will." Ffamran stood up from his chair and started towards the elevator at the end of the room. He knew exactly how to get to the docking bays; he did grow up here, after all. Serah said something to Reina and followed him.
And then they were both in the elevator, Ffamran and Serah. Ffamran hit a few buttons, and the lift began to descend. There was awkward silence between them until they hit the first floor. Serah instantly started off, using a wide stride to put distance between them. Ffamran made no attempt to catch up. He knew she disliked him, and he wasn't particularly fond of her, but occasionally, it would've been nice if she could try to be friendly. Ffamran let out a sigh; there were bigger problems in his life than a disagreeable soon-to-be sister-in-law.

On the edge of Draklor Laboratories' first floor was a small hanger, where supply ships and the like docked. Today, there was a small transport craft waiting to carry the scientists of Draklor out to the testing grounds. Ffamran didn't see his father anywhere; presumably, he was already inside, along with the nethicite. Ffamran wasn't disappointed he didn't get to talk with his father. Such a conversation wasn't likely to end well, and the last thing Ffamran wanted was to chat about this experiment with him. Whatever reason Dr. Cid wanted him there for, he'd figure it out on his own. The last thing Ffamran wanted was to see his father acting… well, the way he always acted now a days. Strange, dark, even just a little bit… mad.
A crew of twenty-four- including Ffamran and whoever the other Judge was- would be going on this experiment. Most had already boarded the vessel. It was rather large as far as transports were concerned. Ffamran climbed on board and found a secluded corner where he wasn't likely to be bothered. He figured the best way to learn something about this experiment was to talk to the transport herself. That was how Ffamran learned most things he wanted to know. He reached out and made contact.
"Hello?"
"Oh! Hello," the airship replied. "Wait, are you a human? Then…"
"Yes, that's correct." One convenient thing about being the only human in existence who could speak with airships was that Ffamran never had to introduce himself. Information traveled quickly in the airship world, and it seemed every airship had already heard about the one person who could talk with them.
"Really? It's a pleasure to meet you!" the airship said. Of course, she was just like every other aircraft; chatty and dull. "I'm called the Formidable."
"Yes, it's nice to meet you," Ffamran said. "Do you know where we're headed?"
"I'm not sure, actually," Formidable replied. "From what I've heard, somewhere southwest of Archades. It seems like it's a ways away, too. The pilot said the flight will probably take a few hours."
"A few hours?" That surprised Ffamran. "What, are they planning to fly us over the border?"
"I really don't know," Formidable said. "Nobody's saying much. It's weird, actually."
That unsettled Ffamran. If even Formidable didn't know, that meant no one had said anything. If really no one had said where they were going, did that mean they were keeping quiet on purpose? It just smelled a bit too suspicious.
"Do you know what this experiment is supposed to be, exactly?" Formidable asked. She sounded a little nervous. "People keep talking about something called 'nethicite,' but I don't know what that is."
"No, I'm not sure exactly what's going on," Ffamran replied, "but the nethicite is a research specimen that Draklor's had for a few years now. I don't know exactly what it is, but I think it's some kind of magicite."
"It feels weird," Formidable said. "Like… I'm not sure. But I can feel weird power coming off that stone. They've got it done in my hold. There's a few people there, too."
That was information Ffamran could use. Perhaps, later on in the flight, he could sneak down there and have a look at that nethicite.
"There's someone talking to you, you know." Formidable's words caused Ffamran to start, suddenly aware of his surroundings again. Another Judge, also dressed in full armor, stood in front of him with his hand held out, as if he'd just introduced himself. Ffamran quickly collected himself and shook the man's hand.
"I'm Ffamran," he said, trying not to sound startled in any way.
"He said his name's Zecht," Formidable said.
"Thank you."
"'Tis a pleasure to meet you, Ffamran," Zecht said. He looked around thirty and was bald with a small beard; the pale hair looked white against his dark skin. "You are the director's son, yes? I've heard much good about you."
The floor shook as Formidable took off, headed for whatever mysterious destination they were bound for. That Formidable couldn't even find out where that was still troubled Ffamran.
"Really? I can't think of anything I've done that's particularly noteworthy," Ffamran replied.
"Oh, you know," Zecht said. "In Archadia, noble birth gets you all the attention."
Ffamran let out a light chuckle. "That's certainly true. From your accent, I'd say you're not Archadian, correct? Where're you from?"
"Bhujerba," Zecht replied, then chuckled. "I'm surprised you couldn't tell. Don't get out of Archades much, hmm?"
That comment brought Ffamran's hidden wanderlust out with a vengeance. He winced inwardly.
"No," he replied. "Not much."
"Well, you'll get a look outside today." Zecht cast a quick glance out a nearby viewport. The Formidable was gaining altitude, and the layer of clouds was fast approaching. "Have you any idea where we're headed?"
"No, I'm not sure," Ffamran replied. "I was rather hoping they told you."
Zecht shook his head. "Your father didn't tell you? That is rather surprising, isn't it?"
Ffamran shrugged. He didn't want to talk about that. "How did you become a Judge, Zecht? I'm surprised they'd allow a foreigner to join." Ffamran hoped that would guide the conversation on to a safer topic.
"I've lived in the empire for ten years, now," Zecht explained. "I was just a lad like yourself when I first came here. I suppose it's been long enough now to prove myself trustworthy."
Ffamran wasn't pleased with being called a "lad" but made no comment.
The ride was long, as Formidable predicted, and Ffamran and Zecht eventually fell into a discussion about politics and current events. Ffamran hadn't enjoyed a conversation so thoroughly for a long time. As a noble's son, he'd learned early in life to make a splash in the social world, but that didn't mean he always enjoyed it. Ffamran lost track of time and almost forgot about why he was here, but never fully. The thought of his father, the nethicite, the experiment and their mysterious destination never quite left him, always lingering in the back of his mind. Regardless, hours passed uneventful, until Formidable interrupted the talk.
"Ffamran!" Her voice was worried, and Ffamran stopped mid-sentence in his discussion with Zecht.
"What is it? I'm rather busy at the moment."
Formidable's words weren't anything near what Ffamran expected. "We've crossed into the Nabradian airspace!"
"What?!" Ffamran couldn't stop the words from spilling out loud. Zecht stared at him like he'd grown another head, but Ffamran ignored him and marched straight for the bridge. The Formidable wasn't that large, and just through one doorway Ffamran found himself in the cockpit. He walked up to the pilot.
"What is this? Is it true we just entered another country's borders?" Ffamran couldn't keep the hot, angry sting out of his voice, nor did he wish to.
"Look, complain all you want, but I have my orders," the pilot said with a shrug, like he didn't even care.
"That's the oldest excuse in the book, you know," Ffamran said bitterly. The pilot didn't respond.
"Where are we going?" Ffamran asked, managing to keep his voice calm now. Perhaps the pilot would answer better to that.
"Sorry, I can't tell you."
"You can't tell me?" Ffamran said. "I'm a Judge. You'll tell me what I want to know."
"I'm busy right now. And I'm sorry, I really can't tell you anything," the pilot sighed. Ffamran couldn't believe it. He had no real idea of what was going on, but he had enough of one to know it wasn't good.
"Ffamran? What's happening?" Zecht arrived, pushing through the door to the bridge.
The pilot let out a sigh. "All of you go and talk somewhere else, okay? I'm trying to fly an airship here."
"Hold on." Ffamran wasn't going to just do what this man said. "This is supposed to be an experiment. Why have we left Archadia's borders?"
"Look, if you haven't been told already, it's not my place to say." The pilot looked tired, perhaps even a little guilty. "Go find someone like the director who's allowed to tell you these kinds of things."
The director. Ffamran's father. What on Ivalice is going on?
"Left Archadia? What is all this?" Zecht, standing in the doorway, looked thoroughly confused.
"Both of you, leave!" The pilot raised his voice to a shout. Ffamran couldn't think of anything to do but obey. He headed for the doorway, pushed past Zecht, and walked back out into the passenger room. Several other scientists situated there were staring at him, but he didn't care at the moment.
"Formidable? Is the director down in the hold with the nethicite?"
"Yes, he is," Formidable replied. "There're one or two other scientists with him, and right now they're doing something weird with the nethicite. I don't know what it is."
"Thank you." Ffamran started straight for the door to the hold. It was time he had a talk with his father.
"Wait a moment! Ffamran!" Zecht called out, stepping into Ffamran's path. "What is going on?"
"We've crossed Nabradia's borders," Ffamran replied.
"How did you know that?" Zecht asked.
Ffamran had no answer for that. He certainly wasn't going to say the airship they were riding in told him.
"Listen, Zecht. I have to talk to my father right now." Ffamran pushed past Zecht and through the doors into the hold. Zecht didn't follow, and Ffamran was glad. He had enough problems on his plate.
Down in the hold, a handful of scientists were fiddling with electronic devices. If he hadn't known better, Ffamran would have thought they were making explosive charges, but that couldn't be. Could it? Oh, no, please tell me this isn't what I think it is…
Ffamran walked through the busy crowd and found his father at the back, holding the nethicite in his hand and mumbling to nobody in particular.
"Yes, we're almost there. Soon, soon. It will all come together soon. Yes! I am certain this will work. You've no need to doubt. Just a little longer and you'll have it, Venat."
Ffamran sucked in a breath, trying not to feel sick as he watched his father talking to people who weren't there. It almost looked like he was talking to the nethicite, that cursed stone…
Ffamran could feel it now, that weird, throbbing, sensation brought on by the nethicite. That, and the sight of his father's madness, really made him feel sick. He had intended to ask his father about where they were going, but now his mouth felt too dry to form words.
Dr. Cid didn't even seem to notice Ffamran. He kept right on chatting with his invisible friend.
"Yes, I remember. You don't think I'd back out now, do you? After all the hard work I've put in, putting the pieces in the right place? Fear not; soon our plans will be fulfilled. What is that? Ahh…"
Dr. Cid turned suddenly around to face Ffamran.
"Hello, Ffamran," he said, as though nothing was wrong. "We've almost arrived at our destination, correct?"
"What is going on here?" Ffamran asked, barely managing to get words out. He'd avoided talking with his father for a long time, it had been months since he really had a conversation with him. Still, he couldn't let that get in the way of him getting answers. "Where exactly is this airship going? This is no experiment, is it?"
"Ah, then you've realized?" Dr. Cid said. "Yes, you never were stupid. Don't worry, Ffamran; you'll have your role to play." Then Dr. Cid took off. But Ffamran wasn't letting him go that easily.
"Wait! What are we doing in Nabradia? Is this some kind of preemptive strike?"
"Emperor Gramis himself ordered this," Dr. Cid called over his shoulder, letting out a knowing sort of chuckle. "We are to use the nethicite and destroy Nabradia's capital, Nabudis. Drop the stone, rigged with an explosive charge, and a storm of myst will wipe the city off the map."
Ffamran felt his jaw go slack. Dr. Cid just kept walking away, like this all didn't matter. He started talking to a few of the gather scientists, instructing them on how to attach the nethicite to the bomb they were building.
And Ffamran just stood there, completely at a loss. What was he supposed to do? Archadia was making war with Nabradia? This experiment was really a mission to wipe out Nabradia's capital? Now he knew; Ffamran knew where they were going and why, but he had no idea what to do with the information. They were going to destroy a city that housed hundreds of thousands of people. Ffamran's instincts told him he couldn't let that happen, but what could he do to stop it?
"Formidable?" Ffamran reached out to the airship. "How close are we to Nabudis?"
"We'll be there any minute, now," Formidable replied. Ffamran knew she had heard that whole exchange, but she didn't seem to care.
Only a few minutes left. What was he supposed to do? Ffamran couldn't think of anything, so he just left the hold, hopeless. For the rest of his life, he'd never forgive himself for doing nothing that day. He should have done something. He should have tried.
Outside of the hold, Judge Zecht was waiting, looking none too pleased.
"Ffamran? What on Ivalice is going on?"
"We're… we're going to drop a bomb on Nabudis," Ffamran said dully. He watched the color drain from Zecht's face.
"What?" Zecht said in horror. "This is unfathomable!"
Crackling sounded through the air as Formidable's intercom came to life.
"Everyone, brace yourselves!" It was Dr. Cid's voice.
What happened afterward was always fuzzy in Ffamran's memory. There was a feeling in the air, like that horrible feeling the nethicite gave him. It was everywhere, filling the air and Ffamran's head like fog. And then everything shook, and there was fire everywhere. Screams filled the air, and everything went black.