"Thank you once again for your help. I know you'll want to know what happened, but right now this is confidential so please don't speak about it to anyone and I'll try to let you know anything that I'm allowed to speak of. We don't want wind of this getting to the other nations…people could loose faith in our ability to protect our foreign guests."
Grasping the handle to the front door of the mansion, Alain slowly opened it and walked in while letting out a tired sigh. Nokum-Akkum was close behind him and walked straight into the back of his leg as he abruptly stopped. Over by the seats in front of the extravagant fire place in the seating area of their front room was a female Hume.
She was dressed in white fabric with red embroidering that created wave like patterns across the long sleeves, curved ankles, and large cap. Her brown fringe stuck out of the sides of the overly large white cap and her rounded face was graced with a large smile at their return.
"Cathy!" Nokum-Akkum cried with glee and pushed past Alain's leg.
The woman stood and met the Tarutaru half way between the front entrance and the seats, kneeling down so he could jump high enough to embrace her with both his little hands. Alain walked towards them both and caught her hazelnut eyed glance aimed at him. With some difficulty she convinced Nokum-Akkum to let go and stood up straight.
"How have you been, Alain?" she asked.
"Oh, the same as always," he said with a half smile. "How did things go in Selbina, Catherine?"
About a week ago Catherine had left to meet a childhood friend in the small fishing village of Selbina. The mayor of the village had requested through the friend that she go there in order to assist them with something important. He and Nokum-Akkum had offered to go along, but she did not feel it was necessary for three of the Six Champions to all go to such an out of the way place and that it was probably not as urgent as the message made it out to be.
"Some of the fishers had been abducted by Quadev. It took me a while to track them down, but eventually I found them in a cell within Beadeaux. Luckily I was able to sneak in without the Beastmen raising the alarm, after finding them I teleported them out."
He was not surprised that Catherine could handle something such as the abduction of defenceless fishermen so easily. She was a master of White Magic and had been trained by the church from a very young age. Not only did she know magic that would allow her to travel unhindered through more dangerous areas, she also specialised in other magic's that laymen and the self taught could not even comprehend. It still astonished him that she had learned so much by the age of twenty two and that, despite being a year younger than him, she was already so much more knowledgeable.
"Did you bring me back anything!" Nokum-Akkum asked loudly and tugged on her trousers.
She ruffled his hair with her hand, "Sorry, not this time. I promise I'll pick up some Seafood Stew for you next time."
The grin on his short friend's face spread ear-to-ear. Nokum-Akkum always acted like a child around Catherine, it got him the attention he loved from her. It was not just an act that the Tarutaru did for her alone though, most tall women seemed to bring out that side of him.
"I heard from the Gate Guards upon returning that something was going on in Oldton and that you two were involved," Catherine explained. "I was asked to assist with healing some of the wounded, but no one was exactly sure what happened to them."
They all took up seats around the fireplace. From the kitchen emerged a Moogle happily whistling and carrying a tray of tea for them to drink. While they all sipped on the warm liquid flavoured with Windustrian Tea Leaves (Nokum-Akkum's favourite), Alain explained everything that happened and what they saw as they left Oldton Movalpolos with the unconscious San d'Orian ambassador.
Explaining these things led somewhat naturally to President Karst's mission request to find the other three of their former group and to investigate what was happening in the Northlands. Catherine was equally as shocked as they had been at the prospect of the Shadowlord somehow surviving.
Alain had spoken to Catherine once or twice about what happened during the battle. She had played a pivotal role in keeping them all alive, yet she also could remember very little of what happened to them. Being a person who absorbed so much knowledge as Catherine did not being able to remember such things had annoyed her even more than his amnesia was getting to him, but her attempts to try and find out why it had happened to them were fruitless.
"So he wants us to find the others…" Catherine mused.
They were missing half their group, three of the Six Champions that chose not to remain in Bastok after the war. They went over what they knew about where the others might be.
Firstly, there was Rostairmar d'Lecanti, an Elvaan Samurai, who they always just referred to as Rost. As far as any of them were aware he had returned to his home of San d'Oria to serve in the military, but none of them had spoken since they parted ways so they could not be sure.
Secondly, there was Hanaa Mocorho, a carefree Mithra Red Mage. She loved to travel and if asked where home was she would say the open road. It was hard to get her to stay in one place for any great length of time especially if she got wind of some adventure happening elsewhere.
Lastly, there was Gerdinus, a mighty Galkan Paladin. He lived in Bastok for many years, but left shortly after the war without telling anyone.
"Finding Gerdinus would be hardest," Catherine stated. "And not just because he did not tell anyone where he was going, but also because he might have left on his Journey of Rebirth. If he has then he could no longer help us."
Nokum-Akkum piped up, "Hanaa would be justaru as hard to find. She could be anywhere in the world!"
"So that leaves us with Rost, I guess we start with him…" Alain stated.
Just then he had an idea. Getting up, he walked across the room to a cabinet against the far wall and opened the left drawer. Inside was a small chest with no lock. Lifting the lid he took a deep red coloured shell from it. Moving his hand over the top of it caused it to open as a light shined from its centre creating a small pearl matching the colour of the shell. After he removed the pearl the shell closed and he repeated the motion twice more to create another two pearls. He handed Catherine and Nokum-Akkum one each.
"Let's see if any of them kept hold of their pearls." He held the pearl closer to his mouth before speaking again, "Hello? Is anyone there? Rost? Hanaa? Gerdinus?"
All three of them waited in silence hoping to hear their comrade's voices travel through the magical pearls. It was a long shot, but worth a try. During the war they had all worn a pearl created from the shell Alain had held onto so they could keep in contact if they were separated. It worked just as well at long distance as short.
He tried two more times before giving up. It seemed that the others did not keep their pearls with them. It did not surprise him, they had gotten rid of theirs as well, but he had kept the shell that created them just in case they were ever needed.
Suggesting that they all start wearing them again anyway, his friends agreed. He placed the red shell back into the unlocked chest but kept it out. He would take it with them when they eventually left to find the others.
Very early the next morning they were called upon by a musketeer who brought a message from President Karst. It instructed them to prepare supplies and to come to Cid's Laboratory within the hour. It seemed to have been penned by the president himself, reinforcing both the secrecy of their mission and the urgency implied by their tight time limit. Without a moments delay they shot off back to their rooms to prepare sacks of supplies and to get changed into their travelling equipment.
Before long, Alain was waiting at the front door speaking with his Moogle. Since two other Moogle already looked after the mansion in their absence he had asked his to come along with them.
He also asked if the Mega-Moogle-Manangement-Mail-System (M.M.M.M.S) could help try to track down their comrades. It was a network set up by Moogle worldwide for the delivery of letters from person-to-person with the highest care given to bigger parcels. His friend happily agreed to try both to search down the three others.
In a large sack next to his foot was the equipment he gathered to bring on the trip. While he only wore his favourite red shirt and leggings along with his tanned gloves and boots inside the bag was what he wore in battle. Leaning on the wall beside the door was his Great Sword. It was pure black with a red line tracing the shape of the blade around the inside.
Hearing a crash and clutter coming from the hall he peered over to see Nokum-Akkum face down on the floor with two very full satchels at his sides, some of the content from each on top of him. The Tarutaru had changed into a kenpogi that seemed far too big for him and some flat sandals. To Alain it seemed at first as if his friend had confused their mission for a holiday, but then he noticed the large number of weapons and armours poking out from the satchels.
"You can't take that much!" Alain exclaimed from where he stood.
"I can take as much as I can carry-warry, you said thataru!"
"…But you clearly can't carry that much…"
"I slipped!"
A few minutes later Catherine joined them still wearing the same white robes from the day before on top of clean undergarments. She brought only a small backpack she rested on one shoulder. Bidding them good morning and saying good bye to her Moogle, she motioned towards the door silently reminding them that they did not have a lot of time.
With that they headed towards the Metalworks.
Cid's Laboratory was on the second floor of the Metalworks placed between two lifts which carried people between floors. There were always strange noises or smells coming from the lab as Cid and his co-workers were forever experimenting with this or that. Cid was a genius and everyone knew it, which was probably why he got away with so much. Even foreign countries knew of his vast knowledge and intellect. The most common thing known in regards the old engineer was that he obsessed over airships and had created the first crystal engines with the help of the Archduke himself.
Catherine knocked on the double doors into the laboratory. It was strangely silent, as even though it was early the noise of the Metalworks never stopped, yet from within there was no machine clunking or blackboards being scribbled on. Eventually the doors swung open and a Galka wearing green workman's tunic appeared. This Galka was Raibaht, Cid's closest co-worker and long time friend.
"Ah, you are finally here," he said in a low voice. "Cid has gone on ahead to see to the final preparations…we were forced to bring our schedule forward due to the events in Oldton yesterday. Follow me."
Oddly, the Galka lead them away from the lab and back to the elevators where they descended back to the first floor. The continued following Raibaht down a long set of stairs and at the bottom found a shrine to the goddess that the religious workers of the Metalwork used to pray. A single female Hume glad in musketeer's gear was waiting for them.
The musketeer did not speak and simply waited for a nod from Raibaht (who only did so after looking back up the stairs they had just descended). The Hume then felt along the left wall before hitting an indentation causing a large section of the stone to thrust inwards and to the side revealing a dark passage. The three friends and Moogle companion exchanged astonished glances as the Galka vanished into the passage. They followed closely behind and heard the wall slam shut again behind them soon after.
"Not far now," Raibaht said reassuringly.
A glimmering white light at the far end of the tunnel turned into a massive open ended cavern with man made stone paths, edges, and wooden huts, sheds, and platforms lining either side. Most astonishing of all was that the cavern's centre was filled with water which flowed out to the sea at its open end some distance away, where a bright beautiful day could be seen. On the water fastened securely to the docks by many thick ropes was an airship the likes of which none of them had ever seen.
The hull of the airship was of similar colour and shape to the ones used for public transportation (a sort of basin meant to created bouncy on water), but its deck seemed much smaller from what they could see. Instead of an extended deck there was a larger cabin and some other strange wooden rectangle with reinforced steel rims. There were thin circular polls mounted on each corner as well as on the roof of the upper cabin and the opposite side that seemed to be meant for propellers, but none were fitted. There were no visible weapons so it was not a battleship, but it was most certainly not one meant for the public to travel on.
They starred in disbelief at the airships form while all over it workers climbed and tugged and lowered others fastened with ropes down the sides. It seemed like they were working hard to check every last inch of it.
"There you are!"
From a wooden cabin, along the side of the concealed docks they had found themselves led to, appeared Cid with a large satisfied smile on his face. He motioned to two workers hauling some crates by the side of the water to take their belongings on board for them so they could talk. Alain's Moogle happily flew after them to help lift the heavy bags.
"How do you like her?" the Chief Engineer asked with a grin. "I call her the Highwind and she is my pride and joy."
"I'm amazed," Alain stuttered.
Catherine inquired as to the airships purpose.
"Isn't it obvious? This is your home until your mission is complete. Think of it like a flying house if you like, but don't be mistaken – she can handle herself in a fight. She's also pretty good on the water, not as good as a boat, but she'd manage if she had to."
He began pointing out various sections and bits and bobs that he was most proud of and they listened but silently were stunned at what was going on. Building an airship that was not part of Jeuno's fleet of public transport or military vessels was against the treaties signed by all nations. It seemed ludicrous that Bastok would risk so much just providing them with somewhere to stay for short trips between locations. Alain could not help but interrupt Cid and ask why they were risking so much when public transportation would do just as good.
The old Hume's face turned stern, "Look lad, you have to understand something… something that Karst didn't really make clear. You have to understand the consequences of agreeing to this mission. Once you leave here and carry out your mission you'll be on your own. Bastok cannot acknowledge your existence. If Jeuno finds out that we built our own airship they could declare war on us… they may already be suspicious considering you saw a member of the Armathrwn Society."
"Huh!" Nokum-Akkum said. "Arm..arma…what!"
Catherine spoke next, "The Armathrwn Society, Archduke Kam'lanaut and the Duchy of Jeuno's most elite and secretive group. They are rumoured to carry out secret experiments to help further technological advances."
Alain had never heard of such a group existing in the ranks of Jeuno's military, but the duchy had always been quite secretive of such things. It was the mediator between the other three nations and did not like to show force unless it was absolutely necessary.
"You are right that they conduct experiments, as they helped assist Kam'lanaut and I during the war" Cid said. "That isn't all they do, though. Some of them are trained killers. I don't want to fill your head with the rumours I've heard over the years, but let's just say some of them are very intimidating and look like they can handle themselves in a fight."
"So why was one of them in Oldton? Were they trying to save the Elvaan ambassador as well?" he asked.
"I can only tell you what Naji was able to pass on. It seems that Elvaan was knocked unconscious while exploring, he doesn't know by who or what. Next thing he remembered he was in a bed here in Bastok with a nasty headache. It's possible the person you saw was sent to save him which is why they retreated after seeing you…but there's no way to be sure. As I said, Jeuno could already know that we are up to something and are spying on us."
The Chief Engineer walked with them to the edge of the airship and patted it as if saying 'do me proud'. Calling for the side hatch to be opened someone's muffled voice from inside replied. There was a short clunk before the thick wooden arch before them hoisted itself up and another section of wood spread out from the side of the airship to allow them to walk on board.
The first hallway branched off into no less than six different rooms, far different to the kind of airship he was used to. The four rooms on each corner seemed to be bedrooms while the middle right was a large room with a table surrounded by many chairs. The middle left room lead to a small set of stairs leading up to the deck and beyond it another door.
"How much larger is this airship compared to the public transport vessels?" Catherine questioned.
"It's about a third bigger than the kind you are used to I'd say, unnoticeable from the ground so you shouldn't draw much attention in that sense. You'll have a crew on board so don't worry about flying it either, they'll maintain it for you – just tell them where you want to go."
While they were shown around Alain could not help but think about what Cid meant by the consequences of what they were doing. They would become alienated from everyone and could be treated the same as the pirates that prayed on passing ships. A crew on board meant civilians would be at risk as well. The full wrath of the other nation's militaries could come after them if they caused too much of a disturbance.
"Cid if this really will risk making us the target of the other nations I don't think a civilian crew should come with us."
A gruff laugh was the initial response. "Going to fly this yourself are you? Look lad, these people volunteered, they weren't forced. They want to do their bit to protect the republic so just let them get on with it."
They all walked into the large middle right room and sat around the table. They continued to talk about the airship and its many improvements that Cid had made. At one point he referred to the Highwind as his prototype for something even more fantastic, but did not indulge them with details.
Raibaht entered with a large pile of scrolls, folders, and papers. Placing them down before Cid he bid them farewell and then as quickly as he had arrived.
"These are maps charting possible routes you can take to avoid the public airships flight plans as well as the information we have on the Northlands and anything we've heard about your former comrades. The extended flight plans will mean you're taking long roundabout routes, but it's the safest way to avoid you being seen by the pubic airships."
He briefly looked over the large collection of papers and knew he would have to read them in detail later, there was already too much to get his head around. It seemed illogical that Jeuno could potentially react so harshly to their investigation unless there was something else going on. His head pounded like a bass drum as he tried to think about the Shadowlord again.
"Is there anything else we should know?" Catherine asked.
"Only that, although officially none of us can show it, we're all behind you. It's only a matter of time before those damned Beastmen pour out from Xarcabard and start another war. It's up to you and your companions, if you find them, to stop another Crystal War before it begins."
Nokum-Akkum made a noise only a Tarutaru could possibly manage that Alain could not tell was meant as an afraid or excited exclamation. Catherine was quiet and composed as always and simply nodded.
"I guess we don't have a choice," he said at last. "No one wants another war. We'll be heading to-
Cid interrupted him, "No, don't tell me that. Tell only the crew and only once you have lifted off. From this point on trust only each other and the crew, you can't trust what anyone else tells you, not even me as there's no telling what outside influences there could be."
With that, the inventor of their new home stroked his beard, stood up slowly, and left them. They sat in silence inside the Highwind for a long time, until eventually there was a call from somewhere above that they were ready to cast off.
