Moving through broad day light while trying to adhere to the idea of a clandestine escape operation isn't entirely something Rikku would consider easy. Despite her forte in being able to nimble and almost unnoticeable unless she deems necessary, being in the middle of a fort like camp site with a plethora of well armed Al Bhed and dangerous machinas, this task is almost close to impossible to adhere to the idea of stealth. But Rikku has no other choice BUT to remain as discreet as possible otherwise the road to her freedom would be vanish in front of her.

"You heard anything yet?"

Rikku took her guard's ear piece so that she would at least have a good vocal notification of what is going on. It was a few moments ago that they started inquiring her guards about her status and of course with no response, suspicions would start to rile up the communication network.

"Sir, what would you have us do?"

"What do you think?" Gippal's voice breaks through the network finally and Rikku can't help but narrow her eyes at the sound of his voice. She pauses momentarily on her task. "Go there and report!"

"Yes sir!"

There was a portion of Rikku that wanted to get on and admonish Gippal for all his worth but by doing so, she would break the news to them sooner than she would want. As it is the knowledge of her escape would soon be well known so it wouldn't be prudent for her if she was the one to destroy the last few moments she has of secrecy. Having found a tent that wasn't occupied as of yet, Rikku was fortunate to find a few machinas that are not joining the fray of patrolling. Rikku surmised that it was because that whoever is in charge of tinkering with machina isn't as adept as she is since she is already that much closer to activating it. Crossing the wire properly and closing the latch, one more machina turns on which brings Rikku to a smirk as she now has a little less than a dozen operational. In the amount of time she had, she is able to get herself more of a fighting chance; chances are that the odds are still not in her favor but she'll take any miniscule advantage that she can. As Rikku reaches out to activate another machina, a blaring gasp echoes within her earpiece that pretty much signifies that the discovery of two dead Al Bheds and a missing hostage is now at play.

"S-sir!"

"Let me guess," Gippal's tone says it all as well. He knows. "She isn't there."

"N-No.. sir… and… men down!"

Rikku isn't entirely jumping in joy for having left two Al Bhed carcass, but she had no choice. She isn't given much choice at all so she will continue to do what she has to. With that said, Rikku presses another button on a couple of her refurbished Machinas and they respond, as one would expect them to: mindlessly walking to whatever direction they were programmed to. Waiting a few moments and listening, at first no one paid mind to the drone as four of them walks out of the tent but after realizing that they were not entirely acting on formation, some of the Al Bhed started to question them but it was too late as one had hit its lifetime capacity and detonated. The result did the damage as any explosions would do and sends a few of her captors in a fray but more or less alarmed them that there was indeed a situation. While one goes in one direction, the others detonate in their own area, which again causes more damage. Soon the alarms started to blare across the camp and by now Rikku has activated all of her machinas and the whole lot of them started to exit out of the tent and of course their main objective is to cause enough confusion and catastrophe that it would leave her escape far less obstructed. Before anyone can truly realize that the machinas that are now detonating originated from the tent Rikku is in, she exits through the rear, taking the handgun from earlier while keeping tabs on the conversation in her earpiece.

"What's going on?!"

"I don't know! Some of our machinas are going haywire and self destructing!"

"Watch - AAAHHHH!"

Rikku couldn't help but smirk as she a machina apparently self destructed close enough to create fatal damage. As she keeps herself close to cover, Rikku aims her gun to an unsuspecting guard and shoots him right in the head. His comrade notices the sudden drop of his fellow guard but was too late to react as Rikku took his life as well before quickly running to the next cover she can get to.

"You idiots! Maneuver our machinas to take out the ones that are obviously not complying to the routine!" Gippal's voice makes Rikku cringe. "It's that little girl! Find her!"

While her location is still unknown, the knowledge of her escape is now with every single Al Bhed in the campsite so her being as smart and careful as ever would be really needed right with every step that she takes. The front gate of the campsite wouldn't be the best idea so perhaps the rear would prove to be more beneficial for her; though the more she stalks the background and avoiding as much of the alarmed Al Bhed, Rikku comes to the realization that everywhere is guarded. That and the explosions of her machinas are dwindling in numbers that could only mean that either they are being negated or perhaps that they are all used. The distraction she created wasn't enough to cause the formation to break; while they are more alert, their position stays; they remain calm and far more trained that Rikku would expect. However it is too late for any other options and the plans, whether it is to her favor or not is already in motion so she has no choice but to adhere to a speedy and stealthy escape through whatever means necessary. Continuing her stride through any cover she can, Rikku's only option now is the one person who put her in here anyway, Gippal. First and foremost, the traitor of an Al Bhed has all of her equipment like her treasured daggers, second, the man might be able to provide some information through violent persuasion, and third, he might actually see her plight and how stupid he is and aid her. Knowing that Gippal is somewhat of a boastful person, his tent would have to be the most extravagant and noticeable out of all of them so Rikku needs to only search for that said tent.

"There she is!"

Rikku's eyes immediately shoots above her to see that one of the Al Bhed have spotted her indeed with a gun pointed at her direction. Since she was able to hear his words through the stolen ear piece it's more that her location has been given.

"Crap." She mutters under her breath as she moves as fast as she can to scale the wall. Of course the instinct of this Al Bhed is gun her down and he does.

"Don't kill her you idiot!"

Gippal's voice through the earpiece had a very stern command to it, which makes the gunner cease his action. Whether or not that would've been what Rikku needed to make this easier for her won't be said since she manages to grab the ledge, pull herself up and with undeniable speed, Rikku disarms the Al Bhed with a quick flourish of manipulating his own grip to force him off the ledge. He screams as he falls hard on his back on the ground but by now there are more than enough Al Bheds running her way. Slinging the rifle across her shoulder before taking out a few grenades, Rikku hurls them at the directions her pursuers are coming which causes them enough trouble to give Rikku enough time to maneuver herself so that she can get higher grounds. By now some of Gippal's men are demanding that they fire back to reciprocate Rikku's aggression, but of course he would simply remind them the 'importance' of things. This makes Rikku's NEED to find his tent far more important. Gaining the height she needed by being on the top part of the outer wall, Rikku makes a note to look down and see if she can just escape there and now; of course the contemplation is interrupted when a few Al Bheds come running in all direction armed with detaining tools like nets, ropes, etc.

"She's at the top eastern wall!"

"She's armed Gippal! We need to-!"

"DON'T!"

Rikku looks down where she can jump outside the walls of this fortress like of a campsite. The possibility that she could make it work this way rings prominently in her mind. If she can jump off now and make a head start, she can perhaps shake them… but without a desert mobile, they would catch up to her rather easily. Then the fiends that roam freely in the desert and her missing her equipment and items… that route becomes more and more dreadful; much less than the one she finds herself in considering that there are specific orders for her NOT to be fatally harmed. Fiends would maul her without any consideration since it is in their nature while her captives would keep her trussed up in a tent for reasons that are still vague to her. Turning her full attention back to the situation, the Al Bheds are now drawing closer awaiting for her to make her move while some are awaiting for orders to shoot her legs from Gippal; which makes Rikku wonder if Gippal was more than wiling to do it before, why not now?

"Rikku," Gippal's voice immediately catches her attention. "I know you can hear me so I need you to look straight ahead of you."

Keeping her firearms ready, Rikku complies and immediately she is able to catch an image of Gippal. In his hand is one of her daggers; it's almost like he is baiting her to grab it.

"I'm going after you, prick and I'm going to take that from you."

"I'm asking you to. Tell you what, you come down here as fast as you can and I promise that these guys won't shoot you down or take their anger out on you for how many of their friends and brothers you have killed."

Though the sarcasm is heavy in Gippal's tone, the weight of the message is quite demanding as Rikku can feel the animosity of each and every single Al Bhed that are taking very slow steps towards her. While the majority of them have something covering their faces, Rikku can more than decipher vengeful body language from each one.

"No boys," Gippal adds in. "Let's make our guest feel a bit more welcome. Harming her is not necessary. After all, wouldn't all of you do the same thing when put into that predicament?"

Murmurs and a few qualms are spoken through Rikku's head piece and in response she holds her pistol ready since more than a few of the Al Bheds are ready to take her life for what she has done. Regardless, it's time to make a decision and a stalemate like this wouldn't be the smartest choice.

"Okay you dick. I'm coming."

"Good. Oh but wait," As Rikku takes her first step, she finds herself pausing for a moment from his words. "Let's go to my tent. There's something I'd like to show you. And don't worry, it's not a trap or anything. We'll be alone, and I know you want that. It's just that, there's something you and I really need to discuss in private, and then you can take your equipment back; or try to anyways."

On its own Gippal's offer does sound rather suspicious; more than obvious a trap of some sort is in motion. As he walks towards a normal looking tent, Rikku sighs to herself, as her assumption of his prim donna tent was wrong. Then again, why would you let your place of solitude in a fortress like campsite be known to attackers when you are the commander on duty? Rikku was more than convinced that Gippal didn't know any better, but apparently he does. With that said, she starts making her way in a fast manner towards the said tent that he just walked in to. Pistol still in hand, Rikku remains vigilant at any of the Al Bhed who might still try something. With the damage she has done in the small amount of time, Rikku can somewhat appreciate that they want her alive for whatever reason that may be. As she gets closer to her destination, Rikku takes a quick glance behind her to see if she can signify any formation for this more than obvious trap; However, the Al Bheds remain where they are, glaring at her fervently while some are aching to use their trigger finger.

"You're taking your sweet time over there, Cid's girl," Gippal taunts. "You really have to understand that this is probably your best bet."

Rikku eventually finds herself in front of the tent that Gippal is beckoning her to enter. A myriad of things starts to run through her mind such as entering in would sure deter one chance of freedom but at the same time her chances of actually escaping are slim as it is. Perhaps going in here and dealing with whatever Gippal has in plan, maybe there would be a way for her to talk him out of this, or maybe just beat the living hell out of him. Regardless, now is not the time for such ambivalence. Taking a deep breath, Rikku enters the tent, her body tense and her hand ready to raise the pistol in her hand.

"Finally." The initial sound of Gippal's voice for sure would've been the signal for some Al Bhed to aim their gun at Rikku and demand that she unarms herself. However it wasn't what Rikku thought it would be and instead it's only Gippal in the tent, sitting in a desk in the middle. The same sardonic smile is written on his face as rests his hands behind his head with a very pompous demeanor emanating from him. "You should lower your weapon because if you are going to shoot me, it's not going to do you much good."

"What do you want from me, Gippal. Just stop bulshitting me and just get right to the point!"

In his desk are her equipment, neatly laid out from her daggers, her garment grid, and her items. Those would be her first priority if something does come up.

"Okay fine, we'll get right to the point. And I'll even let you have your items here in a moment if you decide to have them back."

"I'll just take them now."

"Before you do, just…. Look at this."

Gippal's signals with his head for her to look to her right and hesitantly she does so. At first it was just a blank monitor until a click of a button reveals something appalling to her.

"HMMMMPPPPP! HUMMHUUU HMMMPPP!"

"YUNIE!?"

The sight of Yuna bound and gagged while sitting on a chair dampens Rikku's spirits and she immediately runs to the monitor as if she was running to her cousin's aid. The High Summoner struggles fervently in her chair tie yet obviously getting nowhere. Wherever she is being held, she is unaware that she is being watched but she continues to scream through the cloth tied over her lips. Clenching her fists as she watches her cousin's plight, Rikku immediately turns to Gippal; tears forming on the corner of her eyes.

"Let her go!"

"Yeah, I thought you'd like to see that."

"You prick! Let her go right now! Whatever it is you want me to do I'll do it! Just keep her out of this!"

Some of Gippal's men enter the tent and Rikku makes no reaction towards them. She barely acknowledges them as the sound of Yuna's screaming is bombarding her mind. She turns to the screen again this time tears start to flow from her spiral green eyes. While Gippal's posture remains the same, his expression shifted to a stern and almost concerned one, though Rikku dismisses it as a demand and immediately she knows what he is insinuating with the look. She drops her handgun and kicks it away from her and immediately Rikku takes out the rifle hanging across her body, and lastly she gives up her grenades and any item she had acquired. The Al Bhed immediately takes the weapons she gives up and the some more goes to Rikku's side and prepares to detain her. By now there are more tears streaming from her eyes.

"Rikku…" Gippal tries to say before being cut off.

"LET HER GO GIPPAL! PLEASE!"

"She will stay safe, Rikku," Both Rikku and Gippal turn towards the entrance of the tent as another voice answers Rikku's plea. "Your cooperation of course would be the biggest thing that would factor in towards Yuna's safety and comfort while she stays with us."

"Father."

Rikku's eyes widen at the sight of Gippal's father, Judas. Right behind him are a few more Al Bhed who seems to be far more geared and armored than the ones that resides in Gippal's campsite. His presences bringing forth a dark and stern ambiance that even Gippal's sarcastic demeanor shifts to concur with his father's command presence.

"You let her make a wreck of your place, Gippal? What's wrong, Cid's daughter still bugging you?"

"N-No, Father."

"Please let her go! I promise to do anything!"

"You will do anything and everything we ask," A small smile forms on his lips. "And then we'll let her go. That is your only option, Rikku. And you will take it."

With those words the grip on Rikku tightens and she feels herself ushered to wherever they plan on holding her until her usefulness is depleted. With Yuna's muffled pleas echoes through the monitor, Rikku tries her best to get another glimpse of her captured cousin but unfortunately she couldn't. She then makes eye contact with Gippal that only last for a moment as he turns away immediately. What was once a hopeless situation quickly turns into a dire predicament for both her and Yuna. A situation that she has to undo, after all their captivity is because of her. Rikku knows that if she can't get her and Yuna out of this that it would be onher and everyone will blame her for it.

To Be Continued...