Man of the Trade

"Scalar" — Chapter 3

DISCLAIMERS:

An always improving story inspired by Final Fantasy VI and written by Solovino88.

Me owns only the narration (thank God, I'm a lousy character designer!), licensed under Creative Commons (as indicated in my profile). All characters and locations are © by Square Enix.

CHAPTER SUMMARY:

Shadow has lots of problems to take care of. As if guided by fate, each solution leads to the next one, in slightly unexpected ways, until he sets off with the party to the islands near the Serpent Trench.

The young brown haired boy stood speechless, at the bodies of the five thugs who tried to attack his father's farm. Before him, there was a strange person who came out of nowhere, shrouded in blue, a helmet covering his head and eyes, strange military boots (Shadow had had no time to change), and a number of daggers and pins the boy could not manage to get a count of. A seemingly ferocious hound was at his side, flaring eyes and sharp teeth.

The surprise was cut short when the boy noticed the last thug was trying to get up the ground. Hands went to a small blade in his rear pocket, and in front of him a shuriken was about to leave the hands of the assassin, when the thug was pushed by a strong force from behind and knocked unconscious to the grassy ground, two sets of avian claws over his chest.

"Wa–ark!"

– Calm down... I'm fine - started the boy, who proceeded to walk to the Chocobo and pat him in the head.

Shadow was just standing there, not sure what to do. As far as he knew there was a young girl calling for his help... something in the lines of "Dad...!". He glared at the boy. He approached the animal who pushed his head against the young, welcoming the petting. After a brief moment the bird noticed the brown hound close, and warked furiously, stretching his left wing to protect his Master.

Interceptor, however, did not respond. He always knew when a creature was friendly... or not. He just sprinted back to Shadow, always looking behind, leaving no doubt who is the boss. By the time he came to Shadow, the brown haired boy was heading to them, striding to avoid all the pointy weapons left in the ground.

– Thanks - he said still smiling, – for saving me back there...

Shadow said nothing. He was just staring at the boy. He was sure, so sure, it was her. Maybe the brown hair in the darkness played a devious joke to his mind... but no... only a boy with his Chocobo.

Then, why had Interceptor attacked?

– S'nothing. Gotta leave now.
– Can't I thank you?

Shadow ignored the question, he instead picked his stuff. He should care more, there would be some Gil as reward, but... for one, he had not been hired. "Yeah, as if I'm going to believe that...", berated Shadow to himself. The boy, however, approached him after a couple of seconds, now mounting the Chocobo. For a while, none of them said nothing, then the boy tried a conversation.

– Never seen anyone fight like that, you know?

– The flying things and stuff. I know only blades and Magitek Armor.

– Anyways, I think I owe you one.

The boy steered the Chocobo and pushed against Shadow, who had to resist the urge to release the last dagger hidden behind his elbow. He just stopped in his tracks and looked at the boy. It is not her, he reminded himself, yet he could not summon the force to just ignore the brat and steer away.

– What do you want?
– To help. - The boy dismounted and stood right in front of Shadow, no fear in his eyes. - As you sa--
– It was nothing I said.
– Then... how about this? - the boy said, leaping forward: — I do business. You came to the farm, so you need some transport?
– I did not know there was a--

Shadow stopped hard. He was going nowhere in particular... or was he? Why was he running amok, in the middle of the night? He was supposed to go to a particular place.

He had an idea... Where had the idea gone? Why was he doubting what he could-- then a thought come to mind.

"...to retrieve General Leo from the Albrook campaign site..."

– Damn...

As if concurring, Interceptor let out a growl. Shadow looked down to the eyes of his companion, and perceived something that was beyond the concept of doubt, if that was possible. "What are you trying to run from... or what are you chasing?"

– ... Albrook...
– Uh?

Shadow was, actually, chasing something. Not a thing but an idea. After a memory buried in the days of job hunting, Shadow knew perfectly that his fate was ultimately tied to the legends. And he knew that if anyone had any reason to dig the buried secrets, his own past would be the last line of defense the Triad would have, anything else would be subject to greed.

Several years ago, "SHADOW" was not a person but a name. The most feared name in the Northern Continent after "they" managed to steal an unthinkable amount of Gil -- more than any party could carry -- from the Doma Regional Bank. It was the greatest hit recorded on history.

The plan was to escape through a small town hidden beyond the cordillera, then follow the Serpent Trench to Nikeah, then ferry to Albrook, then happy vacation. To enjoy some time with the thriving lifestyle and the exuberant woodlands before worrying for their lives again.

But happiness did not last, they were not fast enough...

Now everything was different. There was no "SHADOW" anymore. The Gil was never found, the thieves, presumed dead. Only Shadow knew their fate, and not even that was for sure. The town east of the Serpent Trench was already forsaken from mankind's knowledge, as far as he knew. Albrook was seized by the Empire a rough five years later. Peacefully, as a matter of fact, as a great strategist and soldier called Leo was in charge of the operations. Eve since that man was deemed in the highest esteem in the whole Empire. A dream of a future being for every soldier... until Kefka arrived.

And now it was his chance. Somewhere in his mind, the sparks of new thoughts colliding, taking the shape of a strategy to reach the hidden mountains not only undetected, but also unaccounted. Essentially, it was that ideal One Million Gil vacation, but done backwards (and without that many Gil).

But... something had gone slightly wrong...

– ...Albrook you say?

Shadow looked at the boy. Beyond the tall, brown haired figure and green shirt, Shadow knew more. About 20 years old, left-handed, most surely born a Sunday, proud of himself, good at finances, no bronchitis last winter, loving of his family and the animal at his side. Trustable.

Everything he could have dreamed of a son, or a daughter. In another lifetime.

– Have to catch a ferry tomorrow.
– But Albrook? - the young showed to be clearly surprised. He proceeded to visually "inspect" the landscape, as if trying to prove a point: – And what are you doing here? We're almost the opposite side of the continent...
– It's not your business... I'm already very late.
– Well, as I was saying then... - interrupted the boy, again pushing the Chocobo against Shadow. – I can get you there now.

Shadow stared at the boy. Eyes almost level. The boy was pointing at the Chocobo.

– No kidding, boy.
– No kidding.

He tought to himself, why not? -- He had nothing to lose and everything to gain. He had already formulated a plan to get to Thamasa and carry his operation undetected, right under the Empire and the Returners' noses. But he needed time for implementation..

– Show me, boy.
– Right sir... Boco! - the boy called to the Chocobo who warked back and stomped on the ground. - Looks we have a costumer!

Catching on the cue, Shadow picked Interceptor in his arms and mounted the animal, who didn't let out the slightest clue of having problem with the extra weight. The boy smiled to himself, picked a collar from his bag and put it around the Chocobo's neck. A green, hexagonal shard was attached to the string and was glowing eerily at the shades of the night.

– Family gem. So people knows it's from our farm.
– I see.
– And, by the way, me being you, I would hold very tight.
– What about you? - responded Shadow.
– I'll be right. The farm's right there. I was just tryin' to intercept them - the boy nodded at the six fallen bodies – before they could... do anything.

A boy protecting his family, thought Shadow, probably they're old or he is an only son, he had to protect them.

– So... Albrook by morning?
– Yeah, I said - the boy answered with excitement. – I'm serious.
– ... And how much is it--?
– Saved my life, I said.
– You said you were providing a service.
– And I said you just paid in advance.

Shadow readied himself. He tried to mumble a thanks, something he was not used to, but the boy raised his hand and stopped him. He produced a small wooden card from his jacket pocket, and handed it to Shadow.

– Just in case you need help again. Transport, commendation, shelter... anything.

Shadow picked the card and stored it in his pocket, he had already memorized the contents in a flash look. A transportation family business near Tzen, he needed not to know more.

– I'm leaving...
– Do you have a name?
– ...I'm just a shadow who does anything for a price.
– "Shadow", then. Bon voyàge.

Shadow aligned his knuckles and the boy let out a swift call to the Chocobo who picked up and parted, full speed from the first step. Interceptor was almost caught by surprise and fell from the bird, but Shadow was holding him tight.

He looked to the sides, to the forest to the left. It seemed blurry, just like a dream he once had. A phantom train... Times gone by now... Hundreds or red eyes were prying on them. Vultures, bulldogs, catscratchs and wormchickens. Even a Sand Eater, maybe, but Shadow truly did not care. Whatever was waiting for him he would have to worry no longer. He was truly to reach Albrook before morning, and set his plans in motion. For once. He smiled to himself, and, as if feeling his resolution, the Chocobo let out a wark, still running.

It was a strange turn of fate. His daughter had come to help, in his mind at least, when he was stranded in the island nowhere to go... that's if he didn't headbutt into a rock first.

Now his mind was set in a new chain of objectives. One after another, he would complete his personal missions. He would make sure no one found about the Triad. And, in the end, he would protect her.

The morning the day after... in the forests right outside Albrook.

Some soldiers were checking the area, their target in sight, moving furtively. They were trying to infiltrate the fallen airship that was nearby. Property of the so called "Flamboyant Gambler", the airship was damaged in a recent infiltration attempt on Vector. Vermin Returners, they were a plague trying to destroy the Empire, spreading treason among the troops and unleashing ferocious monsters if necessary, they wouldn't stop until they destroy the world, so they had to be stopped first... at any cost. Hail Kefka!

The instructions: to seize the ship, capture the Gambler and the others, alive if possible. Maximum caution about a uberstrong blonde brat with super blitz moves that wiped several Magitek Armors. Find any evidence of contact with former General Celes. If any of those was not possible... well we all know.

The team was about to get in the airship. Bombs were already set up, just in case the operation went wrong. Not sanctioned by the Empire after all. It was an attempt of loyal troops, dismissed and dishonored after their war efforts, moved by their loyalty to Kefka. It was either frame or annihilate those Returners, for the sake of the Empire so that their beloved General would come back in full grace to the eyes of the Emperor. Hail Kefka!

The squad leader signaled the three soldiers to the other side of the airship to get in. They picked up a rope and started climbing. The leader checked out the wires to the bombs, checked that his elemental armor was intact, and silently walked to the airship's lower deck, where he had already selected and secured an entry point.

After a short climb, the squad leader took his weapons and furtively walked to the upper deck. The door had been unlocked and headed directly into the engines section. He was about to get in when he noticed a pile of something to his left. A quick examination led to a chill down his spine.

Three bodies in military uniform... His men were killed, apparently one hit each, and before they could even notice. Trying to control the fear, the squad leader took up a fighting stance and turned left to check on his open side.

It was too late. The last thing he saw was a shuriken flying right in between his eyes, and a shady, blue figure over the trees in the background.

A couple minutes later, Cyan and Gau came in to take a breath. Gau followed Cyan everywhere imitating his very particular way of speech. Setzer come a moment later after briefing the others on the ship reparations. The walked around, talked to each other... and noticed nothing.

After all, there was nothing there. No bodies. No blood. No wires. No rope. No Shadow. Not a clue of how close had they been to an ambush and a fiery end.

Albrook, that afternoon...

The soldiers at the hotel were celebrating. Finally a travel to the Serpent Trench, a land of strange phenomena and beautiful nature. Hey, not counting the Espers gone wild, this was pretty much a group vacation.

Up in a secluded room, a well built man, with dark skin and big eyes, wearing military clothes and sporting almost a dozen badges, was finishing his report. He was quite concentrated, but did not fail to sense a subtle shaking in the window outside, and he turned the opposite side to meet his visitor.

Shadow stepped in, produced some papers and handed them to General Leo.

– So those are in the airship? We could use any of them to join. Let's see... the knight from Doma, or maybe the blonde brat, or the... uh... the who? What is a moggle?

For an answer, Shadow simply stood there motionless. He did not even blink. Leo was not surprised. He had been well recommended this mercenary. Even the Klauser farm, probably they had hired him before.

– But... with no time left, we'll have to stick with the pickpocketeer and General Tina.

General Leo proceeded to arrange the papers and slid them inside a case.

– I heard some units back in Vector did not take the truce very well...

– ...

– They would uprise and try something to...

A quick leer towards the man in blue. Nothing.

Again, Shadow stood motionless. Sure, there were four elite soldiers, twelve soldiers from three discharged units, six bounty hunters and a Kohlingen "casher" following the Gambler, all dead in a cave nearby... But he was to keep those treasons to himself. Keeping the parties misleadingly trusting each other so they would not have to pay attention to him.

General Leo looked back at Shadow and did not let his gaze steer away. Trying to read anything like a mind behind those eyes... to discern if there was something else to known... but all he got was "I only do whatever I am paid for, and stare at me for as long as you like, you're only reading a Leafrabbit's eyes".

– Fine then, Mr... - Leo checked on his papers again - "Shadow". It is obvious that you are the best fit for the job. Could you pack your stuff and meet with me at the docks in one hour exactly? We're already late.

This time Shadow moved slightly to the left and moved his right arm slightly forwards. General Leo picked o the clue.

– Yes, the payment... As promised, two thousand Gil in advance... - Leo produced a bag and handed it to Shadow, – and an... extra six thousand Gil for your... support, back there. - Leo handed another, black bag, which Shadow took and proceeded to examine. – It's all there as arranged. No one needs to know.

Shadow opened the bag, emptied its contents into the two thousand bag, and returned the empty bag to the General. Caught by the gesture, Leo took the bag back.

– Fine then. - Leo resumed his position in front of the desk. – You'll receive the orders and money only from me. You are free to ignore anyone else trying to give you a command, unless I sanction it in your presence. Is that okay?

For an answer, Shadow simply resumed his previous position.

– Fine... One hour from now, then. You'll act as an escort for General Celes, and protect her from any damage. Be it the Returners, or Empire. Or anything those islands have in store for us. That's all.

A moment later the room was empty. Shadow was in the hotel roof, checking the docks.

Everything had turned as planned. None of the parties could suspected his motives to join the expedition beyond his apparent mercenary lust for money, he was believed to be so focused on getting paid, that he was set to escort a traitor General neither side longer cared about.

Things would soon set up in motion as Shadow wanted. Once he could reach the island, he would let the two groups betray each other before they could even reach the hidden mountains.

End of Chapter 3