Wild Birds
Summary: Visiting Norkia for some time off Claus and Lavie end up in a dangerous situation.
Warnings: none
Disclaimer: I do not own Last Exile, no money is being made from this use.
Duckling
"Claus!" Lavie screamed as the starfish attacked again. She could do nothing but watch only a second later a shot rang out, and the starfish shuddered and collapsed. She turned to the direction the shot came from.
A week ago
Alex smirked a bit at the anxious looks on Claus and Lavie's faces. "The arrangements have been made. Marius actually found you a place to stay at the Mad-Thane's residence. If I were you I'd head out as soon as possible so you can get a feel for the course."
Claus grinned, and Lavie cheered throwing her arms around Alex. "I knew you wouldn't let us down! We'll bring back that first place trophy for sure."
"Just don't do anything stupid. I want you both to come back in one piece." Alex said returning to his desk. Claus and Lavie had wanted to enter the race in Norkia since they had begun flying on their own, but until now something had always come up or gotten in the way. "And try to keep as quiet about this as you can. When Tatiana finds out none of us will ever hear the end of it."
She would find out, and he wasn't looking forward to that. Tatiana was arguably the best fighter pilot they had, and since she had become flight commander of the vanship squadron she had been very particular about the way things were carried out. At times even he wasn't exempt from her explosions of fury, though it never took her long to remember just who she was talking to. He usually let it slide unless she went too far, this wasn't the royal navy after all. And Tatiana was under more stress than a girl her age should be. Most of her pay went right to her mother, and ailing father, all of it if she thought she could do without. She went without a lot. Still he couldn't keep from cringing at the thought of how she would react to finding out Claus and Lavie had been given leave to take part in a race at their hometown.
In a matter of hours they were packed and ready to go. Alex, and Sophia watched them leave along with the mechanics. Behind him Alex heard Godwin sigh. "They just left and it's already too quiet around here." He said morosely.
"Least till "The Princess" finds out anyway." Kostavi grumbled quietly.
Out of the corner of his eye Alex saw Sophia bite her lip to try and keep from laughing.
They had been there for a few days already, but Lavie didn't think she'd ever get used to things like this. The Mad-Thane estate was huge. She and Claus walked together toward the dinning hall where Lady Mad-Thane was talking to her butler. She looked unhappy about something.
"Yes Ma'am, I'm afraid none was interested again today. Perhaps tomorrow." He said trying to sound comforting.
"Ma'am, is something wrong?" Claus asked as they reached the table.
Lady Mad-Thane smiled at them her daughter Holly was standing shyly at the door way behind her. "It's nothing for you to trouble yourselves about. There is a message I need delivered to my husband at Minagith, but it seems it will have to wait."
"We'll take it!" Lavie blurted out before she could stop herself. Blushing she looked at Claus who nodded.
"We are couriers ourselves after all, and you've been kind enough to let us stay even though you don't know us." He said, "Or that we are from the Silvana." He added to himself. As far as anyone from Norkia knew Claus and Lavie had been living with a distant relative of Claus' since the death of his mother. Lady Mad-Thane allowing them to stay at the manor was a favor to Marius.
"It's far too dangerous." Lady Mad-Thane said though she looked grateful for the offer. "Thank you, but can't possible send you children into battle."
"We do tricky courier work all the time." Lavie said, digging out the record book she always carried with her. That should be safe enough to show, and convince her. "We're best couriers around back home." She added enthusiastically.
"Their success record is quite impressive, My Lady." The butler said looking over the book.
Lady Mad-Thane bit her lip worriedly but nodded. "Very well, please be careful."
As Claus came forward to take the message tube Holly clumsily dropped a message tube of her own, as Claus picked it up she shyly hid behind her mother. "It.. It's for Father.."
Claus smiled. "Don't worry we'll make sure he gets it."
The job started to go down hill from the moment they arrived aboard the Claimh Solais. They delivered the message and were even able to read Holly's letter, but a surprise attack from above by Disith forces threatened to destroy the entire fleet. Claus and Lavie decided they needed to do something, even if their vanship wasn't equipped for battle. It seemed like a miracle for the fleet when the Silvana arrived. For Claus and Lavie personally however it was just about the worst thing that could have happened that day. When they finally returned to the Mad-Thane residence, they were too late for the time attack. After dinner the returned to Claus' guest room sitting on the edge of his bed a grim cloud hanging over their heads.
"Even if Alex didn't see us, Tatiana and Alis will have to tell him about it." Lavie said her head drooping as she recalled the argument they'd had with the older girl right there in the middle of battle. Claus nodded sighing.
"We are so dead when we get back..." Lavie continued. Claus nodded again and they both slumped back onto the mattress groaning.
It was late when Sophia entered Alex's quarters with the urgent message from Marius. He was sitting at his desk glaring down at unfinished paperwork. Seeing the expression on his face she knew she was going to have to wait. It didn't take long.
Alex's fist slammed down on the desk scattering paper everywhere. "I told them not to do anything stupid! What the hell were they thinking!"
"From what Tatiana told me they were trying to repay Lady Mad-Thane's kindness by delivering a message to Duke Mad-Thane for her."
Alex was quiet for a while. "Sophia."
"Yes Captain."
"When lieutenants' Valca and Head return from leave, they are to be confined to their quarters."
Since he wasn't looking at her Sophia rolled her eyes instead of letting out the sigh, she'd been holding in. "Yes, Captain. May I ask for how long?"
"Until I no longer feel like strangling them... And don't roll your eyes at me."
Sighing now she set the note in front of him, watching his expression change as he read. He sat quietly for a few moments before he got up and went to the window watching the sky grow darker. "So it's finally happening." He spoke so quietly Sophia wondered if he had forgotten she was there, and was taking to himself. "After all this time, maybe I can finally give them the skies they deserve. Skies free from the guild's control, free from Delphine." He spat the name like a curse.
"It's a noble goal." Sophia said quietly coming to stand beside him.
He smirked. "More noble than all out revenge you mean?"
Sophia said nothing for a while, then abruptly turned heading for the door. "Shall we change course Captain?" She asked her hand over the handle.
Alex nodded. "Let the Disith fleet limp home. We're heading for Norkia."
"Yes, Captain."
"Sophia." Sophia stopped her hand pressing the handle down. "Thank you, if you weren't here we wouldn't have this opportunity."
Sophia smiled sadly. "I think you greatly overestimate my influence on His Majesty." She opened the door then quietly shut it again. "You should be careful while trying to give them the sky, that they don't end up losing something they love even more."
"Are you speaking for them, or yourself?" He asked whispering. He hadn't meant for her to hear it.
"I think, I speak for the entire crew, Captain." Before he could think of a reply she had gone.
"I finally got Al back to sleep." Lavie said quietly as she sat on the floor of the abandoned garage next to the canals they had taken shelter in. "I didn't think she'd ever stop crying about Guita."
In the dim light of the old lantern they had found Claus was looking over the map of Norkia. "If we use these water ways, we should be able to make it most of the way without having to use the engine." He turned to Lavie showing the path he'd marked out on the map.
She nodded. "We'll have to run the engine though. We need to make sure we can fly." They both knew however running the engine might lead the guild right to them. Frustrated Lavie growled pounding a foot against the floor. "Grrr.. Stupid Guild! What do they have to go after a little girl for anyway? Why do they keep taking things from everyone?...Monsters.." Taking a deep breath she was quiet for a while. "Lady Mad-Thane and Holly are probably worried about us since we never got back."
"Even if we could get back, we'd just be putting them in danger. We'll send a letter to explain what we can when we get back to the Silvana." Claus said folding the map and handing it to Lavie. Lavie nodded. "It's a risk, but we should wait till we're ready to leave to try the engine." He said standing to stretch his legs. They didn't know how many other starfish were out there or how close they were. "Try and get some sleep ok? I'll keep watch for a while."
Lavie nodded and went back to the vanship. She was hungry and tired, but they only had a few rations stashed in the ship. With Al under their care she wanted them to last as long as they could. It would be a long day tomorrow.
Only hours later before the sun had risen Claus woke her. "I think we should go now before it gets too light out."
"Did you even get any sleep at all?" She asked frowning at him.
He guiltily shook his head. "Couldn't. I don't think I'll able to sleep till we're back on the Silvana."
"Stupid!" Lavie growled at him. "You better stay awake or I'll make sure you regret it."
They woke Alvis, and got her along with what little supplies they had loaded up before they ran the engine for as long as they dared. Hoping it wouldn't become water logged again the pushed the vanship into the water, and began their slow journey down the canals toward the temple ruins.
"Here." Lavie said tossing some of the rations, and one of the canteens up front. The canteen landed on Claus' head making Alvis giggle. "It's not much but it's something to eat and good water." Seeing Al looking back at her she managed to smile despite the anxiety she was feeling. "The food will be a lot better on the Silvana."
The trip was quiet until they nearly reached their goal seeing a light in the distance. Claus smiled down at Alvis. "Nearly there." He looked back up sharply when the light went back out. "Lavie."
Lavie looked at the map. They hadn't gone far enough past the last marker to be able to see light yet. "Oh no.. Claus it was waiting for us! How did it know!"
"Don't worry about that now! Make sure you are strapped in!" Claus pressed the engine switch sending a quick and grateful prayer up when it started without problems. As the ship rose above the water the starfish came up as well.
"Claus! What do we do?"
"Get ready to hold your breath I'm going to try and go under it!"
"WHAT!" Lavie screamed only to have to cut it short and take a deep breath as the vanship turned upside down and splashed into the canal. It worked to get them past the starfish, but the guild ship unlike their own ship had no trouble turning between the narrow walls and coming after them.
Claus flew toward the exit as fast as could, the starfish not far behind. They were stuck in a vanship with no combat capabilities, and he only had one idea he hoped desperately was going to work. "Lavie get the hook ready!"
Lavie blinked at him. "..uh..Right.."
"There's the real exit! Lavie now!"
"Got it!" Lavie shot the cable out and hooked the starfish with it.
The guild ship lost control but hitting the canal walls wasn't going to do it much damage. Claus hoped hitting the rocks at the bottom of the fall would do enough that it couldn't follow them. Unfortunately the starfish managed to get a good shot at them as they tried to speed away from the bottom of the falls. After crash landing, and making sure everyone was all right they looked around. "Hey, we made it." Lavie said relieved.
They climbed out Claus helping Alvis to the ground before checking the vanship. There was no sign of the Silvana yet.
"All we have to do it wait for Alex now." Lavie said smiling as she sat beside Al. "It might be kind of scary at first, but everyone is as actually really nice." She said placing a hand on the girl's head. "Me and Claus will be there too, of course."
Alvis smiled and was about to say something when the starfish grabbed her. Both she and Lavie screamed. When they tried to rescue her both Lavie, and Claus were knocked away. Claus tried again only to be thrown against the rubble.
"Claus!" Lavie screamed as the starfish attacked again. She could do nothing but watch only a second later a shot rang out, and the starfish shuddered and collapsed. She turned to the direction the shot came from. "Alex!" Lavie felt ready to cry out of relief.
Alex's own expression was unreadable as he was joined by Godwin and Gale. "Get the girl." He ordered, shocked to see Claus and Lavie there, and preoccupied with seeing if they were all right; he paid no attention to what Gale and Godwin were actually doing until he heard another shot ring out turning just in time see Godwin catch the now detached starfish arm. He was only slightly relieved when Gale announced the girl was all right, he'd have reprimanded them right there if Lavie hadn't gotten to them first. She carefully took Alvis off the arm, and handed her to Godwin taking the arm from him. Gale sensing trouble ahead set down the gun he'd used and got ready to run he was almost hit by the arm Lavie was swinging at him now.
"STUPID! She's a little girl, not a sack of flour!" Lavie shouted angrily chasing after Gale.
Alex turned back to Claus walking over to help him up. "How the hell did you end up involved in this? Don't go into details, I just want to know how you two ended up here."
Claus told him about the race, Ralph and Guita, and coming through the canals. "Lady Mad-Thane will be really worried about us." He added guiltily after he finished.
Alex sighed, turning back to the others. "That's enough." He said quietly seeing Godwin, still holding Alvis in one arm, while holding Lavie back with the other as she tried to hit Gale with it. "Get her aboard, and load up the vanship. I want to get out of here quickly."
"I'll help with the ship." Claus said trying to keep his balance as he walked.
Alex grabbed his shoulder. "Let them deal with it. You aren't going anywhere but straight to the infirmary." Claus frowned at him but nodded.
A while later safe aboard the Silvana with Alvis tucked into her bed, Lavie and Sophia were going through some of Lavie's old clothes.
"You don't mind her staying in here?" Sophia asked quietly as she gathered up a few things she thought might fit the girl to send down to the laundry.
"Nah, I think she'll feel better if she can stay with someone she already kinda knows. The Silvana can be kind of scary for a little kid sometimes." Not paying attention she bumped into her shelf knocking down the goat toy Alex had given her as a child. It baaed as it hit the floor. Lavie picked it up and smiling put it under the blankets beside Alvis. "That reminds me. After we're done with this I should go down to storage rooms and see what old toys of mine and Claus' are left." Helping Sophia with the clothes they left quietly leaving the girl to sleep.
In the infirmary Claus having finally given a full report to Alex on what had happened was trying to get some answers of his own. "Why is the guild after Al anyway?"
Alex was quiet, the silence went on far to long for Claus' liking he opened his mouth again. "She's from one of the purged families. As far as I know the last of the Hamilton line."
Claus frowned again. "There's more to it than that isn't there? That thing acted like it wanted her alive, if it was just about taking out the purged families we'd never have made it to the ruins."
Alex smirked. "You're actually starting to pay attention to things. I'm going to have to keep a closer eye on you. The rest is nothing for you to worry about for now, get some sleep you'll need it. I'm putting you and Lavie in charge of taking care of her."
"What?..But..I thought..Miss Sophia.."
"Has enough to work to do. You wanted me to give you a chance at having more responsibility anyway didn't you?" Alex said getting up and heading to the door. Claus continued to sputter at him. "This is your chance. Don't mess it up."
Claus sat watching the door after Alex left. Sighing in defeat he flopped back down on the matters and winced. When he heard Sybil laughing, he frowned at her. "I'm being punished aren't I?" He asked.
Sybil smiled at him. "He won't say anything else because he's not sure of what is going on himself. None of us are. Believe it or not you may have just been given one of the most important jobs on the ship... That's not saying you aren't going to be punished for that stunt you pulled in Minagith. He probably wants to think of something really nasty for that."
Grumbling to himself and ignoring the pain he turned over on his side so he wouldn't have to look at her. Eventually he fell asleep.
At the temple ruins two boys watched a small screen showing what had happened to the starfish and its unfortunate pilot. "Who is this?" One of them asked with interest watching Claus' face on the monitor.
AN: So here we are at last. The final planned story for Wild Birds. I may have more ideas in the future so I'll leave this marked in progress, but getting into the actual series itself is tricky business for me.
I had re-watch the first six episodes to make sure I got the time line right, and I tried to leave out most of the scenes that I thought would just be identical to the show. It was fun trying to come up with how everyone would react to the altered situation where of this AU.
Originally the argument Tatiana, Alister, Claus and Lavie had in Minagith was in the story but it looked really awkward, especially with Claus, and Lavie heading back to Norkia afterward so I took it out.