Chapter 7
How on earth would Beatrix react if she knew that Zidane was doing this? She would probably have a conniption fit. Pop a blood vessel in her eye. Maybe her head would just explode.
That's right, he was doing it. Disregarding any and all promises he may have made to Beatrix (he did have his fingers crossed), he was going to accompany Tantalus on the biggest, most dangerous, and potentially most lucrative heist that had ever come their way.
Zidane wasn't taking chances, though. He was wearing his cloak, with his hood up. He had borrowed a black veil from Marcus with which he might cover the lower half of his face. He kept his tail wound into a little circle beneath his cloak. Nobody would recognize him.
The Lindblum sky was gray this morning; it was reminiscent of brushed steel. It was warm out, though, on this late-June day. Baku had told him that there was a chance of rain, and Zidane thought that that might not be a very unrealistic guess.
He stood calmly above the docks in the Financial District, the two Lindblum Commerce Guild airships beneath him. The small one was his target – the escort ship. He, Blank, and Marcus would board the escort craft, knock out the guards, dump them out behind one of the buildings nearby, and then Blank and Marcus would don their uniforms while he hid in the escort ship. They would take off as if nothing were amiss.
Baku and Cinna, meanwhile, would sneak aboard the main vessel and take out as many guards as they could – silently. When the coast was clear, they would give Zidane the signal, and he would move the escort as close as possible to the big ship, allowing his two partners to board. They would collect the loot while he piloted the escort craft, and they would use it as their getaway. It would be stupid to take it back to Lindblum, of course, so they would head for a predetermined meeting spot high in the Aerbs, where one of Baku's many associates would come with a ship. He, unlike Tirkto, would get a cut, for he, unlike Tirkto, actually did something for it.
"Boss just sent word, it's time to strike. They'll be bringing the gil aboard the main ship in a half-hour, so we had better take out the guys on the escort quick," Marcus said, appearing by Zidane's side.
"Alright," the genome said, pulling Marcus's black veil up over his nose. "Where's Blank?"
"Down there," stated Marcus, pointing to a stack of crates, out from which Blank popped. He waved for the two to join him, which they did.
There were three guards aboard the vessel; they were all sitting around shootin' the shit, as it were. Zidane whipped out a dagger and spun it around. Blank pulled a club out of one of the crates, and tossed it to Marcus. He proceeded to pull one out for himself.
Zidane leapt into the craft, lunging upon one of the guards and smacking him hard on the top of the head with the butt of his dagger handle. The guard dropped like a stone.
The other two now stood up, astonished, but were too slow to do anything as Marcus and Blank were soon upon them. With two or three good blows, they were out cold as well.
"Easy money," Blank said, spinning the club around.
"Yeah yeah, don' get cocky. This was the easy part. Now strip off their uniforms. I mean, Zidane ain't wearin' one, but we had better," Marcus said, pulling off a pair of pants. "Heh, tighty-whities? What a dork!"
After stashing the knocked-out guards behind a warehouse nearby, Blank and Marcus hastily pulled the uniforms on over their clothes. Zidane hid behind some boxes while Blank and Marcus sat down.
After a few minutes, heavy pants could be heard outside and Blank glanced out. They were loading the gil aboard the main ship.
A tall, rather mean-looking Burmecian came aboard the escort and glanced back and forth between Marcus and Blank. At last he spoke.
"Where's the third guard?"
"Huh? What third guard?" Marcus asked.
The Burmecian growled. "Whaddya mean 'what third guard'? They said there'd be three guards!"
"Nope. We were the only two they sent," Blank replied.
The Burmecian growled. "They never tell me anything…ergh, no matter. I'm sure you two can handle it fine. We're lifting off in ten minutes – we'll radio you at liftoff."
Blank and Marcus saluted, and the Burmecian growled something about inefficiency. With that, he turned and left.
"I wonder if the boss and Cinna got aboard?" ventured Blank, leaning back in his seat.
As if to answer, there came a mighty sneeze from outside, and then, "God bless you man! That was quite the sneeze! Be careful; nearly dropped the crate!" "(Sniffle…)…Thanks. Sorry 'bout that…"
Ten minutes passed, and then the radio beeped. Blank casually pressed the receiver button.
"This is LCG Transport Ship #008. We're taking off. See you in the air."
"Roger that," Blank replied, spinning around in his chair. The radio clicked as the line closed. "Hey Zidane, you're flying this rig, so c'mere."
Zidane popped out from his hiding place and took a seat. He powered up the engine and the propellers whirred to life. He waited for the main ship to take off and then lifted off himself, keeping well behind the behemoth frigate.
"I don't think Boss'll give us the signal 'til were over the Aerbs…," Marcus said, glancing down as they passed over the walls of Lindblum.
Amarant's airship settled down into the tranquil waters of Alexandria Lake at about midday. Mikoto was standing at a window, taking in the city.
"Bit bigger than the village, eh?" he asked, grinning.
"I have never seen a settlement this big, no," Mikoto replied, turning towards the exit.
"Y'know, Lindblum's three times bigger, at least…"
Mikoto shrugged. "I guess that's their problem, then."
As she stepped down out of the ship, Amarant grinned. "Little snake, that one…"
He powered down the ship and followed his genome companion out onto the dock. She was staring at the giant gleaming sword that stuck out of Alexandria castle.
"What's the point of a blade that gargantuan? No one could ever wield it…"
Amarant shrugged. "I guess it's the prime example of excess…" He turned to look at Mikoto, but she had already walked to the end of the dock.
"…And how long will you be parked here, miss?" asked the port master.
"He's the one you want. It is his ship," she replied, heading off towards the skiff that would transport her to the castle. She was three steps ahead of him.
The port master approached Amarant. "Ehem…how long can I expect you to be parked here, mister…?"
"Amarant Coral. Not long. Maybe one night."
The little man nodded. "Very good. Have a nice stay in Alexandria, Mr. Coral."
Amarant nodded and ran towards the skiff to catch up with Mikoto. He leapt aboard just as the soldier rowing pushed off.
"Y'know, you could've waited!" he growled, catching his breath.
Mikoto laughed. "Yes, and you could have been quicker, but you're here, are you not?"
Amarant chuckled. "You're only lookin' out for numero uno, eh? Can't blame you. Numero uno is exactly who you need to look out for."
The blonde girl shrugged. "I suppose."
The trip to the castle wasn't long, and soon they reached the shore. The pair disembarked together this time, but Mikoto quickly got ahead of him.
Steiner stood next to the doors, holding his sword in a way he imagined to be quite impressive. He wasn't paying much attention to his surroundings; he only cared about adjusting his posture to get to the perfect knight stance.
Mikoto glanced at him but slipped right past.
A moment later, Amarant approached. It would be impossible to miss him.
"Ah. To what do I owe the…pleasure, Amarant?" Steiner asked.
Amarant laughed mockingly. "Yeah yeah, Steiner. Nice to see you too. I need to talk to Zidane. Is he here?"
Steiner shook his head. "His ROYAL MAJESTY King Zidane Tribal Alexandros is on vacation in Lindblum. The queen is here, though. If there's something you need to tell Zidane, I'm sure you can tell her."
Amarant shrugged. He honestly didn't know whether he could tell Garnet. "I guess I can tell her. May I?" he asked, gesturing towards the door.
Steiner nodded. "Follow me. I'll arrange a meeting."
As they passed into the foyer, Amarant found himself wondering where Mikoto had wandered off to. He was sure she'd be fine by herself, though.
Mikoto ascended the grand stairs above silently, taking in every detail of the castle. The red velvet carpet, the marble stone stairs, the great mahogany doors. As she reached the top, she grinned. "I shall live here. Zidane won't tell me otherwise."
"Oh…who're…? That tail! You're Mikoto, aren't you? It's been so long, and yet…you don't look much different at all." Mikoto glanced over to see an amber-haired female knight walking out from a pair of doors. An impressive sword hung at her side.
"You're General Beatrix, right?" Mikoto asked, still staring at her sword.
"That's right, but…what are you doing here?" Beatrix asked, following the genome's gaze to her blade.
"I…I have decided that I won't stay in the village any longer."
Beatrix smiled. "How'd you get here?"
"I can answer that," came a certain gruff voice coming up the stairs. Steiner came into view first, followed by the certain gruff individual to whom the voice belonged.
"Ah, Amarant…what is the occasion?" asked Beatrix, extending her hand to the big man.
Amarant shook it twice. "I need to talk to Zidane about something, but Rusty here told me that he's on vacation…so, I guess Garnet will have to do."
Steiner made an angry little grunt and began shaking his fist in the air. "The queen will "have to do"?!? How dare you speak out of turn like that, you-"
"Steiner, hush. You just leave this to me, okay?" Beatrix ordered. Steiner growled again. "But he…such talk is…oh, very well! But mind yourself before the queen!"
The knight marched down the stairs in a rut.
Amarant grinned. "Sorry about…"
"It's fine. Anyone else, I would reprimand myself, but, you're a special case. Anyway, follow me, please."
Beatrix pushed the doors open and marched through, holding them open for her two guests. Garnet stood nearby, speaking with a noble. She immediately broke off the conversation when she noticed the newcomers.
"Oh! Amarant! And…Mikoto? What are you doing here?"
Mikoto didn't answer, but passed right by, glancing around at everything and nothing.
"I saw a genome in Luxor the other day. Emotive Girl didn't know anything about it…I figured Zidane oughtta know, but since he's not here…"
Garnet nodded. "He's…vacationing…in Lindblum. Beatrix just got back yesterday afternoon… at any rate, if you think it's a serious matter, you can go find him. I guess he's probably at the Tantalus place, right Beatrix?"
The female knight nodded. "When last I saw him."
"Okay…guess I'll do that. Can we stay the night? It's already noon, so…," Amarant asked.
"Certainly," Garnet replied, glancing back at Mikoto. "Beatrix, would you get a servant to tidy up a couple of guest rooms?"