Something to Report

It would take them five hours to return back to Tantooine. They considered this a vacation. And even though they spent a lot of their time in bed they had fun. Marina did some research on Windmakers Cave as they neared Tantooine.

A few centuries ago an idiotic genius wanted to make wind power so he built a machine to create wind. It was built inside a cave to keep Tantooine's blazing suns from damaging it and to make the genius' most prized possession difficult to get to. But the idiotic genius didn't think to protect the machine's computer from the sands that Tantooine was so famous for. Therefore, the computer became disfunctional and now the machine was what now caused the planet's fierce sandstorms.

Marina gave the coordinates to Balthier as they entered Tantooine's atmosphere. He landed them about 100 yards away from the cave. The entrance was to their right. Marina grabbed her bag of supplies from the floor. She went to sling it over her shoulder but Balthier put his hand over hers before she could. She looked at him curiously. Balthier smiled a little and said "Let me take that my dear." Marina rolled her eyes and let him take it. He slung it onto his back and lowered the loading ramp.

They wrapped cloth around their mouths to let them breath air rather than sand. Cautiously they walked into the cave. The wind blew furiously against them but they pushed on. They soon became forced to clutch the cave wall to keep from being blown backwards. They walked slowly, clutching the cave wall for almost half of an hour before they came upon the machine. As soon as they passed it the wind stopped blowing against them. But there was nothing except the back of the cave.

They rested for a few minutes to catch their breath. Their muscles were tired and aching. Marina looked at Balthier. "Maybe we were wrong." But something had caught Balthier's attention.

He walked towards the wall and brushed some sand off of what appeared to be a handle. He grasped the handle and pulled with all of his strength but it did no good. He stepped back and sighed. He pulled his gun out and shot a circle around the handle. Much of the sand and stone had loosened and fallen away. A small treasure chest was stuck in the wall. This time when Balthier pulled the chest came free. Marina pulled the old woman's silver key out of her coin purse and handed it to Balthier. He put the key into the keyhole and turned it slowly. He looked up at Marina. She knelt down beside him. Then Balthier cautiously opened the lid. The wind key glowed with a golden light that matched the sands of Tantooine. Balthier gently picked it up and handed it to Marina who put it in her coin purse along with the key.

They started back down the tunnel of the cave, not letting go of the wall until they were safely out. The way out was easier since the wind was pushing them but it was still difficult to keep their footing. When they reached the Strahl they practically fell into their chairs in the cockpit. Their legs were so tired and heavy. But they had to keep moving if they didn't want Cid to find them. They rested for only a few minutes before Balthier started up the Strahl's engines.

"Now we are off to Naboo", Marina said as she gave the navicomputer their destination.

"But which temple are we looking for? Naboo has hundreds of temples", Balthier said as he leaned back in his chair.

"Well hopefully my hunch is right and we are looking for The Temple of Naboo. It's where coronations used to be held. Last I knew it was no longer open to the public so your lock picking skills will come in handy."

Balthier nodded.

--

"It's been nearly a month general, and you still have given me no good news" Cidolfus sighed in irritation.

Mattis bowed his head. "I am deeply sorry my king but we are doing everything we can."

Cidolfus sighed, unimpressed. "If only my son were here. He was brilliant. He would have found a way to bring those people to me." The general frowned but dared not point out that Ffamran, or Balthier as he was now called, betrayed him. "Keep looking general. Report back to me when you have something to report." General Mattis bowed and left the King's office.

--

"So where is this temple of ours" Balthier asked as he looked around the main street of the capital. Marina pointed ahead of them. "Further north then a little east." They walked through the crowded main street occasionally stopping at a shop to see what they had.

As they began to turn east they shared a large cinnamon roll for breakfast. It had taken them twelve hours to get to Naboo and another to get to the temple. Balthier was almost confused as to why they called it a temple. It was just a large two story rectangular building with a huge bell tower on the roof and massive columns at the entrance.

There was no one in the area so Balthier was able to pick the lock without being noticed. The inside reminded Balthier of a tomb for royalty. Statues of Naboo's long line of Queens lined both walls along with colorful tapestries depicting coronation days of long ago.

Balthier and Marina began searching for anything that could lead them underground. Marina noticed a tapestry that seemed out of place amongst the rest. Her eyes widened when she realized what it was of. "Balthier look at this", she said pointing to the tapestry.

Balthier came over and immediately understood. The tapestry depicted the four planets they had traveled to to get the stones. Mustafar, Kimino, Andor, and Tantooine. They searched frantically for switches or loose stones. "Marina let me see that key."

Marina dug in her coin purse and pulled out the key from among the stones and handed it to him. Balthier stuck it into what seemed to be a keyhole in the back of a statue and turned it. A door opened up in the stone wall behind them, it's lack of use spreading dust everywhere. Balthier handed the key back to Marina with that devilish smirk that made her shiver.

--

"Come in", Cid called from his desk. Mattis entered the room and bowed. "My king, we have yet to become successful with our quest. However, I have just received news that your son has been spotted on Naboo. I wonder if your majesty would like us to bring him before you."

Cid thought for a moment. "Too long has my son eluded us and shunned away from his destiny. But no more. Bring him before me."

"And what of the girl my lord?"

Cidolfus rubbed his chin in thought. "Bring her too. She may prove useful in convincing my son to stay and take up my throne when I am gone."

General Mattis bowed and left Cid to his thoughts.