Two days later. 2315. Balamb's transportation center.
He's late. He's never late.
"Do you see anything?" Acma asked anxiously as Timeth returned from the school gate.
"No sign of any aircraft," Timeth replied.
Acma's anxiety grew. What if something had happened to Zyma while he was relocating the GFs? The thought of the raging sea surrounding the GF Cavern filled her with fear.
"Is he usually late?" Timeth inquired.
"No, surprisingly he's never late," Acma replied with frustration. "He's always punctual when it comes to estimating... Damn it!" Acma closed her eyes and clenched her jaw. "He tricked us. He never intended to pick us up and go to Centra Ruins together. He's going there by himself!"
"Oh, Hyne! That sounds just like him," Timeth shook his head.
"I feel like such a fool. I should have known he wouldn't easily agree to our plan."
"No time for guilt now. We need to find an aircraft," Timeth suggested.
"I'm not authorized to have access to an aircraft yet," Acma lamented, shaking her head. "But wait, Zyma can't operate the newer aircraft with screens. He must be using the older version like the one he used to carry me to the GF Cavern, which means his assigned modern aircraft might still be available."
They hurried to the transportation center's reservation system to check. "Here it is... it's still here. But we need Zyma's credentials to activate it."
"We need his com device to open the aircraft and his junction device to pilot it," Timeth pointed out.
"I know where he keeps them," Acma's eyes lit up with determination.
Ten minutes later, they arrived at Zyma's room, Acma entered the digital code, but the door remained locked.
"Shit... That jerk also locked it with a physical key, not just the code. He must have anticipated that I would try to break in," Acma grumbled.
"Um..."
"Go ahead and say it, Timeth," Acma urged.
"I know Shrewdya is really skilled at lock-picking," Timeth suggested.
"That's true, but she's..." Acma hesitated.
"I know... but we're running out of time," Timeth reminded her, aware of Shrewdya's talkative nature. "Maybe we can just give her a fake explanation?"
Acma sighed and reluctantly agreed.
When Acma knocked on Shrewdya's door, Shrewdya was about to go to bed.
"I'm sorry, Shrewdya! I desperately need you to open Zyma's room. I left something very important inside, and he's away on a mission," Acma said, deciding to keep the details vague.
"That sounds incredibly shady, Acma," Shrewdya hesitated, skeptical about helping. "I'm not about to assist you in stealing something from Zyma the Great. He'd make sure I go bankrupt."
"Please, it's not like that..." Acma pleaded.
"So you know his passcode?" Shrewdya asked.
"Yes, I just need to unlock the physical lock," Acma explained.
"Is Timeth with you?" Shrewdya inquired.
"Yes," Acma replied, unsure why Shrewdya was asking.
"Okay, I'll help. But remember, you owe me one," Shrewdya suddenly changed her tone.
"Anything! Just let me know later, and I'll do whatever you ask," Acma promised.
Ten minutes later, the door to Zyma's inventory room swung open. Acma hurriedly gathered Zyma's com device, junction device, and other useful items that she thought would be handy for their journey.
"Whoa, whoa, hold on, Acma. Am I mistaken, or are you actually robbing Zyma?" Shrewdya asked, her eyes widening.
"He's... I don't have time to explain," Acma replied, feeling a sense of urgency.
"We're in this together, remember? I know you and Timeth aren't bad people. Just tell me what you're planning, and maybe I can help," Shrewdya offered.
"Well... we suspect that Zyma might be in trouble, although we're not entirely sure. We want to fly his aircraft to Centra Ruins. That's why we need his devices," Acma explained.
"Okay... I don't know what he's up to there, but it's quite a long journey, and more importantly..." Shrewdya frowned, her voice trailing off. "Do either of you actually know how to pilot an aircraft?"
Silence hung in the air as Acma and Timeth exchanged glances.
"Do you know?" Acma asked Shrewdya with a glimmer of hope.
"No!" Shrewdya immediately denied. "I'm a healer. Healers don't drive. Remember when Miss Tilmitt crashed the Ragnarok once and they had no one conscious to heal the crew?"
Acma sighed in hopelessness. She had managed to overcome many obstacles, only to be faced with another roadblock.
"But Raddie was one of the few in our class who may know how to fly it," Shrewdya suggested, her voice tinged with uncertainty.
Great. Zyma, you've really made things more complicated for us. You leave me no choice. Acma thought to herself, frustration simmering within.
"Um... has anyone submitted a sick request?" Raddie asked, his hands steady on the aircraft controls. "We have our final exams in two days. Not that it's as important as Senior Zyma's safety, but just a heads up for those of us with upcoming SeeD exams."
"I really can't think about that right now. I'll have to take it next year," Acma replied, shaking her head.
"I'm actually attempting it this year," Raddie revealed.
"You?" Acma asked, surprised by the news.
"Yeah..." Raddie's disappointment was evident in his voice. "Why are you so surprised, Acma? I qualified to attend last year. My mom just managed to talk Cid out of the plan, which is why I didn't make it to the SeeD exam last year."
"I'm sorry, I thought there was an age limit, that's all." Acma explained.
"After Miss Trepe passed the SeeD exam at 15, there have been a few others attempting it early," Raddie elaborated. "Alright, we'll be arriving at Centra Ruins in 45 minutes. What's the plan?"
"I... I don't know yet, besides just going in there? I'll go through our supplies and distribute our gear," Acma said.
"Wonderful..." Shrewdya's sarcastic remark didn't go unnoticed by Acma. She tried to ignore Shrewdya's reaction, sensing that it stemmed from uncertainty and fear rather than aggression.
Acma unloaded a bulk of items onto a large table. She had taken many items as possible from Zyma's room, opting to bring more than they might need rather than risk running short on necessary potions.
As she sorted through the items, her hands trembled when she came across a small envelope. It was adorned with Galbadia's symbol—a fearsome logo of three sword tips.
Her eyes widened with disbelief as she read the note inside. Urgently, she called out to Timeth, whispering, "Timeth, come over here."
Timeth's face paled. "Kill Uhrik?... Zyma was hired to kill him?" he exclaimed, his voice filled with a mix of fear and confusion.
"It seems that way," Acma nodded solemnly, her expression filled with remorse. "I'm so sorry, Timeth. I was such a fool, revealing too much information about us. I forgot that he's an independent contractor who could kill anyone for Gils," she admitted.
Timeth let out a sigh. "He tortured you. It's not your fault. Let's get there as soon as possible to stop him. But what about Shrewdya and Raddie?" Timeth glanced towards the aircraft window, where Shrewdya and Raddie were watching the dark clouds.
"We have to be careful. If Shrewdya and Raddie find out, they might choose to side with the Gardens and turn against us," Acma said, her voice tinged with concern.
Timeth nodded in agreement. "What should we do?"
Acma's voice held a firm tone as she turned to Shrewdya and Raddie. "Shrewdya, Raddie, we need you to stay here in the aircraft. Timeth and I will go in to scout the situation first," she instructed.
Raddie crossed his arms, his expression skeptical. "And why can't we go with you guys?"
"Someone needs to guard the aircraft. We don't want the escaped prisoners to take it and leave us stranded, right?" Acma explained.
"Shrewdya can stay," Raddie suggested.
"She needs protection too," Acma disagreed. "We should always go in a party of two or more, remember?"
Raddie sighed. "Okay, and it has to be Timeth because he has the twin. Just be careful and come back if it gets too dangerous, alright?"
Acma nodded gratefully, appreciating their understanding. "Thank you, Raddie and Shrewdya. And sorry for involving you in all of this. We'll be back as soon as we can. I've left your gear on the table. Be careful."