UnShaekable (FFXII)

XI) Dreadnought Leviathan

"Your weapons should be stored just over here," Vossler says, leading the way toward a steel door. The panels instantly slide open to make way for the soldier, revealing a dim room stacked high with open crates.

Vaan surges forward, grabbing his dagger with a grin. He tosses my spear back to me. The numbskulls were too dumb to check my boot, so I've still got my knife. Balthier aims his gun at the wall, testing something I don't understand. As Fran draws her bowstring experimentally, I watch Vossler from the corner of my eye. He mutters something to Basch, an unreadable glint gleaming in his eyes. The knight nods and they part. Frowning, I clutch my spear, grateful to hold it again. My only tie...

"Shall we be off?" Balthier asks, turning to Vossler. The soldier nods, leading the way out the door. Suddenly, he comes to an abrupt stop, holding a hand out to halt us.

"Wait. Before we head out: see that red web of light spanning the passageway?" Ahead, innumerable lasers beams cross over the massive opening to the corridor. "It is a mechanism to detect intruders within the ship. Break one of those beams and an alarm will sound, summoning the guard." He turns to Basch. "The alarm should cease after a time, but it's better to avoid drawing unnecessary attention. Come, Her Majesty awaits."

"Got it," I mutter. "Don't touch the red lights."

A bark echoes through the corridor to our left and soldiers and dogs are upon us before we can draw our weapons. They're dispatched quickly enough and we're well on our way to finding Princess Ashelia. This hunt for Penelo's turned into a wild chocobo chase for royalty as well. It seems we'll encounter Larsa again as well. Not that I mind. I'm quite fond of the boy, despite his trickery and his wit.

A soldier catches us every so often and we hurry through the white and blue corridors, quickly taken down by a blow from Vossler's sword or a jab from my spear. Each set of hallways is divided by a dark, square room. Somehow, Vossler knows which path to take at every crossroads; I wonder how long he's had his place here. Taking a deep breath, we slow down to a quick walk for the sake of Vaan's breathless whining.

"How're we holding up?" I ask, looking over at Basch. He nods.

"Fine. It seems I've recovered some energy at the prospect of defending Her Majesty." I nod, playing with the vibrant sash at my side.

"Think we'll see Larsa again?" Vaan asks, looking around warily.

"If he's still with Penelo," I nod. Balthier huffs, muttering something about weasels to Fran.

"Are you two friends or just partners?" the boy asks, grinning up at me.

"Neither," I scoff, earning a suspicious glance from Vossler. "It's... a complicated situation, to be sure. I'll just say that at one point we collaborated to reach a common goal."

"At one point? The boy's hardly twelve," Vossler cuts in, raising an eyebrow.

"Your point?" I fire back, annoyed at his prodding. He leaves it at that, though his walls are raised far over his head and he remains as defensive as ever. Rolling my eyes, I follow along with the group. Knights these days.

~|~|~|~|~

The final Judge falls, a mere trainee, an underling. Basch draws his sword from the man's chest, frowning at the blood dripping from his blade. Six bodies litter the room: two Judges, two soldiers, two mages. An odd ambush for a group of runaways. They were easy enough, save for a few bumps and bruises on Vaan's arms. I rub at a pulled muscle in my neck, wincing. The Fates are against me yet again. I put my spear away, watching the shadows of the broad room warily. Vossler stoops down beside a body, pulling out a silver keycard.