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Introduction
"Sergeant Balduin! Just the soldier I wanted to see!"
I lowered my head and rubbed my eyes as soon I had heard my name called. I had just returned to the Immortal Flames Headquarters in Ul'dah to give my monthly report on the status of the Chocobokeeps in the entire region of Thanalan. I knew that Commander Swift was never this excited to see me unless he had some sort of backbreaking task for me to perform.
"Sergeant Balduin. Good to see you again. I take it you have come to bring your report?"
I quickly gave a salute.
"Yes, sir. Each Keep has..."
"Yes, yes," He interrupts. "They're all accounted for and everything is dandy, correct?"
I shake my head. "No, sir."
"That's right! We have a rash of Chocobo Chick-nappings! And as such, I have a new mission for you!"
At this point, I can only close my eyes and take a deep breath as the Commander continues.
"You see, whilst we have only had individual chicks gone missing from their Keeps, the ranch at Bentbranch Meadows has just recently had an entire batch of hatchlings gone missing!"
I open my eyes and take a step back in shock. "An entire group of hatchlings, sir? How could anyone get away with something like that?"
"That is what I'm sending you to figure out! Commander Heuloix has specifically asked for your assistance in this matter."
"Commander Heuloix? Of the Twin Adder?"
"The one and only! I suspect it may have something to do with your previous posting in Coerthas. So, I suggest you head to Gridania immediately."
"Yes, sir!"
I give a final salute before I turn and attempt to make an exit.
"Sergeant Balduin!"
I toss a look over my shoulder at the Commander.
"Do be careful. Someone who is capable of snatching up several Chocobo chicks is bound to have friends. I can't have one of my best ending up injured or dead."
"Of course, sir."
I quietly stepped back out into the mid-day Ul'dahn sun and made haste to the nearest Chocobokeep to pick up Tan'to, my Chocobo. It was a long ride to Gridania and I needed to arrive before the trail had gone cold.