[youtube]xJc22RKhI-4[/youtube]
Chapter 6
Char had taken it upon himself to personally oversee the transfer of the Au Ra prisoner that had unsettled him only two weeks before. The Miqo'te adjusted his tie and folded his arms, as two men exchanged one pair of shackles for another, revealing worn and bloodied wrists - he'd clearly been there longer than Char had first thought. There was another blindfold wrapped tightly over his eyes - despite this he could feel the Au Ra looking at him, without a word exchanged.Â
He allowed the security guards to lead ahead, as he followed in their footsteps, stopping only to observe the now empty research room which had once been filled to bursting with technology incomprehensible to his mind. Ashorea stood in a corner, likewise fixated on the departure of the sole subject of 'Project Dark Immortal'. Unlike the President, there wasn't even the faintest hint of uncertainty. Her eyes shined with all the intent of a religious zealot on a pilgrimage.Â
Char moved to stand beside her, looking up the spiral of stairs as the three figures ascended beyond view. "I must admit that you're certainly radiant this evening." A smile filled the Elezen's features as she nodded her head in agreement. "I'm very excited to be a part of all this. We're practically pioneering a new field of aetheric research. Imagine how history might see it... Doctor Ashorea Mo'Thana, the woman whom ushered in the next generation of warrior. Ancient Allag, Garlemald... Neither will compare should we see success in this venture." The Miqo'te brushed his tail along her leg as he wandered past her and up the stairs. "Just you remember whom it is that had the vision and foresight to appoint so brilliant a mind to the project."
He moved through the desolate office, up another flight of stairs and stood now just outside of the lobby. Men and women moving back and forth - completely oblivious to the changes taking place just beneath their feet. He could only shake his head as he pushed past them to stand outside among the grey clouds towering overhead, casting rain over all they stood over. 'Ever your son, even in direct defiance.' He thought to himself, as his hair grew matted and stuck to his face in clumps. In the distance, he could see the airship that promised to deliver the foundation of his desires.Â
"President Lohengrin!" A voice called from behind - it was the new 'Chief Director' of 'Dark Immortal'. "Ah, Professor Hoerner. I did not think we'd speak again before you departed." The Hyur whom had been confined and beaten only weeks ago, stood now in perfect health... save for the noticeable absence of two front teeth. "N-neither d-d-did I, in t-t-truth." He replied, holding out a clipboard upon which sat a single paper. "W-we needed your a-approval to transfer the crystal to Eorzea... You'll f-find it also covers our more discreet shipment."Â
"Ah, but of course." He plucked a pen from along Hoerner's breast pocket and signed his name in flowing letters before returning it whence it came. "I do hope you and Ashorea do not find yourself wanting for anything upon your arrival - though if you should find establishing yourselves to be too much trouble, you need but send word and I will respond swiftly to your needs... I do also hope that you might forgive the lengths to which I went in order to solicit your compliance."
The man shook his head, still stuttering as he replied. "N-not at all... Y-you were m-most agreeable once we'd moved past the unpleasantness. In t-truth I d-d-didn't think that I would be g-given such a prestigious responsibility." He tucked the clipboard under an arm and nodded happily as he rushed off into the rain. "I'll have our first report ready before month's end!" He called out over the downpour. The Miqo'te could only smirk, as he turned about and returned to the confines of his office.
From his vantage point some several stories above the landscape he awaited the departure of the airship Absolution with a single glass of bourbon in hand. Tonight it began... The sweeping shadows that were his desires would follow beneath that lone ship as it skulked along darkened skies. As it lifted into the air, all he could make out was it's silhouette... Though distorted and hidden by both the cover of night and the torrential downpour of rain, to him it was the brilliant rays of change. The artificial crystals, Project Dark Immortal, and the brilliant minds charged with both could only herald, as Ashorea had said, a new age for weapons and the revolution of private security. He toasted the distant airship as it vanished into the clouds, laughing at how fortuitous and easily his fortunes had been laid within his lap.Â