Aerodrome & The Strahl

Westgate

Fran: Balthier is waiting inside. If you’ve made ready, we can leave at once. He feels responsible for what has happened to your friend. Do not think he is in the habit of doing favors.

Aerodrome

Balthier: Bhujerba’s on the sky continent of Dorstonis, and the magicite mine we’re looking for is in Bhujerba. If we’re going to save the girl, we start there. You ready to leave?

>I’m ready.

You do realize that once we’ve left, you may not see Rabanastre for a while. Once we leave, there’ll be no looking back.

>I’m really ready.

>Let me check one more thing…

Don’t take too long. We leave soon.

>Not yet.

Don’t take too long. We leave soon.

>Tell me about Bhujerba.

Don’t get out of Dalmasca much, do you… Bhujerba is a small city-state that thrives on the export of particularly fine magicite. It’s ruled by Marquis Ondore, who, by staying in the Empire’s good graces, has managed to stave off Imperial invasion.

Balthier: We make for the Lhusu Mines in Bhujerba. Seems I took on more baggage in Rabanastre than I’d planned… Well, let’s save your girl and be done with it. Come on.

Balthier: This is the Strahl.

Balthier: She airship enough for you?

Vaan: The Strahl… you really are a sky pirate!

Balthier: Well, the headhunters seem to think so. [to moogle emerging from airship] What’s the good word? Is she ready?

Vaan: So is she armed? How fast is she? Could she take the Ifrit?

Balthier: I suppose I could tell you, but wouldn’t you rather see for yourself?

Balthier: Fran, our course.

Fran: The shortest way is over Dorstonis.

Basch: How flies Bhujerba?

Balthier: Oh, she’s free as can be – for now. The Empire took notice when they announced the Princess’s unfortunate suicide and your execution.

Basch: If it becomes known that I am alive, the Marquis will lose their favor.

Balthier: I try to steer clear of such things. [to all] Right, it’s time to fly. And no wagging tongues, or you’re like to bite them off.

Vaan: [thinking] I’m coming, Penelo.

[In a room somewhere, Penelo sits on the floor, bound. Voices are heard and a couple of bangaa emerge from a trapdoor.]

Ba’Gamnan: You’ve seen to her feeding, yes?

Henchwoman: I have, my brother. She eats well.

Ba’Gamnan: See that she does. We need her alive. Balthier’s bait must be fresh.

Penelo: I keep trying to tell you, I barely even know who Balthier is!

[No sooner does she say this than a third bangaa pops up through the trapdoor.]

Henchman: My brother! A message come from Rabanastre! The Strahl, she’s set sail! She leaves straight for the Skycity of Bhujerba!

Ba’Gamnan: Barely know, was it? Yet at a trice, he goes boundin’ off for you! Tell me, how could that be?

Penelo: That’s what I’d like to know! I just met him that one time and that’s it!

Ba’Gamnan: Does that tongue never stop? What if we… plucked it from your head? As for you, we need Balthier alive! His corpse fetches but half the bounty!

Henchman: A tender beatin’… My specialty!

Henchwoman: There’s no fun in it if we can’t tease out a scream or two!

Penelo: Where are you?

[The scene fades on Penelo looking up at the sky through a small window near the ceiling.]

[A short cinematic follows showing the Strahl flying through the clouds, and the clouds breaking to reveal a massive floating land, with buildings and spires jutting from the green trees. One building in particular is spectacular with what look like giant feathers billowing from its sides.]

[The scene changes again to show Vaan, Balthier, Fran, and Basch entering the aerodrome, where Imperial soldiers seem to be in a tizzy.]

Balthier: Easy.

Imperial: No good, he’s not here.

Imperial 2: Keep searching!

Imperial 3: This way!

[The Imperials run off. Balthier and co. proceed out of the aerodrome.]

Balthier: You’re a dead man. Don’t forget it. And no names.

Basch: Of course.