Shield of Lies Chapter 16: Homeward Bound.

[slightly aboveaverage man]

The group endured many stares from the populace of grey skinned humans as Hakar guided them to the Port Authority, though most individuals merely shrugged them off and went about their business.

The Port Authority was one of the largest buildings in the city, starting as a large dome at the base of the structure; but with spires of variable heights reaching into the skies above like a pipe organ. The Terrace they stood on seemed to be made of a smooth rocky material that provided great grip; and started from a massive door flanked on both sides by two smaller spires on the building, extending out in a straight line for almost a Kilometer. A metalic stairway ran from the ground in an arc up to the entrance.

Sarin couldn't help whistling as he looked up at the spires reaching out of the dome as he mounted the staircase with the others.

They were stopped at the entrance by a pair of guards, grey skinned Rikklainians wearing dark grey platemail and ruby-eyed helms.
"Halt." They said in unison.

"This is a restricted area. Only those with authorization may enter." One elaborated.

Hakar narrowed his eyes only slightly, reaching out into the minds of the guards; tweaking them only slightly to make them more suggestible. He joined Gabriel in standing aside in their bodyguard formation, setting Alec up to deal with these two in a more civilized mannor.

[Inbred Chocobo]

Dranu kept watch from the shadows. If they where at any point ready to refuse the group, he was going to attempt a possesion and lead the group to where they needed to be. He just hoped Hakar would be ready to wipe the memories once he had gotten what he wanted from them.

[Darth SS]

"I believe that I posess said authorization. Send word to your master that Alec Hailar or the Hailar family is here, and wishes to speak with him immediately. And before you give me your memorized speal on how I will have to wait for a later date, inform him immediately that in the events of such a response his people will have to find another person to carry their goods over land and distribute them. He wouldn't dare put his people into economic collapse because he wouldn't shift a few numbers."

Alec crossed his arms, and seemed to somehow tower over the guard. He also glowered down on the guard, making him gulp loudly.

"If he's lucky, he'll just lose his job by turning me away. Now, GO."

One of the guards hurried off, and Alec continued to glower at the second guard.

[Red Mage Black]

He just stood there as the others worked their magic on the guards. He crossed his arms waiting, hoping that the port authority would give them a ship. He also kept ready incase they might need to sneak in. He was no spy, but he was good enough to get things done.

He gulped as the guard ran into the large building. Knowing this would not be easy he tapped Alec on the shoulder. "How do you know this will work? He could be getting some more guards to hold us back."

[Cloud Strife]

Metrius kept his eyes forward, seeming to be unmoving and unthinking as a bodyguard would be. Mentally, however, he was practically screaming. Riyuske! What are you doing? Get back into your position, bodyguards don't ask questions!

[slightly aboveaverage man]

It was almost ten minutes before the guard returned with one of the Administrator's aids. The small, thin man greeted them.

"Greetings Noble Hailar, The Administrator would gladly make exception for one of such high standing as yourself, please follow me."

They were lead through a massive dominated by an equally massive compound glass skylight, which moved ever so slightly with the time of day to keep the sun at it's very center. The room connected to a long hallway lined with bland metal doors until they reached the end; where a larger gold rimmed door was opened.

It lead to a large ornate and spacious room adorned with a few Rikklainian art pieces, a large Hardwood desk, and a local map on the wall which seemed to have several small red dots moving slowly about. Sitting at the desk was a tall thin Rikklainian, his black hair hung straight down over his face on one side, while the other half was completely shaved. A tiny black goatee rested just below his lips, which curled up in a phony smile as he rose to meet them.

"Greetings and Salutations, Noble Hailar. Long has it been since we've received word from such an... unorthodox member of our class." He said as he rose.

Alec maintained the snooty air about him. "I had no idea you took any interest in anything but your work, Administrator.”

Mareoch scratched the little goatee below his lip. “Yes, well, I’m merely a man who prefers not to dodge my responsibilities.”

“Quite.” Alec responded, ignoring the thinly veiled jab.

“Well,” Mareoch continued as he brushed a lock of black hair out of his eyes. “May I ask what brings a member of such an industrialist family to our humble little port?”

Alec walked forward and sat down in one of the nearby chairs, which conformed to fit his frame. “I have business, both trade and personal, which I must take care of as soon as possible. I must find a way to the mainland if I wish to conclude this business; and of course the only way to do that is to requisition passage there through your fine port.”

The Administrator gave an audible snort. “You can’t be serious. I can’t just allow you to walk in, take a ship, and leave. Rikklainian law and procedure requires written authorization from the local Magistrate, proper visas, armed escort, and official state sanction in order for any ship to leave port for anything other than routine fishing.”

Alec let a small laugh escape his lips. “Ah, but that’s where you’re wrong. If I wanted to walk in, take a ship, and leave, I would have. But it’s better to go through more official circles than that. All that Bureaucratic nonsense is pointless, when you yourself can give me a ship and send me on my merry way.”
“You miss my point, Hailar.” The Administrator continued with a touch of annoyance. “I cannot-”

“No, you miss MY point, Administrator.” Alec interrupted icily. “I am not asking you for a ship. I am demanding a ship.”

A sarcastic grin crossed Mareoch’s face. “Or what? You’ll have these goons attack me?”

Alec shot a cold glare that silenced Mareoch’s grin. “No. As you know, my family is in charge of internal transport and trade for this region. If you make me wait for such bureaucratic nonsense, I will do the same. Suddenly your entire city will be placed as lowest priority on all trade and resupply routes. I’ll have every order you make bogged down in so much Bureaucratic procedure and delays that your city will starve and collapse economically. Now; a ship, if you please.”

“Your family would lose it’s power. The Government would never allow such a thing to occur.”

“Of course.” Alec replied. “For the Government has all it’s focus placed on boarderland ports that export nothing but fish and wheat. How could I forget? The Hailar family is not a forgiving one, Administrator.”

“But… There are no ships left!” Mareoch protested. “The Fleet commandeered our vessels weeks ago.” He pointed out the window along the right side of the room, looking over the harbour. “All we have are fishing vessels, and none of them are cleared to go more than 100 kms off the coastline.”

Alec finally stood up and glared deep into his eyes. “Come now… I’m sure you can find something.”

Mareoch sat still for a moment, looking very uncomfortable. “Well… There may be one thing…”

[Cloud Strife]

Metrius watched silently, keeping his mirth to himself. Alec was handling the situation quite well... and he kept his true nature quite well concealed.

[Red Mage Black]

He had felt stupid asking Alec such a question. He should have never questioned a member of a Noble family. He walked to the back of the group and waited for the results.

[lazy man]

Jerick, like everyone else, was staying quiet. He couldn't stand being useless, but he had to live with it for the moment. If this was what was going to get them home, then so be it, he would have to go through this.

However, something was distracting him. The architecture of these people using metal impressed him on the outside, but the inside was even more fascinating. They'd obviously smelted and shaped the metal before they used it, but this was incredible. Using this much metal on such a huge scale. The production process that could be used for weapons with that kind of technology... the thought astounded yet frightened him at the same time.

[slightly aboveaverage man]

Mareoch led them to the chamber which was hidden by the large door they noticed outside; the one leading straight into the Terrace.

It was more of a warehouse than anything, with various vehicles and machines displayed, including many harvesters like those seen in the fields. However, one chilling glimpse caught Gabriel's eye. It was a ChoKoNu launcher, like the Orcs had at Bastion. It was larger, sleeker, and deadlier, but there was no mistaking the design. But it was not these that held the attention of Alec and his comrades, it was the ship that the Administrator was leading them to.

The ship was about thirty meters long and Fifteen meters tall with a light grey steel Hull ringed by an exoskeleton of bone white titanium. It was shaped like an eagles beak at the fore, while stretching out into a wide boxy construction near the aft which spread out into two forward pointing wings. Frankly, it looked like something from Gug's wet dreams.

"Whoa." whispered Sarin as he looked upon the large craft.

"It's capable of flight- Well, more than capable, that is what it was designed for." Mareoch stumbled.

Alec turned to him and cocked an eyebrow. "Oh come now. You don't expect us to take this thing. The military would shoot us down to prevent us from keeping it."

At this Mareoch laughed, a loud an abnoxious chuckle. "This? Noble Hailar, where have you been? This is just a prototype! Was your family not informed of the contract to develop this technology? It was a massive effort that consumed every port in the nation many years ago. The greatest designer would become the official HQ for the Rikklainian Military! This is merely our humble attempt at such a glorious prize."

"I see. Well, at any rate, the military should not be informed of this anyway." Alec continued, and winked to Hakar.

The half-drow let his influence slip into the Administrator, freezing him in place as he searched his memory.

And then wiped it.

"Go back to your office. You have some important filing to attend to." Hakar whispered into Mareochs ear.

"I have to go back to my office, I have some important filing to attend to." the Administrator repeated from behind glazed eyes; and sauntered off back the way he came.

The group was now alone with the ship, its entrance open and inviting to them.