CHAPTER II: MACHINIST

[In a dark, underground room somewhere in Zaland, Ramza, Mustadio, and Agrias meet.]

MUSTADIO: They were Troublemakers hired by Bart Company.

AGRIAS: Bart Company? The Importer?

MUSTADIO: You know them? They're not just traders. They're a criminal syndicate into everything from smuggling and slavery.

RAMZA: Why were they after you?

[Mustadio looks behind him.]

MUSTADIO: You know why they call us mechanics?

[Ramza shakes his head and turns to Agrias.]

AGRIAS: I hear a 'lost civilization' is hidden under Goug.... When St. Ajora was alive, airships were in the sky, and human robots in town. But time passed, technology was lost, and no one knows if it ever really existed.

[Mustadio turns to her.]

MUSTADIO: But the civilization must have existed. Parts from many airships and machines are buried under Goug. Mechanics are the ones who restore the 'past legacies'.

RAMZA: That weird thing you used in the battle, was that one of the machines?

[Mustadio pulls out his gun as he speaks.]

MUSTADIO: Oh, this? This is called a 'gun'. A metal 'bullet' is propelled by gunpowder. This is the most simple one. They say you used to be able put magic in it and shoot it.

RAMZA: Hmm...

[Mustadio puts the gun away.]

AGRIAS: Why's Bart Company after you?

[Mustadio turns to her again.]

MUSTADIO: You said you were going to see the Cardinal. He was a hero of the Fifty Year War. People in Lionel still think of him as a hero. My father, too. The Cardinal is the only one who can unite this country. I know he'd grant your wish. Then the princess would be safe.

AGRIAS: Yeah, and...?

[He looks to Ramza.]

MUSTADIO: Can you take me with you? I want to meet the Cardinal.

AGRIAS: Why?

MUSTADIO: To save my father! The Cardinal's the only one who can rescue him from Bart! But he wouldn't want to meet some mechanic like myself. So, please. Take me with you!

AGRIAS: You still haven't told us why they're after you!

[Mustadio bows his head.]

MUSTADIO: ...I can't tell you now.

AGRIAS: Then, we can't take you.

[He turns to her once more.]

MUSTADIO: I beg you! Trust me! I must see the Cardinal!

[Everyone turns as Princess Ovelia enters the room and walks towards the group. Agrias and Ramza drop to their knees.]

OVELIA: All right. You can come with us.

[Mustadio approaches her.]

MUSTADIO: Really? Thank you, Highness!

[Agrias turns to him.]

AGRIAS: Remember! You're in the presence of a princess!

[Mustadio backs off and drops into a kneel as well.]

OVELIA: It's all right. Please stand up.

[Everyone stands. Agrias and Ramza turn to Mustadio.]

AGRIAS: All right, then. I trust you.