Aht Urhgan Mission 11: Imperial Schemes/Plot Details

Aht Urhgan Whitegate Salaheem Sentinel's
The adventurer appears to Naja Salaheem.

Naja Salaheem: ... ... ... ... ...

The document on the desk bears the mark of the two-headed serpent...

Ask Naja about the document? Naja Salaheem: Ya wanna know what this document is all about? You rrreally are stretching my patience. This document was sent by the Aht Urhgan Archaeological Research Institute - - the same organization that rrrequested your mercenary services. Why do ya think they sent this? Naja Salaheem: So, are you just gonna stand there, blockin' out my light? Naja Salaheem: ... ''She will then repeat the question
 * Choice was "Sure".
 * Choice was "Probably a bad idea...

Why do you think?

''If you choose "No idea!", she will say the following and repeat the question.

Naja Salaheem: Don't play the innocent with me!

''Choice was "Money".

Naja Salaheem: Don't get funny with me, mister! Abquhbah!

Abquhbah: Y-yes, ma'am!

Naja Salaheem: Read out < > <> mercenary attendance record!

Abquhbah: Since leaving to carry out the request from the Aht Urhgan Archaeological Research Institute, < > <>... has not returned to report a single detail of his mission to President Naja!  That is all!

Naja Salaheem: Let's hear your explanation, <>.

''Fade into black screen. After that...''

Naja Salaheem: Hm? You say you went to the undersea ruins as rrequested? Are you tellin' me that you ignored company regulations and made a report to the palace before returnin' to your beloved president? So, knowing the consequences, you acted independently and above your lowly station of mercenary pawn? What's the world comin' to? If the palace finds out I can't even control my own employees... I have your rrreward from the A.A.R.I. Let's see how much is left out of your 255 Imperial gold pieces when I deduct your fines! Ya better hope the reward covers your infrrractions!

Aht Urhgan Palast
Amnaf: Grand Vizier Razfahd, we have awaited your arrival. I have a message from Ghatsad... The "bell" has been set on the mercenary.

Razfahd: The adventurer from the Middle Land?

Amnaf: Yes, sir.

The Grand Vizier appears before the Empress - but doesn't appear in person.

Razfahd: I have good news. Our efforts regarding the candescences are proceeding according to plan. All the pieces are falling into place...

Nashmeira: Excellent. We have faith that you will not fail us...

Razfahd: Your Magnificence is too kind.

Nashmeira: However... We grow tired of waiting...

Razfahd: My most humble apologies, Your Magnificence. I beseech your patience a little while longer... Our actions must not draw the attention of our citizens, or our neighbors...

Nashmeira: We are aware of this.

Razfahd: Kneels down It is our wish to see the "treasure" in the hands of the Empress.

Nashmeira: Our wishes are the wishes of the Empire... Do not lose sigh of that...

The Grand Vizier stands up and goes to an Immortal.

Razfahd: The Age of Judgment is at hand. Deal with any who threaten our progress...

Raubahn: Sir.

Razfahd: We cannot give free reign in these otherworldly fiends...

Aside stands an automaton.

???: "Otherworldly friends"... Is he talking about ghosts? What else could it be...? Wonderful. It appears of dreary days in the palace will soon be at an end. Uhuh... Can't you show a little more enthusiasm?

Aphmau: Huh? Oh, yes. Wonderful.

Back at the Grand Vizier.

Razfahd: Our main objective is to make them think the candescences are our primary concern.

Back at the automanton.

???: Ghosts are certainly more interesting than this endless speculation about the candescences.

Aphmau: ...

Nashmeira: Grand Vizier. We wish to know more about these spirits returning to plague the living...

Razfahd: The ghosts? I would not wish to trouble Her Magnificence with mere rumors.

Nashmeira: Be that as it may, you will tell us more...

???: Hmm. The Empress knows more than she pretends.

''After the audience. Some of the Immortal kneels down.''

Amnaf: Your Magnificence... In recent years, the rumors concerning the appearance of spirits, and a ghost ship menacing the waters of the Cyan Deep, have become more and more frequent. The Immortals believe many of these rumors to stem from the activities of the Lamia...

???: Don't skip ahead! Back to the ghost ship!

Amnaf: I... yes, the ghost ship. It bears the name of a famous shipwreck known as the Ashu Talif...

Nashmeira: Continue.

Amnaf: Yes, Your Magnificence. While I must stress these stories are merely the rumors of the townspeople, there has been a strange twist to the tale...It is said that the true name of this ghost ship is really the Black Coffin-- a pirate ship of the lost Kingdom of Ephramad.

Aphmau: A pirate ship...

Rishfee: We believe these inflammatory rumors to be the work of the Seagull Phratrie, the decendants of the Kingdom of Ephramad. These rebels have lost their ships, and are barely avoiding our grasp. They conjure these heroes from the past to bolster their spirits.

Amnaf: It is just...

Razfahd: Go on.

Amnaf: There are citizens of Ephramad descent who are poised to join with the rebels. They say Luzaf has returned...

Razfahd: Preposterous. Luzaf perished with his kingdom over two hundred years ago...

Nashmeira: We would know the truth behind this ghost ship...

Razfahd: ...!

???: Oho!

Razfahd: Your Magnificence, we cannot mobilize Imperial troops on the basis of mere rumor...

Nashmeira: If you are unwilling to shoulder this task...Puppetmaster. You will solve the mystery of this ghost ship.

Aphmau: Wha-? I, I...

???: We accept this task! How can we refuse a direct request from the Empress?

Razfahd: But, Your Magnificence! I do not think that these...

???: This is no longer your concern. We shall recruit assistance from Salaheem's Sentinels.

Razfahd: ...

Nashmeira: Aphmau, Ovjang... We await word of your success...

Ovjang: Yes, Your Magnificence! Come along, Aphmau.

Aphmau: W-wait...!

Puppetmaster and the automaton leaves.

Raubahn: Grand Vizier?

Razfahd: It is the will of the Empress... But do not let them out of your sight.