The sea was fairly calm now and the ship slid back and forth as Connor felt
the breeze.  The ship was built by former soldiers of Geshtal's army - it
wasn't the best, but it was sturdy enough to cross the oceans.  They would
arrive in the Figaro desert soon - yes, very soon.  Connor glared at the
blue beyond, and as a result of his boredom, he began to reminisce about the
Solitary Island where he was present not too long ago...

                                *  -  *  -  *

As soon as Akfek had arrived at the Solitary Island, Connor was there to
meet him.    With a soldier's tone, Connor notified Akfek in a heavy voice,
"Sir, Cid does not reside here any longer.  A student of his, Rokeg Kromm,
lives here.  Would you like me to accompany you to the house?"

As Akfek closed his eyes and concentrated upon his meditation, he motioned
Connor for a moment of silence.  He then opened his eyes and replied,
"Connor, Cid is situated in the northern part of Figaro Desert.  You will go
to Figaro Desert and use Rokeg Kromm as a *token* to convince Cid into helping
us.  Do not accompany me to the house.  I will grant you the power of darkness
for this mission but ask for nothing more.  You will keep a low profile and
ensure Cid says nothing else of this matter to his friends.  Do not fail me."

Upon receiving his new powers, Connor departed at once for the Figaro desert.

                                *  -  *  -  *

The ship had been sailing south for many days to the Figaro desert, and now
the desert was within their view among the distant horizon.  The ship landed
to the northern part of the continent.  Connor, unaware that he was using
Shade's power, cloaked the ship and left while the rest of the crew remained
onboard.  His latest powers enabled him to seek Cid's location within a short
span of time.  *There* lay an airship in the form of a whale,  half buried
in the sand.  He was able to reach the door and knocked.  What luck!  Cid
answered the door and both greeted each other with a friendly hug.

"Connor!" bellowed Cid, who was excited to see an old comrade of Gestahl's
Empire.

"Cid!  My dear old buddy!  I see you still dress in that obnoxious yellow
raincoat even when you're in the desert!  It has been a while since we last
saw each other!"

The two chatted for an hour and exchanged their stories of the old days, when
both served under Emperor Gestahl.  "Yes, the good old days, eh, Cid?"

Cid chuckled as he recalled the old days with Emperor Gestahl.  "So what
brings you here, Connor?"

With that remark, Connor remembered his mission.  "Cid, I don't have good
news for you."

"What is the matter, Connor?"

"A student of yours, Rokeg Kromm is sick and he would like to see you soon."

"Rokeg is sick?  My favorite student?  Hurry, we'll use this whale to reach
him!" exclaimed Cid, who worried for his favorite pupil.

"No - Cid.  You will not use the airship.  If you want to see Rokeg alive, you
will come with me."

The confusion began to settle on Cid.  "What does Connor mean?  I don't
understand him. He has changed dramatically," thought the naive scientist.

"You are thinking," affirmed Connor, "what do I mean?  That you don't
understand my response, that I have changed dramatically, right?" Cid was
bewildered.  Connor had read his thoughts completely.  The power of darkness
began its control of Connor.

"You are an idiot, Cid.  I have never had the honor of talking to Emperor
Gestahl, but every soldier knows Emperor Gestahl never liked you.  You were
only selected because of your 'scientific' and 'technological' knowledge.
Emperor Gestahl must have disliked you deeply but only left you alive because
your knowledge and expertise was priceless.  Now, if you want to see your
pesky student alive, then you will follow me.  I know what you are thinking,
Cid.  If you attempt to inform your friends in any manner, I'll ensure that
you will see Rokeg - that is, Rokeg's corpse."  A smirk appeared on Connor's
face.

Connor continued, "Now go back and tell your friends you have met an 'old'
acquaintance and that you'll have to detour from your present activities.  I
am following your thoughts and if you attempt anything suspicious, Rokeg will
become very sick, very sick indeed."

Cid entered the Big Whale, said farewell to his friends, and returned to
Connor.  Connor and Cid departed to the ship waiting for them, boarded it
and the ship began to sail.