Chapter 1: Exodus ----------------- The woman who stood on the rocky beach was by no means beautiful. Perhaps she had been once, but now her appearance reflected the hardships she had lived. She was dressed raggedly, in a torn almost-white tank top, army issue pants, and a pair of worn combat boots.Her honey colored hair was cropped short, and a long scar was slashed across her left cheekbone. The corners of her lips were turned downwards in a displeased scowl... Kiriani Miral was looking out over the horizon, as she had every morning for almost a year. And just like every morning, all she could see was the ocean, stretching for miles around, and not a boat in sight. With a sigh, she turned back, and looked back to the small hut that had become her home. It was a makeshift job, comstructed from driftwood and mud, but it was sufficient; Kiri was a survivor, 'Besides,' she said to herself, waxing nostalgic for a moment, 'it's not all that much worse than the Imperial Cadets' barracks.' A wry grin touched her tanned face. It seemed an eternity since she had been 'recruited' by the Empire in Maranda...And it seemed like most of that eternity had been spent here, on this tiny, wretched island. The corners of her mouth turned downwards, and the old anger rolled back in like a thunderhead. Curse the Empire! Curse Kefka! Someday, she would have her revenge on them. She would make them pay for her humiliation! Returning to the hut, she picked up the helmet that now served her as a basin. The soldiers who had dumped her here had made the mistake of untying her before they left, and one had payed with his life before he could regain the boat. She slowly walked back down to the beach, and filled the helmet with water. She looked once more out across the sea...and saw her dream come true. A ship! 'Quick!' she ordered herself, 'think fast!' A signal, a signal...The helmet! It was a reflective surface! She turned it over, dumping cold salt water all over her legs. From her soldier days, she recalled a signal code and flashed a message at the distant ship: 'SOS'... Kiri waited anxiously. Then a reply came. 'On our way!' Her heart lept with joy as hope returned. Flinging the helmet to the ground, she ran back to the dwelling as fast as she could, spraying sand out behind her. Her possessions were few; she had only a sleeping pallet made from dried grass, and a hand-carved spear. She grabbed the latter from where it was leaning against the wall, and glanced for the last time at the inside of the hut. Her eyes came to rest on something laying on the mat. It was a small bundle wrapped in the remnants of an Imperial soldier's uniform. A storm of emotions crossed the woman's face as she stooped and gathered it in her arms. "No," she breathed in a bitter whisper, "I wouldn't forget you. How could I?" The baby stretched out a tiny hand and made a soft noise. "Be quiet!" she hissed. "We're getting out of here." She stepped out the doorway and looked out to the boat. It was much closer now, and she could make out lettering and a strange logo on its hull... "Hidon Tour?" she read the words aloud. "A tour boat? Oh well, I suppose it doesn't matter much..." She watched as it came closer to land, until finally a gangplank was lowered. An older man in a ridiculous pink robe walked down it, chattering like a squirrel. "Well hello there, miss! Looks like you're in a tight spot here! Good thing I came along now, wasn't it? But it's always that way I suppose; up to Gungho to save the day! By the way, that's me: Gungho! Pleased to meet you!" He stuck out his hand, and Kiri took it reluctantly. "I am... Kiriani Miral." "Whoah! That's a pretty name for a pretty lady. Don't you worry now, I'll have you to Thamasa in two shakes of a dragon's head! Got blown a little off course a while back, but I'm set straight now! Yessir, it was nothing _I_ couldn't solve! Here, let me help you up the plank." "That won't be necessary," she replied as she stepped back, drawing the child closer to her. "I am perfectly capable of walking up a board!" This ostentatious oaf was beginning to bother her, but she needed to get off this blasted island... "Sure, whatever!" he was saying, undaunted. He walked right behind her up to the ship. "Say, that's a cute kid! Has your eyes, I'd say... Perhaps you'd care for a stuffed Hidon? Kids love 'em..." "My son does not play with dolls," she replied tersely. The old man nodded wisely. "Ah! I see. Don't want him to be a sissy, eh? Heh, heh! What's his name, anyway?" Kiri glared suspiciously at Gungho. She was grateful for the means of escape, but she really wished he would leave her alone... "He doesn't _have_ one," she said shortly. No effect. "Haven't picked one out yet, eh? Well, it _is_ a big decision you know..." "No. He just doesn't have one." The old man looked at her strangely. "Ahhhhhhhhhhh... uh, yes. Well, alright then. I'll just... show you to a cabin..." He led Kiri below decks, and soon she was blissfully alone. 'Well, almost alone,' she thought, looking down at the child, who was sleeping in her arms. She turned to the porthole. As she gazed out at the sea, her mind began to wander. She wondered what had happened to her brother, Joran, inTzen. 'Is he even alive?' she mused, as she absently stroked the baby's fine blond hair. 'Probably not...I've been gone so long...' But soon, she would be in Thamasa. Soon... She laid the infant on the bed, and took out her knife. She selected a chair to sit in, and began to sharpen her spear.