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So they were going to have to infiltrate a castrum in order to rescue the captured Scions from the imperials, a quick scouting mission having confirmed their location at Castrum Centri here in Mor Dhona. Freya would have to be part of the infiltration since she was the Warrior of Light and she was their heaviest hitter (her being a dragon that continues to win against increasingly stronger primals and other foes is certainly not a consideration, honestly, why would anyone think that).
The immediate question of how was currently a sticking point for their group, and subject to their debate as they set up a temporary base of operations in Revenant's Toll. They've already decided that Biggs and Wedge would play the part of additional engineering support from another castrum, and they planned to hijack a magitek reaper and a couple of uniforms to assist in this ruse.
Freya, currently the size of a cat and hiding in a sizeable bag Cid was carrying (while judiciously using a gravity spell on herself so as to not injure the man, since mass is still a regard despite screwing with space) to avoid any rumors potentially reaching the imperials as well as allow them to have travelled through Coerthas without incident (and allow her to participate in their conversation, buildings here were not made with her full size in mind), poked her head out to put her two gil in.
"Quite frankly, getting me in is the easy part, especially since I do know some number of techniques to hide visually, audibly, any scent I give off, and even mask my aether to a degree. There are even some techniques I know that allow me to hide from technology, though they should be tested against Garlean magitek to ensure that things would work as intended due to said techniques having been developed to be utilized against Allagan technology during that era, though it should be fine given how much the imperials have pulled from the Allagans. All that on top of my size shifting, for not many fortresses can keep something my current size and below out, especially since I can fly.
My concerns are on the exiting part of this endeavor, since we aren't exactly sure of the level of our colleagues' health given the one who'd captured them had exhibited rather sadistic tendencies and there are a number of ways that cause pain and disable someone without causing permanent damage or nearly killing someone, especially if they have conjurers at the ready. Healing potions and field magic can only do so much, and I can only carry so many people at my full size without it becoming too cumbersome or detrimental to any injuries that could only quickly be treated, even if Cid, Biggs, and Wedge could make a usable saddle, harnesses, and safety lines to help passengers stay secure in time for the operation and I focused on being a caster so I'm not moving around too much. We also must prepare for the fact that our leaving is likely going to be noticed and loud, combat will be almost certainly be inevitable," she said plainly.
Her companions took that in for several moments before Cid piped up, saying, "I can have the Enterprise ready to get you lot once you do have our friends. The anti-air defenses aren't currently active from the looks of things, and those take a certain amount of effort and time to reactivate and make them ready again. We'd be long gone by the time they do, and a sufficient distraction should delay them further."
"Some quick sabotage could also furthur delay them, and they could be further distracted by other mechanical favors elsewhere. Fortunate that we've already got two engineers infiltrating." Biggs chimed in, Wedge nodding in agreement.
Y'shtola then said, "Mm, two or so others causing a ruckus away from our actual goal wouldn't be amiss, and a few enemies less here and there to delay escape would be an advantage however small. Keeping that tribunus occupied is also vital to our success I believe. I would volunteer, and I ask, Yda, if you would join me? We would act as soon as the alarum is raised about the escape."
Yda responded enthusiastically.
"It's a pity I am too young to act as a conscript and join the initial infiltration party, but I will remain with Cid for when he comes with the Enterprise. My own magic can provide support, and I can give immediate medical attention once we are safely in the air away from the castrum should it be needed," Alphinaud said.
Freya gave a hum and added, "Once Minfilia and the others are secure, and we're properly getting away, I will fly vanguard around the Enterprise as additional protection. Given their proximity to Coerthas and some of my kin's propensity for attacking in retaliation for what was done to our Primogenitor by the Empire, I am very curious and wary as to why the anti-air defenses are deactivated."
Everyone indicated their agreement there, and with that their plan was set. Now they had to execute it.