Sorry for the absence. I have alot going on in my personal life right now and I'm afraid this may be my last post for awhile. I hope someone picks up the mantle and continues this though (*hint* Setzer and Renmiri *hint*)

Anyway...

(SPOILER)
Vaan awakens to find himself in a dilapitaded fortress. Balthier is with him and explains that they are in infamous Nalbina Dundeon. Though it's not really a dungeon, it's just the basement of the Nalbina fortress sealed off and used as a prison. But this of course does not change the urgency of the situation. Balthier mentions that Fran has gone ahead to search for a way out and that he should not gain the attention of the dungeons wardens, since their equipment has been confiscated.

Vaan wanders about and witnesses the deplorable conditions of the dungeon. Bodies of former inmates litter the place and when Vaan watches a Bangaa be brutally beaten by the Seeq guards he tries to step in. Next thing Vaan knows, he's in a poor makeshift arena, unarmed and going against three Seeqs armed with clubs. Things are looking grim until Balthier jumps in to save Vaan. The two duke it out with the Seeq and are able to actually beat them. Before they are able to celebrate their victory the imperial guard show up with the unsavory bounty hunter from before. Balthier recognizes him as Ba'Gamnan, a ruthless hunter that has been pursuing him for years. Ba'Gamnan has pulled some strings to get a hold of Balthier so he can turn in the bounty.

Luckily, Fran appears on the scene with a way to escape unnoticed though it ends with a magic door she can't open; but before they leave they notice the entrance of another visitor. The Archadian Judgemaster Gabranth. Balthier recognizes him instantly. Vaan asks about the Judges and Balthier elaborates on the Judges keeping order in the Archadian Empire though they are more "executioner" than "judge" these days. Balthier feels the group should use the escape route and follow the Judge.

After a slight detour to grab their equipment, the group sneaks around the fortress dodging imperial soldiers. The group quietly follows the Judges party and see's them open the magic door for them. Following them through they come upon an isolation chamber for solitary confinement of prisoners. The cell hold only one prisoner tied in chains within a cage... former Captain of the Order of the Knights of Dalmasca, Basch Fon Ronsenburg. The man who killed the king and betrayed Dalmasca as well as killing Vaan's brother Reks. Balthier quiets Vaan so they may listen in on the conversation. The Judge removes his helmet to reveal that he shares the same face as Basch. Gabranth asks Basch how he is doing and mentions his connection to Basch. The two are brothers, in fact identical twins. Gabranth tells Basch that "Amalia" has been captured and will be brought from Rabanastre shortly. . After taunting him for awhile, Gabranth leaves Basch.

Balthier and company enter the scene. Vaan quickly attacks the cage Basch is in, screaming about his brother Reks. Balthier calms him down and calls Basch the "Kingslayer". Basch strongly denies the accusation and says he was set up by the empire. Fran feels the presence of the "Mist", she specualtes that if they follow the mist they will be able to find an exit out of their. The group free's Basch and Balthier invites him to join the party. "We could use another sword-arm." he says. Vaan is furious and argues about letting him go but Balthier is able to convince him otherwise. The group follow the mist to the Barheim Passage...

In the passage they meet Burrogh, another prisoner of Nalbina who tried to escape this way before. He gave up though cause the creatures that roam the passage are fierce and lethal. Burrogh seels the party some Tube Fuse which allows them to open the gate into the old tunnels. Here they encounter insect like machines that feed on electricity. As the power goes out the spirits of the dead begin to rise due to the influence of the mist. The group scrambles to kill the insects before they are overun by undead. The group battles it out through the tunnels. Eventually they decide to rest, Basch plunders a corpse for it's armor and weapons, while he explains what really happened two years ago.

Basch explains that his twin brother, Gabranth, disguised himself as him and murdered the king. He then framed Basch who was captured during the battle in the royal chamber. Reks was left alive to tell the tale of Basch's "betrayal" though it was Gabranth who stabbed Reks. Balthier feels the story seems logical but Vaan is not as satisfied and still distrusts Basch. The group moves on and finally meets the source of the insect issue... the Mimic Queen. After quickly dispatching it, the group finally makes it outside into the Dalmsca Estersand.

The group trecks back to Rabanastre. Upon arrival, the group splits up. Basch thanks the group and decides to find the resistance group stationed in the city. Baltheir and Fran feel the whole heist was a bust and decide to seek some entertainment before leaving the city. Balthier warns Vaan to keep a low profile. Vaan decides he needs to sell the royal treasure but feels he should show it to Penelo first.

Vaan heads to Migelo's shop but only meets Kytes when he gets there. Kytes mentions that Penelo hasn't been around in awhile and that Migelo just stepped out. Vaan figures she's off worried somewhere and now needs to find her and apologize. Kytes mentions that Old Dalan has an errand he wanted someone to run for him. Vaan decides to volunteer cause he doesn't want to feel the wrath of Penelo just yet. Old Daln is surprised to see Vaan but is happy to see he is safe. Vaan shows him the reward for all his work, Old Dalan unfortunately can't unload it from Vaan at this time and tells him to keep it safe. Dalan gives Vaan a Sword of the Order and tells him to deliver it to a man named Azelas. He tells him a man named Balzac should know where he is. Before leaving, Vaan asks Daln to help him locate Penelo so he can apologize to her.

Vaan brings the sword to Balzac, who reveals to Vaan the entrance to the Dalmascan Resistance. Vaan walks into the middle of an argument between the resistance members. Apparently a recent arrival has stirred a bit of controversy. The group is arguing about the arrival of Basch. Vossler tries to explain to them about Basch's loyalty and the conspiracy with his twin brother, but the other members refuse to listen. Basch appears on the scene cleaned and wearing new clothes. He asks the others to trust him but they throw him out. Vossler apologizes to Basch, but even Vossler mentions his inability to completely believe Basch's story. Basch recieves the sword that Vaan brought and Vossler tells him it's better to leave the princess' rescue to the resistance. Vaan is annoyed with the resistance, his time in the Barheim Passage has made him see that Basch is not really the villain. Basch decides he needs to find Balthier and acquire "wings". Vaan agree's to help and the two head to the Sandsea.

There they come upon Balthier being chewed out by Migelo. Migelo gives Balthier a note from Ba'Gamnan that tells Balthier to meet him in Bhujerba if he wanted to see the hostage alive again. Migelo yells at Balthier, cause his little "scene" with Penelo at the groups capture made her a target for the bounty hunter. Balthier is concerned about a rescue cause the Imperial army is amassing at the sky city of Bhujerba. Vaan argues that they need to rescue Penelo and Balthier agree's cause it was his fault she got captured. Besides it's "unbecoming for a leading man to not rescue the damsel in distress". Basch asks to go as well as he has some contacts in Bhujerba he wishes to speak to. The group leave for the Aerodrome where they come upon Balthier's airship the Strahl. A moogle crew finishes maitenience as Vaan gapes in awe of the first airship he has ever been on. Balthier promises to show him more of the ship laterand the group heads for Bhujerba...