Well, aren't you lucky. You've got to put up with yet another chapter from Dark Horse in his pathetic series, The Redemption. Well, I like the series, and it looks like some of you do too, so here it is chapter 3. Oh by the way, I uh don't own theses Characters, Square Soft does. I'd love to work for them, but I'm not good enough. Hey, If you like my writing, and would like to get chapters that haven't been posted yet, or have any questions about me or any of my stories or original characters. E mail me at Sniper_3d@Yahoo.com. Flames Welcome too.

The Redemption Chapter 3: A Voice from the Past

Squall looked up from the note he was holding in his hand and said. "This better not be some kinda joke, or else someone will pay with their life."

Seifer knew the statement was directed to him, and thought to say something, but thought the better of it since he didn't know what the note said. "So, what's it say?" He asked . "Anything that will change your mind?"

"Maybe so." Squall said. "Who gave this to you?"

"Quistis did, she's the one who ordered this mission. She said she didn't know what it said, and that she wasn't to open it. And Damn it, it was supposed to be a last resort, now tell me what the hell that thing says." Seifer banged his fist on the table. This time would be spectators turned away thinking the better of staring.

"No, I won't tell you what it said, but I'll go with you. But on my own mission. A mission to find out who wrote this." Squall said matter of factly.

"Damn it," Seifer said, but knew he would get no where. "All right. well, go pack, and we'll meet at the train station. and head to Timber. From there we switch to a train bound for Balamb, a Garden vehicle will meet us there. Be at the station in two hours."

"Fine that works for me. Notify the Garden that I'm coming, and let them know that the first thing I'm doing is finding out about that note." Squall told him, almost ordering. "Two hours, I'll be there."

"Fine I'll call Quistis, I've done my mission." Seifer said. "But Our real battle begins when you get back." After that statement the two men stood up and went there ways.

Squall waited for a bus to take him to the coliseum's high-rise. He knew that whatever was going on back at Garden was serious, or else they wouldn't have sent the best soldier they had to find him. That last remark Seifer had made about the battle beginning when he arrived was strange too, but that note had really cough him off guard, and he had to find out about it. "Rinoa, could she have survived?" he thought, "there's just no way." With that thought the bus arrived, and Squall stepped on it. He got home, packed up, and got back out just in time to catch the bus to the station. He looked around until he saw Seifer, and walked up to him.

"So, there's some kinda internal problem at Garden, that they want my help with? Squall asked trying to get some information as to why they came looking for him.

"No the problems not within Garden, it's.... well, we'll talk on the train." Seifer said casually. "Well, it's right on time!" He added as the train pulled up. The two boarded, and within minutes, they were bound for Timber. The first little while of their journey was silent. Seifer simply sat in the private room and waited for Squall to join him. Squall on the other hand was in the back of the train staring out the window at the sky. There was a storm on the way, and the train was headed right for it. It was a big one at that. He could see the lightning building along with the clouds in the distance. Even as far away from it as they were, he could feel the wind picking up and beating against the side of the train. "This ones huge" he thought. "Just like the one that was brewing that fateful night. The night I lost Rinoa." The thought hit him like a ton of bricks. Rinoa, the name echoed in his mind. It was hard to believe that it had been two years almost three since she died. He still remembered it well. He was holding on to her, and she was dangling over the pit. And then. He grabbed his forehead. He didn't even want to think about it. It hurt to think about it. His mind returned to that note. He reached into his pocket and pulled it out. He gently opened it up, and read it again to himself.

Squall, Rinoa's still alive.

He hoped, prayed that it was true. It was that hope that led him onward, and into this new challenge, whatever it may be. It was that hope that caused him to believe. "Enough of that!" He told himself. "Time to get on with my mission." With that he went back to find Seifer. To his surprise he was asleep. Squall realized that he was tired himself, so he decided he'd catch a nap himself so he did. It wasn't too long before both were awakened by the sound of brakes, and the feeling to the train slowing down. "We must be there." Seifer said. "Let's get the hell on out of here." So they did so. They stepped off the train in Timber and into the pouring rain. "Damn it," Seifer said. "I hate this time of year, all these storms really screw my fishing."

"Aww, I'm sooo sorry." Squall said mockingly.

Seifer cast him a aggravated glance, but that was it. And shortly to the delight of the now drenched young men the train arrived. The two wasted no time boarding the train, and quickly found their room where the heat was immediately turned on to help dry them off.

"So, why were you sent to get me?" Squall asked as the train took off.

"Well, well be back to Garden soon, and since I don't know all the details, you'd probably best hear it from those who know like Director Trepe, Head Master Laguna, or Garden Master Cid. I'd hate to give you faulty info." Seifer finished just as a bolt of lightning struck right next to the train. The thunder that followed was deafening. And the light that came with the strike was very very bright. The two knew it had to have been close. Squall drew the blinds, and he and Seifer stared out the window in amazement. This was a storm like only one of them had ever seen in their lives. Lightning so frequent that it made the middle of the night look bright as day.

"Damn, now that's a big one!" Seifer said.

"Yes, it sure is." Squall said, but he couldn't help thinking that it was so much like the storm that raged the night Rinoa died. The night that he dropped her. The night that he couldn't hold on. And even as he thought about that tragic night another bolt struck, but this time he felt the train jolt. This time, the train was hit. Seifer felt the impact too, and he looked at Squall both knew that was not a good thing.

"Man the trains been hit." Squall said.

"Good call Sherlock!" Seifer replied sarcastically, "lets get out there and see how we can help, after all we are SeeDs, well at least one of us is." He looked at Squall who hung his head at that last statement.

The two men went out and then began to make their way towards the front of the train. The train was still moving along, and soon they would be in the shelter of the tunnel, if they made it that far. The farther they got towards the front, They more they saw the smoke. The engineer came on the PA and said that the sprinkler system had locked down the fire, and that it wouldn't reach the engines. Comforting to most, but Squall, and Seifer reached the car that had been struck. It was a large car, with only one huge sweet. The sprinklers were holding the fire at bay from spreading, but there was one section that was well burning. It looked like a Bedroom. Squall decided to give it a look while Seifer continued to go forward checking the other cars. Squall got as close as he could to the blaze, he peered in, it was indeed a bedroom and nice at that, or had been, until it cough fire. He didn't see anything, or anyone. He felt that this train was very fortunate to have an uninhabited car hit by the bolt. He turned to leave, and headed towards the door that led to the front of the train, just as he opened the door. He heard the voice.

"Help, somebody help me!" Squall turned, it was coming from the room he had just looked into. He couldn't believe it. He heard it again. The voice was calling for help, but there was something familiar to it. What was it he thought as he ran to help the woman. He reached the doorway, and the cry came again. Then it hit him. "That voice," He thought, "It sounds like......." He closed his eyes for a moment then thought. "Rinoa"

Authors Comments.

Well, you probably are starting to think this series sucks, but if you're not, and you want more, tell me. This story is gonna be killer! I like it and hope you really enjoy reading it. I'd love to get you feed back, so review it. Also, if you've got any questions, or would like a full version, let me know that as well. If you like this, you'll love Behind The Mask, go check it out and review it! ok? Dark Horse - OUT