********** VIII – Improvisations **********
Later that day, back at Balamb Garden Squall was waiting for Quistis to join the meeting. The SeeDs had been as efficient as usual, but knew little of Rinoa's whereabouts the past evening.
When the blonde woman entered the room, the Commander stated, "I have heard your reports individually, but I think it is useful that all hear them. Seifer?"
The tall man cleared his throat before speaking, "There was a reception yesterday, and the candidates stayed until about 02:00 hours this morning, except for Lorgon Seldon who was absent, Marla Santor who left around 20:15 hours in company of one Zell Dincht…"
All eyes turned to the martial artist, who blushed and simply stated, "And I can vouch for her."
Seifer resumed, in a businesslike tone, "Chrislen Khosgrove also left at about 20:00 hours, with one Kathrya Moonbrook. Rinoa left alone around 20:45 hours, arrived at her hotel 15 minutes later, and went for coffee at a café on the other side of the street."
Selphie continued the narrative, "From there she left to visit the town. I figured that she would go to the commercial district, and some people recall seeing her or someone very similar to her."
"Unfortunately," offered Zell, "The majority of the people working the evening shifts, in the stores and restaurants, are unavailable this early in the day." The blond guy looked sideways at Squall before announcing, "I asked Marla to help us in this."
"I thought I specifically ordered for this to remain Garden business, Zell." Said the Commander in a controlled voice.
Of all people, it was Seifer who came to the energetic guy's defense, "Squall, I think that Ms.Santor is clean. We researched the candidates' backgrounds, and they have no motive to abduct Rinoa."
"What about that Khosgrove man?" asked Selphie, "I don't like the guy, he reminds me of a coiled snake."
"Suspicion is not proof," stated Squall, but he knew that the diminutive woman's hunches often hit the mark.
Silent until then, Irvine took the floor, "But why would someone go through all that trouble? And how can they keep her against her will? She's powerful enough to destroy a fortress, for Hyne's sake!"
"Maybe she's been sedated, or placed in a strong dispel field." Said Quistis, "I had expected a ransom note by now."
Squall turned to the blonde woman, "We don't know about their intentions, but it is clear that they want to keep her hidden and alive. Quistis, have you found anything?"
"Well, yes," she replied, "I found yeast spores on the letter and envelope, Dr.Kadowaki thinks it is the kind used by bakers and brewers. I found out that there are but three bakeries, and two breweries in and around Timber. She probably is at one of those locations."
"How can you assume that she's in one of those places?" Inquired the dark-haired man.
"Someone pressed her fingertips to the letter and envelope, probably in case we checked for fingerprints," explained the blonde woman, "We found a few spores inside the marks left by Rinoa's fingers."
With an objective to pursue, the Commander's spirits rose, "Good work. Now, we'll split into teams to investigate those locations. Zell, is your girlfriend willing to help us?"
All eyes turned to the martial artist again, who blushed once more, "Huh, yeah! She knows the region well, and would be a great guide."
Not long after, they were all on their way. Zell and Selphie investigated a bakery in the eastern part of town; it was a small operation and held nothing suspicious. After about an hour or so, they met with Marla near the hotel, and the tall woman hugged and kissed the blond guy affectionately – much to the brunette's amusement.
After informing the blonde woman of their findings, she pondered for a moment before stating, "There is a third brewery, you know. It was bought by Lorgon Seldon, about six months ago, and just started business."
"How come it doesn't appear in the towns records?" Inquired Selphie.
"It's an old building, the Galbadians used it as a base during the occupation," explained Marla, "As most records haven't been updated, it's still listed as a bunker I suppose."
"Then we should go and check it out." Affirmed the martial artist.
"We'll take my car," said the tall woman, "It's a ways from town."
"Baby, you're a Hynesend!" said Zell, grinning widely.
---------- ---------- ----------
Seifer and Fujin were posing as tourists and touring a brewery named The Ale Barrel, proudly announcing 'Master Brewers For The Connoisseur'. The albino woman, with her usual stealth, left the group and explored the premises. After an hour, she slipped unnoticed into the room where the guide was serving generous sampling portions.
"Found anything?" Whispered Seifer.
"Negative" she whispered back.
"Lets leave then, I don't want to see or smell another beer ever again." He stated with annoyance.
Once outside, Fujin faced her tall companion, "WHAT NOW".
"The guide mentioned that another brewery just started operations. It is located in the outskirts of Timber, maybe we should check it out."
"AGREED"
As they made their way across the town, Seifer noticed his companion giving him covert glances. "What is it Fuu?"
"NOTHING"
The tall man stopped and held Fujin by her shoulders, in a firm but gentle manner. "Listen, we are going to be married soon, and if there is something on your mind you should tell me."
She lowered her gaze, thinking at how well he knew her. Being so close to someone, and trusting that someone was a new experience to her – as was having friends. She had come to care for Rinoa, and would do all in her power to aid her friend, but the past still tugged at her insecurities. She could hardly believe that Seifer had proposed to her, and was very much scared to lose him.
"Fuu?" inquired the blond man gently, lifting her chin with a gloved finger.
She looked into his beautiful dark-green eyes, which always reminded her of the calm majesty of the ocean. Right now they were looking at her with concern, and so she confessed her fears in a whisper, "Do you still love her…"
A smile came to his lips, "Don't tell me that my little Fuji is jealous."
"Not jealous," she corrected, "Just need t-t-to know…"
"Fuu, this really isn't the time…"
"I w-will do all I c-c-can… t-to save her, Seifer. Sh-she is m-m-my friend." She stated with effort, as her speech impediment made it hard for her to talk in full sentences, "B-but… you are – th-the best thing - in - my life…"
Seifer knew that this was serious, and he felt that she only wanted reassurance, "Fuu, what I felt for her was a summer romance, a flame, and now she is only a friend. What I feel for you is different... what I feel for you is like embers."
She stared at him in surprise, "EMBERS?"
"Yes", he continued, "Embers that burn true through the darkest of nights, embers that give warmth through the coldest of days…"
His arms gently embraced her and his lips murmured to her ear, "You have always been there for me, in a way that I'll never be able to repay. What I feel for you, I have never felt for no one else… no one, ever. Fujin Kazeno, I want to spend my whole life with you… I live because of you, only you…"
In the next instant, his lips were on hers and all her doubts evaporated as dew under a glorious Sun. She knew that this was no dream, for no dream could be so wonderful or so sweet. No one should ever be denied the happiness she felt now, and no one should lose it after having found it.
"LETS FIND RINOA" she stated firmly, walking towards Seifer's motorcycle.
And as they resumed their mission, she hoped that Squall Leonhart would see reason – as Seifer had, and as she herself had…
---------- ---------- ----------
"All right, Kathrya," said Rinoa, "there's but one guard beside the door and he's relieved every hour or so. These guys are not professional soldiers, so it's a sure bet that he'll be bored out of his wits."
"Do you mean that he'll be off-guard?" Inquired the younger woman.
"Exactly, now open the door and let me deal with him."
The Mime concentrated for a moment, then stated in Chrislen Khosgrove's voice, "Door 34 unlock, authorization Khosgrove 664."
A clicking sound could be heard, and the heavy metal-door popped outwards for a fraction of an inch. As Rinoa had predicted, the guard pulled on it in surprise and opened his eyes wide as the sorceress kicked it open. The man was tall and massive, but the kick he received to his solar plexus, and the back-fist to his temple silenced him immediately. The two women then tied, gagged, and locked him in the cell.
"Wow!" exclaimed Kathrya, "You are strong!"
"It's not about strength," explained Rinoa, "Just about hitting the right spot. Now, which way should we go?"
"They made me turn to my left to enter the cell, before they took off the blindfold, so I suppose I was brought from that direction." Stated Kathrya, pointing to their right.
They were obviously in a circular shaped building, and there were no other guards to hinder their progress. They carefully made their way, not noticing the concealed cameras along the way.
They reached an elevator, but Rinoa insisted that they took the stairwell nearby instead, "They can block an elevator, but in a stairwell we have a better chance to ambush an opponent or to flee." Explained the sorceress. They made their way up the stairs, and finally thy reached a door with a capital 'G' painted on it, and they assumed that it must be the ground floor.
Rinoa carefully opened the door a little, and her nostrils were assailed by the unmistakable stench of fermentation. Unfortunately, there seemed to be more activity here and so they treaded their way carefully, as not to attract the attention of several workers, busy around fermentation tanks. Suddenly, they both froze as an angry voice shouted behind them.
"Stop it there! Now you're in big shit Kathrya!"
The two women turned to face Chrislen Khosgrove, Lorgon Seldon, and two thugs. Secure in their numbers, the four men advanced menacingly. Rinoa grabbed her companion's hand and stepped back, looking for a way to flee.
"Father, forgive me…" whispered Kathrya and, freeing herself from the sorceress's grasp, put both hands funnel-like around her mouth. A high-pitched shout escaped her lips, she had been aiming for Chrislen but one of the guards – eager to impress his employer – stepped forward and collapsed, blood running from his eyes and ears.
The Mime shouted again, but Chrislen ducked his head and the deadly frequency hit Lorgon. The man clutched his head before going down, and the second guard fled in pure panic.
Kathrya faltered, the effort from performing that attack having drained a sizeable part of her strength. She suddenly felt agonizing pain on the right side of her abdomen, and saw the hilt of a throwing knife protruding there.
Rinoa shouted, "NO!" and tried to help the singer while keeping her good eye on their captor.
"The Shout Of Death, I thought that it was but a legend," remarked Chrislen, a fighting short-blade in hand, "We could have done so much together Kathrya, so much…"
"You bastard!" Yelled Rinoa, "Was it all worth this? And to think that I admired you…"
The man advanced on the two women, "You know what your problem always was, Princess? You just can't make the hard decisions, and you always cling to unrealistic ideas of honor and sacrifice. Well, it's all too bad for I really liked you, and therefore I'll try to make this as painless as possible."
Rinoa prepared herself for battle, but she saw from her peripheral vision that several of Chrislen's minions were advancing on her position. Well, she wouldn't go down without a fight. "Kathrya, hold on, please, and don't try to take the knife out or you'll bleed to death."
"Yes…" replied the singer feebly.
Crouching as a panther ready to pounce, ignoring the pain cursing through her body, the dark-haired woman waited for her opponent to be in striking range. She suddenly heard what she thought was a familiar voice call her name, but kept her attention on her attacker.
"It's over, Princess, give up now and join forces with me." Said the blue-eyed man in a suave voice.
"Yes, Chrislen, it might be over for me," agreed the sorceress, "But it won't matter to you, for you'll be dead long before your little friends arrive."
And then all conversation stopped, as the would-be dictator lunged at his prey.
---------- ---------- ----------
Earlier, on the other side of the road from the brewery, three figures were hiding in the bushes. They spied on two bored-looking guards, who leaned against the wall and seemed engaged in idle chatter.
"This doesn't look Bona Fide if you ask me." Marla whispered to her companions.
"I agree," offered Zell, "Why would they have armed guards at a brewery? And there's no activity around the building. We have to get pass those guys, but there's no way to sneak there without being spotted."
"I have an idea…" said Marla, and then proceeded to share her plan with the two SeeDs.
"Are you sure that's necessary, Marla?" Asked Selphie, "I'm really not comfortable with the idea."
"These guys look like professional soldiers," explained the tall woman, "If we don't use some sort of diversion, they might raise an alarm."
"Well, I…" Started the brunette.
"Never thought that you would be such a prude." Replied Zell with a grin, which earned him a jab in the ribs.
"It's for a good cause," continued Marla, "And believe me, men are all the same."
"Huh?" Inquired Zell.
"Not you, Zelly," corrected the blonde, "You're special."
The blond guy seemed satisfied with the answer. Meanwhile, Selphie looked unsure but finally acquiesced, "Oh! All right, I'll do it for Rinoa but if Irvine EVER founds out about this you're dead meat Zell!"
Marla and Selphie returned to the car, and sent a message to some of the blonde woman's trusted friends. Once they were satisfied that it would be promptly delivered to Garden, they rejoined Zell and then the two women walked towards the guards.
"He you! This is private property! Go away!" Shouted the guy to their left.
"But sir," pleaded Selphie in her best innocent voice, "We are lost and thirsty, can you help us?"
"I said, go away!" Insisted the man, pointing his weapon menacingly. The women kept advancing, hoping that the men would be reluctant to harm two seemingly defenseless ladies. At some point the guys stepped forward to keep our friends from getting closer to the door.
"Last warning! Go away!" Stated the first man again.
"But Jior," intervened the second guard, "They're just two lost girls."
"We have our orders, Skev, no one is to be allowed inside."
"We have no money, but maybe we can pay you otherwise?" said Selphie, and then grabbed the hem of her skirt and lifted it slightly, giving both men a peek of her underwear. Before the guards could shake their shock off, Marla made as if to pull her shirt up. She had deduced correctly that they would not consider two unarmed women to be a threat – which sealed their fate.
The two guys were staring open-mouthed, totally shocked. Taking advantage of their surprise, Selphie put her arms around Jior's neck. The guard pulled her to him with his free arm and slid down to grab… his hand never reached its intended destination. His eyes bulged and he felt as his genitals had risen to his throat. Another knee-kick to the man's abdomen followed, and when he doubled over she connected the heel of her hand with the back of his head.
Skev suffered a similar fate. Marla was as strong as her frame predicted, and she sent him to the real of dreams with a few well-placed punches. Zell was already running to assist his comrades, but the two women had done quite a good job on their own.
"Men..." Remarked Marla with an amused expression.
"Good, now lets get inside before others come by," exclaimed the blond man, "And Selphie, white-lace? I expected plain yellow undies." He finished with a grin, and then jumped back to avoid the brunette's angry punch.
"You PERV!" Erupted Selphie, "You peeked!"
"I did not," explained the blond man, grinning even more widely, "But your skirt is up."
Selphie looked to her exposed underwear in shock, and rearranged her attire. It was one thing to be walked on by a trusted friend like Rinoa, but quite another to serve to fuel Zell's amusement. It was then that she started to seriously consider changing her attire, but that is another story.
"Guys, we have a mission, remember?" Intervened Marla.
"I'll deal with you later…" said the small girl to her exuberant companion. And then they hid the guards, and stepped inside the building.
After passing a door, they found themselves in a multileveled walkway looking over several massive containers. The scent of fermenting yeast hung heavily in the air, and they saw a few people running around - it really looked like a disturbed anthill.
There was suddenly a commotion, two levels down from the one they were on. A fight was taking place and several of the workers were converging on that location. Zell had a quick glance of dark hair and a blue garment, and he also recognized a figure by his sandy-blond head.
"Rinoa!" He exclaimed.
"Lets get down there!" Yelled Selphie, already running towards the stairs to their right, "And I was right! It was that Khosgrove guy!" She concluded triumphantly.
Several men were blocking their way, and they were armed with nasty looking bayonets. Selphie eyes glazed in the summoning trance, as she uttered one word, "DOOMTRAIN!"
Chrislen Khosgrove's hired hands hardly had time to realize what had hit them, before they went stumbling down the passageway.
********** ********** **********