Seifer looked up confused, "Almasy, get up." the guard said getting out a set of handcuffs, "You're being moved."
"Am I getting the luxury suite I've been asking for?" Seifer said smirking as he stood up as straight as he could, "Oh you people are just too kind."
"hehe," the guard mocked as he went to put the handcuffs on the man. Seifer doubled over when the guard buried his fist in the blonde's stomach. "I'm not gonna put up with any of your shit right now, Almasy." The guard roughly pulled Seifer's hands behind his back and locked the cuffs on his already raw wrists.
"I'm starting to get just a little tired of getting the shit kicked out of me every time one of you sewer rats feel like it," Seifer said through gritted teeth.
"Well get used to it blondie," the guard said as he roughly pushed Seifer forward and Seifer was sent face first into the door, "from what I hear you're gonna be a long time resident here."
Great, Seifer thought as he was propelled forward again. He was led down to the bottom of the prison. When Seifer was shoved into his new cell he realized he was almost right about getting the luxury suite, the cell resembled the cells he had seen in the D-District prison. Seifer had lay down on the cot, a bit more comfortable, I guess, when the door was opened and the warden in his expensive suit walked in.
"Stand up," came the order. Seifer obeyed, he wavered on the spot, he had headache that made his head feel like it was about to split open but he wasn't going to let on he was in pain.
"We have recently gotten word that some organization is being sent to retrieve you form our facility. I can't begin to fathom why anyone would even attempt such an operation, and for you." the warden said with a sneer.
An organization?..… sent to retrieve....me? Seifer's fuzzy mind tried to process the information. Could it be Squall and the others? Does Quis know?
"I'm guessing you have some sort of tie with this organization, that's the reason why I'm here," the warden said looking at the surroundings with disgust, "I need to know what to expect from this group.....how they fight, how well they fight, and if they pose a threat to my position most importantly."
"I can't tell you a thing," Seifer said readying himself for a beating, keeping his eyes narrowed and steady on the warden.
"What do you mean...why can't you give me the information I ask for?" the warden said restraining his hand which held a baton.
"I don't know anything about anyone who would want to retrieve my ass from anywhere....ugh." the blow from the warden's baton sent Seifer reeling backwards, the taste of blood filled his mouth.
"Not what I wanted to hear from your mouth," the warden said with his baton raised over Seifer's back, who was kneeling spitting the blood from his mouth. "This organization is very well known by people like you. I want you to tell me everything you know."
"Maybe if you specified which organization," Seifer said spitting once more before using the side of the cot to climb to his feet, "I might be able to give something up."
"SeeD!" the warden said throwing his baton to the side, "What do you know about SeeD?"
"They beat Ultimecia about nineteen years ago," Seifer said knowing this was common knowledge among everyone. His vision went from fuzzy to dark as the wardens fist met with the right side of his face.
"Do you think I am a stupid man Mr. Almasy?" the warden said infuriated. He didn't even for an answer as he commanded for the door to open, but before he left he kicked Seifer in the side.
Seifer collapsed on the bed and fell into a fitful sleep and did not wake until late the next day.
The sleeping blond jumped from the stinging sensation that was brought on by an orange creature working to heal the lashes that crisscrossed his back.
"A moomba," Seifer said remembering seeing them at the Shumi Village. "It can't do any more damage than what's already." Seifer muttered before laying his head down again and allowing the creature to do his work.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*
"Almasy, Collin," Squall read off the list of squads, and Collin stepped forward, "shall be the leader of Squad A, and under him shall be: Leonhart, Crean and Matthews, Kiana." Kiana and Crean took a step forward, I'm gonna have to deal with her!, " Squad B will consist of Dincht, Aldice; Kinneas, Cal; and be lead by Jace Palement."
The SeeD candidates stood in their squads very confused, the rest of the candidates were being sent to Timber. Why weren't they?
As if to answer their questions Squall started speaking again, "You were the candidates who had received the highest test scores. We feel you have the ability to complete this simple retrieval mission. You will travel by Ragnorak to the valley located south of Esthar. Head over to the hanger to board the ship and be briefed on the details of your test.
The candidates saluted and were dismissed. They walked in silence to the hanger, they were all starting to prepare themselves for the task before them. The nervous teens were met in front of the airship by Mataya and Lance, the SeeDs that would accompany the candidates on their test.
"Board the ship and we'll get started," Lance said gesturing to the red giant hovering before them.
Collin and the others boarded the ship followed by Mataya and Lance. The squads sat on opposite sides of the conference room with the squad leaders near the front. The six teens waited for the SeeDs to brief them on the details of their test.
"The ship will land outside Esthar City, you will be met by President Loire. He will give you the location of E-District prison. You will get there by military vehicle disguised as Esthar Soldiers. Once there you will find the location of a prisoner, his identity will not be known by you in case you are captured," Lance said as he walked swiftly up the aisle and leaned against the table, "Then all you gotta do is get the prisoner, get out of the prison and back to the city with the prisoner. Any questions?"
"How do we know what prisoner we're supposed to get if we don't know who he is?" Cal asked almost immediately.
"The warden thinks that Esthar Soldiers are retrieving him before SeeD can get to him," Mataya said taking a step towards the cadets, "So a confrontation can be avoided. He should give you the correct information."
"What if he doesn't?" Aldice asked from the back of the room.
"He should," Lance said, "He will be given a large amount of money if he complies and gives up the right prisoner."
"What makes this particular prisoner so special?" Jace asked, "And why would we want a convicted criminal? He must've like killed a president or something to end up there."
"All we know is that you guys have to get him and bring him back," Mataya said, "If you really want to know all the details you can ask him when you get him safely back to Esthar.
"One more thing," Lance said. He stood up and opened a bag that was sitting on the table, "We were told to give you these." He took out two blue walkie-talkies. "When you have the prisoner in the military vehicle report back to us on these." He handed the squad leaders the walkie-talkies.
The cadets nodded silently and sat back in their chairs. They all were preparing for the task ahead in their own ways. Jace opened a black case that had been sitting on his knees and pulled out a sleek new rifle that had been sent to him for the exam. The room filled with the sounds of Jace cleaning and loading the rifle. Collin watched his movements and was reminded that he still had his whip, he was only allowed one weapon while on this exam.
"Collin," Mataya said, Collin looked up when he his name. "Have you decided on which weapon you are going to use on the exam?"
Collin nodded and stood up to remove his whip. He handed it to Mataya and sat back down. Collin got lost in his thoughts, I'm getting that feeling again, like my dad is coming home. Just nerves, I'm just a little nervous about the exam.....it seems too easy.
"We'll be landing soon," Lance said standing up from his chair and walking down the aisle to the door, "Get ready to move out."
Collin made sure he had his few GFs junctioned and had some magic junctioned. The ship landed outside Esthar and the cadets exited the ship and were led into the city where President Loire was waiting.
"Welcome," the aging gentleman said somewhat graciously, "Are you ready for the task I am about to bestow upon you?" The cadets formed a line and saluted, "Well trained like usual," the president said grinning. "Here is all the information you'll need to complete this mission. The warden will comply, you'll know if he doesn't. Your vehicle is waiting for you near your ship, just head north past the lunar base and you can't miss it."
The candidates saluted and President nodded and they were dismissed, "Get going, you don't have much time." Lance said pointing to the blue vehicle waiting for them.
"Let's go," Collin said and they jogged towards the car.
Collin got there first and he climbed in behind the wheel and started the engine. The others soon came and climbed in the remaining seats. Collin looked back to make sure everyone was seated before he floored the gas pedal and the car jerked forward toward the prison. It didn't take them long to arrive, along the way the cadets changed into the Esthar uniforms that were provided. Collin stopped a little ways before he got to the prison gate and got out of his seat and Jace took his spot and continued on while Collin changed.
The gate opened as the car approached and they were allowed in. Jace stopped the car and turned off the engine. Kiana opened the back door everyone filed out. Collin assumed the role of spokesperson and Jace stood by him as he told the guard why Esthar Soldiers were there. The guard allowed them in to the warden and Collin handed the man the papers that stated what they were there for.
The warden looked up at the soldiers standing before them. They seem suspicious, I can at least give them the location of the man they're here for. "Right this way sir," the warden said gesturing down a gray corridor and nodded for the guard to go with them and open the door. The squads followed silently and stopped at a gray door as the guard opened it. Collin and Jace stood on one side of the door and signaled for Crean and Cal to lift the seemingly unconscious man off the cot.
"That one there is trouble," the guard said pointing to the badly bruised man who had stirred slightly from being lifted from the cot. "Good thing you have a good number of men to restrain him if he gets too outta hand."
Jace peered at the man, his chin was down to his chest and it looked as if he been beaten recently. "Don't think he'll cause too much trouble. That man can barely walk."
"Get him to the car," Collin ordered. Collin watched as the man was dragged down the hall, Why do I feel like I know him? Collin shook his head and followed the cadets out. When they got in the car the prisoner fastened into a seat and the cadets changed back into their regular uniforms. Collin confirmed that the prisoner was retrieved and I the car. Jace climbed into the drivers seat and started the engine and drove out the gate. Half way to the lunar base they were stopped by a small group of Galbadian soldiers.
"Uh, guys?" Jace said slowing to a stop, "We got a slight problem." Collin looked out the windshield.
"Looks like we're gonna have to fight," Collin said strapping on Hyperion, "Ready?" Collin looked around at the other SeeD candidates in the car, We'll someone to stay here with the prisoner, "Aldice...could you stay here and make sure the prisoner stays safe? If the Galbadians come near get away from them, they're here for the prisoner I'm sure of it. Head back to Esthar if you have to, we'll take their vehicle. Ok?" Worst plan anyone has ever came up with.
Aldice nodded and the other five got out the back door and Cal closed it and locked it when he jumped out. Collin lead the way to the blue uniformed soldiers, there's only four it shouldn't be too hard. The cadets walked close to Collin.
"I'll talk to them," Collin said in a low tone, "Fighting will be a last resort, got it? They can see we're armed and they'll know that we're well trained."
The cadets were silent but they acknowledged the statement. They stopped a few yards in front of the line of soldiers. Both sides were silent for a moment.
"What is SeeD doing here?" the soldier in the center asked, he was the lieutenant.
"We're not SeeD," Collin replied smirking, It's true, we're not SeeD....not yet at least hehe.
"Who sent you then?" the lieutenant said.
"Esthar," Collin answered.
"Looks like SeeD sent you. We were told not let anyone who looked like SeeD to pass," The soldier jerked his head and the others pulled out their guns. The cadets acknowledged the gesture as a start to a battle and took out their weapons. Collin raised his hand to tell them to wait as he unsheathed Hyperion and let the sun reflect off its blade.
"Looks like we'll have to force our way through then," Collin replied going into his fighting stance just one of the soldiers fired at Collin and missed.
Jace was the first to attack he fired at one of the Galbadians and did a considerable amount of damage. Crean followed and finished off the soldier with a blow from his staff. Cal immediately attacked another soldier with his daggers, and Collin followed Cal and finished off the soldier.
"Your SeeD! You have to be!" The lieutenant yelled.
"We're not SeeD....yet." Kiana said as she whipped around her nunchaku and hit the lieutenant.
Jace fired again and finished off the Lieutenant and the remaining soldier ran. The cadets sheathed their weapons just as Aldice pulled up and Kiana unlocked the door and hopped in and the others followed. Crean closed the door and locked it then sat down in the remaining seat. Aldice sped away towards Esthar wanting to complete the task as soon as possible. Not long after she halted the car outside Esthar where the president was waiting near the Ragnorak. Cal and Aldice picked up the unconscious prisoner and dragged him out of the car.
"Well done," Laguna said as he came forward to greet the cadets, "What happened to him?"
"He was severely beaten while at the prison," Aldice said, "He's been unconscious the whole way here."
"Well get him on the ship." Laguna said, "Lance and Mataya are ready."
The cadets boarded the ship and Lance took the prisoner and laid him on the table and cast curaga on the unconscious man. Collin sat down and rubbed his chin absentmindedly staring forward. Can't be my Dad can it? It can't be, it just can't be! But what if he is?......Collin felt a hand on his shoulder and he quickly looked up and saw the last person he wanted to see, Kiana.
"Is something wrong Collin?" Kiana asked trying to show concern, He was right, I hate it when he's right!
"No," Collin said shortly, I don't want your pity.