Collin woke with a pounding headache, I didn't drink much last night did I, there was a soft knock at the door. Must be Aldice coming to find out why I ditched them last night. He stood up and stretched, he noticed he was still in his SeeD uniform. The knock became louder just before Collin opened the door.
"What!" Collin said with more rudeness than he intended, "Oh Bradhadair I'm sorry I ...."
"Oh never mind," a pretty brunette finished for him, "I'd be grumpy too if I was disturbed this early."
"Bradhadair, I'm sorry I ran out so quickly last night," Collin said running his fingers through his short hair trying to smooth it out.
"Collin!" a familiar voice yelled from down the hall, "Why did you run out on us last night? Kiana was so upset after you left!"
Collin didn't answer until Aldice was closer, "I had some things on my mind."
"You'd better apologize to Kiana," Aldice said crossing her arms over her chest.
"I'll do it later," Collin said.
"Do it soon," Aldice said continuing on down the hall.
"Is Kiana your girlfriend?" Bradhadair asked quietly hoping he wouldn't hear.
"What?" Collin said looking surprised.
"Never mind," Bradhadair said quickly.
Collin looked at the brunette confused, "Hey would you....,"
"Collin!" Cal called from down the hall, he was carrying a brown envelope.
"What were you about to say?" Bradhadair asked , her eyes searching his.
"It's Nothing," Collin replied.
"Got our first mission," Cal said grinning and waving he envelope.
"I talk to you later," Collin said before going in his room.
"Yea sure," Bradhadair said and she went back to her dorm which was just down the hall.
Cal followed Collin into his room, "Who's the girl?" Cal asked grinning mischievously.
Collin didn't answer the question, "When do we leave for the mission?"
"Immediately," Cal replied, "You didn't answer my question, who's the girl?"
Collin nodded and still refused to answer the question and he could tell it was bothering Cal. He grabbed a bag from his closet to start packing. "Anyone else coming with us?" he asked placing his Save the Queen in it's box then into his bag.
"Yea," Cal said leaning against the door frame and looked down at the paper, "Bradhadair Riordan. Wait a minute, that was who were just talking to! You lucky dog. So how involved are you two?"
Collin didn't answer this question either, Why is he so interested in my social life.
"If you don't answer I will be forced to make assumptions," Cal said
"You of all people should know not to make assumptions," Collin said.
"Don't even go there," Cal said blushing slightly, "I thought she really liked me. But seriously, do you really like her?"
"I think so," Collin said putting his gunblade in it's case, "I just met her. Enough about my relationships, how long do we have for the mission?"
"As long as we need," Cal answered, "We're going to Timber," he nodded as Collin emitted a groan, "We're supposed to oversee the peace talks between Galbadia and Timber. I'm gonna go pack, can you tell Bradhadair that she's coming with us? I'll meet you guys down in the parking lot."
"Sure," Collin picked up his trench coat and was about to toss on top of his bag when he stopped to look closely at it. The red markings on it had faded with time, the fabric was thin, it was amazing it wasn't falling apart. The stains on it were still visible even after all these years, from past adventures when it was still the uniform of the Sorceress Knight. He sighed as he placed it down on the bed and went to find Bradhadair.
The task didn't take as long as Collin thought it would, he found the brunette down in the training center. Collin knew enough not to approach a person when they were in a battle, they could mistake your approach as an attack and defend themselves.
"Hey!" Collin called out when she had defeated one of the snow lions that Garden had imported. Bradhadair looked up as she collected her items and smiled.
"What's up?" she asked standing up and slipped her battle ax into it's scabbard.
"Not much," Collin said as he watched her come towards him, "Just came to tell you that you were assigned to a mission."
"With you and Cal?" She asked.
"Uh, yea," Collin said running his fingers through his hair and noted the fact he needed a hair cut again. He felt like he was being watched, Collin looked around him, there was no one else besides Bradhadair in this part of the training center but he wasn't relieved. Then it started again, just as bad as the last time, his hands shot up to his temples and his face grimaced from the pain.
"Collin?" Bradhadair said and she put a hand on his elbow and he swiped it away, "Collin what's wrong?"
Collin stayed silent and slowly the pain ebbed away, he slowly dropped his hand and blinked his eyes several time attempting to refocus.
"Lately I've been getting these weird headaches," Collin held up his hand when Bradhadair tried to interrupt, " They're not headaches really, they don't hurt, at least they didn't. They just tickle before."
"Do they tickle in one spot or all over?" Bradhadair asked her eyes intent.
"At first I just felt the tickling in one spot," Collin said looking down with his chin resting on his palm, "But lately it's been all over. Every time I feel it, it's like a siren is going off inside my head like I'm in danger or something. I felt it again last night when we were dancing, much worse. It was like someone blew an air horn inside my head."
"Have you met anyone new that seems to try and be near often or approached you?" Bradhadair inquired, "Have you ever noticed anyone look dazed, like they're daydreaming or something?"
"Kiana," Collin said looking up, "I started getting the headaches when I met her."
Bradhadair sat up straight, Can't be the same person who destroyed Beltanick. "Collin, stay away from her or anyone who might be associated with her."
*~*~*~*~*~*~*
The three SeeDs loaded their belongings into the trunk of the blue vehicle that would take them to the train station in Balamb. Collin stared out the window at the scenery whipping by, he had the feeling that it might be a long time before he ever sees what he knows as home again. He didn't like the feeling he tried to focus on other things, he listened to Cal drumming on his knees, Who ever got him to take up drumming should be launched into space.
"Will you cut it out!" Bradhadair nearly screamed. Collin couldn't help but chuckle at Cal's face as he froze a few beats before the end of his 'grand finale' for a few seconds before tapping out the last couple beats and received a shriek from Bradhadair.
"Ok, I'm done," Cal said holding his hands up to shield himself from the girls slaps, "Jeez, I figured you would have an appreciation for good music."
"That wasn't music, that was senseless noise," Bradhadair spat as she sat back in her seat, crossing her arms over her chest.
"We're here," Collin said getting up to open the back door, "We'll get necessary supplies then board the train to Timber."
*~*~*~*~*~*~*
"So he's the one?" Kiana said in disbelief, "Are you sure Osrick?"
"Yea," Osrick said, "I wouldn't say he was if he wasn't. You'd better find him so we can finally get the operation moving."
"I can't," Kiana said casting her eyes downward.
"What do you mean you can't?" Osrick demanded, his eyes fierce.
"He was sent to Timber for his first mission," Kiana said, she looked up at Osrick, "I can't leave until I receive my first mission assignment."
"Why does it seem like I am doing all the work on this mission?" Osrick said, "I guess I'm going to Timber now."
*~*~*~*~*~*~*
'We'll be arriving in Timber shortly. Please make sure you have all your belongings before you leave the train. We thank you for your business.'
"We'll get off the train in uniform," Collin said standing up, "I think it's best to arrive looking like we mean business."
Cal and Bradhadair nodded, they each got their bags and changed into their SeeD uniforms. The train stopped with a lurch and Collin lead the way out of the cabin. There was a taxi waiting to take them to the hotel to drop off their bags. On the way they noticed that Timber was still filled with Galdbadian military vehicles. Seems a bit much for peace talks.
The taxi stopped outside of the Timber hotel and the SeeDs unloaded their bags and went inside. They had their bags taken up to their room, "We don't have time to unpack, we have to go and talk with the acting Timber mayor."
"Yo, Collin," Cal said as he threw his bag down by the bed and opened his, "Did you notice all the military vehicles Galbadia's got stationed here? They look like assault vehicles, it's like they're expecting some problems."
"Either that or they are planning to make some problems," Collin glanced out the window, the sight of all the armed soldiers sent shivers up his spine.
"Look around the city! They have half the army stationed here it doesn't look like they plan on leaving." Cal said as he picked up his bag and rifle case and put them on the bed, "They're planning something and we'll have to be ready."
"He's right we should bring our weapons," Bradhadair said as she unlatched her battle ax case.
Collin silently agreed as he took out his Save the Queen and secured it to his belt.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Osrick stepped off the train in Timber. It's still a dump. Osrick descended the stairs and proceeded to the hotel. The crowd parted as he came through the streets. He stood in front of the hotel, he cast out his senses and searched for Collin's presence. He could sense where he had been, he was last in a room on the top floor toward the back. Doesn't seem like he's in there. His eyes scanned the sided of the building, he saw a fire escape that lead up to where. I'll just wait until he returns. Osrick went over to the fire escape ladder and pulled himself up and climbed to the top. The window was open so he let himself in. Looking to make sure no one saw him, he cast out his senses again. Last room on the right. Osrick proceeded down the hall. He tried the door, it was locked , grumbling to himself he held his hand over the knob and concentrated on the tiny lock inside. Hearing the delightful click he opened the door and went inside.
He looked around the room in disgust, He isn't here, Osrick stared out the window as if it would tell him where Collin was. That's when he got the idea, Osrick smiled at his brief moment of genius before he turned and left the room. There was much to do.