VIGIL OF THE FATES

by PeterEliot (egmont76@hotmail.com)

25.  SNATCH AND RUN

"What a shame Grandpa couldn't see this," Zell muttered, looking out the train window at Timber's green landscape.

Squall looked up from writing.  "Your grandfather?"

"He got to be a hero fighting Deling's henchmen, you know," he answered.  "When Deling tried to get Balamb.  And here I am, gettin' ready to kidnap that ass.  Grandpa'd have been so proud of me."  He began to crack his knuckles.

"Zell, are you nervous?" Selphie asked, tying her shoes.  Like the boys she had changed into a simple jump suit in preparation for the operation.

"What gave you that idea?"

"Well, that's the third time you're cracking your knuckles."

Zell stopped his hands and leaned back against the wall, nettled.  "It's a habit, is all."

"I wouldn't blame you if you were nervous.  We are after all trying to kidnap the head of a nation."

"I'm not nervous.  Well," he corrected himself, "maybe just a little.  But only because I don't know how thorough this plan of theirs is.  I mean, talk about rushing into things!  'Hi, welcome to Timber, nice to meet you—by the way, we're snatching the world's most powerful man this afternoon.  Please get to work.'"

Selphie giggled.

"God knows I'm not the most careful guy around," Zell continued, "but if only the Garden's orders hadn't been so dang vague...  They can't expect the three of us to liberate a city, can they?"

"We'll definitely have to check with the Garden over this one," agreed Selphie.  "I hope we aren't making a huge blunder in the meantime."  She moaned.  "I'm just... so conflicted about this!  It'll be either the biggest first operation ever for any rookies—or the biggest flop in the history of SeeD, if the Garden disapproves of it!"

"I guess that's more stuff for you to put in the field report," Zell remarked to Squall, who continued writing on his notepad.  "How's that coming?  Why aren't you typing instead?"

"I'm just jotting some notes before I forget," replied Squall.  "I'll write up the report later."

Selphie sat across from the desk, chin in both palms.  "Are you including our dream on the train?"

Squall paused briefly.  "Yes," he answered, then went on writing.

"I wonder how the Garden will take to that one...  Maybe they'll think we 'took a trip' together or something and demand a drug test and a psych eval."

"I did find something from the passenger manifest.  It might not mean anything," Squall said, causing his teammates to listen up.  "One of the passengers boarded armed.  He had a sword, apparently."

"Huh...  Where did he get on the train?" asked Zell.

"Balamb."

"Seriously?  What was his name?"

"He didn't give it."

"Better and better.  We'll have to check it out," Selphie said.

"We will.  I don't know how his being armed would bear on what happened to us, though."

"Three of us having the same dream at the same time... now how freakish is that?" Zell said, pillowing his head with his arms.  He huffed.  "I give up.  Somebody up there is obviously playing around with our heads."

"Since Zell was Ward in the dream," Selphie wondered aloud, flicking her fingers one by one, "and I was Kiros—does that mean you were Laguna, Squall?"

Squall debated whether to tell her.  But clearly she knew the answer already.  "...I guess, yeah," he answered reluctantly.

"That is so funny!" she cried, breaking into a giggle.  "I mean—that Laguna!  Can you imagine a guy more unlike you?"

Zell joined her laughter across the room.  "I don't know what they were about, but they sure were funny guys."

"Oh, no, Laguna's finally lost it for good!" Selphie imitated a man's deep voice.

"Stay calm, corporal—we were fated to deal with this emergency!" returned Zell, faking alarm.

"Fated, yeah—but hardly prepared!"

They cracked up.  Squall bore the scene with a set mouth, but the corners of that mouth twitched upwards as he recalled the exchange from the dream.  Funny guys they were indeed.  Even if he had played the clown's part.

"Oh, my God!" roared Selphie, clutching her side.  "They could not be for real!  D'you suppose they really exist?"

"Who knows?  It'd sure make our job easy if all G-Army soldiers were like them," Zell answered.

"He was handsome, though," she sighed.

"Who?"

"Laguna.  Hey, hey," Selphie said turning back to Squall, "what happened with Julia after you two were alone?"

"What do you mean, after we two were alone?" Squall replied, nettled.

"You know what I mean.  Come on, what happened?" 

"She was one fine-looking lady," nodded Zell.

Squall closed his notepad.  "Nothing happened.  I woke up shortly after you... after the others left.  You did too, didn't you?"

"Aw, c'mon.  She was interested in you.  You sure nothing at all happened?  Too shy to tell us?"

"It wasn't—"

"He's probably telling the truth," Zell said.  "I mean he was a pretty stinky mess.  She probably ran off the second she got a good whiff."

"It wasn't me!" Squall growled.  He shoved the notebook into his bag and tightened the mouth like he was strangling it.  "...Not that you two weren't a filthy mess, yourselves.  And drunk senseless."

"Ho!" Zell chortled, clapping.  "And the man bites back!"

"That's not fair.  Zell's the only one that got drunk senseless," Selphie protested.  "I'm amazed he even remembers anything from the bar."

"Hey, I remember everything just fine, thank you.  Ward's the one that got drunk—I didn't."

"Exactly," Squall said.

"Practically speaking there's no difference," she said.  "I saw through Kiros' eyes; I acted in his body; I spoke his words; I knew his thoughts.  I was him."

"No, you weren't," Squall said.

"Of course I was.  How else would you define a person?"

"You are you, and just you.  You can't be anybody else."

"That's just semantics.  But the reality we experienced clearly—"

"What reality?  It was a dream."

"It couldn't have been a simple dream, not if all three of us were in it together."

"I don't know about the rest of you," Zell said, holding up both hands, "but I know I ain't no seven-foot-tall harpoon-toting Galbadian corporal."

"According to your existing self-image.  But for all practical intents and purposes, we were those men during those five hours—or two days, depending on whose time frame—"

"Not possible," Squall said flatly.

"Would you have thought three people sharing a dream possible?" Selphie returned.

"...I'm getting a headache," Zell said.

"It might have been telepathy of some kind, who knows?"

"So you're all right with telepathy being possible?"

"It's been known to happen."

"As have premonitory dreams, and visions shared by more than one person at the same."

"Guys, can we pick this up after the operation?"

"You don't just become another person out of the blue!"

"How old were you in the dream, Squall?  You know, don't you?  Well, how would you know when no one mentioned it?"

"It wasn't me!"

"People, can we—"

"My point, exactly!  It wasn't you, but it was somebody else, and you were him."

"Baloney!"

"Will you two just shut the hell up and cool off?  We got an operation in ten minutes!"

"Prove to me how it's baloney!"

"Er... I'm sorry to barge in, but," said a fourth voice.  Squall, Zell, and Selphie ceased shouting.  The door was ajar, and Rinoa poked in her head.  "We are ready to go.  How about you?"

Squall coughed.  "Yes.  Yes, we are.  Ready."

"All right," Rinoa said unsurely, not coming in.  "Please join us in the briefing room."  The door closed.  The SeeDs were left by themselves again.

"She thinks we're nuts," Zell said.

Selphie poohed.  "Why would she?  She only saw us having a lively discussion."

"She'd been listening in."

"Oh."

Squall brushed back his locks, and coughed again.  "Get your weapons.  Let's go."

Rinoa awaited them in the briefing room along with Zone, Watts, and four armed members of Forset Owls.  "We are approaching the interception point," she announced after introducing the new faces to the SeeDs.  "Squall and Selphie, you will team up with Watts and wait for Deling's train at the interception point.  Follow his lead and provide assistance and cover.  Zell and the rest of us will go ahead and wait for you at the contact point."

"All right," Squall answered, reviewing the operation plan in his head.

Rinoa nodded.  "Let's cover the basics one more time.  The presidential express has three cars—the primary locomotive at the front, our target car which carries Deling in the middle, and an extra car at the rear carrying most of the enemy guards.  After disconnecting the train, we must get rid of the cars at either end of the target and make away with it.  We do this by disabling the rear car, and then diverting the locomotive to another route."

"Understood."

"Good luck, all of you," she smiled at Squall's team.  "We'll be waiting."

"I won't fail you, Rinoa!" said Watts, saluting.

"I don't know how this will go down with the Garden, but," Selphie said smirking to Squall as the team moved out, "this will definitely be a lot of fun."

*    *    *    *    *    *    *    *

A lonely pair of railroads cut across the vast woodland of Timber, the sole interruption in the continuity of the landscape.  The rails were carefully kept clear of vegetation; the abundant forest to either side was constantly encroaching upon them, threatening derailment.  One hefty clump of bush, however, sat separated from its brothers and prominently close to the tracks.  Only the most observant eyes would have caught the tiny railcar hidden inside the bush, and the three youths in helmets who sat hunched on it.

"You know," Selphie opened her mouth, "I've seen this a lot in cartoons.  But I never thought I'd get to hide inside a fake shrub in real life."

"I'm sorry, ma'am," Watts said, "but there are only woods and railroads for forty-six miles in any direction.  This is about as inconspicuous as we can get."

"How old are you, Watts?" Squall asked.

"Fifteen, sir."

"None of us are over seventeen.  Could you drop the 'ma'am' and 'sir'?"

"Sorry, sir.  It's the way I've always talked, sir."

"Never mind."

"How much longer?" Selphie said.

"About nine and half minutes, ma'am."  Watts reached to the side of the railcar.  It was a ludicrously flat contraption—roofless, windowless, doorless, and consisting of wheels, a skeleton frame, and a curiously large engine.  The boy retrieved a hook launcher and handed it to Selphie.  "Here you go."

"What's this?"

"A hydraulic hookshot, ma'am.  For jumping onto the train.  Reinforced tungsten; good for up to five hundred and fifty pounds per square inch, ma'am."

"You insinuating I'm heavy? ...Anyways, thanks, but I won't be needing it."

"I'm sorry, ma'am, the presidential express is seventeen feet and seven inches tall and there is no ladder—"

"Trust me; I won't need it.  I'll show you why you guys hired us."

"Yes, ma'am.  Of course, ma'am."

After that the team returned to silence.  Minutes went by while the afternoon heat built up steadily inside the bush.  At last the ambience of the deserted railway was broken by a faint rumble in the distance.  Squall peeked out to the south.  "There it comes."

"It's about to get real noisy," Watts said, passing out earplugs to the SeeDs.  "Here, sir.  You too, ma'am."

"How are we gonna talk to one another if we can't hear?" Squall said.

"It's fitted with a communication device, sir—will reduce all sounds except our voices to twenty-three percent or less of original decibels.  Good for up to a hundred and eighty yards, sir.  When we get close enough to the headquarter train we'll be able to speak to Rinoa also."

"All right, let's do it!" Selphie said, putting in the plugs under her helmet. 

Squall and Watts lied down flat on the railcar's long twin seats.  They were nothing more than crude cushion pads.  Watts faced forward, while Squall faced the rear.  Selphie climbed and crouched on the engine mount.  She had no seat at all, only a strap of belt that secured her to the vehicle.  Once everyone was in position, Squall stretched out both gloved hands and Selphie took them.  Watts started the car.

"One mile," Squall informed the team.  Facing backwards, he was the only one with a view of the train.

"Remember, once the belt's gone, you're the only thing keeping me on the car," Selphie said, giving him a squeeze and a mock scowl.  "You let me go, and I'll make you regret it!"

"I won't. ...Three-quarter."

The engine's pitch rose, and the railcar began to quiver in earnest.  Watts clutched the levers and took a deep breath.  "I'll be hitting full throttle as soon as we are on the track, sirs!  Hold on!"

"Five hundred yards!  Four...  Three...  Two..."

Within seconds of Squall's words an ominous tremor seized the earth.  Thanks to the earplugs they were spared from the piercing screech that ensued.  Not ten feet to their right the train shot past them, slashing the wind like an arrow.  The next moment they were looking at its rear, diminishing into the woody horizon.                                  

The railcar sprang out of the bush.  With a jolt it scrambled onto the railroad.  The wheels, configured to fit between the rails, sparked when they caught onto the track.  Watts threw down the gear, and the chase began.

"Boo-ya-kah!" Selphie cried.  The air rushed against her like a wave.  "What did I tell you?  Is this fun or what?"

"Selphie, don't yell," Squall said, flinching.  He was still lying backwards holding her by the wrists.  Fine dust rose in the car's wake, and from his angle it was about all he could see.  "It's like you're screaming right into my ears."

"How long till we reach the intersection?"

"Maybe fifteen minutes.  Are we getting closer?"

"It's got a good quarter mile on us.  Watts, we gotta go faster!"

"We're closing in, ma'am!  We'll be catching up soon!" Watts shouted back, wiping sweaty palms on the levers.

"Doesn't look that way to me!  Are you sure this thing can outrun that train?"

"An eight-cylinder rotating engine; extra pressurized; two thousand four hundred and eighty combustion cycles per minute, good for up to one hundred and twenty-nine miles per hour, ma'am!"

"You call this one twenty-nine?  Come on, show us what you got!"

"Selphie, quit screaming!"

"Sorry, sorry!"

*    *    *    *    *    *    *    *

"Sir?"

"Yeah," answered the captain, looking up from his sandwich.

"It's two minutes till the hour."

"Already, huh."  The captain put his feet down from the seat across.  He got up, wiping his mouth with a napkin.  "Nothing unusual?"

"No, sir."

"Get me a beer while I'm gone, will you?"

The captain stepped out to the hallway, brushing crumbs off his uniform.  An unusually long cabin lay adjacent to the officers' lounge.  He rapped on the door lightly.  "It's Captain Rams, your excellency."

"Come in."

The room was splendidly furnished.  Only the muted vibration, barely perceptible through the soundproof walls, betrayed the moving train.  The captain saluted the man who sat in an opulent love seat reading a newspaper.  A steaming cup of tea lay on the table.

"Hourly security report, sir," said the captain.  "No anomaly has been reported.  As of sixteen hundred hours all is on schedule and the train is expected to enter Timber at—"

"As it was at fifteen hundred hours, and at fourteen hundred," said the main in suit, who did not look away from his paper.  He took a slow sip of the tea.  "Really, captain, must you put me through these hourly annoyances?"

The captain sniffed and frowned.  There it was again, stronger than before.  A strange smell lingered in the air, bordering on pungent.  The man before him did not seemed to mind.  "I apologize, your excellency.  The security advisors were emphatic on today's procedures..."

"All right, all right, have it your way.  Must do as the advisors say, I suppose.  I am only the head of the country after all," said he, turning a page.

"I intend no insolence to your excellency—"

He waved him away.  "Off you go, captain.  I look forward to our next meeting at seventeen hundred hours."

The captain saluted and turned on his heels.  He paused before exiting.  "Begging pardon, excellency," he said, "but should I have someone clear out the air in your cabin?"

The president stilled his hands while turning another page.  "How do you mean?" he said, somewhat sharply.

"There seems to be a curious odor hanging about.  Perhaps a mouse or some such thing got trapped in the vent—"

"Thank you, captain," said the older man, matching his gaze for the first time.  "It must be your fancy.  In any case I'd rather not be disturbed."

"Of course, sir."

Back in the lounge the captain returned to his snack and contemplated the grouch next door that was the President of Galbadia.  The sandwich tasted flat.  Maybe the smell killed his appetite.  He wondered since when the president's eyes had been so yellow.

*    *    *    *    *    *    *    *

"How far?" Squall said.

"We're about to kiss it," Selphie answered, loosening the straps that fastened her to the car.  She rose to her knees.  The wind hit her chest like a punch and she staggered back.  Squall's hands round her wrists stayed her.  "Whoa!"

"Careful!"

"All right, Watts.  Try to keep the distance at about fifteen yards, no closer," she said, eyes fixed on the silver mass looming ahead.

"Yes, ma'am," Watts replied.  The rail car reduced speed to match the train's.  They trailed the target at a spitting distance.  They could almost feel the heat emanating from it.

"A little closer.  Squall, you can unhook me."

"I recommend you keep the belt on until we catch up completely, ma'am," Watts said.

"How do you expect to jump with this thing on?"

"Jump?  From here, ma'am?"

Free of the restraint, Selphie struggled to her feet against the wind, clutching Squall for support.  "Let go at the count of three," she told him.

"Wait, ma'am!" Watts cried.  "Let me get closer first—"

"Hold the distance.  Ready, Squall?"

"But, ma'am!"

"Let her do it," Squall said.  He nodded at the girl who stood perched at the car's edge.  "Right, on the count of three."

"One... two... "

Selphie leapt.  The kickback rocked the car for an instant.  Watts looked up in time to see her small form, dark in the afternoon sun, disappear over the train's roof.  His mouth dropped open.  There was a brief buzz from the earpiece, then Selphie's voice came.  "A beautiful landing.  Don't you think, boys?"

"Didn't get to see it, sorry," Squall said, turning in his seat to face forward.

"That was awesome, ma'am!  Just awesome!" Watts burst out.  "Totally, totally incredible!  I've never seen anything like it in my life!"

"Why, thank you."

Squall positioned himself next to Watts, who could not contain his excitement.  "Selphie, we need you on the middle car."

"Already there, sweetie."

"Take the controller, sir," Watts said, pointing to the lever.  "Forward to accelerate, backward to reduce.  One click forward is one additional mile per hour and vice versa."

"What about these?" Squall said, pointing to the other switches.

"Whatever you do, don't touch them, sir." 

"...Okay."                                

"All right," Watts said, lying on his back so that he faced the sky.  He took in a lungful of shaky breath.  "Take us under, sir.  Accelerate by one click, please."

"We're going in, Selphie," Squall said.

"I'll let you know if anything happens.  Be careful down there."

"You don't have to tell me," Squall muttered, watching the train get bigger and bigger in his field of vision.  A gap no taller than three feet lay between Mother Earth and the belly of the speeding train.  A rock and a very hard place.

"It's a lot more room than under most cars, sir.  I've worked under a lot of'em," Watts said.  He would have been more reassuring if he didn't already have sweat bullets running down his face.

"How many have you worked under while they were running?"

"Point taken, sir."

"Here we go.  Keep your head down..."

Inching onward, the railcar was received into the train's shadow.  Darkness fell upon the two boys.  They were no longer in open space.  The sky was gone, replaced by the underside of the train inches over their heads.  The trees to their either side were gone too, and in their place were even rows of spinning wheels staring them in the face, close enough to reach out and touch.

"What now?" Squall asked.

"We get under the middle car, sir," Watts replied, frozen perfectly still, arms glued to his sides.  He was face to face with the jagged underside that threatened to brush his nose.  "Then we fasten our car to it and set about disconnecting it at both ends."

"Are you all right, guys?" Selphie's voice came through.

"We're fine, ma'am.  Passing under the rear car now.  We'll be right underneath you in a bit."

"I see the first link ahead," said Squall, wiping his face.  The train was quite heated where they were, and they were taking it all in the faces.

"Hooks, sir," Watts said, reaching for his side of the car.  Squall followed suit.  The twin pair of hooks were wired to the car so that they could be extended.  Steadily they moved along under the train until they reached the connector that linked the locomotive to the middle car.  "We'll hook up here, sir."

"Where do you want it?"

"Do you see the cylinders by the wheels, with pipes running through them?"

"Yeah," Squall said, and was about to reach for it with the hook.

"Keep clear of those, sir.  You'll burn yourself."

Squall stayed his hands.

"Do you see the thick black cables, as thick as your arms, going from axle to axle?"

"Here?"  He moved to place the hook around one.

"Don't touch those either, sir.  You could be electrocuted real easy."

He stopped again.

Watts pointed to a square protrusion above the wheels closest to them.  "Sir, do you see that box, marked '02?'"

"What will that do?" Squall asked wearily.

"Nothing, sir.  Lock the hook around the shaft right there."

"Oh."

"Okay, sir," Watts said when that was done, "we are about to be dragged some.  Hold on."  He then killed the railcar's engine.  It lagged behind for a second, and jerked back when the hooks tightened, holding it in place.  They clutched their seats.  Watts readied the tools.  "Crank up the hooks, sir.  Bring us back under the link."

"How's it going down there?" Selphie spoke.

"He's setting up the decoder.  We'll be cutting the cars loose in a few minutes."

"Just letting you know we're passing the twenty-mile mark until the cross point."

"Not to worry, ma'am," Watts said, hands busy on the interface he had attached to the connector.  "She'll be in three pieces before she goes another ten miles."

*    *    *    *    *    *    *    *

"What's that?" said the trooper.

His partner looked out the window as prompted.  Same old landscape they had been seeing for two hours.  "What's what?"

"Something just moved on the roof."

The other trooper scowled.  "What are you, messing with me?  How the hell did you see the roof out the window?"

"The shadow, moron—look."  The first trooper pointed at the train's shadow that stretched along outside, casting its dark contour on the ground.  "I think I just saw somebody's shadow on the roof."

"You sure?"

"It was only for a second..."

"Coulda been a mechanic."

"Uh-huh, a mechanic would work on top of a train that's doing ninety, right?  You really are a moron.  Where do you get these ideas?"

"Hey, get off my back.  If you saw something, go tell the cap'n."

"If it turns out to be nothing, I'll look like an idiot..." he said, looking out at the shadow again.  "Come on, let's go check it out."

The other trooper took a swig from his bottle.  "It's your fancy.  You take care of it."

"Come on, man.  Let's go," he said, taking the bottle away.

"Aw, dammit..."

*    *    *    *    *    *    *    *

"Decoder 1 is almost installed," said Squall.  "We are moving to the other link."

"I wish I got your job," Selphie said, yawning.  "It's no fun up here at all.  I'm just sitting and watching."

"You'll be busy once the cars are loose."

"Hey, this Deling guy is supposed to be right under my feet, right?  Why don't I crawl down and peek through the window, make sure he's...?"

"Don't do that."

"Kidding."

"Okay, sir," Watts said, replacing the tools.  "I'm done here.  Take us down to the next one."

Squall slackened the wires that bound them to the train.  The railcar began to slip backwards slowly.  It came to a halt beneath the second and final link.  Unscrewing the connector's circuit box open, Watts got down to installing the second decoder.

"Like using a hairpin to unlock a door, sir," he said as he peeled the cables.  "We intercept the connector circuits and make it think our decoder is the computer onboard the train.  It can't tell between a key and a hairpin so long as they nudge the same places."

"How does it feel to work between the wheels of a running train, Watts?" Selphie said.

"Getting used to it, ma'am."

*    *    *    *    *    *    *    *

"Is this the door to the roof?"

"What, you've never been up there before?"

"Of course I haven't, you dolt.  It's our first time on the train."

"Well, why didn't you speak to the staff first?"

"Let me see here...  How do you open this thing?"

"I'll bet you need a key or something."

"'...In case of emergency, pull the red handle until it clicks and twist counterclockwise...'"

"It also says 'Forbidden for use by non-staff personnel.'  I'm outta here."

"Quit yapping and help me.  Dang, this hatch is heavy..."

*    *    *    *    *    *    *    *

"I'll be done in a couple of minutes," Watts said, wiping his beaded brows.  "Sir, get the charge, please.  Switch it on and attach it magnet side up, and it'll stick."

"Where do you want it set up?"

"Anywhere, sir.  Just be sure it's not on our side."

"That's right, Scarface.  Unless you want it to blow up in your face," laughed Selphie.  "That'll give you some extra scars."

"Be ready to cover us.  Keep your eyes on all exits."

"Aye, aye, captain.  Rest assured I am totally on top of things...  Wait," she said sharply.

"What is it?"

"Hatch number two is lifting.  I'll be right back."

Taking the plugs out of her ears, Selphie ran to the far end of the car.  The blaring noise returned with vengeance.  She hopped down into the gap between the cars.  Planting her toes on the wall, she hung onto the roof.  The door was thrown open with a clunk.  A rifle muzzle first appeared through the opening, then the helmeted head of a Galbadian trooper.  He swept the rooftop with a glance, then stepped onto it.  The wind nearly pushed him off his feet.  Cursing, he crouched low and began to walk with cautious, crawling steps along the roof.

Selphie took a quick peek at the newcomer.  He was coming her way.

"Down here, Selphie," Squall called.

She looked down.  From under the train Squall poked out his head, peering up.  She freed a hand to retrieve an earpiece.  "One guard, coming this way," she said.

"Alone?"

"Think so."

"Watts is almost done.  If you have to take him out, don't give him a chance to fire his weapon."

"Okay.  Now shut up."

The soldier was only a few dozen steps away.  Selphie explored her options in the surroundings.  Off to her right, beyond the corner, a curtained window caught her eyes.  It had just enough of a ridge for her to grab onto.  It was fifteen feet away.  If she missed it she would hit the ground at almost a hundred miles per hour.  Could she do it?  She grinned.

Of course she could.

Selphie leapt off the wall.  Her right hand missed the window.  Her left caught the ridge.  She dangled for a second, the trees to her right wheezing by in a green blur, then she dug her feet into the window sill.  In another second she had raised herself onto the roof.  She found the trooper, his back turned on her, approaching the corner where she had been hanging moments before.  She retrieved the nunchaku from her side.

"Hey!" she called in a hiss.

The soldier whirled around, eyes wide.  He saw the flying nunchaku before he spotted her.  It struck his weapon.  Sparks flashed, and the soldier released the rifle with a cry, stunned.  The nunchaku was charged with a thunder spell.  He fell back on his bottom clutching his hand.  Selphie spread her palm over him.

"This won't hurt a bit," she said, feeling the palm grow cool from the gathering spell.  The soldier's eyes crossed over, flickering, then they slid shut.  He collapsed on the rooftop soundlessly.  "Boys, I've put him to sleep," she said.

"We're ready for disconnection," Squall replied from below.

"You be sure to report Miss Tilmitt won the first engagement of the operation," she said merrily.

Shots rang out then.  What felt like a dozen punches slammed into her backside.  She was thrown forward over the fallen Galbadian soldier.  Below, the boys froze. 

"Selphie?" Squall called out.  "Selphie, talk."

"Ow," came her voice, strained in pain.  "Doggonit—I guess he had a partner."

"Are you hit, ma'am?" Watts cried, horrified.

"I'm all right...  Oh, shoot!"  The Galbadian fired again, and she dodged out of the way.  He was shooting from the hatch.  "Squall, I'm sure he's alerted the others.  I'll take care of him.  You cut the cars loose."

"Roger," he replied.  "Do it, Watts."

Watts flinched at the gunshots above.  "You should go help her, sir!  Isn't she hit?"

"A few bullets won't harm her.  Cut the cars."

"A few bullets?"

"Watts, they'll be sweeping the train any moment!"

"Ah, yes, sir!"

Watts activated both decoders at once.  A barely perceptible tremor shook the train.  The links released their grips on one another, and slowly the train moved apart in three massive blocks.

*    *    *    *    *    *    *    *

"What the hell happened?" cried the captain, running through the hallway.

"They pulled the cars loose, sir!" a guard shouted back.

"They did what?  How the hell did they do that?"

"Enemy engaged on the roof!" another cried. 

"Dammit...  Any hostile vehicles?"

"No, sir!  Whoever they are, they are right here on the train."

"They can't be many, then.  Come with me!  We have to cover the president's cabin," said the captain, cocking his weapon. 

Since they had bothered to disconnect the cars they were not after the president's life, he thought as he led the troops.  They wanted to capture him alive.  He had only a few men on this car; he had to hook up with the rest on the rear car, which was now trailing behind them.  The gap was widening quickly.

When his thought had progressed thus far, a tremendous boom rang throughout the train, stopping him cold.  "What was that!" he cried.  "Are we hit?"

"Sir!" said a trooper, pointing out a window.  "It's the car behind us!  It's on fire!"

*    *    *    *    *    *    *    *

"The rear car is disabled," Selphie said.  "It's falling behind fast.  It'll never catch up to us."

"Did you get the guy that shot you?" Squall asked.

"He's sleeping next to his buddy."

"The rest of his buddies will come after you.  Seal off the hatches and cover the right side.  I'll cover the left from where I am."

"Roger."

"All right," Squall said to Watts.  "Let's get to the front end."

"Yes, sir!"

*    *    *    *    *    *    *    *

"What do you mean, the hatches won't open?"

"They've done something to them, sir!  I tried firing on them, but they won't budge."

"Of course they won't," seethed the captain.  "Every door on this train is bulletproof.  They're sealing us in so we can't get to them.  Holy shit!" he cried in realization, "that's what they are up to!"

"Captain?"

"The manual control is not responding!  I can't alter our speed!" a mechanic cried.

"They're not trying to come into the car at all," the captain said.  "They plan to run off with the whole damn train, us and all."

"Hijack?  But, wouldn't they need the locomotive to get away?"

"The locomotive is just what they don't need.  This train is designed to run for hours even if the locomotive is disabled."

"But so long as the locomotive is in front of us, they can't get away with just this car.  Will they try to turn us around?"

"The car they blew up is blocking the track, so they can't do that.  Their only option is to get the locomotive out of the way altogether.  Where is the nearest intersection?"

"About five, six minutes away, sir."

"That's where they will try to divert us onto another track.  We have to get to them before then!"

*    *    *    *    *    *    *    *

"Squall, the second door on my side is opening.  They're trying to come out."

"Roger that."  Squall turned to Watts.  "I have to get up there.  Stay low and keep out of sight."

"Good luck, sir!"

Grasping the bottom edge of the train, Squall crawled out from the underside.  His feet dragged on the ground, much to Watts' terror, but quickly he found footing and climbed onto the front wall.  He peered from the corner.  Through the open door a pair of troopers espied the outside, guns drawn.  Squall flattened himself against the wall.

"Do you see them, Selphie?" he said.

"Yeah.  How should we get them?"

"We don't want to damage the train.  Let's freeze up the doorway."

"Ready when you are."

"I'll go first.  No point in both of us giving ourselves away.  Watch for backups."

"All right."

Squall emerged from the corner, clutching it with one hand while the other took aim for the door.  The troopers spotted him but had no time to react.  Ice crystallized at the doorway with a blinding speed, engulfing it in white.  The enemies' startled yells came mixed with stray shots.

"What the f__k is this?"

"Where is he?"

"Behind the front wall!"

A window slid open, and another trooper pushed his head out.  He only fired three shots in Squall's direction before Selphie reached down from the roof and poured a blast of blizzard into the window.

*    *    *    *    *    *    *    *

"Ice?" the captain echoed.

"Yes, sir.  I don't think we're dealing with ordinary terrorists..."

"Sir!  All exits are blocked!" cried a sergeant, rushing in.  "They've frozen everything—even the windows!"

"Goddammit—we've got no choice," growled the captain.

"Sir?"

"We have to blow out the engine.  Once the car stops, the troops on the locomotive can deal with the enemies.  We're finished if we get separated completely from the locomotive."

"Captain, sir!"

"What, now?"

"Another train, captain!  It's approaching from behind!"

*    *    *    *    *    *    *    *

"The H.Q. is in sight, sirs!" Watts said.

"About time," Selphie said, rubbing her shoulder.  It felt bruised from the shots it took.

The Forest Owls' train caught up quickly, running on the track next to theirs.  The two trains ran side by side.

"How are you, SeeDs?" came a cheery voice through the earpieces.

"Rinoa?" Squall said.

"None other.  Excellent work, all of you.  We'll be crossing over in a minute."

"Is Zell there?"

"Yo!" Zell's voice came in.

"I think we have this car covered pretty good," Squall said.

"I can see that—looks like an ice box on wheels," Zell chortled.

"They must know our plan by now.  Let's make sure the locomotive doesn't get near us."

Squall had hardly finished the sentence when rapid shots erupted from the locomotive.  The Galbadians were firing upon Forest Owls' train.

"There they go," Zell said.  "All right, I'll see you in a minute."  He turned to the Forest Owls in the room.  "I'm going.  Try to draw their fire."

"We'll do that," Rinoa answered.  "Good luck.  Remember, we need a gap of fifty yards."

"No problem."

Zell climbed to the rooftop.  The locomotive was running alongside the headquarter train.  A dozen guns glinted at the windows, spitting fire.  Shrill pings of bullets hitting metal filled the air.  He directed both arms at the enemy vehicle.  Aiming for the rear window he released two fireballs at once.  The flame cracked through the window, bursting in bright orange.  Thick smoke shot out from the other side.  Stunned, the Galbadians stopped shooting momentarily.

"Nice hit!" Selphie said.  "Went right through the car."

Zell fired on the other windows.  He aimed well above the wheels.  They did not want to risk derailing the train.  The shooting all but ceased from the locomotive.  The vehicle trailed columns of black smoke.  The troops inside were busy putting out the fire.

"Give them a breather, Zell.  We can't have them crashing into us," Squall said, coughing.  He was taking the smoke from the locomotive ahead.

"Will do.  How much longer?"

"Hardly a mile.  You're doing good.  Keep them where they are," Rinoa said.

"What are these kids?" Zone said to her, shaking his said at the battered sight of the train.  "They're like walking artillery."

"They're SeeDs," she replied grinning.  "All right, shall we do this?"

"Anytime, Rinoa!" Watts said from the target car.

"Distance to the contact point?"

"Closing in thirty seconds."

"Watts, reduce speed at my signal," Rinoa said.  "Squall and Selphie, hold onto something if you aren't already.  Zell, hit them if they try to get closer.  Ready—now."

Watts clenched the safety belt and threw down the break.  The presidential train decelerated, wheels squealing against the rails.  In a flash the gap between the two unlinked cars widened to a snug hundred yards.  Swiftly the mobile headquarter moved in.

*    *    *    *    *    *    *    *

"Hijackers, you say?"

"They are trapped between this car and the locomotive, your excellency.  We will not let them get to you, sir.  They will not get past the next check point."

"Whatever you say, captain.  I leave it to your capable hands," the president said, yellow eyes placid.

The captain stared, straining not to betray his bafflement.  He had boasted out of obligation, but was this man even aware of the danger? 

"Ah, yes, of course, excellency.  The guards have the door to your cabin covered.  Anyone trying to get in here will first have to go through us—"

The train then jerked with a dull clap.  The captain almost fell forward mid-sentence.

"I think your presence is requested outside, captain."

"Pardon me, excellency," he said, hastening to the door.

*    *    *    *    *    *    *    *

"We've linked with the target," Rinoa said.  "We'll be making our getaway shortly."

"I'm getting Watts out.  Open the door," Squall said.  With his foot planted on each car, he pulled the boy to the surface by hand.  The rear door of the headquarter opened.  Rinoa and Zone greeted them.

"Welcome home," she said.  She clapped Watts on the back.  He was drenched in sweat from the heat he had born under the train.  "Nothing you can't hot-wire in the world, right?"

"It was beautiful!" Watts cried, beaming.  "You should've seen it.  These SeeDs are amazing."

"Are you still on the roof, Zell?" Squall said. 

"Yeah.  They're keeping their distance.  I'll burn'em again if they try anything."

"Selphie, stay where you are and watch the exits.  We're breaking into the train.  You make sure no one gets out."

"Understood."

"The intersection is up ahead," Zone said.  "We're almost home free."

The track diverged into a wide V.  The disconnected locomotive took the east track.  The headquarter, dragging its spoil at the tail, slipped smoothly onto the west track.  They ran alone at last.

"Control room, accelerate to full speed," Rinoa said.  "Good work, everyone.  Let's get out of here." 

"Selphie, can you see the locomotive?" Squall said.

"Just barely," she said from the rooftop of the captured car, squinting into the distance.  "Wait... I think it's slowing down.  Yeah, it's slowing down—it's almost stopped.  I think they're trying to backtrack to the cross point.  They'll chase us, I bet."

"We can outrun them," Zone said with confidence.

"I say we don't let them chase us at all," Selphie said.

"I second that," Zell rejoined.  "I've got a terrestrial GF equipped.  Just say the word."

Some of the Forest Owls looked to one another unsurely.  "Er... what was that?" Zone asked, voicing their question.

Rinoa held up a hand.  "Let them do it."

"Go ahead," Squall said to Zell.  "Just the track."

"Don't be alarmed, folks," Zell said, stretching his arms towards the track behind them.  "It's just a small localized quake..."

The earth trembled violently where the spell materialized in force.  A mound sprang up like a bubble of soil, skewing the rails, and split apart with a gnashing groan.  The rails coiled and snapped.  Debris almost volcanic in appearance fell upon the site.

"Well... damn," Zone murmured, eyes riveted out the window.  

"What did I tell you?" Rinoa said triumphantly. 

"Get down here, Zell."  Squall faced Rinoa and the rest.  "We're securing Deling.  Zell and I will be on point.  You can come if you want, but the two of us should be enough."

One of the Forest Owls huffed.  "We aren't toy soldiers, you know."

"Fine, but leave the searching to us.  Stay near the entrance and take out anyone that comes your way.  Are we set?"

"We're set," nodded Rinoa.

Squall looked at the girl.  "You're coming too?"

"Of course I'm coming.  Here's Zell."

"Yo, Squall," Zell said running in, carrying Squall's gunblade.  He handed the weapon to its owner.  "We going in now?  How many are in there?"

"Selphie and I got several.  I think just a few."  He raised the sword at the sealed front door of the train.  "They're cornered.  Don't give them a chance to try anything desperate.  Ready?"

"Let's go."

Squall struck twice, slashing a wide cross into the door.  A followup of fire spell sent the door flying off the frame.  Not waiting for the smoke to clear, he charged in.  Zell ran after him.  Shooting started immediately from within.  Squall did not stop or dodge, rushing down the narrow hallway.  He struck down two troopers on the way.  The one he passed by had his cheekbone mashed in by Zell's fist. 

"Which cabin?" Zell cried.

"There, at the end!" Squall answered.  A soldier sprang out of a doorway, pistol aimed at them. 

"Freeze!  You're under arrest—"

Zell kicked the gun out of his hand.  Squall brought the back of the sword against his nape.  The soldier collapsed against a wall.  Zell frowned at the unconscious man.  "'You're under arrest?'  What was that, a joke?  A captain, I see.  Man... officers!"

"Deling's in that room," Rinoa said, catching up with the boys.  Zone and three other Forest Owls were behind.

"We haven't cleared the whole car yet.  Go back to the entrance," Squall told her.

"No, I am there when we get this man."

"Step back.  I'm bashing in the door," Zell said, and then did just that.  The SeeDs rushed into the room.  The Forest Owls followed, guns raised. 

The cabin was quiet.  For a moment they thought it empty.  Then the stocky man seated at the coffee table turned their way.

"President Deling," Rinoa said, stepping forward.  "Your men have been subdued.  You are now in our custody.  Cooperate and you will be given humane treatment."

The president eyed the intruders coolly without words.

"Now then, get up from your seat please.  We're moving you to our train."

Deling remained seated and silent.  His face betrayed no reaction to the order. 

Zell towered over the old man.  "Hey, did you hear her?  Get up."  He sniffed the air then, wrinkling his nose.  "What the hell is this stink?  Tell me you didn't crap your pants—"

"Only brats," said Deling.  "It is a tad disappointing.  But I suppose you deserve credit for getting through the soldiers."

"What did you say?" Zell growled.  "Looking down on us, old smarty mouth?"

"I've no wish to relocate.  Your offer of civility is kind, young lady, but I am comfortable here.  Luxury isn't something I am used to, but it does grow on one quickly."

"Then you leave us no choice," Rinoa began, motioning to her comrades.  She stopped herself short, eyes narrowing.  "...Not used to luxury?  What are you trying to say?"

Zell took a step back.  His face was serious.  "Something's not right with this guy."

"What do you mean?" Zone said.

"Squall?" Zell said.

"I'm sensing it too," Squall answered.  "Are you sure we have the right man?" he asked the Forest Owls.

"What?  Of course we are sure—that's him."

"Aye," the old man said, "notoriety is a pesky thing.  The president is far too recognizable in this vicinity.  It is a good thing there is more than one of him walking about."

A shocked silence fell upon the assembly.  Rinoa lowered her gun, staring disbelievingly at the prisoner.

"A double?  Impossible!" Zone cried.  He walked up and grabbed the old man by the collar.  "You expect me to buy that crap, you lying scoundrel?  I wouldn't mistake this face for another in the whole world!" he snarled.  Dull yellow eyes gazed back, dead as a fish's. 

"Hey, what's going on down there?" Selphie asked through the comm device.  No one answered her.

Rinoa was the first to speak.  "Save it, Zone.  We'll take him prisoner and see whether he's telling the truth."

"The son of a bitch is lying.  I know it."

"Enough.  For now we need to focus on our getaway.  The Galbadians will be looking for us."

"Oh, no, no.  You needn't worry about that," the president said.

"What?"

"The soldiers won't bother to look for you.  You see," said the old man, gripping Zone's wrist before he could react, "I am under orders to bring in your heads, myself."  He then thrust the other hand into the younger man's side.  Zone went rigid with a choked moan that never rose to a scream.  He crumpled forward.

"Zone!" Rinoa cried. 

Squall leapt at the enemy.  He jumped back, evading the sword.  His hand was stained crimson. 

The Forest Owls aimed their weapons at the double.  "You bastard!"

"We'll deal with him!  You get your friend out of here," Squall said.  "Rinoa, this man isn't human.  We'll have to kill him."

"What?" she cried.

"It's a friggin' undead," Zell growled.  "A half-rotten doll!  I should've known from the smell."

"Hee-hee... Who are you calling rotten?" grinned the old man.  He no longer quite seemed like a man.  Yellow eyes bulged grotesquely from the sockets, and his fingers were sharp with claws that hadn't been there a minute before.  "You'll be the ones rotting in the sun soon enough."

"Shut up, freak!" one of the Forest Owls cried, opening fire.  The creature dodged out of the way with the agility of a cat.  Two rounds caught it in the leg, but the hits did not seem to register.  It sprang at the shooter, claws outstretched.  They went down together.  The prey screamed.  Rinoa took aim at the creature, but Zell was on it before she could fire.  His kick sent the creature across the room.  It was back on its feet in a second.  Foul ooze darkened the suit where it had been shot.

"Didn't he tell you to get out?" Zell shouted at the Owls.  "Leave the freak to us!  Help Zone before he bleeds to death."

"Get him out of here, quick!" Rinoa ordered the men.  They nodded and took their prone comrade by arms and legs.

"It doesn't feel pain," Squall observed to Zell as they faced the creature.

"You got anything good?"

"I didn't think we'd be fighting an undead..."

"Good ol'fashioned slugging always works."

They ran together.  The creature was quick.  It caught Zell's kick with a claw closed round his ankle.  The boy next found himself thrown through the air.  He crashed on top of the night table.  Squall jabbed at the creature, pushing it into a corner.  Despite the proximity he unleashed a fire spell.  The flame engulfed them both, lighting up the corner with a loud crack.

"Your left!" Zell cried, getting back on his feet.

Squall saw the claw darting out of the fire.  He batted it away with the blade.  Severed fingers went flying.  Shots came then, hitting the creature in the chest.  It was knocked back.  Rinoa held a smoking pistol aimed at the creature.

"Leave him to us—" Squall began.       

Rinoa fired again until the clip ran empty.  Her right hand flashed white—and a burst of flame detonated against the creature, knocking it back farther.  The SeeDs looked at her in surprise. 

"I know a little," she said, answering their unvoiced question.

"Heh... brats," the creature croaked.  It was a revolting sight, burned and shredded like a corpse come back to life.  A whole cheek had come peeling off, exposing the gray flesh underneath.  A thick fluid, more bile than blood, trickled from the wounds.

"Give it up, mister zombie," jeered Zell.  His grin became a cough; the air was oppressive with the creature's stench.  "You're technically dead anyway.  Be a good boy and go back to sleep."

"Hee-hee...  And how long do you fancy you will outlive me?  Fools."

"Y'know, for a dead guy you sure are talkative."

Then without warning Rinoa caved against the wall, sinking to her knees.  The gun fell from her hand.  She clutched her forehead.

"Rinoa?" Squall said.

"Something's wrong..." she whispered, coughing weakly.

And then he felt it too.  His hands holding the sword felt stiff all of a sudden.  He could not move them.  An acute twinge of pain in his head made him nauseous.  Gritting his teeth, he managed to stay on his feet.  He checked Zell, and found him sweating and breathing harshly.  He too was barely keeping upright. 

"What the f__k have you done to me?" Zell barked.

"Heh... feeling it now?" the creature said.  "Hee-hee... My body is like a sack of poison. Thought you were giving me a whipping when you pumped me full of holes, did you?  Hee-hee!  But don't worry; I won't let you suffer long.  I can't wait to see what your blood tastes like.  Shall I begin with the fetching lass?"

Squall collapsed, dropping the sword.  Zell followed within moments.  The creature walked between them, limping over to the girl.  She fought to stay conscious, sweaty brows knit together in concentration.  A trembling hand moved to cast a spell.  The creature's fingerless claw knocked it away.  The other claw snaked through her hair and thumbed her neck.  It licked its lips.  "Such pretty, pretty skin...  Hee-hee!  I knew this would be worth the trouble..."

Reaching to his waist, Squall fumbled his belt with numb fingers that kept slipping.  Retrieving a vial, he brought it down hard on the floor.  The capsule shattered, cutting into the flesh.  The liquid gasified instantly and spread around him.  Sensation returned to his body, and stinging pain to his bloodied hand.  He grabbed the sword and hurled it at the creature that hunched over the girl.  The blade pierced it squarely in the side.  It fell over with a yelp.  Squall took another vial and threw it next to Zell.  "Get up, Zell!"

"You!" the creature hissed, grunting, pulling at the sword.  The blade came out, leaving a gaping gash.  Squall's blizzard spell then buried it under a mass of ice.

"What's going on in there?" someone shouted from outside.  The door was thrown open, admitting the men that had left with Zone.  They had returned to help.  "Is he still alive?" 

Squall lunged at the men, pushing them back out the door.  With a surprised yell they fell outside the cabin.  He shut the door and bolted it. 

"What the hell!"

"Don't come in here!" Squall shouted, coughing.  Already the poisonous fume was affecting him again.  He took out another vial for Rinoa.  "Zell!"

Zell got back on his feet, shaking his head to clear the dizziness.  "Ugh...  I'm good!"

The ice cracked apart like glass.  The creature emerged from the glistening rubble.  It gripped the piece of crystal binding its leg and tore it off the floor along with the carpet.  "Useless!" it cried.

The creature was about to dash at Squall.  He prepared to cast fire once more, but never got the chance.  A window to his right burst in, scattering shards everywhere.  He covered his eyes.  When he opened them, he saw the creature struggling furiously against some invisible foe.  Then he detected it.  A nearly transparent sphere of rays cocooned the creature, imprisoning it.

"...Not the way I pictured the great Vinzer Deling," Selphie said looking on the creature, perched on the busted window sill.

"Selphie!"

"I mean I know he's a politician and all—but that is just plain nasty."

"He's not Deling," Zell provided.

"I know, Mr. Dincht.  I was being sarcastic."  She stepped into the cabin.  Sumptuous only minutes earlier, the room was now a ruin.  "What a mess...  Neither of you boys had containment spells?"

"Who'd have known we would need any?" Zell muttered.  "Ugh, my head...  Hey, how's the girl?"

"She's all right.  Just unconscious," Squall answered.

"Well, our first mission is a lovely disaster.  What are we gonna do?" Selphie said.

The creature was clawing viciously at its prison, sputtering threats that were muffled through the barrier.  "Ditch him, I guess," Squall said.  "Prepare to cast fire together."

"This blows," Zell grumbled.  "Looks like your premonition came true.  It'll be the biggest flop in the Garden's annals," he said to Selphie as they lined up in front of the creature.

"I can hear your grandpa turning over in his grave," she replied.  She enjoyed his irritated glare.

"Ready," Squall said, taking aim.

"At least I get to take it out on him," Zell said.

The barrier began to flicker and grow dim.  It was lifting.  In another moment it dispersed completely, leaving hazy residue in the air like bits of a rainbow.  The creature was free. 

"You little—" it hissed.  Three blazing fireballs cut its sentence short, hurling the creature against the wall.  The wall ripped away.  Out flew the faux Deling, tossed onto the rails.

The train, tailless, continued on at full speed.  Before long it was out of the forest.

Next: A Historic Broadcast

From the Author:

Are people reading this story at all?  I should very much like to hear from just ten readers for each chapter.  I want to be sure that at least that many people are following the story.  For the ten of you I will write on.  Let me hear from you!