Chapter Three: Rendezvous
A sudden sensation of cold shot through her as if she just dove into a freezing lake. A second later, she swam to her left, to the dock, or so she thought. Her splash created ocean foam that blocked her from view for a few seconds. Opening her eyes underwater, she could make out dark shapes in the water, somewhat cylindrical. A second later, she heard the sound of a bullet hitting the water. She swam harder and faster, pulling herself through the cool liquid. Another bullet broke the water's surface directly in front of her. It made a streamlined path in front of her, then curved away. The dark figures of the dock supports loomed closer. All the while, bullets were narrowly missing.
Come on! Come on! Almost…
Her lungs were beginning to feel the sense of the pressure. A gripping feeling came over Raina as she began to struggle to hold her breath.
Oh, no…not now!
She felt as if she was being squeezed in a vice. Her lungs felt as if they were ready to burst. Suddenly darkness closed in around her. She couldn't take it anymore. She pulled her head out of the water—
--and bumped her head on wood. Her head made a dull clunk.
"Ow! Shit!" Raina said under her breath. She made it under the dock. Now she had to get to the end of it. She slowly treaded water, moving slowly so as to not attract any more attention.
Evasion mode. Now comes the hard part. Hopefully that's the last I see of them…
Her silence was broken by the sounds of thudding footsteps.
"Search everywhere! Find her at any cost!" a Shinra guard yelled. The footsteps stopped directly over her head. Slowly Raina took a deep breath and placed her head underwater. A Shinra guard went to his knees and moved his head over the edge of the dock, looking under for the runaway figure. Raina could just make out the outline of his head underwater.
Move, damn bastard! Move! I can't stay like this forever…
He moved his head left, then right, and then got back up. "No sign of the runaway. Let's move! She couldn't have gone far!" Underwater, she could hear the dull sounds of retreating footsteps, and she pulled her head out of the water, gasping for precious, life-giving air.
Now to continue what I was doing before I was rudely interrupted.
* * *
The road from the dock lead to what appeared to be a main street. The place looked like something out of a travel guide—it was a typical exotic, tropical type place. She looked around, trying to familiarize herself with her surroundings—she only had been here once before. She stood atop a small bridge—looking to her left was the town exit, leading to the towns of Corel, Nibelhelm, and points north and south; to her right was the heart of the town. Her first priority at the moment was to find a place to get out of her wet condition, a place where she could unwind and collect her thoughts after her run-in with Sephiroth. At the end of the bridge, a small pedestrian stairwell went down to her right, leading to the main road. As she went down the stairwell, she remained cautious of her surroundings, keeping a close eye for Shinra presence. The main road was mostly quiet now, for night had fallen here, the hour probably midnight or 0100. The only sources of light were coming from lit torches propped up by establishments. When she stepped onto the main road, a light bulb seemed to go on inside her mind as another piece of the town layout fell into place.
The doors opened into a well-lit room, fairly large for a lobby.
Nice looking place they have here…I'm sure it's a busy place, especially during the tourist season.
It had a look of what a typical stereotype "tropical" place had—palm branches, coconut shells, and the like. She saw a reception desk nearby, the wood having a just-finished look to it. Behind it stood a male, young-looking, and long black hair.
"Greetings, and welcome to Costa del Sol, a fine tropical tourist town. I see you have chosen to stay here for the night—and by the look of you, you look like you could use a little rest and cleaning up," the clerk said, showing off a big grin, looking overly happy.
"I would say you're right on that one," Raina said.
"You're in luck. We have just one room left. Well, then, if you're staying, can I have your name, please?"
"Raina Lani," Raina replied. The clerk's eyes lit up.
"Oh! Someone's expecting you! You will find this person in the dining area," he pointed to the left. The clerk looked down to where her gun was fastened to her belt.
"I'm sorry, but we don't allow firearms here—it may scare off the guests seeing an armed person in the inn. Can I hold onto it for safekeeping?" The clerk held out his hand.
"If I have to," Raina placed the dripping gun on the desk. "It needs to dry out anyway." Raina smiled. The clerk threw a look of confusion to Raina, then shook his head.
"I will reserve the room for you. Your guest is in the dining room. Enjoy your stay."
"Thank you very much," Raina said, and with that, she headed for the dining area.
Now who's expecting me? Is it Nelo? Someone else? A Shinra guard?
She entered a large-sized dining hall, as large as a cafeteria. It was lavishly decorated again in the typical tropical fashion, complete with a bar, buffet, and tables to sit and dine at. Since it was late into the night, the hall was mostly empty, save for some people sitting at some tables. Only one sat at the bar. She looked around for this mystery person to show himself, or herself, whoever it was. One person stood up from the table closest to her.
She was about Raina's height, and she looked like she was in her mid-20s, the very most 30. Her skin was obviously tanned, most likely from the climate here. She wore a black tank top, covered by a navy blue vest. She wore khaki outdoor pants, the type most commonly used on long outdoor expeditions, like hiking, climbing, things of that nature. Tied to a belt loop was a white bandanna, obviously meant for her short brown hair. Her eyes were of an emerald green color, shiny and vibrant, even in the dimmed light of the dining hall.
"Glad to see you're still in one piece," the young woman said. "My name is Major Jeini Sain, operative of the Nibelhelm branch of the A.S.A." She reached out her hand.
"Captain Raina Lani," she said, reciprocating the handshake. "Operative of the Fort Condor branch. Word travels fast, doesn't it? It's only been a day or two."
"Indeed. Your commanding officer, Coren Dolan, sent us a wire shortly after word reached him about the Junon incident, and I was sent here, so here I am."
Raina smiled. "I hope I didn't cause too much ruckus."
Jeini chuckled. "No, not really. Besides, the pace of work at Nibelhelm was beginning to drag. It was a worthwhile trip to come here. I haven't been here for a little bit and so I said, 'What the hell?' I am glad to see you're alive though. Fort Condor has been going a little nuts, due to their close proximity to Junon. Letting them know you're alive may lift some stress."
"All right." Raina began. " Now that that's settled, where do I go from here?"
"According to your C.O. and mine, we are going to Nibelhelm and staying there until your buddies come and get you. Another operative of Nibelhelm is on his way toward the southern end of the continent to escort them safely here. Your C.O. sent two people—Ifalna Atrius and Nelo Dalen. It will take them a few days—they're taking the long way around."
Nelo! Oh, thank god! I bet he was worried sick. So am I, actually. He and Ifalna have to cross the ocean to get here. Hopefully they don't get nabbed by a Shinra ship here…
Jeini continued. "No need to worry. They're in good hands. Well, from the look of you, you look like you could use some cleaning-up. You look like you took a dip out there."
Raina chuckled. "If you put it that way, I did. I was spotted by some Shinra troops on the ship and made my escape. Never a dull moment, I say. If that's the way Rufus Shinra wants to play it, then so be it."
"I must say, though—that incident at Junon did throw a wrench into his plan. He's after Sephiroth, I hear. Something about the Promised Land and Holy Materia, I don't know. Anyways," Jeini said, shaking her head, "I don't want to delay you any further. Go clean yourself up in your room. Just go up to the clerk at the front desk and he'll take care of ya. I'll meet you up there later."
"Until then, Ms. Sein," Raina grinned.
"Please. Call me Jeini."
"See ya, Jeini."
Still interested? Read on to Chapter 4: Another Meeting.