There you have it. Chapter 24! Thanks everyone for your patience and your support. There are a few more chapters left. Maybe 2 or 3… I haven't fully decided. I am also planning on an Epilogue. There is still a lot of excitement to come and don't forget to stay tuned for the dramatic conclusion! Enjoy!!! Also, some of you may have noticed that the romance factor has decreased somewhat… It was an unintentional result of moving the plot along where two people couldn't be in the same place at the same time or romance simply didn't fit the situation… But don't worry! I am promise that in the concluding chapters, romance and action will be a lot more balanced.
Chapter 24
"It's Crimson Rose!" yelled Caraway, unable to hide his delight at the spectacle that came before his eyes as the warship came to a halt in the deep waters offshore.. "Drop anchor! Get those assault weapons ready, now!" He feverishly rubbed his hands together, pacing back and forth at his command post.
"Save your steam, General" said a cool voice behind him as Seifer joined him on the deck. "Looks to me as if someone already took care of the situation," he clarified, pointing to the Crimson Rose boat that careened dangerously to the left, its deck slowly filling up with seawater "If my estimates are correct, it will submerge fully in less than twenty minutes.
"Then I should order my men to fire upon it so we can send these bastards to their ocean graves even faster."
"Don't be ridiculous, General," Seifer cut him off, not bothering to hide his contempt. Colin Brezner might still be on that boat, wounded. I suggest that instead of fluffing your feathers like some damn peacock, you use this time to search the boat." Caraway looked at him stunned, unable to comprehend such insolence.
"I'll deal with you, later," he finally said through gritted teeth before giving the order to move the warship close enough to board the doomed boat that seemed to be on its last breath. A million thoughts ran through Seifer's head as his eyes scanned the shore that revealed the pathetic remains of what once was the resistance's only hope. What could have possibly happened here? Was Deling himself involved? An independent pro-Deling group? He was in a very sour mood. This wasn't supposed to happen. This was his job and he failed. Seifer Almasy had failed. It was a lot to swallow. He was taught to fight in face to face combat, in full view of the enemy…not against some phantom that vanishes the second a real opponent appears on the horizon. His hand burned as his fingers touched the hilt of his Hyperion. Images flashed through his mind. Nearly losing Fujin in the snowstorm, Rinoa lying dead in her own blood on Caraway's white carpet…now this… Each time he felt so helpless…like a lost little boy he once was… before… His eyes came back into focus as he stared intently at the shore. It was time to take a closer look. Pushing the images firmly out of his mind, he joined some of Caraway's men on a small boat that they had prepared to take to shore to assess the damages in greater detail. This wasn't the first time that Seifer saw the aftermath of a gruesome attack, but something about this just didn't seem right to him. Walking through the debris, Seifer tried to mentally estimate how many people it would take to quickly accomplish moving the supplies from the boat to the ground vehicles as well as operate the vehicles themselves. His estimate was somewhere in the neighborhood of ten or fifteen people which struck him as strange considering that he only found three corpses buried among the debris. He also knew that Colin's small boat could hold no more than thirty or thirty five people at one time. Where were the rest of the people? Someone had to have taken the wounded… there's no way only three people were on shore at the time that the attacks started. But why would anyone cause all this destruction only to help them once the supply trucks were destroyed… unless of course, the supply trucks were the only target and these three people merely casualties…
"What they hell are you doing, standing around there like a guest at a reception? Get to work!" barked Caraway behind him.
"Ah, pleasure to see you onshore, General. And what is it exactly that you would have me do? Seifer sounded annoyed, obviously wanting to resume his thoughts.
"Start cleaning this mess up. I am sure President Deling will be expecting me." His face shone triumphantly which contrasted strangely with the death and destruction that still clung to the air around them.
"And destroy what could be valuable clues as to what happened here today?"
"It makes no difference what really happened here today. All that Deling has to know is that unfortunately, due to circumstances beyond our control, Colin Brezner was able to get away. However, through sheer cunning I was able to foil Crimson Rose's plans to unload these munitions," he said pointing to the charred debris around him, "and single-handedly apprehended Brezner's right-hand man, Valek Kirshnick."
"Kirshnick, huh… Were there any other people on board?" he inquired his heart rate speeding up.
"Yes, three, if that's of any concern to you. Some nobodies… I am sure that President Deling will be more than happy to give them a public execution along with everyone else this weekend."
"Everyone else?" Seifer gave him a quizzical look.
"Yes, now stop asking questions and get to work. Let me know if you uncover any more bodies… It is really a pity that the body count is so low… No matter how many of these dogs you kill, they always seem to come back like pestilence. " He started walking away. "There's no way Deling can fire now and if he does…I pity him…" he added quietly under his breath. Seifer stared after him. Moron… Am I the only one with any brains here? Three bodies and four live captures… that's not even a third of Brezner's men. What happened to the rest of them… It is as if someone wanted Caraway to take credit for what they did but without giving Crimson Rose the fatal blow… But who would do that? Someone who had a personal grudge against Caraway? Who wouldn't have a grudge against this halfwit? Could it possibly be the same people that tried to kill him that day? But who? And why? And who the hell are these people that Deling is planning to execute this weekend?
Tightly clutching the key to the prison, Rinoa gently pushed open the door to her room and stepped into a darkened hallway. She stopped and waited to hear if any of her father's men were posted inside the house. All quiet… Could all of them be outside? Shivering from a sudden chill that ran down her back, she sprinted down the stairs. The kitchen was cool and dark, shadows from the huge trees outside reflected on the whitewashed floors. Silently she slipped through the backdoor and quickly made her way down the staircase that led into the dungeon. Praying that no one would hear her, she slipped the key into the keyhole and tried to turn the lock. Clang. Her heart nearly stopped as the rusty lock finally gave way. The stench of foul water hitting her nostrils, Rinoa gave the wooden door a strong push and quickly closed it behind her. Suddenly she felt something prickle the back of her neck. Instinctively she reached behind and clasped her hand around something sticky and hairy. "Ahh!" she shrieked, tossing a large black spider into the corner of the room. Shuddering with disgust and holding her hands about her protectively, Rinoa surveyed her surroundings. In the dim light of a dust covered lamp, she saw cracked, moss covered walls. The ceiling revealed long glistening cobwebs, their inhabitants waiting patiently for their mid-afternoon snack. How can anyone survive here? Seifer had told her that the prison was less than hospitable, but this? She couldn't imagine someone staying down here for more than an hour let alone a couple of years. I hope that whoever Joshua and Laine are, they are still alive. Covering her nose with a handkerchief, she proceeded deeper into the prison until she saw the middle door that she remembered hearing about from Seifer. That must be it. Her insides squeezing into tiny knots, she slid the key into the second lock. For a minute, it wouldn't budge but as she applied more force to it, it slowly turned to the open position. Holding her breath, she opened the door. Empty? The tiny cells that she could see behind the thick iron bars were completely empty. Confused, Rinoa looked for another door when suddenly she noticed a metal water dish on the ground and a half eaten piece of bread that was now harder than a rock. Someone has been held there recently. She kneeled down to closely examine the cold stone floor when she realized that the rust colored stains she mistook for dirt were actually dry blood. The unsettling chill she had felt earlier returned as she backed out of the room and quickly shut the door. She had to get out of there as soon as possible. The walls of the prison were closing in on her, suffocating her, probing her soul with their damp, cold fingers. She was just about to lock the main door, when suddenly she felt a strong arm grab her by the neck while their other clamped her mouth tightly shut.
"Do not scream. Stay nice and quiet and I won't hurt you," hissed a soft male voice into her ear. She violently jabbed her elbow into his stomach, trying to turn her neck enough to bite him on his hand, but a searing pain directed precisely at the pressure points in her neck sent her doubling over on the ground.
"Get up. Quickly. Don't scream and don't fight me," the man said, once again putting his hand over Rinoa's mouth. Rinoa sobbed, her temples throbbing with pain as she tried to sit up.
"Listen carefully. I am gonna ask you some questions. I'll let go of your mouth if you promise not to scream. Nod if you understand." She nodded.
"Good. What are you doing down here?"
He eased his hand off her mouth and turned her around to face him. She caught a blur of coppery hair and deep green eyes.
"Please don't hurt me," she whispered, looking through tear- streaked eyes at her attacker who appeared to be no older than eighteen. She desperately wished Seifer was down here with her.
"Answer the question," the man repeated, but without much malice in his voice.
"We… I… I found that… well, some people were held here. I wanted to talk to them," she finally responded her voice trembling with fright.
"How did you find out about Laine and Joshua?"
"Uh.. Laine and Joshua?" she asked trying to feign surprise.
"Quit playing dumb. I know you work for the resistance, Rinoa. We are on the same side. Laine and Joshua are my people. Please tell me where they are."
"You? You are part of the resistance?" she asked incredulously, lifting her eyes to meet his for the first time.
"Yes. Your father has been holding my people captive for over two years. I need to get them out. How are they? Are they alive? Did you see them?"
"They.. they aren't in there… The cells are empty." Suddenly she didn't feel so scared. He was on her side. He wasn't going to hurt her.
"Empty? No! That can't be. Do you know where they are?! If you do, I beg you to tell me," he pleaded, his voice suddenly a mixture of overpowering anger and despair.
"No, I don't. I am sorry." I need to find out who he works with. "Umm… Who, who are you anyways?"
"My name's Kona, but that's not important at the moment. " He stopped as if considering something. Then averting his eyes, he finally said, "I'm sorry, Rinoa. I don't want to do this, but I have to bring you with me.."
"You.. you are kidnapping me?" she asked, her heart once again beating faster.
"I have to. You had better hope that you father likes you enough to get you back in return for Laine and Joshua." His voice was once again distorted with anger and pain.
"Now, no more talk, let's go."
"You are not like that. I can see it in your eyes. Please let me go," she pleaded, trying to arouse his compassion.
"Am I?" A demon of blind desperation played in his stormy eyes.
"You'll never get pass the guards with me, Kona," she said grabbing onto her last straw.
"Watch me."
By the time Caraway and his forces arrived back at the mansion, the sun was already beginning to set. Seifer longed to see Rinoa to discuss everything that has happened, but knew better than to arouse suspicion so soon after the mission. The General, on the other hand, proceeded straight to Rinoa's room. He was in a splendid mood, mentally pinning a medal of honor on his chest that he will undoubtedly receive now that the Crimson Rose posed little threat. Knocking three times and not getting an answer, he finally opened the door. The room was empty. A bit concerned but not yet worried, he went downstairs and into the kitchen. A small piece of paper was attached by a magnet to the refrigerator door. His face turned pale as he lowered himself into a nearby chair.
"Guards!" he tried to yell forcibly, but his voice came out feeble and hoarse. At that moment Seifer entered into the kitchen.
"General, can we…" He stopped and stared at the note that was clutched in the general's hand.
"General, what is it? Where is Rinoa?" He tried to keep him voice calm, but it betrayed his emotion. Fortunately Caraway did not seem to take notice, still preoccupied with the contents of the note.
"Rinoa… She's.. she's… been kidnapped. Dear Hyne… I just knew something like that would happen with her getting mixed up with that kind of people…" He rubbed his temples with shaking hands. Throwing caution to the wind, Seifer made it across the room in one big stride, grabbing the note out of Caraway's hand. Concern filling his emerald eyes, he quickly scanned the page.
If you want to see your daughter alive and unharmed, you will turn over the two prisoners by the names of Laine Ingrid and Joshua Holster to me within the next twenty four hours. You will be contacted again before the end of the night with further instructions. Should you fail to do exactly as I say, you can forget about ever seeing your daughter alive. However, she will be returned to you safely once you uphold your end of the bargain. Do not even think about setting up a trap. But one wrong move and you will be sorry you ever gave birth to her. She is very lovely, isn't she?
SOJ
"That bastard," said the general through gritted teeth, "he dares lay one finger on Rinoa and I will cut him up into little pieces and…" As will I… thought Seifer menacingly, setting the note aside.
"We must find a way to get my daughter back," said the General his voice steady and resolute.
"Why not just give into his demands," inquired Seifer, doing his best appear calm and disinterested.
"That's ludicrous! Releasing known enemies of the state who…" He suddenly stopped himself and exhaled deeply. Then he continued, wiping the droplets of sweat off his forehead.
"Because… well… because the people that he is referring to… are no longer here. I had them transferred to Deling's Central Prison where they are to await their execution this weekend." Seifer's heart skipped a beat. So these are the two that are going to be executed with today's catch. Nothing like a mass execution to rev up Deling's appetite for power…
"Executed for what?" he continued, regaining his composure.
"Treason of course! I should've had those bastards executed ages ago… Before… Before all this happened," he said waving his arms.
"Do you know what SOJ stands for?" asked Seifer pointedly.
"Probably that bastard's initials. It doesn't ring any bells… But I know one thing… Once I find him, and I will… He'll be hanging from the nearest tree I can find."
This I don't doubt, thought Seifer. But I'll be damned if Caraway has enough brain cells in his chicken brain to get anywhere near the bastard who's got Rinoa. Whoever did it was very cunning… waited until almost everyone was gone chasing phantoms before he struck. Unless… Seifer barely stopped himself from gasping from a sudden wave of realization that hit him full force. Unless whoever kidnapped Rinoa is also the same person who carried out the attack on the Crimson Rose to serve as a diversion while he snuck into the mansion to free his men where he ran straight into Rinoa. But wait… that means that the failed attack was also directed at freeing the prisoners… and… killing Caraway. Who's to say he'll stop from killing Rinoa too even he does get what he wants. Unwittingly, the thought made Seifer's blood run cold. What good are all these speculations when I have no clue who it is…
"General," he said suddenly, "do you know of anyone who would be holding a particularly bad grudge against you? Who do those two prisoners work for?"
"If I knew that," responded Caraway bitterly, "we wouldn't be having this conversation. Whoever trained them, trained them well… They are members of the resistance. But not even after continuous beatings, starvation, and tortures unimaginable to…"
"Spare me the details, General. Bottom line the two didn't crack so you settled for the next best thing—execution." He sounded disgusted.
"Precisely," said General somewhat pleased. "You catch on fast."
"You need to find a way to delay the execution until we get Rinoa back safely…"
"That's not possible because… " Both of them stared at the phone that suddenly sprung back to life.
"Well, answer it, General," said Seifer coolly, looking at Caraway who suddenly turned whiter than snow.
"Hello? Caraway speaking," he finally spoke into the receiver with a slightly quivering voice. Seifer quietly picked up a second line and listened in.
"Caraway. Listen well. You now got seventeen hours to bring the prisoners to the Deling City docks. Put them in a lifeboat and release it at dock #5. Don't try anything funny. There is no place to hide your men and do not even think about strategically placed assault boats. I'll smell them before you even think of putting them there. Fail to follow my instruction exactly as I say, and your daughter is fish bait. Do you understand me?"
"I understand you just fine, you treasonous dog! Too bad your little buddies will be hanging by their necks before you have a chance to move your fingers."
"What?" The speaker's voice became unnaturally tense. Seifer nearly dropped his phone.
Caraway continued, unabated, "Yes, I don't have your men anymore. They have been transferred to the Deling city prison where they'll be executed soon enough with the other treasonous dogs like you!" Speechless at such stupidity, Seifer remained motionless for a few seconds before he forcibly grabbed the phone away from Caraway and quickly spoke into it.
"Do not hurt Rinoa. Your demands will be met."
"Mr. Almasy. Lovely of you to join us. Rinoa was just asking about you."
"Do not touch her." His voice was as sharp as a razorblade, every word harder than steel.
"Don't worry. I won't even touch a hair on her head, if you can convince her idiot of a father to do exactly as I say." He sounded sincere.
"Let me talk to her."
"I make the rules here. I assure you, your girlfriend is alive and well. Do as I say, and you may still live happily ever after… Although you hardly deserve it after the way you.." He suddenly stopped as if he said too much.
"What's that supposed to mean? Have we met?" Seifer asked trying to knock the speaker further out of balance.
"Enough talk. You have your instructions. Goodbye." He quickly hung up the phone. Caraway stared at Seifer gloomily.
"Sudden interest in my daughter, eh?" he asked raising his eyebrow in a gesture of distrust.
"Simply trying to protect her from your stupidity," Seifer responded calmly. "It didn't occur to you that he might have killed her once he found out that you no longer had the prisoners?"
"He wouldn't dare. He'd know I'd hunt him down and shoot him like dog."
"Just like you hunted him down when Rinoa lay an inch from death on the dining room floor? Do not forget, General, who saved her life that day." He sent a penetrating glance in Caraway's direction, looking for any signs of comprehension. Caraway suddenly stopped in his tracks.
"You think it was the same person?"
"I am sure of it, General. Either the same person or someone closely affiliated with him. He is like a loose cannon… I'd move with caution if I were you."
"All right," responded Caraway defeated. "What do we do now?"
"Get the prisoners back, of course. And the clock is ticking, General."
"That's not possible. Once the execution papers are signed, they are as good as dead," he said blankly.
"Then let's hope we can figure out who the kidnapper is and how to find him before the clock runs out." Personally Seifer preferred the second option. Go straight after the source of the problem in a minimal number of steps. He wasn't about to put her life up against successfully getting back the prisoners, which he sincerely doubted could happen. And even if he could find a way to get the prisoners back, who is to say that Rinoa wouldn't be killed anyways. If only he had more time…
TO BE CONTINUED
Thanks for your support Cherry6124! I really appreciate your comments!