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The Longest Road.


"The true use of speech is not so much to express our wants as to conceal them."
Oliver Goldsmith.



Chapter Five; Beginnings.



"Can the following SeeDs please report to the quad immediately. Quistis Trepe, Selphie Tilmitt, Zell Dincht, Irvine Kinneas, Naki Keza, Nida Walsh, Ashby Rushton, Darrel Archer, Jessie Rowe, Bari Robertson, Dale East, Theiery Hunter, Hiro Storm and Kyra Raven. That is all."

Selphie, having just finished her lunch, stood slowly. She laughed as some of the newly qualified SeeDs were falling over their chairs in an attempt to get to the quad quickly. She made good time, arriving only five or so minutes after the call had gone out. Once in the quad she looked around to find Zell or Quisty or one of her good friends. She settled for Kyra Raven. "Hey Ky!"

She turned, her long black hair billowing out behind her. "Hi Selphie. Why are we all being called here?"

"I dunno. I guess there's a new mission, but it's gotta be a big one for this many people."

"So pretty important stuff then?"

"You can bet." She looked around. "I hate the waiting to find out what the mission is, it's so boring! Wonder how much it took to hire this many SeeDs?"

"It took a life Selphie." She heard as someone moved past her.

Suddenly a figure appeared on the stage. "Quiet!" It snarled. All instantly fell silent and turned to see Squall Leonhart in his usual outfit accented by a pair of shades. "We have been hired by a militia group in Galbadia run by one Rinoa Heartily." At the back of the crowd Quistis sighed and Zell slumped a little at the mention of that name. "One of her faction has been kidnapped. We are to mount an undercover operation to discover his location and then to retrieve him, at any and all costs."

"Wonder who he is...." Zell whispered.

"With our luck so far today it'll probably wind up being Seifer." Irvine said as he strolled up, looking a little worse for wear.

"Get your weapons and battle gear." Squall continued. "You have until four pm. At that point we are to meet in the garage where we will board the Ragnarok. You have four hours free until then." He looked around at the expectant group. "Get going then!"

He jumped down off the stage and strode through the small crowd, dispersing them as he went. As he walked past Zell, Quistis and Irvine without even noticing them.

"I'll see you guys later." Zell said staring after his lover. "I'm gonna go talk to him."

"Sure."




"Hey Squall!" He heard the blonde shout but was too caught up in his own thoughts to respond to his name. Keeping up his rapid pace, he reached their room, but this time he left the door open for Zell. "What's wrong Squall?" He said as he arrived a little breathless. "Is it this mission?"

"Perhaps." He whispered as he picked up the Lion Heart gunblade. Checking the line to ensure it's accuracy, and then checking the sharpness of the same adamantine blue blade that shimmered with the latent power from the pulse ammunition in it's chamber, he was completely lost in thought.

"Who is it that was kidnapped Squall?" Zell put his head to one side and narrowed his eyes to watch for a reaction.

"No one you know."

Squall felt a hand upon his shoulder and heard Zell whisper, "please don't shut me out." With a tender smile to reassure him Zell moved a little closer. "Please baby, you know you can tell me anything."

"........ It's just......"

"Please?" Zell looked so sincere, it struck a cord in Squall. He felt a weakness come into his knees and they nearly buckled under the pressure. Somehow managing to stay standing Zell reached up and pulled the dark glasses away from his eyes. "You've been crying?" He gasped. "But you almost never cry. What's happened?"

"Zell...." He embraced the blonde, leaning onto his so hard he thought he would bring them both down. But his tough friend was strong enough for both of them.

"For fuck's sake Squall tell me!" He growled into the fur collar of Squall's jacket.

"Rinoa didn't tell me when she left that she was carrying my child....."

"What?"

"It was my son that was kidnapped. Ayden Leon Heartilly." Squall braced himself for a response but none was forthcoming. "Well?"

"Ah, so that's why so many SeeDs are going." Zell sighed. " I bet you had a heart attack when you found out."

Squall gave a little laugh. "You can say that again."

"Don't worry baby." Zell kissed a tear away from the corner of Squall's eye. He'd kiss every tear away if he could. "We'll find Ayden."

Squall pulled away from him slightly. "Just, don't tell the others unless it is absolutely necessary. Okay?"

"Alright then, whatever you say. Now, let's get a move on. If we don't get moving, we might not make it for four!"





Thirteen SeeDs stood ready as Selphie and Zell finished their preliminary checks on the Ragnarok. Once in the hull Squall and Quistis directed the others to specific bunkrooms and areas. "It'll take us two and a half hours to reach Galbadia, but we will use this ship as our base so claim your bunks now. You have ten minutes to do so then we will meet upstairs in the war room." Squall had told them before even getting on.

******** In the War Room. ********

"The name of the one who was taken is Ayden. We have no photographs or true description but we do know how old he is. Two months and three weeks." Squall looked around at the faces before him and realised in the end they would find out who the child's parents were, but he would hide it from them for now. "You are to split into teams of three and together, infiltrate various points around Deling City that are known for their allegiance to the old president. Instructor Trepe will read out the teams."

She nodded. "Naki Keza, Ashby Rushton and Irvine Kinneas are team one. You are assigned to 'The Deling Hotel'." The position was highlighted by a red dot on a map being projected on the screen behind them. "That is here. Team two consists of Nida Walsh, Darrel Archer and Bari Robertson. You're to go to the weapons shop and club highlighted here." A second dot appeared, this time blue. "Be careful it may be dangerous. I am sending Nida with you as he is more experienced. The third team is Dale East, Theiery Hunter and myself." A green dot now appeared. "This point is a meeting place for the officers of the Deling Army. Team four will be Selphie Tilmitt , Jessie Rowe and Hiro Storm. Selphie will brief you on your parameters. Your destination will be the mansion that once belonged to the currently AWOL General Caraway. The owner is now part of the resistance faction headed by Miss Heartilly. The fifth and final team will comprise of Zell Dincht, Squall Leonhart, and Kyra Raven."

"Team five is heading to a club in the heart of the city." Squall said. "All of you will find specific outfits tailored to your destination, as well as dyes and cosmetics. For the ensuing twelve hours you will go deep undercover. A mini radio transmitter will be supplied to everyone so we can keep in contact. Remember, if you hear any mention of a baby or the name Ayden find out as much as you can." He waved a hand. "Get back to your quarters and prepare yourselves. I don't want to be able to recognise my SeeDs when you come back out here."






Authors Notes.

A little interlude, and more apologies for the new characters. As far as I know, they won't play a major part in the story and are mostly just there for effect. I am fully aware of how short these chapters are and I'd love to make them longer, the only problem being I am currently in the middle of my A Level final exams and I've written the last three chapters instead of revising for chemistry and I know have only two days to read through six month's worth of notes. More to come as soon as I can but no writing until Monday night now. Okay? Comments and reviews aren't only appreciated but loved to bits too!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Special thanks this chapter goes to pixie518 for the continued support and reviews. She writes a damn good fic

love, peace, happiness.................................whatever... happy writing! nicola.wilcox@talk21.com

(the darksquall.)