Disclaimer. Squaresoft owns all these guys and places. I don't mean to infringe you guys so........ just chill, eh??? By the way, the quote on the back of Squall's tee is by that wonderfully astounding and complex mind, Albert Einstein. Ducati is a trademark and I ain't trying to infringe. When Quisty is in the bar I was thinkin' of summat like the old Bogart flicks. 'I have always depended on thuh kindness of strangers.' The conversations Zell Squall and Kyra at their location have are written as they are said and are in my accent. If ya get stuk jest say em out laud n yow'll 'stand, right luves. And forgive me for making the baddie who he is.


The Longest Road.

"If my soldiers began to think, not one of them would remain in the ranks."
Frederick the great.




Chapter Six; Discovering the enemy.




"Aren't you ready yet?" Squall sighed as he tightened the straps on his biker boots. He caught Zell peeking around the door. "You're supposed to be getting ready, not looking at me."

"Can't help it baby. You look so good!" There were sounds of a struggle as Zell tried desperately to get into the outfit he had been supplied with. "But it's hardly any different from your usual...." There was a loud crash as Zell fell over.

"Er... this is going to be a strange question but have you ever..... Forget it."

"Have I ever what?"

"It's nothing." Ever fussy, Squall smoothed the soft leather against his thighs and tightened the straps. These leather jeans were barely different from his usual vestments, only the belts were on both legs and were held tightly by a single red leather belt. His tee shirt was cut roughly around his shoulders and waist and a mix of blood red and white. On the left breast a single word was written. 'Rebel' and three slashes ran diagonally down the right. Hidden on the back were the words: 'Weakness of attitude becomes weakness of character.' His leather jacket had been replaced with a true bikers jacket, tight and padded across the shoulders with a high buttoned collar. His scar was gone and his hair was now blacker than a raven's wing. He was no longer Squall Leonhart.

He would be Leon. For his son.

As he looked up, Zell bounded out of his room. Similarly dressed in leathers, the open jacket revealing a tight white tank top that showed every muscle and definition, every scar and mark on his chest, right down to the three bullet wounds where he had been shot while on a mission. Squall's breath caught in his throat. Zell's hair was no longer soft spun gold but a rich auburn colour and hung around his eyes. They too had changed and were now shamrock green. He looked amazing to say the least. Squall raised one eyebrow and took a deep breath.

"Piqued your interest baby?"

A small smile wavered on Squall's lips. "Oh, yeah."

"Whoooo hooooo!!!!" Selphie's voice screamed over the speaker system. "We're gonna land in ten ladies and gents. Get your asses in gear!"

They headed to the hold. "Erm, Squall. What was that strange question you were going to ask me?"

"Have you ever ridden a bike Zell?"

"'Course I have. What do ya take me for?"

Squall opened one of the doors leading to the main hull. Sitting in the centre of the room were three objects each covered in a tarpaulin. "Zell, I mean like this." He said as he pulled brown cover off the first one.

Zell's eyes grew to the size of dinner plates. "Not one like that."

Squall patted the blood red tank of the Italian superbike affectionately. "This is a Ducati 916." Behind them Kyra Raven arrived to listen. "The destination for us is a roughneck joint where the automotive troops hang out, especially the bikers, so we have to look the part. Hiro, Kyra and I have previous experience with this sort of machine, yet no others out of the top fifteen SeeDs can ride. You were chosen for your image and skills over Hiro. So Zell..... You've either got to ride tandem or do your best."

He thought for a moment and answered. "Article seven of SeeD code, item five, line twenty seven. 'Once in an undercover operation a SeeD must portray all of that character without fail lest he should put the contract at risk.' If I don't ride, I may put Ayden's life in danger through my dropping the facade. I'll ride."

Squall's eyes seemed to thank him.

********




After touching down the five teams had gone their separate ways. As Squall and Kyra taught Zell a few of the basics, Quistis and the other members of team three were entering the officer's club.



She felt suddenly very self conscious. Every man turned to look at her and some of the women too. Her hair, now a few shades lighter hung in gentle waves over her shoulders and down to the strapless gown she wore, in shimmering silver-blue, clinging like a second skin. She took a stool at the bar, ordered a scotch on the rocks and winked at the barman when he served her.

"Hello there." She heard a masculine voice from behind and half turned to see a young gentleman in the garb of a captain. "May I ask your name mam?" When he said your it was more like 'yuh'.

"I am Charlotte Yorke. Major Charlotte Yorke to you captain." She tucked an escaped strand of hair behind her ear.

"Captain Lees. We don't get that many female officers in here."

She smiled ruefully. "Perhaps not, but then we are few and far between. But where we are you can find us you can bet that we're the best." She finished what was left of her drink. "Would you care to buy your superior officer a drink sir?"

"If they're as pretty as you ma'am, anytime." He motioned to the bartender and he filled their glasses. "May I ask where you are posted?"

Quistis smiled. "You may. I was five miles north of here, investigating a possible rebel base that turned out to be a bust. I am awaiting my next posting."

"I myself am in the intelligence corps." He said proudly as if trying to impress her.

('Army and intelligence, two words that were never meant to go together.') She thought. "Really?" She gasped. "Do you know anything of these rebel.... forgive my outburst, bastards?" She asked with complete sincerity.

He reached out and cupped her face, stroking her cheek with his thumb. "You should know better than to ask me that Major Yorke.. But perhaps I could tell you a little later on? Over dinner."

She took the hand in her own. "A wise person once said you should never mix business with pleasure.... So call me Charlotte."

He stood and offered his arm. "Shall we?"

"Why not?"

********

Squall strode into the pub named "Brawlers Rest". A place not only frequented by all the bikers but also the roughnecks of the town. He glanced around the room quickly then ordered a pint of Murphys. When Zell and Kyra followed him, he heard a commotion and turned to see a heavily built man obviously propositioning Kyra.

After all, she did look rather attractive in that leather mini and vest top with that floor-length leather jacket and her hair tied high on her head.

Zell seemed to be offering to sort him out but Kyra waved a hand to dismiss him. As the man stepped forward, at least a foot higher than her and a great deal heavier, she kicked out at his weaker leg, made obvious by his position. Then she drove her fist into his breadbasket followed by her knee in his groin.

He didn't get up anytime soon.

Realising all eyes were on her, she spoke out. "Fer fucks seyke, it's gettin so ah carn even visit mah bruvver n is best mate wivout some fukker try-in it on...."

Zell grinned. With Squall's hair now being jet black like hers, Kyra and he looked very much alike, even down to the bird like delicate bone structure. "Ah know arh kid but yow will wer tha outfit in publik. Now tell yah Leon ta get da drinks in."

The pub returned to it's normal hum. "Come on Bro, gizzus a drink."

"Fuk off." Squall said playing into the character. He closed his eyes and rested his head in his hands, elbows resting on the bar top.



An hour and a half passed with no events and no mention of the name Ayden. Kyra was being chatted up by three rather rough looking young men. They'd come in after she'd downed the big guy, otherwise they may not have risked their lives like that. Zell was joking with the barman sneaking in questions about the regulars and not so regulars that came in every now and then.

".......Come in Team Five, Come in Squall!.........................." A voice crackled over his radio.

Glancing around he reached up to his silver earring, the reply switch. "Go ahead Nida."

"Squall! We have a suspect."

"Really?" He asked hopefully.

"Yeah. A man was seen in here buying ammunition a few nights ago. He had a baby with him. In fact he's just been here again....."





On the street, the Captain Lees and Major Yorke, better known as Quistis, were strolling arm in arm near the "Brawler's Rest". A man pushed past them and as he did, vague recognition struck Quistis.





"He's heading towards your location Squall!!!" Nida told him.

"What does he look like?"

"Squall, it's.............................."

The door burst open and Nida finished.

"....SEIFER......." His radio crackled as the blonde appeared.

Seifer smirked.






After listening to Seifer boast for an hour, Squall was feeling rather bored.

"Ya know guys..." The blonde boasted. "You gotta work for the Government, cuz the rewards are so much better. I mean a Sorceress' knight gets certain advantages, but nothing beats cold, hard cash."

Squall had heard enough. He stood up and made to leave but Seifer blocked his way.

"Squall...., is that you?"

Squall glared up at him and wished with all his heart he could take the bastard out right now, but he had a son's safety to think of. "Squall? What kinda name is 'at? Yow've got it rong mate. Mah name's Leon Cambridge, now get out mah fucking way before I ram mah fist down yah froat."

"My mistake, you haven't got that scar. You sure look like an old enemy." He waved a hand. "You can go now."

"Fuck you ya blonde bastard." Squall said and walked out the door. "Come in unit four."

"Yeah Squall?" Selphie responded.

"Can you send Jessie and Hiro to my location and leave your watch. We have a lead."

"Why Jessie and Hiro, why not me too?" She sounded a little hurt.

"They're from Trabia Garden so he won't recognise them."

"Why, who is it?"

"Seifer was seen with a baby a few nights ago. He's also been boasting about working with the government." He sighed. "Brief them and then get them down here on the double."



Three minutes later he was joined by the two.

Squall opened his wallet to reveal a photograph of himself and Seifer taken five years before. The blonde still looked much the same as then, just a little older and a little more tired, not to mention the scar across his brow. "I'm sure you've heard of him. Seifer Almasy." They both nodded. "Follow him, find out where he's going and report back."

"Yes Sir." They said in unison.

"You can take the Ducati if you need to, just bring it back when you're finished." He started the hike back to the Ragnarok. "Teams, get back to the ship as soon as you can." He said into his radio. "We have to prepare."




Authors note.


He he he. ;p I am now waiting for your flames Seifer fans. But look at the guy! He's a handsome devil. Forgive the Anne Rice reference but he truly is the brat prince of Garden. He's gorgeous but he's the embodiment of Evil. (Smiles Sheepishly and shrugs her shoulders) awaiting Reviews?

luv ya ladies and gents.

Darksquall...............................................