Chapter Twelve: "You Know Me. You Trust Me."

"So this is North Corel," Locke mused, bringing up the rear of the group. "We travel all day and end up in a place like this? Wonder what happened." The entire village was a cluster of crude stone houses and tents, and trash was strewn in the dusty streets. Men and women wandered about in ragged clothing, and the sorrow and barrenness of their desolation reflected in their dull eyes. They regarded the visitors with distrust.

"There was a disaster here about four years ago," Celes explained to them, her as voice dull as the eyes that watched them. "Shin-ra destroyed the town for interfering with their new reactor—we passed in on the way here, remember?" Her manner shifted, but her voice did not. "I also lost a member of SOLDIER here."

Glenn’s gaze flittered to her briefly, and Locke could easily guess the fate of that SOLDIER. He tried to veer away from the subject. "Anyway, doesn’t this place lead to that resort? An amusement park or something?"

"Yes, and we’ll being going up there." She led them through the town to a small station with a sign that read TO GOLD SAUCER in peeling letters. "Gilbert said he was going ‘to the mountains and higher,’ and this is the best thing I could think of. The entire theme park is built on the top of a huge structure in the desert, putting it several thousand feet up." She pointed to a box-shaped compartment that was strung on several long cables and decorated with dozens of tiny propellers. "To keep going we’ll have to go through the desert, and I want to see if they have any decent transportation we could loan." She moved to the ticket booth.

"Gold Saucer, huh?" Locke grinned. "Sounds…promising."

Lucca shoved him. "We’re not going to steal things, Locke," she reminded.

"I know, I know."

"We’ll be able to rent a room while we’re there for the night," Celes said when she returned, showing off the tickets. She led the way to the tram. "I just hope they allow pets."

Nanaki snorted indignantly, following a few steps behind.

Twenty minutes later the tram landed at Gold Saucer Station, and the group disembarked. Immediate they were met by an amazing sight; dazzling light displays, enormous moogle and chocobo-shaped structures, fireworks, balloons—everything. Lively music was played at an almost painful level over the speakers, and men and women in costume danced about the main square, greeting the incoming visitors. A man in a chocobo suit pranced over and handed Celes a brochure. "Here’ya are, miss. I hope you don’t mind my saying so, but you’re quite beautiful."

She shot him a glare, and he quietly retreated and returned to his dance. Lucca couldn’t help but laugh as they crossed to the park gates—a huge open moogle mouth. "That’s tellin’em, Celes—now that’s how you repay a compliment!"

"No kidding," Locke added, but as he started to enter the park the guard stopped him.

"I need to see your ticket, sir." She was a woman dressed in another chocobo suit, though hers was a bit more form-fitting than the last.

"Oh, yeah." Locke showed the ticket Celes had given him. "Here."

The woman shook her head, making the beak of her costume wag back and forth comically. "I’m sorry, but that’s just for the tram. You need to pay an entrance fee."

"An entrance fee?"

"Yes. They’re 1,000 gil each, but if you’re in a group of five we can cut the price to 3,000 for all of you."

Lucca gaped. "3,000!?" she exclaimed. "Are you crazy? That’s ridiculous!"

But Locke eased her back with an air of cool confidence. "Hey, I’ll cover it," he said, pulling several coins out of his pocket and slipping them into the attendant’s hand. "I believe this is the sum, miss. Now, we’d like to enjoy ourselves, and—"

"Hold on a minute." She snagged his arm and moved in his way. She held up the coins. "What kind of money is this?"

"From the south," he replied easily. "From a little town I like to call Tzen. Wonderful people—not well know, but good people. Is something wrong?"

The woman glared at him, unconvinced. "Try again."

Celes sighed and turned away as he continued to argue with the attendant. Her attention was caught by the scene of another tram docking, as it was being received by an elaborate greeting party. A man stepped out surrounded by flirting giggling women, and the general was instantly disgusted. But she watched him for lack of anything better. He was a handsome man—she had to admit—with long hair dyed silver with gold streaks, bold features, and he was also rather tall. His outfit composed of a huge, broad-collared black coat with gold buttons, black pants and ornate boots, and ruffles attached to every aspect of the dress that could accommodate them. He was perhaps the most flamboyantly dressed man she’d ever seen; that and the attention he was getting gave him the appearance of a monarch. As a personal rule she tried to keep away from his type, but as he glanced in her direction a plan began to form. She let their gazes meet—only a moment, so that they both recognized the other’s presence—and then glanced away again. She edged strategically closer to Nanaki.

Nanaki glanced at her, puzzled. "Something wrong?" he asked quietly.

"No." She risked a moment to note the stranger’s progress as he began to move towards her. "But we might find a way in yet."

The crowd of women followers dispersed a bit as their center approached the general, and she waited for the inevitable greeting of extravagant charm. To her surprise the man spoke softly to her, almost hesitantly. "Excuse me, miss, but I seem to have misplaced the ocean. Could you help me?"

Celes turned to face him, and took a brief moment to observe before answering coolly, "I’m afraid not, as we’re in a desert." She knew immediately that she had misjudged him, however, for though his garb was that of a hustler and gambler, his manner was solemn and filled with a kind of hopeful eagerness, tainted with guilt and fear. He was watching her very closely, expectant until her answer had been received, after which his gleam was replaced with disappointment. Determined to revive the situation before he lost interest she quickly introduced herself. "My name is Celes—Celes Chere."

She waited for him to repeat the gesture, and he seemed amused by her pause, as if she should already know him. His attitude rapidly began to reform to his appearance. "The name’s Setzer Gabbiani," he said, tugging on his coat. "Forgive me, Miss Chere, but I mistook you for someone else—I had once thought her beauty to be unparalleled, but now my eyes have been taught a lesson." He grinned broadly, offering his arm. "I would be delighted if you were to join me."

Celes glanced about her significantly, returning to her original plan. "Actually, my colleagues and I were hoping to see the entire structure, and maybe even talk to the man in charge."

"Honey, Mr. Gabbiani is the man in charge," one of the women spoke up, and her companions laughed together.

"Maria," Setzer warned humorously, "behave yourself." And then to Celes, "I’m sure I can arrange a meeting with Dio if you like, but I imagine that my services will prove to be of better use to you." He waved to the attendant. "Let those through," he called. "But, Miss Chere." His eyes glinted. "If you want to get in, you’ll have to accompany me."

Locke glared at the man, prepared for a lively protest, but to his amazement Celes accepted. "Go on," she told her friends confidently. "Take a look around, and I’ll find you later. Don’t do anything stupid—that’s you, Locke."

He crossed his arms in a pouting expression, though he was internally surprised that she was making jokes with him. "Just take care of yourself."

Celes glanced at him and almost smiled. She allowed Setzer to lead her into the park, her friends a few steps behind. Then they split up. Setzer took Celes all over, showing off the main points of interest that after so long seemed like home to him. The park was larger than she’d imaged: it was split into different attractions, each littered with dancing employees and expensive food stands. "I came to work here three years ago," Setzer explained to her as they traveled aimlessly. "The job was far less sophisticated than I thought it would be. So I got into gambling, and it turned out that I was rather good at it. Especially when it came to chocobo racing—I’m presently the top breeder and race manager in the world." He cocked an eye. "But I wouldn’t expect a general to be impressed by something like that."

Celes frowned, instantly set on edge. "You know me?"

"By reputation. The only female member of SOLDIER, am I right?" He led her to the park hotel—the Haunted Hotel, as it was called, based upon a theme of ghosts and the undead. Setzer dismissed his other women followers as they entered one of the suites; the room was specifically marked with his name, and bore no traces of the supernatural decorations that covered every inch of the lobby. The room was very elegant. Most of the colors were blue and turquoise, making Celes feel as if she were underwater.

"This is my private suite," Setzer said, indicating for her to sit down on one of the many sofas. "They keep it for me while I’m away—I’ve become a permanent residence, as it seems, but most of it is to keep tourists interested. But enough about me." He poured them both a glass of wine, which she accepted but did not drink from. He sat beside her. "I’m curious as to why you’re here. This isn’t the kind of place you’d usually find a Shin-ra general."

"It’s a long story," she admitted, convinced through his jovial manner that he wasn’t a spy of some sort. "Not that I’m unwilling to share, but it’s rather complicated, and you probably won’t understand it all. No offense meant," she added.

"Of course." He sipped his drink and seemed content with—yet critical of—the taste. "But still, I did get you in, and I’d like to be assured that I did so with good reason."

Celes nodded, realizing that there was no way around it. "To put it simply," she said, licking her lips, "my associates and I are on the trail of a man—a former member of SOLDIER, to be precise. He’s killed many people already, and we have reason to believe that he’s on his way to Nibelheim—that’s my belief, anyway." She surprised herself in admitting this to him, as it was an assumption she’d not shared with the others yet. But then, whether or not this man knew their destination didn’t matter. "It’s very important that we catch up to him."

"Nibelheim? That’s quite a ways from here."

"I know, and that’s why I’m looking for help." She set her wine glass, untouched, on a small table nearby. "Yours, if you’ll grant it."

He blinked slowly, and she noticed than that he wouldn’t meet her gaze directly; his eyes flittered about the expansive room, locking on varied items or simply staring into space, almost as if he were afraid of her. "It depends on the kind of help you’re looking for," he said distantly, and for a moment he risked a glance in her direction, assuring himself of her identity before returning to his repose.

Celes scrutinized him carefully. Her instincts told her that he was hiding something, and that her presence was somehow working to pull strings of guilt through his gilded exterior. Again her fears began to rise around the possibility of his being a spy, and she rebuked herself for having spoken so openly to him. But then she thought a little harder, and considered the possibility that his ill ease was less complicated than that. "You don’t strike me as the gambler type," she remarked abruptly, trying to sound casual. "Why is it that I make you so uncomfortable?"

Setzer climbed quickly to his feet, draining the rest of his drink and setting it aside. "You just remind me of someone I once knew—an old affair, you see." He produced a cigarette from his coat and lit it, then paused. "Do you mind?"

She did, but shook her head anyway. "No, go ahead."

He breathed in the smoke, and it seemed to calm him. "It’s nothing, really, but your resemblance to her is uncanny."

"Does it disturb you?"

He paused to take another deep breath of the drug, exhaling heavily. "No, not really," he lied. "Besides, you’re not here to listen to my life story, are you? Tell me what you need?"

Celes was still curious, but the matter was none of her business, and she decided to let it go. She was satisfied enough in knowing that he wasn’t about to betray her. "My colleagues and I need some kind of transportation across the desert," she explained. "Anything would be appreciated immensely, but we’d prefer something quick and efficient."

"From a general I would expect no less." Setzer considered her request, and nodded thoughtfully. "Yes, I think I have what you need—it’s a buggy. It’s not large, but there’s room for the five of you, and it’ll get you across the desert in excellent time."

"That would be wonderful." She forced a smile. "But I’m afraid we don’t have much money."

Setzer nodded. "I thought so. But don’t worry—it’s a gift. It’s a worthy cause, and who am I to stand in the way of such a beautiful woman?" His eyes sparkled, but there was still that edge of uncertainty. "It would be my pleasure, believe me."

I’m taking advantage of him Celes thought to herself, feeling disconcerted. He obviously owes something to this woman I look like, and is trying to make it up through me. But her sentimentality was dwarfed by the opportunity she was faced with, and as he had said, she didn’t care much for his past at the moment. She stood and extended her had. "Mr. Gabbiani, your hospitality is refreshing. We are in your debt."

"I don’t like that Gabbi-whats-his-name guy," Locke muttered, still sulking. He began to mimic the man’s voice. "Excuse me, but I lost my damn ocean. Gee, did you see where it went? What a miserable peacock. Who the hell does he think he is?"

"Quit complaining," Lucca admonished. The two of them were wandering the park together while Glenn and Nanaki did likewise on their own. So far they’d seen nothing significant. "You sound like a jealous boyfriend."

He glared at her sharply. "Hey, cut it out."

"Well, you do."

"Whatever," he muttered. "I mean, the woman’s practically got a death wish out for me—it’s not like the ‘jealous boyfriend’ is even a possibility."

"Then, you’ve already considered this subject?"

Locke made a face at her, and she held up her hands in defense. "Hey, I was just making an observation. I mean, you went pretty far to save her in Midgar, right? Don’t tell me it didn’t mean anything."

"Think whatever you want." Locke crossed his arms and quickened his pace. Then, spotting a chance to change the subject, he pointed to a decorated entranceway. "Dio’s Private Collection," he read from the sign. "Come on; let’s see what he’s got."

Lucca shrugged and followed him inside, slightly disappointed at the discontinuation of their conversation. She cast her gaze about the large room. Many paintings decorated the walls, and red-cushioned pedestals displayed bizarre artifacts and contraptions that not even the young scientist and engineer could identify. In the center of the room was a glass display case. When they moved closer they could see a glass sphere that would fit in the palm of a man’s had, swirled with faint blue strips. A brass plaque nearby read: KEYSTONE.

Locke’s eyes widened, and he pressed his fingers up against the glass. "That’s it!" he exclaimed in a whisper. "This is it—the Keystone. Why didn’t I look here before?" He laughed triumphantly like a little boy. "Glenn—you bastard. You probably knew it was here the whole time and—"

Lucca touched his shoulder and he paused. She indicated to the yellow materia they’d gained from Gilbert the day before: it was glowing. Then she nodded toward the door. A man had entered the gallery, clad in strange armor and sporting the SOLDIER insignia on his belt. His eyes were glowing blue. His helmet was in the shape and design of a dragon’s head.

"That man’s in SOLDIER," Lucca whispered, drawing Locke back as he approached. "One of the older ones, I think—Cain. He’s good friends with Celes."

The SOLDIER didn’t acknowledge their presence as he stepped forward to the display case, staring intently at the Keystone. He stayed there for several long minutes, just staring, before he turned and left without a word.

"That was weird," Lucca muttered, pursing her lips. "You’d think he’d recognize me, at least. Something’s very wrong." She looked to her companion for his opinion, but found he wasn’t paying attention—he was trying to find a way into the display case. She shoved him back. "Hey, you wanna get us in trouble? Cut it out."

"But it’s right here," he whined, unable to keep away. "Don’t you know what this is? It’s my ticket into the biggest treasure chest there is!"

She grabbed his arm and dragged him toward the exit. "Worry about your damn treasure later; we have to follow that guy. Sephiroth might be here."

"So?" Locke followed her reluctantly out of the gallery and back to the main junction, but there was no sign of Cain. They did, however, meet up with Glenn and Nanaki. "You ass," Locke said immediately, poking Glenn with an accusing finger. "You knew it was here, didn’t you?"

The older man blinked slowly. "Excuse me?"

"Never mind that now," Lucca interrupted. "Have you seen a SOLDIER come through here wearing a dragon helmet?"

"No, but we heard about one. We were just going to investigate."

"And still no sign of General Celes," Nanaki added. "I’m a bit worried."

"We’ll find her." The young scientist led the way down the tunnel that lead to the park’s arcade—Wonder Square. "But let’s see if we can find Cain first."

Wonder Square was even more dazzling than the rest of the park. As soon as they entered, however, they came upon a peculiar sight: a giant moogle doll hopping about on stubby legs, and perched on its wide flat head was a cat that, standing upright, would have been about three feet tall. It was black with a white stomach, wearing white gloves and a tiny golden crown. Catching sight of them, the double-creature waddled over. "Good evening, folks," the cat greeted almost obnoxiously. "The name’s Cait Sith—advice giver and fortune teller. Pleased to meet you all. Care to have your fortune’s read?"

"No thanks," Lucca replied, somewhat annoyed. "We’re looking for someone."

"Well, maybe I can help—won’t take a minute." The giant doll performed a lively yet rather awkward dance, and when it was finished a small card protruded from the moogle’s mouth. Cait Sith reached down and plucked it out. "Hmm…it says: what you seek is right before your eyes."

She gave him a disbelieving look, but just then a man wandered out of the arcade: Cain. He stopped, glaring at them, then pushed past them and into a different tunnel. The group exchanged glances then followed, and they could hear the cat yelling after them, "See! I told you I can read the future!"

They followed Cain to the park’s battle arena, where he stopped to wait. Lucca signaled them back as she approached. "Cain?" she called, feeling wary. All the tourists were staring at her and frowning. She touched Cain’s arm. "It’s me—I’m a friend of Celes. You remember me, don’t you? Dr. Rannel?"

Cain glared at her, his eyes unemotional but filled with vibrant color. "Dr. Rannel," he repeated. "Professor Hojo’s technical assistant."

She nodded. "Yes, that’s right. What—"

He drew his sword with on hand, the other capturing her throat. "Crimes against our Father Angel will be avenged here," he hissed, dragging her towards the blade. "You will become the second to die."

"Hey hey hey!" Locke broke in between them, trying to pry the fingers from Lucca’s neck as she gasped and choked. "Leave her alone!"

A blast of hot wind sent the treasure hunter sprawling, and those people already in the battle arena backed to the far walls in confusion and fear. Glenn drew his sword, the length of its sharpened surface flashing bright green. Cain glanced down at his hand where the symbol XI could be seen even through his gloves. His eyes sparked. "It’s you," Cain growled, releasing Lucca, who quickly scrambled to Nanaki’s side. "You are the one. You will pay most of all."

Celes and Setzer entered at that moment with Cait Sith following curiously, just in time to witness the swift beginning and even swifter ending of the battle. Glenn charged, his blade finding its way quickly and efficiently through the SOLDIER’s armor and into his gut. Dark blood flowed across the marble floor. The spectators gasped and withdrew as the sword was wrenched free and Cain fell onto his back.

Celes stared, her face blank and uncomprehending. Slowly a shadow of hatred spread across her features. "You bastard," she breathed, watching as Glenn bent over the wounded form, lifting his weapon for another strike. "Stay away from him!"

Glenn was thrown into the wall with the force of her invisible magic, and he sunk slowly to the floor. Even though he hadn’t been seriously injured he stayed there; the fact that her power had been enough to destroy his defenses was enough to shock him into not moving. He stared, disbelieving, as she dropped to her knees beside her fellow SOLDIER.

"Cain?" Celes pulled off the man’s helmet, and waves of blond hair spilled over his shoulders and onto the floor. "Cain, it’s Celes. Can you hear me? Just hold on." She dug in her pouch for a healing materia.

"Celes…" He turned his head, but his eyes saw right through her, and blood dribbled down his chin. Just as she was preparing to cast the spell he wrapped her arms around her waist and laid his head against her stomach. His gloved hands clutched her desperately. "Crimes against the Father Angel will be avenged," he whispered tremulously, "but crimes against our Mother are unforgivable."

"Cain…" She couldn’t see his face anymore, as the tears were too heavy in her eyes and on her cheeks. She cast the spell over him, but the bleeding did not stop or even slowly. "Please don’t die," she pleaded, forcing all her strength into the worthless spell. "You are a member of SOLDIER. I am your general. I won’t let you die."

"You have…to kill…" Cain’s voice grew harsh and choked by the blood, and the glow in his eyes was fading. His hands clamped about her arms and he pushed away so she could see his face completely. For a moment she thought she could see truth hidden there, the Cain she’d known for years. "Please, Celes…" He hissed. "You have to…"

"Somebody…" Celes sobbed, looking in desperation to the people surrounding them. "Somebody do something. Help him!"

"Kill…the Father Angel…" His hand, coated red, sought to touch her cheek. "Don’t cry. You can’t…no time…please…kill…" His body shuddered, surrendering to the pain as his life’s fluid continued to poor out of the wound. With several final twitching spasms his body lay still and silent.

A long silence passed. Finally Glenn climbed to his feet and moved to stand over her, his face grim but unemotional. "It’s too late," he said. "I’m sorry. There wasn’t anything you could do to save him—he was Sephiroth’s slave, not the Cain of SOLDIER you knew."

Celes stared down at the body that was still clinging to her arms, and at the blood that now covered her legs and thighs; his life spent, crawling in slow pools across the floor. "I’ve known him since I was eleven years old," she said in a ghost’s breath, touching her face where his fingerprints were forever stained. "He was like…like an older brother to me. We grew up together…he was so brave…I’ve always known him…but now…" She raised her gaze, full of hatred, to meet Glenn’s. "You killed him." And all at once her anger exploded, and she forgot all her powers and abilities as she knocked him on his back and grappled for his throat like an animal. Her nails drew blood along his neck and face. "You son of a bitch!" she cried insanely. "How dare you call him by his name! You killed him! I’ll never forgive you!"

"Celes, stop it!" Lucca and Locke grabbed her arms, pulling her off of the man, and Setzer held her as she struggled to escape. "Be still," he hissed roughly, binding her up in the thick flaps of his coat. "Quiet, general, you can’t do anything. There’s nothing to do—just be still. Be still."

Cait Sith leapt down from his stuffed mount, helping to keep her pinned down. "Miss Celes, please," he said quietly, holding her face with his gloved hands. "Trust me, My Lady. Trust me."

She stared at the doll’s obsidian eyes and began to calm, though nothing could halt her tears. The cat smiled ruefully and nuzzled her cheek. "You know me," he told her, his whiskers pricking her skin. "You trust me."

"It’s not fair." She choked on a sob, pulling herself into a fetal position and burying her face in Setzer’s white shirt front. "Nine children I lost to him… It’s not fair."

"What the hell is all this?" A man with impressive muscles wearing a training outfit appeared from the crowd. The remaining guests made room for him, murmuring among themselves. "Who are all you people, and what happened?"

Lucca decided to take charge the. "Sir, my name is Dr. Rannel, with Shin-ra," she introduced briskly, though she was having trouble containing her own emotions. She fought hard to keep her voice from cracking. "I’m with the science department, and this—" she motioned to Glenn, now on his feet—"is my personal assistant. We tracked a renegade member of SOLDIER to your park, and since he resisted arrest, he left us no choice." He seemed to be buying it, and she continued. "You can ask any of the folks here, and they’ll say the same thing. "We’ll clean up everything and be on our way back to Midgar, if you don’t mind."

"I’m afraid I can’t just let you go that simply," he replied evenly. "We have to conduct an investigation—this is a murder, after all."

She showed him her ID card. "See this? It means I’m in Shin-ra—that’s all the proof you need. Unless you want the President to show up here and shut you down while we conduct a real investigation, in which we’d be forced to question every member of your staff as well as all these fine people."

Dio glanced about at all the paying customers that were now watching him, and shook his head. "Sorry, miss. You go ahead—do what you want. I don’t want to get involved in Shin-ra business, but I will report this."

"Thank you—go ahead." She turned back to Glenn. "Are you okay? You’re bleeding."

Glenn frowned, touching a hand to his face. It felt strange—he didn’t remember the last time he’d bled. "I’m fine," he grunted, healing the wounds with a simple spell. "Just startled."

"How’s Celes?"

"Keep that monster away from me," she snarled, eyes closed as she continued to lean against Setzer.

"He didn’t have a choice," Locke said, defending his friend. "He attacked Lucca, and he would have killed her."

Celes opened her eyes slowly. "Why is this happening? I saw him a few weeks ago and he was fine—what happened? What’s making them do this?"

"I don’t know," he admitted. "No one does. But I told you I’d help, didn’t I? We’ll find whatever’s causing this, I promise."

Her eyes sought his, and they were cold steel. "You have no idea," she rasped. "This isn’t that simple. These men are the strongest in the world. It wasn’t meant to happen this way. There isn’t anything you can do." Her eyelids shut, and she refused to speak more.

"I promised to help you people," Setzer said, still holding her carefully. "I’ve already arranged transportation for you to go south, through the desert. It’s not much, but it’s my best."

"Thank you." Lucca bent down and touched Celes’ cheek. "I think she’s asleep. This is so unlike her…thanks for your help."

He nodded. "It’s all right."

Cait Sith returned to the moogle doll. His tail and ears twitched, looking over the group. "I’d like to come with you," he declared. "You could use an extra hand, right? I won’t be a bother."

"What?" Locke stared at him dumbly. "What the hell for? You don’t even know where we’re going."

Lucca patted him on the shoulder. "I’ll leave this up to you," she said, moving away. "I got to help clean up this mess."

"Hey…" Locke frowned as she and Glenn began to make arrangements with Dio’s men. He scratched his head. "Up to me? What am I supposed to do?"

"How about this," Cait Sith suggested. "I’ll tell your fortune if you let me come with you."

He snorted, unimpressed and highly skeptical. "That’ll be a hoot." But then the undeniable curiosity of a treasure hunter welled up inside him, and he said, "Okay, kitty. You got a deal."

Cait Sith grinned. "You got it, mister." He and his doll performed their dance again with Setzer and Nanaki looking on—both utterly bewildered—and another card popped out. He took it and handed it to Locke. "It’s for you."

Locke snatched it, pursing his lips and exchanging a glance with Nanaki before reading it. "Beware the temptations of women," he read aloud. "Hearts and minds change in time." He made a face, one—though comical—appeared to hide some deeper reaction to the message. "What does that mean?"

"Dunno. It’s your life, not mine."

The treasure hunter frowned, unusually disturbed by the phrases. He shook himself. "Well, a deal’s a deal. You can come with."

Cait Sith’s grin grew even wider. "Thanks. Let’s just say I owe you."

An hour later the group—now composed of six—were set up in Setzer’s buggy, ready to start out again. Lucca and Glenn weren’t pleased about their newest companion, but Locke pointed out that they had left the matter up to him, and he’d made a decision. Surprisingly, Nanaki sided with him. Celes was still unconscious and they arranged a place for her in the back of the vehicle where she could lie comfortably. They all piled in save Locke, who paused a moment to speak to Setzer. "What can you tell me about this Cait Sith guy I just adopted? Are his predictions usually true?"

"The cat is just a doll," he replied. "I created it. A guy named Taban operates it from inside the park—I’m a bit surprised that he wants to join you, actually, but I suppose it’s more interesting than staying here."

Locke nodded thoughtfully. "Yeah, guess so. Anyway, thanks for everything. See ya’ around."

"Yes. Take care."

He leapt into the buggy where Lucca was already at the wheel. "The desert’s not the best place to be," she said, looking over the controls briefly to understand their meaning. She started the engine and they were underway. "We should probably go straight through tonight. I’ll drive—I’m not that tired."

"Okay, but wake me up before you fall asleep." He stretched out as much as the seat would allow. "Remember; I can pilot a helicopter. This thing’s gotta be easy."

"Sure, Locke."

The treasure hunter laughed, folding his arms behind his head. He closed his eyes and was soon asleep.

To Next Chapter

Return