Amber let Luna lead as they made their way back to their waiting companions. The strange feeling that had been plaguing Amber ever since she saw Luna again was still bothering her, but it was a lot easier to control when she didn't have to look at her face. Adding to that, the fact that the girl somehow knew Krystal and seems fond of her wasn't something that sat very well with her either.

Several things weren't adding up in the soldier's mind, but they were problems for another time. Right now, she was bound by contract to do as these 'Forest Owls' wanted, and Amber wasn't about to screw things up.

"Hello there everyone." Luna was already greeting Jackson and Amy as soon as she caught sight of them. "It's nice to meet you…my name is Luna."

"Hey there Luna, I'm Jackson….say, haven't I seen you before?" Jackson peered at her face a little more closely.

"Hmmm…maybe you saw me at the ballroom? I got to dance with your squad leader over here!" Luna giggled as she looked back at Amber. "She was pretty light on her feet."

Amber suddenly decided that the wall was more interesting to look at.

"Huh? With Amber?" Jackson's gaze fell on their leader. "That's…interesting."

"Wait a minute…you danced with Amber?" Amy looked more interested at that piece of info instead of the actual mission.

"Off topic Amy…" Amber grumbled.

"But I wanna hear about it!"

"It wasn't that big of a deal alright? She needed a partner. It was all in good fun." Amber felt the need to defend herself. She didn't like the curious way Jackson was staring at her.

Luna poked her cheek, smiling. "We should do it again sometime," she teased.

The soldier lightly swatted away Luna's hand. "No thanks…" She could feel her cheeks reddening again. Amber never really liked being the center of attention. Especially THIS kind of attention.

"Heeeeey, I remember you too!" Amy, who was slowly getting her energy back, piped in. "Saw you talking to Headmaster Cid."

Luna nodded. "Yeah, that's right!"

"Bet he was the one who made the three of us come here huh?"

"Hehe, it was very sweet of him, considering we have very little money."

"Hey, come on, we heard this before already," Amber interrupted. Her patience was wearing thin again.

"YOU have, I haven't!" Amy stuck her tongue out at the tomboy. Amber just rolled her eyes at the action. It looked like Amy was back to normal. "Buuut…I guess you got a point. Luna?"

"This way please." Luna lead them through a door close by. Inside, there was a table with some train models lined up.

"Okay everyone, gather round and allow me to explain what your mission is." Once they were settled, Luna continued. "This is a full-scale operation. It started when Watts was able to obtain some highly classified info. Apparently, the President of Galbadia, Vinzer Deling himself, is coming to pay Timber a visit. He's taken a private train from the capital to get here."

"So what's the plan? Do we get to blow him up with a rocket launcher?!"

The three resistance fighters backed away shocked at Amy's…surprising response. Amber, meanwhile,  just flicked her strange companion on the forehead.

"Ouchy! What? That was a totally valid solution!"

"Maybe so, but we're not looking to murder every single person on that train…"

"Damn Amy, wasn't expecting you to come up with something like that…" Even Jackson was getting slightly disturbed.

"Oh whatever! Continue please Miss Luna!"

"Um, okay…" Luna went back over to the table. "Let me tell you about the models. The yellow one represents our base. Right next to it is the dummy car, which looks just like the president's. THEIR train has three cars. First is the locomotive, followed by an . Then you've got the president's car. The one after that is another . That's the one we begin the operation on."

Amber walked up to the table once Luna was finished. "I see. So the goal is to hook the base car to the president's."

"Exactly! You're pretty smart Amber. Guess you're not just a great dancer!"

Not this again.

"Woooooo!" Amy started to spin around the room, much like a ballerina would. "Was she like this Luna? I wish I saw it! What a bummer!"

Amber was about ready to smack the girl upside the head, but Zone decided to jump in and steer the conversation back on track. "Ahem! To succeed in this, we'll use the 2 switch points leading to Timber. If nothing goes wrong then we should be able to complete all this in seven steps. Watts, go ahead."

"Yes sir." Now it was Watts who took control of the explanation. "Step 1 is to sneak on top of the 2nd car by jumping onto the roof via the dummy car. Step 2 is to cautiously cross the roof. The 2nd car is the only one with sensors, so things should go more smoothly until Step 4."

"The sensors are another matter to deal with," Luna said. "I'll talk about it later. Go on Watts."

"Proceeding to the president's car is Step 3. That one is pretty self-explanatory. Now Step 4 is when things get a bit tedious again. You have to uncouple the cars within a time limit."

Amber raised a brow. "Time limit?"

Watts nodded. "Yeah, we've got to get it done before we pass the first switch point."

"Ah, I see. Suppose that isn't too bad."

"Such confidence SeeD Liu! You're amazing SeeD Liu!"

"…just get on with it Watts."

"Oh right! Step 5 is when the base car and dummy car move in once the uncoupling is completed. When that's in place, Step 6! Now we have to uncouple the 2nd car! Same process! Same time limit! And that leads us to Step 7. We make our getaway with the president's car attached to our base…which isn't much of a step I suppose. Phew! Done."

Luna took over again, patting Watts on the shoulder. "Great job Watts. I'll take it from here."

"Thanks Luna!"

The young woman turned her attention to the SeeDs once more. "Now, about those sensors…the guards carry two kinds. The lower ranked guards dressed in blue carry the Sound Sensor. Any movement will trigger this one, so when a guard is checking the windows, make sure to stay put. However, if you see an officer, then make sure to move. They're distinguishable by their red uniform. They carry the Temperature Sensor. Remaining stationary will trigger it. Hmmm…I guess that's about it. Is everyone ready?"

Jackson started cracking his knuckles. "Well, as ready as we'll ever be!"

Amber tried to digest all the information that she'd just been fed. They had a time limit to keep in mind. She had to make sure that they did this swiftly, but with no errors. The merc felt most of the pressure weighing down on her. It would be far more than a slap on the wrist if they failed.

"Don't worry about us. We're SeeDs." She tried not to voice out her concerns. If she was worried, then Jackson and Amy would be worried too. "We're ready to head out, so just say the word and-hey!"

Luna was in her face again, her big brown eyes searching Amber's, but the merc wouldn't allow it. She avoided the questioning gaze, her own eyes darting around the room.

"Are you…alright?"

"Why wouldn't I be?"

Luna leaned closer.

Amber leaned further back.

"Look…just focus on the goal okay? You guys hired us. And we're going to do the job. Failure isn't an option." The soldier wanted to get this over with and go home. She didn't feel comfortable here. Around her.

Zone gently pulled Luna back by the shoulder. "Come on…let's give them a minute to prepare eh?"

Amber silently thanked the spikey haired man for his timely intervention. It helped out a lot.

Luna's gaze never left hers, until Zone and Watts filed out of the room, taking her with them.

"What was that about?"

"Don't worry about it Amy. It wasn't anything…" Amber felt like she had just been stripped bare. Luna's eyes were piercing right through her very soul. As if she sensed something….

The soldier shook her head fiercely. "Just…never mind okay? Are you and Jackson ready or not?"

"Someone's getting cranky," Amy whispered.

"I heard that! And no, I'm not cranky, I just wish you two would hurry up."

"Man, you ARE cranky, boss lady…" Jackson was giving her that strange look again.

"I don't want to talk about this anymore. Just get ready."

__________

"Amber, over here!" Luna had already climbed onto the roof of the train once the SeeDs made it outside. "We're going to catch up with the 2nd soon. We'll be doing a lot of train hopping, so time your jumps!"

"How long do we have to do this?" Amber struggled to keep her eyes open as the wind whipped through her hair. The trains were going at a ridiculous speed.

"Remember that we have exactly 5 minutes to get through this operation."

"Right, right…plenty of time," Amber deadpanned.

"Is that SeeD brand humor I'm hearing?"

The soldier couldn't help but smile despite the situation they were in. "Heh, you could say that." She looked up to see the of the next train coming within range. "There it is! Jackson, Amy, come on!"

They all managed to make the jump safely. The SeeDs followed Luna as she carefully made her way to the red car.

"Okay guys, this one is the president's car. Once we get across, the first uncoupling will start."

They kept moving, their paces speeding up at the sight of the 1st car. Down below, Amber could clearly see the guards opening the windows, just as Luna said they would.

"Jackson, how many guards are you seeing?"

"I count two."

"Okay. Amy?"

"Affirmative boss! Two guards! One of them is an officer, so both sensors are here!"

Luna tossed a rope to Amber. "I'm guessing you're going to be inputting the codes right Amber?"

"Yeah, that's right. You just tell me the codes, and if Jackson and Amy spot a guard heading my way, tug on the rope. I probably won't hear very well down there, so I need a signal of some sort. Got it Luna?"

"Yeah, I got it! For this circuit to get disabled, you need to enter three codes. Go!"

Amber fastened the rope securely around her waist, then made sure the other end was knotted to the rail on the train. Then she slid down.

"Okay…" Amber looked at the papers Luna handed to her. "First code is 2111." A ding. It was accepted. Amber didn't feel a tug, so she proceeded.

"Next one is 2232." Accepted again. Good. She felt a tug this time, so she quickly hauled herself back up.

"Right on time too," Luna said. "The blue guard is right underneath you now."

Amber stayed perfectly still. The guard checked the window for a few seconds, then he them again and left.

Amber slid back down, inputting the 3rd code. "Okay, 4122." It worked.

"Everyone, this way!" Luna herded the SeeDs back over to the president's car right before the 1st separated. Amber barely made it, but she managed. The four of them watched as the base train sped right in front of the president's before the diverging paths interconnected. After the hearing the latches hook into place, they knew that phase was successful.

__________

"Okay Amber, this is the 2nd car. Once this is done we're home free. But you need to be more careful. Jackson and Amy are busy uncoupling the other trains. I'll keep watch. But this one has 5 pass codes this time."

"I got this Luna. Relax. Now give me the codes."

Amber followed the same procedures as she did with the first uncoupling, then made her way down.

"1322. It's in, good." Amber peered up and noticed the window blinds were still shut. "Okay, one more. 3413." It was accepted, and Amber went back up just in case.

"Anyone coming Luna?"

"No, it's good so far. Hurry, we have about 3 minutes left!"

Amber dropped down, inputting another code in. "4313. It's in!" She had to go up again when she felt a forceful tug on her rope.

An officer was opening every single window and scanning everything.

"Judging by his reaction, I'm guessing he's noticed that the train's interior looks different now."

"He's onto us Amber," Luna said nervously. "Please, you have to hurry. Two more!"

"I know, I know."

The officer left, shoving the lower ranks to the ground and yelling. He was clearly in a state of panic.

Amber took the opportunity. "Okay, here we go…" She slid down for what she was hoping was the last time. "3244. Good. And finally…..3323!"

The trains unlocked. Once again, it was successful. Amber managed to get back up onto the roof and free herself from the rope before the trains disconnected fully.

They jumped back onto the president's car, which was now all alone, with the exception of the base car. The rest of the trains went the other way at the next fork on the rails, and the Timber Owls made their getaway.

__________

"Woooo! That was damn smooth you guys! I thought we were going to get caught at least once!" Zone had a face-splitting grin on his face. "I've waited a long time to finally have this encounter with Vinzer Deling!"

"He didn't even help," Jackson whispered to Amber.

"Just let it go. Why do you think they hired us in the first place?" Amber whispered back. Zone and that Watts fellow clearly didn't look suited for more…physically oriented tasks. Luna, on the other hand…

Amber glanced at the young woman as she cheered with her companions. The soldier could see that she wasn't exactly combat proficient, but she kept up with them pretty well on a fast moving train. That was some dangerous stuff.

"Huh…well, she has potential…"

"Whatcha lookin' at?"

Amber snapped out of her thoughts and shoved Amy's face off her shoulder. "Nothing…"

"Hey, Amber…hehe, about Lu-"

"Drop it Amy." Amber's tone left no room for arguments. She was tired of this.

"Gosh! Sure thing bossy pants…."

Amber could tell that she wasn't going to let it go anytime soon. And neither was Jackson. Amber could see the blond standing in the corner, opening and closing his mouth, like a fish out of water.

Amber shook her head lightly. Much to her relief, he stopped and just went about putting his fighting gloves on.

It was at that moment Luna walked up to them. "Well…the president is just a door away. Are you guys ready? We're going in for some serious negotiations, so be prepared."

"Serious negotiations huh? You heard the lady you guys…if his guard detail is with him, then it's best to have everything equipped."

Jackson and Amy nodded. "Understood."

__________

"President Deling! As l-long as you don't resist…y-you won't be harmed. We need to talk to you." Luna was nervous, it was clear as day, but she had to be strong.

The president had his back turned to the group, a newspaper in his hands. He didn't even respond.

Amber stepped up, placing herself in front of Luna, her sword drawn. Jackson and Amy followed suit.

"Careful Luna…something's not right."

"Huh? What do you mean?" Luna looked at the tomboy, confusion in her eyes.

"Such…a bold choice of words young lady. What would you do to me…if I did resist?" The president stood up. His voice was very low and sinister as he spoke, almost like a guttural growl.

By this time Amber had pushed Luna towards the back. "Head to base. Now." Luna looked even more confused.

"Miss Luna, it's for your own safety….leave the fighting to us…" Jackson told the young woman.

"Yeah," Amy agreed. "That's not President Deling."

Luna's eyes widened. "What?!"

Amber didn't intend to explain the whole thing. She roughly shoved Luna towards the door. "Head to the base train and don't come out for anything! Tell the same to Zone and Watts too."

The young woman cast a worried glance at the three SeeDs, but seeing how serious Amber was, she had no choice but to reluctantly agree. "Please be careful everyone…."

The 'president' chuckled. "Very insightful you three...very, very insightful. You see…I'm what you call a body double."

He started walking towards them, but his movements were…erratic. Inhuman. "They knew some stupid resistance group would take the bait eventually. Pass on a little false info…haha! That's all it took! Hahahahahaha!!" His laughter was cruel and terrifying.

Amber glared daggers at the fake. "Just what the are you?!"

"Allow me to show you…" His skin slid off his face as if it were melting. Even the bones underneath crumbled into dust. Nothing was left but a green puddle of goo.

But something was rising out of it.

It was absolutely horrifying. Whatever that…thing was, its organs were practically spilling out its bloated stomach, barely kept in place by threads of pale white skin. One side of the creature looked anorexic, nothing but skin and bones. The other side was hideously deformed. The thing that was supposed to be its arm just looked like layers and layers of flabby skin, and then there was the leg…..nothing but bulging fat and claws sticking out.

"CaLl…mE…GeRogERO!!! BwAHaHa!!!"

The SeeDs didn't bother to ask questions. They immediately went on the offensive.

"Classify this thing as an undead monster!" Amber yelled out. None of them ever actually faced an undead enemy before. This was going to be interesting.

Amy tried attacking the disgusting thing with her nunchakus, only to find that it did very little damage.

Jackson pulled her away as the Gerogero spit out a vomit-like acid towards her. Maggots were swimming in the bile.

"Grossness!" Amy had to swallow down her own bile...

"Be careful everyone! We're in really tight quarters right now! We might damage the base train. Keep your attacks contained! If you can't, then make sure you don't aim at the base!"

The undead monster shot another large wave of bile, this time at Amber. The soldier casted a Reflect spell on herself, causing the vomit to bounce right back and hit the Gerogero in the face, but the force, along with the train movement, sent her rolling all over the place.

"BLaRgH!!! sTuPId ReSIsTaNCe!!!"

Jackson was a melee fighter, so he had to resort to casting Thunder and Fire spells from afar so he wouldn't have to get in close quarters combat with it.

The Thunder spell didn't do much damage, but the Fire spell actually caused the Gerogero to flinch.

"Did you see that?!"

"Yeah! Way to go Jackson!" Amy blasted it with a Fire spell as well. And again, it was very effective. "It has a weakness to fire!"

"GRaRgh!!!" The Gerogero thrashed around as its whole body was set ablaze. "NoT…yET!!!" It turned to face the two SeeDs. Jackson and Amy stood at the ready. They were expecting Gerogero to charge at them while his body was on fire.

But it didn't.

Its deformed arm stretched out like rubber and slammed Jackson and Amy onto the wall. A thick, paste-like liquid was dripping off the Gerogero's disgusting appendage, and it completely covered Amy and Jackson aside from their heads.

"HOLY !!!" Jackson yelled. He could see the maggots crawling up towards his face.

Amy was freaking out, banging her head against the wall in desperation.

"EWWWW!!!"

While the two SeeDs were fighting the Gerogero, Amber was busy trying to look for a certain item she had been keeping in her satchel. All the contents had spilled out when she got knocked around.

"Dammit, where the hell did it go?!" During the fight, Amber had finally remembered something about undead creatures that Victoria taught her in class.

Luckily, she was able to spy the bottle underneath one of the seats. Seeing that the Gerogero was still preoccupied with Jackson and Amy, Amber made a dive for the bottle.

"AMBER! HURRY!!" Amy could see the rotting monster opening its mouth. She could see the bile that was building up inside of it. "AHHHH!!!"

Jackson wasn't making a sound. His eyes were closed as he resigned himself to his fate.

"ARRRGH!!!" The Gerogero fell to the floor, writhing and screaming in pain. Amber finished the monster off with a level 2 Fire spell, blasting a whole through the floor of the president's car. As Amber looked out the window, she could see the creature's lifeless body roll down the hill.

She sighed in relief, and looked at the empty bottle of Phoenix Down in her hand that she had doused Gerogero with.

"Talk about a real life saver…phew."

Phoenix Down was a type of healing potion that was normally used for near fatal injuries. It was very potent, and could save soldiers that were nearly at death's door. But, it was also because it was a healing agent that the Phoenix Down was incredibly dangerous to undead monsters. Amber only had one with her for emergencies only. And this was one of them. She'd probably have to stock up again once they got to Timber.

"…Amber…" Amy's voice was small. She whimpered as she looked at her leader. "…get me down…the maggots…"

"I second that…" Jackson looked ready to pass out as well. The stench of the….stuff around them was almost too much to bear.

Amber cut the two SeeDs down, relieved that they were okay (More or less).  She sighed, running a hand through her hair. It was covered in sweat…

"To think…this is only the beginning of the mission."

"UGHHHH!!!" The resounding groans told Amber everything.

__________

Notes: Not sure what to say about this one. At least it looks comprehensible...

Anyway, they'll finally be heading to Timber in the next chapter. Stay tuned for a Lunber argument due to Amber being a . And Luna being kind of naive.

Edit: Also...this had more typos than I thought. Went back to fix some...