[ rufus knows he's right, but tseng nods regardless. it wasn't rufus who gave the orders after the incident in nibelheim, of course. but tseng is sure he's read the files, and he would know, then, that it was tseng who delivered zack and cloud into hojo's care. that tseng betrayed the only real friend he'd ever had, in the name of obeying orders.

if nothing else, it should be excellent proof of tseng's loyalty, just like the bullet he put in verdot and elfe's heads. the mission first, always.

fortunately, what rufus says next is enough to distract tseng from any further complicated thoughts. ]

Our bargain? [ this throws into stark relief a theory that tseng had started formulating after a conversation with reno. ] Another thing, sir, is that it seems there can occasionally be discrepancies between what people remember, even those who arrive from the same world. My last memory of Gaia is standing behind you at your first board meeting as president, following your father's death.

[ so whatever bargain rufus is referencing, tseng is in the dark. ]