Disclaimer: I don't own Final Fantasy 8

Okay so I gotta explain a couple things. The time period is kinda mixed. If compared to ours the guns will be more from WWII era but there will be cell phones and stuff. Kinda some old technology and some new. I like older wars more than today's wars. It also makes for a better story. So just go along with whatever I say…like you have a choice.

Also for those that are real ff8 nerds, they will know the gunblade does in fact not shoot bullets. This is debatable still to me. I guess when you pull the trigger it just sends a vibration through the blade that is deadly. Then again this doesn't actually exist so it doesn't matter. But in my fic a gunblade will shoot bullets.

This also might be a bit more graphic. It's about war, so to be expected I would think.

God's Forsaken Land
Iron
By Freyjadour

Iron. It's all I see…it's all I know. Everywhere I look I just see iron and metal. Scraps from past battles. Tanks that use to be machines are now memorials. Panted red with human blood that splatter against it. Some still burn as an ominous flame representing the death that has occurred here. The lives that were taken, not given. The grass is spotted with dirt and ditches. Shells explode changing the terrain and knocking down trees. There is no life here.

I stand on a hill overlooking the wasteland. I had been in this war for a year now. I don't know what a bed is. Shower, never heard of it. My blanket at night is the cold wind that blows over me. I sleep in dirt. And what I eat is anything I find. I am not in the army, I am in the resistance. We don't have funding, we get whatever we get.

What I do eat, I can barely taste. All flavors I know have gone dry. Every bite is just a flash to a previous battle. My drinks I can taste the crimson and the dull iron. My senses are overflowed with just pure metal. Blade against blade or a bullet ripping through flesh. How can I enjoy one of the simplest pleasures in life with all this going on? Even when I'm not fighting in battle I still live in a war.

There is nothing special about war. There are no heroes. There are only soldiers. Soldiers that die for a cause many don't understand. They will kill and die for things they will never be able to comprehend. In some warped national patriotic pride they have.

And I stand among them. Slaying anyone that comes across me. Slaying people that I have never met. People that I don't have a quarrel against. People my own race. And I slay them but worse yet…I'm good at it. No one is a match to me. I have yet to be bested, if I was, I wouldn't be here. But I am, and I stand in front of a thousand men. All waiting on my call to go to battle. One man should never hold this amount of power.

I slowly rise so I'm standing tall. My cloak is blowing fiercely in the wind which stings coldly against my face. I can see Galbadians up ahead. They march slowly towards us. I turn sideways so I can shift my head between the army behind me and the army in front of me. Both two bodies of mass people. Both ready to kill. Both very afraid. And yet here we both are.

To think that people would kill each other for such an idiotic reason. It just amazed me that the human race was just full of gull and their cocky attitude. Whenever this is a problem we instantly pick up sticks and strike. We can't settle on an agreement. That would be civilized and humans were anything but that. Especially this issue. It could've so easily been avoided.

Over a century ago Esthar made the discovery that there is a type of rock, or coal, or fuel. Whatever you consider it, it doesn't matter, since it is all the same. Gypsum Finite, better know as GF. Esthar discovered that it would be used as a main source of fuel. For what? For everything.

It is used in cars, tanks, trains, generators, boats, anything with a battery. But it also can be turned into a powder that helps wounds and infections. That's not all either; it can be used as a drug to calm the nerves and remove pain. Like morphine but stronger with a less amount. So it is in every med-kit and hospital. But since we are humans. Discovering a new substance wouldn't be right if we couldn't turn it into a weapon. So GF, when tampered with, can create a powerful explosion.

Our race is full of fucking idiots.

So after a century of this, Esthar and Galbadia have come to discover, that they are running low. Of course for a while this was good for Balamb. Seeing how it had the biggest amount of GF in the world. We were the trade capital. Balamb's economy began to skyrocket. Selling more GF then we cared for. We should've known that things wouldn't last long.

Of course Esthar and Galbadia, the two big powerhouses of the world, couldn't be controlled by an island. So they invaded. Esthar arrived first on the east cost. They at least gave a notice for our towns to evacuate. I mean it was real nice; a whole twenty-four hours to pack up everything in your life and just leave. What generous people.

They took over the Fire Cavern near the east coast. It was Balamb's biggest GF mine. With full control of that, they were set. Well Galbadia couldn't have that. So they also invaded. They landed on the west coast the very next day. They weren't quite as generous. They didn't give us twenty-four hours. They stormed in and took over Balamb City, the capitol. Luckily we managed to sneak President Kramer away. However we couldn't move the Devil's Den. The second biggest GF mine located on the west cost. It goes down deeper than any mine in the world. Thus being in the devil's den.

Our president was also the head of the military. He had advisors of course, but he was the man in charge. So he was now in charge of fighting off the two biggest and most powerful countries. At the same time, while being stuck in the middle. He had his work cut out for him.

But it didn't matter now. That was over a year ago. I took up my gunblade to push the invaders out. Which is why I was once again standing here today. Leading the biggest force I have yet.

I scanned over the men I was about to lead in battle. Old and young, male and female. There was no discrimination. I gritted my teeth thinking about all of those that were going to die soon. I knew this battle was coming, and I requested help from the Balamb army. They refused saying they couldn't spare troops. So I am leading my entire resistance and I know I will loose half…at best. They aren't trained warriors; they are simple farmers and family members that want people out of their country. They carried terribly made rifles, and some had liquor bottles at their side. Put a piece of cloth in it and light it on fire and you have your very own resistance grenade. We couldn't afford anything standard.

"Balamb!" I shout and everyone looks up to me with trusting eyes. Like I was their salvation…like I would be their savoir. I was just another soldier...their trust misplaced "There lies your enemy!" I pointed towards the Galbadians. "They have come into our land, into your home. They take our mines as if they are their own. Now we fight them. Seize your chance to reclaim your lands! Do not think twice about killing them because they will not show you that mercy. They deserve their fate, and you are to bring it to them!"

I felt my hood blow down and my hair blow in the wind. I closed my eyes feeling the wind sting against my face. It was cold but it meant I was alive and that was enough. I opened my eyes and scanned them over one last time, trying to memorize as many faces as I could…so I could pray once they died.

I raised my gunblade and pointed it towards the enemy. It shimmered out under the starry night sky. "Let these plains drink deeply of their blood! Now go!"

A battle roar was heard as they broke into a charge. I ran down the hill and leaped onto a passing tank. It was up in the front…just where I wanted to be. I put my hood back up and watched as the enemy drew closer. I squatted down and held on with one hand. My blues eyes cut through the darkness as I gripped my gunblade tighter.

Cry havoc and release the dogs of war!

The cries have been heard, the havoc has been reached.

And I have been released.

Rinoa's POV

I groaned loudly.

"You like that baby?"

I did not like it at all. I ground not moaned. There was a difference and that difference was right now. This just stung and hurt. I felt like my back was gonna break if I was on this floor anymore.

"Trent."

"Just a little more."

I closed my eyes as I winced. "Trent…stop."

"Ah baby isn't this hot."

That's it. I put my hands on his chest and roughly pushed him back. I got my knee in the gap and used that to have him go flying back. I quickly sat up and felt my back. My spine was sore from the hard tile floor.

"What's wrong?"

"What's wrong!" I shouted. I quickly got to my feet and started looking for my clothes. "Why couldn't we just do it on the bed. Where I wouldn't feel like my back was breaking."

"Cause the floor's hotter," Trent smirked at me. "Bed gets boring after a while."

I gaped at him. "Why can't men just have sex on a bed. Why does it have to be boring? The floor isn't hot, it's just hurtful."

"There was a carpet."

I just let out a frustrated growl. That didn't deserve a response.

I finally found my underwear. I quickly put it on and went about finding the rest of my clothes. I saw Trent doing the same. Finally I found my shirt, screw the bra no idea where that was. I put it on and then slid my skirt on. I quickly exited the room.

"Baby wait up," Trent called from behind me.

I hurried down the corridor till I got to the main room. I started down the big staircase that stuck the wall and spiraled down. It had one of those giant railings that was like a foot wide. Dark wood railing with white painted wood supports. There was a big chandler in the middle of the staircase. The stairs themselves were covered in red carpet and one wall was just large panes of glass that let you look over the city. As you walked down there were many pictures, portraits, and paintings.

I heard Trent catch up and he started walking next to me. "Rinoa why are you mad?"

I stopped and pushed him back into a wall. The paintings rattled when I did. "Because you just tried to fuck me on the floor." I hissed in his face. I pushed him one more time before I continued back down the stairs.

"Sorry for trying new things babe," he responded catching up with me again.

"New things," I screeched. "Try something romantic. Not erotic."

"Same things to me honey," he tried to sound smart…he sounded like a pervert.

I just growled shaking my fist at my side. Men were so annoying. It took forever to reach the bottom floor. My feet touched the cold marble floors and I realized I never put my shoes on. It didn't matter. I just wanted to get out of there. I had my work clothes in my locker anyways.

"Babe where you going?" Trent asked still following behind me.

"To work." I replied coolly not looking back at him.

"Already, you still got an hour."

"I like to actually to my job in this war."

Trent laughed. "What job is that, giving people sponge baths."

I stopped dead in my tracks. Someone better call the police because I was about to kill my boyfriend. I spun around and marched right up to him. "What are you implying?"

Trent chuckled. "Rinoa I think it's cute and all you get so worked up over this war. But I hate to break it to you. The war...is not...in this...country!" He shouted slowly like I was some moron.

I huffed. "Everyday I wish I could go over to Balamb and be a frontline medic. Instead because of my dad I have to stay back in Deling at the hospital. Farthest away from the combat as possible."

"That's good," Trent said putting his hands on my shoulder.

I shook them off. "No it's not. Not everyone wants to be in training like you and just never go to war."

"Hey!" Trent raised his voice. He always did when I insulted his training. "I am training to be a gunblade master. It takes years and years. You know I'm the best in my class. Someday I'll go to war and you'll hear of my victories."

"That's not the point," I shouted throwing my hands out. "I don't want to be over here in the city where it doesn't feel like there is a war. I want to be over in Balamb, actually helping people."

I raised my hand and a taxi pulled up.

"Alright then go to your little hospital. I hope you get another guy crying about what he saw in the war. Or a little kid with the flu." He stormed off back into the glorious hotel that was given to the armies for use.

I rested my head against the glass window. The trip to the hospital didn't take too long, minus the traffic. I just watched as people shopped and walked. Little kids were in toyshops and only one thing kept playing in my mind. Did these people care about the war? Did half of them know it was going on? At least I was doing something.

I sighed. "No I'm not. I haven't saved anyone's life. I haven't done anything."

I went to school and graduated at the top of my class. They wanted me to be shipped to Balamb instantly but my father, the Commanding General, refused to let me go. I know he's just being a dad and all, but I hate not being over there. I was set up in this hospital where I swear that I'm better than half the staff already.

They just don't give a shit about anything. As long as they do their job, which they always do half assed. I always get bossed around by the higher-ups and I think they're just jealous of me. They wished they were as good as me. But then again I am in no place to say because I never get a fucking chance.

The taxi stopped in front of the hospital, I paid the man and got out. The hospital was ten floors. Deling General, the main hospital in the city. I walked in barefoot and made my way to my locker. I undressed and realized that not having a bra was going to be a problem now. People would definitely notice and they would all think I was a slut. Well they already thought that, but who gives a shit.

Lesson to learn, don't have sex on a gurney with a patient. People just don't let you forget about that. But that's how I met Trent. He was injured in his training. Not serious by any means, but still needed to be treated. I will admit I fell for his charm and he always seemed to know the right thing to say. Well…he use to. Now I've been dating him for a couple months and I wonder why I go out with him.

People think it's because he's a gunblader. Top of his class and many others. If you paid attention to anything that had to do with the army you would know Trent. At least people in Deling would. He acts like he is the best and no one could beat him. Yet I know that if he ever left this place and went to Balamb, he would instantly be put to shame.

He was good, don't get me wrong, he just wasn't…amazing. I've heard stories about true masters of the gunblade. Apparently there is one such master running around for Balamb. Taking many lives from us and Esthar. I don't know how good he really is but if stories reach all the way over here he's gotta be pretty good. Trent would say if he ever came here, he would protect me from the evil gunblader.

I hate to admit…that use to turn me on. I was back in high school dating the star football player. People would know me because I was Trent's girlfriend. I wasn't Rinoa Heartily…just Trent's girlfriend. That's why people thought I was shallow. Just dating him for the fame or whatever the fuck that came with it. I didn't get shit except everyone hating me. Trent was even starting to get annoying.

Then again I don't think it's him. It's me, I just hate staying safe in Deling when there is a war going on.

I put my thoughts aside as I dressed myself. I put on the tall white boots with a white skirt and a nice white blouse. I hated all the white. Worse yet I only ever cleaned it when I was puked on. Never 'cause of blood. Okay I bet I sound like a terrible person. But if you spend years in training and pass with flying colors only for you to be held back because of your father. You'd be begging for a bleeding man too.

I washed my hands before exiting the locker room. I walked down the hall and saw two doctors talking. I stopped and stared and they stared at me.

"Can we help you?" They asked rudely.

"Shouldn't you be doing something?" I replied just as rudely.

"Do you see anyone dieing," one doctor gestured with his hands.

I was too pissed and flustered to even respond. I quickly marched off down the corridor. I hated everyone in this hospital and maybe that's why no one liked me. But that didn't mean they didn't have to disrespect me. I tried to respect them but they honest to God didn't deserve it.

I went to the hall I was working that night. I leaned against a counter and just kept too myself. I always got excited to come here, yet I always got mad when I was here. Nothing ever happened and because of it, people just gossiped. Usually it was about me.

For once I just wanted to prove that I could be on the frontlines.

"Someone help!"

It was a faint shout but I heard it. I looked around and the nurses around me didn't move. I knew they heard it because they hesitated in their conversation. I was going to yell at them but I knew what their answer would be.

Not our section.

I was sure they would say that. So I didn't bother. I just ran down the hall listening for all the commotion. I heard more shouts and orders being barked. I ran past the two doctors that were rude to me. They were walking slowly in the same direction. At least they were trying to find out what was happening.

I turned a corner and I saw a trail of blood on the ground. I quickened my pace and followed it. It lead into an operating room and I flew the doors open. There were only nurses moving around the place. No doctors yet, which meant I was the first, and I was the one in charge.

I saw a man crying in agony on the table. A nurse was pulling the stretcher into a corner so they would have room to work. They immediately began putting tubes into him and I quickly went to his side. His arm was seeping blood like a river. That's when I noticed another person, a soldier in the room. He wasn't supposed to be but I didn't care now.

"What happened!" I shouted as I rolled back my sleeves. There was no time to wash my hands again. He was losing too much blood, we'd worry about infection later.

"Gunblade bullet in the arm." One nurse replied quickly.

They quickly whipped the blood away but it came back just as fast.

"Strap him down!" I shouted.

He was squirming all over the place and that was definitely not helping.

"Oh God I'm gonna die!" He cried out. "Oh God!"

The nurses strapped him down to the table so he couldn't move as much. He continued to keep shaking and I couldn't tend to his wound right.

"Hold him down!" I shouted.

Two nurses dove on him trying to restrain him best they could. While they were doing this, my mind was running over everything I knew about gunblade bullets and their wounds. The bullets where big and designed with a disconnected edge that cut back. Basically meaning…it was a giant fishhook. Once it was in, there were tiny blades that would cut in if you tried to pull it out. That meant you had to be gentle. Which was practically impossible because of all the blood they lose from the wound. That's why the usual procedure to a gunblade bullet wound was simple…take the limb.

The doors burst open behind me. "Heartily what are you doing!"

"Not now." I hissed already knowing who it was. Carol. She was another medic although she actually went to war and came back. She had authority over me, but boy did she get on my nerves. She just thought she was way better. Always did everything by the book. Which might sound like a good thing, but many times it is actually a bad thing. Why else would she be sent back from the war? I mean one time she strapped a little boy down that was crying his eyes out, just so she could give him a shot. She was a total bitch.

"Heartily if there it is a gunblade bullet you are supposed to take the arm."

"I can get it." I told her confidently as I leaned closer to the wound. His blood was getting all over me, gotta say wasn't as great as I thought. I felt some splat on my face but I ignored the feeling.

"Get the saw," Carol ordered a nurse.

"What the fuck!" the wounded man shouted. "Ah fuck, ah fuck! Don't take my arm! Oh God!"

"Sedate him!" I shouted and I took a breath before I stuck my index and middle finger into the wound. He screamed more and I gave him an annoyed look. "If you don't want to lose your arm stop screaming."

What I was doing was unorthodox for a hospital. But there were many time when on the battlefield the only thing you could do was stick your own fingers in. I pressed hard against the muscle and but tried not to rip through anything. I tried to not think about everything I was touching. Even though I was trained in this it still felt extremely weird. Maybe 'cause this was the first time I actually was saving someone.

I could literally see the bullet pressing against his skin and I was almost there. It must've hit a bone, otherwise it would've went straight through.

"Here doctor." I heard a nurse say.

"Heartily get out of the way!" Carol ordered losing her patients.

"I can feel it!" I shouted. My left hand was pressing on his shoulder trying to keep him still. Even with two nurses and being strapped to a table. If you have a bullet and someone's fingers in you. You will squirm as much as possible no matter what.

I could feel it though and I used my fingers like pincers on the end. I gave it a slight tug but it didn't budge and he just screamed more. Damn…it was like a fishhook.

I heard the saw roar to life behind me.

"Ah God! Fuck, ah fuck don't do it! God please don't! !"

"Someone sedate him!" I shouted again. I couldn't concentrate with him screaming.

"Heartily he is losing too much blood!" Carol yelled. "I will cut his arm off with your fingers in there! I don't care!"

I pressed my hand in further to get more grip on the bullet. While I was doing this, my entire right hand was just red. My blouse was also covered in blood and it stuck to my stomach. I could feel the thick sticky crimson through my shirt and it was disgusting. But it told me one thing…he was indeed going to die of blood loss soon.

"There's a vein!" I shouted discovering the problem. It was ensnared right where the bullet curved back.

"That's it, I'm taking the arm!" She stepped by my side and prepared to cut his arm, while I was still trying to get the bullet out.

Fuck her, I wasn't quitting. I pressed the bullet downwards and he screamed but I felt the vein move slightly. Just enough that I could get the bullet back a bit. I pulled it back more and I knew I was cutting his muscle but it would heal in time. You can't re-grow an arm. I finally got enough of a grip and the saw was just above his skin. I gave a lucky yank and it came out in my hand.

"Quick, cover the wound!" I shouted giving Carol a triumphant look.

She turned the saw off and stepped back looking pissed. The nurses went about the rest of the procedure. I just held the bullet in my red hand. I could wrap all my fingers around it. That's how big it was, and it was heavy in my hand. I would hate to ever have one of these in me.

I turned to the other solider in the room. He still wasn't supposed to be there but I guess it didn't matter now.

"What happened?" I asked a little out of breath. It was intense, even if I wasn't the wounded one.

The man looked on the verge of tears. "I was just…we we-were in the weapons…the weapons-"

"Stop…take a breath…and actually tell me."

He took a couple deep breaths before starting again. "We were in the weapons stock room. There was a gunblade. I was just playing around. I didn't know it was loaded. Honestly I didn't. It was in the stock room, why would it be loaded? Please believe me I didn't mean to. He was my best friend."

I sighed annoyed. Why would they mess around with a weapon? You're mother teachers you not to run with knifes when a kid. This is a giant blade, you would think something would click in their mind telling them to be careful.

"Heartily!" Carol bellowed out.

Guess I can't worry about that now. "What?" I lazy looked at her.

"You disobeyed me," she looked really flustered. Probably because I got the bullet out and she knew she wouldn't have been able to. Hell what I just did was so rare it isn't even recommended in the handbook medics get. That's why she would never attempt it. Because it wasn't by the book.

"And let the man keep his arm," I replied tiredly. My shift didn't even start yet, it was going to be a long night.

"You could've killed him, God knows with your skills that was a miracle." She hissed.

I glared at her. "I knew exactly what I was doing and I have the proof right here." I held up the bullet to her face. "That man will live and have an arm. Tell me how I didn't do a good job."

She pointed a finger at me like it would be threatening. "I'm telling the higher-ups. I promise you I will get your licensed removed. You can wait in my office until then."

"What!" I screamed. That was totally ridiculous. "Who are you to say that? I just saved this man's life and I am the only one in this hospital who actually gives a shit!"

"Watch your mouth." She warned.

"Fuck you!"

"My office Heartily!" She shouted. "Now!"

"Fine rat me to the higher-ups." I didn't care if it made me seem immature. I stormed out of the room with bullet in hand. I was still covered in blood but I didn't care. Actually I was happy. Hopefully it would stain her office chair or something. I'll make sure to rub my hands all over her wall.

People gaped and gasped as I walked down the hall. Didn't blame them. I was covered in blood, more than they ever saw. It looked like I was stabbed in my stomach. Honestly it felt gross. Someone else's blood sticking on my stomach. Hands are fine, things touch your hands all the time. But this crimson on my stomach was just too strange for me.

I finally reached her office and made sure I used my bloody hand to open the door. The room had one window in the back behind her tall black leather chair. An oak desk that was surrounded by dark wood stained walls. There were papers all over her desk and her certificates hanging on her wall. One chair rested in front of her desk.

I made sure to pick up a few papers with my bloody hands before I accidentally fell face forward. All the blood on my blouse just stained everything it touched. Ruining half her papers and only making me smile more. I grabbed the back of the chair leaving a nice red print on it. I finally sat down and just thought about what I did.

I saved a man's life moments ago. That's what kept repeating in my head. But better than that. I didn't just cut off his arm. I did the impossible and retrieved a gunblade bullet. I rolled it in my hands as I thought about it. There was so much shouting, so much commotion. The man's life rested in my hand and I reacted on impulse.

I tipped my head back and smiled. It was frightful, intense, and scary. But it was just what I signed up for. I wanted to be in the fray of battle healing soldiers. Joking with them around a fire at night. Living and dieing with people so we would develop a bond others could never even fathom. That's what I wanted. Not this hospital job that nothing happened. Hell even a car crash was just boring and routine. I needed more excitement.

I looked around the room and realized what I truly just did. There was blood everywhere, all over her desk and certificates. It was obviously on purpose and I knew that if I didn't lose my job for disobeying her. It would be for how I didn't accept my punishment. What I just did in her office.

"Ah shit." I collapsed my head in my hands. I instantly shot back up. "Ah great now blood is all over my face."

It was before, but just some splatter. Now I'm sure I looked like it was war paint or something.

I heard the door open behind me and I closed my eyes readying myself for the scream.

There was a sharp loud intake of breath. "Heartily what did you do!"

"I tripped."

"Over the walls!"

I looked at the walls boredly. "Hmm…nope that one was on purpose."

"Heartily-"

"That's enough!"

It was a deep stern voice and it was loud. I realized we weren't alone and I quickly jumped out of my chair and spun around. There was a tall graying man with broad shoulders. He had a clean shaving face and wore a brown general suit.

Oh shit. I quickly brought my hand up in a salute.

He didn't bother returning it. He just looked around the room. He didn't show any kind of reaction. His face was serious the entire time. My mind was racing during this. Wondering why a general was here. Was Carol really gonna rat me out to a general. I was definitely going to lose my job now.

I saw another man sneak into the room behind the General. This man stood in a dark suit coat with sunglasses on. His face was just as serious and he looked younger but still easily considered an adult. I saw the gunblade attached to his side and instantly knew who he was.

Every General and important person in Galbadia was assigned a gunblade master as a bodyguard. They usually were young but still the best of the best. Supposedly unbeatable against any foe and strict to a fault. They weren't allowed to drink at all and had training in sexual encounters so they were impossible to seduce. That way they were, in fact, the best bodyguards in the world. No wonder other countries took our idea.

This bodyguard seemed a little older but I figured he could still hold his own. That and if this General was in Deling. He probably wouldn't be in danger anytime soon.

"Rinoa." His voice was still stern but it was softer. "You are the Commanding General Caraway's daughter. We've met before. You were a lot younger though."

I nodded. I didn't exactly remember him. But my father had a lot of war people over throughout my life. I couldn't possibly remember them all.

"Don't tell me you are going to let her off because of that general?" Carol looked flabbergasted.

Flabbergasted, that's a good word. I was also flabbergasted. I won't lie, I really hoped what Carol asked was what would happen.

He just ignored Carol and I couldn't stop a small smile slip through seeing her just pushed aside like that.

"This doctor tells me you pulled a gunblade bullet out of a man's arm without killing him."

"Yes sir." He didn't sound like he was displeased with that. More like impressed.

He nodded his head slightly. "That is impressive." Knew it. "You know what the handbooks says?"

Okay maybe I wasn't getting off. "Yes sir. If it is a gunblade wound it has to be surgically removed as quickly as possible."

"Yes yes…always a dumb rule. What man wants his arm off without an attempt?"

Carol looked well…flabbergasted again. Her mouth almost hung open in all her shock.

"I couldn't agree with you more sir." I replied happily.

"We need outside thinkers like you." The general told me looking me straight in the eye.

"Thank you sir."

He checked his watch. "You have sixty minutes to return to your home and gather your belongings."

Carol smiled triumphantly as I felt my heart sank.

"May I speak sir?" I asked not going down without a fight.

He raised an eyebrow. "You may."

"Sir with all due respect. I was able to save that man's life and that man's arm. That is almost unheard of. People don't even give an attempt anymore. They just follow the handbook exactly and many times there are better ways. I can understand a punishment for disobeying. But this is too extreme for doing what I thought was right, and it working out perfectly. So Sir I don't think this is fair."

"Who's punishing you?"

I gave him a dumbfounded look. "Why do I have to pack my bags then?"

"Because…you're going to Balamb."

So there is the first chapter. Don't worry i'm not forgetting about God's Dirty Work. You know i always finish my fics. But tell me what you think about the first chapter. I really want to know if you think this fic has promise or not. So please leave a review and be honest.