Hey Guys, i've been wanting to do a Final Fantasy X-2 military fic, and here it is. Like I said in the summary this story is done as a tribute to my friend, Private First Class Chris Marrion, who was killed in a roadside bomb attack. May he rest in piece. As a military service member myself, I know how hard a deployment is on a relationship, so there will be a few real experiences in here. Enjoy the Story!
Chapter 1: An Unwanted Call
Tidus' P.O.V.
It was a bright sunny morning on the isle of Besaid. Birds were chirping; the temperature was warm with a light sea breeze lifting up from the cove. In the beach house just above, the telephone rang before my fiancé and I were awake. The house was a gift from her parents to her upon graduating from Zanarkand High. I slowly got out of bed and answered the ringing phone. I was wearing a pair of running shorts and a gray Army t-shirt. "Hello?" I asked sleepily.
"Tidus? This is Nooj. I need you to report to the unit as soon as possible." said the voice over the phone.
"What's up?" I asked just before I yawned.
"I'll explain everything when you and everyone else get here." replied Nooj before he hung up.
I walked back to my room and pulled out my military uniform. I looked around my closet for my combat boots and set them next to the bed, under my Army Combat Uniform. I pulled off the t- shirt and put on the tan under shirt, before pulling on my ACU pants. I then walked into the bathroom and looked at my face, wondering if I should shave. With a sigh, I lathered on some shaving cream and reached for my razor. I wonder why I have to report. I hope we're not getting deployed. I thought as I rinsed the razor. Actually, we may be getting sent to Macalania to help with disaster recovery. I added mentally, remembering the tornado that had gone through the city last week. I finished shaving and headed back to my room to finish getting dressed. I pulled on my ACU top and sat down to lace up my boots. I turned to my headboard to look for my beret and found it lying next to a picture of me and my fiancé, Yuna, whom I shared the house with. The picture was taken three years ago when we were seniors in high school at the homecoming dance. I was the star player of the Zanarkand Abes Blitzball team, and I was crowned homecoming king. Yuna was an honor roll student and part of the school's choir, and she had been crowned the homecoming queen. In the picture, we were sharing the king and queen's dance.
I pulled myself out of my memories with a sigh, grabbed my beret and car keys, and headed out the door to my '69 Chevy Camaro Z28. The car was yellow with black racing stripes, chrome dual exhaust pipes, cowl induction hood and underneath it, a 327 cubic inch engine with a 650 cfm carburetor coupled to a five speed manual transmission, high rise intake and aluminum heads. I had received the car from my father upon graduating from Zanarkand High not long after the homecoming dance. I had always wanted this car, ever since dad had bought it for 'just' a weekend project. Dad and I had spent many days fixing up the car, even working on the interior and the paint. The car was the second most important in my life. The first, of couse, was Yuna.
I inserted the key in the ignition and started the car. I then pressed the clutch pedal in and moved the gear shifter into reverse and backed out of the driveway. I pointed the car towards Luca, where the unit was located, and sped off down the road.
Yuna's POV
Back in Besaid, I awoke and looked at the clock. The time read 8:42am. I yawned and got up, walking to Tidus' room. Seeing his empty, unkempt bed I figured that he must have gone downstairs to make breakfast. I tiptoed downstairs to the kitchen, a playful smile on my lips. I opened the door a little and peeked into the kitchen. When I didn't see Tidus, I was confused.
"Where is he?" I wondered aloud. I snapped my fingers, figuring where he might be. "I know! He's probably waiting in the living room." I smiled and ran to the room. Tidus wasn't there, nor was he in the rest of the house. That was unusual. Frustrated, I sat down on the couch and looked out the window.
"That's weird, his Camaro isn't here. Where the hell did he go? It's not like him to run off without at least telling me." I huffed, crossing my arms across my chest. I swore I would get him for that.
Tidus' POV
I had arrived in Luca. I pulled up to Headquarters and Headquarters Company of the 3rd Battalion, 135th Aviation Regiment; my National Guard unit. I parked my Z28 next to another Camaro, shut the car off and walked inside to my office. A soldier was waiting for me.
"Hey Sergeant Williams, what's going on?" he asked with a friendly smile.
"Not much, Chris. How's Amy?" I replied. Oh yeah, that's right, I'm a sergeant baby. And a bad ass one at that.
"Eh, she's ok, just a little worried about me getting called in." said Chris as he sat down in the chair next to my desk. "Have you told Yuna yet?"
"No, she was still asleep when I left. I might want to tell First Sergeant to be ready to do a funeral." I said as I sat down and turned on my computer.
"Why's that?"
I looked at my subordinate. "'Cause when she finds out that I left without waking her, she's gonna kill me." I glanced up as the company commander, Captain Shuyin Hodges walked in. "Morning, Sir." I said.
"Morning Tidus, Chris. How are things?" he asked as he poured himself a cup of coffee.
"Ok, if we can figure out why we had to report. Oh, I have that paperwork you requested from the Alpha Company commander." I said as I handed CPT Hodges the manila envelope.
"Ah, yes. It's about time Captain Styles sent these." he said as he took the envelope. Shuyin then looked at his watch. "Formation in ten minutes on the drill floor." he then walked out of the office and turned right down the hall.
Probably headed for First Sgt. Nooj's office. I thought. I glanced at the clock on the wall and said; "We'd better get out there and see what this is about, Chris" I got up and headed for the door. Chris followed suit.
In the hall, as we walked towards the drill floor, Chris spoke. "Well, Amy and I are finally gonna tie the knot."
I looked sideways at him. "And when's this supposed to happen?" I inquired.
"We're hoping in about two months." he replied with a sigh.
When we walked in, almost everyone was already in formation. There were a few latecomers, myself and Chris included.
The First Sergeant was already in front of the formation, ready to call the company to attention. After everyone was in their platoons, Nooj went to the position of attention. His hands were at his sides, his thumbs in line with the seam of his trousers. His heels were together, toes apart at a 45 degree angle. He spoke. "Company, attent-ion!" He put emphasis on the last syllable. At the command of execution, attention, Headquarters and Headquarters Company went from the position of parade rest, hands clasped behind their backs at the waist, feet shoulder width apart, and snapped to the position of attention, all eyes locked on the first sergeant.
"Good morning everyone. I'm glad to see everyone could make it. You're probably wondering why you've been called in."
'Oh boy. Here it comes.' I thought as Nooj continued.
"I have in my hand a copy of military orders." he held up a few official looking papers. "First off, we've been activated." he looked grim as he spoke. "Captain Shuyin will take it from here." With that he turned and assumed the position of attention. The company commander walked up and Nooj saluted him. Shuyin returned the salute and Nooj turned and walked a few steps to the left of the captain.
"At ease." said Shuyin. The company went back to parade rest. The captain, too, looked grim, confirming everyone's suspicions. "Alright, like my first sergeant said, we are being deployed to Odaiba." Groans erupted from the company, prompting Shuyin to hold up his hand in an attempt to silence everyone. "There is good news though. We will be on base. Our job as Headquarters and Headquarters Company is to provide support while on base. We will have control of the west side, which includes the Post Exchange, movie theater, pool and the airstrip. There are already cooks over there, so you don't have to worry about eating Sergeant O'Conner's 'mystery meat'." the captain added with a smile. Laughter rung out.
"Oh, come on! It's not that bad!" said SGT O'Conner, with a smirk on his face. He knew the captain was only joking.
"It's ok, Brad, I could ask Yuna to teach you how to cook if you want." I told him, grinning.
"On a more serious note, I need everyone back here in two weeks so we can get ready for convoy to Fort Mi'ihen on the Mi'ihen Highroad. We will only be thereone day, so make sure you get any last minute items at the Fort. Otherwise, you'll have to wait until we get to Camp Talon in Odaiba." the captain looked at the company. "Stop by Sergeant Williams' office for your packing lists." he resumed the position of attention. "Company, attention!" The company snapped to attention.
"Dismissed!" he proclaimed before walking over to me. "Tidus, a word if you don't mind."
"Sure Shu, what's up?" I asked. Shuyin and I have been friends since seventh grade.
"I know that this is going to be hard for Yuna, therefore I must stress that you tell her immediately." said Shuyin as we walked towards the parking lot.
"I had planned on it."
"Good, 'cause the unit really needs you over there. I don't want Braska influencing anyone to keep you here."
"Shuyin, I plan on going, even though I may not want to." I replied, stopping next to my Camaro.
"Alright. Lenne and I'll see you at the bonfire tonight." replied Shuyin as he headed towards his 2002 Mustang GT convertible. Chris came walking out of the building as Shuyin was putting the top down on his car.
"You gonna tell Amy tonight?" I asked.
"Don't have much choice, do I?" Chris replied with a half hearted smile. "At least we're on base, so the only thing I really have to worry about is a mortar attack."
"That's the spirit. Come on let's get out of here, our girls are waiting for us." I said I got in my Z28. Chris opened the door to his, but didn't get in just yet.
"Hey T!" he called.
I rolled the driver's side window down. "Yeah?" I called back.
"Race ya back to Besaid." said Chris, grinning as she sat down and started his car.
I smiled and shook my head as I put the transmission in reverse. I backed put of my parking spot and shifted into first gear. I drove to the end of the parking lot and waited for Chris to pull up behind me. So, I turned on my cd player and played "Hero" from the Spiderman movie. It was a kick ass movie, which is kinda funny, I never was a big Marvel Comics fan.
When Chris finally pulled up, I revved the engine, the 327 singing its exhaust note through the duals, and popped the clutch, causing both rear tires to break their contact with the road. Smoke billowed from the tires as the car turned onto the street, the rear end threatening to overtake the front. It's what you would call drifting, I let off of the gas a little and the Z28 straightened itself out.
All of a sudden, my cell phone rang. I flipped it open and asked, "Hello?"
"Show off." complained a voice from the other end. I heard music in the background and figured it was Chris.
"What do you want, Chris?" I asked, a smile working its way across my face.
"I gotta get gas before I run out on the way back to Besaid. Hell, I'll buy you some for that drift you just did." he said.
"Sweet. Meet me at the Snak Atak on 34th street." I replied. "I could use a Coke anyway."
"Ok. Later." said Chris as he hung up.
After getting gas and a Coke, we headed for Besaid to break the news to our families. I hoped Yuna wouldn't kill me for leaving like i did that morning. Women are unpredictable.
Since you are probably wondering, Tidus and Yuna are 21 and 20 respectivley. just so you know. Oh and chapter 2 will be up whenever i get it back from my editor. Thanx for reading!
