Title: Crisis Report-000
Date: August 25, 2041
Subject: Founding of the United Space Forces Alliance
Author: Aerith Gainsborough
"It has been six months since the third World War has ended. The Neo United States Federation has secluded themselves to Earth 1 since their official surrender. The United Space Forces Alliance—I shall refer to them as the USFA from now on—has officially declared themselves as an organization seeking the pursuit of exploration of new colonies beyond the Milky Way galaxy, and as a form of government as Earth 2 and other planets become more populated. Until recently, the leadership of the USFA was a group of generals defecting from the Neo-US branches, including the prominent General Roland Renoa. It was assumed by the public that General Renoa was granted the title of 'Lord' and leader of the USFA, but he commented in a press conference that he would note take the position of USFA's Commander, but of a separate regime altogether, the Inter-Galactic Police Force—or IGPF. Much to the public's shock, he appointed one of his own advisor's, Cid Kramer and Matron Edea, as the leaders of the USFA. However, many critics approved of his decision commenting on Lord Cid's long list of achievements though some disapprove of Matron Edea's appointment, saying, 'While she has done much for so many during WW3, she may not be up to the task of governing Earth 2, much less Ganymede, etc…' And while the burden of governing the colonies is being lifted off their shoulders with the IGPF's emergence, Matron Edea has indeed taken the USFA on the right path with the creation of a group of Special Forces members leading the lower ranks. They have not been officially named as of today, but the media has affectionately named them 'Galactic Guardians'. The soldiers selected to lead each section as Section Chief or Captain will be announced to the media at the end of this month."
End of Report...
"The Matron and Lord really know how to make us wait. Geez, I swear I think they're testing us."
"And pacing around in the same spot isn't helping us either. Take a seat. I'm sure they're on their way right now."
The seventeen-year old boy expressed his boredom with a loud sigh before plopping down on the couch beside his fellow female colleague. "Still bossy as ever," he groaned as he stretched his arms out. "But after today we'll finally be equals, huh?"
The eighteen-year old woman placed her gloved hand over her mouth to suppress her giggles before answering her former student's question, "I suppose we will, Captain Dincht."
Section Chief Gamma, Zell Dincht snorted as he clasped his hands behind his head, leaning back in the couch. "The way you say it doesn't make me believe you have faith in me, Miss Trepe."
Section Chief Delta, Quistis Trepe adjusted her small bifocals, pointing to the young men sitting across from them. "I taught you, Squall, and Seifer equally. And I believe in all three of you equally. I have no doubt you'll all make outstanding Section Chiefs."
Lowering the magazine he was reading from his face, Section Chief Echo, Seifer Almasy regarded Zell with a mocking grin. "I don't know about Mister Personality next to me, but I know you're not cut out to be on our level, Captain Chicken Wuss."
Section Chief Foxtrot, Squall Leonhart, grunted while Zell slammed his fist on the table. "What the hell do you know, Seifer!" he roared, Seifer's taunting getting underneath his skin as usual. "I've worked my ass off to get here, just like you."
"Heh," Seifer propped his feet on the table, stretching his arms across Squall and his couch, "it comes natural for me."
Quistis forced herself to become the referee for them once again, opening her small hand booklet and thumbing through pages. "If I remember correctly, though Seifer, you passed the final exams with a 67 while Zell passed with a 73."
Zell snapped to his feet, stamping his foot on the floor. "Booyah! Comes natural to me, Seifer!"
"Tcch," was Seifer's only response. "Tests can't display a warrior's true skill."
"But what good is a sword if you don't have the brains to wield it properly?"
Seifer ignored the Charlie Section Chief's question, pretending he didn't notice him smiling as he closed his small novel and placed it back on the shelf. "This is coming from someone who is just born a Kramer and is suddenly qualified to lead a government." He opened one eye to the blonde-haired man and grunted. "Didn't see you in the war, Ffamran. Where were you? Cowering behind your daddy?"
"Seifer!" Quistis exclaimed.
"It's quite alright," he quelled Trepe, maintaining the etiquette his father taught him over the years. Calm yet his tone concealed bits of arrogance. "After all, you can't expect a grunt to understand the art of strategy. And please, I'd appreciate it if you didn't call me that. Balthier suits me better, don't you think?"
His subordinate, Fran, stood at his side, watching Seifer squirm in his seat.
"Whatever, Daddy's Boy."
Balthier chuckled, selecting another book from the shelf and opening it. "It certainly will be a pleasure working with you, Almasy," he muttered, turning the page.
Standing on the other side of the meeting room, Section Chief Bravo, Cloud Strife checked his watch. "He hasn't arrived yet."
"Are you talking about the new guy, or Section A's Chief?" his female subordinate, Tifa Lockhart inquired, leaning sideways to meet Cloud's earnest face.
Cloud snapped his head away once his blue eyes met her brown. "I already knew he wasn't coming. I meant the new guy…the one recommended by the General."
"Right. I heard he's a bit of an oddball, which is right up your alley," Tifa teased.
Cloud crossed his arms and shook his head slightly. "…I'm odd?"
"Don't tell me you're taking it personally? It's just one of your quirks, and all of you Captains need quirks, right?"
"You have a good point, Tifa," Quistis commented and sighed. "But from what I've heard, this new person isn't as serious about what the USFA stands for as much as us. Sure, we joined this alliance to promote the expansion of humankind, but I suppose as long as we're all on the same team, we might as well get along."
"As long as he isn't a chicken wuss like Zell, I don't care," Seifer added lightly, much to Zell's chagrin.
Zell stamped his foot on the ground once more and hissed through his teeth, "Seifer!"
Fran looked to her captain. Balthier closed his book and smoothed the top of his hair, smiling as he turned towards the door on the far right of the room. "Looks like Father and Edea are here," he announced, folding his arms behind his back.
Everyone turned their heads to the door sliding open and the two bodies entering the room.
Meanwhile…
"You know, you could have told me about the meeting sooner while you were stuffing your face!"
Assistant Section Chief, Sethlans King, sucked his fingers, savoring the last bits of taste of cheese and pepperoni before hopping down from his superior's table. "Is it really my responsibility to tell you about your appointments?" he teased as he grabbed his sheathed sword from the bar stool, strapping the weapon around his hip. A hunch of his shoulders and he turned towards the door. "Really now, I'm not your secretary."
"Look, I know you're not happy being stuck with me, Seth," said the spiked black-haired male, rubbing the back of his head as he searched his cluttered apartment for his black coat. "But the General is counting on us to give the Federation a good name."
"I don't care 'bout being paired with you, dude, but imagine being 'briefed' by public security, asked questions that have nothing to do with whether or not your trustworthy."
"Heh, Section 9 gave you a hard time?"
The slick brunette gave his captain a dirty look. "More like torture. I think they actually enjoy putting their interviewer through hell…the pricks."
Finally finding his jacket in a pile of clothes he washed yesterday, he threw it on and grabbed sword, strapping it across his back. "There we go," he said, slapping his cheeks a few times and jumping in place. "I'm all pumped up."
Seth whipped around on his heel, cupping his hands on his hips and leaning forward. "Ready to go to the Lion's Den, Master?"
"Oh, c'mon. They can't be that bad?""
"Really? Well, seeing as the both of us have close to nothing on file about ourselves, I smell an S-C-A-N-D-A-L. They'll definitely play the one hundred questions game with us."
"We're only supposed to give our names. That's it. That's what the General said."
Seth narrowed his cobalt gaze on his captain. "Heh!" was his only response as he spun on his heel once more, sauntering to the door. "As you wish, Captain Puppy," he snickered, holding the door open. He took a slight bow as his colleague slapped him on the back of his head when he passed by.
"Careful or I'll tell everyone your nickname, Tinkerbelle."
Seth's head snapped up. "You wouldn't dare, Zack?" he growled.
"We're gonna be late, Seth. Hurry up."
"Answer me, Zack Fair!" Seth slammed the door shut and ran after him.
"Hahaha, that's Captain Zack to you, Subordinate!" Zack taunted as he ran down the corridor.
To Be Continued…
A/N: All Final Fantasy characters belong to Squaresoft-Enix. I do not own them in any way, shape, or form.
Sethlans: "I don't need extra strikes going into this thing, asshole."