Esthar Presidential Residence
It was a beautiful morning in Esthar. Laguna, Squall, Rinoa, Ellone, Kiros, and Ward were having a decent brunch on the balcony. At the same time, they were watching the beautiful skyline of the city.
"…And he said, 'Oh, that guy? He's just a coffee shop worker,'" finished Laguna.
Everyone cracked up, even Squall.
"Wow! I never knew you can be so funny!" said Rinoa as she tried to control her laughter.
"Yeah, that's what I loved about Uncle Laguna. So great to be with," said Ellone with a smile.
Kiros and Ward nodded in agreement.
"Laguna always made our day," said Kiros.
"Oh, enough with showering," said Laguna with a blush.
By the time they were done eating, Squall's phone rang. Squall took it out, and checked on the caller ID. It was Headmaster Cid Kramer. He then answered.
"Yes Cid?"
"Squall, we need your presence at Balamb Garden as soon as possible! We have a rising situation here!"
"What is the situation then?"
"I can't talk about it right now! It's a security problem involving Galbadia! So many errands! We do not have much time! Also, get Selphie and Irvine as well, they're still in Trabia. I need to speak with them as well!"
"Okay, okay. I'll get the Ragnarok up and ready, and we'll be there," Squall then hung up. Rinoa was standing in front of him.
"Squall, what's wrong?" asked Rinoa.
"It's Cid. We have to get to Balamb. There's a situation, something regarding Galbadia. Did your father say anything about any problems he's facing?"
Rinoa thought briefly,
"Every Wednesday, my father goes to the Parliament for a morning session called 'Prime Minister's Questions'. The Galbadian media said that my father has faced a lot of heat from a rising opposition party. It's fairly new, was established after he granted Timber and Dollet independence,"
"What is it?" asked Squall.
"The Nationalist Republican Party of Galbadia. The NRs, they call them. They seem very determined to get power in Galbadia, but my father's party, the Social Democrats of Galbadia are still very popular," explained Rinoa.
"I see," said Squall. "Let's get to the Ragnarok. We're going to get Selphie and Irvine. Cid wants to speak with them as well,"
"Oh, Selphie. I haven't seen her and Irvine in two months! I wonder what they've been up to?" said Rinoa as she followed Squall.
Within twenty minutes, they were on the Ragnarok spaceship, flying on their way to Trabia.
Somewhere in Trabia, an hour and a half later
"You know, I like this place," said Irvine, as he and Selphie sat at the summit of a small mountain overlooking Trabia Garden.
"Really!" said Selphie with bewilderment. "I thought you were not going to like it, since it's cold,"
"Well, it's better than the barren Centra plains that we grew up in. I can imagine settling here at some point,"
Selphie smiled. She rested her head on Irvine's lap, as they continued to enjoy the view. They were about to kiss, until they heard a rumbling noise from behind.
"What on earth is that?" wondered Selphie.
God damn it! Whoever is making that noise is ruining my day, thought Irvine as he looked behind. It was the Ragnarok, which approached from behind.
"It's Squall and Rinoa! WHOO-HOO!" cried out Selphie with excitement.
The spaceship landed on an open plain nearby. Selphie and Irvine ran toward it, and saw Squall and Rinoa waiting outside.
"Squall, Rinoa!" called out Selphie. She happily jumped into Rinoa's arms.
"Selphie!" responded Rinoa as she caught Selphie. Rinoa fell back into the snow, but they were both laughing.
"Hey Squall, what's up? Long time no see, good to see you!" said Irvine as they did a handshake.
"Yeah, it's good to see you too Irvine. How's everything?"
"Couldn't be better!" said Irvine as he and Selphie smiled. "So, what brings you two here?"
"Yeah! What brings you two here?" asked Selphie.
"We got a call from Cid. We have to get to Balamb Garden as soon as possible. Something urgent has happened. From what he was explaining, it seems that Balamb is in grave danger," explained Squall.
"Then we must find out and help!" replied Selphie. "Let's go!"
"I'm up for another adventure," said Irvine, as he checked his rifle, Exeter, to see if he has the right ammo.
The four quickly boarded the Ragnarok, and flew southbound toward Balamb. As Squall flew the ship with Selphie as copilot, Irvine said,
"It sucks man. I have been reading the news and hearing rumors that the peace in this world, that we brought after defeating the sorceress did not last very long at all,"
"Why? What's going on?" asked Rinoa.
"The newly restructured Galbadian Navy recently had a couple of battleships stolen, containing some powerful weapons. There's also news that the rebuilt Deep Sea Research Facility has been raided by unknown forces,"
"Who the hell would want to come back to Deep Sea Research Facility? We destroyed Ultima Weapon and got Bahamut, didn't we?" replied Squall.
"I don't know. And I do not know why Galbadia has the nerve to expand its military forces again, even after granting Timber and Dollet independence," said Irvine.
Two Hours Later, 500 km North off the Balamb Coast
Squall continued flying the Ragnarok toward the northern coast of Balamb. He could catch a glimpse of Balamb Garden, shimmering in sight. However, an alarm went on.
"Squall! I got four missiles approaching us from behind!" said Selphie as she checked the radar.
"We'll take evasive action. What's the origin?" asked Squall as he buckled up. Rinoa, Selphie, and Irvine followed suit.
"The origin of the missiles is the South Central Ocean, Northwest of Fisherman's Horizon and Southwest of Balamb. Seems like they were fired from a ship at sea," said Selphie.
"I'm scared…" said Rinoa in a worried voice.
Squall first fired off a couple of flares. They successfully stopped two missiles.
"Two missiles down!" yelled Selphie.
But the flares could not stop all of the missiles. The last two missiles hit two of the four turbine boosters that powered the Ragnarok. The cockpit shook violently.
"We're hit!" yelled Irvine as the alarm went off loudly.
Squall sent a distress signal and contacted Cid.
"Cid, we have been hit by missiles and we are going down. Mayday, mayday, we are going down, the Ragnarok is going down,"
Squall tried to get control of the ship. He checked the map. Rinoa looked up, hoping that they were not going to die.
"Location?" asked Selphie.
"We are over the mountains of Balamb. If I can land on the nearby Alcauld Plains, we might be able to survive,"
The ship flew over Balamb Garden. The students outside saw a spaceship flying above with its rear end flaming, going down like a comet. Zell, who was outside returning to the Garden from Balamb, to wait for Squall, saw the falling Ragnarok. Quistis was also outside waiting for Squall when she saw the falling Ragnarok.
"IT'S SQUALL! We got to help!" yelled out Zell as he ran toward the Alcauld Plains.
"I hope they know what they are doing. I'm scared," said Quistis as she followed Zell.
Back on the Ragnarok, Squall was able to aim the Ragnarok, and glide it toward the Alcauld Plains.
"Brace for impact!" yelled Squall.
Irvine, Rinoa, and Selphie braced their heads down, as the Ragnarok's nose hit the ground, with the flaming rear following suit. The four felt a violent shake when the ship landed, as it skidded on the plains. Within a few minutes the badly damaged Ragnarok skidded to a stop. Squall's heart was still beating, and he realized that he survived the crash.
"Is everyone all right?" asked Squall
"Yes," said the three.
Squall looked outside. Balamb Garden was two miles down the horizon to the North. He could see a few cars owned by Balamb Garden approaching. Within a few minutes, Quistis and Zell came out of the first car followed by Xu and Nida. SeeD candidates also came out with fire extinguishers to put out the huge fire on the wreckage. Squall opened the cockpit escape hatch, and escorted Selphie, Irvine, and Rinoa to safety. They had to dodge some flames in the process, but were able to find a way out. The four then got into a Balamb Garden car, and were then taken to the Garden Infirmary to be treated for minor cuts and bruises. Quistis and Zell also headed to the Infirmary, where they saw Dr. Kadowaki giving Rinoa an ice pack, and some antibiotics to treat some cuts Selphie and Irvine got from the crash.
"Are they all right?" asked Quistis.
"Thank goodness that they only received some minor wounds. No burns at all. Remarkable that Squall got out unscathed. I thought that they did not have a chance, but everyone should be fine in an hour," said Dr. Kadowaki.
"That's great!" said Zell.
Quistis saw Squall, looking out at the window. He could still see the Balamb Garden students, led by Xu and Nida putting out the fires on the damaged Ragnarok. She walked up also to see how they were doing.
"Well, I guess we are not going to do any flying for some time. I'm going to miss that ship," said Quistis.
Me too, thought Squall. Someone wants me dead. Who?