Chapter 10

Tricked

This was it

This was it.

War had begun.

The last emergancy meeting had been called

The final preparations were underway...

They were on the front, defending the Esthern border from potential Galbadian Attacks. Team A had been dispatched to the borders front whilst B and C were protecting the city and its government.

Seifer had been preparing Team A after Squall leisurely briefed the teams before they flew out to Esther.

Seifer had shaken his head in impatience. For somebody who always strived to get to the point as quickly as possible, Mr Leonheart sure took his sweet time in briefings.

Proves he loved the sound of his own voice, Seifer sniggered.

After gearing up and meeting up with the Esthern troops, The Balamb Garden SeeD's had set up base and now only had one more thing to do.

Wait.

They waited for six hours, and by then it was well into the night.

"Where the hell are these Galbadian bad-asses then?" Seifer jeered at his nearby comrades, "Wasn't this supposed to be a high alert situation?"

So far there had been no word from the Galbadian troops; the peace conference was on hold and the political leaders were taken to safety to the town of Fisherman's Horizon near the island of Balamb.

"They should get the Galbadian leader here and give him a good butt kicking" Seifer grumbled.

Zell was getting a little sick of Seifer's sarcasm and decided to give a little of his own, "Let me guess, if you were still in charge you would never let your troops be late for a war, especially one they started" Zell rolled his eyes at the blond man, something he had always loved doing and waited for Seifer to retaliate with a personal attack.

Seifer scoffed at this apparent ridiculous remark, "Please, I wouldn't be that suicidal, If i were to lead that I wouldn't just go full on to where the troops are, I'd go straight for-" he stopped abrubtly and his grin disappeared rather a little too quickly.

Zell's heart stopped just for a second, "Seifer- Why have I got the feeling that you're about to say something pretty damn not good?"

Seifers voice grew hoarse, "Zell, get Squall on the radio NOW"

"Seifer what exactly are you saying?" Squall frowned as he turned around to face President Loire, who was currently talking to the other political leaders in one of the safe houses in Fisherman's Horizon.

Laguna was laughing at a joke being told by the Prime Minister of Delling as he gave the others some tea. He walked over to Squall to give him his when he noticed Squalls demeanour.

Squall had frozen, his face drained of colour as he listened to his radio. Laguna frowned and mouthed "What's wrong?"

Abrubtly Squall switched it off and looked at him, his face expressionless.

"The Galbadian Troops have not attacked the Esthern Front."

Laguna's puzzled frown didn't waver, "Why's that?"

Squall didn't break eye contact as he continued.

"Because they're coming here."

"Teams A to F all meet by the airships IMMEDIATLELY" Lockes voice boomed out on every single loudspeaker scattered around the city, THIS IS A HIGH ALERT OPERATION, I repeat all troops to the airships!"

Seifer and Zell obeyed the order as they led their teams toward the designated place, Zell tried to get his words out as he ran, "W-why aren't they calling troops G to K?" he panted as he tried to keep up with the gunblade master.

Seifer was grim as he ran, "Just in case, we can't leave the city defenceless"

Zell was panting as he tried to keep up, "D-Do you think they'll be OK? I mean, there can only be a few SeeD's in FH, what if-"

"Shuddap chicken-wuss, we have no time for 'what ifs' you understand?" Seifer abruptly turned around and glared at him, "When we get there, we slaughter the bad guys and save the good ones, no thinking, no crying and no time for grief you hear me?"

Zell was too shocked to argue back, instead he jutted out his chin and carried on running.

Seifer watched him silently.

War had come.

"They're coming here?"

Rinoa looked shocked as Squall briefed the only team they brought with him; Team C. This consisted of Rinoa, Selphie, Quistis and nine other SeeD members who came to protect the leaders on the journey here.

Squall punched a fist into the wall, it hurt. It meant to. He pulled back to strike again when he felt someone grab his arm.

Laguna held on fast and looked into the young commanders eye,

"This isn't your fault Squall" he said gently.

Squall looked away, "I should have realised the troops were going to come after the leaders. After all its the leaders that are opposing the Galbadian government, not the city itself. I should have brought more forces. One team is not going to stand up to the Galbadian army."

Laguna knew how much trouble they were in, he could only pray that Locke brought the rest of the troops quick enough, otheriwise no one was going to survive this.

"Squall" he prodded gently, "I know you're blaming yourself, but this isn't your fault. Right now we need to devise an action plan otherwise it is going to be more than your fist that's bleeding." he pointedly looked at the bruised fist.

Squall looked down and quickly made up his mind; Laguna was right. Damnit! This was no time to be feeling sorry for myself

"Squall!" Selphie ran up to him, "Squall what should we do?"

Squall looked grim, "Get the leaders in the Ragnarok and take them out of here."

Selphie looked puzzled, "But where they gonna go?"

Squall brushed past her, "I don't care, just take them somewhere far from here."

Selphie asked just one more question, "But who's gonna fly them?"

Squall turned around looked at her.

They weren't going to make it

Quistis was flying their airship as fast as it would go, but even that didn't settle the knot in Seifer's stomach.

They were less than five minutes away and Lock and Zell were getting the troops ready to disembark.

There were how many SeeD's on Fishermans? A maximum of 14 Seifer would have guessed, with about 600 innocent villagers...against an army of no less than 2,000...

Come on Quistis, he begged silently...Come on...