Chapter 26: The Briefing
"Ahhh! We're back!" Shiva sighed as she stretched her arms behind her, inadvertently pushing out her breasts, making male onlookers eyes pop at the sight. The group found themselves in front of the train station.
"We should report to Josh straight away," Bahamut suggested as she closed her eyes and focused on the link connecting her to her summoner. It wasn't well known, but there was a magical link between GF and summoner after the GF was summoned. On the off chance that they became separated and couldn't find each other by normal means, the link acted as a compass that would lead the GF back to the summoner. It was rare that this ability be used, however it was known to happen on occasion. And that was what Bahamut was doing at that moment.
"That way," she said as she pointed to the right, down the main shopping district.
"Well then, let's go. Before Shiva gets swarmed by suitors," Diablos grinned.
The group walked down the street, taking in all the sights and sounds of the city. Several times they overheard the general public and soldiers alike talk about the upcoming announcement from the Sorceress. Eventually they arrived in front of the Galbadia Hotel.
"He's in there somewhere," Bahamut reported. The link wasn't accurate down to the meter so they would need to take a look around.
The five entered and quickly heard familiar voices coming from what looked like the bar and entertainment area. They moved through the entrance hall and into the next room. Shiva quickly saw Ifrit in his human form, as well as all the other GFs that Josh had, including Kyuubi, Sukuna and Hyôrinmaru.
"Oh hey guys! You got here ok?" Ifrit asked as he spotted the group.
"We did, thanks," Shiva replied as they walked over to the gathering. She noticed that Quistis was also here, sitting next to the ice dragon. She looked quite flushed but she couldn't tell if that was the drink she had or for another reason. She then took another look around and realised something.
"Where's Josh?" Shiva asked.
"He went to book a room upstairs. Room 9 on the second level, I believe," Ifrit replied.
"Thanks," she said before turning to her group. "I'll go deliver this to Josh, you guys have fun here."
"Sure thing!" Dante replied loudly before stealthy wrapping his arm around Siren, but she simply pinched the hand hard and dragged it off her shoulder, with Dante yelping in pain.
Shiva left them at that and went in search of the room. After asking directions from the front desk, she made her way up the stairs and over to the room in question.
I sighed as I stepped out of the shower and began to dry myself off. I thought back to the gathering downstairs, and smiled to myself when I remembered at how Quistis had gotten a little too into the game of Truth or Drink and had slipped up by indirectly revealing a close secret of hers. 'I hope those two work out. They make a great couple,' I thought. I then lightly blushed myself. 'Though I can't say anything either,' I added mentally as the image of a certain blue haired woman flashed in my mind.
As I was finishing up on drying myself, there came a faint knock. "Must be from the front," I assumed as I hung up the towel and exited the bathroom. I reached out for the doorknob, but quickly realised my state of complete nakedness.
'What if it's a girl?' I thought. Another knock came from the door. "Shit!" I cursed quietly before turning round and bolting for the bathroom again. "Just a second!" I called out as I put on a white bath robe as my new clothes would take too long to put on. Finished with making myself more modest, I returned to the front door and opened it.
"Oh, Shiv! Hey there," I smiled warmly. "Welcome back."
"Uh… uhh…." She replied as she stared at me. I began to get nervous, hoping there wasn't anything of mine sticking out that would be frozen off in the very near future.
A long moment went past. "Soooo, you just gonna stand there out in the hall or are you gonna come in?" I replied as I stepped to the side, quickly looking down at myself and sighing as I saw nothing out of place.
"Uhh, y-yes!" she squeaked before stepping inside quickly. I closed the door.
"So, I'm guessing it was a success?" I asked as I looked at the chipped Galbadian sabre clutched in her hand.
"Yeah," she replied, seeming to snap out of whatever was bothering her. 'Maybe she's embarrassed that I'm only in a bathrobe. I'm considering it a bloody miracle that I'm not acting like a goofy lovestruck idiot right now either.'
"You caught me just out of the shower. Let me get dressed, kay? Make yourself comfortable," I explained before I walked into the bedroom and removed my robe. As I put on my new clothes, I heard Shiva sitting down in something. I sighed mentally. 'It's like a classic anime romantic comedy moment. But I know there's no way she'd go for me. Specially since I just learned that I actually created her.' This thought made me sad, but I refocused on the present. After a few minutes I was ready and I walked out, seeing her in a recliner facing the window showing off the city view.
"Wow! New clothes?" she asked.
"Yeah, the old ones were too flashy. These are just the right amount of flashy and awesome," I grinned and felt it widen as she giggled. I sat down in the chair opposite hers.
"Well, here's the sword with the ID tag on it," Shiva said as she handed me the sword.
"Thanks," I replied before looking over it. "431, eh?" I muttered, the number not ringing a bell in my memories. 'Maybe Irvine knew the guy.'
"And… here's the Brother's GF stone," she added as she held out an earthen brown gem. I picked it up but decided against absorbing it. "I think I'll give these guys to Irvine. He needs a power booster if he's going to keep up with us. I'll also ask Dante to help him out as well."
"Sounds like a good plan," she agreed.
I then checked my iPhone and saw that it was almost time to meet up again. "Well, from what I've learned, Edea's address won't be happening until tomorrow night. I should let the team know that we won't be starting the briefing until tomorrow," I said as I stood up, Shiva doing the same. I then grinned. "Plus, I don't think Quistis is in top form for a briefing either."
"What happened?" Shiva asked.
"Well let's just say the drink lowered her inhibitions just enough to virtually confess her secret crush to us not too long ago," I replied, still grinning. "Boy will he be surprised."
The next 18 hours was spent sleeping before upgrading everyone's weapons for the upcoming battle. Squall now had the Shear Trigger, Zell had the Maverick. Quistis had the Slaying Tail while Selphie had the Morning Star. Rinoa upgraded hers to the Valkyrie however Irvine opted to forgo an upgrade, saying that his Valliant was all he needed for the job.
It was five in the afternoon when we all rocked up to the General's mansion with our new weapons. As before, the lieutenant from before met us in front of entering the mansion. "Did you bring the sword and student ID?" the lieutenant asked.
"Yeah," I replied as I handed him the sword. "ID 431, right?"
"431?" Irvine asked, standing behind me. "That must have been Jackson."
"Jackson?" Squall asked.
"Jackson Edwards," Irvine replied, shaking his head. "Bit of a blowhard, and arrogant as hell. He was around when I first joined… not surprised he's dead. That was the kind of guy who'd walk up to something nasty like a Wendigo or Blood Soul and try to kill it bare-handed. Probably pissed of those Guardian Forces and got what he deserved for being such an ass."
"I take it you didn't like Jackson?" Quistis asked. The sharpshooter shrugged.
"He was one of those total freak patriots," Irvine explained. "The kind who hated anyone who wasn't Galbadian."
"I knew those kinds," Quistis replied. "When I was attending classes at Galbadia Garden, I met too many of them. They didn't like me in particular, because I was from Balamb Garden and because I was a blue magic specialist."
"Heh," Irvine said, chuckling. "You're still talked about there, you know. The only blue magic specialist to have attended Gabadia Garden." Irvine paused, then looked at Quistis curiously. "How do you guys work?"
"Blue magic?" Quistis asked.
"Yeah," Irvine replied. "You said it was inborn." Quistis nodded.
"Not entirely," she explained. "You know how magic is held in different types of objects?" Irvine nodded. "Well, part of the magic in these objects is usable magic, the kind that can be easily refined and used by humans. But part of the magic is difficult to use without proper training and the appropriate knack. Especially in magical objects or parts that you can take from monsters."
"And blue mages can use this magic?" Irvine asked, to which Quistis nodded.
"Blue magic is difficult," she explained. "But some people, like me, we can understand the odd magic better than others and cast it more effectively. Once we've learned how to use the magic, casting it becomes second nature to us."
"Uhhh…" the lieutenant began and we all looked at him, seeing his slightly off look. "I'm sure this is all fascinating, but the General is now expecting you. You can go in now."
"Well good. Bout time," I replied before we moved as a group past the patrol.
Beyond the outer gate, I could make out part of the mansion around the foliage of the heavily wooded grounds, bushes flanking the entry walkway. After a few moments of walking down the stone path, I could more clearly see the huge mansion beyond the plants. The structure looked like far more than the home of a mere general, unless Galbadia paid its higher-up officers a lot more than they paid the regulars.
I turned to see that Squall looked as if he was thinking about something. I moved over to his side and whispered, "What's on your mind?"
He turned his head to me, confusing in his eyes. "Well, it's just that I don't understand why Caraway is allying himself with the Gardens. I started thinking on what he gains from this if Galbadia pays her officers this well." He motioned to the mansion as he said this.
"Well I doubt he's in it for the money. The guy supports the country's well-being," I replied.
"But even so, doesn't he have more than enough clout with the regulars to stage a coup?"
"Maybe he fears a rebellion from the regulars. If Caraway used his influence to overthrow Deling, it would destabilize the future of many in the army. So he might be looking to use an outside force to do the work. In this case, we're the outside force," I replied.
Squall thought about this before nodding, "I understand."
"Squall? Josh?" Rinoa asked quietly from behind. We turned to face her, wondering what she wanted. The rest of the team paused, but Rinoa seemed a bit uncomfortable with them listening.
"Go on ahead guys, we'll catch up in a mo," I said. As they entered the mansion, I turned back to Rinoa.
"Umm," she said uncertainly. "Is… is my contract still in effect?"
"Despite our new orders, our old mission status hasn't been revoked, official or otherwise. So yeah, we're still attached to your orders and to keep you safe," I replied with Squall nodding.
"Whatever you do, don't leave me in this house, okay?" she asked. Squall blinked in surprise at what he probably thought was an odd request, but nodded.
"Do you want me to explain why?" she asked, but Squall shook his head.
"You should know by now," he said. "Just tell us what to do and we'll do it." Rinoa nodded, though I understood her hesitance to give us orders. After her near argument with Squall in Timber, she probably felt guilty giving orders to people who, to some degree, did not feel secure with their client.
"Okay, then," she said quietly, indicating Squall and I should lead the way. "Thanks you guys."
"No probs," I replied before we continued on through the door.
The inside of Carway's mansion was old but beautiful, with panelled wooden walls, rich carpets, finely carved and polished statues, and marble floors. The entry hallway featured a huge chandelier and a massive staircase leading up to the second level of the mansion. A Galbadian soldier met us as we entered and directed us to a guest's waiting room on the second floor, telling us that Caraway would meet with us shortly. Rinoa then led Squall and I to the room, with, I noted, an unusual familiarity with the layout of the mansion. I knew the reason, of course, but I deducted that it must've been puzzling Squall. We spotted more soldiers on the way, doubtless Caraway's bodyguards.
Rinoa led us down a hallway and opened a door on the south side, leading into the guestroom. Quistis was already sitting at an expensive wooden table with equally expensive wooden chairs. Selphie stood at one of the room's huge windows, looking out over the grounds of Caraway's mansion and the busy streets beyond. Zell paced anxiously, while Irvine lounged behind a desk at the far end of the room, feet resting casually atop it, next to his rifle.
We wordlessly sat down at the table, waiting for Caraway to arrive, while Angelo curled up at Rinoa's feet.
We sat, stood, or paced for what seemed like an eternity. After nearly half an hour, I began to lose my patience. 'C'mon! Hurry up! What the hell was taking the old coot so long?'
"Hmph!" Rinoa finally muttered, standing up. "He always does this, making people wait. I'll go see what's taking so long." She turned toward the door, Angelo following. Squall began to follow, but Rinoa stopped him with a raised hand.
"Don't worry, I'm alright," she said, smiling. "Just stay here. I know this house pretty well." She paused for a moment, blushing slightly. "It is mine, after all." Before anyone could respond, Rinoa left the room. However, the shocked look on Zell's face spoke for nearly the entire room.
"Yeah, it makes sense now, that Rinoa is General Fury's daughter," I replied. No one answered me though, still getting over their shock.
It was only a matter of minutes before the door reopened, and a man stepped in. He wasn't very large; in fact, he was shorter than Squall. He had black, greying hair, with one strand dropping across his face, which was shot through with wrinkles and a couple of scars. He wore a buttoned black trench coat, military style, with the left breast studded with rank markers and campaign embroidery. He also featured several multi-coloured bars, used by the Galbadian military in lieu of medals, which were only worn during public ceremonies.
"Greetings," Fury Caraway said to us. "I'm sorry to have delayed you."
"Where's Rinoa?" Squall asked quickly.
"She has not received the training you all have," Caraway explained, almost casually. "She may become an unnecessary burden on you during this mission. Burdens result in screw-ups. Screw-ups get people killed. It is best that she stay out of this operation. She should remain here until the mission is completed."
"That is wise," I replied. Squall looked sharply at me but I just ignored it.
"I'm glad you understand," the General nodded towards me.
"So, are you Rinoa's father?" Selphie asked, turning to face Caraway. The general turned to look at her, a somewhat saddened look on his face.
"I can't remember the last time she called me that," he replied quietly.
"So, the father's a high-ranking general, and the daughter's the head of a rebel faction?" Zell said, not believing the irony. "Man… this is bad! Really bad!"
"Yes, I know," Caraway replied, walking to one of the windows. "But it's not your problem. It's ours." The look on Squall's face clearly told me that he thought otherwise. "Besides," Caraway added. "We have far more important things to worry about." At this point Squall decided to lay things in plain view.
"Once this mission's over, we're working for Rinoa again," Squall explained. "I don't know what the situation between you two is, but when the time comes, don't interfere."
"And if I do?" Caraway asked, turning back to face Squall. Squall scowled, and let his eyes do all the explaining. Nonetheless, Squall added an extra comment.
"We're all SeeDs here," he stated, his voice edged with dangerous tones. "We'll act accordingly." Quistis, Zell, and Selphie nodded in agreement. I simply shook my head, smiling in amusement. Caraway looked between us, started to scowl, but then simply let out a sigh of defeat.
"Hey, hey, hey!" Irvine shouted from his spot at the desk. Thus far, the sharpshooter had been quiet during the discussion, intent on only watching.
"We're here to waste and paste us a Sorceress, right?" Irvine said. With a single smooth motion he pushed himself up out of the chair and over the desk, then sat back against it. He then took out one of his .357 revolvers, twirling it absently. "So let's get down to business."
"I agree. Let's stick to the mission briefing for now. We can argue on who gets Rinoa on holidays and weekends afterwards," I joked. Irvine, Zell, Selphie and most of the GFs in my head laughed in varying degrees at this. Quistis smiled lightly at the quip. Squall, however, blushed lightly before looking down at the ground. In turn I placed my hand on his shoulder and gave him a smile. He hesitated before nodding back.
"Alright," Caraway said. He turned and stepped toward the door. "I have a briefing room set up downstairs. Come, I'll explain the plan."
The briefing room was darkened and quiet, with a long table surrounded by chairs, along with a television projector and large screen. Caraway bid them to sit down, but Squall paused.
"Is this room clean?" he asked, to which Caraway nodded.
"It's the reason why I was late. I performed the sweep myself," he replied. "There are no listening devices anywhere in the room, and I locked it before I came to meet you. We won't be overheard."
I nodded at Squall. "Good call there," I said. He nodded back before I gestured for my team to sit down. We all took our seats, Zell twitching anxiously, while Squall, Selphie, and Quistis sat down more sedately, though their anticipation toward the upcoming mission was visible. Irvine sat down -conspicuously close to Selphie -and propped his feet up on the table. I wasn't as casual in how I sat as Irvine, but I was relaxed, though my eyes showed that I was focused on the upcoming briefing.
Caraway turned on the projector, and then spun to face us. The screen was a blank, dark blue, casting the light across the room.
"I'm sure you are all aware of the alliance Deling has struck with the Sorceress Edea, correct?"
"That we have," I replied. Since this was the first time Edea's name had been brought up since we were issued the orders, I took a discreet look around. Squall, Zell, Selphie, and Quistis all seemed distantly familiar with the name, however only Irvine looked confused, shown by a furrowed brow.
"There will be a ceremony tonight to commemorate the event of her ascension," Caraway continued. "It will be held at the Presidential Palace." Caraway held up a remote and clicked a button. The projection screen changed from a uniform blue to showing the avenue outside the Presidential Palace. A wide, semi-circular paved section of road sat directly in front of the gates. The major avenues around the city met at the eastern and western end of the huge semi-circle, and the street bisecting the city ran off the top of its southern arc, leading directly through the huge archway in the centre of the city.
"During the ceremony, you will be split into two teams, the sniper team and the gate team," Caraway continued. "Each is equally important. The gate team will enter the central arch and move to the second floor. The sniper team will wait outside the Presidential Palace during the ceremony." Caraway directed a laser pointer at a spot along the sidewalk of the area outside the Palace, at an inconspicuous location across the street. "There. That is where the sniper team will be positioned. Once the ceremony ends a parade will begin and the outer gates will open. That is when the sniper team will enter. Do not cause any commotion before the parade begins. Security is tight, and the parade may be cancelled if there is a disturbance.
"Once the parade begins, it will attract the attention of the crowds and guards," Caraway continued. "If you're quick, you can slip into the gates unnoticed. The sniper team will then have to find a way onto the roof. Once there, you should find a corridor that has a hatch which will lead you into a concealed clock tower. Inside the tower is a carousel clock, where you will find a sniper rifle. The sniper team is to stand by until exactly 20:00 hours."
Caraway directed his laser pointer back onto the screen, at the gates of the Palace.
"The parade will begin at the gate, and the Sorceress will be riding a large parade vehicle. After it leaves the gate, it will turn left." Caraway indicated down the left street from the Palace gates. "It will then circle around the city along the outer road before turning right at the road in front of the train station. Then, it will travel down the central avenue back to the Palace, where it is supposed to turn left and do the same down the right avenue."
Caraway pointed up that road.
"On the way back it will pass through the gate. This is where the gate team comes into play. They will enter through a door inside the arch prior to the parade and move to the second floor. At exactly 20:00 hours, the vehicle will pass beneath this gate. At that moment, the gate team is to operate a mechanism that will drop the gates, trapping the Sorceress. At that same moment, the carousel clock will rise out of the clock tower, due to reprogramming the computers controlling it. The sniper team will be in perfect firing position. Take the shot, and kill her."
The briefing finished, Caraway looked over the group.
"That is all. You will need to form teams for this mission. The sniper, the mission leader and one other team member will form the sniper team. The leader's role is vital: if the mission should somehow fail, or if the sniper should miss-" Irvine snorted at that "-then the leader must carry out a direct assault on the Sorceress. The mission was designed very carefully, and was intended as a covert operation. However, our objective is the elimination of the Sorceress at all costs. Even if they should discover our identities."
I looked around to see that everyone understood. I turned back to the Caraway. "I guess I'll be leading the operation. Squall will accompany me and Irvine as the sniper unit." Squall nodded at this.
"Very well then," Caraway said. "I'll leave the rest to you. Good luck." He nodded to us and left the room.
"Righteo. Gate team will be-" I began and smiled as the three in question cut me off.
"Whoo-hoo!" Selphie cheered.
"Let's do it!" Zell said with a thumbs up and pumping fist.
"Roger," Quistis added with a nod.
"We'll need a leader for the gate team," Selphie added. "Who will it be?"
"Well that'll be Quistis, of course," I replied. She blinked in surprise, then quickly saluted. Behind her, Zell's shoulders slumped in defeat.
"Zell… no sulking, ok?" I asked.
"I know… it's just," he began but I cut him off.
"Just nothing. You don't have the right mindset for command. You're too brash and impulsive. Same goes for you Selphie. You belong on the front lines, so to speak. I'm not saying you two suck. In terms of ability, power and magical affinity, you're both stronger than Quistis. However she's calm and collected, and can think out a plan if things go awry without losing her head, or just charging headlong into the fray. You understand?"
Zell blinked as he absorbed all this before he nodded. "You're right. I'm more of a doer than a thinker." Selphie giggled at this before she grinned and nodded at me.
"All right!" Quistis responded with a genuine smile. "Leave it to me."
"Glad that's taken care of. Well, we should get ready."
We returned to the guest room to pick up our gear and prepare for the upcoming mission. Outside, the crowds had already begun to gather in the streets, so Squall, Irvine and I left early to ensure we would be in position.
As we left the mansion, I started thinking about the quarrel between Quistis and Rinoa. I fully supported Quistis's side. Changing the plan now when one was already in place was stupid, especially since there was no time for adjustments and no changes to the conditions. But Rinoa was completely innocent and ignorant of military tactics and strategy. I couldn't blame her thinking, no matter how idiotic it was in reasoning.
"Ok, Squall, you'll lead the charge if a direct assault is needed. I'll fly high overhead and land next to the gates when you get there, ok?" I said.
"Understood," he replied.
"That won't be necessary," Irvine replied with a smile. "I'll get the job done."
"It's just a contingency," I reminded him.
We moved through the park across the street from Caraway's mansion. The crowds were getting thick, and squads of Galbadian soldiers with riot shields and batons were herding the crowds around the palace. The park provided a good shortcut to point A of our side of the plan.
"So Squall, isn't it true SeeDs aren't supposed to question their mission?" Irvine asked.
"You should know, aren't you one?" Squall asked as we stepped onto a stone path running across the park.
"Just curious. Trying to get a different view from someone from another Garden," Irvine replied before turning to me. "So, how does Balamb Garden's SeeD think about the mission?"
"While SeeDs are mercs on the surface, Headmaster Cid seems to guide his cadets and SeeDs in the direction of morally judging their decisions and orders. He didn't subscribe to the notion that his mercenaries are nothing more than weapons-for-hire. It's like Cid is hoping for more from his troops than simply a financial direction."
"Wow… you got all that from just a few days with them?" Irvine asked.
"Yeah, I guess," I replied. "However the faculty stationed there seem only to care about the money and that the cadets there are trained in ways to get that money the best possible way. It's why they're so strict with rules and stuff. Though it's no-where near as bad as G-Garden."
"Well, sounds nice, in any case," he replied.
"Well there's no way we would've gotten so good at firearms if we started from there anyways," I smirked, taking Oblivion from the holster and spinning it cowboy like before sliding the gun back into the holster. "C'mon, we're almost in position," I added as we exited the park and neared our location.