Notes: The last chapter really needed to end where it did, but the truth of the matter is that I'm not done. Odd how I'm suddenly so inspired. Oh well, what can a girl do? So I figured I'm going to continue staying out of the way as people cook dinner, and work on writing some more. Which means I guess you're getting this on the 8th or there abouts like I promised. Weird, right? Well this was the chapter I intended to write last time anyway, so let's just get on with it.

Hyne's War: Chapter 30

They were applauding. It was something that Nida really couldn't process. He'd stood in front of people, with a microphone in his hands, and when he'd finally shut his mouth, they had started to clap. It made no sense. How could it? He'd pretty much told these people that there was a non-zero chance that they were going to have to face the newest prototype airship from Esthar and somehow survive. Told them that they were here to stop what would ultimately amount to a completely overhaul of the world if Irvine wasn't kept away from these people. That the Zebalgans pretty much literally wanted to gain the ultimate power over the world and force it to change it to suit them. And they had cheered.

Just what was it that made military people tick anyway? He'd never really taken any of the offered courses on military psychology. After all, the plans Nida had been working under when he'd selected his course loads and been infiltration and escape. The short term stealthy kind, not the long term one that required him to feign actual military sentiments.

"Colonel Venti," Nida said, gesturing for Fujin to join him after the applause had died down.

"SIR?"

"What's our ETA on Trabia once we take off?"

That earned him a rather subtle rolling of her eye. But she clearly understood the real purpose of the question. How much time did he have until he had to act like a dependable leader again?

"HOURS."

Nida nodded, half thankful, and looked around, as if evaluating his assembled bridge crew. Then, with a small, approving noise, he started for the door of the lift.

"The bridge is yours, Colonel."

"NO."

That definitely got Nida to freeze in his tracks. Had she just rejected an order in front of all of these men? This couldn't be good.

"Surely I didn't hear you right, Colonel. Surely you just agreed that you would do so and that it would be a privilege and honor to leave my ship in your hands. Correct?"

"INCORRECT."

"Sir, if I may, ya know?" Raijin cut in.

"Lieutenant Colonel?"

"Sir, it's just that last time you were left without a guard..."

"I was forced to slay a young man for his misguided attempt to see me done in. Yes, I do remember that part. Your point?"

"Well, Sir, General Leonhart has ordered that we not allow another such attempt. And as he outranks you, Sir..."

Damn him. It wasn't like he hadn't managed to deal with the problem on his own. But dealing with Squall would have to wait. Nida really wasn't about to waste what little time he had to himself at this point on arguing with Squall so soon after the attack. Given a day or two he might be able to talk Squall down from expecting him to have some of his most valuable resources caught up in watching over him like hawks, or maybe vultures would be more accurate. Which meant that right now he had to leave with an escort. And Fujin had already, in her own way, made it perfectly clear that she wasn't going to let that escort be Raijin. Just what he needed.

"Of course, Summanus. That had managed to slip my mind. You are to take the bridge for now, and are to contact me immediately if necessary. I shall be in my quarters reviewing armament reports."

With quite a bit of annoyance and Fujin in tow, Nida finally managed to get down the lift, across the walkway, and into the private corridor that lead to the command staff offices and quarters. Once the door that separated their space from the rest of the ship closed behind them, Nida whirled on Fujin and leveled the best glare he could manage at her.

"What the hell was that?"

"ORDERS."

"Like hell it was. I'm sure Squall did something that stupid, but that doesn't mean that you were given permission to counter my orders in front of a bridge full of my crew. What the hell were you thinking?"

"That your life is more important than any pride you may lay claim to," she said, absolutely unapologetic.

"It isn't pride, it's discipline!" he roared, storming down the hall to the door which lead to his room. Growling under his breath Nida punched in the door code and let the door slide open. The second he was through it he hit the lock button, intending to keep Fujin out just out of some kind of petulant need to win the argument.

Of course, only moments later the door slid open and Fujin strode in, giving him a look that screamed 'did you really think that would work?'

"Squall or Seifer?"

"Squall."

Well, at least he couldn't argue with the source of her override access. Squall had probably meant for her to have it for good reasons. That didn't mean he was happy with it.

"You shouldn't come in here without someone to check it out first."

"I'm a Rank A SeeD, Fujin. I can handle my own protection," he hissed.

All she did was look at him blankly in response.

"Oh come on, the room is clear. Can't you just do whatever work you have to do and let me have some peace for a while? I could use it."

"TIRED."

"Of course I am. You know quite well that I haven't had a real chance to sleep in days. I'm going to grab a shower and then crash for a bit."

"Not you, idiot. I'm tired," Fujin sighed, obviously exasperated.

"Then haul your ass to your own quarters and grab a bit of shut-eye."

"CAN'T."

"Why?"

"SEIFER."

Seifer? What did Seifer have to do with anything? His presence on the Ragnarok was only a passing thing anyway. How could that possibly prevent Fujin from...

"The best Raijin could do to get him a room was to give him yours?" Nida asked, rubbing his temples. This was just a headache on top of another headache on top of a migraine.

"You told Raijin not to put him in a place to scare the men, apparently. Your own fault."

"And Raijin hasn't managed to find you bunk space yet?"

A shake of the head, and Nida just had to groan. Really, what had he been looking forward to these two as his staff for? Apparently they couldn't handle little problems like this one. Go figure.

"The bunk's there. You better not snore."

Thankfully Fujin didn't say another word, didn't give Nida a real chance to regret the implied order. Instead she just shed her uniform coat and crawled into the bunk, quickly wrapped herself in the meager blanket and promptly fell asleep. It was almost enviable how quickly she dropped off. Quite a lot like a proper pilot really, able to fall asleep in any situation as rapidly as possible. Problem was that Nida had never really managed to perfect that behavior. He was too light a sleeper, too caught up in his own thoughts at night, and now too scared of his dreams to really want to rest anyway.

"Are you just going to stand there or are you going to do whatever it was that you were planning?"

Or maybe she hadn't just fallen right off to sleep.

"Trying to find it in me to care about the shower right now. I really should see to those reports and..."

Fujin sighed and rolled out of both blanket and bed. Once she was on her feet she crossed her arms over her chest and shook her head. "You just don't want to have to put that damn coat back on, do you?"

"Would you?"

"If it fit me like yours fit you, then yes."

All Nida could do then was stare at Fujin, mouth half opened as he tried to think of something to say. It really didn't help that she had closed the distance between them and was quickly, and rather industriously, undoing all of her hard work of not an hour before, undoing the shoulder pieces, belt, and turning her attention to the buttons of his coat.

"I can do this myself," Nida finally found himself speaking, even as he batted her hands away from his coat. "I'm not a child."

"No," she agreed, "I didn't think you were. Which is, I believe, the point of this."

With that her fingers went back into motion, and Nida didn't know how to handle that. This time he grabbed for her wrists, catching them in his hands, and meeting her eye when she looked up at him.

"Fujin... I don't..."

"I know. Or at least I can figure. But just because he's gone doesn't mean that the world's over. Quite the opposite. It's still going on, and you need to just keep living. Tomorrow arrives whether we want it or not. Isn't it better to just welcome it?"

Then her lips were against his, gentle and sweet. Her wrists were out of his hands, and her arms suddenly wrapped around his neck. What made even less sense was the fact that his own arms were going around her waist, holding her close. Maybe she was right anyway. Maybe it would do him good to just forget about what had come before this. Make life easier just to accept what was going on.

At last she pulled away, a small smile on her lips and something else entirely in her eye.

"This won't work," he said, shaking his head.

"Are you saying you're incapable?"

"Hardly," he said, rolling his eyes. "Just that this really won't go anywhere."

"Because you're unwilling to try?"

Yes. No. no, he was willing. Willing to do anything he could to forget everything else, but not willing to hurt Fujin for it. As much because he was certain that he couldn't put what she would deserve into this. Was certain that Raijin and Seifer would see him pay if he hurt her. Not that she couldn't get whatever revenge she saw fitting on her own.

"I don't want to..."

"If you dare say that you're worried about hurting me, I'll break your arm, Nomura. I swear it."

He believed it. If Fujin was willing to threaten him with it, then she was willing to do it. Which was almost intimidating in its own way. Still, he had to be concerned, didn't he?

"Stop thinking," she whispered, her hands going back at last to the buttons of his coat and undoing them without any more protests from Nida.

In the end it was the chime of his door that woke Nida from his nap. With a groan he untangled himself from the blanket and Fujin and snatched up his discarded uniform pants. Then, making sure that Fujin wouldn't be visible from the door, he went to answer it. As he feared he found Raijin waiting for him there, a far too serious look on his face.

"Raijin?" he asked, trying to smooth his hair in to some form of order. "What's wrong?"

"We've caught sign of something big approaching from the west. Think it might be that prototype ship or something. And second, I couldn't find Fujin in her room. Do you know where she went after..."

Nida would have said something, something that made sense and spared him Raijin's knowledge, except suddenly there was a hand on his shoulder, pushing him aside. When he turned to look there was Fujin, wrapped up in the blanket in classic cliché form, and he could feel his cheeks burning. Raijin's eyes flicked between Nida and Fujin, then he burst into a disturbingly wide smile, clapping Nida on the shoulder in something that could only be approval.

"You hurt her, I break your arms," Raijin said, still grinning widely.

"RAIJIN!" Fujin shouted, darting in to kick him hard in the shins. That got Raijin to laugh, despite the obvious pain.

"Well, anyway, we kind of need to deal with this problem, ya know? Probably best for you two to get dressed and up to the bridge. Sir," Raijin added, almost as an after thought.

Then he was walking away, closing the door behind him. It left Nida behind, still staring at the point where Raijin had been, his cheeks burning with embarrassment. What finally got him to move was Fujin smacking him upside the head.

"Couldn't you have just stayed in the bunk?" he found himself asking as she walked away, dropping the blanket as she went so she could grab her uniform pants instead.

"What, are you embarrassed by me?"

"No," he said, quickly snatching his shirt out of the air as Fujin threw it out of him. "I just wasn't exactly planning on letting Raijin know about my business."

"Our business," she corrected him, already into her pants and pulling on the tank top she wore under her uniform coat.

"Fine. Our business. Either way, this... I didn't want this out."

"Because you're concerned with people thinking this is serious?"

More like concerned about her thinking this was serious, but he wasn't going to say that. What was the point of it? They both obviously knew it. With a sigh he just went back to getting himself dressed. Soon enough his shirt and boots were on, and Fujin was again approaching with his coat, and he stood there, silent and serious as she worked. Once it was done and the shoulder shields in place, she straightened her own outfit and smirked.

"Well then, shall we go deal with the crisis?"

"Status report," Nida commanded as he came onto the bridge, Fujin following him by a few paces.

"The object is approaching. Yet to respond to our..." one technician said only to be cut off as a beeping from another console announced an incoming communication.

"Sir?" the communication officer said, looking up at Nida.

"On my screen," Nida confirmed, sliding into the command seat and pulling up its monitor. With a gesture Fujin took up a position behind him as the feed finally flickered to life. On it was an older man, with dark hair and frosty gray eyes. The little that Nida could see of the man other than his head and shoulders revealed what Nida recognized as a rather familiar shade of brown. The same brown used by the Zebalgans to represent one of the divisions of their people.

"Well well, I honestly wasn't expecting to run into you," the man said, a sad look on his face. The voice was all Nida needed to confirm it. Here was one of the three surviving leaders of the Zebalgan people. A name came suddenly to the forefront of Nida's mind, and he almost cursed. Vernon. This man Elijah had referred to as Vernon. And the woman had been Ashura. Damn, Squall could have used that information days ago, and somehow he'd blanked on it.

"Forgive me, but I never really did catch your name when we last met," Nida said, shaking his head. "And for how polite I attempted to be before you all."

"Polite? You killed one of our number. I would hardly call that a polite action."

"Yes, but I would not have done so were I not forced into it," Nida countered. "Consider this, Elijah was a close friend and mentor of mine. It was his hope when I came to your location that I could work to undermine the power Boyce holds over your people. Elijah and I were to be allies, not enemies. The problem is the power that Boyce wields, his ability to force compliance upon his people. What kind of leader makes use of that power? Only the cruel."

That gave the other man a moment's pause, and already Nida could feel the eyes of the others on the bridge glued to him.

"Vernon," the man said at length. "My name is Vernon. And I will need you to stand down if you want your people to survive."

Nida just rolled his eyes at that. "Well, it's a pleasure to finally get to know your name, Vernon, but the truth is that I'm not in the mood for more threats today."

"More threats?"

"Yes. Though I am guessing from your comments that it wasn't your idea to sneak one of Elijah's former men onto my ship to try and kill me earlier today. He had a dagger much like the ones Joshua carried, also poisoned. He was nothing more than a child, fifteen years if he was a day. Tell me, Vernon, when was it that Boyce decided that it was right to throw children into a war?"

That got the man scowling, his eyes narrowed at the accusation or the idea of what had happened, Nida wasn't sure which.

"I would never encourage such underhanded tactics," Vernon hissed in anger. From what Nida remembered from his conversation with Elijah, he was pretty sure that the man was telling the truth too, but that wouldn't get him anywhere right now, would it? After all, if Vernon was the one who hated war, hated bloodshed, this was the one most likely to be won from Megill's cause.

"Tell that to Squall Leonhart. Your friend Xu attempted to kill him, twice. And Ruth went for him as well, if you weren't aware of it. Even if these underhanded tactics aren't yours, you side is employing them and you don't seem to be acting against it. Someone who doesn't attempt to prevent such techniques might has well be encouraging them."

"How dare you? I supported you when..."

"What does it matter?" Nida demanded, slamming a fist into his arm rest. "Elijah is dead, and it was Boyce's doing, not mine. How many of your people died in the attack Garden made upon your haven? Boyce knew it had to have been coming because of Xu. Not our fault she had the wrong information. The moment you forced us into a unity with the world nations, you lost. So why are you even dragging this out? We will win, no matter what you want to believe. You're going to get hurt, your people are going to get hurt, and for what?"

A pause, almost long enough to be promising, only to be broken by Vernon shaking his head.

"I'd say the prophecy given us, but what does it matter when the Heir will not guide?"

Too many sects, too many different sets of beliefs even among so many fanatics. Joshua who had believed that the Zebalgans could rise to power without the Heir. Boyce who thought the power of Hyne was his birthright and intended to take it for his own. Elijah who had wanted to live in peace, to let what may or may not happen come to him if it was meant to be. And Vernon, who truly believed that without a willing heir nothing could be achieved anyway. How could he use that to his advantage?

"Vernon, please, just listen to me, okay? You were more open than the others when I spoke, so I need you to just give me a minute here, just you and me. Can you do that? Can you trust me that far?"

The bridge was silent, utterly silent, at Nida's suggestion. He couldn't blame them. Knowing that their fates may rest in how well Nida spoke with Vernon. And there were likely still those who didn't trust him, couldn't trust him, that had to work with him anyway. They'd think this would just be a way for Nida to come to some kind of agreement to give them all away despite their best interests.

Fujin took a step forward, Nida could sense it as much as feel it, and he raised a hand to halt her advance. All she was going to do was try to talk him out of this anyway. No, he couldn't allow that, not right now. The most important thing would be doing this in private. Letting him play all of the cards that mattered before Vernon. Maybe it would work. He had to try. The worst that would happen was a fight that Nida wasn't completely confident that they could win. The best would be winning Vernon and his men as allies, tearing the Zebalgan forces and maybe changing the whole course of the conflict.

"Well?"

"It will take me a few minutes to arrive in a secure location on my ship in which to speak," Vernon said at last.

"So that means you'll do it?"

"I cannot be sure whether or not the true Heir is you, or the one Boyce claims as his grandson. But either way I owe it to my people to try and make you understand the importance of your role."

"And I owe it to them to get you to agree to end this foolish war. Take the time you need. But if you ship comes any closer to ours, my men have orders to open fire. Understand?"

"I do. I shall contact you as soon as possible."

With that the screen went dark, and Nida took a deep breath. Slowly, deliberately, he pushed the screen back, triggering the automatic retreat into the original storage area. Then, with a sigh, he looked around the bridge, met each gaze leveled at him in turn. Once he'd done that, he stood and cleared his throat. Time for another speech already? Wonderful.

"We are at war. You know this as well as I do. But wars are ended two different ways. By attrition, who can handle the loss of their people longer than the other. By coming to an agreement of peace. The latter is so much harder because it means working together to overcome our differences. Despite our best efforts we have been unable to get Boyce Megill to see reason. The man I just spoke with, though, he too is one of the leaders of the Zebalgan people, and no fan of bloodshed or war. If we are to end this with minimal loss of life, it is only through this man that it can be achieved. This is a chance we cannot pass up.

"I'm certain that, given a chance, we might be able to come to some sort of agreement. I have to try. But if the enemy ship fails to maintain its current distance, you are to act at once. Respond with all force necessary to defend our people. Colonel Venti, you have the bridge."

He didn't even bother to wait for any responses before turning on his heel, hands clasped behind his back. Waiting didn't matter much, because the second his back was turned there was the sound of people going on about their normal business. Young men and women discussing readings, shouting out information across the room, and Raijin's heavy footsteps pacing the deck.

We might just be able to do this, Nida observed, and his thought was seconded quietly by a sentiment from Siren.

If they have faith in you. Much will rest in this conversation.

Which meant that Nida wasn't really willing to face this conversation alone. As much as he said he was going to do so, the truth was there was another resource he was going to tap into. One that could give him more information about Vernon to go on. It didn't hurt either that he'd be able to draw upon the knowledge of the individual without anyone's knowledge. And it required a trip to his quarters rather than the office where he intended to take the conversation. After all, better to not have a delicate conversation in the casual quarters when he could make sure it was serious by having the SeeD logo highly visible behind his head.

It had taken him almost twenty minutes with Irvine's assistance to talk Squall out of the small silver charm that Nida pulled from the meager safe meant to house his more restricted orders. Carefully he unclasped the chain from which hung Siren's harp and he slipped the mithril lizard into place beside it on the chain. Then he replaced the chain, hid the pair under his shirt, and almost had to gasp at the heat that came from the charm pressed against his skin. It felt almost as if the metal was searing him, trying to burn through the flesh and into his very bones.

You have sought me, Eagle, and I answer ever your call, the high, crackling voice of Salamander danced in his head. There is much of which we should discuss.

Which will have to wait. First I must ask you to help me. I'm to speak with Vernon of the Zebalgan council in a few minutes. I might be able to shorten the war if I can win him to my side. And to do that I fear I'll need more information about Elijah than I actually know. I don't need memories in general, but specific. Is that possible?

Yes, it is in fact a thing I can achieve. But I am no creature to be used at your whims. I am a being of power that you cannot even begin to contemplate. My place in this bauble, in your mind, are only because I deign to allow such a thing. And as the creature spoke, Nida almost felt as if he was being consumed by the flames of Salamander's annoyance. Who had known it could burn so?

Then why allow it at all?

Because it is my duty as one of the first born to be a guide to those of the chosen bloodline.

Then you should be with Irvine, and this conversation is pointless, Nida could hardly help but hiss at the GF. It is him you want.

Did you not hear me, child? We serve and guide the blood. Whether it is the chosen son of it or not, we guide. The other will eventually see one of our kind into his hands. There are more than enough in the hands of your leader, the Lion, and they will call to him. Our song calls to the souls of the blood.

Then how come I didn't hear your call before this? Elijah had you during his...

No, Salamander interrupted, sounding quite forlorn. First, we can only call those who have come into their power. For the sons it is the visions of the future. For daughters, another thing altogether. But I was only placed into the care of the fiery one just before his escape of your garden. I never had a chance to know and call.

If you only knew him for so short a time, how do you have his memories?

There was a chuckle, warm and roaring. Oh child, have you listened to naught that Veringas has attempted to teach you? We make our homes in such a place in your mind that we know your memories, whether we are there or not. It is a blessing, and a curse. We begin, over time, to take on characteristics of those we are tied to if we are operating on the highest level, such as I am now, and the humans lose memories either way. Speaking of, you seem to have forgotten a meeting that you have agreed to.

Nida cursed, immediately calling for the lights to go out before storming from the room. It was just a few strides to his office, but already personal comm was ringing, calling for his attention.

"Yes?" he asked even as he flipped the comm device open.

"Sir, the enemy commander has requested to speak with you," a voice only passingly familiar from the bridge said.

"Of course. I'll take it in my office. Keep him on hold for two minutes before putting him through."

"Yes Sir."

It wasn't much time, but it was enough for Nida to slip into his office, smooth his uniform, and settle into his seat. When the chime came from his display to indicate that they were transferring the control to him, Nida was as ready as he thought he would ever be. When his screen came alive with Vernon's face, Nida gave a curt nod and tried hard not to grit his teeth as he spoke.

"Well then, shall we figure out the best way to keep our men alive?"