Chapter 23 – Lighting the Fuse

He Said/She Said

"Nobody gets out of this pit alive/No, nobody gets out alive." – Nobody by Skindred

Breakfast

"What are you really here for?"

Fagan dropped his fork, looking up and to the left at the hulking figure of the red haired man he had come to know as Chappu. The brazen young man had offended Fagan on many occasions, asking too many questions, mostly at very inappropriate times. Fagan had not had a solid, warm breakfast in ages. He knew the technique well; it was a form of interrogation. He had used it many times in the temple, questioning radicals.

"Well? Do you even know?" Chappu continued the forceful questioning.

Fagan turned back to his food and muttered, "As with the morning previous, I answer with a mumble."

Chappu raised a fist, but the even taller figure of Auron loomed in the hut's doorway. Chappu's fist stopped moving mid-arc.

"That's enough," said the gruff voice. "I'm sure Fagan would like to eat his meal without being patronized. It's time to speak with Yuna, Chappu."

Chappu blinked and turned his head, looking at Auron over his shoulder. "Speak to her about wha-"

The stern look on Auron's face reminded Chappu of what he had forgotten. He turned his cold glare back to Fagan, who met it just as coldly. The young man acted as if he were going to say something, but then huffed at Fagan and walked towards Auron. The two men left the hut, allowing Fagan to turn back to his food.

"I don't know why we even feed that bastard. I don't trust 'em."

"You don't trust anyone, Chappu."

"Very true."

"Do you trust Weston? He is leading you on a mission later tonight, isn't he?"

"That man couldn't lead a Chocobo, let alone a squad of soldiers."

"How do you mean?" asked Auron, countenance morphing into a curious stare. "I've heard he's quite the leader, actually."

"Psh," Chappu sounded. "Those other 'soldiers' are just too hyped about the mission. It's going to fail. I know it."

"Why?"

"You ask too many damn questions, old man. Think about it! Weston is completely different from a Crusader. He's too secretive in his approach. He's not brash enough. You have to hit the enemy hard and fast. The idiot's going to have us sneak in quietly, do some damage, and then try to flee without being detected. What kind of plan is that? A coward's plan, that's what."

Auron grinned. "I think, Chappu, that Weston's objective is to keep as many of the squad members alive as possible without the enemy knowing what hit them."

"They better know what hit 'em. I ain't doin' this if I don't get recognition."

With a roll of his eyes, Auron turned and started up the steps to Besaid's temple. "Remember, I'm the one speaking to Yuna. You do not need to add anything-"

"-and I should stay quiet unless spoken to. Yes, I've heard this before," Chappu said, a snarl etched into his voice. "I still think telling her this now is a bad idea."

"Lord Braska wants her to know now, so we tell her now," replied Auron, head turned towards Chappu's. His stony eyes peaked from the upper rim of his dark sunglasses. The glare kept Chappu quiet until the two stepped into the main chamber of the temple.

Worries

There was always something there. Something that nagged at me every time my mind wandered. Something important. But I didn't know what it was, neither was I confident that I was ever going to know. This was something so important that a little nag was always there. I knew something wasn't right, and I don't believe it had anything to do with anyone, or anything, but me.

Sure, I didn't belong in Spira. That something though, I knew it was deeper than just me being out of place. I knew it ran farther than that. Not only did I not belong in Spira, I felt that, however I got there, it was wrong too. Very wrong. So wrong it was unnatural. Someone had screwed with the very strings of the continuum or something. Someone had messed with the laws of the world, universe even.

Or maybe it was just indigestion. Tip for any weary travelers: when Besaid has a feast, politely decline anything that resembles a green potato. Trust me.

The feast, mind you, was a nice gesture. But the people in this village really believe in eating some gaseous foods. And they believe even stronger in the fact that anyone being honored by the feast should eat everything prepared for the meal.

I suppose you could say I was more nervous than bloated, but I wasn't going to admit it to anyone. The pained look on my face and my sweaty brow were going to be solely attributed to that green potato looking thing.

The mission was looming ahead, only mere hours away, and I was nervous. More nervous than ever before. I'd been through covert-ops many times, but this time, and I think it had more to do with me not knowing my team as well as I needed to, I was sweating rivers. Something I hadn't done in ages.

The plan for the mission was simple: The Recon team sneaks into Bevelle from the front gate and takes out any opposition on their way to a command tower. They make their way to the top level of the tower, a facility a mile or so south of the temple. They must clear the way for the other teams. The rest of the teams are dropped from an airship into Macalania Woods, the Support team setting up a base of operations in the barracks level of the tower and the Recon team providing sniper fire from the top. The Assault and Explosives teams make their way down to the adjacent weapons and ammunition storehouse. Explosives are planted.

If all of that goes right, then the Support and Recon teams clear shop and all the teams make a quick jog through a thru-way, bypassing the core of the city and coming up right to the rear of New Yevon's line in the Calm Lands.

The Yevon guys have set up camp just to the south of the eastern cliff-wall in the Calm Lands. There are two central hubs within that camp: one that acts as a munitions dump and one as a communication center. While the Yevon military lacks the electronic communication the Al Bhed have granted Yuna's forces, they have a network of runners who ride Chocobos back and forth between the battalions.

It's up to the Explosives team to take care of the munitions dump, with the help of the Support team. The Recon team will set up a sniping point a few hundred yards to the west of the communications center. They will pick off any opposition that's directly in the way. It is then up to the Assault team to pull of a quick genocide of the communication runners and their chickens. I mean Chocobos.

If anyone of us is left alive by the end of the night, we fall back and regroup on the thru-way path to the south of the Calm Lands and call for EVAC.

Ok, so it wasn't that simple. Sue me.

At least now, my worrying can be justified. This was one hell of an operation, and only a tight-nit and talented squad could complete it flawlessly. Unfortunately, my squad didn't have all the training it needed. Granted, they were all good soldiers, but the month or so of training I had given them still wasn't enough. They weren't used to having to be careful in a war. They all had been used to the Pickett way of things: charge in, kill as many as you can, and repeat. It was extremely hard to get that trained out of them. I had been successful in doing so, but it took nearly two weeks of time we had precious little of.

The last two weeks were CQC training and a little bit of Urban Warfare. The squad picked it all up like a sponge, but I still had my doubts. Regardless of their experience, this was going to be their first black op, and despite their service records, they were green in this area. Neon green, in fact. That test at the beginning of the training was only a small taste of what real Special Forces deal with day in, day out.

"Sir?"

I blinked and tried to leap to my feet. My chair, already leaning on its two back legs, fell back and I went with it. Not missing a beat, I tried to catch myself on the table in front of me, and it too came with the chair and me. After it was all said and done, I was covered in cold coffee and some form of jelly leaking from the pastry on my shoulder.

I closed my eyes and tried to keep my anger down. To my left, a small, feminine, laugh was sounding. Acua seemed to be enjoying my plight.

With a grunt, I got to my feet and looked down. My white tank-top was now mostly brown and red. I quickly took the garment off and threw it to the ground. After picking up the table and chair, I shook my head and turned towards Acua.

"Yes?"

Still giggling, she said "Good thing Eimour wasn't here to see that. She'd tell you a thing or two."

I nodded, but kept my stern look. Eimour and Gary had already said their worried good-lucks and had left sometime earlier in the morning. I forced them to leave. They didn't need to see me off. It'd just make them worry more, even if I thought that to be impossible.

"Rikku's brother dropped off the explosives just now. She showed Fedra and Joli how to use them. She then blew up an empty box."

I cocked a brow. "At least it was empty..."

"Klodre and I were wondering what time we'd be sent out," she shifted a few locks of her hair out of her eyes and made eye contact with me. Something told me she had something else on her mind.

"Shortly before dark. You'll make your way through the forest. Should be dark by the time you reach the front gate of the city. From there-"

"I know, sir. I just wanted to know when we'd be heading out. Thank you." She made no effort to walk away, jaw clenching as she obviously battled with the idea of saying something else.

Prompting her, I asked, "Anything else?"

She nodded. "I don't know how to put this."

"Bluntly is fine."

Again, she nodded, and then made eye contact with me. "I don't want to die."

"Neither do I." The question took me aback. I tried not to let it show, so I kept my exterior as stern and calm as possible.

"I mean, I really, really don't want to die," she affirmed, voice growing a bit more forceful.

"Again, neither do I. What are you getting at?"

"I've...I've got someone back home..."

Ah. I nodded. "As do I, as you already know. Don't worry, if we all stay disciplined and act as a team, we'll be fine." This was not good.

"I know you said soldiers are supposed to do their duty, and that we were a group of people that didn't need to be tied down."

I blinked. "I said that?"

"Yeah."

"Well, forget it. Seeing as I'm kinda tied down myself, I can't exactly say that now can I?"

She shook her head. "I guess not."

"You're not alone. I've got someone I'm fighting for too. Don't worry, I'll make sure all of you get back alive." Inside, I was cringing at the statement. I knew I couldn't make a promise like that...but I had to keep her assured. I needed her as calm as possible because without her, I doubt the mission would succeed. Hell, without any of them as calm as possible, I doubted the mission would succeed.

She smiled and nodded. "Thank you, sir."

I smiled back. "Any time."

She jogged out of my office and back to the training area, where all of the teams were going over the mission plan. I sat back down and watched them from afar. They had come a long way, but the journey had just begun. I counted every member present except Chappu, who had asked to have the morning to take care of final business before the mission. Whatever the hell that meant.

I hoped he made it back soon. He'd need quite a bit of preparation for tonight, because tonight was going to be big. Tonight was going to be the longest night of all their lives, including mine.

The Truth

"We're here to talk to you about Tidus." Auron told Yuna, who had allowed them room at the dining table.

She nodded, clearing two plates from the table and offering Auron and Chappu some breakfast.

"Thank you, but food will not do us much good." Auron said.

Chappu laughed, beating his fist against the table. "True," he remarked after catching his breath. Auron, however, wasn't amused.

Always quick to the point, Auron said, "Tidus is not back simply to be back."

Yuna pursed her lips and raised a brow. "Oh?" she said, her voice not showing a hint of emotion.

"He has an obligation. I fear this was not communicated to him."

Yuna tilted her head to the side. "He certainly hasn't mentioned anything like that to me." Auron could tell she had her doubts.

"Does he have a blue stone?"

Yuna nodded. Tidus had shown her the stone the second day he had been with her.

Auron nodded as well. "And his sword?"

"Sword?" She blinked at this. "No, he had no sword with him."

Trying to hide his disappointment, Auron coughed, cleared his throat, and replied, "I see."

"What's this about a sword?"

Auron's eyes closed and he rubbed his stubbly chin. "Tidus was given a stone and a sword when he was returned to Spira. Those two items are key to his fulfilling his obligation."

"What is this obligation?" Yuna asked, more forcefully than she meant to.

"We have two rogue entities in Spira. Spirits that are not supposed to be here. We know one is Nyka, but the other one we're not too sure of."

She simply nodded. Nothing, it seemed, could surprise her at this point. Calmly, she asked, "And how do you know these spirits are here?"

"Your father told us outright that Nyka was a rogue spirit. But he told us that he knew not who the other one was. Just that if the two spirits were not neutralized, this war would last forever. That's why he sent Tidus down. That blue stone is a soul-stone. It can hold two souls and lock them away for good. This keeps the souls from ever becoming rogue again?"

"Rogue?"

"The souls have come back to Spira from the Farplane without first being resurrected. They are, in a manner of speaking, invincible. The only weapon that can harm them is-"

"The sword," Yuna finished, nodding. "So it's up to Tidus to get these souls in that stone?"

Auron nodded. "Right. That is his obligation. In return, he may stay here, with you. He has been fully resurrected. He is no dream, meaning he is not like the spirits. He is not invincible. Therefore it's imperative he stays safe until Chappu and I can locate the second rogue spirit. Until then, he's not to try anything dangerous."

"And how, exactly, am I supposed to keep him from doing anything dangerous? Have you had his cooking?"

Chappu laughed heartily at that. Auron gave a weak smile. "I'm sure you have your ways, Lady Yuna. Now, if you excuse us, Chappu has his own obligation to fill."

They both stood, Auron bowed, and then left, leaving Yuna to her thoughts.

Prep

The members of my squad were milling about the training area, looking at all the makeshift tables with their weaponry laid down upon them. I do believe they were antsy. I saw Acua check her sniper rifle, courtesy of HK and the US military, four or five times in less than fifteen minutes.

I shuffled a few maps, put away a couple of pencils, and stood. With a fleeting glance at Gatta's office, I shut the door behind me and twisted the knob to make sure the door had locked. My hands tingled as I walked down the hallway, towards the barracks room. I suppose I was feeling a bit antsy as well. My hands tingled once more. They wanted weaponry to grip, and they'd soon have their wish.

Shuffling through the bunk beds, left in pristine condition by their soon to depart owners, I remarked on how going into battle, every little nuance about something caught my attention. The way the sun hit the metal bed-posts, how the dust rose into the air as the setting sun snuck its final rays through the windows. My ears heard every chirp, creak, and scuff in this room. I was slowly getting into the zone. Soon, I'd be in my soldiering mode, if you could call it that.

To describe it best would be to liken it to euphoria, but too many think pleasant things when they hear that word, so I'll just say "mind state." Most soldiers call it the "zone." Regardless, I was slowly becoming a different person. My muscles were starting to come under my complete control. Once I had a weapon in my hand, said weapon would become more or less an extension of my extremities. Sure, it sounds corny, but it's true. Hell, I didn't even really have to concentrate on aiming either. It would just become second nature.

With a slow exhaling breath, I opened the door leading to the training grounds, walked through the threshold, and shut the door behind me. The soldiers all turned their attention to me. They snapped together into a line and saluted. Inwardly, I smiled, but I kept my stony countenance for a moment longer. Finally, a smirk crossed my lips and I said jokingly, "I hope you guys don't do that in the field. I don't want to get shot at first." I winked at them they returned it with a laugh in unison.

I walked over to the nearest weapons table and picked up a pistol I'd never seen before. It resembled the Al Bhed's accelerated pistol, but it definitely had a clip. The receiver was on top of the gun and an uncovered magazine of rounds was sticking out of the top. I looked to Fedra for an explanation.

"Ah, I see you found the older pistol."

"Older pistol," I asked.

"That's right. Normally uses an ancient type of ammo. Joli and I modified it to accept the ammo from the HKs. The clips are loaded through the top and with every shot, the clip is lowered and another round chambered. When the mag's empty, it shoots back out of the top."

I nodded. "I'm familiar with that type of loading. Accurate?"

Fedra nodded. "Very."

"I'll take it."

He looked at me strangely. "Why not use one of the accelerated pistols?"

I shrugged. "I've used them enough."

He didn't enquire further.

I moved over to the table where the rifles were laid out. I picked up the carbine model. Klodre grunted in my direction. "Going for rate of fire and accuracy, eh?"

I nodded. "I'm no sniper, and I'm not a spray-and-prayer either. This'll do fine."

He nodded.

With a quick motion, I shoved the pistol and its magazines into my right pocket and slung the carbine over my right shoulder. I then placed about thirty magazines into my satchel, which was slung over my left shoulder. The crudely drawn maps from Gatta's recon airship were in my left-knee pocket; lighting device, pencils, and compass in the right-knee pocket. Stuffed into a sheath attached to my left breast pocket was my combat knife. Gatta had sent us ten daggers, which I asked Joli and Fedra to modify. The daggers had been about eight inches in length and double-edged. I had the two Al Bhed serrate one side of the blade. This allowed for quick dispatch of an enemy by way of throat cutting. Yeah, morbid, but we had to be quick and efficient in our work.

Everyone else was similarly dressed and equipped. We all had green, spotty camo on. Wouldn't work for Bevelle really well, but it'd help once we got to the Calm Lands. Well, if we got to the Calm Lands, that is. The only differences in the squad were that the Assault team carried more clips and a mix of carbine and light-carbine M8s, the Explosives team had specially made satchel charges and light carbines, the Recon team carrying the long-barrel, silenced, sharpshooter M8s.

Nonu had his communication device strapped into a tight-fitting satchel wrapped around his waist. The satchel had steel lining so it could protect the small and easily broken Al Bhed communicator that linked the squad to Gatta's HQ at the line in the Calm Lands and Yuna's HQ in Besaid. We'd only need the device when we needed to call for EVAC. Nonu was the only one with the device and he had it turned off. Radio chatter was deadly on a special ops mission. The squad would be communicating through hand signals only. I wasn't even risking whispers.

Iddio had a miniature staff strapped to his back. It resembled the one Yuna had in her study in the temple, but the coloring and symbol were a bit different, but not by much. The staff was only about two feet long, and looked like the old World War Two era shovels in the GI's rucksack. The only difference was that this staff could heal wounds as minor as scrapes and as major as death, if treated in time. Of course, if the head is gone, the corpse is shit out of luck for resurrection, from what Iddio told me. I'd be making sure my head wouldn't be rolling tonight.

I finished loading up on ammo and motioned for everyone to group around me. They quickly did as asked. After clearing my throat, I brought out a folded sheet of paper from my map pocket and unfolded it, holding it up so everyone could see. On it were the steps to the operation.

"Let's go over this one more time, guys." They nodded in response. "Ok, first thing: Klodre, Acua; you two will sneak into Bevelle from the front gates off of Mushroom Rock road. It won't be well guarded. Take any opposition out from afar. You've got suppressors, use them." Only the two in question nodded.

"Sneak along the outer-rim of the city. It will be the least guarded area. Don't stop for anything. Shoot on the run if you must. I'd prefer you stay concealed, though. Use your knives if you can sneak up on guards in the way. About a mile or so south of the temple and north of the back gate area is the New Yevon command tower. From what Fagan told us, the soldiers stationed there are reserves because of Nyka sending his best troops to the Calm Lands. Quell any resistance you find there, make it to the third floor observation deck, and clear the back gates, the ones leading to Macalania Woods. The rest of us will be waiting for you to dispatch the two guards we know are there.

"When those guards fall, the rest of us will enter the city and make our way to the tower. The Support team will take the second floor, or the Barracks level of the tower. The Assault team will accompany the Explosives team to the adjacent munitions and weapons warehouse and/or dump and blow it.

"Once it's been blown and our diversion tactic successful, all teams high-tail it along the northern rim of the city, accessible by the aqueduct running under the road. The access point is just to the right of the tower." I then pulled a map drawn by Fagan, the access point circled, the command tower and munitions store dotted. An arrow follows the aqueduct all the way to its exit point, just below the rim of the city leading to the Calm Land Yevonite line.

After letting the squad soak all of that in for a moment, I continued. "Once we exit the aqueduct, the Recon team will set up a sniping position here." I pointed to an area of the map to the left of the line. "It's a steep climb to the top, but it's not inaccessible. This cliff should provide a nice vantage point. Be sure to flip the night-vision mode of your mounted scopes on. Also, be sure to turn the NV scope option off if the hornet nest comes alive. The flashes of light from return fire will blind you if you're looking through the NV scope. If that happens, I suggest switching to the thermal mode.

"The Assault team and I will be watching through our own scopes. Once we see the path clear, we will make our way to the communications area. The Explosives team accompanied with the Support team will take the munitions store. The Recon team will provide constant sniper fire for us. Each of your knives has one of the power-cores of an Al Bhed pistol in the grip. Recon team, when we move out, strictly use the thermal mode of your scopes. You will see a fire-orange aura around your squad mates. The Yevonites will not have this aura. Those of us using the accelerator pistols will have an even stronger aura.

"After that, it's simply a matter of retreating to the exit point of the aqueduct and calling for EVAC with the communicator. Questions?" I put away the map and objective list and looked to each of them. Of course, they had all been briefed dozens of times before, but one more briefing never hurt. Joli raised her hand.

"Yes?"

"Someone at the fence for you sir."

I blinked, gazed out at the fence behind my squad, and there, gripping the wire intently, was Eimour. I sighed and nodded. "I'll be right back," I said and began jogging to her.

When I made it over to her, I hopped the fence and landed next to her. She gave me a warm, and somewhat teary smile. Something in me ached at that sight, but my exterior stayed firm. I needed to concentrate on the mission.

"Yes," I asked, although it sounded colder than I had meant it to.

She twirled a finger into a lock of hair on her shoulder. "I want to give you this." She then pulled something from an area of her body I had never tried to focus too much on in her presence. For a moment, she hesitated, the small rectangular piece of metal pressed against her chest, just above the crevice she had pulled it from. After a quick nod, she pulled her hair up and fiddled with something on the back of her neck. It was then that I saw the chain attached to the rectangle. The chain was so thin and tarnished, it blended well with her tanned skin. No wonder I had never seen it before.

After a moment or two, she unhooked the chain and held it up to my eye level. I tried to make out what was inscribed on the piece of metal, but she dropped the necklace into my unconsciously outstretched hand. The necklace would be too loose, therefore too bothersome for me to wear in a combat situation, and I was about to tell her this when she put a finger to my lips and nodded.

"I know you can't wear it, so keep it close to your heart." To stress this, she patted my left breast pocket. I slipped it in the pocket immediately. She smiled and then reached into her own top pocket, pulling out a thick piece of folded parchment. Again, she hesitated, but then said, handing me the paper, "Read this when you're alone."

I nodded. "I thought we already said our goodbyes." Again, I was cold, but I couldn't help it.

She simply smirked, acknowledging the fact that I was probably acting so cold because I didn't want my troops to see my soft side. With a grin and a soft brush of my stubbly cheek, she whispered, "Come back to me, soldier."

At this, I couldn't help but smile. I then snapped a salute and said, "Yes, ma'am!"

Laughing, she leaned up and forward, placing a soft kiss to my chin. I heard my squad giving off a few whistles and hollers. I turned my gaze to them and shook my head. They quieted down quickly.

Eimour wrapped her arms around my middle and then turned, whispering, once more, "Come back to me."

I nodded to her back and hopped the fence, heading back toward my squad. Forcefully, I said, "Not a word," as I came back into the circle. After a quick glance at the time, I pointed at Klodre and Acua. "Time to move, you two. We'll be right behind you."

They nodded, gave each other quick glances, and jogged off to the small carrier airship that'd be taking them to Mushroom Rock road. Hopefully they could get dropped without being seen. I just wished this world had some parachutes.

Seconds after they boarded the ship, it rose into the air and shot off at great speed. The good thing about a small airship was that it ran pretty silently. About five minutes after they left, the rest of the squad and I boarded a similar airship and shot off towards our drop point. It would take all of my strength to get up out of that comfortable airship seat and take lives once again.

Phase 1

Klodre and Acua quickly exited the airship and immediately began a sweeping maneuver on the section of the road they had touched down on. It was completely devoid of any life, save a few weeds jutting out of the rocky path that lay in front of them. Without hesitation, the two jogged down the path, their drop point only meters away from the entrance to Bevelle. Still, they weren't taking any chances. Klodre was on point, Acua frequently checking her "six" as Weston had called it (which meant she quickly looked over her shoulder every few feet. Paranoia and survival were one and the same on this mission, Acua had noticed).

They both stopped when Klodre reached the corner of the road and the path leading to Bevelle. Weston had told them to try to take the guards there out from a far. Unfortunately, Klodre and Acua had both noticed that the path was cut directly into the cliff, so they'd have to be in the ocean to get a clean shot off to anyone inside of the entrance to the path. So they'd have to rely on blades. Klodre knew that accuracy at a close range with a ranged weapon was suicide. Weston had told him so many times.

Acua had caught on to Klodre's hesitation and slung her rifle over her shoulder, drawing her blade from its sheath. Klodre did the same, took in a long breath, and swung around the corner.

Two white robed figures were directly in front of him. He pounced on the closest. The act itself was simple, routine even. Weston had shown him numerous times during their CQC training. Klodre's leg hooked between the Yevonite's own two legs, and then Klodre pushed against the man's shoulder with his own, forcing the young guard to fall onto his back. Klodre's right leg came down on the man's left wrist, crushing the small bones within. The guard's grip on his rifle loosened immediately, and without a second's hesitation, Klodre jabbed his blade into the guard's throat, serrated edge down. He dug deep, pushed forward, and then pulled out to the left, severing the windpipe and jugular vein of the guard, leaving the poor soul bleeding out and gurgling; his last moments of life spent wondering what in the hell just happened.

Klodre sprang up, wiped his blade on the side of his fatigues and turned to where the other guard had been. The guard, however, was no longer standing. He was lying in almost the same position as Klodre's target, throat open and bleeding. Behind him, Acua laughed very softly.

"You're too slow."

Klodre grunted and sheathed his blade, throwing his rifle over his shoulder and back into his arms. He trudged on, Acua following close behind. The two stopped when the path's barren rock walls became a lush forest. They could see Bevelle a few hundred meters ahead. Acua jerked her head towards the forest, and Klodre nodded in confirmation. They both would be safer in the wooded area beside the path than on the path. They had learned the first day that the longest path was the best path.

The only enemy they had to worry about in the wooded area was the insects, who, sensing the low lying sun, had become frenzied, trying to gather pollen before the sun completely set. Acua was not too pleased with this, but did not let her qualms be known. Onward they trudged until Klodre held his fist into the air, causing Acua to stop dead in her tracks. Slowly, his fist turned into a flat, stretched hand. His arm cocked forward, hand now flat parallel with the ground and pushing down towards it. Acua immediately dropped to the ground, unfolded her bipod, and pressed the gun's butte firmly against her shoulder. Her breath slowed, cheek pressing against the M8's cheek plate, eye only a few centimeters from the scope. She had not taken notice of Klodre, who had done just the same as her.

Through her scope, she quickly identified four targets, all white-robed Yevonite guards. They were standing at the wide open front gate, chatting, smoking, and having a generally good time. She drew her crosshair onto the head of the smoking guard, who was leaning against the stone wall next to the gate, listening to the others. She pulled the trigger and the young man dropped slowly against the wall. Her gun made little to no sound. The sound it did make was just now reaching the guards, and to them, it must've not been important, because they continued to mill about, not even noticing their crouched comrade and the blood and brain matter splattered against the wall only a few feet from their own heads. She drew another bead, this time on the center of attention. Acua knew if she were to take him out, the rest would most certainly notice.

She heard two clicks and through her scope, she saw the two guards around the center of attention already falling to the ground. Admittedly, Klodre was a better shot than she. It took only a few seconds for the center of attention to notice and he quickly turned around, looking at his comrades, sickened and confused looks fighting for the right to claim his countenance. Acua quickly dispatched the center of attention.

Seeing no other immediate threats to their progress through her scope, Acua moved from her prone position to a crouched one, removing her magazine and shoving two shells from her right-knee pocket into it. She held the magazine release open and slowly eased the magazine back into its home, releasing the magazine catch even slower. Weston had taught them all the usefulness of being silent. Satisfied, she tugged on the magazine and found it snugly in place. Klodre was already looking at her, rifle ready.

"You're too slow," he mouthed.

She stuck out her tongue and they continued forth, stopping at the wall next to the gate. If they were going to make it to the tower without being seen, they were no longer going to get the chance to stop and make a sweep of an area. They'd just have to move and move fast, making sure not to make too much noise on the way. It was more than a daunting task, Klodre felt. It was damn near impossible, as far as he was concerned, but if Weston said it could be done, then it must be doable.

They took in very deep breaths, slung their rifles over their backs, and continued.

Phase 1 - continued

"They're taking too long," Chappu chirped from behind me. I held up a finger and he grunted. I turned and gave him a stare. He made no further noise.

Indeed, they were taking longer than I had expected, seeing as they were so gifted with the rifles. Still, I was going to give them the benefit of the doubt and not rush the rest of the squad's job.

We were all crouched behind some purple and blue bushes. Yes, purple and blue. And I'm sure we stuck out like a sore thumb, but the two guards at the gate a few feet away weren't noticing. They were too busy cavorting. Apparently, those left over to guard Bevelle were not exactly the best and brightest of the bunch.

I could literally feel the tension from the rest of the squad behind me, almost pushing me to do something. I honestly didn't want to budge, not even when the two guards fell. I'd been out of action for quite a while, and Eimour had softened me so much that I was finding my own heart conflicting with my thoughts. This was dangerous.

With a violent shake of my head, I pulled back the receiver of my carbine, and the moment it slammed a cartridge into the chamber, the two guards at the gate dropped almost simultaneously.

The rest of the squads chambered their first round of the night and we advanced in a large flanking formation, the tip being myself, the curved portion consisting of the Explosives and Support teams. Nooj was to my right, Narr to my left, and Chappu to Narr's left. We slinked along the left side of the path, sweeping left and right. The town was nearly dead as far as activity was concerned. Dusk only had a few more moments of life and because of the taller structures in the city, long, dark shadows covered the landscape, broken up every two hundred feet or so by torches lighting the pathways.

Seeing no immediate opposition, we sped up, covering more ground. We were at the tower's base and I hadn't even broken a sweat or generated enough adrenaline to even feel my pulse in my forehead. In a way, I was glad. I was also slightly disappointed. Well, at least my body was.

I jogged to the top of the tower and met Acua halfway towards the center of the deck. She nodded to me, but didn't salute, thankfully. I nodded back and asked, "Simple enough?"

"Very. They left the barracks in a mess. Looks like the soldiers were all called away very quickly."

Klodre joined her side and nodded, reaching into his top pocket. He pulled out a folded piece of parchment and handed it to me. I scanned the document. The message dug deep into my brain, but I just didn't have the time or honestly, the will power to process it.

"They're making an offensive move tonight. Tonight, sir."

"I know that, Klodre."

"We've got to warn Gatta."

"Yes, I know," I replied with a nod. Duh. I called out, "Nonu, get up here!"

A minute or so later, Nonu was jogging towards me. "Yes, sir?" he asked, not panting at all.

"Call Gatta's HQ."

"But sir, we're not evacuating yet, are we?"

I shook my head. "Just call them, please."

He nodded and opened the heavy satchel, pulling the small device out. Quickly, he input a code and the device lit up. Shortly, I heard Gatta's voice come over the speaker.

"Yes?" he asked curtly. Nonu said, "Cemahd Jahkayhla calling for Gatta."

"Speaking. What does Weston want?"

I smirked as Nonu handed me the device. "Got some bad news, bud."

"Do you ever have good news, Weston?"

"Oh, I do have some of that."

I could hear him chuckle on the other end. "Yeah, and what's that?"

"We're in Bevelle and Nyka's shitting his pants. I mean, it stinks, man, seriously."

Again, Gatta chuckled. "Right. What's the bad news, then?"

"Nyka's about to send a whole crap load of bad guys your way. We're talking an hour at most."

"Wonderful. I'll mobilize as best I can. The only thing we can do is dig in and fight it."

I nodded, to no one in particular. "Obviously. From what this piece of paper says, it's going to be nearly ten thousand men followed by some Chocobo mounted attacks on your left line, near the edge of the cliff. They're going to be shelling the headquarters position with something they call," and I reread the paper to make sure of the name, "'bouncy bombs.' I'm guessing they've concocted some new stuff for this offensive. Be prepared for anything."

Only silence came from his end. I continued.

"My teams may be able to slow the offensive, if we haul ass and neglect to bomb the munitions store here in Bevelle. Time is short here."

Again, silence, but I could here him sighing. Obviously, this was a big decision for him, and I could tell he didn't like having to make it. Sorry, Gatta, but this was in your hands. I couldn't make the decision.

After a few more moments, he came back on. "Alright, get a move on and try to stop that offensive. I'd rather them have a munitions dump in Bevelle and a failed offensive to take Mt. Gagazet than no munitions dump and a clear road all the way to Zanarkand."

I nodded. "We'll get right on it."

"Thanks."

"No problem."

I handed the communicator back to Nonu and he buried it into his satchel. "Nonu, tell the others to meet me on the first floor." He nodded and left curtly. "Klodre, Acua, excellent work. But we're not done yet."

Acua smiled. "Not by a long shot."

Klodre nodded in agreement.

The Recon team and I made our way down the stairs and to the rest of the squad, who had taken up residence in the mess hall on the first floor of the tower. They were all standing, and I wasn't about to tell them to sit. I had to make this briefing fast.

"Ok, change of plans guys. We're not bombing the munitions dump here." No one said anything or showed any sign of dismay so I continued, after tossing New Yevon's orders to mobilize for the offensive on the table. "The Yevonites are mobilizing tonight for a large scale offensive against the Crusader and Al Bhed lines at the foot of Mt. Gagazet. They're preempting their strike, which means they've made plenty of mistakes. It's now our job to exploit them."

They all simply nodded, even Chappu, who I would've thought would've said something cocky. He only looked stoic and was obviously hanging on every word I was saying.

"Guys, it is imperative that we slow, stall, or even stop this offensive. As you can see from those orders, ten thousand Yevonite soldiers are going to be descending upon the lines, plus a brigade of Chocobo-mounted forces, and shelling from what I believe to be a new weapon New Yevon have concocted just for this operation of theirs. We have got to stop this. The artillery from the Al Bhed and the reinforcements from Luca aren't scheduled to arrive at the line until tomorrow afternoon. Gatta and his men are armor less. They will not survive an operation of this size."

Chappu raised his hand. "Sir. We know. What's the plan?"

I blinked, but nodded. I had gotten long-winded. Maybe Chappu wasn't such an ass after all. Or maybe he just wanted to take control of the situation. Who knows? Who cares?

I leaned forward and brought out my map of the Yevonite encampment out. "This munitions dump is going to have to go, and when it does go, it'll go big, thanks to those new bombs the orders referred to. Recon team, you will still do the same thing. But this time, you're not providing cover fire for the Assault and Explosives teams. Since this is a large ground force, I'm sure there will be a briefing tent or some sort of area where the troops will be gathered. Take them out."

Acua raised her hand. "We don't have ten thousand bullets between us, sir."

I sighed. "I know that. Take as many of them out as you can. If there's someone briefing them, or someone whose robe is more colorful, take him out first. First. Destroy the chain of command, destroy cohesion."

Klodre and Acua nodded.

Acua asked, "And what if we run out of bullets?"

I looked at both of them hard. "Bust out your pistols and help us."

Again, they nodded.

I turned my attention to Fedra and Joli. "Fedra, blow the munitions dump. Joli, blow the entire Chocobo stable."

"The whole thing?" she asked.

I nodded once. "The whole thing." I then turned my attention to the Support team. "You will join the Assault team with me. We're going to take out the command area, here." I tapped my index finger on a round tent. "This is where their orders come from. We're going to wipe out anything that moves. I don't care if it doesn't shoot back; empty that tent." I could feel my heartbeat in my temple and the blood rushing to my face. All bets were off. I was in the zone.

No Bold Move Goes Unpunished

Acua and Klodre quickly climbed up the cliff and to their designated sniping point. Immediately, I heard their guns clicking away. We didn't have much time. The three remaining squads ran double time up the path and along the back of the camp. I could hear a ruckus already starting. Klodre and Acua were hitting their marks. One upset and battle-ready Yevonite ran up to us yelling "The Infantry Commander's dead!"

Nooj thanked him for this information with a face full of lead. We continued in an all out sprint to our designated areas. Joli had already entered the Chocobo stables. I could hear all of the birds' scared squawking as the rest of us continued, the command tent not far away. We passed the munitions dump and Fedra made a hard right to enter his target.

The command tent was afire with activity, papers shuffling, couriers going between desks at an alarming rate. And not one of the officers or couriers noticed us. Until we started shooting, that is.

There's one thing I would've never thought I'd participate in, and that was murder. But in the moment, killing the unarmed commanders (and a couple of summoners, according to what I made out from Iddio's yelling) seemed like a very good idea. Maybe I was angry. More than likely, I just didn't care. This was my job; killing. And I was proficient at it. Get over it.

We all reloaded and looked at our deed. And it was a dirty deed indeed. I quickly counted the bodies, but stopped when I reached twenty-three, because I heard two very large explosions. Fedra and Joli had come through. We all exited the tent and were met with a wall of soldiers. Spraying -and praying- like crazy, we formed a fighting-v formation and booked it back towards where all the flames and smoke were licking the sky. The camp was, by now, in absolute chaos. With most of their commanding officers dead, dying, or wounded, the soldiers had no idea what to do, but I could see small, organized pockets of them starting to catch on. That wasn't good. Not good at all. Soon, they'd spread the word and the small pockets would turn into large ones.

Around the same time I was thinking this, I failed to notice that my fighting-v had turned into a limping-J. Iddio and Nonu were on the ground a few feet behind us. I turned to go back and get them, but I could tell immediately that they'd never get up again. Great. Wonderful. Just what I needed. Thanks.

I grabbed the steel-lined satchel that was hooked to what was left of Nonu and tugged. The back of the pack was still connected, but it easily slid through...I won't go there. The satchel was intact, just like a black box, though it was covered in less-than-appealing substances. No matter, it had something I needed in it. I slung the soggy thing over my shoulder and continued on with the Assault squad. It was then that I noticed that one of Nooj's legs was covered in blood.

"Can you walk?" I yelled at him over the noise.

"I'm running, sir!" he responded.

I shrugged and we continued towards the path leading to the aqueduct's exit. Too bad more of those explosions were happening. That, and those pockets of soldiers were doing their job. They were now very large pockets, all firing at us. I felt two slugs dig into my back and come out of my stomach. I was still running though, so I'd deal with that pain later. Narr was now taking point and firing away, acting like Rambo. Good for him.

We began to encounter even harder resistance, but they kept dropping like flies and I had no clue as to why. Was the Assault team that good? Then I remembered: Recon team. They were still firing away, but unlike my orders, they were covering for us as best they could. At the mouth of the path, Narr took a slug to the head. Apparently, unlike Rambo, Narr the veteran was not immune to bullets. Neither was I. Or Nooj. Or anyone else, for that matter.

I felt yet another slug say hello to me, this time just between those two bones in my forearm. My pinky finger on my right hand immediately went limp. Excellent, just what I'd always wanted. A torn tendon or two!

Blood was liberally pouring from me now. I was a regular plasma fountain. And I think the blood loss was making me loopy. Nah. Totally not. The grip of my rifle was slipping from all the blood in my palm and I knew that, soon, I'd lose it, so I tossed the thing to Chappu. He blinked, but I raised my blood soaked arm and he nodded. The weapons were light enough, so he carried mine in his left, his in his right, and Chappu took over the Rambo duties.

Once we limped back to the aqueduct, the chaos of the camp behind us, looming ever larger, Acua slid down the side of the small outcropping she had been sniping from, pistol in hand, yelling to us that Klodre had been taken out, and looking at us like we were the lost boys or something. Of course, the moment she came to help us, a Yevonite slug tore through her chest and exited her back. Chappu growled and just as I was about to topple over, he dropped his weapons and dragged me, as well as the now severely injured Acua back towards the exit of the aqueduct, leaning us against a tree in a small outcrop of forest. I saw him run back, pick up his two rifles, and then he started charging the masses of soldiers, Nooj along side him, guns-a-blazin'. I heard two booms to the left of me and I saw that the Yevonites were sending those bouncy bomb things onto their own town. Smart ones, they were. I guess they thought my squad was a whole battalion and we were just piling in from their own holy city. Hopefully, they'd hit their own munitions dump, since I had failed to do so myself earlier in the evening.

And then, back propped against a tree, my very life's blood spilling onto the ground -it must've really been my night-, Acua awoke to her plight and pain.

"Ahhh," she yelled in a defeated and piercing wail that pained me to my very bones. "I don't want to die! I don't want to die." By her third "die" her mouth was filling with blood. Soon, every time she hit a "d" she sprayed my face with her own saliva and blood. I slid my hand to her own and gripped it, the only finger not curling being my pinky. This seemed to calm her for the time being.

"Weston..." she began. "I don't want to die." Splatter.

"I know."

"I mean it. I don't want to die." More splatter.

I gripped her hand tighter. She replied with such a strong grip, my pinky actually moved, I think. "I know. You're not going to die, Acua."

"Yes. Yes, I am, damnit." Even more splatter. Her voice was getting weaker, as was her grip.

"No, no you're not."

"Yes...yes...I..." and her hand fell limp.

Shit.

The Letter and The Charm

So there I was, sitting against a tree, slowly bleeding out, a dead woman's hand in my own, most of my squad wiped out. Chappu and Nooj were cavorting with the enemy with their triple-barreled dance of stupidity. Those guys were always brash in training. Narr, Iddio, Nonu, Acua, Klodre all dead. Fedra and Joli unaccounted for.

I reached into my top pocket and withdrew Eimour's letter and chain. I tried to focus on the etching on the charm and could barely make it out. I shook my head a couple of times and then my vision cleared.

"I doubt not, for I am loved."

My eyes then blurred again and my left hand, also now covered in blood, lost grip of the chain. It fell to the ground. My eyes stung sharply, and a few tears welled in my ducts. I was going to account that to Acua's blood covering my face, though I knew better. I blinked the tears away and let go of her hand. Haphazardly, I unfolded the letter. Thankfully, Emmy's handwriting was just a degree shy of perfect, so I had no problem reading what the letter said.

Weston,

I know not where or when you're going to be able to read this. I know you have your duty and you feel that being a soldier is all you will ever be...but let me tell you that you should not limit yourself to that. You've been an excellent companion and an even better...dare I say it, father for Gary.

I can't count the times he's called you Daddy. Neither can you, I'm sure. When I tuck him in, he asks me "When is Daddy going to remarry Mommy," and I just smile and think of how wonderful you are. Only a superior man can gain Gary's trust so firmly.

I've realized something I should've realized ages ago, from the first day you went out of your way to save us and offered us your home. Something that's been eating away at me inside ever since that kiss the night the training started.

I savor that kiss at every free moment. Every time I close my eyes I feel your lips pressed to mine, your firm grip in my lower back...the protected feeling I get when around you is boosting my confidence like never before. I have friends now, in the village. I help out in the tapestry huts. Gary plays with the other children in the village. I don't need to worry about food.

I have a life now, and it's all thanks to you.

I flipped the page over, the words sinking deep into me, despite my fading consciousness. My bloody fingerprints were etched through the paper, making it tougher for me to read. I brought the letter closer to my face, and was able to make out the rest.

I love you, Charles. I love you like I've never loved before. I've never felt such a confidence in my feelings...such confidence in a man...in my self, even. You complete me. I don't want you lying dead on a battlefield. I want you here, in my arms. I want you here.

Be careful. Come back to me. That's an order.

Yours, completely,

Emmy

I dropped the now soggy letter and let my tears flow freely. If only I had read this letter before going off, I'd be safe, in her arms, instead of dying on this pseudo-battlefield.

Charles Weston had fucked up. I could at least see if I'd done what I had come to do. I opened the satchel that had been shoved, literally, into Nonu, and extracted the clean, modern looking communicator and looked for a redial button. There wasn't one, of course, and the letters on the damn thing were in Al Bhed. Great. I thumbed a green button on the left of some kind of screen and was surprised to hear someone pick up.

I barely managed, "Weston here. Calling for EVAC."

"Weston? You're calling me for EVAC?" It was Gatta.

"Yeah," I coughed out. "I am. I'm bleeding out under a tree somewhere north of Bevelle."

"Right. Weston, lying defeated under a tree? Sure, I believe you. Stop kidding man, we've been looking at the Yevonite line and it's scrambling like a bee hive. You did it. The offensive isn't coming. I'm surprised they're not retreating."

I smirked to myself. "Yeah, great. Glad I could help."

"Thanks. Now call Yuna's HQ for that EVAC and get your squad some drinks at the lodge. Put it on my tab."

I laughed. "You don't drink anything but Kilika ale, Gatta."

"Still, tell em I'm buying."

"I'll be sure to send most of the drinks to the Farplane or whatever the hell that place is."

Gatta stayed silent for a moment. "Stop kidding around. I'll see you when you guys get here on the line. You've got plenty of warring to do, bud."

I laughed, thinking to myself that my warring days were growing very short. "Yeah, see you soon." I bashed the communicator against the tree and let the pieces fall to the ground.

Again, I must say: Shit.

--------------

A/N: Merry Christmas. I got inspired, you guys got a gift. Enjoy.

Tons 'o love to Shad for the beta.

Tons 'o love to the music that provided the backdrop to writing this chapter.

Seriously, the first two segments of this thing sat gathering dust while I mulled over changing my plot ONCE AGAIN. It was horrible, Jave will tell you about it. Something about a prophecy and a trifecta of lost souls. I'm glad I canned that thing after a few MONTHS of work on it. I like my original chapter 23 plan, the one you've just read, better. Not too long left now. Here's hoping I find inspiration like I had for this chapter for the rest of them.

No 0ne