OUT OF THE FRYING PAN….

CHAPTER SIX

I don't own FF8. The evil Shinra Corporation does……DOH……I mean Squaresoft!

RAGNAROK

CURRENT LOCATION: APPROACHING ESTHER CITY

"Esther City Air Station do you copy… I repeat do you copy?" I was starting to wonder why no one was answering at the Air Station since they do have the best radar technology on the whole planet. They should have picked me up quite a while ago but I still was getting no answer from the controller. Oh well I guess I'll just land anyway if they aren't going to answer.

I had dropped Zell, Rinoa and her father off at Balamb Garden without incident and I was now within a few minutes of landing at Esther. I planned on linking up with Quistis, Irvine and Selphie as soon as I could find them. I had a feeling I would probably need their help. I figured if I could find them and Laguna then we should have some time to try and figure out whom was responsible for the assassination attempt on General Caraway and to find out what they want with Laguna. Not to mention the fact that Omega Weapon is running around loose somewhere. That is a fight I am not looking forward to. Last time almost killed us.

I could see that the Air Station was directly below me so I slowed down and then lowered the ship's altitude until I was resting on the docking platform. I swiftly shut down the engines and stood up to try and get a better look around the area to try to see if anyone was working in the vicinity of the ship. Seeing no one around I grabbed my weapon off of the seat next to me and headed for the rear of the ship. I made a quick stop in the storage room off of the main hangar and grabbed any supplies I might need while in Esther. I stuck the magic items and potions in the pouch on my waist and also stuck some extra rounds for my gunblade and Irvine's shotgun into both of my ammo belts. Needless to say I was starting to get a very bad feeling about the silence I was getting from Esther. Someone should have noticed a giant fire red spaceship landing. After all it isn't exactly an inconspicuous ship.

Once out of the ship I headed for the control tower to see if I could find out what was going on. The door was covered in scorch marks and I noticed several guns lying on the ground. Upon closer inspection I could tell that they were the types of weapons used by Esther soldiers. And from the looks of it they had been fighting recently, since the guns were still warm. Heading inside the tower and up the stairs towards the top I began to hear voices on the top floor. I crept slowly towards the door to the communications room and when I was close enough I slid it open a crack to look inside.

Inside were three Galbadian soldiers huddled in a circle, arguing what to do about the ship that had just landed. Apparently they had been so busy that they hadn't noticed me get off of the ship. 'Crap' I thought to myself 'they're wearing the green uniforms of Galbadian Special Forces.' Which meant that there were probably a lot more of them nearby. I was just about to back up and go back down the stairs when a door opened on the other side of the communications room and a red armored soldier walked in. The other three stood at attention and saluted him.

"Sir, we just had a Ragnarok class ship land on Platform A. It landed but no one has left the ship yet. What are your orders Sir?"

The commander looked at the Ragnarok out of the window and then turned back to the group, "Nothing, we just received word from the General that the target has been captured and we can begin withdrawal immediately. We are to escort the prisoners to a cargo boat that is waiting outside of the city. We will receive more orders once onboard." I didn't wait to hear anything else because they were starting to move towards the door and I doubt that they would take to kindly to my eavesdropping on their conversation. Doubling back down the stairs I then ducked off into a side room and waited for them to pass on their way out. Once they did, I silently began following behind them as they headed towards the city entrance closest to the coastline. About half way there I swear I felt vibrations in the ground as if something very large was walking nearby. Looking around I couldn't see anything so I shrugged it off and continued on towards the entrance to the city. Surely someone in Esther had to have noticed that there were Galbadian troops running around and notified the army. But as far as I could tell there was no one coming. It was almost as if the city was abandoned.

Or held hostage!

MEANWHILE

PRESIDENTIAL OFFICE

"Quistis, what should we do?" Selphie had no idea how they were going to get out of this one but they needed to think of something quick. Looking over to Quistis she could see that she seemed to be trying to figure that one out herself. Whatever they did, Irvine would be of no help because he was just beginning to regain consciousness over on the couch. Unfortunately the guards had noticed this and were starting to put handcuffs on him. They than attached a circular metal band around his arm. It was covered with crystals of different colors and seemed to glow. She knew she had seen one before but she couldn't place where that was. Then it came to her! Rinoa had one when they had tried to assassinate Sorceress Edea. It was an Odine Bangle to prevent them from using their GF's and magic abilities. And it looked like they had one for everyone.

Quistis had come to the same conclusion also and was trying to think of a way to get all of them away safely. But with Ellone held hostage and with so many guns aimed at them she couldn't think of anything that wouldn't end up getting one or all of them killed. "Selphie drop your weapon and do what they say. We don't have a choice."

The general listened to all of this and decided that he had waited long enough. "I suggest you do as she says, little girl, or you won't walk out of this room alive. Now, Mr. President why don't you and your aids come over here and go with these men." He paused while they walked over to the men by Irvine and seemed to be thinking before continuing, "You know, A SeeD team leader would make an excellent extra hostage to go along with the president!"

He then pointed at Quistis and directed her over to where Laguna, Kiros and Ward were being tied up and directed one of his men to do the same to her. Once he was satisfied that none of them posed a threat he turned to one of his men and told him, "Take them to the airship I will be along shortly."

The men guarding Quistis, Ellone, Laguna, Kiros and Ward each grabbed one of them and quickly whisked them out the door towards the waiting ship outside the palace.

"Sir, what about these two?" asked one of the remaining guards, pointing at Selphie and the now conscious Irvine.

"Take them to the cargo ship and give them to the scientists. They need more subjects for monster testing."

At hearing this Irvine made to jump for the general but only managed to get cuffed upside the head and fall to the ground. He looked up at the smirking face of the general and had to resist the urge to spit on him. The only reason he didn't was because his mouth was so dry he probably couldn't spit anyway.

"You won't get away with this. SeeD will come after you and stop you." He yelled as Selphie knelt down beside him and tried to calm him down.

"Why are you doing this?" she asked.

"Oh it's not me, its who I work for who is behind all of this." He replied "and SeeD can't do a single thing about it." "In fact before all of this is over SeeD won't even exist."

"So, Galbadia is up to its old tricks again?" asked Irvine "Didn't you guys learn your lesson the last time."

"Who said anything about the Galbadian government being involved?" The general laughed again before continuing on, "If you are talking about those soldiers over there, than you are mistaken! "

"Those are simply soldiers loyal to Vinzer Deling. Before Vinzer died he set up a contingency plan in case anything happened to him. And I am one of those people whom he entrusted to carry it out."

"So why kidnap the president of Esther?" exclaimed Selphie.

"Because before all of this is over Esther will belong to Galbadia like it should! And once SeeD falls with them there won't be a soul on this planet that can stop us!"

Selphie replied with the only thing she could think of, "MEANIE!!!"

The general then looked at his watch and exclaimed, "Now if you don't mind I have a plane to catch. And you two have an appointment with the doctor aboard the ship! So long SeeD's." With that he turned and strode from the room.

Once outside he stopped and turned to one of the guards outside the door, "Oh, and lieutenant, make sure the Doctor knows that they are not to leave the ship alive!" He then turned and walked away.

The soldiers quickly grabbed Selphie and Irvine and began dragging them towards the city entrance. Once outside they walked up to an idling car and shoved the two of them in the backseat. Irvine decided that since force wasn't going to work he would try reasoning with the guards.

"Hey you guys know that that psycho general's plan is never going to work. So why don't you untie us and help stop him before anymore innocent people get hurt?"

Two of the guards simply looked at him and then kicked him in the stomach. They looked as if they were planning to do more when a man who Irvine hadn't seen before walked up behind one of the soldiers. He grabbed him and threw him into the side of a building across the street as if he weighed nothing. He then turned to Irvine and Selphie and slapped a piece of tape over their mouths to shut them up.

"Keep your mouths shut, you stupid SeeD's!"

Without saying anymore he turned and climbed into the front of the car and directed the driver to head for the entrance. It was only a few minute drive before they arrived at the gate. Once there Selphie and Irvine were once again dragged out of the car and deposited on the side of the road to wait with the soldiers.

One of Selphie's guards turned to the man who had put the gags on them and asked what they were waiting for.

"We're waiting for the squad from the Air Station to show up and take the prisoners before pulling out by helicopter. I just radioed them and they said they were on their way and that they should be here within the next five to ten minutes. They will then leave for the cargo ship. Meanwhile we will meet up with the rest of the forces." "The Air station squad will stay on the ship to support the Doctor and his team of scientists."

Selphie and Irvine, who had been listening to this whole conversation turned to look at each other. They both knew that this was probably it for them. Irvine couldn't help but laugh (or at least attempt to laugh through the gag!). It seemed like a rather boring way to go after all they had been through in the recent weeks.

Selphie could feel a tear trying to force its way out of her eye as she looked at Irvine. They had just met each other again after so many years apart. They had even gone on a few dates recently and to be honest she was really starting to fall for the guy. None of that mattered now. Unless some miracle happened they were both about to end up dead.

They both stared at each other for several minutes until Irvine reached out his hand and put it on top of hers as best he could. They stayed like that for some time until they heard the sounds of an approaching helicopter coming in.

As soon as it landed they were tossed inside with the other soldiers who had just arrived. One of them was carrying a bag that looked like it contained their weapons. He could see the grip of his shotgun and Selphie's nunchaku's along with what looked like the very tip of a black handle. It was probably Quistis' whip. Strange though, he thought her whip was a gold color. Of course he never had paid that much attention to it.

He looked out the side of the helicopter and could see that they were already leaving the coastline behind and heading towards a large ship in the distance.

Two of the three guards across from him were keeping their guns aimed at them in case they tried anything. The other one just sat there and held the bag.

Within moments the helicopter was setting down on deck of the ship and they found themselves being force marched by one of the soldiers across the ship and down several flights of stairs until they were led into a large room filled with all sorts of scientific equipment and various different computers. Men in white lab coats scurried around carrying clipboards and testing equipment for, who knows what, kinds of tests. The soldier with them led them up to a large and robust man who was busy shouting orders.

He looked up and smiled at them like they were old friends. He then walked up to the remaining guard and started whispering something in his ear. He then turned back and said, "Ah, I am so glad to see that you have arrived so that we can start on our testing. Your escort will take you to the main hold where you can meet a friend you ran into in Esther." Do you have any words before you go?"

"MMPHFPMFPF!"

"Oh pardon me I am so forgetful. Guard, take their gags off. They have no need for them anymore."

The guard removed the gags and then asked, "You SeeD's ready to say hi to your friend now?"

Selphie turned to him and replied, "Why don't you take this Odine Bangle off and I will let you know."

The scientist merely laughed and turned back to his computer as he answered, "Take them away."

So once again they found themselves being dragged down strange hallways until they came to a large door near the back of the ship. Once there the guard unlocked it and shoved both of them through into the poorly lit room on the other side. They stood back up and immediately started trying to untie themselves. Irvine was almost done when he first heard the noises at the other end of the room. Looking that way he realized that the room they were in was huge. He could barely see the other end of it. He could see the pair of red glowing eyes moving towards them.

His heart skipped a beat as he realized who there old friend was.

The monster T-Rex from Esther. And it looked hungry.

Grabbing Selphie he dragged her towards the far side of the room in an attempt to get behind the T-Rex. It worked but once he got over there he realized there were no doors or stairs that they could use. Selphie looked and saw that the monster was turning towards them but there was nowhere to run. Irvine saw this to and grabbed Selphie and held her tight against him. The T-Rex was now all the way turned and started walking towards them. It stood over them and stared for a moment before lunging at them with mouth wide open.

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MAIN ENTRANCE

ESTHER CITY

It was all starting to make sense now. They take control of the city by holding the President hostage. Crap that means they must have already caught Laguna! What about Selphie and Irvine? And Quistis? I couldn't afford to ponder this though because the group of soldiers I was following was approaching the main gates and I could see that there was a squad of ten waiting for them along with another man who wasn't wearing any uniform. He had black armor with an emblem of a silver jackal on his upper body and also had elbow and knee armor on of the same color. It was worn over a plain red shirt and pants.

What really caught my attention was the fact that Selphie and Irvine were bound and gagged, sitting on the ground in between the soldiers. I needed some way to get closer undetected so I started looking around and found a fire escape that led up to the top of a two story building. And from there it was just a short leap over to the next building that would put me directly above the Galbadians position. I took my gunblade and its scabbard and tied them to my back so that they wouldn't get tangled up with my feet while I was climbing. Once done I jumped up the short distance to the ladder and began pulling myself towards the top of the building. Once to the top I quickly ran the distance to the next building and jumped across. From my vantage point above the soldiers I could here them talking about a ship and picking up prisoner to take with them. I had to find a way onto that ship. Looking over at the group by the gate I realized that they were still out of sight of the others. Standing up I moved back to where I had climbed up the ladder.

I looked down and realized that I was in luck because one of the soldiers I had been following had fallen back a little. As the other two turned the corner I cast a Sleep spell on him and jumped down next to him. Before he could react to me or warn they others the Sleep spell kicked in and he collapsed. I caught him before he fell and began pulling his armor off and slipping it on over my clothes. It bulged a little from too much clothing underneath but I should be OK as long as no one looked to closely. Once I was done I picked up the bag he was carrying and looked inside. WOW. Talk about luck, it was Irvine and Selphie's weapons! I slipped Lionheart in with it and ran to catch the other two guards, right as they arrived at the gate.

Within moments a helicopter arrived and I found myself straight across from Irvine. I thought about going for the guards then but I didn't like the odds when they had guns aimed at two of my friends. So I contented myself to sit and wait for wherever it was we were going.

I didn't have to wait long because a short time later I felt the helicopter begin to descend towards a ship below us. Within moments we were off the ship and walking across the deck. I was about to follow Irvine and Selphie when the other guard turned to me and said to follow him.

'Damn, I cant get to far away or I'll never find them again', I couldn't create a scene without giving away who I was so I followed the guard around the corner hoping it was just a different way to go where the others were. When he turned towards the stairs going up I decided that I couldn't wait any longer. So I did the nicest thing I could think of at the moment. I hit the guard in the back of the head and threw him over the side of the ship.

I then turned and followed the others downward towards the bottom of the ship near the front. I was starting to think I had lost them when I heard voices coming towards me. Crap I must have gotten in front of them. I ducked behind an open door until they were passed me and then began to follow them. I removed the helmet and armor along the way in case I got into a fight I didn't want it to slow me down.

I could hear the engines getting louder as we moved back so I figured we were near the back. Up ahead I saw the guard locking a door and turning to leave. He must have put Irvine and Selphie inside.

As soon as he disappeared from sight I ran to the door and unlocked it. Opening it I expected to see Irvine and Selphie but instead found myself staring at the tail of the biggest T-Rex I had ever seen.

I heard a scream near the other end and realized it was attacking them! It started moving forwards to where they were trapped against the wall and prepared to bite into them. I knew I only had seconds to think of what to do before it was too late. I couldn't help but notice that big old tail sitting in front of me so I raised Lionheart above my head and brought it crashing down into the last three feet of the tail. I cut clean through the thing and it flopped around on the floor. The T-Rex, surprised by this unexpected assault forgot about its meal and jumped forward away from us. Irvine saw me as I yelled at them and they took off running at me. We ran through the door and locked it behind me.

Selphie immediately dived at me and gave me a bear hug. Once Irvine was able to pry her off and I could breathe again I started to talk to them,

"Come on we need to get out of here before they realize tha……

INTRUDER ALERT…..INTRUDER ALERT……

"Crap!"