Balamb News
Tribune: Issue 1 Vol. 9
The
rumors of Galbadian forces taking control of Timber Dollet, and Centra are
false. It is in fact the same anonymous terrorist group that has captured
Sorceress Mandalla. Little is known of the group, only that they seek power and
will not negotiate the return of Mandalla.
"What
of the Sorceress'?" Hamaru Tamishi sat passively behind his desk.
"Mandalla
is still being held," Tamishi's fist hit the desk making papers fly and
the secretary flinch.
"I
know that!" He growled.
"Orenda is under the protection of Galbadia, Moreen
is-is," The secretary stammered.
"IS?!"
"Is
missing."
"WHAT!?"
Tamishi almost put his fist through the desk, "How long? Does the press
know?"
"Not
statement has been released, she has only been missing for two days." The
secretary said nervously.
"Don't let the press learn anything!" Tamishi
glared at his folded hands, "The world can't know she's gone."
"Yes
sir," The secretary exited the head masters office.
"How
could this happen?" Tamishi raked his hands through his thinning hair.
"There
was a knock at the door, "Come in," Tamishi was bout ready to bite
off anyone's head. But when Ethan walked through the door Tamishi almost feel
out of his expensive chair.
Ethan
was a mirror image of his father. Average height and build with brown hair. The
only physical difference were his ice blue eyes. They were so cold they could
freeze fire. But his eyes weren't the only difference. His personality was
enough to melt polar ice caps, if there were any. He had a quick temper and a
quicker sword, not a guy to cross, in a dark ally or a field with happy little
bunnies and flowers.
"Ethan,
what can I do for you?" Tamishi said coolly.
"Sir,"
Ethan had a look that could kill, "Why were the SeeD finals pushed
back?!"
"Ethan,
not only is your behavior unacceptable, I don't have to give a reason for such
a demand. Now go back to class."
"I
NEED A REAL REASON!" Ethan put his fist though the headmaster's desk. More
papers flew up into the air, Tamishi sat as still as a mouse staring at the
newly mad hole in his desk.
"Ethan,"
Tamishi said slowly, "I will tell you but you must promise that our
conversation will not leave this office."
Ethan
nodded.
"The
sorceress Moreen has been missing for several days. We believe that the
Galbadian terrorists may be behind her disappearance. Because of this we have
chosen to postpone testing till a better time. We don't want young, potential,
SeeDs getting caught up in this kind or war."
Ethan
gave Tamishi an odd look, like he didn't believe him.
"But because you are so anxious to be tested I can
attach you to the last test group leaving tonight. Would that be to your
liking?" Tamishi smiled.
"Thank
you sir," Ethan did the corny little Garden salute, "I will not
repeat anything that was said here."
Tamishi
smiled, "Ethan I think in the future you should learn to hold your
temper."
"I'm
sorry about your desk." Ethan began to leave.
"One last thing, did you receive the gun-blade?"
Ethan stood stark still, "Yes," he didn't turn to
look at Tamishi, "I received it yesterday."
"Good,"
Tamishi rustled a few papers, "I expect to see it when I see you off
tonight."
"Yes
sir." Was the only quiet reply.
*******
Larsa
sat at the edge of the garden. Her four days of being monitored were over, she
could finally relax think of new ways t kill herself.
Sid walked up and ruffled her red and orange hair,
"You've been quiet."
"Just
thinking..."
"Wow,
that's new." Sid said passively.
"Why
don't you just shut up." Larsa looked away from him.
"But
it's my job to bug you," Sid danced away from Larsa as she lashed out with
one hand, "Well since you want to fight to bad why don't we head strait to
training."
"Fine."
Larsa stood and aimed a punch at Sid's head.
"WHOO!"
He caught her and pushed it away, "Not with me, stupid." He stuck out
his tongue.
"I
know, I know. Only fight with the training robots."
"Good
girl," Sid patted her head, Larsa just growled.
Half
an hour latter Larsa stood in the gray room with gray lights and gray doors.
Above her in the cloud Sid and the tech stood waiting for the robot to be
dropped. Larsa smiled as the large metal object lurched out of the door in
front of her. It was a MXY- 76, most likely modified to be more of a challenge
but still a walk in the park. As the 76 warmed up it's four long arms flashed
steal blades sharp enough to cut bone. It also boasted heavy body armor, much
stronger then the originals.
"You
ready?" Sid's voice called through a speaker in the ceiling.
Larsa
nodded and the tech hit a few buttons to start the fight program. It was pretty
basic, the 76 would keep it's self defended by trying to keep Larsa away from
it main body. But the way it went about it was new to Larsa, It would flail two
arms in defense and the other two would be reserved for attack.
"All
I have to do is get in close..." Larsa mumbled to herself.
That,
of course, was easier said then done. Larsa was skilled in all forms of
fighting but it didn't really matter if she wasn't fast enough to get to the
target. As she dogged around blades, ducking and jumping, Larsa felt something
clip her tail. Turning she looked a laser cannon in the face.
"WHAT
THE HELL ARE YOU DOING UP THERE SID?!"
Sid
shrugged, "You're the one that wanted a challenge." Sid was met with
a death glare of a new intensity.
"FINE!
I'll play your stupid games," Larsa stood ready for the next attack, from
the room or the robot. The fight continued for about an hour, Larsa soon
retreated to her corner, tired but in exhausted.
"You
need a break?" Sid's voice met her long ears.
"Two
minuets."
"You
got it."
The
lights dimmed and Larsa relaxed. The 76 was proving to be more of a challenge
then she thought. It was faster, stronger and had extra armor that just made
life a bitch. The laser cannons in the room didn't help much.
The
lights began to flicker.
"Sid!
What's going on?" Larsa called up to the cloud.
"Don't
know," Sid appeared in the window, "Your break might be a little
longer then you thought."
"Whatever."
The
entire building shook. It was like an earthquake. The lights flickered and went
out, tiles cracked and fell, sparks flew, and glass cracked. The whole nine
yards of a natural disaster. Except it wasn't natural, this disaster was being
caused out side the building. The lights flickered back on.
"SID!
WHAT THE HELL????" Larsa yelled up at him.
There
was no response.
"SID?"
Larsa screamed again. Out of the corner of her eye Larsa spotted movement. The
76 was moving quickly, quickly towards her.
"SID?!"
She screamed again as the huge robot advanced on her.