Irvine lent against the radiator in Zell's garage, he wondered if there was an unwritten law that insisted auto garages had to be freezing, he pulled his tan duster about his frame and shivered slightly, his cool gaze regarded Zell as he tinkered away with the troop transport. He didn't look cold, maybe there was a second law about mechanic's never being cold in garages.
Irvine had to admit the thing did look like a Galiban soldier's transport, he'd burst out laughing when he first saw it… metal work was a gift Zell had, and enthusiasm for cars, to the point, it's like me with women, he thought jokily.
"Tell me something," Zell murmured, "How much better is Selphie?"
Irvine blinked, the question was out of the blue… well not really, it was clear they would be ready for the mission now so, maybe Zell felt he could devote time to personal inquires maybe? Irvine resented the topic being raised, even so, Zell asked out of concern not spite…
He shrugged "I'm not sure, you know, it's like, sometimes she's like her old chirpy self, full of energy and life… then something happens," he clicked his fingers, "It's gone, she's depressive again, the kid doesn't help, it's a constant reminder."
Zell nodded thoughtfully, then went back to his tinkering, Irvine sighed, they both wanted to forget, they both wanted her to forget, it didn't look like she would ever be able to… stop it man, it isn't her fault, that would really change a person… it has.
Zell picked up his two way Radio, "Hey Quistis, we're rolling out right now." Irvine cocked a brow, but it seemed he didn't get any say in the matter; then again, he didn't seem to often, he shrugged, then shivered as he walked towards his side of the vehicle and jumped in, he slipped the tan duster off an was now dressed in the Galiban uniform, he frowned into the wing mirror, it just didn't suit him.
Zell hopped into the troop transport, gloved hands wrapping about the wheel, he too was dressed for the part, short hair, defiantly improved the look no end, he shrugged, no use worrying about it, besides, he could pull this look off if he tried. He caressed the rifle as Zell handed it to him, and then he nodded. "Let's get it on."
***
Selphie watched the blue blips move along the screen, two of them were Rinoa and Quistis, the support team; the others were Irvine and Zell, the sniper team. Everything seemed to be going according to plan, both were moving as they were meant to, but Selphie didn't feel right about this. The same feeling she had had four years ago… she closed her eyes, she had to focus on this mission, now. Not that mission then, she bite down hard on her lip.
Her eyes opened, she gave the ghost of a smile to the computer screen, not lapsing into thoughts was a great achievement for her, and everything was still going according to the operation specifics. She blinked and glanced to a cup of hot chocolate, then to the man who had fetched it for her.
He looked back uncomfortably, his gaze dropped a little, "You, you looked pale," He stammered in embarrassment, "I thought, you could use a drink."
Selphie smiled wanly, thanked him, and then looked back to the screen, her eyes widened she grabbed her two way radio, pressed the number 1 button, "Quistis I think there in trouble!"
***
Zell had been tapping his fingers on the steering wheel, humming a tune he remembered hearing some time, he couldn't name the song, but that didn't matter, he didn't care its name. His mind was relaxed, confidant, he had driven them unsuspiciously to this point, they had been stopped and questioned once, and a swift bit of clever lying had seen them through. Zell was proud of that quick thinking on his part.
Outside Irvine knelt on one knee, the rifle propped against his right shoulder his grip was unwavering, his focus so intent to the point that he wouldn't have noticed anything, save the Galbian squad commander. He had spent the entire car journey starring at a picture of the man; there would be no mistakes.
Zell had felt they couldn't fail, Irvine never missed, he had hardly been paying attention, then a figure had dropped onto the hood of the truck, Zell had blinked, fist instinctively coming up to guard, just as well, for the mans right hand pushed forwards faster than Zell could register, his right hand a claw weapon on it, that smashed through the windshield aiming for his face.
Zell screamed as one of the claws gauged his left hand, Irvine stirred, starting to turn, but the attacker had already back flipped of the trunk, close enough to swing his leg in a round house kick to the side of Irvine face, the rifle bullet fired Irvine didn't see where it went, as a second kick lashed out against his temple.
Zell screamed again, this time in rage as he ran towards the attacker he jumped into the air to add more force to his punch, some how the tall figure spun around, his left fist caught the punch. Zell didn't know if he flinched, a silver mask obscured his features, The claw came up, Zell thought he was going to die, until…
"Alright we have you covered," A solider said, several other Galiban soldiers were beside him, all armed with automatic weapons. The claw armed one nodded slowly, released Zell's fist and began to walk away, Zell looked around.
"Shit," he muttered.
***
Quistis looked at Rinoa questioningly, the raven haired girl pursed her lips in thought, "I might be able to cover an escape," she murmured without certainty, "I just don't know if it would actually help them escape, and they just might realise there were more of us."
Quistis nodded slightly and looked forwards, it had started to rain, how fitting, "I see, any other suggestions for recovering them?" Rinoa, and the radio communication with Selphie remained silent Quistis sighed, she hadn't any idea either, but just sitting here certainly wouldn't help. None of them thought of the idea of leaving them behind.
Again, they needed a tactician, they needed Squall, but wishing wouldn't bring them any further, and they couldn't afford to wait for any SeeD backup… assuming Garden would send any reinforcements, which Quistis doubted.
Quistis heard a gunshot…
***
Selphie bit her lower lip again, all four blips were being herded into the centre of the Galiban camp, what could she do? How could she help them? Damn it, what could she do against a squadron of Soldiers, who also had four hostages, four hostages she did not want to gamble. Whatever though, she had to try…
…Failed