The two guards on the roof never saw it coming.

Squall's gunblade plunged into one's unarmored stomach as the SeeD landed with a GF-assisted leap, and the other was felled an instant later by a blow from Selphie's nunchaku. With the guards cleared, Squall, Selphie, Zell, and Rinoa all climbed up onto the roof, unchallenged.

Selphie exclaimed, thrusting her fist in the air. We're in!

Ignoring her, Squall sheathed his gunblade and searched the two guards for their keycards, which would allow them access to the base.

There's a ladder down on both sides of the roof, Rinoa explained. Watts said the Lieutenant's office is on the 2F, and most of the crew quarters are downstairs, so we shouldn't have too many problems, right?

This Lieutenant will probably have guards, Squall reminded.

Rinoa shrugged. Yeah. But it's nothing we can't handle, right?

Of course not! Selphie exclaimed.

Let's go. Squall looked at Zell and Selphie. You two secure the communications center, then meet us at the Lieutenant's office. He handed Zell one of the keycards. Make sure to hurry. And keep it quiet.

Zell said loudly. Let's get it on! He broke off in a run toward the far ladder, with Selphie practically bouncing after him.

Though at first sight they could appear to be a bit of a risk to leave unsupervised, Zell had proven himself many times that he could be counted on in a pinch. And Selphie, though easily excited, was equally capable. Trusting them to handle their end, Squall led Rinoa down the ladder.

At the bottom was an armored door, designed specifically to prevent anyone from entering from the outside. Of course, Squall could open it with the keycard, but he waited a few moments, to give Zell and Selphie a head start. He wanted them to arrive at the Lieutenant's office at about the same time.

Rinoa asked. Y'know...earlier today...I just want you to know I'm sorry. I guess all that stuff with Ultimecia kind of got to me.

And I wasn't that supportive, either, Squall thought. I know that puts people off, but it's not so easy to change.

Then he thought, Is this really the best time to be having this discussion?

Don't worry about it, Squall said. Let's go.

Beyond the heavy door were a pair of Galbadian guards, standing guard on either side of a doorway leading into the main hall. Squall lunged at one, cutting a wicked gash across his side before he could even ready his weapon. The other guard spun around, but instead of attacking Squall, he punched a button beside the doorway. An instant later, he collapsed to the ground as Rinoa sent a Valkyrie flying into his back.

It was too late, however. The doors slammed closed, and a siren began to wail. Intruder alert, explained a calm, mechanized voice. All units, go to alert status.

Damn, Squall thought.


Zell and Selphie crept along the corridors without encountering any additional guards after the two in the sentry room. They had just reached a bend in the hallway when the intruder alarm went off.

Heey, what did we do wrong?! Selphie exclaimed irritatedly.

I don't think that was us! Zell exclaimed. Peering around the corner, he saw a quartet of guards running toward the opposite roof entrance. Come on! We've gotta help them!

Selphie nodded, and started after the soldiers at a run, leaving Zell trying to catch up.

Hey, you!

Zell turned just in time to see another pair of guards charging them. he exclaimed, just before the first took a swing at him. Without much effort, he caught the hilt of blade, then used the leverage to drive his knee into the soldier's stomach. The blow had the man double over, and Zell took the opportunity to slam his free hand into his helmet. Groaning, the soldier fell to the ground. A few meters away, Selphie dispatched the other guard with similar ease. After defeating a Sorceress from the future and her pet GF, a pair of Galbadian flunkies were nothing.

Uh...I think the intruders are outside, sir.

The voice came from behind a closed double door at the other side of the room. Zell suddenly realized that he and Selphie were standing at the entrance to the Lieutenant's reception room.

Then get out there and fight them!

Y-yes, sir.

Those voices sounded familiar....

The doors slid open, and a man in a Galbadian soldier's uniform stood in the entrance. While it was hard to see his face behind the visor, he did look familiar....

Ww, what the HECK??? exclaimed the red-uniformed officer behind. YOU guys!!!

Selphie exclaimed. You're that guy from the comm tower, right?

That's it! Zell thought. What's-his-name...Biggs! And that other one's Wedge! Yeah, put em up! he said. You're our prisoner!

GET THEM! Biggs bellowed.

Hesitating for just a moment, Wedge charged the two, aiming for Zell and stopping just short of fist range. For a moment, they just stood there, then Wedge lunged at him, taking a swing with his saber. Zell ducked under the blade, driving his hands into Wedge's back. With a grunt, he slammed into the opposite wall.

Before Zell could deliver a follow-up, Selphie jumped forward, swinging her nunchaku so hard that she nearly hit her own companion. Wedge managed to block it, and then clasped the hilt with both hands in the classic para-magic pose. Selphie's body was surrounded in a halo of flames, but an instant later, a golden flash propelled the magic away from her, and the flames collided with Wedge instead. He staggered backwards, and was just trying to regain control of his weapon when the nunchaku collided with his shoulder. With a cry, he collapsed to the ground, muttering, Not another...month's pay....

You little twerps! Biggs shouted, readying his machine gun. I'll —

A noise behind him caused him to spin just in time to see a dark form falling from the ceiling. Before he could react, the dark form brought a sword crashing down onto his helmet, and he collapsed to the ground.

Selphie cried, as Squall turned to help Rinoa out of the duct.

Everything go all right? Squall asked.

Zell nodded. Right up to the security alarms.

Yeah, we were worried about you guys, Selphie put in.

Squall shrugged dismissively. ...We're fine.

There was a shout outside the door. Quickly, Squall punched a few buttons on the control panel located on Biggs' desk. The door to the office obligingly slid shut and locked. That should hold them for a while. He looked at Rinoa. What do we do now?

Well...we probably shouldn't stay here, right? She looked at the three SeeDs as if for confirmation. Lets take them back to the safehouse.

Squall looked around the office. We could probably go out the window.

But how are we gonna get it open? Zell asked. That's bulletproof, magic-resistent glass. We can't just —

Squall pushed another button, and the window obligingly slid away. Let's go, he said.