Galbadia Garden was resting at a very awkward angle, partially submerged in the water, just off the Timber cliffs. Shenand Hill, which signaled the beginning of the coastline, was visible in the distance, but swimming there would be next to impossible, meaning that the Garden's inhabitants were, at the moment, stranded. Quistis could actually see people standing on the outside, waving at Balamb Garden as it hovered nearby.
Doesn't look like a trap, Nida observed.
I wonder what happened, Quistis said.
Have you been able to make contact with them? Cid asked.
Nida shook his head. We're still getting the automatic signal, but no one seems to be listening.
You rang? Quistis turned to see Irvine standing on the elevator as it came to rest on the bridge level. His expression sobered slightly when he caught sight of Galbadia Garden in the distance.
Cid nodded. Yes. I expected we would have to board the Garden. As a former student there, I expect you could deal with any unexpected problems?
Irvine tipped his hat. Sure thing.
Good. Quistis and Nida will accompany you.
Irvine asked.
Quistis asked.
Nida asked.
Obviously, Galbadia Garden is experiencing some technical difficulties, Cid reminded her. Nida knows more about the mobile aspects of this Garden than anyone else. He should be useful in any repairs that might need to be made, as well as flying the Garden, should an emergency arise.
Quistis nodded.
Wait — this guy? Irvine asked. Wouldn't this be his first mission, though? Are we sure he's up to it?
Nida raised an eyebrow.
He is a SeeD, Cid reminded. That is an honor which is not handed out to just anyone.
Irvine said, glancing nervously at Nida as if he had just realized that Nida had heard him.
Leave whenever you are ready, Cid said.
Ten minutes later, Quistis and Nida — both in SeeD uniforms — and Irvine — in his traditional tan trenchcoat — stood at Balamb Garden's main entrance. Nida, with a standard bladestaff strapped to his back, was attaching a grappling line to the Garden wall as the other two prepared their harnesses.
When we get over there, we'll have to find whoever's in charge, Quistis was saying. Do you know where he might be, Irvine?
I can think of a few places, he replied. But don't worry, my dear lady. I'll find him for you. He motioned grandiosely at the Garden. I know that place like the back of my hand.
I've noticed you wear gloves a lot, Nida said as he joined them.
Quistis coughed back a laugh.
Hey, what did I ever do to you? demanded Irvine.
Nida handed the grapple gun to Irvine. Here you go. Just point it at the Garden and shoot.
Still glaring at Nida, Irvine hoisted the gun up on his shoulders. He stared through the sight for a few moments, seemingly motionless. Then he fired, sending the cable arcing across the distance and impacting in the wall above the Garden's main entrance. The walkway was at an angle and partially underwater, but it should do for now.
Let's go, Quistis said, attaching her harness to the line. Before the tide comes in.
The other two nodded.
The trip was certainly one of the more unique experiences Quistis had undergone. It seemed odd that, after fighting a sorceress from the future across centuries of time, she would be unnerved by crossing a few hundred meters of water on a grappling cable, but there it was. She could see that people had noticed their approach on the other side, and a small crowd was beginning to form. She noticed that quite a few of them were wearing student's uniforms. So the students have been let back on the Garden? The question did nothing but pique her curiosity as to what had happened after the battle.
Not far now. Quistis' feet could almost reach the slanted ground. She directed her attention to figuring out how she could land without toppling over. It turned out not to be an issue, as a man in an instructor's uniform rushed up to help her. Another man and woman stepped forward to help Irvine and Nida — the woman seemed to deliberately avoid helping Irvine.
I'm Instructor Corrima, the first man said, saluting Quistis.
She returned the salute. Quistis Trepe. This is Nida... She frowned as she realized that she didn't know Nida's last name. We're SeeDs from Balamb Garden. I think you already know Irvine.
Do I. Corrima nodded towards Irvine. How have you been, Mr. Kinneas?
Irvine spread his arms. Can't complain.
We should speak to whoever's in charge here, Quistis said.
Corrima crossed his arms. Of course. I'll take you to her. He motioned to the entrance. Taking a few experimental steps on the shaky ground, Quistis followed him.
Well, if it isn't Mister Irvine Kinneas. Quistis spun at the voice, instantly regretting it as she nearly lost her balance. When she regained her standing, she saw a young man in a green version of the traditional Galbadian soldier's uniform — minus helmet — blocking Irvine's path. Quistis recognized him as a Galbadian SeeD. You've got a lot of nerve coming back here, he continued.
Get outta here, Tavin, Irvine growled.
Shut up, traitor. The SeeD placed his hands on his hips, physically blocking Irvine's path. So where were you when we were freeing this Garden, huh?
Irvine glared back at him. Balamb never had your Garden. And I remember a lot of people dressed like you trying to take it over.
So I've got a little thing called Garden pride. See, that's the difference between me and you, Kinneas. I don't run off and join the enemy the second things turn sour.
B-Garden's not the enemy!
So why'd you go beat up our people in Balamb, huh?
We didn't —
Just shut up, Kinneas. Tavin gave Irvine a shove that nearly knocked him off his feet.
Irvine rushed at the man. You little —
Quistis stepped in between them. Take it easy, Irvine.
Out of the way, lady, Tavin warned.
I think you should listen to her, Mr. Tavin, Corrima warned.
After a hard look at Irvine, Tavin stepped back. Welcome back, traitor, he growled, turning and heading back into the crowd. It took all of Quistis' strength to keep Irvine from charging after him. When he seemed to have calmed down, she turned apologetically to Corrima. I'm sorry, she said.
He shook his head. No, I should apologize. Things haven't been going well, as you can see, and Kinneas and Tavin have always been trouble.
Come on, Irvine said angrily, pushing ahead of the others. Let's get this over with.
- - = = = = - -
Galbadia Garden bore a very different design from that of Balamb. The latter was much more open, with a sort of central hub connecting all the various sections over a gigantic artificial pool, an arrangement which many had likened to a monstrous hotel. Galbadia, on the other hand, was much more reminiscent of a military academy. The halls were too wide and high-ceilinged to be called claustrophobic, but there was no mistaking it for a hotel. The whole place had a different air about it, seeming more...professional.
No wonder Squall had liked it.
Overlooking the Garden's athletic track, the Headmaster's office seemed to bear more windows than the rest of the Garden combined. The room had two levels, a set of wide, shallow stairs separated the door from an ornate, yet functional desk flanked by a pair of glass holo displays. Both at the moment displayed the same lace pattern as adorned the back of Cid's office in Balamb Garden, though the one on the left carried the Garden symbol in its center, and the other that of Galbadia. In front of each of these displays was a couch, resembling that in the reception room. Quistis frowned; she had expected the Gardens flight control equipment to be located here, as theirs had.
Behind the desk sat a woman in her early thirties, wearing reading glasses and a G-Garden faculty uniform. She was intently reading a report of some kind, and did not seem to have noticed their entry.
Miss Palmer? Corrima asked.
The woman removed her glasses and observed the four visitors, her eyes finally falling on Irvine. Mr. Kinneas?
Ma'am, this is an...ambassadorial party from Balamb Garden, Corrima continued. This is Quistis Trepe, and...Nida. Mr. Kinneas has also joined us from B-Garden. He turned to Quistis. Miss Palmer is the chairman of the G-Garden Faculty. She's in charge for the time being.
Palmer nodded at them. I'm glad to see you heard our signal. We could certainly use the help.
As Corrima excused himself, Quistis stepped forward. We have some questions first.
Of course. I assume you'll want to know what happened since our Gardens' last meeting?
Quistis nodded.
Please, sit down. She sighed. Well, I suppose I should start at the beginning. When the Sorceress Edea took control of the Garden, she immediately had all the students and faculty detained in the lower levels. She told the SeeDs that they had been put off the Garden, and somehow made Headmaster Martine order them to cooperate with the Galbadian troops she brought aboard. After they were told that Master NORG had taken control of your Garden and was planning to wipe out SeeD —
That never happened, Quistis interrupted.
Palmer frowned. No? I should have expected that. In any case, that alliance held through until the battle with your Garden. Shortly after you staged your counterattack, the students broke out of detention. Once the SeeDs realized they had been lied to, the Galbadians were forced out quite easily. It wasn't after we retreated that we realized that Edea was nowhere to be found.
What about Seifer? Quistis asked.
Seifer Almasy? He commanded the Galbadian forces, but disappeared about the same time as Edea. Why do you ask?
...He was a student at our Garden once, Quistis explained.
I see. Palmer didn't seem to know what to do with this information, but appeared willing to shelve it until later. Well, a short time later, there was some problem with our hover system, and we crashed into the sea. We drifted until we ran aground here, and just got the radio up and running this morning. We were a little surprised to learn that it worked.
Quistis was nodding. So the faculty's in charge now?
That's right. We're hardly back to normal, but I don't expect another power struggle. A smile tugged at her face. At least until we decide to appoint a new headmaster.
Quistis wondered if she should mention Martine's presence in Fisherman's Horizon. But there would be time for that later. Well, we'd like to help out in any way we can. She motioned to where Nida sat beside her. Nida is our Garden's pilot. Perhaps he could help with your repairs.
He's welcome to try. I'll get you in touch with our engineers. I'm —
There was a terrific jolt, which nearly sent Quistis to the floor. As she reached to steady herself, she suddenly realized that the floor was no longer at an angle.
Palmer had already picked up an interphone. What's going on? she demanded. After a moment, she slammed down the phone and looked at Quistis, an indistinguishable look in her eyes. I think you should see this, she said.
Cid and Xu had been talking on the Garden's bridge when they noticed the odd change in Galbadia Garden's position. By the time they looked, it was resting upright in the water.
That was fast, Xu observed.
Cid nodded. It looks like they're going to be all right.
White-capped waves erupted from around the Garden, and a blanket of steam shot upwards, obscuring their view. All that could be seen was a massive dark shape within the turmoil.
What is going on over there? Xu wondered.
Cid wiped off his glasses, squinting through the haze. It looked very much like when their Garden had taken flight.
Just after he had this thought, the reddish-orange form of Galbadia Garden shot past to the left, nearly colliding with them.
Where are they going? Xu wondered. Are they running from us?
Why now? Cid asked. Why go to all this just to capture three of our students?
G-Garden was now making its way away at a rapid clip. I don't think we should let them get away, Xu mused. Cid nodded his assent, and she turned to the Garden's relief pilot. Turn us around and follow Galbadia Garden. Don't let them escape!
Cid could not restrain a small chuckle at Xu's orders. In all the years since I planned and set up Garden, he said, I never even suspected that it could fly, much less that we would be in an aerial chase with another Garden.
Xu smiled. After all that's happened this month, I'll believe anything.