I take it you found something?
Quistis nodded. She, Nida and the girl Keri were standing in the headmaster's office. For more than two days, the three of them had been struggling to understand the data they had found in the Garden's MD files. Irvine had made himself scarce whenever possible; his attitude seemed drastically changed from the Irvine Quistis knew. She wanted to help him, but couldn't think of a thing to do.
You already know, Keri was saying, that the Garden was built on an even older Centra structure. Now, these structures are usually referred to as shelters,' but that's not exactly accurate. See, the Centra word for shelter can also be translated as lodging, protection, or the verb hide or conceal, as well as flee or escape —
Ms. Thorsen, Palmer prodded.
My point is that the translation wasn't quite accurate. These shelters' were actually gigantic transports, which some of the Centra probably used to escape the continent just prior to the Great Lunar Cry.
And how does this help us?
Keri looked at Nida, who cleared his throat uncomfortably. Well, I noticed from flying Balamb Garden that sometimes the place almost seems to fly itself. Especially around this gigantic crater-like structure up in Trabia.
A crater that was probably caused by a massive Lunar Cry a few thousand years ago, Keri offered.
Nida nodded. That got us thinking. What if the Centra shelt...er, transports were programmed to respond to certain changes in the environment.
We know that the Crystal Pillar summons Lunar Cries, right? Keri jumped in. Say these transports are programmed to respond to the emanations created by the Crystal Pillar; for instance, when the emanations get so strong, it packs up and leaves?
Interesting theory, Palmer said, looking thoughtful. But are you saying there was about to be a Lunar Cry off the coast of Timber?
Maybe not, Keri said. But I do think the Garden is on a sort of autopilot. Think about it — if the transports are programmed to move away from the Crystal Pillar, then why couldn't it be —
Irvine burst into the door, looking at once tired and excited. Hey, guys, you better take a look at this!
A large number of students were gathered at the makeshift railing at the Garden's main entrance, all of whom seemed fascinated by something on the far horizon.
I dunno when it showed up, Irvine was saying, but it looks like it's moving inland. No idea where.
Mister Kinneas, what are you talking about? Palmer demanded.
See for yourself. Irvine pointed out across the water. Quistis saw that they were approaching the rocky shores of the Centra continent. The temperature had dropped as well; it was fall this far south.
Oh, wow, Keri breathed.
Hovering over the distant coastline was the massive obelisk of the Lunatic Pandora, drifting lazily inland.
- - = = = = - -
Next stop, Timber, Timber....
Can you believe him? Rinoa was saying. A Galbadian governor? We'd be better off with the troops!
Squall doubted that. Nonetheless, Rinoa had been ranting on and off for the entire two-hour train ride back to Timber.
Maybe you should have stayed a bit longer, he said. He might have —
He wasn't going to free Timber, Rinoa said stubbornly. And I'm not gonna settle for anything less.
It's not just your decision, Rinoa. Don't you think you should talk with some of the other people in Timber? he asked. Maybe they don't feel the same way.
Rinoa looked at him as if he had said that time compression was fun. I'm gonna free Timber, she declared. And that man isn't going to stop me!
Squall walked over to the train window. They were nearing Timber now; he could see the glow from the city lights at the end of the forest. She's making this personal, he thought. She's playing with the future of an entire city-state and can barely realize it. This might not be a game to her, but she's treating it like one.
Aloud he said, Rinoa, you can't take on the whole Galbadian army yourself. Sooner or later, they're going to push back.
Timber's survived Galbadian occupations before, she argued. If we fight hard enough, the Galbadians will just decide we're more trouble than we're worth.
Maybe. Squall's forehead was throbbing again; he unconsciously closed his eyes and pressed a gloved hand to the cut across his nose. She's not scared now, he observed. When we went to assassinate the Sorceress, she couldn't even fight alone. Now, she won't even consider another way.
The intercom blared. We are arriving at Timber. All passengers, please be prepared to depart.
What is it, Squall? Rinoa demanded, taking a step closer. I know there's something more you want to say.
It's something you don't want to hear. Nonetheless, Squall sighed, and began, When we were going up against the Sorceress, you said...that you wished someone could find an alternative to fighting. Now, the Galbadians are offering you one, but you won't even consider it.
She turned away from him, looking embarrassed. This is different.
Zell's shout ended the conversation quite nicely. A moment later, the SeeD barreled through the door to the hallway that led to the next car. What's going on? Squall asked.
Man...I dunno.... Zell was visibly shaking; something was definitely wrong.
The train slid to a halt, and the doors automatically slid open. Zell gestured frantically out to the city beyond. Rinoa gasped.
Timber was on fire. Flames erupted from every building in sight, sending up a black cloud of smoke that obscured the night sky. A wave of dry heat rolled into the car, washing over the three stunned passengers.
Amidst the turmoil flitted red-uniformed Galbadian Elite Soldiers, herding anguished citizens away from the burning buildings. Somewhere, a child was wailing.
Rinoa screamed, running out of the train. On the verge of tears, she knocked over a surprised Galbadian and, claiming his weapon, brought it hard down on his head. The weapon glanced off his helmet and buried itself in his neck. Barely even looking at the fallen corpse she ran past him, toward the bridge. Not knowing what else to do, Squall followed her.
Another soldier tried to block her way, but Rinoa ran into him full-force. He staggered back, but did not fall. With a growl, he raised his machine gun, but a bolt of energy from Rinoa's hands sent him flying off the bridge. She then ran up to the other edge, and stared down at the burning city. After a moment, she collapsed onto the rail, sobbing uncontrollably.
When Squall caught up to her, she was moaning, This...can't be...What kind of person could...do this? She looked up at him, eyes pleading, her face in more pain than he had ever seen. she demanded, then collapsed back onto the rail.
Squall wanted nothing more than to say something, to ease her pain. But he could find no words. What could he say?
At the edges of his vision, he saw the blue and red forms of Galbadian soldiers closing around them. They had been caught, he knew. Nothing to do about that now. Instead, he tentatively placed his hand around Rinoa's shoulder. She was shaking, and her words had become unintelligible.
He was still fighting to find words when he caught a glint of metal in the distance and glanced up to find the source. In that instant, the city of Timber, the Galbadians, and even Rinoa were forgotten.
His image obscured by the haze of smoke and the heat from the fire, Seifer Almasy knelt on the high railroad bridge, gunblade drawn, gazing down on the city below.
END OF PART ONE