The noise from the turbines was deafening as the airship brought itself to hover over Galbadia Garden's South Courtyard — now better called the Right Courtyard. The craft was unmistakably huge, bigger than any aircraft Quistis had seen, including the spaceship Ragnarok. She could make out the Galbadian national emblem on the sides of the craft's crew pod.
A squad of G-Garden's SeeDs had gathered on the courtyard, in full combat dress. Although the radio communications from the airship had promised no hostile intent, one was always better on the safe side.
As the airship drew closer to the ground,' Quistis could make out a pair of large, elongated balloons underneath the hull where it split before leading back to the tail fins. Gas, she realized, to lift the ship. Probably so it could land with the rotors off. Part of her marveled at the ingenuity it had taken to design this craft. Another rationalized that there was probably a third balloon hidden in the nose.
And yet another wondered what the Galbadians were doing here. They had been shadowing Galbadia Garden since not long after it had unexpectedly taken flight, all the way down to Centra. Now, they wanted to come aboard. They promised to explain everything then, including who they were.
Quistis did not doubt that they were the ones responsible for taking control of the Garden. And she couldn't wait to ask why.
Irvine, standing beside her, pointed upwards, shouting, Here they come!
Not waiting for the craft to reach the ground, a pair of Galbadian Elite Guards were making their way down on descent ropes. Quistis noted absently that those soldiers had probably recruited as SeeDs from Galbadia Garden. And now were they coming to occupy it?
Quistis barely heard another voice from her other side. What did you say, Nida? she shouted.
I said, they're don't seem to be wasting any time, Nida shouted back.
Quistis' eyes flicked to the gigantic obelisk of the Lunatic Pandora, still kilometers away but unsettlingly large above the rocky Centra landscape. I wonder what this is all about.
The massive turbines on the airship suddenly cut off. What looked to be a very large weight dropped from the crew pod, and the balloons both became rigid. The craft was now dropping gently and silently to the ground.
Ballast, Quistis realized. The balloons alone wouldn't support the airship's weight; they were just there to give the turbines an easier time and provide soft landings. The ballast probably allowed the craft to hover with the turbines off. It would also serve as an anchor. It was an amazing design.
The two Galbadian soldiers dropped the remainder of the way to the ground, and began walking toward the crowd of SeeDs and students. Palmer, the woman currently in charge of Galbadia Garden, stepped forward to meet them.
Welcome to Galbadia Garden, she said. I'm Sheria Palmer, the chairwoman of the Faculty here. Forgive my bluntness, but could you please explain your purpose here?
I'm Captain Laurian of the Galbadian Elite Guard, one of the soldiers said. This is Lieutenant Bouwen. We're the doctor's official escort.
Doctor? Quistis stepped up to the three. What's going on? she asked.
Doctor Vaider will explain the situation, Laurian said flatly. We are here only to make sure no harm comes to the doctor.
A ramp was extending from the airship, now all but on the ground. She could see a man dressed in a white lab coat standing in the hatch at the top of the ramp, waiting for the craft to settle.
Presenting Doctor Maxson Vaider, of the Galbadian Science Commission, Laurian said as the man started to make his way down the ramp. Somewhere in the next few seconds, the airship settled gently onto the ground.
I assume that you are the person in command here, Vaider said in a clipped Monterosan accent as he stepped off the ramp. He was tall and thin, probably in his early fifties, with black hair that was only beginning to show signs of graying. He carried a clipboard under one shoulder.
Palmer nodded. I'm in charge of Galbadia Garden for the time being, yes. Might I ask —
Vaider strode right past her. Come. I must inspect your Garden's MD level, to make certain that my data is correct.
Doctor — Palmer started after him. Quistis followed, and she could sense Irvine and Nida behind her. What is this all about?
He was now pushing past the gathered students, and a very confused group of SeeDs, with his guard struggling to keep up. I'll explain on the way, he called back, somehow managing to indicate the Lunatic Pandora as he wedged between a pair of students. We have little time before the rondevous.
- - = = = = - -
I have been studying the history of the Lunatic Pandora for over a decade, Vaider was saying. When the device reappeared near Centra, I immediately searched for a way to get aboard the device myself.
He was in the Garden's control room, along with Palmer, Quistis, and Vaider's two guards. Indeed, he never took his eyes off the towering brown obelisk visible through the wide viewport. He seemed to be slightly distant all the time, but Quistis could not tell if this was merely a kind of air. Or perhaps a scientist thing.
That hardly gives you the right to hijack our Garden for your purposes, Palmer replied.
Vaider nodded absently. No, it does not. As a matter of fact, that right is granted in your Garden's license agreement with the Galbadian Republic. Section Four, Clause Seven, I believe.
One of the Guards handed Palmer a sheet of paper, which she read, then passed to Quistis. One section was highlighted.
The Galbadian Republic, or officials thereof, may, under any circumstance or conditions, utilize this Garden and those resources granted by the Republic. Any such requests for usage must be met with immediate approval.
Despite the legal double-talk, it was clear that the Galbadians were to be granted free run of the Garden, whenever they wanted it. She remembered hearing something a few years ago about the concessions Martine had been forced to make in order to get G-Garden off the ground — figuratively — but had never really appreciated how demanding the Galbadians must have been. I wonder what they had wanted to begin with.
What do you need this Garden for? Palmer asked, sighing.
Your Garden's shelter is a virtually unharmed source of Centra technology, Vaider said evenly. It may prove invaluable in the study of the Crystal Pillar.
Quistis wondered why that would be. After all, the Lunatic Pandora had been built in Esthar.
Now, there are several things which I will need done. First, I will require the largest rooms you have available; I must have space to organize my research. Second, I will require the most advanced scientific equipment you have; I of course brought as much of my own equipment as I could, but there are some devices that I could simply not procure on this short notice. As he was speaking, one of the guards — Bouwen — handed Palmer a list, presumably of the equipment he wanted. I will need all of this done before we arrive.
If Vaider's attitude or demands irritated Palmer, she did not show it. I'll make sure that it's seen to immediately. Please, wait in the 2F reception room until we have all the arrangements made.
Very well. Lowering his eyes from the Lunatic Pandora — he had not looked away the entire time — Vaider turned and walked unceremoniously out the door.
So you're going to help him? Quistis asked.
I don't have a choice, Palmer replied defeatedly. If this Garden has any chance of a future, then we must observe our contract with Galbadia to the letter.
It seems like you've had to make a lot of concessions. Quistis indicated the contract in her hand.
Palmer nodded. Our relationship with the Galbadians has always been a concern; it's loomed like a shadow over everything we've built here. But Master Martine made a deal a few years ago that was supposed to keep the Galbadians out of here forever.
It doesn't seem to have worked.
A lot has changed since then, she pointed out. If we're lucky, this will be an isolated incident. Some renegade scientist who found a few lines in a contract that let him further his research. She sighed. If we aren't, this could signal a complete re-evaluation of Galbadia's involvement within Garden.
Galbadians running Garden, Quistis thought. That's a terrifying idea.
But at the moment, there's nothing I can do, she said. If I don't agree to Dr. Vaider's wishes, then the Galbadians will surely insist on an active place within this Garden, if only to see that their contract is enforced. I have to cooperate.
Quistis nodded. Politics was a very dangerous game; you had to watch your step very carefully all the time. Even the slightest mistake could be disastrous.
We'll help however we can, she said.
- - = = = = - -
That night, the cafeteria was abuzz with conversation as the students went over the developments of the past day; however, the line at the counter seemed about half normal length. Quistis reasoned that the students must be too excited to eat.
As usual, Irvine silently exchanged a few looks with the others in the food line; he had not spoken a single word since that morning, Quistis realized. Being back here must really be affecting him, she thought.
What are they going to do about us? Nida asked as they sat at one of the tables off to one side of the large cafeteria.
We'll be returned to B-Garden as soon as Vaider finishes his experiment, Quistis replied. Until then, we're going to help the people of this Garden however we can.
Excuse me?
Looking up, Quistis saw the Galbadian student, Keri, standing with her tray across the table.
Umm...Quistis? I was wondering if you heard anything about what that doctor guy is doing here.
Sorry, all I heard was that he planned to perform some kind of research on the Crystal Pillar. He didn't give any details.
She lowered herself into the seat beside Nida. As far away from Irvine as possible, Quistis noted. Not that it was necessary; the other student immediately stood and walked away. I've always been interested in the Centra, see, and I was wondering if you'd, y'know, let me know about anything you learn.
Why would he tell us anything? Quistis wondered, taking her gaze off Irvine's retreating back.
Well, you've been inside the thing, right? He'll definitely want you along.
She hadn't thought about that.
Before she could reply, however, Keri's eyes darted to some point behind Quistis' back. Oh, no.
Quistis turned to see Irvine squaring off with a tall, fair-haired boy in the G-Garden SeeD' uniform. Tavin, she remembered. This could be trouble.
Though she could not hear the words being exchanged, she could see that the conversation was becoming heated; both youths seemed ready to explode. Quickly, she stood and hurried over to the pair.
So tell me, traitor, Tavin was saying, How'd you manage to drag the place all the way out here, huh?
I didn't have anything to do with it, Tavin, Irvine growled.
Tavin sneered. You just, what, happened to show up right before the place takes off? That it?
Right. Why don't you just —
So why'd you come back, Kinneas? Just had to see how much of a mess your last visit made? Or was it how much more you could make? Maybe you remembered you left out one of the girls on your list and —
In a flash of motion, Irvine's fist had shot up, colliding squarely with Tavin's jaw. Caught off guard, the SeeD staggered, and nearly fell.
Quistis snapped, but before she could reach him, Tavin, his face a vicious snarl, lunged at him. Irvine was driven into a table, slightly stunned. He put up a bit of a fight, but before long, Tavin was pummeling him.
Stop it! she exclaimed, attempting to physically pull the two apart. But Tavin's elbow caught her full in the face, and she fell to the floor.
By this time, a crowd had gathered around the two. As Quistis returned to her feet, she saw a pair of faculty pushing through the students. They had much better success at forcing the two apart, but they continued to struggle even as they were dragged away.
As Quistis watched them disappear into the hall, she could not shake the feeling of responsibilty, that she should have done something to prevent this.