The Crystal Pillar stretched nearly the entire three-kilometer height of the Lunatic Pandora. Sections of the cylindrical translucent structure were surrounded by sensors and had been tunneled into by Esthar engineers, but the object was so immense that it barely showed.

Now, two Galbadian scientists, accompanied by two soldiers and three Garden students, made his way through the uneven tunnel dug into the Crystal Pillar itself.

As I suspected, Vaider murmured, shining his flashlight across the wall. A cluster of finite green strands was illuminated within, intertwining into a single collective mass. The fibers interact with each other to create an energy field, which is then harnessed by the Pillar. Ingenious.

Quistis had not been thrilled in the least when Vaider had commanded her, Irvine and Nida to accompany him on his excursion, even if it did provide an excuse to get Irvine out of the detention room. Monsters aside, she found the whole place unsettling; even after learning the origins of the obelisk, it still held some odd, mysterious power whenever she went inside. Now, in the heart of the Crystal Pillar, whose origin no one knew, the feeling had become much more than an annoyance. She could feel her heart racing, and she occasionally jumped at their own footsteps. There were no monsters this deep in; other then themselves, there was no sound at all.

If Irvine or any of the Galbadians were having the same problem, they didn't show it. Vaider was buried in his investigation, and his assistant was frantically trying to copy down his dictation. The two soldiers wore expressionless masks that they had probably been taught in boot camp, and Irvine had been quietly brooding for days. Quistis had tried to talk to him, but he had never responded. More than once, she had been reminded of Squall. Except Squall had never looked so angry.

Eventually, he actually managed to convince her to give up.

- - = = = = - -


I don't want to talk about it, he growled as he blew past Quistis and out of the disciplinary room.

Irvine, I can't just let you go around getting into fights, she said, unconsciously slipping into what Xu called her Instructor tone.' I need to know what's going on."

Tavin's a jerk. That's what's going on.

Quistis chased him down the hallway. Irvine, I want to understand —

Just leave me be, all right? This isn't any of your business.

Irvine —

He paused, flashing a hostile glare back at her. You never did learn to butt out, did you? I remember when we were kids, you always had to be in charge of everything, right? I never could stand that. Maybe you should get a life of your own instead of trying to run everyone else's.

Quistis' reply caught in her throat. Irvine turned and walked away, leaving her standing in the middle of the hallway, unable to move.

- - = = = = - -


The density seems to be increasing, Vaider was saying. There was a concentration of strands along the outside of the Pillar, and the number decreased as we moved inward. Now it appears there is a high concentration at the center as well.

Quistis listened with half an ear as the scientist related a dozen or so theories for the arrangement of the fibers. She could still not bring herself to speak to Irvine, and she felt a chill whenever she so much as looked at him. She was worried about how the stay at Galbadia Garden was affecting him; he was not acting at all like the Irvine she knew.

There's an opening ahead, Bouwen observed.

Vaider nodded. Excellent. There, I should be able to learn everything I need to confirm my theory.

Does that mean we can go home? Nida asked.

Vaider ignored him.

Indeed, about twenty meters later, the tunnel opened up into a cavern perhaps the size of G-Garden's auditorium, and perfectly cylindrical. The walls' stretched more than a hundred meters above, where even their flashlights could not reach. Softly glowing green fibers surrounded the entirety of the opening.

Vaider said. We will need —

Their pocket radio beeped, and a distorted voice erupted from the device.

What was that? Quistis asked. What did they say?

Seventeen-year-old hardware, Bouwen complained. Got to get the frequency just right, and.... He fiddled with a knob on the side of the device. Please repeat your message.

This time, the crackle was not as noticeable, but still slightly annoying. An Esthar airship is approaching, the voice explained. We thought you should be informed.

Esthar? Quistis wondered. What are they doing here? ...Of course, they must be coming to the Lunatic Pandora too.

We will need my instruments, in any case, Vaider said, starting back along the tunnel. Inform the Garden that we are on our way back.

- - = = = = - -


Quistis could see the unmistakable shape of the Ragnarok resting on G-Garden's north courtyard, just barely fitting in the space available. It looked rather strange; the Esthar ship, with its furious red hull and dragonlike appearance, opposite the brownish-grey, more traditional shape of the Galbadian craft.

She was the last one down the line that connected the Garden to the door in the side of the Lunatic Pandora. She saw that Palmer was already speaking to a fairly tall man wearing what was unmistakably Esthar clothing. Vaider was approaching the pair, and Irvine, Nida, and the two Galbadian soldiers were standing in the courtyard, waiting for orders.

Wait here, she said to Irvine and Nida, and hurried after Vaider.

What is this about? The scientist was demanding. What is Esthar's purpose here?

The Lunatic Pandora is Esthar property, the stranger replied. And the doctor wishes to examine the device.

Doctor?

The Galbadia Republic salvaged this device, Vaider retorted, making it our property. Your doctor will have to ask our government for a research permit.

I'm afraid he won't do that, the other man said, almost sadly.

Quistis frowned. That man looked...familiar.

Another form appeared at the top of the Ragnarok's entrance ramp. He was short, and most of his body was obscured by the large red-and-white striped ruff he wore around his neck. His hair was tied tightly into a thin tail that seemed to stand of its own accord. Quistis recognized him instantly.

Vat is happening? Odine demanded. Can we go in yet or not?

This man claims that the Lunatic Pandora is now Galbadian property, The other Esthar man — Odine's assistant — explained. He —

I do not care about zat! Odine exclaimed hopping like a kid having a tantrum. I vant to continue my research!

So you are the renowned Doctor Odine, Vaider said flatly. He was obviously not impressed. I must say that your reputation does not do you justice.

Odine ignored the other scientist's comment. I must inspect ze Lunatic Pandora! he repeated. If I do not run more tests, my research will be kaput!

Perhaps we should move this discussion to my office, Palmer suggested, her face a calm mask.

There is nothing to discuss, Vaider insisted.

I vant to see ze Lunatic Pandora immediately! Odine was literally jumping up and down by now. There iz no time to discuss!

Quistis pressed a hand to her forehead.