No one had spoken to anyone that night, and the room had seemed almost dead, despite the three Garden students milling about. Irvine went straight to his bed, and Nida practically barricaded himself before a terminal at the far end of the room, working endlessly without ever looking up. Quistis attempted to put together a mission report of the events so far, but all she could do was stare at the names of herself, Irvine, and Nida next to the SeeDS DEPLOYED header. She noticed that Nida had no last name listed on the form. She was sure she had noticed that before, but she had no idea why it was. Eventually, she set down the writing slate and crawled into her bunk herself, though she failed to manage much sleep. The glow of Nida's terminal remained for as long as she stayed awake.
Quistis couldn't recall when she had finally fallen asleep, but the way she wanted to crawl right back into the bunk the next morning gave her a good impression that it hadn't been long ago. Also, Irvine and Nida were both gone, she noticed as she wearily pulled on her uniform. And beams of sunlight were streaming through the slats of the window.
That's odd. I've always been an early riser.
But then, I've usually had something to look forward to in the morning.
Absently straightening her tie, she walked out into the hall. she did remember that she was supposed to be returning to the Lunatic Pandora today as it approached Odin's Gate, but her mind could focus only on the one thing that had been dogging her all the past night.
How could she be so stupid? Not only had she completely failed to help Irvine, but she had alienated Nida as well. How had she even managed to get her Instructor's license, with troubles like this?
I lacked leadership qualities, she thought. That's why they took my license away. And now, I think they're right. But why did they put me in charge of this mission? If I can't lead, then why did Cid ask me to?
I don't understand.
Hey! Quistis!
It took her a moment to realize that the speaker was addressing her. When she turned, she saw Keri making her way down the hall at a jog.
That mission to the Lunatic Pandora's been canceled, she said when she caught up. Vaider wanted to go down to the Garden's MD level, and Palmer wants you along. I'm coming, too.
Quistis nodded. Do you know where Nida and...where the others are?
A shadow crossed over the girl's face, but she merely nodded. They're already down there. I was supposed to find you.
Right. How do we get down?
Keri frowned. The elevator. How do you get to yours?
It was...complicated.
- - = = = = - -
Vaider studied the massive assembly in the center of Galbadia Garden's cavernous MD level. The massive round room in which they stood was reminiscent of Balamb Garden's own such facility.
With two notable exceptions. One, it was immense, even comparatively. Two, it was in much better repair.
My guess is that B-Garden was one of the older buildings, Nida was saying. Which is probably why all the controls were so rusted out, it could barely handle.
We didn't have any such problems with our Garden, Palmer agreed.
Vaider was studying the tower of cylindrical machines in the center of the room. Aside from the rushing air, Quistis noted, the machinery was making next to no noise. A primitive device; it seems to be constructed of technology at best equal to our own. Yet it demonstrates an understanding of the magics that our best scientists cannot rival.
Where's Doctor Odine? Quistis asked.
The doctor, Vaider said, without taking his eyes off the assembly, has chosen not to join us. Perhaps he could no longer bear the weight of his clown costume. The disdain in his voice was obvious. There was an assembly such as this in your Garden, correct?
Quistis nodded.
And when you activated the flight controls, what happened?
Well, there were sparks, and then those... she pointed at the cylinders, started to spin. Then, the bridge started to rise, and we were suddenly at the top of the Garden, and Headmaster Cid was with us.
And then?
Well, the ring above the Garden gave off a bright light, then began to spin and move down towards ground level. It seemed that it was changing the shape of the Garden as it went, and when it reached the ground...we took off.
Vaider was nodding. Excellent. Then the electromagnetic field created by these generators is the basis for all power within the flight mechanism, just as I had expected. He motioned for Quistis to come closer, indicating the spheroid that was situated towards the ceiling. Do you know what that is?
It's an ingenious design. The assembly converts kinetic energy into electric energy, and that device converts the electric energy into magical energy. It's the earliest known device capable of recreating the effect of a Guardian Force junctioned to an organic mind, in effect allowing a machine to channel magic. We theorize the loss of energy in conversion to be in the vicinity of three percent.
Quistis nodded, trying to hide the fact that she had absolutely no idea what Vaider had just said.
And at the heart of this assembly is the very same crystal structure that composes the Crystal Pillar. Vaider turned away from the assembly, addressing the Garden members standing before him. Which is why we may gain an insight into the workings of the Lunatic Pandora by study of this, more primitive work of Centra engineering.
We arrive at Odin's Gate in three days; therefore time is of the essence. I expect results by tomorrow.
- - = = = = - -
This is like getting led blindfolded in a dark room and being asked to translate the writing on the walls.
Nida spared a moment to glance at Keri. They have that class here, too?
With one final admonition at her own cold-footedness, Quistis stepped over to the two, who were crouched down by the pillar that supported the Garden's bridge. How's it going over here? she asked, in her best Instructor tone.
There's writing on the floor around the pillar, Keri replied, indicating a ring of small characters that Quistis could barely see. Bending down, she could tell that, while it looked Centra, there were some characters that she did not recognize at all. And on an inside track was a succession of horizontal and vertical lines. They showed a sort of pattern that could be a language, but resembled nothing Quistis had ever seen before.
The outer track is one of the older Centra writing forms, she said by way of explanation. This one wasn't used much anywhere, but originated in the northern island — the one that was torn apart by the Great Lunar Cry.
Can you tell what it says?
Sort of. The part that I've translated says something like, For the safety of our wives and children, escape from the danger, all our hopes,' and something about the menace of the peanut butter.'
Peanut butter?'
Keri grimaced. I probably translated that part wrong.
So what does it mean? Quistis asked. If this isn't written in normal Centra, then who wrote it this way, and why?
Well, there was a lot of dissent between the states of Centra toward the end. It's been theorized that if the Lunar Cry hadn't destroyed them, they would have fallen to civil war before long. This could have been constructed by one of the splinter factions, in case fighting really did break out.
And what about the inner track?
Keri shook her head. I have no idea. If it's a language, it was never mainstream enough to get noticed by any of the texts I've read.
Quistis put the question aside, and decided to move on. Nida, what about...? she started, looking up at where she thought the third SeeD to be. Instead, there was no sign of him. Where'd Nida go?
Keri frowned, but Quistis could now hear voices coming from the other side of the pillar. Since Palmer and Vaider were in the opposite direction, she guessed who they would be. Excusing herself, she headed in that direction.
Nida and Irvine were standing by the ladder that led to the MD level, talking about something. Neither of them noticed her approach.
Look, this is none of your business, all right? Irvine was saying. I am tired of everyone trying to figure out my business for me. Just let me be.
You don't seem to be doing too great a job of handling this on your own, Nida replied. I'm just trying to help out before you turn into Squall.
Yeah? What do you think you can help with? What do you know about my problems?
Nida paused for a moment, staring straight at the other student. What, coming from a bad family? You don't know what bad is until you've met my foster parents. They didn't send me to Garden, you know; I ran away. You know I couldn't even stand to keep their last name? Or do you mean about always being on the outside looking in? Only getting noticed when you do something wrong? Having no one around who even cared?
Irvine didn't reply.
Your thing is, you took a way out. You started acting like an idiot so people would notice; and it worked, except now everyone hates you. Me, I'm still stuck, doing the best I can even though I know no one will ever care. So I know what I'm talking about. And you should count yourself lucky you even have friends you can talk to, instead of trying to get rid of them.
He paused again, looking wistful. Believe it or not, you're luckier than most people, just to have people who care.
Quistis turned away, knowing she wouldn't be getting any more work done that day.
END OF PART TWO