Time...it will not wait....
Squall was standing on the rocky cliff outside Edea's orphanage. Down by the beach, five kids were gathered around a cluster of fireworks. Two of them seemed to be shouting at each other.
No matter...
One of the fireworks exploded with a flash, and suddenly it was daytime. No one was on the beach, but Squall could see two gigantic floating buildings crashing into each other above a nearby forest.
How hard you hold on....
Now the orphanage was nothing more than an overgrown ruin, and a gigantic castle was hovering just off the coast, secured to the land by massive iron chains. In front of the castle, a battle was raging between countless white-uniformed SeeDs and a single woman, who seemed to be floating in thin air.
It escapes you....
Another flash, and all three scenes were superimposed on each other. And through it all was Ultimecia's face, twisted with rage —
Squall's eyes shot open, and for once, the stark metal walls around him were actually comforting. Looking around, he noted that Selphie was still asleep, and Zell was shadow-boxing by the far wall.
And Rinoa was sitting, arms around her legs, the same way she had been for three days now.
Three days. Was that right? In here, it was hard to tell time. Then again, most people who found themselves in Galbadia's D-district prison rarely needed to concern themselves with it anymore.
I wonder how long we'll be here, he thought. The Galbadians might not even bother with a trial. Why should they? We already claimed responsibility by going to Deling City.
So there's a chance we'll be in this cell for the rest of our lives.
They had already given up on trying to escape. Without weapons, and a Shell field dampening their magic, they had next to no chance even if the guards did not seem downright paranoid about them. They had been lucky once, but this time even Selphie's tireless optimism seemed to have failed them.
So there they were.
Standing, Squall made his way over to Rinoa. She had changed drastically since their arrest; she barely spoke, and wouldn't even look anyone in the eyes. Her manner almost reminded Squall of...himself.
How're you doing? he asked lamely.
She did not look up.
Squall knew she was depressed, and he wanted to help. But he didn't know how. It wasn't long ago that he wouldn't have even considered it; that he would have just left her to deal with it herself.
I was wrong. We can't all make it on our own. Not all the time. It helps to have someone there with you.
But I don't know what to do.
It's my fault, Rinoa said finally. If it weren't for the Forest Owls, the Galbadians wouldn't have....
You couldn't have known that, Squall said halfheartedly. No one could have thought the Galbadians would react so strongly.
Although he'd been warning of the possibility all along. Is that what this comfort thing is? Lying?
Rinoa shook her head. I should have listened to you. I thought it was all this great adventure. Free Timber from the Galbadians. It all seemed so unreal; when you three showed up, I thought we could do anything. She slumped sideways onto the floor. But we couldn't do anything.
Not knowing what to say, Squall gently rested a hand on her trembling shoulder. She's right. She wasn't taking this seriously, and it came back in her face.
But...I don't want to see her like this.
The door slid open, grating a little against the metal floor. A pair of Galbadian soldiers entered, followed by a man in the uniform of a standard prison guard. All four of them looked up at the new arrivals.
Squall Leonhart, Zell Dincht, and Selphie Tilmitt, come with me, the guard said gruffly, reading the names off a clipboard. You've been released to the custody of Garden.
- - = = = = - -
Ten minutes later, the three SeeDs were standing in Cid's office opposite the headmaster, as Squall related his report. Behind him, the triple-corkscrew of the D-district prison was visible behind the bridge pillar, rising back out of the ground even as they spoke. The station had submerged so as to permit them to be transferred to Garden, but with the building elevated, even if anyone managed to escape, their trip would end in a two-hundred meter drop.
...And after that, the Galbadians apprehended us and took us directly to the prison, Squall finished.
Cid nodded. And believe me, it took some work to get them to release you. Sighing, he closed the folder which had laid before him on his desk. Well, it seems your actions were all within the bounds of your contract; no diciplinary action is in order. Also, your contract with the Forest Owls is officially terminated; you're all on standby. Get some rest.
Oh, and while you were away, Quistis, Irvine, and Nida went on an expedition to Galbadia Garden. Shortly thereafter, the whole Garden took off and...ran away. We gave up our chase when we heard that you had been arrested, but we believe they are somewhere on the Centra continent. We haven't had contact with them since.
Squall registered the news, but could not take his eyes off the distant prison. Rinoa's still in there.
We'll be depositing a pair of teams in the Winhill area, then returning south to find Galbadia Garden. You're on standby for the time being.
Zell and Selphie turned and headed for the elevator, but Squall remained. he asked once the doors closed.
Sighing, Cid nodded. You want to rescue Rinoa.
I know you feel that way, Cid replied, but you have to understand. As a SeeD, you were only acting to fulfill your contract with the Forest Owls. Rinoa, on the other hand, is being held for sedition against the Galbadian government. I doubt they will ever be willing to release her.
I can't just leave her in there! Squall insisted.
There's nothing we can do, Squall, Cid pressed quietly. It took all my efforts just to convince them to release the three of you.
Then I'll go in and get her myself. Squall turned to leave.
Squall, listen! Cid said forcefully. Part of our agreement with Galbadia for your release was that Garden would stop all activities against them immediately. If we — if any of us tried to rescue Rinoa, then the Galbadian military would surely retaliate against Garden. We would be destroyed.
Squall hesitated.
When Galbadia released you to us, Garden became wholly responsible for your actions, Cid continued. Any actions you take, with or without my permission, will be held against all of us; and Galbadia will not be forgiving. He came around his desk to stand in front of Squall. You have to consider the consequences of your actions, Squall, he cautioned. Sometimes, acting out can just make matters worse. I'm sorry, but there's nothing we can do for Rinoa at the moment.
Without responding, Squall turned and stormed for the elevator. I know he's right, he fumed as the doors slid open to admit him. And I understand that I can't put anyone else at risk. As a SeeD, I have to represent Garden at all times. He absently pressed the 1F button.
So that's it, then? I just leave Rinoa in there for the rest of her life? I can't do that!
But if I try to save her, the Galbadians will destroy Garden.
He kept turning it over and over in his head as the elevator stopped and deposited him on the 1F. He stepped out, and nearly collided with Zell and Selphie before he saw them standing there.
So what did Cid say? asked Selphie. Are we goin' back in?
said Zell, enthusiastically shadow-boxing, pummeling imaginary Galbadians. Let's go back and kick some ass!
Weren't you listening? Squall said harshly. We're going to drop off some teams at Winhill, then head for Centra. There's going to be no rescue.
You're kidding! Selphie exclaimed. Cid wouldn't just leave her in there!
He has to.
Forget about Cid, man. Zell had halted shadow-boxing, and was now frowning at Squall. Don't tell me you're just going to let her stay all alone in that place?
You want to go back, Zell?
Tch...yeah! We've beaten those jerks before; it'll be no prob!
All right...so we break Rinoa out. Then what? Where do we go? There won't be any Garden left, because the second we try something, Galbadia will blow it up. You think we could go to your place and hide out from the Galbadians there, Zell?
The other SeeD's expression froze, and a shadow of doubt crossed his face. Well...I mean, there's gotta be something —
Don't you think I want to help Rinoa? Squall demanded. Don't you think I'd jump at any chance to get her out of there?
Zell began, I wasn't —
Squall, we're just trying to — Selphie began at the same time.
Don't even pretend to know what's going on. Squall angrily stormed off down the stairs. His legs carried him automatically to his dorm room, and he absently locked the door before collapsing onto his bed.
He soon lost track of time. His thoughts always strayed out the window, across the desert to the three towers of the prison. Part of me wants nothing more than to go back with Zell and Selphie and break Rinoa out of that dammed place. But I know I can't. Galbadia will retaliate, and Garden will be destroyed. We'll probably all be killed, too. It can't work.
He pressed his eyes tightly shut. There has to be a way! Think! Some other option, that no one's thought of yet. I've been in hopeless situations before.
He paused. No, I haven't. Not like this.
That was when it hit him. He was powerless. Many times during the campaign against Ultimecia, he had felt used, like a pawn in some grand, unknown scheme. Now, he knew exactly what was going on, but was unable to do anything about it. Everything was out of his hands.
His eyes hurt. Forcing them open, the first sight he saw was his SeeD uniform hanging from the wall above him. He realized that he had not worn it since the graduation party.
Some SeeD I am, he thought. SeeDs aren't supposed to take sides. We do what our employers ask of us. We don't act beyond our contract, and we don't question our orders.
That's really the only way. You can't become involved. Once you start caring, you become weak. You make mistakes. If you don't care, nothing can hurt you.
Standing, Squall walked the short distance across his room. He saw that his gunblade must have been returned by the Galbadians; it lay on top of its case on his desk. Picking up the weapon, he examined the blade in the light from the window. It was covered with scratches and dents from fighting, and the metal had only the dullest sheen. Smears of blood still covered the blade-edge.
But I do care, he told himself as he produced the included cleaning set. I can't go on, knowing that Rinoa's trapped in prison. I can't.
But what can I do?
Still, no answer came to him.
Searching through his case, he found the gunblade's polishing tool and silently took out his frustration on the weapon lying before him.