At the front gates, Elsa was helping the group with the communicators. Squall stuck the ear piece firmly into his ear and clipped to unit to his belt, then tested his unit.
"You're all on channel 2," Elsa said. The group switched the knob on the walkie-talkie on 2. "Make sure you test these out before you use them on the field. We'll have a few extras that hopefully work, but don't count on them."
Squall turned his unit on and adjusted the volume. He could hear many voices through his headset. He guessed most of the units were working fine. He hoped he wouldn't have to hear all this chaos the entire mission.
"Are we all set?" Squall asked his team of friends.
"As ready as we'll ever be," Zell replied enthusiastically.
"Yeah, let's do it," Selphie said raising her hand in the air.
"Okay, then. Let's get on the ship. We don't have a lot of time," Squall said. The group boarded the Ragnorak and Selphie ran for the pilot seat.
"Hey, don't I get to fly?" Selphie asked sadly as she saw there was already a pilot.
"Selphie, we need you to be seated with us so we can discuss battle plans and exchange information. We don't want you to miss anything," Squall said.
"Fine," Selphie said reluctantly and went down to the passenger seats below. Squall gave the orders to fly to Esthar and to get them there as fast as possible. Then he went to join the others. They all had their weapons ready and they were waiting anxiously.
"How long will it take to reach Esthar?" Rinoa asked.
"The pilot said he could get us there in about fifteen to thirty minutes," Squall replied.
"Quistis is gathering the latest reports from Balamb and Trabia," Irvine informed the group.
"You really think this battle is going to be that big?" Selphie asked. "I thought this would be a simple mission, but it seems to be becoming a bigger deal than I thought."
"The problem is that we don't know the power or the extent of the troops that we're going to face. There's no telling what Seifer might unleash on us," Zell answered.
"He's right," Squall said. "There's no predicting what we're up against. It may be small or it may be big. But it's better to be prepared for something big instead of small. We always assume the worst possible situation first and work our way down."
"Arg. Why did Seifer have to do all this. I just wanted to have some time without any fighting," Rinoa said frustrated.
"Yeah, I know what you mean," Zell said rolling his eyes. "And finals."
"Hey guys. Let's go over some maps and draw out an initial battle plan since we're sitting around doing nothing. We need to be prepared now," Quistis suggested tossing a few rolled up maps at Squall.
Squall caught all but three and began to unwrap them. "Good idea," he said.
The group sat or knelt on the floor around the map and began drawing out a battle plan.
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Upon arrival, Squall's team saw many of the Esthar soldiers in place at their station around the entrances of the palace. The search crews had arrived also and taken their positions.
"Are you Commander Leonhart?" a very tall blond man asked Squall.
"Yeah. And you are?" Squall asked back.
"Eric Germaine, Commander of Trabia Garden. It's nice to finally meet you," Eric said holding his hand out.
Squall shook it and nodded. "What's the news on Galbadia's position?"
"We're expecting them in about a half an hour," Eric said.
"Are there enough soldiers at each entrance?" Squall asked.
"Yeah, there's plenty. We didn't think we'd get so much help. The Esthar soldiers have this place covered," Eric said.
Squall nodded and turned to his team. "Commander Germaine says there's plenty of soldiers at each of the entrances so we don't have to split up yet. You guys will all station the front entrance with me. If Seifer or his team ever enter the palace, we go after him. Got it?"
Squall's team nodded.
"Woo hoo! Let's get it on!" Selphie cheered.
With that the group took their positions at the front entrance with ten minutes to spare, give or take a few minutes.
Squall rested his hand on his gunblade. He had confidence in his team and the rest of the teams and soldiers. He guessed that they had Seifer outnumbered looking around at all the soldiers around him. Zell nudged Squall.
"Hey, Commander. Turn on your communication system. The Esthar commander wants to talk to you," Zell said.
Squall had turned his unit off because the noise of other discussions were giving him a headache. He turned on his unit and heard the voice of Vince Warren.
"...hear me?" his voice said.
"Commander Leonhart here," Squall said.
"Leonhart, finally," Vince said.
"Sorry about that," Squall apologized.
"No problem. I'm having a little trouble with this thing myself," Vince said loudly. Squall turned down the volume. The guy was speaking way too loud.
"Commander Vince Warren here commanding the Esthar soldiers. It's nice to meet you, sorta," Vince said in a friendly tone.
"Nice to meet you Commander Warren," Squall said back.
"It's Vince. None of that Commander stuff. Freaks the hell outta me," he said.
"I know what you mean," Squall muttered.
"What was that?" Vince said loudly once again.
"Nothing," Squall said.
"What's your first name? Sorry to be informal, but I truly hate the commander thing," Vince said.
"Squall. Squall Leonhart," Squall replied.
"Okay, Squall. Our people look good. Everyone's fully prepared. We're keeping a look out for any signs of those sons of bitches," Vince said.
"Commanders," another voice said through the transmission.
"What?" Vince yelled. Squall wanted to tear the ear piece out of his ear at that moment and winced at the loud vibrations.
"We spot the enemy. They're coming in fast. Prepare for battle, defense only for now," the voice said.
"We got it," Squall said.
"Good luck sirs, over and out," the voice said.
Squall looked up at the scene in front of him. He spotted Galbadia's ship in the horizon and they were moving closer and closer. Squall drew his gunblade and he saw his friends preparing their weapons also for battle.
"This is it," Rinoa said smiling trying not to show her nervousness.
"We'll be fine," Squall said in comfort. Rinoa let out a big sigh to release some stress and focused on the incoming target.
"Sir!" a loud voice came from Squall's ear piece.
"Commander Leonhart here," Squall answered.
"Commander. The enemy has MG's lined up on deck ready to attack," the voice said.
"MG's? Get your soldiers to cast shell and/or reflect on themselves or each other. Do it fast," Squall ordered and turned to his team to repeat his orders.
"Front entrance team!" Squall shouted. All the soldiers turned to face him. "The enemy has a front line of MG's ready to attack. Cast shell and/or reflect on yourselves and each other now! We don't have much time."
The soldiers scrambled to cast shell and reflect on themselves and on each other. Squall quickly casted shell on himself and turned to Selphie who was next to him.
"Squall, can you cast shell on me? I don't have any stocked," Selphie said. Squall nodded and casted shell on her.
"What about the others?" Squall asked. Selphie pointed over to Irvine and Quistis.
"They've got plenty stocked. Irvine and Quistis are casting on a bunch of people. Rinoa had someone cast on her so she's all set," Selphie said.
"Good," Squall said. More red and yellow glows of light appeared as the soldiers caught on and casted on each other. The Galbadian ship was drawing near.
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"Sir, the enemy is casting shell and protect on their soldiers. And there are a hell of a lot of soldiers," a young Galbadian cadet said removing binoculars from his face.
Seifer narrowed his eyes. They had got there before him and were prepared.
"Continue on as planned and attack as planned. Just make sure to tell the MG's to make it good," Seifer ordered. The young cadet saluted to him and ran off to deliver the order.
As the Galbadia ship drew closer to Esthar, Seifer could see the palace swarming with Esthar soldiers and SeeDs. He knew his rival was down there commanding the soldiers. Damn him, Seifer thought.
"Second front!" Seifer shouted. A group of soldier armed with guns and throwing knives ran past Seifer and lined up behind the MG's.
"Air raid!" Seifer shouted and another team of soldiers took crouching or kneeling positions all around the ship armed with guns and grenades.
Seifer felt prepared even if he had less men. His attack could not fail and he will not lose a battle again.