Chapter 3: Deep SeeD
Why is it when doctors say "this is going to sting a bit," it always means it's going to hurt like hell? Squall thought as he squeezed his eyelids shut. Pain dominated his senses, as Balamb Garden's resident doctor finished stitching the wound across his face.
"There! All done." Dr. Kadowaki stepped back to admire her work. "How do you feel?"
"Okay, I guess." Squall sighed and watched the doctor throw the thread and needle away into a hazardous waste container. Then she picked up a small light and shown it in his eyes.
"Your pupils look good. Can you say your name for me?"
"Yeah. Squall."
"Good." She flicked off the light and put it in the front pocket of her jacket.
He lay back on the hard bed and put his arm behind his head. Above him the white curtains swayed in the breeze, and he could hear a class being conducted outside the open window. Then he gently traced the sutures between his eyes and across his nose with his gloved hands, "This is going to leave a scar."
"Well, perhaps it will serve as a reminder for next time," Dr. Kadowaki put her hands on her hips as she scolded him. "You might not be so lucky in the future."
""Why don't you tell that to Seifer?" Squall muttered.
"Seifer" Dr. Kadowaki sighed and looked through the glass that separated the exam rooms.
Two young nurses were busy trying to hold Seifer down while a third struggled to finish stitching up the wound across his face.
"Get off me!" Seifer's yells were muted through the glass wall, "It don't need a SHIT! Watch what you're doing!"
"There." The nurse smiled at him, "All finished. Now just let me"
"Just get away. Leave me alone!" Seifer swung himself off the side of the bed, grabbed his trench coat, and stormed out of the infirmary.
"That Seifer." Doctor Kadowaki shook her head and turned her attention back to Squall. "He just won't listen to anybody. Still, you could try walking away from him."
Squall turned his eyes away from her, ""
The doctor shook her head and folded her arms across her chest. "I guess you wanna be cool, huh? Well, just try not to get hurt in the process."
"Will I be able to take today's exam?"
"I don't see why not." The doctor took a data pad off the nightstand next to the bed and signed her name at the bottom.
"Thanks." Squall sat up and swung his feet onto the floor.
"You're welcome, but I don't want to see you back here for a very long time." Doctor Kadowaki warned as she handed him the discharge order.
Seifer Almasy crossed the wide bridge that joined the infirmary to the lobby. Everywhere was the sound of rushing water. Balamb Garden was famous for its fountains and waterways that ran through the halls of the first floor. In places like the dormitories it was no more then a faint whisper, heard only in the early morning before the students began to stir. However, in the quad the sound of rushing water was clear and loud.
Making his way towards the glass elevator in the middle of the lobby, Seifer adjusted his trenchcoat. Glancing around, he noticed students in blue cadet uniforms efficiently performing their innumerable tasks. As he passed the directory two instructors were addressing a group of pupils.
Shit, the exam is today; Seifer ran a gloved hand over his forehead as he climbed a staircase. I forgot all about it after dealing with Squall.
Seifer stepped into the long, cylindrical elevator and two young SeeD cadets followed him inside. He pressed the silver F2 button and then coolie leaned against the side of the glass.
Most people were required to serve in the military from age sixteen to forty. However, those who proved their superior abilities in both fighting and magic were able to join Garden and eventually SeeD. When the Timber barrier fell when he was six, Seifer joined Balamb Garden and began his training.
The elevator door opened. He walked through the hall and to the disciplinary room.
The classroom was deadly quite. Eight SeeD cadets sat behind desks writing essays. It was the best Cid would let him assign to rule breakers. If it were up to him they'd be assigned to doing push-ups like in Galbadia Garden.
The two people he had come to see were busily engaged behind a console flashing brilliant color read outs.
Fujin and Raijin had been his best friends and comrades since he entered Garden. The three of them made up the core of the disciplinary committee charged with keeping Garden's students in line.
"You have your report ready, captain?" Seifer smoothed his hair back.
"Yes, sir!" Raijin half-saluted him. "Five traffic violations, two attempted cheaters..." Then Raijin pointed to a younger student with light blonde hair, "and that guy over there stole all of Xu's panties and was selling them on the Garden message board for 75 gil a piece. Not a bad price, ya know."
"Yeah," Seifer raised an eyebrow at Raijin. Like anyone would want her panties! " Well today is a big day for The Pickets."
"EXAM." Fuji nodded.
"Exactly. Today is the SeeD exam, and this time I'm going to pass."
"It's a good thing too, boss, cause if you fail today even the first years are gonna start makin' fun of you."
"Yeah, thanks, Raijin."
"Anyway, today I'm going to pass that exam. I'll be the first gunblade specialist in Balamb."
"Squall is taking the test to, ya know."
"Yeah, but there's no way he can pass. He can't even block a hit. The title of Balamb Garden's Elite Gunblade Specialist belongs to me. End of story."
Seifer sat down at a desk in the back of the room.
Fujin placed a hand on Seifer's shoulder and leaned down towards his ear, "HURT?"
"Na." He shook his head. She raised a doubtful eyebrow at him. "Hey, if you think this is bad, you really should see Squall."
"GOOD." She smiled and turned back to Raijin.
Glancing around to ensure he wasn't attracting any attention, he opened up a personal file marked "Forest Owls".
A picture of the beautiful Rinoa Heartilly filled the screen. Seifer gazed over her dark hair, stunning eyes, and petite body. He had met Rinoa only a short time ago and already he felt bonded to her. She was kind, gentle and warm – not like any of the women he'd met at Garden. When she smiled it made him feel like invincible.
Since the fall of the Timber barrier he had been virtually alone, with Fujin and Raijin his only companions. The day he met Rinoa all that changed. Her openness and honesty made him feel he could trust her. And he was sure she felt the same way.
A few days after they had met she began to introduce him to the Forest Owls. There were several groups of people fighting to take back the planet from the Phantoms, but these people were different somehow. He had a feeling this was it. A chance. The hope no one could hope for. A shot at the Phantoms.
Besides, joining with Rinoa was one of the best decisions he'd ever made. People gave him the respect he deserved. Not only had the Forest Owls welcomed him with open arms, but also they saw him, as he was - a true leader. And there was the other thing – he wanted to stick it to the Phantoms, stick it so it hurt real bad, for all the times he'd been stuck.
Seifer sat back in his chair. Today was definitely his day. He'd already beaten Squall at a hand to hand fair fight. All that was left to do was blast some Phantoms, pass the exam, arrange a meeting, get laid, and become the greatest knight who ever lived. Piece of piss. The only thing left was to write a victory speech.
In the lobby of Balamb Garden the vast fleet of cadets were beginning to assemble. Every cadet, pilots, and messenger in training waited tensely for their instructors to appear and give instructions. Rumors and an air of excitement filled Garden.
Near the directory Instructor Quistis Trepe stood waiting for her orders.
"Hi Quistis." Xu greeted her.
"Hi," She smiled, "Are those the orders?"
Xu handed her one of the brown folders, "Yeah. Well, at least the first part. I'll be giving the rest of the orders out on the transports."
"Are we going by sea?"
"Air. So you'll need to gather everyone in the hangerbay."
"Not a problem."
"Well, I got twenty-four more of these to hand out."
"Alright. See ya around, Xu."
"See ya!"
Tucking her blonde hair behind her ears she opened the folder and searched for the list of groups. Oh great, she sighed as her eyes hit upon her group of charges. This is going to be interesting.
| From: Headmaster Cid Kramer Balamb Garden To: Instructor #14 Miss Quistis Trepe Squad Leader: Seifer Almasy Squad B: The Deep SeeD Zell Dincht Squall Leonhart As you know, today's exam is a pre-requisite for the SeeD exam. The student's goal is to obtain a lower GF in a combat situation. Your roll as an instructor is to lend support to your group. Remember, instructors are forbidden to interfere with their squad leader's decisions unless the students are in danger. Life and death, victory and defeat, honor and disgrace each of these go hand in hand. There's only one way or the other. Give your students a chance to prove themselves. Xu will provide further instructions about the mission once your students are safely aboard their transports. Best of luck! |
"Seifer! Are you here?" Quistis called out.
From the back of the group Seifer made his way forward, his friends, Fujin and Raijin followed behind him.
"Good morning, Instructor." Seifer grinned.
"You're the Squad Leader. This contains the mission details. Make sure you review it."
"I see the faculty has finally recognized my natural leadership abilities." Seifer gave an oily grin as he snatched the folder.
"Hardly. After the stunt you pulled this morning I'm surprised they haven't suspended you. I know if it were up to me"
"But you're just third rate instructor so it's not up to you."
"And this coming from a fifth rate student. You were chosen because you failed the exam more times then any other student of your class. This is an opportunity to prove you're worthy of being at this Garden and try not to injure your squad members."
Squall Leonheart made his way thought the crowd scanning faces. He saw Nida, an ambius cadet in his class – they nodded to each other; but then Squall moved on. He made his way toward a clearing near the elevator, peered around.
"Oh Squall! Over here!" Quistis waved him over to her.
He looked toward the directory and wandered over.
"I'll be announcing the squad assignments for the exam now. You'll be with Seifer and Zell Dincht. Quite a lively fellow."
"Lively? He's just loud. Can't I switch members?"
"I'm afraid that's not possible. Over here, Zell!"
"Well then, you're all assigned to Squad B. I'll be the instructor in charge. And Seifer is your Captain."
"Now everyone's here, I'll explain the first part of the mission." Quistis tucked one side of her hair behind her ears; "The goal of this mission is for your group to obtain a lower Guardian Force. We'll be going into a real combat situation. It's important that you listen to each other and your captain..."
"That's ME!" Seifer folded his arms across his chest smugly.
Quistis rolled her eyes and continued on "Teamwork is very important to this mission. You have to prove that you can work well in a group."
"Listen up! Teamwork means staying out of my way. It's a Squad B rule. Don't you forget it!"
Quistis rolled her eyes, "Looks like you're failing English vocab too, Seifer. Now lets get a move on!"
Seifer's eyes narrowed as she moved passed him. Turning to Raijin and Fujin he stated, "Add instructor Trepe to the list."