Chapter 2: Trabia

Hollow footsteps along with chattering could be heard across a marbled hallway. Students passed by one another heading towards their desired destinations; some walked in pairs, others alone. Most them either talked about their training or off-hour recreations. They all wore a smoke-blue, two-piece jumpsuit with an emblem embroidered at the left side. Though there are minor variations to certain emblems, they all bore the same signature mark, the mark of SeeDs. A few wore a different style, but they were of higher ranks and graduates of SeeDs Academy training.
One man in particular strode onto an elevator, making his way to the Headmasters office. He held an air of arrogance thanks to his rank. He brushed his auburn hair to the side as he exited his stop. A secretary nodded to him and showed him to the door.
"You wish to see me Headmaster Kessell?"
The Headmaster sat at his desk finishing off some administrative paperwork before he looked up. His profile indicated him to be in his late thirties but his eyes indicated of being much older than he appeared to be. "Yes Commander Akarr, please sit down." he said gesturing towards a seat
"If it's alright with you Headmaster, I would much rather stand."
Disregarding the tone of his voice the headmaster started to speak. "A communiqué was sent by the Estharian Government. They have agreed to hold us in their presence."
The young commander cocked his head "Funny, I thought they'd surely go back to isolation after the unfortunate incident."
"Apparently Viceroy Skeheaven convinced them to turn their heads or simply over look the matter."
Akarr's back hair stood on end with the mention of that woman's name. He was also getting impatient.
"Pardon my disrespectfulness Headmaster, but why did you send for me?"
The headmaster paused and took a deep breath, before answering his question.
"You are to be sent to Estar as part of the delegation."
"Delegation?"
"The Gardenmaster himself wants to establish a Garden on the continent of Esthar." Kessell said before the commander could cut him off. "As you know in recent years, the Galbadia Garden is having difficulties with its present government. As for Balamb Garden, she has remained in elusive hiding. Trabia has been the only Garden, operating without any trouble…for now..."
Akarr nodded in agreement; it took painstaking efforts to establish Trabia Garden as a prestigious Academy, rivalling that of her sister Gardens. Ever since her upgrade centuries ago she has been the elite Garden, at par with the Galbadia facility.
"As the Commander of this Garden I've brought her distinction. I will not allow anything to defile her reputation."
The wizened headmaster nodded in agreement. "I'm sure nothing would ever spoil her name. Which is why you are being sent over. You do have the qualifications of diplomat?"
Akarr knew that his superior read over his file but he should have noted that it was only a preliminary training. He could only scowl at the notion of being a diplomat.
"Yes sir, but I'm nowhere near well versed in the art of diplomacy! If you read through my file you would have noticed that I'm a weapons specialist. Give me a sword and I'll give them a show. "
His superior only smiled as if already knowing his officers frustration. "Yes I noticed that detail. SeeDs are not a diplomatic corps; however, we are specialized in other fields…"
Akarr raised an eyebrow "Sir?"
"Assemble your unit. You'll leave tomorrow for Esthar. En route you'll be given a package. Read it carefully and notify me when the first task is complete. Dismissed."
He looked back down at his papers and totally ignored his officer as if he was unaware and that he was ever present. Akarr stood awkwardly for a few seconds before gave a salute and marched out of the office.

~*~*~*~*~

The T-rexsaur fell onto his death; his tongue lapped up air before it too went lax. A SeeD approached with caution, holding her body in an attack posture. She looked on at the creature, kicking its striped hide. With an acknowledgement of the monster being dead she turned to face her companion.
"You sure whipped it good Lucius," she was grinning like a fool. "Are you sure it didn't do anything to you?"
Lucius could only stare at his inept partner. "It must have been a youngling; and I didn't see you do anything…"
Monique flayed her hands in exclamation, "Hey, I helped you! I told you that a T-rexsaur was right behind you!"
He could only mutter in curses and let the matter rest. "Just be a little more prepared when you enter here. Honestly, you think that once you've become SeeD, you would have some sort of sense."
His dark-skinned partner made a face. "Alright Lucius, chill. We're only inside the training center, its not like we're on an assignment."
"Funny how you said not being on an assignment…"
Both jumped and turned to Akarr walking in from the entrance, holding a pad in his hand. With his auburn hair, dark almond eyes along with his eastern look, any person could easily have fallen for him. He was the type of guy who could care less about someone but on the other hand could find something useful out of it. He rose through ranks as quickly as he could and until he had finally acquired his goal of being a commander. Monique and Lucius had the grace of knowing him since their early childhood, here at Trabia. The three grew close even though they were all from different spectrums; Monique was naïve, Lucius reserved and Akarr, suave if not egotistical. What mattered for them was that they were SeeDs, more so friends.
"Hey Akarr we didn't see you come in."
"Obviously, you guys are quarreling. Should the commander wait for his officers to settle the dispute?"
Both his friends stood straight and gave a salute; Akarr had a way of pulling ranks. "No Sir!" Monique spoke up.
"What's the assignment Sir?"
Akarr gave the pad for them to look over. "We're to head for Esthar…"
Lucius made a quizzical expression after looking over Monique's shoulder. "A delegation?"
Monique looked up with distaste "Akarr we aren't a-"
"Save it, we'll get the rest of the package as we go. Just pack your gears guys, we'll leaving tomorrow early at zero eight hundred hours. Now how about heading for town and grabbing a drink?"
Both the pair trailed behind Akarr, Monique muttering with repugnance, "I'll be dammed if we don't get to fight in this mission, cause if I sit around, Hyne knows that…"
Only deaf ears could block out her constant chatter, and both the males wished for it.