Chapter Eight
The pin was taken from the safety, as Squall saw from his scope. Zell threw the Smoke grenade with all his might. It landed with a thud, and gas could be heard releasing. Gunfire could be heard again.
"Charge!!" Buzz announced. Aaron and him ran out, strafing right, and making use of their weapon. Gun fires erupted from Aaron, Buzz, and else where.
Ellone scouted the area, and signaled Squall to move. Slowly and steady. Careful not to distill the rifle, he moved sideways into the clearing. Through his scope, he just saw smoke waving and dancing in his view. Knowing that they were not exposed, he waved at Zell and Ellone to advance.
They did. With Zell staying in front of the bomb carrier, they stealthily moved to a cover across the open. Squall followed.
"Did you see Buzz and Aaron?" Zell asked him.
"No. No…" Squall was looking around him. The smoke finally cleared, revealing the true structure of the place. They were at the corner of a huge opening. To the left, he could see where they were a minute ago. Looking forward, two paths could be followed.
One, is going underground to a semi-tunnel, under a bridge that overcastted in front of them. The other was up a ramp on the right that connected to the bridge, taking them across it.
"Ok…Ellone, you're the expert here…tunnel or ramp?" Squall turned to him.
"If we were to take the ramp across the bridge, we would have to go into a three-way corridor in a closed roof structure. None of our weapon are that good in close range. Under the bridge would lead us into a tall ledge in the front and back, all above us. But, with a rifle, we may have the advantage."
"Ok, then tunnel it is…I'll be in the front for now. Zell, you stay behind Ellone. Ellone, keep your eyes peeled for Buzz and Aaron." And they fast walked toward the tunnel.
The tunnel was filled with crates and boxes. The snaked around them as quietly as they can. Light can be seen in front of them, showing the exit. Squall walked as they went closer and closer. When he was about to step into the light, he heard Ellone yell, "Stop!"
But it was too late. Squall saw himself in the middle of a pit, with people all around him. Uh-oh, he thought to himself.
"Fire!" a voice yelled.
Squall backed up as quickly as he can, but the bullets were flooding at him. He took a couple to the shoulders before he got back into covering.
"Didn't I tell you!" Ellone whispered angrily as she took out a med-kit and started to bandage his left shoulder. "We are still at a disadvantage!"
Squall sighed. The pain isn't like being shot, but more like some one was pinching him.
"So, now what?" Zell asked. He was sitting on the ground, clutching his machine gun.
"We'll need a distraction…Here, give me that grenade." She pointed at Squalls side.
He handed it over.
She took it, and started weighing it in her hand. Then, after a moment, handed it to Zell.
"What?" Zell asked.
"Ok, you are going to lob this grenade straight into that wall." She pointed at the ledge that was in front of them. "Hopefully, it will bounce into the air, leaving us to sneak pass them."
Hopefully? That's the best she could give us? Squall thought. Zell had a look on his face that agreed.
"What?!" Ellone Shouted, followed by a burst of bullets from above them. "That's the best I could think of! Why? You got a better idea!?"
"Calm down, Ellone." Squall quietly said. "We need to keep our heads if we are going to win this thing…"
"Sorry…I just…" Ellone pummeled to the ground. "It's just that I don't like being pressured much, and-"
"Shh…" Zell held a finger to her, and cupped his ear.
They heard foot steps thundering. It grew louder and louder, until…
"There!" Zell pointed toward where they came in.
Buzz and Aaron are running top speed toward them. Their face strained with panic.
"What? What?" Ellone yelled at them.
"Run!!!" Buzz yelled back. Both of them rounded the corner and disappeared.
Squall, Zell, and Ellone looked at each other, all in confusion.
Quickly as ever, semi-autos can be heard again, not from above them, but from where Buzz and Aaron has appeared.
Five people are running at them, guns firing. And Seifer is in the lead.
"Let's move!" Zell said. And then he ran. Squall and Ellone followed closely behind him.
The turned left and went up a ramp. Buzz is straight in front of them, holding a grenade in his hand. He pulled the pin and hurled it toward where they came from.
A blinding flash made Squall close his eyes. Then, it was like a shock wave, but with no sound, pushed him down.
Squall felt a hand was pulling him across the ground. Pain from his forehead made him twist his face to match.
"Squall! You ok?" A voice asked.
Dizzy as he was, Squall opened his eyes, white clouds are still blinding him. But, he can still see Buzz and Aaron next to him.
"What the hell…" He said.
"A Flashbang. Sorry, for not warning you…" Buzz whispered. "The other team is cheating. They messed with the game…There are about ten people on their team now. All of them seems very experienced."
"…Probably connected through a bypassed server." Aaron said while looking around.
"Yeah," Squall said. "'bout five people were gunning me over there."
"We should call a time, and report this." Ellone said, looking nervous.
"If we do, we'll have to wait two days to start again!!" Buzz angrily said. "Me 'n Aaron will be leaving by then."
"We'll have to beat these people now…Ellone check the game status." Aaron said.
"For health…Me and Zell are at 100 percent. Buzz, you're at 84. Aaron, you're at 76. Squall you're at 31. Ammunition is still good."
"Alright…We could go straight for a bomb site of to the right for the other one. Ellone?"
"We could get ambushed at either one…But I suggest the one to the right, since it's more open."
"Right it is then." Buzz said.
Squall got up to his feet, brushing off dirt from his hair, and picked up his rifle.
He took a look to the right of him. There was an arched door that seemed to lead to another open.
"This place is pretty dangerous just storming in blindly. There could be campers all over this place. AWM, that's the one you're holding," Buzz said to Squall. "Works like a dream here. So. Counter-sniping is a must. We'll need a bait… Since I have the lightest weapon, I'll go. Now, Ellone, look for muzzle flashes. If you see any, and I'm still alive, tell Squall to snipe . If I'm dead, Aaron will rush as another bait while Squall snipe. Zell, watch out for any ambush. Got it?"
The reality of having almost all the experienced people dying and having two newbies plus one left doesn't seem to agree with Squall's gut feeling, but since they are experienced, he has to trust him.
"Three…Two…ONE!" Buzz charged in. At that instant, it seemed like something exploded. Ellone peaked around the corner. Her eyes wide in horror. After ten seconds, the gunshots stopped.
"Ok…Buzz is gone. Three confirmed targets at ten o'clock with Colt Assault Rifle, three o'clock with Bullup Assault Sniper, and one long range at two o'clock with AWM Sniper."
"A Colt is no match for my Kreig…Zell, cover fire on three."
Zell nodded and stepped forward.
"One, two, three!"
At that moment, Zell strife left, gritting his teeth, and held down the trigger of his Machine Gun. Aaron stealthily crouched down just around the corner, eyes in the sniper scope. He fired two shots.
"Retreat." Aaron said.
At once, Zell turned and hid from view.
"I got the Colt carrier. Now, I think I got the rest's attention. I think I could take the rest if me and Squall both go this time…"
Squall nodded.
"Ok. One more cover fire, Zell. One…Two…Three!"
Zell stood up again and moved left.
BAMM.
Zell stood frozen for a minute. Then he began to vaporize.
"Damn…" He said as he thinned. "I think I took a head shot…"
PROGRAM HACK DETECTED. A monotone voice boomed. BEGIN GAME ABORTION PRECESSES.
"Damn!" Aaron yelled out as everything began tone to black.
"The computer must've found the signals of the hackers." Ellone said. "Oh, well…"
Everything was still black as Squall felt himself descend back into his seat.
"What the heck is going on?!" He heard Buzz the minute they can take off their goggles.
"Sorry." Says the guy that's running the thing. "This machine automatically shuts down when someone is hacking it. Since all of you won't be here next week, you'll have to split the winnings."
After a bit, they all walked out of the place with five hundred Gils each.
"Man, what a rip!" Zell said as he counted his winnings. "We should've won the thing!"
"Don't bitch, man. At least you got something."
"Argh… maybe your right…" Zell said.
As they made their way back to the pier, rehearsals seemed to be over, as the stage was empty.
"Where's Selphie?" Zell questioned.
Squall shrugged.
"Crap…I was gonna talk to her about something…oh well. Hey Squall how 'bout me and you go to the beaches?! There are some fine chick we could hit on!"
"How about no…Selphie will kill you if she sees you." Squall said while looking around. "And there they are."
"Hey!" Selphie greeted them as they approached. "Where were you guys?"
"Zell dragged me to play vid-games."
Xu scoffed. "Boys with toys…I guess it's in you guys' nature."
"Don't be dissing us males! How about you guys, when-"
"Back off, Zell." Squall cut him off.
"Anyways…" Xu resumed. "I'll be leaving in about…now." She looked down at her watch.
"Did you get your Leviathan recharged?" Squall asked Xu.
"No…Julia's not around today. I don't think she'll be back anytime soon."
"Why?" Zell asked.
"If she's ever out of the house, she's probably training her Summons somewhere elusive. She'll probably be back in a couple of weeks later."
Xu looked at Squall. "Come with me back to the Garden. I gotta talk to you about something…"
"Ok." Squall answered. "You guys are on your own." He said.
"Yeah, ok." Selphie answered. "Me and Zell is going to stay around for a while. See you guys back at the Garden!" And she dragged Zell toward the far side of the pier.
They walked silently toward the train station.
"So…how did you do?" Squall asked Xu.
"Not bad…" She shortly replied.
Squall thought to try to continue the short conversation, but thought again that she wasn't in the mood for talking.
The train took them back to Balamb Garden after about half an hour. Xu took all the time looking out the window, still wordless.
When they got off the train, Xu suggested they go to her dorm. Squall didn't object.
"Close the door." Xu said after they are in the room. "Sit down…"
Squall sat down next to her on the bed.
"I've just go this from Sid just when I was at the pier…" She took out a letter from her pocket.
"Yeah?"
She took it out of the envelope, and gave it to Squall. "Read it." She said.
Squall opened the piece of paper
To: Xu Loire
From: Headmaster Sid
Xu,
I've received the your request for the transfer to the White SeeD Squadron. I've also have reviewed your personal performance record in Balamb Garden. You've have met or exceeded in all your grades and evaluations. Therefore, I have no choice but to approve your choice of transfer. I hope you do well there as you did here.
Best of Luck,
Sid Kramer
Headmaster of Balamb Garden
He folded up the letter, and handed it back to Xu.
"Well?" Xu said after a silence.
"Well what?" Squall answered.
"Aren't you going to say something?" She said, a little hurt from Squall's unresponsive answer.
"Why didn't you tell me this earlier?" Squall said with a little apprehension.
"I thought that you would've understand…"
Squall stood up. "I do, but…"
"But what?" Xu followed.
"I don't think I should care about this." He muttered.
Squall didn't choose to continue it, and walked toward the door.
"…I'll talk to you later." And then Squall left, shutting the door after him.
©( Copyright Omega 2000-2002. All text is the property of Authors Tao Li and Jeanie Owen. All rights reserved.
The pin was taken from the safety, as Squall saw from his scope. Zell threw the Smoke grenade with all his might. It landed with a thud, and gas could be heard releasing. Gunfire could be heard again.
"Charge!!" Buzz announced. Aaron and him ran out, strafing right, and making use of their weapon. Gun fires erupted from Aaron, Buzz, and else where.
Ellone scouted the area, and signaled Squall to move. Slowly and steady. Careful not to distill the rifle, he moved sideways into the clearing. Through his scope, he just saw smoke waving and dancing in his view. Knowing that they were not exposed, he waved at Zell and Ellone to advance.
They did. With Zell staying in front of the bomb carrier, they stealthily moved to a cover across the open. Squall followed.
"Did you see Buzz and Aaron?" Zell asked him.
"No. No…" Squall was looking around him. The smoke finally cleared, revealing the true structure of the place. They were at the corner of a huge opening. To the left, he could see where they were a minute ago. Looking forward, two paths could be followed.
One, is going underground to a semi-tunnel, under a bridge that overcastted in front of them. The other was up a ramp on the right that connected to the bridge, taking them across it.
"Ok…Ellone, you're the expert here…tunnel or ramp?" Squall turned to him.
"If we were to take the ramp across the bridge, we would have to go into a three-way corridor in a closed roof structure. None of our weapon are that good in close range. Under the bridge would lead us into a tall ledge in the front and back, all above us. But, with a rifle, we may have the advantage."
"Ok, then tunnel it is…I'll be in the front for now. Zell, you stay behind Ellone. Ellone, keep your eyes peeled for Buzz and Aaron." And they fast walked toward the tunnel.
The tunnel was filled with crates and boxes. The snaked around them as quietly as they can. Light can be seen in front of them, showing the exit. Squall walked as they went closer and closer. When he was about to step into the light, he heard Ellone yell, "Stop!"
But it was too late. Squall saw himself in the middle of a pit, with people all around him. Uh-oh, he thought to himself.
"Fire!" a voice yelled.
Squall backed up as quickly as he can, but the bullets were flooding at him. He took a couple to the shoulders before he got back into covering.
"Didn't I tell you!" Ellone whispered angrily as she took out a med-kit and started to bandage his left shoulder. "We are still at a disadvantage!"
Squall sighed. The pain isn't like being shot, but more like some one was pinching him.
"So, now what?" Zell asked. He was sitting on the ground, clutching his machine gun.
"We'll need a distraction…Here, give me that grenade." She pointed at Squalls side.
He handed it over.
She took it, and started weighing it in her hand. Then, after a moment, handed it to Zell.
"What?" Zell asked.
"Ok, you are going to lob this grenade straight into that wall." She pointed at the ledge that was in front of them. "Hopefully, it will bounce into the air, leaving us to sneak pass them."
Hopefully? That's the best she could give us? Squall thought. Zell had a look on his face that agreed.
"What?!" Ellone Shouted, followed by a burst of bullets from above them. "That's the best I could think of! Why? You got a better idea!?"
"Calm down, Ellone." Squall quietly said. "We need to keep our heads if we are going to win this thing…"
"Sorry…I just…" Ellone pummeled to the ground. "It's just that I don't like being pressured much, and-"
"Shh…" Zell held a finger to her, and cupped his ear.
They heard foot steps thundering. It grew louder and louder, until…
"There!" Zell pointed toward where they came in.
Buzz and Aaron are running top speed toward them. Their face strained with panic.
"What? What?" Ellone yelled at them.
"Run!!!" Buzz yelled back. Both of them rounded the corner and disappeared.
Squall, Zell, and Ellone looked at each other, all in confusion.
Quickly as ever, semi-autos can be heard again, not from above them, but from where Buzz and Aaron has appeared.
Five people are running at them, guns firing. And Seifer is in the lead.
"Let's move!" Zell said. And then he ran. Squall and Ellone followed closely behind him.
The turned left and went up a ramp. Buzz is straight in front of them, holding a grenade in his hand. He pulled the pin and hurled it toward where they came from.
A blinding flash made Squall close his eyes. Then, it was like a shock wave, but with no sound, pushed him down.
Squall felt a hand was pulling him across the ground. Pain from his forehead made him twist his face to match.
"Squall! You ok?" A voice asked.
Dizzy as he was, Squall opened his eyes, white clouds are still blinding him. But, he can still see Buzz and Aaron next to him.
"What the hell…" He said.
"A Flashbang. Sorry, for not warning you…" Buzz whispered. "The other team is cheating. They messed with the game…There are about ten people on their team now. All of them seems very experienced."
"…Probably connected through a bypassed server." Aaron said while looking around.
"Yeah," Squall said. "'bout five people were gunning me over there."
"We should call a time, and report this." Ellone said, looking nervous.
"If we do, we'll have to wait two days to start again!!" Buzz angrily said. "Me 'n Aaron will be leaving by then."
"We'll have to beat these people now…Ellone check the game status." Aaron said.
"For health…Me and Zell are at 100 percent. Buzz, you're at 84. Aaron, you're at 76. Squall you're at 31. Ammunition is still good."
"Alright…We could go straight for a bomb site of to the right for the other one. Ellone?"
"We could get ambushed at either one…But I suggest the one to the right, since it's more open."
"Right it is then." Buzz said.
Squall got up to his feet, brushing off dirt from his hair, and picked up his rifle.
He took a look to the right of him. There was an arched door that seemed to lead to another open.
"This place is pretty dangerous just storming in blindly. There could be campers all over this place. AWM, that's the one you're holding," Buzz said to Squall. "Works like a dream here. So. Counter-sniping is a must. We'll need a bait… Since I have the lightest weapon, I'll go. Now, Ellone, look for muzzle flashes. If you see any, and I'm still alive, tell Squall to snipe . If I'm dead, Aaron will rush as another bait while Squall snipe. Zell, watch out for any ambush. Got it?"
The reality of having almost all the experienced people dying and having two newbies plus one left doesn't seem to agree with Squall's gut feeling, but since they are experienced, he has to trust him.
"Three…Two…ONE!" Buzz charged in. At that instant, it seemed like something exploded. Ellone peaked around the corner. Her eyes wide in horror. After ten seconds, the gunshots stopped.
"Ok…Buzz is gone. Three confirmed targets at ten o'clock with Colt Assault Rifle, three o'clock with Bullup Assault Sniper, and one long range at two o'clock with AWM Sniper."
"A Colt is no match for my Kreig…Zell, cover fire on three."
Zell nodded and stepped forward.
"One, two, three!"
At that moment, Zell strife left, gritting his teeth, and held down the trigger of his Machine Gun. Aaron stealthily crouched down just around the corner, eyes in the sniper scope. He fired two shots.
"Retreat." Aaron said.
At once, Zell turned and hid from view.
"I got the Colt carrier. Now, I think I got the rest's attention. I think I could take the rest if me and Squall both go this time…"
Squall nodded.
"Ok. One more cover fire, Zell. One…Two…Three!"
Zell stood up again and moved left.
BAMM.
Zell stood frozen for a minute. Then he began to vaporize.
"Damn…" He said as he thinned. "I think I took a head shot…"
PROGRAM HACK DETECTED. A monotone voice boomed. BEGIN GAME ABORTION PRECESSES.
"Damn!" Aaron yelled out as everything began tone to black.
"The computer must've found the signals of the hackers." Ellone said. "Oh, well…"
Everything was still black as Squall felt himself descend back into his seat.
"What the heck is going on?!" He heard Buzz the minute they can take off their goggles.
"Sorry." Says the guy that's running the thing. "This machine automatically shuts down when someone is hacking it. Since all of you won't be here next week, you'll have to split the winnings."
After a bit, they all walked out of the place with five hundred Gils each.
"Man, what a rip!" Zell said as he counted his winnings. "We should've won the thing!"
"Don't bitch, man. At least you got something."
"Argh… maybe your right…" Zell said.
As they made their way back to the pier, rehearsals seemed to be over, as the stage was empty.
"Where's Selphie?" Zell questioned.
Squall shrugged.
"Crap…I was gonna talk to her about something…oh well. Hey Squall how 'bout me and you go to the beaches?! There are some fine chick we could hit on!"
"How about no…Selphie will kill you if she sees you." Squall said while looking around. "And there they are."
"Hey!" Selphie greeted them as they approached. "Where were you guys?"
"Zell dragged me to play vid-games."
Xu scoffed. "Boys with toys…I guess it's in you guys' nature."
"Don't be dissing us males! How about you guys, when-"
"Back off, Zell." Squall cut him off.
"Anyways…" Xu resumed. "I'll be leaving in about…now." She looked down at her watch.
"Did you get your Leviathan recharged?" Squall asked Xu.
"No…Julia's not around today. I don't think she'll be back anytime soon."
"Why?" Zell asked.
"If she's ever out of the house, she's probably training her Summons somewhere elusive. She'll probably be back in a couple of weeks later."
Xu looked at Squall. "Come with me back to the Garden. I gotta talk to you about something…"
"Ok." Squall answered. "You guys are on your own." He said.
"Yeah, ok." Selphie answered. "Me and Zell is going to stay around for a while. See you guys back at the Garden!" And she dragged Zell toward the far side of the pier.
They walked silently toward the train station.
"So…how did you do?" Squall asked Xu.
"Not bad…" She shortly replied.
Squall thought to try to continue the short conversation, but thought again that she wasn't in the mood for talking.
The train took them back to Balamb Garden after about half an hour. Xu took all the time looking out the window, still wordless.
When they got off the train, Xu suggested they go to her dorm. Squall didn't object.
"Close the door." Xu said after they are in the room. "Sit down…"
Squall sat down next to her on the bed.
"I've just go this from Sid just when I was at the pier…" She took out a letter from her pocket.
"Yeah?"
She took it out of the envelope, and gave it to Squall. "Read it." She said.
Squall opened the piece of paper
To: Xu Loire
From: Headmaster Sid
Xu,
I've received the your request for the transfer to the White SeeD Squadron. I've also have reviewed your personal performance record in Balamb Garden. You've have met or exceeded in all your grades and evaluations. Therefore, I have no choice but to approve your choice of transfer. I hope you do well there as you did here.
Best of Luck,
Sid Kramer
Headmaster of Balamb Garden
He folded up the letter, and handed it back to Xu.
"Well?" Xu said after a silence.
"Well what?" Squall answered.
"Aren't you going to say something?" She said, a little hurt from Squall's unresponsive answer.
"Why didn't you tell me this earlier?" Squall said with a little apprehension.
"I thought that you would've understand…"
Squall stood up. "I do, but…"
"But what?" Xu followed.
"I don't think I should care about this." He muttered.
Squall didn't choose to continue it, and walked toward the door.
"…I'll talk to you later." And then Squall left, shutting the door after him.
©( Copyright Omega 2000-2002. All text is the property of Authors Tao Li and Jeanie Owen. All rights reserved.