Chapter 2 – Journey to Space

"RINOA!" he screamed as he awoke from his slumber. Drowned in cold sweat, Squall slowly regained vision of his surroundings and took a couple of deep inhales. He wiped his face dry with the blanket and then sat on the edge of the bed. He rested his head in his hands and just sat there. "So, you're up there…" He managed to whisper to himself. "Then I guess I have no choice. Remember that I'm your knight. I'll be there for you………always."

----*****-----

"OH YEAAAHHH!!! I CAN'T WAIT!!" Zell exclaimed as he was swatting flies.

"Will you calm down." Selphie said as he smacked him on the back. "You're getting me all nervous."

Zell finally gave it up and sat down in the nearby chair, although he still seemed pretty restless. "Sorry Selphie. I just have this feeling we're going to kick some major butt, like we did against Ultimecia."

Just then, Irvine came into the small room where the group agreed to gather before launch. As expected, Irvine came in and sat down next to Selphie, trying to get her relaxed. "Calm down, Sephie. I've been up there before with Squall and Rinoa, its no big deal – but beautiful scenery." Irvine said nothing for a second. 'Hey…beautiful scenery and a beautiful girl…after the battle, I have to make my move' he silently thought to himself, snickering to Selphie, who wanted to know what was so funny.

Quistis was the next to walk in. She folded her arms and looked around. "Feels like old times, huh? Just missing one thing though" she sadly mentioned to no one in particular. But everyone knew what she was talking about.

Zell anxiously looked around. "Hey, c'mon. Don't lose hope. I know Rinoa has to show up some place, sooner or later. It's just a matter of time." It was just too bad that Zell couldn't fully believe his own words, or else it would have been a motivating sentence. Just as Zell was about to say something again, Squall walked in.

Everyone looked up to him. By now, they knew him all too well, and did not even mention Rinoa. The last time Zell said anything, he was almost decked to the floor from a punch from Squall. "Hey Squall…how come you look all sweaty?" Selphie asked innocently. Everyone else nodded, also wanting to know the answer. With just a wave of his hand, Squall gave the sign that it was no big deal.


"Ok, listen up everybody. We all have already seen first hand what this Dragoon guy could do. But hey, as she used to say, 'don't lose hope.'" Squall folded his arms, thinking of what Rinoa would say next at a time like this. It was obvious to the others that all he had in his mind was Rinoa. "Dr. Odine has already given me all the instructions we need, so we'll be safe up until the part where we have to infiltrate the base. We've done it against Ultimecia, I know we can do it again. And, oh yea, before I forget, everyone put these rings on – it will allow us to breathe normally on the moon, so we won't have to wear the heavy space suits, but that doesn't mean we'll have more gravity, so don't get carried away." Squall mentioned as he eyed Zell particularly on the last part. Again, Squall looked into the distance. They could tell by his eyes. He shook his head, coming back to reality, "Ok, more will be revealed when we have boarded onto the Ragnarok." He added.

Irvine nodded. "Great speech. That one actually moved me." he said as he left, holding Selphie's hand, who still looked quite nervous. Quistis afterwards, put a hand on Squall's shoulder, nodded as well, then left for the Ragnorak.

Zell looked around, seeing that he was the last person left, got up. He stood right in front of Squall and looked into his eyes. "We'll get her back" he finally managed to say, and left. Squall stared at the opposite wall, then looked up.

Unknowingly, he detached his blue gunblade from the sheath and stared directly into it. 'I'm coming. Just hold on.' He didn't want to tell anyone about what he had saw, partially because he wanted them to concentrate on the mission, and partially because he did not want the others to have to other things to worry about.

Just as he was about to leave for the ship, Ellone walked in, and her eyes looked a bit puffy, telling Squall she had been crying for some time. Squall smiled as he walked up to her. To his surprise, she quickly hugged him. "Please come back alive, Squall. I lost you once before, I don't want to lose you guys again." she sobbed out.

Squall smiled as he returned the hug, running his had through her hair, trying to comfort her. "Relax Sis. Zell, Quistis, Irvine, Selphie, and I are all coming back. Nothing to worry about." he reassured as he gave one of his rare, genuine smiles to her. And with that, Squall released from her embrace and walked away.

The five of them were at the door of the Ragnarok – the shining, ruby colored airship that held so many secrets – many of them still undiscovered. They entered the airship and soon found themselves in the control room, where they had been in countless number of times during the battles with Ultimecia and Sorceress Adel. Selphie and Irvine sat done at the ship's controls. Selphie was still nervous about the whole moon thing, but had calmed down a bit. The others strapped themselves into the nearby passenger seats. "Ok Irvine, punch in these coordinates and information Dr. Odine gave, and everything else, the ship will take care of." Squall said as he handed him a sheet of paper.

As Irvine was busy punching in information, Squall kept thinking about the dream last night, and if it was true. After five minutes, he came back to reality. "Oh yeah, before I forget, I have two things to say. First of all, don't forget to junction your Guardian Forces and magic. We don't know if we'll get a chance up there. Secondly, once up there, we'll break into two groups. I haven't thought of the break up yet, but the battle plan is to sneak in from the main entrance and the back." As everyone nodded, Squall shut his mouth and quickly fell into his own thoughts. Zell was shaking his leg furiously while Quistis was attending remodeling to her whip.

-----*****-----

"Are ve ready for vhe launch?" Dr. Odine asked the crew.

"Just a few more tweaks, and we'll be ready. Give us five minutes." replied one of the crewmembers.

Laguna, Ellone and Kiros came in. "Dr. Odine, are you positive that they'll be safe enough? I mean, they are going to be taking on the whole Lunar Army up there." Ellone asked, obviously very worried.

"Ellone, the army iz no problemz. I've personally updated allz the weaponz they carry, so they are stronger than uzual. Plus, the GF's zhould be a great help." The scientist added. "However, I've be more vorried about Dragoon. His powerz are incomparable, even to Ultimecia'z."

Ellone bit her lip. "Don't worry, Elly." Laguna said reassuringly with a smile. "Squall is a good kid, and if I know my son, he'll come through for us." Kiros then kicked him in the leg. "Ouch…what'd you do that for? Now I have this major cramp." he added as he grabbed his leg.

"You don't even know the slightest thing about Squall. That's what." Kiros answered.

Laguna scratched the back of his head. "Uh yea, I'll change that when he gets back."

Ellone couldn't help but to stifle the laugh. It always amused her of her uncle's simplicity in everything, but for some reason; she still couldn't shake out this feeling that something would go terribly wrong.

The head maintenance member gave the thumbs up that all was ready. The countdown had started…

"20……19…………5……4……3……2……1……BLAST OFF!"

The once motionless airship all of a sudden started shaking as its engines kicked into gear. A huge flame ignited out of the rear as the airship, and within moments, was into the air, passed the Earth's atmosphere, and entered outer space.