The Docking Bay within Balamb Garden was not completed, but due to the looming war, the technicians had no choice but to allow the agents to stow their crafts here. Squall gingerly walked towards the command post. Color-coded cables ran messily through the ceiling, and hand tools were strewn everywhere. Squall had to take caution to prevent tripping against anyone of those hazards. But his mind was not here, at least, not his active thoughts. He had already formed an action plan. He leapt into the cockpit.
Squall had his hands on the keyboard of his newly built Annihilator. His fingers danced, and the canopy closed to a tight shut. Gas was released from the intake values and the sleek craft rose. The magnesium finish gave the entire cruiser a polished black shine, at the same time offering it durable but light protection. The blue skies seem to slowly pass the Annihilator, at least only when the warp drive was not active. The on board radar indicated that he was flying in the direction of Ultimecia's Realm. He had personally slain the evil leader, but the gates to her realm where still active, indicating the realm still existed.
It must be another standard time, Squall thought. Just like earth. Anybody could be the leader without earth vanquishing. No, he did not have any intention of taking over her realm. She was dead anyway. Then why was he going back to that wretched place? He called up a map chart, and selected some coordinates.
To see, to look, he thought. Rinoa's statue. The chapel. Squall's eye slits instinctively narrowed. Rinoa died because of Galbadia's indirect, but crucial involvement. He swore to take Galbadia apart, piece by piece. His stare turned into a withering glare. He would never rest until that day came. This war was his to claim. He panned the cruiser, this time, in the direction of Galbadia.
"Go, go, go!" the battlefield commander shouted. The war had started. Scores of Galbadian soldiers poured onto the battlefield like ants. Sounds of bullets zipping past, the stomping of leather boots against the earth, body armor rubbing against each other rang loudly into the ears of thousands. As intended, Balamb Garden's Mass Mobile Dispatch Unit had arrived onto the coast on cue. The transport doors were opened by hydraulic pistons, and what was being emptied out was not limited to the escaping nitrogen gas.
SeeD agents emptied from the Mobile Units into the battlefield, each holding on to his or her unique weapon. Both sides were exchanging fire. The fierce clash between the two strongest military forces rumbled till it resonated beneath the earth. Every few seconds brought about an earth shattering blast that would destroy everything in its path. SeeD agents ran from tree to tree, building to building, seeking cover in an orderly and progressive manner. Already, the Galbadian forces were starting to thin.
Overhead, an unfamiliarly marked group of star fighters streaked across the sky, releasing chemical agents into the atmosphere. The moment the troops breathed in the air, they were knocked unconscious. However, another surprise was installed for the Galbadian generals, as a pack of Estharian fighters swept across from behind Balamb. They released another type of blue gas into the air, but once in contact with the orange gas sprayed earlier, it turned colorless.
"Who the hell are these supposed peacemakers?" Drew thought aloud. Squall shrugged. He was not too happy on the appearance of the unknown fighters, but neither was he on the unconditional help from Esthar. Not that he could fend the unknown fighters himself, but he just was not pleased. But just as well. Since Estharian fighters could take care of the unknown fighters, no point in ordering a retreat. It was then when one of the unknown fighters dived before their very eyes.
"X-Com Interceptor Star Fighter. Avenger Star II." Drew read aloud. He typed a couple of commands into the keyboard, querying the computer on the make and origin of the fighters. The computer indicated a single result.
"Let's see it," Squall rapped. Drew nodded his head obediently. His leader was not in the best of moods, so he might as well shut up. Drew's fingers ran across the console a second time. On screen, multiple views and information of the unknown fighters were displayed.
"X-Com. An elite quasi government and private force disbanded by the US Pentagon in 2025 AD. Utilized some of the most advanced technology available to humans, developed by their resident R & D center. Access to all classified military information, technology scale higher than any other known in the world. Uses alien-modified craft and integrated sophisticated weaponry. Specialized in space combat and elaborate rescue operations in space anomalies."
Drew whistled. "So we're dealing with a space faring organization capable of wiping both Galbadia and us out of this world?" Squall shrugged. Things were not looking good. But within the murky swamp, there was a rose. If X-Com was so advanced, their R & D probably had ways to restore their age-claimed scientists, which meant, they could revive Rinoa! After all, she was involved in a space anomaly, which brought her to her ultimate demise. All of a sudden, Squall felt hopeful. It was a leap of logic to a certain extend, but he was hopeful nonetheless. He hoped they really were the peacemakers.
"Drew, call Esthar. Tell them to retreat immediately. And give Trivia the order to proceed with rescue operations. Do not open fire unless in self-defense. I'm going to try to talk with these guys." Squall spoke, his tone lighter. Drew frowned, but nevertheless began to fulfill his leader's wish.
Quistis knelt down in front of the wet, marble statue of Rinoa. She was at the chapel, this time alone. Without the burden of a leader to take heed. Here eyes were moist, her hand shaky. "Rinoa," she whispered.
"It was only as if it was yesterday. We were at the cafeteria at Balamb Garden. You asked me what I wanted to eat, and I playfully pointed at Squall. You said you already had him the night before and he didn't taste good." Quistis croaked, unable to continue. Her hand pulled away from Rinoa's beautiful face. She buried her face in her arms. Rinoa was a close friend to Quistis. The trio. Quistis, Rinoa and Selphie. The trio who had braved numerous dangers together in the name of friendship. Across the Plains of Esthar, to the nuclear silos outside Galbadia, to even the Luna Base. Now Rinoa was gone… they had only been together for a year.
A soft footfall.
"Hush now." Irvine held out his handkerchief to Quistis. It was one a few rare moments he would actually be serious and sane. Irvine also took some impact when Rinoa parted from his life. All of them were a part of his life. Now it felt as if there was a large hole. He reasoned that all of them must be feeling kind of lousy now, especially Squall. Irvine knelt down to face Quistis.
Quistis faced away from the statue and hugged Irvine. His handkerchief was released in a shock.
"Irvine." Quistis howled and cried in his arms. Irvine patted her head. He looked at Rinoa's statue, and lowered his head.
"She's gone now, Quistis dear. Nothing you do will change that fact. You just have to accept it." Irvine's voice faltered away. He felt like a complete hypocrite. Here he was telling Quistis to forget about the trauma when he himself was none the wiser. But he had to play the man. Especially in front of Quistis. It was pointless to describe what he felt for Quistis, and acting man just to comfort her was important at times like these, even when it meant healing others when he was not completely healed.
"Squall's probably facing a harder time. Think about it. Rinoa was about to become his wife." Irvine said.
"Squall…The war. Galbadia. Irvine, we got to get back to help Squall." Quistis said between sobs. Irvine relaxed into a smile.
"Let's go, Quistis." Saying so, he gently lifted her off the ground, as Quistis snuggled into his comforting arms. Irvine gave a half smile, one that said many things. They headed for the Wraith.
Squall was back at the orphanage again. He pushed the small gate open, and stepped inside. The old orphanage no longer existed in real life, but then again, reality was only what one thought he saw. There was a slight breeze, which toyed around with the wind vane creaking noisily as it spun slowly. As he walked into the orphanage, he could actually hear the sounds of the ocean. He could feel the sea breeze, gently releasing his anger, changing into the now common feeling of longing. He longed, oh yes he did. Longed for Rinoa day and night. It was only in his sleep, when he could reunite with her. He pushed the left gate open, and immediately, the scent of flowers filled the orphanage. He strolled towards the field.
"Rinoa." He cried. The figure standing in the field did not turn back. Her blue dress danced wildly, as the wind sailed through the currents. He walked down the small steps.
"Rinoa!" he cried, this time, louder. The figure turned. Squall was momentarily stunned. Rinoa walked towards him, before breaking into a run. Squall ran towards her, before stopping his her arms. Rinoa smiled, as their arms interlocked.
"You're back." She grinned. Squall could feel her arms, warm, her face compassionate.
"Yes, I'm back. I'm here to see you." He whispered, tears in his eyes. They made eye contact.
"I promised that I would be here waiting for you." She replied. He nodded. Her eyes then strayed onto the blue skies. Squall could sense Rinoa was upset, and afraid. Of what?
"The time for me to leave this world is about to come." Her voice was soft but clear. Squall thought he felt a dagger pierced right into his heart. He spluttered.
"But why?" he asked, possessing the innocence of a child questioning his mother on the ways of life. His grip on Rinoa's arms softened. He felt weak, as if his body was giving up the will to live.
"Look at the skies, my love. It has started to darken. You can't see it now, but from the far end of the skies, love, it has begun to change. The wind that has seen us through our years will be changed into a storm, one that rips anything apart. I would be gone, forever, even in your dreams."
Rinoa cried. Squall narrowed his eyes.
"Rinoa, I have possibly found a way of retrieving you from the realms of darkness, for that is where the X-Com plays its deck of cards. You must hang on, if not I shall be unable to rescue you out of this space you are in." Squall said, amidst the attempt to fight back tears. Rinoa nodded.
"I shall try my very best, my love. But hurry, for I am weak." Rinoa mumbled, before collapsing in his arms. She moaned for a while, before disappearing completely. Squall looked up into the darkening skies and yelled. His yell seemed to rumble through the skies for a long time, before rain started to pelt him from all sides. Squall lay on the field, crying, soaking up the rain.