Chapter 4 Meeting the Forest Owls
Cody walked through the streets of Timber, his mind in a turmoil. He needed to get as far away from Balamb as possible, and Timber wasn't it. The next stop was Deling, but still.
Cody had studied the world map extensively, and knew that as long as he was on the Galbadia continent, his father could surely catch him. And he didn't want to get caught. He heard that his father had sent a SeeD on his tracks, which made him nervous. SeeDs, especially Balamb Garden's were renowned for their reputation for getting any job done. Look at the Ultemecia business! He marveled at their incredible power and intelligence, and of course, he idolized Commander Squall. The man had visited his father once, and he had just seen him from the second floor. Tall, confident, and what with a beautiful angel by his side, he was the perfect example for everyone. Cody scowled. He was much too old to make Squall an example though. He was a little older that Squall, but his life has been the dullest.sassiest life imaginable, ever since the monster had chosen him to be its master.
He was so absorbed in his thoughts that he didn't realize he bumped into someone. "Sorry," He mumbled. "S'okay, sir." The man replied. Cody blinked at him. "Sir?"
Then he stopped. "You're new, aren't you sir?"
"Uh. yeah."
"I'm Watts. Pleased to meet you, sir."
Cody awkwardly shook the man's hand. "Cody."
"Where did you come from, sir?"
"Uh." He wondered if this was the SeeD, but somehow it seemed too ridiculous. "Balamb."
"Really?" His face lit up. "Then you must have seen Rinoa, sir!"
"Rinoa?" He replied in confusion.
"Commander Squall's girlfriend, sir!" Watts said excitedly. Cody scratched his head and looked furtively around. "I can't chat - " his eyes widened as he saw a few youngsters in Garden uniforms saunter into the station. "Shit!"
"What.." Watts looked around too, and then he understood. "You're running away from something sir?"
"Yeah, I can't stay," He was about to take off when Watts grabbed his arm. 'Come with me sir! I'll hide you."
Squall emerged from the Ragnarok as silent as a Gayla. The night was dark, without any light from the moon, so it was perfect. His hunter instinct lead him through the deserts without much trouble, since Diabolos was protecting him. But when he got to the D-District Prison he stopped behind a couple of boulders. This place was heavily guarded! He can't just barge his way through.
Thinking a little, he carefully examined the guards. Maybe it's time to switch clothes.
Quistis tried to shift her arms into a better position, but her efforts only gave her more pain. Muttering slightly, she looked around the room. She had been here only once. when they were captured. She herself was the one who freed Squall from these chains. and the controls were very out of reach. She wondered if they might think of finding her here. she didn't carry any transmitters, or tracking devices. it would be a miracle indeed.
Her mind absently turned back to the conversation she had with Seifer. Whatever it was, he didn't seem to know her, not as Quistis, Instructor No. 14, but simply SeeD. His eyes weren't alert, and he was incredibly single- minded.
"Glad to see you're still hanging in there." A Galbadian soldier came into the room. Quistis frowned slightly. Funny why a soldier would make small talk. "Haven't your Commander taught you not to converse with the enemy?" She snarled lightly. The soldier headed for the controls and all the sudden the manacles snapped open, making Quistis tumble to the floor in shock. After being suspended for some time, it was a little while before her legs got to work. The soldier handed her Save the Queen. "You're going to need this."
Finally she recognized the voice. "Great. How'd you get here?"
Squall pushed up the helmet, grinning slightly. "I'm your Commander. Give me some slack."
"My GF's were junctioned to Seifer when I was unconscious." She said sullenly. That was a shame, since she had Diabolos, Doomtrain and Leviathan with her. Squall chuckled. "Not a problem. You're just as compatible with my GF's too." He put a hand on her shoulder and instantly she felt revitalized. "Thanks. Bahamut?" She asked. Squall nodded. He only had three GF's junctioned to him, all high levels with enormous attacking power. Cactuar, Bahamut, and of course, Eden.
"Let's get out of here. Brief me." He said as they quietly sneaked though the prison. But luck wasn't on their side this time. No sooner had they reached the main gates then the alarm sounded. "PRISONER ALERT!!!!!!"
"Get to the Ragnarok, behind Deling." Squall said curtly as he took of the Galbadian uniform and drew out his Lion Heart. "I'll slow them down."
Quistis took off, alert as ever. Squall stood his ground as the soldiers bore down on him. "Time for some exercise." He muttered and without hesitation, summoned Cactuar.
Quistis was grateful for Bahamut - the GF wiped clean any obstacles in her way. Scrambling into the Ragnarok, she directed the huge craft towards the D-District Prison. She spotted Squall immediately - who wouldn't? Being surrounded by men and monsters, she saw Eden blasting them apart. Well. She released the ladder and waited for Squall to grab it.
Squall heard the roar of the Ragnarok and looked up just in time to see the ladder drop down. He cursed silently - her piloting skills were adequate, but not good. For one, she dropped the ladder beyond the circle of his attacks - meaning he'd have to force his way through. "Cactuar!" Instantly his path was covered by thousands of cactus thorns, clearing a path to safety. Grabbing the ladder, he gave a wave, hoping Quistis saw it. She did. The Ragnarok took off with a roar, as Squall hung on to the ladder, spells whizzing by him.
"Thanks." They said simultaneously as Squall came to the cockpit. Quistis blinked tiredly. "Okay, here's the long and short of it. I think there're rebels in the Eshtar army, and they're working with Galbadia. One thing is, the Communication Tower was used to relay messages between the two parties. They plan to take over Tears' Point, They're going to assassinate President Loire on the fifth. any idea when is that?"
"Two days away." Squall replied, frowning. "The fifth. that's the date of his election anniversary."
"Right. I'll have to call Headmaster Cid."
"He had already given orders that we're to act." Squall said tersely. "Due to your escape, they should have alerted the Eshtar rebels, and they're on standby now. We can't make a formal entrance."
"Uh. Why do we get into these situations?" Quistis groaned. "They might have acted already."
"Still." Squall furrowed his brows. He got to the controls and sent a transmission to Cid. "Headmaster, this is Squall. Do you hear me?"
"Loud and clear, Squall!" An excited voice answered back. Squall slapped his forehead. Selphie. "Is Headmaster Cid there?"
"I'm here, Squall."
"Reporting recovery mission successful. Quistis has informed me that there are Eshtar rebels working with Galbadia, and their target is to assassinate President Loire." He heard Selphie squeal. Squall continued. "They also target Tears' Point, which can be dangerous as the area has a huge amount of energy. I think they plan to threaten the world with this power. With President Loire gone, there will be chaos in Eshtar, which means the rebels can take over easily. Request permission to go ahead to Eshtar."
"Permission granted." Cid's voice was hardly audible over the groans of protest from the others. "You and Instructor Trepe will head on to Eshtar and prevent the assassination. I'll bring the Garden over as soon as I can."
"Headmaster," Squall said thoughtfully. "If news of Eshtar chaos spreads, there's be pandemonium around the world. Please alert all SeeDs to be on standby."
"All available SeeDs alerted at 1300, those on missions are requested to continue unless of an emergency." Cid replied. Squall nodded to himself. Then he remembered something. "Zell, are you there?"
"Yeah!"
"Look out for her."
"Uh? Oh. Okay!"
He switched off the intercom and sighed. 'We're in for a long day,"
He turned to Quistis, only to find the young instructor staring off into space. 'What are you thinking?"
Quistis blinked and smiled sadly. "I. I met Seifer."
Squall chose not to say a word.
"He didn't seem to be in control of his mind, Squall." She trailed off, feeling helpless. Squall shrugged. 'He was always a puppet for others. Can't really blame him."
"How can you say that?" Quistis replied indignantly. Then she softened. "Maybe you're right. but all the same."
She must be exhausted, he thought as he watch her drift into sleep in the other chair. There were evident burn marks on her arms and dried blood on her clothes - but he knew she was alert even in sleep - her Save the Queen was not hanging haphazardly, but firmly gripped in gloved hands. He closed his eyes and slowly replenished her energy with a Curaga spell, but those physical wounds will have to heal by themselves.
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Cody walked through the streets of Timber, his mind in a turmoil. He needed to get as far away from Balamb as possible, and Timber wasn't it. The next stop was Deling, but still.
Cody had studied the world map extensively, and knew that as long as he was on the Galbadia continent, his father could surely catch him. And he didn't want to get caught. He heard that his father had sent a SeeD on his tracks, which made him nervous. SeeDs, especially Balamb Garden's were renowned for their reputation for getting any job done. Look at the Ultemecia business! He marveled at their incredible power and intelligence, and of course, he idolized Commander Squall. The man had visited his father once, and he had just seen him from the second floor. Tall, confident, and what with a beautiful angel by his side, he was the perfect example for everyone. Cody scowled. He was much too old to make Squall an example though. He was a little older that Squall, but his life has been the dullest.sassiest life imaginable, ever since the monster had chosen him to be its master.
He was so absorbed in his thoughts that he didn't realize he bumped into someone. "Sorry," He mumbled. "S'okay, sir." The man replied. Cody blinked at him. "Sir?"
Then he stopped. "You're new, aren't you sir?"
"Uh. yeah."
"I'm Watts. Pleased to meet you, sir."
Cody awkwardly shook the man's hand. "Cody."
"Where did you come from, sir?"
"Uh." He wondered if this was the SeeD, but somehow it seemed too ridiculous. "Balamb."
"Really?" His face lit up. "Then you must have seen Rinoa, sir!"
"Rinoa?" He replied in confusion.
"Commander Squall's girlfriend, sir!" Watts said excitedly. Cody scratched his head and looked furtively around. "I can't chat - " his eyes widened as he saw a few youngsters in Garden uniforms saunter into the station. "Shit!"
"What.." Watts looked around too, and then he understood. "You're running away from something sir?"
"Yeah, I can't stay," He was about to take off when Watts grabbed his arm. 'Come with me sir! I'll hide you."
Squall emerged from the Ragnarok as silent as a Gayla. The night was dark, without any light from the moon, so it was perfect. His hunter instinct lead him through the deserts without much trouble, since Diabolos was protecting him. But when he got to the D-District Prison he stopped behind a couple of boulders. This place was heavily guarded! He can't just barge his way through.
Thinking a little, he carefully examined the guards. Maybe it's time to switch clothes.
Quistis tried to shift her arms into a better position, but her efforts only gave her more pain. Muttering slightly, she looked around the room. She had been here only once. when they were captured. She herself was the one who freed Squall from these chains. and the controls were very out of reach. She wondered if they might think of finding her here. she didn't carry any transmitters, or tracking devices. it would be a miracle indeed.
Her mind absently turned back to the conversation she had with Seifer. Whatever it was, he didn't seem to know her, not as Quistis, Instructor No. 14, but simply SeeD. His eyes weren't alert, and he was incredibly single- minded.
"Glad to see you're still hanging in there." A Galbadian soldier came into the room. Quistis frowned slightly. Funny why a soldier would make small talk. "Haven't your Commander taught you not to converse with the enemy?" She snarled lightly. The soldier headed for the controls and all the sudden the manacles snapped open, making Quistis tumble to the floor in shock. After being suspended for some time, it was a little while before her legs got to work. The soldier handed her Save the Queen. "You're going to need this."
Finally she recognized the voice. "Great. How'd you get here?"
Squall pushed up the helmet, grinning slightly. "I'm your Commander. Give me some slack."
"My GF's were junctioned to Seifer when I was unconscious." She said sullenly. That was a shame, since she had Diabolos, Doomtrain and Leviathan with her. Squall chuckled. "Not a problem. You're just as compatible with my GF's too." He put a hand on her shoulder and instantly she felt revitalized. "Thanks. Bahamut?" She asked. Squall nodded. He only had three GF's junctioned to him, all high levels with enormous attacking power. Cactuar, Bahamut, and of course, Eden.
"Let's get out of here. Brief me." He said as they quietly sneaked though the prison. But luck wasn't on their side this time. No sooner had they reached the main gates then the alarm sounded. "PRISONER ALERT!!!!!!"
"Get to the Ragnarok, behind Deling." Squall said curtly as he took of the Galbadian uniform and drew out his Lion Heart. "I'll slow them down."
Quistis took off, alert as ever. Squall stood his ground as the soldiers bore down on him. "Time for some exercise." He muttered and without hesitation, summoned Cactuar.
Quistis was grateful for Bahamut - the GF wiped clean any obstacles in her way. Scrambling into the Ragnarok, she directed the huge craft towards the D-District Prison. She spotted Squall immediately - who wouldn't? Being surrounded by men and monsters, she saw Eden blasting them apart. Well. She released the ladder and waited for Squall to grab it.
Squall heard the roar of the Ragnarok and looked up just in time to see the ladder drop down. He cursed silently - her piloting skills were adequate, but not good. For one, she dropped the ladder beyond the circle of his attacks - meaning he'd have to force his way through. "Cactuar!" Instantly his path was covered by thousands of cactus thorns, clearing a path to safety. Grabbing the ladder, he gave a wave, hoping Quistis saw it. She did. The Ragnarok took off with a roar, as Squall hung on to the ladder, spells whizzing by him.
"Thanks." They said simultaneously as Squall came to the cockpit. Quistis blinked tiredly. "Okay, here's the long and short of it. I think there're rebels in the Eshtar army, and they're working with Galbadia. One thing is, the Communication Tower was used to relay messages between the two parties. They plan to take over Tears' Point, They're going to assassinate President Loire on the fifth. any idea when is that?"
"Two days away." Squall replied, frowning. "The fifth. that's the date of his election anniversary."
"Right. I'll have to call Headmaster Cid."
"He had already given orders that we're to act." Squall said tersely. "Due to your escape, they should have alerted the Eshtar rebels, and they're on standby now. We can't make a formal entrance."
"Uh. Why do we get into these situations?" Quistis groaned. "They might have acted already."
"Still." Squall furrowed his brows. He got to the controls and sent a transmission to Cid. "Headmaster, this is Squall. Do you hear me?"
"Loud and clear, Squall!" An excited voice answered back. Squall slapped his forehead. Selphie. "Is Headmaster Cid there?"
"I'm here, Squall."
"Reporting recovery mission successful. Quistis has informed me that there are Eshtar rebels working with Galbadia, and their target is to assassinate President Loire." He heard Selphie squeal. Squall continued. "They also target Tears' Point, which can be dangerous as the area has a huge amount of energy. I think they plan to threaten the world with this power. With President Loire gone, there will be chaos in Eshtar, which means the rebels can take over easily. Request permission to go ahead to Eshtar."
"Permission granted." Cid's voice was hardly audible over the groans of protest from the others. "You and Instructor Trepe will head on to Eshtar and prevent the assassination. I'll bring the Garden over as soon as I can."
"Headmaster," Squall said thoughtfully. "If news of Eshtar chaos spreads, there's be pandemonium around the world. Please alert all SeeDs to be on standby."
"All available SeeDs alerted at 1300, those on missions are requested to continue unless of an emergency." Cid replied. Squall nodded to himself. Then he remembered something. "Zell, are you there?"
"Yeah!"
"Look out for her."
"Uh? Oh. Okay!"
He switched off the intercom and sighed. 'We're in for a long day,"
He turned to Quistis, only to find the young instructor staring off into space. 'What are you thinking?"
Quistis blinked and smiled sadly. "I. I met Seifer."
Squall chose not to say a word.
"He didn't seem to be in control of his mind, Squall." She trailed off, feeling helpless. Squall shrugged. 'He was always a puppet for others. Can't really blame him."
"How can you say that?" Quistis replied indignantly. Then she softened. "Maybe you're right. but all the same."
She must be exhausted, he thought as he watch her drift into sleep in the other chair. There were evident burn marks on her arms and dried blood on her clothes - but he knew she was alert even in sleep - her Save the Queen was not hanging haphazardly, but firmly gripped in gloved hands. He closed his eyes and slowly replenished her energy with a Curaga spell, but those physical wounds will have to heal by themselves.
Well? Please read n Review!