] 9 Month 371

] Noor-Sheer Trenches

] Fifty miles from Fisherman's Horizon

Squall Leonhart leaned over the edge of the armored military boat's deck. The wind swept about his sandy brown hair, and waves bobbed the military boat rhythmically under him. Water splashed at his black, fur-collared leather jacket, and beaded off in tiny splashes. At his neck hung a chain, locked together at both ends and devoid of a pendant.

He stared at the waves as they crashed against the boat's hull. The feather, he remembered, rested on the waves at this very spot a year ago. On a horriffic night, when he lost his first love, and his truest friend.

I wonder how long I'd have held on, he thought. How long I'd have lied to myself, and pretended things would turn around. At least there was the chance. I could deal with rejection, as long as there was a chance.

I wanted to love her. I really did. I tried my best, I gave her everything. But...I guess there's not much to me. Not enough, not for someone like Rinoa. I don't know who I was kidding.

He sunk his head to the deck's guardrail. I'd tell her I'm sorry if I could. I'd change everything. I'd try harder, bend over backwards...I'd kill myself to get another shot. We'd never have been out here if it weren't for me. If I hadn't been the shallow, self-centered introvert that I am.

I never should have taken the dance, Rinoa...

Squall heard an alarm sound inside the armored cabin. He climbed down the rear hatch, and stepped through the cargo area to the gunship's controls. Flipping a switch, he adjusted the video monitor on the console, and hunched over it.

A short, older gentleman appeared on the screen. He wore a white long-sleeved shirt, with a red vest over top. His face was solemn, but his eyes bright and full of life. Neat brown hair was combed carefully back. Squall recognized the man as Cid, headmaster of Balamb Garden.

"Headmaster," Squall nodded. No snap to attention or formal salute was offered.

Cid nodded, and offered a wave. "Hello, Squall," he replied. "I called your residence and was forwarded here. I hope I'm not interrupting anything."

Of course not, he thought. "No sir," he said quietly. "What do you need."

"I thought you might want to hear this, and took it upon myself to deliver it. It regards some SeeDs you've worked with who have come upon a situation in the underground city of Nebria."

Squall reached for the screen's power button. "I'm not interested in an assignment," he said quickly. "Good day."

"Wait, Squall!" the headmaster reached out. "Hear me out. It's not an assignment. I'm just passing information along, and you might find it important."

Squall stepped back and folded his arms. "Go on."

"I'll make this quick," said Cid. "The SeeDs in Nebria are former friends of yours. Our Quistis Trepe and Trabia's Selphie Tilmitt, as well as Irvine Kinneas from Galbadia Garden. They may be in grave danger."

Squall sat down in the pilot's chair and craned his neck.

"After weeks without radio contact, Quistis finally contacted us. Her party had joined a gentleman named Aren Bowes from Terra Garden, on a trip to Trabia. There was an attempt on their lives. They were relocated Bowes' friend to a MachJumper to get them to protection, but were met by more assassins when they reached Nebria. Irvine Kinneas has turned up missing. The rest of the party is stuck in Nebria, and have lost track of the assassins."

Squall paused and closed his eyes. A thousand thoughts flooded his mind; he shoved them all aside.

"Thank you, sir," he said. "Do they require assistance?" Formalities first; of course they did...

Cid nodded. "Yes, and we cannot provide it. Nebrian military has closed off the city gates. I've tried to bargain the SeeDs home, but they won't allow it."

"Nobody in or out," Squall remarked. "Must've been quite a battle. Nebrians don't scare easily."

The headmaster smiled a bit. "If we know your friends right, I'm sure it was." He sat back in a chair that was barely visible behind his image. "What you do is up to you, but I can arrange transport if you need it."

Squall stood silently. He nodded his head, and placed a finger on the screen's power button. "I'll call you back," he said, and pressed it.

He returned to the water's edge, and stared down at the splashing waves.

~