Ch 2 - Proposition

White fluff fell from the sky, setting on the ground like dust setting on a tabletop. The landscape was covered in snow, black rock peeking out from hilly build-ups, when the snow gets too heavy to support itself.

A Gaylar, it's many tentacles wafting in the morning breeze as it floated slowly above the permafrost, suddenly dived for the ice-covered earth as a gigantic object loomed above and over it, it's bulbous form creating a large, dark shadow over the fluffy white snow as it noiselessly passed over the panicking monster.

The shadow moved effortlessly away, and the Gaylar picked itself up shakily, like a rabbit who had just escaped a wolf. It levitated slowly into the air, and wobbled away, it's trembling knocking the snow off what would be considered it's head.

*          *          *

Xu turned as the elevator from the Headmasters Quarters whirred to life, moving down to accept whoever had had the clearance to call it.

When it returned, Commander Squall stood to attention. Dressed almost completely in black, a large hilt/gun butt for his Lion Heart clipped to his side, he looked more then formidable. When you looked into his cold blue eyes, framed by the long, thin scar which ran between them, he looked frightening.

If you ever tried to lock eyes with him, he looked terrifying.

Xu, however, had grown accustomed to the lifeless look long ago. She had grown to know that under the lonely attitude, the sterile voice, the hard stare, there was a man who simply, and in a rather clichéd kind of way, wanted to be accepted as who he was.

"Good morning, Xu." Squall said, his voice as cold as the landscape below. "What's our ETA?"

Xu turned to face her Commander, wiping a slick of short brown hair from her grey eyes. She nodded a greeting. "We'll arrive at Trabia Garden in exactly twelve hours, Commander – 20:00 hours, Garden time." Her answer was succinct and formal, her hands moving behind her back to clasp together, her feet moving to shoulder width.

Squall smiled, the action looking foreign on the usually neutral face. "Xu…I told you not to call me that."

"Sorry sir…I mean, Squall."

He nodded. "Thankyou." He walked off the elevator, moving to the main deck. Looking over all the controls, noting the pilot, he turned to Xu once more. "What's the Garden's Status?"

Xu gestured to a control panel, and they both moved to it. Xu took control, tapping the touch-screen with a manicured finger, a sidelong view of the Garden coming up ojn screen. With it's large fin splaying out the top, travelling down into an arch to the bottom, it looked like a big fish. A long, sharp spike stabbed out of the direct middle of the Garden, which almost touched the ground. It was the base for the Garden when it landed, like a dart sinking into a dartboard. The large, revolving, spiked halo spinning around the facility was also displayed on the screen.

Xu pointed to the schematic, certain areas glowing in a yellow light. "We gathered some damage to the halo on the last mountain range. Nothing we can't fix, but we did lose about seven percent of max speed and manoeuvrability."

The pilot raised his hands, his eyes not once wavering from the landscape before him. "My bad, sir! I didn't see it until the last minute."

The look Xu saw on Squalls face was the same one that she had gotten when the boy explained himself. How do you miss a mountain range? "When was the last time you had some sleep, pilot?" Squall asked.

The pilot tried to stifle a yawn. "My relief was taken down whilst training yesterday. You're orders were to be at Trabia garden ASAP, so I've been going for a good…" he paused, frowning as his fatigued brain tried to figure out just how long he had been at the controls of the Garden.

"Thirty hours, Belnt." Xu prompted.

"Right…thankyou, Instructor." Belnt muttered, stifling another yawn.

Squall turned to Xu. "Make sure he gets relieved within the next hour." Xu nodded curtly at the order, and Squall frowned. "Anything else?"

Xu shrugged. Even after two full years after the discovery of the Garden's mobility, they still hadn't even found out what it ran on. One theory was that it ran off the Oilys, who lived in the giant oils pits, just below the Security Committee's quarters. The monsters secreted a substance ten times more potent then fuel, and were also used to launch Esthar pods into space. "The last expedition down to the fuel room noted that there were only three Oily's left…and they're all male. They all seem in good condition right now, but if we want to still be able to move in the Garden, we'll have to find out if we can borrow a female Oily from Trabia in order to get a breeding program going."

Squall nodded. "Ok…" He turned to go, stepping onto the elevator platform, before stopping and turning to Xu once more. "Xu, I just remembered. Meet up with Sefier, Quistis and me in the cafeteria at lunch time. We've got to discuss the proposition given to us by Esthar."

"Ok, Squall." Xu said, nodding.

And with that, Squall pressed the down stud with his foot, the elevator disappearing from view.

*          *          *

"No! Punch harder!"

Smack!

"A little more!!"

Smack!!

"Excellent!!" Zell yelled, jumping up from his seat and moving to his student. "did you see that manoeuvre? He ducked straight under the tentacle, coming up and right in front of the Grat's soft belly." He looked over his class as he put his arm around the student. "Speed and balance are the key factors when it comes to dodging and countering. If you move like a Tomberry, then there is no point in attacking! You're opponent will always try to take you down with as little fuss as possible – that conserves strength and stamina. Therefore, if you move quickly and go for a fast kill, you can also conserve energy."

He turned to the student. "You ready?"

Angel Lee nodded, taking her stance.

Zell smiled at his girlfriend, taking his own stance.

They had been going out for a year now, Angel being the only other thing on the Garden keeping him sane – besides training, of course. He had managed to track her down after her brief confrontation with him in the corridor, and somehow had made the relationship work. They were so different – Angel being smart and shy, Zell being brash and not bothering to think most things through. But that's what people said what was making them work.

Not only that, but Angel was quite the martial artist.

A flurry of blows flew at Zell's head, and he ducked and weaved past them effortlessly, all the while talking. "See what I mean? Angel has a good amount of speed and strength – whoa – and she really knows how to – whoops – apply them…hold on."

He slapped a fist aside and encircled her with his arms, drawing the girl close. They smiled at each other for a second, before Zell threw her in the air, tossing her over his head like a rag doll.

She flipped around in the air perfectly, landing on the balls of her feet expertly.

Zell cocked an eyebrow. "She landed, right?"

The class nodded. He snapped his fingers. "Bugger…"

Spinning around suddenly, his fist collided with her stomach, blowing the wind out of her, causing her to collide with the ground.

"Now, the interior attack of hers would have worked if she had moved a little faster – but she had decided to take her time, choosing to sneak up on me as opposed to simply running up and pinging me in the head – "

His words were cut off as she moved suddenly, flipping her slender legs around to take his out from under him. He landed on his back, the suddenness of the attack taking him by surprise. He heard a scuffle to his left, and rolled quickly, missing the knee to the head by a mere inch.

Rolling to his feet, he caught a fist that flew at him with precision, the attack smacking his palm before his fingers closed around it. Twisting Angel's arm around behind her, he came close to her back. "You ok?" he whispered quickly, as she struggled to break his grip.

She tried not to smile in front of his class. "Are you?"

"I'm a little shocked from that last stunt you pulled! Although, it did work rather well…"

"It sure did…" she muttered, finally breaking the grip by smashing the back of her head into his face, then spinning and flipping him over her shoulder. He landed on his back with a smile.

Flipping up quickly, he grasped her hand and put his other one around her shoulders once more. "Did you see that! Speed and precision, as well as a little improvisation, was all it took to take me down. And with that, I  say it's about time to let you guys go!"

Everybody stood from the dirt and began to wander off. Zell watched them go, his arm still lazily draped over Angel's shoulders – then when they were all gone, he turned and kissed her long and hard, shocking even himself as he went all out.

After a good minute of full kiss, he pulled back and let out a long breathe. "Wooo…I've been wanting to do that all day."

Angel blushed crimson and punched him lightly in the chest. "Zell…"

"Oh, come on Ang'." He said, smiling. He picked her up in his arms and placed her on his shoulder. "Zell want something. Zell get something."

Angel squealed happily, laughing at his tone of voice. "Very funny, tough guy, now put me down!" She beat his back with her fists playfully.

"What if Zell not want to?" Zell said, grinning like a maniac. "Zell English good, yes?"

Angel was now laughing outright, and she simply gave up trying to escape. "What do you want to do now, tough guy?" she said through a fit of giggles.

Zell, picking his way through some foliage, frowned as he seriously considered what they should do. "I am feeling hungry…lets go to the cafeteria."

"You're always hungry."

Zell nodded. "Yeah…most of the time…"

Giggling, he moved towards the exit. Angel looked over his head to see the big double doors moving closer. "Ok, Zell, you can put me down now." She said, her voice half serious, half joking.

Zell continued to giggle as moved through the doors, moving down the corridor to the doors to the main area.

"Zell! Put me down now!" Angel said seriously, beginning to actually struggle now, and Zell had to place her down.

"I was only joking hon…" he said as he saw the hurt expression on her face. She was a bit sensitive about the fact that he was an instructor, and she was just a lowly librarian. Zell couldn't give a rats, but for some reason other people didn't think much of a student going out with an instructor. Those kinds of people made Zell see red – but that was the way the world worked.

"I know, baby…" she said, moving close for a hug.

Zell smiled in her hair. Whenever he was around her, his mind went quiet, like a big pink cloud had settled on all the conflicting emotions within him. She had this calming effect on him…and he loved her for that. He pulled her close, wrapping his arms around her.

Smiling, he squeezed, cracking her spine.

"Ooo…" she murmered suddenly, before settling closer into him.

"Wow…you really needed that, huh?"

"Uh huh…" she said, sounding suddenly sleepy.

"Well, I don't know about you, but I need some grub before I pass out. So lets go."

*          *          *

Zell looked up from his hotdog to see Squall enter the cafeteria. Swallowing the potion in his mouth, he called out. "Squall! Get over here!!"

Squall saw Angel and him, and walked over. "Hi, guys. How are you doing?" He asked casually. He crossed his arms. "How's the training going, Zell?"

"Ah. It goes…" Zell said with a shrug. Squall had been neglected by Zell as much as the rest of his friends – but at least Squall didn't bitch about it. "I haven't seen you in a while. Take a seat."

Squall took the offered chair, sitting next to Angel. "Angel Lee, I presume?" He asked politely. "Nice to meet you." He shook her hand, before frowning. "So, how's it like going out with Zell?"

Angel looked into Zells eyes and smiled. "It's like someone cast Curaga over me again and again and again."

Squall smiled. "I see. Can't get enough, huh?" His smile widened a little more. "It's like that with me and Rinoa… so, how's the work in the Library going?"

"Very well, thank you. We still haven't been given approval for that budget raise we put forward about a month ago."

Squall crossed his arms. "Well, if I knew you were going to spend it on books instead of chocolates and midnight snacks, I'd talk to Headmaster Cid about it."

Zell and Angel laughed. Squall's humour, though shown rarely, was often on the button. "What's been happening lately with you, Squall?" Zell asked.

"You know…this and that…" Squall said, his smile wavering a little. "As a matter of fact, I was looking for you."

Zell's eyes widened. "Really? What for? A mission, or something?"

Squall squirmed in his seat a little. "Well…something like that…" He glanced over at Angel, who was tucking quietly into her T-Burger. Zell caught the glance and nodded subtly.

"Ah…Angel…can you scoot for a little bit? I think Squall and I have business to talk about…"

Angel smiled sweetly. "I understand. I may be a librarian, but I'm not stupid." She stood. "I'll get out of you're way."

"Nobody said you were stupid, baby." Zell said with a smile. "And thanks for this. I'll see you tomorrow?"

"We have training in the morning, so don't forget." Angel said, poking a finger in Zell's chest playfully, before looking at someone across the eating area. "Oh, there's Selphie! I'll see you later Zell. Nice seeing you, Commander Squall." She quickly pecked Zell on the cheek before running over to where Selphie was standing in line.

Zell watched her go, watching her as she said hi to Selphie. Selphie said something back, and they giggled together. "She certainly has come out of her shell." He heard Squall say quietly. "I remember when she gave us that Mega Phoenix when Galbadia attacked. She was so shy when she talked to you…" Zell looked over at Squall to see him shaking his head. "I have no idea you could have that kind of effect on her…that's just…" Zell's eyes widened, as Squall was lost for words.

"Dude…let off will ya? You're making me all misty…"

Squall laughed at the remark, a cross between a snort and a guffaw. Zell smiled at that, before becoming serious. "So, what's up?"

Squall leaned closer, a smile still on his face. "I've gather some information that…" he whispered, before hesitating. Looking up, he saw the surveillance bee hovering just a little above Zell's head. "Is that thing with you all the time?" he asked, distracted.

Zell craned his head up to see the bug, fluttering just out of reach. "Yeah. It's a real pain in the ass, especially when you're going to the toilet or trying to make out, or something like that." He reached a hand up to swat at it, but it simply flew out of reach. "I'd love to squash it…"

He was interrupted as the bug's wings stopped fluttering, and it dropped like a rock into Squall's outstretched hand. Zell looked down to see a small remote control in Squall's other hand, and watched as the bug and remote went into a coat pocket. "You could do that all this time – and you didn't tell me!?" Zell exclaimed slowly.

Squall shrugged. "It was a part of the bargain that the Board gave me. I would have control over the bug – as long as I only deactivated it when classified information was being relayed." He crossed his arms. "Besides, if I told you I had it, you most probably would have Mugged me to get it."

Zell nodded sagely. "True…but it's a little bit of a relieve for it to be gone!" He stretched his arms. "I feel more free already!!"

Squall gathered his attention. "Zell, listen. The thing I was going to tell you was that a tournament will be coming up in the next few months." He winked. "A martial arts tournament."

Zell cocked an eyebrow. "Really? International? Or just between Gardens?"

"No. International. All the different levels of fights will be held all over the world, in areas with differing conditions. There's even a rumour that there will be a fight held on a Garden."

Zell pumped his fist in the air. "Ohhh Yeeaaaah! I'm so there!!"

Squall motioned for him to keep his voice down. "Shhh! The point is, there is most probably an invitation coming out to you in the next few days."

Zell frowned, confused slightly. "Out to me? Why would they want me to fight?"

Squall rolled his eyes. "Oh, come on. Sorceress Hero Zell? With you're Duelling abilities, not to mention the Training Centre incident, a person would be stupid not to invite you." He ran his finger around Angel Lee's leftover glass. "The point is…there is reliable information that someone will try to…interfere with the tournament."

Zell raised an eyebrow once more. "Interfere? What kind of…interference?"

Squall looked up. "There's a rumour that a fighter will try to take out the President of Esthar." His eyes narrowed as he said the name of his father. "Laguna."

"Laguna…" Zell muttered. The President of Esthar was a good man, if not a little clueless when it came to his emotions. But, all in all, he ran Esthar fairly and justly, and had managed to keep them out of world affairs for at least a good twenty years – not only that, he had managed to help them flourish even more, what with their technological advancements hindered by Sorceress Adea.

The fact that he was Squalls biological father had come to a shock to all the orphanage gang – even more to Squall. But, over the years, Squall had learned to accept it. After all, how could Laguna have known? His emotions, as well as the situation, had overwhelmed him, and by the time he realised that Raine had passed away, as well as Julia married to the Genreal Caraway…

He had simply buried himself in his work, not wanting to acknowledge the past. He had Ellone. He had managed to keep a tab on Squalls life, even straight through his time in Garden. He did not want to re-open old wounds.

"What do we know?" Zell asked.

Squall looked up from his finger rubbing the glass. "Well, for starters, they haven't contacted us…so it's not a mission. However, I'm going to give Laguna a call after we talk. Then you'll be guaranteed a mission."

Zell nodded in acceptance. Laguna may be a little proud, as well as clueless – but he wasn't actually stupid. And he knew how good SeeD was. Just Squall asking would be enough to get SeeD into the tournament on official business. "What else?" Zell prompted.

"We know that the fighter will be a Galbadian."

Zell nodded. Galbadia and Esthar weren't exactly known for their strong ties. "Anything else?"

"Nope. That's it."

Zell almost fell out of his chair. "What?! That's all you have? Whatever happened to you're reliable information?"

Squall shrugged. "Watts was cut off before he could give anything else. His last transmission was that he'd contact us soon…I've asked Seifer, Xu, Quistis and Headmaster Cid to meet here in the cafeteria. We'll wait until the crowd has thinned a bit, then contact Watts." He stood. "I'd better go call Laguna…fill him in on our details. Hang around here until the others arrive, and I'll debrief you on the situation a little better."

With that, he turned and walked away.

Zell slouched back in his chair, scratching his head a little. "Assasination…of Laguna? Why would someone want to do that?" He leaned back a little. "Oh, well. At least the bug is off my back."

*          *          *

Ferx tried the activation transmission once more, but his screen was still filled with static.

Dammit! He cursed in his head. I got to report this…

Reaching for his phone, the voice of his commander made him freeze. "Never mind, Ferx. I was here the whole time."

Ferx turned slowly in his chair. "You saw what happened?"

"Yes. Commander Squall deactivated the bee. It's all right. He's got authorisation. Besides, we were going to have to switch the bug off in a few days anyways. Let him have his privacy whilst he can enjoy it."

"What will happen now, sir?"

The commander shrugged. "We send the invitation to the tournament. As planned."

*          *          *

"Thank you for all coming…" Squall said, looking down the cafeteria table. The caferteria was completely deserted, with the exceptions of Zell, Sefier, Quistis, Headmaster Cid, and Laguna, who was being displayed by vid-phone. "The situation is pretty dire. I'm sure that we've all been briefed?"

Laguna scowled. "I sure as hell haven't been. What the hecks going on? Do you know what time it is over here, son?" He rubbed his eyes, which were a little red and puffy.

"I'm sorry, Laguna, but it couldn't be helped." Squall said, unfazed by the fact that Laguna called him 'son'. "We have reason to believe that you're life is in jeopardy."

Laguna stopped rubbing his eyes and looked at the screen. "Bummer."

Cid frowned. "What kind of jeopardy?"

"Someone will try to assassinate Laguna in the upcoming world Martial Arts Tournament." Squall stated.

"Our informant in the Galbadian army, Watts from the Timber Owls, confirmed the information." Seifer said, leaning back in his chair and resting his legs on the table. His white coat draped over the chair, and a black tee sat under that. His Hyperion sat in it's sheath. "We're waiting on more information as we speak." His voice was like ice serrating over a rusty cheese grater.

"How do we know that his information is reliable?" Quistis asked. "He's been in the army how long? Two years? And he's risen in the ranks not once."

"Soldiers talk…" Laguna said suddenly. "I remember when I was in the Galbadian army. Lots of old wives tales were tossed about in the cold of night. Some were full of it…but most were real." He frowned. "I remember when they first began to talk about the XATMOTOS attack bot…about how it was unstoppable." He shook his head. "I've saw them in battle in the next few months. They were almost impervious…even to GFs…" He shook his head. "Sorry, I'm rambling…the point is, just because he hasn't gone anywhere in the army doesn't mean he doesn't have friends or sources in high places. People have them all the time."

"I haven't heard of this Martial Arts Tournament." Cid said, crossing his arms. "Explain it to me."

Seifer looked up at Squall, who nodded. Seifer turned to Cid. "It's basically a big fighting tournament, with each progression held in a different area in the world. Magic is allowed, since the fighters will be chosen from the strongest and the best. Basically, anybody can join, but some people will be asked to sponser a certain company or country…which is where Dincht comes into it."

Seifer flicked a thumb in Zell's direction. "We're going to ask Dincht to enter the tournament…and be sponored by Esthar."

Laguna raised a hand. "Hang on there, dude. Why would I want to sponsor him? No offense or anything, Zell…I know you're strong, but a tournament with all the strongest fighters in the world? How long will he hold out?"

Zell remained silent.

Seifer placed a hand on the table. "Think about it. A SeeD in the world tournament, sponsored by Esthar? Not only will this help you're country come out of it's loner funk, it would also help us ferret out the assassin…because he will most probably try to take out Dincht first." He leaned back and crossed his arms. "And as much as I hate to say it…but that would be the best option. At least then we'd know who the assassin is…and Dincht would most probably take the bastard out…as much as he is a loser, he is good at what he does…"

The rest of the SeeD group collectively raised an eyebrow. What that a compliment from Seifer to Zell? Squall squashed the surprise deftly. "The point is, Laguna, is that Garden, as well as the rest of the world, would contribute a little more with you alive then with you dead. Which is why we are offering our services to you."

Laguna sat back away from the vid-screen, his face blank with thought.

Cid rubbed his chin thoughtfully.

Quistis frowned, thinking herself.

Seifer leaned back in his chair, and wished he was somewhere more cool.

Squall sat back, waiting for a response…

And Zell looked down at the winking light on the separate vid-screen, as an incoming transmission began to come through.