Disclaimer: Final Fantasy 8 is owned by Squaresoft. Remember, you're not a salmon.
~*Chapter 23*~
Squall glared half heartedly at his giggling fiancee. It had to be the hundredth time that day he had slapped a hand to his forehead in sheer frustration and Rinoa found his quiet despair a source of endless amusement. He groaned inwardly at the small hand tugging at his sleeve, scratching his scar involuntarily as he forced himself to look down at the insistent Sierran. He raised an eyebrow to signify she had gained his attention and she blew a stray lock of auburn from her eyes to meet his gaze
"Are we nearly there yet? I'm soooo tired and we've not even had any real combat! We've been walking for hours, why did we have to come by boat anyway? You could've just…"
His fragile patience, too sorely tested, shattered like glass. "You think you have what it takes to be a SeeD? You think you can be one of the elite? You can't even walk for ten minutes without complaining! What are you going to do in a real combat situation? What will you do when you're bleeding and battle weary? When your muscles are screaming for some respite, yet all you can do is push yourself forward; because you know if you stop so will your life? What will you do?" He growled at the younger girl, satisfied by the obvious effect his words were having.
Irvine ran over, closely followed by Rinoa. The air was heavy with the discord within the group.
Sierran cowered beneath Squall's unforgiving stare, "I, I'm sorry."
His gaze softened slightly, his tone becoming almost gentle. "What will you do?"
She straightened up, holding her head high and meeting his eyes defiantly. "I'll go on, I'll fight on. I will hold my own and I will honour the ranks of SeeD."
Squall smiled inwardly, never allowing the expression to surface. "Good. Remember that cadet. We arrive in the centre of Timber in five minutes." He stalked away to check on the rest of the squad, leaving a relieved Irvine and Rinoa in his wake.
"Minor crisis averted." Rinoa breathed.
"Yeah. Jeez, he just totally flipped! Can't say I blame him, it was going to be one of us by the end of the day. They're even driving me crazy and I can take most things on the chin."
She smiled in acquiescence, squinting at the horizon. She jumped and gave a little yelp, pointing to two distant figures. She took off in a run, the rest of her squad following her lead leaving a confused Squall watching her fleeing figure. Irvine sauntered up to his side, punching his arm in a friendly manner.
"Where's Rin rushing off to?" Squall glanced at Irvine who was peering at the small group gathered in the distance.
"I think…yeah. It's those crazy dudes, what's their names, Zone and Watts?"
"Oh Hyne. Not again." Squall sighed and massaged his temples before looking at Irvine wearily.
Irvine grinned and motioned to Squall to fix a smile on his face before they reached the lively group. Squall ignored the advice and stuck with his sullen expression, hoping it would distract Rinoa's cronies from trying to make small talk with him.
"Sir! It's good to see you again sir! Congratulations on saving the world!" Watts managed to grab his hand and shake it enthusiastically, leaving Squall wincing at the surprising strength of his grip.
"And the engagement. Don't forget our congratulation on the engagement too! Ouch, my stomach…" Zone interjected before becoming somewhat green and squatting in a corner.
"I knew this would happen the day you met our princess! She talked about you ever since the night of your Graduation ball sir! I know you'll make each other happy sir!"
Squalls head started to ache and Rinoa smoothly interrupted, recognising the signs of distress in her beloved. "Thanks guys. What're you doing here anyway?"
"I was gathering intelligence and we heard about the SeeD operation to finally liberate Timber sir. We hoped you'd be here, so we took a chance and came down to pass on our information sir."
"What information do you have?"
Watts produced a hand drawn map with a flourish. "The Galbadian's are still in residence at the hotel sir. A full on frontal attack will be impossible; the entrance is heavily guarded. But, there's an entrance into the hotel's basement from the sewer system that runs under Timber, sir. If you use that, you should be able to enter unnoticed sir."
"Is the leader in the hotel at present?" Squall queried, surprised that the information was actually of use.
"No, sir. He's out on routine training exercises."
"Where?"
Watts hesitated briefly as he tried to remember before grinning inanely. "The TV station sir! It's been abandoned since the last broadcast and he goes there alone to train!"
Squall patted him on the back. "Any other major groups in the city?"
"Sir, a sizeable group has over taken the Timber Maniacs building."
"Perfect."
He turned to address the three squads who were eagerly awaiting his instructions. "Ok cadets. Squad A, you will liberate the hotel, Squad B, your mission is to free the Timber Maniacs building. Squad C: find the leader of the rebel faction and ensure his compliance with the liberation. All squads once their objectives are complete will perform a sweep of Timber and the surrounding area to mop up any remaining pockets of resistance. You all heard the headmaster, use any means necessary. We will meet back at the ship at eighteen hundred hours. Good luck."
The other squads dispersed speedily, leaving Squall and Irvine to contemplate their own squad's next move. Squall turned to face the noise of a throat being cleared and found Zone standing next to him. "So, uh, what do you want us to do?"
"We have a very important task for you. To ensure the success of the mission, we need two lookouts in the pet shop. Any chance we can count on you guys for that? It is imperative we have a presence there." Squall looked at Irvine incredulously; he shrugged his shoulders very slightly and grinned.
When he grasped that Irvine was trying to keep them out of harms, and indeed SeeD's way, Squall played along with the charade to entice the sceptical duo. "Yeah, uh, you have to be there in case any Galbadian's come past there. If they do, just give us a shout and we'll come running."
Watts nodded and grinned, "You can count on us sir!"
Squall and Irvine watched as the two ran off before turning their attention back to their squad.
Irvine cocked his hat and swung Exeter over his shoulder, "Everyone ready?"
"Oh, I'm sorry. Have you finished your little get together? Fantastic. Now we can maybe get on with the real reason we're here." Preane sniffed snootily, barging his way past Squall.
Irvine put a restraining hand on Squall's arm, "Let it go man. Don't let him get to you."
"I'm trying. It never usually bothers me, but…I have a bad feeling about today."
"So do I, and I think I know why. Look at them!" Irvine whispered. Preane was swiping at a passing cat with his sword while Sierran was in hysterical fits of tears due to his actions. Fertia just watched Irvine. Constantly.
Squall shook his head, amusement drawing a smile from him even now. "You're right, that's all it'll be."
Irvine just nodded before gesturing to the squad their destination. They followed dutifully and he turned back to face his companion. "Squall? I think it's gonna be a long day."
~*~*~
"Come on out and fight like men, you Galbadian dogs!"
Seifer smirked at the words of his squad member. Their mission was all but complete, four Galbadian's were left in one of the hotel rooms and attempts to lure them out had been unsuccessful. He decided on a more direct approach. "You, what's your name? Aquine? You use hand grenades, don't you?"
The girl nodded, "Yes sir."
He raised his voice so those in hiding could hear his words, "Great. Blow the door."
A look of confusion passed over Aquine's pretty face, "W, what?"
His face became harder, determination obvious. "Blow the damn door off its hinges."
She shrugged and produced a grenade; "You're the squad leader."
She brought the weapon up to her mouth, ready to pull the pin with her teeth when the door burst open and the Galbadian's tumbled out.
The leader looked at Seifer, wild eyed with panic and flailing his arms. "Don't! Please, we surrender!"
Aquine looked over to Seifer who was leaning on the hilt of Hyperion, trying to contain his amusement. "Squad leader? You still want me to blow them to smithereens?"
"Hmm. I dunno. They've caused me a hell of a lot of bother. Do you know how difficult it'll be to get your colleagues blood out of this jacket?"
The man dropped to his knee's begging for mercy. "Please sir, spare us! We'll come quietly!"
Seifer nodded to Aquine who lowered the weapon. He tossed them some handcuffs, which were readily adorned, and lead them into the hotel lobby. The men gaped when they saw every one of their work mates sitting there sheepishly.
One of the bound men eyed the leader of the newly captured squad with disdain. "So you fell for it too, huh?"
Seifer laughed as the man realised he had been conned into a peaceful surrender and started yelling at his men.
He never noticed Quistis' approach and jumped as she tapped his shoulder. "Seifer? Well done. The hotel has been liberated, peacefully and without bloodshed. I think you may have grown up a little."
"Yeah, whatever Quisty. We finish loading these losers up then we head out to mop up, correct?" He smirked at her and she was further shocked by this display of leadership and duty. More than that though, she was shocked by the use of her pet name by him.
"Uh, yeah. Carry on."
He hauled a Galbadian to his feet and tossed him into the waiting van, "Have fun kids!" He grinned, earning a few expletives and death threats.
Whistling as he carried on, he remarked to no one in particular, "Hyne, I love this job."
~*~*~
Irvine's sunny smile faltered as he watched the dire performance of the squad. Sierran crept up to the larger Galbadian officer, clearing her throat. "Sir?"
"What?" The man scowled and Sierran faltered under the hard gaze.
"We, we're from SeeD. We've been hired to stop your rebellion. Please desist your actions and hand me your weapon. We can resolve this peacefully."
"You can have my weapon when you pry it from my cold, lifeless fingers. I don't think you'll be quashing this particular rebellion without a fight missy, and I don't think you're up to that. Go home and play with your dollies." The man sneered, his face contorted into a glower.
Sierran's resolve returned and the squad attacked as a unit, styles blending together well, yet still not making any real impact on the Galbadian's defence.
"Should we help them? Sierran's last attack only grazed his elbow. I scanned the Galbadian, he's got showing no signs of weakening and he's healing quicker than they can wear him down. Preane's the only one doing any noticeable damage and even that's only a surface wound." Irvine asked Squall worriedly.
"No. They have ten minutes left until we step in, providing they survive that long. We can't interfere. Maybe they'll pull off a miracle. Rinoa's called in, the mop up mission's complete so at least we don't have to worry about that."
The time limit passed and Squall turned to Irvine, "Let's finish it."
"Sounds good." Irvine sorted his hat and cocked Exeter, before ambling over to the battle with Squall.
The Galbadian looked at the new arrivals with distaste, "What d'you want? Can't you see they're busy annoying me?"
"Stand down cadets." Squall addressed the squad before turning to the officer. "We're SeeD's. This is your last chance. Surrender or face the consequences."
The Galbadian unleashed a war cry before rushing Squall, "Never!"
The man's weapon struck a glancing blow on Squall's ribs and he grimaced, putting the pain to the back of his mind as he concentrated on the opponent circling him, searching him for a weakness. The Galbadian lunged experimentally at him, testing and probing his defences, always retreating when his blows were parried with ease. Squall fought to keep a smile back as he watched his opponent's expression, knowing the officer realised that the SeeD was toying with him. He scanned the man, sensing no discernible weakness to any of the elements he had at his command. He quickly discounted the use of the GF's or even any of the non-elemental magic he had stored; he wanted to test his skills, blow off the cobwebs a month of relative inactivity had created.
Sparring half heartedly, he constantly looked for a breach in the mans defence. He zoned in on a repeated mistake, a fatal flaw in the Galbadian's technique. As he lifted his weapon to strike his opponent, the man left a clear aperture in his barricades, a window of opportunity easily exploited. Squall waited until the blemish represented itself, and pounced, seizing on the chance to end the conflict. His gunblade felt some resistance as it encountered bone and muscle, yet still it cut through the mass as if it were mere butter, the weapon shuddering in his hand from the recoil as the bullet shattered the mans ribs. Squall retreated, his opponent staring at him from the blood stained floor with the glassy eyes of the dead. He sheathed the gunblade, turning to Irvine with a shake of the head and a sigh.
"That, that was amazing." Sierran breathed. Even Preane looked impressed. Fertia turned her attentions from Irvine to Squall and watched him with love stricken eyes.
A grenade shattering the world around him interrupted Squall as he attempted to conference with the squad. He looked around wildly for his assailant, catching a glimpse of a hooded figure in a corner. He shouted to Irvine but his voice was swallowed by the chaos. He ran to the figure, gunblade unsheathed. A dull thud resounded in his ears and he clutched his head as he fell to the ground. His eyelids heavy, the last thing he focused on before the darkness enveloped him confounded his confusion.
"This, this cannot be!"
A/N: Thanks now to Caleb Nova for his input and especially Refugee who revised part of the fic for me, the bit about Squall toying with the Galbadian is in his words, not mine and the fic is upgraded a notch for it!
