Rating: R (I tried to keep it lower, but it just wasn't destined to happen - unlike other things [which are responsible for the rating])

Disclaimer: SG characters are (c) MGM (thankie to Morrigan for that :p).  FF8 characters are (c) Squaresoft, original characters are mine – ask nicely and I might let you play with them, s'long's you don't break them...

Warnings: SxS - Yaoi (guyxguy) later - if u don't like, don't read.  Character death.  Maybe angst (I do like to torture my characters sometimes :p), language (prob nothin u aint heard b4, but still...)

~Chapter Six: Destinations~

The 'meeting' had degenerated into a general chat in the back of the Estharian limo.  Zell had long since given up trying to keep Laguna on topic, and Quistis was too polite to force the conversation back to the point.  There was a ringing chime from one of the displays, and Laguna finally stopped talking to see what was going on.

"It's a top priority message from Irvine and Selphie."  He waved the paper carelessly in the air, and Zell, forgetting all manners in the face of the possiblity of action, snatched it as the message drifted temptingly close to him.  Laguna continued to wave his hand for a moment, not realising he'd lost the paper until Zell exclaimed in surprise.

"We're going to Centra!?"  His voice was a mix of surprise and eagerness, and of course, curiosity.  Everyone in SeeD knew of the 'excavation team' in Centra, headed by Dr Odine, but supervised closely by heavily armed SeeDs.  When the unpredictable Odine was around, Garden considered it prudent to expect anything, in a rather more literal sense of the word than normal.

"They've found something?"  Laguna asked, spinning round to look at Zell.  Zell shrugged.

"All it says is to get there ASAP, and that they'll meet us there."  He paused.  "Oh, and a request to ask you once more if you know where Squall and Rinoa are."  Laguna frowned.

"If Squall doesn't want to be found, he has the training not to be."  He pointed out evasively.  He did know where they were, although for once he had told no one, not even Kiros or Ward, and not even Squall knew he'd been located.  Well, actually he had told one person, but he couldn't for the life of him remember who, or why he wasn't worried that they - whoever they were - knew.  Quistis shrugged.

"Laguna has a point Zell.  I mean, remember how hard he was to find around Garden when he didn't want to be?"  Zell sighed.

"I guess.  But we still have to get to Centra ASAP.  Irvine and Selphie'll have taken the Ragnarok, they're probably already there."  Laguna coughed to get their attention.

"We do have a few other arial machines that can get you there a lot quicker than the Ragnarok."  Quistis and Zell looked at each other.  "Of course, they're not as versatile as the Ragnarok, and they're not armed, but as scout craft they do just fine."

"How soon can we be on one?"  Quistis finally asked.  The limo pulled to a halt and Laguna chuckled.

"Two minutes soon enough?"  They piled out of the limo and into the disguised bunker.  Zell let out a whoop of excitement as Laguna pointed out the scout craft they were to take.

"Alright!  Centra, here we come!"  He punched the air enthusiastically.

AN: I dunno – is Laguna being a bit OOC by anticipating the need for fast arial transport?  N'mind, I'll make him up for it later *smirks evilly*

Morrigan; thankie for your review, I hope I don't make any of the SG1 team too OOC... *grins* anyway, u may have to wait a while b4 they make their next appearance :)