Chapter 18 - Time's Up
Nearly Thirty Six hours since the stipulated time, and not a single peep that anything out of ordinary has happened.
Caraway heaved a mental sigh of relief that the threat had appeared to be an empty one.
Even if there were really plans to upstage my rule, I doubt they will amount to anything... for adherence to deadlines, especially those set by the culprit himself, is surely the most important aspect to success. And he has failed, terribly!
He let out a small laugh, partly out of relief, but for the most part at himself for believing in the possibility of the threat coming to fruition.
He did not seem bothered about the fact that extensive investigations by his Anti-Terrorism Unit turned up nothing, for they were simply unable to trace the call, which would have raised alarms in a more cautious person... even if merely for worries about the efficiency of the said Unit.
Nor did he consider the gnawing at his gut, all the more incessant and desperate, choosing to ignore it completely.
Strange... the stomach rumbles. Must have been the light dinner I had hours ago.
"Hannah, bring some of that leftover cake, and a pot of tea into my room."
"Right away, Sir."
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Time's up.
The human has ignored my warnings.
It is time for me to show him what the consequences are for defying my will......
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"General of AKU. Gather your forces and prepare for the first attack."
"Yes, Master... I mean Lord Redrumiel." It corrected itself hastily, for it knew how sternly the Lord dealt with those who did not get his newly-proclaimed (self-proclaimed, that is) title right.
One should really tone down on the sarcasm, or the Lord shall be having one's hide for a cape...
It had sensed, with not a little bit of alarm, that the Lord did not favour it as much as before... ever since he had behaved so abnormally the other day.
Can it be that one has let the Lord down? One cannot think of anything to suggest that way... but what else could explain the sudden change in the Lord's attitude?
"General AKU... are you listening? Pay attention, for I cannot afford for you to screw up one of the major operations in our Takeover attempt. Do you understand?"
"Yes, of course, my Lord."
And he no longer calls one Celestine...
"Good. Prepare to invade the Galbadian cities at 20:00 hours, as I have instructed you previously."
"Yes, My Lord. All troops are on standby, ready for your final command."
"I expect nothing less than a victory, General AKU. Do not disappoint me."
It replied in the affirmative, nearly betraying the fear gathering at its abdomen... for the underlying threat in the Lord's voice almost had it shaking in its knee-high leather boots.
Bathed in the dying light of the setting sun, the General perched atop the roof of a building in close proximity to the city of Deling, awaiting for the words that would seal the fate of the citizens living there, to a doomed one......
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"So... any new findings?" Squall Leonhart looked up from his document the moment he heard the door close, and the sound of someone sitting in the chair opposite him uninvited.
He had seen from the corner of his gaze the dragging feet across the floor. Feet so unlike the hyperactive fidgeting that used to afflict them before their owner had experienced the hardship of having to see his friend lying in a coma, or committing suicide right before him.
Not to forget the worry that plagued his mind for every single second - the whereabouts of his girl...
Squall could somehow understand what he was going through, even though he could not really express it too well.
Zell Dintch simply shook his head, unwilling to say another word as it would only add to his misery.
"Be patient... the answers will come out eventually." That was all Squall could manage in his attempt to comfort his friend.
"What if they don't? Her death would have been a such a waste. It IS already such a waste... for a girl with a brilliant future in SeeD to just end her life like that! I don't know anything anymore! Tell me why this is happening!" Zell clutched at his hair, as if by pulling some out he would be able to solve his problems... a foolish notion at the very least.
Squall was unable to offer any more reassuring words, for he was uncertain of the outcome himself. He could only pat him gingerly on the shoulder, already a great show of sympathy as far as Squall was concerned.
Zell lifted his head a little. Realising that he was acting irrationally, he gave a tiny smile - a smile that didn't look like one at all...
"I guess I'm over-reacting a little, huh. Don't worry, I'm cool... I think I'll go check on Seifer for a while..."
He was out of the office before Squall could say another word.
You're not over-reacting, Zell...... He wanted to blurt out, but as usual it was hard to get the words out when it really mattered.
Just as he was about to brood over his "uselessness", the telephone rang in a shrill voice, jerking him out of his private reverie.
"May I speak to the Commander of Balamb Garden, please?"
"Commander Leonhart speaking."
"This is Martinez, Headmaster of Galbadia Garden. Request for assistance from Balamb Garden. Please despatch SeeDs immediately."
"For what purpose, if I may enquire?"
"Galbadia is under attack... from... armies of unknown origin and nature..."
Unknown origin and nature? What the hell does that mean?
His question must have been relayed through his silence to the other party.
"Everything shall be duly explained as soon as Balamb Garden SeeDs arrive. For now, please expedite the assistance... or it will be certain that Galbadia Garden would be destroyed.... I have to hang up now... there's no time...."
Before the click had sounded, Squall could vaguely hear strange sounds in the background... sounds that he thought to be screeching, and yet not of the human kind.
"What in Hyne was that?" He whispered to himself, but no matter how he searched through his extensive knowledge of the monsters he had killed before, he could not find a close enough match.
Sounded like a cross between a Malboro, a Thrustvaestis and a Creep.... but I've got little time to guess about such things!
He made his way for the public announcement system... praying all the while that they would not be too late to save Galbadia Garden from falling into their enemy's hands.
For a Garden under the control of the wrong leader would be a very dangerous Garden indeed, something that many of the SeeDs had experienced before, and loathed to face again.
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"Deling-Troops A through J... are to stand guard around the outskirts of the city. Do not attack anyone as yet. Your duty is to allow no entry or escape from the city. Not even a fly is allowed in or out. Is that clear?"
"Yes, General AKU." The ranks of "soldiers" responded in unison, as if they shared the same mind.
It adjusted the earpiece attached to the right side of its head, speaking into the tiny microphone placed right in front of its mouth.
"The following troops are to secure their positions in the respective cities. Standby for attack on command.
Galbadia Garden... first priority to capture the Headmaster.
Timber... Troop A to prevent any trains from leaving and entering city. Troop B to gain control over television station. Beware of resistance faction.
Dollet: Stand guard over Port, as instructed bar entry and exit.
All troops are to force cooperation from respective city leaders. Resistance must be curbed harshly, to kill if necessary. Respond if instructions clear."
"YES, GENERAL AKU!" The yells of obeisance from the other side almost deafened its ears, but it gave no indication of the discomfort it was suffering from.
"Elite troop... follow me. Lie as low as possible, for I want to catch the President at his weakest spot... low tolerance for surprise visits. The Lord has impressed upon me that this person is easy to manipulate... he prefers him ALIVE."
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Caraway was about to take another sip of the piping hot tea when he heard a muffled noise.
Must have been some Guard loafing on the job. I must be harsher in reprimanding them, or the Galbadian army would be full of useless, jelly-legged idiots who do nothing but bother me all day.
He placed his lips upon the rim of the cup to drink in the comforting concoction.
The door opened with a deafening noise.
His mouth was burnt with the hot tea as the unexpected sound caused his hand to jerk up, thereby scalding his lips.
"Hannah! What is this all about? You know what I say about disturbing me...." He did not finish his sentence, for Hannah did not look as she usually did.
A long spear had gone through the middle of her chest, creating a hole large enough to be fatal.
Spluttering with blood in her mouth, Hannah only managed to stare haplessly at her employer...
"R...un, Sir... run..." Those were her last words as she laid on her side, eyes wide open in protestation of her violent end.
"President Caraway, I presume?" The female that strode in placed a foot on Hannah's body, as if her dead body was nothing more but a leg stand to her.
"WHO ARE YOU?"
"I am General AKU... under the command of Lord Redrumiel. I believe you have heard from him about the abdication of your position as the President of the Galbadian Empire, but it appears you have refused to cooperate with him."
"Why SHOULD I?" By now, Caraway was shaking, not from fear but from rage, at the way that his housekeeper had been slaughtered, and at the insolence in this girl's tone... who from first impression did not seem a day more than twenty.
Of course, he would have no prior knowledge that she was actually more than a hundred.
She simply gestured at her victim, to show him what would happen to him if he were to refuse her "offer".
"GUARDS! There's an intruder in here! Grab her and lock her up in the dungeon!"
"Oh... your guards are probably taking a late nap right now... for I forced them into eternal slumberland with a few slashes of my sword... which incidently has the venom of cobra painted on the blade."
"......." Caraway was speechless... and for the first time, felt powerless.
"I give up. State your terms...."
It was surprised at the speed with which he had agreed.
The Lord had said he was easy to manipulate... but this easy?
Not a pinch of satisfaction in roping him over! What a disappointment!
But no one could blame Caraway.
For he was old, and alone. He did not have anyone to protect, now that his wife was dead and his daughter was no longer contacting him.
He had no source or motivation for strength.
Would all be lost?
The world's second largest empire... soon to be controlled by the Redrumiel bent on taking over the three dimensions...
An aim not too difficult to achieve now... the world thrown into chaos as nearly half of it was busy fighting a war against a malicious yet unidentified virus, while the other half was engaged in a war of another kind......
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A/N: I have visions of the last few scenes in my mind. Wonderful, glorious scenes.
But it is the transitional part between now and the end that gives me a migraine... I do not know how to write war scenes!
Let me give you a little look at what lies at the end.
For one thing, Quisty will not wake until the story is almost over. Her fans... please be patient... just a few more chapters!
There will not be another sequel... I swear to myself! Cos this one really wrung me dry of ideas!
Please read and review! Thanks very much!