Chapter 32 - Linked
A/N: This chapter is one of those that don't say much, merely the linking agent between change of scenarios… so don't expect too much action. However, not to worry, I will not take too long for the next one, probably by the next afternoon. Meanwhile, enjoy if you can…. Hehehehe (evil laughter)
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"You asked for me, Commander?"
"Yes, Xu. Winhill is suspected to be under attack. I require your assistance to lead the Squad that Rinoa has assigned over there, in case my fears are confirmed."
"Right away, Commander!" Xu performed the salute, and turned to leave.
"Oh, and Xu?" Squall called after her just as she was about to step out of the tent.
She turned back to face him with a questioning look.
"Be careful. They aren't so easy to deal with this time. I cannot afford to lose any one else… I think you know what I mean."
"Yes Sir!" She turned again, allowing a little smile to creep onto her face.
Our Commander certainly has changed a lot…. Even though he still has difficulty expression himself…
"And I've got work to do." The Commander said, following her out of the tent to join the Deling Squad in guarding the city entrance.
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Deputy Squad Leader Rinoa Heartilly addressed the SeeDs and Cadets assembled before her in a firm tone.
"Team A… you will head over to Winhill in order to assist them in repelling the suspected attacks. You will be headed by Level A SeeD Xu Qing Qing, now designated as Squad Leader for Winhill. Be on your best vigilance, for Winhill does not have its own army to defend against intruders. It will be solely dependant on all twenty-five of you.
Team B… you will remain here. You are to prevent, if not delay, the enemy's soldiers from entering. I have already sent a message to the President; he will be backing us up with his troops as I speak.
Both Teams: Beware of a new species that has sprouted from the last time we saw them. There have been reports of a Giant-like monster added to the enemy's ranks.
Please try your best to hold them back. The lives of many are dependant on us. Remember your Commander's speech whenever necessary and it will give you the strength to see through this long, inevitable war.
If there ever is a time you have to fight with your all, this will be it. No matter how ominous our foe is, we can do it if we work as a team. Do not hesitate to help your fellow man if he or she appears in need of assistance… this is not the time to have the mindset that 'That's his territory, this is mine.' Or 'He's a Galbadian; let him deal with it himself.' Homogeneity is the answer, people."
She paused for a change of breath, only to hear a series of claps from two persons behind her.
"Well said, Deputy Squad Leader!" Squall had a sly grin on his face, surely a spectacle that was hard to come by in normal times. The Squad could barely stop gawking at him.
"Thank you, most esteemed Commander!" She retorted, knowing very well that Squall hated people addressing him by that title, just as he hated the heavy burden that came with it.
He could bear with the other SeeDs calling him that, but not his wife and friends! Rinoa had prior knowledge of his aversion to the title, and had deliberately used it to get back at him.
Xu could sense the crackling tension, albeit a friendly one, between the two, and intercepted before anything happened.
"Right! Team A! Follow me to Winhill! We've got less time than you think, if the enemy really intends to attack the town! Assemble at the Entrance of Ragnarok… on the double!" Xu instructed, and Team A headed towards the Ragnarok that had been parked beside the city… an attention grabbing sight to say the least. It also acted as a warning towards the enemy that the city was under the protection of the Garden.
"Hey, Xu!" Squall flung something towards her direction.
She caught it deftly, as SeeDs were trained to possess outstanding reflexes.
"A communication device! I almost forgot!" She grinned, and started out for the Ragnarok again, mindful of the urgent situation at hand.
The Ragnarok took off within half a minute, and zoomed off towards Winhill's direction.
"Now we wait." Squall said, putting his arm on his weapon out of habit.
Three minutes later……
"Still no sign of them… do you think that they have retreated?" Rinoa asked, pacing around in nervousness.
"Not likely." Squall replied, shaking his head. "They're most probably stalling, or trying to make us let down our guard, increase our unease because of the delayed waiting time."
"I wonder how Timber is faring?"
"That reminds me…" Squall put on his communication device, and switched it on.
"Squads Timber, Winhill, Dollet A, Dollet B and B Garden, repeat your situation immediately."
"HEY SQUALL!! Timber's situation is gradually under control. We have defeated the Black Ogre! WOOHOO! With the help of the Timber Army, we will defeat the rest as well."
"This is Nida of Squad Dollet Entrance. Enemy has been spotted in the near distance, including afore said Black Ogre. Over."
"Linda of Squad Dollet Shore. Enemy has not breached shore as yet. Will alert once spotted, over."
"Brutus of Squad B-Garden. No enemy activity sighted. Request for dispatch over to Fisherman's Horizon due to area's status as possible target for enemy attack. Over."
"Good initiative, Brutus. Request granted. Over."
"Squad Winhill reporting. We are within viewing distance of Winhill. Confirmed sight of small number of enemy's monsters, but… no Black Ogre. Enemy appears to be held back from Winhill by……. Pupu Aliens?"
"PUPU?!!" Five voices sounded into Xu's ear simultaneously, for all were surprised by the latest development at Winhill, to say the least.
"Ragnarok landing on base…Immediate action required. Will update soonest possible on Winhill's situation. End of Transmission (EOT)." There was a click as Xu switched off her device to prevent any incoming sounds from hindering her concentration.
"Same here, Commander. Black Ogre approaching at close proximity. EOT." Nida signed off as well to deal with the impending threat.
"DITTO TIMBER! EOT!" Selphie screamed into the mouthpiece of her device, not heeding the damage it was doing to the eardrums of the other persons listening in.
Within the space of fifteen seconds, all communication had been broken off, leaving the Commander's device as the sole remaining one still switched on.
He took it off as well, exhaling slowly with relief.
"Timber is stabilizing." He announced to the Squad in front of him, which responded with a loud cheer.
"HOWEVER, our battle has yet to begin."
Just then, the communication device let out a loud whining beep, followed by a bright flashing red light.
An emergency message… I wonder what it's for?
He switched it on again, and listened in.
"HI EVERYONE! SORRY TO INTERRUPT, BUT THIS IS IMPORTANT!
Ooops… sorry for the shouting.
I forgot to mention the Black Ogre's facts and statistics.
The Black Ogre is a hybrid between an Iron Giant, an Underground Creature and a Black Iguion… those lizard thingys. It has extremely high Vitality and Spirit. Highly resistant to most magic including Holy… but Meltdown might work on it to reduce Vitality to zero. Most physical attacks do not work, even if under Vit 0 status. However, it has a fatal spot… which can be any place. Be sure to look out for an area of different color from the normal skin tone. Just attack that place. Easily provoked, not very accurate in its attacks. Attacks include Arm Swipe, Magma Breath, Death and Hell's Judgment. Not too bright, but can speak our language. Has been known to require kick by fellow Underground Creature in order to wake up… prone to sleepwalking. NOTE: GFs DO NOT WORK ON THIS GUY! As for the rest of the Underground Creatures… Silver bullets are their bane as well as Holy Magic. Alright… that's precise enough…. Gotta Go!"
Squall gave a little smile, switched it off, and addressed the Squad again.
"The Deputy Squad Commander in Timber has just provided some very useful information regarding the Black Ogre."
He repeated the information he had learned from Selphie to them.
"Now… I'm telling you this because I am suspecting that the enemy will concentrate most of its forces on Deling, which happens to be the capital of the Galbadian administration. There is bound to be more than one of those Black Ogres, if one were to think like the enemy. I also want you to have the assurance that no matter how huge the enemy looms before us, they will always have a weak spot. Nothing is invincible if we put our hearts to it. I wish you luck, agility, strength, courage, and everything else you will need to overcome this war."
They were fully prepped by his speech; Rinoa could see that by their motivated faces.
He's a born leader… but he doesn't realize it himself.
She laughed inwardly at her private joke, then stopped herself when she caught sight of something.
The trepidation in her voice was plain.
"They're coming……"
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A massive wave of light shot out from the machines and flooded the whole battle field.
All the Underground Creatures, and Black Ogres alike evaporated under its "baptism", reduced to nothing but particles not bigger than a Black Ogre's dandruff flake.
"Well… it is a phenomenal invention of yours, Dr. Odine."
"But of crouze. Zere ees nozing zat zee Great Odine cannot achieve." The little man spoke proudly, looking upon his invention as if it were a capable son, and him a beaming father.
"This might sound like an unreasonable request to you… but could you build a few more of those?" Laguna clasped his arms in front of his chest, assuming a pleading position.
Dr. Odine stared at him blankly, and promptly fainted.
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"So… you have decided to stand up against me? I do not know if I should praise you for your courage, however foolish, or mock you for your foolishness, however brave. But you must have been prepared to face your worst fears before you came forward for this impossible challenge, have you not?"
His six opponents looked back in surprise, for the Redrumiel in front of them was completely different from the one they had known……
His air was grave, serious, one that befitted the stature of the title he held, that of a Lord.
So very unlike the mocking, supercilious, sneering and at times immature mien that he affected previously.
As though he had reclaimed the grace of an Angel, even if he was not following the teachings of Hyne by any count.
It was an indication of his impression of the six standing before him.
Admittedly, even though they were merely humans, they have had the caliber to come this far.
But they will have to walk over my grave before I allow them to touch a single hair of mine so easily.
Welcome to Fuhrer's little maze of shadows, Fuhrer being the name I was born with. Take heed not to get lost, or you will never come out of my maze, alive.
There was pure, blinding darkness, the kind where one could not see the hand even if it were held right in front of the eye.
What is the little maze of shadows that Fuhrer is pulling them into?
What will they have to deal with inside the maze?
Who will be the first to find his or her way out?
And will everyone of them be able to escape the fate of eternal imprisonment in his maze?
Find out in the next chapter. Till then… take care.
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A/N: No extra ramblings today. I just need to thank all my reviewers. Thank you. I have to sleep now… it's approaching five in the morning!!