Chapter 7
Quistis was feeling rather shaky. After four days things still hadn't calmed down. Most of the students were nervous, anxious as to what was going to happen about the sorceress. Many students were loyal to Squall, but they did also see Sahr and Sekh's point; there was still a sorceress in the world and SeeD was meant to eliminate that threat. Most of the students felt torn between duty and belief.
Selphie and Irvine (well, when they weren't fighting), they were running round, trying to raise public support for Rinoa. It was not looking good for her though…
"Quistis!" called Irvine's voice over the comm. "You'd better turn to the news. I think you might wanna hear this."
Quistis obligingly turned to the channel. President Rovan of Galbadia leered out at her from the screen. The man was infuriating because he always thought he was right and because of that people should always follow his orders, whether they were right or wrong. The problem was that the citizens of Galbadia actually believed in him, and that made him dangerous.
His voice spoke passionately and forcefully, "…and if this means waging war, then we must do what we can to save our dear mother country, for she is the most important of all. Esthar will fall to ruin because they harbour a vicious killer. Anyone else who aids them will also perish. We will not let their ignorance destroy us all."
A roar of applause could be heard on screen, and Quistis was sure she could also hear it in Garden. Things were going from worse to whatever was worse than worse. Galbadia declaring war on Esthar was bad. She needed to get back there soon.
"Oh Squall, where are you," she whispered to herself.
* * *
"Everything's okay to go," said Irvine as he entered to passenger area of Esthar's presidential airship. He then sat down next to Selphie, who ignored him. They were having one of their fights again.
Quistis had left Xu and Nida in charge. She knew that she could count on them. Xu could keep order and Nida would be a second in command. He would back Xu up when she needed it, which going on recent events would be quite a lot.
All three of them were on their way to Esthar to try and help sort out the problems that had surfaced over the past week. They were also going to protect Rinoa.
Quistis was tired. After all of the problems that had happened, she had lost many hours sleep, and now it was catching up with her. Settling her head down on the seat next to her, she fell fast asleep, unaware of the danger below her.
* * *
A huge explosion rocked the side of the airship. Alarms went off and lights flashed. Quistis was pulled so suddenly from her sleep that for a second she didn't know where she was. Irvine and Selphie's cries made her aware.
The smoke was so thick that she was choking from it. She tried to shout Selphie's name, but her voice was nothing but a hoarse whisper. Quistis suddenly felt a tilting forward movement and she hit the seat in front of her.
Oh god, she thought, the ship is crashing.
"Selphie, Irvine," she screamed, "the ship is crashing."
Light suddenly entered the ship and a great suction followed, pulling Quistis out. Through the tears streaming from her eyes, she saw Irvine grab her hand and pull her back. He then thrust a parachute into her hand and proceeded to put his own on. That move cost him dearly as the wind then claimed his hat. It flew out of the ship. Irvine clipped his belt and jumped out of the ship, determined to claim his lost possession. Quistis clipped her own belt and followed him. Selphie was right behind her.
The fresh air hit her suddenly and it was a shock to her system, but the air felt very refreshing after the dirty smoke. The exhilarating feeling of flying left her when she realised where she would be landing. Below her was the sea, and on the sea, Quistis could just make out a ship on the water. It was a Galbadian war ship!
* * *
Slowly, Selphie opened her eyes painfully. The light that she was looking at was too painful for her too see for more than a second. There was a dull pain in her head, and it was painful to move it much. Without moving much, Selphie found that she was lying on a cold metal bed. Quietly, she called out Quistis and Irvine's names. She could call any louder because of her head.
"I'm here, Sefie," said Irvine, as cool hands touched her head and soothed it.
"What's happening," she asked him. "Where's Quistis?"
"Shhhh love, don't think of her right now," Irvine whispered, then kissed her softly on her forehead.
Selphie fell into a fitful sleep.
* * *
"General Longstaff, why what do I owe this great honour."
Quistis addressed the Galbadian General with scorn and hatred. Longstaff was devoted follower of Rovan's beliefs, in fact his right hand man. Longstaff also hated SeeD and had delighted in torturing them whenever he could. His bitterness came from when he himself had applied to become a trainee, and he had been turned down. Longstaff had felt humiliated and any way to get back at SeeD in this war would be a bonus to him.
"Why Miss Trepe, how are you. I trust well so far." Longstaff's voice dripped with sarcasm. "You know, it's a shame that you joined SeeD, you were wasted with them."
"Where are my friends," spat Quistis, venom in her voice.
"They're alive, I can't guarantee much else," said Longstaff.
"What do you want with us then," said Quistis, exasperated. She was tied to a chair in a small room. There were two more chairs next to a small table. Quistis thought that she must have been on the ship that she had seen from the sky because the walls of the room were metal. To Quistis the whole place felt like a tin opener.
"We only want answers to some questions," said Longstaff, an ugly gleam in his eye.
At that moment Sekh himself walked into the room. Closing the door with a loud bang, he immediately sat himself down on a chair.
"Sekh," growled Quistis.
"Why my dear Quistis, I'm touched that you remember me. Does it surprise you to find me here."
"Not really," said Quistis. "Scum always finds its way to the sewers where it belongs."
"Oooh, fighting talk dear Quistis, admirable, but dumb."
"Now, where were we," said Longstaff, breaking up the two, so that he could get what he wanted. "Ahhhh yes, questions…"
* * *
As darkness descended upon the Galbadian ship, another smaller, faster craft came up behind it. Figures dressed in black scaled the sides of the larger ship. The black invaders, finding a way on, disappeared over the side of the boat.
* * *
"Just tell me Quistis and I'll let you go," Sekh said, roughly holding Quistis's hair and yanking hard.
"What is Garden's relationship with Esthar, and where has Squall gone?" questioned Longstaff.
"For Hyne's sake, I don't know where Squall is," cried Quistis.
"Listen bitch-"
Longstaff had no time to finish as gunfire above rang out and echoed through the ship. Sekh immediately let go of Quistis and raced for the door.
"Having problems," said Quistis, smiling sweetly.
"Nothing we can't handle," growled Longstaff.
To Quistis the gunfire was getting closer. She knew that it was Seifer, as he had traced her trough the tracer that she always carried. It was a new invention by Professor Odine. Thank god the Galbadian's didn't know about it.
Over the radio, Quistis and Longstaff suddenly heard Seifer's voice arguing with the Captain.
"*Where are they*" crackled Seifer's voice.
"*Down below. The blonde lady's on level two, the cowboy and girl in the yellow dress are on level three,*" the young man said, whimpering.
"Traitor," shouted Longstaff, and then ran out of the room cursing under his breath.
Long minutes passed before Quistis heard footsteps outside the door. She waited, hoping that it was a friend. To her utmost relief, Seifer walked in, gunblade held high. Ling was right behind him.
"Am I glad to see you," said Quistis as Seifer broke the bonds that held her to the chair.
"We were dispatched as soon your ship crashed. We've been tracking you for hours, luckily the Galbadian's aren't good at stealth," Seifer said, helping Quistis out of her chair.
"What about Irvine and Selphie," asked Quistis.
"Don't worry," said Ling, "Raijin and Vincent are gonna get them now."
"What about Sekh and Longstaff."
"They've fled. Galbadian reinforcements are coming so we have to get moving," said Seifer, helping her towards the door.
* * *
On the deck, Quistis was took onto Estharian ship that had arrived. Aboard, she saw Irvine and ran to him.
"Where's Selphie," she asked him.
"Below resting," Irvine replied. "Come on, it's freezing out here lets get inside."
Quistis allowed herself to be led below deck by him.
The ship soon set sail for the Esthar coast. Its captain, eager to be in Esthar territory before the Galbadian's came to reclaim their lost ship.