Author's ramblings: First, I want to say thank you for stopping by and taking a look at my story. This fanfic was originally created for my little sister, Lauria, who has been trying to get me to start and actually finish a fanfic for who knows how long. Since it's for her and I promised to complete it, I won't leave anyone hanging. Not only that, the story has to pass her scrutiny before hitting the site, therefore, the story has to be at some level of being good. But I guess you all will be the judge of that. So here goes… for my sister Lauria and anyone else who finds this fanfic worth reading. Enjoy!
Disclaimer: I don't own Squaresoft. If I did, I would be sitting on my own private strip of beach in the Caribbean.
Chapter 1
The phone rang, waking her from sleep.
"Yes?"
"Ready for your first mission?"
"Not like I have a choice."
"No, you don't. You'll be briefed in an hour. Be ready."
"Yes, sir."
A click and silence on the other end.
***
One hour later, Stella Erring stood waiting outside the commander's office for her briefing. She felt a yawn and did not bother to try to stifle it. It wasn't late, only 2 in the morning, but the previous day's field exam had exhausted her. She had just fallen asleep when the phone woke her.
"Stella Erring?" a young man greeted her as he flung open the door of the office.
"Yes," Stella answered, straightening herself.
"Come in," the young man said, walking into the office and motioning her to follow.
Stella followed the man into the spacious office. Overhead lights lit the room which was sparsely furnished and very neat. Stella could see the stars lighting up the sky through the large windows on the far wall.
"Have a seat," the man said as he took a seat behind the polished glass desk. Stella nodded and took a seat.
"Normally we don't put new SeeDs on a mission so soon, but this is a special case," the man began. "As you can see, I'm not the commander. Squall sent me to brief you on the mission, which they are still working on at this very second. I'm Irvine Kinneas."
"Nice to meet you," Stella said politely. "If they're still working on the mission, how come I'm going to be briefed?"
"They've worked out some of the mission. Enough to get it started. I know it's risky to dispatch a mission before everything is figured out, but this mission requires speed. If we don't act right away, we may lose in the end," Irvine explained.
Stella nodded in understanding. "So what's the mission?"
Irvine picked up a fat folder from the desk and slid it over to Stella. She picked it up, placed it on her lap, and opened it. "We received intell from Galbadia Garden regarding the man who's profile and background is in the folder."
Stella leafed through the pages, scanning each one's information before turning to the next page.
"As you've probably read, the man's name is Seifer Almasy. He was responsible for much of the… damage during the Second Sorcess's War just four years ago. G-Garden has informed us that he has been hiding out in Deling City, a place we never thought he would find refuge. But a city is city, and there are a lot of places to hide in a city, especially one as large as Deling."
"Why is Garden interested in this man?" Stella asked, looking up from the picture of Seifer that sat on her lap.
Irvine leaned back in his chair. "Seifer used to be a student here before the war and all. He was an excellent student and an even better soldier, but he always had a problem with authority. Not to mention he wasn't exactly charming. Anyway, intell shows that there are many groups looking for Seifer. Some are hunting for his head, others are looking for his skills and talents that were, and always will, be a part of who he is. There are some big shots out there who know Seifer is vulnerable, and they'll try anything to stir the power-hungry being inside him."
"You mean people will try to use him because he already has a bad reputation?" Stella asked.
"Exactly. I mean, the guy's got nothing to lose and everything to gain if he gets the right offer. Who knows what will happen or what he'd choose," Irvine said. "That's why Garden's got to get him before anyone else gets him."
"I'm supposed to find him, right?"
Irvine nodded. "He's a dangerous and unpredictable man. We don't know how much he has changed, if he's changed at all, and whether he's changed for better or for worse. What I mean is, be careful on this mission."
Stella nodded. "How much time do I have?"
"A week. We don't have much time to spare," Irvine said. "Use any means necessary to bring him in. Make sure he's alive though. If you need assistance, don't hesitate to contact us at Garden. Give them the code 5507 and we will be notified immediately. Any questions?"
"When do I leave?"
***
At 3am Stella was sitting in the SeeD cabin of the train headed to Deling City. She had about fifteen minutes to pack, and then it was off to Balamb Station. Irvine had dropped her off and seen her off himself, giving her a few pointers about being a SeeD on the ride over. For the last fifteen minutes, Stella has been reading over the contents of the folder. It was a very in depth profile of Seifer Almasy, and Stella almost felt like she knew the man inside-out, but she was still nervous about the mission. How's a rookie SeeD like her going to bring in a volatile man like Seifer Almasy. Stella sighed. She would have to figure out a way by the end of the week. First thing first, she had to go and locate the man, which would be a challenge on its own given the time frame she had to work with.
Stella checked her watch for the time. It would be another two and half hours before the train arrived at Deling City on the express train. She decided to get some rest. It would do her no good to operate on no sleep or rest. She carefully placed the folder back into her bag and crawled onto the bottom bunk of the bed. Closing her eyes, Stella drifted off to the droning sounds of the train.
***
"Stella, you have to stop burning out yourself all the time. It's not healthy for you. You may never use magic again."
"I know. I'm sorry. I thought…"
"You're always pushing yourself to the limit. What good will it do if you're dead?"
"I'm sorry."
"Just hold still. I'll run some of this through you and you'll be all set after some rest."
~~~
The air smelled of salt. Gulls flew in circles above the ocean, calling lously as they flew.
"Stella! Stella! Come play with us!"
"I'm not allowed to. The doctor said I can't."
"But you never play!"
"I know…"
"Stella! Don't cry! You'll get better soon! Then we can make sand castles together!"
"Promise?"
"We promise!"
~~~
Stella sat alone in a dark room. The cold from the floor seeped into her bones. She gripped her knees to chest, trembling from fear and the cold.
"We'll ask you one more time, Stella. How is Mr. Deling feeling?"
"I don't know!"
"We know you know. You can't come out until you tell us."
"I want to go home!"
"You can as soon as you tell us how Mr. Deling is feeling."
"He's feeling happy… and excited."
"Why, Stella? Why is Mr. Deling happy and excited?"
"Because he's discovered something new, and he likes it very much."
"Now, Stella, what is Mr. Deling wearing?"
"I don't know."
"Why not?"
"Because I've never seen him before..."
***
"We will be arriving at Deling Station in thirty minutes. Please make sure you have all your belongings. Thank you for riding with us."
The announcement over the intercom jarred Stella awake from her sleep. Rolling onto her side, she checked her watch. It was nearly 5:45 in the morning. Sighing, Stella pushed herself up and swung her feet over the bed. The dream lingered in her head, but she had no time to dote on it. She stretched a bit before standing up and changing out of her SeeD uniform. She tossed on a black sweater and a pair of jeans and folded her uniform carefully back into her bag. She glanced at her reflection in the mirror. She thought she looked normal enough. She brushed her long raven hair with her fingers before zipping up her bag and securing it over her shoulder. By the time she was done, the train was pulling into the station.
Once on the platform, Stella took a good look around her. The station was beautiful and clean. People bustled about even at 6 in the morning. Finding the sign that pointed to the direction of the buses, Stella headed towards the direction the sign pointed. As she waited for a bus, Stella began to wonder where she was going to begin. It was 6 in the morning, so a whole day lay ahead of her. She now understood why she was called so early in the morning. The bus pulled up, and Stella rode the bus to the Galbadia Hotel. She checked into a room and set her things down. Walking onto the balcony and staring out across the city, Stella wondered where Seifer Almasy could be hiding.