Several minutes later the teenagers were happily arranged around the sitting room within the mansion. Selphie and Vash were pretty stuck on each other over by the statue, talking very intimately by the looks of it. For once Zell had calmed down and was sprawled at the desk with his feet up after sticking his nose in all the art around. Quistis and Squall were by the windows and painting, idly watching Rinoa pace.
"That stuffy old man, this is just like him to always make people wait."
There went Rinoa talking as if she'd clashed intimately with the general before. The trained SeeDs --the observant ones at least, since Selphie and Vash were still hanging on each other's every word-- recognized this was no one-horse town where any drifter off the street could traipse in and visit a head honcho. Either the angel had negotiated with him once before on behalf of the Forest Owls, which didn't seem likely, or...
Rinoa smiled on her way out. "Oh and guys, make yourselves at home. This is MY house."
The combat specialists stopped what they were doing and watched her exit. This just opened up a world of hurt. The military graduates knew all too well.
1) Caraway had been in place while President Deling took over Timber, therefore he had executed the conquest operations himself. This isn't the same as any other soldier "just following orders". If he'd had any sympathy at all for the subjugated, he wouldn't have been personally responsible for a vicious campaign against them.
2) Likewise, a man in this high position made his living and reputation by stamping out resistance. Proving one's loyalty to the State became fanaticism. Credibility was worth more than family. The man would jump to turn in an active rebel, any rebel.
3) He already knew Rinoa but couldn't be counted on to have mercy for his own daughter. All their relationship meant was that he was more likely to know of her activities and be able to use them against her. A confirmed revolutionary on a silver platter! Unless the man was blind, or she had taken extreme caution in disguising her activities... Uh oh.
Zell Dincht summed this all up, succinctly as ever. "So the father's a general and the daughter's a revolutionary? Guys, this is BAD." He was white-faced.
General Caraway could order twenty city police to surround the house and apprehend Rinoa and the other "subversives". Worse, he could send his guard to do it, and return talking and smiling at the SeeDs to occupy them as the trap sprang.
Selphie caught on too. She blinked large eyes and raised a finger to her mouth, childlike. "But... it's okay, right? I mean, we're only here to do a job so we're safe... aren't we?"
Quistis glanced at Squall. No help there for the others. "What happens, happens," she reminded them softly.
Funny, those were the very same words he'd been thinking. But coming from her they were a warm reassurance. Maybe there was something to it.
Then the adult in question entered with a flourish, seemingly driven by the teenage smarty in blue. Introductions were redundant since full regalia and array of medals spoke for themselves. He addressed them smoothly. Squall Leonhart stepped in as team commander.
"Let me make one thing clear. Galbadia Garden sent us to combine service with you as part of their good faith. Once that duty is complete our prior instruction resumes effect. We will do whatever it takes to defend our employer and her contract."
Taking their cue, the rest of the SeeDs jumped in, weapons bristling. Even if 20 police swarmed the mansion in the next few minutes, the brave individuals showed who was surrounded now, and the odds made six to one in here.
"Guys, guys, guys. Is this a family visit or a hostage situation?" It very well could be. Vash's normally lighthearted tone was artificial and apologetic.
"...Indeed." Mr. Caraway paused dismissively just long enough to talk down to the specialists as if they were merely juveniles acting out. When he resumed, he gave them their due as professionals. "I will not interfere in your business with my daughter," he mimicked Squall. "Shall we get down to business?"
He gestured, and the fighters put up their equipment and went at ease. Not trustful, but at rest.
"Now then. The agreement with Garden concerns one issue. The Sorceress must be removed." Hands clasped behind his back, and his pacing mannerisms were such he and Headmaster Cid could have been separated at birth.
"She made a bargain with the president, offering her powers to support the regime. And Mr. Vinzer was grateful this came at a time when he seeks to expand borders."
"'Expand borders'," Rinoa mouthed something rude. "They're not cultivating wild fields, they're holding towns at gunpoint." Caraway continued as if her interruption were irrelevant, more infuriating to Rinoa than arguing with her.
"But (as I see it) rather than accepting a high station beneath his rule, the woman has been implementing control and plots of her own. The Sorceress may seek to gradually, over time, seize control of the nation.
"She has already given her right-hand-man authority to rival my own. He in turn has brought in a handpicked squad and lifted them to rank of captains." A token in his drifting, some manifestation, indicated he might have disclosed more than he intended to.
"In any matter, the Sorceress's neutralization is to the best, for Galbania and –considering her expanding hunger-- for the world." Caraway spread his arms grandly.
"What he really means is that he's scared the lady's gonna kick him to the curb," Selphie muttered. Even quiet, her bright voice darted across the room.
"I beg your pardon?"
"(Yikes!) It's nothing."
"Very well. It was a small council within the Galbanian government who made the decision to bring the Sorceress out of the picture. President Vinzer Deling was not part of this circle." The long-lived magistrate eyed them sharply and deeply. The teens let that information sink in -- they'd be acting against the president's wishes. And then Caraway uttered the unnecessary implication. "If you fail, or if you are caught, don't expect any official to acknowledge you or bring help."
So even if they were successful they might be captured by police and abandoned. Was that reminder a jibe in payback for serving his daughter and Timber's rebels? So close to the swift punishment of one of their own for attacking a high figure too, that stinger was still venomously potent.
The group was quietly contemplative.
Zell's candid and plainspoken nature reduced any danger to a plain face-off, something to tackle head on. "(So what? The risk comes with any mission. I promise I won't go down quietly!)"
Selphie, who kept a prolonged innocence, shook her head until her hair whiplashed. "(That'll never happen to us. I promise it just plain can't.)"
Squall remained resigned as ever. "(If it's inescapable, it's inescapable....)" Then came a surge of fighting force. "(No, I promise they won't talk about me in the past tense.)"
Quistis, the mature one, bit her lip. "(I've spent more time in wars than any of them.... I promise to watch out for them.)"
Vash was the most experienced and concerned. "(I promise there won't be a life lost, on any side.)"
And then came Rinoa, rebellious and untouched. "(Pooh. I dare somebody to try anything on me.)"
* * * * * * * *
Notes: Tried to stick pretty close to the game script here. And my own education gave a surprising insight into military methods and rebellion thought processes, so the family threat is more of a big deal than it looked in the game. loveandpeace, all.
