Ch 7, homecoming con't
Regardless, preparations proceeded.
"It is my understanding a sniper was commissioned for this task."
The others focused on Vash pointedly until he snapped to attention. "They tell me I'm the man for the job." Clearly he was back into his false modesty routine.
"Since this is the primary strike of the operation, the 'sniper team' should have at least one other member to accompany to supervise... to prevent anything unforeseeable from interfering."
"(Weight to bear. Nothing new here.)" They were waiting for the leader to say something. "...I'll accompany."
A small bead broke out on Vash's hairline. "(Hey, they say that like I might have a personality meltdown. What, I might wind up lost, run away, or miss the deadline because I dropped everything to get drunk and chase women?)" No comment on that one. No, actually in his case it really is nothing more than peer pressure. Ah, such a reputation to live up to. "That won't be necessary, sir. I guarantee I'll do a good job." The red-clad mercenary smiled like the good young man he is. "No major malfunctions here."
Okay, even if the leader would have considered trusting the adept and letting his own responsibility slide, that last line clinched it. Squall got his point across in 3.5 seconds of glowering.
"The other 'trap team' needs at least one member, and the rest can be divided at your discretion."
Squall pictured bringing Quistis along. Even if he did want to talk with her, it wouldn't be while there was serious duty at hand. No. Zell, and have the loon and Vash gang up and tag-team him? Definitely not. Selphie seemed to be having a peculiar reaction to the gunman, screaming in his presence and dumbstruck the next. It was rather hard for Squall to put his finger on it but better let the two be separated. "The other three will be the trap team." Zell hopped up and down and drilled the air. At least this was easier to pin down; the teen was so psyched it almost hurt to disappoint. "(Sorry, Zell.) ...And the team leader is Quistis Trepe."
The shadowboxer became a disheartened slump. Then he perked himself up again just as quickly -- there was never a good enough reason to bring anyone else down. "We're behind you all the way, Instructor. Let's kick some ass!" Selphie backed him up with a hearty cheer.
The blonde veteran flushed at such a sincere display of dedication from someone other than a trepie. "(Now if only a certain someone else could be this supportive...)"
"Hold it."
The SeeDs jumped and turned to face; it was Rinoa. "What do you mean, 'three' on the team? I'm in this too." Her arms folded and a foot tapped in riled fashion. "I know you didn't plan on leaving me out of the picture."
An embarrassed silence took the room. "Surely you don't intend to bring-?" Caraway began. The SeeDs' reaction told him all he needed to know. "Then I'll wait for you at the monument in the city square for the rest of the briefing."
"Good, I'm glad he's gone," Rinoa began excitedly as soon as the door closed behind her father. "Now that we're making plans I can tell you about this. This bracelet is an Odine Bangle, number one in magical goods! It's hideously expensive but I found one in the house. Anyway its function suppresses magical powers -- including a Sorceress! Maybe if I can get close enough to put it on as a gift it'll help out with whatever you're doing."
The others found excuses to look aside. As the one in charge, Squall really let her have it. "This isn't your mission or contract; it's ours. We're going after one of the most powerful beings on the planet and it's too dangerous to risk- -"
"I've never been afraid of- -"
"Furthermore whatever plan the general has, Garden trusts him because everything going on in this city would be accounted for, all the schedules and movements. One wrong addition, one bad timing and everything from then on can fowl."
"No, with an extra person trying it'll increase your odds no matter what."
Quistis lost her patience and joined in to make things more clear. "Listen up. Suppose you went outside and saw Squall being arrested by city guards, would you fight to free him?"
"Depends on what he did to get in trouble," she winked, then put the joke aside. "Of course you can depend on me to help!"
"Ha. For all you knew, he was letting himself get taken in so he could enter the facility quietly, and now because of you he can't get in without an assault that raises alarms for the target. You just blew the mission. Do you now see what kind of things go on?"
Rinoa said nothing; she hadn't pictured that. But she bravely tried to muster. "But... if you tell me what you're doing, we could strategize my idea into account..."
"If you make an attempt on the Sorceress she might cancel whatever schedule Garden and the general were counting on, and then we wouldn't be able to do a thing. We aren't going to use your idea! Get the picture?" Yes, the older girl was being harsh, but considered it necessary in order to make sure they could count on no interference. Rinoa fell silent.
With the matter apparently settled, Squall gave the signal to move out.
Selphie gave the girl condolences on the way out. "Don't take this personally. I've been in Trabia Garden for years getting ready to kick butt. Okay?" She put a hand on Rinoa's shoulder, and the angel in blue gave a routine nod. Zell gave an upbeat look of sympathy on his way out.
Vash was the last to leave, and before he did he took the time to whisper in her ear. "I'm glad you decided to stay. I've seen people I love get turned into hostages because they wanted to follow me, and let me tell you that is not a good feeling." A moment of depth from the clownish man gave her a surprise.
And with that she was left alone. Disappointment was enough to make the girl plop down against the furniture. The only sound was a grandfather clock ticking in her old parents' empty house. "What am I supposed to do while you guys are doing everything without me?" she muttered. "Throw a house party?"
