Tiana watched the small, wooden ball rolling over her fingers. Index, middle, ring, pinkie — gone! Smiling quietly to herself, she produced the ball again from a tiny pocket in her pant leg. Sleight-of-hand? No. Magic.'

With an elaborite flourish, two wrist blades appeared from her long, light blue sleeves. With an almost subconcious flick of her hand, they disappeared again. Three throwing knives appeared from concealed pockets in her long, deep-grey pants, then sheathed themselves again. She pulled a tiny vial of some dark, greenish liquid from her black hair, looking it over. Within seconds it was hidden again, with almost no transition. Practice makes perfect.

Tiana blinked sapphire-blue eyes. The frozen Trabian tundra stretched out in every direction, but the low, black headband she wore kept the glare from interfering with her sight.

she said, voice soft, but with the suggestion that it could turn dangerous. A tame, pale-yellow chocobo looked up at her, black eyes gleaming. We're going home, Racer, Tiana said. Back to Icicle.

Racer chirped, scrambling to his feet. With practiced ease, Tiana pulled herself onto the broad back. She rode saddleless. Tightening her knees on the bird, she leaned forward as he ran.

After several minutes of riding along a long, low ridge, Tiana heard something wafting along on the breeze. Pulling her chocobo up short, she listened again.

There. Very soft. Voices; metal sounds too.

...?

Urging Racer forward, she crept along the ridge slowly. Dismounting, she jumped off and landed — quietly — in a crouch. Glancing over the edge, she froze.

There's at least thirty of them, Tiana thought, looking down at the men below. They wore more or less identical suits of a dull, nondescript brown, and each one had some kind of weapon that ranged from spears to rifles. Tiana noticed that the better the weapons were, the less motley the uniforms. Ranks, she guessed. The higher-ups get first pick.

Sitting down to watch, Tiana was able to get snatches of conversation. There was a lot about and some place called They looked like they were setting up for the night, even though it was still only about halfway through the afternoon. Tiana, watching like the hawk she was often compaired to, took in every detail below with a vague sense of superior amusement. Then, climbing onto Racer again, she rode away.

So the raiders hit Bika. I never liked that place anyway. But Headmaster Daniels should know about this. And it might mean another hundred gil or so. Feeling the bump in her pocket made by the wooden ball, she smiled again. Hone your skills, raiders; you're up against me.


And whose decision was it to investigate this cave?

Having been treated in the infirmiry and changed into clean uniforms, Squad H now stood at attention in Chang's office. The Instructor was peering at them, almost suspisciously, and this combined with the hovering presence of the Faculty member behind him made Jay a little self-conscious.

It was a group decision, he said. My idea, though.

And was it you who decided to go so far as to be out of contact with the other squads and your SeeD backup?

That wasn't exactly a conscious choice, Jay replied.

Yeah, the giant mama Grendel we ran into kinda threw a wrench in our mission plan, Tycho put in.

Ah, yes. Chang's eyes flicked down to the report Jay had written. This...mother Grendel, which you claim to be over twice the size of a standard such beast, and host to a mid-level GF?

Yes, that one, Jay said, aware that the Instructor wasn't buying it.

That is quite an extraordinary story, Mr. Trager. And what became of this GF?

Well, Jay junctioned it at first, Tycho broke in, It junctioned itself to him, really. But then he gave it to me, since I'm the lightning elemental on the team.

Chang's face betrayed nothing, but the very flatness of his voice spoke volumes. Mr. DaLannen, I have tolerated your behavior for quite some time now. But I fail to see how you have managed to sway Mr. Trager and Ms. Nasima —

Jiri exclaimed. I'm not lying!

Then you expect me to believe that you simply found a GF — junctioned to a monster, no less — defeated that monster, then took the GF? I have heard some imaginative stories in my time, but this is simply preposterous.

The remains are still back in the cave, if you want to look, Jay offered.

We don't have the time to waste on such frivolties, Chang said. You are obviously concerned about your exam score — as you should be — and have concocted this ridiculous —

Off to his side, Jay noticed Tycho dissappear. Oh, no, Jay thought, wincing. Watch out! he yelled as he dove for the nearest wall.

There was a blinding flash of lightning in the center of the office, followed instantly by a second, striking the same point. A glowing sphere, laced with bolts of energy, appeared in the air, which then burst outward in another blinding flash.

A Grendel, scales the same dark green as that in the cave but otherwise of normal proportions, stood in the center of the room, lightning playing across its form.

Chang sprang from his chair, but stayed as far away from the beast as possible. The Faculty member had long retreated into the hallway.

With a deafaning roar, the Grendel spun around and dissappeared into another flash of lightning, leaving Tycho standing where it had been.

Chang forced after a moment. ...in Hyne's name...was that?

Tycho shrugged. Thunder Breath. Sorta.

That's the GF we picked up, Jay said.

Chang took a moment to compose himself, shakily returning himself to his seat. Well...I seem to have misjudged you. But, that was completely inappropriate behaviour, Mr. DaLannen. I don't expect a repeat.

Tycho acted disappointed, but couldn't hold back a grin.

Is there anything else, sir? Jaysen asked.

What? No, I think that will be all. Please, leave immediately. Chang hurredly motioned them to the door.