Eep-eep...eep-eep...eeepeepeepeepeepeepeep!!!

Mumbling curses, Jay groped for the alarm. The built-in wall clock was a lot harder to turn off than his old alarm, and was a lot more insistant, too. With a last, irate groan, he hit the ALARM OFF button. Staring at the wall, he looked over his new uniform for the first time. It looked a lot like the student's uniforms — the same off-white color and basic design — but the shoulders bore a pair of brown-grey patches and the belt wrapping around the waist had a small, silver-and-black Garden symbol embroindered into it. Subtle changes, but obvious to the students in Garden.

Pulling himself out of bed, he glared at the alarm clock. Nine. Damn! Missed breakfast again. Pulling on his uniform, he moved out into the main room of his two-room suite. Glancing at his table, he smiled when he saw the brand-new needle sword lying there.

I am now officially a SeeD, he thought, clipping it on. The dark, finely wrought hilt complimented the black belt nicely. He pulled out the needle sword, unhooking the safety. The blade sprung out as he grasped the hilt, much more smoothly than the one he had been issued for training. The blade was razor-sharp. He could do some serious damage with the thing.

The blade retracted as he let go of the hilt, and he switched on the safety again. Shoving it into his belt, he stepped out the door.


The concourse was crowded, as always. Most of the SeeDs chose this time to come out and socialize, as the students were required to be in class. New SeeDs still had classes, of course, but with missions interfering with their schedule it would have been impossible for them to attend regular class. Their assignments — light, usually, and infrequent — were transfered to their room computers.

Jay made his way to the ring, looking at the SeeD dispatchment screen. His name was not on the list. He did notice Kailie's, however, in a group with Joa and Medri. The time beside it read 11:00.

New SeeDs normally get their first mission in one to twenty days. Figures that Kailie's at the top of the list.

called a voice from across the concourse. Jay turned to see Tycho bearing down on him, shiny new combat axes strapped to his sides. Guess you saw about Kailie, huh?

Jay nodded. That was fast.

Must be an instructor's pet thing. Tycho's eyes flitted to somewhere behind Jay. Speak of the devil.

Jay turned to see Kailie and Jiri heading their direction, both in uniform.

Jiri waved. Hey, guys! Didn't see you at breakfast, Jay.

Jay shrugged.

Through that alarm? Jiri made a face. It took me ten minutes just to find the off button!

Which is why I found it before I went to bed, Tycho pointed out.

Kailie said. Well, I'm up in two hours. Wish me luck.

Like you'll need it, Jiri said.

What do you think it's gonna be? Tycho asked.

I'll know in two hours, Kailie said. Now, if you don't mind, I'm off to the training center. The gunblade they gave me is a bit different from the one I'm used to.

Jiri said.

Don't forget to write, Tycho added.

Yeah, later, Jay said after a beat. Kailie was already halfway to the exit.