We should have rented a car.
Kailie shivered against the cold. The SeeD uniforms were well-insulated, but after three days in the icy plains between Trabia City and the small town of Bika, the low temperatures were beginning to wear on them.
Don't complain, she said, trying to set a strong example. We're SeeDs. We can't let a little thing like the climate get to us.
Joa put in, It shouldn't be much farther to the town of Bika; we can warm up in there.
Medri persisted. Why couldn't we have rented a car? It would've been a lot faster, too!
I'm not blowing my first paycheck on a car, Kailie stated. And we've got a week to report in to Trabia Garden; there's plenty of time.
Well, can I at least use a Firaga? I've got —
Kailie exclaimed. That magic is for the monsters.
It's not fair, Medri moaned. Why do they get to be warm?
Grant them some peace before they die, Joa said. Come on, suck it up. At Trabia Garden, they don't even wear long sleeves!
Well, most of them were born here! I'm from Esthar Garden. It's in the middle of a desert, remember?
It's not a desert, Kailie insisted.
It'll probably be warmer in that forest, Joa assured, pointing to the patch of trees, now not more than a stone's throw away. According to Kailie's map, Bika was located just on the other side.
We should be in town by sunset, she assured.
Good! I don't want to spend another night out here!
Quit complaining! Kailie snapped. Three days of Medri's whining had begun to wear on her.
It's not much longer, Joa assured.
Kailie agreed, forcing her voice down. Control your temper, Kailie. You're just a little stressed about your first mission. Don't let it get to you.
She then focused her attention on the approaching forest. The trees, laden down with snow and ice as they were, provided the ideal hiding spots for monsters; they would have to be espescially careful.
That was when she first noticed the brown shape flitting between the trees.
Blinking, she stared at the spot where she had seen the motion, but nothing emerged. Keep your eyes open, she said quietly, her gloved hand closing around the gunblade that hung from her belt.
They had made it out of sight of the forest entrance before the flitting brown form returned. Again, they apeared just at the edge of Kailie's vision, and were always gone by the time she stole a closer look. Do you guys see anything? she hissed, silently drawing her gunblade and checking the load.
Now that you mention it — Joa began, but was cut off when a form dropped from the trees in front of them.
Hold it right there! he demamded. He was in his mid-to-late thirties, with a grizzled brown beard and an impressive collection of scars. The crossbow he held was aimed directly at Kailie's chest.
In the next few seconds, the forest had erupted with brown-clad figures. Absently, Kailie marveled that they had managed to sneak up on three SeeDs with such success.
Who are you? she demanded.
The man gave her a toothy grin. I could ask you the same thing, girl. But I know that uniform. And you don't need to know who we are. He took a step forward. Just that you're going to be giving us everything you have of worth. Then we'll decide whether or not to let you go.
They're the raiders! Medri hissed.
So what do we do? Joa asked.
Kailie paused. They were surrounded, outnumbered about four to one...but they were SeeDs. We were sent to take them out, right? she asked, then turned back to the bearded man.
So, you've made a decision? he asked.
In the space of a heartbeat, Kailie had thrown out her free hand and enveloped the raider in a Hydra spell. The force of the water threw him a couple meters back, and his return shot went wide.
After that, it was a blur of motion. Medri broke for the nearest tree, but a bullet grazed her shoulder and she nearly dropped her spear. Joa charged one of the raiders, disarming him and likely snapping his neck in a quick double attack. She then retrieved his rifle and took down the man who had shot Medri. He let fly a throwing knife before he fell. Too busy to see where it landed, Kailie jumped another raider, plunging her gunblade into his chest, then ducked behind a tree to get her bearings, only to find another raider there waiting for her. Not bothering with the gunblade, she sent her boot flying into his stomach, then bashed him on the side of the head with the weapon. He went down and did not move.
When she ducked back out, however, she seemed to see nearly as many raiders standing as had been at the beginning, despite the fact that nearly half a dozen were on the ground. While reasoning that more must have been in hiding, she charged the nearest one and sliced the gunblade into his side. He went down, but a flurry of motion to her other side caused her to spin just in time to see Medri knocked to the ground with her own spear as a pair of raiders had flanked her. She charged forward, dispatching one with a Hydraga spell and physically bowling the other over, then kicking him. She then took a moment to check on Medri, as no one else seemed to be an immediate danger.
That was when she noticed Joa lying on the ground some meters away, a throwing knife lodged just below her heart.
The few seconds where Kailie gaped at the death of her friend were all the second raider needed to sweep her feet from under her and relieve her of her weapon. The last thing she saw was the hilt of her own gunblade racing toward her skull.
------======|END OF PART ONE|======------