The stars swung slowly, lazily outside the window, hurting Jay's eyes if he stared too long. Even so, he continued to gaze mindlessly out the window, reveling in the boredom.

This is great, he thought. I'm in outer space and there's nothing to do.

Jiri was off in a corner yapping something at a screen, and Jay took a moment to wonder who she could possibly be talking to. They were in space, for Hyne's sake.

Tycho was off somewhere, and Jay was fine with that. If the other SeeD had been in the room Jay would have felt the need to start laying into him for dragging them all the way up to the Lunar Base, practically ensuring that they would be expelled after their first mission, and then saying barely four sentences to his father — the only reason they were up here in the first place.

You having fun, Jay? Jiri called from across the room. Jay glanced over at her.

Well, at least the trip hasn't been a total loss.

What do you mean?

I didn't even know there were so many kinds of boredom, Jay answered darkly. I think I should write a paper.

Jiri laughed. Well, you should come over here. Kailie wants to talk to you.



Jiri smiled at him disarmingly. I called Kailie, she said. She was really surprised we were in space.

I would, too. You called Kailie? Ayo is going to –

Ayo doesn't know it's not a local call, Jiri said. So she doesn't know anything about it.



I routed it through one of the Esthar communication satellites, Jiri explained patiently.

That's illegal! Jay almost screamed. What do you think you're doing?! As if this mission hasn't been screwed up enough...!

Come on, Jay! Jiri said. Those things can carry, like, an exabyte of information!

That's not the point!

Jiri said. Come on, Kailie wants to talk to you!

Thoroughly beaten, Jay moved over to the screen. Jiri pushed her chair away from the desk, and motioned for Jay to sit down. Jay did, but only reluctantly. Looking at Kailie's face on the screen, he waved halfheartedly.

he said.

Hi, Jay, Kailie smiled. Jiri told me everything that happened. Sorry about all that.

That's okay, Jay said. ...So... you got better?

Yeah. E-Garden's infirmary really is something, huh?

Jay answered.

There was complete and utter silence for what seemed like an hour.

So when are you guys coming back down? Kailie asked. I bet you can't wait to report to Ayo. She'll have you drawn, quartered and strung up for the rest of Garden to see as an example.

Gee, thanks, Jay said. Actually, I think I'm going to be staying up here. I'll probably die of boredom before the next transport arrives, anyway.

Poor Jay, Kailie said. You have to stay up there by the most amazing feat of engineering ever created. All I had to do was get beat up by a bunch of Raiders and watch two of my friends– She grimaced and cut off the end of her sentence. Never mind. Forget I said anything. I bet you guys must have some view up there, huh?

Jay thought of the surface of the moon, seemingly alive with monsters. ...Not really, he started, then thought again. Well, we do have a nice view of the planet – but it's not that great — but....So anything new down there? he finished weakly.

Nah, not really, Kailie said.

There was another hours-long pause.

I – think there's a Garden Faculty guy coming, Kailie said awkwardly. I'll see you later, okay, Jay?

Jay said. Uh...glad you're all right.



The screen abruptly went blank.

You really are the worst talker I have ever seen, Jiri said from just behind him. Jay started. Didn't you take Dorman's Speech class?

I was in your class, Jay said from between gritted teeth. I sat in front of you.

And did you remember any of it?

Shut up, Jay growled. So I can't carry a conversation. What's the damned problem?

Jiri giggled. Well, I wonder what Tycho is doing?

I don't really care, Jay snapped. I'm going for a walk. If you really need to call up Winhill or something, don't drag me into the conversation.

So I can call Winhill, then? Jiri asked.

Jay grimaced. Can't you go...shoot marbles at the Lattice or something? Jay groaned.

Can do, Jiri said with a salute. Jay gave up and walked out of the room.


Lunar Base was very big. The corridors seemed to stretch on for kilometers; indeed, being circular, many never ended. So Jay actually managed to keep himself occupied with the sheer monotony of wandering these halls for far longer than he had expected. Even so, he did his best to keep away from the windows that offered a view of the moon, instead taking long moments to stare down at the planet itself. It seemed so strange, being able to look at whole continents at a time, to see from Esthar to Trabia, all laid out below him on some sort of gigantic globe. Except this globe was on a far greater level of detail than any that could ever be constructed.

However, even gazing upon the natural beauty of the planet became boring after a time, and he took to roaming the halls mindlessly, uncertain as to what to do next, but very much not wanting to go back to Garden just yet.

I can't stay up here forever, he thought. But I'm not ready to face Ayo and the people back at Garden. Though I'd hate to think what a time Kailie must be having down there. At least she didn't break any rules or create an international incident or cost Garden about three million gil.

What the hell was Tycho thinking? He drags us up here and probably ends our careers less than a month after they've began, all to say and walk out of the room? He turned around, heading back toward the main body of the base with renewed purpose. I'm going to find him and tell him off, he decided. Maybe that'll make me feel better.

He was approaching the elevator, when the doors slid open to permit the exit of a very familiar face, wearing a very familiar brown-and-green uniform. Both of them froze as they caught sight of each other.

What are you doing here? Soren demanded harshly.

Jay was a little dazed at seeing the Grandidi SeeD on the station, and the first sound out of his mouth vaguely resembled Quickly regaining his composure, however, he cleared his throat as he resisted the urge to loosen his collar. Well, I, ah...special...business.... He frowned. Hey, what are you doing here?

Soren practically huffed. That's none of your business.

Still Grandidi business? Jay asked. This is an international space station.

Which certainly doesn't mean I have to share the nature of my mission with you, she retorted.

Jay folded his arms. Well, then I don't have to tell you about my mission, either, he said, unconsciously mimicking Soren's haughty tone.

The other SeeD nodded, scowling. Well, fine, then.

Jay agreed.

The two stared at each other for another second, before Soren stepped past him and walked off down the hallway, while Jay stepped into the elevator. Before the doors closed, however, the two paused to exchange one last cold, suspicious glare.