Chapter 5

Squall waited patiently outside Cid's meeting door waiting to be called in. He said that it was an important meeting regarding the close SeeD field exam. He was soon told to enter and was surprised to see who was sitting next to Cid.

"Laguna…" said Squall. Laguna smiled except Squall sensed something different in him. He wasn't his usual cheerful self. "What's going on?"

"Laguna has agreed to pay for our Field exam." Said Cid.

"Doing what?" asked Squall sitting down. Laguna took out a suit case and took out 2 folders giving one to Cid then Squall.

"I have discovered a base of several rebels and terrorist within the city. I have been asked to take action and crush them and frankly I agree with my council they have been taking lots of lives and I want to stop this immediately." Began Laguna. Squall looked though the files that told of the terrorists' attack methods and how they were very experienced.

"Shouldn't be problem if the necessary precautions are taken." Said Squall.

"The problem is that they are very strong and have superior numbers and are very experienced making them even more dangerous." Said Laguna. "I ask that the teams be upgraded to 6 cadets per team and I will also have soldiers accompanying them to help if necessary… In additions to that I'll hire all the elite SeeD's you have and if you please bring some of your regular SeeD's that are very skilled. I also ask for your team Squall to be present. As much as I don't want Rinoa involved in this she is very powerful and could be a valuable team member." Squall and Cid were very surprised at this.

"That's a lot Laguna. You're asking a good amount of our forces in this Garden to move out for a single mission." Said Squall. "Isn't this overkill?" Laguna stood up suddenly.

"Of course not you have no idea what these people are capable of…" said Laguna. "Please I am paying and asking for your help." Squall looked at Cid and nodded.

"Very well President Laguna I accept your request the exam will be held a week from now…" said Cid. "Please rest here for the night. We are going to move the garden as close as possible for now." We will call a meeting in a few hours."

Squall walking into his room since it was so early and looked into his daughter's room to check up on her. He smiled looking at his daughter hugging her chocobo doll so tightly and sleeping peacefully. He soon felt 2 hands wrap around his waist and turned around to face Rinoa who barely had her eyes open.

"What happened? You left so suddenly…" she said in a sleepy voice.

"Nothing… Come on I'm still kind of tired." Said Squall. He and Rinoa climbed back into bed and held each other as they slept.

Quistis was walking out of her early morning class yawning and soon bumped into Zell and Sandy who were holding hands. The entire garden was now filled with students.

"Hey guys!" said Quistis. "Zell! How are you feeling?!"

"I'm still a little dizzy but I'll live." Said Zell. "Wow you look exhausted… Maybe you should ask another instructor to teach this class. You barely talk to us anymore."

"No, its okay really…" said Quistis. "Maybe I'll drop one before lunch or something."

"Whatever makes you happy Quistis." Said Sandy. "Just don't overwork yourself." Quistis walked down the hall when the intercom went on.

"Will Quistis and Zell please report to the Meeting area." Quistis and Zell shrugged and walked to the newly added meeting area which was a gigantic room that could hold nearly the entire garden if they wanted. It was also the new ballroom. Zell kissed Sandy goodbye and left with Quistis.

Zell opened the door for Quistis and followed behind her. Inside the meeting area were all of the elite SeeD's and a few other talented regular SeeD's.

"Quisty! Zell! Over here!" shouted Selphie. The 2 SeeD's walked over to their friends and greeted them.

"What's going on Sir?" Quistis asked Headmaster Cid.

"I brief everyone shortly." He responded smiling. After 10 minutes Cid stood on the stage and began the briefing.

"The destination of this years SeeD field exam will be at Estar. We have been informed that this one will be the hardest Field exam in this Gardens history. Thus we will be increasing the numbers of cadets per team. In addition to that Estar soldiers will be accompanying the cadet to make sure they are safe and guide them. For further back up President Laguna has asked that all Elite SeeD's be on stand by looking after the Cadet teams and interfering when things get bad. There will be an equal amount of Elites for every cadet team so it will be pretty balanced. The SeeD field exam will be in 4 days. If you have any questions talk to Commander Leonheart, President Laguna or myself… Dismissed!" All the SeeD's got up, saluted and left immediately.

Robert stood up form his chair after the briefing and looked around. He had lost track of Amy but sighed when he found her talking excitingly with Squall's group including Julia. He then laughed at the sight when Irvine whistled at her and began to talk to her in a seductive tone.

"IRVINE!" shouted Selphie. Irvine made a scared face and slowly turned around.

"Hey Selph! I thought you went to talk to another instructor…" he said getting uncomfortable.

"That! Was! Ten! Minutes! Ago!" she snarled. "Amy…" she said in a sweet tone. "Do you mind if I borrow Irvy-poo for a moment…"

"Oh please…" said Amy smiling relieved that Selphie showed up. Selphie then jumped up and grabbed his ear leading him away as he made several painful cries. The entire group laughed at the scene including Squall who had a rare smile on.

"She knows how to choose her friends well…" thought Robert then left the meeting area.

"Hey Amy were all going out to dinner in Balamb tonight. Want to join us?" asked Rinoa. Amy was surprised at the question and nodded.

"That would be great. But I was wondering if my friend Robert could go too?" asked Amy.

"That would be fine." Said Quistis getting a nod from Rinoa as well.

"Yeah I have never even talked to the guy to say thanks for saving my hind too!" said Zell. That evening Robert met up with Amy and her new friends. Suddenly Zell pounced on him thanking him for saving his life.

"Hey! Hey! It's fine!" shouted Robert trying to fend him off. Sandy went up to him to calm him down making Robert sigh in relief.

"I'm saved…" thought Robert. "That guy is so energetic." He then greeted everyone else in the party and caught Julia's eyes that were looking straight into his.

"Everyone ready to go?" asked Squall snapping Robert and Julia out of their trance. Everyone nodded and left for dinner.