A/N: If any one is wondering about the date. I made it into a one – shot. I can be found on my personal website and here. It's called Hot Summer Knights. Also, there's an alternate version to this chapter on my site.
Three days later Squall and Zell were ready to complete the mission. They were sitting in their rooms going over their plan to get the information and destroy the base.
"I already have the tape cued at the right spot."
Squall nodded his head in satisfaction, Zell continued. "Okay, so we leave the mini boom box with the tape of our little enactment in the public bathroom in the hallway between the mesh hall and the Captain's office. That way it should attract as many people as possible. We're at the advantage here because it'll be lunch time too."
"Good. Make sure to lock the door and block it so no one can enter before it's too late. You can use the vents to crawl to the holding area to get Ravi. I'll go to the lab and download the information and set the self-destruct mechanism. I also planted a little C4 in the lab area to be sure."
"All right, when the self-destruct sequence starts, everyone will evacuate. There shouldn't be any casualties."
"Right, if all goes according to plan we'll run the short distance to the orphanage where Irvine will be waiting for us with the Ragnarok.
Zell walked casually out of barracks and to the bathroom. He quickly checked the stalls for signs of other occupants before locking the door behind him. Then he blocked it with the chair and garbage can. Good no one will be able to get in that way, or… Zell couldn't stop the devilish smirk that graced his face interrupt. Placing the boom box in a stall marked 'out of use,' Zell continued with his preparations. Satisfied with his work he looked at his watch and noting that it was exactly twelve noon on the dot. He pressed the play button and hopped up into the vent right above the stall. He listened as the first few words of the recording started before making his way towards Ravi's holding cell.
Squall was already in the laboratory. He was grateful for the lab and bases lack of professional security. He mused over the fact that the captain let them in without so much as a blink of the eye. Oh well, it makes my job that much easier. Glancing at his watch, he noted that it was 12:05. The tape should be playing by now. Squall felt his cheeks grow scarlet. Oh Hyne, thank goodness that tape will be destroyed when the base is blown. Getting back to the task at hand. Squall quickly inserted the high-density hard drive that Cid gave him into the computer and began downloading as well as erasing the stolen information.
Outside the bathroom a small crowd was gathering. Cap'n flint heard commotion going on outside of his door and decided to investigate. This is no time to be slacking off! There is work to be done! Controlling his anger as best could. The Cap'n stalked out of his office and into a group of men standing in front of the bathroom door like grazing cattle. "What the hell are you doing?"
The crowd turned as one to the somewhat irate captain. One brave solider spoke up, "Uh well, you see Cap'n Flint. Derek and Shane seem to having a bit of a spat in the bathroom."
"More like a lover's spat to me," murmured one soldier.
"So you men drop all your work to listen to some guys argue?"
Another solider spoke up from the back. "We're just making sure they don't harm one another sir. They've been doing such fine work."
Cap'n Flint's face set itself into a grimace. It was clear that the words of the soldiers were having no effect on him. Suddenly, everyone was quitted down by the sound of a glass breaking from the bathroom and a cry of pain.
"Don't be such a cry baby Shane." All that followed was gasp from Shane.
"You brought this on yourself you know. How could cheat on me like that." The venom in Derek's voice was easily detectable to the crowd.
"I'm sorry okay! We just went out for dinner and a movie. I didn't kiss him or anything, I swear." The desperate pleading of Shane flittered through the door as if the whole thing was taking place in front of them as opposed to behind doors.
No one noticed when Remy joined the now increasing number of people outside the door.
Zell popped out of the vent. He checked his watch. 12: 10. I'm making good time. The tape is only twenty minutes long. I'll be long gone before my ten minutes are up. He quickly ran over to the containment cell of Ravi.
Ravi was asleep when Zell stepped into the cell, but he woke up when he began to take the chains off of him. Ravi looked up at Zell and mewed in happiness. "Derek!"
"That's right little dude. We're going to go someplace special so I want you act like you normally do okay."
Ravi made a slight noise of understanding.
Zell placed the usual special restraints that allowed extra movement on him. Zell made sure to loosen them so that Ravi had even more freedom to move.
"Don't lie. You know I hate liars!" This was followed by a resounding slap across presumably Shane's face.
The men in the hall way began to murmur amongst themselves. "The little red head sure is taking it to the skinny blond." Followed by some cruel laughter. Remy on the other hand found himself becoming increasingly worried and angry. What the in the world is the crazy gent doing to Shane. Oh this all my fault…
For a few tense moments things were quiet. Until the quiet muffle of sobs could be heard.
Some were laughing it up. Others were concerned. Remy was down right enraged. His guilt fused with his anger adding fuel to the fire. His normal light violet orbs were now darker as his anger peaked. He rushed to door and tried the knob only to see it was locked. Cursing, he shouted at Derek to let him in. The others just watched. They were enjoying the soup opera that was playing out before them.
"Looks like we have company Shane." The sneer was evident in his voice. Then his voice dropped a few octaves but it was still loud enough for all to listen. "I oh so loath interruptions." Derek's voice took on a hint of sarcastic chiding. Looks like we're going to have to finish this later."
Squall looked at the screen and saw that 80% of the information was downloaded. When a scientist wandered over to him. "Hey you, guard, what are you doing over there."
Squall decided to take a page from his old man's book on how to handle this situation.
Feigning clumsiness Squall backed into the computer and turned off the monitor as he 'fell' on it. When he regained his vertical base. Squall began to message his leg like Laguna did when he was nervous.
"Oh, I'm sorry sir. It's just that you startled me and I'm afraid I hit my leg on the computer when I fell."
The scientist looked him over once before turning on his heel. As an afterthought he turned his head to say something but he met the blunt end of a riffle instead. Squall grabbed the now unconscious scientist and hid the body in a darkened corner of the lab. Checking his watch he saw that is was 12:15. He began to set the self-destruct sequence to start in five minutes. I have to be out of here by 12:20.
Remy, stopped his struggles with the door. Perhaps thing aren't so bad. Maybe Derek would come out and he could get Shane to the infirmary before he had a 'talk' with Derek. The blood drained from his face when re heard Derek's next remark.
"You know that would be too easy. I have to punish you, or else you'll never learn. Get ready for some pain boy, cause when I'm finished with you, that little punk Remy won't recognize you or want to look at you for that matter. But I'll still love you baby. I always will" All in attendance, followed by weaker and weaker cries of pain, could hear were the sounds of stomping and the occasional punches.
Remy renewed his struggles while the others smiled sadistically to themselves. Cap'n Flint just narrowed his eyes but allowed the onslaught to continue. Remy began to try and breakdown the door.
After what seemed life hours to Remy but was only a few minutes, Derek stopped. "Had enough boy? Have you learned your lesson?"
He was greeted by silence
"Yeah I thought so. Seems to be we have a little too much company. What do you say if we split this place huh? This window isn't too far from the ground."
The sound of dragging was heard and the rustling of clothes as Derek pushed Shane out the window. Then they heard two thumps as they landed on the rocky plains of Centra.