Irvine stood stiffly on the second floor observation deck with Exeter hanging limply by his side, cocked and ready. Beside him were Selphie, Quistis, Cid and an irate General Martine.
"Damn it boy! AIM and SHOOT!"
Below them Shane and Derek were running toward the Balamb forest. Above them was a helicopter, lowered a rope ladder trying to rescue the two escapees. The glare from the sun was so bright that they couldn't make out who was in the helicopter. No one noticed that Ravi was looking over the edge of the plane with wide eyes as he tracked their movements below.
Martine watched with cold calculating eyes as the two made it closer and closer to the forest and helicopter. Turning from the infuriating scene, he glared at his former cadet. Grabbing him firmly by the shoulders he hissed something into his ear. When the proud cowboy didn't reply as he wanted, he backhanded Irvine with such swiftness and ferocity that it caused his head to snap to one side.
Cid, Selphie and Quistis were stunned into silence.
Slowly he brought his head back around and simply looked away. Brining his gun up to eye level, his lips set themselves into a firm straight line and aimed for one of the men.
Shane and Derek raced closer and closer to the ladder. Derek jumped forward and caught the second to last rung of the ladder and was dragged for a tense few seconds. Shane kept going looking on with concern at Derek's predicament.
Sucking in a breath of air and holding it, he brought his finger to trigger. When he could no longer hold it, he and squeezed the trigger as he exhaled.
Shane and Derek heard the single shot ring out. Derek closed his eyes and braced himself for the inevitable, but it never came. Fearing the worst. He looked to his left and noticed Shane stumble briefly while holding his chest and then fall.
Martine's face lit up in satisfaction at the fall of Shane's now unmoving body. Selphie let out a terrible wail of protest as Irvine once again brought another man into his sight. Cid laid a hand on her shoulder to stop her from interrupting him. His face however, was grim. Quistis features remained set in an angry scowl. Her eyes bore into Martine. She was clearly not pleased with his way of 'dealing' with Irvine.
Once again a shoot rang out across the land. Birds flew from the forest looking like a black ominous cloud. Derek lost his grip on the ladder and slid forward before coming to rest a few feet short of the forest.
Martine patted Irvine on the back before turning on his heel and leaving. Sticking his head in the doorway, he gave Irvine a final message. "Don't forget to get those bodies." Irvine nodded mutely before turning to look at nothing in particular.
Cid released his hold on Selphie and stalked after Martine. Presumably to talk about his behavior toward the sharp shooter.
Quistis walked forward and laid a hand on Irvine's shoulder. He made no move to remove her hand or to return the action. Selphie ran forward and threw herself at him. Her arms looped around his waist as she laid her head on his back and cried.
The Instructor moved her hand from his shoulder to turn his head toward her. An ugly dark purple bruise was already forming. Feeling bad for him, she pulled a potion from her pocket and handed it to him.
Laying Exeter down, he rubbed the liquid on his swollen cheek. "Are you okay?"
He answered devoid of any emotion that was barely above a whisper. "Don't worry, I'm used to it."
Selphie stiffened at his reply. Used to it? Oh Irvy, what happened to you between the time you left the orphanage and we met again? Her thoughts only made her cry harder as she hugged him fiercely.
Quistis wasn't happy about his answer either, but decided to not press the issue. Too much blood and tears was shed that day.
On the helicopter Ravi cried and wailed. In a fit of grief he gave out one long mournful howl that seemed to break open the heavens. Right after he howled it began to rain.
Cid sat in his office trying to do some paper work, but his mind kept wondering. He was sorely upset with Martine and Garden as a whole. Genetic experimentation, and murder was not something he originally intended to be associated with Garden. Mumbling to himself, "I always thought our greatest threat would come for a Sorceress. For that we are ready. Now it seems out greatest threat is man, and for that I am not." Sighing, he removed his glasses and rubbed his forehead and thought back on the events that lead up today's somber end.
Flashback
Zell spirited down the halls toward the infirmary. When he woke up this morning he found a note by Squall telling him to meet him there but not to tell anyone. Hopefully he'll want try and solve things. Now I feel all guilty for slugging him. Ma wouldn't approve of the way I acted.
Once inside, he noticed it was completely empty. He felt a hand on his shoulder and whirled around to find Squall.
Suddenly he felt extremely nervous, "Uh look Squ… uh Shane, I'm sorry…"
"Apology accepted. Now I need to talk to you about what's going to happen today."
Zell nodded.
"Okay, here's the plan. When the time comes for Martine's SeeDs to get us, we'll pretend to go along with things. Then on my signal we're going to run for the emergency exit near the classroom on the 2nd floor. From there, we'll climb down a rope and make a run for Balamb forest. I've called in some favors and arranged for a helicopter to come pick us up on the outskirts of the forest."
"What about Irvine and the others?"
"Don't worry about that. They'll be fine and Irvine will still be a part of SeeD."
"Why won't you tell me?"
"You're safer not knowing."
"What about Ravi?"
"It's all ready covered."
Squall eyes narrowed trying to study the red head's face to see if there was any mistrust. Zell gave a fang filled smile. "I knew you'd come through." On impulse he hugged the rather startled Squall.
"Well I better get back and get ready for our great escape." Zell quickly left the infirmary.
"Yeah" Sighing, he looked up at the tiled ceiling. "I hope they know that what I'm doing is for the best."
With that he stalked off back to the Orphan's Hideaway.
The morning came all to quickly for the gang. Quistis, Selphie and Irvine were all ready called up from the 'holding cell' and it was locked behind them. Remy was hiding out with Nida today, just in case Martine tried to drag him into it. The General had arrived at Garden and sent two of his SeeDs to fetch Ravi, Shane and Derek.
When the two came into the room Ravi was fast asleep, oblivious to what was going on. The tallest of the duo walked forward with his gun poised. He was obviously the leader.
I'm here to pick up, "Shane and Derek." Squall and Zell stepped forward and were immediately handcuffed by the rather large SeeD. Squall surprised Zell by asking their captors for a minute. He walked over to Ravi sleeping form. Lifting the hat he petted the little one on his head. Then they were marched out into the elevator and taken to the 3rd floor outside of Cid's office.
Irvine was standing there with Exeter in his hands looking rather anxious. Selphie and Quistis were nowhere to be seen, but Squall was sure they were lurking in the shadows somewhere.
Martine and Cid were standing off to the side have an animated discussion. When Martine saw them arrive he smiled broadly. "Good I want you to take these two into the training center and from there Irvine will take over. There you go Cid, I found an inconspicuous place to house the execution. No one will know the difference between monster blood and human blood." Looking around he noticed that Ravi wasn't there.
"Where's the mutant?"
At that moment, the elevator dinged and out stepped a very terrified handcuffed Ravi with Seifer who was holding the gunblade to his neck. When Ravi saw Shane and Derek, his eyes seemed to shine with hope.
Squall looked away, while Zell tried to offer a weak smile despite the sickening feeling in the pit of his stomach.
Seifer turned to Martine and Cid and asked where they wanted him to take Ravi for the execution. When Ravi heard they planned on executing him he began to struggle and fight against his capture ignoring the slight pain of the gunblade as it sliced his neck. The two SeeDs quickly detained Derek and Shane, the latter of the two was making no move to help, he just stared at the floor.
Ravi howled and growled out short sentences. Seifer ignored him and tried to get him back in order. Ravi turned pleading eyes to his friends and felt betrayed when he noticed that Shane was making any move to help him. Feeling completely hurt he yelled out to them.
"You no real Shane!" He growled again as he was able to bite Seifer on the hand and made him lose his hold on the chains.
Squall just continued to ignore the little one lost in his thoughts, he felt the words and their emotion more than anything. Looking up when he heard Seifer grunt in pain. I'm sorry Ravi, but there's no other way. I hope you understand. This is for the best.
"Shane care for Ravi!" Feeling the grip loosen. Ravi ran on all fours to the end of the hallway. Looking around widely. "Ravi no like you!" He noticed that the hallway was blocked on both ends. Then he saw his opening. Climbing on the top of the railing, he jumped off. Everyone was shocked and stared, seemingly waiting for the inevitable splat, as he made his descent.
Using this to his advantage Squall pushed his guard away from him and Zell followed suit. Then they ran over to the emergency exit latch that lead to the 2nd floor and quickly climbed down and ran out the back entrance.
The remaining group watched as Ravi landed beside the fountain and stopped for a second before running on all fours down the dormitory hallway. He was nothing but a blur. Seifer and the two SeeDs quickly gave chase.
Irvine, Martine and Cid followed after them and ended up on the observation deck. Cid went back and called Quistis and Selphie to help search garden for the two men. Then they heard a helicopter and returned to the 2nd floor observation deck.
End Flashback
Coming back to reality, Cid looked at this latest report. The bodies of one Shane Larsen and Derek Kellogg could not be recovered. Monster tracks in the area indicate that they were possibly eaten.
Underneath that was a request for SeeD in Esthar.
Mission No. 4854
Objective: Assistance for Squall Leonheart and Zell Dincht with monster extermination from the Lunar Cry
Duration: Until monsters population are at a controllable level as to allow travel by civilians.
Person/Team(s) requested: Quistis Trepe, Selphie Tilmitt, and Irvine Kinneas
Employer: President Laguna Loire
Authorization: x
Cid quickly penned his name to the line and then went off to bed for some much needed rest.