Again, I don't own FFVIII, but the book Stormy Nights is mine.
"Whoa, man, I can see the explosion." Zell whistled. A huge yellow cloud was quickly dissipating from the main gate. There was no sign of any soldier or monster, just a toxic looking cloud.
"Here." Squall handed Zell the security override card. "I want you to run to the infirmary and get a complete decontamination team, then go around and lock off every hall from the main hall. I don't want anyone allowed in here."
Zell took the card, "Yeah, but where are you going?"
"How did the Traitor break into the castle?" Squall said as he ran toward a secret staircase.
Zell ran toward the infirmary thinking about Squall's question. After a second of thought he shouted to himself, "The backdoor! Of course!" Each quick footstep brought him closer to the infirmary. When he got there he found an already locked hallway. He used the keycard to quickly open the door and closed it behind him. He ran into the infirmary.
"Orders from the Commander!" He said quickly. "He wants a complete decontamination team to clean up the mess up at the front gates." Several SeeDs stopped what they were doing and ran to get prepared.
Quistis came running in from a back room. "Zell, what happened? I heard an explosion, so I looked off this room Where's Squall?"
"One question at a time!" Zell seemed flustered. "First of all the was this big Toxic cloud." Zell used his hands to show just how big it was. "Ah, chemical explosion. Most of the SeeDs and cadets got into the Quad safely, Rin's taking care of them." Zell paused to catch his breath, "As for Squall, well, he believes the enemy used the explosion as a diversion and is now heading for the 2nd floor balcony, or the backdoor, if you will."
"Somebody has been reading too much." Quistis laughed.
"Yeah, you wouldn't think a guy like him would be reading Stormy Nights!"
"He told me this morning that he's been reading it," Quistis revealed. "And I think I know why."
A group of ten SeeDs wearing full chemical suits walked into the room with Zell and Quistis. "All set, sir."
Zell turned to Quistis. "Will you be heading the Decon team?"
"They should be fine, I should go help Squall."
"I have a better job for you then, go around and lock all the halls and keep the students out of the main hall. I'm gunna go kick some butt." He tossed Quistis the keycard and ran out the door before she could say anything. She then ordered the Decon team to work and went to finish the security job.
Out in the Quad, Rinoa had managed to calm the horde. The cadets that were being taught by Zell before he left had rounded up all the uninjured cadets and they were all practicing their martial art quietly.
Uninjured SeeDs helped set up a makeshift medical center, helping those injured by the falling debris, only a few were injured, those who were caught in the main blast couldn't run to the quad like the rest.
Rinoa went around passing out potions and telling everyone to conserve spells.
Four mischievous junior cadets had found a secret passageway that led from the Quad to the Cafeteria. They brought back food to share. No one talked about the explosion, they all knew who to blame. Like any good SeeD, they kept their anger on the inside and secretly wished to defeat their enemy in battle.
Quite possibly because he was the best SeeD, or just because he was himself, Squall leonhart looked blankly at the sky from the 2nd floor balcony. Deep in thought, he too, wished for battle.
Zell found him 5 minutes later, still completely lost in thought. "Hey man, what happened?" Zell looked around confused.
"I think I've got it." Squall said quietly.
"Got what?"
"Either are enemy is a psychopath, or he's a complete tactical genius."
"Damn, they like toying with us." Zell smacked his fist.
Squall looked up into the sky from the floor of the second floor balcony. They had to change their location, they needed more forces, they needed to repair the Garden, and they too needed a psychopath.