A/N: Hey there! Now we are gonna get some backstory into the sub-plot. This chapter will revolve more around Squall than Rinoa, and will probably be a bit shorter than usual, but keep reading. Seifer's out on a mission, and he begins to discover some questionable $&# going on in the world... This chapter will be a little weird... It sounds all spacey, I know... but fear not, because I promise I'm not gettin' all freaky on ya. Needless to say, strange things are afoot at the Circle K.
Chapter 6: The News
"So, what's going on?" Squall asked into the receiver, after switching to a secure line.
"Alright," Seifer began, "this is gonna sound really fucked up, but here's my theory... First of all, do you know much about the Shumi Tribe's history, say... fifty or sixty years ago?"
"Not much, other than they lived a very violent existence around that time due to an uprising led by a rebellious Shumi... he and his followers dabbled in weaponry and insanely powerful magic, among other things. I know that the group that lives in the Shumi Village was seeking refuge from the constant battling between their own."
"Well, that has bearing on what I have to say," Seifer started. "This will be long-winded, so bear with me... After receiving that distress call from the Shumi Village, I came here to learn that a few weeks prior, a group of unknown soldiers, wearing all black, stormed into the Village and attempted to tear the place apart, interrogating every Shumi they came across along the way for information."
"There was a group of anonymous soldiers tearing up the Tomb of the Unknown King within the past couple weeks," Squall interjected, dazedly wondering what the connection was. "We neutralized them as a field exam just yesterday."
"Really...? Well anyway, apparently the Shumis only called us because they wanted us to assist them in repairing the damage to their Village," Seifer continued," and they were very, very reluctant to give me information on exactly what these soldiers were looking for. I still haven't gotten any of them to give me direct information, but I've gathered bits and pieces... enough to have a theory."
"Which is?"
Seifer took a deep breath. "That rebellious group of Shumis created something. Something big. Something that this very tribe here stole and wants to keep hidden. I haven't quite figured out what, but by the way these Shumis up here are clamming up, that something just may be big enough to demolish a small planet."
Seifer paused for effect, and slowly spoke again. "And these mystery soldiers want it."
Squall left his office, needing to get out and think. He walked dumbfoundedly toward the library, silently praying to find some answers. What was it they created? What can it do? Who are these people that want it so bad?
The questions were endless, ripping through Squall's mind at a dizzying speed. It had only been Seifer's theory, but Squall knew Seifer wasn't dumb. He'd made stupid mistakes in the past, but he had proved himself to Squall and the garden over the last two years, working hard to make up for the inane things he'd done, and he'd never led them in the wrong direction since.
Squall found his way to the library through his daze and nearly stumbled directly into the petite blonde that was sitting at a nearby table. He caught himself before he did, and opened his mouth to apologize if he'd bumped into her. He stopped himself, recognizing her.
"Hello, Commander," Eve said, never once looking up at him.
"Oh... Eve... sorry if I... what are you doing here?" Squall asked, catching sight of the book in front of her. He rolled his eyes at his utterly moronic question. "Nevermind."
She chuckled and looked up at him, finally. Her eyes were a medium blue, shining as the light from the table lamp reflected in them. "Would you like to sit down, Commander?" she asked, smirking.
"Uh... sure," he replied, their eyes fixed on each other as he sat down across from her. He finally broke the stare and glanced back down to her book. "What are you studying?"
"History," she said, closing the book and putting it in the bookbag to her side.
"You know, I'm curious... why did you come to Balamb Garden? Not that I mind, but I read in your file that you'd been with Galbadia Garden for eight years, then Trabia for seven. Why the change?"
"Well, I'd heard that field medics were desperately needed here, so it was as simple as that. I wanted to use what I'd been learning for so many years and there just wasn't much of a need for me in Trabia after the reconstruction of the garden."
He didn't speak again and the silence lasted for several moments.
"So... what kind do you do?" he finally asked.
"Sir?" she said, confused.
"History," he quickly said, mortified at how that came out. "Any particular kind you study?"
"Nah, I'm just studying general stuff," she sighed. "So, what brings you in here?"
"Actually, I was interested in looking into some history, myself," he replied, still embarassed by his behavior. He never acted like this. He was always calm and collected. Why was he failing now?
"Oh, really?"
"Yeah..." he began, but hesitated, wanting to get out of this situation, "...but now that I think about it... I've really got some other things to tend to right now. I really must be going."
"So soon?" she asked, amused by his strange behavior.
"Yeah," he said, standing once again. "I'll see you around, Eve."
"Take it easy, Commander," she said, reaching for her book again as he began to walk away.
"Eve..." he said, stopping before he got to the exit. "You can call me Squall when we're not on duty."
She smiled as he walked out.
Quistis walked slowly down the hallway to the cafeteria, feeling mildly fatigued. No matter how much sleep she got, she'd been feeling like this incessantly since Seifer's departure three weeks before. The separation seemed to be killing her.
She glanced at her watch and cursed when she realized she was over ten minutes late meeting Selphie and Irvine. She quickened her pace, sighing at her lack of interest in seeing the fish Selphie had caught in the quad's new fishing pond. But Selphie had been so excited about it and Quistis had promised to be there.
She reached the entrance, spotting Selphie, Irvine, Rinoa, and Zone at their usual table. She slowed her pace, feeling more exhausted now and began her way to the table.
As soon as Selphie spotted Quistis, she jumped up and down excitedly.
"Quisty, look!" she exclaimed, as she lifted her prize for Quistis to see.
As soon as Quistis laid her eyes on the large salmon, her stomach lurched violently. She covered her mouth and sprinted to the ladies room.
"Quis?" Rinoa gasped, instantly concerened. She got up and followed Quistis. Upon opening the door to the restroom, she recognized the unmistakable sound of retching as she approached the only stall with a closed door.
"Quistis, are you alright?" Rinoa asked, worriedly.
"Yeah..." Quistis panted. "I just... got sick."
"I know what that's like," Rinoa mumbled, shuddering at the memory of her recent hangover. "Can I get you anything?"
"No... I just... I'll be alright."
Rinoa was silent for a moment.
"Quis, honey, have you been feeling like this long?" she asked quietly. "I mean people don't usually get sick just at the sight of a fish..."
"No... I've just been really fatigued lately, but-" Quistis stopped suddenly, realizing what Rinoa was implying. "Oh, shit."
"Yeah... um... I have a... you know..." Rinoa stammered. "Oh damn, I left it in my box in Squall's closet. I knew I forgot something. Um... go get some rest in your dorm and I'll meet you back there a little later, ok?"
Quistis heard the door open before she could reply as another set of footsteps walked in.
"Quisty, are you ok?" Selphie asked in a small voice.
"Yeah, other than I might be-" she stopped as she heard the door open again, hearing a group of girls walk in, talking quietly to each other. She stood, feeling a little better and opened the stall's door.
Rinoa smiled at her and whispered something to Selphie.
"Oh!" Selphie gasped. She reached out to support Quistis "Here, honey, let me walk you back to your room."
Quistis smiled weakly and nodded.
"I'll meet you there this evening. Go rest," Rinoa said, walking out the door.
When Squall finally returned to his office after taking a long walk around the outside of the garden, he was surprised to find the door slightly ajar. He slowly pushed the door open wider with a poke of his finger and looked toward his desk.
He saw nothing out of the ordinary except that his chair was turned around, offering him the view of its back, and a familiar pair of well- toned and magnificently feminine legs clad in mid-calf combat boots resting on the small table behind his desk.
He smiled at the sight. "Rin, what are you doing in my chair?"
She brought her legs back to the floor and spun the chair around to face him. "Well, I needed to talk to you, but you weren't here... and you know how I love this chair," she said seductively, sweeping her long dark hair into a messy ponytail.
He swallowed hard, knowing she hadn't meant that she loved SITTING on the chair. Memories of the chair's history with them came flooding back, and he shook his head, as if trying to rid it of such thoughts.
She laughed suddenly. "Take it easy there, tiger... just trying to make you uncomfortable."
He chuckled. "Well, it worked." He sat down on one of the smaller chairs in front of his desk. "So, what did you need to talk to me about?"
"Oh, I realized that I left some of my stuff in your closet and I wanted to ask permission to go in there and get it."
"You come into my office when I'm not here, sit on my chair even, and then ask me permission to go in my room?" he asked, amused.
"You left the door unlocked," she shrugged, looking sheepish.
He smiled at her. "Of course you can go get your stuff. Just get your cute little ass outta my chair."
She grinned and stood as he got up and moved around his desk to his chair. He playfully smacked her behind as she slipped passed his front.
She yelped and began to laugh. "Hey, now..."
He gave her his flashiest grin and she stuck her tongue out at him. That was one of the few things that had remained childish about her... but he wouldn't have it any other way. She wouldn't be Rinoa without those few quirks.
She left his office, and his thoughts immediately turned to the events that occured last time he was there today. Seifer's theory.
Squall sighed, not knowing what to do next. They had nothing concrete to go on, and he was certainly hesitant to inform anyone else about this possible development. The only thing he could do was sit and wait for Seifer to turn something up.
Or he could search for answers himself.
He picked up the phone and dialed a long number into the keypad, then waited for an answer.
"This is Squall Leonhart. Get me Laguna Loire," he spoke when he heard the formal greeting on the other end.
There was silence for a moment, then Squall spoke again. "La-... um, Dad? I need the Ragnarok."
A/N: Since I wrote this before the last chapter was even posted, I don't know if I'll have reviewers to thank. If you reviewed chapter five, I will reply to your comment when I write chapter seven.