"My
only hope was this: To see what might be, to believe that it should be, and
then to do all I could to bring it to pass, whatever the cost."
'Orson Scott Card, Treason'
Selphie sniffed. She wasn't crying, her eyes were not watering but she had never felt so low in her life. Rush hadn't moved from where they had lain her and Dr. Kadowaki was at odds ends trying to find out what exactly was wrong. From a physical and pathological point, Rush was fine; her temperature had zeroed down and then stabled, but she was not waking up.
Zell stood in the doorway, thinking deeply. He was standing still and quiet, traits that weren't his. He felt as troubled at Selphie. Their SeeD candidate exam was tomorrow and Rush was their Squad Leader, this was certainly going to bring her qualifying grade down if she failed to take it. He looked on with sombre eyes, it wasn't a happy scene. It didn't have a serious air about it, certainly – but it was strange. Quistis rubbed her eyes. "I'd better make some backup plan, or something… arrangements. Maybe a replacement from a later exam batch…"
Zell spoke up, "She'd hate that, Instructor."
Quistis sighed, "I know…" They continued to wait. Rush looked like a doll, her dark hair spread across the pillow and she wore a confused expression, as if her own condition surprised her. Once in a while, Selphie would attempt to brush some stray hairs from her face, and Rush would always violently jerk away from the touch. Rush was living in a dream state, partly awake. She wanted to sink down as far as possible into herself, to find those pieces that just weren't there.
It was not long before they began to talk.
"We still don't know where he went that night. The warden only records times of leaving and entering, not where students go." Zell said. "Of course the next morning we immediately noticed he was missing, but Garden only wrote him off as a dropout."
"Squall… dropout? He would never do that." Selphie fumed.
"I don't think Squall knows… ever knew that we cared for him, as friends…" Quistis said softly, "As family…"
Selphie sniffed again, "We have to find him…"
"But how?! We've been at it for four years!" Zell shouted. Quistis raised a hand, "Guys, this certainly isn't the place to argue. Talk softly, that's an order."
Four years… years… is that how long I've been lying here? It certainly seems like it… Why are they yelling? Noisy… I am dreaming. I've been dreaming. This is all a dream.
"I've an inkling," Zell said suddenly. "But, I admit it's not a good one. Rush has the room Squall once had –"
"Wait – up, are you saying this has something to do with Rush?" Selphie looked down at the still figure, "I can't believe that…" Zell punched the air irritably, "Did you hear me say that I was finished?!"
"I didn't mean that at all… what about all his stuff? What did the faculty do with it? Maybe there's a clue or something in his belongings, never know right?"
Quistis looked up, "Usually when a SeeD has resigned… or died; belongings are usually taken to closest family. In Squall's case, he's just like us… orphans. I'll have to ask Xu or someone working in administration about that."
"We're orphans, Quistis." Selphie said, stressing on the 'we're' and pointing in a circle at herself, Quistis and Zell; "And so is Squall… but Rush has a problem or something with memory. Isn't that right, Zell? You bought her here because she was lost up in her head, and had no where to go… like us, just not quite so. She seems happy enough having the life she's living now, but sometimes she gets weird. She might have a family out there, but she can't remember them."
"I agree with you there, but she's not a bad sort for all the discipline scrapes." Quistis said. "Oh, will you not bring up discipline! Of all things…" Selphie cried.
They all ceased to talk when Selphie gave a small shout. "My hand! She's squeezing it so damn hard, it seriously hurts… but she's coming 'round!" Zell laughed at the colour Selphie was turning from withstanding the crushing grip Rush had on her. "Not funny, Zell." Selphie grinded out. Quistis looked on curiously. "Dr. Kadowaki! Over here!" She called.
In a few moments the stout doctor was standing by her ward. "Strange… I'll say it again, I have no idea what was wrong in the first place. She is perfectly fine."
Selphie sighed heavily. "She can't be fine if she's like this, Doc." Dr. Kadowaki shrugged her shoulders. "We'll just wait until she wakes up."
Suddenly Rush jerked up from the bed, sitting upright and panting heavily. "Looks like we didn't have to wait long," Dr. Kadowaki said with a smile, "How are you feeling, Rush?" Rush stared around her, detangling her hand from Selphie's gently, she said breathlessly, "I had a really weird dream… why am I in the infirmary?"
"You fainted, that's why." Came Quistis' reply. "Let me check her." Dr. Kadowaki said, fixing her stethoscope. Rush looked heavenward and resigned herself to be 'checked' upon. "What on earth is wrong with you? The only thing I can find 'wrong', is that there is nothing wrong!" Selphie began to giggle as Dr. Kadowaki pinched Rush's cheeks before leaving.
"So… want to tell us what happened?" Quistis asked.
"I have a question first," Rush said, "Who is Rinoa Caraway?"
"What are you talking about? What made you ask that?" Quistis was quick to reply. "I… I had a strange dream. That Ellone…" Rush said, weakly. Quistis looked at her like she was crazy. Zell bounded into the room from the doorway. Rush swore she could almost see an exclamation sign bouncing atop his blond head.
"Wait – up! I remember the name Caraway, though. He's some important personage from Galbadia… right?" Zell asked, wanting to confirm it with someone.
"Our SeeD exam is in Galbadia," Selphie supplied, "Maybe we'll find something there, or someone who knows. Quistis, you're with SeeD intelligence; why don't you dig up something on it? We should go now, Rush – you should rest."
"Rest?!" Rush quickly stood up, flexing her arms. "I don't need it, I feel fine… believe me." Selphie pulled her into a tight, squeezing embrace. "I'm so, so sorry I didn't come one time! I'm relieved to hear you sound so… yourself." Rush awkwardly patted her on the back, remembering the training centre, and eaves – dropping. Selphie released her and skipped out the door, dragging Zell with her by a head – lock. Rush laughed as Zell mouthed to her: help; pointing to his throat to indicate that he couldn't breathe. She turned to see Quistis' blue eyes, burn into hers, but not unkindly. "Rush, we meet up at dawn tomorrow. Remember your uniform, I won't excuse you from it this time. It is a proper SeeD exam. The briefing will take place on our way there. Don't be late."
Rush nodded, "I won't be," and Quistis left, disbelieving. Rush sat on the bed for a few minutes, before rushing out the door to her dorm. I'll show them what I've got!
"So… what's our mission objective?"
"We need to make visual confirmation for the Galbadian Government of a new threat, dubbed 'Griever'. They are a very well equipped team, capable of almost anything. This mission has come with a very large payment, personally from the Countess herself, as she feels concerned for her citizens." Xu cleared her throat.
"We have three strike teams, for deployment and bait; and two undercover ones. Each of your teams will be accompanied by trained SeeDs to do the job if you fail. Failure of this mission also means failure to become a SeeD. I will be accompanying strike teams A to C. Instructor Trepe will be overseeing sneak teams A and B."
Zell tugged nervously at his uniform. Quistis gave him a reassuring smile before she continued. "Well, those are your orders. Prepare and wait for the signal."
* * *
"Why aren't we being signalled? There's something fishy going on." Selphie said.
"Yeah… we're already supposed to be at out designated checkpoint." Zell added. Rush quickly shushed them. "Quiet! There's something going on. I think all strike teams are out – you've got new orders."
"What?! From who?" Selphie groaned at the sight of mischief on Rush's face. "From me – squad members follow squad leader, remember? And anyway, this SeeD exam is really boring. We really should go out and get some."
This time is was Zell who shushed her to Rush's surprise. "Listen!" And they all quietened down and listened intently. "I hear it… but it sounds like major combat sounds, wasn't it just supposed to be a small but violent distraction? To let us sneak past? That sounds almost like a war holocaust!"
Sweat beaded on Xu's hairline, this was not going well. Three of her students were down, most probably dead and the enemy were better, much better than any intelligence could have given justice to. "Damn! Where's reinforcements?!" She yelled to no one in particular, between dodging, giving her own and trying her best to protect the SeeD candidates that had fallen, she was hard pressed to keep going. "They knew…"
* * *
"Come back! Or I'll have you in the brig for insubordination!" The elder SeeD called out to Rush who was already running fast towards the action.
"Don't bother! We stay… if orders come, we'll deal with it." The other two SeeDs nodded at the others suggestion. "Let her disobey orders, they are giving up their own SeeD titles."
"We're not going to interfere… just peek," Rush said, her wide grin already revealing what her 'peek' actually meant. She leapt over the wall that had covered them, rushing towards the noises, most of the SeeD exam candidates followed right at her heels, wanting a piece of the action.
Selphie sighed loudly, "She's going to get us all landed in the brig…" She patted Zell's shoulder comfortingly before letting loose a war cry that left the older SeeDs shocked, with their hands over their ears, "BOO – YAKA! All enemies cower in fear!" Zell shook his head, staring in surprise at the slight girl who ran like a shadow in the dark, her grin could be seen for miles, he thought.
Well, Zell thought – what the heck; a SeeD who had been watching him wearily saw the look of wilful anticipation of battle quickly said, "Get back here, cadet! Do not desert post! You'll face severe punishment from the faculty and possible dismissal from Garden itself!"
Zell shook his head in resignation. "Then you'd better draw up papers on me too!" Jumping over and running full speed towards his friends, ignoring their outcries.
* * *
"Xu! Do you copy?! You're to get the sneak team C to back you up, they should be in position and close by." The voice cackled through the radio strapped to her hip. With a smooth motion of her hand she switched her radio on to pant out, "Sneak squad! We need backup, now!"
"Huh?! What do you mean they've deserted post?!" Xu could not believe it. For the first time, a cadet had actually given up SeeD – ship. It had never happened before. She barely deflected a blow as her offenders blade sliced air with a swoosh seconds where her head had been. She did not know a blade from another was held high from behind her, dramatically waiting for her to turn around and receive it's deathly blow. A swift movement, and she turned around too late.
But in time to see the expression of shock and apology imprinted upon a dark clad figure before it toppled to her feet. She looked up to see several cadets lined up in battle position; and the strangest thing to Xu was that they were being commanded by another cadet. Steel glinted at their leaders wrists as she brought up twin daggers in a battle stance and the rest followed suite – a giant nunchaku, deathly spiked gloves among others.
Rush ducked a swung weapon, that, had it hit, would have certainly cleaved her head clean off her shoulders. She kicked a roundhouse catching the figure swiftly on the chin, making him tumble over. She quickly looked around her, Zell and Selphie were there, disposing of the few remaining attackers. "Five! Beat that!" Selphie's voice carried over, Rush let loose a short laugh as she heard Zell say with less enthusiasm, "Two…" She turned and saw Xu, barely dodging a frenzied attack.
"Selphie! There!" Rush motioned with her hand to Xu. There was a swift sound of moving metal and a sharp thump as the nunchaku made contact with skull. Xu stood up, panting. "You will all be given new orders from now, from me. We must hurry – it seems we have a traitor in our midst's. We have to find a place to regroup and organize a new plan, failure is not an option in SeeD – you cadets know that. Follow me."
Rush gasped. A swift movement from behind Xu… and then Selphie and Zell. She turned around daggers up, in battle stance. We're surrounded...
The sound of metal unsheathing came swiftly after. Each found themselves looking down upon a barred blade, feeling it press against their necks. A lone figure strode into the scene. He wore strange attire and with his presence came the feeling of fear amongst the cadets. His cape was long and almost brushed the ground when he moved – and he moved like a stalking predator, stealthily and quickly. Green eyes peered at the group from behind the shrouded veil. He moved from one person to another, scrutinizing them. Rush felt her heart stop beating when he positioned himself in front of her and did not budge. "Well now, Cadet 'Olsen'. I have need to speak with you. Alone."
He glanced at the group around them, and nodded curtly. Sword hilts were drawn and unmercifully bought down upon the heads of the remaining SeeD. "No…" Rush made a small move toward them, then abruptly stopped; feeling the blade press harder, the prick. She could almost taste her blood as it ran down her neck in a slow trickle. "Please stay still." The man said breezily, walking past her and disappearing into the night. Rush then felt a burning, hot pain as her vision swam in pools of black and fell into it. Rough arms grabbed her and she vaguely felt herself hoisted and carried…
* * *
Salty… bitter! What the – ?!
The man stood over, silently observing his trusted right hand man slowly bringing Rush around with salted bread and vinegar. She vaguely stirred. "They must have hit her pretty hard." She said, still dripping small amounts into her mouth.
"She's arousing. That's good. How long before Edea knows?"
"Not long, SeeD are quite competent – I expect they will dispatch another team before they report failure of any sort to Edea." The woman brushed back blond locks that had strayed across her face, her blue eyes steady upon her leaders'. "Seifer, you know something." It wasn't statement and it firmly implanted a question within her tone.
"Yes… I do." Was all he said, his back still turned against her; when Rush suddenly started drowsily awakening, spitting and coughing.
"Quistis, leave us. Nothing good will come if she recognizes you."
She gave him a long glare before complying. When she was out of the room, Seifer bent down towards Rush to help her get up. Rush weakly declined his help before standing up, wavering as she stood. The floor seemed to rise up and hit her head and she quickly sat back down as quickly as she had stood. "Where is my unit?" Rush asked, her voice weak and thin. She sat up straighter, "What have you done with them?" her voice firmer this time. "Seifer?" Rush shook her head, it was too dark to confirm her fear, she hastily quietened down I hope her last question would trail off, unheard.
"I speak with his voice – yes."
It was damp and dark where they had set her, arms and legs tied firmly. She could hardly see the outlines of the room, never mind the face inside the folded fabric of this man's hood. "Who are you?"
"I don't think you're in any position to be asking any questions. Let's just say, I know some things – but I think you know more than you realise. Four years! Four years… I have been tracking a man. A man you cast your spell and cruel fate upon. Yes! Rinoa Caraway… I know you; and your part in his disappearance."
Who the hell is Rinoa Caraway?! Is this guy for real, or is he just a little touched in the head? Wait up – Ellone. She also called me that…
"What are you talking about?" Rush's eyes darted desperately, seeking an escape; she found none.
"Don't act stupid! I've been hunted for a long while for what I know… but I know what I know because of whom I was hunting in the first place. The hunter turned hunted… sad, isn't it?"
"But - " Rush started. Something was terribly wrong here, where was Xu? Dead? Her squad members? And why was this guy speaking in riddles?! "Why are you keeping me here?"
"Time is of the essence, Caraway! Soon Edea's own Galbadian troops will come… You would do well to know what and who you are fighting against." His voice had lowered to a mere whisper. "Squall Leonhart." He glared down at her, reaching out a hand to grab the front of her collar, roughly shaking her to emphasize his menace. "I need to know his whereabouts!"
That name… Squall… it triggers the most unusual feelings and memories, I feel like I have memories when I hear that name… Rush briefly closed her eyes, momentarily sad. "I don't know anything. I don't even know me, what could I possibly tell you?"
The man glared down at her. She could see him now, mad electric green eyes almost bulging out of their sockets. He suddenly growled at the sounds of someone approaching the door. "Quistis! Don't disobey me!"
Rush's head snapped up. Did he just yell 'Quistis'… !? They both turned at the sound of the door creaking open. A tall man strode inside, he was fitted with a long beige trench coat that went almost past his knees. He was chewing on a long piece of grass, "Seifer, something's up. Most of our lads back guarding back pass are missing. I've scouted the area, and it's dead quiet – couldn't find anything amiss… save the body's of Jack and Scout." Seifer gave a loud snarl and hastened to get up.
Irvine looked grim under the scarce lighting. Whoever had dispatched the back pass watch had chosen poor targets. Jack and Scout were both still dubbed 'rookies' in Seifer's pack. Seifer personally trained them, as they were promising students; enthusiastic and loyal to Seifer's cause. Irvine inwardly chuckled, whatever Seifer's cause is… But they were good lads, easily excited with their first official duty as a proper member, trainee no longer – able to use the swords and guns to kill besides train. And now they were dead. Irvine had known them well during his few weeks stay with the group and felt something missing inside him, where their laughter should have rang, their gruesome talk of women and their jokes. They were good boys, that would have been good men. He held out his hand to momentarily stop Seifer who was proceeding outside in hasty strides.
"Boss, it looks professional. Be careful." Seifer barely nodded. He slammed the door hard behind him, the sound of his Hyperion unsheathing echoed through the small room.
Rush stared warily at this new captor. His eyes did not seem dangerous, certainly not as mad as Seifer's. He did not seem so interested in her as he did his current surroundings, taking in every detail of the room form top to bottom. He walked to a dark corner of the room, he ducked his head, tipping the hat over his eyes as he proceeded to unzipping his trousers. Rush averted her eyes, disgusted. However, he surprised her by speaking.
"Our conversation is being monitored. Listen carefully."
