The Arrival of Omega Weapon

Chapter 3

Chapter 3

Zell was in the hanger going through his practice exercises as the Ragnorok and Dragon Returned. He smiled and stopped.
He then went over to welcome the returning students.
As soon as he was within a dozen metres of the ships, the doors opened and the students came out.
It only took him a few moments to figure out something was wrong, only nine of the twelve candidates came out and three of them were on stretchers, he quickly checked and saw Seifer, Rinoa and his girlfriend Fiona were safe and unharmed.
He looked up and saw Selphie and Irvine coming out of the ships but they were the last. He quickly ran up to the two commanders.

"What happened?" He shouted over the racket of doctors.
"We were ambushed!" Selphie replied with clenched teeth "Get the story from Irvine, I've got to report this to Squall quickly." "Understood." Zell said quickly doing the SeeD salute. As Selphie ran off, he turned to Irvine "Okay then, what happened?"

………

Squall was shocked as Selphie burst into the control room.
"Sorry, Sir" Selphie quickly apologised "I'm here to give you my report." "But I thought you would be coming later today." "Sorry again, Squall, but it just can't wait." Squall then looked carefully at Selphie and he could tell something was wrong "What happened?" He asked "After we landed near Galbadia to offload our forces, we were ambushed by Timber and Dollet troops. With the element of surprise on their side, they killed three of the SeeD instructors and injured the other…" Squall's face darkened "Xu?" Was all he could say "She was the injured one" Selphie reported "Go on." "They also killed three of the Squad leaders. They knew exactly what they were doing and it showed. The only squad leader left was Seifer, and that was only because he was quick off the mark to defend himself." "How quick?" Squall asked suspiciously Selphie picked up on that and quickly defended Seifer "No, No, No, he didn't betray us again. They just intercepted the transmission from Galbadia to Garden and were ready for us when we arrived." "How do you know that?" "We, ah, interrogated one of the survivors of the battle." "Okay then, continue." "The candidates that were left counter-attacked and they soon routed the enemy. Because their friends and instructors were killed, I guess, that had a bit of extra incentive." She paused quickly "After the quick interrogation that I just mentioned, we decided to rest quickly to sort out what we were going to do.
"As I was the only healthy SeeD there, I was going to order a complete withdrawal. While I was going up to the candidates to tell them, I saw Seifer and Rinoa talking to everyone, so I decided to listen in instead.
"Seifer was explaining that the mission must be completed, that they had done to much and worked to hard to go back empty handed now and that he personally did not want to wait another year for their opportunity to come again.
"I thought he was only wanting revenge but then Rinoa spoke up and said that they could still finish the mission and that they had come up with a plan to do just that." "A plan?" Squall gasped "The two of them came up with it together." "Too right, amazing isn't it?" Squall nodded "What was this plan?" This report had suddenly got very interesting.
"Well, they first came to me to ask if they could rearrange the squads. I didn't see any problems with it so I gave them my permission. Beyond that, though, I also gave them complete control of the mission." "You did what!" "Hey, I didn't see any problem with it, and without anybody to come up with a better plan, those two were the only ones that could save the mission." "Umm, I see your point." "I supervised the rearrangement, so as to give it an air of authority, but it was essentially their show. They split the candidates into 3 new groups. Seifer commanded the first, he chose the two best attackers as his squad members; Rinoa commanded the second, she had the two best defenders and they placed Fiona in charge of the third, her unit comprised of the last two.
"Everyone then loaded the dead onto the Dragon, with Seifer and Rinoa then ordering Irvine to retreat to a safe distance so that the enemy did not capture the ship. As the Dragon left they turned to me and asked if I could land the Ragnorok inside the palace grounds. I thought about it for a moment and said yes, it was possible." "I see the plan now." Squall said listening carefully "You land in the grounds to cut out the time fighting your way to the palace, because as they knew you were there anyway, there would be more ambushes waiting in the city itself." "Exactly, that's what I came up with as the reason as well." "But why the Ragnorok instead of the Dragon?" "Easy," Selphie explained "The Dragon is too big to fit in the palace grounds." "Huh, but I thought…" "No, they are not the same size, the Dragon is roughly 10 larger than the Ragnorok." "Funny, I've never noticed that before." Squall laughed "I guess I should pay more attention to the schematics. Okay, then, continue with your story." "Story?" "Yeah, it's the best true story, I've heard in quite a while!" "You've changed, Squall, you know that?" "Yeah," Squall said bitterly "I know, blame the wife." "Okay, I'll thank her later" Selphie smiled "You're a little better this way." "Whatever." Selphie started laughing.
"What?" "That's the old Squall! Never mind," She smiled "I had better continue." "Proceed, then" "We landed in the palace grounds and immediately despatched the candidates, they all headed to the front gate which was under attack. The candidates went and helped the Galbadian military push back the attackers.
"After that, they fortified the palace, with Seifer and his squad then going out and countered the enemy." "So that's why he took the best attackers, his part of the plan was to take the battle to the enemy as soon as the palace was secure." "Exactly, with the Galbadian military, Rinoa and her defence squad in the palace grounds; and Seifer outside, the combined forces didn't stand a chance of winning a battle, let alone the war.
"Within a half hour, the Timber and Dollet forces were on the back foot and that was the point in which Rinoa and her squad was waiting for, leaving the Galbadian military to defend the palace, she and Seifer scoured the town for enemy and drove them from Deling City. Overall, it was a very smooth operation." "Brilliant…, wait, what about Fiona and her squad?" "Their job was essentially messengers, because of the all round nature of the squad they were able to get messages to the other squads and could look out for enemy attacks along the way. It was a very dangerous job and they were ambushed quite often, but they were easily able to either evade or fight their way through." Selphie stopped and took a long breather.

There was no other words said so Squall acted like the report was over "So, essentially, the mission was completed?" He prompted "yes, it had, but in addition, after the initial ambush, not one of the candidates was killed, we did have a few injuries but none are serious and they are expected to recover quickly." "Good, thank you for your report. Did Xu return with you?" "No, her injuries were too severe, she is being treated in Deling City. She did, though, give me a message for you, it was for you not to worry and she will be back as soon as possible." "Fair enough," Squall thought and then said to Selphie "looks like I'll have to ask you then. Who are the prime nominations for SeeD membership?" Selphie smiled "honestly, every one of them." Squall looked at her "What I mean is who achieved the passing grade." "Oh, so you want them stats." She thought for a few moments "They would have to be" She paused again, probably more for dramatic purposes than anything else "Seifer and Rinoa, their leadership and strategic planning were marvellous. Also, Fiona, it was her intelligence and awareness that got her though this exam. Finally, Wallace, his battle skills were amazing and even Seifer was impressed by him." "Seifer was impressed, that's a first. Thank you, when Irvine and Cid get here we'll announce the winners." Squall then looked straight at Selphie "While we wait though, how's Trabia Garden doing?" Selphie grinned "You had to ask, didn't you." "Yes, did you find the control console?" "Yup, right where it was supposed to be. It was so deep, it was virtually undamaged, we activated it and the Garden transformed, but because the surface damage was so great, the Garden wouldn't move." Squall could hear the sadness in her voice.
"We were able to get a call out to Galbadia Garden and they gave us a tow to FH. It took a while but as soon as we were there, the technicians started work." "Any ideas when it will be finished?" "No, it's estimated to be about another year before its done." Selphie sighed "Don't worry about it, Selphie. FH has the best technicians in the world, if anyone can do it in half the time, its them!"

At that moment, Cid and Irvine came in and the ceremony was about to begin.

………

Seifer was standing in the corridor outside the classroom. For the first time in his life he was nervous, despite all he has gone through, all the pain, all the suffering and all the disappointments he has never been less than totally sure of his path. It was a new experience and he didn't like it. Usually he would have Raijin and Fujin with him during the waiting period, but today he had deliberately told them to stay away, they were waiting in the classroom for the news, be it good, or bad.

………

Rinoa was sitting on the floor looking down the corridor to the elevator, she was prepared for the worst, it had only been a little while since she had become a student and even though she was experienced in fighting because of her time with Squall and her friends, there was a doubt in her, that she had not done enough to make it. To try to silence that doubt, she reflected on what had happened earlier, when Seifer was standing over the last of the ambushers, he had been shaking, he was poised to strike but was not sure if he should or not. Rinoa had called out to him and as if that had been the sign he was waiting for, he threw his gunblade to the ground and struck the helpless person with his fist. They had then gotten together to rally the candidates and complete the mission. Rinoa wondered what would have happened if Seifer had struck with his gunblade instead of his fist. But decided it was not important now.

Fiona was sitting next to Rinoa in the corridor and with a nudge of her elbow woke her from that daydream. Irvine was walking down from the elevator. They both got up and waited for the announcement.

………

Seifer saw Rinoa and Fiona get up and knew that the candidates who had won membership were about to be named. He steadied himself and his nerves and waited.

Irvine appeared at the intersection, Seifer studied him as he waited, Irvine was once a sharpshooter from Galbadia Garden, from what he had heard, and despite his obvious character defects, was also impossible to be disliked; of course, Seifer would never admit it, but he liked this gunslinger.

Seifer quickly looked around and saw almost the same expression on everyone's face, helplessness, knowing it was someone else's decision, that they could do nothing to influence the decision. As Irvine started, Seifer looked straight at him.

The candidates who I name now are to proceed immediately to the bridge of the Garden, all others are to return to the classroom. First, Wallace,"

Seifer looked at Wallace, he had been a member of his revised squad and had impressed Seifer with his skills with the twin firearms he used, he called them pistols. He had laid down covering fire while Seifer and Bino got into close range combat with their weapons.

"Fiona,"

That surprised Seifer, and with one glance at her, knew that it had surprised her as well. To be honest, she had done well, doing her duty, leading her own squad and completing her assignments. They were probably what had helped her get the required points.

"Rinoa"

If Fiona shocked Seifer, Rinoa did almost the opposite, because if she had made it, then…

"and, finally, Seifer!"

Seifer smiled, what he really wanted, was to jump up, shout out and maybe dance a little. But he did have a reputation to keep, so he had a quick look round and headed toward the other candidates and the elevator. He couldn't help but see the disappointment on the faces of the other candidates and he had to admit that if there were any people he wanted to watch his back in battle apart from Raijin and Fujin, it would be the people who had taken part in today's exam.

………

Irvine looked down to the elevator as Seifer entered, the doors closed and it went up. He then turned and walked to the classroom. As he entered he saw that the candidates were sitting in their seats. Many with their heads in their hands.

He went to the teaching position and shouted "Right, all people who didn't take today's exam are to report to classroom 6Alpha." Seeing Raijin and Fujin were also in the classroom. "Raijin and Fujin could you come to the front please. This concerns you two as well."

As the excess students filed out, Irvine heard someone who remained seated say "Great, we get special treatment 'cause we failed." "Stop that, Chelle." Irvine said angrily.
"Its true, isn't it! Chelle retorted "Just because you didn't make the A-list." He said, a bit shocked at how much venom he put in that comment "In fact, you all passed" That announcement raised heads.
"But…, But…, we weren't called out" another person said.
"I know, Bino." Irvine smiled "They were the ones to become field commanders, you see. We came up with this while you were waiting. The ones who were called out are the ones that proved that they could command and assess situations. You people are fighters, defenders, intelligence officers and the general workhorses of Garden.
"You have a choice, you can either be trained by myself and Selphie to become members of the SeeD Air force or be trained by Raijin and Fujin here to become members of the SeeD Ground Forces. You are to return to your dorms for the rest of the day to contemplate your choice, you will be required to answer at 0900 hours tomorrow. For your benefit we have placed a computer system in your rooms to read up on both divisions. I will see you tomorrow. Dismissed.

As the new SeeD members left with broad grins on their faces, Irvine turned to Raijin and Fujin and saw a strange expression on both their faces.

"EXPLAIN" Fujin said in her mechanical voice.
"Yeah, man, what's happening, ya know?" Raijin translated Irvine smiled at them "You've been promoted, we all know you've been a bit bored sitting around, so you are now the official trainers of the SeeD Ground forces. You will be getting your official orders later today from Cid and Edea, but as you were here, I thought I might as well tell you now." "OFFICIAL" "Ya mean, the order came from Cid? Ya know." "Yeah, it came from Cid, any objections should go to him after you receive the orders." "NONE" "Yeah, ya know. No objections, ya know. Be pleased to do it, ya know."

As they left the classroom, Irvine took off his hat to adjust it, "Went better than I thought" he said to himself. Suddenly Irvine couldn't help but get the feeling he was being watched, the looked around and saw a strange light. As it engulfed the entire room he could only stare and wonder. As well as replace his hat.

………

Squall was standing to the side of the bridge as Cid was addressing the new SeeD.
After Cid had heard the report of the exam from Selphie, he had come up with the idea of passing all of the candidates, with the four in front of him at that moment being chosen for special training, to become commanders while the rest had the choice of joining either the Air force or the Ground forces. After they had made their choices tomorrow, they were going to be brought up in the two groups and initiated before their specialist training would begin.
Squall had again been surprised by Cid's intelligence, who, while he lacked strength, could match wits with any person in the world; past, present or future.
"Furthermore," Cid continued as Squall started to listen "your duties to garden and its students cannot be ignored, you must still abide by its rules and you are to help the students in what they are to do. Teach them, train them and help them, but never do what they need to do yourselves, they are here to learn, just as much as you are. I will be seeing you again so be good and trust in your abilities."

As Cid left the room for another appointment, Squall came forward "Here are your SeeD test reports." He gave each person a booklet which contained their report, their identification and a quick guide on how to increase their ranks.

After returning, he turned to face the four "I have great ex…"

………

Rinoa was looking directly at Squall when he stopped unexpectedly. Of all the expressions she had seen on his face, he wore a new one now. Fear, no, fear and horror combined.
Then she saw, Squall wasn't looking at any of the four of them, he was looking behind them. She turned to see what he was looking at and froze, in front of her was a light, a pure light.

As she watched, it began to grow, brighter and brighter. To her side, she heard a shout and saw Wallace run from the room. She wanted to follow but found that she couldn't move. As the light quickly engulfed her and the rest of the SeeD's, she could only think of one thing and she found a voice to shout it "SQUALL!"