"Great view... unfortunately, the company's not as good."
Squall wondered if Seifer tried to pick a fight. "Whatever..."
"Haha, I'm having a great time as a SeeD member. You guys have great privileges!"
"Whatever..."
"Is that the only thing you can say?"
"sigh No. I'm just not interested in fighting with you."
"I see. Well, you're a wise guy. You'd lose, anyway."
"Just shut up, Seifer. We're almost in Dollet."
They heard an announcement from Cid: "Squall, please come meet me in my office."
"Go on, obey your master."
Squall ignored Seifer, who grinned annoyingly. He left and took the elevator to the third floor.
"What is it, sir?" he asked from Cid, who looked serious.
"As you know, we have to prepare for hostilities from Galbadia. They may attack Dollet... they may attack even this Garden. That's why we need someone to take care of this place."
"And that someone will be...?"
"That will be me. I have other plans for you. You shall take the leadership of all our military forces in Dollet."
That was something that Squall had expected. However, he wasn't very pleased. He would have to take a great responsibility and bare all the consequences of his actions by himself. That was something he wasn't prepared to do.
"Sir, I ask you to give that position to someone else."
"Nonsense. I believe in you. Don't let me down."
Caraway's train arrived in Dollet. During the trip, the former general had had time to figure out what to do next. When he exited the railway station, he was really surprised to see that his destination, the B-Garden, had landed on the Lapin Beach. However, it was quite safe to assume that they were there to support Dollet.
He was happy to see Squall amongst the people swarming on the beach as he arrived there.
Squall didn't believe his eyes. "General Caraway!"
"A former general. I'd better explain..."
After Squall had heard about yesterday's happenings, he asked:
"Why did you come here, then?"
"I have some pride, you know. I won't let them treat me like a dog, after everything that I've done for them!" Caraway sounded like he was holding a speech. "I realized that I have been a fool, working for them. I'm here to correct the mistakes I've made. In fact, I came here to meet Rinoa..."
"You're late. She went back to Timber..."
"Oh. Damn. I guess that I'll have to follow her, but first I wanna meet Headmaster Cid."
Headmaster Cid, Vincent Gunzler, Caraway and Squall gathered at the B-Garden. Caraway told them everything that might help them against Galbadia: their military capasity, weaponry, strategies...
"I have a question," Gunzler said after Caraway had finished. "I understand that you are insulted, but it is a treason to hand over that kind of secret information to the enemy. You are actually ready to betray your own country?"
"Betray? I love my homeland, but I'm not blind. I will do everything I can to prevent other, innocent nations to be taken over by our dictator, who only harms Galbadia. I'm betraying my country only to save it from President Deling."
"I believe in you," Headmaster Cid said. "The information you provided us with might become useful if we have to fight them. But why are you going to go to Timber?"
"Isn't that obvious? I'm going there to help my daughter in her fight for Timber's freedom. I never believed that I would do something like that..."
"In my opinion, the Garden should finally start supporting Forest Owls," Squall said. "If a war between Dollet and Galbadia started, any kind of fighting in Timber would be more than welcome for us."
"What are you suggesting?" Cid asked.
"Well, I think that I'll send someone to escort Mr. Caraway to Timber. That person can ask about their plans and what kind of support they will need..."
Author's note: There's been a lot of talk but no action yet. I hope you aren't getting bored...
