Zell was driving towards Timber in a rental car with Caraway. Dollet's preparations of war could be seen everywhere; there were soldiers, army vehicles and army camps everywhere. They had to stop at a checkpoint in a pass near the Galbadian border.

"Good afternoon," a soldier said as he looked inside from the side window.

"Good afternoon," Zell responded.

"It is rather unusual to see civilians here these days. Why are you going to Galbadia?"

"It is an order from Balamb Garden and the government of Dollet. Take a look." Zell handed over a paper. The soldier took a quick look at it and gave it back.

"I see, sir. You're free to go. There shouldn't be any Galbadian checkpoints or anything yet, so you can drive in peace."

"Great. Thank you."

A little later, Caraway asked: "You know, if a war brokes out, they'll probably seal that pass. If that happens, how are we gonna get back?"

"I don't know. We'll just have to hope that nothing happens..."

It took a few hours to get to Timber. After they had parked the car, it was time to go look for the Forest Owls. They had luck: the chief of Forest Fox, the same woman who had helped them in the past, knew where they were. With her help they found the Lion's Nest quite easily.

"Who is it!" Rinoa startled when they opened the door. "Zell? F-father...?"

"Hello, Rinoa," her father said calmly.

"Man... what are you guys doing here?"

Zone and Watts came to see what was going on. Caraway suggested that they'd all sit down.

"B-Garden finally agreed to help you guys," Zell told and explained the situation between Galbadia and Dollet briefly.

"I see," Rinoa said and asked: "But what are you, dad, doing here?"

"Well, they fired me, which is quite logical, I guess. As you know, I have always done my best to prevent Galbadia from attacking anywhere, but that hasn't always been enough. Now I'm free to join the Forest Owls!"

"What!" Rinoa couldn't believe what she heard.

"I understand your reaction."

"Damn! While we have been working hard to help Timber regain independence, all you have done is sitting in your fancy mansion in that stupid uniform. And now you want to join us!"

Watts, who was looking out from the window, interrupted them: "Guys... it's hard to see it from here, but it seems like that huge TV is on..."

The last time, when the giant screen of the TV station was turned on, had been when Quistis and Seifer had been there... yes, everyone remembered that too well. They all ran to see what was going on. There were a lot of people and soldiers around, and some old man seemed to be behind the screen.

"People of Timber... can you hear me?" he started. "I'm the representative of the Galbadian government and I have an important announcement to make. I have just received the information that our forces have attacked Dollet a few minutes ago..."

"This fast!" Zell was outraged.

"Shhh..."

The representative continued: "We except fierce resistance, but our military capasity is far greater than theirs. The war will probably last only for a few weeks..."

"Hmph. At least that is true," Caraway said. The crowds became restless, without knowing how to react.

It wasn't hard to guess what it was like in Cid's office.


"This was totally unexpected!" Gunzler said, reading the declaration of war. He had received it a while ago, almost at the same when the Galbadians had attacked. "How can they possibly attack so fast!"

"Calm down," Cid commanded. "Squall, what is your opinion?"

"Well... it was a complete surprise attack. According to information that I received from the battlefield a while ago, it seems like our troops have already suffered some losses. I'm sure that we will be able to stop them, but we can't hold them back for long."

"Is there anything we can do?"

"No. Unless... there may still be an option. It is not my job to suggest anything like this, but has anyone thought that we could contact Esthar and ask them to help us out?"

"Yes, we have thought about that option," Gunzler said. "It's just that we can't contact them! I mean, they're so isolated that we haven't been able to send anyone there..."

"I've been there before," Squall said. "I can give directions how to get there. We just need someone to go."

Gunzler thought about it for a while.

"I'll go," he finally decided. "Can you send someone to escort me?"

"Phew... I must think... hmm... I don't think you should go at all, Mr. Gunzler, but I can see that you have made your decision. Seifer, Raijin and Fujin can come with you."