Saving The Princess


Seifer brushed away a strand of his blonde hair as the wind started picking up around him. He could see Nida standing in front of him piloting the Garden so it hovered over Timber. It was his very first command and he must admit that he felt very smug about it. He could get use to giving out orders while people obeyed them.

So are you enjoying your new position as the Commander?

He turned around and saw Zell leaning against the railings of the bridge with his arms folded and a scowl on his face.

Why hello there Chickenwuss. Came to congratulate me on my new position? he smirked.

Zell kicked up from his leaning position and yelled, Hell no you bastard! And don't you dare call this YOUR position. We all know you stole it from Squall. Like hell that little story of you playing hero was true.

Hey believe what you want but I'm going to enjoy my new job while it lasts. He turned back around to Nida. Nida, are we there yet?

Yes, we're here... he mumbled.

"What's with you? You're usually more...enthusiastic to obeying Squall's orders. How about addressing me as

Shut up Seifer! He doesn't have to address you as anything and lets just say we're not big fans of you, Zell replied angrily.

"I'm hurt, Seifer answered sarcastically. Look, what are you doing here? Shouldn't you be in the Infirmary with the others looking after your precious Squall?

I was but I just don't trust YOU alone.

He rolled his eyes at his remarks and walked passed him to the lift. Do whatever you want but I've wasted enough time talking to you. There are more important issues I have to take care of right now.

Like what!?

Like finding Rinoa. He pressed a button and descended down before Zell got a chance to reply.

Rinoa where could you be? I swear I'll find you and now since I'm the Commander, I'll use all my power to look for you...

On his way to the cafeteria, he kept on thinking where she could be. If you weren't at the flower fields...then where CAN you be?

Knowing the kind of person she was, it was definitely going to be difficult to track her down. He knew how easily she could get in trouble and with that in mind, he became even more worried. He forbid Nida to maneuver the Garden elsewhere besides Timber so if Rinoa came back, the Garden would be there to welcome her but he knew he could have the Garden stationed there forever. There was still a chance that she would not be coming back. His worst fear was that the Galbadians caught her.

It had already been nearly three days since she disappeared and they have received no news or any clues to where she might be. What was going on?

Ordering a can of beer, he took a seat at a circular table and drank the liquid hoping it would soothe his troubled mind. He gazed up at the television perched against the corner of the walls. It was some boring drama series. He took another sip when the show was suddenly interrupted by Breaking News' in large bold letters. He stood up curiously and edged closer to the television. A news reporter appeared in front of the Deling City Mansion.

Rinoa's mansion.

We interrupt the regular program with this breaking news. Last night, an assault was carried out at the Deling Mansion. President Caraway was injured severely due to the assault and was rushed away immediately to medical care. From my sources, the attacker was the President's own daughter, Rinoa Heartilly.

Seifer dropped his can. He signaled the cafeteria ladies to turn the volume up. The whole cafeteria was quiet, listening to the news.

The reporter quickly resumed. We found a weapon of what seems to be some sort of a...uh...a pinwheel.

Hyne no...it cant be...

Miss. Heartilly was arrested last night for the assassination of the President. Here's Chris, Mr. Caraway's highest ranking General with more details. He passed the microphone to a middle aged man dressed in the standard blue Galbadian uniform.

As soon as I heard a scream coming from the President's office, I immediately grouped a few soldiers and when we barged into his room, we found the President injured badly and the only one who was in the room was his daughter so without a doubt, it was Miss. Heartilly who tried to carry out the assassination. Her motives are still unknown but we will be questioning her shortly at the District Prison where she is being held ever since last night.

interrupted the news reporter. Do you have any idea what Miss. Heartilly's punishment is going to be?

Seifer held his breath. They better not...-

It is most definite going to be execution.

Execution? Over my dead body... Seifer growled. He fixed his raging eyes at the screen while contacting Nida through his radio. Nida! Get the Garden out of here and send a straight course to the District Prison! Try to get there as fast as possible!! Got it!? He stuffed the device roughly back into his pockets and focused his attention back to Chris.

Even if we question her motives, she will still be executed but of course we have to know her reasons for trying to attack the President so we can prevent something like this in the future. If she refuses to talk, I'm afraid we'll have no choice but to resort to torture. Whatever happens, her motives WILL be revealed. We have to know who she's working for if there is anyone who she is working for. For all we know, there could be more terrorists out there trying to harm Mr. Caraway.

Chris, we have evidence here that Rinoa is involved with SeeD's, special trained forces, said the reporter.

SeeDs huh? Well SeeDs...if you're watching this, you better hold back your forces. If I were you, I wouldn't get involved in this affair anymore if you know what's best and don't even think about coming to Miss. Heartilly's aid. Take this as a warning. We'll be back later with more updates so stay tuned to this special report.

Every word from Chris caused Seifer's muscles to tense beneath his trench coat. He gritted his teeth. If he ever got his hands on this Chris', he would have him obliterated the minute he saw him.

How could I have been so blind? Why didn't I...or any of us think that she could have went back to Deling....damnit! I know her motives and if she doesn't have to reveal a thing to those idiots and tabloids.

Just as he exits the cafeteria, the other SeeDs rushed out of the Infirmary.

Did you hear? Selphie cried breathless.

Yeah, I heard them perfectly fine!

Zell punched his fist against the marble floor. Damn those Galbadians! I said we go straight in and rile things up!

Are you insane!? Did you not hear what they said about having the place heavily guarded!? They know Rinoa is with us and that we're gonna come for her.

So what do you suggest Commander!? That we sit and wait? Zell retorted back.

No, we'll need to come up with a plan.

We don't have the time! We should be arriving shortly and you want to think!? We're SeeDs for Hyne's sake! We can take those soldiers on with our formidable skills!

Chickenwuss, are you forgetting we have bystanders in Garden here!? If they should take them as hostage, it will be all our fault. I made a promise to free Timber and I'm not going to start by letting ANY of the residents get involve in this.

Irvine pulled Zell back. Hey, he's right. We can't just go barging in.

The martial artist pulled himself from Irvine's grip. Tsk. Fine! So we just sit here and go over the layout of the prison? Is that what you want to do?

Seifer pressed the up' button and waited for the elevator to come. Did you forget that we already KNOW that layout of the prison? We've all been in there before!! You know sometimes I really wondered how YOU became a SeeD.

Yeah and that's where you try to-

Zell stop it! Selphie yelled. Right now we have to focus on saving Rinoa.

Why am I not surprised...rescuing Rinoa seems to be half of our missions...Quistis thought. She couldn't believe that she was thinking what a troublemaker Rinoa was when she was at this time but she couldn't help it.

They all knew her motives. It was to stop her father by herself. So why didn't she bother telling somebody to go with her?

She could have brought one of us with her...but instead she never informed any of us and sent Squall on a frenzy chase after and now he comes back in critical condition. What's worst is that Seifer is now the commander. Rinoa...how could you? How could you do this to someone you claim to love?

Shaking her head, she walked into the elevator and crossed her arms against her chest.

What's the matter Instructor? You would rather be in the Infirmary with lover boy right?

Quistis said nothing but Zell immediately spoke up again. You know you're really-

Selphie groaned. Guys stop arguing! We don't even have a plan yet and we should be arriving shortly!

The elevator stopped at Cid's office and everyone got off. Cid and Matron were standing in the corner and stopped talking when they saw their visitors. Cid cleared his throat and said, I'm sure you all heard about Rinoa...

Of course, replied Irvine. We're going to come up with a plan to save her.

Matron's face turned pale and she lowered her head. They just made another update. They said Rinoa refuses to talk and they're going to carry out the execution at midnight. They said they have to get rid of her as soon as possible before she causes any more threat.

Oh Hyne... whispered Selphie. Her eyes were burning with tears. But...it can't be...

Matron continued. They also said that they were not giving permission for anyone to say farewell to her. Instead, they increased the guards on watch.

Seifer, you don't seem worried at all, commented the Headmaster.

That's because she won't be executed, he stated simply.

I just hope you'll make the correct decisions as the Commander for your team. You know Squall never made a single mistake.

Well Squall isn't here now is he, he snapped back angrily. Look, don't worry. I already came up with a plan on how to get Rinoa out.

Well I'm hoping it won't fail because we only have ONE chance, Irvine pointed out.

Zell just glared at his Commander'. Why should we listen to what HE has to say?

Unless you have an idea Zell? Quistis asked hopefully. She wasn't exactly thrilled to go along with Seifer's plan either. Given his past, he wasn't the most reliable person. If only Squall was here now...everything is guaranteed to go smoothly but thanks to you Rinoa...

Cid sighed. OK Seifer. Let's hear what you have in mind.





Author's Notes: I'm going to make the next update very soon because I want to get more chapters out before school starts! Expect another update on 9/3! Thank you for reading again!