Ooh! Lookie! Chapter Eighteen! Whoo-hoo!
Disclaimer: You guys wanna know something cool? I still don't own anything that is associated with Final Fantasy or Square! Isn't that cool?
Chapter Eighteen
Squall made his way towards the Presidential Palace that lay ahead. His steel blue eyes pierced through those he passed, causing them to cringe. His strides were long and his body remained tense as he continued closer and closer to the gigantic building. He dreaded that place. He hated how everything was so disorganized. People ran amuck from one job to another. He hated it. Laguna was too much of a ninny to be President. In his opinion, that is. Laguna lacked order and a serious disposition. And yet, these people liked him. It drove him mad.
Squall stepped into the building. He sighed in aggravation as he realized he had to take the lift if he wished to go any farther. Another thing about this place that he despised. Yes, he admired Esthar's technology but he figured that they could have used it for things other than high speeding lifts all over the place that went haywire every time something interfered with the energy flows.
The young Commander was surprised to see Laguna waiting at the lift's stop. He looked even more surprised to see Squall. He must have been expecting Quistis or Selphie or someone other than him.
"Hello, sir," Squall said respectfully. Laguna nodded. Squall noticed that the President wore a different expression than his usual one. There was a look of sadness and worry that crowded around him.
"I radioed the Ragnarok, but no one answered. A few minutes ago, I was informed that you all had landed at the Airstation and someone was on their way here." He looked away briefly before locking eyes with the young man once again. "I am glad that you have decided to return to the party. I was worried."
Squall suddenly felt very uncomfortable. "Yes. I don't think we had much choice in the matter. The others wouldn't have left without us."
"That's good. But I am afraid I have some bad news, and it would be better if we went to my private quarters. Kiros and Ward are waiting there." Laguna motioned for Squall to follow him, and they made their way farther into the palace.
Once inside Laguna sat behind his desk. Kiros and Ward stood at his side. They nodded at the young man who had taken a seat in front of the President.
"What's the bad news?" Squall leaned forward, resting his arms on his knees. He got right to the point, as always.
Laguna sighed and ruffled his black hair with his hand. "I recieved a call from Balamb several hours ago. This morning to be exact." He stopped.
"A call from Balamb? About what? Is the Garden safe?" Squall asked, slight worry surfaced in his tone.
"Well, it was Xu who called. She was looking for you but, of course, you weren't here. None of you all were here. She asked me to contact you as soon as possible. I radioed the Ragnarok, but no one answered." He looked up at Kiros for help.
The mysterious man took over for Laguna, stepping forward."The Garden is safe but a little shaken up. Early this morning, your headmaster was out of character." The look on Squall's face told the three men that Squall didn't quite understand. So Kiros continued, "Mr. Kramer left Balamb injuring two Garden employees. Those who witnessed it were convinced that the Headmaster was not himself. We have reason to believe that Ultimecia may have possessed him." He stepped back.
Squall stared at the floor, thinking. He was silent for some time before lifting his head. "Do you have any idea where he might have gone? Where he's at now?" the Commander questioned.
"No, we have no idea. Ultimecia could have led him anywhere," Laguna answered. A frown remained on his usually happy face. For once, he was pretty serious.
"What should we do?" Squall shook his head, partly in disbelief and partly in confusion.
"Well," Laguna stood. Squall followed. "I asked Xu the same question. She said that she would do what she could to keep everything in order at Garden. She wants you all to concentrate on Ultimecia. You might have to split into groups again to find the witch and Cid."
Squall let out a low growl in frustration. Ultimecia was not making this easy. "So we're going to try to find Cid? Lovely, just lovely," he spat bitterly.
"There's one more thing as well. I know you don't want to hear this." The President mimicked Squall's previous action with a sigh.
"More bad news, I take it?"
"Yes, I'm sorry." Laguna shook his head, upset.
Squall waved away his apology and urged him to continue.
"Dr. Odine came to me not long ago. He said that he has found another important discovery. He says that energy crystals are useless. Ultimecia has some sort of immunity against their powers. We need a new alternative."
Squall turned away as this words sank in. He reflected back on Rinoa's arguments against Odine's claims back in Winhill. She was right. This did seem fishy. The doctor kept making these new "discoveries." Was he really making discoveries or was he into something deeper than that? Squall hoped that the others were able to get some answers out of the little man.
"What is it?" Laguna stepped beside him. He showed concern. Kiros and Ward remained at their spots by the desk in their horrible Estharian outfits.
"Does this seem just a bit fishy to you? Dr. Odine is switching his claims. Does that strike you as odd in any way?" Squall asked him. What Rinoa had said still rang in his mind.
"Yes. To tell the truth, I do not believe what Odine had been telling us about Ultimecia. I believe that there is something else there. Something that the doctor is not willing to share. If it hadn't been for the fact that you all witnessed Ultimecia's exit from Rinoa, I would have been thinking that the doctor was feeding us a bunch of bull," Laguna answered. He began to lead Squall out of the room. It was apparent that they were going somewhere.
"That's what the others think, as well. They are headed to find Odine now. They want to ask him some questions. They think that he may be too scared to tell you if something else is going on," Squall shrugged.
"Why? That doesn't make much sense." Laguna scratched at the back of his neck. "I doubt if they will get anything out of him. He's not one to share his top-secret info. To really get stuff out of him, we might have station someone to monitor him from time to time."
Squall stopped. An idea struck him. "Sir, what did Odine say before he left earlier after giving you the news? Did he say anything about looking for a new alternative?"
"Yes, he did. Why?" Laguna was confused.
"Sir, this mission is in the hands of SeeD, correct?" A nod from Laguna and he continued. "What if that group stationed to watch the doctor was three of our party members? SeeD members?"
"Oh! You mean, that way you all will be the first to receive any information that may prove to be benifical to you!" Laguna exclaimed, sporting the first smile Squall had seen him give thus far.
"Exactly."
"Well, what if we pulled the blade out a little farther?" Laguna asked. The two men still stood right outside the President's Quarters.
"How so?"
"Have a group stay and aid the doctor in his experiments. If he'll allow it, that is. That way, you'd be killing two birds with one stone. You could watch the doctor and receive information from him, and maybe even gain a little top-secret stuff too if you're sneaky enough." Laguna was all excited now.
Squall didn't have to think about that. The idea was perfect. Absolutely perfect. Laguna could be a complete idiot sometimes, but then again, he had his moments.
He looked his father in the eyes. "That is an excellent idea," the older man beamed. "But who would it be? Which three individuals are going to monitor the doctor?"
Laguna thought for a moment. His nose twitched slightly as he contemplated. "Well, you are the leader of this operation and should be out searching for Ultimecia and Cid, even if you can't do anything to help him just yet. Maybe just watching her for awhile will provide us with some answers. And of course, I know that you probably want Rinoa to accompany you. Keep her close. That leaves a spot open for one last person."
"Who?"
"Well, who do you think would be best to partake in tracking people down?" Laguna thought out loud. "Better yet, let's use process of elimination with the doctor's group first. Who would be best to assist Odine? We don't want anyone who would push the doctor. Someone who would give him his space but slowly go in for the kill. It would also be best to have someone else who wouldn't like to be around the doctor. Someone who hates the man so much, they would keep their distance." Laguna hoped that Squall got the hint.
"Zell," Squall stated firmly. That was almost too easy. "Zell hates him. He would be perfect. And someone who wouldn't push the doctor? Someone patient? That would have to be Selphie, even though she isn't the most patient person in the world. To most degrees, she respects space. I can trust to put her in charge."
"And what about the third party member?" Laguna asked. He gently stroked his chin in mocking thought. "Who would you rather have in your party? Your choice. Quistis or Irvine? Who acts better under pressure?"
"Well, they both sort of crack when under pressure. But best? I'd have to say Quistis. Though, I don't think Zell and Irvine will get along too well. Still, I'd rather have Quistis."
"Alrighty, then! It's settled. We just have to find the other five and tell them out plans." Languna began to walk again. "And it would probably be best to get to them before they get to Odine." Squall nodded and followed. He prayed that this would work. They couldn't afford any more set backs.
And the REAL trouble hadn't even started yet.
A/N: Oh yay! I'm one chapter closer to number 46! It's gonna be a long night... Yes I do plan to stay up all night typing and posting. Oh geez. What have I gotten myself into? At least I have a big pot of coffee going. (Ok meybe it won't be such a long night.) Tee-hee! I'll just leave it at that. Later Days y'all! And don't forget to review. It would make my day! Really it would!
E/N: Spelled maybe wrong. ;D You know it's bad when I critique your author notes...
A/N: Oops. My bad. I can't spell ok! Should make a pubilic announcement? Geez woman! Worse than my mother! But that's ok. I still luv you, Meg.
E/N: What is this pubilic you speak of? I know not what a pubilic is. -giggles- I'm such a pain, but at least your stories aren't as sloppy. :)
A/N: See! See! See! I can't spell! I have two friggen human dictionaries and a spell check on my computer and I still manage to spell stuff wrong!