The story thus far – 10 years after FF VIII, a new class at Garden is introduced. 8 students have been selected as potential SeeD candidates, divided into two teams, only three will advance to become SeeD in total. Giving them their first exam, Squall and his staff accompany the students to oversee their mission in Galbadia.

Chapter 4 – Pop Quiz

Deling City, Caraway Mansion. 7:43 PM

Quistis watched her superior with keen interest, not the same interest she'd held for him all those years ago, but a much more platonic one. Despite whatever disagreements Squall and Rinoa were having over his decision to remain the Headmaster of Garden, she knew the two were inseparable in spirit. However, she couldn't help but wonder if maybe something was amiss in their relationship, ever since Squall had returned, he'd been acting a little strangely. Maybe it had to do with her, the little girl he'd come back with.

"Are they all set? "

Squall's voice startled Quistis, who currently lingered in the doorway to the late General Caraway's office; the mansion was an inheritance of Rinoa now. She hadn't expected Squall to notice her; he seemed quite engrossed with a portrait hanging on the wall.

"Yes, they've been briefed. Xu and Zell are with Alpha squad, securing an escape route should Martine need it. Bravo have their posts in front of Deling's new City Hall building. "

Squall gave no response, just a solemn nod, his expression was particularly unadorned, until a hint of concern washed over his face, turning about to search for someone. He found her, a barely noticeable look of relief displayed as he noted that the little 8 year old girl with long blonde hair was sitting in front of the majestic oak office desk. Quistis smiled at the little girl, turning her attention to Squall.

"Tell me Squall, what suddenly compelled you and Rinoa to adopt this girl? I didn't think you two were ready for something like that yet. "

Rinoa, who wanted nothing more to do with Garden or war, had opted to manage Edea's orphanage so that the woman could take care of her ill husband, former Headmaster Cid Kramer. It had been a choice that lead the two lovers down separate paths, Squall had too much invested in Garden, emotionally. Though they'd agreed to lead separate pursuits, it hadn't split them apart. It just made the time they did spend together all that much more special. In the years Rinoa had been running the orphanage, neither she or Squall had ever adopted a child, they'd only facilitated a process that let kids find homes of their own.

"She's special, Quistis. That's the only way I can explain it. She may not be able to talk, but the minute I saw her eyes, I felt her speak to me. I'm certain Rinoa felt the same way. "

"Have you decided on a name for her yet? "

"No, but we will soon. It's almost time, I'm supposed to meet Martine, he wants me close by when he makes his speech. "

Squall didn't even have to look back at the small mute girl he'd adopted as his own child, the second he turned away from the portrait, the little girl – who was dressed in a pajama gown and slippers – walked toward him and placed her smaller hand into his own. This shocked Quistis, to think Squall would take a little girl to such an important event; it was uncharacteristically unprofessional of him.

"Wait, you're taking her with you? Isn't this too dangerous? "

"She goes wherever I go. I'll see you when this is over, Quistis. "

Outside Caraway Mansion, 7:48 PM.

It'd taken quite a bit of stealth on his part, but the wounded sharpshooter had slipped past the small security detail posted outside of the Mansion and snuck into the bushes below the office room window. From there, Kinneas saw him, and his newfound daughter. He sucked in a harsh breath, sneering slightly as both pain and frustration set in.

"There you are, finally found you. You're not going to get away with this, I'm going to stop you dead in your tracks, buddy. Just gotta' bide my time.. "

Irvine looked intently at the face of his former comrade, knowing he'd have to wait for the opportunity to strike. When that opportunity arose, he had no doubt that he'd show no hesitation. A hand moved slipped toward the interior of his duster, a thumb flicking over the cocking level of his Firearm, Exeter.

Deling City Hall, 8:25 PM

"Testing, a-testin' 1-2. "

Barth's booming voice chimed in over all of Bravo Squad's headsets, perhaps a little too loudly. The team had been dispersed, though not too far apart from each other. Barth had been mixed in with the crowd on the street, while Kaira and Mathias both remained posted near the Podium where the President was set to speak. Dietrich served as a lookout, stationed out behind the building in a wide, rather desolate street. The blonde scowled, a futile expression that Barth would never see.

"Stop screwing around on the comm. "

Kaira and Mathias exchanged glances, hoping Dietrich wouldn't get into it with Barth again like he did just a few minutes ago. Chatter over the radio died down altogether when the Galbadian National Anthem began to play, the amassing citizens of Deling responded with thunderous applause; and then silence. Mathias felt a strange wave of pity wash over him, pity for the people of Galbadia. It'd been a difficult decade for them, after the war, their economy had suffered, and many people realized just how wrong their nation had been to follow the bidding of a Sorceress, even if it was out of pure fear.

He'd try not to think to much about it, his own past lay in this very city, a past he sought to forget as it only brought frustration and pain. Instead, he marveled at the expressions on the faces of the crowd, Martine seemed to have brought some hope to these people, though he could only pray that the man didn't mislead them as President Deling and Sorceress Edea had before. As the crowd held their hands over their chest for the duration of the National Anthem, President Martine stepped out, Squall was a few steps behind him and remained in the man's shadow.

The small girl by his side instantly caught Mathias' attention, and his presence seemed to attract her attention as well. The two crossed gazes, inexplicably, Mathias felt drawn to the little girl, there was something..familiar about her. Like a dream he couldn't possibly remember, only the feeling was personified in this girl. He gave the girl a smile, waving to her, the mute girl seemed to wear an equally intrigued expression.

Kaira nudged Mathias out of his friendly moment with the girl, gesturing for him to listen to the transmission Dietrich was sending, one he seemed to have ignored in his little daze. The pair made sure to keep silent, they didn't want to alarm the President without a serious reason.

"Guys, a van of some sort just pulled up. I'm getting a bad feeling here, it's about a block away from the building.."

Dietrich had sought cover behind an empty dumpster, making sure not to disclose his presence to those within the suspicious vehicle. Icy blue eyes remained fixed on the vehicle, suddenly, the back doors flew open and numerous men in masks jumped out. In that moment, Dietrich knew that his gut instinct was right; these guys were trouble.

"I'm comin' around to you, Dietrich. Stay where you are, I'll take care of these guys. "

"Like hell you will, Barth! You'll never make it in time, these guys are heading into the adjacent building – I'm taking them down. "

"Wait! You little runt, don't leave your damn post!"

Either he sought glory, or he honestly didn't think Barth would reach the men in time, regardless, he'd pursue them, reaching to his side to unhook the hefty Gunblade, Einz, from his belt. Towing the blade at his side, he'd make his way to the entrance of the very building the masked men had entered, 3 he counted, and delivered a fierce kick to its frame. 3 guys, armed with firearms, ok this shouldn't be too hard.

Unfortunately for Die, he'd just walked into a situation he couldn't have possibly predicted by running in head-first, what greeted him was an old warehouse full of surveillance equipment, most likely to keep tabs on this important event for God knows who, and roughly 20 men. The blonde froze, silently cursing to himself, the 20 or so men that stared back paused as well, though only for a moment. Seconds later, they all reached for their firearms, locking and loading.

"…Oh, shi-- "