0.2THE CITY OF CONSTRUCTED DARKNESS
"Whooooow…"
Zell's spontaneous reaction said it all. The activity on the dock were as overwhelming as the smell of carbon dioxide and oil that oozed from every part of this mechanical city. No cars were to be seen on the streets, only military vessels and walking people. Airships covered the sky and their massive constructions created huge shadows that seemed to cover entire blocks at the time. The clatter from their engines might have been disturbing, if it hadn't been topped by the screaming from the machines in the huge industrial complex that also served as the worlds third largest military base. An enormous cannon grew out of the building and pointed towards the unexpecting Sea. The canon alone seemed to be as long as Balamb Garden were wide. All around you could see SOLIDERs walking hasty and determined to their separate goals. The civilians seemed utterly outnumbered, like spots of dirt-grey and orange in an ocean of military green. Squall was overwhelmed. He had never been further away from Balamb then Dealing City, and that was nothing compared to this.
"Damn…" Zell spoke in a low voice "Look at the water. It's black! An´ to think this used to be a fishing harbour"
"What?" Squall asked. He has a hard time believing that this polluted shadow of a human civilisation could ever had been rich on any animal or ocean life.
"Yeah, it's true!" Zell claimed "This was a beautiful, secluded fishing town, until the Shinra decided that this would be the perfect location for their second SOLDIER base. This is their first line of defence, ya know. Nothing has ever come past the Junon Cannon. Anyhow, when they built the factory an' the cannon an' all that crap, they killed all the fish, so, like, all the fishermen had to become factory workers in order to survive"
"Lovely story, Zell. Think you made me cry there for a bit" Seifer interrupted "Maybe you can tell it to us again when we have to go to bed, which in your case should be around seven, right?"
"You fucking son of a…"
"Or am I wrong? Does you mommy let you stay up as long as you want?"
Squall watched as Zell grabbed Seifers collar and pulled him down to his level.
"Don't you EVER say anything ´bout my mom, you sick wreck of a human being!" Zell growled.
"Or what?" Seifer replayed, cocky as ever, but he didn't try to break free from Zells grip. Squall knew that Zell was much stronger then Seifer, and so did he. If Zells hands hadn't been classified as lethal weapons (he would loose his job as an SeeD if he ever hit anyone other than in self defence of in battle) Squall was sure that he would have mopped the floor with Seifer several times over the years. Seifer knew all this too. Maybe that was why he always picked on the younger boy. Seifer hated to admit that someone was better then him. The only one who probably didn't know this was Zell.
"Or I'll pound your head down your stomach and watch you digest yourself!" Zell answered between his teeth.
"Imaginative, aren't we?" Seifer said with a grin "Alright, I won't talk bad about your beloved mommy dearest. Could you let go of my jacket? I'm hurting my back bending down this far"
Zell stared at Seifer face for a second then he let him go and turned away. Seifer stretched himself out and corrected his collar.
"There, much better!" he said "Hey, I can actually see above the dock railing now!"
He grinned down at Zell who pretended not to have heard that last remark.
"I must say, what a display! What a display indeed!"
The three SeeDs turned simulationsly to face a crooked man who had approached from the trios left without them noticing him. Squall recognized this brown-haired odd-looking man the instant he laid eyes on him. It was the professor, whom by videophone had requested help from Balamb. This was their employer. Squall saluted and the other two fell in line.
"Squall Leonheart, Zell Dincht and Seifer Almacy reporting, Sir!" he said.
"Oh my, oh my" the professor chucked "So well trained but yet so furious. You are all perfect. Perfect!"
He said this with such stunning happiness that it freighted Squall. Something was wrong with this man.
"Well, let get going. Yes. Let's go!" The man continued "I am Professor Simon Hojo, and from now on, you are under my command!"
I'm not really sure about Dr. Hojos first name, but I think Simon suits him somehow.