I am not the proud owner of Final Fantasy. I don't even own the computer I am writing on. I only own my imagination, which seems to have gone on vacation recently.

Author's Note: Yes, these chapters took forever. I'm really sorry, people! Really. But my computer broke, I was busy during the summer, my internet went away... fate was plotting against me. But at least you get a new chapter out of the wait and the whole, revised story, right? At least, I hope that's a good thing. And you ought to read the revisions. The story is way better now.

Anyway, you can now check the progress of my stories on my bio page. I'm going to try and update it often, so you can see what's happening with each story. And now, onto the chapter that took forever...

Chapter Seven: Natalie Illuna

Squall nodded toward them. "I was looking for you," he said. Seifer frowned in confusion.

"What for?"

"Let's go somewhere quiet. I can explain there." He started off into the distance at a fast pace, so fast that Seifer and Quistis had to jog to keep up. Squall turned down an alley, and walked to the entrance of the city. He exited Deling, and started off across the grassy slopes toward the sea. After about fifteen, he stopped next to a large stone.

"This will do," he said, and turned to face Seifer and Quistis, who had stopped behind him and were watching him curiously. "Sit down." They both sat down on the cool grass. Squall leaned against the rock.

"So what are we here for?" asked Seifer, catching his breath.

"I was going to tell you about my mission, because now I need some assistance, and you are the only SeeDs in the position to help me. It was pretty simple. There were reports of the Deep Sea Research Center being seen near Winhill. Naturally, Cid was concerned, and they sent me to investigate. The Center is there. I saw it myself."

"What is it doing there?" wondered Quistis. "I thought it was between the Island Closest to Hell and the Island Closest to Heaven."

"It was. Someone moved it. I tried to get in by sneaking onto the supply ships, but I couldn't. There were various other entrances I tried, all of which met with failure. I even tried to use Guardian Forces. Nothing."

"Whoa, wait a moment," Seifer said. "Why move the center at all? It was in a pretty isolated place to begin with. Moving it would cause attention. They could do things in secrecy much better at the old location. The reason no one found it until recently was because it was hidden so well."

"Maybe they thought someone would come and look for it in the old spot, and chose to move it," suggested Quistis. "Or perhaps there is something they need near Winhill."

"I don't think it's because they didn't want people to look for the Center at the old spot. For starters, the place is off limits, so no one would be there. Also, there are better places to hide it than near Winhill. There are many isolated places near Centra, and even near Trabia," Squall said. He looked deep in thought, and they could tell he had been working on this same problem since he had seen it.

"Or maybe they want us to investigate it," said Seifer. The three of them sat there, pondering the many options.

"At any rate, we shouldn't just sit here and think about this with nothing to work on," Quistis said, quickly getting to the point, as was her manner. "What exactly do you want us to do, Squall?"

"We think that one of the presidential candidates is involved. A Galbadian government helicopter was seen there last night right before I left. It stayed only half an hour, then left in the direction of Deling. I'm sure that someone who was once high up in the government used the helicopter, which means it's probably a candidate. What I want you to do is keep your eyes open. When you can, talk to the candidates and the high up people at the parties they attend. See who has been interesting in mechanics or science recently, since after the second Sorceress War. Anyone who may have been doing something in the way of sea excavations, maybe. Oh, and you should speak to Natalie Illuna about this if possible. But do try to be discreet."

"Are we going to tell Gary about this?"

"No, not really. I know we should, politically, but I am this close to strangling anyone who wants to to use political procedures," Squall grumbled. Seifer smirked, but didn't say anything. "So no, we're not going to tell him. Technically, I shouldn't even be telling you, but this is worrying me. If they moved the Center that means they had to have gotten the power online. Where they're getting this energy is unknown."

"So, basically, you want us to lie low and try to get some information, right?"

"Yeah."

"That sounds easy enough," Seifer said. "What do we do with this information when we get it?"

"Yeah. I have a hotel in the city called the Red Rose. Drop it in my mailbox at the front desk. My name is Leon Whitaker."

"Nice name," Seifer commented. Squall chose not to honor that with a responce as he started the trek back toward the city.

Seifer was sitting at Gary's computer, trying to search for information on the Deep Sea Research Center. So far, all he had was a partial history of the place, and even that wasn't so good.

"Find anything?" asked Quists, covering a yawn that tried to escape her mouth. She passed him a steaming cup of coffee, which he drank gratefully. They were up late, had been up ever since seeing Squall, but they still weren't finding much. Quistis had taken out several books at the library, but she was also not having any luck.

"No. Same for you?"

"Yes." She sighed, and placed her book down. "Maybe we should stop for the night. We don't want Gary upset because we can't do anything tomorrow."

"Good point." Seifer said, shutting the computer down. "I'll just save this information and..."

"What are you doing?" asked a curious voice. They both turned to see Gary standing there, a confused look on his face.

"I was looking up some information..." Seifer said, but Gary cut him off.

"Is it related to the mission that we have?"

"Well, no..."

"Then please don't use that computer. It's not ours, remember. The General has to pay for it." He looked at his watch. "And didn't you get the message I left you in your rooms?"

"No. What message?" Quistis asked.

"Miss Illuna called back. She said that she was willing to meet you in the sewer under the tower at the center of town at 2300. It's 2200 now."

"It is! Shit!" Seifer said. "I'll go get weapons and equipment." He hurried out of the room.

"It's a good thing you came along, Gary. We might not have known."

"Yeah. Look, try and get there as discreetly as you can. We don't want to arose suspicion. Anything you learn or find, report to me in the morning. I'll have new assignments then." He turned, and left the room, almost knocking Seifer over.

"Sorry," Seifer said, then passed Quistis her Save the Queen.

"Ready?"

"Yeah. Gary said we should be discreet."

"That's gonna be hard. It's a sewer. We're gonna have to get in through a manhole or the main sewer plant. We could go in through the street entrance, but then we'd be seen by every passing car."

"Actually, it's quite easy."

"Huh?"

"Just follow me, and I'll show you."

Once again they were in a fight. The stupid Red Bats had to be following them, because they'd had more battles than Seifer cared to count so far. He swung Hyperion at the demon, but it just flew out of his reach, chittering in a way that sounded like laughter. Okay, you asked for it...

"BLIZZARD!" he snapped, freezing one of the flying rodents in it's place, and watching it plumet to the green, slimy stones below. He heard a whip crack cruely behind him, and turned to see Quistis dropping three with one hit. Show off, he thought to himself as the creatures slowly started to retreat. He sheathed Hyperion, and started down the passage after Quistis. "Are we almost there?"

"Just a little further," she said, jumping on another of the wheels. Seifer followed suit quickly, not wanting to get stuck down in the muck and mire of Deling City for the rest of his life. Quistis ran down one passage, then another, and stopped so suddenly he almost ran into her. He managed to stop himself just in time and keep himself out of the raw sewage. I'm not doing so bad.

"Why did you stop? Are we there?" he asked, holding his stomach as he tried to regain his breath.

"Yes. Look, there's the ladder that leads upward." He looked, and sure enough there was a ladder out. He glanced around the room again, and frowned.

"So where's Natalie?"

"Right here," said an amused voice. He turned around, and peered into the shadows. He couldn't see a thing, though.

"Where are you?"

"By the wheel." He looked, and sure enough there was several people coming out of the shadows surrounding the spinning wheel. In the lead was a very non-descript woman. She was of medium weight, medium height, medium looks, medium everything. He supposed that was good for her job though. She had shoulder-length brown hair, the top half of which was pulled back into a ponytail, with the exception of the bangs, which hung to the sides of her face and were dyed red, the only distinguishing feature she had. Her eyes were an icy, calculating blue, and they seemed to be naturally narrowed into a predatory glare. She had a high-collared black tank top, a knee-length purple skirt and knee high laced black boots, with no heel. Two long black gloves covered her arm from elbow to mid-finger, and the gloves were held in place by silver clasps. A deep blue belt was secured at her waist, off of which hung a sleek silver pistol, which Seifer had no doubt she knew how to use. She leaned against the wall and smiled faintly, and it appeared to be like the smile of a Torma which has caught, and is now toying with, it's prey.

"You're rather good, you know," commented Natalie, still smiling. "We have no idea where you entered the sewers. My guards were starting to get worried." She gestured to the four guards, all of which were the same: Tall, beefy, and armed. Two women and two men, all of whom looked ready to crack some spines. "But I do know a little about even you, Seifer Almasy, even though you're one of the more elusive people out there."

"I'm flattered," responded Seifer.

"As well you should be," she said, and smiled again. "But you didn't request a meeting to exchange flattering remarks, did you? You're after the chip Galbadia stole."

"How did you..." Even as he said it he realized how stupid it sounded. After all, it was her job to know information. And she was the best of the best. "Yes, you're right."

"Of course, we need to discuss my fee before I can give you any information. I'll decide something reasonable based on what you specifically want to know."

"Basically, we want to know who sent those troops there, and what they plan to do with the chip," Quistis said. "But also, I want to know anything you can get about the Deep Sea Research Center. Not the information the news reports give, of course. The unofficial stuff."

"Hmm. That will be costly information, I can tell you that. However, I think I can procure it." She frowned thoughtfully, calculating the cost in her head. "I think that will round out to an even... five million."

"Five million?" Quistis asked. "There's no way it's worth that much!"

"Well, if you want to allow someone else to get you the information..." she offered.

"No, we'll pay upon delivery," Seifer said.

"Excellent. Shall I contact you through the same route?"

"Sure."

"Very well then. I can see I have my work cut out for me. Then again, the challenge would do me good." She gestured to the guards, two of whom preceeded her up the ladder, the other two following her. She didn't even spare them another glance as she hopped up onto the floor above.

"That is a very powerful woman," commented Quistis. "I'm surprised she isn't in charge of more."

"I bet she could be if wanted to, but she seems content to allow other people to risk their lives for their ideals. And it's paying off."

"True," Quistis murmured. "Ugh, let's just go through here. I can't stand this smell anymore."

"I back that idea up with my whole heart."

Quistis woke up early the next day, feeling a little tired. Yesterday's adventure had been exhausting, and she figured there would be even more work today. She lay there a moment, contemplating stay in bed an extra hour. Surely she deserved that much, right? But she knew it was merely a fool's wish. And so she sat up and swung her feet over the edge of the bed, and onto the carpeted floor, thankful that they weren't the freezing tiles from Balamb Garden. Groggily she made her way over to the bathroom, and started a nice, warm shower.

She had just finished with putting her clothes on when she heard a knock at the door. She walked over, still drying her hair, and was surprised to see Seifer standing there, fully dressed and awake with two cups of coffee in his hand.

"What are you doing here?" she asked, confused. "Don't you know what time it is?"

"Do you?" he countered.

"Well, no, but it can't be later than nine. I never sleep in that late."

"Actually, it's ten. And I came to get you because Gary's wants our report right now."

"It's ten? But my clock says..." She turned around, wondering if she'd read it wrong. And yet, there in glowing crimson on her bedside table, were the digits nine zero zero.

"It must be an hour late. See, this hall clock says ten," he said, pointing at an ancient grandfather clock. Quistis moaned.

"Oh great," She shook her head, then threw the towel in the bathroom. Seifer handed her one of the coffee mugs, which she took happily, and they walked down the stairs to the room where Gary waited. As they walked Quistis sipped the piping hot coffee, glad it's aroma alone was enough to wake her. She felt much more alert by the time they'd reached the temporary base. Gary was already sitting there, wading through some paperwork. He looked up as then entered.

"Good morning," he said. "Are you ready to give your report?"

"Yes sir," Quistis said, setting the coffee down. "Basically, we meet Natalie, as she agreed to find the information for us. She'll contact us through the box we already set up, and she wants five million gil."

"Five million! Is the information worth that much?"

"Apparently. She seemed to think so."

Gary sighed. "Man, I wouldn't want to pay for that with my own money. Oh well, it can't be helped." He sighed. "Tonight General Caraway is attending a private party with the candidates, something very low-key. I've decided that only one of should attend. Seeing as you two should wait to see what Miss Illuna discovers, I will be the one going. Today there isn't really much we can do except wait and see what's going to happen. Whoever took the AI chip is definitely keeping out of sight for the moment, so we can only wait for more information and for the other person to make their move." He turned back to the paperwork, flipping through it. "You're dismissed."

"Sir," they both said, then started for the door.

"Oh, Quistis?" called Gary.

"Yes?"

"There was a call for you from Balamb Garden. They didn't leave a name or message, just this number. It was a guy, though." He held a piece of paper out, which she accepted.

"Thanks."

"You're welcome." He returned to the paperwork without a word. She almost smiled, remembering someone else who had a work ethic like his. She walked out of the room, knowing people like them didn't want to be disturbed.

When she was out in the hall she took a look at the paper he'd given her. The number looked familiar, but she couldn't quite place it. Oh well, she though, might as well she who called. She dialed the number, and listened as the phone rang.

"Hello, Cid Kramer's office."

"It's Quistis Trepe, Headmaster. Did you call me?"

"As a matter of fact, I did. You see, we've decided that as soon as this mission is over, you're to come back to Balamb Garden and take your Instructor test."

"Oh, thank you!" she gasped, smiling.

"There is more, m'dear, and it's because of the rest that I've called you. Part of your grade will depend upon the successful passing of Mr. Almasy's SeeD test. The board members and I thought it was only fair, seeing as he was the student you had problems with before. If you can get him to pass, the rest will depend on the test. If not, there is no test."

"I was under the assumption that he was being tested as we speak." Part of the happiness inside of her fled. Teach Seifer? He doesn't want to be taught. She knew he wanted some forgiveness, and she knew he wanted to become a SeeD even more. But she didn't think he'd accept her help, nor allow it.

"Well, the board thought I was a bit lenient before when I gave him some general guidelines. Now, when any battling takes place, that will serve as his test, and he can fail this time."

"Who will be testing him?"

"We're not sure yet. I'll contact you when we decide."

"I see. I'll notify Seifer immediately."

"We're all sure you'll do fine," Cid said, as though trying to reassure her. As though he could.

"Thank you. And good day, sir."

"You too." There was a click on the other end, and the line went dead. Quistis hung the phone on it's cradle, then went to find Seifer. She might as well get it over with. After all, today they could study.

Seifer walked down the hallway, not sure what exactly to do. He could wander the town, but he didn't think the people of Deling would like that. Garden had always downplayed the fact that one of their students had helped the Sorceress, never mentioning him. When people did ask about the knight that had accompanied Edea during the parade, and the rumors of the knight leading the Galbadian army, Garden had always responded that it wasn't Seifer, that was just a rumor because he'd gone missing during a Garden mission. That was, of course, true, just not in the way Garden meant. They made it seem as though he'd been taken. What had happened was he'd gone. Left them standing there, confused and scared. The people who did connect Seifer Almasy to the knight of Ultimecia never lived long enough to tell anyone about it. His failure was Garden's failure, and they would be damned before they allowed him to bring their reputation down.

"Seifer?" called Quistis from behind him. He turned to see her walking down the hall toward him.

"Yes?" he asked.

"I just got a message from Headmaster Kramer. He said you're to take the SeeD test again, and I'm to help you."

Seifer just stood there, dumbfound, for a moment. A thousand thoughts were whirling through his head. He grasped at the loudest one, wanting the silence to end.

"What?"

"You're to take your SeeD test, and I'm to help you," she repeated.

"I mean, I've know this was my test since before the mission. Why's he repeating that?"

"Because now you're going to get a real grade, and you can now fail. The board must've thought he was being to lenient with you."

"Who's gonna test me?"

"I'm not sure. Cid said they were working on that, but they weren't sure."

"Huh. I hope it's a fair, impartial judge."

"I'm sure it will be," she said. She closed her eyes a moment, then looked back at him. "So, you're my student again."

"Funny, that," Seifer muttered. He was afraid he knew where this was going. And her next words confirmed it.

"It's time for us to go study."

"Oh, come on. Can't we wait until tomorrow?"

"Today is the perfect day. We're off. And besides, there's a lot more information that you have to know before you take the newer version of the written test."

"Aw, man."

"I'm sure you didn't have any plans, Seifer."

"Well, yes, but it's the principle of the matter."

"Mmhmm. Come on, let's go."

Three hours and many arguments later, Seifer was ready to call it quits. He was sure he'd learned all it was humanly possible to learn in the space of three hours, and if Quistis tried to stuff one more piece of information into his skull he was sure it would explode. It would serve her right.

"Seifer? Are you listening?"

"No." He knew there was no point in trying to hide the truth. Quistis always knew, always. There was no way to fool her. "C'mon, can't we go train or something?"

"Do you have any Guardians?" she asked.

"Ifrit, Shiva and Quetzacolt, pretty much. But Garden took them away from me."

"Those are the only ones that'll junction to you?"

"Those are the only ones I've faced."

"Oh my. You need more training than I remember."

"Hey, I can battle any Guardian, any time." Seifer stood up, thrusting the book aside. "I'm not gonna learn another thing. You can't make me." Quistis looked at him carefully for a moment, as though assessing him. He always hated it when she did that, because he knew she was seeing into him, pass the barriers and masks he tried to hold up with the shreds of pride and dignity that remained. He glared at her, trying to stop her piercing eyes.

"Are you a gambler, Seifer?"

The question surprised him. He started, stunned. He'd been expecting a cool assessment, a calm analysis of why he was so very wrong, anything but this. Her face told him she was completely, without a doubt, serious. He tried as hard as he could to analyse what she meant, but couldn't figure it out. "What?"

"I asked if you were a gambler, Seifer."

"You know I am. Remember when I started a casino in that storage crawlspace under the reception room floor? I made almost 2000 gil before Garden Faculty found me."

"I do indeed. But I ask because I want to gamble against you. It's simple. If you can pass my test, you don't have to study anymore books. But if you don't, you will learn the material I give you, and you will study it." Seifer frowned, stunned once again. Quistis definitely wasn't a regular Instructor, but that was probably one of the things that made her such a good one back when she was still teaching. She actually tried to tailor her lesson plans to the each individual.

"So, Seifer, are you willing to bet? Can you back up your words or can't you?" She'd hit a nerve, and they both knew it. He looked her in the eyes, brilliant green meeting icy blue, as he shouldered his gunblade.

"You've got yourself a deal, Instructor."