Chapter 7
"Shadow! Shadow! Get your ass out of bed and open this damn door!" Selphie pounded impatiently on the heavy steel, grinning widely as it was finally pulled open by a very sleepy-looking Shadow.
"Morning Selphie-chan." He greeted with a huge yawn. "What's up?"
"We've got our first mission! Isn't it exciting!" She was practically bouncing with her enthusiasm and Shadow envied her energy, especially at such an early hour.
"What? Oh yeah…really exciting." He tried his best to sound happy at the prospect of being hauled out of his nice comfy dorm and sent out to god alone only knew where. He couldn't resist muttering under his breath, "So much for sleeping in this morning."
If Selphie noticed how forced his eagerness was, she gave no indication, smiling brightly at him in such a way that made him feel a bit better about the whole idea. If Selphie was going then maybe it wouldn't be too bad…
"Well! I'm gonna go find the others. Meet at the front gate in ten minutes ok? Ok!" As Selphie skipped off, Shadow closed the door again and began to get himself ready, absently wondering just what sort of mission they were being sent on…and who else comprised the rest of the squad being sent out. But then…he would find out soon enough, so he thought no more on the matter, being content for the time being, to simply wait.
0o0o0
Selphie surveyed the group assembled around her then frowned deeply as she placed a hand on her hip. "Where's Rhia?"
Shadow, Squall and Zell all exchanged looks then shrugged, causing Selphie to stamp a foot in irritation. "Surely one of you guys saw her on your way here and told her to come?" She sighed and shook her head. "Well then, don't just stand there gaping like idiots, go find her! She's not in her dorm so Shadow, you check the training area, Zell, you look in the library, Squall you take the infirmary and I'll search the quad and cafeteria. They all stared at her and the girl glared dangerously back at them. "Move!" Selphie commanded and the three guys scattered, Selphie also heading off after a moment.
Watching from his position by the front gate, Cid chuckled lightly to himself. Perhaps he'd put the wrong person in charge of this mission. Selphie certainly knew how to give orders. But then…did that alone make a good leader? He knew from experience…that only time…could tell.
0o0o0
"Morning Dr Kadowaki." The matronly physician looked up from her morning coffee and smiled as her favourite student walked through the door.
"Good morning Rhia. And congratulations."
"Thank you." The girl accepted the doctor's praise with a modesty that was both sincere and endearing, possibly one of Rhia's best attributes…aside from her equally sincere wanting to help her fellow man…enemy or not. The doctor's heart sank a little as she watched her pupil help herself to a cup of coffee from the pot, sipping at the potent brew as she moved across the room to look at the day's duty roster pinned up on the wall.
A frown crossed the girl's face as she read and re-read the list again, arriving at the same conclusion every time.
"Dr Kadowaki, there's been some sort of mistake…my name's not on the list."
"No…there is no mistake Rhia." The girl slowly set her coffee to one side as she turned and looked at Kadowaki intently.
"What do you mean?"
"Last night…I received orders that you were to accompany a team of Seeds out on a mission."
"What?" The look on the girl's face betrayed her shock. "But…I'm…not…a fighter."
"You're not accompanying them as a fighter Rhia. You're going along to serve as their field medic." If Rhia had looked shocked at hearing that she was being sent out, it was nothing compared to the look of horror that crossed her face at the thought of the responsibility that was now being placed upon her shoulders.
"I…I can't." She whispered. "I'm not ready for this…there's still too much to learn…"
"Rhia." Kadowaki's tone was gentle, but firm. "This is the Seed advanced training course. You have been an apt pupil, devouring all the knowledge I have given you and thirsting for more. You've read book after book and are possibly one of the most medically knowledgeable people in this Garden after myself. But textbooks are not an accurate portrayal of the real world. Very rarely are the ideal conditions painted in your books present and even then, no matter how much you read, it is no substitute for good, solid practice and experience. You have learned the theory, now it is time for you to apply it in real situations. And the only way for you to do that…is to go out on the missions and see the world first-hand, discover things for yourself and find your own strength.
"Your apprenticeship ended the moment you passed the field exam Rhia. But that doesn't mean you will stop learning. Every day will be a new class for you I'm betting and it is through that…that you will be able to fully understand your own skills and our profession - the career you have chosen. So, from now on, every time you return to Garden from a mission, I expect a full medical report to be filed, detailing everything that happens, from the tiniest scratches, to those…you cannot save. Am I clear?" Rhia stared at her for the longest time before bowing stiffly.
"Yes Dr Kadowaki. Crystal."
"Good. Now go collect your kit Rhia and ensure you have enough supplies from the cabinet - you know the code - as you'll depart within the hour."
The girl stamped off toward the back of the infirmary, pulling a sturdy canvas bag down off the wall. This was her kit. Some of the field medics had tramping packs full of their equipment, but Rhia preferred the smaller, lighter model that hung from one shoulder. It meant that if she was called upon to fight, her arms weren't restricted by the heavy straps of the larger packs. Also, Rhia had her magic to make up for whatever her kit lacked. She peeked around the edge of the supply cupboard as the infirmary door hissed open and Squall walked in.
"Good morning Squall. How's the head today?" He just nodded and replied shortly,
"Fine."
"Then what brings you here?" Squall looked up as the supply cabinet was slammed shut and pointed at Rhia.
"Looking for her."
"I see. Rhia…?" The doctor left the question hanging as the girl walked over and nodded. "Yeah. I'm ready."
"Then good luck, to all of you."
0o0o0
"No sign of Rhia in the library." Zell reported as he returned to the front gate.
"She's not in the Training Centre either." Shadow told the group as he walked up, absently cleaning blood off his blade. "Though you're out of monsters."
"Squall! You can let go now! I'm moving already! Jeez, let GO!"
"It's ok, looks like she was in the infirmary." Selphie replied with a small smirk as the pair came into view, Squall dragging the reluctant Rhia along by the wrist. Shadow arched an eyebrow at Selphie but refrained from commenting as Rhia finally managed to extricate herself from Squall's grasp and walked over, saluting the headmaster as she fell into line with the rest of her fellow Seeds.
"Good morning everyone." Cid greeted the group with his usual cheerful smile. "I trust you all slept well after last night's festivities and are all rested and ready to go out on your first mission as Seeds. You five are to make your way to Balamb and catch the first available train to Timber…something funny Miss Summers?" He asked, rounding on the girl who had dissolved into hysterical giggles.
"Timber? With all due respect sir, what could there possibly be in Timber that merits sending a force this large? I mean, it's like the ass-end of nowhere."
"It's a reconnaissance mission of sorts." Cid answered calmly, unfazed by Rhia's scorn. "You will be assisting a resistance faction known as the 'Timber Owls'. This group comprises a wide range of skills so that you can cope with any situation that may arise, plus the larger number of able bodies will give the mission a higher chance of success. Everyone nodded, except the still-sceptical Rhia who merely shrugged and slung her med-kit over her shoulder.
"Squall, I've named you Team Leader for this assignment, with Shadow as your Commanding Officer." He handed a folder to each of the two young men. "Those are your briefings for the mission, and I've also included a copy of the contract with the Owls for you to read and understand. And that is all I have to say, except to wish you all the very best for your first assignment and I look forward to hearing your reports at the end of it. Dismissed."
0o0o0
"Oh yeah! Now this is what I'm talking about!" Zell crowed triumphantly as he dove into the Seed's private cabin aboard the express train to Timber, bouncing up and down like a two year old on the wide, plush seats. "Magazines to read while we wait, beds if we get tired. I tell ya, this is the life." He casually folded his arms behind his head as he looked at the others filing in the door. Rhia was looking around with a faint hint of distaste before she reached over and snatched the mission report from under Squall's nose, flicking through it as she wandered across the cabin and took a seat.
"Rhia, that's…"
"The exact instructions for why we're being hauled out to Timber. I know. Why do you think I grabbed it? Duh."
"Where are Shadow and Selphie?"
"Selphie ran towards the back of the car. Logic dictates that Shadow followed. Now shut up, I'm trying to read."
"Rhia give it back."
"Nope."
"Are you disobeying an order from your Leader?"
"I am cos the Commander isn't here to back you up." She turned her attention back to the page in her lap. "Blah…blah…blah legal crap, blah…blah…blah terms of payment…isn't very decent, why am I not surprised? Ah ha! 'The team will rendezvous with the faction known as the 'Timber Owls' and provide them will all possible assistance…'" She looked up at Squall and then scowled as she tossed the folder back at him. "Well that's delightfully vague isn't it? What the hell is the point of us getting tangled up in the murky politics surrounding this pathetic little town's bid for independence?"
"Rhia, it's not our place to question our orders. All we do is follow them." The girl sighed and tapped her staff against her shoulder as she looked up at the ceiling.
"I think I've made a seriously wrong career choice."
Squall found himself staring at her in bewilderment…not that it made it to his face of course. It was like her personality had done a complete switch. Last night she had been moody and withdrawn...but exceptionally beautiful. Today she was…well…still exceptionally beautiful…but a right pain in the ass.
"Rhia you have to start taking my command seriously." He told her sternly and the girl's eyes flicked back to look at him, one eyebrow arching with a sardonic amusement.
"I will when you start taking your command seriously." She told him candidly and he blinked.
"What do you mean by that?" He demanded and her expression became oddly serious.
"Simply that-" She trailed off and cocked her head suddenly, as though listening intently. "What's that sound?"
"Sound? I don't hear-" Squall also stopped speaking as he too became aware of it. A high-pitched screeching sound that drilled into his very brain. Somewhere to his right metal clanged softly as Rhia's staff slid to the floor as she slumped unconscious in her seat. Sinking to one knee, Squall clutched at his head as the noise became more persistent, finally falling back as darkness reached up and swallowed him.
0o0o0
When Rhia opened her eyes, she felt an immediate sense of disorientation. This definitely wasn't her dorm back at Garden, the bed was too soft…and it was far too large. She felt herself sitting up and screamed silently as she caught sight of her reflection in the mirror. What the hell! This isn't my face! Who is this? Can you hear me?
But if she could, the woman gave no indication, fixing her hair and jewellery before heading out of the room and downstairs to the bar adjoining the hotel. She headed backstage and waited, listening as the bar began to fill with the usual patrons. Finally, she peeked out from behind the blue curtain, and Rhea received her second shock of the night. There, sitting at a table near the front of the room was…
Uncle Laguna? Uncle Shade? What the heck is going on here? I don't understand!
She was moving again, stepping out from behind the curtain to take her seat behind a grand piano, her fingers caressing the keys to bring out familiar tunes that she'd known almost all her life. As she played, she was vaguely aware that in the audience, a pair of avid blue eyes were riveted on her, drinking in her performance with rapt adoration.
Oh…ew…if Uncle Laguna looks any more sappy then I swear I'm gonna throw up. What the hell is this?
Glancing back at the group, Rhia noticed that behind those blue eyes…Squall seemed to be looking out.
Ok…I am definitely going crazy. Squall? Inside Uncle Laguna's head? There's no way that could even be remotely possible. I don't think I'm going to understand what's happening anytime soon…nor can I think of a way to wake up from this crazy dream - if it really is a dream - so…all I can do is go with it and see what happens. Though when I get out of this and back to Garden, I'm putting myself down for a full psych analysis.
Still slightly ticked about the circumstances she'd found herself in, Rhia had no choice but to sit back and watch as the performance ended, the strange woman who's body she was sharing murmured something to her bouncer, sending him scurrying off towards the table where Laguna and his pals were sitting. As he disappeared, the woman headed up the stairs, making her way back into the room where Rhia had first 'awoken'. Not too much later, there came a timid knock at the door and it was swung open to reveal a very nervous-looking Laguna.
Ok…officially lost now. Why the hell is he here? She's opening wine, commenting on his eyes…oh dear god she's flirting with him. Icky, I don't want to see this. Oh yeah, really great idea, ask him about himself, he's gonna be talking for hours now, just you watch.
And sure enough, Laguna began to loosen up, talking about his hopes, his dreams. He talked about how he was only in the army because it was a job and what he really wanted to do was be a writer, telling people about the travelling he'd done with the Esthar army. When he realised that he'd been prattling on about himself for the better part of an hour, Laguna flushed slightly and asked Julia about her goals, her hopes, her dreams.
She responded with a silvery laugh that caused the gentle Laguna to flush even more.
"I want to write songs of my own and sing them too." She told him softly. "Not just play the piano."
"Really? Oh wow, I'm sure you'll be great at it."
Oh this is just disgusting, Uncle Laguna stop flirting! This is just getting way out of hand. Someone please wake me up from this crazy dream!
"You're kind to say but the truth is I've never had any inspiration for a song…until now."
"Until now?"
"For so long…I've watched you, looking at me with those eyes. So I decided I wanted to talk to you, listen to you speak, all the while gazing into those eyes. And I think now…thanks to you, I can write my song." Laguna blinked and rubbed the back of his head. "I really look forward to hearing you sing it…"
Whatever he said next fell away into nothingness as Rhia felt a sharp wrench inside her head and the next thing she knew, she was falling, falling, coming back to her real body, slumped on the couch of the Seed's private compartment.
Sitting up, she looked around in complete disorientation, blinking as she saw everyone else yawning and stretching as though they too had only just woken up from sleep. Selphie came bounding into the cabin (followed closely by Shadow), grinning at them all in her own perky way. "Oh great you guys are awake. I wonder why we all fell asleep like that? And I had the oddest dream…"
"I had a dream too." Squall said in his quiet voice, finishing in his head, I dreamed I was a moron.
"Really? I dreamed about these four guys who got lost in the woods cos Sir Laguna brought the wrong map. I think he's cute, despite the fact he seems a bit absent-minded."
"Wait…Laguna?"
"Yeah and Kiros and Ward."
Everyone in the cabin exchanged looks.
"Does that mean we all had the same dream?" Selphie asked.
"That's freaky." Zell replied. "What the hell caused it?"
"I don't know. But we don't have time to worry about it just now, there was an announcement just before telling us that Timber is the next stop." Squall said, looking cool and composed - as usual.
"Rhia…you're awfully quiet…are you ok?" Shadow asked and she smiled winningly at him. "Of course I am. I'm just finding it really weird too that we all had the same dream. But like Squall said, we need to focus. We have a mission to do in Timber. It may not be much of a mission, but we should give it our all anyway. After all, it's what we do…right?"
"There may be hope for you yet Rhia." Shadow told her with a grin and she arched and eyebrow at him.
"And just what is that meant to mean exactly?"
"Nothing Rhia. Absolutely nothing at all." He told her with a dead straight face.