C:\ cd nomad\fanfic\1388651

C:\nomad\fanfic\1388651 chapter6.rtf

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(A)bort, (R)etry, (F)ail? R_


All right, we're clearin' the upper atmosphere and entering low orbital range, Irvine said from the Ragnarok's pilot chair, as he examined the attitude readout. At least, I think that's what ASPZE-31192-JKLOL-1337X0R means.

The ship does have an automap, you know, said Nida, pointing at a display showing the planet, the moon, and a flashing yellow dot in-between the two.

Hey, you wanna drive this thing? grumbled Irvine, then blinked as it dawned on him that he had just responded to Nida.

Squall was in the back, with Rinoa. You know, he said, Laguna came to visit just before we left yesterday. He said...he was my father.

Rinoa looked surprised. Quistis, who had just arrived on the bridge, looked stunned.

Squall, how could you?! she demanded. You won't tell me at all, but with Rinoa you'll just volunteer the information out of the blue for no clear reason whatsoever? Doesn't our relationship mean anything to you?

Squall turned away from her.

Oh, I am so sick and tired of hearing that! Quistis exclaimed. Squall, do you want to go to Balamb for dinner?' Whatever.' Squall, do you think the political instability in Galbadia could lead to a more aggressive foreign policy?' Whatever.' Squall, are we only together because Rinoa left and you needed somebody to fall back on?' Whatever!' Doesn't anything ever matter to you? ...Or is it just me who doesn't matter? Becoming tearful, she took off the ring she had been wearing. Well, you can have your stupid promise ring back! She threw it on the floor and, with what composure she still had, turned to leave.

However, since she had never stepped off the lift to begin with, she had nowhere to leave to. Therefore, she had to step off, then get back on in order for it to descend.

Wow, that's harsh, man, said Irvine, who had witnessed the scene along with everyone else.

you've sure got a way with the ladies, Squall, added Seifer.

Man, you gotta learn to be more considerate! called Zell from the level below.

...You gave her my promise ring? Rinoa asked, staring at the ring on the deck.

Shouldn't someone be driving? wondered Nida.

Squall said acidly; and he turned to leave.

He didn't, however, as a beeping noise began to come from the Ragnarok's sensor detection console.

said Irvine. I think the sensors are detecting something!

What is it? Squall asked.

Irvine frowned. It's, like, this flashing green dot, right in front of that big yellow cone that's coming out of that other white dot. He frowned. Hey, we're that other white dot! That means the aliens are right in front of us! He hesitated. Except they aren't aliens, because there's no conclusive evidence that aliens exist.

Well, now, Seifer mused. Isn't that convenient?

I was gonna say.... Nida agreed.

Squall frowned. We need answers, he said. Set an intercept course.

Uh, Squall, Irvine said, they're right in front of us. We're already on an intercept course.

Squall blinked. he said curtly. ...Keep it up.

You think Selphie's on that ship? asked Rinoa.

That's pretty much the assumption we've been working under, Irvine drawled. Except it's not an alien ship, because—

Oh, shut up already, interrupted Seifer.

I never even said it was an alien ship, Rinoa muttered.

Squall assumed a determined expression. We'll find out soon enough, he said.

A new beeping sound came from the controls. Uh oh, said Irvine. Squall, they must've seen us; they're speeding up!

After them! Squall commanded.

Uh, weren't we already going after them? asked Nida.

Don't worry, I've got said Irvine.

Squall scowled at the ship. Looks like they're headed for the moon, he said. What were they doing out here, anyway?

Maybe they got lost, suggested Rinoa; were part of a convoy or something.

Well, they won't last long enough to tell anyone about us, said Seifer, operating the controls for the Ragnarok's cannon.

Uh, don't we think Selphie's on that ship? asked Nida; then he frowned. Wait. That dialogue....

That's not the moon, Squall said, scowling even deeper. That's a space station.

Everyone else just stared at him.

said Irvine. Pretty sure that's the moon.

Squall huffed. Somebody had to say it.

There was a jolt. said Irvine. Looks like we just got caught in a tractor beam. Indeed, flashing on all of the display panels was a large warning reading, YOUR VESSEL HAS BEEN CAUGHT IN A TRACTOR BEAM. [LOLPWN3D-90210]

said Seifer. I never get to fire the giant cannon.


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You're fired, said Xu. Garden has standards, and your conduct has been completely inappropriate.

But — began the cafeteria lady.

No Xu snapped. I don't care how badly Zell wanted those hot dogs; here at Garden, we cook our meat before serving it, you understand?

Yes, ma'am. The cafeteria lady hung her head in shame.

I expect you to be gone by the end of the week, said Xu.

The cafeteria lady nodded and left in silence.

I see this Garden still has some problems with discipline, said Colonel Torzen, who had been lurking in the shadows.

Xu frowned at him. Do you really have to lurk back there?

Torzen shrugged. It's my idiom. Besides, there aren't any chairs in here.

Xu glanced around the Headmaster's office. ...That's true. But that still doesn't explain why you went out of your way to stand in the one shadowy spot in the room.

As I said, began Torzen.

Xu nodded. Yes, I know. Your idiom. But still, I think draping all that cloth in front of the windows to block out the light seems a bit excess—

It's my idiom, said Torzen harshly as he began taking down the drapes. I don't make fun of your idioms, and I'll kindly thank you to grant the same courtesy to mine.

I have idioms? asked Xu.

Of course you do! For instance, the way you always...wear that silly uniform with the coat that's obviously too large for you...and that tie! You expect to be taken seriously in a uniform such as that?

Xu just looked at him.

Torzen switched gears. I see that the previous administrators of this Garden left much to be desired in the realm of discipline. Discipline is not only necessary for the students, as you may know; the staff should also uphold the highest standards of this institution; and must be punished if they don't.

I just fired her, said Xu. Was that not punishing enough?

We'll discuss this at a later time. Torzen tucked the now-folded drapes under his arm, and left.

Then the intercom chimed. Attention. The vessel with President Laguna on it has just returned to Balamb airspace, and is requesting permission to land at Garden. Again.

Xu sighed.


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What's wrong? asked Seifer.

Quistis sighed again. Nobody likes me, she said. I'm just a worthless failure and nobody likes me. As soon as Rinoa comes back, Squall barely gives me the time of day, and I wasn't even invited to this year's TrepieCon. She sighed for a third time. I always find some excuse not to go, but usually they at least ask.

Feeling abandoned? Seifer asked. Like nobody likes you?

Quistis frowned. Well, that is what I just —

Feeling like your whole life doesn't matter worth anything because you'll be an outcast forever and your dreams fell apart and even if they hadn't, you'd be infamous instead of admired?

Quistis frowned deeper. No, not really...oh, we're talking about you now.

Yeah, I know how that feels, said Seifer. I live it every day of my life, and thanks for caring. He turned away from her.

Quistis sighed for a fourth time. Oh, Seifer, she said, placing a hand on his shoulder. I do care. You might not believe that, but you're my student, and how you feel matters to me.

Seifer reached up and took her hand in his own. Then he turned around and gazed into her eyes. Quistis, sensitive to the moment, removed her glasses to make things easier for him.

You know when you said that nobody likes you? he asked rhetorically. You got that part wrong. And he leaned forward, causing Quistis' heart to skip a beat as —

Hey, guys! — Zell appeared in the doorway to the compartment they were standing in. Both Seifer and Quistis jumped backwards, putting 2.3 meters' distance between them in the space of one second. We've almost reached our destination; looks like the tractor beam's taking us someplace on the [Dark Side of the Moon]! He frowned. Hey, what were you guys doing in here?

Quistis thought on her feet. I was...instructing Seifer on...dance moves, because he's...going to be taking the dancing proficiency test as part of his new studies at Garden!

agreed Seifer. That's what we were doing!

Oh, you're gonna take the dance test? asked Zell. Man, I remember doin' that. They got all mad when I tried to do this break-dancing routine I picked up at Balamb RapFest 82 — that was a really cool music festival, you know; usually the good bands only play in Dollet, but that year...

Quistis and Seifer sighed.


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What's wrong? asked Rinoa.

Well, gee, said Irvine before Squall could respond. We've been caught in a tractor beam and towed to some base on the far side of the moon where we're about to be boarded by alien shock troops. He pointed to the display panel reading, YOU ARE ABOUT TO BE BOARDED BY ALIEN SHOCK TROOPS. [W3RD-J0] ...Except they can't really be aliens, because...

Okay, that gag is really getting old now, said Nida.

Just then, the airlock, which they all happened to be standing next to, opened with an ominous hiss, and a trio of individuals entered, their features obscured by the smoke that also was rolling in.

You are humans, one said, in a high-pitched voice. It should also be noted that these individuals stood only about waist-high.

said Squall. Uh, I mean...I'm Squall Leonhart, a SeeD from Balamb Garden.

Your identity is irrelevant, said one of the individuals who had not spoken before. About now, the smoke cleared; and the individuals were revealed to be small blue aliens wearing bubble helmets over their heads and holding energy pistols of some sort.

Surrender or die, please! said the one in front, whose slightly different-colored clothes indicated he/she/it was the leader.

said Irvine. They're aliens. Who would have known?

Rinoa fainted.


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