The Field Exam

Team Farron, together with the other participating teams are already formed at the Main Gate, waiting for instructions from their superiors. The SeeDs on the other hand, are standing just in front of them, awaiting for the green signal for them to leave. The Garden mobiles that will transport them to town are also prepared. Claire the leader, was standing behind Irvine, Zell and Selphie and her members were behind her. The other teams are lined up in similar formation. All of them saluted when Xu arrived.

"At ease." She said. "Is everyone ready?" Everybody expressed their agreement.

"In that case, let the operation commence. Board your designated vehicles and head to Balamb town. Good luck everyone, and be safe!" She ordered.

And with that, everybody moved, boarding their assigned vehicles in precise and quick movements.

Inside the van, they were positioned in two rows. On the first row were the SeeDs but because their seat is longer compared at the back, Claire was sitting with them. Hexa, Jazz and Onyx were sitting at the back. Ogden, because of his size is settled in the passenger seat. The others were on another mobile next to them.

"I'm just wondering." Hexa started after a moment of silence which earned her seven pairs of eyes, the ones in front were looking at her through the rearview mirror. "Uhm the other teams have a squad of SeeDs with them but we only have three." She said in a curious tone, not meaning to sound rude.

Jazz looked at her like she's going insane. "Are you nuts?" He whispered to her. "Don't you know them? They're commander Leonhart and instructor Trepe's friends, you know? They are the guys who were with them when they defeated Ultimecia ten years ago!"

"Why would you need a squad if the seniors with us are more powerful than them?" Onyx commented.

"They're more than enough, you know?" Ogden snorted at the ignorance of his friend.

Her eyes widened in realization and immediately felt embarassed with her question. "Oh! I didn't really knew. I'm sorry. I was just worried about what will happen that's all." She said in a nervous tone.

"Relax. There's no point in panicking. We're doing a raid, not going into battle." Claire quipped.

"Yeah, what she said." Zell nodded in support.

"Besides, we get that a lot. We're young and look just like the rest. No one will actually think we did those things before." Selphie explained.

"It's because we look more like celebrities rather than heroes." Irvine sighed while dramatically looking through the window beside him, sounding like it's a real burden to be good looking.

"We don't need to use their help if we can actually finish the mission as what they've ordered. Remember, this is an opportunity for us. We should do our best. Let's get the job done." The pinkette reminded her teammates.

"Aye!" The four members said in unison.

"Sounding like a true-blooded SeeD." Irvine said with an amused tone. Zell and Selphie quietly nodded in agreement.

They are now at the dock in Balamb and everyone was making their way into their own vessels. While they were getting on board, Selphie tugged the pinkette on her arm.

"Sis!" She whispered.

"Huh? Is there a problem?" Claire curiously asked.

"Nah, just wanna show you this." The brunette raised a device that was hanging on her belly.

"A camera? What do you need that for?" She asked again.

"I'll take photos of you guys while you're doing the mission! I'll take the best ones into the school's publishing!" Selphie explained in excitement.

The cadet blinked. "For what?"

The young woman gasped in disbelief. "We always do this when there's a mission going on, duh! Well I always do, not them." She clarified.

Claire can only manage to sigh. "Fine. Do what you want. Just...be careful."

"Aight!" The brunette giggled as they settled in their own chosen spot.

It took them an hour before they reached the shore of Dollet and another hour to reach the target area. It was located somewhere within a mountain and the road leading towards the area was strangely blocked which makes things a bit difficult for them as they have no choice but to proceed on foot. The SeeDs quietly positioned themselves around the entire place, hiding and just waiting to back up if ever things gets awry. Which happens to be a good thing because before the cadets can manage to reach the gates, they already spotted a platoon of Galbadian Soldiers guarding the area.

What are those jerks doing there? Claire heard the blond duelist's voice through the earpiece. Each one of them have the similar device to communicate with their superiors.

I don't have any idea. But for now, proceed with the plan. Irvine advised.

Somebody report this to the Garden, please? Selphie ordered.

Copy that! A SeeD replied.

"Something's not right." Claire whispered as they advanced.

One of the Galbadian soldiers who noticed them approached. "You have no business here, Balamb. Go back to your school!" He commanded them.

"In fact we do!" A cadet who was assigned with the negotiation replied. "We have a search permit here. We need to inspect the area. Step aside, soldier." He explained in a formal tone.

The soldiers only laughed at them. "These school kids are really funny!" One of them said.

"Hey, if we told you to go away, just go! Return to your mommas!" Another one said which earned another laughter.

"We are not going anywhere until we're done with what we came for." The cadet replied again.

The soldier who seem to be their squad leader raised his gun and pointed it to him and the rest of the soldiers quickly followed. The cadets on the other hand raised their own weapons as they positioned themselves in defense.

Whoa, whoa, whoa, things are getting hot out there! Irvine said through the earpiece.

Should we help them already? A SeeD asked.

Hold your horses pals, let's wait a bit longer. He replied.

Give them another minute. If things gets out of control, we'll break in on my signal. Selphie instructed them.

"Go back kid. Do it while we're still being nice." The soldier said with a threatening voice.

"I said-" Before the cadet can finish his sentence, the soldier shot him on his right leg. He cried in pain.

FUCK! Irvine exclaimed.

Dammit! Let's go! Selphie ordered and the SeeDs began to move. Even if they're Galbadian Soldiers, they knew the rules about hurting other people, especially civilians. And the poor guy wasn't even a SeeD yet, he's only a mere student.

And that angered the SeeDs as they immediately arrived from different directions charging at the soldiers. Majority of the cadets ran away and flee for their lives before they can get caught up in the middle of the fight but still, a handful of brave ones stayed and fought with their superiors. And the pink haired woman was one of them.

That's it! Claire internally cursed as she jumped towards the soldiers in front of her, unfolding her gunblade into its blade form in just a blink of an eye while in midair. Three soldiers dropped on the ground from her three consecutive swings as soon as she landed. Not stopping, she folded her Blazefire Saber into its gun form and shot at the soldiers blocking her way while she ran towards the closed gates. She stopped for a moment and scanned the surrounding, seeing the chaos that immediately insued. SeeDs and soldiers were fighting and a lot of cadets are on the ground, injured from the attacks.

"Hexa!" She shouted while her eyes scanned the area for the woman.

"I'm here!" The medic student replied while casting blizzara on a bunch of soldiers.

"Stay here and help the medics in securing the wounded students! Ogden, Jazz, Onyx! Follow me!"

"Copy!" They shouted in unison.

She ran again, shooting at the soldiers approaching them. A large, muscular soldier with a huge axe suddenly jumped in front of her with his arms raised, ready to slice her.

"AAAAARGHH!" The soldier shouted.

"Ogden!" The pinkette halted and ducked quickly as the huge fighter suddenly appeared above her and landed a powerful punch on the soldier's face. She continued with her accurate shots at the enemies while kneeling.

"RAAAAGGGHHH!" Ogden yelled, pushing his fist on the enemy's face with his full force. It was so powerful the said soldier was thrown through the gates and another few meters further, destroying the metal object and plowing through the startled soldiers in the process. He landed on his feet and adjusted his heavy gloves as Jazz and Onyx advanced from each of his sides at a very fast pace, charging at the soldiers surrounding the entrance of the building.

They stopped in the middle of the hostile soldiers and didn't waste even a second attacking. Jazz swung his lance with precision at an inhuman speed, dodging and slicing at every soldier the weapon came contact into, while Onyx's barrage of bullets accurately hit the right fatal spots, downing more soldiers in the process. Claire on the other hand was still outside the gates, surrounded by numerous soldiers.

"Tch..." She jumped and her gunblade was transformed into two giant, feather-like blades courtesy of her GF Odin, and the sky was covered with dark clouds in just a split second which surprised the enemies.

"Take this!" She swung her weapons downwards with full force. The ground shook and the place lit up as several lightnings landed on every soldiers around her, knocking them off instantly. The clouds disappeared as soon as she had finished her attack and her weapon returned into its gunblade form before she can land on her feet. She spotted three pairs of eyes watching her with an amused look despite of being busy with their own respective fights. She smirked at them as she caught up with her members. She looked back through the gates where they just entered and saw the SeeDs still preoccupied as more Galbadian soldiers arrived out of nowhere.

"Man, why are there so many of them?" Ogden asked while throwing a soldier away which he was gripping on its head like it was nothing but a leaf.

"They're probably hiding something fishy inside." Jazz replied while huffing.

"Whatever that is, it must be something big. Seeing how they're guarding this place." Onyx added as he loaded his two guns with another set of bullets.

Claire pressed on her earpiece and spoke. "We'll go ahead inside the factory to check the area. They're probably guarding something in there." She informed their superiors.

Okie-dokie! Don't worry! We'll keep 'em busy! Zell replied while grunting from his powerful punches.

We'll catch up as soon as we're done with these insects! Irvine responded. The sound of his shotgun can be heard.

Sis, be careful! We'll be there in a minute. Selphie added. She was busy taking pictures of her surroundings with her left hand while her right flicked the other handle of her nunchaku towards an approaching soldier on the face which made the latter fall down unconsciously.

"Alright." She replied and turned her attention to her teammates. "Let's move!" She ordered. They nodded and advanced through the doors.

Weapons raised, they immediately spotted some workers throughout the area, ducked under whatever protection they can hide at. They jumped in great fear by their sudden arrival.

Ten soldiers ran and pointed their guns at them.

"Oh, are you guys alone?" Jazz tauntingly asked them. The soldiers aimed their guns more properly at their targets.

"STAY HIDDEN!" Claire shouted while glaring at the soldiers. She said the words as loud and clear as possible for the civilians to hear. No one dared peaking to see the scene.

"Wouldn't you know it, it's a chocobo." The pinkette said with a meaningful smirk. The soldiers exchanged confused looks at the random comment unaware that 'chocobo' is actually a code of one of their team's techniques. Ogden immediately stepped backwards while grinning and stopped just behind the three.

"DASH DE CHOCOBOOOO!" Jazz yelled as three spears of energy formed on his left hand and together with the lance on his right, he threw them on his targets in just a blink of an eye. Claire and Onyx on the other hand, pulled their triggers in an incredible speed towards the rest of the enemies while dodging the bullets shot their way. In just a second, ten soldiers fell on the ground. All at the same time. Several workers' screamed in fear as they saw the soldiers on the floor.

"Check the area." She commanded and the three men quickly split into different directions, securing the entire place. Claire on the other hand sheathed her weapon and slowly approached one of the workers and knelt just in front of her. The woman was curled under a machine and looked at her with fright in her eyes.

"Don't kill me! I have a son back home! Please!" She begged while her body shook uncontrollably.

"Stay calm. We're not enemies. I'm sorry you have to see that." She gently consoled her. The worker jumped a bit when she attempted to place a hand on her shoulder. The poor woman was clearly in trauma. She looked at her with a worried expression.

"Coast is clear." Onyx reported while they positioned themselves behind her. That's when the lady's eyes spotted the seal on their uniforms and her fear lessened for a bit.

"You're from Balamb Garden?" She asked, voice still shaking. Upon hearing the school's name, the other civilians emerged from their hiding place and carefully approached them.

"We are." She smiled at her in assurance.

The woman suddenly gripped on her arm tightly which startled her. "Please help us! Those people detained us here and forced us to work non-stop!" She pleaded.

"We haven't been able to go home since they came here!" One worker said.

"They even hurt us and starve us to death." Another one added.

What? Claire exchanged looks with the three men behind her.

The woman looked at her with pleading eyes. "I just want to see my son again. He's still a child. I beg of you!" She said with tears flowing from her eyes.

"We're here to help you, don't worry." Claire replied, her heart heavy with the cruelty she just heard. Just in time as the door bursts open and the SeeDs emerged. Irvine, Selphie and Zell approached them quickly.

"Sorry we're late!" Selphie said while heaving.

"Party ended a bit longer than we thought." Irvine explained while adjusting his cowboy hat.

"It's fine. But we need to move them to safety as soon as possible." Claire responded in a hurried manner.

"You heard her, bro's! Let's go!" Zell shouted as he waved at the SeeDs. They hurriedly guided the workers towards the door. Few moments later, the four of them together with several remaining SeeDs were the only ones left inside the factory as Ogden, Jazz and Onyx also helped with the rescue.

"Now, where were we?" Irvine asked almost to himself while his eyes scanned the area.

"Folks! Check the entire place for something suspicious, aight?" Selphie ordered and the SeeDs dispersed to work.

"I don't get it." The pinkette muttered under her breath.

"Get what?" Selphie asked as she inspect a huge machine probably used in processing different types of food.

"One of the workers told me all of them were detained here by Galbadian soldiers for several months. They were forced to work nonstop and they were being starved. But why?" She pondered.

"Another question is, why are they even involved here? They are obviously irrelevant to these factory and don't even get me started with the mayor. He didn't have any clue about this? Seriously?" Irvine added.

"Maaan, this is confusing me to no end." Zell scratched the back of his head.

They all returned into silence while they focused on inspecting the entire production area. Moments later...

"Sir, you might want to see this!" A SeeD poked his head from one of the two stock rooms. They quickly approached him and entered the said area. They looked around and what they saw was numerous flasks containing a strange, colorless liquid which is placed on several shelves.

"Whoa, what are those?" Zell asked as he leaned his face closer towards one of the flasks.

"I seriously have no idea." Selphie responded while her camera flashes nonstop as she took pictures of the entire room.

"Among all the rooms here, this is the only one with the door locked. It actually has multiple locks so I needed to break the door so I can check what's inside." The SeeD informed them.

"Let's just confiscate everything here. These things look really suspicious." Claire suggested. "They don't seem like they even belong here."

"More like it belongs to a scientist's lab." Irvine agreed. "Let's bring those stuff." He ordered.

The SeeD obliged and called on the other SeeDs and they proceeded in collecting the bottles, sealing the lids and carefully placing them on empty boxes.

"It's been a long, tiring day." The man in a cowboy hat commented while they walked. They have already left the factory and they're now boarding again their vessel.

"Mission complete!" Selphie exclaimed. "Though things were a lot worse than what we expected."

"We're still awesome!" Zell threw a fist on the air.

Claire let out a long sigh. "Unfortunately, this case isn't finished yet."

"That's right. But this is your only assignment. Whatever the next step will be, other SeeDs will take over to finish it." Irvine explained.

"Unless you wanted to take this as your first case as a SeeD." Selphie winked at her while smiling.

"No surprises, bro! She did great today!" Zell responded.

The pinkette only shook her head while smiling. "Let's just go back and see if I'm going to be one." She replied.

Irvine gasped in disbelief. "I'll smack them with my shotgun if they fail you! Your team were awesome!"

Before the sun sets, the ship was already cruising smoothly on the calm sea, returning them back towards the town of Balamb.