Chapter 3: I knew it couldn't last
As the lift doors opened Squall and Zell found that Selphie was already there and appeared to be getting rather impatient as she paced back and forth in front of the headmaster Cid's office door.
"How long is this gonna take? Xu went in already" she seemed to be saying to herself because she hadn't spotted Squall or Zell.
"Shouldn't be that long" said Zell seemingly making Selphie jump a bit.
"Don't surprise me like that" with Selphie seemingly scolding Zell.
"Sorry" was the reply as Zell stared at the floor trying not to meet Selphie's glare, because even though Selphie was small everyone knew that she wasn't to be trifled with.
"Don't worry about it" she said reassuringly to Zell, it appeared she had taken some fun out of watching Zell squirm.
As soon as this exchange had finished taking place the doors to Cid's office opened and inside they could see that Cid was on the phone and Xu was standing next to him with Cid in what appeared to be in a rather angry conversation with whoever was on the other end, and just hearing the end of it.
"I don't care, you find my people or I swear, oh never mind you're not worth it" he finished and slammed the phone down and seemingly taking a moment to regain his composure, before finally looking at the three SeeDs in front of him.
Cid spoke first "Please take a seat"
As each of them moved to their seats Squall just had to ask "What's wrong sir?"
Cid replied "In a moment"
He then moved towards the window and took a few deep breaths and then asked Xu "Please hand them the folders"
"Yes sir" was Xu's reply as she moved and handed each of them a folder.
Once each of them was given a folder Xu took a seat next to them and they all waited for the headmaster to take his seat and when he did he began to speak "Well I am sorry you all had to see that but I guess it couldn't be helped" saying this while looking rather embarrassed, "but it is a difficult situation, and that is why I called you here"
"As you all know about a month ago Quistis Trepe and Irvine Kinneas were contracted for a long term assignment, the details of this assignment being a closely guarded secret" Said Cid and then waiting for whatever comments that were to be made and he was right.
"No kidding" said Squall "I am supposedly the military commander of Balamb Garden and even I wasn't told, and when I try to access the mission file I am locked out"
"Yes I remember your protests last month" Cid responded now taking a standing position.
"But it was necessary at our clients request; security here was most definitely needed given the sensitivity of the mission. But know I think you need to know given the most recent developments" said Cid
"Recent developments sir?" asked Squall
"As you know we have only heard from Quistis and Irvine in very short and far between communications at all times during scheduled reports, they haven't made their last two" Said Cid the worry clearly showing on his face.
"What are you saying?" said Zell jumping out of his seat.
"What I am saying Mr. Dincht is that both Quistis Trepe and Irvine Kinneas are now officially listed as MIA and I want you three to find out what happened to them" Cid said seemingly annoyed by Zell's outburst, which caused Zell to retake his seat.
"So who was the client and what was the mission they were on?" said Selphie who looked extremely shaken by the news regarding Quistis and Irvine. At the same time it was clear to see that Squall, Zell and Xu felt the same way
Cid again retaking his seated position obviously feeling very uneasy about the situation and then he spoke "The client was the Esthar government and the mission was to investigate the Galbadian based Shinra Corporation"
"You mean the weapons manufacturer?" asked Squall
"Yes, the one in the same, Esthar said that they had suspicions that they were developing some secret projects, a few of them the Galbadian government doesn't even know about" Said Cid
"But the Galbadians provide almost all of their funding and it is an exclusive contract between the two, the Galbadians are there sole client so how would they fund these ones on the side?" asked Squall
Cid looked at Squall then replied "You don't think they just provide the Galbadians with weapons, we have heard rumors from as far back as the invasion of Timber that Shinra were selling small amounts of weapons to the Timber army behind the Galbadians backs they were never enough to help Timber but always enough for Shinra to make a small profit on the side, if this is true this money is most likely used to fund these operations, but these are just suspicions"
After taking a few breaths Cid continued "Esthar offered us a contract to investigate these claims and we agreed to it we chose Quistis and Irvine because of Quistis experience and Irvine's knowledge of Galbadia, But it had to be kept quiet because if Shinra and Galbadia find out what we are doing it could have caused an international incident so only me and those two knew and we locked the file, and now they have went missing, I guess it is my fault should have never accepted this contract, should have known better, But now I order you three to locate them you will begin in Deling city and you leave immediately gather your things and be at the front gate in an hour, dismissed, oh yes I took the liberty of informing Miss Heartilly she will meet you at the Galbadia hotel later tonight she was going to get the next train from Timber, good luck."
The three stood after this and saluted to Cid who returned it, they then made there way to the lift and entered it. At this point Xu walked to Cid and put a hand on his shoulder and said "They will be alright and they will find Quistis and Irvine"
Cid replied "I hope so, I hope so"