Part Three

The Dollet Assignment

Balamb Garden

Seifer Almasy was a guy who always held a cocky air of arrogance around him. He would never show his real emotions or intentions so he kept a mask up with a smirk and a malicious glint to his eyes. He was standing between his posse while Headmaster Cid, Quistis and Xu talked to Squall and Zell about the upcoming mission.

Seifer groaned when he learned that the Chicken-Wuss was on the team but at least he got to be Squad Leader. Squall and Zell were both dressed in their SeeD uniforms for the exam while Seifer dressed in his usual outfit consisting of a blue and white vest, a gray trench coat and black pants.

Hefting Hyperion onto his shoulder Seifer followed Quistis out, flashing Raijin and Fujin a smirk before departing for the garage. The group were to take a car to Balamb then make their way towards the harbour where a small ship would take them to Dollet.

The town was under attack from Galbadia and the mayor of Dollet wanted SeeD members to take care of the situation before it escalated into an all out war. Quistis and Xu led the trio down to the garage where they climbed into a black and yellow truck.

As the vehicle pulled out of the Garden and got onto the road leading to Balamb Seifer could hear his GF humming a song in his head. The blond was tempted to ask Phoenix to shut the fuck up but the last thing he wanted was for the Instructors to think he was some sort of mental case. Growling low in his throat Seifer mentally asked Phoenix to be quiet for the remainder of the journey. The GF demanded to be called Axel by his host but Seifer ignored him as best he could.

"When you land at Dollet you are to secure the immediate area." Xu explained the mission details.

"Just stick to the mission details, nothing else." Quistis shot Seifer a warning look.

"Piece of cake baby." Zell flashed his canines.

"Just listen to what I say Chicken-Wuss and I'll get you back to your mother in one piece." Seifer grinned at the little blond.

"What did you say Almasy?" Zell yelled angrily as he leapt to his feet.

"Sit down Zell." Quistis warned the fighter. The blond huffed but complied as he sat down next to Squall.

"You're such an asshole Almasy." Zell snarled bitterly.

"Sticks and stones." Seifer answered in a bored tone. Squall rolled his eyes at the display but he said nothing.

"Pay attention boys." Xu barked. "This mission will shape your future as a SeeD so don't mess it up."

The truck brought them to the sea side town then drove on towards the harbour where the ships were waiting for them. No doubt Zell, Squall and Seifer would encounter other members of SeeD teams out on their exam mission to Dollet.

The group departed the truck and got onto the ship. Within ten minutes the vessel was sailing across the ocean towards Dollet. The plan was for Seifer and his team to land on the beach then make their way into town, taking out any Galbadian soldiers they might encounter.

After twenty minutes of waiting the ship got close to the town. Quistis ordered Zell, Squall and Seifer to the departing section of the ship where they could run onto the beach. As the metal ramp lowered Seifer raised Hyperion and ordered the other two out of the ship and onto the dark sand. The team landed on the ground and they spotted a hall in the stone wall surrounding the town. Smoke billowed into the red sky and the sound of explosions caught Squall's attention.

From what he could see the town was still intact and it looked like the people had been evacuated. Running through the shattered wall Seifer led them down a road lined with various shops, a cafe, hotel and a bookstore. They ran along the road until they came to a deserted square in the centre of the town. There was a ruined marble fountain and Seifer spotted the Galbadian soldiers emerging from the other side of the square. Smirking he raised his Gunblade.

"We've got company." He spoke up.

"The SeeD mercs are here!" one of the soldiers shouted.

Zell attacked first, ramming his gloved fist into the guy's covered face. The Galbadian fell to the ground in a dead heap at the blond's feet. Two other soldiers made their appearance from behind the marble fountain and Seifer and Squall launched into their attacks. It didn't take long for the Gunblade wielders to finish off their opponents. After clearing out the square the team moved towards a bridge that would take them to the next section of the town.

They reached another square and there were at least four Galbadians patrolling the immediate area. Zell took on two of the soldiers while Squall and Seifer faced off against the other two. The tall blond couldn't believe how simple this mission was so far.

Surely this would ensure his elevation to SeeD status once and for all. Once the Galbadians were defeated Seifer heard someone talking from nearby. He couldn't make out everything that was being said but when he heard Communications Tower he got an idea.

"The Galbadians are taking the tower." He announced as he rejoined Squall and Zell.

"And how does that concern us?" Squall cocked an eyebrow at his rival.

"Yeah man, we did our job now let's go back." Zell punched the air with his fist.

"Look, if the Galbadians are screwing around with the Communications Tower it must be bad." Seifer pointed out.

"We have our orders Seifer. We secure the town, that's it." Squall said through gritted teeth.

"I'm Squad Leader so I say we check out the tower." Seifer retorted.

"Are you crazy, man? You'll fail if you do this!" Zell cried. His baby blues flickered between Squall and Seifer.

"We did our job Almasy." The brunet stated firmly.

"Fine you and the Chicken can stay here. I've already got back up." He tapped a finger to his temple then ran off towards the tower.

"He's nuts!" Zell glanced towards Squall. "What do you wanna do?"

"He'll get himself killed." The brunet replied icily.

"The guy can be a total asshole but he's still one of us right?" Zell pointed out. "We gotta do something."

"Dammit..." Squall swore but he nodded towards Zell.

The duo made their way through an alleyway that led out towards a rocky pathway. They could see the Communications Tower but Seifer was nowhere in sight. Moving along the rocky pathway Squall and Zell stopped when a young girl appeared over the rocks, her weapon in hand and her breathing ragged. Glancing up her bright green eyes widened in surprise then a smile graced her lips. She was wearing the standard SeeD uniform.

"Hey there!" she cheered. "I'm Selphie Tilmitt."

Seifer made his way through the cold corridors of the tower. He had managed to sneak in when the guards gave chase to a girl who had taken out a few of the Galbadians by herself. When he entered the tower he spotted an elevator directly in front of him. The lift only took him up to the second floor but it suited his needs. He could reach the top of the tower and find out what the Galbadians are up to. The Gunblade master quickly raced up a staircase to the top floor.

So what's the plan? Axel's voice broke into his mind.

"We gather info then stop them." Seifer replied quietly.

And what if you're outnumbered? You gotta think ahead pal.

"That's what you're here for." Seifer retorted.

Oh I feel so used... Axel said in a mock hurt tone.

"We're almost there. Get ready to fight." Seifer warned when he reached the metal door.

Bring it on baby.

Seifer rolled his jade eyes then carefully opened the door to the top level of the tower. Cool air washed over his skin and the red light from the bloodied sky fell across the tower top. Seifer moved carefully across the flat metal surface of the tower then he stopped when he heard voices coming from beside the large dish. Peering around the corner he spotted two men. One was dressed in bright red and black armour, the other in blue. The guy in blue was doing something to the base of the dish.

"Hurry up and finish your job. The President wants this dish active before the live broadcast in Timber." The red guy snapped irritably.

"This thing is almost twenty years old, maybe older. I'm going as fast as I can." His companion snapped back.

"Just get it done." The red guy growled.

"They're going to broadcast?" Seifer whispered in disbelief.

I'm guessing that's not a good thing. Axel said.

"The last broadcast that was made was during the end of the last Sorceress War." Seifer whispered back.

Who's the President?

"They've gotta be talking about the Galbadian President. I wonder why he wants this dish active though." Seifer murmured as he moved closer to the soldiers.

You smell a rat don't you?

"Something's up that's for sure." Seifer muttered as he got closer to his target.

The blond grinned when he got his target in sight. He gripped Hyperion before making his advance. At that moment the door he had come through banged open and the two Galbadians turned around. Seifer mentally cursed the idiot for banging the door open but he kept his face impassive and a smirk curled his lips. The soldiers sprang to their feet with their swords held up for a fight. Seifer heard footsteps running towards his direction then Squall, Zell and that girl from before appeared.

"Seifer!" Squall barked.

"Nice of you to join the party Squally Boy." Seifer replied cockily.

"Dammit!" the red armoured guy snarled. "Take them out!"

Come on Seifer, let me have my fun.

"What are you guys doing to this tower?" Seifer demanded.

"We don't have to answer to you!" the blue armoured guy snapped.

Can I kick his ass now? Axel pleaded.

"Get back Leonhart!" Seifer barked when Squall approached him.

Before Squall could demand why Seifer lowered his sword and summoned up his GF. A ball of fire appeared before the blond man then t formed into the shape of a human with wings. Bright red hair, green eyes and a smirk became evident and Squall found himself staring at Seifer Almasy's GF.

How the hell could Seifer get a GF? The red haired entity raised his hands and flames erupted from his fingers. The flames formed into two circular weapons with silver spikes and a red design. The GF faced the Galbadians and his weapons turned into fire that launched towards the soldiers.

"Burn baby!" the GF yelled. Squall glared at his rival. Seifer had a lot of fucking explaining to do.