Disclaimer: I do not own anything from Final Fantasy VII or Final Fantasy VIII. They belong to Square Enix and their respective creators. I just own my intensive fangirlness and this idea.

I would like to thank everyone for reading this! I appreciate the kudos! I'm sorry for the LONG wait. Instead of waiting to type everything out, I'mma just go ahead, and post what I have, and try to come to a conclusion about Dollet.

Running Out of Time

Chapter 3

Dollet Planning

Every day, Quistis visits Squall to ensure he's in bed recovering, and every night, Cloud drops in for a brief moment. Seifer will occasionally pop in, and mumble a 'good, he ain't dead yet' before leaving. Dr. Kadowaki finds it amusing; she doesn't say a word, and keeps on smiling.

Three days after the incident, Squall awakens. Several days later during lunch, Dr. Kadowaki casually mentions the healing process; of how Quistis nearly used up all the backup Curage spells to make sure he lived. Of Seifer shouting at Squall's unconscious body hoping that the young gunbladian would hear and not die. Briefly, she speaks of Cloud returning Griever. During one of Quistis's visits, Squall whispers his thanks, and Quistis smiles for the rest of the day.

A week and a half, and he's able to start walking. Selphie Tilmitt, a member of the Garden Festival Committee, bumps into him, and offers to help him around Garden. Not quite begrudgingly, Squall accepts, and only because he's on crunches to help him begin moving again. Two days later, Zell pops up and joins the group. The duo had taken a liken to the Lone Wolf, and they hang around though Squall doesn't speak very much.

Not too long after, Squall is allowed to return to his room without needing constant supervision. Of course, he immediately starts retraining his body, and Zell accompanies him. Without it being said, the martial artist can lift and bench press more than Squall. Zell makes sure Squall doesn't push himself.

All-the-while, Headmaster Cid 'constructs' the mission for Dollet. Cloud, Xu and other Elite SeeDs meet and discuss routes, possible attacks and defense. Xu spends her days calculating the death toll, and each time, the numbers come back higher and higher due to unknown variables. They don't have much information to go on to start, and Xu worries they would be led into a trap.

"We know we'll expect Galbadian soldiers," Xu begins, "and that X-ATM092 machine. It's everything else that's a variable." Another debate, another day of Headmaster Cid not paying attention, sitting in a chair. Five members of Elite SeeD surround the round table; a world map with tiny figurines of colored soldiers - red for Galbadia, brown for Dollet and blue for Balamb. Xu and Cloud are across from each other, each with their eyes on the map. "We're not equipped for air strike, attacking them from behind will take too long with higher risk, and sending one or two teams won't survive."

"Our forces have decreased due to disappearance on Galbadia Continent in the past ten years," injects Johnny, a tall, red-head young man, new to the Elites. "All five of us proceedin' is risky. In case that we're unable to return, who will train the new SeeD?"

"The faculty and instructors won't be able to handle it in addition to their tasks," Chloe states. A rather short woman, she's the youngest, and the most patient amongst them. Scotch grunts in annoyance. Xu glares at him, but it's difficult to see if he noticed as his dark sunglasses shield his eyes.

"We need to think about the present. Future's no good if we can't even protect us now. What if we send in the new SeeD?" Scotch suggests. Cloud perks up.

"Continue," the swordsman asks.

"Dollet's soldiers aren't that bad. We can use them as cannon fodder while our men do the work." Scotch moves the Dollet soldiers in front of the Galbadian ones on Hasberry Plains. "While Dollet has Galbadia distracted, our men—" He takes the blue figurines, and places them on the Communication Tower. "Bypass, and secure the locations along the route to the Tower. We'll send in a specialized team to infiltrate and deactivate the power supply. If by chance they meet up with the X-ATM092, we can hope that there's enough time for them to shut it down."

"Cannon fodder? Really? Are we Galbadia now?" Johnny questions. "We shouldn't use innocent lives to shield ourselves. We all entered Garden knowin' the we may one day die. I don't agree."

"I have to agree with Johnny," the brunette woman inputs. Scotch looks at Chloe, his face scrunching up in annoyance. "There's only 273 men and women in Dollet's Army. Even if Galbadia brings only a twentieth of its army, Dollet is outmatched. We don't even have enough SeeDs and test ready SeeDs to compensate."

"We could always ask Trabia Garden for aid," Johnny casually suggests.

"We cannot ask Trabia for help!" Scotch shouts as he slams his fists into the table. The figurines shake and some topple over. "That would give Galbadia more than enough reason to start another war."

"Like they're not tryin' to start one now by gettin' into Dollet territory?"

"You forget that Dollet is part of Galbadia, not that silly Dollet Empire crap."

"Regardless, we need to do something to stop Galbadia from spreadin'."

"Why is this damn Communication Tower so important?" Scotch and Johnny continue to argue. Xu stares at the map as she calculates strategies in her head. Chloe and Cloud, standing next to each other, just listen.

A cell phone rings, silencing the young men. On the couch a ways beside the group, Cid jolts awake; taking the cell phone out of his left pocket, the Headmaster answers it. The Elites look to the old man. Cid's face turns grim as he mumbles the correct words, and ends the call. He stands up, shaking his head, and looking at the group.

"Galbadian Army is nearing Dollet. Thanks to Cloud's information, Dollet Parliament is aware of Galbadia, and prepared themselves the best they can. They've set up a line of defense outside their city, but it won't last long. We have fifty four hours to assist them otherwise Dollet is lost. Do what you believe is necessary."

"I'll lead the team." Chloe, Scotch, Xu and Johnny look to Cloud. "I know how they assembled the generator to the Tower, and my blade can cut through the control panels if need be. I have a better chance against X-ATM092 in close combat. I'll lead the team."

"With you as the leader, our chances of succeeding are 64%," Xu informs. "It's the best chance we have. I hate using Dollet as a shield, but it's gonna have to be done. Are we all in agreement?" The Elite SeeD nod their heads; Johnny is slow to agree. "Good. I'll make the necessary adjustments. Chloe, arrange transportation. Johnny, compile a list of squads of available SeeDs and SeeD candidates. Cloud, pick your squad from that list and make sure they're ready. Scotch, prepare all supplies. You're dismissed."

*-.*-.*-.*

Cloud and Johnny head to the younger man's room where they could construct their list without disturbance. Thankfully, being an Elite not only allows a single bedroom, but increased security as well. Sliding the key card, and typing in the code, the door slides open.

"I really hate these uniforms man. Can't wait til I get back into the field so I can wear something more comfortable," the red head grumbles, removing his jacket and shirt. Cloud is unfazed by the stripping, and favors sitting on Johnny's bed instead, but not before removing Hardedge from his back, and leaning it against the far wall.

Unlike other rooms he's seen, Johnny's room is clear of trash and dishes. His belongings placed haphazardly along the embedded wall shelf beside the bed, and on the nightstand beside the bed. A couple of band posters decorate the walls, a work out schedule, and photos of friends and family. A particular one attracts Cloud's eye - it was of Johnny and a woman, young with long chocolate brown hair and red eyes. They had an arm around the other's neck, and were making the peace sign.

Another perk of being an Elite SeeD is getting away with contraband. Though Johnny's been an Elite for seven months, he kept an old, single-student control panel in his room. Updated and upgraded, he was able to access certain files thanks to private connections for Elites; Xu assigned him the task knowing Johnny would have the privacy to complete it rather than heading to the library or a classroom where a student could peer at private information.

Johnny touches a few keys to wake it up.

"Want somethin' to drink?" Cloud nods his head, keeping his eyes on the floor rather than glancing around the room. It doesn't take Johnny long to return with bottled water, handing a cold one to Cloud, mildly surprised the young man didn't hand him a beer.

"I was worried man," Johnny speaks up, "that you wouldn't return. Did you hear anythin' about the missing ones?" Cloud shakes his head. The other male sits down at the computer, typing in a few passwords to log into the system.

"Nothing. Maybe we can get some information from this mission."

"Hope so. I've overheard a couple of things while you were out scoutin'." The swordsman looks at Johnny. "Some of the faculty members, ya know, with the weird hats and outfits, were whisperin' about Galbadia Garden. Something about a Sorceress or another. I didn't get the hear the entire conversation. Since then, I've been tryin' to spy on 'em. Sneaky bastards."

Cloud didn't reply. He'd overheard some Galbadian soldiers chatting about Sorceress Edea, and wondered if it was connected with the announcement President Shinra would make if the Communication Tower was functional.

Over the next hour, the two Elites compile a list of eligible SeeDs. Most of them had already visit Fire Cavern except for the one that Cloud wanted.

"Okay Cloud, before I put these babies into squads, choose your three," says Johnny. Cloud removes himself from the bed.

"Zell Dincht, Seifer Almasy and Squall Leonhart."

"Figures ya been thinkin' about it. Why them though? Not complainin'. This is Seifer's second go 'round with the final exam so he has experience. Zell is brash and angers easily. I don't know Squall's condition—" Johnny types in a few keywords, and Squall's profile pops up. "Oh, he's in the Infirmary right now. If ya lucky, he may get the okay to return to the field. He hasn't past his Fire Cavern test though."

"I'll take care of it." The swordsman straps Hardedge back on, and leaves the room. Johnny chuckles.

"Come back alive buddy."

*-.*-.*-.*

Dr. Kadowaki checks over Squall's face and torso one more time; applying pressure at certain points to see if the teen would react or make even the slightest sign of discomfort. Squall's pink tinted face amuses the good doctor, and only because the young man is unaccustomed to being touched, and half dressed.

"Not quite in shape as you were before, but you're getting there. Alright Squall, you're good to go," she speaks. Clicking her pen, she marks off a few things on her clipboard as she turns back to her desk. The doors to the Infirmary slide open, and Cloud steps inside. Squall stands up, saluting Cloud who returns the gesture. Shirtless, Cloud allows himself to glance at the scars adoring Squall's stomach and arms before the gunbladian slips on his trademark white shirt and leather jacket.

"Instructor Trepe will be unable to take you to the Fire Cavern for your exam," Cloud informs. "There's a SeeD exam coming up soon. I'll grade you on your Fire Cavern, and you can participate, granting you pass." Squall nods his head.

"When do we leave?" questions Squall. Already prepared, Squall thought he would have to wait on Quistis as her fan club tended to make her late for unimportant matters.

"Right now. Go ahead, and junction Shiva. We're gonna take the long route to the Fire Cavern so we don't encounter any T-Rexaurs." Squall held back the retort; any argument against his physical condition would be useless. He simply nods his head. "Let's take our leave."

*-.*-.*-.*

In case you forgot (cause I did too), Johnny, Chloe and Scotch are from Final Fantasy VII. Johnny is from Sector 7 (and randomly appears elsewhere in the game), Chloe is Choco Billy's sister, and Scotch is a henchmen of Don Corneo's. Since their characters aren't completely fleshed out, I decided to take it into my own hands. Will they have a bigger role? Who knows cause I surely don't lol.