Nida was leaning against the wall by the entrance to Garden's parking lot, flipping through a copy of Timber Maniacs as he waited for the other SeeDs to arrive. A short distance away, Jeck was attempting to impress Zell, Paige and Karenna with a story about one of his assignment in Galbadia, and doing so loudly enough to make Nida's attempts at reading more than a little difficult.

"So it turns out these bandits were really, like, disgruntled ex-military types or something, and they had a whole garrison hidden up in that hill. So what we did was, I went in and made this big diversion so the others could sneak in and knock out the base's power. Thing was, by the time they got around to shutting down the generator, I'd already blown a huge hole in their perimeter, and the G-Army could just walk straight in anyhow." He thumped his chest haughtily. "I captured their leader myself, you know."

Nida rolled his eyes. "I went on that mission, Jeck. The perimeter was a half-dozen light infantry and a rusted-out BGM unit that could barely move."

Paige laughed.

"Say what you want, man," Jeck said, "but I was the lynch pin of that operation, and I performed above and beyond the call of duty. I tell you, if they'd have sent me to Timber, that place would have been independent in no time."

"Hey, watch it, man!" Zell warned, not amused.

"You're just jealous 'cause you don't have the talent," Jeck said. "I'm just hoping I finally get a chance to prove myself on this mission."

"You're an idiot," Nida declared, returning to his magazine.

"Say it all you want," Jeck drawled. "You'll see when the time comes."

"Is Jeck telling hero stories again?" Quistis' voice asked from the direction of the hallway. Nida glanced back to see her, along with Irvine and Selphie, approaching the group loaded with travel gear.

"Yeah; what's up with that, man?" Irvine demanded. "Everybody knows I'm the real hero of Garden."

Selphie giggled.

"Oh, please," Jeck said dismissively. "You just became a SeeD last month."

"Exactly!" Irvine retorted. "I helped save the universe while I was still in training. I'd like to see you beat that!"

"You're both impossible," chided Quistis, who was nonetheless unable to disguise her amusement.

Irvine and Selphie went off to join the others, while Quistis paused a moment by Nida. "I just know those two are going to get themselves into some kind of trouble on a job like this," she said, watching Irvine and Jeck.

"Why should this one be any different?" Nida asked, frowning at Quistis' gear. "What all did you guys pack, anyway? You look like you're getting ready for a trip to the moon."

Quistis shrugged, with a little smile. "For all we know, that might be where we're going." She sighed, glancing back toward the hall. "You know, the thing that worries me most about all this is Squall."

Nida raised his eyebrows. "Well, it's different for everyone, I guess. For me, it's how we don't know where we're going or what we're supposed to do or when or if we'll ever get to see Garden again."

"Well, of course that's troubling," replied Quistis. "But this'll be the first time Squall's actually led a mission in months. And he's been so preoccupied lately with Rinoa; I don't know what the stress of active duty will do to him." She shook her head. "This whole thing is affecting Xu terribly as well. I know she hates granting requests like this, but she feels she owes it to Cid to keep the Gardens running." She glanced at Nida. "You could have been nicer, you know."

"Hey." Nida glanced away for a moment, a little uncomfortable with the direct attention. "I know this isn't her fault, but this is my life that's getting played with, so I do reserve the right to be annoyed about it."

"Well, I hate this as much as you do," Quistis said. "But sometimes complaining about things beyond your control can just make them worse."

Nida raised his eyebrows. "Sort of like worrying about things beyond your control?"

Quistis frowned at him for a moment, then gave a small laugh. "Okay. So will you stop complaining about this mission if I stop worrying about Squall?"

Nida nodded thoughtfully. "I think I could live with that." He glanced over her shoulder. "Oh, here he comes."

Squall was making his way down the path towards the assembled SeeDs, carrying little besides his gunblade. Nida also noted that he was the only one of them who was not wearing his SeeD uniform, choosing his too-short leather jacket instead. The Commander glanced up as he came within speaking distance of the team, returning their gazes.

"What are you waiting for?" he asked flatly.

"You," Jeck replied simply.

Squall didn't seem to react at all. "Then let's move out."

"Headmaster Martine has agreed to provide training for a small number of elite soldiers here at Garden, sir. Your expectations were correct; he voiced no significant objection. We've already drafted a tentative contract."

Lord-General Naraka nodded at the voice issuing from the speakerphone on his desk. "Very well, General Tolmar. Have the contract sent to me for review before it is signed."

"Of course."

"Now, then." Naraka flipped open one of the folders that lay at the top of a stack of documents that had accumulated on his desk over the course of the day. "I was shown a report this morning, filed by a patrol skimmer attached to our Southern Fleet near Centra. They report contact with an unidentified ship of Galbadian design, but that the ship disappeared into the archipelago before they could intercept it." He closed the report again. "It seems the renegades have escaped the might of our navy yet again."

There was a pause from General Tolmar. "I thought we had conclusive evidence they had been destroyed this time."

"As did I. I intend to question the Admiral quite thoroughly on that matter at the earliest opportunity. In the mean time, I have come to feel that this enemy is not one we can ferret out through traditional military means. I believe another approach is needed."

"Specifically, sir?"

"There are times, General, when you need a thief to catch a thief. What we need is to employ a force that can understand how this enemy thinks. One trained in a similar fashion, perhaps. Thus the reason why I am speaking to you of this."

"You wish me to to make another request of Headmaster Martine?" Tolmar's voice inquired.

"His Garden has forces trained not only in mercenary operations, but military etiquette as well," Naraka said, scanning over another document as he spoke. "They can track down this enemy without alerting them to any pursuit and forcing them into hiding. When we have their location, we can trap them before they even know a threat exists."

"I'm unsure about this, Lord-General," Tolmar said cautiously. "This enemy has shown considerable resilience; they might not place themselves in a position vulnerable enough to pose an opportunity for us."

"We have nearly caught them on numerous occasions," Naraka retorted. "With accurate intelligence on their whereabouts, we cannot fail."

There was another pause. "I'm also reluctant to place another request to Headmaster Martine so soon. Especially with the SeeD force we've recruited from Balamb; I fear we may be reaching the limit of their tolerance."

"Nonsense," Naraka said dismissively, as he picked up a pen to attach his signature to the document, then moved on to another. "They need our funding to survive. So long as we continue to provide adequate funding, the Gardens will do whatever we wish, as they cannot afford to do otherwise."

"This request is different," Tolmar insisted. "I can't imagine they would agree to hunting down their own, no matter the price."

"General," Naraka began, in a slightly scolding tone, "your opposition to my orders begins to concern me. I am almost made to think you are willfully attempting to defy me."

There was a short pause before Tolmar, voice as even as ever, replied, "Of course I merely wish for the best possible outcome, Lord-General."

"Of course. In any case, these SeeDs will be hunting nothing any more exceptional than a band of particularly aggressive pirates. Is that understood?"

"Understood, Lord-General," the replay came after a moment.

"Make sure Headmaster Martine and his SeeDs understand as well. I want no mistakes. This enemy of Galbadia has existed far too long. Do whatever it takes to see that they are eliminated."

"Very well. Will that be all, Lord-General?"

"Yes. Contact me again when you have results." With that, Naraka terminated the connection, activating the switch that paged his office assistant. "Ms. Locken, please arrange a telephone conference between myself and our ambassador to Esthar. As soon as is convenient, if you please."

"Yes, sir. What should I tell him it's about?"

"Nothing of overwhelming significance," Naraka replied. "Merely some unfinished business that's remained so far too long."

"I understand, sir."

Completing the sheaf of papers he had been working through, Naraka stood, turning to face the window that looked out on the streets of Deling City. A year had passed since one overlooked threat had led to the streets being engulfed in violence, and Naraka had ascended to power with a promise never to allow such a thing to happen again. Yet despite all his efforts, a few loose ends remained, threatening to unravel the complacency of the people once again. The successful capture of the Sorceress in Timber had contained one such outstanding threat, but that success had been marred by this revelation that another, perhaps equally serious danger had once again escaped all his best efforts to eliminate it. The situation was becoming maddening.

Turning back to his desk, he picked up a folder labeled SeeD PROFILES - GALBADIA GARDEN and began to scan through the names of available operatives. The rest of the day's affairs could be postponed until he had determined his own list of individuals suitable for the task he had in mind. He had promised that the security of Galbadia would always be paramount, and to that he was absolutely committed. Far too much had already been sacrificed for him to fail now.

SeeD is a danger, he admitted, even bound as they are by Galbadian funding. Working for us, they are formidable enforcers, but turned against us they can become our deadliest foe. It won't be until SeeD is fully and irrevocably under our control that Galbadia will be truly secure.