Final Fantasy VIII [2nd Instalment]

Grace Barton

Chapter Six

After the climactic events on the bridge, Squall and the group of escapees gathered in what was the D-District Prison's car park. Situated on the very top of the complex, it was the only part of the building left visible once the prison had sunk into the sand.

Everyone was safe and sound. Squall, Rinoa and Selphie had made it into the prison just moments before the churning spires forced the prison beneath the sand. As for Irvine's group, they had managed to escape almost unscathed. They had met up with Squall's group outside, which was where they were now.

At first they were wary, as they stood about at the prison's exit. As of yet, no soldiers appeared to try to recapture them. Irvine assured them there would be no soldiers, for they had too much to deal with inside to bother about them anymore. When Squall quizzed him further, Irvine just smiled and tilted his hat, leaving the swordsman wondering just what the gunman had done to prevent the soldiers coming after them. Whatever he had done it had worked, and so they were able to relax for a little while, at least.

"That was way too dangerous, wasn't it…?" Rinoa remarked.

"Yeah," Squall replied. He was quick to note that Angelo was standing at Rinoa's side. The swordsman frowned. Hadn't they left Angelo behind in Deling City? The dog looked back at him with his large, brown eyes, and wagged his tail. Squall shrugged. Perhaps Irvine had brought him along when he came to collect Rinoa.

"I thought the arms were movin' kinda slow," Irvine said, folding his arms. "They had the submerge system on."

At this, Zell turned and glared at him. Quistis smiled and put her hand on his shoulder, shaking her head. Squall sighed and turned away from them. "Let's just get going," he said. The sooner they got away from his prison the better.

There were two military cars parked in the car park. One was a dull blue-grey colour, and the other one was yellow. "I wanna ride the yellow one!" Selphie announced, and she ran over to the yellow car and dived into the driver's seat.

"I'll take that one, too," said Quistis, and went after her.

Rinoa nodded. "Okay me, too," she said, and she also went inside the car.

Irvine stared after them. "Hey, hey, hey! Ladies?" The car doors slammed shut; the response from the three women.

Laughing at Irvine's crestfallen face, Zell walked over and clapped the gunman on the shoulder. "Let's go, Irvine!" he said, and ran over towards the blue car. Squall went after him. Zell headed straight for the driver's seat, but Squall quite casually brushed him out of the way and got in himself. The fighter started to protest but then sagged and shuffled over to the other side.

Irvine took one last look at the other car before he too shuffled over to the blue one. He got in the back of the vehicle and peered longingly out the window, still hoping that one of the women would change their minds and invite him in.

Zell looked at Squall and rolled his eyes. Squall did not reply and instead turned the key in the ignition. The engine roared into life, and Squall drove the car out of the desert prison. The yellow car with the three women moved out after them. Both cars had special treads rather than wheels, and these pressed down against the desert send, squashing it flat. As soon as they were clear of the prison the cars picked up speed. They headed north, leaving the prison behind.

As they drove along, Squall tried to figure out their next move. This desert, if his memory served him correctly, was just south-east of the Lalapalooza Canyon. It would be almost impossible for the soldiers to find them out here. But their fuel would not last forever, and their supplies were limited to whatever was in the two vehicles. It would probably be enough to get them to one of the major cities. If they could at least get to a city, then they could work out what to do from there.

The temperature inside the car was stifling. Unable to bear it any longer, Zell began to fiddle with the controls. He finally found the controls for the air-conditioning and switched it on full. As cool air began to blow throughout the car, Zell sighed in satisfaction and sank into his seat. Irvine stopped fanning himself with his hat and even Squall sighed in relief. It was much too hot in this desert.

They drove for about twenty minutes before the intercom crackled and Selphie's voice called for an immediate stop. Though Squall was reluctant to lose any of the ground they had gained from the prison, he pulled the car in next to a large metal structure that was half-buried in the sand. The yellow car pulled in beside them, and everybody got out.

After climbing out, Selphie ran past the group and climbed onto the metal structure. Her expression was pained and troubled. This look was shared by both Rinoa and Quistis, as they shifted about uncomfortably on the sand.

Squall looked from one woman to the other. "What?" he asked finally.

Quistis turned to him. "The sorceress is about to launch missiles at Garden!" she cried.

"That's what Rinoa heard from Irvine!" shouted Selphie.

Zell spun to face Irvine, but the gunman just shrugged and shook his head.

Squall folded his arms. So Seifer had been serious, after all. Galbadia really was planning to destroy Balamb Garden. "The only thing we can do now is go back to Garden as soon as possible and warn the students," he said. He turned back to the car. "Alright, let's get in the car and go."

But Selphie did not move. "They're targeting both Balamb and Trabia Gardens!" she cried. She stamped her foot. "We have to interfere with the launch! We have to stop the missiles!" Her eyes filled and she turned away from Squall. She covered her face with her hands, her shoulders trembling.

Everybody stared at her in surprise. This was the first time anyone had seen Selphie so… so upset. The girl was normally so bright and lively, sometimes to a fault. Until now it seemed that nothing could break her ever-cheerful spirit.

Squall hesitated and then crossed the sand to the structure. He climbed up and stood in front of Selphie. The girl kept her face hidden behind her hands, and Squall could tell she was fighting back the tears.

"I just transferred from Trabia Garden!" he heard her say, her voice muffled behind her hands. "I can't just sit around knowing that Trabia Garden is in danger!" Lowering her hands, she looked up at him. "So Squall, please!" she pleaded. She grasped his arms. "Decide who's gonna go to the Galbadia Missile Base, before it's too late!"

Squall pulled his arms free. It's easier said than done… he thought to himself. What if something happens to the party members I choose…?

Before he could say anything, Rinoa raised her hand. "Let's take a vote!" she said. Everybody turned to her. "Squall will decide on the party. Squall will return to Balamb because he's the leader. Anyone against this plan please raise your right hand!" When no one did, Rinoa grinned and turned to Squall. "I don't mind which team you put me on," she said.

But you're an outsider? Squall thought, staring at her.

"You're the leader, Squall," said Quistis. "What are the teams?"

Leader? Squall repeated to himself. I never asked to be the leader.

As he thought this, a faint blast sounded in the distance. Everyone turned to the northeast and watched as several columns of smoke rose into the air. Though nobody said anything, they knew at once what they were: missiles. Selphie's hands clenched tight over her heart as she watched the missiles rise. They soared in a long arc, broke through the clouds and then disappeared from view.

Irvine lowered his head. "I… heard they were hitting Trabia first, and then Balamb," he said, his voice soft.

Selphie's hands fell limp, and she dropped her nunchaku. The strength left her knees and she sank onto the ground. Her head fell forward onto her chest. She did not shake or cry, for the emotion was drained from her body.

Selphie closed her eyes and whispered: "Trabia… I'm sorry… I couldn't stop it… Please let everybody be all right. Please…"

A tear welled up in her eyes and started to roll down her cheek. Angrily, she brushed it away. She then pushed herself back onto her feet and turned to Squall. "That was a miss… right…?"

It was not a question. Squall looked into her face. Her expression was fierce, but her eyes betrayed what she really felt. She knew, as he did, that there would be little chance of a miss. Trabia Garden was done for.

Seeing confirmation of her fears in his eyes, Selphie turned and jumped off the metal structure. She ran to the others and turned back to Squall.

"Squall, we have to report to Balamb!" she said. "Who are you taking?"

"C'mon, Squall!" shouted Zell.

"You have to decide, Squall!" said Quistis.

"Squall, think carefully now!" said Rinoa.

The swordsman looked down at his companions. Even Irvine was nodding. They all expected Squall to make this decision. The swordsman sighed. I've had it up to here with this leader thing… he thought. Alright, alright… I'll choose.

He looked around. Selphie would want to go to the Missile Base—he knew she would not accept any other decision.

For the others, it was a tough choice. Quistis and Zell were both excellent fighters. Either one of them would be a strong asset to the missile base team. Zell was the stronger of the two, but Quistis was level-headed and unlikely to succumb to fits of temper (Squall, of course, had no idea of what went on in Caraway's Mansion). Squall also knew that Irvine would want to go to the Missile Base to support Selphie. That might not be a bad idea, Squall reasoned. Irvine's skills and familiarity with Galbadia would prove essential for a mission like this.

Squall's gaze then went to Rinoa. Seeing him look at her, Rinoa smiled. Squall did not smile back. Rinoa had said that she didn't mind what team she was put on. But Rinoa was not a SeeD. She was not even supposed to be involved in all of this. If she had any sense, she would return to Deling City, where she would be safe. Of course, Rinoa would never agree to that. Squall sighed. All he could do was ensure that she was kept out of danger as much as possible.

"Okay…" he said. He'd made up his mind. "Rinoa and Quistis, you come with me to Balamb Garden. The rest of you will head for the Galbadia Missile Base."

Everyone nodded, accepting Squall's decision. "I'm on the missile base infiltration team!" said Selphie. "I have to be! They launched missiles at MY Trabia!"

No one dared to disagree with her. Squall turned to Quistis and Rinoa, who would be coming with him to Balamb. This team will now head for Balamb, he thought. The rest… to the missile base. Should I go with this…

As he thought about it, he found himself torn. He was tempted to swap Quistis and Zell and have Quistis accompany them to the missile base. But he held firm. Quistis was no longer an instructor, but her experience and wisdom would be more beneficial in spreading the word about the missiles. He just hoped that Zell would keep a level head while he was at the base. But then again, thinking about it, it seemed that Selphie was the one most likely to cause trouble.

"This mission is unlike any other," Squall said. He jumped off the structure and rejoined the others. "It's not an order or a request from anyone… Selphie, do you have some kind of plan?"

Selphie scratched her cheek, thinking. "I think if we take this Galbadian army vehicle, we should be able to make it inside the base," she replied. "But… that's about it. I'll have to think about the rest once we're inside. Do you think that'd be ok?" She then lowered her eyes and looked at the ground. "I'm sorry… I mean, thanks." Selphie bit her lip and raised her head. The defiant look was back in her eyes. "There isn't much time!" she said. "You better hurry to Balamb Garden!"

Squall nodded. "See you at Balamb Garden," he said.

One by one the others went into their respective vehicles. Rinoa, Angelo and Quistis went into the blue car, while Irvine and Zell got into the yellow one.

Nobody said a word as they got into the cars. The enormity of what they were about to do was settling in. As Squall said, this was not like any other mission. The attempted assassination of the sorceress was a regular mission, regardless of its content. This was something they were doing of their own accord—attempting to save Balamb Garden from destruction. Failure on either side could mean the deaths of hundreds of innocent lives.

The car doors closed. Only the team leaders remained outside. Squall and Selphie gazed at each other in silence. This could be the last time they saw one another, if they failed in their missions. Selphie smiled, and then her face grew serious.

"Squall! Hurry!"

The two teams parted ways. Squall's team headed north, across the Dingo Desert. Rinoa found a map in one of the glove compartments, which pointed out a train station just north of the Desert Prison. Squall was sceptical when Rinoa pointed it out, but after remembering the state of Irvine's face when he tried to disagree with her, he did as he was directed.

To his surprise the map was accurate. The Desert Prison Train Station was to the north of the Dingo Desert and served as the prison's only link to the outside world. According to the map the train's only stop was Deling City, so they would have to go to Deling City and then catch a train to Timber.

Squall was apprehensive about returning to Deling City so soon after the failed assassination attempt, but it seemed they would have no other choice. There was not enough fuel or supplies in the car to get them to Timber. Besides, the Galbadian army would no doubt have set up checkpoints at all the major crossroads. They would be on the lookout for stolen army vehicles.

Squall parked the car close to the station and the group piled out. There was a strong wind blowing, sending sand scattering across the station. The swordsman peered through the sand. An old freight train was parked in the station. The supply cars were made of wood, not metal, indicating just how old the train really was. Galbadian soldiers on the platform were unloading the cargo from these supply cars—shipments of food and equipment for the prison.

There were no guards around, aside from the soldiers. Word of their escape must not have reached this far yet, Squall decided. He turned to Rinoa and Quistis, who stood huddled together, bracing themselves against the sandy wind. Angelo kept his face close to the ground, his fur blown about by the wind.

"Let's take that train," Squall said. The women nodded.

They entered the station. They avoided the platform and ran along the tracks, using the train as cover. The sound of the wind drowned out their movements, and the soldiers were too busy unloading to pay any attention to them.

They slowed as they reached the cabin. There was a single Galbadian soldier inside, checking the engine. Squall was about to draw his gunblade when one of the soldiers on the platform called out, and the team froze. The soldier in the cabin turned and called back before leaving the cabin to help with the unloading. The group immediately took their chance and ran onto the train. Angelo bounded on behind them, his tail wagging.

Squall looked at the controls. It was simple enough to run. The engine was still running and was full of coal. It was hard to believe that people still used coal-fuelled trains in this day and age. Squall released the brake and pushed one of the levers. The train rumbled and started to roll forward along the tracks.

The train pulled out of Desert Station. As they left the platform Quistis turned back and peered out of the door, where she was met with an amazing sight. A lone Galbadian soldier, the one who had left the cabin, was running along the tracks in pursuit of the train.

"HEY! STOP!" the soldier called after them.

"Squall!" said Quistis, turning back to the cabin. "There's a soldier coming after us!"

Squall glanced over his shoulder. He saw the soldier running after them, but he said nothing. Instead he pushed the lever further forward, and the train started to gain speed. Quistis peered back out. Angelo came to stand beside her, his fur blowing in the wind.

The soldier was still chasing. As the train gained speed, he pushed his body harder. "S-Stop the train!" he ordered. The train moved faster still, and the soldier again forced his body to move faster. It was amazing how fast he could move, and he was still managing to keep up. "ERRAAAHHHHHH!" he yelled, and Quistis could hear the pain in his voice. "COME ON!"

The instructor shook her head, amazed at the soldier's resilience. "Oh my…" she remarked. "Just give up!"

But the soldier did not give up. He continued to chase after the train, pushing his body harder and harder. His boot caught on a rock, and the soldier cried out as he tripped and fell hard onto the floor. A cloud of sand rose around him.

Quistis covered her mouth with her hand. "Gosh…" she said. "Hope he's all right."

Squall said nothing, and the train headed on towards Deling City.