Chapter 4 – Field Exam
Squall scrubbed off the sulfuric stench from the Fire Cavern and changed into his SeeD cadet uniform. He took a minute to inspect his blade, ensuring it was properly oiled, sharpened, and loaded. He grabbed the drives that held his Guardian Forces from his leather jacket pocket and transferred them to his uniform jacket. He sighed as he left his small dorm room to head for the grand lobby.
This was going to be it. He was determined he was going to make it his 1st try.
As he made his way around the curve, he could see his instructor jumping up and down waving to him in a very animated fashion. Squall inwardly cringed.
"Squall! Over here!"
Yes.. I can see you. Everyone can see you..
Squall approached where she stood.
"I'll be announcing the squad assignments now." Quistis said as she began to consult her tablet. "Let's see…you're with Zell Dincht." She smiled at Squall. "Quite a lively fellow."
Squall scowled at her.
"Lively?!He's just loud!" Squall protested.
"Can't I switch members?"
Quistis smiled and shook her head at Squall.
"I'm afraid that isn't possible."
Great…
"Over here Zell!" Quistis turned and waved.
A compactly built youth with short, blonde spikes hair and a black tribal tattoo that covered the majority of his left cheek turned towards Quistis and Squall. He leapt up and did line of consecutive back flips from a corridor about 10 ft away all the way to where Quistis and Squall stood.
"Whoa! I'm with you?" Zell exclaimed.
Squall forcibly grinned.
"You don't get along with Seifer, do you?" Zell asked as he began to chuckle. "I heard he whooped you pretty bad this morning."
This day…Squall thought.
"We weren't fighting, we were training." Squall countered.
Zell continued to light heartedly laugh.
"I bet he doesn't think so.."
Squall sighed.
"Look, Seifer is just being a pain in the ass. Why don't you just ignore him?"
Squall's face started to get hot. Zell was really getting ready to push him past the tipping point. He looked down at the floor.
"That's none of your business." He muttered as Quistis repeated him.
Squall started to wonder what god he angered.
"Ahem.." Quistis smiled "Excuse me, but that Seifer you're referring to happens to be your squad leader."
Zell's eyes grew and jaw dropped.
"SAY WHAAAT?!" he exclaimed loudly.
Quistis smiled.
"It can't be changed."
She started to scan the grand circular lobby.
"Seifer, are you here?!" she called.
Seifer struts over from around the corner with Fujin and Raijin in tow.
Quistis comes forward and pokes his shoulder.
"YOU'RE the squad leader." She says. "Good luck to you."
Seifer gives her a withering look.
"Instructor. I hate it when people wish me luck."
He clocks his head towards Squall and Zell. "Save those words for a bad student that needs em, eh?"
Zell started gritting his teeth and clenching his fist. Squall grabbed his shoulder and cocks his head giving him a sarcastic smirk.
Quistis smiles sharply at Seifer.
"OK then…Good luck, Seifer."
She shoves a printed copy of his team's personnel summaries into his chest and walks away.
Seifer scowls at her. He looks over to Fujin and Raijin and beckons them with one hand.
"Add Instructor Trepe to 'the List'."
The list…what list? Squall thought.
I don't like the sound of that.
"Well then," Quistis continued, "You're all assigned to squad B. I'm the instructor in charge. Teamwork is of utmost importance, so let's get …"
Seifer moved himself in front of her.
"Listen up!" He exclaimed. "Team work means staying out of MY WAY. It's a squad B rule. Don't you forget it."
Squall looked down and shook his head.
"Is everyone here?"
Squall looked up and watched Headmaster Cid as he approached, wearing one of his trademark sweater vests, white collared shirt, and coordinated tie. He smiled as all the cadets saluted him.
"At ease". Cid dismissed.
"Its been awhile, everyone. How's everyone doing?"
The squad agreed they were well.
"Good." Cid acknowledged.
"This exam will involve 12 members, from squads A thru D."
The Headmaster paused.
"You will be proceeding to a real battlefield." He began to pace "Obviously, the battles are for real. Life and death, victory and defeat, honor and disgrace..each of these go hand in hand. There's only one or the other."
Cid stopped pacing and addressed his small audience
"How about it? Are you still up for it?"
The squad returned a determined look to him.
Cid continued.
"You will be accompanied by 9 SeeD members. Should you fail, they will get the job done. They always do."
Cid gave them all a stern look. Then he gave over to a smile
"Well, there's one less worry on your mind. The pride of Balamb Garden! The elite mercenary force SeeD! Learn from them, obey their commands, and accomplish the mission. Prove yourself worthy of becoming a member of SeeD!"
"Best of luck. All of you."
"Thank you, Headmaster." Quistis said.
"Squad B, please proceed to the parking lot to load into the transport."
Squall followed Zell and Seifer to the parking lot. They then proceeded to climb into the back of the transport as it was starting to speed off down the drive and onto the narrow country road that leads to Balamb.
During the ride, Zell resembled something of a child hopped up on too much sugar fidgeting in his seat. Squall was pretty certain he huffed a few pixie sticks before making his way to the lobby.
Zell's eyes darted from Quistis, to Seifer, and then landed on Squall. Squall looked down at the floor but couldn't help peering at Zell sideways.
"Yo Squall, show me your gunblade, will ya?"
Squall shifted his gaze back at the floor, ignoring him.
Instead of dissuading Zell, being ignored just seemed to fan the flame.
"C'mon man!"
Ugh...such poor manners, Squall thought as he continued to ignore his pleas.
"Tch...fine." Zell sat down, pouting.
"Why you gotta be so selfish, Scrooge?"
…whatever…Squall thought to himself.
It was unfathomable to Squall how Zell viewed weapons as some sort of toy you just passed around in show and tell. His gunblade was the thing he counted on to survive. That's why he took care to make sure it was in proper working order before and after any battle. A slightly dull blade could send it right back at himself on a power swing. A misfire could have it explode in his hand.
Also, an individual who did not respect the blade ran the risk of injuring themselves gravely.
Zell was not respectable. There was zero chance in hell Squall would relinquish his weapon to such a child.
"Say something, will ya?! What's on your mind?"
"…Nothing.." Squall said
"Nothing…" Quistis repeated.
Squall glared daggers at the ground.
Great…I'm stuck in a squad with two 5 year olds.
Squall wondered how any of them were going to survive.
Zell finally grew tired of trying to get Squall to talk, but instead of sitting down, he resorted to the next annoying thing he could do. Air boxing.
Even Seifer was at his fill now. He snapped his glare to Zell.
"Stop that! Its annoying...Chicken-Wuss!"
Zell turned bright red and started fuming. He shook fist.
"WHAT DID YOU CALL ME?!"
Seifer leaned back and laughed.
Quistis shot them both hard glares.
"Knock it off, both of you."
Zell frowned and sat down. Seifer smirked at him.
It was peaceful for a few minutes which allowed Squall's mind to drift.
It drifted back to the girl outside the infirmary.
She seemed to know him...shouldn't he know her?
Quistis was eyeing him intently. Probably trying to use her new found "ability" and read his mind. Rather than be asked what was on his mind for the billionth time today, he decided he would ask her if she knew the girl.
"Instructor..." Squall began "Who was that girl in the infirmary this morning? "
"Was someone there?" Quistis responded. "I didn't see anyone there. Is there a problem?"
"No. Not really."
Quistis looked at Squall confused.
Seifer rolled his eyes.
"Well that's just great." Seifer lamented. "I have a Chicken-Wuss and a guy the just reached puberty in my squad."
Squall put his face into his hands. Why did he set himself up like that?
The transport pulled into Balamb and then drove a short distance to the pier. As soon as it stopped, the team began to file out.
Stationed at one of the docks was a submersible, heavily armored boat. The top had a large gun mounted on the back. Probably about a 50 caliber by Squall's guess. The rear ramp was down for loading personnel.
"So that's the vessel…? " Squall inquired.
Seifer came and landed a solid hand between his shoulder blades. It knocked a little air out of Squall, but he did his best to pretend it didn't affect him.
"Ain't no turning back now, eh." Seifer said with a grin that would chill you to the bone. "You scared?"
"Hey! You guys are the last! Hurry up and get in." One of the Garden Port masters yelled.
Seifer looked back at Squall and Zell.
"Don't disappoint me!"
He ran to the vessel. Squall, Zell, and Quistis followed.
A young woman with shoulder length dark hair dressed in a SeeD uniform came into where squad B was seated.
"Hi Quistis! "
Quistis stood and saluted the young woman.
"At ease."
Quistis introduced "These are the members of squad B. Squad B, this is Xu Long. If you have not met her yet, she's a member of SeeD and will be briefing us on our mission."
Zell and Squall stood and saluted the young woman. Seifer remained seated.
"Nice to meet you, Ma'am" Zell said.
"Pleased to meet you." Squall said.
"At ease, gentlemen and likewise."
Xu tilted her head to where Seifer sat towards the back.
"Seifer," Xu said, "How many times has it been now?"
Seifer leaned back in his seat and put his hands to the back of his head.
"You know how much I LOVE these exams." Seifer said, his voice in a sarcastic tone.
Xu paid no attention to his response.
"I'll explain the current situation and the mission." Xu started and activated the screen behind her displaying a map.
"Our client is the Dollet Dukedom Parliament. A request for SeeD was made 18 hours ago. Dollet has been under attack by the G-army for the past 72 hours."
The screen began to change, showing Dollet forces being overwhelmed by Galbadian troops. The forces started to retreat.
"49 hours ago, Dollet abandoned their position in the inner city. They retreated into the mountains and are currently reorganizing their troops. That is the current status."
The map showing Galbadia and Dollet forces changed and now just showed the city.
Xu continued. "Now onto the mission objective."
The screen changed to show just Galbadia troops inside the city. A new marker appeared showing SeeD forces.
"According to our reports, the G army is mopping up remaining Dollet troops inside the city. We are to make a landing on Lapin Beach. We will then move our way into the city and wipe out the G-army, and liberate the city ASAP. Afterwards, we continue to drive out the G-army in both the city and those who are pursuing Dollet in the mountain region."
Seifer continued to slouch, looking disinterested.
"OK, so what are WE," Seifer made a round gesture with his hand lazily pointing at himself, Squall, and Zell. "supposed to do?"
"SeeD candidates will go to these hot spots and eliminate the G-army." Xu said as she directed Seifer's attention to the map.
"Sounds important." Zell perked up.
Seifer rolled his eyes.
"Sounds boring!" Seifer exclaimed. "So what you're saying is we do all the little dirty work."
Seifer made a hand motion like someone throwing a scrap of meat to a stray dog.
Xu continued, ignoring Seifer's comments.
"..it hardly needs to be said, but the order to withdraw takes priority."
Xu glared daggers at Seifer.
"Do NOT forget."
Seifer smirked at Xu.
Xu paused and consulted her tablet.
"We are almost there." She said. "We anticipate combat as soon as we land, so be prepared. If you need anything, please speak to Quistis. Good luck."
Zell and Squall shot up out of their seats to salute Xu. Seifer remained seated. Xu saluted them back and exited the cabin. Both Squall and Zell sat back down.
Zell turned to Squall, beaming.
"My 1st real BATTLE." Zell said. His face then turned nervous.
"I'm starting to get nervous.." He said.
Seifer looked up at Zell.
"Better not piss your pants." Seifer said to Zell.
"…..chicken-wuss."
Seifer smirked.
Zell shot up, waving his fists.
"You talkin to ME?!"
Seifer responded with laughter. Zell continued to quake, turning bright red.
Quistis sighed.
"That's enough...both of YOU." She said.
"We're getting ready to land, so let's cut the chatter and get prepared."
"Roger." Zell said sternly.
"Yeah, yeah.." Seifer dismissed Quistis.
"Squall," Seifer called as he turned to him, "why don't you go look outside and see what's going on."
Squall stood and said "Ok."
"Good, because it's MY order." Seifer responded in a smug tone.
Squall recognized the bait, but decided to ignore it, no matter how much he would have loved to make Seifer eat the cabin floor. He proceeded out to the deck, glad to be away from the infant squad leader, the hot head, and his instructor turned annoying school girl.
I'm going into battle with morons, Squall thought to himself. Better keep my wits about or I'll be celebrating 18 in a cedar box.
The brisk ocean breeze as the vessel traversed the waters quickly to their destination was a welcome feeling to Squall. He felt as if he could breathe now that he was outside the confines of the cabin. He looked ahead and saw flashes of explosions from either the already on the ground SeeD's or Galbadian troops on the distant shore, lighting up the late afternoon sky. Anxiety started to rise inside, not so much from not trusting his own abilities, but from not truly trusting his squad mates. Seifer was a loose cannon and notorious for making poor decisions. He's already unhappy with their role in the mission, so who knows what he'll do.
Zell was pretty compliant when it came to following directions, but he just had zero discrepancy. Definitely not the guy you wanted with you on a covert mission.
And who knows what was going on with the instructor. Since he was getting closer and closer to finishing the SeeD program of study, she's been acting increasingly more strange. Today she was just acting downright inappropriate. Squall had no idea why and most importantly how to make her stop. The why, really and truthfully, wasn't any of his business.
Squall let the brisk air carry away his misgivings. He consulted the map, comparing it with the landscape rapidly approaching. They will land up ahead and head west, then north into the city, following the main road in, taking out the G-army as they made their way to the central city. He channeled his GF's that he would use in battle, drawing them from their electronic confinement and steadied himself from the slight woozy feeling he got from it every time. He breathed out as the shore raced up to his feet.
He felt the vessel skid onto the beach. The hatch popped open and Seifer, Quistis, and Zell raced out. Squall went to follow them.
Quistis stood on the beach shore with her loosely done up blonde hair freeing itself in the wind. She consulted her tablet.
Zell, Squall, and Seifer stood for orders.
"Squad B, you are to secure the Central Square. Take this moment to ensure your GF's are junctioned."
It was a good thing Squall already prepared his GF's because in typical Seifer fashion, he was already running up to the beaches cliffs heading mainland.
Seifer turned and shouted "Let's move out," and continued to leave Squall and Zell behind.
Squall and Zell took off after him. They bounded up the natural stone steps that lead up to the top of the cliff. They could hear the clash of a gunblade up ahead as Seifer already began engaging with G-army.
Squall heard one of the Galbadian troops ask "They're Dollet reinforcements?!"
Seifer spun around and cut the soldier down.
Two more popped around the bend as Zell and Squall caught up to Seifer and exclaimed "Look out! SeeD!"
Squall raced up to them and cut one down with a two handed spinning attack. Zell dispatched the other, disarming him with an elbow thrust and then turning out his lights with an upper cut.
By the time they were done with the two soldiers, Seifer was already moving on ahead, leaving a path of bodies in his wake.
They caught up to Seifer once again in the broad, cobblestone main fairway. The boulevard was a ghost town, save for the Galbadian troops the team had already dispatched.
Seifer took a moment to catch his breath. He pointed his gunblade down the boulevard ahead.
"The central square is up ahead. "
He walked a few steps towards their destination.
"HEY! All you Galbadian cowards out there!" Seifer shouted as he spun around, waving his gunblade around. "Come on out an' show your faces! Don't leave me hanging."
Seifer is met with silence.
"Hmph.." He snorts as he begins to run to the square.
Zell looks to Squall. Squall's response was a simple head nod towards Seifer. Zell sighed.
A couple store fronts down, Squall and Zell hear footsteps behind them. They turn to find a Galbadian soldier trying to execute a poorly thought out stealth attack. Squall laughs and runs towards him with lightning speed, hitting him solid with a downward thrust. The soldier staggers and falls, yet still tries to get up. Zell stops him in his tracks with a heel kick that landed perfectly at the base of his head.
"Stay down!" Zell exclaimed.
Squall and Zell find yet another straggler who answered Seifer's call. They quickly dispatch him as well.
Zell, visibly perturbed about having to clean up Seifer's mess exclaims "What an Idiot!"
"Keep your eyes open, there may be more." Squall warned Zell.
This was not how Squall liked to enter a combat zone. Between Seifer's charge and Zell loudly complaining about everything, they have easily given away their location. It's bad enough being in the middle of an open street. Squall kept his senses heightened, anticipating an attack at any angle.
Squall and Zell catch up to Seifer in the central square, which was a 3 road hub. In the center was a large, 3 tiered masonry fountain that appeared to be as old as Dollet itself. Buildings lined each road into the square.
Squall and Zell barely had enough time to catch their breath before Seifer started barking orders at them.
"Alright. I want you guys to scout the area for enemies." Seifer ordered as he gestured to the 2 other roads that connected to the square.
Squall took the one heading North West. Zell took the other heading North East.
Squall cautiously peered around the buildings with his blade at the ready. He spotted a soldier by himself in a small alleyway, unaware of Squall's position around the corner. Squall rounded the corner.
At this time, a stray dog began to howl right behind Squall. Squall cursed under his breath as the soldier turned towards him.
Squall quickly reacted sending a fire blast at the soldier. It landed squarely on his chest and knocked him to the ground. As he tried to get up, Squall ran towards the soldier and tapped him on top of the head with the butt of his gunblade. The soldiers eyes rolled into the back of his head and he finished his descent to the ground.
Squall scanned the area for any other enemies and determined that the soldier was alone. He then checked the soldier's person for anything useful and didn't find much other than a couple weak health potions.
Squall returned to the square to find Seifer slouching on the fountain, tapping his gunblade on his shoulder. As he approached, Squall could hear the dog that tipped him off following him into the square.
"My area is clear. I encountered a lone soldier. He's been dealt with." Squall said as he walked into the square.
Seifer consulted his chrono and shook his head.
"And it took you that long?" Seifer said.
….whatever…
Squall kept his face neutral. Seifer obviously hasn't had his fill yet.
Within a minute, Zell came bounding into the square.
"Nobody here man!" He announced.
"Did you actually look, Chicken-Wuss?"
Zell stood burning.
"Whaaat?!"
Squall heard booming off in the distance and signaled Zell to stop.
"Sounds like it's starting." Squall said.
Seifer sighed.
"Guess we're on stand-by until it makes its way here...how boring!"
The dog that followed Squall into the square started sniffing around Seifer. Seifer kicked at the dog.
"Scram! Get outta here."
Zell shot Seifer a sharp look.
"Its probably just looking for food, man! Look how skinny it is."
Zell opened up his pants pocket and pulled out a ration bar. He pulled off a piece and offered it to the stray. The mangy looking brown dog came over and took it from him cautiously. Zell carefully pat its head.
"There you go, boy." Zell said trying to comfort the animal.
Seifer rolled his eyes.
"Absolutely wonderful. Now it'll never go away." Seifer lamented.
Zell gave Seifer a disgusted look and thankfully ignored him.
Squall gazed over the rooftops as the sun got lower in the sky. The sky brightened in flashes as explosions boomed in the crisp evening. He wondered about the civilians that had to leave their homes hastily, perhaps never to see it or their loved ones again. How perhaps just a few days ago, life was just like any other day for them...only to have those mundane comforts suddenly ripped from them. He let his mind further drift down that path…even though he knew it was a mistake. He wondered why life could be so damn cruel...but as soon as the thought entered his mind, he chided himself. Life is cruel because it just is…it paid little to question that fact...it only brought more pain. Accept it and move on, and that is just what Squall did.
It's better that way.
Squall gazed at his chrono. They've been at standby for over 40 minutes. Zell was playing fetch with his new furry friend. Seifer was pacing and bouncing his gunblade on his shoulder, grumbling incoherently under his breath.
Seifer finally let out a low, threatening growl and charged towards where the two roads met in the square.
"Hey, you Galbadian scumbags!" Seifer shouted in the empty square.
"Come on out and fight like men!" He demanded.
Seconds turned to minutes. The party was greeted with silence and the excited panting of a dog trying to get Zell to throw the stick again.
"Argh…I hate this.." Seifer grumbled.
Squall could hear distant off footsteps approaching their position and voices.
He said in a hushed voice, "I hear something."
Squall continued to listen holding up his hand so Zell knew to keep his mouth shut.
His blue eyes widened.
"They're coming." He continued in a hushed tone. "Quick, let's wait there."
Squall pointed to a wrecked car left stranded in the middle of the North Western road. Zell and Seifer followed Squall's directions and hid behind the car. The voices grew louder as the three cadets hid. Shortly they saw a small party of five Galbadian troops round the corner from the southern portion of the hub and continue to head North East.
"… tower is secure. We need to get it operational in the next hour…"
Seifer whispered "Tower?"
Squall frowned in response.
As they lost sight of the troops, the three cadets emerged from their hiding space.
"Tower...wonder what the hell is going on there." Zell thought aloud.
"Sounds like our next destination to me, boys!" Seifer said as he slung his gunblade onto his shoulder.
"But, but…that's against orders!" Zell argued.
"Aren't you dying of boredom? "
"Yeah…but…" Zell countered.."Argh..Squaaalll!"
"I stand by our captain's decision."
Zell frantically studied Squall's deadpan expression.
Seifer clapped Squall on the back between the shoulder blades.
"See, smart man here!" Seifer grinned. "You ready to wreak some havoc, ain't ya?"
Squall shrugged.
"It's a great opportunity to test out my training." Squall waved his hand to the side.
Squall looked Seifer in the eye.
"Thanks to you, I feel like I can take on anyone. Even when they fight as dirty as you."
"Peh.."Seifer spat. "You'll thank me later when the time comes."
Zell shook his head in disbelief.
"What the actual Frack?!" He exclaimed.
"I thought you two don't get along. You were both ready to kill each other this morning, now you're the best of pals?!" Zell said as he threw his hands up.
"In case you two forgot, this is an exam. And a helluva important one. We gotta stick to orders." Zell stated.
"Then you stay here." Seifer said as he started to walk away. "I don't need any boy scouts…"
"WHAT DID YOU SAY?!"
Seifer ignored Zell, causing Zell to come dangerously close to reaching his boiling point. Zell stood rigid, muscles visibly locking. His fists were clenched on either side.
"Galbadia is going to the tower to do who knows what." Seifer pointed the way northwest with his gunblade. "New objective: secure the tower."
Seifer started to walk.
"Squad B, let's go kick some Galbadian ass!" Seifer said.
Squall quietly followed. Zell loudly sighed and followed.
At least Seifer wasn't racing off…but at this point, Squall was more than happy to allow him to land on his own sword. Under his leadership, Squall was amazed that all three cadets remained unscathed.
The thing Zell didn't understand is that there was no way either of them were going to talk Seifer out of pursuing the Galbadian soldiers and looking at the tower once he had his mind set. It's better to follow him and see what he does rather than allow him to go AWOL and put their lives at risk when he gets caught. Squall was also a bit curious as to what Galbadia was really doing here.
As far as the exam will go, Squall figured he and Zell should be covered since they were just following orders that their captain, who was hand picked by Balamb, had given them.
The walk was quite save for the explosions still off in the distance and their own footfalls. The city gave way to wilderness as they crossed an old stone bridge and began their ascent up hill.
As they started up the hill, Seifer motioned them to stop. Squall could hear something rustling in the brush and the groan of a wounded man or animal.
A bloody and dirty hand clawed it's way up onto the path from out of the brush. The party drew their weapons as they watched a man halfway make it onto the path dressed in a tattered Dollet uniform covered in soot, mud, and blood. He looked up at the three cadets.
"SssseeD?" he managed to rasp.
Seifer lowered his weapon.
"Yeah. We're SeeD cadets sent by Balamb Garden. I'm the captain of this squad. Report! What's going on?"
Squall knelt down and offered the man some water. The soldier greedily drank from his flask.
"My team was guarding the bridge you just came from. We were attacked by the ones that already entered the city. My remaining party and I followed them up to the communication tower...its been defunct for years…that's when we encountered a monster we've never seen before…I'm…all that's left…"
"Monster?"
"Yeah, since the Tower went defunct, this area has been rife with monsters…if you're going up there, wait for backup…ugh…argh..!"
The man began to convulse at their feet and foam at the mouth as his eyes rolled into the back of his head. Within seconds his face turned blue, blood started pooling in his eyes and then he was still.
Zell began to rush for him. Squall stuck his arm out to stop him.
"Dude...what the hell?"
"It's poison," Squall calmly spoke. "He's bloody all over…touch him and you're done."
With that said, Squall removed his flask and chucked it into the wilderness.
"Why did you do that?" Zell exclaimed.
"I gave him water…"
"How did he get poisoned?"
Seifer rolled his eyes. Zell wasn't getting it.
"Gah..probably from that monster he was talking about." He said hastily. "Come on…Daylight is burning."
With that, Seifer started running up the hill, leaving Squall and Zell in the dust.