Chapter 13 – Owls and Trains
Timber Station was built for much more traffic than what Squall observed coming through it at this particular time. Considering this was a mid weekday, the Station was nearly desolate.
The trio descended the steps leading to the platform they just departed the Balamb to Timber train from. To either side were two small kiosks, one selling the latest publications, the other a small pet shop, of all things.
As they left their platform, a non descript man approached them. He came up to Squall and said "The Forests of Timber sure have changed."
Squall replied "But the Owls still remain."
The man looked up to Squall.
"Welcome to Timber, sir." He said as he gestured them to follow. "Please follow me."
Squall and his party obliged and followed their contact to the next platform over. A few minutes later, a small train consisting of an Engine and two cars arrived.
"This way, sir." Their contact beckoned.
Squall and his team entered a retired Timber Rail car turned resistance HQ. The cabin they entered was once painted bright white is now faded, worn and old smelling after taking years and years of travelers to and fro. Decking the entry were Freedom for Timber and Liberty or Death posters plastered on the battered walls. Tattered upholstery covered the built in benches.
Another man stood inside the cabin, wearing blue shorts and a slightly lighter blue long sleeve shirt. He appeared to be fairly young, like their contact that brought them aboard is. He eyed each of them up and down before he spoke.
"So, you are SeeDs." He addressed Squall with a slightly degrading tone to his voice
"I'm the squad leader, Squall." Squall gestured to his team members "These are my team mates Zell and Selphie."
"Nice to meet you." He said as he extended his hand to shake with Zell and Selphie. "I'm Zone, leader of the Forest Owls."
Zone then offered his hand to shake with Squall. Squall remained motionless with an icy glare.
He already didn't like Zone's attitude.
"How about we get on with it…What do you need us to do?" Squall responded sharply.
Zone stood frozen for a brief moment.
"Whoa..let's take it easy!" Zone said holding both his hands half way up in surrender. "At least let me get you introduced to my team. You've already met Watts. " He gestured to their contact. "That just leaves the princess…"
Princess? What kind of resistance group was this…Squall wondered.
"This is the Princess's nap time, sir." Watts informed Zone.
Zone loudly sighed and drooped his shoulders. After a moment, he lifted his head and looked to Squall.
"Hey…err..Squall?" Zone began. "Do you, um…think you could go and get her? She's sleeping in the last cabin, down that hall. If you need directions, there's the rest of our team in the next room over."
Squall dead pan stared at Zone.
What the hell was this…
It's no wonder Cid only sent three SeeDs. This guy is a clown.
"Oh…I get it.. you think SeeDs go thru years of specialized training to go and fetch your coffee or wake up over privileged girls that think playing war is fun." Squall smirked.
"Let me explain something to you, Zone. I am not your errand boy."
Squall's sharp response and cold stare caused Zone to start trembling
"A-Are you mad?" he said as he shook.
"Argh…." Zone suddenly doubled over and began clutching his stomach.
Squall breathed out and shook his head muttering to himself "I really don't have time for this…" as he left Zone and the others as he walked down the hall.
Squall seethed inside. Was this some sort of joke? Any minute now, someone is going to pop out of one of these cabins and tell him they were on one of those hidden camera prank shows. Squall would seriously prepare himself for such a surprise if he actually knew anyone who would dare pull such a prank.
Ugh…whatever, Squall muttered to himself as he opened the last door in the dimly lit hall. He opened the door to a very well appointed cabin, painted powder pink and decorated with high priced traditional style furniture. He froze as his eyes fell upon the sleeping figure in the bed.
Squall stood in the doorway to the cabin, unable to move a muscle as he watched her peacefully sleep. Her Raven hair cascaded onto the pillow she rest her head upon that deeply contrast her porcelain complexion. Her face was that of an angel, fallen from the heavens, if such a being or place existed, resting peacefully before him, without a care in this cold, cruel world…for now.
Possibly sensing his presence, she began to stir awake. She lifted her head, sleep slowly losing its grip upon her as she rubbed her face. Squall still remained where he stood in the door, now trying to place where he had seen this sleeping girl. She scrunched her nose slightly, trying to focus her eyes upon the man who awoke her.
"Hey!" She started as realization came upon her and she slowly stood. "Wait… I know you. From last night…you're the guy at the party…Does that mean you're a SeeD?!"
Squall took a few steps towards her as he entered the room, nodding.
"I'm Squall, the squad leader. I have two others with me…."
As Squall spoke, the girl leapt, wrapped her arms around Squall's shoulders and shrieked. Squall stumbled backwards and did his best to catch her before she took them both down.
"Yesssss! SeeD is HERE!" she shrieked as Squall guided her back to her own feet.
"Whoa!" Squall chuckled "Take it easy."
Her deep brown eyes sparkled as she looked at him, just as they did the night before. He eyed her curiously as she regained composure.
"Its…just I'm so HAPPY!" she said beaming away. "It's been forever that I've been requesting help from Garden, each request being met with silence. I'm so happy I spoke to Cid directly." She walked a few steps away from Squall, reflecting upon her journey.
Squall followed where she now stood, piecing together the events of the night before, why this strange whirlwind of a girl fled and left him alone in the middle of the ballroom.
"Oh…so you were looking for the Headmaster last night."
The girl began to shake her head and wag her finger.
"Do you know Seifer?" she smiled as her eyes sparkled more.
Squall's eyes turned an icy shade of blue as the slight smile that was beginning to threaten to spread across his face turned sour. Squall would like to think not much could surprise him, but those words were almost like a sucker punch to the gut. It almost took the air out of him. He folded his arms across his chest, rather than across his abdomen like he felt, and turned his head away. She was the last person he wanted to look at the moment.
"…Yeah.." Squall bitterly answered.
His answer didn't hamper her cheer. She jumped up as she continued.
"He's the one who introduced me to Cid!"
Squall glanced over at her, calming himself as he wondered why he even cared that she knew Seifer or could possibly be his girlfriend. She was his client, right? This needs to remain strictly professional.
The girl continued "Cid is such a nice man! I honestly didn't think SeeD would come to the aid of such a small group like ours, but when I explained our situation here in Timber to Cid in person, he gave us the go ahead right away."
She continued to dance around Squall as he stood like a pillar, with his arms still crossed across his chest.
"Now that you guys are here, we can carry out all sorts of plans!"
All sorts of plans? What happened to one important mission….one. Squall thought.
Squall shook himself out of his head and approaches the girl.
"We should probably get back to the others." He suggested. "And get to work."
The quicker they could get this thing buttoned up and back to Garden, the better.
"OK," she smiled "We can go…"she turned to exit then stopped. She turned to face Squall once more.
"Um, Squall?" she asked
Squall nodded.
"Is he here…Seifer?"
Ugh…she had to ask.
"No." Squall sharply replied. "He's not SeeD."
The girl frowned, obviously disappointed.
"Oh.." She looked down.
She looked up again and extended her hand.
"Forgive my poor manners. You told me your name, but I never told you mine. I'm Rinoa. And this is Angelo!"
She pointed at what Squall guessed to be a herding dog mix. The dog looked up and happily wagged its tail.
Squall gingerly shook Rinoa's small hand, being careful not to injure it in a strong shake.
"Pleased to finally meet you." He said.
She blushed.
"Hehe…right, the party. We didn't get a chance to properly introduce ourselves."
No…because you were running off to meet with Seifer..
What did he think of us dancing together….maybe that's why you're so eager to see if he's here.
"SeeD members dance quite well, don't they?"
Squall suddenly was overcome with nausea with her blushing and where she was taking the conversation.
"Approach your target inconspicuously at a dance party…basic training along with how to survive with absolutely nothing in the wilderness. You never know when a mission will call for such skills." Squall replied cooley.
"Oh…" Disappointment once again darkened Rinoa's face.
"So that dance was just work related. Just training kicking in…that's a shame." She said as she stared at the floor.
Whatever…Squall thought.
"I guess we should go..?" Rinoa asked as she backed away towards the door.
Squall simply nodded.
Rinoa exited the room and walked down the hall. Squall followed.
As they entered the next cabin, Squall gestured to each member of his team.
"This is Zell and Selphie."
Zell and Selphie approached Rinoa to shake hands with her.
"Pleased to meet you." They said almost in unison.
"Hello!" Rinoa exclaimed.
"I guess we should get started." Rinoa shrugged. "Please follow me."
Chapter 14 – The President
She went thru a small door next to the hall she and Squall just exited from. The others followed her in.
The room they entered must be the center of operations where the Forest Owls planned their strikes against Galbadia and assisted the citizens of Timber. Ahead there was a bulletin board full of articles and a photo of the Galbadian president, Vinzler Deiling. The wall to the left was a dry erase board with times written in, which was probably train arrival and departure times, from Squall's guess. Commanding a vast majority of the center of the small room was a repurposed ping pong table with a very detailed model of the track system going out of Timber.
Rinoa flashed Squall a smile as he cocked his head and curiously studied the model. He quickly looked away from the model and her when he noticed her looking his way.
Zone stood between Rinoa and Watts and began to speak.
"I'll begin. This is going to be a full scale operation. One that the Forest Owls will forever be remembered for in the effort of regaining Timber's Independence. Exciting, right?!"
Zone scanned the 3 SeeD's for any sign of boosted morale, but was greatly disappointed when met with Squall's dead pan expression, Zell looking at his gloves, and Selphie studying the train model. He frowned and continued.
"Recently, we were able to intercept some sensitive information…."
"I intercepted the message, Sir!" Watts interjected.
"Right…" Zone began to glare at Watts who was completely oblivious to his leader's frustration "We found out that a Galbadian VIP is coming to…."
"Super VIP, Sir!" Watts jumps up in front of Zone and in the SeeDs face, making a blooming motion with his arms to represent this official's importance.
Zone once again glared daggers at his very enthusiastic team member. Squall was starting to wonder if Zone would be willing to pay a little extra to allow him to teach Watts some manners.
"As I was saying, a VIP is coming to Timber and it's none other than the Galbadian president himself, Vinzler Deiling."
Rinoa looked Squall straight into his eyes.
"We want to hijack the President's train and have a bit of a 'chat' with him about Timber's freedom. Are you willing to assist with that?"
Squall nodded.
"What's the plan?" Squall inquired.
Rinoa's eyes lit up as she smiled. Squall tried to scrub the memory of that exact same smile from last night, under a shooting star.
Seifer's girlfriend. Your client…
Your client who wants you to kidnap the President of a world power. Not the most popular President, but still a very powerful and dangerous one.
Squall's mind returned to the task at hand. Rinoa continued.
"Vinzler Deiling is a horrible and corrupt, vile man. His decision to occupy Timber has been devastating to this once thriving community and to the neighboring forests that gave Timber it's name, as they're strip mined to line the pockets of his fellow crooks. No money is returned to the community, so Timber's population is forced to live in poverty, fully dependent on Galbadia's "aide", if you can call it that."
"So a nice little talk is going to get him to change his mind?" Selphie questioned.
Rinoa scowled.
"Of course not. But we do have our ways of being quite persuasive. More so with your assistance."
Squall's stomach was starting to sink more and more. He didn't shy away from bringing the hurt to your average Galbadian thug…but the President…that's a bit different.
Rinoa looked to Watts and nodded. Watts flipped a switch on that powered the small model. Two trains came to life.
"Shall we begin?" Rinoa started.
Everyone's eyes turned to the model.
"OK. Let's go over the model." She started again, pointing at the smaller of the two trains. "The yellow car is our base, we're riding in it now. Attached is the "dummy car", which we made look just like the president's car."
Rinoa then began pointing at the larger of the two trains.
"Galbadia's train has three cars. This is the engine followed by the 1st escort car. The next is the red car. This is the President's car. Following it is the 2nd escort car. Once we get on this one, our operation begins."
Rinoa looked up at the model, again directing her words to Squall. Her eyes were hard with determination and vibrant with hope. This was much more to her than the fame Zone was chasing. This was do or die to give Timber back it's freedom.
"Our objective is to seize the President's car using our base. To do that, we must switch it with our "dummy car". Along the track to Timber are two switch points that we will use to perform the switch. Please watch as I explain."
Squall turned his attention again towards the model.
The model trains aligned on the two tracks.
Rinoa continued.
"First, we sneak aboard the 2nd escort from our train. We then move along the car on the roof as quietly as possible. The guards will have sensors inside both escort cars."
"Deiling hates being surrounded by guards, so we can freely move across the roof of the President's car. After this, the fun begins."
"Next step is to uncouple the 1st escort car from the President's car before it reaches the 1st switch. The 1st escort guards will have both heat and sound sensors so we must work as quickly as possible and discreetly as possible."
Rinoa looked to Selphie and Zell.
"I will need you two to keep an eye on the guards. Squall, you will enter the codes I give to you to uncouple the two cars. I will give you three codes. Its imperative that they are entered accurately."
Squall nodded.
"At this point our train will move in with the "dummy car" and link up to the President's car. Our trains will be linked together."
"Final steps will be to uncouple the 2nd escort and escape with the President's car. We'll follow the same procedure as the 1st uncoupling. If all goes well, we'll be long gone before any guards figure out what happened. Then 'negotiations ' can begin."
Rinoa looked at Squall once more. Squall gave her a hard look.
"Our team has run several scenarios to ensure this plan works. Timing and accuracy is of utmost importance. Based on our simulation, we have 5 minutes to fully complete the switch."
Zell's eyes widened.
"Five minutes? Are you certain that's possible?"
Rinoa scowled and started to become visibly irritated at the challenge.
"We've been able to do it in three minutes. I'm certain this should be nothing with the assistance of trained professionals like yourselves."
Squall motioned his hand at Zell to stop with the line of questioning. They're all in it now for better or worse. There was no sense of adding agitation with such a critical mission.
Selphie was still enthralled with the model.
"This model is pretty cool…but the President's car needs some work…"
Zone chimed in.
"Timber had a wonderful store of collectible model trains before the occupation ran it out of business. The owner's family loaned us the models. All the cars are from that old shop except the President's car. Rinoa made that one."
"I made it ugly on purpose!" Rinoa snapped. "It represents my profound hatred of Deiling and everything he stands for!"
Selphie nodded and whistled.
"Wow…you must REALLY hate him. This is quite possibly the ugliest train car I've ever seen. Looks like a child made it…"
Squall took a double look at it and nodded as he muttered.
"Yeah…kinda does…"
Rinoa gave Selphie and Squall a seething look.
"Are you two finished? Enough about the damn model!"
"Yyyyyes ma'am. " Selphie muttered.
Rinoa shook her head.
"To the roof then…"
Zone began to clutch his stomach and groan. Rinoa scowled and rolled her eyes.
"Guess it's just me and the SeeDs…"
Zone looked up to her as he crouched to the floor, gripping his stomach.
"I-I-I'm sorry. I think I ate something bad…"
"It's fine. We should be fine. I was just hoping for another set of eyes on our train out there.."
Squall shook his head at the pathetic sight.
"It's probably best to have as few people as possible out there to limit detection."
Rinoa nodded in agreement.
Rinoa exited the room 1st, followed by Squall, Zell, and Selphie. Rinoa walked to the end of the cabin, pulled down the car's service ladder, and began to ascend to the roof. Squall and the rest of the SeeDs followed her to the slightly rounded roof top.
The wind ripped by them as the train sped to catch up to the Galbadian train.
"As soon as we land on the 2nd escort car, the clock starts. We will have exactly 5 minutes to pull this off."
Squall , Selphie, and Zell all said in unison, "Understood."
The two trains began to align. Rinoa signaled them all to jump.
Jumping from a moving train onto another was no easy feat on your average day. Trying to do so discreetly brought a whole new set of challenges to the table.
The team quickly landed onto the escort car and ran across it and the President's car without incident.
Selphie and Zell moved to their posts to stand watch on the 1st escort car. Rinoa motioned Squall to her where the car couplings are. Squall climbed down and readied himself for Rinoa's codes. When in position, he shouted ready.
"3224" Rinoa read off her display.
Squall keyed in the digits and waited for the "green" accepted to appear.
"OK, next one!" He shouted back.
"Yo Squall! We got company!" Zell shouted at them.
Squall hoisted himself back up until the Guard was satisfied that whatever the sensor saw or heard was nothing but glitchy hardware. As the guard turned to walk away, he lowered himself back down and signaled Rinoa he was ready for the next codes. The next two Squall was able to enter in quickly before the guards got curious again. As the coupling began to disengage, the team quickly jumped back onto the President's car. Shortly after, the train sped through the 1st junction point, leaving its 1st escort car behind and gaining the Forest Owls train.
The team quickly ran over to the 2nd escort.
"Its all on you, Squall. You'll have to watch your own guards." Rinoa said.
Squall simply nodded in acknowledgement and began to climb down, taking a brief moment to see 2 Galbadian guards at the back of the train.
"Ready." Squall said as he opened the keypad on the coupling.
"8556"
Squall quickly keyed in the code, glancing thru the window. The guards were fully invested in their conversation based upon their lax body language and hand gestures.
"Next!" Squall called.
"9634"
Squall repeated the process of entering the code. The train unexpectedly jostled him, causing him to glance upon the escort car. This caused one of the guards to glance over. Squall cursed himself as he hoisted himself up before the guard peered out the window.
Rinoa and him sat across from each other and waited. Soon the guard determined he was imagining things and they really didn't pay him enough to care, so he went back to his conversation. Squall's steely gaze met Rinoa's eyes and he nodded he was ready to continue.
Rinoa called down the last code to him and much to Squall's relief, the last escort car disengaged from the Forest Owl train, allowing Rinoa's resistance group to speed away with their prize.
The next junction point routed them back to Timber. As they switched direction, Rinoa smiled brightly at Squall, like a child on Hyne-day who got everything she desired. Zell and Selphie joined them on top of the President's car. The group moved their way back to the HQ car, and climbed back through the hatch.
Zone stared weakly at them as the emerged from the roof.
"We DID IT!" Rinoa squealed as she grabbed onto Squall's shoulders and leapt onto his back, jumping back off before he could grab her and then fully launching herself at Zone.
Zone grunted on impact and hugged her back, grabbing his stomach once again as she spun and hug attacked Watts. Watts chuckled in response.
Squall silently took in the scene before him, allowing a very zealous young woman a moment to get her wits together. It didn't look like that was going to happen too soon.
He really didn't understand their new clients. Did they not at all appreciate the gravity of what they had just accomplished?
"Perhaps we should hold back on the celebration…" Squall started.
Zell continued. "Yeah..like what are you going to do with him?"
"And you don't have much time to decide." Squall stated as he leaned up against the next train car connecting door. "Your decoy won't fool Galbadia for long."
Rinoa's dark eyes began to harden.
"Right!" She exclaimed, "Let's get in there and demand our freedom!"
Zone began to look more sickly green than before. Watts followed Rinoa and the SeeDs over to the doorway.
Rinoa keyed in the security door and stepped into the President's private car.
The President's car was lavishly appointed with priceless antiques, tapestries, and leather furniture. In a high back arm chair in the middle of the car sat a middle aged man with dark, graying hair, dressed in a one of Galbadia's finest tailored suits that could only fit the description of Vinzler Deiling, the life long President of Galbadia. He sat in his chair reading his paper without giving Rinoa or Squall's team any sort of acknowledgment as they approached him.
Something about how unaware the President seemed unnerved Squall.
Rinoa let out a gasp as the President slowly turned his head towards her. She closed her eyes and began.
"President Deiling, sir, I thank you for your audience today. My apologies for the interruption in your schedule, I understand that you are a very busy man. I promise, if you cooperate, we'll have you on your merry way."
The President simply stared at her, unmoved by Rinoa's words or his current situation. His stone cold dark eyes penetrated hers, the ice in his expression causing Rinoa to freeze where she stood. One eye moving differently than the other, then came the smile, which was wide enough to split the face into two on a piano hinge.
Squall's senses tingled as he watched the scene unfold.
"Rinoa! Get back, now…" Squall growled as he drew his gunblade. Selphie and Zell also readied themselves.
The President then stood and seemed to grow to large for the cabin. A foul odor, like something that had been buried for years, now dug up and left to fester, filled the air. Squall gasped for Rinoa's arm as he kept his weapon ready, blinking tears from his eyes and choking down his own bile from the rotten stench.
"Wow, has this guy heard of a bath?" Zell blurted out
Squall shot him a warning glance.
The President began to laugh.
"….And if I don't, young lady?"
Rinoa's eyes widened but her voice stood in defiance to the fear she felt.
"Then you give us no choice to but to use alternative means! I suggest we do this peacefully. What do…"
Galbadia's president continued to grow and metamorphosis. Two arms became four. Skin continued to turn ashen white, grey, and then develop oozing black spots. Vertebrae erupted from his back, the new boney extrusions ripping thru his finely tailored suit. And the rotting smell somehow intensified, which Squall didn't believe could be possible.
"What do I say, Young Lady?" The creature bellowed and laughed, spraying the cabin and the team with putrid green spittle. "I say, foolish child, to check your information better before you try kidnapping our President. For your treachery, you shall all die!"
"Rinoa! "Squall screamed trying to pull her from the creature's reach, but unfortunately not quick enough. A rotting appendage reached from it a struck her down. Squall retaliated with a swift slice with his gunblade, slicing the appendage off as the creature erupted into maniacal laughter. It continued to amuse itself laughing as Squall picked Rinoa up and moved her behind him and his team.
"Selphie, quick, cast protect!" Squall shouted.
Selphie quickly cast the protection spells over them before the creature decides to strike with something worse than a slap.
"You're time has come, traitors…" It spoke as it began to belch a noxious green slime from the wide opening that is now serving as its mouth? The smell grew more pungent and while the ooze didn't infect Squall or his party because of the protect spell, it still made his eyes water.
"Oh, man! This thing is NASTY!" Zell exclaimed. "I'm not looking forward to going toe to ehhh…toe? With it.."
"You won't have to. " Squall answered.
"Huh?!"
Squall shouted to Selphie as he pointed to the creature "Throw a Phoenix Down on that!"
Selphie gave Squall a confused look.
"Just DO IT!"
Selphie nodded and complied. As the Phoenix Down struck the creature it began to shriek. A great wind picked up inside the cabin as the gelatinous, rotting, corpse of a monster withered, and crumpled into dust.
Zell stood staring at Squall and Selphie, wide eyed.
"What just happened?..."
Squall wiped the blade of his gunblade clean and returned it to his hip.
"I'll explain later." He said as he headed for the door then gestured towards where Rinoa laid. "Could one of you help her up?"
Zell and Selphie followed Squall with a newly conscious Rinoa in tow between them into the Forest Owls HQ car. Rinoa moved herself away from their support and slouched down onto one of the benches in the cabin, rubbing her head, and not making eye contact with a very anxious looking Zone or Watts.
"What happened? Is he going to cave? I heard a lot of shrieking in there…sounds like you…"
Squall held out his hand "The mission was a failure. What we managed to capture was an undead creature masquerading as the President. He's still on his way to Timber, if he was even coming at all.."
Zone stood silent for a moment. He turned to Rinoa.
"Rinoa, what is he saying?!"
"We failed, Zone." Rinoa slowly lifted her head, her dark eyes shimmering, threatening to let lose the tears she was obviously holding back. "Our intel was bad. They leaked out false information and we took the bait."
Zone closed his eyes and gripped his middle again, his back sliding down the cabin wall as he winced.
Squall shook his head at the aftermath.
The Forrest Owls were in shambles.
Who the hell was going to clean up this mess?
Zone was obviously too much of a coward. Probably started the whole operation because it's cool to rise up against authority. But when the rubber met the road, then his GI ailments kicked in.
Chicken-Wuss, as Seifer would call him. And Squall would agree.
Watts was just annoying and more than likely the guy who didn't check the information to make sure there were no other means the President could be traveling by. If any intelligence agency was worth half their weight, they all spread concurrent rumors. And any spy worth half their weight would have known to check that and not jump on the 1st rumor they heard.
Then there was Rinoa.
Squall admired her ambition, but ambition alone can get you and your team in some serious trouble, including getting killed. She has big, glorious plans, but doesn't fully plan them out. Out of the three leaders of Forest Owls,, Squall considered Rinoa to be the most dangerous.
It's probably why she's Seifer's girl.
Squall caught himself clenching his fists at the thought. Again, why did he even care who some girl he met last night hung out with? Yet, here the thought returned. These thoughts were becoming too distracting. He needed to get his head together…
"This just in!" Watts burst into the cabin.
Squall caught himself reaching for his blade as Watts made his announcement, then chiding himself for not noticing he had slipped away to begin with. Why? Because he wasn't thinking about the mission.
This incident just proved Squall's point to himself
"What did you find out?" Rinoa inquired.
"The President IS coming to Timber. He's at the old TV station right now preparing for a State of the Union address."
Squall approached Watts. His deep blue eyes bore into him.
"You're certain that this intel is good? It could be yet another trap."
"Yes, sir! I am. There's been several accounts and I know a guy that's helping them set the station up. He's going to be there."
Rinoa sprung off of her seat and joined Squall and Watts. She started to crinkle her nose.
"So why come here…they could easily broadcast in Galbadia.." Rinoa questioned.
Selphie approached the forming crowd and turned to Squall.
"Could the Dollet communication tower have anything to do with this? " Selphie asked Squall.
Squall grasped his chin in thought.
Rinoa turned to Squall.
"What is that?" Zone asked.
"There's an old communication tower in Dollet. It's been defunct for years until yesterday when the Galbadian army repaired it and made it functional again. It seems to be the sole reason for occupying Dollet." Squall answered.
Zone's eyes brightened up.
"Oooh! I get it!" Zone stood straight up. "The only station that can handle broadcasts over the air is in Timber. The other stations only broadcast using HD cable, which is strictly online."
Rinoa started to crinkle her nose again.
"So what does this all mean….?"
"They're going to use airwaves to broadcast. This way they can transmit images to far reach places without cable." Zone answered.
"Ya think, Zone?" Rinoa snapped giving Zone a deadly glare.
"What I'm trying to figure out…"Rinoa started her eyes widened "what message does the President deem so important that those outside of Galbadia should hear it?"
Selphie twirled in the middle of the floor.
"Everyone! Peace and Love!" Selphie shouted.
Squall violently met his face to his palm as Rinoa, Zone, Watts, and even Zell who paused his air boxing to give Selphie a seething look.
Selphie stopped twirling and sheepishly grinned.
"No?"
Zone shook his head and continued.
"Air broadcasting hasn't been used in over 17 years. It's prone to interference. HD cable while limited, is much more reliable."
Rinoa's face slowly turned into a wicked grin.
"Well let's give them something actually worth broadcasting. We take over and our 1st broadcast is a declaration of Timber's Independence! "
Zone looked thoughtful. Squall's scowl deepened.
"That could work…" Zone began.
Rinoa's smile deepened. Squall's stomach sank to the bottom of the ocean.
"Let's come up with a plan!" Rinoa suggested with glee.
Rinoa beckoned Zone and Watts to the floor. Squall continued to deadpan stare at the trio as they gathered for their impromptu strategy meeting on the floor, like kindergarten aged children. Zell and Selphie gave Squall concerning looks.
What the hell is this and how much of this crazy must they endure?
As Zone, Rinoa, and Watts whisper excitedly amongst themselves for several minutes, Squall grew rapidly impatient. He let out a sigh and approached the group.
"Excuse me." He softly tapped Rinoa's shoulder.
"Oh, hey, Squall!" Rinoa turned and smiled. "We're just about done here and we have a great plan put together."
Squall didn't return her smile or enthusiasm.
"Is it possible for me to see the agreement you made with Headmaster Cid? "
Rinoa's smile began to fade.
"Of course. "
Rinoa began to fish through her satchel bag. She produced an envelope bearing the Balamb Garden logo on it. Squall quickly snatched from her hand, eliciting a sharp look from Rinoa. He turned and walked a few steps away, reading the contract.
Zell came over to Squall.
"What does it say?" He asked.
Squall began reading it aloud to Zell and Selphie.
"Balamb Garden (hereafter referred to as 'Party A') acknowledges 'The Forest Owls' (hereafter referred to as 'Party B') as the hiring party. SeeD (hereafter referred to as 'Party C') shall be dispatched upon signing of this contract. Party C shall operate under the supervision…"
"Say what…?!" Zell exclaimed.
"I'm not following…" Selphie said scratching her head.
Rinoa interjected. "Yeah, sorry…that one is a bit confusing." She reached into her satchel again producing an identical envelope that she gave to Squall. "So Cid wrote us up this one. He's such a nice man. "
Squall retrieved the envelope from her in the same manner as he did earlier, eliciting yet another sharp look from Rinoa. Squall, Zell, and Selphie began to read the second copy of the contract.
"What the hell is this?!" Zell fumed "Until Timber's Independence is gained?!"
"That can mean anything! " Selphie lamented.
Nice man, indeed…Squall thought.
Squall's stomach sank to his feet as he considered the predicament Headmaster Cid put them in to what…appease the wildest wishes of a pretty girl…Seifer's girlfriend? These people were disorganized, reckless, and just plain dangerous. Squall knew a SeeD's line of work, led them into dangerous situations more often than not, and most SeeD's if they were in the field, didn't last much past their 30th birthday, something Squall was prepared for. He just didn't think it would be closer to now.
Rinoa snorted.
"What's so funny? " Squall asked sharply.
"I thought you were paid professionals, and all I hear out of those two is whining and all I see from you is scowling.." Rinoa said as she approached.
"My apologies, the contract doesn't really define what 'Timber regains independence' is…" Squall started to point out.
"I think it's pretty easy to figure out there…but let me spell it out." Rinoa said as she approached Squall and stood directly in front of his face, her fierce dark eyes meeting his cold blue eyes. "When every last sack of crap Galbadian leaves Timber packing and never returns."
They locked eyes for a few moments, neither willing to back down.
"So who's going to help me take this TV station?" Rinoa asked as she broke eye contact with Squall.
Zone looked wearily her way and rubbed his middle.
Rinoa's eyes went to Watts
"Gathering info is my specialty, Sir!" Watts saluted and quickly exited.
Rinoa sighed loudly and slumped her shoulders, motioning for Squall and his team to follow her.
"ok...its us four. Let's go." She said deflated