It was about midday when Squad 7 relieved the Paratroopers by the town square. Before they could cross, an obstacle lies before them, the northern district of the western bank of the river was still riddled with enemy resistance. Determined to cross at the soonest possible moment, the two forces combined together in an attempt to secure the northern part of the town.

As they marched towards the northern part of the western bank, some of the members of both the Parachute Regiment and Squad 7 got acquainted with each other. Prompto in particular took these kinds of gather as an opportunity to lighten everyone's mood up.

"So I came over the barracks and found two recruits. I asked them what they were talking about. They said they were packing up to leave. So I said, Oh, I thought you guys were having a Private conversation!"

Though not everyone laughed, those who heard the joke for the first time cracked.

"Hahaha... I gotta wonder, Cpt. Argentum. Where do you get these kinds of jokes?" Rosie asked, one of Squad 7's senior officers.

"Well let me put it this way... Chicks dig the jokers." Prompto grinned.

"Oh... With that line, I might have thought you're probably hitting on me." The pig-tailed brunette blushed.

"Oh yeah? I'd like you to hit me up to bed tonight." He teased, biting his lip.

With that line alone, Rosie flushed but not in the way that Prompto was expecting. She was flushing with embarrassment as many of her squadmates and the paratroopers laughed with Prompto's hitting. She immediately bellowed her embarrassment, "YOU PERVERT!" and immediately slapped Prompto across his face. The slap was quite loud that it gave the impression just how hard of a hitter Rosie was. The slap left a mark on Prompto's left cheek, much to his embarrassment as everyone burst out laughing as they continued to march.

Minutes later, they came up to area where the northern district. Before them was the main road leading to the centre of the district. It was marked by a three-way junction with a café on the middle, and two buildings on both sides across the café. It had 2 other avenues of advance aside from the main road, which could give an opportunity to flank. Noctis took a few seconds of observation before turning to Welkin.

"Looks like it's clear. But we'll have to be sure. I'm sending in my boys to check the area out." He volunteered.

"Noctis, wait." His counterpart said, holding his arm. "You better take some of my guys. I'll get Rosie and her platoon to join you." He insisted.

"Alright then."

Turning to Rosie and Prompto, Welkin gave out the plan of attack, "Rosie, take Prompto and your platoon straight. Hit hard and fast and move quickly. We'll be ready to support you in case something happens."

The two nodded in reply as Noctis glanced at his watch to check the time. He had to attack on the precise time.

"Alright, go!" He signalled.

"Argentum, on me." She ordered.

Rosie got up to her feet and lead her platoon towards the intersection. Prompto, along with Gladiolus and Noel followed closely.

"C'mon, keep moving. Go!"

As Rosie and Prompto were approaching the entrance, little did they know that the whole platoon was slightly late in going up to their feet, making the two the only to go in first. The two weren't aware that the café was swarming with Imperials.

"FIRE!" a voice shouted.

Suddenly, machine gun fire unloaded on the two.

"Shit!"

"Enemy MG! Get down!" a voice shouted somewhere in the platoon.

The sudden machine gun fire made the two formations hit the dirt and grabbed for cover on the sides of the street, refusing to go out in the open.

"Take cover!"

Rosie and Prompto ran immediately to a doorway by a ruined house for cover. The cover was at least big enough for the two of them. They assessed their situation for a few seconds to realise that the entire platoon wasn't behind them.

"Shit!" bawled Prompto. "Goddamit."

"Where the f*ck is everybody?!" Rosie asked.

Prompto was firing his M1A1 Carbine blindly at the machine gun nest and didn't reply to her question.

"Where'd everybody go?!"

"I have no idea!" Prompto replied before firing blindly again.

Back in the main street, Welkin and Noctis rallied the platoons to attack. But the sounds of Imperial Machine Guns firing at them was too much for the squad to handle.

"Let's go! Get out there!"

"We're gonna get killed out there for pete's sake." Aika yelled.

One of the paratroopers bravely stood to lead some of the men out of the predicament. "Follow me! We'll flank them from here." Tidus volunteered.

Noctis looked to his side, seeing Zell taking cover on the dirt, refusing to go out.

"Move! Get out there. We have men getting killed out there, Zell! Get moving!" He said, grabbing Zell by his sleeve and out of cover. "Move! You got no cover here!"

"Go! Go!" Welkin continued. "Get out of cover!"

"Well beggars can't be choosers." Squall remarked, standing up signalling his squad and a handful of Squad 7 members. "C'mon, follow me." Squall yelled.

Meanwhile, Snow deployed his Bren gun just beside some sandbags with Hope acting as his reloader and spotter. The two quickly went into action as soon as they were set to fire the LMG.

"Enemy fire on the left, 2nd floor." Hope pointed.

As Snow and Hope suppressed the Imperials; To the left alleyway, Tidus, along with members of his platoon and some from Squad 7 attempted a flank on the café. To Tidus' left, there was a sniper preparing to shoot and before it could fire, Tidus unloaded a shots with his Sten gun, putting it out of commission. From Tidus' side, He could see the gunner on the café and fired a shot, killing it but this got him the gunner's attention, turning his MG on him and the others bogged down.

"JEEZ! GET TO COVER!" He shouted.

Squall, along with members of his platoon and some Squad 7 members planned a flanking manoeuvre to the right to try to pick off a shot on the enemy inside the café. But to his frustration, he couldn't pick off a shot.

Back on the entrance, Rosie and Prompto could see that the gunner placed his attention to the left where Tidus is. Taking the opportunity, The two decided to prepare to throw a grenade with Prompto covering Rosie.

"Alright, Cover me Argentum…. Now!"

Fully loaded, Prompto fired a whole magazine of his carbine as Rosie charged and threw the grenade inside and hitting the ground to avoid getting wounded by the shrapnel when it exploded. When it did, Squall got out of cover and lead some of his troops to get across the street. By now, Tidus and another detachment got through after the nest was cleared.

Near the warehouse, Squall could see Tidus along with his platoon moving in and taking positions. In front of them, parallel to where they are was a warehouse. Squall decided that it had to be taken and its Imperial occupants wiped out.

"C'mon, We gotta take that warehouse!" He uttered, leading his detachment.

On the entrance, More of Squad 7, including Largo and a few lancers started to storm the area. The first step was complete. Noctis and Welkin had a short discussion on what to do next near the café.

"Alright, Leonhart has the left under control. Next, we need to clear the houses before we could move on. I'll move in with the rest of my boys along with Rosie's platoon and the others to sweep the houses to the right."

"Good. I'll get the Edelweiss up and running and move in." Welkin replied. "You best take some of my guys with you. They can help you on the ground. I'm giving you full authority."

"Alright. Thanks Welkin." Noctis then turned Prompto, "Prompto, take Rosie with you and clear the houses over there. Cloud, you take your squad along with some of Squad 7 and clear the right flank. Tidus, you along with your platoon head over to the left flank and secure it. The rest of you, with me. We gotta take the centre of the district."

Rosie and Prompto took cover on the walls of the house. The two listened closely for Imperial voices inside. When they did, Prompto would smash the window while Rosie would throw the grenade. After which, Prompto would kick the door down and finish off any Imperials alive. On the next house, the two couldn't hear any Imperial Voices. Rosie tried to pressure him.

"C'mon, Argentum. Do it."

However, Prompto refused and instead, kicked the door open only to find a civilian family trying to hide from the gun fighting outside.

Back in the street fighting, Squall went up to a balcony to see that the west bank of Vasel was almost secure until he started to hear mortar barrages and saw that mortar shells started to rain down on them.

"They've got us zeroed! Get out of there! Scatter!" He yelled.

Immediately, everyone started to run for cover while others were still securing houses. On an alley, Noctis gunned down 5 Imperial troops with his Sten gun to which Rosie was able to catch up on. Just as she was about to speak, Mortar shells started to bombard the road near them. The two immediately went to cover while seeing Squall trying to get other Squad 7 members to cover.

"C'mon, Get out of the streets!"

Suddenly, A mortar shell lands on the spot a few meters away from Squall, sending him into a shockwave to the wall.

"Squall's down, Medic!" Quistis bellowed.

Then Edy, one of Squad 7's members, went out of cover to the wounded Squall to find that he was still breathing and shivering. He had blood coming out of his left cheek and had blood near his groin. Squall had in thought that he had died there for a moment.

"Sir, stay with me. Everything's gonna be fine." She comforted. "Homer, give me a hand here!"

Homer then arrived to check on what happened and saw Squall wounded. He checked on the blood coming out near his groin and tore the cloth open

"Everything should be fine. Can you get up?" He asked, to which Squall replied with a nod.

"Alright, Help me here." He referred to Edy. "Upsy-daisy." He uttered, placing Squall's right arm behind him.

After the Imperials retreated from the area, Noctis went to the district square to meet up with Welkin, who had bought with him the Edelweiss.

"Looks like you deserve the credit for the planning, Noctis. We might have the district under 30 minutes." Welkin congratulated.

"Nah... tell that to our guys. They did the heavy lifting. We should be in the clear soon."

Then, Something started to shake the ground. Caterpillar tracks were getting near and the two were aware that it wasn't a pleasant sound to here. Just to the left of the square, it was an Imperial Tank going through a wall.

"Tank! Get off the streets!" Welkin yelled.

The two ran for cover as well as the rest of the squad who were on the same street as them. Just then, Largo came over.

"Largo, You think you could put a hole on that tank over there."

"How long you think I've been an anti-tank man? Couple of tanks ain't no sweat." He said, filled with confidence.

And so he did. Largo, with his lance got out of cover. Noticing that the tank was firing its machine gun, one of them opted to throw a smoke grenade. Cloud had the honors of giving the first throw.

"Dammit, that tank's got a machine gun. Largo can't move if it keeps firing it."

"Cloud, throw a smoke grenade!" Noctis ordered.

"On it!"

When the smoke grenade was thrown and landed in front of the Imperial tank, Largo went out of cover and rushed to get a shot on its sides. When the tank crew noticed Largo was already on their side, it was too late. Largo triggered his lance and his AP shell instantly took out the tank out of commission.

"Cease fire!" Noctis shouted.

When the smoke had cleared and the sector of the town in allied hands, Welkin held a debriefing standing on top of the Edelweiss when Noctis and Luna came over to them, along with the 2 other NCOs of the Parachute Regiment, minus Squall.

"Welkin. All sectors have been secured. The road to the bridge is open." Alicia reported.

"Nice job everyone. Seems like we're ahead of time."

"Any casualties?" Noctis asked.

"So far, Squall got wounded but he got evacuated in time by Pvt. Edy Nelson." Cloud reported.

Just then, a journalist came in between their moment.

"Hey there! You guys aren't with Squad 7 by any chance, are ya?"

"Yes, that's us." Alicia replied.

"Ha ha...bingo! I've been looking for ya...meaning you. Hot stuff on the tank and that guy with a princess beside."

"Us?" Welkin and Noctis voiced at the same time.

"Uhuh! That must make you Lieutenant Gunther and Major Caelum, am I right?"

"Umm... Excuse me... I-" But Alicia was cut in between.

"Yeah. That's us."

The journalist came right up at the tank. Welkin was protesting on her act of this. So did Noctis. The journalist took out a pocket book and started interviewing the two gentlemen.

"Nice to meet you too. Now, let's get right to the questions. So, you're the son of the great General Gunther, huh? You look awfully young. How old are you anyway? Must be your first war, huh? What's the hardest experience so far? Wait...happiest? No, uh...funniest? I'd also like to know hobbies, favorite foods...what you do on your days off."

"Hey, lady! This is a combat zone! Excuse me, but what are you doing here anyway?" Alicia took her attention.

"Hey, give me a break, willya? Scoops are near danger, and I'm near scoops. That's right. The name's Ellet. I'm GBS Radio's top woman reporter. I smell a story, a good story, and you guys are it!"

"So.. You're a reporter?" Noctis asked.

"Yeah. So anyway, how about you? You're Major Caelum right? I've heard some stories that you were a part of the guys who bailed out over Gallian airspace about a month ago. Is it true?"

Both Luna and Alicia sighed.

On the other side, adjacent to where the five were was Rosie and Largo. The two were exchaging negative opinions about the two commanding officers.

"Ugh. Now he's giving interviews? Who does he think he is? Ooh, look at him, son of some big hero. Please! He's still a schoolboy! And what about that black-haired guy. People say he's just a charming gentleman from Britannia. What is he? A damn Prince Charming?"

Largo, puffing a cigarette replied. "No kidding. One little win and he's the new grand duke. And that Britannian guy may ruin his own looks. Ugh, I hate kids. Eh, whatever. They'll learn soon enough. Only one thing matters out there in the field, and that's experience."

After some ridiculous interviews carried out by GBS Reporter, Ellet amongst the members of Squad 7 and the Britannian Parachute Regiment; Captain Varrot arrived with Faldio to check out the situation.

"Captain!" Welkin saluted.

Noticing the presence of Noctis, Cpt. Varrot turned her attention to the man.

"Looks like we have new faces. I believe introductions are in order. Captain Varrot, Gallian Militia." She saluted.

"Major Noctis Lucis Caelum, Britannian Parachute Regiment." Noctis saluted back.

"It's nice to see you and your boys. Thank you for helping us out on this."

"It was a pleasure, Ma'am."

"And you're a Major. You hold the most senior rank among us. I might as well give you permission to lead my troops in the field." Varrot said, confidently.

Noctis replied with humility, "I appreciate the show of confidence, Ma'am but my responsibility is for my own guys only. Nevertheless, I look forward to working with you, Ma'am."

Varrot nodded with a smile, then turned to face everyone. "Good news, Squad 7, with the help of the Britannian Paratroopers has successfully suppressed the enemy camp, giving us the foothold we need in the west bank. Now we'll join the army's Vasel Battalion in Operation Cloudburst to take back the bridge. Militia forces will take the point, crossing the bridge and attacking the eastern camp."

"Captain, crossing that bridge means breaching the enemy bridgehead. What sort of on-site backup and supplies can we expect from the army on this? " Faldio raised.

"The plan calls for the army to commence its operation after we've struck the bridgehead."

"Wait a minute...so we're just being offered up on a platter?!"

"I know how you feel. I felt that way when I was a militia foot soldier, too. But sometimes being a soldier means taking on tough missions. Even dangerous ones."

"Understood, Captain."

"I'm not saying you're wrong, Faldio. Breaching that bridgehead by ourselves is...it's going to be tough."

"But Ma'am, that is absolutely absurd. We're not willing to carry out major operations with that scale. Even with my guys, we still aren't enough to take them on." Noctis voiced out his concern. "It's suicide."

"Captain Varrot, may I go observe the area around the bridge?" Welkin volunteered.

"Observe it? I don't mind, but what do you-" But Varrot was cut in mid-sentence when Alicia came knocking.

"Welkin! Noctis!"

"Sergeant Melchiott?! What is it?"

"Oh! I...sorry to interrupt the meeting. "

"We're finished, it's fine. Now I assume there's a reason for your visit?" The Captain asked.

"Yes, Captain. Welkin, ah, I mean, Lieutenant Gunther...the squad. They're at each others' throats."

"What?!" Noctis and Welkin, surprised.

"Please stop them, sir. I tried to, but they...I couldn't."

"What? You want us to break them up? I don't know...maybe it'd be better to just let them have it out." Welkin answered

"Let them have it out?! You can't just ignore them!"

"I'm not ignoring them. I think it's important that they say what they're thinking. Butting heads over differing opinions can be one way to bring people closer together."

"Welkin, Alicia has a point. We have to stay united as much as possible if we're gonna take those Jerries on." Noctis protested.

"Noctis is right, Welkin. You have responsibilities."

"Welkin, come with me." Noctis said, leaving the makeshift office.

With that, the three left Faldio and Varrot alone in the office.

Welkin, Noctis and Alicia immediately went to the scene of the very intense argument. There was Largo and Rosie on one end. The other had Isara and Luna. The tension was rising for a reason that even the three don't know.

"Hmph!" Rosie uttered.

"Okay, what's going on here?"

"You really have to ask, Lieutenant? It's either her or me, pal! Who let her in, anyway? You really think I'm gonna work with a dark hair? She'll blow us all up! Besides, I can't stand the stink of her! Her type's got a bad reputation and everybody knows it. No Darcsens allowed. Ya hear me?"

"Rosie, that's enough. We can't put discrimination in the way of war against a common enemy." Luna pleaded.

"Oh... so now Miss Universe is talking. Why don't you just go and present yourself before men. As for you Darscen, you better screw off and get lost."

"Oh yes, I've heard everything you have to say. But I'm still a human being, the same as you. Besides, no evidence exists to substantiate what you call the "Darcsen Calamity." It's a myth."

"Excuse me?! So what, you're calling me STUPID now?!" Rosie raised her voice up.

"No one here is stupid, Rosie. Not even you!"

"Stay out of this, Miss Universe!" Rosie bellowed at Luna.

Welkin tried to cease the tension. "Stop it, that's enough!"

"Stay out of this! I would hurt a fly even if you're my CO." Rosie said.

"Rosie, what's gotten into you."

"Me? Oh! So now you're siding with these two stooges eh?!"

"No that's not what I mean't. What I mean't is-"

But the argument between Welkin and Rosie would seem to be unending. Both couldn't seem to get the upper hand. Luna saw this as well as some of the squad members.

Then, Noctis had enough, pushing Rosie away from Isara.

"THAT'S ENOUGH!" He exploded. "As long as Me and Welkin are in command here, no discrimination will take place. Now I don't give a shit if you hate Darscens, Ms. Stark. And as the highest ranking officer here, you're under my command. Your orders are to cease this tension at once."

"Hmph! You don't know me, Prince Charming." Rosie rebuked, "Do us a favour, just fly away and never come back."

Fed up with Rosie's attitude, Noctis raised his Colt M1911 and pointed it at her as he gave her a cold stare right in her eyes. Those who knew Noctis well could see that he was nearing his limit.

"Whoah! Noctis, please. Stop it." Cloud pleaded but Noctis turned a deaf ear.

"Noctis, put the gun down." Welkin pleaded as well

"Go on, shoot me. You're not crazy enough." Rosie speaking in a tone of insult.

"Maj. Caelum, let's just calm down." Alicia voiced.

But all of these fell on deaf ears as Noctis argued.

"I saved Isara's life from two Imperials back in Bruhl. I know She's a Darscen even before you and I met. She's my friend and I won't stand for this. Shooting you won't be crazy. It'll be the sanest thing I've ever done, you racist prick!"

"Rosie, just leave." Largo ordered. Largo has at least a voice of power to make Rosie stop.

"Hmph!" She uttered. With that, Rosie left the area and Noctis holstered back his Webley.

"Okay, boss-man. We won't fight alongside no Darcsen. What about that can't you understand?" Flicking the cigarette near Aerith. "Another thing we ain't doing is taking orders from some hotshot greenhorn and his prince charming buddy."

"Alright fine. Now, listen and listen good. I'll have that bridge back in Gallia's hands in 48 hours.

"What?!"

"Now, if my plan fails, which I doubt, then I'll resign. Squad 7 will be all yours, Largo. But if my plan works, you'll take my orders and like it."

Largo just laughed it off. "Your funeral, boss man. You sure about this?"

"Yes I am."

Afterwards, Welkin and a still frustrated Noctis left the scene to prepare further.

"But...wait a sec...Welkin?" Alicia ran off to Welkin and Noctis by the river. They were surveying the area around and figuring out how to attack.

"Welkin!"

"Hmm? What's up?"

"What's up?! You just made an insane promise! That's what's up!" Alicia exclaimed.

"I'm sorry, Welks. I shouldn't have argued...this is all my fault. And I'm sorry too Noctis." Isara said pitifully.

"It's nobody's fault, Is. It's a war; we're all on edge here. And this mission certainly isn't helping. It's little wonder the troops are upset."

"I concur. And technically what Rosie did was something unnecessary for the time being. This is war. Discrimination doesn't exist among troopers." Noctis declared

"That's why pulling this operation off is the perfect way to bring the squad together."

"That'd be great, if it works...but how can you possibly hope to take back the bridge in just 48 hours?"

"Well, that's the hard part..."

Then, Welkin's light bulb lighted up. "Aha!"

"Huh? Aha what?""

"I was hoping..." But Welkin had a hard time on how to explain it. "But there they are. Isara, Alicia, think you can do us a favor?"

"Sure...what is it?"

"If we can get the Edelweiss to swim on the river, we could probably manage to do a sneak attack behind their noses. To make it, we need manpower. Noctis should be able to lend a big hand on this. We have him and his men, so we'll have the element of surprise in our hands."

"What are you suggesting?" Noctis asked.

"Your boys have been trained to fight in the night. So if you can raid the other side of the embankment, you might be able to take them by surprise. I'll take the Edelweiss through the river and signal the rest of the squad to sail across the river during the morning fog."

"But that's...is that even possible?!" Alicia asked, perplexed.

"Well, Is? Think you can make it by tomorrow?

"Yes. We can have it all equipped." Isara assured.

"Noctis, think you and your boys are up for the job?"

"Are you joking? we might as well be the first to cross the river and take the credit from you guys." He teased.

"All right. I'll trust you on this." Alicia voiced, keeping her trust with the two men.

"Right O! Let's get started."

TO BE CONTINUED