Author's Comment:
Whoa, did that ever take me long to write! Thanks for being patient everyone, I was going through a really slow period for a while there, but I'm back. This was the first chapter that I wrote on paper before typing out. I have a different sort of creative energy when I'm writing that way. I'm not sure if it shows or not, but maybe I should try writing that way more often. Give me a shout!
Tuesday, October 9, 2007
Squall had never seen so many ships docked at the BalambHarbor before. What few boats the townsfolk owned had been cleared away for the fleet of high tech military vessels that was now settled before him. Thinking a little further, Squall realized he’d never seen ships like these at all. They were sleek, silver and black crafts that looked almost capable of deep sea expeditions. Clouds gathered in the distance, as the sound of zealous seagulls circled from somewhere above. Squall could see the shores of Dollet, festering anxiously on the horizon.
“Ain’t no turning back now,” Seifer said, half to himself, as he stepped out of the transport. There was a trace of misgiving in his voice that troubled Squall. “You scared too?”
Before Squall could express his surprise at this, a hurried looking man shouted at them from across the parking lot. “Hey! You guys are the last!” Although he wore a Garden Faculty uniform, Squall couldn’t recognize his face. He ran frantically toward them, dropped his clipboard, backtracked a few steps to pick it up, and then continued across the pavement in a slightly more deliberate fashion. Once within talking distance, he began to speak in between gasps for air. “You… better hurry… up and get… in…”
Quistis stepped out of the transport and patted him on the shoulder. “Don’t worry Reggie; one of my students was just finishing up a test.”
“Of course,” said Reggie exasperatedly, nearly throwing his clipboard in the air. Zell was the last one out, and he hurried behind them as they made their way to the vessel.
“Don’t disappoint me, now,” said Seifer to Squall, before running ahead into the vessel.
“Come on, move it!” prodded Quistis, who was already half-way inside. The cool wind splashed water onto the hem of Squall’s pants as he ascended the steps to the boat.
The interior was predominantly metallic green, with the odd bouquet of copper pipes protruding from the walls. There were six large seats arranged around a central table, and a large screen on the far wall. Seifer was reclined comfortably, adjacent to where Squall was now seated, and Quistis conversed quietly with a staff member.
“Not what I’d call spacious,” complained Zell, as a deep humming noise started from beneath them, and the entrance hatch began to grind shut in a manner that was all but unfriendly. Quistis introduced the staff member as Xu, at which Seifer snorted. “Pleased to meet ya!” chimed Zell, holding his hand out to no avail.
Addressing Seifer, Xu spoke, “how many times has it been now?” An amalgamation of pity and distaste leaked from the corners of her voice.
“Oh, I just love these exams,” Seifer smiled ironically.
Xu sighed, pressing the bridge of her nose between her thumb and forefinger, before continuing. “First, I’ll explain the current situation, then the mission objective,” she said, addressing everyone. Squall felt a lurch to the left and realized that they must have started moving already; his heart sank a bit. Xu pushed a button on her pen and walked over to the screen, which lit up brilliantly. “Our client for this mission is the Dollet Dukedom Parliament. A request for SeeD was made 18 hours ago.” A pixilated map of Dollet faded onto the screen. The city was more or less shaped like a seven legged spider, with a bridge leading to a mountainous region in the north. “Dollet has been under attack by the G-Army since about 72 hours ago. 49 hours into the battle, Dollet abandoned their position in the inner city.” Six red dots blinked onto the screen, and began moving north, from the center. “Currently, they have retreated into the nearby mountains, and are reorganizing their troops. That’s the current states,” Xu said, pausing for a breath. “Now, onto the mission objective. According to reports, the G-Army is mopping up the troops in the mountain region. We’re going to make a landing at Lapin Beach. Our job is to eliminate the remaining G-Army within the city, and liberate it A.S.A.P. Afterwards, SeeD members will intercept any G-Army forces trying to make their way into the city.”
Seifer cleared his throat rudely, then spoke, “so what are we supposed to do, exactly?”
“SeeD candidates are to eliminate the G-Army inside the city,” Xu repeated.
“Sounds important,” said Zell, dramatically.
“Sounds boring,” said Seifer. “So, what you’re saying is we do all the little dirty work.”
Xu ignored him. “One more thing. It hardly needs to be said, but the order to withdraw takes priority. Do not forget.” Zell shot his hand in the air, anxiously. “Yes?”
“Hi… Right... Uh… when are we going to be there?”
Xu checked her watch. “We should arrive at the beach in under five minutes. We anticipate a battle as soon as we disembark, so be prepared. Any further questions should go to Quistis.” Xu walked through a door to the front compartment.
“My first real battle,” said Zell to himself, nervously.
“Better not piss your pants,” chuckled Seifer.
“Bastard,” muttered Zell, clearly restraining himself.
“Enough talk,” shot Quistis. “We’ll be landing soon, so you’d better be ready.”
“Hey Zell,” whispered Seifer tauntingly, kicking Zell’s leg. “Go see what’s going on outside.”
“No,” said Zell adamantly.
“This is an order from your captain,” said Seifer, raising his voice. “Now go outside!”
“You know what?” shouted Zell, jumping to his feet. “Just because some idiot picked your name out of a hat, doesn’t give you a right to go around being a—“
“Cut it out, right now!” said Quistis, joining in the match, asserting her assailable authority.
Realizing that this would take much longer than five minutes to sort out, Squall stood up, opened the top hatch, and climbed out, himself.