Fire-Cross Knight

“It’s not the type of mission I generally accept,” Cid said as Squall looked over the report in his hands. He hadn’t bothered to be seated when Cid handed him the manila folder containing the specs; he wanted to be able to just take the folder and leave. He knew that no matter what the folder contained, he’d accept it. This had less to do with knowing that any time he was called on was a time in which he was truly needed, and much more to do with the uncomfortable feeling that he was no longer necessary nagging at the back of his mind. He gave it a quick look and stifled his shock; there was a reason that missions like this were never accepted. “However, since we’ve recently taken over Trabia and Galbadia Gardens once more, we’re a little... Strapped for cash.”

“...” Squall didn’t answer, mostly because he could think of nothing to say. For almost anyone this would be a suicide mission. However, not only had Cid accepted the mission, the only contracted SeeD that would be sent along...

He looked over the papers again, flipping through them. He only saw one name throughout, and that was his own.

“The President’s Cabinet was quite specific in asking for you. Of course, that allowed us to charge the standard fee-“

“The A rank acquisition fee,” Squall interjected, nodding. He didn’t want to hear another of Cid’s diatribes explaining terminology he himself had perfected with his brief stay in office. The implementation of the fee may have been Xu’s idea, but he was the one who pushed it through.

“That’s right,” Cid said with a self-assured nod. “However, not only did they agree to the fee, which was explained as the cost of payment directly to yourself, but also-“ Squall’s eyes widened as he read the words- “an additional bonus, for you and you alone.”

“Is this some sort of joke?” Squall asked, incredulity in his voice. While it was true the mission read like a suicide note, Kiros knew Squall would likely be able to handle it alone. To offer enough money to bankrupt Galbadia...

“I assure you that it’s no joke. Of course, you yourself would have to take the contract to President Laguna for the signing, but after that you would have enough wealth...” He didn’t say it, but Squall knew. He, personally, could not only buy a country, he could buy a great deal of the world. But if anyone could provide that amount of excess, it would be Esthar. To think what he could do with that amount of money... “Of course, one could easily make the argument that this amount is by no means overindulgence. You are the only hero of the Sorceress War that we can afford to send. Even Zell is already contracted for a soiree in Dollet, reestablishing our good will with that nation. Quistis is bogged down in her classes, and as Selphie is being trained to replace the headmaster of Trabia Garden, and Irvine is currently attached to her...” Cid shrugged, as though it were inconsequential. “Right now, there is great demand for someone of your skills. And as they say, supply and demand...”

“Are there any other specifics I should be aware of?” Squall asked, voice calm, accepting. Cid was right. Even if they sent a cadre of lower-ranking SeeD, they would likely lose one or more of the team sent. The odds seemed stacked against even Squall...

“Not a one,” Cid said with the kind of smile that Squall trusted only as far as the threshold of the room. “You leave this evening, and take as long as you need. Just be as thorough as you can. Every man eliminated.” Squall nodded and took the folder. “Of course, with your proximity to Trabia, I would suggest you use them as a first-contact if there is anything you need. We have no contacts in Esthar at all. You’ll be on your own.” Squall nodded. “I’d prefer to arrange Selphie to drop you off at Esthar City and take Ragnarok with her to Trabia- that way if you need assistance we can provide it to you much more quickly with it than without.”

“...” Squall nodded in agreement, though he knew the true reason Cid wanted to keep the ship had less to do with Squall’s safety and more to do with the invitation that Fisherman’s Horizon had extended to the Gardens to reestablish friendly contact. Since they were the only people who could fix the Gardens when anything went wrong, Cid had every reason to want to be on good terms with them. And without Ragnarok, the trip would take three days at least. Not including the time it would take for such an ostentatious procession as the Headmaster would need to travel through Timber. Cid smiled again.

“Excellent. Be ready to leave at 1700 hours. Selphie and Irvine will arrive at approximately 1400 hours and I will give her the orders. You’re dismissed.” Squall no longer saluted Cid, as he was still active Field Commander for Balamb Garden, a defunct title when they weren’t in battle, but one that stood equal to Headmaster. As he turned to leave, however, Cid spoke again. “And don’t forget to have President Laguna sign that contract before you carry out his mission.” If Squall had been one to allow himself to feel irritation, he would’ve sneered at that reminder. However, he still rarely snapped. It seemed the only thing that could make him feel anger was when Seifer forced him to. Which, thankfully, had only occurred once so far.

Squall walked out of the office and into the elevator. He waited patiently until the elevator reached the first floor, and stepped off, hearing the doors close behind him. His path took him around the promenade past the infirmary. Before he could go much further, a familiar voice called to him.

“Squall!” Zell yelled, leaving the cafeteria. Squall continued walking to the junction where the cafeteria walk joined the promenade. He waited as Zell rushed towards him, grinning. His sneakers squeaked as he came to a stop on the tile floor, bouncing just a bit in place. “What’s goin’ on? I haven’t seen you since I got back!” Squall could almost feel Zell ignoring the manila folder that he carried- it was impolite to ask another person about their missions, especially since they may be confidential.

“Nothing,” Squall answered, verbose as always. Zell grinned at him.

“Yeah, me either. I’ve got this thing I’ve got to go do in Dollet, but I bet you already know about it,” Zell said, and laughed when Squall nodded slowly. “I saw you fight Seifer this mornin’, and I wanted to talk to you about it.”

“...Oh?” Squall answered, uncomfortable. These sorts of conversations were never what he was really good at, though, through sheer force of will, he had been improving since the war had ended.

“Yeah. I mean, at first I thought you guys were probably just trying to kill each other where nobody could blame you, but then I got out there...” Zell looked uncomfortable now, too. Squall knew that the whole topic of Seifer made Zell uncomfortable, now that Zell thought Seifer had been living in a cave, unable to go on with life after the war, and tried not to wonder what this was all leading to. Zell stood in silence for a few moments before finally trudging on. “Wasn’t it a little fake?”

“...What?” Squall asked, mind freezing for a moment.

“The fight you guys had. This morning.” Now that the topic had been broached, Zell’s reluctance disappeared. “I’d seen you guys fight before and it was NOTHING like that. I mean, it was like you were teaching some kids how gunblades are worked- neither of you even drew blood!” Zell sneered. “I know it’s been forever since you had a decent fight, Squall, but that wasn’t even half of what you can do. And I *know* Seifer hasn’t turned into a wuss overnight.” Squall stood there for a moment, words failing him. He knew he had to find a way to make all of this seem perfectly natural, but he’d never been very good at making up lies on the spot like this. Especially not to cover up something so obviously true. Why hadn’t they thought of this? There weren’t any gunblade students in Garden, but there were plenty of people who had grown up watching Squall and Seifer fight, and they would know the difference. Especially the kids that had fought beside Squall for so long... “I mean, are you guys afraid to hurt each other or somethin’?” Zell asked, and Squall continued looking at him, not knowing quite what to say. “Or is it because of Seifer’s PTSD?” When Squall heard those words, the story clicked to place in his mind.

“Yeah, that’s it,” he said quietly, as though trying to keep a secret, despite the empty promenade. “You know he signed a contract saying he didn’t want to fight...” Zell nodded sagely, picking up on the lie and continuing before Squall could think of what to say next.

“Yeah, PTSD works like that. He starts gettin’ into it and suddenly remembers one of the times the two of you fought during the war. Next thing you know he starts shouting about how he’s gonna protect the Sorceress, and you gotta hand his ass to him.” Squall nodded, surprised at the clever story Zell had just provided him. An easy way out. “Yeah. Well I won’t tell anyone that you guys aren’t really fighting then. We don’t want anyone callin’ Seifer out. He's been gettin' his nerve back lately, and if someone calls him out, he's gonna end up creamin' 'em. He's almost been his old prick self the past couple of days..." Zell shook his head slowly from side to side, and then brightened up, enthusiastic as ever. “You think that maybe if I fight him we can get him to act normal? I mean, I don’t like it when he’s a prick but to have him like this, it's like he's only half there! Like some kinda ghost...” Zell shivered, and Squall became alarmed for a new reason. “...Well, I guess fighting me would be worse than fighting you. I mean, fighting me it’s my fists,” he punched a fist into a palm as if in demonstration. “Then he’d probably think about the War even more. Better just keep you guys to each other, huh.” Squall nodded again, thankful that Zell was looking for a story so hard that he provided his own, and wondering how he was going to get away from a talkative Zell without just walking away mid-sentence.

“Oh!” Zell went on, brightening again. “Did you hear that Selphie and Irvine are gettin’ back tonight?” Squall nodded again. “What are you going to tell them about Seifer?” Squall’s mind went blank again- he’d thought quite a bit about this very thing and wasn’t so sure he wanted to tell them the same thing he told Zell, and then remembered how little time he had to actually think about it. “You know what, I’ll tell ‘em,” Zell said confidently, seeing the look on Squall’s face. “You’ve been talkin’ more lately then I’ve seen since right after the war ended. Can’t have you getting sick of it now.” He grinned at his joke, and Squall felt a wash of relief he hadn’t expected at having that responsibility taken from him. Zell was easy to fool, but Selphie and Irvine... “Okay I’m gonna go see my Ma before I leave again- quick little trip to town before Selphie and Irvine get back. When you leavin’?” He asked, nodding to the folder Squall was carrying under his left arm.

“1700,” Squall answered and Zell nodded, pleased.

“Great. Plenty of time for me to get back and talk to Selphie and Irvine before you go. Maybe we can all get somethin’ to eat if you don’t mind eatin’ early?” Squall shook his head; the few times they were all in Garden, someone had always called him or left a note for him, and they had all gotten together. “Maybe I’ll tell Ma to cook somethin’ up, who knows. I’ll see ya later,” Zell said and waved as he left at a brisk jog. Squall watched him go for a few moments before he turned and made his way back towards the dormitories.