MC Falling Into Infinity 05

Getting out of the prison had been far easier then Selphie thought it should have been. But, the keycard was to the lowest level, and apparently had all the floors programmed on it. So, she maneuvered herself around the building and eventually found the exit. In fact, it was the main entrance to the building and with a little wave to the front desk lady she walked right out the door. The thought made her laugh. Bet they'd feel awfully silly when they found out how she escaped. Outside was dark, well into the nighttime. She wondered what time it was, then found a clock set high into a tower. She recognized the structure as the Presidential Palace. The place where Irvine had taken that infamous shot at Edea. Staring at it mesmorized, she had to shake her head to pull herself out of her memories. It had only been mere months since that day, but it felt like years ago.

Ten o'clock, well past the Galbadian curfew. She had wanted to shed this uniform as soon as possible, but left it on, figuring it might save her being questioned by authorities if they caught her roaming the streets of Deling this late at night. She just escaped, after all, and it wouldn't do to be caught again thanks to the curfew. Tapping into her memory, she tired to recall where Irvine and Quistis were supposedly staying while in Deling. There was the man hotel near the downtown area, and then there were myriad other inns often used by Garden when they wanted to be a little inconspicuous. Trotting along the street, she decided to check out the big one first. If they weren't there, then she'd just systematically search each hotel till she found them. Sure, it might take her all night, but what else did she have to do? She had to get in touch with someone.

Weaving through the backstreets and alleyways, Selphie tried to avoid any officers she saw ahead of time. For those that she couldn't evade, she merely walked past them at an authoritative pace. She'd learned that while sneaking around at the Galbadian missle silo. Just act like you fit in and everyone thinks you do. No one stopped her, and a few saluted her, to whom she saluted back. The darkness hid the fact that her uniform was a wee bit too big. And, since she was moving along as fast as she could manage, she looked busy, like she was on her way somewhere. Walking, however, took time, since the carriages weren't allowed to transport anyone after the curfew began. Deling City wasn't exactly small either. It took her a half an hour to reach the once gleaming spectical that encompassed the city's downtown area.

The neon lights were all snuffed out, however, shop windows lit only enough to show off window displays and allow officers to peer in to make sure no theives were attempting a late night robbery. Even the hotel was dark in the lobby. No one ever came to rent a room at this time, so they closed their doors and left the main desk manned with only one clerk, in case a resident needed something later at night. She wondered if she could walk in, but upon trying one of the doors she found it was locked. No one going in or out. With a sigh, she started to turn when she heard a voice.

Clapping a hand over her mouth to keep herself from shrieking, Selphie whirled around, expecting to see an officer coming toward her. To her relief, it appeared that the man was approaching a couple down the street, the two of them locked together in an embrace. Actually, even in the darkness they both looked awfully familiar. With dread horror suddenly sending an icy knot into her stomach, the girl realized rather quickly who they were. Irvine and Quistis. And there were kissing. She was very glad then that her hand was still over her mouth, muffling her gasp of shock. She had always thought of Irvine as her cowboy. Oh sure, she never quite returned his attempts to flirt and even told him to quit it sometimes, but he was always there, always hers. Had she waited too long? Was this why Squall had insisted on splitting them up?

In a way that reminded Selphie of watching a train wreck, she couldn't help but stare at the two as they halted their liplock to talk to the officer. She could see Irvine's gestures even if she couldn't quite hear what he was saying. Fasttalking his way out of another situation. Well, this was one incident he'd never fasttalk himself out of. Not with this girl. Hands going to her hips, Selphie felt the righteous indignation slowly melt away then. Tears were beginning to stream down her cheeks and she quickly turned and ran down the street, no longer caring if she were caught by someone.

Seifer didn't lock Quistis or Irvine away somewhere, as Quistis figured he would. Instead, he merely took them down to the very basement he'd created that datatape in, letting them sit and even being curtious enough to offer something to drink. Irvine was wary, even to the point of mouthing off to the tall blonde, but Quistis put her hand on his arm, grateful that all she felt was the leather of his duster. Shaking her head at him, he closed his mouth again. It appeared to her that Seifer was different, and for that, she would at least hear him out. She had a lot of questions to ask, after all.

"So, I bet you two are wondering why I'm in the Galbadian Freedom Front," Seifer says, eyeing Irvine a moment till it looked like Quistis had kept him from getting mouthy. The blonde would have no problem tossing the cowboy on his ass and pummeling him into silence if that's what it took. Luckily, he didn't think he would need to. "I came here on a whim, out of Fisherman's Horizon. This place stinks, how the hell you put up with it, I'll never know, Kinneas. The repression here? Bah, and you guys helped it along, but we won't go there. You're helping it again, now, and that's why you're not leaving this building till you hear what I got to say."

The two SeeDs merely gave Seifer a blank look. Quistis was as cool as ever, merely lifting a pale eyebrow at the blonde, expecting him to explain this. Irvine was wary, arms crossing over his chest. He'd listen, but it'd take some convincing. This was unexpected. Seifer thought it would be the other way around. "I thought you'd be a little more sympathetic for your own people, cowboy."

"You're not Galbadian, Seifer, so don't go preaching at me," was shot back hotly. Irvine even sat forward rather suddenly, as if he meant to leap to his feet and attempt to knock Seifer's block off. Quistis managed to calm the tensions yet again, a hand resting against his shoulder. The tall blonde smirked at this, wondering if he should continue to egg the cowboy on. He could see there was something and yet nothing between them. He held his tongue, however. In this situation he needed to appeal to them both, not goad Irvine into a fight.

"Who knows my nationality, Kinneas, I'm an orphan like you, I just might be. Wouldn't that just make your day? But I'm not here to fight with you, cowboy. So cool your jets," Seifer paced a little, pausing to get himself a drink. Even if they refused, it didn't mean he had to go with a parched throat. "Look, the people out here are starving for liberty. The Deling family has been in power for three generations now. At first, things were great, it's why they have all this technology. Then Vinzer came into power. He's been taxing the middle and lower class practically into poverty. When he died, his brother Frankard took over. And things have only gotten worse from there. Rationing took effect, the curfew came into play. They've slowly turned this into a city under martial law. Oh they'll tell you it's because of the rebellion groups, but don't you believe a word of that crap. They'd do it with or without us harrying them.

"When I came here, this outfit was doomed. With me behind the wheel we've become the biggest rebellion group fighting against the tyranny of the status quo. And nothing, not even you two, is gonna keep me from living up to my responsibility. I'm seeing this through to the end. So, you guys got two options. Join up with me, or I lock you away somewhere till it's over. Personally, I know your skills and I'd love to use them, but I've got no problem sticking you where the sun don't shine if I have to."

Irvine refused to even look at Seifer now, staring out the window as the blonde continued with his explanation. The problem with it was simply that the cowboy knew he was right regarding the situation in Deling. His foster parents had struggled for a very long time under Vinzer Deling's reign, he'd even been sending part of his paychecks to them to help support them and keep the government from foreclosing on the ranch they'd maintained for generations. Quistis was thoughtful, tapping her chin with a forefinger as she considered Seifer's fervor, as well as his argument. In her opinion, Squall was wrong to continue using SeeD the way Cid had. For she knew well that Garden's Headmaster had long been quietly supporting what he felt was morally right and finding a reason to reject what he felt wrong. Their Commander was young, however, and hadn't yet learned the secret, or gained the experience of how to say no.

The SeeDs glanced at each other. Quistis lifted a pale brow and Irvine's lips quirked to the left. Seifer watched the private communication impatiently. Do it or don't do it and quit wasting everyone else's time, that was his opinion. Fuujin might kick his shins for it, but he was the kind of person who made his decisions quick and saw them through. These two had to stop and think it through, however, and it irritated him. Maybe he should have just locked them up and had it over with, after all.

Finally, a decision was reached and Quistis looked up at the taller man. "All right, Seifer. We're in, I don't think Squall's aware of what's going on here any more then we did. We'll need to contact him, then form a strategy to help you."

Now, Seifer wasn't stupid, and he had to pause to consider their offer of aid. Were they attempting to placate him into letting them go? Paranoia had been bred into his mind since taking over as the head of the Freedom Front and so far it had served him very well. Still, Quistis was not one to go back on her word. He learned that as her student, once upon a time. She was a little over-emotional then, far too bossy for his tastes and definately irritatingly insistant, but a liar she was not. In the end, he chose the paranoia anyway. If they wanted in, they were going to have to prove themselves first, just like anyone else who tried to enter the ranks of the Front. Till then, he fully intended to keep them with him, where he could watch their every move.

Opening his mouth to state his terms, Seifer was interrupted by Irvine leaping to his feet rather suddenly, tackling the taller man down to the ground with an 'oof!'. The sound of shattering glass followed seconds afterward, a bullet zipping through the air where Seifer had just been standing, thunking into the concrete wall with a dusting of plaster. Luckily, being a sniper meant that the cowboy had the eagle eye, and when he saw that red light appear on the blonde's coat, tracking upward toward his temple, he'd taken action immediately to get him out of danger. Fuujin and Raijin pattered down to the basement right then, gesturing for everyone to head out the back door.

"Surrounded," Fuujin announced crisply, clearly indicating they were in danger now. Seifer shoved Irvine off of him without so much as a thank you and followed his posse members toward the cellar door they kept for just such an emergency. It lead into the sewers down below the city, and the tunnel system down there was so complex it'd be nigh impossible to follow. The SeeDs weren't far behind though, Irvine bringing up the rear and making sure the trap door was shut behind them all.


	Part 9: Nobody's Fool Getting out of the prison had been far easier then Selphie thought it should have been. But, the keycard was to the lowest level, and apparently had all the floors programmed on it. So, she maneuvered herself around the building and eventually found the exit. In fact, it was the main entrance to the building and with a little wave to the front desk lady she walked right out the door. The thought made her laugh. Bet they'd feel awfully silly when they found out how she escaped. Outside was dark, well into the nighttime. She wondered what time it was, then found a clock set high into a tower. She recognized the structure as the Presidential Palace. The place where Irvine had taken that infamous shot at Edea. Staring at it mesmorized, she had to shake her head to pull herself out of her memories. It had only been mere months since that day, but it felt like years ago. Ten o'clock, well past the Galbadian curfew. She had wanted to shed this uniform as soon as possible, but left it on, figuring it might save her being questioned by authorities if they caught her roaming the streets of Deling this late at night. She just escaped, after all, and it wouldn't do to be caught again thanks to the curfew. Tapping into her memory, she tired to recall where Irvine and Quistis were supposedly staying while in Deling. There was the man hotel near the downtown area, and then there were myriad other inns often used by Garden when they wanted to be a little inconspicuous. Trotting along the street, she decided to check out the big one first. If they weren't there, then she'd just systematically search each hotel till she found them. Sure, it might take her all night, but what else did she have to do? She had to get in touch with someone. Weaving through the backstreets and alleyways, Selphie tried to avoid any officers she saw ahead of time. For those that she couldn't evade, she merely walked past them at an authoritative pace. She'd learned that while sneaking around at the Galbadian missle silo. Just act like you fit in and everyone thinks you do. No one stopped her, and a few saluted her, to whom she saluted back. The darkness hid the fact that her uniform was a wee bit too big. And, since she was moving along as fast as she could manage, she looked busy, like she was on her way somewhere. Walking, however, took time, since the carriages weren't allowed to transport anyone after the curfew began. Deling City wasn't exactly small either. It took her a half an hour to reach the once gleaming spectical that encompassed the city's downtown area. The neon lights were all snuffed out, however, shop windows lit only enough to show off window displays and allow officers to peer in to make sure no theives were attempting a late night robbery. Even the hotel was dark in the lobby. No one ever came to rent a room at this time, so they closed their doors and left the main desk manned with only one clerk, in case a resident needed something later at night. She wondered if she could walk in, but upon trying one of the doors she found it was locked. No one going in or out. With a sigh, she started to turn when she heard a voice. "Hey, you there, stop!" Clapping a hand over her mouth to keep herself from shrieking, Selphie whirled around, expecting to see an officer coming toward her. To her relief, it appeared that the man was approaching a couple down the street, the two of them locked together in an embrace. Actually, even in the darkness they both looked awfully familiar. With dread horror suddenly sending an icy knot into her stomach, the girl realized rather quickly who they were. Irvine and Quistis. And there were kissing. She was very glad then that her hand was still over her mouth, muffling her gasp of shock. She had always thought of Irvine as her cowboy. Oh sure, she never quite returned his attempts to flirt and even told him to quit it sometimes, but he was always there, always hers. Had she waited too long? Was this why Squall had insisted on splitting them up? In a way that reminded Selphie of watching a train wreck, she couldn't help but stare at the two as they halted their liplock to talk to the officer. She could see Irvine's gestures even if she couldn't quite hear what he was saying. Fasttalking his way out of another situation. Well, this was one incident he'd never fasttalk himself out of. Not with this girl. Hands going to her hips, Selphie felt the righteous indignation slowly melt away then. Tears were beginning to stream down her cheeks and she quickly turned and ran down the street, no longer caring if she were caught by someone. She wanted her Irvine back. Part 10: Opiate Seifer didn't lock Quistis or Irvine away somewhere, as Quistis figured he would. Instead, he merely took them down to the very basement he'd created that datatape in, letting them sit and even being curtious enough to offer something to drink. Irvine was wary, even to the point of mouthing off to the tall blonde, but Quistis put her hand on his arm, grateful that all she felt was the leather of his duster. Shaking her head at him, he closed his mouth again. It appeared to her that Seifer was different, and for that, she would at least hear him out. She had a lot of questions to ask, after all. "So, I bet you two are wondering why I'm in the Galbadian Freedom Front," Seifer says, eyeing Irvine a moment till it looked like Quistis had kept him from getting mouthy. The blonde would have no problem tossing the cowboy on his ass and pummeling him into silence if that's what it took. Luckily, he didn't think he would need to. "I came here on a whim, out of Fisherman's Horizon. This place stinks, how the hell you put up with it, I'll never know, Kinneas. The repression here? Bah, and you guys helped it along, but we won't go there. You're helping it again, now, and that's why you're not leaving this building till you hear what I got to say." The two SeeDs merely gave Seifer a blank look. Quistis was as cool as ever, merely lifting a pale eyebrow at the blonde, expecting him to explain this. Irvine was wary, arms crossing over his chest. He'd listen, but it'd take some convincing. This was unexpected. Seifer thought it would be the other way around. "I thought you'd be a little more sympathetic for your own people, cowboy." "You're not Galbadian, Seifer, so don't go preaching at me," was shot back hotly. Irvine even sat forward rather suddenly, as if he meant to leap to his feet and attempt to knock Seifer's block off. Quistis managed to calm the tensions yet again, a hand resting against his shoulder. The tall blonde smirked at this, wondering if he should continue to egg the cowboy on. He could see there was something and yet nothing between them. He held his tongue, however. In this situation he needed to appeal to them both, not goad Irvine into a fight. "Who knows my nationality, Kinneas, I'm an orphan like you, I just might be. Wouldn't that just make your day? But I'm not here to fight with you, cowboy. So cool your jets," Seifer paced a little, pausing to get himself a drink. Even if they refused, it didn't mean he had to go with a parched throat. "Look, the people out here are starving for liberty. The Deling family has been in power for three generations now. At first, things were great, it's why they have all this technology. Then Vinzer came into power. He's been taxing the middle and lower class practically into poverty. When he died, his brother Frankard took over. And things have only gotten worse from there. Rationing took effect, the curfew came into play. They've slowly turned this into a city under martial law. Oh they'll tell you it's because of the rebellion groups, but don't you believe a word of that crap. They'd do it with or without us harrying them. "When I came here, this outfit was doomed. With me behind the wheel we've become the biggest rebellion group fighting against the tyranny of the status quo. And nothing, not even you two, is gonna keep me from living up to my responsibility. I'm seeing this through to the end. So, you guys got two options. Join up with me, or I lock you away somewhere till it's over. Personally, I know your skills and I'd love to use them, but I've got no problem sticking you where the sun don't shine if I have to." Irvine refused to even look at Seifer now, staring out the window as the blonde continued with his explanation. The problem with it was simply that the cowboy knew he was right regarding the situation in Deling. His foster parents had struggled for a very long time under Vinzer Deling's reign, he'd even been sending part of his paychecks to them to help support them and keep the government from foreclosing on the ranch they'd maintained for generations. Quistis was thoughtful, tapping her chin with a forefinger as she considered Seifer's fervor, as well as his argument. In her opinion, Squall was wrong to continue using SeeD the way Cid had. For she knew well that Garden's Headmaster had long been quietly supporting what he felt was morally right and finding a reason to reject what he felt wrong. Their Commander was young, however, and hadn't yet learned the secret, or gained the experience of how to say no. The SeeDs glanced at each other. Quistis lifted a pale brow and Irvine's lips quirked to the left. Seifer watched the private communication impatiently. Do it or don't do it and quit wasting everyone else's time, that was his opinion. Fuujin might kick his shins for it, but he was the kind of person who made his decisions quick and saw them through. These two had to stop and think it through, however, and it irritated him. Maybe he should have just locked them up and had it over with, after all. Finally, a decision was reached and Quistis looked up at the taller man. "All right, Seifer. We're in, I don't think Squall's aware of what's going on here any more then we did. We'll need to contact him, then form a strategy to help you." Now, Seifer wasn't stupid, and he had to pause to consider their offer of aid. Were they attempting to placate him into letting them go? Paranoia had been bred into his mind since taking over as the head of the Freedom Front and so far it had served him very well. Still, Quistis was not one to go back on her word. He learned that as her student, once upon a time. She was a little over-emotional then, far too bossy for his tastes and definately irritatingly insistant, but a liar she was not. In the end, he chose the paranoia anyway. If they wanted in, they were going to have to prove themselves first, just like anyone else who tried to enter the ranks of the Front. Till then, he fully intended to keep them with him, where he could watch their every move. Opening his mouth to state his terms, Seifer was interrupted by Irvine leaping to his feet rather suddenly, tackling the taller man down to the ground with an 'oof!'. The sound of shattering glass followed seconds afterward, a bullet zipping through the air where Seifer had just been standing, thunking into the concrete wall with a dusting of plaster. Luckily, being a sniper meant that the cowboy had the eagle eye, and when he saw that red light appear on the blonde's coat, tracking upward toward his temple, he'd taken action immediately to get him out of danger. Fuujin and Raijin pattered down to the basement right then, gesturing for everyone to head out the back door. "Surrounded," Fuujin announced crisply, clearly indicating they were in danger now. Seifer shoved Irvine off of him without so much as a thank you and followed his posse members toward the cellar door they kept for just such an emergency. It lead into the sewers down below the city, and the tunnel system down there was so complex it'd be nigh impossible to follow. The SeeDs weren't far behind though, Irvine bringing up the rear and making sure the trap door was shut behind them all. To Be Continued.... NExT...