Chapter 9 - To The Loving Apartment

[junkuroki]

Ani~

“97.....”

Stardust, both hands at the back of her head, pulled herself up for a second then laid her back flat on the floor. Her dormitory quarter was dim. The night was still at bay. Just beside her neatly tucked bed laid a lone digital clock that read 2:47 a.m.. She was a little bit groggy 30 minutes ago but the quick shower and this warm-up woke her up.

“98....” huffed Stardust as she sat up, as if trying to connect her forehead to her knees. She went back down.

/Good morning./ Stardust heard Diwata’s voice in her head. /You just took a bath then you’re getting on with this silly sit-ups again, making yourself all sweaty again./

“99....”

/Fine. Ignore me. As if you care anyway./

Dollet. She didn’t know if they would find the emerald this time, but all she knew was that the only way to find out was to go there and see for herself.

"100..." Stardust uttered, rather loudly, fixing herself in a sitting position to breathe. She ran both hands on her spiky hair and let out a big sigh. She was ready.

Stardust got up to her feet, shooting a quick glance at the mirror opposite from her bed. She looked okay, not really sweaty. She wasn't planning on carrying any useless bags since all she needed was right there with her.

/So, off we go.../

You better cooperate with me this time, warned Stardust, making her way towards the hallway. Soon she reached the parking lot and saw a new airship, the one where Headmistress Xu was standing in front. She strode to where the lady was and gave her a formal salute.

"Stardust Infinity here," she said curtly, then made her way inside.

[junkuroki]

Lily~

Jun rubbed her eyes irritably as she stared into the mirror. She looked like a crazed fanatic with her blood-shot eyes and messy hair. Smoothing the disobeying hair with a pile of hair gel, she quickly splashed cold water on her face and slapped both cheeks until they were red from the "abuse".

She checked the time as she stepped out of the bathroom. 03.00 am She panicked, then she remembered her clock was set 15 minutes ahead. Shrugging on her clothes in almost lightning speed, she grabbed her bag and her sword, and left the dorm.

Before long, she found herself at the parking lot. Her correctly-timed watch showed 2.55am, still a little early. Headmistress Xu was standing beside the airship.

Striding towards her briskly, she saluted Xu.
"Jun Kuroki reporting, Ma'am."

She went into the Airship, looking around. Stardust was already inside. There was no sign of anyone else.

"I suppose you were the first one here, as usual?" She asked Stardust.

[junkuroki]

GC~

“Now, Nezumi, you have to stay here and be good.” Gone told his mouse seriously. “Don’t leave this room at all. They will take you away or something. And most importantly don’t tell anyone you’re here. Oh, wait you’re a mouse you can’t do that. Anyway, let me show you a few things and lay down the rules. First you see my dirty sock pile? Don’t disturb it Second, this were you do your business And this is what you eat.”

BEEP! BEEP! BEEP!

Gone glared at his alarm clock. It continued to beep. Gone stalked over it, ripped it out of the socket and threw it against the wall. He was, of course, up but it was the principle of the matter that counted. That and he liked to annoy people.

“Screw you Vacc People are trying to sleep! MORON! Grow a fvcking brain ” Came the muffled shout from the next room.

Gone grinned, he had never liked that uppity young dude and he relished every opportunity to annoy him. Gone picked up his alarm clock, threw it at the wall once more and then placed it back in the socket. It didn’t work. He took it back out, dumped it with the pile of broken alarm clocks in his closet and took out one of the extras he’d ‘procured’.

He left the room and was well down the hall before he realised he was just wearing some boxers. He considered not getting dressed but in the end the little common sense he had prevailed. Entering the hall once again, he decided he was getting close to late when he set off for the garage.

“Jack off. Learn some consideration ” His sleepy neighbour yelled at him from his doorway. Gone grinned at the guy, scruffed his hair and was on his way. He detoured to Laice’s cell and saw that the guard was blocking the entrance.

“Dude, tell I said bye, and give her this.” Gone handed the guard a candybar. Arriving at the airship, Gone grinned, then was saddened for a moment when he remembered the Lady. Idiot!

“ ‘Lo Xu ” Gone said cheerfully, tipping an imaginary hat. Then entered the airship and grinned lecherously at Jun and Stardust. “Why don’t you two just look the epitome of feminine beauty at such an early hour ” He winked for effect. Nothing like an argument for breakfast. Speaking of which his stomach growled, he hadn’t eaten last night.

Then just to annoy them more he added, "So when's the only other man getting here? And I ain't talking about that bowler hat boy." Gone then prudently looked around to see if the referred to man was close enough to him to be offended.

[junkuroki]

Auria~

Zacke navigated his way through the hallways and corridors of Balamb Garden, headed for the parking lot. He checked the watch at his wrist. 2:59am. He was definitly going to be a few minutes late.

Finally arriving at his destination, he gave a quick apology for his tardyness as he passed Xu and climbed into the ship.

"Sorry I'm late, guys." he said, running a hand through his hair. There were dark circles under his eyes from a restless sleep, and to anyone paying attention, it might have been obvious something very troublesome was lingering on his mind.

[junkuroki]

Auria~

Reese rounded the last bend between him and the parking lot and strode down the corridor. He was nearly thirty minutes late. They were all probably going to be raving mad--knowing them. And probably want a reason. And sleeping in is not a good reason.

Which is NOT something I do often.

He finally made it into the lot. Xu gave him a stern glare as he climbed aboard, one which he had to muster all the patience within himself not to return. He let out a dry kind of laugh at the situation as he glanced at their faces. He pointed at Zacke "Okay, so, before you go all 'leader' on me and start interrogating," his index finger moved to point at Gone, "Or you think of some childish little remark you find to be witty," he then pointed at Blaze, "Or you give me one of those bitchy glares," his had dropped to his side. "Just know that I have absoultely no good reason why I'm late. But I suppose you're curious anyway, so here goes, see, I was laying up in my bed, sleeping like a babe, you know? And then bam, I realized I've slept a bit too long. And there you have it, my story. Yes, I'm late. Yes, it was irresponsible, and yes if you have a problem, you may kiss my ass."

He flashed a fake smile and started moving toward the back.

[junkuroki]

Lily~

“Why don’t you two just look the epitome of feminine beauty at such an early hour ” Someone said behind them.
She turned around. Then she flashed a really wide smile, the kind that was obviously forced.

"Why thank you for the compliment, Gone." She chirped, still with the faked smile, before turning away to stand at one corner of the airship by herself.

{Anyone with half a brain can see through your act.}

Soon after that, the rest of their team started arriving, with the exception of Tomoe and Wolfe. She checked her watch. They were half an hour late. Truth be told, the waiting was making her all the more irritable.

"...Yes, I'm late. Yes, it was irresponsible, and yes if you have a problem, you may kiss my ass." She caught the end of Reese's explaination for his lateness, which brought a genuine smile to her lips.

Sauntering up to Stardust, she nudged the pink-haired girl with an elbow. "Hey, he's here. Don't you have something to show him?" She smirked, casting a meaningful glance towards Reese as he made his way to the back of the ship.

[junkuroki]

Auria~

"Alright." Xu's voice was loud and stern as she climbed inside. "Amaerick, take some Midol. Kuroki, Infinity, quit with the chatter and find a place to sit. Mark, go ahead and lift us off." The pilot began moving around, fiddling with controls.

She approached the co-pilots seat and turned it around so she could face the back area where the SeeDs were. She sighed.

"Okay, there's a lot I have to go over with you all and it has to be explained all on the way over there. Some of you may be upset at what I'm going to say, but please just hold your tongues, I don't have a lot of time to say it all."

Just as she finished her sentence the airship fired up. In a few seconds, the ship began to leave ground. The pilot guided them out of the parking area, through the huge open garage door and into the air. Through the window, Garden maintained it's pace, moving northward. The ship leaned as the pilot turned westward.

"So," Xu began. "I'm sure you've noticed that all of the team isn't here. The members absent are all being removed from the team.

"So, this is now the team. I do realize there are only six of you, but I'm not adding any more members. I believe I must have been wrong in my 'power in numbers' idea I had at the start of all this. I've come to learn it's more like 'chaos in numbers'. In any case, I apologize for that. Even I make mistakes.

"I understand Sephirot created quite the uproar in Esthar. I didn't realize how well-known she was and I must apologize for the trouble the media attraction caused. That is the main reason for her removal. Of course it is dangerous for her to be on this mission, but it is even more dangerous for the actual mission, and that is my main concern. It sounds awful to say, but I assume her absence will come as a relief to you all. It was foolish for me to place her on this mission from the beginning.

"Sheridan Wolfe and Sym deUltim have been removed for the purpose of reshaping the group. I expect the lesser in numbers you are, the better you'll be able to work together, which is something you all need to work on.

"Terry Wildiwsh has gone missing. I've been told he attempted to bail on the mission and take Lady Luck. Fortune must be on his side, he hasn't turned up yet. Consequences are waiting for him, should he decide to.

"Alexzander Ske was found dead in the courtyard at the Coroniere mansion. Brooke Coroniere gratiously allowed a Garden investigator to check things out, who concluded that it was a successful attempt at suicide.

"Mercutio has informed me that shortly after discovering her brother's body, Alaxia Ske lost control and threatened Infinity at gunpoint. Mercutio says that while Amaerick pulled Infinity away, he and Vacc restrained Ske, but she summoned her GF and got away. If all of this is true, then she is under arrest for attempted murder. We are holding her for questioning, but I'm confident she will either end up in an asylum or behind bars.

"So before I begin briefing for the lead in Dollet, are there any questions? Note, I said questions, not comments."

[junkuroki]

Ani~

Being the early bird, Stardust had the right to say something to the latecomers but decided to drop it aside. She just wasn't in the mood to do so.

Stardust remained silent as Reese passed in front of her followed by Jun who stood beside her to say, "Hey, he's here. Don't you have something to show him?"

Stardust didn't need any encyclopedia to figure out what Jun meant by that. What she wouldn't give to mess up Jun's brain to leave her alone. Her eyebrows clashed, temper slightly jerked upward. She shot a glance towards Reese to make sure he didn't hear it then turned to Jun.

"What are you talking about?" she whispered firmly, suppressing her tone. "I--"

"Alright." Xu's voice was loud and stern as she climbed inside. "Amaerick, take some Midol. Kuroki, Infinity, quit with the chatter and find a place to sit. Mark, go ahead and lift us off."

Stardust quickly stiffened and turned to the Headmistress. Her day was beginning to darken again. Spotting a seat near Xu, Stardust mouthed a soundless "shut up" to Jun before situating herself in it to listen to what their superior had to say.

She leaned on her seat and found out that Tomoe, Wolfe, Terry, Sym, and the two Skes were removed in the mission. A satisfied smirk formed upon her face. Like she had said at the very beginning, this team really was too big for the likes of them. She was far from being bitter. She never did like Tomoe anyway, most especially the newcomers. She bet Alaxzander committed suicide because he knew he wasn't cut for the mission and better off dead anyway.

/Stardust, have respect for the dead./ Diwata tried not to laugh. Who knows? Maybe Terry committed suicide as well. Whatever happened to them, she really didn't care. They could all just wipe themselves off the surface of this Earth and make it a better place.

"...We are holding her for questioning, but I'm confident she will either end up in an asylum or behind bars."

As for Alaxia, the news that she was being wanted by Garden sounded good to her. Insane...I hope she suffers.

/Together with her GF who looks like a hag/ Diwata said hotly.

"So before I begin briefing for the lead in Dollet, are there any questions? Note, I said questions, not comments." She heard Xu ask them.

"I do." Stardust said to catch Xu's attention. "How about Gaiea Walker, Rika Liani, and Kyou Gokai. Do you have any idea what happened to them?"

[junkuroki]

Ash~

Blaze's eyes shifted around her surroundings, as they usually did when she was in an unfamiliar place.

The weak fall behind She thought as Xu explained the reason why so many of the team was missing. Struggling to hide a grin when Xu said that Terry was said to be "missing" Blaze couldn't help but be shocked when Xu continued to say that Tomoe was not going to be joining them. However, her reasons for why were perfectly reasonable. Blaze could always see Tomoe back at the garden.

"How about Gaiea Walker, Rika Liani, and Kyou Gokai. Do you have any idea what happened to them?" Stardust spoke up.

"Yea, and Laice." Blaze waved an arm. "What the hell happened to her? I want to know once you find out."

[junkuroki]

GC~

Gone blinked at Jun. Why is she smiling at me? That was unexpected. Maybe an alien took over her brain. Yep, that's the only logical explaination. Gone reassured himself, and then made a mental note to be on guard for more alien behaviour from Jun, and if necessary report it to Xu, he was sure she'd want to know about it.

"Geez, Reese maybe you should join an acting company. You sure like being theatrical." Gone muttered as he yawned. Then fell silent to listen to Xu brief them.

"Yeah, I got a question." Gone began earnestly, putting on his best innocent little boy look, "What happened to the other three? The cancerstick man, the wannabe pilot, and the 'I have a troubled past and use a girly weapon guy'. I err... Can't remember their names." Gone coughed, then continued in the same earnest manner, "And what are we doing in Dollet? Killing people?" His eye's lit up at the thought.

[junkuroki]

Lily~

Jun took a seat near the front, still smiling smugly to herself, especially when she saw the "Shut up" Stardust had mouthed at her.

As Xu began explaining about the missing members of their team, a tinge of shock washed over her mind. Especially the part about Tomoe, and how famous she was in Esthar. She had been oblivious to this, although the presence of so much press when they had been caught outside the Coroniere Laboratory was somewhat puzzling.

But being shocked didn't necessarily mean she would be mourning for their loss. She didn't know them that well afterall. And she agreed, the more stream-lined the team was the better their coordination would be, which surely was essential the closer they got to the gems.

"Yeah, I got a question." Gone said after Xu allowed them to ask questions. "What happened to the other three? The cancerstick man, the wannabe pilot, and the 'I have a troubled past and use a girly weapon guy'. I err... Can't remember their names." Gone coughed awkwardly.

Jun shot a withering look at Gone. She couldn't believe he would use such terms in front of the Headmistress, but Gone would always be Gone.

"I think he meant what happened to Dan, Colum and Xarin, Ma'am." She said, trying to keep the edge creeping on her nerves out of her voice.

"And I do have a question too. Did you happen to find out anything about the 'Auntie' Laice was looking for?" She finished, gazing at Xu in an attentive manner.

[junkuroki]

Auria~

"Laice was raised by an aunt of hers. I think that might be the "Auntie" she was talking about. If it is, I don't know how to help her. That aunt is dead now." Xu sighed and shook her head. "I don't want to believe Laice has lost her mind, but I know she is losing it..." her voice trailed off faintly.

She shook her head again and sat straight up. "Those members, the ones you mentioned, it seems they have all at one point or another abandoned the mission. I haven't been able to contact them, but I'm not going to give up. And when I do, it won't be for a friendly chat." There was a bitter edge to Xu's tone that implied she was not happy.

"Never the less, we don't need them to complete the mission. Now, you'll need a little briefing before we get to Dollet, so let me tell you about that.

"There's an agent, April Loving, she's from the Hell Cats. She's contacted me and says she's followed a lead on the Emerald all the way from Esthar to Dollet. Loving claims the gem is being kept in a museum warehouse out there, and she knows how we can get our paws on it. She didn't give me much more information, and said she couldn't really go into detail over the phone, so that's all I know. It might be kind of reckless to chase such a risky lead like this, but what else have we got to go on? And plus, she's from the Hell Cats. At least that's some kind of comfort.

"You are to meet her outside the car rental shop, at the edge of town. She'll explain things from there. I would tell you to try and trust her, but imagining myself in her position, I admit I would find it hard to do so. Trust your judgement and watch eachother's backs.

"And that's really all I have to tell you. Again, questions?"

[junkuroki]

Ani~

Stardust listened to Xu as she briefed them. So it was April Loving this time. There was no choice for them but to trust her. If she was the only lead to the Emerald's whereabouts, then there was nothing much she could do but to rely. However, there was just one thing she needed to clarify before she completely succumb.

"Headmistress," she started, "does Madison know anything about this lead regarding the Emerald? Because last time I talked to her, she she couldn't give me any at all." Stardust paused. "I just find it odd to know that the member knows more than the leader."

Or was Madison lying to me when she said she didn't know anything.

[junkuroki]

Lily~

Jun's stomach lurched at the mention of the warehouse. Not food-poisoned stomach kind of lurch, but one resulting from bad-memories.

We've gotta be more concerned with the integrity of intelligence now. We don't need another misinformed contact case again.

"Headmistress," Stardust said, "does Madison know anything about this lead regarding the Emerald? Because last time I talked to her, she she couldn't give me any at all." Stardust paused. "I just find it odd to know that the member knows more than the leader."

Jun nodded a little at Stardust' statement, impressed that the other SeeD always seemed to raise the most pertinent questions.

"Yes, Ma'am. This kind of lead probably takes some time to follow up on. And yet the leader claims little knowledge of the Gems? Either Madison's been concealing something from us, which makes her motives questionable, or the agent was withholding it from Madison.

"Of course, we are only just adding what we know. If you think it's good enough for us to take up, then it probably is." She finished, waiting for Xu's reply.

[junkuroki]

Auria~

"That's a good question, I'm impressed." Xu said with a nod. "I never questioned Ms. Loving about Madison's knowledge regarding the lead. Like I said, we didn't have very long to talk. It might have come up, had I had time to get into detail with her, but she seemed like she was in quite a hurry and had to hang up. Maybe she will have an explanation for you when you get there." Xu tilted her head to one side slightly, shrugging a bit.

"As I've said, I trust in that you all are capable of handling this situation. We're running out of time, we've got to take whatever leads we can get, and right now this is the only thing we've got."