Chapter 14:

The train reached Deling City by nightfall. The city was alit with lights all over the place as they exited the station.

“What’s the matter, Squall?” Zell asked.

“Nothing. General Caraway’s mansion is in the government district. We’re here to back up the Galbadian army, don’t blow our cover.”

As they walked away Tylor noticed Squall’s distracted look. He was wondering whether or not Laguna was here. Tylor walked up to him and whispered, “He isn’t.”

“What?”

“Laguna, he isn’t here.”

Squall stayed silent for a moment before walking away. Tylor and the others followed him. The boarded a bus and headed for General Caraway’s mansion.

A Galbadian soldier greeted them at the gate. “We’re here to see General Caraway.” Squall told him.

“You must be the SeeDs he’s been waiting for. Follow me.” The soldier ushered them through the gate and into the mansion.

They were brought to Caraway’s study where they waited. Quistis was sitting on the couch and was watching Zell pace back and forth. Selphie was looking out of a nearby window while Rinoa sat on a chair behind her. Squall was leaning against Caraway’s desk and Irvine was sitting with his feet on the top. Tylor leaned against the wall as he waited for something to happen. He looked over his shoulder Armageddon and saw that the blade was beginning to dull. He would have to buy a whetstone to sharpen it before they began the operation.

“Hmph… He always does this!” Rinoa exclaimed. “So discourteous… making people wait.” She got up. “I’m gonna go complain. Everyone just wait here.” She headed for the door but stopped and added, “Oh, by the way, this is my house. So don’t worry. Umm, just don’t leave me here, OK?”

“Is something going to happen to you?” Squall asked.

“Umm… I don’t know. Just treat this like an order from your client, OK?” Squall waved his hand.

Once she was gone Zell shouted, “What the hell’s goin’ on!?”

As soon as he did General Caraway entered the room. He wore a black suit with white gloves. His hair was slick and combed back. He held an atmosphere of authority as he walked.

Squall asked, “Where’s Rinoa?”

“She has not received the type of training you all have, and may become a burden. It’s for the best that she stays out of this operation.”

“So you’re Rinoa’s father?” Selphie asked.

“I can’t remember the last time she called me that.”

“So the father’s a top military officer, and the daughter’s a member of an anti-government faction!?” Zell asked. “That’s bad… Really BAD!”

“Yes, indeed. It’s a serious problem.” Caraway walked over to the window. “But it doesn’t concern you. It’s our problem. Besides, we have far more important things to worry about.”

Squall pointed out, “Once our mission is accomplished here, we’re working for Rinoa, as per our contract. I don’t know what your situation is, but please don’t interfere when the time comes.”

Caraway faced him and asked, “And if I do?”

Tylor answered from across the room, “Then we will do whatever it takes to defend ourselves and our employer.”

He looked over at Tylor. “So, you’ll attack me to protect her?”

“If you don’t want a war then don’t start it.” Tylor told him. “We’re just hired professionals, we’ll do whatever it takes to get the job done.”

“Hey, hey, hey… Fellas…” Everyone looked at Irvine. “We’re here to knock off the sorceress, right?” He jumped over the desk and cross his arms. “So let’s get down to business.”

General Caraway was silent for a few moments. “OK, let me explain the plan.” Everyone followed him out of the mansion. Once outside he stated, “I’m sure you know about the Galbadian government reaching an agreement with Sorceress Edea.” He led everyone to the street and down the sidewalk toward a big building with large barred gates.

“There is going to be a ceremony tonight to commemorate the event. It’ll be held at the Presidential Residence. During the ceremony, you will split up into two teams and get in position. The gateway team will enter the gateway and stand by.” He pointed to a large gate-like building down the road from the Presidential Residence. “The sniper team will stand by at the front of the Presidential Residence until the ceremony is over. The sniper team will wait over by those lampposts.” He pointed at the spot across the street. Then he pointed at the building in front of them and said, “That’s the Presidential Residence. Once the ceremony ends, a parade for the sorceress will begin. That’s when the gate will open. Lay low until then. The parade may be cancelled if there is any commotion. We must avoid that at all cost. Once the gate opens, the sniper team will move out. With the parade drawing the crowd and the guards’ attention, it should be rather easy to move about.” He pointed at the top of the building. “The sniper team will head for the roof of the residence. In the corridor by the sorceress’ room, there is a hatch that leads to the clock tower. There’s a clock tower there housing a carousel clock. You’ll find the sniper rifle there. Stand by in the clock tower until exactly 20:00.”

“The parade will begin by the gate. The sorceress will be riding on the parade vehicle. After it leaves the gate, the vehicle will turn left and proceed down the eastern road. The parade will circle once around the city along the outer road and return to this space coming from the western road that we took getting here. Then it will turn right and head down the centre road. Here’s where the gateway team comes into play.” He led everyone down the centre road toward the gateway.

“At exactly 20:00, the parade will pass under the gateway. At this point, the gateway team will operate the console to drop the gates. The sorceress will be trapped inside the gateway.” He pointed back toward the Presidential Building. “At 20:00, the carousel clock will rise out of the roof, carrying the sniper team up as well. There will be no obstruction between the sniper team and the sorceress. Take the open shot. That is all. Now we wait. You’re free to go anywhere. Go check out the city if you wish. Just one thing, stay out of trouble.”

“We are SeeDs.” Squall pointed out.

General Caraway stayed silent for a moment before saying, “Report to my residence when you’re ready. We’ll hold the final meeting then. After that, we’ll proceed with the operation.”

When Caraway was gone Tylor said, “I’m going to the shopping district to find some whetstones. Anyone want to come along?”

“I’ll come with you.” Zell said.

Squall told them, “Don’t be long, we have to go back to the mansion soon.”

“Don’t worry,” Tylor reassured him, “we won’t be late.”

A few minutes later they made it to the shopping district. Tylor was able to find the whetstones he was looking for. He pointed down the road, “We’ll get to the mansion quicker if we take that road.”

“You sure know your way around, Tylor. Have you ever been here before?” Zell asked.

“Lot’s of times.” He lied. “Now come on, the others are probably waiting for us.”

On their way back to Caraway’s mansion they passed by Galbadia Hotel. That’s where Laguna and his friends went to drink during their first trip into the ‘dream world’. Tylor knew he wouldn’t find anything new by going in there, but his curiosity got the better of him.

“Hey Zell, I’ve got to check something out. You go on ahead and tell the others I’ll be back soon.”

“Sure, just don’t be back soon. You don’t want to be late to your first big mission!”

Tylor entered the hotel once Zell had left. He went up to the front desk and was greeted by the receptionist. “Good evening, sir. Are you planning to spend the night here?”

“Uhh, no. I’m looking for somebody actually. Can you tell me if a man named Eric checked in recently?”

“Just a moment.” She typed something into her computer. After a few moments she turned back to Tylor and said, “I’m sorry… but there hasn’t been anyone under that name staying here for over twenty years.”

“Oh, I see…” Well, Tylor had fed his curiosity. That was all he wanted to know, but… “Do you have any information on that person?”

She looked at her computer screen. “It says here that he was a Galbadian soldier. He came here from time to time to drink with three other soldiers. It doesn’t say anything else.”

“I see. Thank you for your time.”

“We hope your next visit will be longer.” She said with a cheery smile.

Tylor smiled back before exiting the building and making his way back to the mansion. He had already known that Eric did stay at that hotel. What bugged him is the lack of information they actually had on him. No phone number, no address, nothing. He wanted to know more about this shady character.