RPG FFVIII: Eye of the Hurricane

[Yoda]

[I]Craig looked about the Garden breifly, before stepping into the elevator. He followed Flash inside, then in came 'Locky and Neil. They stood inside as the elevator doors closed with a quiet 'ping'. The lift slowly started to rise. Craig looked over at Flash, who was keenly eyeing all the SeeD candidates of the female persuasion.

Craig: On the prowl again Flash?

Flash: You know it!

Craig: Well, if we get sent away, you might wanna buy some magazines.

Flash: What'chu talkin' 'bout Craig?

Craig: I'm serious......... didn't you see that Chgn guy's breifcase? I'll bet their full of dirty magazines.......

Flash: Hmm....... maybe your onto something......[/I]

[Flash]

[B]Flash:[/B] Well, I'd ask him... But he'd probably turn me to stone that stare of his.

[B]Craig:[/B] Heh, I know what you mean... Cold man...

[I]The elevator made a familiar 'ding' sound as it reached the 3rd floor... The doors slid open silently, and the senior Trabia staff stepped out. They stood in a corridoor that split 3 ways at the end... At the very end of it was a double door, which obviously led to Cid's office... The oak door was just being closed, by none other than Z. Chang. Flash walked foward, Neil, Craig and 'Locky following behind. He reached the doors, and opened them. All four members stepped in. Cid greeted them with a faint smile, and nod of the head. Chang stood silently beside them, not even turning his head..[/I]

[B]Cid:[/B] Flash, I'm glad you and your staff could attend.

[B]Flash:[/B] As am I.

[B]Cid:[/B] I trust you know of Galbadia's Deputy, Zian Chang.

[I]Flash nodded, and extended his arm out to Chang. Chang looked at him, grinned, and shook back.[/I]

[B]Z. Chang:[/B] It's nice to meet you again, Flash.

[B]Flash:[/B] I'll look foward to working with you, Zian.

[I]There was something between the two... It was almost as if one could sense a secret rivalry between them... It was unclear whether even Chang or Flash knew, but they were rivals, and always had been.[/I]

[Warlock]

[B]Warlock:[/B] "Well... Shouldn't we get to the matter at hand?"

[B]Cid:[/B] "Oh yes, of course. Please, take a seat."

[I] Flash and Chang sat down at the two chairs in front of Cid's desk, while the others sat down on chairs around the walls of the room... As Cid quickly got some files out from below his desk, Warlock turned to Craig, who was beside him...[/I]

[B]Warlock:[/B] "There's something strange about Flash and Chang... It's like they're both cold towards each other, but not quite the same..."

[B]Craig:[/B] "Yeah, well, just forget about it for now. Let's just focus on the action..."

[Flash]

[B]Cid:[/B] Now, Flash, Zian... As you may already know, there has been a devastating storm in the dollet region..

[B]Flash:[/B] Indeed, I've been monitoring it for a week or so...

[B]Z. Chang:[/B] As have I.

[B]Cid:[/B] Good, good. Well, as you can imagine, the storm isn't natural. We think it's being caused by something... Or more to the point some[I]one[/I]... With extreme power.

[B]Flash:[/B] So, we're talking about a power hungry Mage, Sorcerer, or something along those lines?

[B]Cid:[/B] It's highly possible. We've researched into various paths of possibility, and that seems to be the one option we keep coming back to..

[B]Z. Chang:[/B] One would imagine it wouldn't be to hard to find a Mage of such 'extreme power'.

[B]Cid:[/B] I assure you, we're looking. SeeDs from all over the world are currently tracking any and all power fluxations, and we have radar detecting any use of magic.. This way, we hope to find the location of origin of the magic...

[B]Flash:[/B] Sounds like a plan. So why are we here?

[B]Cid:[/B] I need you to go to Dollet.

[B]Z. Chang:[/B] Cid, there's a hurricane in Dollet. Why do you need us to go there?

[B]Cid:[/B] We need some recon infor--

[I]Flash stood up, kicking his chair back, looking very angry and fustrated... [/I]

[B]Flash:[/B] You dragged me and my senior staff, the best fighters this half of the world, all the way down here for a god-damned [I]recon[/I] mission?! Forget it.

[I]Flash turns, and walks towards the door.... Warlock, Craig, and Neil prepare to follow... Cid stands up at his desk, and holds an arm out..[/I]

[B]Cid:[/B] Flash, wait.. You don't understand. It's not entirely a Recon mission...

[B]Flash:[/B] Forget it, Cid. You don't even know what you're doing anymore... You're not fit to lead this garden... Let alone this mission.

[I]Flash opens both doors, and walks out, cussing under his breath... He grabs his shades from his front pocket, and puts them on... His senior staff follow behind. They turn a corner, and enter the elevator... Flash pushes the button for basement one...[/I]

[B]Craig:[/B] Smooth moves, Flash. What now?

[B]Flash:[/B] We're heading to Dollet.

[B]Neil:[/B] Wha? After all that?

[B]Flash:[/B] We're going there as an [I]indepenant[/I] party. We don't need Cid, or his comitee.

[B]Warlock:[/B] And we're going to the Basement level why?

[B]Flash:[/B] I have some things to pick up.

[B]Craig:[/B] Such as...?

[B]Flash:[/B] Heh heh... *grins*..The keys to my 'ride'...

[I]The elevator moved swiftly and smoothly down the shaft, before finally reaching the first basement floor..[/I]

[James]

[i]Cid stared toward the door in disbelief.[/i]

[b]Cid:[/b] B-but...I didn't expect that kind of reaction...

[b]Z. Chang:[/b] What more do you expect? Flash and his staff are of a certain status, Cid. Do you [i]really[/i] think they'd be interested in undertaking a task for [i]your[/i] Garden?

[b]Cid:[/b] Zian, this is a global problem!

[b]Z. Chang:[/b] Yes, indeed. But do you really think that this is the best way to handle the situation?

[b]Cid:[/b] Do [i]you[/i] have a better idea?

[b]Z. Chang:[/b] Cid, you must understand. Flash is a very headstrong young man. He is one of the youngest to have achieved such a high ranking position. I know how you feel -- I'm used to dealing with people who barely deserve their status. But it's something we must come to accept and work with.

[b]Cid:[/b] I take it you don't approve of Flash?

[b]Z. Chang:[/b] ....Flash is Trabia Garden's concern. Not mine.

[b]Cid:[/b] Heh, will you lead a party to Dollet, then?

[b]Z. Chang:[/b] You've [i]got[/i] to be joking. I came here to preside over a SeeD demonstration. I'm not here to run your errands for you. You have plenty of senior staff here in Balamb...

[b]Cid:[/b] At least 25% of our SeeDs are on training missions far from here...I need outside help! Please, Zian...you know how difficult it is....

[b]Z. Chang:[/b] No, I don't. It's not difficult. When I am in Galbadia, I hear nothing but complaints and inefficiency. And when I come here to Balamb, things are no better! You dissappoint me, Cid.

[b]Cid:[/b] Fine...there is nothing more I can say...

[b]Z. Chang:[/b] No, there isn't. As far as I'm concerned, you've done more than enough. It's time for more swift action to be taken...

[Chaos]

[i]Neil's eyes slowly moved from their place of stare at Flash, to ponder upon Craig. Both seemed to be acting the same as usual, but somehow different. Something was definatly wrong.[/i]

Neil: "So, any of you had any good fights lately?"

Warlock: "Have you maimed any trainiees lately?"

Neil: "[size=1]Well, they [b]all[/b] weren't maimed...[/size]"

Craig: "Why is it that he says that same, ol' thing every time?"

Flash: "Cuz he's just trying to make it look like he's not at fault... Heh-heh."

Neil: "..........Bleh!"

[i]Ding![/i]

[Flash]

[I]The doors slid open, and the squad looked across an empty meeting room. Aside from a large circular table in the center of the room, it was desolate. The dimly lit room was a little wierd at first, but you got used to it... Fortunately, most people didn't have to get used to it. Not many people ever entered this room... Around the table were seats, and each had a small luminated area on the desk in front of it... On the back of chairs were names, members of the comitee... They couldn't see many, but the ones they picked up were Flash Murakumo and Kryss Aria, the reps. from Trabia...

Flash is already behind his desk, as the other members of the squad look around... He taps in several keys on a holographic keyboard, and several screens appear... One of them is a Vidcomm (Video Communication) link to Trabia Garden... A yellow 'connecting' message flashes on screen once or twice, before it turns green, and disappears... Kryss appears onscreen. She is an attractive woman in her mid-to-late twenties, with dark green eyes, and blonde hair. She smirks when she sees Flash's face appear on her Vidcomm DU (display unit), looking fustrated and annoyed ...[/I]

[b]Kryss:[/b] What's wrong, Flash?

[b]Flash:[/b] Coming to Balamb was a waste of time... Cid wants us to go on Recon.

[B]Kryss:[/B] Heh, I can tell that you're not too pleased...

[B]Flash:[/B] Yeah, but It doesn't matter now. We're still going to Dollet, but as an individual party, not affiliated with Cid's garden comitee. I'm taking Neil, 'Lock and Craig with me.

[B]Kryss:[/B] I see. So how will you be getting there?

[B]Flash:[/B] I'll need you to send me the [I]Excalibur...[/I]

[B]Kryss:[/B] Oh... Is it that serious?

[B]Flash:[/B] I fear that may be the case. We'll need a means of fast retreat, and possibly support fire...

[B]Kryss:[/B] Alright... Do you want me to come along? I know you 4 are experienced, but you might need more help..

[B]Flash:[/B] ::grinning:: I know you're dying to tag along with a babe like me, but your expertise is needed more back at Trabia.. I mean, who would run the garden as well as you do?

[B]Kryss:[/B] Heh heh, Flash, you're flattering me...

[B]Flash:[/B] Well maybe I am, but I mean it.

[B]Kryss:[/B] ::smiling:: Alright, Flash. I'll get the [I]Excalibur[/I] delivered to you right away. Good luck.

[B]Flash:[/B] Thanks Kryss... I'll be seeing you later.. ::winks::

[I]Flash closes the Vidcomm down, and stands up. The holographic screens and consoles fade away, and Flash walks away from the desk... The other meet him with smirks as he enters the elevator.. He grins back, and presses the button to the ground floor...[/I]

[B]Craig:[/B] You never stop, do you Flash?

[B]Flash:[/B] There's always time for Flirting.

[B]Neil:[/B] Just one think, Flash... [i]Excalibur?[/i]

[B]Warlock:[/B] Yeah, I can't say that I've ever heard of it either...

[B]Flash:[/B] I'll make it quick... Have you head of the ship that Balamb garden acquired sometime back, by the name of [I]'Ragnarok'[/I]?

[B]Neil:[/B] Yeah, big red dragon design...

[B]Flash:[/B] [I]Excalibur[/I] is like that, except it's more of a chrome silver..

[B]Warlock:[/B] I take it Galbadia has one?

[B]Flash:[/B] I don't know for sure, but I've heard of one called the [I]Masamune[/I]... Whether or not Galbadia garden has possession of it, only someone like Chang would know..

[Chaos]

[i]Suddenly, the elevator grinded to a halt. The jolt made Neil unhook the Devil Flare, looking around suspiciously.[/i]

[b]Craig:[/b] Easy Neil... Just an error in the lift...

[b]Neil:[/b] Mmmmmm...*holdsters Devil Flare*

[b]Flash:[/b] Damn these old pieces of crap..

[b]Warlock:[/b] Indeed...

[b]Neil:[/b] Where are we? Somewhere in the middle, no doubt...

[b]Craig:[/b] We might have to climb up the shaft.

[b]Neil:[/b] Majority rules... I say climb...

[Flash]

[B]Flash:[/B] God, this garden is a mess... Even the elevators don't work.

[I]Flash is the last to climb out the top of the elevator. Being the leader of the squad, he has to ensure everyone else's safety first... It's his responsibility. He jumps up to the roof of the elevator, grabbing two sides with both hands... In a single pushing and pulling motion, he propells himself up, with amazing power in his arms... He stands on the top of the elevator, and sees that Craig and Neil are already out, and are currently helping Warlock... Flash nods, and walks over to Warlock, holding his hands out, giving him a boost... Once Warlock is up, Flash reaches up, and the others pull him out... He brushes himself off, and walks towards the main exit. When they arrive outside, Flash looks to the sky... A dark dragon figure is flying in from the Northeast... Flash grins... Excalibur...[/I]

[B]Craig:[/B] I'll take it that's the [I]Excalibur[/I]...

[B]Flash:[/B] That's right... Our ride to Dollet.

[B]Warlock:[/B] I've never seen the [I]Excalibur[/I] before... And I've only heard of it once or twice...

[I]The squad watches in fascination as the Excalibur lands, massive claw-like landing struts folding out from its hull... The massive chrome dragon touches down. At the very front of it, a hatch opens, and a ramp slides down... The group steps foward, up and onto the ramp... They reach the top, and it closes... The auto-pilot enabled Excalibur immediately lifts off, heading west, for Dollet...[/I]

[Warlock]

[I]Everyone in the group except Flash look around the interior or the [/I]Excalibur[I] in amazement and fascination as it flys over the landmass of Balamb... Warlock walks over to one of the few visible windows, and looks outside, past the tinted glass... Only a few kilometres away is the town of Balamb, the sea beside it glinting in the limited amount of the sun's rays... Bending down slightly so he can look higher up at the sky, Warlock notices quite a few clouds, most of them looking as if they'd just been dripped dry... Taking one last look, Warlock stepped away from the window, walking over to where the rest had gathered... Sitting down on one of the seats spread around in the small area, Warlock pulled out his gunblade, and proceeded to wave it around...[/I]

[B]Flash:[/B] "Okay guys, once we get there, you're going to have to watch out for the wind. It'll lift you away if you don't grab onto something. And the rain's going to make it very hard to see. Heck, I wouldn't be surprised to see flashfloods... So, keep your eyes out. It's not going to be easy..."

[B]Warlock:[/B] "Heh, and if it wasn't easy, we'd make sure it got hard by attracting lots of monsters or something."

[B]Neil:[/B] "Heh heh. Indeed."

[I]The group sat back and relaxed, getting ready for the coming "situation"...[/I]

[Raiha]

[COLOR=seagreen]Since my "counterpart" has flown the coop, I'll just erum....magically transport myself to where all the action is. *cough cough* Pick me up Flash![/COLOR]

[Chaos]

[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by Raiha [/i]
[B][COLOR=seagreen]Since my "counterpart" has flown the coop, I'll just erum....magically transport myself to where all the action is. *cough cough* Pick me up Flash![/COLOR] [/B][/QUOTE]


NO! DON'T PICK HER UP! If you do she'll yell at me and stuff!! :bawl:
-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --
[i]Neil slowly unhooked the Devil Flare, letting it hang in his hand losely. Even from this distance, he could see the storm.

It was a vicious vortex of black, spewing out dark rain, expelling lightning as if it was a small accourance. The streets were three inches deep in water. The buildings had been ravaged by debris and wind. People stupid enough to be outside were thrown into the air, some landing safely. Others... Others died. It was horrible. The seas were wild, washing the beaches away.

Neil knew what this was.[/i]

[b]Neil:[/b] "Boys, get ready for a hellova ride... This is Catogory 5..."
-- -- -- -- -- -- --
Yes, I WOULD know about hurricanes, seeing as how I live off of the Gulf of Mexico...-.-

[Raiha]

[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by SuperSayian [/i]
[B]


NO! DON'T PICK HER UP! If you do she'll yell at me and stuff!! :bawl:[/B][/QUOTE][COLOR=royalblue]What if I promise to "behave" myself, make coffee, and give everybody a backrub every other Thursday?[/COLOR]

[Chaos]

[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by Raiha [/i]
[B][COLOR=royalblue]What if I promise to "behave" myself, make coffee, and give everybody a backrub every other Thursday?[/COLOR] [/B][/QUOTE]


Would my backrub include long, sharp knives? 'Behave'? What does that mean? You can't get through ANY RPG without being called a baka or somethin.........i dun undrstnd! wat1?!?!!1 sme1 hlp mi!!1!11!

[Flash]

[I]Flash sits in the pilots seat of the Excalibur, and switches Auto-Pilot off... He grabs the controls, and prepares to bring it down on the outskirts of the storm, carefully... As he lowers the Landing struts, he notices something... After running a scan on it, he realises it's a woman... A mercenary by the looks of it... Well, who ever she is, Flash isn't going to sit by and let a pretty girl go into the storm alone... He swoops the Excaibur down, and lets it hover near her... He walks out of the cockpit, and down to the entry ramp. It opens, and he walks down, greeting the girl with a casual salute..[/I]

[B]Flash:[/B] Hello there... What's a pretty girl like you doing in a desolate wilderness like this?

[Raiha]

[COLOR=seagreen]Sabir: .....waiting for prince charming to come give me a job.

Flash: Is that all?

Sabir: Unless you happen to have a beer too.

Flash: Oh.

Warlock: Who is it?[/COLOR]

[Flash]

[B]Flash:[/B] ::grins:: Oh, I think we've got ourselves a new passenger, that's all.

[I]Flash smiles at Sabir, and escourts her up the ramp, much to his liking... Though he's not sure if she would think the same... Nevertheless, this would prove a new challenge to Flash. Impressing a lady [I]and[/I] leading his squad...[/I]

[B]Flash:[/B] Warlock, can you take the helm? I'm going to show the new passenger the ship...

[B]Neil:[/B] Sure you are, Flash. Sure you are.

[B]Flash:[/B] [I]Hush it..[/I]

[Chaos]

[i]Neil chuckled carelessly, before slipping in a CD in the dash of the ship. 'Surfacing' came on, loud and clear. Did I mention loud? Warlock squinted, being right next to the speaker. He turned the volume down just a notch, to where it was able to be yelled over.[/i]

[b]Text is being yelled[/b]

[b]Warlock:[/b] "A tad loud, eh?"

[b]Neil:[/b] "Could be worse... Besides, it's Slipknot!"

[b]Craig:[/b] "He's got a point!"

[b]Warlock:[/b] "Heh... True!"

[i]No sooner, Warlock turned up the volume even louder than before. Flash sighed, and walked with Sabir towards the Elevator. When they went below the top level, the music seemed distant.[/i]

[b]Flash:[/b] "Eheh... Sorry about him. He's uhhh.........not too bright and considerate..."

[b]Sabir:[/b] "Obviously..."

[Raiha]

[COLOR=royalblue]Flash: ...So.......do you.....have a name?

Sabir: [i]Is this guy bad at making moves or what?[/i] Sabirsing Sevenstar.

Flash: Cool...

Sabir: But everybody calls me Sabir.

Flash: Nice to meet you, I'm Flash.

Sabir: Charmed. Now what about that job?

Flash: Job?

Sabir: [i]Aw damn.[/i][/COLOR]

[Flash]

Come now, Raiha... Flash isn't [I]that[/I] bad.. -.-
---------

[B]Flash:[/B] Well, for your information... We're senior SeeD instructors, from Trabia garden..

[B]Sabir:[/B] I see..

[B]Flash:[/B] And by the looks of you... ::looks at Sabir:: I'd say you're a mercenary of some kind.

[B]Sabir:[/B] Lucky guess..

[I]Craig and Neil are watching Sabir and Flash from the next room, while Warlock pilots the Excalibur... Craig looks at Sabir's belt, noticing her daggers...[/I]

[B]Craig:[/B] Well she's armed..

[B]Neil:[/B] Throwing Daggers... Look pure silver to me... Those are Assassin's weapons..

[B]Craig:[/B] Think she's dangerous?

[B]Neil:[/B] To us? I doubt it. She only looks about 16..

[B]Craig:[/B] Heh, not that it matters to Flash..

[B]Neil:[/B] Heh heh... True..

[I]Flash smiled at Sabir, and brought up the subject of the storm in dollet..[/I]

[B]Flash:[/B] So, is that where you're headed?

[B]Sabir:[/B] Yeah..

[B]Flash:[/B] It's pretty dangerous. You sure you're up to it?

[B]Sabir:[/B] I know how to take care of myself.

[B]Flash:[/B] [I](Heh heh... Feisty..)[/I]

[Warlock]

[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by Final_Flash [/i]
[B]Come now, Raiha... Flash isn't [I]that[/I] bad.. -.- [/B][/QUOTE]

I object! We all now Flash is [i]much[/i] worse than that...
----------------------

[B]Warlock:[/B] "What's Flash doing back there? Flirting as always, eh?"

[B]Neil:[/B] "Really, do you think there's even a point to ask?"

[B]Warlock:[/B] "Heh heh. Good point. Though I would like him to give it a break once in a while... He's catching all the fish in the sea."

[I]Smiling as he shook his head, Locky focused back in front of him... [/I]

[B]Warlock:[/B] "Guys... Expect alot of turbulence in a second."

[I]And with a large rumble, the[/I] Excalibur [I]entered the edge of the storm... They were almost over[/I] Dollet...

[Flash]

[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by Warlock [/i]
[B]

I object! We all now Flash is [i]much[/i] worse than that...
[/B][/QUOTE]

I'm highly tempted to edit your post...

[Raiha]

[COLOR=royalblue]Ahah, aha....very funny....
~~~~~~~~~~~~[/COLOR]
[COLOR=seagreen]Sabir: .....I'm not as weak as you seem to view me.

Flash: ...Oh really?

[i]In one fluid movement, she drew the sabre from her side and gently tossed it into the air, catching it near the hilt. She slowly polished the side, watching Flash's reaction carefully.[/i]

Flash: Cute.

Sabir: Think what you like.[/COLOR]

[Chaos]

[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by Final_Flash [/i]
[B]

I'm highly tempted to edit your post... [/B][/QUOTE]


*falls over laughing* You two are too much! :haha:
-- -- -- -- -- -- --
[i]Neil silently walked over to the stereo, turning it off sharply. Warlock and Craig looked at him very strangly. Something was up. Neil walked to the co-pilot seat, and sat down, exhaling forcfully. Craig took a seat behind him, but leaned forwards, to where he was virtually inbetween the pilot seats.[/i]

[b]Neil:[/b] [size=1]"Something's wrong... I've been in storms, I've been in the middle of hurricanes. Hell, I've even been in a tornado once. But something's different here. Something in that storm is powering it, giving off an energy or...or something. It goes straight to my gut.... You know... [i]That[/i] feeling. That feeling just before you witness everything you love go to Hell..."[/size]

[b]Warlock:[/b] "Wait, are you saying that you're [i]nervous[/i]? [i]YOU[/i]?"

[b]Neil:[/b] [size=1]"Yeah... That's what I'm sayin..."[/size]

[i]Craig moved with unnatural speed, picking up the intercomm mouthpiece. With a click of the large "Speak" button, his voice came on the entire ship, loud and hollow.[/i]

[b]Craig:[/b] "Flash, sorry to inturupt you, but we have a situation here! [i]Neil[/i] is [i]worried[/i] about the storm. Over."

[i]As soon as Craig put the intercomm mouthpiece up, a loud crash was heard, and Flash was seen climbing the emergency stairs.[/i]

[b]Flash:[/b] "[size=6]WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAT?![/size]"
-- -- -- -- -- -- --
*giggles*

[Raiha]

[COLOR=royalblue][i]Sabirsing rolled her eyes and sheathed her blade. In a few seconds, she had followed Flash, after the screaming of "What?"[/i]

Neil: Why are you here?

Sabir: .....I need to follow my "benefactor."

Flash: Now you heard that...? She called me the "benefactor."

Sabir: ...don't let it go to your head.[/COLOR]