[IC] Final Fantasy VIII: Tempus Veneficarum [7/10 Slots]

[Zarkun]

As Duncan laid out the plan, Jericho turned to face him, listening intently. When he was assigned as a leader along with Xerox, the SeeD simply nodded. If he had to guess, Duncan's idea was to balance Jericho's experience with Xerox's brains, which was a winning combo as far as he was concerned. When he said his own part, Jericho walked forward and pulled a Blizzaja from his drive, offering it to the other SeeD. "If all else fails, a permanent deep freeze always does the trick. Do me a favor and make a few of the bastards pay for me." Stepping away, he walked over to Xerox.

"We should probably start discussing some plans in the vehicles. We don't know how long it has been since we were captured, or what has been happening, so it's probably good to approach Timber with caution. It's likely to be heavily guarded, and we don't know if we can use the same passages as before to enter and exit." Jericho nodded, thinking on their choice of options.

"Well, if word's reached Galbadian Central Command, they're going to deploy search teams in a sweeping net focused mainly on the roads and well known back alleys. I don't know that even the locals in Timber know about the tunnels, so we might be able to get back in that way. The real trick would be getting there. I'll need a few maps to look over. Should be some old back roads no one uses anymore."

[rivaan]

Rachel watched as the missiles were headed towards Trabia. She felt something deep down, something she always tried to keep locked because it would interfere with missions if she let it free. Rage... one of the most powerful emotions she ever felt and the hardest to control. She was somehow able to surpress it for the moment, but found herself gritting her teeth and clenching her fist.

The trabian SeeD saw Jericho handing Duncan some magic and Xeros some useful equipment, for his probably near suicide mission. She felt she should give him something helpful too. She had only one thing though... a magic she kept for last resort. This was going to be a mission worthy of it. She had only a few of those, but it was enough for it's rarity. She quickly pulled the 3 'Aura' magics she had and handed them to Duncan.” This should come in handy... I've never used these, but from what I hear they should come useful... They were a nightmare to obtain...” She said and looked Duncan in the eyes.” Stop them...” She whispered and turned away, moving by Xerox.

“There are many roads... many of which are very old and abandoned.” Rachel said and shook her head.” The search net will be centered around the prison. We should have still some time before they deploy it. They will go from the outside towards the prison. Probably 100 miles or so diameter. If we manage to sneak through the ring or get outside that before they fully deploy the search parties, we will be free and only in need to look out for the watch in towns.”

[Suku]

"If we are heading to Timber I do know that it would best to avoid the main roads and back alleys around some buildings" Minerva said as she stated what she knew it may have been awhile but she was raised in Timber so that is something she knew like the back of her hand. "So what is the full plan after sneaking into timber?" She continued to ask a full plan was needed in her own opinion but with that said she was still unsure on this plan while something about going back to Timber when it was there that she got arrested there in the first place.

[akirashadow]

Once everyone had safely made it to the vehicles Jake Radioed in "We're clear, Charlie team exfil the prison and get back in position ASAP. Delta, thanks for the assist, return to primary. Echo, get eyes back on the main roads." Everything seemed to have gone relatively well, better in fact than the SeeD had initially anticipated. As he clambered into one of the vehicles the ground team Galbadian's that were present scrambled for the same vehicle. Once everyone had got moving Jake radioed in once more. "Gentlemen, it's been a pleasure working with you all. Ditch this frequency and the radio's I gave you. Charlie, remember if you see anything mobilising that's bigger then a search party you need to radio straight back to Garden." With that said Jake turned to his supporting ground SeeD. "If any of you file this in your report, I will find out."

But it would seem everything was going too smoothly as the Jake turned the radio frequency as he tapped to Delta teams specific channel. "-firmed Launch! I repeat we have confirmed launch!" Jake pulled his vehicle in behind Duncan's who'd come to a halt after seeing for himself. It was too late, to do anything now to prevent the damage of the first missile. It was Delta teams responsibility to watch the Silo, but they were officially the only team also assigned to the prison break mission due to the proximity of both objectives to one another. Jake got out of his vehicle along with his ground team. Upon hearing Duncan's decision on how they would proceed Jake nodded and gave the orders to his ground team who would be proceeding on foot after they were a bit further within the mainland.

After observing as multiple members of the team gave Duncan helpful pieces of equipment Jake stepped forward holding out his radio. "Take it. It'll provide you with a direct comms link to Delta team. They'll be able to give you some intel on guard rotations and positions within the base. If things go south, they'll make sure you get out in one piece." The SeeD thought to himself before continuing. "Was there something you wanted to discuss?" Jake had noticed Duncan's several cut off attempts to converse with him, he looked over his shoulder at his support team and the other SeeD. "Possibly away from prying ears." Duncan was on the right path of action, Balamb was likely to be the next target for both obvious reasons, and the not so obvious.

[Little_ninja]

Jericho replied to Xerox, telling him that they would likely not be guarding the tunnels. Rachel seemed to be thinking alike that there would be gaps where they are guarded. Minerva also chimed in, trying to learn what the plan was, not that there was one yet. "The issue here is, the person who has taken over, who cleaned us up, the SeeDs and Faction, immediately after Deling's downfall. To be honest, we have no clue how much manpower, and what kind of information they have. They might already know we were heading to Timber, and they might have learned of the tunnels. Even if they don't, they might have alerted all of the cities closest o the prison, to lock us out of the prison. I do agree with Rachel though, we should move first, we need to get further away. There's almost no doubt they will cast a net, and we have to get out of it. If we can get a check on Timber for where guards are situated, we can formulate a better plan and we can start formulating a plan on the road."

After the discussion had finished, and everyone had finished with their farewells for Duncan, they got into the vehicles and started to make their way to Timber again. Xerox grabbed the radio, and started to talk to Jericho about the plan once again. "So, with the infiltration, either way you look at it, our squad is too large to move as one unit. But it's probably better not to split into too many groups as if one of us is caught, they won't be able to expect back up. What do you think of moving as two or three smaller groups? Also, we will need to disguise ourselves, without a doubt, they will know most of our faces. However, I doubt they would realise who we are, if ... for example ... we had the opposite gender ratio." Xerox attempted to hint towards the drunken fiasco of that night. "Of course, for a lot of us it would probably be uncomfortable, so if they don't want to, probably won't need to, but it would work quite well to disguise ourselves."

[Zarkun]

Jericho and Xerox discussed for the majority of the trip back to Timber the best way to get back into the city to reach the airship and reach Balamb again. Ultimately, they decided to wait on a scouting report from Jake's back up team. Upon reaching the entrance to the tunnels, they had it, with large patrols all across the entirety of the city and the former base of the SeeDs was being searched and guarded by an elite unit of Galbadian troops. However, it was fortunate that the tunnels, while they had a minor presence, were unoccupied. However, the entrances that the Galbadians could find were heavily guarded.

Jericho turned to the group at large after sharing this and looked them over. "So, with that said, we're splitting into two groups. One group will move through town, all genderbent courtesy of our resident mad scientist, and secure the area around the airship while the other group, lead by me, will move through the tunnels to the airship and get it prepped and ready for take off. So, Xerox, take your pick. Best you have our best and genderbent familiar."

[MarshiestMallow]

Heloise listened to the discussion, not feeling the need to be included in it right then. She knew she shouldn't feel attached to a place, but she couldn't help it. How often had she walked that land? She tore her eyes eye from the skyline, looking over to the others.

Finally, as the discussion seemed to draw to a close, she said "I can travel easier and light by myself, faster and sneakier. I can disguise myself easily, and I can look for any danger and report back" She spoke softly, keeping her voice neutral, "I can find a way in, and come back out, and see what happens, but if I have to go as a group, I'd prefer to scout ahead in any case"

She thought wearily about what was ahead of them, what they had just come from. How had it come to this? "But you do know, if we get caught separated, we could easily be screwed. There's pros and cons for both, I suppose"

[akirashadow]

Jake listened to the report and plan mostly in silence just watching over what they would be doing. "Getting caught isn't an option here. You were all found guilty of treason, without trial I might add after all." Jake spoke up shortly after Heloise had finished speaking. "Chances are we're dealing with loyalists here, so zero chance of any defections. The likely outcome of being caught... I'd ponder a guess of a bullet to the back of the head in the warehouse district or in the tunnels." Jake paced about as he spoke. "I do however believe a scout on each team is a good idea."

Jake stopped passing and just thought to himself. He looked over the group one person at a time, the prison time had been harsh for a few of them. "The healthiest should go with Xerox, higher chances of being spotted will mean they'll all need to be fit enough to literally run for their lives if the army catches on." Then it occurred, there was a relatively easy executable strategy here. "We could bait them... The army will still be piecing together the case on Minerva, charged with conspiracy. I myself am still wanted for questioning." Jake shook his head as he spoke. "Of course by questioning they mean throwing me into one of those lovely prison cells. As such, they're currently looking for the escapee's. Throw them through a loop by putting the wanted man in their sights. In essence make them target blind, makes it easier for the rest of you to get by. Plus I can lead them on a merry chase through the city, if necessary I can lose them in the tunnels to Esthar, then double back through the service link tunnels."

[Little_ninja]

After listening to Heliose and Jake, Xerox replied. "Having everyone split here means there's a higher chance of losing someone without realising it until it's too late. Not that I doubt your ability to sneak through, but that's not to be said as the same for everyone else. On the other hand, we do not know how prepared these people are. Hours after our assassination, they came after us with their full force. They knew what was happening, where we were, and what we planned to do. We can't make light of them. They might have people doing full body checks, and running away in those situations are not ideal. I do, however, have what would be the perfect disguise, which we will get to in a moment. Jake, I'm not sure about using someone as bait here. The problem is, were blind, and they might be able to see everything in the city. We don't have enough information about these guys, other than, they have information on us, that they could get the jump on us. As you said, people coming with me have a higher chance of being spotted, but, I have something for that, if you don't remember."

Retrieving his gender bending gun, the "Sex-Bender", from his ESS, he explained, "Those coming with me, although not compulsory, are recommended to go through ... a little process. I know it may be uncomfortable, but it is, literally, the perfect disguise. Why? Because you won't be the man or woman you were, but the opposite." Shooting at himself, his body felt hot, and before long, his bust had grown, hips and waist were shapely, and hair grown out. S/he was now woman as part of the demonstration.


"The effects last approximately 12 hours now, varying with each person. With this, the group coming with me should be able to stroll quite casually into the city. Having too many people is suspicious though. We will scout the city grounds for those in the tunnels and scout a path. Now first of all, any volunteers to come with me? Additionally, Agent Mako and co. and injured are better off going with Jericho. Bringing them into the city would cause too many suspicions." Xerox's voice became a lot higher with the gender switch. He wanted to see if anyone would volunteer themselves to join or not first, before choosing.

[rivaan]

"Hmmmm?" Rachel made a questioning sound as she watched her junior from Trabia shift and transform until he was a she..."Huh..." She made another mildly surprised sound as she took a few steps towards Xerox, stopping when she was but a few inches in front of him, studying him up and down." Guess this is what you must have done earlier when I joined your group..." She asked with questioning voice and suddenly reached over and placed a hand on his chest as if to check if they are real." Yep... real alright." She mumbled in pleased voice before reaching down to check his other part and not finding anything down there.

"Do this already..." Rachel finally said and pulled his... her arm into shooting her. One really hot transformation later, she felt like her body was burning though when it ended, she found herself somewhat taller than she was before and her body felt unusual." I'll be darned..." Rachel finally said in a rather husky voice." This thing would have made my infiltration work so much easier..." She said, reaching over and placing a hand over Xerox's shoulder." I certainly hope you don't hide any other useful technologies from me... because otherwise now that you are a girl, you will ahve to undergo a very specific infiltration training..."

[Little_ninja]

With Rachel approaching Xerox, he ... she, nervously stood there, unsure of what Rachel would do. Rachel reached towards Xerox, and Xerox gave an awkward yelp. The hand on Xerox's new chest was something he ... she wasn't used to. It was a very different sensation, and when another hand reached for the lower area, another yelp occurred. This was something that Xerox felt a little uncomfortable with. With his/her childhood friend ordering him/her to shoot, Xerox shot the gender bending gun at Rachel, turning Rachel into a rather tall husky man. Rachel ... (here on dubbed Ray), reached on Xerox's small shoulder with a somewhat large hand," I certainly hope you don't hide any other useful technologies from me... because otherwise now that you are a girl, you will ahve to undergo a very specific infiltration training..."

Kneeing Ray in her/his newfound balls, Xerox replied "Doesn't mean you have the right to touch me like that." It was easy to see the discomfort Xerox felt from the new sensations.

After having successfully split the teams, Xerox went over the plan once more. "Moving on, let's split. We will walk in through the front, we will secure the area and get some blockades going, prevent anyone getting to the airships. Jericho will lead the others through the tunnels and secure the airship and prep them. Move out."

---

Narration

After splitting into two groups, Xerox's group had successfully entered the city without any issues. Tracking down the airships, they took care of the surrounding Galbadian soldiers. Jericho's group faced a few minor issues in the tunnels, but successfully reached the airship, prepping them for lift off. The groups reunite and are on the airship, heading back to Balamb Garden.

---

A few hours were still needed for the transformation's affects to wear off. For now, Xerox and Ray were still left as the opposite sex. A sigh of relief came from Xerox as he let out the tension from his body, relaxing. "Man, it's been hectic. We still have time before reaching Garden. We should get some rest while we can. " Xerox spoke in his high girly voice, which sounded cute. He spoke to everyone in general on the airship, as only a suggestion. They had been through quite a lot, and there was still more to come.

[Zarkun]

Jericho sat in the co-pilot's seat, watching over their altitude on the return trip to Balamb, ignoring Xerox when he spoke and instead standing to go and check on the engine. Galbadia had really done it, what with the missile strike against the Trabia Garden and their capture before that. Speaking of capture, he came into the passenger cabin and tapped on Xerox's shoulder. "Don't we have a couple of prisoners to interrogate?" Mako would have to know something, because he was in charge of their interrogation meaning that he was important. "Might be able to get answers of our own if we 'prep' them for the Garden's interrogators."

[Little_ninja]

With a tap on his ... her shoulder, Xerox looked up to Jericho, who suggested "Don't we have a couple of prisoners to interrogate? Might be able to get answers of our own if we 'prep' them for the Garden's interrogators."

"Yeah, we do have to 'prep' them, don't we? Well, I am sure all of us would really love to be involved, but, that's probably going overboard. I'll let you do it. Pick someone else on the team to help you." Xerox suggested back. S/He spoke so that the rest of the team would hear it. It would probable help for them to let off some steam as well. "If there's any sort of equipment you need, just ask. I should either have it, or can make it quite quickly. For now I think I should get some sleep, after I have something to eat. Is there anything to eat around here?"

[MarshiestMallow]

Heloise was sitting by herself in the ship, sitting in pretty much the same position she had been in since they started off. Her knees to her chest, her arms wrapped around them, and resting her head on her knees. She didn't even seem to be blinking, although if anyone cared to watch her for a time, they would find that she was indeed doing so.

Not that she expected anyone to notice her.

trabia Gardens was where she had been trained. It was one of the only homes, or rather the only home, she had had. She had lost so much, in her life, did she have to lose that as well? Did the misile do any damage?

Rising at the mention of interrogation, she said, "Let me help, please"

[Zarkun]

Jericho nods when Xerox said he'd have to do it himself. That suited the self-fashioned Reaper just fine and he relished the idea of returning some of the favors he owed Mako for their time together. At the question of food, however, he shrugged. "Can't say to be honest. I'm not hungry right now, though I might be later. I'm sure there is some around here somewhere though, so look around." Turning, he started towards where the pair were being held, pulling his pistol free of it's holster and racking a round when Heloise speaks up.

"Let me help, please" He stops and looks back, then shakes his head, resuming walking.

"Give me ten minutes, Heloise, then you take a turn. Trabia was my home too." And then he was into the short hall near the back of the airship, leaving the passenger compartment's passengers to talk amongst themselves.

[rivaan]

"Don't you two even think of doing this without me." Ray(Rachel) stated with a frown, making a slight wave of her hand to Xerox." Get me 4 scalpels, 3 drillbits and some glue..." Ray stated and after getting the stuff from Xerox followed after Jericho. Trabia was also Rachel's home. She remembered nothing from before the time she arrived there. Additionally her shattered kneecaps screamed for vengence... a vengence she would unleash a few times more on the two prisoners.

"I will take the last turn..." Ray stated finally, streching his arms." Usually people like him are only good at torturing and can't really take the pain themselves... There's good chance he may crack before, our turns come..." S/He said to Heloise." What do we do in that case? Just torture him anyway?"

[Little_ninja]

Heliose and Ray both wanted in on the interrogation as well. It wasn't like Xerox didn't want to, but there was a high chance she would break Mako's mind, with all of his experimental devices, as well as several revenge schemes. Ray waved over to Xerox, requesting " Get me 4 scalpels, 3 drillbits and some glue..." . Xerox drew out the requested items from his ESS, replying, "Uh... I got the scalpels and drill bits... as for glue ..." A selection of glues were set in front of her for Ray. "There's surgical glue, wood glue, metal glue, regular glue, explosive glue and super glue. Take your pick."

The mention of Trabia shook Xerox deep inside. A number of other SeeD had come from Trabia, including himself. S/He had grown up most of her life there. What's worse for her, is that, even if the missile misses Trabia, it might hit the town s/he was first brought up in, Shumi Village. Shaking her head, to forget about it, he decided to look for a kitchen and pantry. As Jericho said about not being hungry, Xerox doubted most people were hungry, but that was more so because their minds are occupied with the day's events. It was important to have food. If s/he could find food, the others would also probably realise they were hungry, since they hadn't eaten anything in god knows how long.

In the end, s/he found sandwiches and brought them back to where everyone else was. "Food?" s/he offered the others.

[rivaan]

"I guess I will try to be as humane as I can... get me the surgical glue." Ray stated and once it was in his possession along with the rest of items, headed over to where their cute little prisoners were. Xerox was hte first one to have a go at the bastard and then was Heloise, Ray/Rachel only hoped she would have what to torture when his/her turn comes. She also wondered how much time was left on the male transformation. Should be that much left actually... Didn't matter, when her turn comes, she was going to show Mako a thing or two of his own medicine.... mixed in with some of hers.

[MarshiestMallow]

"If he cracks before, then there is no point torturing him. It won't turn back time" Heloise said softly to Racheal, "it would just be petty revenge" she said, returning to the position she had been in, lowering her head onto her knees again. "Trabia is the only home I have ever had, torturing one man won't undo what has been done, and it will always be my home. When I can, I'll return and do what I can to bring it back to its former glory" She fell silent, shaking her head at the offered food.

[Zarkun]

Just down the short hall was three other doors. One lead to a storage/kitchen area, one to the engines and other machinery and the last to a cargo storage area, which had been turned into a makeshift holding area for their "guests", Roy and Mako. Of the two, only Mako was actively conscious and he looked up when Jericho entered, his mocking face cowed somewhat by the cold rage that sat in the SEED's eyes. "Shortly after we got away from your...wonderful accommodations, Galbadia launched a missile at Trabia Garden. Who was your boss?" Mako didn't answer right away, instead barking a short laugh before speaking.

"I don't know why you're bothering to ask. I don't intend to tell you or any other SE-" His answer is cut short by Jericho pulling the trigger on his pistol, a bullet taking off his small toe and causing the former torturer to scream in pain.

"You're lucky, you know that? Anyone else I would have just spitted on my scythe and sliced in two for what you did to me AND my teammates. But you? I'm going to make sure you understand how fucked you are, as are a couple of my compatriots waiting just down the hall." Mako whimpered slightly, but set his face stubbornly, causing Jericho to sigh. "Fine then. I'm sure I can leave enough extras for the others to take off."

For the next ten minutes, anyone listening would occasionally hear a gunshot punctuated by a loud scream, followed by relative silence. This pattern repeated until Jericho came back into the passenger compartment with a heavy sigh. "For being unused to pain, he sure is tight-lipped. Heloise, try to keep track of any fingers or toes you take off, we don't want the Gardens Interrogators asking too many questions." He returned to the cockpit, checking their arrival time, before taking a seat and calling up Xerox.

"Think Duncan's OK?"