Omega's Alpha

[OrochiGeese]

*It's a sunny August afternoon in the Walker household in Deadwood, South Dakota. Robin "Holly" Walker, Jean Carter, Luke Kisiera, and Mr. Figaro are watching "Real Hellions of Matsukounty" and laughing at it, rather than with it.  They all appear to have just finished a work out session.*

[Jean:] "So ... like, I really did okay today?"

[Figaro:] "Capitol, my dear, you did a capitol job flipping Luke onto his bottom."

*Holly gives some expert side-eye to Figaro for his awful gentlemanly accent. Then she looks genuinely at Jean.*

[Holly:] "This was only your first training session, but I think you once again proved that you're not a cupcake."

*Holly smiles and Jean runs over and hugs her.*

[Figaro:] "Now that was a long time coming!"

[Luke:] "Hey, she's still my cupcake!"

*Jean gives a loud "awwe" and runs over and hugs Luke, deciding to sit on his lap.*

[Figaro:] "Honestly, Jean, you took to basic judo really well."

[Holly:] "Better than I did the first time Geese taught me."

*Mr. Figaro laughs which causes some more side-eye from Holly.*

[Holly:] "In this house we use our words when we have something to say."

*Jean laughs at Holly's remark.*

[Figaro:] "The reason you didn't take to the basics right away with Geese was because you two kept trying to 'master' the rear naked choke!"

[Holly:] "... I have no regrets."

*Holly shrugs her shoulders and tosses back her hair with a smile. Jean once again speaks up.*

[Jean:] "So, you are all fine with me learning how to fight? It's not...weird for you? *Her voice lowers and she looks down* It is for me."

*Luke holds Jean closer and kisses her on the cheek, causing her to perk up.*

[Figaro:] "Celes thought this was a good idea and I agree. The fact is, things have been too quiet recently and that never bodes well. It's been way too long since we've heard from Clyde, and Destiny hasn't made any major moves for months. We have no idea what is happening inside their compound. If the worst happens, Celes and I will have to go and get him. Geese will want to come with us. But we don't have enough fighters to split into two...uh, for lack of a better word, parties, *Luke blushes* while being able to protect you and Luke. He can fight, I helped train him, but he can't fight well enough to fend people off of him and you at the same time, Jean. The only advantage we have if they confront you is for them to continue to incorrectly assume that you can't fight. That way you have the element of surprise. Otherwise we will be putting you at risk if we have to go and save Clyde."

[Luke:] "You're right, I'm not at the level of anyone else here. I don't want Jean to have to fight, but I want her able to defend herself if she has to."

[Holly:] "Speaking of your improvement, why aren't you training with the others today?"

[Luke:] "Celes said that she, Geese, and Kyle had to have an advanced class today."

[Holly:] "Ahh, they're learning how to make soufflés that don't collapse."

*Jean laughs*

[Jean:] "Well if there aren't any cupcakes left, you need soufflés!"

*Holly laughs in response. Everyone else starts laughing as well. But the laughing immediately stops as the distant barking of a dog is heard.*

[Figaro:] "Interceptor!"


*Mr. Figaro runs outside almost knocking the door off of it's hinges. He is greeted by Interceptor, an adult doberman pinscher.  They are both greeted by Celes who ran from the the Walker training facility. Figaro immediately begins petting Interceptor who appears very happy to see him and licks his face. Celes appears happy at this but also patient, as if he's waiting to do something.*

[Celes:] "Please, there will be time for play later. We need to-"

*As Figaro pets Interceptor with one hand, he subtly reaches under Interceptor's collar and pulls out a note with the other hand.*

[Figaro:] "I can't rub my belly and tap my head, but I can multitask!"

[Celes:] "You should really work on that belly and head thing though. It's disconcerting that is such a challenge for you."

*Figaro sticks his tongue out and gives the note to Celes who quickly opens it. Figaro continues petting Interceptor. Jean comes outside with a bowl full of water for Interceptor who licks her and then begins drinking the water.*

[Celes:] "Hmmm..."

[Figaro:] "Is everything okay!?"

[Celes:] "Clyde has had to write in code. That is not a good sign."

[Figaro:] "Kohlinguish?"

*Celes looks at him in annoyed fashion.*

[Celes:] "I told you that isn't a language."

[Figaro:] "Narshian?"

[Celes:] "Also, not real. Clyde has written us in Esperian, which means-"

[Figaro:] "I'll get one."

*Figaro runs off into the house, toward the direction of Celes' room.*

[Jean:] "Esperian? Is that like Esperanto?"

[Celes:] "Let's say that it is. But, in a much more accurate way, it isn't."

*Jean looks very confused.*

[Celes:] "Don't worry, Figaro and I can read this. In fact, the two of us and Clyde are the only three that can."

[Jean:] "Ohhhh, it's like your secret language together! Sometimes Luke and I make up secret languages with invisible ink and cat dander. That was a fun October!"

*Celes appears thankful for the lightening of the mood. She then notices Jean's necklace which just gleamed in the sun.*

[Celes:] "Jean, I am very appreciative about the fact that you have continued to wear the necklace that I gave you all those years ago on the night of OG-FPD Ragnarok. Tell me, have you washed it at all?"

[Jean:] "I haven't had to. I've never had a piece of jewelry before that doesn't seem to get dirty, especially with all the cats we have. Where did you get this, by the way?"

[Celes:] "Let's just say it's priceless and therefore, around the neck of the right person."

*Jean blushes and she gives an "awwwe". Mr. Figaro returns with a bag which Celes reaches into. She pulls out a gem of some type, which appears similar in cut and shine to the jewelry around Jean's neck.*

[Jean:] "Omigawsh! It's like what you got me! Do you make jewelry?"

[Celes:] "I didn't have a hand in making this, but I have been trusted with them by those who did. I am about to show you one way in which my gift to you is priceless. What I hold in my hand is the only known translator of Esperian. If something ever happens to myself, Figaro, or Clyde and you need to read this language, you can use what is around your neck to do so. Jean, can you get a pen and piece of paper and write all of this down."

*Luke has already run outside and has witnessed this from a few steps away. He walks forward after reaching into his pocket.*

[Luke:] "I happened to have a pen and piece of paper in my pocket."

[Celes:] "Hmm, somehow that doesn't surprise me."

[Figaro: "You may want to throw out last week's sandwich though."

*Mr. Figaro takes the note and holds it flat while Celes uses the gem to pass over it slowly translating what it says into English so that Luke can write it down. Holly has also come outside and is approaching Geese and Kyle who left the barn a few minutes ago. Celes is about to read the note as the rest of her party the Walker household waits in great anticipation of the message that Mr. Clyde has sent them.*


[Clyde's Note:]

"I am okay but that may not last.

Civil war is coming, of the kind that only we know.

Joachim is a General that was once dear to you.
Moreno is an Emperor who blindly invited us to dine.
Gustav is the Madman who moved the statues.
Matthias is his Light of his Judgement.

Joachim and his fellow worshipers, with whom I regularly break bread with, are in great danger.

Moreno thinks her civil war with Joachim is what drives everyone's actions. She appears to have the allegiance of Gauntlet Security. She answers to a higher power, as does Joachim, but neither one of them have made communion with him since the civil war has begun. That higher power seems blissfully unaware of what happens on a day to day basis in the compound. He is in charge of everyone and no one at once.

Gustav is the man who needs to be watched, for he has already corrupted Matthias beyond what anyone knows. I am most concerned, that the majority of that corruption occurred before they formally met. I can not explain why but Gustav appears skilled at plucking strings in Matthias.

If Thunder Strike has managed to continue his surveillance, you will see footage soon. I emphasize again that I am okay. Your first instinct will be to save me, but I am intact. All three of us have suffered worse. Right now you can't extract me. There is too much security. And I still have a line open with Gustav. Moreno is a threat, but he is the key. She has become complacent due to her success over UBL and Joachim's loss to Rivers. Those not aligned consider the Guiding Light to be paramount with the Path subservient. However, her ambition is currently satiated which has allowed Gustav's influence to rise. You must prop her up to smoke him out. He is too arrogant around, I sense he has even manipulated her without her knowledge.

Spare Joachim, spare Jang Bae. Jang is not brainwashed, he never was. Joachim is not dangerous without the Destiny apparatus.

Gauntlet is a danger, but the foot soldiers didn't survive when the statues were moved. That is the greater threat.

I have not been compromised, just injured. I know you'll keep the ship running for me.

- Clyde"


*Everyone is silent for a second but then Geese punches the side of the house, breaking right through it.*

[Geese:] "Celes, I won't sit here for one more second."

[Celes:] "Nor will I let you. But we do this right. We betray him if rage guides our plans. Actions will be taken, but the right ones.

Jean, get Wingate on the phone. 

Figaro, contact Thunder Strike and have him send us the surveillance immediately.

Kyle..."

*Everyone looks at Celes somewhat surprised as she pauses.*

[Celes:] "You may wield it again, if you decide to. But this time, it will be in my name. Anything you do will be on my conscience. But if you so choose to start swinging, you must not stop until we get Clyde back and stop every last one of them. Because now it's personal."

*Kyle nods with no expression at Celes.

[Celes:] "Now... it's war."

*At this remark, the hint of an emotion can be seen on Kyle's lips. As if one see the feeling one gets right before scratching an itch.

Celes folds up the note, picks up the bag of gems, and walks inside the house.*