[i]Connect a wire here, tweak a circuit there...[/i]

Ace was in her own little world as she focused on repairing the generator, a sense of calm serenity taking hold amongst the chaos of the war all around her. Of course, her senses were sharpened so that even the smallest sound would not escape her attention, but for now, it was nice just to take a moment to deal with things carefully and precisely-

"S-SIR!"

"Shit! Dammit, Fett!" Ace whirled around angrily as she shook her hand loosely, the electric shock jolting through her and causing some her hair to stand on end. "What did I say about interruptions?"

"It's...a soldier, sir!" Fett babbled in a panic, peering over the rails of the tower as a Galbadian infantryman staggered over the rocky path, blood oozing from his neck and dripping into the craggy ground as he pushed himself towards the tower. "He looks injured!"

"Dammit...you three, stay at your post," she barked at her squad of three, before quickly operating the lift to go down. "What are you waiting for, a comrade is dying out there!" She growled at the layabout guards who appeared to be more concerned in playing Triple Triad than their actual mission. They sprung to action immediately at Ace's harsh command, Geezard and Funguar cards scattering to the floor as they bolted for the door. 

Ace didn't have to wait long before the injured soldier was brought into the shelter of the tower, his arms propped around the guards' shoulders as he collapsed weakly at Ace's feet. "How severe is his wound?" She asked the medic of the squad, the soldier in question applying pressure to the wound whilst concentrating on a powerful Cura spell. After a moment, the medic shook his head with a frown creasing his lips. "I'm afraid this is only a matter of time. This looks like a Bug Bite sting.The poison's been left too long in his bloodstream."

"Shit..." Ace cursed again, watching pityingly as the soldier's breaths became more shallow and uneven, his skin turning a chalky shade of white and his eyes unfocused and bleary. There was nothing she could do.

She was powerless.

"L-Lieuten-nant..." The soldier's raspy voice brought Ace immediately to attention, her eyes opening wide as she knelt down to face the dying man. "S-Substation Lapin...m-monster there...but not just..." He stopped suddenly, a violent cough racking his lungs as blood splattered from his mouth. Ace cringed but the soldier was determined to complete his message. "A man was...was c-controlling it. Man from...SeeD."

And with his dying breath, the soldier's body slumped to the ground, eyes wide and vacant as his life slipped away.

"..." Ace rose to her feet, a dark, foreboding expression on her face as the reality of the situation sank in. So, Dollet really did find those funds to recruit the famed mercenaries from Balamb. SeeD. Renowned for their eagerness to kill...as long as the price was right.

And now they were aiming straight for the substations, the source of Galbadia's firepower and mechanical weapons. That...would be a problem.

"Sir? One of her soldiers spoke up meekly, an uncomfortable silence reigning in the tower as they awaited their commands. "What should we do?"

"..." Ace pursed her lips thoughtfully, her eyes fixed on the dead man before her. "A group of six soldiers will head straight for Substation Lapin. Your mission is to engage in combat with this SeeD, and contain him. You are then to return straight here, where we will keep him as a hostage of the Galbadian Army. Understood?"

"W-What?" The group of soldiers shared a look of disbelief at their commander's orders. "Shouldn't we be eliminating him on sight?"

"If it was any old Dollet soldier, I would say yes, but this is SeeD we're talking about," Ace answered calmly. "They are a formidable force to be reckoned with...and they are not so keen on losing members so easily. He may serve as a good bargaining chip, should the need ever arise."

This was a risky plan, and she knew it. She could very well be sacrificing half of her squad on a fool's errand, but it was a gamble worth taking.

"Branon, since I will be unable to accompany them, I ask that you lead the group to the substation." She turned her head with no hint of surprise at the defiant soldier who ha followed her despite abandoning his post, his eyes flaring up with excitement at the thought of finally engaging the enemy on the battlefield. "I can tell you're itching to get off guard duty, so this is your chance to shine."

"I-I won't let you down Lieutenant!" Branon beamed like a child with a new toy, shouldering his rifle proudly as he turned to the others. "You heard Lieutenant Fiore. To the substation!"

"Yeah!"

And with a chorus of battle cries, the soldiers ran out of the tower.

"..." Ace sighed. In truth, she was desperate to lead them herself, but it was her duty to repair the tower, and that task took the utmost priority.

After propping the deceased soldier's body against the wall, Ace stepped onto the lift and returned to her post.

She could only pray that her squad would succeed.