FicWad

Vengeance
Disclaimer: Final Fantasy VIII is copywrite of SquareEnix.

Chapter #:01
Chapter Title: Sanctions
Chapter Summary: Pushed too far, Laguna declares economic sanctions
on Winhill


"Ladies and Gentlemen," Kiro spoke solemnly as he stepped up to
podium, "The President."

The crowd gave a collective gasp of shock as Laguna maneuvered his
motorized wheelchair over to where his fiance stood waiting.

"I ask that you keep your questions brief," Kiros suggested "the
President, as you can see, is not well." He handed the microphone
to Laguna. "Are you sure you want to do this?"

A tear ran down Laguna's cheek and he trembled, his voice quavering
as he softly answered, "Yes. My family loves me, you love me, and my
people love me. I can do this, Kiros. I..."

And he burst into tears, Kiros holding him, while the crowd watched
in respectful silence.

After a few minutes, Laguna dried his tears and looked up. "Esthar
has declared economic sanctions against the city of Winhill." He
announced.

A confused muttering filled the room. Had they heard right? Surely
President Loire hadn't just told them that Esthar was actually going
to refuse help to a neighboring country.

Ever since SeeD's arrival, Esthar had taken upon itself to help out
as many other countries as possible, offering its amazing technology
to hospitals and farmers alike in exchange for a variety of goods.

Now Laguna Loire, Esthar's president, had effectively announced that
the people of Winhill, as far as he was concerned, could go fuck
themselves.

"Why?" One of the reporters asked, when no reason seemed to be
forthcoming. Political sanctions weren't issued without reason.

"The people of Winhill were the ones responsible for my recent
abduction," Laguna explained. "I was falsely accused of child
abuse and incarcerated in their prison system without benefit
of a trial."

"Do you plan to declare war on Winhill?" Another asked, shocked at
what she had heard.

"Not at this time," Laguna shook his head. "I won't send me people
to be killed fighting a city as worthless as Winhill."

"Mr. President, were you mistreated in any way during your
imprisonment?" Another reporter asked.

~How stupid can you get?~ Laguna thought bitterly. "I was..."

"You don't have to answer that, Dad." Squall told him. He turned
to the reporters. "This conference is o-"

"I was raped."

Even the falling pins had been shocked into silence. Had anyone
been watching the reporters rather than Laguna, they would have
seen their knuckles whiten with anger.

"Winhill has committed an act of war upon us," Laguna told them.
"In return, I have declared that there shall be no exchange of
goods or services with Winhill including that of tourism. Visitors
from Winhill who are not relatives of people in Esthar will be
turned away. Those who are must show positive proof of kinship. That
is all." He turned his wheelchair from the podium and went back into
the palace with Kiros right behind him.

The stunned reporters packed up their equipment with difficulty. Each
of them was very angry. How dare those people abuse their beloved
President that way?! How could anyone do that to a man as gentle as
President Loire?!

"That was very brave," Kiros told Laguna as he gave him a quick hug,
frowning as Laguna tensed in his arms. "I'm proud of you."

"Thank you, Kiros." Laguna nodded.

"Father," Squall added, "SeeD's elite forces await my command. Just
give me the word, and I will avenge you."

"No." Laguna told Squall. "I was including you when I said I would not
risk the lives of my people in war. I have a more important task for
SeeD. I want you to retrieve my son, Virga."

"We will," Squall promised. He turned to the other members of SeeD.
"We head for Winhill in the morning," he told him. "Our primary
objective is to retrieve the President's newborn son. You are
authorised to use deadly force if neccessary."

"Squall," Laguna warned.

"Repeat. 'If neccessary'." Squall reminded them.