Transgression

Holy Batman, Robin! Yikes, it's been well over a year. My fans must hate me! I really don't have a good excuse why I missed so much on the updates. Part of it was me just losing interest on my fictions. I've been working on a game that I'm making with a friend, but since it's just the two of us (for now, at least) don't expect any words on it. The story's still being finalized.

Anyways, this is the next chapter in Transgression. It's very Gamenern centric, but it's important to the story. The next chapter will focus more on Fang and Vanille, as there's a very big plot point coming up between the two.

Well, here you are. Enjoy.

Word Count: 3057

Disclaimer: There is not a single thing I own. It's all Square Enix's.

Transgression

Chapter 8: A Dream Come True?

The nightlife of Oerba was quite different than daytime. Though not very big, Oerba still had a lot of people living in it's boundaries. And, like most people, they enjoyed going out and enjoying the night.

The Beach House II was one of the only bars in Oerba, and easily the busiest. The bar, run by Lebreau as a former front for NORA (Which now had money coming in from other jobs, such as monster extermination or bodyguard duty), hadn't changed too much from it's Cocoon days, though it now had a larger staff.

Of the staff members was Gamenern, who mostly worked as a bouncer. Alcohol brought fights along with it, and so Gamenern was there to keep the peace. Tonight, there wasn't any disturbance. Yet.

As Gamenern watched over the bar, Lebreau approached. "Anybody you get to throw out?" She joked, placing a glass of soda next to him. The man chuckled slightly, sipping the soda before answering.

"Not yet. Though that group over there is getting loud." He said, pointing to group of men, possibly soldiers, chatting very loudly among themselves. "Not sure if they're just loud drunks or not." Gamenern added shortly.

"Most of the military types are like that." Lebreau commented, resting her elbows on the bar next to her. "They must think they're entitled to it."

Gamenern scoffed. "I wouldn't ever get away with that before." He added with a slight hint of mirth. He turned to Lebreau. "Shouldn't you be working?" He added.

"I'm taking my break." She added with a small smile. Gamenern chuckled.

"You did that 10 minutes ago." He retorted, a similar smile on his face. Lebreau simply shrugged her shoulders.

"Owner's privilege." She said simply. Gamenern scoffed again. "What was the military like back then?" The woman asked, intrigued. Gamenern raised an eyebrow at the change of subject.

"Well, it wasn't like it is now, that's for sure." He started with a hint of nostalgia. "A helluva lot more action. Less patrol duty like this." His tone went almost dark, as if he was trying to forget his past. "I won't lie, I killed my share of PSICOM and Guardian Corps personnel back then." He added. "I joined as soon as I was able. Gabra didn't like my career path too well…"

Pulsian society was very different than Cocoonian, easy enough to figure out. One big difference, however, is the age of consent. On Cocoon, this age is around 17 years old, while on Gran Pulse, there isn't any proper age of consent. The age a man or woman can make their own way in the world is usually the age they are considered "of age." A lot of times, people marry as young as 13 years old. With such a low life expectancy, with dangers from the land as well as the sky, having children was a vital part of society.

Now, while Gamenern and Gabra weren't married, or considering it in any way, they sometimes acted like they were. And, like many married couples, they were currently having an argument.

Gamenern was moving from his small chest in the boy's bedroom to a suitcase on his bed, Gabra standing behind him. The girl's face was full of emotions, ranging from anger and shock to sorrow and betrayal.

"There's not way you're going." Gabra said, her voice uncharacteristically torn with the emotions evident on her face. "There's no way. It's way to dangerous."

Gamenern sighed as he placed some of his vests in his suitcase. "I know it's dangerous, Gabra." He said, his voice calm and collected. "But I can't sit here while those Vipers up there destroy our home."

In just the last few weeks, Cocoon had been increasing it's attacks, ranging from simple sackings to full-blown invasions. The War was getting bloodier as time went on.

"I know, but what's to say that you won't be killed because of it?" She asked, her voice showing a rare break. Gamenern placed the last vest in his suitcase and turned to Gabra.

"Look, there's no way I'm going to die out there, okay?" He spoke, approaching Gabra. "I wouldn't leave you, or Fang, or Vanille, alone like that." Gabra just shook her head.

"There's no way you can know that." She said, as if trying to convince herself as much as Gamenern. Deep down, she knew that Gamenern didn't like the War. Most people preferred a violent, forced fight with Cocoon, while others wanted to settle things peacefully. Gamenern would rather see an uneasy peace between the two worlds than the total annihilation of one. But he would need to be in a position of power to do that.

"I promise you, I won't die, you hear me?" Gamenern said, hugging Gabra tightly. "I will come back to you, no matter how far I have to walk." All Gabra did in response was nod weakly.

"I know."

Fang and Vanille sat out in the living area. Fang was looking down at her application for huntership, while Vanille was busy reading a book about healing salves and herbs.

They were both broken from their tasks when Gamenern entered the room, his suitcase in hand. Vanille immediately set her book down. She wasn't thrilled with his leaving, like most of the orphanage, but she understood why he wanted to fight. She wasn't going to try and convince him to not do what he felt was right.

"Leaving already?" Fang asked, standing up to approach her brother. Gamenern nodded.

"They're taking us to Paddra tonight." He said simply. "You sure you won't try and do something stupid with me gone?" The older boy joked. Fang scoffed.

"You know me." Fang said simply. Vanille grabbed Fang's arm in a loose hug.

"I'll keep her out of trouble." The redhead playfully. Fang sighed, feigning defeat.

"I wouldn't trust anyone else." Gamenern said. "You keep yourself out of trouble too, little girl." He said towards Vanille. The redhead simply smiled.

"I won't promise anything." She said. Gamenern chuckled at the comment.

"You've been putting bad thoughts in this poor girl's mind, Fang." Gamenern joked. Fang shook her head defensively.

"She's more a daredevil than you'd think." Fang said, adding to her defense. Gamenern simply raised an eyebrow at the remark. "I mean it! I haven't done a thing!"

Gamenern was about to say something in retort when Rinoa entered the room. "Oh, you're already leaving, Gamenern?" She asked. Gamenern turned to the matron and nodded once.

"Yeah. Gotta be at the station by noon." He said. He still had 20 minutes to be there, according to the clock. Rinoa smiled back.

"You take care of yourself out there." Rinoa said. She approached Gamenern and hugged him once. "You come back as soon as you can." Gamenern nodded as Rinoa let go.

"I will, matron." He promised, turning to the door. "Well, I guess I'll leave now." As he approached the door, several of the other orphans approached him to wish him well and say goodbye. There were some tears as he and Gabra exited the building and began the short trek to the station.

They arrived at the station with just under 10 minutes before the airship would begin boarding. The distance to Paddra, where the Army held it's training, was to far to walk or use any kind of ground transport. Instead, with an airship, the trip to Paddra could be reduced to only a 3 or 4 hour flight.

Gamenern wasn't alone. Several other soldiers-to-be were gathered in the station, their families with them to see them off and wish them well. Gamenern turned to Gabra.

"Well, I guess this is it." He said simply. Gabra nodded once.

"Yeah." She said shortly, her voice thick with restrained tears. Gamenern cleared his own throat, tears building up in him as well.

"I'll write you as soon as I get the chance." He said, resting his forehead on Gabra's. He then handed Gabra a pendant, one he had since he was a little boy. "Here. Take it. So you can have something to remember me by." He said.

Gabra looked at the pendant. It was worn with age and use, but it still worked. Inside was a picture Gamenern had taken a few months ago, of him and Gabra. As she closed it, she looked up at him. "I love you." She said softly.

"I love you too." Gamenern returned. He then leaned in and kissed her, as passionately as they ever had before. After what felt like barely an instant, the intercom blared "All passengers for Paddra, please board now."

The two reluctantly broke apart as Gamenern grabbed his bag. "I will return to you, I promise." He said one last time before he headed to the boarding platform. He quickly was allowed to board and found his seat next to the window. The last thing he saw before the airship took to the skies was Gabra's tearstained face as she watched the airship leave.

xXxXx

The next day, after being assigned a bay that he was to stay in, as well as a bunk, Gamenern and about 50 other recruits were gathered, two hours before sunrise, into formation. Their instructor was a large man, Senior Field Marshall Cecil. He looked like he'd seen his share of combat, his face marred with scars and old wounds.

"Listen up, men. As of this point until you complete your training, your lives, your very souls, belong to me!" Cecil said, his voice clear and loud. "You will address me as sir, and only as sir. Failure to obey will make your lives a living hell. Are we clear?" The trainer spoke.

"Sir, yes sir!" The group of trainees responded, though their collective voices were not much louder than Cecil's lone voice.

"Good." Cecil said, his voice lower but still audible. "Now, let's see just how fit you rookies really are." The terrain in the area was mountainous and uneven. Gamenern wasn't sure about the other recruits, but he could run this area with one leg. Probably faster than most of them too.

After a run that covered well over 5 miles of rocky terrain, and at least one recruit passing out from the heat, the group was in the mess area, eating their breakfast. Like he suspected, Gamenern had barely any trouble completing the task, but there were a two others who made it with little effort. He was sitting with them as they ate.

"So, what's your story?" Haeri Zet Jaxon asked, having just finished his tale. Jaxon, though most of his friends called him Jak, had joined at the behest of his father, who was also in the Army. Jak, like a few of the recruits, was a hunter, though, unlike Gamenern, he was the head of a group on his own. Gamenern swallowed the eggs he was eating before he answered.

"Well, I just wanted to fight for my family." Gamenern said, looking around the mess hall. Several other platoons of recruits, at various stages of their training, were eating, but unlike the cafeteria at the orphanage, the atmosphere here was more professional than informal. "That's it. Nothing more."

The lone female in this group, Paddra Della Sira, hmm'd in response. "Really? Nothing?" She said, as if she didn't believe him. Gamenern nodded once.

"Yep, that's all." He said. Jak chuckled.

"Well, at least you're honest." He complemented. "Come on, lets get out of here before the Drill Master gets too angry." The other two agreed, and they headed back to formation before they were forced out.

xXxXx

It had taken a while for the recruits who weren't fit to get their bearings, but after about 1 week, the rest of the group was starting to shape up. It was an off day, so Gamenern was finally able to set his bunk the way he wanted it to.

He began to unpack his things and place them in his locker. After he placed all of his clothes away, he began to set his personal belongings. The first thing he grabbed was a picture of Vanille, Fang, Gabra and himself shortly after Fang had her cast removed, a little over a year ago. However, you couldn't make out Vanille or Gamenern, because Vanille had thought it would be funny to tackle Gamenern just as the picture was taken. Following that, Fang and Gabra burst into laughter. She might not look it, but Vanille was plenty strong.

He placed that one on his headboard while he grabbed another picture. This one was of Gabra only, following a hunt of some Gorgonospids that had wandered too close to Oerba. It wasn't a bad hunt, but Gabra did have her favorite weapon broken by one of the wolf-creatures. Funnily, it wasn't actually broken by a Gorgon, but instead by one of the beasts' hard skulls. The entire blade cracked down the middle and fell apart, leaving a shattered blade in it's stead. Needless to say, Gabra was not too happy about that little incident.

Gamenern put that one next to the previous picture and pulled out his last picture. This one was, again, of Gabra, but this one was taken on a date that the two went on. Gamenern had taken Gabra out to dinner to celebrate her promotion in the Hall. It was the last time Gamenern and Gabra had spent the entire night alone, because Gamenern had decided to join the Army a few days later.

This picture Gamenern placed on the top of his bunk, facing down. Leaning back, Gamenern was able to look to the picture every time he woke up, and before he went to sleep.

"That's so cheesy." Sira said, almost humorously. Gamenern turned to the woman, who had been placed in the bunk next to his. "So, who're the girls?" She asked, her voice hinting at her sly nature.

Gamenern chuckled. "My sisters and my girlfriend." Gamenern said, pointing to Gabra when he said girlfriend. Jak, who was on the bunk above his, looked over, hanging upside down. He saw the picture of Gabra and whistled.

"Not bad, Yun." He said. Gamenern chuckled and shoved the man's face back to his own bunk. "Yeah, I got a girl back home too." He said, as if his was better.

"What'd you do, hypnotize her?" Oerba Lama Kharon said, the man above Sira's bunk. Sira and Gamenern laughed at the joke, thought Jak mocked their laughing.

"Haha, funny." He said, pulling a picture from his bag. "Nah, met her on a hunt." He handed to picture to Gamenern. She wasn't that bad looking, though she didn't look like Gamenern's type. "Great in bed, too." He added. Sira simply scoffed.

"Yeah, right." She said, pulling pictures of her family from her bag. Gamenern noticed that she had a few old pictures of a little girl, likely her sister, but no recent ones.

"That your sister?" He asked, pointing at the girl. Sira nodded once.

"Was." She said flatly. Gamenern didn't ask any more. He had a good idea what that meant. "She was killed by some soldiers when they attacked the town a few years ago." She either was able to keep her cool really well, or she was so desensitized from the event that she didn't feel anything. "She was only 8."

Jak decided to change the topic, fast. "So, Gamenern, you planning on signing up for the platoon command?" He asked. Gamenern shrugged his shoulders, leaning back into his bed.

"Maybe. Not sure yet." He said. Kharon nodded once, unconvinced.

"Sure. I've already applied." He said. Jak groaned.

"We're doomed if he's picked." Jak said to Gamenern and Sira. The woman laughed as she plopped herself on her bed. Kharon sat up.

"And you think you're any better?" He challenged. Jak also sat up.

"No." He said sarcastically. "I know I'm better." Gamenern chuckled.

Before the two could continue their argument, Cecil entered the room. "Get changed, out in the field in 5!" He said to the platoon. Gamenern was already putting his uniform on when Cecil entered: He knew that whenever Cecil entered, it meant that they were going to be training. Hard.

xXxXx

That night, Gamenern was finally able to write back to Gabra. He knew she probably was worried about him, so he wanted to keep his message short.

Hey. Long time, no see, huh? Finally got settled in. You should see this place. Feels kinda like the orphanage. They haven't got us doing anything involved with weapons yet, just some physical training. You'd like it here.

I hope Fang hasn't torn the place apart already. Or hasn't corrupted poor Vanille. I don't think I could handle two Fangs. Just one's hard enough.

You been doing alright? It's kinda hard not having you to talk to whenever. I've got your picture here, but it's not the same. I miss you, a lot. You can write me whenever you want now. I ain't going anywhere anytime soon.

Well, talk to you later. I love you.

Gamenern.

Gamenern placed the not in an envelope and slid into the mail bag. As he lay down to sleep, the last thing he saw was the picture of Gabra, her face as beautiful as he remembered, smiling down at him.

As he finished his story, a man staggered to the bar, obviously as drunk as possible. "Get me a beer, babe." He slurred, barely able to talk.

"First, she's on break." Gamenern said. "Second, I'm the only one who can call her 'babe.' And third, you're to drunk to walk straight, let alone drink. Go home." The man didn't like that, because he tried to swing at Gamenern. It wasn't to hard to dodge, and Gamenern was able to twist his arm behind the man, and held him there, hard.

"You wanna try that again, bub?" Gamenern taunted, dragging the man towards the door. "You couldn't beat me sober, let alone piss drunk." As Gamenern threw the man to the ground outside the bar, the man let out a string of obscenities towards Gamenern. "Yeah, good night to you too." Gamenern joked.

Back inside, Lebreau chuckled at the man. "Feel better?" She asked, barely trying to hide her amusement. Gamenern took a stiff drink of his soda.

"Of course."

Well, there you have it. Sorry for such a long hiatus. Hope to be back to a regular updating schedule soon.

Later!