I still cannot connect this part...

[Beclem]

Do you think Irvine hesitated to shoot, because deep down he knew that Edea was Matron?

[Sir Bahamut]

Maybe. After all, he says he remembered everyone the moment he saw them, so it seems likely he'd remember "Matron" as well. However, if he was able to see through the twisted image of Edea and see "Matron" is another matter.

[nik0tine]

The people know that with Edea, they will be a powerful nation. They are cheering because they know what kind of dominance she will bring Galbadia.

[Skyblade]

He jumped in through the bars. They had gaps big enough for him to jump thru. Not a very good way to trap the sorceress, if she wanted to she could have walked through the gap in the bars too

With that headdress?! Even turned sideways I think she might get stuck. Besides, she's vain enough that I doubt she'd be willing to walk, especially since, her being warned to trouble, there wasn't much that could happen to her. They should have skipped the gate and just shot her (though Irvine would probably have kept whining until it was too late). What I find interesting is that Irvine shoots, and appears to be doing it from the front of the car, since the back is too large to allow a clear shot at the sorceress from. Yet when Squall drives up, the back is facing the direction he is coming from. Either he circled the city (not too far fetched, given how easy it is on foot and the fact that he appeared not to care about the condition of his car at all, though the civilians in the way might have caused problems), or Edea's car somehow turned around in that tiny little space. Interesting, isn't it?

Anyway, I think the people were cheering because they believed that with the sorceress on their side, they would be unstoppable (soldiers in the G-Army say things to that effect later in the game in Deling City if you talk to them). Her actions during her announcement, however, panicked a few people and caused a riot. History shows that soldiers are easy targets for rioting civilians (uniforms really stand out), so when the fighting started, the soldiers had little choice except defend themselves or get their butts kicked. Simple enough, really.

[Squall of SeeD]

He jumped in through the bars. They had gaps big enough for him to jump thru. Not a very good way to trap the sorceress, if she wanted to she could have walked through the gap in the bars too

With that headdress?! Even turned sideways I think she might get stuck. Besides, she's vain enough that I doubt she'd be willing to walk, especially since, her being warned to trouble, there wasn't much that could happen to her. They should have skipped the gate and just shot her (though Irvine would probably have kept whining until it was too late). What I find interesting is that Irvine shoots, and appears to be doing it from the front of the car, since the back is too large to allow a clear shot at the sorceress from. Yet when Squall drives up, the back is facing the direction he is coming from. Either he circled the city (not too far fetched, given how easy it is on foot and the fact that he appeared not to care about the condition of his car at all, though the civilians in the way might have caused problems), or Edea's car somehow turned around in that tiny little space. Interesting, isn't it?

Irvine fired at her down over the top of the back. Notice that she's facing her chair before the bullet comes at her. Irvine's just that good of a shot.