Clashes

Clashes

by ^death^ Himura


Disclaimer: Final Fantasy and the characters from the novel, Hex, do not belong to me. They belong to their respective owners. I just want to use them for a story.


Prologue: Understand Your Enemy

Reno raised an eyebrow. Rude remained impassive. Tseng smirked and Elena... merely watched. Rufus paced in front of them, his blonde hair slicked back on his head. A pensive expression on his face.

"A terrorist faction... Interesting." Tseng mumbled to himself. Rufus paused and then returned to his seat at the head of the table. His green eyes burned brightly as he took in the Turks assembled.

"Interesting... perhaps. But not when they are messing with my plans. We already have one pathetic faction to deal and now they give us another." He scowled and then snapped his fingers. A small refrigerator opened and he took out a bottle of fine brandy. He poured himself a small cupful, downed it and then took a gulp fro the bottle itself.

Reno raised an eyebrow.

"But the thing that irks you most... is the fact that they're there and they haven't done anything yet on you. How come?" There was that omnipresent smirk on his face, his piercing green eyes contrasting against his mane of wild fiery red hair. Rufus snorted. And then they were interrupted.

"Mr. Rufus is worried for what this group can do." Everyone turned around to see who this new visitor was. The insane scientist named Hojo appeared, accompanied by a distinguished gentleman in a hard black suit.

"Professor..." Rufus's voice trailed off. Hojo nodded his head.

"This is Mr. Derrick Santiago, a member of the Gaien Federate." The gentlemen beside the insane professor nodded a greeting and remained quiet. Hojo continued," He is here to tell us more about the Ghosts."

"Wise name for something we haven't seen." Reno interrupted. Hojo ignored him. The two took a seat at the table.

"The Ghosts, as you all know, are a terrorist faction. Though not exactly like the pathetic group called AVALANCHE." Santiago's voice was deep and had a distinct clarity about it. Reno raised an eyebrow, Rude was impassive and Elena was watching Tseng for a reaction apart from his usual smirk.

"The Ghosts have something else - Hexes." His lips quirked a little as he noticed his audience paying rapt attention. "The Hexes are mutated humans who have the ability to bond with electronic devices. Hacking is one of their main abilities, an ability which could render ShinRa and the Federation almost helpless."

"It is your duty now to try and capture the Hex leader, an elusive character by the name of Raven. He is to be captured so that we may find out the true secret of the Hexes... and perhaps use them for our own- I mean ShinRa's benefit." Hojo finished for him. No one spoke for a moment and then Rude stood up, much to Reno's surprise.

"Where are they most found? Any hints?" Tseng leaned forward and placed an impenetrable gaze on Santiago. The man did not flinch. Instead, he took out a disc from his coat pocket.

"In this disc, it will tell you about the most recent of the Ghosts movement. Though I am unsure as to how you would be able to catch them when they're on the move all the while. No doubt, I am sure the President places his trust and faith in you and you will be able to find them." Rufus nodded his head and Santiago passed the disc to Tseng.

"You may kill the rest but keep the one named Raven alive." Hojo suddenly spoke, a strange rasp to his usual nasal tone. Reno narrowed his eyes.

"Why is this Raven so important?" The Turks and Rufus waited for an answer from the professor.

"Because he is the most powerful of the lot."

And the meeting was adjourned.