"This kind of thinking will do us in."
Tseng chuckled darkly. "That's an understatement."
We were divided. As Turks, we remained loyal to Shin-Ra, but the thought of assassinating the man who had made us who we were was weighing heavily on our thrashed consciences.
"But seriously, Tseng, we're talking about insubordination here. Following through with this would mean an early retirement for all of us." When Veld defected from the company, the President had made it clear that anyone who stood with him would no longer be a part of the company.
"So you're against it?" He looked at me sharply and I nervously twirled a strand of coppery hair between my fingers.
"I never said that. This is just something that will require time to think."
"And, in the meantime, the company will find out." His expression was almost desperate, and I moved closer to sit next to him.
"I will stand with you." He looked at me, a ghost of a smile turning the corners of his lips upward. I sighed and stood up, walking back over to the window. "Besides, the man practically raised me. I'd feel terrible if I didn't stick by him now." Tseng shot an observant glance around the room out of habit. We were so used to the rooms we lived in being bugged; nearly every aspect of our lives was monitored.
Apparently reassured that the hotel room was secure, he sighed. "I know what you mean."
Three days later, Reno, Rude, Tseng and I met together on an island near Mideel.
"What're we doing here?" Reno walked away from the chopper slowly, casually swinging his EMR. Rude followed as silently as ever, occasionally eyeing the swinging weapon warily.
"Hold on a moment." Tseng was already striding towards the redhead and his partner. I knew he was worried, but I also knew he wouldn't let himself show it. I hurried behind him, shivering slightly as the breeze caught me.
Reno and Rude paused, in front of Tseng and me, looking suspiciously around them. "Where's everyone else?" Reno asked, eyeing me curiously.
"Tseng will explain." I kept my reply short, knowing that we were pressed for time. We all looked to him, and he sighed.
"We will stand by Veld." Tseng's tone was full of determination, and Reno's eyes widened slightly. Knowing that Reno was second-in-command, I was surprised at his lack of excitement to Tseng's announcement.
"The company's not gonna like that," Reno said, his weapon twitching in his hand. Rude remained still and silent, most likely waiting for Reno to make a decision.
"Our lives are forfeit." Tseng's voice was still steeled with grim determination, and I saw Reno relax a little.
"We knew that from the start," Reno said casually, looking around. A helicopter could be heard in the distance, and we searched the sky anxiously. We were silent for several minutes after, listening.
"Our lives were always on the edge. Nothing's changed this time," Rude's deep voice broke through the stillness.
"We're Turks; we'll pull through." I tried sounding cheerful, but my voice just sounded strained. Tseng looked at me with a hint of worry etched on his face, his eyebrows slightly knitting together as his eyes quickly scanned my face. I looked at him, a faint smile on my face before looking out towards the ocean. "I've finally found my reason for being here with you guys."
Reno chuckled. "Jeez, you're slow, Cissnei. But it's not like I don't get what you're sayin'. I feel the same way."
Rude nodded, his lips ever-so-slightly curved in a rare smile. "…Me too."
Tseng bowed his head. "We won't be able to turn back after this."
I smiled at him as he looked each of us over. "Don't worry so much; we aren't going to change our minds."
Reno nodded, an unusually serious look on his face. "Yeah, boss. We're in for the long haul."