The repetitive drumming of fingers on wood, filled the office as Reeve stared down at the mass of different files and paperwork in front of him. He was tired and it showed. The aftermath with the battle with Deepground was extreme. Constant organisation for the WRO to help those who had been evacuated back to their homes and the chaos the mass movement of people caused. While Deepground's original attack against Edge had done little damage overall. The true battle with Deepground in Mindgar had spilled out in places in to the city that had grown out of the old one. For the most part people were being settle down once again. Most of the people of the city had been able to return home. However there were other issues alongside it. Food relief for the populace that needed it, funerals for civilians and WRO troops that had died in the fighting as well making sure to keep the remains of the WRO forces at the ready, due to the occasional sighting of remenant Deepground troops that had escaped the battle. Finishing reading the current set of files, Reeve picked up his pen and started to leaf through the reports and request signing them off one after the other when he agreed with the need for action. While making short comments on other to be sent back to those who had sent them to him, to either refuse or explain alterations would be required first. Moving onto the next set of papers, somewhat surprised to find it was a handwritten letter amongst the printed documents.
Dear Commissioner Tuesti
As I am sure you are aware, over the years since Meteorfall
a small settlement has grown in the area surrounding area
around Fort Condor and its old mako reactor. While we have
had only a few dealing with your organization, instead relying
some of the old mercenaries that have settled here for security
and protection, one of those groups has asked I write to you on
their behalf.
They have recently come into contact with a small band of those
Deepground folks from a few months agos. While they managed
to drive them off, the leader of the merc group that did so has
apparently found some information that may of be of importance.
He asks that you please come to the town of Outer Conder at your
earliest convenience.
While I am somewhat uncertain in asking you to do so, he was
incredibly insistent about it. Saying it is possible that if what he has
found is accurate, that it could hint at the fact that the Deepground
threat is not as quelled as might have been believed.
Your Faithfully
The Mayor of Outer Condor, Cliff Stables.
Reeve placed the letter gently down on the desk in front of him. Rubbing his tired eyes clear before picking up and reading it again. It wasn't the first time someone had requested a meeting with him directly. Nor was it likely to be the last. He knew that their had been sighting of lingering Deepground troops, but up to this point there had not been any engagement as far as he was aware. The news that someone had indeed clashed with the group was worrying indeed. Worrying and important, but to go out of ihs way to visit the town himself while there was still always too much work to do was a stretch. However there was another option. Reeve opened the draw of his desk and pulled out a small phone like device and hit a button on it. A few minutes later, the door to his office opened and the small figure of the latest iteration of Cait Sith strolled casually into the room. "Something you need Reeve?" Cait Sith asked. "I need you to suit up and look in to this for me." Reeve explained holding up the letter. Cait Sith bounded up from the ground and ont to the desk and lean over to read the letter. "Understood. You're to busy lad I get it." Cait Sith said with a large nod and took the letter before jumping back down to the ground. "And if she isn't busy take Yuffie." Reeve called out as Cait was making his way to the door. "If I'm too busy to look in on the meeting remotely, she can help decide what to do with whatever this information mentioned is." Reeve explained. "Got it." Cait replied with another big nod, before folding the letter up and tucked it into the side of one of his boots. Once the cat was gone, Reeve returned to his work.
Heading out of the office Cait Sith took the elevator to the lower levels, where a mix of equipment storage and science labs were. Heading into the small robotic lab used by Reeve. Cait Sith found one of the Reeve robotic suits and climbed inside. Standing up from a table now in the likeness of his own creator. From there it was simply a matter of trying to track down the WRO resident ninja and head of information gathering. It was late, and while Reeve was still at work most were not. Cait Sith didn't know for sure were Yuffie would be but if she was in the headquarters it was likely she was sleeping. Taking the elevator once more, Cait Sith ended up in the residential level. A mix between a barrack for one site personal along with larger rooms for some of the higher ranks members of the WRO. As he moved through the floor towards Yuffie's room, passing WRO personal gave him nods or salutes, under the belief he was Reeve. Along the way, Cait passed another of the rooms, glancing over the nameplate and giving a sorrowful shaking of his head. Not everyone had made it in recent times. Upon reaching Yuffie's room, pressed a button on the door. Which caused a bell to ring inside the room, however there was no response. Trying the bell again, before knocking on the door loudly. There was still no response, and assuming that Yuffie must have been out of the building on business turned to leave. Only to have the door to open behind him. "Gawd...do you know what the time is." The groggy voice of the normally excitable Yuffie caused Cait to turn back around. "Oh Reeve…" Yuffie said shocked to see him and perking up a little. "No wait." There was a sudden realization, hand on her hip Yuffie leaned forward to examine Cait Sith. "Cait?" She asked. "Aye missy." Cait replied, speaking in his normal manner with a wink but the words coming out in Reeve's voice. "Ugh don't talk like that looking like him, it's weird." Yuffie said with a cringe rubbing her face. "Apologise, I will avoid it. I am always shocked that you can tell who I am under this suit." Cait said switching back to Reeve more serious demeanor. "You have to wake up early to trick me." Yuffie said posing and beaming with pride. "And talking about early, it is so what you need Cait?" "A mission. If I can come in, I'll be glad to explain." Cait said and Yuffie waved him inside.
Out in a field nearby the town Outer Condor. A young man laying on the ground, looked up at the skies and watched the clouds. He was tall, slim but fresh faced. His brown hair was plain but messy. He should have been working, or more correctly training but he had grown bored and decided to take some time to relax. The clouds were not exactly interesting, but he knew that if he closed his eyes he would end up falling asleep. Something that would for certain gotten him into trouble. It was then one of the clouds, twisted in shape unnaturally and then started to split open. Eye widening the boy leap to his feet and stared up to the skies as the hulking yet sleek shape of an aircraft broke into sight. The boy screamed, recognising the ships design as WRO ship and knew of circumstances surrounding the request for the organization leader to visit. Bending over, the man grabbed a large metal case and slung it over his shoulder. Before running as fast as he could towards the town. He had spotted the ship quite far off, and quickly threw the case into the back of a pick up truck. Leaping inside the front quickly and driving at speed towards the town. The town was small, around the size of Kalm before it had swelled with refugees after Meteorfall, if not somewhat smaller. Built on the grassy ridge to the north of Fort Condor, it looked over towards the Fort from a distance. The town seemingly growing down the ridge further north, a singular road stretching towards the nearby river.
Slamming the truck to a halt outside of the town. The young man jumped out of the truck. his case being left in the back as he rushed into the town and towards one of the larger building. "Kunsel!" He shouted, as he crashed inside the main room of the building. A large open space filled with tables, chair and drinking occupants. "Keep it down kid." One of the drinkers shouted back to agreeing murmurs of others. "Does anyone know where Kunsel is?" He asked no longer shouting but still in a louder then normal voice. "I'm right here Marcus." Another man called down from an upstairs landing looking down at the bar area and the young man Marcus. Kunsel was shorter then Marcus but not by much, and while Marcus might have been called skinny, Kunsel was fit, lean and toned. His hair was bright orange and short but spiked up as best he could with its length. "What is the panic?" Kunsel asked, moving across the hall and starting to head down the stairs. "The WRO are here." Marcus explained. The ambient noise from those drinking in the bar area immediately went silent. Some turned to look at weapons, while those who kept them closer by were already moving for them to be ready. Without even looking Kunsel seemed to notice the movement for weapons. "Everyone calm down. The WRO are hopefully here because I had the Mayor ask them to come." Kunsel called out quickly, and there was an immediately a relaxing among the drinkers. Reaching the bottom of the stairs and Marcus, Kunsel gently laid a hand on the younger man's shoulder. "Didn't I tell you to keep the WRO coming a secret, Marcus." Kunsel said with a tone of disappointment. "I know but they're already here, and I figured you want to know as soon as possible and I wasn't thinking and I'm sorry I didn't think it would matter an.." "Enough. Calm down. It's okay. I was just hoping to let people know after the meeting but I suppose doing so know won't do any harm." Kunsel said seemingly lightening up. "Luxiere should be asleep in his room. Go wake him up and then meet me down at the mayor's." Kunsel told him and Marcus nodded. Walking towards the stairs.
Turning to the bar Kunsel spoke up to better explain what was going on. "I apologise for not letting everyone know to expect the WRO might be coming. It about the Deepground troops from the other day. I know we are all trying to give back in our own way, but the size of the WRO military put you ill at ease. However what we found on those men could mean big problems. Hiding that, not being willing to at least share that information with the WRO would muddy our honour. Would spit in the face of what we are trying to work towards in hopes for making up for our pasts." Kunsel tried to emulate the speeches of those he knew. To put his men and women at ease. He had grown in the last few years, become something of a leader but he didn't think he had the soul of those from olden days. "I promise to let everyone know how the meeting goes and to make it up for keeping it secret the next drink is on the guilds tab." Kunsel added to a cheer. What words might not work, subtle bribery he was done speaking. He moved over to the wall at the back end of the bar. Where a weapon rack sat. A mix of rifles, swords and other small arms. Taking one of the rifles, threw the strap over his shoulder before pushing the rifle to settle on his back. Followed by taking one of the swords and strapping it to his hip. Leaving the building and heading down the road to the town hall.
The Shadowcat model WRO van came to a halt outside the town hall of Outer Condor. The drivers turned off the van, and got out as another WRO trooper got out the other side. Heading to the back of the van, one of the opened the back doors allowing Reeve and Yuffie to climb out. "Stay with the Shadowcat." Reeve ordered the white and red uniformed pair. Before heading up the steps of the town hall. Moving to knock, the door swung open before Reeve Sith could do so. An old man, in grey clothes and straw hat stood there. "Welcome commissioner, come in, come in." The man said moving aside to allow Yuffie and Reeve Sith inside. "Thank you." Reeve Sith replied calmly entering with Yuffie following. Waiting with the man he assumed was the mayor were 6 people, standing in two groups of three. One group were dressed the same. Black form fitting clothes, while two of them had swords on their hips and rifles over there backs, the last though appeared weaponless. The second trio however were a mismatch of clothes and equipment. One was a women, dressed in greens and blues, a large handgun on her hip. The second was in reds and blue, another women with a pair of smaller swords then the other groups. The last though wore blue alone, was older and much larger and didn't appear to have any weapon.
The mayor walked around to the front of the armed men and woman. "Allow me to get introductions out of the way. This is Kunsel and Luxiere. Leaders of one of the groups that protects Outer Condor and there youngest member Marcus. It is on Kunsel behalf I called you here. Just to be up front, Kunsel group is made up of mostly Ex-Shinra military personnel." The mayor explained waving to each of them in turn, before turning to the other group. "And this is the leader of the other main group. Stone and his most skilled members. Piper and Sharon." The mayor told Reeve Sith and Yuffie. The older large man was Stone, while it appeared the gunner was Piper and the swordswoman was Sharon. "They are made up mostly of retired mercenaries that used to help defend Fort Condor." The mayor smiled turning to Reeve Sith once more. "And I am of course the mayor Cliff Stables." he introduced himself last.
"A group made of Ex-Shinra and a group made of Mecanary that used to fight Shinra. I'm shocked that doesn't lead to complications." Reeve Sith noted. "It does on occasion, but both groups helped build Outer Condor. In fact quite a few of the residence here are old Shinra workers, that before Edge was built felt like outcast when taking refuge in Kalm." Cliff explained. "People were a little less likely to help those they felt were to blame for what happened to Midgar. Some expect that if we could reach Junon we would be more likely to get help, but the people of Fort Condor took pity on us." Luxiere cut in curtly. "Understandable, but I am more curious about why I was asked here." Reeve Sith said attempting to get right to business. "Of course, of course. First let get more comfortable." Cliff said, leading them all to a small meeting room. "Alright let get this over with I hate meetings." Yuffie quipped once everyone was seated. "Yes. Please." Reeve Sith agreed. "I guess I'll start." Stone said in a gruff voice. "My guys were investigated a couple of missing people down by the riverside farms north of here. We tracked them down, and discovered a few Deepground troops holed up in a cave down there. Realising that Deepground were dangerous and not wanting to take our chances alone we called in Kunsel and his Shinra buddies." "Ex-Shinra." "Whatever Ex-Shinra. Anyway between our two groups we outnumbered them with ease but they went down fighting." Stone finished before waving back to Kunsel.
"They had some equipment, materia and stuff we expected but we also found this." Kunsel said, pulling a small hand computer disk. "We already looked at it. It contains files on how Deepground's Tsviets were made and a reference to a G SOLDIER." Kunsel said handing sliding across the desk to Reeve Sith. "This isn't exactly news to me. We have found similar files." Reeve Sith answered but took the disk anyway handing it to Yuffie. "Yeah Vincent was the one who found them right?" Yuffie asked but knew that he had been. "That not why I asked you to come out here. I called you because I'm pretty sure who it is referring too." Kunsel said. "Who?" Reeve Sith asked directly. "Genesis Rhapsodos." Luxiere cut in to answer before Kunsel could. "Genesis, 1st Class SOLDIER Killed in action alongside another 1st class Angeal Hewley." Reeve Sith said taking the information directly from old stored memories of Shinra. "Wait you had us bring the WRO all the way here to tell them a dead guy was used. This is a waste of time." Stone said moving to stand. "He didn't die it was a cover up. They rebelled against Shinra and SOLDIER. Took some of our members alongside them and a Shinra researcher." Luxiere cut in and explained quickly causing Stone to settle in his seat once more.
"You are Ex-SOLDIER?" Reeve Sith said surprised, up to this point he had assumed they were part of Shinra security. "Normal SOLDIER don't use guns, plus you don't have the eyes for it." Reeve Sith said, suddenly causing Yuffie to jump up and lean across the table and stare at Kunsel and Luxiere in the eyes. "They are wearing coloured contacts!" Yuffie exclaimed crashing back into her seat and tipping the chair back and balancing there. "Yes we are, it can freak out visitors we get more flack then other Ex-Shinra. Plus we are not SOLDIER anymore we don't have to follow their equipment regulations." Kunsel explained. "But that isn't what is important right now." "You're right. So Genesis didn't die and Shinra covered it up. Why? and why do you think that means he is the one in these files." Reeve Sith asked. "Because he and Angeal were part of an offshoot of the Jenova project. A failed one, they had unstable genetics that allowed them to imprint his own genetics on to other and create clones. With Shinra's track record doesn't that sound like the perfect thing they would try and use to create even more powerful SOLDIER like the Tsviets." Kunsel explained. "I'm not pretending to know everything that happened, but I always tried my hardest to keep an ear to the ground. If Genesis was alive and Shinra captured him, I know for sure they would have experimented on him." he tried to justify his point further.
Reeve Sith looked over Kunsel, measuring up his attitude and tone. It sounded as if he was being sincere. "You say he had unstable genes, wouldn't he have died then?" Reeve Sith asked. "You would expect that, but back in Midgar there was a reporter who used to report on sighting of him. Those sighting ended around the time an old friend of mine and Luxiere died. The same SOLDIER who had been the one originally sent out after Genesis." Kunsel replied. "How long ago was this?" Reeve Sith questioned further. "Around half a year before Meteorfall." Kunself told him. Thinking to himself Reeve Sith tried piecing old and new information together to access how likely Kunsel's suspicions were, however before he could decide what to do. The room shook and a deafening sound of what seemed to be an explosion in the distance. "What in Gaia?" Stone cursed leaping from his seat and rushing for the door. The rest of those in the meeting except for the mayor himself being quick to follow. Bursting outside, the men and women ended up collecting around the door each of them looking off into the distance at the cause of the explosion. Smoke billowed out of the old mako reactor atop Fort Condor. While from here it didn't seem as if the explosion had been large enough to damage the building or the fort it resided on top of. The smoke made it obvious there must have been a fire somewhere inside the reactor.
"I'm gonna go look Reeve." Yuffie said with a nod, crouched down briefly before taking off at an impressive high speed sprint towards the Fort. "We're going to, Marcus keys." Kunsel ordered, catching them as the teenager threw them in his direction. Marcus and Luxiere jumping on to the back of the pick up truck as Kunsel leap into the front taking off after Yuffie. Not to be out done by the Ex-Shinra group, Stone, Piper and Sharon moved into action as well. The large man jumping onto a huge motorbike, with the women squeezing into a sidecar. Reeve Sith slowly followed, ordering the WRO trooper in the Shadowcat to follow after them, before climbing in to the back of the van.
Yuffie was the first to reach the base of Fort Condor. While the other had been in cars, or on bikes. The terrain meant that they had to navigate around the ridge that Outer Conder live on. While Yuffie had simply jumped from the top of it to the ground below before pushing forward. "Is everyone alright?" Yuffie shouted as she saw the entrance of the fort, a small group four or five people pulling themself through the exit in a mix of injuries or smoke caused coughs. "We'll live." One of the men managed to answer. "Please we have to put out the fire. Before it spreads and damages the nest." The man added looking up. Yuffie remembered what he was talking about, the condor nest the fort was name after. "Is there anyone else inside?" Yuffie asked. "I don't know. These days no one lives inside full time, we mostly come and go. There could be." The man told her. "Okay...I try and see if there is and then I'll try and stop the fire. I think there are other coming after me, when they get here tell them I've already gone inside." Yuffie told the man and quickly pulled off her small white grey armband. Stretching the thing over the top of her head, and pulling it down until it covered her mouth she rushed into the fort.
The main entrance was pretty much smoke free, and Yuffie easily jumped up the hole where a ladder lead to the next floor. The main area of the Fort was smokey but not badly, and she made her way to the next floor soon enough. However this is where it grew bad. The small wooden hut section of the fort, that looked down at the world below was most filled with smoke, and the door beyond lead up to the Mako Reactor. It was once she was inside the reactor, that the heat and glow of flames greated her. That was to be expected. What was not expected, was the noise. The mechanical whir and hum of pipes. The glow of lights and consoles that was not flames but from man-made parts of the power plant. Someone had turned the reactor on. While she had confirmed that the building was clear along the way up to the reactor. She was now presented with a problem. Firstly, she didn't exactly have any means of putting out the fire in order to get further inside and turn the reactor off. Secondly even if she had been able to put out the fire herself, she had no idea how to actually turn off a Mako reactor. With much option, Yuffie was forced to head back, she had only got to the old living area of the fort when she came across some of the others.
Kunsel, Luxiere and the kid Marcus, who now was carrying a huge long metal case. Plus the three Mercenaries Stone, Piper and Sharon. "Did Reeve come?" Yuffie asked. "Down with his men helping the people." Stone told her quickly pushing past her. "You find anything?" Luxiere asked her. "The fire is in the reactor, it sound like someone has turned the reactor on. This way." She answered and quickly lead them off. "Hades this is bad." Kunsel muttered as he saw the fire and damage. "Bad? How bad?" Sharon asked, however Kunsel ignored the question to start. Instead turning to Marcus. "Set up, start putting out the fire." He order before turning to Luxiere. "You take the main console to shut this damn thing down once it's ready. I'll go shut down the main value in the central chamber. We have to be quick before the reactor risks exploding completely." Kunsel continued giving out orders.
"I'll go with you, SOLDIER boy. You two stay with SOLDIER boy number 2." Stone told his allies. "I will too, but first we need that fire quelled." Yuffie agreed. "Marcus!" Kunsel shouted. Down on the ground, the metal case on the floor Marcus was rushing to open it. Opening it up he pulled out a large sniper rifle looking weapon. Except it lacked a scope and in its place, he was screwing in a green orb of what was obviously materia. Once done, he stood and turned to face the fire and pulled the trigger. A high pressure jet of water, instead of any normal projectile suddenly burst forth from the weapon. Steam billowing up as the water hit the flames and Marcus started put the flames out. Under different circumstances, Yuffie would have asked about the gun and materia but they had more pressing problem. "Follow me." Kunsel called out and rushed forward, heading deeper into the facility once Marcus had cleared them a path to do so with the hose from his gun. Meanwhile, Luxiere moved towards the consoles, trying to find those that were still working and would be able to shut the reactor down once the main valve inside was closed.
While there were fires along the way to the main chamber of the reactor, they were luckily not as bad as they had been in the entrance area. In fact it looked like some of the place fires had started had gone out naturally being unable to sustain themselves. The trio, Yuffie, Kunsel and Stone had to climb around a few pipes to get where they were going but it didn't take as long as it could have done. Soon enough the three of them stood at the edge of a small bridge like area, at the other end housing the center of the reactor. Yuffie cross quickly to the device in the center. "Is this what we are looking for?" She asked looking back over to Kunsel. "Yeah, we should just be able to turn thi...are you fucking kidding me." He swore as he followed and saw the state the thing was in. The circular handle for the main valve was missing, seemingly torn off leaving just a small bar of metal. Grabbing it he tried to turn it, but with any leverage he was able to do so. Suddenly he was shoved aside. "Let me." Stone said confidently, the large man grabbing the bar, he started to turn it. Surprising Kunsel to find the man actually managed to start doing so, even though it was slow going.
Yuffie though felt like none of this made sense. The handle had been damaged, the reactor turned on and allowed to start breaking down. It seemed too much like none of this could have been an accident, but most importantly she felt like as she was being watched. Turning and looking up, she screamed. "Look out." as she shoved Kunsel aside with one hand, and leap out of the way of an incoming ball of flames. The was a crash at the other end of the bridge as fell from the scaffolding above. At first glance it looked like a normal Deepground trooper, but the its face was luminous green,and jutting from hole in its armour were jagged crystals some green and some purple. Yuffie recognised it immediately and couldn't believe her eyes. It was materia, covering and growing from his body. The materia cover trooper lifted a hand and aimed towards Stone's back. Another ball of flame bursting forth towards the mercenary. Yuffie intercepted quickly, spinning her large shuriken and cutting the flames from the air before letting it go at the end of her swing. The spinning metal flying through the air in a curved path before slamming into the trooper's chest.
It staggered but quickly steadied itself once more. Starting to move forward toward the three of them. Moving its hand to aim once more. Kunsel saw that it was aiming for Stone. Almost as if it was trying to stop him closing the valve, and quickly acted. In a rush he flipped his rifle from off his back and started shooting charging towards it. Hit by the hail of bullets, the trooper fultured but didn't go down. Getting close Kunsel reached swung the rifle back over his back, and quickly drew his sword from his side. Leaping into the air and bringing it down hard with both hands. The trooper caught the blade with one hand, and with a strength Kunsel would never have expected from one of the normal Deepground troopers, tossed him aside as if he was a pebble. Fumbling the air, he managed to catch on to the railing of the bridge and not fall into the reactor below. It was then he saw that Yuffie had been following his attack. Distracted by Kunsel, she had come in low and grabbed her shuriken and placed her feet against the trooper's chest. Kicking back she flew up into the air, ripping the shuriken from his body and flipped backward through the air with a serene sort of grace.
Landing in a low crouch, she immediately threw the shuriken once more at the enemy. A more direct path, and with more power behind it. The materia covered trooper, tried to recover and snatch the shuriken from the air, but was too slow. The weapon slamming into its head, and it shattered like glass, the shuriken continuing on its path and embedding in the far wall. Headless the trooper took a step forward and then fell forward. As it hit the ground, it broke apart leaving behind just the troopers armor and broken shards of materia. Yuffie rushed over to Kunsel and help the Ex-SOLDIER back up and over the railing of the bridge. "Any idea what just happened?" Kunsel asked Yuffie, but the young women shook her head and shrugged. "Stone. How you managing?" Kunsel asked, his attention instead scanning the rafters above them incase they came under attack again. "Almost there." The mercenary shouted before grunting and letting go of what remained of the handle. Looking down at his hand, and shaking the blood back into them. "Let just hope your friend finishes shutting the reactor down." Stone said leading the way out of the main chamber. "Wait." Yuffie called, bending down and grabbing a hand full of the shatter materia that had been the trooper. "Reeve will need to see this." She explained, and then grabbed her shuriken from the wall before following.