Chapter One: A Stranger Comes on the Wings of a Flying Falcon.
- Cid Highwind
City of the Ancients. This is the home of the Ancients, no, no the Cetra. A now extinct race or so we thought. Very few, yes, but extinct, no. The lasted RECORDED Cetra died within these walls, her sacrifice saving the Planet, but without that sacrifice the Cetra, and mankind would be extinct. Actually before the whole incident, there were four Cetra, but afterwards one, Aeris, was killed and two have gone missing. One only known to himself walked the Planet observing all of Aeris and her parton heros, AVALANCHE, moves. He would have offered them help If they had needed it. Aeris did her part in saving the Planet, as did everyone else.
With a soft sigh, the man became guilty for a minute for doing nothing, but in his opinion AVALANCHE didn't need any help. He a simple tunic, and pants with a pair of large leather combat boots. Drapped over his shoulder was a large red-lined cloak, and he held a metal staff with three glowing spheres of power fixed into the small slots inset in it. One yellow, one red, and one green. He was very handsome, had brown eyes, and long black hair under the hood of his cloak. At his feet walked a rather large grey wolf with crystal green eyes that the light shoon off of. The wolf's eyes hinted of wisdom and of nobility.
The duo approached the altar surrounded by crystal green water. Anyone else would feel unwelcome here, but he didn't because the blood of Ancients flowed through his veins. It was his right to be here, and his duty to do what he is going to do. He noticed blood stains on the stone altar, shuddering as he visualized Sephiroth merely falling out of the sky to run Aeris through with his masamune while she was locked in prayer, unable to protect herself. The cold steel of his long blade going straight through Aeris' torso, and clanging against the altar. The Cetra forced himself to look away.
His eye picked up something in the water, a small green glow, the Ancient without any remorse for his clothing jumped into the shimmering water. He quickly snatched the white sphere and examined it. It was a rare piece of materia, indeed. White. He only smirked as he slid it into one of the empty slots of his staff, for a second white tendrils of power swirled around him and then dissipated into his flesh. The White Materia was once again in the right hands. He once again grinned.
"Hey Wolf did you find it?" the wolf called.
"Yeah, Kamots, I found it," Wolf answered," Hey Kamots help me here, I think I found something else."
North Cave. Where it all ended. Where Sephiroth, Jenova, and his will were slain here. HOLY erupted from here, and the resting place of the ultimate evil. Or so did mankind thought. The Cetra knew better, they have always known better from the dawn of time. Wolf had trekked up here from the City of the Ancients, a very difficult task even if you are Cetra. It would not be such an easy task if someone had something like..... An airship?! Wolf knelt down to examine some of the debris that laid at his feet. One of the large sheets of metal had a woman wearing a red bikini on it. "
"Cid's Lady Luck," Wolf smirked. Wolf didn't exactly know what happened to the Highwind, because he never really followed them into North Cave. Wolf only waited, waited til he knew for sure that AVALANCHE would be successful. Wolf had more important things to do than worry about Sephiroth, no, he had to find Faerinn and Sol'Kan-ar. Wolf then noticed a small lump of something under the Highwind's debris. He threw aside Lady Luck, and grabbed it. He smirked.
"Looky what I found," Wolf said.
"Something else to add to you collection of oddities?" Kamots asked raising an eyebrow if his species could do such a thing.
"Exactly," Wolf answered,"Black Materia." Wolf held the black sphere into the air, the light wouldn't even reflect off of it. The materia seemed to only to drink the light. Wolf grimaced, and slid the Black Materia into a linked slot with the White Materia. Some would say that is a bad combination of materia. Actually, it negates the effects of both, because these two materias seek to counter each others actions anyway possible.
Boneville. The crappiest place on the Planet. Or so thought the young pilot you sat guarding his plane The Flying Falcon from any of the slack-jawed yokels. She was his baby, and nothing would ever come between them. He wore a brown leather bomber jacket, jeans, and a green shirt, and black leather boots. He had brown hair that was brought make into some kind of a miniature ponytail, and brown eyes. He was full of shit, no doubt about that. In his hands he held a large pike with four tiny grooves to place materia in it. He didn't find the need to, unless threatened. He the pilot cursed as he took a drink of his coffee, his twentieth one. He has been waiting for a whole day now, a whole damn day!
"I should, have charged him for making me wait," the pilot murmured. But then again, he is playing more than I ever would have asked already. The young man recalled the moment.......
He was sitting in his flight office in Wutai for his "Only question asked is how much?" smuggling or "cargo" as he likes to put it, then this man walks in. He was wearing decked in black with some red lined cape on, and he had some kind of grey dog walking around with him. The wierdest part was that the man was not initmidated by the fact the pilot was not wearing his jacket, and his handgun was in plan sight as it rest in his tooled leather holster.
"Falcon," the man said," I'd like you to a job for me."
"Well,"Falcon answered," The only question is: how much?"
"Well," the man answered," For safe passage to Boneville I'll pay you 20,000 gil, I'll pay 30,000 gil for safe passage to Junon with cargo, 1,000 gil per pound of the cargo, and all of your expensed paid during the trip." This was a man with alot of wealth to throw around.
"Does that come with a dental plan?" Falcon joked. The man shoot him back a stern look. "Ok, ok, I'll do it, but right after I get a cup of coffee, get some reverse gas, and fill the Flying Falcon up."
"Well, I'm not paying any expenses til we get off the ground."
Hmmm, I really would like to use that all expenses paid right now, but there's nothing to do in Boneville! Well he's gonna hafta pay for the coffee, every 20 gil of it. Hmm, Falcon though, after I get this run done I'll at least have 50,000 gil not to mention the weight of the cargo. I could possibly retire. Just sit in the sun, fly through the sky on my plane, and visit friends. I think I'll do that.
Falcon reached into the cockpit of the Flying Falcon, and pulled out a legal pad. He used for business, but what did he need it for anyway. He was retiring or just moving his business. Either way this not would be very good to have. He took the pen and with his awful handwriting scribbled down a note, and then folded it into a paper airplane. Then he wrote across the top of the paper airplane "Tiny Bronco." Falcon smiled as he laid it the cockpit.
The Flying Falcon was a relatively small plane. Resembly the Tiny Bronco in many ways, but there was added space in the cockpit for three passengers and a secret "cargo bay" hidden in it from view. The trapdoor is hidden at the very back of the plane. Very good for his business though, but meant he had to stop to refuel alot more because of the lack of space for a gas tank.
In the distance, two figure caught his eye.
"Bout' damn time!" Falcon yelled,"Kept me waiting for a whole damn day."
"Well perhaps the cargo will cheer you up," Wolf said indicating a black zipped up bag that literally slumped over his shoulder," 108 pounds." Falcon's jaw dropped.
"Here let me get that into the cargo area," Falcon said.
"Ok." Wolf handed him the limp package. It felt odd, its contents were limp and felt solid. Like, like if it was a....a.....a... BODY?! Falcon froze in his tracks. Now where could he get a body in this area? Well with my 158,000 gil I'm retiring. Hell with that much money I could beyond retire, and then I could ask all the questions I want.
"Something wrong?" Wolf asked.
"Nope," Falcon returned," Nothing at all."
"Good."
"Why don't you go ahead, and get in the cockpit I'll be there in a second." Wolf nodded, and Kamots followed. Falcon almost decided he wanted to see what was in the bag, but decided he just might not want to. Hell for all he knows the guy could have fished up Sephiroth's body, the pyscho died around here somewhere. Well then he just might become the pilot that is the to blame for the next armageddon. Naw, I wish I could of been the one of the first men in space, heh, that's all fault of my own I went into hidding before Shinra No.26 kissed the sky.
Then it suddenly occurred to Falcon, how could I ever come back....back to Rocket Town. In his time of defeat, all Falcon did was hide from the Shinra. Wasn't his fault that they wanted to kill him since the damn Turks uncovered his whole smuggling business right from Rocket Town. After metoer, though Falcon could come out of hiding. Shinra was weaker under Reeves "reign" as President, but that doesn't confront Falcon none, long as he gets his rent payed by Friday. Despite all that he should not have abandoned his friend, his brother. Falcon Highwind only hoped that Cid would relize that he wasn't the jackass he thought himself to be, of course Falcon was being too hard on himself. Cid understood, its not like he left during the night, no, he said his goodbyes and went on. That is bad, but it would be worse if he would have left during the night. Falcon broke his own thoughts by slaming the trapdoor of the cargo hold down. Falcon checked his hand to make sure that he didn't amputate any fingers.
Falcon jumped into the cockpit.
"Hang on to your ass," Falcon warned," Its gonna be a very bumpy ride."
"I see," Wolf replied lost in thought. Falcon did a barrel roll just to demonstrate. He was going to have to extend the trip in order to deliver the message. Clouds rolled on past him, Falcon pulled the rubber band that held his makeshift ponytail in place out. His hair flowed in the breeze of the open air cockpit, this is what he liked about flying. The thrill of it, it was going to take alot to pull him down. Falcon smirked at the thought that nothing could, not even meteor. Meteor would blast him into a million pieces, yes, stop him from flying, no. Falcon looked over the side of the Flying Falcon, and all the tiny dots that were towns at a bird's eye view. Falcon only smirked after sighting a few familiar land marks, namely Mount Nibel. Falcon pulled his paper airplane from beside his leg, poising it for flight.
"This is gonna be a bumpy part," Falcon pointed out as Wolf braced himself," I have to deliver something. Free of charge."
"I bet," Wolf shot back. Falcon gripping the clutch pushed it forward starting his descent, grinning all the way. He head straight for one of the nearby dots, Rocket Town. His plan was to fly around it, and let the paper airplane take flight. As Falcon nearly made collision with the humble town or so Wolf thought, but at the last minute (actually five minutes before) Falcon turned the plane on its side and whipped around. He made a slight miscalculation, though.
Falcon originally planned to expertly fly through the empy launchpad of the Shinra No.26 and swoop down into the city to drop off his message, but there was a slight miscalculation.
"Holy shit!" Falcon yelled as he found there was something in the launchpad! A new tall rocket nearing completion, but not yet. Painted up its side was "Shinra No.27", but that was the least of Falcon's worries. He wouldn't be that much help to Cid if he crashed into it. With reflexes of a cat, Falcon pulled the clutch back as hard as he possibly could. The Flying Falcon resisted, but finally ascented at the nick of time. Falcon's poor plane skidded up the side of the Shinra No. 27, with a fly of sparks, the entire bottom of the Flying Falcon was paintless. Not to mention there were skid marks going all the way up Shinra No. 27.
"My money won't be that good for you if we die," Wolf pointed out.
"Damnit, shut your mouth!" Falcon yelled,"I got more important things to worry about right now!" Wolf decided that the best thing to do is stay quiet, because his pilot's mind was so pitiful it can only handle one crisis at a time. Falcon after sailing over Shinra 27, noticed that his paper airplane dropped from the cockpit, and was currently making its descent. That note was too important to Falcon just to let it drop, he swooped down just like a flying falcon catching its young as it fell out of the nest.
"Oh f---!" Falcon screamed as another "miscalculation" came at him. A flight hanger, now home of the Tiny Bronco and the Highwind. Falcon checked the fuel gauge and noticed that he was very low on gas, as he tried to pull up, the engines stalled. Falcon cursed loudly as his beloved plane started on its way into the ground. "You've been there for bro, Lady Luck, but please don't fail ME now." The engines gave roar again, but he was too late to get out of the way of the hanger. Falcon grinned as he flew straight through its open doors, and out the other end. "What the hell?!" Falcon then slapped himself on the forehead as he passed the Highwind on the runway.
Falcon whipped around the hanger and launchpad, and ascented the Shinra 27 again. This time, though, he had planned his actions and stayed a good distance from the beat up rocket. Then descented the front side of the rocket, and into Rocket Townsquare. As he passed, Falcon let fly the paper airplane that flew into an open window of one of the houses. Wiping the sweat from his brow, the Flying Falcon kissed the sky once more.
"So how are you back there?" Falcon asked.
"Just peachy," Wolf shoot back.
"I hope your dog back there doesn't get motion sickness," Falcon said.
"He's not a dog," Wolf replied," He's a wolf."
"Whatever," Falcon said," Either way, this is your captain speaking." Wolf rolled his eyes."And were gonna hafta make a crash landing ,soon, due to lack of fuel."
"What do you mean lack of fuel?" Wolf shoot back.
"Well ,um, due to my cargo area I can't hold any reserve fuel tanks," Falcon answered,"There was certainly enough fuel to make the trip from Wutai, Boneville, and Junon; but that incident in Rocket Town kinda used alot of our fuel up. In simple terms, we're just running on fumes. If we're lucky well make it to the ocean for a relatively safe landing."
"And if we're not?!"
"Well, we land anywhere from the Gold Saucer quicksand to Costa Del Sol, but don't worry I'm the second best."
"I'd hate to see the best."
"Well, screw you, too," Falcon sneered and then cursed as he found his collision course with Costa Del Sol,"Oh shit we're going down too fast now!" Falcon pulled back on clutch, the nose of the plane come up slightly as it was loosing altitude. The Flying Falcon skidded over a houses roof damaging it and the now unpainted bottom even more. Suddenly, the engines died. "Shitttttt!!!" The Flying Falcon plummeted from the sky crashing into one of the docks. The plane violently pushed through the water a few yards before coming to a complete stop. Falcon scanned the area; in front of him was ocean, behind him was a mob of angry Costa Del Sol citizens, and around him was debris from the dock Falcon used as a runway. Then a new threat ocurred to him.
"Erm we're sinking," Falcon stated.
"What!?" Wolf lost his cool.
"Well there appears to be a puncture wound, probably in the cargo hold, that is causing us to take on water," Falcon instructed.
"Thank you for clearing that up with me," Wolf said," Now what? We swim to Junon from here."
"No don't worry I carry extra gas cans in the cockpit with me," Falcon announced,"I'll fill the tanks right now."
"Well I hope my cargo doesn't get soggy."
"That's gonna be the least of our troubles," Falcon said as he began to waddle down the back of the sinking Flying Falcon holding two gas cans with a morbid smirk. Falcon bends over, and tries to keep his footing on the wet, sinking plane as he emptied one of the gas cans into the tank. His weight to that end of the Flying Falcon caused it to shift suddenly, throwing Falcon overboard. Falcon lost the empty gas can when he went under, but with the lack of its weight, Falcon had not problem swimming to the surface. The water felt warm from being in the warm water area of Costa Del Sol, but it still tasted awful. Falcon spewed out a mouthful of bitter seawater, and caught his breath. Falcon held on tight the side of the Flying Falcon, and pulled the gas can from its place sitting on top and emptied it into the Flying Falcon's belly. Them Falcon discarded the can into the ocean, so it can be with its brother. Both buried at sea, Falcon smirked grimly.Falcon swam over to the front of the Flying Falcon, and pulled himself into her cockpit.
"I'd just like to point out a small observation," Wolf stated," It appears that your plane has already sunk about halfway now."
"Shit. You just have to ruin everything," Falcon sneered. Falcon turn the key in the ignition, nothing. "Come on baby you have gas now, don't tell me you've got water in your engine." Falcon continued to choke the engine until, the engines roared to life as if they were laughing at Falcon's pleads. Well getting the plane up in the air was not much of a problem, the nose was already pointing straight in the air.
"Nothing can stop the Flying Falcon!" Falcon laughed," Heh, not sleet, nor snow, nor turk, nor high wind." Falcon smirked at his remark, and then sets sights for the massive Junon Harbor.
Rocket Town. The site of the once failed ,now sucessful, Shinra Space Program. Ever since the Shinra No. 26's unexpected launch last year and Reeve taking the position of President in the Shinra Coperation, the Space Program was been looking very well. Reeve ,even having to worry about repairing all the damage caused by the Shinra prior to time in office, started feeding funds into the Space Program again. This time ,though, Reeve picked a better man than Palmer to head it. A man who was very knowledgable of the subject, and a every good pilot. In fact, the best time pilot in the world! It was a good choice, Cid Highwind could easily run the Space Program better than "fatman" Palmer.
Shera gazed at the massive rocket standing towering over Rocket Town from her kitchen window. She held in her hand a tea cup that she was drying with a rag, and conteplating all the events in the last year. Never a dull moment, first, the Planet was facing doom; then, Cid got his airship back; after that, both her and Cid were the first people to go into outer space; and finally, the Shinra Space Program was been reinvested in leaving Cid as the head of it. So now the living room has been converted into Cid's office (just added a phone and a laptop, which Cid can't figure how to use). Amazing that they still have the rocket being built according to schedule, since Cid did not even touch building another rock until the Highwind was rebuilt. All that was left from North Cave was was the bridge/escape pod. Also, while they were at it the Tiny Bronco was brought to flying condition after it got shot down last year. Ever since that incident on the Shinra No.26, when Cid realized there was a problem with tank no.8, Cid has respected her work and even Shera herself.
Why don't you just admit there is something between you and Cid? Shera thought. Why else would you put up with all that crap Cid gave you? All the insults? The put-downs? The demands? He saved your life for some reason? If he didn't care about you, he would have launched the rocket and let you incinerate. Can't you see that?
Shera's thoughts were adrubtly interupted by a loud screeching metalic sound, and a familiar voice calling out."OH F---!" Shera immediatly raced to the window only to see: a plane fly into the sunset, rocket workers complaining of the huge scratch going up Shinra 27, and a small paper airplane floating to her feet. Shera immediatly picked it up and examined it, over the top of the airplane was written "Tiny Bronco". Shera unfolded the paper, and attempted to decipher the awful handwriting.
The letter read:
" Dear Shera and Ciddie,
Well I'll make this short and simple. Since the mighty Shinra have fallen, I have been able to restart my smuggling business setting up an office is Wutai. Mainly, because Wutai isn't Shinra controlled, and there aren't any planes up in that region. Well, it really sucks up here. First, all these orients have something against me; second, the reason Wutai doesn't have any planes up in this region is due to the fact they don't need em; and third, every since I came there all my materias been disappearing. I even stayed up one night to catch the thief, well I couldn't identify who showed up but who ever it was got shot in the leg. That's another story I can fill you in later, but I got some even more important news.
Some wierd guy walked into my office with some wolflike creature, saying that if I give him a ride to Boneville he'd pay me 20,000 gil, to Junon a further 30,000 gil, and to carry some cargo for 1,000 gil a pound. Finally, my big break. I'm retiring. I'm coming home! Falcon"
Shera almost dropped the letter in excitement, but quickly caught herself.
"What the hell is going on out there!?" Cid said drowsly, angery that his nap was disturbe.
"Low flying planes....." Shera answered.
"Low flying planes!" Cid bellowed," What kind of a damned answer is that." Shera only smirked and handed his Falcon's note. "What the hell?" Cid skimmed through the letter with ease, since his handwriting was just as bad as Falcon's. Cid smiled, and put on his blue flight jacket and gloves.
"Where are you going?" Shera asked.
"Well I think WE need to test the Highwind's engines," Cid smirked,"Perhaps a nice flight to Junon." He then put on his trademark flight goggles, and lead Shera out the door.
Falcon cursed again, as wisps of his wet hair obscured his vision. It isn't as fun to have to wind wipping through your hair, when its stuck to your face. Falcon was hoping the high winds would dry him, but he was still soaking wet and now cold.
"Damn, I wish I had some coffee right now," Falcon complained. But once you finish this mission you can have all the coffee you want.
Falcon brushed the hair from his eyes, and caught glance of the oncoming Junon Harbor. Falcon smirked, as he knew the hardest part was yet to come. Falcon turned on his makeshift radio ,picked up the transmitter, and a "borrowed" Shinra codebook.
"Uhm, come in Junon Harbor," Falcon said into the transmitter while disguising his voice,"This is Flying Falcon requesting to use your runway."
Junon Flight Tower, only a few minute earlier. Five men sat waiting in the tower. One man sat erect in chair at the end of the room where, to the amusement of the others, the sunlight reflected off his bald head. He wore sunglasses, and a blue suit all neatly kept together to company policy. A bulge in his jacket indicated he had a concealed firearm.
Next to him was another man, leaning against the wall with arms crossed. His sunglasses resting upon his brow in a vain attempt to keep the wild locks of his blood red hair out of his eyes. His blue suit very untidy. It lacked a tie, the collar was undone, the jacket open, shirt untucked, and the bottom three bottons of his white shirt undone. Hanging from his belt in plain sight was a holstered handgun and a nightstick. He uniform completely a mess, one's suit reflect one's mind. Still, he was the most comfortable in the unair-conditioned room.
Across from him was a woman, dressed in the same blue suit attire. Her suit was extremely tidy as well. She held her pistol in the open, polishing it. She had nothing better to do, except for suffer from heat exhaustion.
In the center of the room, sat a man gazing into his cup of coffee and the transmitter sitting beside him. His blue suit uniform would be as neat as the rest if not for the lack of a tie and that his brown hair was mussed. His sunglasses rested on his brow, reflecting light that annoyed his companions. Hanging from his belt was bull whip ending in three metal prongs, wrapped and held in harness.
Looking out one of the large windows, was the last man in the room. His silver lens sunglasses brought over his eyes, as he watched the horizon. He was the tidiest. His suit was always neat, his hair always trimmed, shoes always shining, and he even wore a large black trenchcoar admist the hot temperature. In the windowseal, a large sniper rifle was setting there, its sights aimed at the horizon.
The Turks or sometimes called the "men in blue' by their peers. Rude, Reno, Elena, and two new recruits. Since Reeve's taking of command, the turks' life has not been exciting as it used to be. The Turks kept their old positions as doing special ops. for Shinra, looking for canidates for the SOLDIER program (this time not forcefully), and now all five of the team were given the late Colonel Heidegger's position of Head of the Peace Preservation Corps. Their latest assingment is to pick up where they left off in the capture of Falcon Highwind for smuggling illegal goods (weapons, convicts, materia, Shinra secrets) in and out of Shinra controlled areas. Reeve knew such a menace would be a dire threat, so he allowed the Turks to resume thier investigation for him.
This would be the new recruits first mission. Stephen the former, and CAM the later. CAM is truly new at this kind of thing. He has a short attention span, and is always trying to have fun. Reno liked him the best. Stephen had a very neat and tidy mind. Unlike CAM he was is not at all a rookie at this. Before his induction to the Turks, he was a hired hitman who has not been caught to this very day. Everyone he worked with knew this, but there was never any worthwhile evidence. His "hit, laugh, and run" tactics have gotten him where is today as a Turk.
"God, this is boring," Cam muttered.
"Damn straight," Elena followed,"We never had to do this kind of shit for Heidegger."
"That's right," Reno said,"Under Heidegger we'd be risking our ass for his damn fool missions. Only afterwards to hear that damn hoarse laugh of his."
"There seems to be a plane headed this way," Stephen said looking through the scope of his sniper rifle as if it were bonoculars.
"Uhm, Junon Harbor come in," a voice said over the transmitter,"This is Flying Falcon requesting use of you runway."
Cam picked it up," Ok, Flying Falcon. Would you please give me your plane I.D. as well as yours."
"Roger that," the voice said," Plane I.D. is 529316, and personal I.D. is 11382."
"Ok," Cam said as he scanned the I.D.'s on the Junon Plane Database System," Plane, Flying Falcon, verified and Shinra employee ,Michael Henderson, verified. Please give us your Shinra access code."
"Shinra access code,eh," the voice replied,"FU2469DX."
"Shinra Employee level B verified," Cam stated," Junon Aiport Runway clear for landing."
"Over and out," the voice said.
Cam clicked off the radio, and said,"All codes and I.D. checked out."
"That has to be him," Elena declared.
"More than likely it is," Reno said,"But we better make sure before we act. Reeve will blow a blood vessel if he catch the wrong pilot. Especially a Shinra exec. if the I.D. is correct."
"Michael Henderson is one he hasn't used before,"Rude spoke up, shocking everyone.
"It speaks," Cam remarked,"Hmm, I know we'll send Rude done to investigate. It its Falcon, Rude can single back to use by reflecting light off his bald head." Everyone shot Cam a bad glance, except for Reno, who couldn't seem to stop himself from laughing.
"Seriously,"Reno said," Why don't we send customs down there to search the plane, and pilot. While that is going on have Stephen make obervations while looking through the scope of that rifle of his. If it is Falcon, we'll send Cam and two soldiers. If Cam needs back-up Elena, Rude, and I will do so, while Stephen gives us help from a distance. Once again, with his sniper rifle."
"Why send Cam?" Elena protested,"This guy escapes from US all the time, and I don't think a rookie took could catch him."
"Just give him a chance," Reno said winking. The conversation was interupted by Stephen's PHS ringing.
"I'll take this call outside," Stephen said walking out of the room.
"Yeah, whatever," Reno replied.
"Hello," Stephen said into his cell phone.
"Hello, Stephen?" a voice replied through the phone.
"The one and only," Stephen answered.
"Well I have a proposition for you," the voice said.
"I'm retired," Stephen informed the voice.
"No, you're a Turk," the voice implied," There's always been a price to get a Turk to do something."
"I came before that time," Stephen replied.
"Well then a hitman for that matter," the voice said," How does 3 million gil grab you?"
"I'm listening."
"Well I'm paying for you to kill three people actually," the voice informed the Turk,"Some pretty hard to kill people I've heard. The Highwind brothers, Cid and Falcon, and that women, Shera. I want everyone that can run the Space Program better than me killed."
"Palmer?" Stephen said.
"Um, yeah," Palmer replied.
"Well if I were to kill everyone that would run the Space Program better," Stephen said," There wouldn't be anyone left on the Planet."
"Ok then," Palmer sneered," Just kill those three."
"That sounds like an easier task," Stephen said.
"My, you sound confident," Palmer said.
"How do you think President Shinra got to power when he did?" Stephen inquired.
"That was you?" Palmer asked.
"Sure was," Stephen answered.
"Damn, I did get the best!" Palmer exclaimed.
"Well, normally I would make you pay up front," Stephen informed,"But since you such an "honest ex-Shinra executive, and that I already have Falcon in my sights. I'll let that slip just this once."
"Then you'll do it?" Palmer asked.
"Actually, yes," Stephen answered,"With that much money I could really retire. Goodbye." Before Palmer could make any reaction, Stephen pushed "off" on his PHS. He then walked casually back into the room.
"Ok, Flying Falcon," a voice said over Falcon's radio," Would you please give us your plane I.D., as well as yours."
"Roger that," Falcon said into the transmitter. Falcon then pulled some loose papers out of his Shinra codebook," Plane I.D. is 529316, and personal I.D. is 11382."
"Ok," the voice stated," Plane ,Flying Falcon, verified and Shinra employee, Michael Henderson, verified. Please give us your Shinra access code."
"Shinra access code, eh," Falcon replied. Falcon opened the codebook, and skimmed through it till he got to a highlighted code,"FU2469DX."
"Shinra employee level B verified," the voice stated,"Junon Airport Runway clear for landing."
"Over and out," Falcon said and then clicked off his radio,"Ok, we have a few landing procedures to follow."
"Like what?" Wolf asked.
"Well first is getting past Shinra inspections," Falcon stated,"I'll hide in the cargo hold, and you just fake that your the pilot of this plane."
"Sounds easy, enough," Wolf said,"It's probably soaking in there anyway."
"Second, is paying me," Falcon declared," That one is self-explanitory."
"I bet," Wolf replied.
"Third, is getting your ass outta here before the Turks come," Falcon said,"I get away easier if not carrying someone along, and I'm not gonna save your ass anyway. I don't want to see your money go to waste."Wolf remained silent, but nodded in agreement. Falcon adjusted the wing flaps, and flipped the switch causing the Flying Falcon's landing gear to emerge. Then Falcon, gripping the controls, brought his beloved down for a safe landing. Falcon jumped out of the cockpit, and crawled into the secret hold, shutting the trapdoor behind him. It was soaking wet in there, but Falcon was able to locate the breach. A small gash run down the bottom to the plane , allowing water to seep into the empty cargo area. The thing is, it wasn't empty. Falcon found himself lying on top of the bag. His curiousity got the better of him, curiousity killed the cat, but this feline came armed. Falcon reached into his bomber jacket, and produced a slightly damp handgun with a small green orb imbedded into its handle. He thought he might need this if he gets discovered.
Falcon grabbed the zipper of the bag, and pulled down. To his surprise, there was a body. It was a woman, probably in her twenties, wearing a long pink dress and a red jacket. Wisps of her long brown hair obscured her eyes, Falcon wiped away the locks of hair. Her eyes were open, their strange green glow looked into Falcon's eyes, piercing his very soul. Falcon imediately broke his lock from them, he noticed something else.
"Holy shit!" Falcon exclaimed trying to keep his voice down. His eyes transfixed on a sword wound. It pierced straight through her abdomen. Blood from the old wound stained her dress, the cause of her death. Falcon had enough of this, and promptly zipped the bag back up. Falcon then pressed his ear against the trapdoor to record Wolf's progress.
The man from customs walked toward the small red plane. He hoped to God this wasn't the man the Turks in the flight tower were looking for. He had heard from them about their many escapades with him. They've tried almost everything and have failed to catch him everytime. They've shoot him, but he just used the Restore Materia he had in his gun. They've tried to catch him off guard, but he always has his pistol. They once disarmed him of all weapons, but when they asked him to get the cargo he was carrying out of his secret hold, he pulled an MP5 Submachine Gun out of there and commenced to fire. The customs man did not know what to suspect.
He finally stirred enough courage in himself to approach the plane. A man stood beside wearing all black with a red lined cape, and a large grey wolf stood at his feet. In his gut, the man from customs felt that his man is worse than the man that the Turks were talking about.
"Hello I'm Perry from customs," the customs man said.
"Hello Perry," Wolf said,"My name is Wolf, and this is my humble plane the Flying Falcon. "
"Um, yes," Perry said," Are you carrying any cargo."
"I don't have a cargo hold," Wolf said,"They would interfer with the amount of fuel I could carry."
"Well I assure you," Perry informed,"If you have a secret cargo hold, that is an arrestible offense and I am armed."Wolf rolled his eyes. Perry remebered that the Turks informed him that the plane they were looking for indeed did have such a cargo hold. It was located on the very rear of the plane, and all you had to do to open it was hit it very hard. Perry strode past Wolf, raising his fist, but Wolf stepped in the way. Wolf knew that is he didn't intervene, Perry would be promptly be killed by Falcon and Wolf might not be able to get to his point of designation with the Shinra breathing down his back. The former would be very tragic for the Planet.
"I would not do that if I were you," Wolf sneered.
"Why?!" Perry said,"I knew it! Falcon's in there isn't he? What are you going to do? Sick that grey mutt on me."
"Actually, I'm a wolf," Kamots said, his face appearing like its grinning. Perry stammered as he did not expect the majestic creature to talk."I find being called a dog tolerable to such an ignorant society, but mutt is unexceptable." Perry started backing away, and drew his handgun. Wolf stepped in front of him, his crystal green eyes peering into Perry's and piercing Perry's soul. Perry jaw dropped, causing drool to fail from his open mouth, he then dropped his gun. Wolf picked up the revolver, and placed it in the cockpit of the Flying Falcon.
"You did not experience any of this," Wolf said staring back into Perry's eye," You did not find a secret cargo hold nor illegal cargo. Just the Flying Falcon and its pilot Michael Henderson." Perry nodded, and reverted to normal.
"Thank you for your cooperation," Perry said and walked away.
"No, thank YOU for yours," Wolf said,"Humans are so easy to manipulate."
"I told you that manipulate materia would come in handy," Kamots said,"Who wants do the honors of letting Falcon know its safe."
Wolf smirked as he stood safely out of the way of the trapdoor, and then let his fist slam down on it from the side. The trapdoor slid open, followed by a gunshot, and then followed by Falcon Highwind.
"What the hell?" Falcon said scratching his head,"No body."
"I was able to handle things in your absence," Wolf said,"By the way, discharging your firearm in public might draw attention."
"Wow," Falcon said,"That's the first time I didn't have to kill the man from customs, you should ride with me more often, but alas I am retiring. That brings us to phase two, its time I get payed."
"I see," Wolf said and then handed Falcon a rather large bag,"158,000 gil, exactly."
"Nice doing business with you," Falcon said,"Now for phase three, MOVE OUT!" Wolf pulled his "cargo" from the Flying Falcon and walked on. His destination, Midgar. More his destiny than destination. He sought the man Cloud Strife.
"Crazy pycho," Falcon muttered under his breath.
"Did you see all that?" Reno inquired looking through a pair of binoculars.
"I know," Stephen said looking through the scope of his rifle,"The damnest thing I've ever seen."
"What?!" both Elena and Cam inquired.
"Well some guy dressed in black was down there covering for Falcon," Reno said,"He simply scared that Perry guy away."
"Is he still there?" Cam asked.
"Nope," Stephen said,"Falcon's all alone."
"Looks like its time for me to get thrown to the wolves," Cam said pulling his sunglasses over his eyes with his index finger. Cam stood up, called two guards over for escort, and trotted on.
"I like the guy," Reno said,"But he's too naive." Everyone nodded in agreement.
Falcon reached into his cargo hold, and pulled out a small wooden crate and four large gas cans. He pulled his rubber band out of his pocket. Falcon pulled back his hair, and secured it with the rubber band. Falcon saw three figures approaching his plane, one dressed in a blue suit and the others wore Shinra uniforms. Falcon casually opened the crate, and examined its insides. He found some of its contents missing, and cursed. If he found the ninja that was doing this, Falcon will aim to kill. Falcon pulled three orbs out of the crate, all the materia he had left. He slid Elemental, Poison, and Fire into his spear. Then Falcon turned to face the Turk.
"Hello my dear Turkey," Falcon sneered,"My name is Falcon. What's yours?"
"Cam of the turks," Cam said,"Now that we've formally introduced ourselves. I can start kicking your ass now." Falcon smiled at this. Falcon tightened the grip of his spear, with his nimble feet Falcon propelled himself into the air, and landed, thrusting the materia studded head into one of the guard's torso. The spear went in one end, and out the other. If that didn't kill the guard the poison will. The other guard gapsed, and raised his rifle to fire. Falcon's eyes narrowed, and invoked the power of the Fire Materia. The small green orb glowed like it was on fire, and power surged from it into Falcon. He gestured at the guard, the guard screamed as he was simply incenerated by Fire3 enveloping his body in a blanket of flame. Falcon smiled evilly at Cam. Cam returned the favor, he pulled the bullwhip from its harness and swung it at Falcon. The whip wrapped around Falcon's spear, Cam pulled it from Falcon's hands, and tossed it away.
"That pisses me off," Falcon said and reached inside his coat. Cam went for his gun, but before he could open the holster, Falcon's sidearm had gone off three times. All three bullets went into Cam's right arm, in one end and out the other. They went into three seperate locations too: shoulder, elbow, and wrist. He'll live, but if he doesn't get a Restore Materia used on him soon they'll have to amputate. Heh, let's see him do that fancy whip work now.
"I see you've met Cam," Reno said as his comrade clenched his arm, screaming in pain.
"Are you going to come along quietly?" Elena inquired,"Or is this gonna be the usual." Falcon lined the barrel of his pistol up with Reno's face.
"What do you think?" Falcon smirked,"This will be your last chance, too. Cuz, today I retire." Elena drew her handgun, and Reno remained motionless. "What are you going to do? Shoot me? That hasn't worked before. Why will it now?"
"We have a new target now," Elena sneered and then pulled the trigger. A large hole punctured the cargo hold of the Flying Falcon.
"Damn you! You shot my baby!" Falcon opened fire on Elena. Elena expertly dropped to the ground as three rounds whizzed overhead. She returned fire, and a single bullet grazed Falcon's left arm. Falcon drew a bead on Reno, and Elena drew a bead on the Flying Falcon.
"Next shot is aimed at the gas tank," Elena sneered,"Drop the damn gun!" Falcon resisted, but submitted. He throw down his gun violently, hoping that his sidearm would go off killing one of his adversaries. It did go off, but harmlessly. It distracted Elena, which was all he needed.
"I never wanted to hit a woman," Falcon said,"But look what you've drove me to." Falcon balled his fist and charged Elena. A hand grabbed Falcon's arm as he threw a punch, and spun him around. Falcon suddenly found himself lying on the ground after one of Rude's fist met his face. Falcon wiped the blood from his lower lip, and stood up. Rude grabbed Falcon's arms and held them behind his back. Falcon kicked frantically to break free. Reno produced his nightstick from his belt, and jabbed Falcon in the abdomen with it. Falcon screamed as volts of electricity streamed through his body, Reno if he applys this technique long enough could kill someone. After the "shock treatment", whatever fight Falcon had left in him was gone.
As Elena beat Falcon's face in with her fists, Reno retrieved Falcon's gun. He invoked the Restore Materia set in its handle. The orb glowed with power that surged into Reno, he then casts two Cure3's on Cam and a Regen in case the Cure3's weren't enough. An soothing a green light blanketed Cam's body, and his wounds simply vanished.
"Bout damn time you remember me!" Cam bellowed.
"Well I have bad memory," Reno shrugged,"You ought to be glad I remembered you."Cam, enraged, pushed Elena aside.
"I want a shot at this crackhead," Cam said as he hoisted his whip with his now healed arm. He raise the whip to strike the blow, but before he could he felt a buring sensation on the back of his neck. Like when someone puts out a cigarette on you. Cam cringed at the pain, and turned around. Behind him stood an older man, who pulled another cigarette from the pack in his flight goggles that rest right under his sandy blond hair. He wore blue bomber jacket, a black shirt, elbow length leather gloves, greyish pants, and leather combat boots. The pilot's mighty spear the Venus Gospel rested against his shoulder. Its multi-hued blade shimmered in the sunlight, as Cid Highwind lit another cigarette. Cid thrusted Venus Gospel into Cam's knee, pulled it out, and then slashed him acrossed the face. Then, Cid pushed Cam into Falcon and Rude. plowing them both over. Elena and Reno turned to face Cid, but his only reaction was to invoke the power of his Barrier materia. Cid gestured, and cast Wall. Elena and Reno's hail of rounds fell short due to the multi-hued shield that enveloped Cid in it.
Rude quickly pulled himself to his feet, Falcon struggled to his feet, and Cam just layed there and allowed the soothing light of Regen heal his wounds. Cam has had enough battle for one day. Rude drew his firearm, and fired at Falcon. Falcon, though he was still weak, dodged the shot, and the bullet met its mark into Elena's shoulder. Elena grimaced in pain as the crashed through flesh and bone, and dropped her gun. Using this distraction, Falcon grabbed Rude and threw the big man into Reno. Both men hit the ground. Then Falcon grabbed Reno's nightstick, and thrust it into Reno's abdomen.
"How do you like it!?" Falcon bellowed under the screams of Reno, suffering the wrath of his own nightstick. Being on the other end of that nightsick was a new experience for him. It wasn't a pleasant one, either. Falcon only smiled cruelly. Falcon would have shocked Reno to death, but Rude made a swing at him. Falcon was thrown back at the force of the punch, and counter attacked smacking Rude upside the head with Reno's nightstick. Rude was hit with such force it broke one of the lens of his sunglasses. Once and for all the question, "what color are Rude's eyes?" was answered. They were brown. Falcon pried his handgun out of Reno's hand.
"Don't tell me," Falcon said,"It's time for one of your "tactical retreats." Without saying a word the Turks retreated, Rude helping Reno walk away and Cam helping Elena. Cid applauded.
"You could have done something," Falcon said retrieving his spear,"Other than beating up Cam. Making me do all the damn work."
"I was having a smoke," Cid said as he exhaled sending grey smoke into the sky.
"Those things are going to kill you,"Falcon said.
"When you've lived a life like me," Cid began,"You'll realize that there are more things likely to kill you than cigarettes."
"I bet," Falcon scoffed. Cid only shrugged.
"They haven't killed me yet," Cid smirked. Falcon only rolled his eyes. They walked over to the Flying Falcon. "So this is the Flying Falcon. I thought you'd take better care of her."
"I've been having a bad day....." Falcon said. Falcon noticed a small red dot on resting on his shirt. "Get down!" Falcon tackled Cid as five shots whizzed by and pierced the Flying Falcon. "Aw f---! It looks like this day is over yet, either."
"Next time, just tell me to get down," Cid said,"I have my own legs, damnit!" Falcon eyes searched for the shots origin, of course, the flight tower. Falcon returned fire, he doubted that his two shots actually hit the flight tower, but it would tell the assailent that they knew his position.
Stephen heard these shots, and decided to take another plan of action. He drew one of his side arms from his jacket, and used it to slide down wire of the massive wires leading to the bottom. Falcon fired twice at their attacker, but to know avail. Once Stephen's feet hit the ground, he drew his second handgun and commenced firing. Cid and Falcon took cover behind the Flying Falcon, bullets rained through the Flying Falcon's delicate hide. This day could possibly traumatize Falcon before it was over.
"Son of a bitch!" Falcon called and fired three shots under the protection of the Flying Falcon.
"No damn asshole is gonna f--- with the Highwinds!" Cid bellowed,"And get away with it." Cid raised Venus Gospel into the air, and called on the power of Ice3. Freezing winds blew into Junon Airport, numbing everyone to the bone. Quiet odd for a summer day. The coldest part though was the the target of the spell. Cid and Falcon looked over the top of the Flying Falcon, and saw...nothing. There was nothing standing were their opponet should.
"What the hell?!" Cid said.
"Um, maybe we vaporized him," Falcon said.
"Yeah, but Ice3 doesn't do that," Cid said scratching his head. Suddenly something slid from under, knocking both Cid and Falcon down. Stephen pulled himself to his feet, and pointing his guns at the Highwing brothers. Cid cursed as he realized he dropped the Venus Gospel during the fall, he frantically reached for it, but Stephen only kicked it out of reach. Falcon lined up the barrel of his handgun with Stephen, and pulled the trigger. The pistols hammer fell, and then the gun was silent.
"Shit," Falcon said as he examined that his pistol's clip was empty. Falcon cursed as he looked into the barrel of the smiling Turk's sidearms.
Hmmm, well tell me what you think. E-mail me at JavaManCAM@yahoo.com. Be honest, too. Well.... not that honest...... I've noticed that all the great stories have these little, whatever the hell they have at the end of each chapter, and a quote at the beginning. Well, to tell you the truth I'm not to good at the quote part. I don't know how you guys can quote directly from a video game, and I must have missed my opportunity to buy the Final Fantasy Book of Quotes.So I'll just make up quotes that sound like something that particular charactor might say. Also for some strange reason I don't see many stories hinting that there might one day be a Shinra No.27. Well I'm gonna be one of the people that include one in their fanfic. In fact this lil' stories sequel will be about the flight of the Shinra No.27. Hmm, for that to happen Falcon and Cid need to survive this lil' ordeal. I hope they do or I'll need a new job.
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