As Zack Fair sat in the truck, with the radio blasting out, he thought about his life so far. It had been an interesting one to say the least. After joining SOLDIER at the age of 14, he had trained under his mentor, Angeal Hewley, until he had managed to make 1st Class, the highest rank you could get in SOLDIER.

Afterwards, Genesis had deserted, taking many of the 3rd and 2nd Class SOLDIER's with him. Angeal had done a runner, withLazard following shortly afterwards (said to be about financial reasons). But the thing that had truly changed his life was the Nibelheim incident, where Sephiroth, the great hero, had been told that he was a monster, and so had burnt the town to the ground.

However, Cloud had rushed into the reactor with Zack's sword, and snuck up behind Sephiroth, lunging it into his back and through the huge glass container which held JENOVA. Sephiroth had later cut off JENOVA's head and he whispered to it about going to the promised Land, he then jumped into the huge river of Mako below within the reactor, holding the head close to his chest. Despite this, both Zack and Cloud had been captured by Hojo, and subjected to horrible experiments for 4 years. Fortunately, Zack and Cloud had managed to escape, and were now on the run from Shinra.

However, that was in the past. Him and Cloud were going to start a new life in Midgar, and they could both forget everything, and just relax.

Life was going swell at this moment.

Zack: "Hey... What are you doing once we reach Midgar?"

(No response, apart from a groan).

Zack: "Well, first of all, we need to get some money, huh."

(turning to the driver).

Zack: "Hey pops, do you know any business that I'll be able to do?"

Driver: "What are you saying? You need to try out everything while you're still young."

Driver: "Go through many hardships while you're still young, and find that path of yours."

Zack: "'Everything' so he says."

Zack: "Not much of a help, huh?"

Zack wondered what he could do, squatting as he thought.

Zack: (out loud) "Oh yeah, that's right!"

Zack: "I have a lot of knowledge and skills that other people don't have, right?"

Zack: "All right. I've made up my mind! I'll open up a business that does everything!"

Driver: "Hey, you... were you listening to anything what I've said?"

Zack: "Troublesome things, and dangerous things... I'm going to do everything depending upon the reward."

Zack: "I'm going to make a fortune!"

(turning to Cloud),

Zack: "Hey Cloud... "

(no response),

Zack: "What are you going to do?"

(no response),

Zack: "I'm just kidding."

Zack: "I won't do a thing like abandon you."

Zack: "We're friends, right?"

Zack: "We're going to open a business that does everything. Do you understand, Cloud?"

Zack was beginning to get sick of the ride. He leant on the upper part of the front of the truck,

Zack: "Hey pops, we're not there yet? This piece of junk..."

It was then that he saw the Shinra helicopter hovering just a short way away – aiming a sniper rifle towards the back of the truck...

Zack: "Take Cover!"

Zack grabbed Cloud and pulled him off the back of the truck as quickly as he could.

Zack: "Cloud, get out of here!"

The sound of the sniper shot from the helicopter echoed in the desert...

This was a group development at - forums. finalfantasyvii. info