Death of a Dream
Chapter I: The Mission
Dreams. Seems like everyone has a dream. A dream of success, a dream of a long, healthy life, a dream of love. Everyone in this world has a dream. Not everyone successfully achieves that dream, but it is worthwhile having one. Is my dream a waste? Is it futile? Should I even bother? I'm just one person, how can I change the world? No, I shouldn't think that way. I have my own beliefs, and friends to share them with. We are one.
I don't know what made me join AVALANCHE. Perhaps revenge for my parents, the suffering that the ShinRa has caused me. It seems like all the reasons we do things are for personal matters. Humans are so greedy, always thinking about themselves and nothing else. Then again, I could have joined just to save the planet, and not sit back and watch it get destroyed like everyone else. No, that would be a selfish reason too, because I want to live in a nice, unpolluted world. Whatever the reason may be, I am here. And I'm a wanted man.
It isn't much, just our little 'hideout' that Tifa supplied for us. She's so kind. Risking her bar and her life for our cause. I like that in people. We can't exactly do much, what with only five people counting myself. We are currently just getting the codes for the reactors so that we can begin our bombings. It isn't much, but our leader, Barret, says 'So long as we hurt the ShinRa, it is all worthwhile,' but I'm not so sure anymore. Seems like they can rebuild the reactors just as easily as they put them up.
We now have the codes to the reactors. Jessie gave me one of them to memorize. It wasn't too difficult, seeing as the code was only 5 digits long. I tucked the piece of paper into my pocket in case I forget the code during the mission. The mission seems easy enough. I just have to open one door then wait for them to do the rest. I just have to hold back any enemies that come my way. I don't know. I just kind of wish I could do more.
I rode on the top of the train, the wind whipping the tail end of my headband wildly. The air was warm, but the wind-chill made it seem like we were in the middle of winter. I looked over my shoulder, to see Jessie holding onto a piece of railing on the top of the train. She looked up and waved at me. I grinned at her, then turned my focus to the front of the train. The scent in the air was noticeable as we got nearer to the reactor.
The train grinded to a stop. Over the top of the train, I saw two ShinRa guards in their blood red outfits. I backflipped off the train. The one guard looked at me with surprise. I grinned then grabbed his arm and flipped him over my back. He landed hard on the sidewalk and his head hit the train wheel. Out cold. Now's my chance, knowing that the others will take care of the other guard. Sure enough, I heard a loud thump, a moan and Jessie's cry of triumph as I was running for the door.
I stopped at the locked door to the reactor. I didn't have the code for this one, so I stood guard. Soon Jessie and Wedge ran out of the door I had just came from and Jessie started working on the door, hotwiring the various assorted wires for the security system to make sure no alarms went off during the mission. Then, another man came out of the door with a big sword. Barret mentioned something about him, but I didn't really notice. Something about being an Ex-SOLDIER.
"Wow! You used to be in SOLDIER all right! ...Not everyday ya find one in a group like AVALANCHE." I said to him with enthusiasm. I am WAY to hyped up for this than I should be.
Jessie looked over her shoulder, two wires in her hand. "SOLDIER? Aren't they the enemy? What's he doing with us in AVALANCHE?"
I turned to her. "Hold it, Jessie. He WAS in SOLDIER. He quit them and now is one of us." I turned back to the man. "Didn't catch your name…"
"…Cloud."
"Cloud, eh? I'm…"
"I don't care what your names are. Once this job's over, I'm outta here." Cloud said to me coldly. Man, is this guy callous or what? I want to bash his face in already. Jerk.
A few moments later, Barret rush in on the little 'conversation' we were having. He looked rather pissed off.
"The hell you all doin'!? I thought I told you never to move in a group! Our target's the North Mako Reactor. We'll meet on the bridge in front of it." Dude, Barret. Work on your grammar. He began to lecture Cloud about what Mako Reactors are for. Cloud could care less. That's minus 10 more points on my personality rating with him. He seems just about as lovible as a cactus.
I heard a click in Jessie's direction. I looked over at her. She pressed a few buttons then the door noisily slid open. I ran in, followed by Jessie and Wedge. Barret and Cloud hesitated by the door then followed us in. We met up on the bridge.
"Wedge, Go secure the escape passage, we'll go on in from here." Barret ordered Wedge.
"Aye, Aye! Mon Captain!" Wedge gave Barret a pseudo-salute. I snickered under my breath.
"Do that again and I'll slap ya silly…" Barret snarled at Wedge. Wedge happily bounded over to the exit-to-be. The rest of us ran ahead into the reactor. Yet another security door. Oh joy. How many of those damned things do they need anyway? It was my door, so I typed in the code door while Barret once again tried to lecture Cloud about our cause. He's wasting his breath in my opinion. Barret should try talking to something that listens…like a brick wall. I finished the code and hit the 'Enter' key. The door slid open and Jessie ran over to a second door and typed in that code.
"Biggs, Stay here and keep watch." Barret said to me just as they were to head through the door. I was tempted to do what Wedge had just did, but I don't think Barret took his happy pills today. Might as well not piss him off further. I silently nodded to him and they left through the door.
For the next few minutes, I sat on the ground 'drawing' on the floor with the tip of my gun. What else was I going to do? Damn, this is boring. I thought I'd see a little more action. Oh well, at least I can go home unscathed. That thought popped from my mind as I heard an alarm sound. Oh great, they screwed up.
Fortunately, I didn't have to fire my riffle once. 5 minutes after the alarm went off, they tore through the door. I noticed a slight tear in Jessie's pant leg, but I'll ask later. I typed in the code for the door, but it didn't accept it for some reason. Wow, this is going to complicate things a little.
"The hell are you doing, Biggs?! Hurry!" Barret practically screamed at me. No need to shout, I'm less than 2 feet from him. Jessie knocked me out of the way and began to hotwire the door to get it open. That Cloud guy kept looking at his watch. That must mean we're all going to be toast in a few minutes. The door reluctantly slid open and Jessie tore out of that door like nothing I've ever seen. I ran out as well, behind everyone else. If anyone were to get singed, it would be me. Jessie passed Cloud, and almost Barret until I saw her trip and fall. Cloud stopped and helped her up and we all got through the door nanoseconds before reactor went up in one huge fireball. Damn Jessie, that was one hell of a bomb…
Trapped again. I sat down on a piece of rubble as Jessie took a weak explosive from her backpack. Wedge was doing his look-around thingy again. I dunno why. Nothing really to look at. Words were exchanged, then Jessie told us to get back. I ran behind a piece of metal and the bomb blew the wall of debris blocking our way.
Mr. Show-off flipped out of the fire. The rest of us ran with our faces covered with cloths, minus Wedge who somehow had caught fire, and was now running around like…well…a guy with his rear-end on fire. We were told to split up. I hopped over some netting then ran to the train station, knowing the train would depart 10 minutes from now.
I was first to the station. I climbed into the cargo section of the train and hid behind a pile of boxes. Minutes later the sounds of 3 other people sounded through the cargo section of the train and I came out of my hiding place. The train was fully hitched and began to pull away from the station. Heh, looks like Mr. I'm-so-cool didn't make it. Idiot.
Jessie rested her arms on a box, a sad look in her face. I don't know what her problem is. We just got done bombing a reactor, and let me tell you, that kicked ass beyond anything I've ever scene. She sighed heavily. I'm beginning to wonder. Wait, she couldn't have a crush on that stuck up psycho with the big ass sword, could she? Nah…no way.
Wedge was asking about his money. I wondered if Cloud was killed, then again, I really couldn't care less. The world didn't need people like that. Jessie remained silent through the trip, until thumping was heard on the roof, then the door swung open. And guess who flipped through the open door…Right! How'd ya know? Yeah, Cloud.
I must say, I was quite impressed that he made it. Jessie's look softened up a little. Barret chewed him out good. He deserved it. Wedge complimented him then walked out the door to the passenger seating. Aw, what the hell. I'll say something.
"Heh, Heh, Cloud! We'll do better next time!" Bah. Yeah, hopefully he'll die next time. I muttered under my breath, out of Cloud's earshot then went over to a corner in the front of the car and leaned up against the pole. Wedge seemed riled up, I dunno why. He needs to take some depressant pills. Jessie was awing at the monitor. She is amused too easily. Cloud walked over and she started explaining the monitor to him. Oh gods…she IS flirting with him. That sent a shiver up my spine. I looked up at the ceiling of the train, then at the door leading to the next car.
"It seems this train hasn't switched to security mode yet. I'm sure that will change by tomorrow." I muttered then started to fall asleep.