Chapter One: The Meeting

Tseng stared at his watch and wondered how much longer these TURK interviews were going to last. He looked at his superiors and wondered what his place was in the interviewing process. He was nothing more than the field captain and he knew he had no official say so in matters that involved recruitment.

All of a sudden a young man walked in with the sloppiest appearance possible and took a seat. He had a goofy grin and bright bluish-green eyes. He had the reddest hair that Tseng had ever seen. It was in a sloppy ponytail. It seemed as if he was looking at a red rose in full bloom. If Tseng didn't know any better he would have thought the kid was a girl. He gave Verdot a nod and handed him his profile. It said that he was fifteen but just looking at him you couldn't tell he was.

Looking at the young man's profile, Verdot, the director began asking him a series of questions.

"So tell me, son, what's your name?"

He stated simply, "Reno."

"Well Reno, it appears that you have an interest in becoming part of the Shinra's Department of Administrative Research?"

He simply smiled at him. "You can drop 'the formalities and pretences' as an old man back home said. I know what the department specializes in. You're the Shinra's bodyguards that are also the pro hitmen. You guys handle everything from assassinations to kidnappings to shut people up. I also heard that it's so damn hard to get into that you'd have to be recommended by an official in order to be considered for this unit. Add to the fact that you can be trained in almost anything. And a nice plus to the job is pay is good."

Verdot simply stared at him. Tseng thought to himself, 'so let me get this straight. This kid knows what the TURKS really are and what we really do. He also knows the procedure for getting in. However he came in here hoping to get the job with that kind of attitude and cockiness? I swear, young people these days.' By the looks of things, everyone else was thinking the exact same thing as he was.

Reno however, had a smirk on his face and felt rather confident about becoming part of the TURKS. "I understand that my knowledge of the TURKS is vast and probably correct based on your faces but know this, I do want this job. I hate to tell you this but I'm not quite cut out to be one of those SOLDIER boys."

Hojo intervened, "Naturally, you look like a weak boy. How old are you, sonny?"

Reno's eyes became dark as they shifted in Hojo's direction and simply stated, "Are you in charge? If the man wants to know my age he'll ask me. I wonder if people here know when to ask questions and when not to, right old man Hojo?" His eyes then shifted back to Verdot and Tseng. President Shinra got up and applauded Reno. He walked up to him and extended his hand. He liked the boy's attitude. As Reno shook his hand in return he shared his thoughts with him.

"I love a kid with spunk and a good set of balls. I see you going somewhere in this company. So here's what I'll do. I have a simple task for you, my boy. If you complete it then I'll make an exception and let you aboard without having to take the TURKS exam and go through the usual process. However, fail and I'll have you interrogated and killed. Understand?"

His eyes were serious and he was clearly trying to scare Reno out of taking the assignment. Reno was happy as a lamb instead showing signs of joy. Why let fear be the dictator of your fate? He nodded and said, "Name your task man." President Shinra looked at him and then at Verdot and Tseng. "Make sure he is watched over. It's not everyday that we get candidates with enough confidence and fearless determination to become a TURK. I like kids with spunk." They nodded and got up to receive Reno's assignment as a team. It was not only a solo mission for Reno but also a standard TURKS mission. The president returned his attention to Reno before continuing.

"As Verdot and Tseng know, I have a son. A good for nothing but he's still a son. And he is the heir and vice president of this company. He recently left on a four day business trip and is currently at Junon waiting to return here by helicopter. Reno, you are going to serve as his bodyguard. Why you ask? Every TURK is trained to do one main task and that's to protect the administrative staff here at Shinra. Above all other jobs they have, that is the most crucial. Now my son, Rufus, is a spoiled brat so you'll have to win his trust over. He's a bit of a pain. If he says anything negative to me upon his return, then you know what'll happen to you. However, completing this task efficiently will result in your arrival into the TURKS. Now get out."

Reno, who was smiling from ear to ear, was overjoyed. In all honesty, he thought he would have to fight someone who was a TURK but maybe that was only part of the exam. Regardless, he was given an amazing opportunity. He was to escort and protect the Vice President of Shinra Electric Company. He couldn't botch this; it was his only chance to prove himself and his worth.

As he left the room with his captain and commander, he wondered if everything was for real. He was giving the chance to be one of the 'Blue Men', as the kids back home called them, drive cool cars and have beers after work. He was being given a chance to live an amazing life. Verdot had to give him a uniform when they returned to the office. There he saw another two TURKS, Legend and his future partner, Rude. They both stared at him. Gun had come in with paperwork that she was attending to. She simply stared at him.

She simply gave Reno a dirty look before making her report to Verdot. He smiled and thanked her for her work and dismissed her. Tseng, who had went to get Reno's clothes, had returned and handed him the uniform. "I take it that you know how to put a suit on?" Reno smiled, "I've practiced how to wear one since I was four." Verdot looked up from the papers and asked, "So how old are you now?" He turned around and replied, "I'm going to be sixteen this year yo."

Tseng dropped the clothes. "You're fifteen? You don't look it and you definitely don't sound like it. On top of that you're the youngest person to try out for the TURKS, ever." Legend laughed. "That means that you're destined for success kid. I'm Legend, I take it old man Shinra has you on a test errand?" Reno nodded. "I hope you pass then, I wouldn't mind having a kid running around the office. You look like you can handle life. I can see the maturity in your eyes. Maybe that's what makes them so beautiful." Gun stared at him and refused to make a comment regarding his last statement. Then again, he was known for statements that came out of left field.

Tseng led Reno to the bathroom so that he could change. Meanwhile, back in the office, Legend and the others spoke with Verdot.

"Sir, I would never doubt old man Shinra's decisions but isn't this kid a little young? He hasn't even turned 16 yet. I think it's out of character for the old man. Was his interview that good?" Legend asked.

Verdot replied, "Well, I guess it was strange. He gave blunt but honest answers. He also had an attitude," Legend's eyebrow went up, "Seriously?" Verdot nodded, "He shut Hojo up with one death glare and a couple of choice words. Add to the fact that he even knew what our department really does. I'd say that he's a well informed for a 15-year-old boy. I was impressed myself."

Rude silently stared at Verdot. "Sir, we don't even know if this kid will succeed. After all, he is going to take care of bodyguard duty with the vice president. He doesn't like our department. Not to mention, every other person who tried, failed."

Verdot smiled, "I think he may be what changes the vice president's outlook on our department in total. Reno is closest in age to young master Rufus." With that he left, leaving the two TURKS to question their new member.

It had been ten whole minutes and Reno still hadn't come out. Tseng stood there wondering what this kid was doing. 'He said he knew how to wear a suit. It doesn't take this long to put it on. Only if it's your first time wearing a suit,' he thought to himself.Verdot had joined him. He smiled and saluted his commander. Verdot nodded to acknowledge the salute. "So how is our little newbie?" Tseng turned his head. "He's been in there for ten minutes already. He must be having problems putting on the suit." He knocked on the door only to have the door hit him in the face. He grabbed his nose and looked up see Reno all dressed up.

"Oh, sorry yo." Reno said apologetically, rubbing his head. "I didn't see ya there."

Tseng was clutching his nose before looking up replying with a 'you broke my nose.' Reno grinned, knowing that he was joking. After cradling his nose he looked up to see the results that Reno created. He fit the uniform but he sure as hell wasn't dressed in it correctly. 'If you know how to wear a suit the wear it correctly damnit!' Tseng thought to himself.

Reno had a lot of problems with the uniform. For starters, his shirt wasn't even tucked in. Next his jacket wasn't buttoned and finally, he wasn't wearing his tie. Tseng immediately tried to tend to his mistakes but Reno slapped his hand away. "Sorry man but, I'm not into looking all professional like you guys. I may have a sloppy appearance but don't let that distract you from what my work ethic is like. Besides, you ain't my ma." He pulled out a pair of goggles. He simply placed them on his head before letting out a sigh of relief. He looked at Verdot, who was shocked and smiled. "What'dya say we get this mission on the road yo?" With that they headed to the heliport to go to Junon.