CHAPTER 3 – The Penultimate Day
Rocket Town was bustling with tourists from all over the world, surfers from Costa del Sol, elders from Cosmo Canyon and even the odd off duty soldier from Junon.
Cid walked into the bright sunny outdoors murmuring "perfect weather" under his breath and Shera close behind as he briskly walked towards the rocket. As Shera busily tapped away at an old calculator, Cid began humming, confident and proud as always. "Ever since we went on vacation to that chocobo farm, you've done nothing but hum that silly waltzing tune" said Shera.
"It steadies my nerves woman!" snapped Cid, who was clearly trying his best to put on a front, hiding his nervousness. With that, Cid and Shera climbed up the ladders and staircases and entered the rocket. Shera No.1 was smaller than the last rocket, for the most part, it looked similar to the Shinra No.26 apart from the good condition it was and lack of rust as opposed to the last one. Cid felt comfortable like this. He figured using the same kind of rocket with the same components and the same structure would be easier and quicker to learn.
Meanwhile over the grassy plains shadowed by the iconic peaks of Mount Nibel, the sound of engines can be heard. It was usual for this time because news had quickly spread about the rocket and this time Cid wanted everyone to know, vehicles were always approaching in every direction which mostly consisted of a taxi route that Cid had set up from Nibelheim to attract more people to Rocket Town. However these vehicles were no taxis', but a van and a motorcycle mounted by a spikey haired, mysterious man. Needless to say, Cloud and the gang were back.
As Cid looked across the horizon from the top of the launch pad, he could see his old friends approaching the town. He smiled and began to descend the many steps.
Cloud Strife had raced ahead to arrive first. "Nice rocket Cid" he said. "Aye she's a beauty aint she" replied Cid. The rest of the gang had now arrived. Everyone was there except Red and Barret was the first to speak. "Now that's a sight I thought I would never see again" he said, looking up at the towering Shera No.1. The rest of the guys greeted Cid as he ushered them into his house.
"Shera! HEY SHER…Oh she's on the rocket, Damn that woman. Ya'll make yourselves comfortable ya hear" bellowed Cid.
"Don't we always" murmured Vincent.
A little while later, Cid stood up and cleared his throat. "Ahem, right guys and gals, I got some news for ya'll".
"Oh goody are we going for a ride?" Said Yuffie.
"Missie, shut your mooth!" shouted Cait Sith. "SHUT UP CAT!" she replied.
"Guys Guys" said Tifa, "Cid is talking now".
"Hmm yeh thanks darling. Well as I was saying, the rocket launch is tomorrow which is why your all here. But one thing you don't know is the context of this whole event."
The group looked at each other, and then back at Cid in confusion. As far as they were aware, Cid was going into space to not only to promote Rocket Town, but as an independent investigation into cosmic materia, of which he believes is more condensed and more powerful than normal material, leading him to the conclusion that it would make a great substitute for mako energy. But it seemed this wasn't the case.
"Well the investigation will take place and I will be transmitting the data back to my people here."
"That's all well and good, but couldn't you just bring the data back yourself…Cid?" asked Tifa.
Cid was silent, as was the rest of the group as he individually looked at each one.
"You're not coming back are you." Cloud said.
Cid bowed his head and stared at the floor, his arms drooping beside him.
"Hey Where's the beast?" he remarked.
"Red? He was busy with something back in Cosmo Canyon. He said he'd be here though" Replied Tifa.
This didn't really seem to bother Cid, what bothered him and the group the most, was that this was the last time that they would all be together because his space mission, was a one way trip.