Jenova Project K: Chapter 4 - A New SOLDIER

Genesis Rhapsodos walked silently down the hallway of the Science Division on one side of their young charge, Director Lazard on the other side. One year, one irritating and puzzling year and he finally had the answer that he, Angeal Heweley, and Sephiroth had been quietly seeking out. The source of the sensation, a pressure, a presence at the back of their minds that they only EVER had between the three of them. They hadn't been certain of what it was, but, they had suspected it would be a person. Though, it was an alarming thought. That someone new had just sprang out of nowhere giving off a presence of pressure like that was... disturbing...

At least until he met the person that is and realized that she wasn't actually very strong, at all...

Genesis snuck a quick look at the girl, still feeling puzzled over her before facing forward. When he had first laid eyes on her oh how had he been furious, to see a fellow SOLDIER, even a third class, being used as some experiment. Sephiroth had been slow to open himself to them, but he had recently started speaking to them about his youth as Hojo's lab rat. Even the fabled hero himself had a dark beginning, and Genesis would not wish that on any other. It was one of the reasons he could respect and befriend Sephiroth, as much as he craved the tittle of hero he possessed.

He resumed his initial thought. He had thought the strapped down SOLDIER was just an unwilling experiment. But then Hojo had dropped the goddess's fire on him, a bombshell. The SOLDIER was a girl, an impossibility. To his knowledge, females could not become SOLDIERs, the process literally killed them. That the SOLDIER had been able to survive the process was a mind-boggling thing, and a key moment for the Shinra Corporation. His mind had instantly been whirling with the possibilities. If the SOLDIER was already being tested in combat situations, then the process itself worked. All Hojo would need to do was replicate it. Genesis had put a rough timetable in his head: One year to stabilize the process, one year to spread the word, and one year for recruits to come in. Within three years he could foresee the ranks of 3rd Class SOLDIERs being bolstered drastically, if not sooner. Wutai would not stand a chance, not that they did anyway.

Of course then Kairi whimpered out that she was an unwilling test subject. That dashed any approval he *might* have had for Hojo's accomplishment. It would not have been befitting of a hero to leave the fair maiden there. Genesis's smirked at that, he had made a straight line for the director and they had been on their way. Though, Hojo had acted far quicker than Genesis had anticipated, devious bastard...

Once again Genesis snuck a glance at Kairi, his puzzlement returning. He had walked in on her fight in time to see her limit break, an impressive display of power for a 3rd class SOLDIER, to be sure, but nothing on a 1st Class Level. It was bizarre, she was not particularly powerful, yet, she gave off a strong presence. Though, the one thing that WAS extraordinary was that she had been run through by a behemoth's horn not even five minutes ago and was now walking down the hall with them as if nothing had happened, blood still coating her uniform. His restore materia probably wouldn't have even been needed to heal her. Her regenerative capabilities were already above 2nd Class SOLDIERS, no, that wasn't accurate nor fair...

Genesis had to admit, he wasn't sure he could naturally heal like she could, and she had only had the 3rd Class injections if he had to guess. How much would that ability grown once she got the 2nd Class injections and, goddess forbid, the 1st class injection and mako shower? She could rival Sephiroth in self-healing, though, he had his doubts she would ever surpass a 2nd class in skill and power. But, would she need to? Hojo had said she was already practically immortal. Genesis's tactical mind was already processing ways a super regenerative SOLDIER could be used in battle, that type of warrior could be an invaluable gift. He smirked at that: Infinite in mystery is the gift of the Goddess...

He softly shook his head and banished it. Now wasn't the time for such thoughts, as he doubted their guest shared such prospects. His mood was starting to sour as he began to wonder where Hojo had plucked Kairi from. SOLDIER was something that one should willingly pursue, not be forced into. That glow in her eyes had stolen any choice from her, she would be forever marked as one of them, different, outcast. Something to be admired from afar, but dreaded and shunned up-close. It was a dismal fate of a SOLDIER, once one was enhanced, there was no going back, forever doomed to never again be normal, always seeking out a purpose. The wandering soul knows no rest...

They entered an elevator and started for the SOLDIER floor. Once the door closed, and the last white-coat scientist was out of view, Kairi visibly relaxed and let out a desperate sigh of relief. Genesis hesitated for a moment, calculating what was appropriate, and put a hand on her shoulder, giving her a comforting squeeze.

The girl glanced up at him and gave a brief smile. "Thanks."

Genesis tilted his head curtly. "Your welcome. I apologize not taking you out of Hojo's grasp immediately, but politics and policy are a dangerous game to balance within Shinra."

Kairi gave him a puzzled look. "Shinra...?"

Genesis stared at her in disbelief, exchanging an equally puzzled look with the director. How in the world could someone NOT know of the Shinra Corporation?

"Kairi, where are you from?" asked Genesis

Kairi's eyebrows furrowed in thought for a brief moment before answering sadly. "Destiny Islands."

Genesis tilted his head back in thought. He had never heard of such a place, but, if she did live out on some forgotten godforsaken island, he could understand her lack of knowledge. She seemed sad giving her answer though...

"Kairi, do you remember how you got here?" asked Genesis.

Director Lazard shot him a warning look. "A discussion that we should have in a place other than an elevator."

Genesis nodded curtly. "Of course."

The elevator dinged on floor 51 and they exited. They walked together into the Director's office and paused at the desk, allowing the Director to move around the desk to sit down and turn on his computer.

Director Lazard's eyes flickered to Kairi. "If you would please elaborate on how you arrived at Shinra...?"

Kairi frowned for a moment. "I... was walking alone on the beach of one of the outer islands where me and my friends played. I stayed late for some reason..."

Genesis interrupted. "Some reason?"

Kairi hesitated. "I'm... not sure why. I've never stayed that long before, to nightfall, I... felt compelled to stay for some reason."

Genesis took a second to re-appraise Kairi. He didn't need to know what happened next to identify a sixth sense when someone was speaking of one. An interesting development, especially since it happened while unenhanced...

"These... things came from the ocean, little black creatures that could sink through the ground and shambled at me. There was a floating man in a brown cloak. They chased me to through the island and cornered me. Just when I was about to be attacked, I remember there being a flash of light, and then I was somewhere else... somewhere that smelt really bad. Though, I appeared midair and hit the ground... really hard. I remember someone talking... I think...," she explained.

She paused momentarily, her eye's moving back and forth as if searching for a memory. "I remember the name 'Veld'."

Genesis resisted the urge to wince at that. He could piece together from her story that she had probably, somehow, teleported to Midgar, the place DID smell after-all in certain places. A girl appearing midair would certainly attract the attention of the Turk director, and of course, like the lap dog he was, he'd bring her to the Professor to study.

Kairi confirmed it a moment later, "I don't remember much else. I just remember waking up in my underwear in a cage in Hojo's lab, that guy... is a freak. He babbled a lot, shocked me with some kind of stick, and injected me with some kind of cells..."

Genesis narrowed his eyes at that. "There are no dreams, no honor remains."

Kairi turned her head to give him a quizzical look. "Huh?"

Genesis softly shook his head. "Forgive me the interruption, continue."

Kairi hesitated. "I got... sick for a little bit. I started hearing..."

She trailed off for a moment, tilting her head as if listening to something. "Um... nevermind."

Genesis found her behavior curious for a moment before he dismissed it. Being injected by some kind of ill concoction of the mad professor could cause all kinds of ailments if he had to guess. He would not judge her for having a momentary hallucination if what she said was to go by.

"He... took a sample of my blood after I recovered and studied it for a bit. He...," she ground her teeth, a fire lighting in her eyes, "He shot me just to test a theory!"

Genesis rolled his eyes and sighed a frustrated sigh. "Of course he did, it wouldn't be Hojo without a bit of painful experimentation."

Director Lazard coughed and cleared his throat, signaling him for silence.

"But... the shot healed almost instantly," murmured Kairi.

Genesis blinked a few times. Almost instantly? Even before the mako injections? Just what DID Hojo inject her with?

She continued, "After that, he gave me an 'offer' to become a soldier and I..."

"SOLDIER," interrupted Genesis, "Not soldier, there is a difference."

Kairi gave him a puzzled look before continuing, "...to become a SOLDIER and I 'accepted', not that I thought I'd have a choice anyway. He injected me, I fainted, I woke up in that training room, and I've pretty much been fighting monsters ever since, baring his 'tests' and injections."

Genesis and Lazard exchanged a glance, both gauging one another's mindset with that quick motion. Genesis resisted the urge to smile at what he saw in the director's eyes. This would not stand...

"First off Kairi, I would like to formally apologize on behalf of the Shinra Corporation," began Lazard.

Kairi crossed her arms and gave him a look that brought a hint of a smile to Genesis's face. No company apology bullshit was going to work here.

"While we cannot undo what was done to you, I'd offer to try and return you home, but... you clearly indicated the state of your home," said the Director.

Genesis watched Kairi wince, a sad, almost devistated look entering her eye. He gave Lazard a look. Smooth Director, real smooth. Hammer it in that her home was overrun with monsters and all her friends and family were probably killed. SOLDIERs might not be the most socially acceptable bunch, but even he knew better than to do that... unless... oh right he knew where this was going. He could have gagged: Recruitment.

"We can keep you here, safe, for the time being, and if you want we could train you to...," began Lazard.

"I accept," said Kairi, her tone thin, "I'll be a SOLDIER."

Genesis raised an eyebrow at that. She saw right through the charade, but, to accept it anyway?

"Are you sure? Do you truly want to be a SOLDIER after all of this?" asked Lazard.

Kairi narrowed her eyes. "Twice now I've been to weak to make a difference. Once at home, and again at the labs, not counting all the experiments with the monsters. I want to be strong enough to protect myself and those I care about."

A noble effort. To protect one's self and others, the desire to be a hero was one he could resonate with, especially when spoken with truth and conviction as the girl did.

Lazard nodded slowly. "Very well. I still have to speak with the president about this, but, I'm sure I can come to an agreement with him. As of this moment, well, after I file the paperwork anyway, you will be a 3rd Class SOLDIER. Now..."

Genesis cleared his throat. "What training have you had in combat?"

Kairi winced, bowed her head, and mumbled, "Aside from swinging a sword around in the lab, none."

Lazard massaged his forehead. "You will need to go through training first before we can even think of missions then. Genesis, would you see her to one of the empty VIP rooms on the SOLDIER floor? I'm not sure she should bunk with the other SOLDIERS. While I trust my SOLDIERs, I don't wish to cause any... uncomfortable moments."

She gave him a quizzical look. "Huh?"

Genesis chuckled softly. "Perhaps you missed when Hojo said you were the first female SOLDIER. Unless you wish to bunk with a bunch of men, the director assumes you would rather room alone until more of your gender enter SOLDIER."

Kairi blushed a little bit. "O-oh, yeah sure."

Genesis made a motion with his hands. "Come then 3rd Class Kairi, let us be on our way."

Kairi nodded, stood up, and followed him out of the office.

"Umm...," she began when they were a bit down the hall.

Genesis paused to look back. "Yes?"

"T-thank you for getting me out of there," Kairi said sheepishly.

Genesis cracked a smile at her. "Your most welcome. I may not be Sephiroth, but, I fancy myself at least somewhat of a hero."

Kairi gave him a briefly confused look before she shrugged and then gave him a sheepish smile. "I don't know about Sephiroth, but, you were the one who got me out of there. So, your my hero."

Genesis faced forward to hide the blush of pride and embarrassment that briefly overtook him. Oh she had no clue how those words burned through his veins. To be compared, and preferred over Sephiroth as the hero was an elating sensation. Perhaps it was petty of him, but he was more than willing to indulge in the sensation of the feeling for the moment.

Hmm... he needed a quote for this moment. "My friend, your desire is the bringer of life, the gift of the goddess. And your freedom, was a gift I was more than happy to give on the goddess's behalf."

"You've said that before... almost as if your quoting out of something," said Kairi with honest curiosity.

Genesis came to an abrupt stop. "Oh, of course. If you don't know of Shinra, then you probably haven't even heard of LOVELESS."

Kairi moved to stand beside him. "LOVELESS?"

Genesis hesitated moment, a moment of uncertainty passing him, before he fished through his coats inner pocket for his special copy of LOVELESS and handed it to her. "I'll let you borrow my copy to read. It is a... well... a masterpiece. Even that word does not do it enough credit. Take care of my copy, otherwise..."

He gave her a mischievous look. "I might have to light you on fire."

Kairi, to his surprise, ignored the remark. She took the book in her hands and began to trace along the cover, her fingers hovering over the tittle tenderly. He watched her study the book, not even opening it yet. She showed it the admiration he felt it deserved before one even laid eyes upon its divine words. He did not want to interrupt, marveling someone finally giving the book true appreciation, but gently tapped her shoulder and pointed towards the elevator. She nodded, and they entered the elevator, making for the 49th floor.

He watched her open the book and begin to quietly read its wonders, her eyes tracing its ever line. He led her through the SOLDIER floor towards their destination. Many SOLDIERS they passed paused to give Kairi a second glance, surprise written all over their face. The glow of a SOLDIER's eyes was unmistakable, within the hour he was sure that the entire floor would be in an uproar over the appearance of a female SOLDIER. Fortunately for her, she appeared to be engrossed in LOVELESS and didn't notice.

He led her to an empty room and opened the door. "Your room awaits."

Kairi paused her reading to look at him. "Thank you."

He tilted his head. "Of course, I wouldn't let you get lost in the building..."

"I mean for letting me read the book, I can tell its special to you," she said.

He stared at her for a moment before offering her a faint smile. "It is my pleasure."

He smirked. "I have one rule though, no eating and reading at the same time, I want it returned unmarred."

Kairi smiled at him before walking inside and closing the door behind her. Genesis stood there for a moment, mulling over what had just transpired, before fishing out his PHS and texting 'MEET AT SEPHIROTH'S ROOM, PRESENCE ANSWERED!' and sending it to Angeal and Sephiroth. He started walking immediately, frowning in thought. His friends needed to be informed of this right away. They had promised one another to share any insights they had gained about the presence.

He walked swiftly and quietly, meeting Angeal along the way, but saying nothing to the inquisitive look his friend gave him. He wanted until they entered Sephiroth's office, noting that his friend was already there, sitting quietly behind his desk, a patient look about his face. They walked inside and closed the door.

"So, what was is this 'answer' then?" asked Angeal, curious.

Genesis smirked. "Ah my friend..."

"No quotes Genesis," stated Sephiroth, a serious look on his face, "What have you discovered?"

Genesis scowled at him. "A girl."

Sephiroth raised an eyebrow. "The presence is a girl?"

"The first female SOLDIER in fact," said Genesis.

There was a silence as both Sephiroth and Angeal appraised him, trying to see if he was jesting or not.

Angeal rubbed his chin in thought. "I always thought the process was fatal for woman."

"Not anymore it seems," said Genesis, "I had to personally rescue her from the labs."

A brief, dark look passed through Sephiroth's face before he banished it. "Labs?"

Genesis nodded. "An unwilling test subject it would seem."

Angeal narrowed his eyes. "That scientist..."

"From the beginning Genesis," interrupted Sephiroth."

Genesis nodded and told them all that had transpired since he had walked into Hojo's lab for his checkup. Angeal and Sephiroth did not interrupt, absorbing what he said and then retreating to their own thoughts to think. It was more than clear what Angeal was thinking by the irritation and fury on his face. It was a smudge on the honor of SOLDIER to have someone basically conscripted into their ranks against their will. Sephiroth however had the perfect mask, betraying not a hint of what he thought.

"She said she was injected with something?" clarified Sephiroth.

Genesis shrugged. "She didn't say what."

Sephiroth pondered it for a moment. "I question if a simple injection would give her such a presence, or if she naturally had it and was amplified by the mako treatments."

Angeal slowly shook his head. "I don't know."

"You met the girl, do you have any insight Genesis?" asked Sephiroth.

Genesis shrugged. "Aside from her limit break, she didn't seem powerful nor skilled. Ignoring her regeneration, she is nowhere near our level of power."

"Yet," added in Angeal, "Someone with that kind of presence I think will have great potential."

Genesis tilted his head in acknowledgement, "Perhaps, she is after all untrained and untested. Mayhaps she may surprise us. I wouldn't be apposed to it I suppose, her personality isn't bad after all, she has enough taste to show interest in LOVELESS. I may yet make an avid fan of LOVELESS out of her."

Angeal reached a hand up to rub the bridge of his nose, chuckling as he did. "Genesis, please don't. I don't think we could survive someone else quoting LOVELESS nonestop."

Sephiroth faintly smiled at that. "Indeed."

Genesis smirked mischievously. "I make no promises."

They shared a brief fit of chuckles before Sephiroth cleared his throat. "She should be watched."

Genesis raised an eyebrow. "Oh?"

Sephiroth frowned. "If not to keep a measure of her growth, then to keep her out of the labs. I know Hojo, he won't let this go easily."

Genesis nodded solemnly. "Agreed."

"I wouldn't force this on you, but, do you think she does have potential?" asked Angeal to Genesis.

Genesis frowned, thinking over the very brief display of power he had seen from her. "I'm honestly unsure, what are you alluding to?"

"Today in the initiation for the new 3rd Class SOLDIERs, I met someone I think has great potential," explained Angeal, "I plan on taking him under my wing. Perhaps you should do the same with the girl."

Genesis shifted his focus. "Great potential you say?"

"One Zackery Fair," said Angeal, "Zack for short, a little hyperactive, kind of like a puppy."

Genesis snorted. "Have fun then, I have no interest in mongrels."

He frowned briefly. "As for the girl... I'll consider it, but, I'll need to see her at least preforming the basics before I make a decision. The only reason I'm even considering is because one, she appears to like LOVELESS, and two, her limit break was magic focused, so, she may have aptitude there."

Sephiroth nodded. "It's decided then, keep us appraised of any further developments."

With that, their meeting was concluded, and they left...

Author's Notes:

I had considered keeping the story 100% from Kairi's point of view, as she is the main character, but decided I'd branch out and allow others to take stage at times to show things out of her sight, and other's thoughts/opinions. Maybe. Let me know if you guys don't like it or w/e, I could always change the chapter back to be from Kairi's POV.

Edit: 4/8/17 I moved this from Crossover to Regular, as the only crossover is a single character, and it will stay in the final fantasy 7 reality. That aside, IDK if Crossover's get as much opportunity as a regular for review and critique, call me selfish, but I wanted it moved here. :P