Chapter III
Standard disclaimers apply.
Chapter III
-World so Cold-
Cosmo Canyon
One month, two weeks before the Fury
Thud. Thud. Thud. Screaming.
Red XIII, also known as Nanaki, awoke with a start. He stretched, then sniffed the air tentatively. "Something's wrong," he murmured. "Better go see what it is." Since the death of his grandfather Bugen seven years earlier, Nanaki had reluctantly assumed the title of Cosmo Canyon village elder, and was now more in tune with the Planet than ever before. Yawning, he stepped outside. Once he saw what was going on, he almost wished he hadn't. Almost.
Chaos consumed the small village. Fires were breaking out–everywhere, it seemed–and people were running and screaming in terror. Nanaki heard the reason long before he actually saw it. A huge, jet-black dragon flew overhead, roaring as it shot jets of black flame throughout the town. Black flame…! What in the world? he was thinking, when the beast suddenly dove. Its target appeared to be a middle-aged man. The man froze when he saw the great dragon, then began screaming as he was lifted into the air. Perplexed, Nanaki took a closer look at the creature. There was a blue gem-type ornament in the center of its forehead. No, it can't be…he thought. Before he could move, the dragon lifted the man into its jaws–then clamped down. The man's screams were silenced as the monster consumed its meal. "Elder Nanaki…?" He turned to see the owner of the Butterfly Arms Weapon Shop, her expression frightful. "That blue thing…was it…?" "Yes," Nanaki replied, annoyed at himself for not being able to remember the woman's name. "Find a way to contact Yuffie and Reno. We have a problem." As the chaos continued, Nanaki could only hope that help wouldn't come too late.
New Midgar Memorial Gardens
New Midgar, Sector 7
One month, two weeks before the Fury
It was drizzling outside as my brother's funeral got underway. I wasn't really paying attention when the preacher said his piece; hell, he didn't even know Scott. I wasn't trying to be disrespectful–Scott would have known this. It was just that I was too wrapped up in my own emotions–anger, sadness, and loss. It wasn't until Rebecca Lewis whispered my name that I noticed everyone watching me expectantly. I stepped to the lectern to deliver the eulogy.
"My brother…" I sighed, and threw down the speech that had been typed up for me. "Look. A lot of you knew Scott. If you're one of the few who didn't, you at least knew who he was. To me, he was the best friend a guy could ever ask for. He was there for me when noone else was. He was family, damnit. The only family I had." I stopped briefly to regain my composure, then continued.
"Some people will say later on that he was among the best Neo-S had to offer, and that's true too. But let's not forget what kind of person he was; let's not just remember him as a good military officer. He was a terrific guy, kind, smart, funny, the kinda guy you'd never get tired of hanging out with. Hell, if you ever needed anything, be it money or just someone to talk to, he was your go-to guy. And he never expected you to repay him." Again, I stopped and waited. I went on.
"A few haters might say he gave me special treatment because I was the little brother. Let me explain why. He merely didn't want anything to happen to me. Do you even know what put him in a coma to begin with? I'll tell you. He took a hit for me, when we were fighting Yuffie Kisaragi, two weeks ago. So if anyone ever says that Scott Matthew Kaelar was selfish, then tell them to go to hell, because I just gave you all the truth." I stepped away from the lectern amid murmurs and whispering. I was just about to sit down again when I thought I saw a familiar face, one I hadn't seen in years. Long, jet-black hair. Tall. Golden eyes. No, I thought. It can't be…I looked again. The woman smiled shyly and turned to walk away…"Misa?! Meese, is that you?!" I cried, shoving through the crowd. But by the time I got through, she–whoever she was–was gone.
Later that evening, there came a knock at my door. "It's open," I called, and Becky Lewis stepped into my apartment. "Hi, Soren," she said, blushing. "I wanted to check on you…" "Hey, Becky. Sit down, why doncha? I won't bite. At least, not hard," I replied. Blushing even more, she sat on a bar stool. "How are you holding up, Soren?" she asked. "Me? I'm okay, I guess. I just…miss him, you know?" I said, grabbing a bottle of scotch and a shot glass. "Want a drink?" "No, thanks, I'm fine," she answered. "Suit yourself," I said, filling my glass and taking a shot. "Are you sure you're okay?" she asked as I took another shot. "What do you think? I just fucking lost my brother! The only family I had!" I yelled. "I know, I know," Becky replied, getting up and moving to stand behind me. "I just…want you to know that I'm here for you, okay? Anyway, I'm going home. R and D is working on some new upgrades for your arm, so I have to be up early, 'kay?" "Man, whatever," I replied bitterly. "I've gotta go to bed myself anyways." "Okay, well…if you need me, you know where I am," Becky said, walking over to the door. "Good night, Soren." "'Night," I replied absently, the alcohol taking effect already. The hell with it, I thought as I headed to my bedroom and climbed into bed. It's been a long fucking day, and I'm tired. I was asleep before my head hit the pillow.
Lady Yuffie's Home
Wutai
One month, two weeks before the Fury
"Lady Yuffie? Message from Cosmo Canyon marked urgent for you." A small, chubby man entered Yuffie's private library in her home. The twenty-three-year-old shinobi sat in a large, plush chair, reading a book on the Cetra, a subject that had piqued her curiosity in the past few weeks. She looked up, annoyed. "What did you say?" she asked impatiently. "Ma'am, there's a message from Cosmo Canyon for you, marked urgent," the man repeated, clearly nervous now. "Okay. Geez. Lemme see it, then, will ya?" she snapped, snatching the envelope from the man. Bowing, he quickly left. "Now, what's going on in the Canyon…?" she wondered aloud, opening the envelope. A single piece of paper fell out. "Okay…Nanaki can't really write. He obviously had someone write it for him," she murmured. Picking up the piece of paper, she read it aloud.
"Yuffie,
We need your help. Monster attacking village. Believe it absorbed White Materia somehow. Come out to CC ASAP.
Nanaki."
"Aw, hell…" she whined. She ran a hand through her hair. "Guess I'd better get packed."
Neo-SOLDIER HQ Building
New Midgar, Sector 1
One month, two weeks before the Fury
"Director Reno? Message for you, sir. It's urgent." Reno turned to face the source of the intrusion; he'd been reminiscing on his days as a Turk. A young aide, the same one he'd sent to fetch Soren before Scott died, stood at his desk with an envelope in her hand. "All right, let's see it," he said dryly, taking it from the girl. She smiled shyly and left the office. Reno sighed. Business as usual, he thought, opening the envelope. The message read:
"Reno.
We need your help. CC under attack by an unnatural type of dragon. Believe it absorbed White Materia. Send a squad of your best if possible to CC ASAP.
Nanaki."
"Well," Reno muttered, "it looks like Soren's got a mission after all." He pressed an intercom button. "Miss DeMarco, relay a message to Mr. Kaelar that he is to assemble a squad of six and be ready to depart for Cosmo Canyon by 0800 tomorrow." "Yes, Director," his secretary replied. And may the spirits of the Cetra watch over you, my friend, he thought, sighing again.
Soren Kaelar's Apartment
New Midgar, Sector 2
One month, one week, six days before the Fury
There was a knock at my door. "Yeah, it's open," I called from my bedroom. I heard the door open, then, "Mr. Kaelar?" "Yeah, it's me," I replied. "What's up?" It was the same girl I'd seen at the hospital, one of Reno's aides, I guessed. "Message from the Director, sir," the girl stated, handing me a piece of stationery with the Neo-S emblem on it. I took it and read it.
"Soren.
CC reports unusual attack from dragon. Assemble a squad of six and report to Hangar #1 at 0800. More details later."
Reno."
I looked at the alarm clock sitting on my nightstand: it was 7:05 A. M. "All right," I told the girl. "Tell the Director I'll be there." As if I have a choice in the matter, I thought bitterly. Fortunately, I knew of the perfect squad to get together for this. I grabbed my phone (which I rarely use) and began punching in numbers. I'd worked with all the people I'd be calling at least once in previous missions, so I knew–to an extent–what they'd be like. Finally, on the fourth ring, a sleepy-sounding male voice answered. "Hello?" "Yo, Jason," I said. "Who's this?" the ex-shinobi answered impatiently. "It's Soren, dude," I replied. "Oh, hell. What's up? Why're you calling me so damned early?" "Got a job for you. And five others–you know, the usual squad," I told him. "Can you be ready in twenty? I'll explain en route to the hangars," I said, knowing already what the answer would be. "Yeah, man. I'll see you in a few," came the response. "Good man. Later," I said, then hung up. One down, five to go, I thought, dialing the next number. I repeated this process for fifteen minutes, for the other members–Janice, the tech specialist; McKenzie, recon master; Becky, my personal upgrade specialist; Will, the weapons master; and Matsuda(Matt for short), our demolitions expert. Finally done rousing everyone from sleep, I left to go round them all up.
Neo-SOLDIER Airship Hangar #1
New Midgar, Sector 1
One month, one week, six days before the Fury
"Okay, Soren, What's going on that's so important?" Jason's voice still sounded groggy–probably from lack of sleep, I really had no way of knowing. "Yeah, what kind of mission are we going on? We've usually been briefed by now," Janice piped in, sounding a bit annoyed; I gathered that she hadn't had her usual pot of coffee yet. "This isn't a typical mission, guys," I replied. "We're going to Cosmo Canyon. Apparently the village is either under attack, or was attacked, by some sort of weird dragon. That's all Reno would say." "But…how are we gonna get there? All of our airships are on patrol," Matt pointed out. As if in answer, there was a sudden screaming of twin-turbine engines. "Like this," a familiar voice said from behind me. Instantly, the others snapped to attention. I turned around to see Reno grinning at me. "Morning, Soren," he said. "Morning, sir," I replied, going to attention myself. "At ease, guys," Reno said, running a hand through his flame-red hair. "No need to be so damned formal." "What's this all about, sir?" McKenzie asked, confusion running across his features. "Allow me to introduce our new flagship–the Phoenix," Reno replied, gesturing to his left. "It's a prototype Emerald-class airship. She's got state-of-the-art sensor systems, the new Mark IV twin-turbine engines, a new type of hull defense we like to call particle shielding, and," he finished, grinning, "she's armed to the teeth." "Wow, Reno," I said, thoroughly impressed. "Bet that cost an assload." "Actually, yes," he quipped, grinning again. "Forty-eight million Gil, to be precise. Don't say anything," he continued, his voice dropping, "but I had to…well, take out a loan." "Not really surprising," Will put in, his expression unreadable. "That's an impressive piece of machinery." "That she is," Reno said, pride evident in his voice. "Best of all, she's all yours, to take wherever you need to go from now on. Because…there's a reason why you're all here, besides the mission. Attention!" he yelled, and we all snapped to it. "Guys, you're the very best Neo-SOLDIER has to offer, and it is my honor, privilege, and pleasure to christen you six as the Omega Squad. And," he continued, "Soren, I have something for you." "Okay…I think I know what it is, and you know how I feel about it, but…you're the boss, sir," I said, not liking this one bit. Reno came to stand in front of me, reaching into the pocket of his ever-present sport coat. He pulled out a crystalline-style box with two first-class rank insignia. "Soren Vincent Benjamin Kaelar, it is my pleasure to promote you to Neo-SOLDIER, First Class Officer. May you wear the rank well, and may it serve you well in all that you do," the director intoned with pride. "I've watched you closely over the past four years; noone deserves this rank–and esteem–more than you." "Thank you, sir," I said, thinking, You couldn't be more wrong, Reno. There's one person who deserves this rank. "Now that that's done," Reno went on in a businesslike manner while reaching into his pocket again, "at ease, guys." Pulling out his phone while the others in the Omega Squad congratulated me, he pressed a few buttons. A hatch opened up on the side of the Phoenix, and we all took the hint and boarded the enormous airship. "Now, I can't advise you all enough to be careful in the Canyon. All the other ships are tied up right now, so I won't be able to send backup if the need arises. But–" here he stopped, grinning again, "–there's plenty of supplies on board if you need them–potions, Materia, et cetera. But still, be careful." "Yes, sir!" we all said at once. I headed to the bridge, where I was greeted by a noncom. "Sir, are we ready to depart?" he asked. "Yeah," I replied. "Let's get going." "Aye, sir," the noncom answered, walking to a panel and pressing a series of buttons and switches. Instantly, the lower hatch clunked closed, and the Phoenix lifted off the ground. We were on our way to the Canyon. I only hope we're not too late, I thought as the ship picked up speed.