Cracked Visage

Dishonorable Dismissal

"Cissnei. Shuriken."

"Sir."

"Daiki. Nunchaku."

"Sir."

"Emina. Gun."

"Sir."

"Hiro. Two Guns."

"Sir."

"Kazuhiro. Katana."

"Sir."

"Kotone. Shotgun."

"Sir."

"Ryuu. Rod."

"Sir."

"Saika. Martial arts."

"Sir."

"Shou. Knives."

"Sir."

"Yuuta. Martial arts."

"Sir."

"Rude. Hand-to-hand."

"Sir."

"Reno. E.M.R."

"..."

"Reno?"

"..."

"For Shiva's sake."

x-x-x

The door flew open next to me, and out came a very pissed Tseng. I tensed and scratched the back of my head. "Uhh... Yo, sir." I said with a two finger salute. Tseng narrowed his eyes. "Inside. Now." I stomped my cigarette out and rushed inside, taking a seat next to Rude. Rude leaned over slightly and whispered, "You are screwed now, Reno." I groaned silently. Tseng entered the room again. "Mind explaining why you are late, Reno?" With a sigh, I stand. "Uhh, sir, I was finishin' my cigarette 'cause I know you hate the smell of them and it was no where close to being done. And I hate to waste cigarettes, so for the comfort of everyone in the room, I decided it would be best to finish my cigarette outside where all you guys couldn't smell it. Sir." Tseng nodded and relaxed a bit. I mentally sighed. "Now explain why you failed your mission and how you crashed your helicopter." I groaned out loud. "Come now Reno, explain." Fidgeting, I started the long and drawn-out lie I wove together while outside. I knew Rude would agree with whatever I threw out. I also knew Tseng wouldn' buy it either. But I could give him the real explanation in private where I won't look like such an idiot.

"So you see sir, a fallen grunt's gun was set off by the target and set on auto. Pointed directly at our chopper, we could not really avoid the shots. A bullet pierced the cockpit causing electrical damage. The worst of the damage was located in the piloting system, resulting in a technical malfunction. Which, in the end, resulted in our unconventional landing, sir." I finished with a small sigh. Tseng raised an eyebrow, not a good sign. "So you're saying you were brought down by a standard issue machine gun for grunts? Not even a SOLDIER gun? A grunt gun? In a ShinRa Turk issued helicopter? Sounds outlandish, really." I stuttered. "The gun was wielded by a First Class SOLDIER! He has been trained in firearms!" I cursed in my head. "A wounded First Class SOLDIER." Tseng corrected. I opened my mouth to defend my story some more, but Tseng held up a hand. "Quiet Reno. Sit down." I hung my head. "Yes sir." Just as I was sitting down, the door opened. Everyone stood and saluted. "Sir!" A chorus of voices said in unison.

Rufus ShinRa was a scary man in many ways. Physically he wasn't impressive. Not very tall, blond hair, blue eyes, pale, skinny, white suit. Oh and not to mention he was a kid! Head of Turks from sixteen to eighteen, from there he took over Vice Presidency. I joined Turks at fifteen, he was twelve. So that makes him about twenty-two now. Considering that I was raised in the Sector 7 slums, I grew up fast, and he was the only son of the most powerful man on earth, so he was pampered most likely. That probably puts him at a seventeen year old's maturity, if even that. But Ifrit is he scary. I've heard about some of his secretaries being shot just for calling him on the intercom while he had a headache. I usually thank Shiva he runs the Junon H.Q. But for right now the terrorist attacks have made it important for the entire Turk force to be here in Midgar. And Odin forbid Rufus be alone for a week. I mean the kid's got a sawed-off shotgun he totes like a woman's purse. Oh and not to mention his mutated guard hound Dark Nation. No this kid needs security EVERY HOUR OF THE DAMNED DAY. I suppose it's cause he's the Pres' only son. Or rather his only accepted son. After all Director Lazard was just a fuck up created with a slums whore. And now look, he's gone missin'. I wonder how that happened. Sometimes it makes me wonder whether or not it's all a game. Or a show. To entertain the dead pricks up in the Lifestream.

"Rufus will be joining us to evaluate each of the Turks individually. Being the former head of the department, Rufus knows what to look for in our Turks and due to the recent terror activities we need all the evaluation possible." Tseng explained carefully. Sometimes I envied his status of being able to call Rufus, well Rufus, without being shot. I once slipped and I got twenty stitches in my leg from Dark Nation. Rufus nodded and took the seat at the head of the table near Tseng, yet away from everyone else. It was also widely known he HATED to be touched. That was a certain death offense. No escaping that one. Only Tseng could touch the kid. After all, Tseng raised him. The boy's father wasn't very "loving" and that much was obvious. Rufus cleared his throat and turned to Daiki. Daiki and Rufus got along well. Both were wealthy, strict, high-up, blonds.

"What is your weapon of choice?"

"Nunchaku, sir."

"So short-range, correct?"

"Yes sir."

"Hmm."

"Any specialization?"

"Negotiations sir."

Emina tensed as Rufus turned to her. I wanted to reach out and rub her shoulder. She is an ok girl, real straight-laced, but not bad.

"Weapon?"

"Gun, sir."

"Long or short-range?"

"Preferably long, but I can handle short, sir."

"Excellent. Area of specialization?"

"High-pressure situations, sir."

"Very valuable. You'll go far in ShinRa with those specifications."

Emina glowed. It was no secret she had a crush on Rufus. She also had an eye out for Tseng too, and that seemed to be mutual, but it seemed she was really into Rufus. Who wouldn't be, really? He is kinda sexy after all. Like most people in ShinRa, I'm bi-sexual. Almost all SOLDIERs are, since women aren't often allowed into the program. But as a Turk, I am surrounded by hot males AND hot females. So I have a little more variety then the SOLDIERs, and luckily I'm pretty damn good with seduction. I get laid. Heh. What more can I say? Everyone likes a redhead. Oh look, Shou is having a panic attack!

- sigh - "Weapon?"

"Uhh...um..."

With a smirk, I help the kid out. "Knives, rookie?" Shou smacks his forehead to the table. "Y-yes t-thank you s-sir."

"Knives, sir."

"Throwing knives?"

"Uhh.."

"For Shiva's sake! Yes rookie, throwing knives. Forget your name too? It's Shou, by the way." Shou turns and glares at me for making a fool of him. The initial confusion was cute, then it became fuckin' annoying. Rufus obviously felt the same. "Next time, know your own weapons." Shou stuttered out, "Yes sir, sorry sir." Tseng rolled his eyes inconspicuously. Hiro next.

"Primary weapon? Please tell me you know what it is, or I may be forced to shoot you."

"Dual guns, sir."

"You have been referred as personal guard for me. What's your back ground in that area?"

"I was a body guard for Don Corneo, sir."

"I see."

"Are your guns short or long-ranged?"

"One is short and one is long, sir."

"Very good. Prepared."

Suck-up. Ooh Yuuta...

"Answer the previous questions."

"I have no weapon, sir. I am a martial arts expert. As a former Costa del Sol detective, I'm specialized in problem solving, investigations, and interrogations, sir."

"Good."

Interrogations? Don't make me laugh. That's my shit. Whatever, yo. I let out a snort, drawing attention to myself. I held up a hand in apology and waved to signal for them to continue. Kotone, sweet girl that one is, she is shaking. She is usually very bold, but Rufus intimidates her.

"Go on."

"Shotgun, like yourself, sir."

"Excellent weapon."

She perked up a little and smiled. I just might have to 'do' her if she keeps smiling like that...

"I specialize in hunting and tracking, sir."

"Quite a bit like myself, nice to see."

Kotone's smile looked like it might split her face. It was making me dizzy, so I directed my attention to the next unfortunate victim, Ryuu. Haha, my favorite. Ryuu is my little mini-me. Rod-totin', slum drawlin', gang leadin', thief! Ah my little protégé.

"You should know the drill."

"I use a rod, sir. I'm also pretty good with hand-to-hand. An' I specialize in gang activity, theft, covert operations, body guard protection, undercover operations, hacking, vehicles, piloting, escape artistry, assassinations, and mechanics."

Rufus raised an eyebrow. "So many talents? Tell me what you did before Turks, how were you discovered, under what terms were you recruited, and who recruited you." Ryuu nodded. "I was a violent gang leader in the Sector 3 slums, I got cocky an' decided to try ta steal'a ShinRa bike an' I got caught." Rufus' arched eyebrow rose higher. "I would hope so, or I would be worried about our parking garage security." Ryuu smirked slightly. "Nah, sir. I took out the garage security. I got caught by a'drunk Reno. He, pardon my speech, sir, kicked my ass. Well, 'e was impressed an' offered me a job. I was interested in gettin' outta the slums, so I accepted an' he took me under 'is wing. I learned how to use'a rod and some extra skills. He said if I kept loyal, he could get me inta Turks. Well 'e did and I been loyal ever since." Rufus nodded and cocked his head at me. "Good work Reno." I gave a two fingered salute. "Thank ya, thank ya, sir." Rufus turned to Saika next and nodded in her direction.

"I am a strict martial arts user, but my agility allows me to avoid most attacks directed at me. My style is kick-heavy, which allows me some range in comparison to punches. My talents center around split-second decisions, high-pressure situations, and strategies."

Rufus nodded silently and turned to Kazuhiro.

"I use a katana. And I can face high numbers of enemies without panic and succeed in winning the battle."

It was now I noticed, Rufus skipped Cissnei. What was up with that? She noticed too, but said nothing. She kept shooting him looks though. Rufus cleared his throat, and looked down at his papers before looking up again. "Thank you for your time, if you will I need to speak to my first and second in command alone please." All the others stood and went to exit. "Cissnei." She turned to face Rufus. "Yes sir?" She asked politely. "Stay behind." She nodded. I started to get nervous. What would Rufus want with Ciss? She was like the mother of the Turks, everyone loves her. After all she has love in her true name. Aiko, love child. It fit her well. She had a crush on Zack, that much I know. I wonder if this has to do with her break down mid-mission...

"Cissnei, some disturbing information has come to light. And it does not make you look good." Rufus' eyes were ice. Oh Gaia. Here it comes. "May I ask what it is, sir?" Rufus sighed. "It seems you have been aiding our fugitives." I audibly inhaled. Cissnei cringed as if she knew this was coming. She sighed and stood up straight. "Explain my offence and charges, please sir." Rufus took a deep breath. "You were seen allowing Zackary Fair to escape from capture. As well as misleading your fellow Turks into thinking he escaped on his own. And providing a ShinRa issue motorcycle." I let my head fall to the table. What have you done, Aiko? "It seems only right to have you dishonorably discharged." Cissnei relaxed a bit. I mentally groaned. She didn't understand that it meant me or Tseng will have to kill her. "I understand, sir." I raised my head with tired eyes. "Would you like me to escort her out, sir?" As much as I liked Aiko, she was a traitor. And ShinRa was more important than her and more important than me. Rufus nodded without looking at me. At least I could make this easy for her, I thought as I stood, motioning towards the door for her.

She followed me out into the hall. We walked to the "Discharge Room" in silence. Most thought that the room had a place to put your weapons and uniform and an elevator which led outside. Nope, it had a place to put your weapons and a easily cleaned tile floor. We entered quietly. I locked the door behind us. Everyone saw us walking to the room. Shou avoided our eyes, I made a mental note to kill that little asshole in revenge. Cissnei changed back into Aiko, taking off her Turk jacket and placing her weapon on the table. By now I think she had an idea of what was going on. It killed me to know this had to happen. When she was done, she turned to me with sad eyes and said softly, "Tell Zack my real name please." I nodded solemnly and took out my gun. I checked the cartridge, it was full. With a sigh, I pointed it at her. I couldn't look, so I stared at the ground, putting on the silencer, flicking off the safety, and finally pulling the trigger. One shot. That's all it took. I was thankful I had perfect aim even when I wasn't looking. I didn't look back I just left the room with the face of a dead man.