Disclaimer: I don't own this series or any other series. I am just floating an idea. I am making no money, nor plan to, off this venture. If you think of suing me over this, then grow up. Please feel free to review, and make comments. If you find a spelling or word age mistake, feel free to let me know. Thank you. Final Fantasy VII belongs to Square Enix. Sailor Moon belongs to Naoko Takeuchi. And Ranma ½ belongs to Rumiko Takahashi.
Echelon
Chapter 3
Battle for One
By: Kagewaki Hitomi
Ranma continued his walk with Zack and mid-afternoon and quit. They had been walking in silent since the morning. Ranma had enough of the silence and asked, "So, since you know of Sephiroth. Were you there when he went insane?"
"Yes, we were both there when that happen. He was talking nonsense before it happen. We were nearly killed by him. I don't know what happen after that."
"What year was that?"
"I believe the year was 1990."
"That was five years ago."
"I could tell that when I saw stuff that wasn't available five years ago."
"Yeah, a lot has changed."
"What do you think Sephiroth's been doing since he went crazy?" asked Zack.
"I wouldn't know that. But what I do know is the potential danger he poses to the planet."
"True. He was the strongest swordsman in the world when he went insane. There is know telling what he can accomplish now."
"You have a point. Tell me did you ever hear of a Kimura experimenting on trying to draw out something called the Lifestream?"
"Yes, it was still in it's intermediary stage of the project five years ago. In these years since then they probably improved it and accomplished more on the research. Why do you ask?"
"No, reason in particular."
Zack didn't buy Ranma's one bit. 'Not many people knew that Kimura was experimenting with the Lifestream. So, how did this boy who doesn't work for Kimura know about it?' he thought. He would let the question go for now and find out another time.
George got off the bus with Marian. They stood on the sidewalk as the bus drove off. George then started to walk ahead down e street away from the bus stop. He still had his metal case in his hands. His sister was closely behind him with her backpack on her back and her jacket held in her hands.
"Wait for me brother!" She called out.
"Hurry up if you don't want to be left behind."
She caught up with her big brother and was walking right by him. He was getting curious glances, but just looked ahead ignoring the looks he was getting from people. He sister did the same thing.
"So, big brother how far is your apartment?" she asked.
"It's not far from here just a couple of more blocks away. We'll be there in a few minutes." he replied.
The continued to walk for a couple of minutes and stopped n front of six story building. The building was white in color and had big wide windows. It looked like an other expensive apartment building in America.
"This is where you live big brother?" she asked.
"Yes, sister this were I live. Let's go in."
He walked to the front door f the building and entered the Lobby. George waved to the doorman behind the desk. He walked to the desk and the doorman gave him his mail. He looked over it as they started talking.
"Hello, Mr. Lambert. How are you?" he asked.
"I'm fine Hiro-san."
"That's good, sir."
They entered the elevator and he pressed the button for the 6th floor. The elevator jerked upwards it dinged before it came to each floor. They rode the elevator for a couple of minutes before the door opened as it stopped. Both of them got off on the floor. After they got off the elevator door closed.
"So, where's your apartment."
"It's two doors down."
He walked to the let and soon passed one door then another. He stopped by '603' and dug into his pocket and pulled out a key. He then placed it into the lock and turned the key. He unlocked the door and it swung opened, and walked into the living room.
"Ah, it's good to be home." he muttered.
He had started walking to a armoire and placed the case on the ground. He then unlocked the padlock on it. He opened both doors and picked up his metal case from the floor and slid it in. He opened the case and took out his rifle and hung it on two hooks. He then pulled the two pistols and placed them on the shelf, then took off his pouches and placed them on the shelf.
"Brother were will I sleep?"
"Go up those stairs it leads to another room. That can be your room."
"Okay."
"I'm going to take a bath and then get some sleep." he replied walking into his room and turned on the AC as he passed it.
It was night in Niigata. He was walking through the Warehouse District by the Port of the city. He was here to meet his informant from Kimura. He stopped walking under the light in the area.
The man had brown hair and blue eyes. He wore a pair of avatar goggles on the forehead with a pack of cigarettes in the strap of the goggles. A gray t-shirt, a pair of green cargo pants, and a denim jacket tied around his waist. On his feet were a pair of black combat boots and brown gloves that went to his forearm.
He was smoking a cigarette as he waited for his informant to arrive. He took the cigarette in his fingers and blow out some smoke. He heard foot steps in front of him and stopped all you could see was a pair of black dress shoes.
"What the fuck took you so long?" he asked.
"You don't have to be so rude Akira-san." replied the mysterious person in a feminine voice.
"Kiss my ass Cissnei you should be in the kitchen making some man dinner."
"Is that anyway to talk to your informant, honey." she said.
She walked out of the shadows and you could clearly see her. She ha long reddish-brown hair that was wave at the end a brown eyes. She wore a black suit jacket, a white dress shirt with black tie and black pants. She had a manila folder in her hands and smiled at him. Then handed him the folder. He took it from her and opened it up.
"This is everything I could find about Sephiroth which wasn't a lot. I also found something called 'The Genesis Project' whatever it is there was not much information was on it."
"Thanks.
"Remember honey you owe me dinner for this."
"Yeah, well you should come by my apartment and cook me a home cooked meal."
"I'll think about it." she said as she disappeared into the night. "I have your number so I'll call."
"Yeah, whatever."
He stated to walk away from there meeting place.
Sephiroth and Jadeite had been walking for some time now since he was found by Sephiroth in the South Pole. They were on a dirt path threw the mountains to Tokyo. Jadeite was a little pissed off that they had to walk to Tokyo.
"You know I could teleport us there?" asked Jadeite.
"Because the Sailor Senshi will know we would appear. They know your techniques. We can surprise them. So, they will not notice us."
"For the element of surprise?"
"You should know that the element of surprise is crucial in this situation."
'I rather go in guns a blazing and kill them before they have a chance to transform.'
The continued walking to Tokyo. The moon shinned in the sky overhead. Sephiroth smiled it looked evil and somewhat crazy in a way.
Ranma and Zack continued down the dirt road and night was quickly approaching. They stopped and walked away from the road to set up camp. Ranma went to collect some fire wood then placed it in a hole that Zack had just dug. He then lit the fire with a match.
"Zack do you have anyone waiting for you in Tokyo?" asked Ranma.
"Yes, I have someone. Her name is Aerith. What about you?"
Ranma was a little shocked by the name, but replied. "My mother and my fiancee' Akane. I have no other, but them two and Kasumi are the only ones I like to see."
"Not very close with your family I take it."
"No, the old man is an ass. Tendo-san is an immature fool. Nabiki the lest said about her the better. No, I don't like my family."
"That's a little harsh."
Ranma just shrugged his shoulders at that and asked, "What about her?"
"Who Quistis?"
"Yeah."
"As far as I know she only has a mother alive. I believe she's from Paris, France. That's as far as I know."
"When she wakes up do you think she'll remember?"
"I don't know we could only hope."
"What about you Zack, where are you from?"
"Me I'm from the U.S. A small town in New York State were I was born a raised."
"What's it like there?"
"Nice and warm during the summer. Beautiful in the fall when the leaves fell. Cold and dry in the winter. Depending on where you live life along could be harsh for people. I would love to see my parents one last time."
"I guess no matter what age one never stops wanting to see his parents."
"Yeah," said Zack getting up and picked up the sword. "Come on I'll show you how to better handle a sword that big."
"All right."
Ranma fallowed Zack a little ways to a small clearing.
It was the same night as when Zack and Ranma stopped for the night. About sixteen miles away from them and to the west, was a small group of Kimura's Private Army. It was made up of twenty-five people. They all carried pistols holstered on there legs and AK-47u across there shoulders. Around there waist were poaches for extra ammo.
"Sir, we are here as ordered!"
"At ease men."
They stood at rest with behind there backs. The commander walked around looking at his men up and down the rows.
"Men we have been tasked with a great honor from Kimura! We are to kill a couple of traitors."
"Who are they, sir."
"They are Quistis Hawkins MARDUK 3rd class, and Zack Fair MARDUK 1st Class. Zack is very dangerous so you should all be very care when you attack. Make sure you have everything men. For in three hours we leave. Dismissed."
They saluted him and all called out, "Sir, yes, sir."
It was breakfast and Bartholomew sa in the same bar as before Nana-Ten. It was prety emoty right now, but it was still a good place to get a meal. Keiko came backwith his food.
"It's good to see you again, Barholomew."
"I was in here last night you know."
"I know, but its still good to see you. I like you. Your nice guy."
"Well thanks. The food here is good that's why I came back for breakfast."
"I love the complement."
"I want to talk with you about this group of yours."
"What did you want to know?"
"How would I be able to join?"
"You want to join the group?"
"Yes, I heard of the Kimura Company. And what I have heard was not good at all. It's a Weapons Company with it's own Private Army and Special Forces."
"That's kind of what they are in a nut shell."
"It seems with there army, they could take over the world in a bloody coup d'etat."
"Yes, while the army is the same as any other army. It's there Special Forces MARDUK and The Lazarus that you need to watch out for."
"Why is that?" asked Bartholomew.
"The MARDUK were soldiers that are able to enter the Special Forces. They are supposedly are injected with something called Jenova cells and are bathed in the Mako energy."
"What is Jenova cells and this Mako energy?"
"I don't know what Jenova is or what Mako is for that mattered. I found glimpses of it in my fathers papers."
"I wonder f this s the lynch pen to why there Special Forces are hired out to some governments a lot."
"I see you done you research. That's true. I also have read that they experimented a lot on people who worked for there Army."
"So, back to the question. Can I join?"
"I don't see why not."
"Good. Oh, by the way do you he a name for this group?"
"Um…No we don't have one. It was usually just me and my brother in the group."
"We should really think of one." replied Bartholomew.
"I know."
George walked down he street. He had slept all last afternoon and last night. He had woke up revitalized and refresh. His sister had stayed home to watch some TV. He stopped by a bar called Nana-Ten and opened the door. He saw a tall man talking to a Japanese woman.
He walked into the bar and took a set on a bar stool next to the tall man. He looked at the woman and smiled at her. She smiled and walked to him.
"What can I get you?"
"What is today's special?"
"Today's special is scrambled eggs, hash brown, and ham."
"Can I get a plate of that, cheri?"
"Sure, I'll be right back." she replied before disappearing in the back to make the food.
He turned to the guy he sat next to and extended his hand. They shook hands with each other. Then Bartholomew turned back to his food.
"Names George Lambert. Thief, Gentleman Gunner, and Expert Pilot."
"Bartholomew Solomon. Archer and Fencer. So, what do you do George?"
"I steal precious items for people who paid good money for them. And I also work as a sniper. Before that I worked for Kimura's Lazarus Group. I was a good shot with a gun before I joined the group, but after I joined them they turned me into an expert shooter. I can shot someone with LPS 4x6° TIP2 4x24 rifle scope mounted on a Heckler & Koch PSG-1 from 1000m away."
"That's pretty good. So, your not still with Kimura?"
"No, I was a member, but I left. Since I left a year and a half ago they have tried to kill since then."
"Damn, that's bad. But you must have information people would pay for?"
"Yeah, but tell me does that woman have a boyfriend?"
"I think so. Why?"
"No reason at all."
Keiko return from the back with the food. She walked over and put the food in front of him and a drink. Bartholomew signaled for Keiko with his hands. She walked over to him. They started to whisper to each other.
George just shrugged his shoulders and went to eating his food. He took a sip of his drink before continuing eating. She walked back to him and he looked up at her. She smile sweetly at him and he smiled back at her.
"What can I do for you?" he asked already knowing the answer.
"Is it true you work for Kimura's Lazarus Group?"
"Yes, madame. Why?"
"Would you be willing to give me information of the various groups of Kimura."
"What's in it for me?"
"Well your meal is free."
"All right I guess. I will also help you any other way I can."
"Deal. So, get to talking."
It was eight o'clock in the morning. There was a passing farmer that picked them up earlier. All three of them sat in the back of the truck. They were a couple of more hours away from Tokyo by truck. So, they enjoyed the ride.
"Zack."
"Yeah, what is it Ranma?"
"I consider you a friend. And I'll help you any way I can."
"Thanks Ranma. When we get to Tokyo. We'll need all the help I can get."
The farmer had stopped the truck by a cliff overlooking Tokyo. All three of them got off the truck after finding out they're being chased by the army. They stood on the edge of the cliff and looked down at Tokyo.
He handed him Quistis and pushed them off the cliff. So, they didn't get hurt during the battle. Quistis tried to speak, but she still couldn't. She couldn't reach out to stop Zack. As they fell Ranma hared.
"Ranma never lose your dreams. Also, no matter the situation never let go of your pride as a man or a MARDUK! Welcome!"
Zack walked away from the cliff. He marched in front of the Kimura army with a smile on his face. They had stopped away from him.
"Honestly. Freedom sure is pricey." he said pulling out his sword and readied himself.
Zack ran at them and they started to shot at him. He jumped over them and cut the five of them killing them instantly. Blood flew in the air. The others to the left shot at him and blocked the bullets with his sword and ran at them. As he ran and had to black more bullets.
He got shot in the back and cringed as he killed the five and five more. He ran at the seven shooting at him. Then he pulled the sword to the left. He cut through them and more blood flow in the air, before hitting the ground. With the last amounts of strength he continued his fight clinging on to the memories of his friends and loved ones.
Zack had comes to a bitter end. They shot him and fell to the ground. The three remanding members of the battalion shouldered there rifles and drew there side arms. They stopped next to the downed Zack. They leveled there side arms and shot him at point blank range three times all were fatal. They walked away and left for dead.
Ranma climbed back to the top and placed Quistis on the ground as it begins to rain. Quistis crawled to Zack in his wounded state, she reached his side with what little strength she had. Ranma got on top and stood on the cliff and slicked back his wet hair. He walked to Zack and Quistis.
"Zack."
"Quistis."
"Come on we need to get you to a hospital." replied Ranma.
"No, I'm dying and I know it." he looked up at Ranma and laughed.
"What's so funny?"
"Ranma with your hair like slicked back like that you look like my mentor Angeal Hewley."
"What?"
He ignored him and said, "On my behalf--"
"Your behalf?" asked Quistis.
"That's right. You will--"
"You will--" repeated Quistis.
"Continued living. You are proof that I existed."
"I am proof that you existed." replied Quistis.
"Ranma my dreams and pride, I give it all to you."
Zack handed Ranma the Buster Sword and passes away soon after. He held up the sword and from tip to handle, it is approximately 5 feet long, with a single-edged, enormously wide blade. It's broad hilt sported a swirling motif, and there were two holes on the blade near the hilt, presumably for something unknown.
Quistis looked into Zack's fading eyes as he died. She realized the price Zack paid to save her and Ranma.
"Ahhhhhhhhhhhhh!" she screamed out.
The commander got to the extraction point. A helicopter waited for them and two men waited for them. One had long red hair in a pony-tail and had red horizontal lies on his face in a black suit without a tie. The other was a big bald guy in an identical suit with a tie and sunglasses. He saluted them.
"How did your mission go?" asked the red hair.
"It was a success we killed the target, but we couldn't find the girl."
"So, you don't know if se's dead or not?" asked the bald man.
"No, sir."
"As long as you killed Zack like ordered. We could call this a somewhat complete mission. All three of you get on the helicopter you will be debriefed in Tokyo."
"Yes, sir." he replied before walking to the helicopter.
He got on in the back of the helicopter.
Ranma sheathed the sword on his back and remembered what Zack told him. He had said 'Men cry not for themselves, but for there comrades.' He looked down at Quistis.
He put his left hand on her right shoulder. She then turned to look at him and was sniffling and crying. She had stood up from the ground were Zack's body laid.
"Thank you. I won't forget you Zack. Good night."
Her and Ranma walked off to Tokyo. The sky cleared and the sun shined on them. Zack sat on the edge of a cliff that raised over looking the city.
"Hold on to your dreams! Ranma and Quistis. If you two want to become a heroes you have to hold on to your dreams."
Zack's body begun it's new journey to return to the planet.
"That girl said that she was scared of the natural sky. But of course it must feel great right? Those wings of yours, lend them to me as well. What's this? It feels great. When you meet Aerith I'm depending on you to look after her. Hey I've become a hero haven't I?"
To Be Continued….In Chapter 4: Kashmir.
Author's Note: I finished this chapter faster then I expected. I hope you like it. The ending of Zack is based on -Crisis Core- Final Fantasy VII. I'm sad he had to die, that what makes the story interesting the pain of loss. Life is something you should cherish. The title refers to Zack's last battle before his death. Well read and review. Kagewaki Hitomi signing out.