Cloud enters the room. Closing the door behind him with a soft click, Cloud did not want to have anyone walking in on him while he's was doing this. He knows that it's best he's alone. Easier, and fewer difficulties. With not a soul in sigh, he heads for one of the many computers sitting unprotected on otherwise empty tables in the middle of the office.
Cloud leans over the desk, as his fingers begin to type on the keyboard before he's even had a chance to sit down, he then finds that the office chair is one of the most uncomfortable things he's ever sat down on, and that's saying a lot.
Forgetting his failed attempt of comfort, he lets his mind travel once more to the mission at hand. His knowledge of computers is far from average, but he was no Turk when it came to harking. He was lucky he only wanted his timetable no doubt that he would be found if he was looking for anything classified.
Numbers begin to reorder themselves before his eyes, numbers dancing on and off his computer screen. After a few minute of turning form the screen to the door for any sign of footsteps. He found that his crash course in harking form Vincent had come in handy. He was accepted and was let onto the system.
He quickly found his profile and paused taking a moment to read the details. As his memory of a cadet was next to nothing, Cloud would have to appear to everyone as the same person, now more than anything as he had Tseng on his tail. The report included his home town Nibelheim, high, weight his father was said to be unknown and that he was raised by his mother.
Rolling down to the comments of his teachers that read:
"Strife is responsible, reliable, and hardworking. He always gets the job done.
He is always well prepared for classes, and he is very predictable.
The other cadets see him as Boring, conservative, and shy as he does not interact well with his comrades and finds it hard to work in a team.
His academic scores are impressive Strife remembers details well, he has the heights scores in theory out of all the cadets, because of this it is the sole reason he is still in the program.
In physical training his performance is poor, as his fitness level is far below average and his body is pathetic for his age as it is small and weak."
Cloud sighed as he printed of his timetable, he would have to raise his physical grades slowly to avoid unwanted attention, and maybe he would have to reduce his scores in theory. Shinra would not want too many people who were able to think for themselves in the SOLDIER program. If Zack's memory serves him right. He knew that Kunsel, who was one of Zack SOLDIER friends, was the only one who had the guts and brains to put the puzzle pieces tougher to question Shinra, and Cloud had never come across the man once and with someone with his skills and a grunge against Shinra would have been easy to find. So one could wonder what happen to him after himself and Zack became Hojo's play things.
Shaking his head to get rid of those gruesome thoughts he revived his timetable and quickly memorized it, his day to day lessons, room numbers and everything else a cadet should know. Shutting the computer down and shredding his timetable. Cloud made his way back to the cadet floors socked in sweat he really needed a shower.
Nothing seemed to make sense anymore and Zack was seriously considering going to spill Cloud's secret.
"Come in, Zack." Angeal's keen hearing could easily pick up Zack's footsteps walking back and forth outside his office.
Zack stopped in his pacing took a deep breath and went to face his mentor.
"What is it? I would like to get home tonight Zack so make it quick."
"Something's wrong," he said. " I don't know what to do Angeal. It's just I" He closed his mouth, shook his head and raised his hands into the air. "Something's going on and it doesn't make any sense."
Angeal expression turned from amused to concern. "What is it?"
"I can't tell you, I said I would not tell that's part of the problem!"
Angeal flooded his arms and learnt back on his chair behind his desk "Then what do you want me to do Zack?"
Zack could not hold it in anymore, it was eating him alive inside knowing that his friend could end up being a lab rat.
"He's my friend I don't know him that well but I have this feeling like I need to protect him or something and I can't do that if he lied to me Angeal! There is no way that he was telling me the truth! You just don't just walk away after a fall into a spring and walk away from it full of maaaa…..er….stuff and be fine! its impossable, he should of been brain dead or something!"
Zack held his breath, he could not tell but what else could he do? There was no way Cloud would be able to hide that glow in his eyes for long, its not like he could control it or anything!
"What stuff Zack?" Great! Now Angeal sounded like he was interrogating a suspect for murder.
"Nothing! Angeal I was just um you know err j-joking, so bye!" He took a deep breath. Turned and was about to reach for the door knob when a hand slammed against the door, his only escape route. Man Angeal can sure move quickly for a man of his size, how's he do that? Zack turned to his mentor and placed a smile on his face, as if smiling would save him form the first class.
"I want the truth Zack" Angeal said in a flat tone.
Tseng tapped his chin thoughtfully as he sat at the head of the roundtable. On his left was Rude, currently without a partner. On his right was Cissnei who had just managed to survive the Investigation Sector of the General Affairs Department exam.
"Turks, we are all hurting for the loss of our comrades, but we must look to the future. I expect all of you to present me with someone who you believe have what it takes to pass the exam as you all know there will finish wearing a suit or a body bag."
The Turks were always few in number compared to SOLDIER but this year had not been a good year. One of their members had been killed by AVALANCHE; another had disappeared after an assignment Mission and was thought to be K.I.A.
There was silence for a moment, Tseng looked at his Turks one by one before continuing.
"I have already found someone that I will personal sponsor, chose wisely as if he or she can get through the exam alive, then you will end up working with that individual for the rest of your career for those of you who find yourself without a partner."
"Tseng are you saying that you found your partner?" this gave Tseng a small amount of shook, as the person who said this was no other then Rude it was unlike him to ask any questions.
"Perhaps, but we must see how he will perform when it is time for the exam, I will say thought I do have high expectations, let's hope for the boy sake he reaches them" Tseng said this with a smile the teenager will take the exam if the General likes it or not.
"We are Turks. We complete the mission. No matter what. You are all dismissed."
Genesis gaped unblinking at the doctor as he listened to him explain his test results.
He'd had a bad feeling about it ever since his shoulder had refuse to heal he still had nightmares of what could happen to his body after what Hollander had told him when he was a child if he refused to do as the doctor asked. Was it true? Was his body going to mutate in to a monster? It took two weeks for his shoulder to heal and had been unable to spar in case it would get any worse. His shoulder was still weak and caused him a great amount of pain.
"It is still unknown to me what indications the cells to repair themselves." Hollander explained. "Hojo has kept that close to his chest over the years. I do understand that mako usually increase the speed of the healing process. But what's happened with you is that those signals that the mako in your bloodstream gives out are beginning to fail. It's what's causing the slow recovery of your injuries that a SOLDIER would normally recover from overnight, and why materia has no effect on you injuries what so ever. Other side effects may be early aging as the cell production slowly terminates itself."
Genesis was not a man of science but he understood what Hollander was saying. Truth be told he just did not want to believe it.
"Which means…?"
Hollander did not look at him his eyes glued to his own computer screen. "At this rate you will be dead within 4 years 5 if you are lucky."
Genesis was speechless not even a line from LOVELESS came from his mouth.
"If you wish to stay alive Genesis I have an idea that may help you" Hollander was doing his best to keep the smug smile from appearing on his face, he had Genesis right where he wanted him, soon he would have Hojo's research and with it he could make a SOLDIER that would put Sephiroth to shame.
Genesis said nothing he just looked at the doctor and at that moment Hollander knew Genesis would do as his told.
"I would have you leave Shinra, and together we can find a cure. I understand you have a mission in Wutai coming up, the perfect opportunity if I say so myself." Hollander whispered.
"Yes the perfect…opportunity" Genesis repeated
This time Hollander smiled.
Cloud's blonde spikes were glued to his forehead with sweat, his eyelids were heavy, he was exhausted. Walking into his assigned room, he paid no attention to his roommates and went straight to the bathroom and shut the door, it was time for a well needed shower.
From his bed, Reno watched the little blonde guy walk to the bathroom and close the door behind him. Had that SOLDIER been training him the whole day? And if so why did he not show at the mess for dinner? Was the SOLDIER feeding him too?
Reno looked around and found that the other cadets paid no attention to Strife what so ever, it seems that he was invisible to them. Good that will make it easier on him. He lay on his bunk and did his best to ignore the strawberry blonde and brown haired cadet's voices.
"It's mostly academic stuff tomorrow, isn't it?" strawberry blonde asked the other, Reno did not bother to learn their names it would serve him no purpose to get friendly he had already made it clear to his new roommates that he wanted to be left alone.
His other roommate only gave a sound of agreement.
"You know what Troy?, I think I am better at hand-to-hand combat then sword play, cuz I am like the best in the class but when it comes to sword play I am like average ya know!"
"Troy" who was on the bunk below the talkative cadet replied "Whatever man but you and I both know that it's pointless if you don't pass the academic courses and speaking of which. Shouldn't you be studying we have a test tomorrow."
"WHAT!" The strawberry blonde cadet shouted at the top of his voice. "Why didn't you tell me Troy! I am so going to fail!
"Then maybe Charlie you should get your head down and actually do some work" Troy said with a smile on his face.
"Awww man, the academic stuff is evil! I bet hell's a small room with text books about stuff that has got nothing to do with anything, but you have to know! What is the point? A SOLDIER should have a sword in his hand not a pen!" Charlie moaned.
"A SOLDIER can't always go running into battle just for the sake of it, all that muscle and power is pointless to a SOLDIER if he does not know what to do with it, after all most people can't win every fight."
All eyes of the room turned to the blonde who was walking toward his bunk that was bellow Reno's.
"Wow! Strife that is deep man! Is that one of Angeal saying or something?" Charlie asked.
Ignoring Charlie's question Troy asked another "What this all of a sudden? Has Strife final found his voice?"
Cloud got into his bed placed his head on the pillow and said "He asked a question I only supplied an answer."
"Whatever" the brown eyed boy snorted, and then rolled on his side his back to Cloud.
"Aw come on Troy from what I have seen from Strife this is his first iteration with people for social reasons be nice!"
Reno didn't say anything, wasn't Strife meant to be this outsider that avoided human contact like a SOLIDER avoided a Turk?
"So Strife now that we know you can speak the same language, I have been meaning to ask you something" Charlie said in a small voice, one of Reno eyebrows raised, what this then?
"What is it Charlie?" Strife asked he sounded curious to.
"Well you know that you're like super smart and stuff? I just wanted to know if you could maybe explain a thing or two to me, if that's alright with you."
There was a long pause and Reno begun to wonder if Strife had fell asleep.
"Sure" came Strife's response
"What?" All three boys asked at the same time. Reno quickly put his hand over his mouth to stop himself from saying anything he may regret. Strife was going to help Charlie? Why?
"We can start tomorrow at noon after class the test is not until 1600, so we will have palely of time, so good night" Strife got out of bead to switch the light off and when he got back in he added one more thing.
"And Charlie?"
"Yeah Strife "
"Call me Cloud" not another word was spoken and the four boys all fell into the land of sleep.
When Cloud awoke the next day, he found himself in darkness he looked around and to saw that nothing had changed he was still a cadet lying on his bunk. A small part of him had hoped he would wake up in the church besides the healing water.
Was that selfish? Of course it was it.
Who would want to wake up to his life? Knowing that the world's greatest SOLDIER could go mad at any given point and make you help him?
Taking a deep breath, he decided that the first chance he got he would head to the church, would she be there? Or is that too much to ask?
Cloud got dressed quickly, it seems that no matter what he'd always get up before the sun, old habits die hard.
He looked around the room at his fellow cadets all sleeping peacefully, there were but mere children given false hopes about a company who would take everything their lives, their honour, their dreams.
Cloud looked at each of their faces he would not forget them this time. But as he looked at the cadet who lay on the bunk above his own he had to hold back a gasp. When was Reno a SOLDIER cadet? Mouth open Cloud remained still, as if his moment might wake the future Turk. Why was he here? Had Cloud done something that stopped Reno from getting in the Turks? He had only been here for one day!
Thinking of the previse day, Tseng had spoken to him in the lift. Tseng was now interested in him, but why was that? Was he candidate for the Turks? A suspected terrorist? Or maybe spy from Wutai?
Looking back at the sleeping Reno, Cloud had so many questions what would happen if Reno did not become a Turk, Cloud knew there was no way that the redhead could get in to SOLDIER. After all it was Reno who dropped the plate and killed thousands of people, he was not the type that wanted to save people and wanted to become strong for the soul purpose to protect the ones he'd care about. But if he was not in the Turks then he could not drop the plate, yet again would another Turk like Rude or Tseng just do it in his place?
Shaking his head Cloud headed out of the room, maybe he could think better with something in his stomach.
The mess hall was mostly unoccupied since the bells for the wake-up call had just sounded as Cloud had entered the hall. The mess hall was mostly empty with only a few cadets eating their first meal of the day. Most were still waking. Whatever states of awareness that any of the cadets was in though, they were all still managing to eat breakfast.
There were plenty of empty seats. Cloud quickly collected what he supposed to be his food and took a seat right at the back of the hall. It was time to attempt probably the hardest challenges a cadet would face while in training eating breakfast.
About half way through his meal the other cadets had stumbled in to the mess hall. All with bags under their eyes, it was so easy to separate the city boys from those from the country, city individuals were no early birds.
Returning to his meal Cloud failed to notice a red head approach him and sit in the seat across from himself until the cadet opened his mouth.
"I hate mornings, yo"
Cloud looked up to come face to face with a true slum rat. Reno.
"Do I know you?" Cloud kept his face free of emotion, he was unsure of the best way he should handle this.
"Yeah man I'm your new roommate, the other one got kicked out yesterday at noon something about someone finding drugs on him or somewhat." Reno flashed him a smile before pushing as much food as possible into his mouth.
Cloud didn't say anything after that, if Reno wanted to sit with him than fine, his teachers would see it has him fitting in and making an effort to get to know his comrades, this was the only reason why he said he'd help Charlie with his work. If Cloud like it or not he would have to socialize if he wanted to get into SOLDIER.
Cloud looked around the room to see Charlie and Troy make their way over to himself and Reno, and sat down. Charlie beside him and Troy beside Reno, when did it become so for him to make friends? Addles Tifa would have been proud of him.
"Hey guys hope you done mind us sitting with you, because were all friends right?" Charlie said in a upbeat tone."
Reno made no comment just contained to shovel food into his mouth. Troy remained quit and Cloud only nodded. Charlie was a nice guy kind of reminded him of Zack.
Troy looked at Cloud and then Reno before he said "So what? We all like best friends now?" Cloud could hear the sarcasm in his voice.
"It doesn't sound like a bad idea, if the four of use worked together for the exam I bet we would all pass, I mean look at use Troy! Cloud knows all the mind-numbing stuff. Reno is like super-fast. You my main man Troy could put a second class to shame with your ability to use materia! And well me I am just the sticky stuff that keeps use all tougher!" Troy glared at Charlie who was now smiling.
Cloud thought it over, sure he knew that you could only enter the SOLDIER exam in teams. You needed to prove that you could trust your comrades and it would be a lot easier for the examiners to discover who could lead and who could follow. But could they pass if all the boys worked tougher? Did he trust them? In his first life Cloud remembered vaguely that he was put into a random team to make up the numbers, he also remembered that he got the lowest score in SOLDIER history.
From what he has heard from both Troy and Charlie was that the two boys were in fact talented and he already had an idea on what Reno could achieve, that could come in handy, the ideal team.
"I'm in" was all Cloud said.
"Yeah me to" Reno agreed with a smug look on his face.
"Troy what do you say buddy? Want to pass the exam?" Charlie asked with hope in his green eyes.
"Aright fine, but I will only do it on one condition!" Troy snapped
"Sure you name it!" Charlie shouted
"If you two are serious," Charlie snarled at Reno and Cloud "then we will work as a team and no one is to do anything without the others knowing and agreeing with it!"
"Fair enough" Reno commented
"So we will work together then as a team? If we are we need to go sign down our names as a team for the exam, its only life three and a half months away." Charlie remained them.
"I'll do it after breakfast" Troy offered, "Reno what's your first name?"
"Don't have one."
"Oh right forget I asked"
Zack walked into the cadet mess hall in search of Cloud. Last night he had told Angeal about Cloud's mako, Angeal had not been angry at Zack from not wanted to tell his mentor, which surprised Zack a little. Angeal had ordered him to collect Cloud first thing in the morning. He had no idea what Angeal had planned. But he knew Angeal would not hand Cloud over to the Science department without a fight, he just hoped Cloud would understand that.
Scanning the hall he sported Cloud with a group of other boys at the back. Taking a deep breath, he could not make it look like Cloud was getting special treatment. Jealous cadets would make his life hell. Zack had the perfect excuse to get Cloud alone. Zack just hoped Cloud would play along.
The room went mute as the cadets gave their full attention to the second class SOLDIER. "Cadet Strife" Zack said in a firm tone.
Cloud stood up, and stood to attention in front of Zack.
"Sir"
"Yesterday cadet you did not show to your lessons, you will follow me to you assigned punishment."
"Sir, yes sir"
And with that he turned on his heels leading Cloud to his mentor's office.