It's finally here! Chapter 7! I do not own Final Fantasy VII, it's characters, or locations. That would be pretty cool though... Enjoy!
Chapter 7: First Missions
Angeal and Genesis leaned over my shoulder to get a look at the paper since I was not saying anything. "Kaja, that's great!" Angeal places a firm hand on my back. Genesis grabs the paper to get a better look. "That means that you will be with us!"
"I guess so," I say not really paying attention. SOLDIER 2nd class.
"This calls for a celebration!" Genesis calls out and Angeal agrees.
"Celebration?!" I call after them, they had already started to walk away.
"Yeah," Angeal turns around to me. "We are all going out for dinner tonight to commemorate not only our promotion, but yours. Hurry up and get cleaned up so we can get going."
I blink at them. I put the stack of paper back into the envelope and hurried after them. I did not want to miss time with these friends.
I took a quick shower to clean off the sweat from the day and changed into plain comfortable clothing. I was just pulling on my boots when they came to get me. I grab my coat and meet a surprise on the other side of the door; Nina was out of uniform and standing with Angeal and Genesis.
"Congratulation, Kaja. You made it to 2nd class, and in record time too!" Nina claps me on the shoulder. I give her a small smile and a "thank you."
Angeal lead us into sector two to a small restaurant that was inexpensive but very good. We laughed, we ate and just enjoyed each other's company. By the end of the evening I was very tired but I kept myself awake to read the envelope that held my results and promotion details.
Most of the instructors had grown a grudging respect to me in the last few weeks and the reports showed that. Their feedback included that they had their doubts about me but found that I learned quick; quicker than most boys and men that came through. The instructors from the morning sessions said that I had learned everything already and would be a waste of time to keep me back. My strength had met the requirement of becoming a 2nd class SOLDIER and I had learned all the katas for the 3rd class. They said I followed orders well and had an eye for details.
I was a little confuse but grateful at the same time. Even though I wanted too, I did not want to say that most of my knowledge came from before I remember. I knew of things, but my identity and such were lost to my mind. I sigh and turn to the next page. This one had the details of where I was to report to next. My uniform was already on my bed (they must have put it there while I was out) but I had to report to the public safety department in the morning to get a revised ID card that would state my new rank. The paper stated that I also had a meeting with the Director at 14:00 to review my new duties.
I sigh and put the papers to the side finally crawling in bed. I guess I was happy to have made it so far in only a month though I know to get to the next class will be even harder.
I woke around 9:00 and went to the public safety office to get my new ID card first. It was printed off in minutes and I was ready to go. I decided to change into my new uniform and go to one of the practice halls to get in some exercise.
There were a few people in the hall, all 3rd class SOLDIER. To my luck, Jolon was there. Joy to the world. I take one of the standard issue swords off the rack and find my own corner to go through my katas. Sometime during the middle of it I hear feet behind me and sense the presence of a person. I switch to another kata that has turns in it too. Spinning around I level the tip of my sword at Jolon's nose. I flick the blade lightly making a very small cut on the end of his nose.
"Didn't I tell you to not to interfere with me again?" I bring the sword down to my side looking him in the eyes.
"Yes," he sighs looking bored, a small smirk on his lips. "And I believe that you mentioned something about drawing blood too, back then. Looks like that promise was upheld." He touches the small cut on his nose and brings it away with smear of blood. "Look Kaja, I want to make this clear. I don't think women should be in the SOLDIER program, they are far weaker than men. But I think that even though I don't approve of you, I respect you a little. It takes guts to stand up for yourself and enroll in a program like this.
"I originally thought that you were just sleeping your way around but after a month of seeing your progress, I see why you were accepted into the program. You learn fast and you have a feel for the fighting arts."
My mouth hung open for a moment or so. "Is this an apology?"
He smirks. "No, I won't apologize. But I will leave you alone from now on. Especially since you are now my superior, Ma'am."
I find a smile growing on my lips. "Very well, SOLDIER. Thank you and be on your way. Go and train hard." He nods and walks away from me. Who would have ever guessed? Certainly not me. I assume he must have judged me too fast.
I shake my head and return the sword to the rack. It was almost time for my meeting with Director Lazard anyways. I take the elevator up and take confident strides to his desk, Angeal and Genesis were already there waiting.
"Now that you are all here I can begin," Lazard opens a file on his desk. "As of now you are officially a 2nd class SOLDIER, congratulations. I am impressed with all of you how you have made it so far in such a short time. There is no doubt in my mind that all of you will go far.
"As a 2nd class SOLDIER there are some duties that will need to be performed more regularly. You will all start training more independently. Trainers will send you a list of exercises for the week and you are to do them. You are no longer required to go to specific training classes or sessions. From now on you will be mainly focusing on going into the field on missions. As thirds I know that both Angeal and Genesis have done real missions before but it doesn't look like you, Kaja have been out there. I have appointed Miss. Nina Smith, SOLDIER 2nd class to be your advisor on the matter. She will accompany you on missions and you with her and give you advice on how to complete the missions to the best of your abilities.
"I already have missions for all three of you so gather what you need and depart as soon as possible." He hands us each an envelope. "Kaja, call Nina and tell her to report to my office. Once she comes you two can depart on your mission."
I give him a firm salute along with my two friends and Lazard dismisses us.
"Good luck with your missions you two! I am going to wait here for Nina."
"Thanks, Kaja," Angeal gives me a solid clap on the shoulder. "Do your best."
The elevator doors part us and I am finally by myself again. I take out my phone and locate Nina's number quickly and push the send button.
"This is Nina," she had picked up only a few rings in.
"Hi Nina, this is Kaja. Director Lazard told me to tell you to come up to his office."
"Oh hey Kaja. I will be up in a few." The phone clicks and I return my device to my pocket.
I look at the contents of the mission and it looks like a simple monster hunting mission just in the slums. Shouldn't be too hard. I hear the elevator ding and I look over, expecting Nina to come out I jump from the wall and put a smile on my face.
The smile drops from my face almost immediately. A the silver haired young man in the black SOLDIER uniform steps out and looks at me with luminous blue green eyes. My mind freezes; this person is Sephiroth. I shake myself out a sort of a daze a snap to a salute. "Sir."
He looks at me almost like he is confused. "At ease," he tells me. His voice is fairly deep. "I heard you made it to 2nd class already. Congratulations, you even beat my record of how fast I moved up the ranks, Kaja." His lips twitches into what looks almost like a smile and walks past me in to Lazards office. I stare after him long after he is gone.
The elevator dings but I don't bother to look. "Hey Kaja, what's up?" Nina stands next to me. "Is there something wrong?"
I finally look at her. "No, nothing. I just… yeah… uh, Lazard wants to see you." I was still in a stupor from that visit with Sephiroth. She raises an eyebrow at me.
"Okay, I will be right back." I nod and she enters the room.
He knew my name. Well I guess that wasn't too hard, there were very few women in the SOLDIER program. But more than that, he knew I was just promoted recently and how fast it took me. That only meant on thing; Sephiroth was keeping tabs on how and what I was doing.
Great.
My first missions wasn't too hard. It went rather smoothly. Nina showed me the ropes and gave me pointers on the extremely basic mission. She said there was a set number of monsters we were to clear out and then we would be finished.
We disposed of 25 monsters that were roaming around the slums and reported back to Lazard with mission reports in hand (Nina helped me fill mine out). The next few missions where pretty similar; monster hunting in the slums and surrounding area of Midgar.
I didn't get to see Angeal or Genesis very often much more because they were busy doing missions themselves, but having Nina to talk to was very nice. When I did see them we would often hang out at a local café in sector 1 and discuss what had been going on in our lives.
I told Genesis about the encounter I had with Sephiroth and he was seemed jealous that I had conversed with him before he did. But I told him that next time he would be the one to talk to him, which he seemed pretty excited about.
Things moved by fast. I wasn't sure what was happening very much. Every few months I would go in for a mako injection from the science department and be tested on my abilities every month. There were no written tests but we did virtual missions and asses our physical progress. Before I knew it a half of a year went by, it was summer and I was still in 2nd class.
By then I was assigned on solo missions without Nina as an advisor. But in some ways I was very happy that I was able to go out on my own. I could do a lot of thinking to myself. My head still felt foggy though. Pieces were starting to surface back like details of where I used to live. It was surrounded by cool air and fresh pine forests.
One day when I was relaxing in the café by myself drinking a cup of hot tea I got a call from someone totally unexpected: Sephiroth.
I open the phone warily "This is Kaja."
"Lazard wants to see you as soon as possible." He wasted no time in idle chit chat.
"Yes sir." He hung up the phone. I went back to base as quickly as possible. Lazard was waiting in his office, as was Sephiroth. I gave them both a firm salute. "Director, Sir."
The director waves his hand and I relax. "I have a new mission for you Kaja. You will be going with Sephiroth to Wutai. You are to go and infiltrate a base. Sephiroth will give you more details on the way over. Pack your things and depart in one hour. Report to the helipad by then. Good luck and you are dismissed."
We saluted and walked out of his office and into the elevator. "Meet at the helipad within the hour, I will give the rest of the details once we are on our way. It is crucial that we get moving so gather your things quickly. Be prepared to stay in Wutai for a few days."
"Yes Sir," I give him a salute and step off onto the floor my room was on. I pack a duffle bag with just the essentials. I was packed within minutes and ready to go. My nerves where humming with excitement. I grab the sword that was assigned to me and do a run through in my head making sure that I have everything. Satisfied I leave my room and make my way to the elevator again.
"Kaja!" Nina is coming up behind me. "Hold the door won't you? Where are you off to with that bag? You going on vacation already?" I smile at her joke and press the floor for the helipad.
"No Nina, I am going on a mission with Sephiroth to Wutai. Lazard said we may be there a few days so this is for that."
"With Sephiroth?!" I just shrugged my shoulders. "But—wow. You must be getting better and better each day to be able to go on a mission like him."
"I can't contain my enthusiasm," I tell her dryly
Her eyebrows knit together. "Do you not like him?"
"He makes me nervous. Something about him, I don't know how to explain it." One of her eyebrows raise and she "humphs" at me. The elevator door opens to the roof with the helipad. The helicopter and pilot already waiting with Sephiroth. "I will see you when I get back, Nina."
"Good luck with your mission," she gives me a wink and the doors close.
I take a deep breath and approach the two men. The pilot was a simple man with a rough shave and mousy brown hair. He wore jeans and a simple flight jacket, he was definitely a man of the air.
"Sir," I salute to Sephiroth. "I am ready to depart."
"Very well, put your things in the helicopter and we will depart." He turns to the man and gives a nod. He climbs into the cockpit most likely to prepare the takeoff. Sephiroth was a gentleman and let me step in first. I secure my bag in a compartment and take my seat in the back, Sephiroth across from me.
Sephiroth sits quietly while the helicopter takes off, looking off into the distance out the window.
"Is this your first time leaving Midgar?" His question seems out of the blue.
"No, Sir. I have been outside and to the surrounding towns a few times in the recent months. But I have never been to Wutai, much less the continent. What about you, Sir?"
He turns his head to me, his luminous eyes catching mine. I meet his gaze pushing back all of my signs of nervousness. The corner of his lips turn up just slightly. "I have been to many places, even Wutai once. It was part of a delegation when Shin-Ra first proposed the idea of a Mako reactor there."
I nod at him and he turns his gaze back out the window. "Sir, permission to speak?"
"Granted," he still looks out the window.
"May I ask of the mission details?" He looks at me again.
"If that is what you wish," he pulls out an envelope from his bag. "There should be several bases in Wutai, we are to go to a base that our Intel has located and infiltrate it. Once there we will take a look around the base and see how it works. Out main objective is to find out who is in charge of the base and what their military strategies are. That way our fellow SOLDIERs can later go and fight the Wutai effectively. Kill anyone you see and who puts up a fight. Any questions?"
"Yes Sir. If there are any civilians what should we do with them?"
"If they are civilians and do not show that they will fight back then leave them be. They are not involved in the fight. Anything else?"
"No Sir."
"Very good. Once on the ground follow my lead."
"Yes Sir." Silence followed. I look outside the window watching the clouds go by. I turn back, he had asked me a question. "Excuse me Sir, but I did not hear you the first time."
"I said, are you enjoying your time in the SOLDIER program?" The corner of his lip was upturned again; his version of a smile.
"Oh, yes Sir. I have found some very good friends in the program."
"You seem to be doing quite well."
"Yes, Sir," a small smile spreads across my face.
"May I ask you a question?" I nod at him. "Why did you join the SOLDIER program? We don't usually get many women applicants, even less who are accepted."
"I wasn't quite sure at the beginning why I was doing this, Sir. I don't really remember much from before I entered the program. But as time went on this thought occurred in my mind: I want to save someone. I didn't know who, but I just wanted to. Anyone I guess. Maybe I just want to protect people. And even if it costs me my life then it is okay. I will know that someone else can do something with their life worthwhile. I'm sorry Sir, I just went off with that."
He waves his hand letting my rambling off the hook. "We should arrive in Junon in a few hours. We will refuel there and then continue to Wutai where we will do an air drop. You may want to get some rest now." He closes his eyes and leans his head back. He must be tired.
I examine his features a little more as he rests. I wasn't that tired at the moment. His long silver hair is pulled back in a high pony tail, his face framed by loose bangs. His nose is slim and long leading to his thin delicate looking lips. His jaw looks delicate too, but his cheekbones are strong. His eyes were amazing, they looked like pools of the Mako the scientists injected me with occasionally. His pupils were slightly ovules, not circular like most—wait.
"Uh—sorry Sir! I was just, uh, deep in thought. I will let you rest." I shut my eyes and lean into the corner of my seat and the wall pretending to rest myself. I try to push the warmth from my cheeks hoping that it wasn't noticeable. If Sephiroth noticed the dusting of pink on my cheeks he said nothing. And if he was staring at me now, I will take it as punishment for staring at him.
I am such an idiot.
The ride passed fairly quickly. I forced myself to sleep even if it only ended up being a light sleep. At Junon we didn't leave the craft or stay long. Just enough to get more fuel and head off again. Sephiroth said it would take another three hour approximately till our drop point.
"Sir, may I ask a question?" He glances towards me and nods. "When did you first come to the Shin-Ra company?"
His eyes bore into mine. "I have known no other home but that company."
"Oh," I turn away and close my eyes trying to force myself to sleep again.
"Miss. Hayes," I jolt in my seat and look around, the sky is darkening. I must have fallen asleep. "We are nearing our drop point. Please prepare for insertion."
"Yes Sir," I locate my duffle bag and make sure that it is secure across my body.
"Miss. Hayes, just to inform you, we will be jumping from the craft," I feel my heart beat start to race. "The pilot will bring us close to the ground as he can but will not land because of the trees that will be in the way. Have you gone through jumping from moving crafts and landing in your training here?"
I calm myself down. "Yes Sir. I learned that once I got here."
"Good, because we are almost there. You go first and I will follow. Remember to bend your knees."
I nod and stand facing the door and make sure everything is secure. He reaches around me and opens the door. I take a deep breath of the rushing air and look back at him for a moment. We exchange nods and I push off from the ledge letting the tree tops catch me.
That all for now folks! Next time: Wutai, the base, and a sword.
