AN: Going to admit this is where it feels "off" for me to write as I used FFVII: Crisis Core's cutscenes... XD Not so much Sephight in this one but oh well. If it's horrible, well, I'll do better next time. Played around with 'What if Lightning was chosen to...' and I like her better as a sergeant or in SftB's events, Mako infused Lightning because she was crippled permanently and perhaps she had been considered as SOLDIER material but was rejected. For a number of various reasons you can guess... XD
Plan
Light footsteps treaded upon her approach into the room. His eyes turned to sound, she hasn't looked at him yet so he calmly regarded her presence before shifting his eyes to the files he was reading.
How long has it been since they have seen each other? Weeks? Months even?
He was her mentor upon her arrival at a priority request and an impressive resume to her belt that was too tempting to refuse. He had other selected recruits entrusted to him as well, but she exceedingly passed his expectations and progressed further in a shorter amount of time. It had been a pleasure to train her, though there wasn't much to teach that she doesn't know. She should've attained the rank officer a long time ago; she had been long overdue for a promotion.
She surpassed her training regime and soon was given missions that were either going solo or within a group, beyond those simulated ones in the training rooms. He heard much of her results ending in success, but wasn't in contact with her until recently. He contacted her via cell phone and exchanged a short pleasantry before informing her that she is needed in the SOLDIER department room. He sensed the hesitation in her voice and surely had many questions concerning him and the room, but she dismissed them, confirming she's on the way.
"I don't believe we've met, I'm Lazard Deusericus." The Shinra union executive introduced himself behind his desk upon the sergeant's approach. "We've been expecting you." He announced, gesturing to Shinra's finest SOLDIER leaning against a wall inconspicuously with his head bowed low.
"What is this about? I've never been in this office in all the time I've been in this academy." The young sergeant asked, her eyes looking around the pristine setting and already mentally comparing the departments she has seen in the Academy for the Advanced Training In the Defense of Cocoon.
"You're about to find out." Lazard waves a hand, a kind smile on his lips. "Congratulations, as of this moment, you're no longer a sergeant, Claire Farron. You've been requested to join SOLDIER as a 3rd Class member."
"What?" The newly declared SOLDIER 3rd Class member was appalled, her shoulders slumped slightly from the rigid posture she was accustomed to as she took a few steps backwards from the desk. That reaction was expected from her. "I have no say in this? I don't understand."
"Your confusion is natural," Lazard brought his hands together, observing the woman's demeanor carefully. "Too much have been occurring too fast, but you're a potential case due to your progress to the present. It's safe to say this is far from a punishment, it's a privilege. A woman has never joined those ranks before."
SOLDIER is the elite fighting force of Shinra Electric Power Company. They are advanced super-soldiers with superhuman strength, speed, and agility. Much stronger than the Shinra Peacekeeping Troops and the Turks, Shinra uses them for special missions that require the greatest use of strength. SOLDIER members are divided in three classes: 1st Class, 2nd Class, and 3rd Class. 1st Class SOLDIERs are responsible for the most important (and usually most dangerous) missions, 2nd and 3rd Classes mostly assist Shinra Troops or 1st Class SOLDIERs or are in charge of less important missions. New units are recruited as 3rd Class and the best of them are later promoted to 2nd Class, and only distinguished 2nd Class SOLDIERs reach 1st Class.
Claire Farron hasn't been exposed to any of the Mako energy yet. This is the first time that Sephiroth has heard the initial announcement of her promotion. Shinra has been getting more crafty and creative in gaining more potential members. She has no choice but to accept the position. Not just any typical grunt is given the honor of joining the rank, they aren't trained to be SOLDIER material, they are made.
She turned around, her eyes on Sephiroth, already suspecting him. "Did you do this?"
"Don't be so swift to accuse me, Farron. I had no hand in this." The SOLDIER 1st Class looked up from the files to confirm his passive involvement. "You passed one of their tests and you've been promoted, this should come off as an honor to you."
"Ms. Farron, I'm afraid we will discuss your rank at another time. For now, I'm going to ask for your assistance." The strawberry blonde turned back to Lazard at attention.
"Are you pushing an assignment on me? Is that why you're here?" Though her voice was neutral, Sephiroth could sense her agitation was directed towards him and she wasn't facing him this time.
He crossed his arms over his chest. She's gotten more perceptive since the last time he's seen her. "My apologies."
"I see." She balled her fists tightly before releasing them.
"The Shinra Company has decided that we should move to eliminate the rebel dissidents and whoever they have in alliance with them. They seem to have banded together with the I'Cie that escaped the Purge trains. The leader is someone that you're familiar with. Lieutenant Amodar."
"Then you want me to do it?"
"No. The Shinra Army will do it."
"What about me?" She answered a little too hastily than her controlled manner allowed.
"They don't trust you."
Sephiroth treaded past the strawberry blonde's form, coolly adding, "They believe your emotions will hamper your judgment."
"He was just my superior back in my Guardian Corps days…" She opened her mouth to say more but against her judgment, shut it, glancing down at her feet as she tightened her fists again. Mulling over what was on her mind and the regret of hesitation of her mistake. After all this time, she was still an open book. That trait of hers would hold her back. He taught her better than that.
"That's why I'm going too. You are to assist me once again, SOLDIER 3rd Class Farron." His order took her by surprise by how she jerked her head up and stared into his eyes with an unreadable expression on her face.
Sephiroth and Lightning had separated for the time being, deciding that by splitting up they could cover more ground and could easily contact each other when something urgent arises. He called her first and she answered on the first ring on her wireless device.
"Once Eden is cleared, come to the Mako Reactor 5." He spoke abruptly into the speaker, not letting a single word of his command interrupt in his swift strides.
"You found something out?" She had been breathing hard as though she has encountered more resistance than he had, but held back her breath in anticipation.
"The leader has been sighted. There are unarmed civilians in the area that could be linked to him."
"So this is search and destroy?" Her tone came out harsh and disgusted. They have been ordered to eliminate all associated with the rebels and that doesn't exempt civilians. As a 3rd Class member, she wasn't permitted to disobey orders, much less alter what she's been instructed. Only 1st Class members are permitted such liberties as long as they can handle the consequences that come with that.
"The army is mobilizing but there's still time. You and I will find them before they do and—"
"AND THEN WHAT?!" She yelled into the phone, causing Sephiroth to wince inwardly and pull away from the cell phone for a minute. He halted in his footsteps completely. His mouth was back to the receiver and she was waiting for him to continue. He had expected her to shout more but she is letting her emotions get the best of her.
"Fail to eliminate them."
A pause and sucked in breath. "Are you serious?"
He let out a low chuckle. "Dead serious." Did he just detect relief in her voice? "Is that clear?"
"Caught my breath, sir. I'm on my way."
That was interesting. She doesn't sound like she's upset with him anymore.
