A/N: A new chapter. Thank you Mystic 777 for your help. :D R and R.
Chapter 25: Guard the Path Home
Two second class SOLDIERs swept through the forty-ninth floor of the Shin-Ra Headquarters wearing helmets and armed with the standard issue weapons. The two men's lower jaws could have been carved from stone. Pausing at a desk, the man on the right revealed a key card to the woman who sat behind her desk.
Pressing a button, the secretary announced the two men to Director Lazard. "Sir, your nine-o'clock appointment is here."
"Send them in, Cygnus. I've been expecting them,"he answered.
Hanging up the phone, Cygnus gestured for the two men to enter the office. "Please, go in."
Entering the directors office, the two Second Class SOLDIERs came to attention. Snapping a salute, Kunsel said. "You requested our presence, sir?"
"I have a mission for you. The two of you will go north, past Bone Village and investigate the Sleeping Forest. Do not go through the forest itself. Travelers have been known to become lost in its territory. Your mission can be accomplished by air. Take a chopper. When you return eliminate the pilot." Lazard ordered. "Your mission is classified. Report to no one but me until it's over. Do you understand?"
"Yes, sir." They answered. Swallowing around the thick lump in his throat, Kunsel watched as his partner took the initiative to speak up.
Luxiere tilted his helmeted head down slightly. "Sir, may I ask if this has something to do with the troubles concerning the Generals leaving Wutai?"
"It has everything to do with that." The director answered. "Shin-Ra is going up in arms and I won't let my men be caught in the middle. President Shin-Ra and his son are preparing for war with one another. Three first class SOLDIERs have deserted their posts in Wutai on top of Fair's disappearance. We need a base to fall back on. Move out immediately."
"Yes, sir." They complied. With a final salute, Luxiere and Kunsel were dismissed from their director's office. Concern and worry tightened both men's lower jaws beneath their helmets as they marched past Cygnus. The secretary held out a folder for them.
Taking it from the woman as they passed, Kunsel jerked his head towards the stairs. Nodding in silence, Luxiere followed him until they were on the winding trail of stairs where the young men stopped two landings above their starting position.
On the landing, Kunsel let out a loud breath of air. Grimacing, he stated. "Something bad is going to happen."
(break)
The swirls of dust kicked up by the TURK landing her chopper drew the airship crew's attention. The opening of a side door to admit the stained and greasy form of the science division's Professor Hojo sent most of them running to alert the rest of the building to the professor's return. Alarms heralded the duo's presence as Cissnei took up a guard position beside the aging scientist.
His beady eyes darted left and right until they spotted the approach of a red-clad cradled a heavy rifle and smirked as the scientist's eyes lit up with glee.
"Scarlet, we have some catching up to do." Hojo gave a ghastly facsimile of a purr.
"Professor, it really has been too long," she breathed huskily. "My men have secured VIP quarters for us. Darling, I heard of the mess in Junon, are you alright?" Her eyes raked his thin figure hungrily.
"I'm much better now," he sniffed, reluctantly tearing his gaze from the weapons director's bosom, he asked, "Tell me, is this the piece you were working on?"
"While it lacks the beauty of Sephiroth's Masamune, it has a wonderful kick. Come, my love. Let me show you what this baby can do." Scarlet answered with a wry smirk. Snaking an arm through the professor's own, she held out the heavy weapon to the Turk. "Come, my love. Wait until you see it in action!"
"Yes, ma'am." Cissnei replied. Her stomach twisted as she followed the unlikely pair. She silently thanked Gaia that neither of them had children… Especially together.
(break)
Seconds after she left them at the firing range, Cissnei darted into the closest restroom. Slamming the stall door open, she collapsed to the floor and vomited. Hacking and coughing several times to clear her throat, she remained still for several minutes, shuddering in horror and disgust.
"I'll never get the images out of my mind," she whimpered. As if summoned by her words, the scene came back to her and Cissnei bent back over the toilet to repeat her earlier performance. When it was over, the TURK groaned and leaned weakly back against the stall.
Closing her eyes, she forced her self to relax until the bathroom doors opened once more. Conversation from two women caught her attention.
"They're going to gas her on live video, but instead of toxic gas, they'll use sleeping gas... and then give her to Hojo." One of the women whispered.
"Again? When are they going to get tired of that trick? Man, the public is so stupid."
"I heard she sold her son to the President's heir before the war started.A woman like that deserves everything she's got coming to her! I can't imagine selling out my own child." the first woman whispered. "I'm glad that men like Sephiroth are around to straighten out monsters like that. Aren't you?"
Giggling, the other woman clasped her palms together. "Let's get back."
"Yeah." the first speaker laughed. "I heard Professor Hojo has a special lecture for the rest of the Silver Elite. I can't wait."
Slowly, Cissnei pushed herself to her feet and out of the stall. Narrowing her eyes at the two speakers' backs, she barked out an order. "Hold it right there. Why don't the two of you explain to me why you're airing Shin-Ra's business in a public restroom."
(break)
Shadowed figures moved between buildings, behind trees, and strode through Rocket Town. Some of them carried open weapons and others shifted uneasily as the Shin-Ra troops stopped them at the gates for identification purposes. Finally, a voice rang out from atop the small town's only inn.
"Come out, Shin-Ra. We know you're here."
An amused silver brow rose slightly over green eyes as Sephiroth looked out at the town from behind the drab green curtains hanging in Cid's living room. The General of Soldier shifted his weight slightly until he met the frightened glowing eyes of a young teenager.
Clutched tightly in his hand was a sword Sephiroth had seized from the troops stationed through out the town. The boy swallowed as the General's lips quirked upwards.
"There is no need to be frightened, Cloud." he soothed. "We are here if things get out of hand."
"He's still sick, sir." Zack spoke up from where he weakly leaned on a wall. Neither of the two teenagers were prepared for the real life combat situation Cloud was being thrust into.
"He needs to learn how to handle a live battle if he is to make SOLDIER." Sephiroth stated. "It is no different then any other recruitment procedure."
"But those are done in a simulation." Zack continued to push. "Come on General, he's just a kid."
Sephiroth narrowed his eyes to glare at the black haired SOLDIER. Angeal's posture stiffened slightly as the General made a slight tilt of his head. "It was the same for me. Have some faith in your young friend, Zack. I believe he can handle the situation adequately."
Deep blue eyes flicked towards the door as another shout called out to the Shin-Ra presence. Cloud's voice trembled slightly when he spoke. "What… what should I do?"
"You don't have to fight, Cloud." Tifa whispered from her position on the couch.
"If a thirteen year old girl could manage a full battle at sea, I believe an enhanced fourteen year old boy can handle a few terrorists. Battle is what makes a SOLDIER thrive, Cloud Strife." Sephiroth interrupted. "You will do as I say."
"Sephiroth, you can't be serious." Angeal whispered as he realized what the General was indeed stating. "It's far too soon."
"How long has Cloud Strife been enhanced?"
Genesis shifted, even he was unsure how long the boy had been in the care of the men that had kidnapped them. Tifa's lips opened to answer when Cloud himself spoke up.
"They gave me my first mako injection after I was taken into the chopper. As I started seizing, Rufus Shin-Ra gloated and called it 'a gift from the planet.'" Cloud's mako bright eyes took on an ethereal glow as his anger grew. "My legacy to the world."
"Will you fight?" Sephiroth demanded.
Sephiroth turned more fully towards the boy as Cloud opened his mouth to answer. Despite his fear and desperate longing to return to his mother, his eyes shone with the fierce determination of the best warriors. The boy made up his mind with the straigtening of his shoulders. Slowly, he rose to his feet and tilted his head back until he met the eyes of the gathered SOLDIERs.
"Yes."