This is an Alex chapter, as he has a bigger impact than I anticipated when I threw him in as a random character, the same thing happened with Flint... Anywho, enjoy.
Chapter Twenty-Six, Shiva's Beard.
Alex was sitting in the on-board infirmary, a nurse tending to the wound on his head. She was mumbling sternly, something about not over exerting himself, but he wasn't listening.
Ever since he'd woken up that morning, something had been nagging him at the back of his head. It wasn't the giant lump that sat on the back of it, nor the thudding migraine inside. It
was almost as if his brain were trying to remind him of something- something that he'd just recently forgotten, but was crucial information.
Something to do with the incident on the Shiva- the cargo hold- but what was I doing there? I found something important-
"...and if you need anything, call one of these numbers- You got all that?"
the nurse asked, startling Alex from his reverie.
He stared at the card the nurse was holding blankly. The nurse sighed, turning to a worried Jake who had escorted him there.
"Make sure he gets lots of rest, and drinks lots of water." She said as one of the doctors snipped a loose thread on one of the stitches on his head.
"No over exertion, just easy work. Take the rest of the day off, but tomorrow he should be up to working again."
Jake nodded, thanking her. "C'mon Alex." He said, tugging his friend's arm until he slid of the table, swaying slightly.
"He may be a little dizzy, make sure he doesn't go anywhere without an escort until he's healed a little."
The nurse said, writing on her clip board and exiting the room towards the west wing of the infirmary.
Alex looked up at his friend, who watched him with concern.
Alex smiled reassuringly, realizing he'd been staring blankly at the wall for five minutes.
"C'mon, let's get you to bed buddy."
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"You sure you don't need anything?" Jake asked, standing beside Alex's bed like a trained servant.
"Jake, I'm fine, really. I've got the speaking tube on the nightstand, and medication."
Jake nodded, pacing back and forth for a second before saying "You sure?"
Alex crossed his arms. "Jake, you're gonna be late."
Jake's eyes widened as he glanced at the clock. "Shiva's beard! The captain's gonna kill me!"
He gave a frantic wave at his younger companion and rushed out the door, closing it behind him to leave Alex in silence.
Shiva doesn't have a beard. He thought, trying to imagine the powerful ice goddess sporting a beard similar to Ramuh's.
He chuckled to himself, letting his delirious mind ponder over this thought. Sounds like something Zack would say.
He thought, immediately freezing. "Zack-"
There was something about the image of Zack that brought an extra prod from the back of his mind. "Zack..." he said, closing his eyes,
_________
He was standing with a group of three of the most pompous and idiotic SOLDIERs he'd ever met. He would much rather be back on his own ship, with third-class Jake, sitting down to some chow
than be stuck in a group with these idiots. They were arguing over how hot the bartender in Midgar was compared to the one in Costa Del Sol, and making bets to see if she would accept one of
them on a date.
'Not likely.'
Was his only thought, as he scanned the room for signs of movement. In the corner, he saw the slightest sign of life, and stopped himself from revealing his find. He knew if he gave himself away,
the SOLDIERs would claim they'd found him, or the fugitive would run, and be caught, still resulting in Alex having to split the reward.
"Nothing here either." One of the other men who'd actually been searching said, coming out from behind a stack of crates.
This was Alex's chance to get rid of them. "Um, you guys go ahead, I'm gonna do one more look around."
"Whatever." Came the dull reply, and the SOLDIERs went up the stairs to the main deck.
"Now I won't have to split the reward with those idiots." He mumbled to himself, walking slowly over to where he'd seen movement. He stopped directly in front of the shadows.
"I know you're there, come out or I'll have to-" his voice caught in his throat when the figure stood. I
t was Zack Fair, his lips bearing a sheepish smile Alex knew only too well.
Alex's arm shot up to his forehead in saluted, then, slightly confused, dropped limply to his side.
"Mr. Fair sir, where have you been? They sent searchers out or you-"
Alex paused, disbelief flooding his mind. "Gaia! You aren't the fugitive are you?"
Zack scratched the back of his head, as if debating something.
"I'm really sorry about this."
He muttered, and the next thing Alex knew, Zack had grabbed the back of his head with a forceful grip, slamming him into something cold and solid.
His vision flashed, and suddenly, he felt as if trapped beneath a heavy weight. Before the darkness took him, he felt two gloved fingers on his neck, and then, nothing.
Alex's hand automatically went to his neck. There was no mark or bruise, just the gentle throb of his pulse.
He got out of his bed, slipping on his uniform over his boxers and taking the spare key to the bunkroom.
I need to tell them to turn around- if Zack is who they're looking for, he's on that ship.
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Alex made his way up the stairs, using the rail for support. He was growing dizzier every second, and his vision periodically flashed with black dots. Probably not a good sign, but the
importance of his mission drove him on. He paused for a breath once he'd made his way up to the main deck, and continued on to the bridge, through to the captain's quarters where
Heidegger had taken residence.
He knocked half-heartedly on the door, his head spinning.
"Enter." Came the muffled voice from inside, and he opened the door, making sure he was standing straight as he saluted, the door closing behind him.
Heidegger was sitting in his chair, facing the panting SOLDIER, and not looking very pleased.
"Why the hell aren't you with Lieutenant Scott and his drill squad?" he growled, his arms crossed.
He was grumpier than usual today, as they'd searched every ship in the area, and found nothing.
The president wouldn't be too happy with Heidegger.
Everyone, Heidegger included, was sick of the endless days at sea.
Sick of the flavourless canned meals and vitamin supplements they were forced to take.
He knew the President Shinra would force them to go back to sea until they found the fugitives and returned with them, alive. Until then, they were stuck, only able to stretch their legs
when they stocked up on supplies.
"I uh-" he paused, focusing his vision so he wouldn't fall over. "I have to tell you something important-"
Heidegger stopped him, "Aren't you the kid that tipped over the skids on Shiva?"
Alex nodded, "Yeah but-"
Heidegger started to laugh.
"Gyahaha! How the hell did you manage-"
"It's about the fugitives!" Alex shouted impatiently, and paled further, realising he'd just yelled at Heidegger.
But for once, Heidegger had only processed the word 'fugitive'.
"Sit down, you look pale." He said, much too kindly for a man of his rank.
Much too kindly for Heidegger.
He watched Alex like a vulture waiting for its prey to die, motioning to the red chair in front of his desk.
Alex sat down, watching Heidegger carefully.
"So, you say you have news of the fugitives." He said quietly, folding his hands in a businesslike manner.
Alex nodded. "When I was down in the cargo hold, checking it for the fugitives, I saw movement behind one of the crates. He- the fugitive grabbed me and slammed me against the skid
pile, and then I guess they fell on me. I don't remember anything else."
Heidegger's eyes flashed. "Did you see his face?" Alex paused, wondering if Heidegger would believe him.
"It was First Class Zack Fair sir." He muttered, his eyes staring fixedly on the penholder on his desk.
As expected, Heidegger bust out in horse-like laughter.
"That's enough. Go back to your room and take the day off. You musta hit your head pretty damn hard."
"But sir-" Heidegger's eyes returned to their usual cold pools.
"Zack Fair works for Shinra. He went missing from his camp awhile ago, and wasn't found. Why in hell's sake would he be aboard a cargo rig off the coast of Costa Del Sol headed for
Midgar of all places?"
Alex flushed but gave in, saluting. "Yessir. I'll return to the barracks sir."
Heidegger waved his hand carelessly. "Dismissed." He grumbled, going back to the pile of paperwork on his desk.
Alex sighed, leaving the room and heading back down the hall.
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Heidegger waited until he heard the grunt's footsteps fade, and went over to his private radio communicator. He dialed a seven digit code, and waited.
"Shinra private headquarters, what business do you have?"
"Put the president on the line immediately." He growled, "Tell him I've found them."
Poor everyone! I have to add some more of Alex in the next chapter, so I don't know if I'll be getting to Zack and Cloud in that one. Hope you enjoyed Shiva's Beard, please read and review, I'd appreciate it :)
Lucifer
PS Thanks to Ziggy Pasta, and Chibipinkbunny for their incredibly helpful, enthusiastic and descriptive reviews, they inspire me to continue, and for that I give them my thanks. Also to imaxgoxgnomgnomxonxya for your comments and reviews :)