I Want To Be A Turk!
Chapter 38 – Regaining Control
Leia stared at the fallen AVALANCHE operatives at her feet. Has it only been an hour since I arrived? She rubbed her aching fists. The AVALANCHE teams were relentless. She fought one group after another, but they only kept coming.
The Turks were always resourceful, even in the face of dangers. Leia did not have photographic memory like Meia, but she visited Junon so many times that she knew the place inside out. With some quick outwitting of the AVALANCHE operatives, Leia successfully reached the instructed destination, the airport. The runway was quiet… for now.
I'm finally here… What am I supposed to be doing here, though? Leia glanced around for signs of familiar faces. I don't know what the others are doing, so I don't know how to proceed.
Leia cracked her knuckles. "Heidegger…" She murmured.
He's going to get it big time.
"There! Kill her!" A voice in the distance pushed her to continue running. The best that Leia could do was to not waste her energy and run. But there seemed to be no end to the madness.
Everyone… I wonder if they're all going through the same thing? Let them be all right.
Reno grabbed his chest, a little staggered by the attack that two AVALANCHE soldier delivered on him. "Thunder-2." He muttered the spell for extra electrical power. The EMR, charged with sparks, found its target in their faces and the enemies fell, defeated.
Time to hit the gym again. He made a face at his own fighting stamina. Haven't been doing lots of exercise. Not as quick as it used to be.
"What the hell is this…" Reno walked towards the railing overlooking the sea and leaned against it, sliding down onto the floor. "That department head! What is he thinking, leaving it 'til it got like this?" He sighed and brushed his hair behind his face. "Freakin' tired here…" He murmured to himself. "I wonder how are Meia and the rest doing back in Midgar…" A short while later, he decided that he shouldn't waste time resting. He stood up and started running towards the airport and soon found himself outnumbered four against one.
Uh oh. They just keep coming. I'd better just retreat for now.
Rude brushed the dust off his jacket and analysed his surroundings. Though hidden behind helmets and visors, the malicious intent of the men were barely concealed.
7 AVALANCHE members against me…
Sighing at the men surrounding him, he said to himself. "There's too many of them… Junon will fall at this rate."
"You better surrender, while you're still able to, Turk." One of them sneered.
"…" Rude ignored his aching shoulders and settled on a fighting stance, his fingers beckoning them to fight.
"What's your situation?" Heidegger asked of Tseng.
The Turk shrugged off the AVALANCHE uniform that he wore, stolen from a man that he defeated, and spoke into the phone. "They've overrun the city." He answered, his PHS pressed against his ear as he tried to adjust his tie.
"What did you say?" Heidegger hollered but paused for a moment. "Then it's time to bring out the army! Gah haa haa haaaa!" He laughed.
Tseng cringed at his laugh, but quickly recovered when he considered the implications. "Sir, wait a minute. Bringing out the army at this juncture is too risky. The city will be destroyed."
Heidegger's voice on the other end was emotionless. "So we'll rebuild. All you and your Turks have to do is distract them until the troops arrive."
"Sir! What should we…" Tseng groaned inwardly. "We can't coordinate if you don't tell us what you're trying to do! If-" The Wutain almost threw his PHS at the wall. "He hung up…" He said to no one in particular.
A burning sensation rose within Leia's heart. She wasn't surprised at all. After all, she has been running and fighting the endless AVALANCHE people, one horde after another, for more than two hours. She paused at the side of the runway to catch her breath.
Where am I?
She looked around her for the umpteenth time. There was no one around.
Never mind. Just keep going.
Leia continued running, clutching her sides to curb the stitch that was forming and avoiding all conflicts with the operatives. However, luck won't always be on her side…
She took a step back as the AVALANCHE operative held his gun up high at her. "A Turk. So you've managed to come this far. How's life under Heidegger's rule? He's doing us a favour, having you all run around in circles." The other AVALANCHE members chuckled behind him.
"How did you-?" Leia exclaimed, but her brain continued her question. How did they get that information? There's no way they could have known.
Her PHS rang. Need to get away from these guys first! She decided. She made a run for the alleyways of Junon, thanking Lady Luck for providing her some time to pick up the dreaded call from Heidegger.
"Leia, are you okay?" The martial artist has never been happier to hear Tseng's voice. She smiled and replied that she was fine. "The army's coming in. Hold off AVALANCHE as long as you can until they do."
"What? SOLDIER is coming?" Leia exclaimed, disappointment filling her fatigued body.
What were we all fighting for, then? Were we just expendable distractions with no other use?
"There she is!" Hearing AVALANCHE's voices just around the corner gave Leia no choice but to hang up and run again.
Meia and Rod were in Heidegger's room. "Sir!" Meia pleaded. "Please activate us to Junon! It's suicide to win in a town full of AVALANCHE members versus four of them!"
"Tch, what will sending you do?" Heidegger peered at them disinterestedly. "I can send the whole team of Turks and you won't be able to fix even a pipe! Gya ha ha ha ha!" He laughed at his own joke.
Meia stared at him helplessly. "How could you say that?" She demanded. "We are not enhanced like SOLDIER, but we have other strengths!"
Rod scratched his nose and glanced at Meia. She wanted to try and talk to Heidegger to convince him to send more Turks since the situation has worsened. Rod felt that it was futile, like talking to a wall, but Meia wouldn't listen.
"Once I send the SOLDIER troops, the matter will be solved." Heidegger yawned. "Your lovely friends will be back and it'll be fine, isn't it?"
"But… It'll take at least an hour to gather the SOLDIERs and send them in batches to Junon. Brother Tseng and the rest would be seriously injured by then!" Meia insisted. "How could 4 people defeat hundreds of them?"
Heidegger slammed fist on the table. "You are not the leader, you hear me?" He said angrily. "Your opinion is worthless here!"
"Enough, old geezer." Rod glared at Heidegger. "You do not need to treat us well, but at least treat us the way we deserve."
Heidegger reddened at Rod's words. "Insolent brat! Is this how you treat your superior?" He pointed a shaking finger at them. "This is why kids like you shouldn't be Turks. That's what I told Veld but did that moron listen? No…"
"Brother Veld is not a moron you… you MEANIE!" Meia said hotly. "He's a better leader than you can ever be!"
"Hold your tongue, kid!" Heidegger yelled. "Have you forgotten who I am? I am your leader now, not Veld. I'm in charge and my decision is final." He narrowed his eyes at them. "If the four Turks in Junon die, it's their fault anyway. Serves them right that they didn't inform me of AVALANCHE's actions earlier."
Meia looked as if she was on the verge of pouncing on the man. Rod grabbed Meia by her collar before she could reach for her gun. "We take our leave… sir." He said, glaring at the leader. Once the doors closed outside the door, he folded his arms and pushed her head roughly. "What were you thinking?" He scowled. "You could've gotten both of us killed!"
"Damn it!" Meia growled. "I can't stand around here and see the four of them…" Angry tears flowed out of her eyes and she sobbed, like a child. Sighing at how she could be so feisty in one moment and so vulnerable the next, Rod gently took her away from Heidegger's office.
The surveillance room contained only one officer. The middle-aged man watched the situation calmly, at images of Reno being beaten up by AVALANCHE members, at images of Rude barely surviving the waves of attacks, at the sight of Meia crying outside Heidegger's office.
He gripped his prosthetic arm tightly, recalling a dream of his past. Then, he stood up and walked out of the door towards the President's office. There is always a fine line between professionalism and emotion but now, at the sorry sight of the men that he cared for, Veld could not be objective anymore.
The Turks' Lounge was not empty. Some Turks were gathered but they were hushed and speaking in low tones. Meia looked at them anxiously. "Are you sure that this will work?" She pulled her pigtails with worry. "Rod has never flown out of Midgar before."
Cissnei gave a small smile. "Among the many things that we've done collectively today, Rod's flying is the least of our worries. Let us not mention flying out of Midgar, Rod is not even supposed to fly the helicopter."
"… Stolen from the helipad." Haato added. "And six Turks disappearing in HQ without explanation. Yep. When this whole thing dies down, we're as good as dead. Though… I believe the amount of mischief YOU did today is enough to get us all into hot soup." Haato shrugged. "Rod and you duelled the two SOLDIERS, you almost fought with Horse-face…"
Meia coloured at his words. "I… I didn't mean to have an outburst like that…" She said.
"I shall deal with all of you individually when this thing is over." A cool voice replied.
Recognising the voice instantly, the three Turks turned, their ears not believing till their eyes saw. "Brother Veld!" Meia exclaimed, jumping out of the chair and hugging him. "Are you here to help us?"
Veld pulled his lips into a tight smile. Unlike others, he shows his true emotions not in his eyes, but in his tight smile. "Help is hardly the word. I've taken full responsibility over the Turks again." He said.
"Yes! Woohoo!" Meia hooted and jumped childishly on the spot with joy. "Everyone will be ecstatic to hear the good news!"
Cissnei asked. "Sir, what about Mr. Heidegger?"
"President Shinra has given him the notice. I'm sure… he won't mind." Veld answered calmly. "We'll talk later. Haato, get me onto a conference call with everyone."
"Oh… Erm… About that…" Meia stammered. "The rest of the Turks are not in HQ. They… They left on their own… to Junon." Veld raised his eyebrows, but waited for her to continue. "That's really about it… Minus the details that we stole a helicopter from the helipad and Brother Rod is flying it…" She trailed off slowly.
"Sir, the line is ready whenever you are." Haato's interruption saved her from explaining even further. The reinstated head of the Turks merely nodded at her 'report' and then he walked towards Haato. Meia heaved a sigh of relief. She doubt Veld was ready to hear about the other things they've done.
When the PHS rang, Leia was still considering her circumstances. She saw that in a distance, she was going to be cornered by AVALANCHE in both directions. She hid in a dark, shadowy alley and prayed that the person calling is Tseng and not Heidegger.
It's a conference call. She realized. Doesn't look like something Heidegger would do.
"Leia, what's your situation?"
Leia gasped and almost dropped her phone. "… Sir?" She asked tentatively, for she could hardly believe that it was Veld.
"Sir… can we first ensure that everyone is really connected?" Leia heard Haato speak in the background. There was a sound of shuffling of communicative equipment, then she heard Haato's voice clearly. "This is Haato, with Veld, Cissnei and Meia in Midgar HQ."
"Tseng here."
"Leia is here." Leia was glad that the Turks in the conference call couldn't see her smile.
"Reno."
"… Rude."
A static sound was heard, then Leia heard Alana's voice. "Alana with Mason, KK, Rod, Cassie and Kido. We're reaching Junon in 10 minutes."
"All here." Haato confirmed. Then the phone was returned to Veld.
"All of you, I want you to listen to me carefully. I have resumed leadership of the Turks." From the slight commotion from the different channels, Leia knew that they could barely hide their excitement. Veld cleared his throat, gaining their attention again. "From now on you will take your orders from me."
"Sir! You're back." Tseng said.
"This is no time to be sentimental. Our first priority is dealing with the situation at Junon."
"Yes, sir." Replied Tseng. Leia could almost hear happiness from the usually emotionless Turk.
"Tseng. We're lacking any useful information on the Ravens. We don't know what their next move may be. Keep an eye on their movements. Find out as much as you can."
"Yes, sir."
"Reno."
"Yeah."
"Head for the control tower. Get the situation at the airport under control. I'm counting on you to get there as fast as you can."
"I'm on my way, boss."
"Rude."
"Yes." Rude replied.
"You're Reno's advance guard. Clear the way to the tower for him. Work as a team."
"Yes, sir."
Leia sighed with relief. With Veld back in command, things are more systematic and structured. Unlike SOLDIER, the Turks work through planning and communication. Rarely do they go berserk and do things in an ad-hoc manner. This suited Leia just fine.
"Leia."
"Sir."
"Deal with the AVALANCHE operatives on the airships. They're landed at the B-West landing area. Turn back the way you came and keep going straight."
Leia widened her eyes at the instructions. "But sir! There are AVALANCHE operatives all along that road."
"Don't worry about that." Veld assured her. "Trust me, I've dealt with that too."
That's not much of an assurance. She thought. But I trust him.
"Yes, sir."
"The Turks in Junon, you better move now. You can do it."
"ROGER!" Tseng, Reno, Rude and Leia chorused in unison.
Leia flipped her PHS shut, cracked her knuckles and shook out the stiffness in her knees. She walked out of the alley and into the open. "I'll believe in Veld!" She declared. "Get out of my way, all of you!"
In the stolen helicopter bound for Junon, Alana heard the four Turks hang up and asked Veld over the PHS. "Sir, what orders do you have for us?"
"Once you've reached Junon?" Veld asked. "Rod is to remain in the chopper, on standby for takeoff."
"Roger that." Rod said, his hands numb from the trembling of the helicopter's controls.
"The rest of you. Split up and search for remaining AVALANCHE operatives. Two of you will assist Leia at the airport. Alana, I'm counting on you for manpower allocation."
"Yes sir." Alana replied.
"We're still far outnumbered, sir." Kido pointed out.
"I'm aware of that." Veld said. "Special forces will be arriving soon."
"You mean SOLDIER?" Alana asked.
"No, but him alone can subdue AVALANCHE's plans, and he can reach Junon in 15 minutes."
The Turks on the helicopter glanced at each other. Is there a man strong enough to subdue hundreds of AVALANCHE members?
"Understood, sir." Alana spoke into the PHS. "Also, we're willing to accept any punishment you have for us for acting on our own decisions."
There was a brief silence on the other end, then Veld said. "We'll see about that."
The conference call ended and KK looked at the faces around her. "We really are in trouble, aren't we?"
"Expulsion of our jobs, or worse." Kido said gravely.
"Then why are we here?" Rod stared in the distance and quickly said. "Preparing for landing in Junon."
"Because we are sick of the way Heidegger works." Quipped Cassie.
Katherine smiled and tossed her knives casually. "And we need to show him how we Turks work?"
"If he dares put us in library work again, I'll..." Mason smashed his fists together.
"There's nothing you'll do, Mason." Alana said seriously. "Because though he is not our direct head, he is still a superior in the company."
"Come on, Alana, you wanted that 'GYA HA HA!' horse to leave as much as we do." Mason nudged the gun-user.
Cissnei grinned at the hidden agenda that none of the Turks wanted to show. "Definitely not because we don't want Tseng, Reno, Rude and Leia to die in Junon."
"Only that stupid girl Meia would put her emotions into her work." Kido commented and glancing at Mason, he added. "And Mason." Mason glared at him, though he was smiling. The Turks smirked at each other. The years of working together only proved that despite their differences, they knew each other well and in a way that they'll never admit, the Turks is their family.
"Touchdown!" Rod released a breath that he didn't notice that he was holding.
"Good job, Rodzen." Cassie patted his back encouragingly.
Mason flipped the door of the helicopter open. "Come on!" He yelled. "Let's get some exercise! I'm heading for Leia, you guys plan on your own!"
"Mason!" Alana called after him but the burly man ran off. "Goodness, he's as reckless as a..." She stopped as words failed her. The sight in front of her ended whatever thoughts she had in mind.
The rest of the Turks stepped out of the helicopter and gazed over the numerous AVALANCHE troops in Lower Junon. "We can talk about expulsion of our jobs... if we survive tonight." Cissnei said quietly.
"GAAAAAAAAAAHHHH!" A roar in the short distance caused Leia to glance at the group of AVALANCHE in front of her, surrounding her comrade.
"Mason..." She said, recognising his sandy-brown hair and signature punch instantly.
Mason launched himself at one of the AVALANCHE operatives and with a rearing punch, he knocked the soldier out cold. Then he elbowed the closest AVALANCHE operative and turned to the last man standing.
"Prepare yourself!" Mason roared. "You should know better than to pull innocent bystanders into this. There's no way I'm gonna stand by and let that happen!
The enemy staggered back at his attacks. "H-h-he's strong!"
And full of talk. Leia mused. There's no denying that Mason is strong. He is one of the strongest Turks, but when Mason becomes emotional and starts talking while fighting, he can be easily distracted.
Today proved not to be the case. Mason swiftly dealt a powerful punch at the last AVALANCHE member and turned to Leia who was walking towards him. "Yo, Leia.I've cleared the road for you. The airship landing strip is just up ahead. Don't let your guard down."
Leia nodded and gave him a gentle pat on the back. "Thanks for coming here. You'll be here?" When Mason nodded, Leia said. "Keep up the good work."
"I sure will. We'll talk again when this mess is over." Mason punched his fists together. "You have absolutely NO IDEA what Heidegger made us go through."
Veld had a gift of foresight that not many tacticians can ever hope to obtain. It was Veld's talent, coupled with his resolute loyalty and his leadership skills that he managed to be the head of the Turks for a long time. True to his reputation, within the next hour, Junon was successfully subdued by the Turks. Heidegger was given a part to play in the operation too, though he was no longer in command of the Turks. The Security was activated as well to help out with restraining further anti-Shinra attacks in Junon, but SOLDIER wasn't activated at all.
The returning head of the Turks was brief in his closing meeting, thanking the Turks for their sacrificial help to suppress the AVALANCHE attack on Junon.
"Sir…" Alana's voice was shaky but she pressed on. "About everything we've done today…"
Veld was silent and he frowned at the report. Meia was the one who was tasked to write it, and she was honest to a T. "Well…" Veld said gravely and the room quietened further. "The department really has done some mischief."
"We're sorr-" KK began.
"However," Veld interrupted the knife-user. "I wasn't your leader when you've committed these crimes. These things were committed under the jurisdiction of Heidegger. If anything, it should be Heidegger punishing you… but he probably won't be the head anytime so soon so…"
The Turks could hardly believe their ears. "No punishment?" Rod asked tentatively.
Veld shrugged. "It's not my power to deliver punishments to men who are, or were under my colleague's leadership." He sighed. "I don't want to hear any of this anymore."
"Brother Veld… He really cares for us." Meia said to herself. "No one can treat us as well as he does."
Leia caught it and replied, "That's what I thought just now too. No one is as devoted to the Turks as he is."
"While I congratulate all of you on a job well done," Veld said. "I'd like you to meet somebody. Without him, we would not be able to subdue the large masses of AVALANCHE. His help has been most valuable to us tonight."
Meia looked at Veld with interest. Shortly after the conference call, Veld informed them that he'll employ the help of a former Turk.
Former Turk? If he was a former Turk… then he should have no memories of being a Turk or dead. So how…?
The door behind them opened, and a tall man with orangey-blond hair walked in.
"Legend?" Some of the Turks exclaimed.
"Legend!" Haato stood up, grinning.
"Howdy." The man tipped his head at the stunned group of Turks.
Veld nodded. "Most of you remember him, of course. He was one of our Turks and is someone of great strength."
"It has been… what? Two and a half years since you left?" Haato walked toward him, and they gave a friendly handshake.
"Being under house arrest isn't fun." The man grinned. "Though the babes at Costa del Sol made it up for me."
Meia stared at him for a brief moment, then nudged Tseng gently . "That's the Legendary Turk that killed the arms dealer instead of bringing him back to HQ?"
Tseng raised his eyebrows at her, but he remembered that he didn't need to be alarmed. Meia has decent memory skills even if it wasn't visual information. "Yes… He was under house-arrest in Costa del Sol and when Shinra asked him to return-"
"I said that I would rather spend my time on the beach, getting to know women." Legend gave a sly grin. "Some new faces here, huh?" He scanned across the room. "We'll have time to talk later." He grinned at Meia and Rod.
Veld cleared his throat. "About that. Regarding what I asked you…"
"Oh." Legend waved his hand casually. "I've thought hard about it and I think…" He scratched his thick sideburns. "I accept your proposal to become a Turk again. Not that I ever lost the Turk status." He nodded at the rest of the Turks. "Think I've missed out on quite a bit in the past few years, huh?"
His words were met with excitement. "Welcome back, Legend!" Cassie gave him a playful punch. "Next time, we go Costa del Sol together!"
"Anytime, my lady." Was his suave reply.
"Legend, now that you're back, I believe you can check on Rude and assess his bomb-making." Veld said.
"Legend is an extraordinaire when it comes to bomb-creation." Explained KK to Meia. "It's no wonder AVALANCHE could be subdued so quickly. Though Rude is more senior than him in the Turks, Legend is the one who taught Rude how to make bombs."
Thinking back (and cringing) at the memory when she was abducted by Don Corneo's men, she did think to herself that Rude's bomb, the one which blew a huge hole on the wall, was mighty. Looking at the returning Turk, Meia felt a smile tugging at her lips.
Our family has increased again.
Veld knocked on the grand door of the sole office in Floor 70. The muffled voice of the President was cue for the reinstated head to enter.
"Veld." The President was quick to the point, saving all formalities. "That thing I told you to look into… what have you got to report?"
Veld bowed. "Sir. We haven't made any progress." He replied calmly.
President Shinra harrumphed. "Hmph. Who's leaking information out of the company…?"
"The list of candidates is small; it is information only the executives can get a hold of…"
The bulky man stood up from his table and walked towards his window, showing his a clear view of Sector 7 below. "Maybe Hojo…? He's got access to a lot of important data pertaining to SOLDIER."
Veld fell silent at the President's words.
If Hojo is the one behind this, it would certainly explain the exponential increase in the strength of AVALANCHE's forces.
As he left the office, he rubbed his chin in thought.
… I should keep an eye on him.
I apologise for the MANY MANY line breaks. There are too many scenes to juggle =P
Authors' notes to be found in my blog: aichioluv (dot) blogspot (dot) com
Thank you for reading my chapter. A review (or two, or three?) would totally make my day!
See you soon, very soon. =)