"How come ShinRa hasn't set up a reactor here?" Zax asked of Angeal.
"The mako we're seeing, has its source near Fort Condor." Angeal explained. "It washes down to these underground waterways when the marshland between here and there gets a lot of rainfall. ShinRa tap's this mako at Fort Condor."
"Fort Condor huh?" Zax had heard of the place. Kunsel had volunteered for Units being deployed to the area since making 2nd, but ee had never been assigned yet. And any unit who did come back from the place, reported that they couldn't reach the reactor.
"It used to be a bird sanctuary." Angeal supplied.
They moved on deeper into the tunnels, where it gradually dimmed the further they got from the mako, until it was a task to make anything out at all. The going became more difficult still at one badly collapsed point, the two SOLDIER operatives were required to crawl, climb, and fit anyway they could, between fallen rock and supports.
Further on, they came across a bridge. The bridge itself was a construct of rope and wood, and it hadn't seen any maintenance in two years or more. But when Angeal stepped out on to it, it didn't so much as creak.
Just as they had crossed the bridge, Zax heard something. A dry screeching sound, but it was faint, so he gestured with a hand signal for Angeal to listen.
"Gargoils." Angeal identified the sound.
He was proven right when following the rush of several sets of wings flapping, a gaggle of the monsters swarmed into the cavern. Forcing Zax and Angeal to retreat back on to the bridge.
"Don't use any fire spells, there's not enough oxygen down here." Angeal warned.
"We got company this side of things too." Zax drew Angeal's attention, to the death claws that had picked their way through the collapse, and where now encroaching on the bridge in addition to the Gargoils.
Zax narrowly ducked beneath the racking laws of one of the gargoils when it swooped for him. "Don't you think it's time you used that sword?" He asked over his shoulder.
Angeal held the grip of a custom forged weapon, but he had yet to employ it.
"This sword…" Angeal started circling slowly, keeping watch on their enemies. "…is heavy and unwieldy."
That was true. On a bridge, fighting in close proximity with an ally, and doing so in the dark. It would do more damage then good. Zax hissed with frustration. "Then why didn't you bring a lighter one?"
A few more gargoils broke away from the rest, intent on felling the two SOLDIER operatives.
There were too many incoming monsters to take care of with one sword, and no use of materia. So Zax cut down the first, then braced himself to sustain some bad lacerations. But the gargoils never reached em, instead they had collided with Angeal's sword, which the older man held in front of Zax like a shield.
"I'm going to need you to focus on offence." Angeal instructed Zax. I'll concentrate on defense."
"Ok!" Zax agreed. Feeling they were getting somewhere, he fell into sync now that the situation called for their cooperation.
"Switch!" Angeal ordered. Angeal rounded into the spot Zax vacated, to shield Zax and himself from another attempt by the gargoils. While Zax took up Angeal's spot, and stepping forward skewered a death claw on his sword. He then kicked it free and into a second, sending them tumbling off of the side of the bridge.
Angeal next angled his weapon to provide cover for Zax, as Zax rolled beneath several diving gargoils. Zax was able to come up out of his role behind them, and with a sweep of his blade dispatch them. He then used the length of Angeal's sword like a ramp, to boost himself in a jump up over two death claws. The first death claw he ranthrough from behind, the second he knocked from the bridge when he stepped into a side kick.
Angeal utilized some of the tremendous strength, required to carry a sword like the one he did. Putting his 1sts power in to it, when he took a hold of a death claws limb in one hand, after side stepping its strike. He turned hurling it over his shoulder into another two death claws, driving all three off the bridge.
All that remained of the monsters, was the glow of their mako saturated remains dissipating.
"That's their monster problem taken care off." Angeal remarked. While he returned his great sword, to its place on his harness. "Death claws and gargoils, especially those who have come into contact with mako, are known for being territorial. Even in a mine this big, there's only room to sustain the numbers we just saw, at most."
They made a thorough check of the tunnels while retracing their steps on the way out, and even clapped their hands to attract any stragglers. But it was as Angeal had predicted, the mines where clear. They reported as much to Ziggy when they returned to the surface.
"Thanks for the help guys. I'll have a team down there by morning, catching up on the work that was delayed." Ziggy told them. Satisfied with the results.
"Will the mine be up and running any time soon?" Zax asked her hopefully. During the drive to Kalm town itself.
"A section of it maybe. But the flooding and the mako, those issues are going to be a long term problem by the looks of it unfortunately. But this is a start."
When they reached Kalm, the sun was coming up. From the ground the town had an odd quality, it was mostly empty save the occasional passerby many of whom wore the ShinRa workers jumpsuit. The majority of windows had corrugated cardboard taped over them, and where they did not the windows looked into unfurnished, freshly painted interiors. It was an unsettling thing for an entire town to be in this way.
Soon the sound of a helicopter coming in to land, drew Zax attention away from empty streets and buildings. Directing it instead, to the flags depicting Kalmish crests, that blew about in the stirring wind. Ee recognized the Raven crest, a black diamond surrounded by four stars, one star at each corner of the banner. The fabric of the banner was crisp and far to new.
With no one around, the helicopter was able to land right there outside the inn. Allowing Zax and his mentor climbed aboard without delay.
"You did alright Soldier." Angeal at last voiced his evaluation of Zax performance in the field. "You still need to work on that focus though."
From Angeal, Zax supposed that an "Alright" would have to suffice for now.
When Zax returned to his and Kunsel's shared apartment, the first thing that he noticed was the smell of metalwork.
"K?"
"Over here!" Kunsel called from beyond the living room, out on the closed balcony. Where ee had ees metalworking tools setup. Kunsel set aside the ring ee had been inspecting, removed ees gloves and apron, and stepped inside. "I've heated up some pasta, it's in the oven keeping warm if you want some before you turn in." Ee moved to dish them each up a serving. "How was the assignment?"
"I was…" Zax struggled for a moment, stalling by coming over to the kitchen bar to taking a seat. "…Ummm…"
Kunsel must have noticed his hesitation, because ee paused in what ee was doing to look Zax over. "You alright?"
"It's just, the mission was in Kalm and…"
"You were concerned it might be a sensitive subject?"
"Yup." Zax confirmed that Kunsel had guessed his worry.
Kunsel set the food down on the kitchen bar and joined Zax. "It's not a happy subject that's for sure, but it's not off limits either." Kunsel set Zax at ease. "So, what's the place like these days?"
"I just wish I could have seen the real thing." He then asked. "What were you working on just now?"
Feigning carelessness Kunsel replied. "Not telling."
"You butt."
"It's a surprise." Ee insisted.
"General Hewley! Thank you for meeting me." A doctor Kilmister greeted Angeal, when Angeal arrived on the 61st floor.
"How can I help you doctor?" Angeal asked of the man, while they seated themselves at one of the lounges tables.
"I've been working on a new VR simulation. I thought you and your newly promoted charge could test it out for me."
"I'd like to see the simulation before I agree, if that's possible."
"Of course. Professor Hojo is using the facility at the moment, but when the VR training room is free, I'll give you the tour. In the meantime, you just returned from Kalm didn't you? Care for an interdivision drink?"
"I could go for a drink, that sounds good."
"Wutai soldiers have taken control of a Shinra train Muka ninety three Type two, the train is currently headed to Midgar sector eight." The virtual voice over the COMM told Zax. It continued. "We are to proceed as scheduled, SOLDIER will be sent to take control of
the situation. Commence mission in three, two, one, mark, begin mission."
Angeal hung back, while Zax got ready for the jump. "The train has been commandeered by Wutai soldiers. Your mission is to seize, and regain control of the train." He instructed his charge.
"Roger!" Zax offered Angeal a sloppy two fingered salute. Then dived from the helicopter without so much as looking both ways, aiming for the speeding train bellow. He only just made it too, landing atop one of the carriages in a crouch, before he disappeared out of sight for a second beneath a bridge.
"Be serious about this!" Angeal part reprimanded, part pleaded.
