The elevator doors opened, but no one moved. On Kunsel's part, he felt as though he'd been doused with a bucket of ice water. Danita. That fangirl from Junon. With everything going on lately, he'd completely forgotten about her- and that Genesis had tried to get Lilith to meet with her the day they'd left for the mission. An odd request at the time, but in light of everything they'd discovered…

What in Gaia's name was she thinking to actually meet with that woman?

The doors began to close, but Jesse stuck out his arm to give them another minute. Jekke, meanwhile, cast all of them- Kunsel in particular- a puzzled look.

"What?" When no one answered, she tried again. "I mean, I know it's a bit weird that one of his flings would want to meet any of us, but she's just…" Jekke trailed off, eyes widening as she put the pieces together. "Noooo. No, you can't think that she's…one of them. Like the ones we were talking about last night."

Stone silence, and then Zack said, "She and two of her so-called 'friends' helped split us apart during the first Junon mission."

Only we assumed at the time it had been all Genesis' idea. Sending them over so he could score with Lilith. Now Kunsel wondered if it had been the other way around, and Danita had put him up to it instead. But why? What would she gain from it?

No answers to those questions. Not yet. But knowing that the woman had followed Genesis back to Midgar- and managed to stay with him- gave Kunsel an uneasy feeling. This wasn't like what was going on at the Crestward. Danita was content to keep tabs on Genesis rather than have him outright abducted. Meaning he was more valuable to her if he remained at Shinra Headquarters. Kunsel could deduce a few reasons why, and of those, one struck him as the most plausible.

Information. She's using him to spy on SOLDIER. A realization quickly followed by another, more alarming one. Son of a bitch. She's the one. She has to be the one who told the Mayor about Lilith's mission.

Those thoughts were still buzzing in his head like a swarm of Slaps when he heard Luxiere ask, "You don't suppose Lilith's in danger, do you?"

Oh most certainly, Lux. The real question is- how much?

All eyes had turned to him, expectant that he would have an answer. Certain that his expression had already given away more than he should have, Kunsel played for time by exiting the elevator. He needed those seconds to decide what- if anything- he could say. Discussing the situation at the Crestward was one thing; quite another to tell them Genesis was either duped into being a spy, or had actively turned against Shinra. Or why he would be in a position to suspect either of those things.

The rest of the group filed out behind him, shorting the window of time to come up with a convincing reply.

Gotta say something.

"I think she'll be safe enough. This time," he emphasized in the hope he'd mollify Zack's concerns. "Doubtful anyone is ever snatched up during a first meeting- especially in broad daylight."

Kunsel really hoped he was right. Really hoped. Not just for Lilith's sake, but for the rest of them, as well. If their adversaries found out what she'd learned, SOLDIER would lose just about every advantage the Junon mission had bought them. Not only that, but she also knew enough about the Materia training program to tell the bastards how to sabotage it. Lilith had to have known that, but instead of acting with caution, she'd potentially put everyone at risk.

"Yeah, I guess you could be right there," Jesse agreed slowly. "Still…I probably wouldn't have taken the risk."

You say that now, but a few nights ago you would have gone with any one of the fangirls hanging around the Crestward.

He didn't point that out, already aware that Zack still wasn't completely sold on his theory. Not surprisingly, the 2nd Class pulled out his cell, intending to settle the matter for himself. The line rang twice while he had it on speaker, then Lilith's voicemail picked up. He left a message, never once breaking his stare, and hung up. Not the best of omens.

"Well, I guess that's our answer, isn't it? If she's not answering…" Luxiere shifted from one foot to the other. "Someone's gotta tell the 1st Classes."

An opinion quickly seconded by the rest of the group. Kunsel thought it a bit premature. Especially if they couldn't prove Lilith was actually missing. Nor was this the way for Sephiroth to find out that other 2nd Classes were aware of SOLDIERS going missing. He figured he had one chance of derailing this plan, although it didn't thrill him all that much. With no other choice, Kunsel reached for his phone and sent Lilith a carefully worded text.

JEKKE TOLD US WHERE YOU WENT. IT'LL GET PASSED ONTO THE 1ST CLASSES IN A MINUTE.

Thirty seconds, and then he received an answering message.

DAMMIT. ON MY WAY BACK NOW. Another short pause. LOOK, SAY WHATEVER YOU HAVE TO TO STOP IT AND I'LL LET YOU YELL AT ME LATER.

He studied the message for a minute, trying to gauge if it was her, or if that bitch might have her phone and was trying to throw them off. Unless Danita had already figured out that he and Lilith weren't on the best terms lately, Kunsel would have expected she would have phrased that last remark very differently. That decided the matter for him, and so he shot back a terse reply.

YOU CAN BET I'LL WANT A DAMN GOOD REASON WHY I SHOULDN'T TELL SEPHIROTH ABOUT THIS MYSELF.

Kunsel didn't wait for her response; he could read it later when he didn't have the others all gathered around him, waiting for an update. With a shrug, he told them, "She's fine. Headed back as we speak." He angled a conciliatory look at Zack. "Probably didn't want to answer the phone when you called because she's supposed to be on watch and didn't want any of us to know she'd gone out."

Still a touch of skepticism there, but his dark-haired friend let it go. The rest of the group took their cue from him, and talk of alerting the 1st Classes died even before they reached the lounge. Kunsel and Jekke split off from there, headed for training room three for their session with Sephiroth. On the way, she cast him more than one speculative look that he found unsettling.

"You agree with Jesse, don't you," she asked. "That Lilith shouldn't have met with Danita."

"As he said- it was still a risk."

Kunsel kept his response neutral, not quite giving her a definitive yes or no; Jekke was smart enough to notice. Smart enough, and tenacious enough to press harder to get one- especially given that the corridor around them was empty.

"But do you agree that it was a risk she shouldn't have taken?"

"I take it you don't," he observed as they slowed to a stop.

"Just thinking about what you said last night. About 'stringing' the fangirls at the Crestward along to find out what they're after."

He frowned and growled, "That's different."

"How," she countered with an arch of one blonde eyebrow. "You advocated for the guys to dangle themselves as bait. So why is it so different for Lilith to do what amounts to the same thing?"

Not wanting to delve too deeply into what may have prompted him to take that stance, Kunsel tried to come up with a reason based on logic. Anything that would steer Jekke- and his own thoughts- away from believing that personal feelings could be in any way involved. But also a reason that would stay well away from any key details of the recent Junon mission. At last, he hit upon an idea.

"Because she went off alone," Kunsel argued. "At the Crestward, there'll be other SOLDIERS around to guard each other's backs." When Jekke looked as though she'd try to rebut, he pushed on. "Who's watching Lilith's? No one. If Danita had intended to abduct her, no one would have been there to stop it."

He thought it a legitimate point. And when Jekke didn't immediately challenge it, he resumed walking. If they expected to be on time for their training, they'd have to hurry. Kunsel would rather not know what punishment Sephiroth would devise for being late, even if it was just a minute or two. They were about to round the final corner when Jekke posed one last question.

"Maybe you're right, Kunsel, but what I haven't figured out is how all of you expected Lilith to refuse the invitation. Genesis didn't really give her the option of turning it down, and if she blew it off, it's not like he wasn't going to know. What was she supposed to do?"

Trae paced the confines of his cell. Just as he'd been pacing them for the last eighteen hours. Ever since that bitch, Danita, forced him to watch as her goons strapped Noel into their machine so they could suck the life out of him. And the screams. Gaia's mercy, the screams. Trae still heard them inside his head. Would likely hear them for the rest of his life.

Would Danita?

Trae doubted it. Or if she did, she'd remember them with sadistic pleasure. The heartless bitch.

After the 'demonstration', he'd been fortunate not to catch sight of her again. His captors had tossed him in this cell and walked away without a backwards glance. Left isolated with no company other than his own thoughts. Time to reflect, Trae supposed, on the choice Danita had put to him: Turn traitor, or Noel would die. Not just die- no, that word wasn't sinister enough to describe what his friend and lover would endure. Her lapdogs would finish off what they'd started yesterday. Trae didn't know how long it would take, but Danita would make him watch to the bitter end.

If I take her offer, though, do I really trust that she wouldn't kill him, anyway?

Looking at it from her perspective, he knew how he would answer. Keeping Noel alive would be a liability. At least long term. He'd remain alive until Trae gave Danita something that would brand him as a traitor in Shinra's eyes if they were to find out. The irrevocable step in foreswearing his SOLDIER oath. Once she had that, she would be rid of anything- or anyone- who might compete for his loyalty.

But agreeing would at least buy both of them a few weeks. Maybe more. If he could convince the bitch that she would get nothing from him unless she made concessions…Trae could make the most of however long that might turn out to be. He'd even turned over the idea of becoming a double agent. Pretend to take Danita's offer while looking for a way to take her group down from the inside. Ultimately, he knew he'd be outmatched in that game; she'd be expecting it, anyway. No, if he took that deal, he'd have to play by her rules.

Betray SOLDIER, he thought. Turn on everyone you've ever known. You'd make a lie of everything you stood for.

But Noel would be alive.

Would he want to be if it came at such a cost? How do you think he'll look at you if you do this? Will he still see you as the man he's loved for the past year- or will he see a coward unable to make the right choice when faced with a hard decision?

When put that way, it really wasn't a decision.

"Kyle- fetch me that Restore sphere. Now."

A stern voice wrenched Trae from his private war against himself. Reminded him of the other reason why he shouldn't give in to that bitch; no point in becoming a turncoat if that scientist of hers couldn't guarantee that Noel would live beyond tomorrow, was there? Right now, Trae had his doubts.

He didn't know exactly when Danita's underlings carried Noel's unconscious body into the room yesterday, but it had to have been late evening. Long enough for that the men he'd seen with Danita must have switched out for a different crew. The newcomers locked Noel in a cell across the narrow aisle that split the room down its middle. Trae had stared at his lover for ages, willing him to awaken so they could at least talk to one another.

Well, Noel did wake up. Woke up screaming and convulsing so violently that it brought several men running to investigate. One of them fetched Edzel. The craven scientist muttered cursed while the others spoke in hushed whispers amongst themselves, all of them careful that none of it was loud enough for Trae to make out. Not until Edzel started calling for Hi-Potions and Ethers, anyway. Noel was force fed one of each.

The convulsions stopped and the screams subsided into incoherent moans. Scientist and lackeys watched over Noel for a few more minutes before deeming the crisis over. They left, hardly sparing Trae a glance as they went back to their assigned tasks. Not a thing he could do. Couldn't even reach out to let Noel know he wasn't alone; the aisle separating them was just a few inches too far.

Would that that had been the end of it. The whole ordeal repeated itself several times over the course of the evening and into the wee hours of this morning. The henchmen grew increasingly careless with how loudly they discussed their concerns. By that point, though, Trae didn't need them to understand the situation. He could tell well enough on his own that the restoratives weren't curing Noel as expected. A quandary that managed to alarm Edzel enough to select a more aggressive method of treatment, apparently.

The pair of 2nd Classes appeared at the end of the hall. Sephiroth marked their approach as he waited for them outside training room three, and sensed an air of tension between them. Given that Kunsel had worked well enough with Lilith, he doubted gender would be a source of contention on his part. The opposite, though, was a distinct possibility. He had been marginally aware of Solon's disastrously short-lived liaison with Genesis- and the reason why it ended. Perhaps she wasn't quite so enthusiastic about having to train with one of her male colleagues.

Sephiroth had little use for anyone who let emotions cloud their judgment, especially as it pertained to SOLDIER. Petty jealousies, fear, anger and even compassion created complications and distractions. A SOLDIER couldn't afford either; the cost to himself and those around him was too high. Which was why he chose to address this before going any further with the 2nd Class' training.

"Is there some disagreement between the two of you that I should know about before we begin," he queried frankly.

Of the two of them, Solon's reaction proved easier to read. Surprise registered first, followed by guilty embarrassment. The former he understood well enough; she didn't think he'd notice, or would bother to ask even if he did. As for the latter…that confirmed his suspicion that she was the source. But Sephiroth wasn't quite sure how to interpret the furtive glance Solon stole in Kunsel's direction, who opted to be the one to answer the question.

"Had a bit of a delay getting back from lunch and were just anxious about whether we'd be late. Should have stuck with somewhere closer," he added, directing a sharp glance back at Solon. "But that was my fault."

The explanation certainly sounded plausible; far more likely that the true reason was something else. Something neither 2nd Class wanted to discuss. A very long moment passed while Sephiroth debated if he would push the subject. For now? No. As long as whatever happened wasn't going to interfere with the training he intended to give, it wasn't important enough to expend time on it now. But he would pursue it later with Kunsel. Likely tomorrow when they were due to discuss the results of his inquiries about the missing 1st Classes.

"So it's settled, then," he impressed upon them with narrowed eyes. "No distractions that might impair your concentration- either of you?"

"No, sir."

Satisfied, he entered his access code and led the way into the training room. Solon and Kunsel followed, veering off to the storage shelves to deposit their personal effects. Having done so, they joined him near the center of the room. By then, Sephiroth had loaded one of the standard programs used for advanced Materia training. Around them, a waist-high obstacle course stretched out in every direction. Neither of the 2nd Classes appeared puzzled in any way.

"Would I be correct to assume that you have already heard about what you will be doing?"

"Yes, sir."

Expected. Sephiroth hadn't told Fair and Glazer that they were forbidden to discuss it, and so he was hardly surprised that some version of the events of this morning's session had been passed along to these two. What remained to be seen was whether having advanced warning would give these two an advantage. He supposed they would soon find out.

"Then you know that we shall be focusing on your connection to the Lifestream." Nods. "An essential skill to master for anyone who intends to use Materia effectively."

Or at all.

As 3rd Classes, they would have heard this as one of the first lessons given. But from what Sephiroth had seen thus far, the training regimen at that level never really took the time to ensure that the junior SOLDIERs truly learned the skill. An oversight that shifted that burden onto the 1st Class indoc course. More often or not, it was necessary to undo years of bad habits.

And even then, we're still not delivering the optimal training.

For most SOLDIERs, connecting to the Lifestream was best done directly, which prepared them for the indirect method of tapping the Mako energy syphoned off and crystalized into Materia. Sephiroth would have preferred to structure the training with that in mind, but therein lie the difficulty: They were simply too far from the planet surface to feel any direct connection to the Lifestream.

Not that a trip to the undercity slums would do them much good. The eight Mako reactors of Midgar sapped any naturally occurring energy from the city proper and its surrounding area. But any time these constraints were mentioned, the Shinra execs would claim they couldn't afford to expose anything related to the SOLDIER program to anyone outside the company. Nor would they consider building a secure outpost base somewhere that might be better suited for this type of training. So he and Angeal made do with what they had available.

Best get on with it, then.

Sephiroth withdrew the spheres he'd retrieved from the Mako Infusion Room, handing Solon and Kunsel each an emerald orb. Time. Both of them approximately the same in terms of potency and maturity. Restore and Revive worked better as a conduit, but Time's spells were more useful for this lesson.

"The two of you will take position on the right side of the room, while I will be on the left. Your objective is to work as a team to ensure your target completes the obstacle course." He paused with a knowing smile as he withdrew his own Time Materia. "Before mine."

More nods.

"Those orbs will allow you to cast Haste and Slow. Use both as the situation warrants. The stronger your connection to the Materia- and the energy therein- the more quickly you will be able to shift from one to the other. Just beware that you don't become so focused that you lose sight of how much energy you are expending."

The pair acknowledged his instructions and hopped onto a narrow bridge running over the course to an elevated platform on their side of the room. Sephiroth did the same, thoughts on the challenge he'd just issued. Two SOLDIERs against one. Most would think it easy; Fair and Glazer had learned that it wasn't. What they gained in numbers, he could match in experience. And numbers didn't always make for an advantage when it came to devising a battle strategy.

Sephiroth waited until he was sure the 2nd Classes were ready, and then he initiated the second phase of the program. Two Hedgehog Pie materialized just beneath the two platforms, each having a separate path to follow through the maze. But before they began the challenge in earnest, he used Seal to cast Silence on both creatures. No need to have them randomly casting Fire; save that complication for another day.

With a tip of his head, he bade them, "May the best win."

The race was on.

Kunsel activated his Materia the quickest, casting Haste almost the second his connection was made. A decision that proved to be a mistake, as the spell missed its mark. Worse, the impact startled their Hedgehog Pie into backtracking towards the platform. Sephiroth, in no particular rush, waited until he was certain that he could control the awakened power within his own sphere. It resisted him at first- as always- but only for a few seconds.

By then, Solon had activated her orb. She focused hard on her target, frowning in concentration as she waited for it to round a corner so she would have a clear shot. Despite the extra care, her spell impacted harmlessly against a sidewall. Sephiroth saw it as the perfect opening to make his move. Guided by the precision of his intent, a Slow spell enveloped their Hedgehog Pie and took hold; meanwhile, his own scampered on through the course.

Both 2nd Classes surveyed his handiwork in dismay at first. An understandable response. But then Kunsel shifted his gaze to Solon, having realized that they needed to devise a joint strategy if they hoped to win. He leant close to her and murmured something. Solon nodded in agreement. Unconcerned, Sephiroth shifted gears to cast Haste, intending to give his Hedgehog Pie a boost of speed.

A Slow spell struck it almost immediately, rendering his spell ineffective. Rendered the creature momentarily stunned, actually, as the competing energies overwhelmed its motor coordination. Mildly annoying. Solon's triumphant smirk told him she'd been responsible for it. Kunsel, meanwhile, took the initiative to retry Haste, and was rewarded by a successful hit.

Now that we've drawn first blood, let's see how well you can keep up.

For the next twenty minutes, the training room blazed with the unleashed energy of their dueling Materia orbs. The air crackled with it, slightly metallic when inhaled through the mouth and nose. Then Solon dropped out, too drained to cast anything. Kunsel held out a little longer, and managed to hamper Sephiroth's Hedgehog Pie with one last Slow spell. But then he, too, was spent, unable to edge theirs along fast enough to reach the end in time.

Not a bad performance, though, Sephiroth admitted.

He terminated the program and called the 2nd Classes back to the center of the room. They moved slowly, footsteps leaden with fatigue. Neither could maintain the battle-ready alertness that SOLDIER training had drilled into them. They would have been picked off easily in a real fight, having forgotten his warning. Fair and Glazer had forgotten as well. Most SOLDIERs did in the beginning, which was why Sephiroth tried not to be disappointed.

Progress. Just concentrate on making progress. Perfection will just have to come with time.

Zack slipped into the briefing room, and wasn't surprised to see he was the first to arrive. Kunsel and Jekke were still with Sephiroth, although hopefully not for much longer. Jesse and Luxiere had gone to find Willem so that he'd know where they were meeting. And as for Lilith…

She damn well better be back at her watch post, waiting for her relief to show up for turnover.

He'd had a few hours to think about what she'd done. The longer he'd examined all the pieces- from their first Junon mission all the way to this afternoon- the more certain he felt that Danita was part of the underground group Fenton described. Clearly, she hadn't been successful with Genesis- after all, the man was one of the top three 1st Classes Shinra had. So maybe she'd changed her tactics to entrap SOLDIERs who were easier targets. Like Lilith.

You shouldn't have gone to meet her, Lilith. Not after what we heard in Junon, and especially not when we have 1st Classes going missing here in Midgar.

He wanted to rail at her for doing something so irresponsible, but took a mental step backward. She hadn't gone with them to the Crestward last night- or his apartment. That's half the reason why he and Kunsel were calling this meeting. They were going to bring her and Willem up to speed on the situation before coming up with some kind of plan. So if she hadn't noticed the lack of 1st Classes at HQ on her own, she might not have had any reason to connect Danita with the Junon disappearances. No reason to think it was in any way dangerous.

Zack was still frowning when Lilith walked in. She took one look at him and sighed. "Let me guess," she said. "I'm responsible for that thunderous expression you're wearing."

"You could say that."

"Go on, then. Out with whatever you want to say before the rest of the group arrives."

The tone of her voice almost convinced him that it might be better to wait. If nothing more than to have Kunsel as back up. Less likely that Lilith could skirt around the issue if their friend was here. On the other hand, maybe having this conversation one on one would be better. He couldn't trust what angle Kunsel might take with this, given the way things were between him and Lilith. And with the others…she might just refuse to say anything at all.

Here goes nothing, then.

"You met with Danita."

"I did." His frown deepened, earning him another exasperated sigh. "If you'll remember, Rhapsodos pestered me about it before we even left for Junon. Is it really such a surprise that he'd bring it up again now that I'm back?"

"Since you're asking- it is. And you know it is."

"I beg your pardon?"

Zack leveled a pointed look at her and deadpanned, "Since when does Genesis take up with any woman for more than a night? If she's lucky, two or three on the outside." Lilith made no reply. "So it didn't strike you as strange that it's been over a week and this one's still hanging around?"

This time he waited out her silence.

"All right, maybe it's a little odd," she conceded at last. "But for all we know, she's just got the skills to hold his attention. Not that insidious giggle of hers- that would drive me crazy. But I doubt Rhapsodos hears it all that often if she's spending most of the time sucking his cock."

While Lilith was known for speaking her mind, that last comment stuck Zack as unusually blunt. Blunt and a bit crude, even if it was likely to be true. He really didn't want to get into it about Genesis' sex life, and was sorry that he'd opened the door to that topic. Nothing he could take back now, so Zack looked for a way to put the discussion back on track.

He cleared his throat and tried to keep his tone matter of fact as he replied, "Bedroom skills aside, Genesis isn't known for extended relationships."

Lilith stared him down for a minute.

"Is there some point you're driving at here, Zack?"

"Okay, fine. Yes, there is." He paced the breadth of the room and back before finding the words he needed. "Lilith, I'm pretty sure that woman is working for that group in Junon. The one abducting people."

He didn't like that her expression wasn't the least bit incredulous. Or even slightly skeptical. Because that meant she'd already suspected the same thing and chose to meet with Danita, anyway. Without telling any of them first.

Just like that dinner with the Mayor.

A little too much like it, which set Zack to wondering if the two meetings had anything else in common. If he wanted to find out, though, he'd have to disobey orders from Angeal. Not something he would typically do, but maybe it was time to make an exception.

"Did they tell you to investigate her," he asked quietly.

"What?"

"Angeal told me about the Junon mission- the real one. So is that why you went with Danita- because the 1st Classes are on to her and thought she wouldn't see you as a threat?"

The briefing room door opened, drawing their attention to the far side of the room. Jesse, Luxiere and Willem gave a brief nod in greeting and closed the door behind them. Bad timing, even if it wasn't their fault. But their arrival effectively ended this discussion with Lilith. Had it been Kunsel, he could have pursued it. But not those three. He'd just have to corner her after everyone else left.

"Hey, guys," he said, switching gears. "We're just waiting on Kunsel and Jekke."

"Won't be waiting long. They were at the other end of the hall when we got here."

No sooner had Willem given that update, the door opened to admit the final members of their meeting. To Zack's eye, his friends were bone tired, and likely could have done with a few hours' rest instead of coming straight here. But Glazer and Willem both had chow relief watches to stand at 17:30, and Lilith would need to get to her training session with Sephiroth. So if this meeting was happening today, now was all the time they had.

Zack gestured to the empty chairs and took point, saying, "No sense standing around." They all arranged themselves in a rough circle. "I don't know how much the others were able to fill you in, but we've got a situation on our hands, and need to come up with a plan to deal with it."

"What sort of situation," Willem wanted to know.

He laid it out. Told him about Rafal and the other missing 1st Classes. Added to it their suspicions that it had something to do with the ladies hanging around the Crestward. He'd looked to Kunsel before mentioning what they'd learned at the Junon Sentinel, but a subtle shake of his friend's head kept him from revealing that detail. Zack supposed that it was best to keep the focus on Midgar for the time being. As it was, Willem's complexion had gone ashen.

"I was flirting with one of the barmaids only yesterday," the 2nd Class murmured. "She was asking when I'd have some time off so we could hook up for a few days."

"You didn't agree to it, did you?"

"No. I- I told her that with all the extra watches lately and then this new training program, I wasn't likely to get more than an evening here and there."

"What'd she say," Kunsel asked.

"Shrugged it off as nothing important, but…"

"But what?"

"Whenever she came back to refill my drink, she'd find some reason to ask me a question. How long the training would last. If my friends were in it." He paused, shaking his head. "I thought she was just faking an interest so that I'd leave her a huge tip."

"A couple of the girls were asking me about it, too," Jesse admitted. "Asked me a lot of things over the past month or so. Maybe longer than that. I just…never thought about it."

Silence fell over the group.

"They're going to keep asking, aren't they? I dunno what they are asking for- but they'll keep asking."

Kunsel looked as though he might have some insight, but then Lilith suggested, "Maybe the best course of action is to decide ahead of time what we're going to tell them."

"What lie, you mean," Jekke chimed in thoughtfully. "Something believable enough that they won't be suspicious, but far enough from the truth that it's of no use to them."

"Precisely."

The other 2nd Class sat back in her chair. "That should be easy enough."

Zack stared at both women as if he'd never seen either of them before. Talking about inventing cover stories and lying as if it wasn't anything out of the ordinary. He couldn't shake the feeling that for them, it wasn't. That thought did not sit well with him. As he shot a look across the circle to the other guys, it didn't sit well with them, either. Kunsel's closed expression worried Zack the most.

I don't want to know what this revelation might've thrown into question for him. Nor do I have time to find out if I don't want the ladies to get too carried away with their plan.

"That's not really the direction I had in mind," he interjected quickly. "I mean, it'd be easier to come at it from the other direction. Ask questions to keep the ladies talking about themselves."

Jekke and Lilith shared a significant- and undecipherable- look that he suspected only females understood, and then the latter replied, "Oh that's a given. First line of defense is a strong offense. But it doesn't hurt to have a back-up in case you're pushed into a corner."

The lab assistant returned, carrying a glowing seafoam sphere in both hands. As if he were terrified he might accidentally drop it. Needless worry on his part. It'd take more than a fall of a few feet to harm Materia. Trae had never heard of one shattering, actually. The crystalized orbs of Mako energy were virtually indestructible. Very curious, then, why this one was being handled with so much caution.

"Got it, sir," the man said. "We were in luck- Darby got this off that merchant a few blocks over just last week."

"Fine, fine. Just hand it here."

Trae wanted to pretend like he didn't care, but he just couldn't stop himself from watching through the bars of his cell. Held his breath as the scientist tapped into the Materia to cast Cure. Cure2 would have been better, but Trae knew the shop Kyle had mentioned; they only sold the basic spheres. Most shops did, unless you went to Mideel. Being so close to the Lifestream, they sometimes carried a few copies that could cast Regen.

Edzel and his assistant hovered over Noel, monitoring him for any change. A few minutes passed, and then he opted to cast Cure a second time. When he cast it a third time, Trae's hopes sank, sure that he was witnessing his lover's final moments slip by. Helpless to stop it.

After six years in SOLDIER, the last three of them as a 1st Class, Trae wasn't accustomed to feeling helpless. Shinra trained him to deal with every sort of fight. Gave him skills to defeat any enemy that crossed his path. He'd excelled at them all, and prided himself at being the one his colleagues looked to in a battle. The one who always knew what to do- and did it.

They didn't train us how to deal with this.

"Edzel!" a panicked voice rang out from beyond the room. "Professor Edzel!"

The man muttered something dire under his breath and half-turned to the open doorway. Through it ran Darby, a thin, nervous-looking man by nature. Still, Trae wasn't comforted by the expression of sheer terror in his eyes, or the ghastly whiteness of his skin.

"Darby- what have you been told about-"

"The Incavia is fracturing!"

That word had come up once or twice already and Trae had pieced together an idea what it was. Or a suspicion, anyway. He'd seen that energy sphere they'd created from Noel yesterday. At a distance, it looked like Materia, but Trae was willing to bet it wasn't. Something about it felt…unnatural- not like any Mako energy he'd ever encountered. The aura was so strong he could feel it even from across the room. That difference made it something else, and he supposed 'Incavia' was as good as any name to give it.

"Don't be daft, boy," Edzel barked at Darby. "The orbs are perfectly stable after the first five minutes. You're letting your imagination run wild." His eyes narrowed. "Again."

Undeterred by the rebuke, the underling insisted, "Professor, sir, I know what I saw, and I tell you that the new Incavia sphere is showing signs that it may shatter."

"Oh very well." The scientist stowed his Restore Materia in the pocket of his lab coat and stood up. "We'll have a look at your so-called 'fractures'. But it will be on your head if the High Maven's specimen perishes whilst we waste time with this nonsense."

All three of them left, leaving Trae to puzzle over the strange title Edzel had given Danita. That he hadn't heard before. But he set that puzzle aside to do what he could for Noel, who'd managed to pull himself up into a sitting position. As he leaned heavily against the concrete wall at his back, lines of pain bracketed his mouth and forehead. Reminded Trae of that Battle at Fort Tamblin, when a member of Godo's army embedded a shuriken into Noel's right temple. The stubborn fool would have died if Trae hadn't dragged him to a medic station.

Who's going to pull him out of this? Noel…I'd have traded places with you if I could have.

"I didn't mean to tell her, Trae," Noel said after the silence had stretched between them for several minutes, his voice hoarse from all the screaming. "You wouldn't have. But you always were the better-"

"Don't," Trae cut him off. "You finish that sentence, Noel, and I swear I'll find a way out of this cell just so I can clobber you for even thinking like that." He might have seen Noel crack the barest of smiles. Trae cast his gaze down and sighed wearily. "Besides, I doubt I could've held out any better than you. That bitch plays head games that could outwit a Turk."

"Still…"

"Noel, let it go. I don't want to argue over this. That quack and Danita's hired goons could be back any second." Or your vitals could crash again. He drew in a breath and forced himself to look up. "I need to tell you something."

Sadness and resignation filled Noel's eyes.

"You don't think we'll make it out of this alive, do you?"

We'd been talking for nearly an hour. Hashing out details that would be passed onto our colleagues before the day was out. Some of those details were more contentious than others. At least where Zack was concerned. Oh he'd argued at first that our idea was too complicated, citing that it would only take one person going off script to bring the whole thing down. But really, he just didn't like blurred lines when it came to the truth.

I glanced up at the clock and noted that I was due to meet Sephiroth in another ten minutes. Fortunate that we'd filled that whole hour, as it meant I stood a decent chance of not having to answer Zack's question about Danita. Not today, anyway. I didn't fool myself into thinking that I could avoid it forever. Hewley hadn't done me any favors by telling Zack about my undercover assignment in Junon.

Not sure I want to know why that topic would have come up it the first place.

The discussion reached a natural pause, and I took the opportunity to make a getaway. I edged my chair back from the group and announced, "If I don't want to be late for my training session, I have to get going."

"Us, too," Jesse added. "Willem and I have watches to get to. Turnover's in ten minutes."

The three of us stood, followed soon after by Jekke and Luxiere. Neither Kunsel nor Zack appeared inclined to leave, remaining in their seats as they watched our departures with hooded stares. Stares that grew conspicuously sharper when they landed on me. Not wanting to risk that one or the other would try to hold me up, I slipped out ahead of Luxiere.

As if it's any better to let those two have a private discussion. I'll wager next month's salary that they're conferring notes about this whole Danita thing, and that'll lead nowhere good in the end.

A problem for another day. I bade the group goodbye once we were all out into the hall and headed for a quick stop off in the locker room before meeting with Sephiroth. After telling Luxiere that she'd meet him at the elevators, Jekke joined me.

Uh oh.

We passed the next door- a spare office- and then she said, "You didn't want them to know. Zack and Kunsel, I mean."

I could have lied. I could have said the way the morning went that I just didn't have the time to mention it. But she would have known I was lying and would have speculated about why. I didn't need or want that kind of trouble. The safest thing would be to admit the truth.

…or at least some version of it.

"No, I didn't." Adopting a rueful half-smile, I added, "Just didn't want to have an argument over something that really wasn't up for debate, you know?"

We entered the locker room. Empty, but not for long. Nothing as busy as the main turnover at 16:00, but at least a half-dozen watches here in the building would be swapping out for a thirty minute chow relief. At least one or two of those might pop up in here to dump their gear while they ate. Hopefully, this discussion would come to a close by then.

"Yeah. I got to thinking the same thing- even brought it up to Kunsel." Jekke leaned against the locker next to mine and scuffed her right boot along the ventilation grate at the bottom. "He, uh, didn't seem inclined to agree."

I'll bet he didn't.

I hadn't forgotten about his text message from earlier. Zack was only beginning to connect Danita with Junon; Kunsel had likely already put the whole puzzle together. If he even suspected that she had tipped off the Mayor, I was in for a tough fight to keep him from alerting Sephiroth.

And by then he'll have Zack on his side, too.

Jekke, of course, assumed that his objections stemmed from something a little more straightforward: A personal interest in my safety. It wasn't. Not by a long shot. But unless I intended to reveal the Junon connection, no alternative explanations came to me. Didn't need one; in this situation, hers suited my purposes well enough.

"I guess that's a fair indication he plans to give me hell over meeting Danita, huh?"

"Almost definitely. S'why I thought I'd better give you a bit of advanced warning."

She pushed away from the locker, objective completed. I worked the combination lock on mine as she walked towards the door. Jekke just about reached it when I replied, "I appreciate it."

"Not a problem." Someone pulled the door open, and she was obliged to step out of the way to let him through. One of the 3rd Classes I often saw with Luxiere, Greg Kohlen. Jekke glanced at him and then delivered a two-fingered salute in my direction. "Good luck with Sephiroth and all. I'm off to make the best use of a rare night off."

I didn't ask- not with a 3rd Class right there- but was sure she saw the silent inquiry as to whether that included anything more than a few drinks at the Crestward with Luxiere. Jekke's answering look conveyed an ambiguous 'maybe, maybe not'. Then she stepped out into the hall and was gone. I had maybe a minute or two before I was due in training room five, so I made quick work of emptying out my pockets of anything I wouldn't need for the next hour or so. Was about done when Kohlen's voice floated to me from the other side.

"I heard from Jesse that those sessions with Sephiroth are intense."

"Mhmm," I replied with a noncommittal tone.

I didn't know Kohlen that well, and didn't feel comfortable discussing anything about the program with him. Now more than ever, since I couldn't guarantee that one of the others would contact him before he spent time at the Crestward. Didn't want to say anything that might get passed into enemy hands. Wasn't all that happy to hear that Jesse had been talking about it, either. Kohlen, however, wasn't daunted by my lack of enthusiasm.

"It would be nice to work with something more than basic elementals again," he sighed enviously.

My attention caught on 'again', and so I stepped back to shoot a questioning look at the 3rd Class. "How's that?"

"Oh, I don't mean to knock the Director or the SOLDIER program, but it's a little like being told to play with safety scissors for someone like me."

I'd heard opinions like that thrown around before. Usually followed by a spectacular failure when said SOLDIER couldn't even cast the most basic spell during a fight. But I didn't get that vibe from Kohlen. He hadn't delivered it as some kind of brag meant to impress me. More a complaint that he just couldn't keep to himself. I risked being a little late to my training to find out why.

"Like you, huh?"

"I hail from Mideel," he supplied, smiling affably, revealing a chipped incisor. "My parents run the Materia shop down there."

Oh. Well, now his comment made a lot more sense. Mideel was one of the last places on the planet with natural Mako springs. I'd never been there, but Kunsel had mentioned it a few times. He'd gone with Essai on a mission to Mideel almost a year and a half ago, when the town was being overrun by Crysales and Head Hunter monsters. His descriptions painted a vivid picture of the springs, and their abundance of Lifestream energy. I'd always wanted to see it for myself someday, but missions to that part of the planet were few and far between.

"Is that how you ended up in SOLDIER, then," I asked, pulling myself away from those thoughts. "They're always on the lookout for people who already have exposure to Mako."

Kohlen shrugged.

"Wasn't my first choice. I just wanted out of that backwater town where nothing ever happened. See a real city." A faraway look stole in to his eyes. "Tried my hand at a bunch of things when I got here- didn't realize it would be so hard to make it. Then Shinra came through the Sector looking for recruits…and I just sort of ended up going down that path."

"Regret it?"

"No. Nothing like that. But I do miss experimenting with the Materia my father used to sell. He kept an Enemy Skill on display- not for sale, considering how rare those are. Said it could cast Flame Thrower and even L4 Suicide, but all I ever got out of it was Chocobuckle."

"A noteworthy accomplishment, all things considered."

That remark from Sephiroth, who stood just inside the door. And likely had been there for a lot longer than I would have liked him to be. It meant my tardiness had been conspicuous enough to warrant him coming to look for me. Not my finest moment. I cursed inwardly for having brought this on unnecessarily. Of all the times to be stricken by a random interest in socializing.

Despite having come here on my account, Sephiroth's attention remained on the 3rd Class beside me. He studied Kohlen for a long, uncomfortable minute before ordering, "I'll expect to see you in training room one tomorrow morning, SOLDIER. 8:30 sharp."

"Yes, sir."

He then turned to me.

"Lilith- you are to report to training room three. Immediately."