A/N: Sorry, almost missed today's post! O.O

Phoenix: Thank you for the review! I'll wait until I see what you come up with to make a final choice on 1-2 pet partners you offered, then. But after this, I don't need more offers from you, since you've already provided...around a dozen...options. :P :D

For anyone else who would still like to offer pet partner suggestions, you have a couple more weeks before I'm calling it quits completely with offers, so if you were thinking of something, leave me a review or PM now, please!

Adapting

Two hours after the mad dash from Deepground, everyone who had gone down there was now sitting in the President's office in rows of cheap, folding chairs. Weiss was glad of the lack of movement, as being in the Shinra lobby in the middle of the day had actually been painful for him—he remembered Minerva saying his genetic changes would be locked until he was exposed to sun the first time. Even though some had happened when he'd first been sent back, he'd known the rest would have to happen later, but hadn't been sure of the pain ratio.

The initial forty minutes for everyone to get out of Deepground had allowed him to first sit in the lobby, then to slowly walk to the elevator and up to the President's office from floor sixty-nine, where he'd been able to sit again while everyone else made their way up, too. With Genesis to one side of him (his honorary brother was back with him!) and a Third to his other side, he could relax for awhile. Especially since no one tried to move him from that position, and none of those in his immediate surroundings felt like a threat to him, SOLDIER, Deepground, or Turk.

He only really became aware again when the President called the meeting to order, and Weiss realized the Company executives had joined them. He could name Scarlet, Hojo, and Heidegger, and he was pretty sure the nervous young man with black hair was a much younger Reeve. That left a rather fat man in a brown suit, so he would have to be Palmer.

"Now then," the President began. "Any damage resulting from the explosions in Deepground was minor, and all most people felt was a minor, short-lived quake, and that was largely in the Slums and on the train. There's really nothing to repair or check on, so we can move directly on to more important matters. First, who called all those Summons? It was good and quick work, but only Commander Rhapsodos seemed to actively call for one." He was mostly focused on the front two rows, which were partially filled with Turks and more than half filled with SOLDIERs. Thankfully, Weiss, Genesis, and the Third were able to sit in the second row. The other Tsviets were further down the row with him.

Actually, though, it was a good question, because summoning was normally limited to one, or two if you had Double Summon, and as far as he could tell, all four of the ones who had seen the end of the Planet had called several each. Had Minerva gifted them with the ability, or had it been a side-effect of having been sent back?

"I called a Titan—and somehow, a Shiva, too," Cloud offered mulishly after a minute. Was it just his imagination, or did Cloud find the President's presence to be a personal insult? And Weiss was sure he'd called more than those two. But then, if they didn't want the President to know the full extent of their power, admitting to the total number would have been counter-productive. He decided to just not say anything, and it appeared Vincent wasn't going to, either. Just having Genesis and Cloud be 'unusual' was more than enough, he thought.

"How did you manage that when you don't have a Double Summon, youngster?" the President asked in surprise.

After a pause, Cloud offered slowly, "It might have something to do with my having fallen in the Mako Spring, or a Limit Break. Or maybe both..."

"Would either of those make sense, Professor Hojo?" the President asked. Weiss wondered why no one had snapped and killed the man yet, knowing Genesis and Vincent were the most likely firsts in line. He wanted to kill him, too, for the suffering he'd put his older self through, and he and the men who had held the lift door were the only ones with an excuse to leave him be just then. Well, other than the likely retaliation they would get from the other executives for killing him in front of them.

"I couldn't know without tests, though both would be viable possibilities," Hojo said, pushing his glasses up and looking somewhat eager.

"No, the boy isn't your test subject," the President said with an annoyed look at the man, who gave him an annoyed look in reply. "Nor is Vincent Valentine, who has been reinstated as a Turk. And later, you and I will be having a very long discussion about exactly what your rights in this company are, because by the sounds of things, you've crossed several lines I'm not pleased about." Hojo's annoyed look deepened into a scowl as his gaze focused on Vincent—he hadn't realized the man was even there until he'd started to look for him, since the undead man wasn't in the first row—but the President turned back to the group.

"Moving on. Since no one else has offered having summoned them, Commander Rhapsodos, I assume the rest of the Summons were yours?" the President asked, brow furrowed as his gaze became somewhat wary. Weiss wondered if it was because of the number of Summons he thought Genesis had called on, or if it was because Weiss was still leaning on him and Genesis was letting him.

"I called three in total, though not intentionally—two of the other Bahamut types were mine. Others would've had to Summon the rest. Or, they might have been free-roaming for all we know," Genesis replied, tone oddly flat. "In my case, I'm fairly certain it was a Limit Break effect allowing me to Summon so many, otherwise I'd have seen it before. I also have no idea if it has a limit cap for number to Summon or if it's a free-for-all, but I can work on finding that out in the next little while."

"Fair enough. I wasn't aware free-roaming Summons existed," the President commented.

Genesis was about to answer when Hojo smirked and said, "But Mr. President, didn't you know you have a very literal half-Summon, half-human in your employ? As far as I'm aware, his mother was an Alexander Summon. That requires a Summon to be free-roaming, otherwise they're stuck in a largely spirit form and can't reproduce with humans that way."

"I beg your pardon?" the President asked sharply as all the executives stared at the man, and Weiss noticed how most of the Turks stiffened.

"Oh, yes—that would be Tseng of the Turks. Though, it's a pity he largely shut down his abilities at a very young age," Hojo replied, his smirking amusement rather prominent.

Wait, what? Tseng was—effectively a demi-God? Then, Weiss' mind leaped to the Alexander Summon who had protected him and he began mentally cursing. If that had really been Tseng...

After a long, shocked silence, the President looked at the Director of the Turks and asked, "Did you know about this, Veld?"

"Does it matter for some reason?" Veld asked in reply, his tone deceptively mild. "Tseng can't access any of those 'Summon' abilities currently, and he's loyal to Shinra. Nothing is changing."

The words indicated Veld had indeed known before Hojo mentioned it, but Weiss was of the opinion that he only found out when Tseng sent himself to protect him in Deepground that day. Which also meant the Wutain Turk's powers had re-activated, a fact Veld wasn't sharing—deliberately. The Turks were actively hiding things from the President himself, and Weiss wondered how well that would go over with the man when he found out. Then again, it was the Turks—there was always the potential the President would never know.

Turning back to Hojo, the President asked, "Can you produce an army of half-Summons?"

"Unfortunately, it doesn't work that way," Hojo replied deceptively mildly. "We would have to find a way to track down any free-roaming Summons—which, for the record, is nearly impossible—then secure their agreement to willingly reproduce with humans. Because they're partially spirit, harming them will just send them back to spirit form and entirely outside our reach, and keeping them bound doesn't go over well with them. Our goals in creating the 'perfect soldier' don't go over well with them, either, so they would refuse on principle. On a side note—most Wutains, if not all of them, have some small bit of ancestral Summon blood, but the closer it is, the more effect it has. There are currently around two dozen Wutains who have half or quarter Summon status, and all of them refused to participate in the war."

"Why would they have done that?" Scarlet asked with a dark look. "It would have virtually guaranteed them a win against our SOLDIERs, other than maybe the General."

That made Hojo chuckle darkly. "Because those families all don't like the direction things have been going in Wutai lately. Almost all of them have been threatened, attacked, or like what happened to the Kaoin family—Tseng's—tortured and-or killed. While they don't like Shinra Company, it was an easy way to take pressure off them from their own people. By default, that means they aren't subject to Wutain laws, either. Isn't that an interesting dynamic?"

Weiss was pretty sure he wasn't the only one in the room whose head was reeling with new data, and he suddenly had to wonder why Hojo had brought it up. Then he realized the note about the law also meant half-Summons weren't likely to abide Shinra's laws unless it suited them. To cast doubt on Wutain loyalty. But why?

"With all due respect, Hojo, just because you've been told you've overstepped your bounds is no excuse to try to make people doubt the loyalty of tested and proven employees," Veld put in, and Weiss' eyes widened. Petty vengeance? That was it? The Turk Director went on, "Furthermore, the only Wutain we have who fits in the half or quarter category is Tseng, who has already proven his loyalty by killing for Shinra's best interests, amongst other things. Regardless of Wutain laws, or how the half-Summons there flout them, they all know what's expected of them if they join the Company, and therefore don't join if they don't feel they can hold to it. We have no disloyal Wutains within the Company—I've been very sure of that, especially since the War."

The President's expression became annoyed as he glanced at a scowling Hojo, then said, "Be that as it may, we have other matters to discuss, so this useless topic is done with." He paused for a moment to collect his thoughts, then went on, "Since Deepground is now known, I'm going to have to place them in public view. They'll become known as a branch of SOLDIER, and without the Restrictors, their leadership will fall to Weiss the Immaculate. Their doctors will be an independent branch of the Science Department with their own head as well. Over the next few days, I'll work out the details on that and get back to the SOLDIERs, Deepground, and Science about them. Those in charge of SOLDIER are also going to have to find rooms for them, first temporarily, then more permanently. Heidegger, get in touch with Lazard to let him know."

"Once we're done here, I'll pass on the message," Heidegger offered gruffly.

"No, do it now, Heidegger. You have a PHS. Make use of it to send him a message," the President replied sharply. As the other man turned red with fury, the President paused for a moment, then sighed and said, "However, after what happened down there, I need to know what data you were able to find, Turks. Primarily, was there a reason they were defying my orders? We'll go over details later."

It was a dark haired Turk (1) Weiss wasn't familiar with who said, "When I was in a space which seemed to be a kind of archive, I was finding a lot of records of what like the standard brainwashing terms they use, and methods of enforcing them. I'm not entirely sure if it's related, but the terms largely pointed to them being the most powerful and taking power by force. By the way it was reading, I don't think the Restrictors had much belief in or loyalty to you, President Shinra." He was a slender sword-fighter with a rapier-style sword, his hair cut to be flyaway with a few locks in front of his face which didn't really qualify as bangs. His eyes were green, and he had rather aristocratic features, rather than strong or squared ones.

"I found something like that in the main database, too," Anki offered. "It seemed their general plan was to make Deepground to fit their specs, then use Deepground to strong-arm you into the position of a figurehead left alive only because it was convenient for them. I wasn't able to find the timeline for that plan, though." The thirty-one-year-old woman was brown haired, keeping it boyishly short, and had blue eyes. She was pretty much unremarkable other than that, though he'd noticed she wasn't very emotional, and he thought he'd seen burn scars on her fingertips back in Deepground.

It was Derin, one of the two last Turks up, who said, "I was also in the mainframe, and had found their record on their plans for a large-scale training incident, and how that ended up impacting the Tsviets." His black hair was smooth and shiny and his eyes were dark brown, and somehow on him, those features made a person immediately think 'Wutain'. When Weiss looked at him again, though, he realized there was nothing actually Wutain about him—but it was likely he had a very mixed background. The not-Wutain kept speaking as Weiss assessed him.

"The original plan had been for the training incident to eliminate about eighty percent of the members who they perceived as 'weak' so they'd be able to petition you for replacements. Around two hundred members had participated. When Weiss instead succeeded in keeping them largely alive, that made him too dangerous of a free-thinker for them to keep alive, so they were trying to find a replacement for him before killing him."

Oh, that data certainly put a spin on things which Weiss didn't like. It pretty much bluntly announced that the Restrictors had seen Deepground as theirs, not the President's, and that in turn meant they were dangerous foes to have at large. But what had made the participants 'weak'? They were no weaker than any other member of Deepground...Unless...Those had all been the sane ones they had been trying to get rid of so they could replace them with psychotic mass murderers...? That would explain it...

"What I don't get is where they managed to disappear to, since they didn't leave from the lift," blond Doriss commented. She seemed agitated. "Reno and I were the first back there, even before the ceiling collapsed, and we didn't see them. Neither did the two Firsts who stayed there."

"That's no mystery," the President replied in irritation. "There's a supply exit leading into the Slums, which they have the access codes for. It wasn't technically meant as an exit for foot traffic, but it was put in place in case of emergency, regardless, while its primary intended use was large deliveries of supplies."

"If that is true, the Restrictors are high priority criminals we need to find and eliminate," Sephiroth commented, stating what Weiss was just been thinking. "That is besides their attempt to eliminate everyone who had been in Deepground at the time."

The orange haired Turk said, "It gets worse, because in a rough count of how many were there when we went in compared to how many are sitting here now, they took almost half of the remaining members with them. Our only saving grace is that they didn't have time to take the doctors." Those were actually both good points, Weiss noted as he turned his head to find the doctors who were sitting at the back of the seating area. They all looked either apprehensive or resigned.

"What are you saying, Kariya?" the President asked, sounding vaguely annoyed.

"I'm saying they're going to go mercenary, and probably anti-Shinra terrorist, on us," Kariya replied flatly. "And I have the right to assess things that way after my own past."

...What past?

For a minute, the President was silent, but finally, he agreed, "By what the other Turks found, you're probably right about their reaction, and they would be a great deal more dangerous with doctors who could keep up their experiments. Does anyone know of any other scientists who may decide to work for, or with, them?"

Several people traded looks before Veld said, "We've been hearing rumors about a group called AVALANCHE lately. We don't know what resources they have, but we've seen some indications that they have at least one scientist with Shinra-level knowledge and training, and while they haven't directly attacked us yet, we suspect that's only a matter of time. Currently, they have a base in Wutai, and we've been working on tracking it. Originally, that was to find out how much of a threat they were, but if you were giving Deepground our files, we may need to prioritize that so Deepground can't use them against us."

A tick appeared at the corner of the President's eye before he said, "You'll have to prioritize that, then, Veld. I wasn't 'just giving' them all of Shinra's data, but they could well have accessed more than I gave them, and that's not a risk we can take if you're right about AVALANCHE's level of danger. Anyone else who comes to mind?"

"I'd actually say some of the Slums crime rings, 'cause the only one Shinra Company's got any control over is Corneo. That only keeps Wall Market in our control, and lots of people in the Slums hate either or both Corneo and Shinra," the Turk called Sirra put in, sounding annoyed. Her amber eyes were flashing with the irritation, and Weiss got the impression that she'd like to draw her two handguns and start shooting people. He knew she was wearing a white tank top and no tie with her uniform, but other than her obviously being half-Wutain—and even keeping to their tradition of the high ponytail, hers with bangs—there was nothing he could currently see which stood out.

Oh, they were having fun making the situation worse. The worst part was that it was all true, and those were legitimate dangers.

"Fine, we'll start with AVALANCHE, and in the meantime, the Turks can put together a full report for me on people they have reason to believe may help Deepground's former members, scientists especially," the President agreed. "I'll also expect a full report on the data the Turks found in Deepground before we were forced out. Veld, it's up to you to decide if any of your people will be best to report to me in person for possible clarification. By the way, where is Tseng just now? Heidegger told me he's been obstinate in not making himself available for escorts lately."

"He's left to complete several undercover missions and will be away for no less than three months. I expect it will be much longer before he returns," Veld replied, sounding like he was discussing the weather. "He also took our young trainee with him, so she won't be able to be officially registered on our files as a Turk until they return, if they're away past her scheduled hiring date. In the meantime, she gets a good deal of live training she'd be able to get no other way, and hopefully comes away from it much better off than without the opportunity."

The President nodded, then said, "I'll note that in my files, then. Your earlier request for bargaining chips makes sense as well, now. All right, find rooms for your new staff and get to work. In the meantime, General, Commanders, you also have work to do." Weiss actually felt amused as Genesis stiffened against him, and more as the blond man's next words caused the red haired SOLDIER to relax again. "Primarily, with the sudden influx of new members to the general ranks of SOLDIER, you'll need to coordinate with Director Deusericus to find rooms for them all, which may mean many people in SOLDIER will be moved to new quarters.

"In keeping with that idea, I want to encourage the Mentoring Program at this point—any and all Firsts who've been thinking about it should go ahead and do it so the double rooms for the Firsts can be legitimately used and free up space elsewhere. The Tsviets also qualify as 'Firsts' for the purposes of the Program. The sooner Firsts have their mentees, the sooner they can move and return to the field. Commander Rhapsodos, because our only other formal Mentor is away with his mentee, I expect you to be available to advise other Firsts in determining who they should be mentoring. For the time being, dismissed."

Everyone began rising slowly as Genesis reached over to tug on the back of Angeal's shirt. Weiss only knew who Angeal was because Deepground's files had included his, but it made him blink to hear the red haired man at his side say impishly, "You'd better snap up Zack Fair right quick, Ang, otherwise someone else will get to him first—and I know you already had your eye on him."

Angeal laughed at that and said, "I'll let Lazard know and go collect him, then. Thanks, Gen. Got someone for Seph while you're at it?"

"Huh?" Genesis blinked in surprise, then gained a thoughtful look as Sephiroth faced them curiously. "Well, that means aiming for agility fighters, but I'm not sure who would suit best, given how you loath hero worship. There are a few dozen who fit in the agility category who you could choose from."

"You'll probably have to pick someone for me while I can't do it myself," Weiss decided to add in vague amusement, which made Genesis grin down at him.

"I suspect that no one's expecting you to choose until you've recovered. I also assume that means no one in Deepground who's here now would be suitable for you?" Genesis asked, and Weiss just shook his head. As the red haired man rose, Weiss also did, still moving gently. Genesis told him, "I'm thinking on it. There's something at the edge of my mind, since dual wielding isn't common in SOLDIER, either."

"I can forward you a list of Seconds and Thirds who I know are dual wielders," Sephiroth offered immediately.

"Thanks for that," Genesis nodded. "Though, if the Firsts have any sense, they'll start by crashing, then start thinking on it tomorrow. For now, I think the Deepground people will just get tossed wherever."

"I'll head back to Lazard's office ahead of you," Angeal said to the group, then turned and headed for the stairs. He was one of the first to make it out besides several of the Turks, and Weiss realized several Firsts and the Tsviets had gathered around him and Genesis at the same moment.

"Okay, first," Genesis sighed, looking at the Tsviets. "Do you know which floor is the Firsts' floor?" At their affirmative, the red haired man said, "Go to the Firsts' floor and find the rooms with numbers above seventy. A couple are locked, but you can crash in any of the unused rooms. It's temporary but functional for the moment. Lazard will have to deal with the others, but it saves time for Weiss to use recovering if you take those rooms right away."

"Fair enough," Azul agreed, then led the way out with Weiss and the other Tsviets, moving slowly enough that Weiss could walk on his own. Though, while Weiss would have liked to stay right where he was, he knew he couldn't without sending warning signs, so because it was Genesis saying he should go rest, he just sighed faintly and went.

As they were leaving, the red haired SOLDIER Commander faced the other Firsts, and Weiss found himself amused as he heard the questions the Firsts were asking him. It was indeed about the Mentoring program and how to choose mentees, though the white haired boy didn't get to hear much before they were out of hearing range. While he would have liked to stay close to Genesis, he knew he currently couldn't, and going to a place to rest was still a good thing. A part of him was curious as to whether or not Genesis was going to blow a gasket soon, but the fact that he'd been singled out to offer advice to the other Firsts meant he was already a Mentor. Did that have something to do with the Third who was staying close to the Commander?

Notes:

(1) This is an OC Turk called Viney, whose name didn't come up under the circumstances. I also described the Turks mentioned here who had been in the last chapter, but didn't get much of a description. Dimensions readers definitely know more about these OC's than anyone only reading MB, though how much more is debatable.