It was packed in the transport, with two beds, four SOLDIERs, four Turks, and a very reasonably nervous lab technician, but they were heading for Midgar and that was what counted. Cissnei had taken over corresponding with Tseng, which freed Veld up to have a very important conversation.

"Kunsel."

This time, the eyes that looked up at him were mostly blue. There was still green - he was still wound tighter than a ten day clock - but the fury had eased tremendously, leaving the less volatile anxiety behind. He could work with that. "Yeah?"

"What would it take to make SOLDIER stay with ShinRa?" Veld asked. "In your opinion."

Kunsel blinked at him, clearly taken aback. "I… well, I mean, getting rid of Hojo was a good start. Someone ethical in charge of our medical care would be a nice change."

"Already working on that one. What else?" Veld asked.

"A better director than Heidegger," Kythe said, getting mutters of agreement from the Seconds flanking him. "He hates SOLDIER, always has. He uses us like fodder."

"Reasonable." Veld thought it over quickly. He was going to be far too busy to take on another department even if they'd accept him, but maybe… oh she'll kill me for this… "Anya Torvik."

Kunsel arched a brow. "Your boss Turk in Junon?"

"She was with Security before the Turks even properly existed," Veld said, ignoring Vincent's sharp look. "She's got a good relationship with your Junon branch, and I know she covered for Lazard more than once."

Kunsel was clearly considering it, which was promising. "I can't make that call on my own."

"But you'd consider it," he pressed.

"Let me ask around," Kunsel said.

"I can call Nikolas later," Kythe offered. "He's worked with her first hand."

"Good idea, do that," Kunsel said. "I'm not exactly eager to have a Turk in charge of SOLDIER, but it's better than Heidegger."

"I thought so," Veld agreed. "What else?"

Because he knew there was at least one more sticking point. They weren't the only ones thinking it.

Still, Kunsel hesitated. Looked at the other SOLDIERs.

Looked down at his soulmate, still in a way Zack Fair never was.

"I can't work for someone who would sign off on this," Kunsel said quietly. "Someone who would create an environment so cutthroat that our commanders would rather die than risk being put down for daring to be less than perfect. And don't tell me that's not exactly what would have happened if they'd come to ShinRa for help. Most of us signed up during the war, we can't complain about that even if we didn't know what we were getting into. But damn it, we were loyal, and they just… throw it away, at every turn, the moment it suits them."

Veld didn't lie to him. "So, you want the President out of the picture."

Kunsel shrugged. "I mean, in an ideal world where I felt safe staying in ShinRa yeah. He'd be gone."

Veld nodded thoughtfully.

Kunsel eyed him shrewdly. "…you're actually considering it."

Veld smiled thinly, and it wasn't a pleasant smile. "What was it you said about us understanding each other now?"

Kunsel's smile wasn't any nicer. "Yeah, okay. Then I think maybe we could work together on this."

"I think that's a very good idea," Veld said. "For now, though, you worry about your soulmate. Professor Rayleigh will meet us when we touch down in Midgar and he and Cloud will be moved to the ICU under Turk guard, and whatever SOLDIERs you deem necessary."

Kunsel stared at him a moment before his posture slowly melted in relief. "Alright… thanks, Director."

A low groan interrupted anything else as Zack shifted slightly.

"Babe?" Kunsel leaned forward immediately, stroking Zack's cheek. "Hey…"

His eyes moved rapidly under his lids a moment before they opened slightly, discreetly taking in his surroundings. Then they opened, confusion clear on his face. "…Kuns?"

"Guess I get to be the hero this time, huh?" Kunsel took his hand, squeezing it tight.

The confusion didn't ease up in the slightest. "I… but I thought…"

"We're about a half hour away from Nibelheim and a very, very dead Hojo," Kunsel said softly. "We got you and Cloud out. You're safe now."

"Hojo's dead?" Zack breathed. "Wait, Cloud? Where is he? Oh god, Kunsel, he hasn't moved -"

"Easy, easy. We're going to get him help," Kunsel promised. "Real help. And the guys and I will be there the whole time to make sure nothing happens to you, okay? You'll never be alone. Not again."

Zack swallowed hard, clearly overwhelmed, and tried to sit up. He immediately gasped, a hand going to his chest, fluttering over the stitched incision. "Forgot about that."

"Yeah, well, I'm kinda glad about that," Kunsel admitted. "It led me to you."

Zack stared at him, horrified. "…I… am very conflicted right now."

"That's okay. I can do the optimism for us, too," Kunsel said.

Zack laughed weakly. "Gonna be busy, huh?"

"For you? Anything," he said softly, squeezing his hand. "I've got a lot to catch you up on. But for right now, just know you're safe."

He nodded tiredly, closing his eyes. "Okay… where are we going?"

"Midgar," Kunsel said, immediately putting a hand on Zack's shoulder to keep him down when his eyes snapped back open.

"Kunsel -"

"I know," he said immediately. "I do, I know, but we've… talked."

"We? We who?" Zack demanded.

"That would be me," Veld said.

Zack tipped his head, narrowing his eyes. "What the hell are you doing here?"

"He's the one who brought me to you," Kunsel said.

Zack arched a brow suspiciously. "Why the change of heart?"

"Your soulmate and the rest of SOLDIER collectively threatened to burn ShinRa to the ground," Veld said dryly. "Admittedly, since then I've come to see his point of view."

Zack was momentarily distracted from his outraged suspicion, staring at Kunsel incredulously. "I'm sorry, you what?"

"We weren't letting them take anyone else," Kythe said. He grinned cheekily when Zack looked over at him. "Hey. I'd come over but I'm keeping an eye on your buddy."

Zack blinked at him, then pushed Kunsel's hand aside and forced himself upright through gritted teeth.

Kunsel cringed, pressing a hand to his chest. "Damn it, Zack. That does not feel healed enough for you to be moving."

"First Class healing. If it hasn't killed me yet, it's not gonna," Zack said, looking around a moment. He paused, staring at Vincent. "…you're the guy from the coffin."

"I suppose I was, yes," Vincent agreed.

"The director's partner, apparently," Kythe said. "Hojo's got a freaking list of not-really-dead people."

Zack arched a brow. "You, uh, look really good for your age."

Vincent snorted, and Kunsel groaned. "Zack."

"You know I love you best, Kuns," Zack said.

"Yeah, yeah, don't think you can charm your way out of this. Lay down, that hurts." Kunsel tugged his shoulder gently, relaxing a little once Zack finally laid back down. "Thank you."

"You got it." Zack reached for his hand, squeezing it. "So… SOLDIER and the Turks, huh."

"SOLDIER and the Turks," Kunsel agreed.

"I mean, I'm thankful for the save, seriously, I just… didn't expect that." Zack attempted to look back at Veld.

Veld glanced their way. "Maybe it's time the Turks take a stand for what's right, instead of what's ordered."

"Change who's giving the orders and you won't have that problem," Kunsel pointed out.

Veld sighed quietly. "Can't argue that."

"You can't tell me you like him," Kunsel said. "Especially after, you know."

Veld's lips pursed; Vincent or Felicia, it didn't matter which one Kunsel meant. "No. No that wasn't precisely endearing."

"Somehow, I'm not picturing you planning to have the board vote him out," Zack said.

Veld arched a brow. "No, I'm not."

"That would be a temporary measure at best," Vincent said. "Rupert Shinra is an extremely resourceful man, and I imagine if he's still in power there are those who like it that way. They would fight to restore the status quo, perhaps by force."

"Including the man in charge of ShinRa's largest military force, yes," Veld agreed. "Most of who are practically conditioned to follow him blindly."

"So, kill him and the VP gets a promotion, huh?" Kunsel hummed. "We could try negotiations."

"Rufus would do a lot to keep the company intact and in power," Veld said. "He's been furious about his father 'running it into the ground' lately."

"A good sign," Kunsel said. "I'm willing to see. If we have new medical staff, and someone trustworthy in place of Heidegger… we could work with that."

Veld nodded. "You know my suggestions."

"Yeah, I do. I'll talk with the others about it," Kunsel said. "I can't make that call alone."

"We've got pretty much everyone on high alert waiting for communications, so that won't be hard," Kythe said. "I think the option to retire in peace would sweeten the deal, though."

Veld nodded. He understood that all too well. Being a Turk was too much of his identity to think he'd ever change completely - even if he defected, he'd likely stay in the information business if nothing else. Gods know there was a market for it. But the option to retire was overdue for both departments. And he wanted that for his Turks, even if he was loathe to lose any of them. "I think that can be arranged. Like I said, Rufus would do a lot to keep his forces together, including making sure they're happy."

"You've talked to him about it?" Kunsel asked.

"He's mentioned it would be better to keep people emotionally motivated than monetarily motivated," Veld said. "There comes a point when you can't buy loyalty."

"Yeah," Kunsel said. "I hear that."

"Most of us weren't in it for the paycheck," Zack said. "I wasn't the only one who wanted to be a hero, you know? I know, a lot of you guys thought it was silly. And it was. But that was the dream. And I think… without dreams, it's a lot harder to justify the stuff life puts you through. Everyone needs something to hold on to. Something that makes it worth it."

Kunsel squeezed his hand, smiling softly. "What we need is someone like you, to remind us."

Zack smiled back, clasping his hand between his own. "You've got me, babe. I'm not going anywhere."

Kunsel's smile gained a fierce edge. "I'll make sure of it."