I do not own FFVII characters – though I wish I did….lol

I do own my own character – Jalyne

Thank you Ilarya for the review - I hope you enjoy this chapter:)

Chapter 2 – The Acquisition

Reno opened his phone and snapped a few pictures of her to send to Tseng. He knew she was alive and most likely the orders would be to bring her back to Midgar. After a few minutes, his phone rang with the expectant call.

"Sir?" Reno flipped on the speaker phone so Rude could hear also.

"Bring her back to Midgar – hand her over to Hojo."

"Sir, I don't think..." Reno started.

"This comes from the President."

"But…." Reno started again. "She's still alive. I really don't think giving her to…."

"That is an order, Reno. I don't like it either, but we don't why she's here. Hand her over to Hojo when you arrive." The line went dead.

Reaching up to run a hand through his hair, Reno sighed in disgust. "I hate the man. Come on partner, we are losing daylight. Can you lift her?"

"Yes."

"I'll grab the chopper. We can use the back edge of the cliff to load her up." He paused a moment. "I still don't like this." Reno turned and headed for the door. They were indeed losing daylight and the quicker they could get her on, the quicker they could return to Midgar and get out of this freezing wasteland.

Reno made his way back to the chopper as quick as he could, with green eyes haunting his mind. A nagging feeling was bubbling up in his chest and he quelled it to the best that he could. He did not like handing her over to the madman. She was innocent, in his eyes, and posed no threat that he could determine. Of course, she was injured, and could not move, but Reno got the feeling that she was not dangerous. Mysterious – most definitely – but not dangerous.

He reached the chopper and started the engines pausing in the cockpit to recollect his thoughts. After letting the engines warm up, he lifted the chopper into the air and heading towards the crash site. Off in the distance he could see more choppers heading inbound, obviously the cleanup crew. As he lowered the chopper in line with craft, he spied Rude gently lifting the lady into his arms. Reno edged closer and put the chopper in hover autopilot mode. He slid out of the seat to assist Rude in loading her into the chopper.

After securing her to the benches in the back, both Turks moved to the pilot's seats to make way for the journey home. As they circled the wreckage, they saw the sun slip below the horizon and turned to make their way home.

By the time they made it to Midgar the beginning rays of morning were just hovering below the horizon. As Rude and Reno approached the helipad on the Shinra building, they could see the President and Hojo waiting expectantly with Tseng. Hojo's cronies were practically dancing waiting for their new acquisition. Reno touched down flawlessly and cut the engines. Tseng was already opening the chopper door by the time Reno exited the cockpit.

"Sir." Reno said giving a curt nod.

"I'll see you in the office, Reno. You too, Rude." Tseng stated emotionlessly and turned to the captive laying in the back. Reno exited quickly before his anger got the better of him, Rude in tow closely. The reached the elevator to descend to their offices and let the doors close before Reno broke the silence.

"I don't like this." Reno started. "I just don't feel this is right."

"Hm."

"You could say something, partner."

"It is what it is, Reno. We did our jobs."

"That is little comfort, yo." He lounged idly against the elevator walls waiting for the steel box to descend to their floor. The elevator dinged in response and the two Turks went to their offices to await further orders.

She felt pressure in her arm and the cool liquid injected into her body. Consciousness was fleeting and she heard voices, in a language she did not understand. She moved slightly, only to feel herself being lifted and placed on something hard. Movement made her stomach turn and Jalyne could sense different light shifts from behind her eyelids. Her heartbeat escalated as apprehension set in. Whatever these people had given her, it was taking effect no matter how hard she tried to fight it. The gray darkness overtook her senses.

Jalyne awoke to heat and blinding light. She did not open her eyes, not even a crack. She willed herself to stay still and not to react to anything. Her left arm ached, and she could feel intrusions all over her body. Jalyne heard the haughty voice of one that sounded like he was giving instructions. Slightly moving her wrists and ankles, she realized that she was strapped down.

She opened her eyes and the business of the room overwhelmed her. Jalyne glanced around trying to make sense of what was happening. Obviously, she was considered a threat, hence the restraints, but all the probes invading her body had her puzzled. She had never seen anything like this. The man with black long hair and a white coat suddenly turned around and stared at her. Looking inquisitory at his captee, he bent down to examine her.

"She is not to be awake." Hojo snapped and with a wave of his arm, commanded. "Dose her again. I need to complete my examination and testing."

Jalyne may not understand the language, but she sure understood the gestures. She writhed frantically, trying to break free from the bonds to no avail. She easily snapped the leg braces, though her ankle had not fully healed. With her legs freed, she kicked out wildly, catching one of the assistants squarely in the chest. Hojo stepped back and calmly called for security to subdue her. The soldiers surrounded her quickly and restrained her legs. To her credit, Jalyne never uttered a sound, not a scream, not a gasp as the attendants stabbed her with the needle to knock her out.

"Reno?" Tseng called to him as he entered the office board room. Moving to his seat at the head of the table, the Director waited until he had Reno's attention.

"Yo?"

"We will begin increasing the surveillance on Avalanche in Sector Seven. There have been reports that they are beginning to move faster in their preparations."

"And of our 'guest'?

"None of your concern." Tseng said shortly.

"Fine." Reno snapped back and stood to leave with Rude joining him. "I'll arrange it."

The two walked out into the hallway and to the elevators. Reno needed to get out of there. His mind wasn't in the current situation. As they descended the floors, Rude broke the silence.

"You might not want to press the issue with the woman."

"How can you be so calm?" Reno said irritated. "She did nothing wrong. I would have rather interrogated her. Isn't that what we do? I wonder what Rufus would have said if he was president and not his old man."

"We did do our job. Now it is time to do more. Avalanche is building up their forces. They will strike soon."

"Yeah, Yeah partner. Let's go squash the bugs."

Three Months Later

Jalyne slowly woke up in a containment unit in a large lab. Steel and glass encircled her and there was a platform that led all around the circular unit. She could see the large pipes in the ceiling feeding into her cell, of which she surmised was for oxygen, water and other things. A stool was in the center of the room and Jalyne slowly got up to stretch and move. She looked around cautiously and noticed another cell mimicking hers not to far off in the room. In it was a young lady, dressed in pink, which chestnut hair pulled up in high ponytail with a pink ribbon. There was someone talking to her. That someone she recognized as the main person who initiated her torture.

Jalyne looked down and saw her left arm bandaged. It ached and throbbed but otherwise seemed okay. She slowly took in her looks in the reflection of the glass. Her mask was a pristine silver now, no trace of blood from the cut on her head that she vaguely remembered. Her attire was pristine – something she would not have thought, considering her predicament. Obviously, it had been cleaned. The thought of the circumstances of how they cleaned her attire made her skin crawl.

The man in white turned just then to walk out of the lab. The black-haired, greasy looking man stopped in front of Jalyne, a smirk growing across his old features. He absolutely made her skin crawl and she struggled to keep her expressions indifferent.

"Ah….my failure." He gloated. "My insignificant alien. Do not worry, you'll be indisposed of momentarily." And with that he turned and walked away.

Jalyne thanked the heavens that she kept her emotions in check. Her jawline tensed, sending a ripple up to her ear. She waited until the white coat disappeared and released the fist that she unknowingly was clenching.

How did I manage to get into this situation? She thought with an imperceptible shake of her head.

I asked you here. Came the response.

Jalyne looked around suddenly, trying to find the source of the voice.

Look to your right. It advised.

Jalyne glanced slowly to the right, only to see the other young lady wave slightly. Jalyne's eyes widened slightly as she stared dumbfoundedly at the other person. How are you doing this? Jalyne questioned. And how are you understanding me? I don't understand your language at all – it sounds like chirping to me.

Through this planets Lifestream. I hear things – old souls. She responded, green eyes alight. I asked you here. I believe there is something that you can help with.

I'm not sure that I can help…At least not stuck in here.

Oh, don't worry, my friends are coming. They will help. She responded. My name is Aerith.

Jalyne put her hands in front of abdomen; right hand up and left hand down with the heels of her palms together and bowed lightly. I am Jalyne.

They passed the time quietly each in their own heads. Jalyne sat on the stool provided and waited, taking in this strange environment. She wondered what Fate would have in store for her. She couldn't muster one bit of energy that she was used to – the energy and power that led to her exile. Her shame – hidden behind the white mask over her left eye.

The commotion in front of her snapped her out of her memories. She heard Aerith scream though the word was unrecognizable to her. Three people stood in her line of sight. One was a huge dark-skinned man with a gun attached to his right arm. Another was a woman, dressed in tight black leather skirt and white tank top. Red leather boots and gloves stood out against her pale skin. The final person of the trio held a large sword in front of him. Blonde hair swaying his muscle rippled under his armor on his shoulder. Dressed in blue and looking like a trained soldier, he kept his stance.

Two enhanced elite soldiers appeared in front of them, sabers raised. Jalyne watched silently as the one with the sword made short work of them. A blast to Aerith's cell short circuited her door and she stepped out, excited to be reunited with her friends. In an instant, a red beast appeared in front of them, growling menacingly. The beast turned and ran, jumping up through a window and out of the room. The quartet took off after it, intent on catching up to it, leaving Jalyne alone.

She stood in front of the sliding door and hesitantly tried to open it, hoping the circuitry was shorted out. With luck it budged and Jalyne slid through the door. Intent on following the quartet, she stopped in the middle of the room. There was commotion ahead and she was unarmed. Deciding it was better to be on the move, Jalyne pressed forward.

Two Mako reactors blown to bits and a plate that was doomed to fall, killing thousands at the hands of the Turks. The Ancient was in custody and the Turks were biding their time, trying to heal from the ass beating that was handed to them at the top of the Sector Seven plate. There were rumors that the Vice President was on his way back from his exile in Junon.

Reno sighed as he inspected his right wrist, lounging on the couch in the boardroom of their offices.

"You know, Reno. I think you might be due for some R&R." Tseng commented while working on paperwork.

"Nah…I'm good."

"What are we going to do about Sector 7?" Rude questioned. There was something on both of Turks minds.

"We are going to do nothing." replied Tseng indifferently.

"Been thinking. Was all of that really necessary?" pressed Rude.

"Had we refused, someone else would have completed the task." Tseng explained. "We've spared that someone the burden of a guilty conscious. Perhaps that will ease yours." the Director finished indifferently and with no concern on his features.

"Yeah…nope." Reno interjected sarcastically.

"Let's try another tack then." Tseng began. "They were a sacrifice to balance the scales."

"Say…what?" Reno questioned incredulously.

"After everything we've taken from the planet – we were due to give something back." Tseng continued.

"Do you actually believe that?" Rude questioned.

"Does it matter?"

Reno and Rude squirmed uncomfortably trying to wrestle with their consciousness. Tseng picked up the phone when it rang.

"Yes. Understood." Tseng put the phone down on the receiver. "The VP needs us."

Jalyne edged to the higher floors in the stairwell in hopes of some freedom. She longed to breathe fresh air as all this steel and glass was claustrophobic to her. The building shook slightly, and she wondered how structurally built it was. She was nearing the top, or at least she hoped as she heard noise like when she was found up ahead. Jalyne inched through the stairwell door to the outside. The darkness was astounding to her as it held an eerie green glow. It was quite windy, and she realized that she had to be up high. The wind was cold. She heard gunshots around the corner along with the clash of a sword.

Slowly peeking around the corner, Jalyne spied a man in white holding an ornate gun in his right hand, weaving in and around the blonde man with the sword. She was not inclined to be seen so she backed up against the wall of the building. The helicopter had been called elsewhere as it passed quickly overhead. So overwhelmed with her new surroundings, she ignored the hair standing on the back of her neck until it was almost too late. Two red beams were heading right for her. Try as she might, Jalyne could not completely dodge them and the blast caused her to slam into the wall behind her. She crashed to the ground motionless.

Reno had just put the chopper down on the helipad after making a few circles around the Shinra building. Cloud and the group were being chased down the roadway trying to escape with Shinra soldiers in pursuit. Rufus had climbed in after his battle with Cloud and waited patiently for Reno and Rude to cut the engines. Tseng waited to open the door and escort the new President to his office. Once the chopper blades stopped, the three Turks and the President made their way across the helipad. Something out of the corner of his eye caught Reno's attention. He veered off to the left to investigate.

"Does the slum-rat know protocol?" Rufus questioned Tseng irritably.

"Something must have caught his attention, sir. He is doing his job and securing the building." Tseng replied smugly watching his second in command break into a jog towards the building stairwell.

Reno ran lightly to the corner, a splash of white catching his attention. When he rounded the corner, he stopped, eyes widening. "Well, well, well." He said and motioned for the rest of the group to come there. When the other three arrived, Rufus, pushed forward to look at the body lying on the ground.

"So, this is what my old man was hiding." He commented slipping his hand behind her ear to brush her hair aside, showing the crescent moon tattooed behind the lobe.

"What was he hiding?" Tseng questioned; brows furrowed. "We delivered her to Hojo."

"And I want answers." Rufus replied. "Her file has nothing remarkable in it. She was completely and utterly a normal human. He was to give judgement before his…demise. She is designated Midnight."

"She is not normal." Rude commented. "We saw her ship. There was nothing normal about it."

"I know. Is she still breathing?" Rufus asked standing back up. Reno reached for her pulse and nodded in affirmation. "Then bring the acquisition to safety. She will remain in the Turks quarters. I place the three of you over her. When she awakes, I want answers." And with that he swept around and entered his building.