Chapter 9:Nasties, Fallacies, and Travesties pt: 1
The Shinra Corporation, an energy supplying company, was the largest, strongest, and most-well defended company in all of the know world. Practically everything went on in the tower-city, from business transactions to black market under dealings. Even the President of the corporation was reason enough to fear the mega monopoly, what with an army and private death squad that could be manipulated at his slightest command. Therefore, Shinra controlled the world with an iron grip. And because of those few reasons, no one dared to fight the giant's control. Except, of course, those foolish enough to actually try.
They were a group of terrorists, calling themselves AVALANCHE. There were only about six or seven of them, without any outside help. Believed to be residing in Midgar, the group declared themselves "planet protectors", and committed many atrocities against Shinra in the name of saving the world. The main purpose of Shinra was to drain "mako", a form of energy, from the planet, in order to supply power to the rest of the world, which the company had received vast amounts of money from. According to AVALANCHE, draining this form of energy out of the earth and into "mako reactors" was dangerous to the planet, and would one day cause its destruction.
Of course, the general population had found this ludicrous, and therefore dismissed the claims as "words of delusion". Having thus been labeled fanatics, AVALANCHE lashed out at Midgar, were most of the reactors were stationed, so as to get the attention of the world. First, they started out small, robbing from places owned by Shinra. Gradually, the terrorists up scaled their operations to other things, like hacking into the company's mainframe. Then, they started to attack the reactors, the sub-source of mako drainage, by blowing them up; all the while killing many innocent bystanders and Shinra Government officials, making the population of Midgar see that AVALANCHE wasn't to be ignored.
So far, they were only successful in destroying two reactors, but already they changed their target to bringing down the whole city. Just six hours ago, AVALANCHE brought down the sector 7 pillar which holds up a part of the massive plate that separates the Midgar slums from the richer population, totally destroying the civilians in, and above that sector. Military reports had been sent, stating that AVALANCHE had in fact survived the destruction, and so, preparations were made in case they struck Shinra at its heart. The President had issued a request from the Junon Base for extra security and men. Upon receiving the message, Junon sent out war machines of all kinds, as well as two top-secret prototypes. But more importantly, they had sent out the almost forgotten strike team, Special Unit #0. Having lost their leader, the force was just kept on for the sake of an emergency such as this. And this was most definitely an emergency.
Xander patiently rested his forehead on a window of the Shinra Tower, laying his eyes upon the ever-rising smoke in the distance. Slowly, but surely, his-own fears ate away at him. After hearing about the terrorist attack, Xander phoned home to Elmyra to see if everything was all right. But hearing her voice immediately gave Xander an answer. Immediately after the attack, Aerith had rushed back home, but it seemed as though someone was following her. Not long after her arrival, three men in blue suites had taken her away, and now, in the chaos, it was unknown where she was, or whom her captives were. So all he could do was wait, and do his duty in this event. Unexpectedly, the swish of an automatic door opening brought him out of his trance. Turning around to see the President made little change in his unemotional expression. Giving a small salute as Mr. Shinra walked by, he could see his companions do the same.
Continuing his smooth pace down the thin corridor, the fat, little man began to speak. "Come along gentlemen, I'll brief you all on our destination," Stopping just long enough for the team to catch up. "As you all must know, AVALANCHE has been up scaling their attacks quite rapidly. Intelligence has confirmed that the next spot they would strike at is this very tower that we are standing in now. And do you all know what that means? It means that we need you three to help guard us at our most important facilities that we have." Once again he paused, but this time to let the weight of his words sink in. "Each one of you will be assigned a specific spot to watch over. However, if AVALANCHE were to break past the regular defenses, then you will act as stopgaps against them. But keep in mind. Should they get past the three of you, then all hope is lost."
Nodding their heads in understanding, Mr. Shinra gave them their guard points, albeit they were somewhat odd. Ressin was assigned to the relaxation room, Zet, to the board meeting room, and Xander, (who's wasn't that odd at all) to the Lab. Soon after, each man left according to their given instructions.
Step by step, Cloud sprinted upwards to his destination. Inside the Shinra Tower already, he and the remaining members of the so-called terrorist group called AVALANCHE had found their way into the stairwell of the building. Although he was only a mercenary, things had become complicated, drawing him into a huge conflict. First the sector 02 reactor was blown, then 05, but after that, real trouble began to brew. In a chance run-in with a flower girl, he had forever changed a life, and promises were made. Now, the only way he could honor his pact was to take her away from the very corporation that had stolen her in the first place. Would he be able to come out of this one alive, along with his friends, or would he take his leave of absence into the afterlife? Only God knows.
"Now you MUST remember, no one is to be let in or out of the lab, unless they have the proper clearance, got it?
Numbly, Xander nodded his head up and down, giving an affirmative to the scientist's orders. He had been listening to the man's rambling since he had reached the laboratory, which wasn't too long ago, although it seemed long enough. After a few more commands, at a heed from an assistant, the man turned away from Xander. "Professor Hojo?" The assistant called. Slightly scowling behind his spectacles, Hojo went to his underling, his greasy ponytail swinging around wildly, and his white lab coat waving into the air.
Letting out a sigh, Xander leaned back against frosty glass tubing, where a queer pink and brown specimen was held. Oddly enough, no sound could go into the holding cell, but it could come out in muffled tones, its high pitched wailing thoroughly annoying him. It tried numerous methods of freeing itself, each succeeding in only hurting it further.
Letting out another sigh, he looked around the lab. Stainless steal floors and walls, crates next to an elevator on his left, above was a sub-section with a observation window and various instruments for tests in the tube, and finally, a storage room, also containing a glass tube, sat below this floor, including more crates. Before he could continue his examination, Hojo came back Xander's way after his assistant went up the stairs to the sub-section so he could calibrate the instruments. Looking over the spectacles at Xander, he handed him a top-level security card. In a characteristic mad scientist voice he gave a final reminder. "No one."
As the creepy little man left, Xander placed his hands behind his head, and leaned backwards against the glass cylinder. Letting the exhaustion of the last few hours take over his body, he closed his eyes. Sure, this was the irresponsible thing to do, but then again, who cared if an experiment was lost? Besides the good doctor that is…
Getting somewhat comfortable, Xander allowed his mind to wander until it would eventually drift into a daring subconscious sleep… or at least it had tried to. The intrusion of an almost familiar humming sound intruded on his rest and he opened his eyes to look for its source. Darting the spheroids left to right, the soldier eyed the elevator. Someone, or thing, was coming his way.
As if on cue, Cloud and his party had arrived in an oddly placed elevator in a sort of storeroom. Having gotten past the regular defenses, they continued to climb to the upper levels. Strangely, they had encountered two guards on the way, whom with a peculiar air about them let the trio pass on. Even more curious was the fact that they knew full well who they were. Although this action caused no harm, it gave way to suspicion. At any rate, the less resistance they met, the better.
Now, waiting patiently in the little shaft for the unknown to happen, Cloud's stomach slowly settled, nerves calm and hands relaxed. Soon, a glimpse of white light cut through the darkness, and once again the unperceivable could be seen. Quickly the group's eyes reacted to the change in surroundings. The room held the stench of sterilization, masking the underlying wickedness of the place. All too swiftly did the most prominent feature of the lab stick out at the uninvited guests: the glass container. Slowly advancing forward, the female member became aware of a lone guard keeping alert to foreign presences such as theirs. With strength that was unapparent to the naked eye, she pulled the two men beside her to the guard's blind spot on the wall nearest them. Using the lowest voice that her larynx was capable of producing, she whispered into Cloud's ear. "Watch it Cloud, we've got company..."
Turning to face his close friend, he gave her a look of mock-bewilderment. "Don't worry Tifa, the guys in this place couldn't stop me if they all ganged up on us at the same time."
In return, Tifa gave the spiky haired fellow a look of disapproval for his over confidence. Knowing her concern, Cloud tried to reassure her with a grin, but was cut short as the second man lost his patience and trudged passed the two. Her eyes widening, Tifa tried to halt the man with words, but the surprise of his straight-forwardness kept her in a state of shock. Grasping his torn, sleeveless jacket, she tried to hold him, but his massive weight and size totally outclassed her, and he merely shrugged her off. As he finally stepped out from the shadows, she used all the will power she had available to keep from crying out.
Approaching the elevator step by step, Xander unsheathed his blade. Coming steadily closer with each movement, his heart started to pound, and his breath became ragged. Twice now, had he seen silhouettes of bodies, and twice now had he heard two distinct voices. Now, all that remained was the muffled stamping of heavy feet hitting the metal floors. In a frantic attempt to remember his training, all he could pull up was his time spent idle at the base. Silently he was wishing he hadn't wasted his precious days away as he drew in another long breath of air.
Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, a figure stepped out. A man, no doubt, with battleships for arms and cannons for legs stood not twenty feet from Xander. His furrowed brow and steel wool beard made crease marks in his ebony skin. Still trumping along, it became evident that he was much taller then the tiny lad. However, none of these features quite matched up to the gatling gun grafted into his right arm from just below the elbow down.
Taking an audible swallow of saliva, Xander stared the man down. Leaning forward onto his left foot, Xander brought the hilt of his sword horizontally parallel to the right of his face. Sliding his free hand to the tip of the sword on its blunt side, all the while making a small prayer. Making sure his gaze was still locked with the black giant's, leaving himself one last second of assuredness.
Then, like a bolt of lightning, he charged forward with a speed that almost caught the man off guard. Upon reaching him in the instant that it took, Xander slid the sword in a tight downwards arc, meant for a deep gash. Reacting to the attack, the giant swung his gun arm up, catching the sharp metal between the thin pegs that spat out the ammunition. With a flick of his wrist, he twisted the blade clockwise to Xander's position. Taking a few steps back, the soldier dashed to his enemy's left and took a literal stab at the gun again, this time hitting the mark. Imbedding it till the tip went all the way through, he twisted the sword until the edge pointed upwards, ripping up precious metals and screws. Finally ripping it out, Xander prepared to finish his enemy, who was standing still in a slight daze.
Gritting his teeth and bringing the weapon above his head, he brought it back down again, but instead of seeing the typical blood flow, he felt a leg slam into his stomach. Letting the sword sail out of his hands, Xander looked to his front. The antagonist hadn't budged, so who…? Sidestepping to the right, he swung his elbow out, catching a second body and let it fall to the ground. Jumping back a small ways, he snuck a peek at the person, noticing the obvious feminine characteristics. She sat there, with incredibly long, brown hair, wearing a tight white shirt connected by suspenders to a leather miniskirt. Astounded by her good looks stopped him cold, though, and he let his guard down completely. Seizing this opening, another man came out of the shadows. Dashing towards the lone guard, he unclipped the massive buster sword off his back, and brought it to his side.
After seeing his horrible three-on-one odds, Xander took another step back, this time more hesitant. There, Xander stood and watched the last man charge at him with an unknown rage emanating from his glowing blue eyes. His stance was familiar, but where had Xander seen it? Finally the resemblance hit Xander like a ton of bricks. It was Cloud, dressed in Zack's first class soldier garb. He was even holding his insanely huge sword. Coming to his senses just in time, Xander stepped back as Cloud swung at his waist, meaning to cleave him in twine. Instead, the attack only made a small gash on his right side. Reacting to this final insult, Xander knocked Cloud down with a single blow to the face. He would have gone in for another hit, but his cut protested with a surge of pain. Clutching his side, he bent down on a knee, and watched the other terrorists close in on him.
The girl stopped, and helped Cloud to his feet, but the black man kept walking to Xander. Looking down, the man propped him onto his feet, and brought his flesh and blood hand up, and pulled it across the soldier's face.
Xander had felt that last hit, and it sent him sprawled out by the tube. Brushing the blood away from his split lowered lip; he pulled himself up along the glass. To the best of his abilities, he tried to shake the blurred vision from his eyes. Not noticing the footsteps of Cloud as he charged Xander again, this time with his mounted shoulder armor. Finally looking up to see a flurry of spiky blond hair in his face, all he could do was let his body get slammed backwards into the glass. The pain had been too much to bear, and he let out a gag along with an unhealthy amount of blood.
Not holding up in his attack, Cloud continued to pound away at the only guard in the building to give them any such trouble. He punched so hard, that he could feel the glass crack behind the man. And all that man could do was sit tight and enjoy the ride, until finally, the impression had been turned into a gaping whole. Pushing him forward, Cloud stepped through the makeshift doorway.
Assuming that the guard was dead, or unconscious, he stepped closer to the pink specimen and reached his hand out to it. "C'mon Aerith, it's safe now." He said softly.
Not one to keep anyone waiting, an fully developed Aerith snatched Cloud's hand up in hers and brought herself up, embracing him tightly. "Cloud," She whispered, "I knew that you'd come." Not a moment later, Cloud led her by the hand to the entrance he had made and allowed her out first, oblivious to Xander's movement.
Slowly lifting his head off the glass shards, Xander watched the spectacle before him. Cloud, alive? What happened to Zack and Sephiroth? And what was all this about Aerith being kidnapped by his employers? Maybe it was just a horrible dream. Not likely. So, in that case, what did the Shinra want with his best friend? And why was Cloud hugging her? The flow of information was too much, and he did all that he could think of at the time. Picking himself up, he let out a fearsome war cry and lunged at Cloud before he was able to get out of the tube. Cementing himself over his former allies' strewn over body, Xander turned Cloud onto his back, and began to slam a fist repeatedly into his face.
Trying his very best to avoid the onslaught, Cloud flailed about, but to no avail. "Tifa, Barret!" He howled in desperation. "Get this guy off me!"
Without hesitation, the two rushed past Aerith and lifted the raging man from their comrade. "C'mon Cloud. Stop wasting time so we can leave!" Tifa advised.
"Sure thing," He said as he picked up his immense sword. "But don't you think we should dust this guy off?" Nodding to Xander who struggled to get back on his feet.
"Maybe we've done enough…" Replied Tifa, as she looked the room over.
Cloud scratched his head. "I dunno… I'm sure Barret wants another crack at him."
Before Barret could speak his mind, Xander interjected. "You can talk all you want, but none of you terrorist's are getting out…" He whispered haggardly, just pausing long enough to clench a fist. "I won't let you get away with what you've done. You've taken the lives of the innocent, and if I let you go, it will only continue." He took a moment to take a long lungful of oxygen. "The three of you are nothing but murderers." He finished, with his head hanging low.
Aerith took what this man said into consideration, and she decided that he was totally wrong about these people… her friends. And so, she took a defiant step forward, letting out a voice that betrayed her sweet demeanor. "Hey, jerk, just who do you think you are, making these false accusations about my friends! They're good people, and they wouldn't hurt a fly! And the citizens were hurt only hurt on account of an accident! So, if you're gonna say things like that, you'd better get your facts straight!"
Xander looked up and stared at the one person that he felt closest to in the eye, and smiled forlornly as he saw the look of recognition on her face. "Accident or not, Aerith, those people were killed, and nothing's ever bringing them back. I thought that you above all would understand that, from knowing what happened to me, and my feelings on the subject."
She covered her mouth in shock and fell to her knees, as she finally understood the grave error her friends had made in destroying the reactors. "Xander… I'm sorry..." She said as tears began to brim in her eyes.
Barret boomed, totally oblivious to most of the conversation, what with his selective hearing. "You know dis li'l punk?"
"Barret!" Tifa whispered in the most offensive voice she could conger. "Can't you see what's going on? This guy's right… what we did was horrible, and can't be forgiven…"
Everyone below seemed oblivious to the man's presence. He had been sitting up in the observation room, nice and cozy in his sharp, gray suit, as he calibrated the instruments. Then, when all this started he had thought about calling for assistance, but it was more interesting then his favorite soap opera. So, he decided to sit idly by, listening on the conversation via the intercom. Then, it looked like their guard was having some trouble, so he paged the "good" doctor first, then he sent for their old test subject, who had been waiting its days out in the other tube, just below this one here. It probably needed some exercise anyway… and well, since it only took the push of a button to do so, he waited for what would be called the last minute, or in this case, the boring part. It should be here any minute now…
