Ch. 3: Sinner
The four Turks stood around the large oval table, the room darkened for the map projections which hovered before them. A model of the city of Nibelheim was rotating slowly in mid-air, key areas marked by electronic tags. The main highlight was, of course, the Shinra mansion.
Rail, the Turk leader was all frown.
"I refuse. I will _not_ lead the Turks into such a mission." came his sudden outburst.
"Sir, please understand!" responded Vincent excitedly "You know we - all of us - are above the missions they give us! I mean, scouting for SOLDIER..? We're Shinra's elite! Hell, I've never seen a SOLDIER candidate that could surpass a Turk. Sir - we're the best. If tactical field missions is what the president wants, then let's show him what the Turks are made of."
Tseng smiled. The Turks were his.
Rail collapsed into a nearby chair and slowly began massaging his temple. He was shorter than Tseng, but well built, with short red hair and cold cobalt-blue eyes.
"You understand that. what the president is suggesting is goes against all ethics and morals that the Turks ever stood for? Do none of you oppose this?"
Vincent looked down and closed his eyes. He didn't wasn't to think about it. If he did.. he might spoil his one chance to become someone, to make a name for himself. And besides.. how bad could it be..?
A heavy silence descended upon them.
Rail sighed, then slowly got up and straightened out his suit. He nodded.
"I see. So this is the new face of the Turks. Well there is one Turk who still holds fast to his principles. One who will not play along with this twisted game no matter what. Tseng, tell the president my resignation letter will be on his desk tomorrow morning."
He made for the door, keeping all his composure. Before exiting, however, he turned and shot one final accusing glance at Vincent as if to say 'why did you betray us..?' and left.
Tseng paced slowly to the place where Rail had once been.
"Gentlemen" he began. "The Turks are under new management now. A new era is rising in which the Turks shall be the Shinra's right hand at all times. You will all shape the new Midgar - the new Shinra."
Rude smiled and the door opened.
Hojo walked in, quickly taking a seat. Vincent looked at him puzzled, then felt the anger rise up in him as the scientist opened a broad thin smile towards the Turk.
"Tseng, what is he doing he--"
"Curb your anger, Valentine. Professor Hojo has come to Midgar precisely to meet us and accompany us to Nibelheim."
"What??" yelled the young Vincent in disbilief.
"The professor has been studying Jenova cells ever since he was a child. He will be crucial in this operation."
Vincent felt his hands curl into fists. He didn't like this Hojo. Not one bit.
"All right then, to the mission. Rude, if you please."
The silent Turk hit a switch. The swirling model of Nibelheim stopped and began to change according to Tseng's briefing.
"We arrive at Nibelheim at 19.00hs. In that region, nightfall will have fallen by then. Professor Hojo and myself shall make our way to the Shinra mansion, in which our Target is located. The Target is a scientist working on the Jenova project.
"Important discoveries have been made, but about a week ago, the usual reports and briefings have ceased to come in. We believe our Target is holding information from the Midgar office. In any case, since we speak of Jenova cells and the Jenova project, we expect resistance from both the Target and experimental.. accidents. I should be able to deal with them on the way to the labs. From that point on, Professor Hojo will go through the data analyzing relevants results to be taken back to Midgar. I will find the Target so that it may be transported with us.
"Rude will be heading towards the reactor on private orders"
"So... what do _I_ do?" asked Vincent, unable to contain his curiosity.
Tseng smiled.
"You are our sniper. Your location will be the top of the building labeled A-003 on the model. If the Target escapes the Shinra mansion, you are to halt its progress immediately. Do not allow the Target to leave town under any circumstances. Is that understood..?"
Vincent closed one eye and made a mock gun with his hand, firing it silently into a wall.
"Got it, Tee."
Next chapter: Nibelheim Storm.
The four Turks stood around the large oval table, the room darkened for the map projections which hovered before them. A model of the city of Nibelheim was rotating slowly in mid-air, key areas marked by electronic tags. The main highlight was, of course, the Shinra mansion.
Rail, the Turk leader was all frown.
"I refuse. I will _not_ lead the Turks into such a mission." came his sudden outburst.
"Sir, please understand!" responded Vincent excitedly "You know we - all of us - are above the missions they give us! I mean, scouting for SOLDIER..? We're Shinra's elite! Hell, I've never seen a SOLDIER candidate that could surpass a Turk. Sir - we're the best. If tactical field missions is what the president wants, then let's show him what the Turks are made of."
Tseng smiled. The Turks were his.
Rail collapsed into a nearby chair and slowly began massaging his temple. He was shorter than Tseng, but well built, with short red hair and cold cobalt-blue eyes.
"You understand that. what the president is suggesting is goes against all ethics and morals that the Turks ever stood for? Do none of you oppose this?"
Vincent looked down and closed his eyes. He didn't wasn't to think about it. If he did.. he might spoil his one chance to become someone, to make a name for himself. And besides.. how bad could it be..?
A heavy silence descended upon them.
Rail sighed, then slowly got up and straightened out his suit. He nodded.
"I see. So this is the new face of the Turks. Well there is one Turk who still holds fast to his principles. One who will not play along with this twisted game no matter what. Tseng, tell the president my resignation letter will be on his desk tomorrow morning."
He made for the door, keeping all his composure. Before exiting, however, he turned and shot one final accusing glance at Vincent as if to say 'why did you betray us..?' and left.
Tseng paced slowly to the place where Rail had once been.
"Gentlemen" he began. "The Turks are under new management now. A new era is rising in which the Turks shall be the Shinra's right hand at all times. You will all shape the new Midgar - the new Shinra."
Rude smiled and the door opened.
Hojo walked in, quickly taking a seat. Vincent looked at him puzzled, then felt the anger rise up in him as the scientist opened a broad thin smile towards the Turk.
"Tseng, what is he doing he--"
"Curb your anger, Valentine. Professor Hojo has come to Midgar precisely to meet us and accompany us to Nibelheim."
"What??" yelled the young Vincent in disbilief.
"The professor has been studying Jenova cells ever since he was a child. He will be crucial in this operation."
Vincent felt his hands curl into fists. He didn't like this Hojo. Not one bit.
"All right then, to the mission. Rude, if you please."
The silent Turk hit a switch. The swirling model of Nibelheim stopped and began to change according to Tseng's briefing.
"We arrive at Nibelheim at 19.00hs. In that region, nightfall will have fallen by then. Professor Hojo and myself shall make our way to the Shinra mansion, in which our Target is located. The Target is a scientist working on the Jenova project.
"Important discoveries have been made, but about a week ago, the usual reports and briefings have ceased to come in. We believe our Target is holding information from the Midgar office. In any case, since we speak of Jenova cells and the Jenova project, we expect resistance from both the Target and experimental.. accidents. I should be able to deal with them on the way to the labs. From that point on, Professor Hojo will go through the data analyzing relevants results to be taken back to Midgar. I will find the Target so that it may be transported with us.
"Rude will be heading towards the reactor on private orders"
"So... what do _I_ do?" asked Vincent, unable to contain his curiosity.
Tseng smiled.
"You are our sniper. Your location will be the top of the building labeled A-003 on the model. If the Target escapes the Shinra mansion, you are to halt its progress immediately. Do not allow the Target to leave town under any circumstances. Is that understood..?"
Vincent closed one eye and made a mock gun with his hand, firing it silently into a wall.
"Got it, Tee."
Next chapter: Nibelheim Storm.