(Author's Note: Hello! This chapter deals more with Sephy than Cassandra…but oh well! It's *drum roll* the next chapter! Enjoy!)
Disclaimer: FF7 and Squaresoft are not mine. Cassandra and Navarro are.
Chapter 7
"In one week we will begin our advancement on Wutai…I want Sephiroth as my commanding general on the battle field," Shinra said blowing out a ring of smoke. There were a few others present in his office at this time. The room was huge and one wall was a window.
"If that's what you want sir," Heidegger said with a shrug.
"It is…he'll inflict more casualties than you will," Shinra said.
"That's true sir. Shall I tell him now?" Heidegger asked.
"No. We have a meeting to finish first. Hojo…what ever happened to your other 'experiment?'" Shinra asked turning to face the scientist.
Hojo laughed to himself. "It's nothing to be concerned about. All I did was give her a few dosages of a new substance I came up with. Basically this substance wiped out her memory and I…reprogrammed her?" Hojo said looking pleased with himself.
"So that's what you did to her…she'll follow orders a lot better now I'm sure," Shinra said leaning back in his chair.
"She will. I also gave Sephiroth a small amount of this substance during one of his Mako injections. I am correct to say that he has forgotten her, right?" Hojo asked.
"He has," Navarro said.
"Excellent. This meeting is over. Tell Sephiroth of his promotion and start getting ready to move our troops to Wutai," Shinra said.
"Yes sir," Heidegger said as they all left Shinra alone in the room.
****
3 days later…
"Name?"
"Cassandra."
"Age?"
"16."
"Well Cassandra. Congratulations. You have passed basic training and are now a member of the elite SOLDIER. You will be going to Wutai shortly for the final test," Navarro said.
"Yes sir," she said.
"You are dismissed," he said. She saluted and walked away.
****
4 days later…
The SOLDIER camp was set up in a clearing deep within a forest. The general perched on a branch in the highest tree surveying the land around the camp. From this height he could see the outskirts of Wutai. He watched as the towns defenders prowled around…standing guard…ready to sound the alarm if an attack should come.
He silently laughed to himself. They were waiting for an attack that none of them could possibly stand against. After watching and surveying for a few more minutes he jumped down to land smoothly within the tree's shadow.
"There you are!"
Sephiroth smirked inwardly. "What do you want Zack?" he asked the younger soldier.
Zack shrugged. "I was just wondering if you would tell me anything about your plans for our attack," he said.
Sephiroth gave him a dull look. "You know I won't until the rest of the officers are present for our meeting…which happens to be in 10 minutes you know," he said as he straightened from his landing position.
"Oh yeah. I knew that. Just wanted to make sure you did," Zack said with a nod.
"You had no clue as to what time it was now did you?"
"…so?"
Sephiroth sighed and slowly shook his head. "Come on. They all should be gathered by now," he said and breezed past Zack walking back to the camp's center.
"…yes sir," Zack sighed and followed.
When they reached the center of the camp they entered the biggest tent around. (Sephiroth's of course!) The rest of the officers were standing around a table located in the center of the first half of the tent since it was divided into 2 parts.
"You may sit," Sephiroth said as he sat down at the head of the table. Silently they did as he said. "Now…" he started as he put his hands together and interlaced his fingers and leaned forward slightly setting his hands on the table top. "You know what this meeting is about so let's just get straight to the point. Before I start does any one have any suggestions?"
No one moved or made a sound.
"Very well then. Our plan of attack…they will expect us to attack at first light so their patrols will be the heaviest then…my plan is to do the opposite of what they are prepared for…we will attack between the hours of 9 p.m. and 1 a.m. tonight. I want your troops in place by 8 o'clock sharp. No one is to attack until I give the word. Understood?" Sephiroth said looking at each of the officers one at a time.
"Yes sir!" they all said.
"Good. Everyone is to stay within the camps premises until it is time to move. There will be no drills practiced today. I want everyone fresh for the attack. Got it?"
"Yes sir!"
"Dismissed until further notice."
"Yes sir!" the officers said and left the tent.
"Didn't you hear me Zack? You're dismissed," Sephiroth said closing his eyes and with a hint of annoyance on his face.
Zack shrugged. "This camp is as boring as watching paint dry. I've got nothing else to do so why not just stay here and bug you?" he said with a slight smirk.
Sephiroth opened his eyes and slowly looked up. "I'm sure I could find something for you to do," he said.
"…I don't like that look in your eyes so I'll…just be going now…" Zack stood and walked to the tents exit.
"Are you still here? Oh well. Now where did I put masamune?" Sephiroth spoke more to himself as he stood. He turned around in time to see Zack running away from his tent. He smirked to himself for a minute then turned his attention to the matter at hand.
****
