After the Storm
Chapter 12
Long hallways stretched in every conceivable direction. They were either a chilly white or a warm golden brown. Large amounts of the house had been done in wood, and they all seemed to have the beautiful, tasteful style Yuffie had seen in that first room. The rest of the place seemed not have been touched at all, and looked more like a hospital than anything else. It was downright spooky.
Although the place had been easy enough to get into, it seemed to be a different matter about getting out. The long halls in question twisted and turned, their serpentine lengths taking unpredictable directions. None of them ever took a straight path, and Yuffie and Reno were left to trial and error.
At first they had snuck softly around corners and padded stealthily through the shadowy corners. But after twenty minutes and still not having met a single living person, they had given that up. Besides, the hallways echoed with footsteps, and it would be easy to hear anyone coming.
What Reno feared most at this point was having their escape discovered. He half expected alarms to start flashing on and off at any moment. None of this made any sense to him. The man in red had made it clear he needed Yuffie for whatever it was he was planning, and that Hwen character was probably laughing with glee at the prospect of getting his hands on the errant Turk. So why had they been put in a low security cell with a lock that would fall off if you so much as glanced at it?
There was indeed a lot that was still to be made clear. But first, he just wanted to get out of this hellish place. Reno led the way, although not sure where they were going he was fighting valiantly to stay cool and collected. This was no time to let things get over your head, as Yuffie had already found out. It was strange though. . . This place seemed very familiar. Not like he'd been here before, but somewhere similar though.
The hall they currently found themselves in suddenly turned into a fork. It branched to the right and left without any sign at all which led where. With a sigh, Reno randomly picked the right hand one, and they continued on their way. Yuffie wasn't talking, so Reno didn't waste any breath trying to ask her opinion. This part of the house, mansion, estate, whatever it was, was white and barren. Every part looked identical to every other and it was impossible to know if you were going in circles or not.
However, unlike the other countless halls they'd been down, this one had no doors. The others had had doors interspersing the blank walls, too many to check. Reno decided to take this as a good sign, and moved down the hall more purposefully, his pace quickening just a little.
There was definitely a light or something down there, and to his surprise, Reno realized with a little smile that what he was feeling was hope. Yes, there was a novelty to that feeling. There had never been anything much in his life the last little while to hope for, and after Wutai's destruction it had looked even bleaker than before. He didn't want to think about the future, or the past. Right now was what he had to worry about, and what he had to hope for. He'd content himself with that.
The light was getting stronger as they neared it, although with a slight sink of the heart Reno realized it wasn't daylight. No, it was the light of those thin black lamps that could be found in the furnished parts of this place. That meant they were coming up to something, at least. Whether this was a good sign or a bad one was always debatable however. There was no choice but to find out, he supposed.
The room was large and spacious, and filled with several of those strange little lamps. As Reno stepped into it, it magically transformed once again from white to the delicious golden brown; wooden floors, beige couches and a fire crackling merrily against one wall. For some reason that Reno couldn't fathom, this was even worse.
Yuffie trailed in after him, and only glanced around with mild interest. She was alert, but she seemed almost turned inwards. She was turning a problem over in her head, and at the moment there wasn't room for anything else.
A television stood happily on a stand near the couch, but why the word 'happily' inserted itself into Reno's thoughts baffled him as well. It was only a television, in a strange room, in an invisible house. . . Okay, so things were bound to be a little weird. As long as it contented itself with being happy, it was best to leave well enough alone.
A tape lay on the large beige couch, a piece of paper carefully taped to it. Exquisite handwriting flowed across the page. In one word.
Watch.
In the moments to come, Reno would never be sure why he picked up the tape and put it in the VCR. There was something compelling about that shining red ink that looked almost as if it had just been written. Besides, what harm could it do? It was only a tape after all. The worst that could happen was that they'd find themselves with no more direction then they'd started with. What was there to lose?
Sitting down on the sofa, he only half noticed as Yuffie sat down on the other side. His eyes were already fixed on the screen. The television blared with static for a moment, but shortly the scene began to come into focus.
Whatever this was, the video showed an empty white hall. For a moment, Reno thought it was one of the halls they had just walk down, but then that haunting feeling of familiarity settled in once more, this time to stay. There was something subtly different about the hall on the screen, but Reno could swear he'd been there before.
The sound of footsteps rang suddenly through the tape. The sound was at first tinny, but after a moment of blaring static again, everything came into perfect view. Both sound and picture were sharp as if they were watching the scene through a window. Reno unconsciously leaned forward.
Two people walked into view, although it was frankly impossible to see either of them. The camera almost seemed to be lying on an angle, and the two people were only visible AS people, not individuals. The back of one person was near the camera, but all you could see was a shock of short gold hair and a dark trench coat. The other person stood behind the other and was visible only as a silhouette. However, a moment later, Reno knew exactly who it was.
"So, what are you planning to do now? It looks like they're shutting the project down after all."
There was no mistaking Tseng's voice. Reno paled slightly, and his hands tightened where they lay. The other figure spoke.
"I know. There isn't much we can do right now. We'll just have to wait until they give the go ahead." The voice paused before continuing cautiously. It was muffled and unidentifiable. "The only option is to carry on ourselves."
"What!? In secret!? S- I mean, you must be crazy!"
"I suppose you're right, Tseng. We'd need fresh volunteers for the program and we're fresh out at the moment."
"As you say. I know we were getting so close to a breakthrough too, but it can't be helped."
"No. . . Maybe it can't at that. Tseng, you've been such an important part of this project. Believe me, you'll be the first to know when we get approval."
"Thank you. You're kind words mean a lot to me. However, I am led to believe there are more pressing matters at hand."
"Ah, AVALANCHE. Of course, they must be dealt with before we do anything else. That's why you're being trusted with the job, Tseng."
"I believe we're close to catching them now. We have recently obtained some information from our resident spy as to their whereabouts."
"Good. Glad to hear it. It's almost a shame that the project isn't ready for them though. With weapons like this, Shinra'd be invincible! As soon as you return from the Temple of the Ancients, we'll have to see about getting this whole thing back on track."
Reno's knuckles had turned white. There was no hint of the cocky Turk he had been a moment ago.
"As you say."
"By the way, how are the new recruits coming along?"
"You mean Elena? She's not what I'd been hoping for, but we'll make a Turk out of her yet. She talks a lot, but at least she doesn't constantly shoot her mouth off like Reno."
"Oh yes, Reno. What about him?"
"He's. . . Well, he's Reno. Damn good Turk, but far too sure of himself. He's one of the best ones we've seen in a long time, despite an aggravating tendency to talk back. Cold, ruthless. He's strong and incredibly fast. With a few more years of hard training he may very well become the best."
"Just have to see that he gets that chance. Anyway, you have places to be, people to kill. Wouldn't want to keep you."
"O-of course. I'll report to you as soon as I return."
The dark figure walked out of view, although his footsteps could be heard ringing for a long time afterwards. Reno and Yuffie both knew to where he walked. They sat in silence.
The figure in the coat didn't more the entire time, only stood there. Finally, after Tseng's steps had died away he spoke, although neither Reno nor Yuffie could fathom to whom.
"We will have to take care of him. He knows too much, and has access to the rest. Neither does he share our. . . vision for the future of the project."
For a moment there was no sound, but then an oily voice that Reno knew all too well slithered out from the shadows.
"Yes. He was useful to us, but now I think it's time to find him a replacement." "Maybe. . . Hojo I think its time we start winding down the Turks. They will become obsolete with the success of the project."
Hojo cackled. "Yes! It's true! My creations will be the finest soldiers ever created. We do not need Tseng to get in our way!"
"I think that I will send some men behind Tseng. If Sephiroth doesn't finish him off, then the men will take care of it."
"Good, good! And about this Reno. . ."
"I am like minded. He sounds perfect for the project. Tseng was too valuable to use, but this one will be perfect."
"You truly are heartless! Do you have no qualms about throwing away the lives of your men!?"
"No."
"Good. I was starting to worry there."
"Hojo, there is no one who will stop me. Not Sephiroth, not AVALANCHE. They will all fall in the end. Look at the last one who resisted. Now he's the one in the tank." The laughter echoed around the room.
"Very well. Unless there are any unforeseen problems, after Tseng's untimely demise you will bring Reno in to me. Then perhaps we will see what we can make of him."
"Ah, yes. We will just have to make him the best. It was Tseng's dying wish, after all."
Again, their cold laughter could have frozen the blood. And, laughing as they went, the unseen man could be heard to walk away down the hall like Tseng before him. The first man still stood, chuckling softly. He took a step forward before finally turning around to unknowingly face the camera. For an instant, everything stopped.
It was Rufus.
The screen slowly faded to black, although the sound of the laughter seemed to echo off every wall. Yuffie turned to look at Reno for the first time since the video had started, finally tearing her eyes from the screen.
"Reno. . .?"
Yuffie's heart stopped.
"Reno!"
~*
Chapter 12
Long hallways stretched in every conceivable direction. They were either a chilly white or a warm golden brown. Large amounts of the house had been done in wood, and they all seemed to have the beautiful, tasteful style Yuffie had seen in that first room. The rest of the place seemed not have been touched at all, and looked more like a hospital than anything else. It was downright spooky.
Although the place had been easy enough to get into, it seemed to be a different matter about getting out. The long halls in question twisted and turned, their serpentine lengths taking unpredictable directions. None of them ever took a straight path, and Yuffie and Reno were left to trial and error.
At first they had snuck softly around corners and padded stealthily through the shadowy corners. But after twenty minutes and still not having met a single living person, they had given that up. Besides, the hallways echoed with footsteps, and it would be easy to hear anyone coming.
What Reno feared most at this point was having their escape discovered. He half expected alarms to start flashing on and off at any moment. None of this made any sense to him. The man in red had made it clear he needed Yuffie for whatever it was he was planning, and that Hwen character was probably laughing with glee at the prospect of getting his hands on the errant Turk. So why had they been put in a low security cell with a lock that would fall off if you so much as glanced at it?
There was indeed a lot that was still to be made clear. But first, he just wanted to get out of this hellish place. Reno led the way, although not sure where they were going he was fighting valiantly to stay cool and collected. This was no time to let things get over your head, as Yuffie had already found out. It was strange though. . . This place seemed very familiar. Not like he'd been here before, but somewhere similar though.
The hall they currently found themselves in suddenly turned into a fork. It branched to the right and left without any sign at all which led where. With a sigh, Reno randomly picked the right hand one, and they continued on their way. Yuffie wasn't talking, so Reno didn't waste any breath trying to ask her opinion. This part of the house, mansion, estate, whatever it was, was white and barren. Every part looked identical to every other and it was impossible to know if you were going in circles or not.
However, unlike the other countless halls they'd been down, this one had no doors. The others had had doors interspersing the blank walls, too many to check. Reno decided to take this as a good sign, and moved down the hall more purposefully, his pace quickening just a little.
There was definitely a light or something down there, and to his surprise, Reno realized with a little smile that what he was feeling was hope. Yes, there was a novelty to that feeling. There had never been anything much in his life the last little while to hope for, and after Wutai's destruction it had looked even bleaker than before. He didn't want to think about the future, or the past. Right now was what he had to worry about, and what he had to hope for. He'd content himself with that.
The light was getting stronger as they neared it, although with a slight sink of the heart Reno realized it wasn't daylight. No, it was the light of those thin black lamps that could be found in the furnished parts of this place. That meant they were coming up to something, at least. Whether this was a good sign or a bad one was always debatable however. There was no choice but to find out, he supposed.
The room was large and spacious, and filled with several of those strange little lamps. As Reno stepped into it, it magically transformed once again from white to the delicious golden brown; wooden floors, beige couches and a fire crackling merrily against one wall. For some reason that Reno couldn't fathom, this was even worse.
Yuffie trailed in after him, and only glanced around with mild interest. She was alert, but she seemed almost turned inwards. She was turning a problem over in her head, and at the moment there wasn't room for anything else.
A television stood happily on a stand near the couch, but why the word 'happily' inserted itself into Reno's thoughts baffled him as well. It was only a television, in a strange room, in an invisible house. . . Okay, so things were bound to be a little weird. As long as it contented itself with being happy, it was best to leave well enough alone.
A tape lay on the large beige couch, a piece of paper carefully taped to it. Exquisite handwriting flowed across the page. In one word.
Watch.
In the moments to come, Reno would never be sure why he picked up the tape and put it in the VCR. There was something compelling about that shining red ink that looked almost as if it had just been written. Besides, what harm could it do? It was only a tape after all. The worst that could happen was that they'd find themselves with no more direction then they'd started with. What was there to lose?
Sitting down on the sofa, he only half noticed as Yuffie sat down on the other side. His eyes were already fixed on the screen. The television blared with static for a moment, but shortly the scene began to come into focus.
Whatever this was, the video showed an empty white hall. For a moment, Reno thought it was one of the halls they had just walk down, but then that haunting feeling of familiarity settled in once more, this time to stay. There was something subtly different about the hall on the screen, but Reno could swear he'd been there before.
The sound of footsteps rang suddenly through the tape. The sound was at first tinny, but after a moment of blaring static again, everything came into perfect view. Both sound and picture were sharp as if they were watching the scene through a window. Reno unconsciously leaned forward.
Two people walked into view, although it was frankly impossible to see either of them. The camera almost seemed to be lying on an angle, and the two people were only visible AS people, not individuals. The back of one person was near the camera, but all you could see was a shock of short gold hair and a dark trench coat. The other person stood behind the other and was visible only as a silhouette. However, a moment later, Reno knew exactly who it was.
"So, what are you planning to do now? It looks like they're shutting the project down after all."
There was no mistaking Tseng's voice. Reno paled slightly, and his hands tightened where they lay. The other figure spoke.
"I know. There isn't much we can do right now. We'll just have to wait until they give the go ahead." The voice paused before continuing cautiously. It was muffled and unidentifiable. "The only option is to carry on ourselves."
"What!? In secret!? S- I mean, you must be crazy!"
"I suppose you're right, Tseng. We'd need fresh volunteers for the program and we're fresh out at the moment."
"As you say. I know we were getting so close to a breakthrough too, but it can't be helped."
"No. . . Maybe it can't at that. Tseng, you've been such an important part of this project. Believe me, you'll be the first to know when we get approval."
"Thank you. You're kind words mean a lot to me. However, I am led to believe there are more pressing matters at hand."
"Ah, AVALANCHE. Of course, they must be dealt with before we do anything else. That's why you're being trusted with the job, Tseng."
"I believe we're close to catching them now. We have recently obtained some information from our resident spy as to their whereabouts."
"Good. Glad to hear it. It's almost a shame that the project isn't ready for them though. With weapons like this, Shinra'd be invincible! As soon as you return from the Temple of the Ancients, we'll have to see about getting this whole thing back on track."
Reno's knuckles had turned white. There was no hint of the cocky Turk he had been a moment ago.
"As you say."
"By the way, how are the new recruits coming along?"
"You mean Elena? She's not what I'd been hoping for, but we'll make a Turk out of her yet. She talks a lot, but at least she doesn't constantly shoot her mouth off like Reno."
"Oh yes, Reno. What about him?"
"He's. . . Well, he's Reno. Damn good Turk, but far too sure of himself. He's one of the best ones we've seen in a long time, despite an aggravating tendency to talk back. Cold, ruthless. He's strong and incredibly fast. With a few more years of hard training he may very well become the best."
"Just have to see that he gets that chance. Anyway, you have places to be, people to kill. Wouldn't want to keep you."
"O-of course. I'll report to you as soon as I return."
The dark figure walked out of view, although his footsteps could be heard ringing for a long time afterwards. Reno and Yuffie both knew to where he walked. They sat in silence.
The figure in the coat didn't more the entire time, only stood there. Finally, after Tseng's steps had died away he spoke, although neither Reno nor Yuffie could fathom to whom.
"We will have to take care of him. He knows too much, and has access to the rest. Neither does he share our. . . vision for the future of the project."
For a moment there was no sound, but then an oily voice that Reno knew all too well slithered out from the shadows.
"Yes. He was useful to us, but now I think it's time to find him a replacement." "Maybe. . . Hojo I think its time we start winding down the Turks. They will become obsolete with the success of the project."
Hojo cackled. "Yes! It's true! My creations will be the finest soldiers ever created. We do not need Tseng to get in our way!"
"I think that I will send some men behind Tseng. If Sephiroth doesn't finish him off, then the men will take care of it."
"Good, good! And about this Reno. . ."
"I am like minded. He sounds perfect for the project. Tseng was too valuable to use, but this one will be perfect."
"You truly are heartless! Do you have no qualms about throwing away the lives of your men!?"
"No."
"Good. I was starting to worry there."
"Hojo, there is no one who will stop me. Not Sephiroth, not AVALANCHE. They will all fall in the end. Look at the last one who resisted. Now he's the one in the tank." The laughter echoed around the room.
"Very well. Unless there are any unforeseen problems, after Tseng's untimely demise you will bring Reno in to me. Then perhaps we will see what we can make of him."
"Ah, yes. We will just have to make him the best. It was Tseng's dying wish, after all."
Again, their cold laughter could have frozen the blood. And, laughing as they went, the unseen man could be heard to walk away down the hall like Tseng before him. The first man still stood, chuckling softly. He took a step forward before finally turning around to unknowingly face the camera. For an instant, everything stopped.
It was Rufus.
The screen slowly faded to black, although the sound of the laughter seemed to echo off every wall. Yuffie turned to look at Reno for the first time since the video had started, finally tearing her eyes from the screen.
"Reno. . .?"
Yuffie's heart stopped.
"Reno!"
~*