The Forgotten
Chapter 19: Something's Up.
Junon had not changed much in the last 20 years. It was rather larger, the outskirts of the port town holding housing for workers. One side of Junon was the docks, the other, a military base for Ranish. This base was used for production of machinery and weapons. The group arrived not long after they recovered from the Dragon attack, disguised in large hooded coats that concealed their faces. The streets where empty, all the men working in the base and the women at home looking after the children. Ore vice versa. As usual a single soldier, who was quickly taken out by Vincent perfect aim, guarded the gate. It was then decided that Lance would take his uniform and check on security inside the base. Shortly after Lance returned and the group entered the base, not making a single noise.
"Don't you think it's a little too un-guarded?" whispered Stratus to Gale. She nodded in agreement and then the two caught up with the group, deciding to keep an eye out.
The next step was to take out the power, this was up too Vincent, Yuffie and two of Blain's soldiers. Vincent took lead, seeing as he had been here before in his Turk days. He figured they wouldn't have changed it too much.
The other group was made up of Stratus, Gale, Lance, Red, Blain and four of Blain's men, they where to infiltrate the control room as soon as the power went down. The base would have to switch to backup power, which would take some time, that's when they would strike and take the control room.
Vincent led his companies down a narrow corridor, stopping short of a crossroad. Vincent peered round the left corner, noticing a guard patrolling, then to his right, nothing. He signalled to Yuffie, who nodded, understanding his sign language. She ran with her grace to the other side, the guard heard nothing. Signalling to Yuffie, Vincent tapped on the wall. The guard, hearing the sound turned and began to walk towards them. Not bothering checking his left, he turned the corner sharply, his gun aimed at Vincent, who had his own raised. The guard froze, not knowing what to do. Yuffie took the opportunity and jumped, putting her hands on either side of the wall to suspending herself in mid air; she then wrapped her legs round the guard neck and twisted. The guard collapsed, neck in an unnatural position on the floor.
"Not bad." Was Vincent's only comment, not showing her how impressed he was at her ability.
"Thanks." She signalled to the corridor the guard had came from and they proceeded down it with a nod from Vincent.
Stratus and Gale ran ahead of the rest, checking the corridors for guards, they found only two and quickly disposed of them.
"This too easy." Whispered Stratus turning to face Gale.
"I know. Something is defiantly up." Agreed his companion, looking down a nearby corridor. No guard.
"Should we tell the others?"
"Tell them what?" Lance approached the two, eyes uneasy.
"This. It's too easy. Something is wrong." Answered the raven-haired girl.
"I agree. I noticed it myself, I'm sure they would place more guard around." Added Lance, joining in on the two's concerns.
"What should we do?"
"Keep it between us for now, besides, the others might worry." Responded Lance. He didn't want to tell them the real reason he didn't want them to say anything. Besides, they may not believe him anyway. Especially Gale, she seemed fooled by her charade. He could tell something was wrong with her the moment he saw her.
"Anything?" came a voice from afar, interrupting his thoughts. Red.
"Not really, we took care of two, but that was it." Answered Stratus coolly. Why keep it between them? It's not like it would affect them. They were adults not children! He looked over at Lance, searching his expression. Lance must have noticed his inner questioning and silenced him with a series look and a shaking of his head. Stratus understood, he might as well trust the guy. He was the smarter of the two after all.
----
Piper sat alone, shrouded in darkness, just like his heart. He had been like that for many years, ever since the death of his parents, at the age of three. Being raised by the President of Ranish hadn't helped matters; his heart was once full of light, full of happiness. But the world saw it fit to change that, and turned it inside out. He fell into the darkness and it consumed him completely.
He was waiting, the lights off in his targets home. Waiting for the man to return, at which he would be executed. The sound of keys fiddling with the doors caused him to stir. The moment had arrived, no more waiting. The door slowly opened, and the man in he had come for entered his home, followed by his wife. They both laughed quietly, unaware of what was about to take place. The man quickly stopped, realising Pipers presence. Fear began to weigh him down; the look on his face was a pleasure to Piper.
"Hello again, Samuel."
"You? What are you doing in my home?" Samuel was scared. Inside he knew the day would come, Ranish had eliminated everyone who posed a threat. He, unfortunately, now fell into that category.
"I think you already know why I'm here. So lets get to business." Demanded Piper, standing and bringing the blade of his Oblivion to the mans neck.
The door then began to open, startling Piper slightly. More? A child around the age of nine walked in, answering his question. Dropping a plate in shock at the situation he had walked in on.
"D. Daddy?" the words plunged at Piper's heart. He hadn't expected this, what could he do though? He had to kill this man; he had to take away the father of this child.
"If your going to kill me, then do it." The man said, as if already accepting his death.
Could he do it? Just one simple movement and he would be dead. That's all it took.
"Please, don't!" the child sobbed, falling to his knee's. He couldn't, if he did. He would be as bad as Avalanche. But what was he going to do, he could not return without killing him. Unless.
"You must pull out of your position, do not become a candidate for the ruler ship of the planet. If you do, I will be forced to kill you. And I do not wish to do that." Stated Piper bluntly, dropping his Oblivion to his side. He quickly walked past the man and left him alone, to cry with his family.
Maybe his heart is not full of darkness after all. Perhaps there is some light hidden amongst the darkness, perhaps.
----
Vincent, Yuffie and the tag along soldiers arrived at the power generators to find the three guards. The room was shaped like a square, power generators forming vertical columns, six in all. One guard was at the right, the second in the middle, between the third and fourth column. Finally, the last was to the left.
"What now?" whispered Yuffie, facing her dark companion.
"Can you take out the guy in the middle? I'll get the other two." He answered in his ever-stoic tone. Yuffie nodded in agreement and then quickly ran to the third generator, not making a single sound, and then leant against its end. She gave Vincent a nod and he crept to the fourth, perching against its end. The other two soldiers hid behind a stack of crates in the corridor, leaving the job to the experts.
Vincent and Yuffie waited patiently for the middle guard to walk past them, into the corridor without noticing a thing. With this Yuffie quickly ran and snapped his neck as Vincent pulled out two handguns and took care of the other guards with single shots to the head.
Without further delay the two began placing C4 on the generators, then rushed off to take shelter from the soon to be blast. After reaching a safe distance, Vincent pulled out the trigger, and with a push of a button the C4 exploded, taking the generators with them and turning the base pitch black.
----
Meanwhile, the others had arrived at the control room. As soon as the power went, Stratus, Gale, Lance, Red and Jenna entered, leaving Blain and four men guarding the outside.
Inside, Stratus and the others found themselves surrounded. It was a trap.
"Well, well, well. What do we have here?" chuckled a large man by the name of General Talenus. "A Wutain Girl? So you survived out little attack. Pity you had to come here, you could have survived and we would have been non the wiser."
"Screw you asshole!" yelled Gale.
"Touchy are we. I like that in a girl. And don't worry, you will." He chuckled at his perverted comments, which some turned into a loud, annoying laugh. "Jenna. You may join us now, no need to keep up this pathetic charade." Another laugh.
"You double crossing bitch! I knew there was something wrong about you!" bellowed Lance. Trying to keep his anger in check, as Barret had taught him. The teen had a bad temper, which didn't come in handy in a fight. Most of the times anyway. And he sensed he needed to keep his cool, seeing as they would be in a fight soon enough.
"This was all a set-up?" asked Stratus. Facing the traitor.
"My. Isn't he the slow one." Laughed Talenus again. He certainly was enjoying this.
"Yes. It was very hard to stop myself from killing him." She laughed.
"Kill me? Like you could!" snorted Stratus. This was driving him crazy! He too had sensed something wrong about this Jenna. Now he knew what.
"So are you going to kill us?" questioned Red.
"Oh. If it isn't the faithful guardian of Cosmos Canyon. Remember me? It really was a shame for you too lose your precious equipment."
"I remember. All too well actually." Baring his teeth at the General. The door flung open and in stepped Blain and his four men, guns pointed at their heads.
"More? How thoughtful of you." This was getting better by the minute. He would have fun beating the information out of them.
----
Chapter 19: Something's Up.
Junon had not changed much in the last 20 years. It was rather larger, the outskirts of the port town holding housing for workers. One side of Junon was the docks, the other, a military base for Ranish. This base was used for production of machinery and weapons. The group arrived not long after they recovered from the Dragon attack, disguised in large hooded coats that concealed their faces. The streets where empty, all the men working in the base and the women at home looking after the children. Ore vice versa. As usual a single soldier, who was quickly taken out by Vincent perfect aim, guarded the gate. It was then decided that Lance would take his uniform and check on security inside the base. Shortly after Lance returned and the group entered the base, not making a single noise.
"Don't you think it's a little too un-guarded?" whispered Stratus to Gale. She nodded in agreement and then the two caught up with the group, deciding to keep an eye out.
The next step was to take out the power, this was up too Vincent, Yuffie and two of Blain's soldiers. Vincent took lead, seeing as he had been here before in his Turk days. He figured they wouldn't have changed it too much.
The other group was made up of Stratus, Gale, Lance, Red, Blain and four of Blain's men, they where to infiltrate the control room as soon as the power went down. The base would have to switch to backup power, which would take some time, that's when they would strike and take the control room.
Vincent led his companies down a narrow corridor, stopping short of a crossroad. Vincent peered round the left corner, noticing a guard patrolling, then to his right, nothing. He signalled to Yuffie, who nodded, understanding his sign language. She ran with her grace to the other side, the guard heard nothing. Signalling to Yuffie, Vincent tapped on the wall. The guard, hearing the sound turned and began to walk towards them. Not bothering checking his left, he turned the corner sharply, his gun aimed at Vincent, who had his own raised. The guard froze, not knowing what to do. Yuffie took the opportunity and jumped, putting her hands on either side of the wall to suspending herself in mid air; she then wrapped her legs round the guard neck and twisted. The guard collapsed, neck in an unnatural position on the floor.
"Not bad." Was Vincent's only comment, not showing her how impressed he was at her ability.
"Thanks." She signalled to the corridor the guard had came from and they proceeded down it with a nod from Vincent.
Stratus and Gale ran ahead of the rest, checking the corridors for guards, they found only two and quickly disposed of them.
"This too easy." Whispered Stratus turning to face Gale.
"I know. Something is defiantly up." Agreed his companion, looking down a nearby corridor. No guard.
"Should we tell the others?"
"Tell them what?" Lance approached the two, eyes uneasy.
"This. It's too easy. Something is wrong." Answered the raven-haired girl.
"I agree. I noticed it myself, I'm sure they would place more guard around." Added Lance, joining in on the two's concerns.
"What should we do?"
"Keep it between us for now, besides, the others might worry." Responded Lance. He didn't want to tell them the real reason he didn't want them to say anything. Besides, they may not believe him anyway. Especially Gale, she seemed fooled by her charade. He could tell something was wrong with her the moment he saw her.
"Anything?" came a voice from afar, interrupting his thoughts. Red.
"Not really, we took care of two, but that was it." Answered Stratus coolly. Why keep it between them? It's not like it would affect them. They were adults not children! He looked over at Lance, searching his expression. Lance must have noticed his inner questioning and silenced him with a series look and a shaking of his head. Stratus understood, he might as well trust the guy. He was the smarter of the two after all.
----
Piper sat alone, shrouded in darkness, just like his heart. He had been like that for many years, ever since the death of his parents, at the age of three. Being raised by the President of Ranish hadn't helped matters; his heart was once full of light, full of happiness. But the world saw it fit to change that, and turned it inside out. He fell into the darkness and it consumed him completely.
He was waiting, the lights off in his targets home. Waiting for the man to return, at which he would be executed. The sound of keys fiddling with the doors caused him to stir. The moment had arrived, no more waiting. The door slowly opened, and the man in he had come for entered his home, followed by his wife. They both laughed quietly, unaware of what was about to take place. The man quickly stopped, realising Pipers presence. Fear began to weigh him down; the look on his face was a pleasure to Piper.
"Hello again, Samuel."
"You? What are you doing in my home?" Samuel was scared. Inside he knew the day would come, Ranish had eliminated everyone who posed a threat. He, unfortunately, now fell into that category.
"I think you already know why I'm here. So lets get to business." Demanded Piper, standing and bringing the blade of his Oblivion to the mans neck.
The door then began to open, startling Piper slightly. More? A child around the age of nine walked in, answering his question. Dropping a plate in shock at the situation he had walked in on.
"D. Daddy?" the words plunged at Piper's heart. He hadn't expected this, what could he do though? He had to kill this man; he had to take away the father of this child.
"If your going to kill me, then do it." The man said, as if already accepting his death.
Could he do it? Just one simple movement and he would be dead. That's all it took.
"Please, don't!" the child sobbed, falling to his knee's. He couldn't, if he did. He would be as bad as Avalanche. But what was he going to do, he could not return without killing him. Unless.
"You must pull out of your position, do not become a candidate for the ruler ship of the planet. If you do, I will be forced to kill you. And I do not wish to do that." Stated Piper bluntly, dropping his Oblivion to his side. He quickly walked past the man and left him alone, to cry with his family.
Maybe his heart is not full of darkness after all. Perhaps there is some light hidden amongst the darkness, perhaps.
----
Vincent, Yuffie and the tag along soldiers arrived at the power generators to find the three guards. The room was shaped like a square, power generators forming vertical columns, six in all. One guard was at the right, the second in the middle, between the third and fourth column. Finally, the last was to the left.
"What now?" whispered Yuffie, facing her dark companion.
"Can you take out the guy in the middle? I'll get the other two." He answered in his ever-stoic tone. Yuffie nodded in agreement and then quickly ran to the third generator, not making a single sound, and then leant against its end. She gave Vincent a nod and he crept to the fourth, perching against its end. The other two soldiers hid behind a stack of crates in the corridor, leaving the job to the experts.
Vincent and Yuffie waited patiently for the middle guard to walk past them, into the corridor without noticing a thing. With this Yuffie quickly ran and snapped his neck as Vincent pulled out two handguns and took care of the other guards with single shots to the head.
Without further delay the two began placing C4 on the generators, then rushed off to take shelter from the soon to be blast. After reaching a safe distance, Vincent pulled out the trigger, and with a push of a button the C4 exploded, taking the generators with them and turning the base pitch black.
----
Meanwhile, the others had arrived at the control room. As soon as the power went, Stratus, Gale, Lance, Red and Jenna entered, leaving Blain and four men guarding the outside.
Inside, Stratus and the others found themselves surrounded. It was a trap.
"Well, well, well. What do we have here?" chuckled a large man by the name of General Talenus. "A Wutain Girl? So you survived out little attack. Pity you had to come here, you could have survived and we would have been non the wiser."
"Screw you asshole!" yelled Gale.
"Touchy are we. I like that in a girl. And don't worry, you will." He chuckled at his perverted comments, which some turned into a loud, annoying laugh. "Jenna. You may join us now, no need to keep up this pathetic charade." Another laugh.
"You double crossing bitch! I knew there was something wrong about you!" bellowed Lance. Trying to keep his anger in check, as Barret had taught him. The teen had a bad temper, which didn't come in handy in a fight. Most of the times anyway. And he sensed he needed to keep his cool, seeing as they would be in a fight soon enough.
"This was all a set-up?" asked Stratus. Facing the traitor.
"My. Isn't he the slow one." Laughed Talenus again. He certainly was enjoying this.
"Yes. It was very hard to stop myself from killing him." She laughed.
"Kill me? Like you could!" snorted Stratus. This was driving him crazy! He too had sensed something wrong about this Jenna. Now he knew what.
"So are you going to kill us?" questioned Red.
"Oh. If it isn't the faithful guardian of Cosmos Canyon. Remember me? It really was a shame for you too lose your precious equipment."
"I remember. All too well actually." Baring his teeth at the General. The door flung open and in stepped Blain and his four men, guns pointed at their heads.
"More? How thoughtful of you." This was getting better by the minute. He would have fun beating the information out of them.
----
