5. "And they call 'her' the smart one?!"
Cid closed his eyes hard and bit his teeth together stubbornly. True, he was no teenager no more, and had received his share of injuries during his countless fights, but nothing, nothing, had ever hurt remotely like this!
Zager tilted his head slightly and smiled softly, "Ah, there is no need for this, Mister Highwind. All we need from you is a little co-operation, and then you'll be free to go." Cid managed a sneering laugh and glared up at the relaxed man that sat in a chair by the open door. "Right... well, the chances of THAT happening is just about as big as we'll see Sephiroth do Swan-Lake in a %&#$ pink tutu!"
Zager frowned disapprovingly and Cid clutched his head with a groan. He knew the pilot was in agony as he inserted pain directly into his mind, one of the many advantages of being a telepath, but Cid Highwind seemed to be one of the more difficult kind. The cell was dark and damp, neither quality appealing to Zager, yet it was insisted that the 'persuading' took place there. It seemed like this Cid Highwind was of great importance to the high and mighty.
"Now then, " Zager said gently as he once again directed his attention to the man on the floor, forcing him to meet his gaze, "how long must we continue these unpleasantness when they are so un-called for? You know, there is a difference between bravery and stupidity, Mister Highwind."
At that moment Cid wasn't able to respond, his entire body jerking spasmodically in after-shocks due to the intense mental pain that had raged him merely seconds before. Zager sighed as Cid's arms sunk limply down to his sides and knew by his ragged breathing that he was pushing it a little too far, but the kneeling man's attitude irritated him. The pilot's eyes were hazed with pain but his mouth were a stubborn thin line. For a few seconds Zager wondered if the man would actually rather get himself killed then bowing to the pressure.
"Up... yers...." Cid mumbled weakly as it seemed like an invisible hand were holding him up by his chin and forcing him to meet the other man's eyes.
The telepath gritted his teeth while sending a violent wave of pain at the pilot.
His hands shot up to clutch his head again and Cid had to use everything in him to fight back the scream that pressed at his throat. It hurt. It hurt so bad he couldn't belive it. Numbly noticing how blood began to run from his nose; giving him a taste of iron in his mouth, Cid realised he was loosing the fight against the urge to scream.
Then, as sudden as it had appeared, the pain was gone, and Zager's voice could be heard again; "no matter what you may think, Mister Highwind, no man is able to withstand this for all eternity. Better realise that now and save yourself a world of pain."
It was strange how calm and friendly his voice sounded, but Cid merely leaned forward and closed his eyes wearily.
The telepath also leaned slightly forward with a chuckle; "oh no, Mister Highwind, I'm not going to let you pass out!"
Air got stuck in his throat as the pilot felt himself get jerked back by that invisible force and Cid actually felt a pang of fright. Zager was right. He had all the time in the world, while Cid Highwind felt his strength getting drained by the agonizing seconds... But he wouldn't scream. The pain began again and Cid bit his lip so hard that new blood poured, but he... would... not... SCREAM...!
They got into Midgar easily enough as the smuggler-route stayed undiscovered, and Shera hardly wondered how it had stayed that way. It could hardly be called a tunnel. The walls were more made of mud and mould then wood and concrete, and their only source of light were the lamp Cloud held high. Barely holding her breakfast down due to the intense smell, Shera forced herself not to look down to see what they were wading through.
The thought of the Captain were the only thing that made her continue, silently promising to never pull a stupid stunt like this again. Shera had to face it; she weren't designed for these kind of adventures!
Suddenly Clouds voice caught her attention as they stopped. "I think we're in sector 5...!"
Cloud turned back to the others and made sure his long coat covered his sword that hung low on his back; "we should split up so that we don't draw that much attention." Vincent nodded and checked Death Penalty before putting it back in it's holster; "I agree. How should we divide?"
Taking a quick overlook, Cloud sighed; "Me, Barret, Yuffie and Red will go as the group that'll go after Cid."
Shera glanced up and took a step forward; "Please, Mister Strife, let me come too!"
Cloud shook his head; "Forget it, Shera. You promised to keep out of trouble and stay in the back! Second group will be Vincent, Rain, and Shera; you'll make sure our escape-route stays open. I trust you to keep them safe, Vincent"
The former Turk nodded solemnly, while Sheras shoulders sank in disappointment, but she knew better then to argue. She wasn't that much of a skilled fighter, and would probably get in the way and mess up things like she used to. Only now Cid's life were at stake and Shera would rather stay in the background, sick with worry, rather then to gamble with his life! Then Cloud and the others left and Shera nervously followed Vincent and Rain into cover to wait...
Cid wasn't sure exactly when the pain had stopped, or even when Zager had left. To tell the truth; he didn't care. In the end the telepath had been ordered to halt the 'persuading' as the pilot simply refused to give in and they needed Cid's mind functional.
Though Zager had stopped, the after-shocks and aching pain kept him in a state of apathetic numbness. He couldn't turn over on his back because it hurt too much. He really couldn't lift an arm because it hurt too insanely much.
And for a while Cid debated wryly wether he should continue breathing or not because it hurt too damn much! Something inside of him told him that he had no time to simply lie as dead on the bed, but should get up and find a way out!
Cid merely closed his eyes, told the tiny voice to 'shut it' and go look for an escape route itself! Once again time seemed to either pass like a mad man or stand still, but silence was suddenly broken by a howling alarm.
Started by the loud sound, Cid opened his eyes and listened intently. Gun fire. Shouting. A minor explosion, probably a grenade. Gun fire again. Some more shouting. Those voices... Barret! Cloud! Using every ounce of his remaining strength, Cid sat up and fought against the dizziness that threatened to send him into never-never land. At that second, the door was flung open and a high-pitched voice cut through his dazed mind; "damn, old geezer, you look like shit!"
Getting up with an irritated frown, Cid glared over at Yuffie; "full of compliments as always, aren't ya, brat?"
The young ninja grinned widely; "just checking there is still life in your old fosile bee-hind!"
She flung something at him, and pure reflexes made Cid's hand shoot up and catch the Venus Gospel before it connected with his face.
"Not bad for a half-dead!" Yuffie commented with a smirk, "now, are you gonna stay here or what?"
Cid stared blankly at the empty door-opening for a couple of seconds, then his blue eyes darkened with anger and he took off after the obnoxious little thief. For each step he took, it felt as if someone took the Venus Gospel and hit him over the head with it, but Cid bit his teeth together and forced himself to continue.
Soon he saw Cloud and the others in heavy battle with some soldiers in crimson uniforms. "Some &#%$ rescue!" He commented to Barret as the huge man had to load his gun-arm.
"Stop yer complanin'" Barret snorted, "jess be glad we came fer yer sorry ass!"
The pilot grinned and whirled the Venus Gospel easily around, almost to make sure he still could use it. Before any more words could be said, a violent explosion rocked the ground so bad that Cid nearly lost balance along with the others and debris began raining from above. "What the hell was that?!" The pilot exclaimed
and Cloud shook his head with a confused look. "I don't know! Sounded like a bomb or something... We gotta get out of here!"
Barret fired at the equally confused soldiers; "sounded like da sound came from Vincents direction..."
Cloud cursed loudly, receiving a startled look from Red, and glanced around; "alright, we need to get back and fast! But first we gotta get rid of these happy jokers!"
Cid began going through Barrets backpack, despite his objections. First, he found his cigarettes and threw out a; "bless you," to the big man, then his grin turned slightly insane. "Aha!" Cid declared and straightened as he lit up a cigarette; "no worries! I'll clear them out in a &#$% jiffy!"
Yuffie had a worried look, and Cloud wasn't any better as he gazed cautiously over at the pilot; "Cid... what are you thinking?"
Puffing merrily on his cigarette, Cid pulled forward a huge stick of dynamite and lit the fuse. "Fire in the hall!" He yelled as everyone in AVALANCHE cried out in alarm and ran for their lives!
Cid's dynamite caused a no less of an earthquake as they ran towards their escape tunnel, but as they rounded a corner, they saw a group of soldiers firing at Vincent's cover.
"Damn..." Cloud muttered softly as they heard Death Penalty roar, and glanced around. How was they going to get over to the former Turk when everything between him and them were open terrain and a whole bunch of angry soldiers with guns?!
All hell broke loose and as Cid rolled into cover, he wondered how to tell friend from foe with all that smoke that was lying thick in the air after grenades and other explosives. He heard the Death Penalty not far from where he was crouching and took a deep breath before darting towards the sound, catching glimpses of other AVALANCHE members doing the same. Scudding to a halt, Cid nearly crashed into the former Turk and grinned relived; "Vince! How nice of ya to keep the door open!" Vincent merely focused grimly on holding the soldiers on a distance and didn't even acknowledge the arrival of Barret, Red and Yuffie.
The pilot puffed thoughtfully on his cigarette as he scouted around; "where's Spikey?"
No sooner had the words been spoken before Cloud came stumbling into Barret, who easily took a hold of his neck to steady him. "Found'im!"
Vincent reloaded the Death Penalty without looking at anyone, but his words were addressed to Cid; "get them out of here."
The pilot frowned slightly, not sure why Vincent would want him to take charge over things when that was Cloud's job. Cloud was the leader of the group, not him. Then his eyes fell on the two figures in the background. That one of the left was Rain, no doubt. The one on the right... Shera?!
She sat kneeling on the ground, trying to push bullets into a gun with shivering hands and hadn't even noticed he was there. First he wanted to run over and crush her in his embrace, then his eyes darkened with fury. What the hell was she thinking?! Was that damned woman determined to get herself killed?!
Shera had no business on a frigging battlefield! She was afraid of mice, for heavens sake!
Cid tried to ignore the increasing throbbing pain in his head and stalked over to the two terrified women;
"Shera!" His furious voice easily carried over the gun-shots along with grenade-explosions and she snapped her face up by habit and her eyes widened.
"C-Captain!" relief rushed through Shera as she saw him standing in front of her and it took her several seconds to notice his angry pose and shrunk under his gaze.
Cid shook his head to emphasize his fury and gesticulated faintly with his free hand; "what the flying $#%& are you thinkin'?! Are ya dead-set on getting yerself killed, woman?!"
Shera forced herself to swallow and regain her voice; "I-I'm sorry, Captain... "
The pilot muttered curses that would've made an old sailor blush, grasped her wrist and yanked her to her feet; "no, but ya $&# will be! Now, stay close and try not to #%&$ mess up this time!"
He turned to say the same to Rain when another explosion hit and this time the debris that rained down were big enough to crush a man and Cid barely managed to pull Shera with him away from where a huge iron plate crashed to the ground. "Shiii-iiit!" He exclaimed as he had to use everything in him to jump and yank Shera with him as another iron plate set course for them.
Cid exhaled sharply as his back hit the ground hard, shielding Shera from the impact as he held her firmly to his chest and actually had to lie still for a few seconds to regain his reeling mind. Normally a stunt like that wouldn't even had affected his grin, but all thanks to Zager, who obviously had drained him of most of his strength. "Captain...?" Shera's weak and worried voice broke through the haze and he focused his eyes on her.
"What?"
Her hazel eyes blinked back tears and he felt her light fingertips barely touch his chin; "a-are you... ok?"
The pilot shook off the daze and looked levelly at her; "things would be just fine and dandy if I could get up..."
Shera's eyes widened and she scrambled to her feet, feeling her cheeks burn even under the terrifying surroundings.
With a groan, Cid sat up and scouted around, seeing the others get up on their feet as well. He heard Cloud call out to them by their names, one by one. Answering affirmative on his and Shera's name, the pilot focused on the task ahed of him; getting up on his feet and not fall flat on his face. It wasn't until he'd struggled himself up, he noticed the suffocating silence,
then Cid heard Cloud repeat with an ounce of worry; "...Vincent?"
They barely had time to ask each other if anyone could see the former Turk, when bullets started flying over their heads again; obviously the soldiers had survived as well. Shoving Shera down on her knees behind one of the iron plates that had fallen down and now served as cover, Cid glanced over to check if he actually could see any of the crimson uniformed men. Failing to make out anything at all due to the thick smoke, Cid sunk down against the iron plate and gazed hastily down at the terrified Shera. In a way he wanted to reassure her that it was going to be okay. That he would get them out alive, somehow, and she just had to keep her head down and wait. But as a grenade exploded nearby, Cid shielded Shera by placing his arms around her, pulling her close to his chest as debris rained down and his worry turned to anger as usual. "Satisfied?" He muttered, glancing over the iron plate without releasing her, "is this what you wanted to experience? Is it as fun as you thought?!"
Shera didn't bother to hold back the tears as she clutched his jacket for dear life and shivered uncontrollably; "I... I didn't..."
Cid forced her to release him as he glared at her; "Stay here and keep your head down! TRY not to get yourself killed!"
He bent down and grasped the Venus Gospel, fighting against the throbbing pain in his head that came back with a vengeance! "Think you can manage that?"
Cid didn't wait for an answer as he disappeared into the smoke that was drifting pass, leaving Shera to close her eyes hard and slowly go numb.
She didn't even react when Cid returned to her side, and he sent her a quick look; slightly uneasy with her silence. Maybe he'd been a little harsh on her? The pilot fumbled forward an ether and frowned. Nah, it was really stupid of her to come here, even if it were to help save his sorry ass.
What good would it do him if she got herself killed?! For someone as smart as Shera, she sometimes acted like a complete numbskull!
His thoughts were suddenly interrupted as Tifa dived into safety beside the pilot, "you're ok?"
Throwing the ether, Cid cast a quick glimpse over at her and grinned. "Of course! It takes more to wipe out this Highwind! Now I just have to make sure this so-called rescue party makes it outta here alive!"
He jumped up to attack one of the soldiers and Tifa glanced around. Shera was shivering against the wall and seemed to be in another world. The loud noises didn't bother Shera anymore, neither did the sickening worry she had earlier about Rain and Vincent.
She felt numb, hardly reacting when Cid grasped her arm and yanked her to her feet. Obediently stumbling along as Cid pulled her along, Shera wished he'd just let her stay behind, and for a split second she thought he was going to grant her that wish as he released her arm.
But then the pilot glared angrily at her and flung out his hand; "something the matter with your feet, woman?! Walk, dammit!"
Habit made Shera react and she forced her feet to move; nearly loosing balance as she entered the tunnel, but a hand shot out to support her. Gazing up, she saw to her utter surprise it was Rufus ShinRa. Shera gave him a faint smile, and he gently helped her move on. As they walked through the tunnel, Shera's mind were racing, but at the same time; it wasn't. She appeared in a completely different world, and hardly reacted when they finally reached fresh air and it was debated about Vincent's whereabouts.
Starting as something brushed against her legs, Shera glanced quickly down to see Red gaze up at her.
"We're leaving for Rocket Town..." He explained softly and she nodded slowly.
Still, the beast had to push slightly against her to make her start walking. She really didn't want to return to Rocket Town. Cid hadn't said a word to her since they'd entered the tunnel, not even looking at her once. He had to be so furious with her! Shera swallowed hard and forced herself to keep up the pace so she wouldn't fall behind and draw his attention.
How could she have been so stupid?! Of all the insanely stupid things she'd ever done in her life, this one had to top her list. She was no fighter, and clearly nothing but a pain to the Captain either.
All her life Shera had been told how smart she was. She felt everything but smart right now. Back then, when the Captain had asked her if she intended to move, maybe she'd misunderstood him as usual? Maybe he really meant that he wanted her to move? Well, she couldn't undo the past, but she could make it up to him when they got back to Rocket Town!
It wouldn't take long for her to pack her things; she didn't own that much, and could be out of his life in no time, and for once with no trouble at all! It broke her heart, but by the Planet; she saw no other way.
Tears flooded her eyes again, but she clenched her jaw and bent her head stubbornly. Shera suddenly realised for the first time that Rain and Vincent really hadn't come out of the tunnel like the others and her face snapped up again. Dear Planet, were they alive? This only proved how selfish she was! Here she was wailing over her lost love, while two of her friends might be dead or dying! No wonder Cid hated her! Shera had never felt so miserable, not even when she destroyed the Captains dream back then...