Disclaimer- I do not own Final Fantasy VII

Plan Of Attack

Cloud stares down at the Island of Mideel, his eyes lost in thought. From the deck of the Highwind, everyone can see everything down below from an eagle's point of view. What lays below isn't a sight worth seeing. Cloud knew they were screwed before he even begins trying to figure out a solution. There's certainly no way to measure how screwed they really are. The whole plan of getting into Dregon's base was based off the hope it wouldn't be well guarded. How wrong they were...

Dregon seems to have an endless amount of people behind him, men with rifles patrol the grounds of Mideel. The military easily passing twenty men, that's not counting how many could be on the inside the base. Speaking of the base, Cloud wonders how Dregon was able to get it to built. The entrance to the facility is right on the shore of the lake of Lifestream. From his current view point, Cloud can see that the building goes down into the Lifestream, perhaps it travels to the ground and continues from there.

Cloud knew that his comrades are strong, but he doesn't think anybody can deal with an army on their own. They could try sneaking in, the surrounding forest around the entrance to the facility would give good coverage, but if they were spotted by anyone, they'd have a whole army breathing down their necks. It's not a risk he can take, if they were to fail than who would save Yuffie? He has to make a decision however, the rest of the group is gathered around, waiting for him to give the orders; but honestly, Cloud doesn't know what to do. If they charge forth, there's a good chance they'll fail with how well guarded the base is. Obviously, Dregon isn't stupid. Yet, if they don't charge in, then they lose any chance of stopping Dregon.

Cloud runs a hand through his blonde spikes before turning to face the group, "I- I don't know what to do." Cloud decides to tell them the truth, "We can't take all of those soldiers on our own. We'd need a small army to face their own. But we can't turn our back or else Dregon will be free to do as he pleases and Yuffie..." Cloud doesn't know what will happen to her, and honestly, he doesn't want to know. Cloud sighs and shakes his head, "I'm open for suggestions."

Silence falls upon the group, each trying to form their own plans for the situation. However, it seems they don't know what to do as much as Cloud. Again, the one to make a suggestion first is Rima, "Could we perhaps head for Midgar?"

"Midgar?" Cloud says, sounding rather confused at the suggestion, "Why would we go there? There's nothing there anymore."

Rima's upper lips curl up slightly into a smirk, "On the contrary. There's a small army hidden underground there. They've been trying to exterminate the zombies in the area. I believe they called themselves... The Liberators." Rima remembers after some thought.

Red XIII sits down on his hunches, accessing the situation. "Hmm... If they've been killing zombies, then they would have battle experience. Perhaps it would be wise to ask for their help."

Tifa gives a hopeful smile, "I'm sure they would want to help us fight Dregon. After all, once Dregon is gone than the world will be safe again."

Rima frowns at a sudden thought, "But... They may already be dead. They were all rookies when it came to combat. Midgar was the most populated with zombies. Zombies crawl around everywhere in Midgar."

Reno scuffs, growing a bit angry at the thought of Midgar being overrun by zombies, "Shit... you sure know about Midgar's situation." He comments, a little suspicious as to where she keeps getting information.

The smirk on Rima's face reappears as she turns to the Turk, "Yes well, I was feeding off of them up until I joined Yuffie and Kao."

Elena, who had stayed quiet for the most part gave a questioning look, "Who's Kao?"

Rima crosses her arms, noticing Cloud lowering his head in shake, no one else seemed to notice though, "He was one of the Liberators. His sister is at the base, so I know some of the people. Kao joined Yuffie when she started out searching for all of you. Kao had... died in a battle, at least that's what Yuffie had told me."

Elena mouths an 'Oh.' The group falls into silence again, Cloud finally breaks the silence, "Alright... We'll head for Midgar and get 'The Liberators' to help us."

The pilot of the airship comes up onto deck, "Your orders sir?"

Cloud lowers his head a bit, closing his eyes as he takes a deep breath. "Alright..." Cloud glances back up to the pilot, his eyes filled with determination, "Land Highwind outside the perimeter of Mideel."

"Wait a minute..." Daisuke cuts in, suddenly confused, " I thought ya said we was goin' to Midgar." She asks, and quite frankly, she isn't the only one confused.

Cloud nods his head, "I will be staying here. The rest of you are to get The Liberator's help."

"Cloud!" Tifa exclaims, "That would be suicide!"

Cloud gives a small smile, her concern appreciated, "Don't worry Tifa, I don't plan on charging the fort. While you guys are getting men together, I'll be surveying the area. And before you ask why I'm deciding to go alone, it's because if we're in a group, the chances of us being found would be greater."

Tifa bites her bottom lip, still not liking the idea. A hand falls on her left shoulder, causing her to turn around to look up at Vincent, "He's the leader of this group. He's made his call, we're to follow his orders." Tifa slowly nods her head.

Cloud gives Vincent an appreciative smile. The Highwind jolts to life as the pilot flies it towards the end of the island so they wouldn't be spotted by the guards when landing. "We're here sir!" The pilots voice is heard over the intercom.

Cloud stares at everyone in the group for a moment, "Alright everyone, this is where we split for a while." His expression becomes serious, "Don't think about coming back until you have reinforcements. Get as many men as you can. I'll survey the area and plan out a battle plan. This time tomorrow night, Dregon will no longer be a threat to the world."

Red XIII gives Cloud a look over, "Perhaps you should get prepared first. We don't know how long we'll be gone. You may need supplies."

Cloud scratches the back of his head, "Yeah.. I guess I should get some supplies. Alright.. I'm going to my room to get some things." He announces before leaving the deck.

-

Cloud gives a frustrated sigh for what seems like the hundredth time since he's been in his room, looking through the closet. Having separate rooms built on the Highwind has some advantages but Cloud just seems to lose things since he doesn't use it often. Throwing a few other empty boxes out of the closet, Cloud finally finds what he's looking for. Pulling the box out of the closet, he walks over to his bed and sits down and opens it up.

Cloud pulls out the clothes that are inside the box. It's the same as his mercenary uniform he's often wearing, except instead of the dark purple color, it's black. "I guess I have a use for this after all. Better to sneak around that base." He says to himself before getting changed. Once he's changed and has his Ultimate Weapon strapped to his back, Cloud goes back to his closet to get any other supplies he might have stored in it.

A soft knock sounds from Cloud's door making him turn his head towards it as it opens up. He's surprised to see Tifa walking in the room. "Hey Tifa, what's up?" He asks casually.

The brunette keeps her head bowed, her hands folded out in front of her, "Cloud... Can you promise me something?" She asks a bit hesitantly.

Cloud scratches the back of his head, a bit confused at the moment, "Um... sure."

"Promise me that you won't try and save Yuffie until we come back." Tifa glances up at Cloud hopefully, "I don't want you to get hurt from doing something stupid."

"Don't worry Tifa." Cloud tries to reassure her.

"I can't not worry Cloud!" Tifa snaps. She bites her bottom lips as it quivers a bit, "Cloud... I was in love with you at one time." She says suddenly. "I... there's always a part of me that always will love you... and Zack... I know that we can never be. You love Yuffie, everyone knows it. I'm okay with that. You'll always be my best friend. I don't want to come back to find out that you died from trying to be heroic." Tifa blinks back her tears, not wanting to shed any in front of Cloud.

"Tifa..."

The martial artist gives a small reassuring smile, "Now get out of here Cloud. The more time you waste, the less chance we have of getting everyone in time." Cloud gives a smile of his own before nodding and heading towards his door. In the back of Tifa's mind, she knew that she never got Cloud to give his promise.

Cloud closed the door behind him and stands in front of it for a moment. Out of the corner of his eye a red crimson figure catches his attention. Vincent is leaned against the wall next to his door, arms crossed over his chest and his head bowed with his eyes closed. Cloud turns fully to the gunslinger. Vincent lifts his head up, opening up his crimson eyes, "I know what you're planning."

"..."

"You must know that you can't get her out on your own." Vincent responds, his voice no louder than a whisper. Vincent closes his eyes, the corners of his lips curling up ever so slightly, "I understand why you're doing it however. You can't bring yourself to wait for help when she is so close."

Cloud gives Vincent a grin, making it seem like he hadn't been listening, "Take care of everyone, until we meet again Vincent." With that said, Cloud heads back up to the deck where the rest of the group is still waiting. He stops in the middle of the group and gives them all a grin, "Well, I guess we part ways from here. Try and get help quickly."

Red XIII nods his head, giving his friend a beastly grin, "Be careful. Be aware of your surroundings." Cloud nods his head.

Reno scuffs before tossing his lit cigarette over the side of the deck, "Don't be stupid."

Elena shakes her head, "That's his way of saying, 'Be careful.'" Cloud gives a short laugh.

Sephiroth crosses his arms, his face completely neutral, 'Idiot.'

The group watches as Cloud climbs down the rope latter to the ground. Daisuke leans over the edge and waves down at him, "Good luck chum!"

The Highwind gives a jolt of life as the engines come alive. Cloud keeps his gaze up at his friends as they stare down at him from the deck of the Highwind. The group can only pray for his safety as the Highwind slowly raises up into the air. The sound of banging feet causes the group to turn towards the stars of the deck. Suddenly, Vincent bursts out onto the deck and charges right towards them. They watch in stunned silence as he leaps off the deck of the Highwind.

Rima watches, mouth slightly parted as she watches Vincent fall towards the ground. His hands raised above his head as his crimson cloak flaps through the air above his head. After a moment she gives a smirk, 'At least one of these people decided to go through with what their thinking.'

Cloud also watched in stunned silence as he watches someone take a suicide dive off the deck of the Highwind. It only took him a second or two to realize who it is. The crimson cloak is a dead giveaway. Vincent lands in front of Cloud, and casually straightens up, dusting off his pants. Glancing over towards Cloud, noticing his questioning look, "I said you couldn't get her out on your own." A rare smirk crosses Vincent's lips, "But two have a better chance than one."

Cloud shakes his head as he gives a short laugh, "Despite the fact that this isn't what I had planned. I can't really say I'm upset that I'm not alone." Vincent nods once and glances up to the Highwind as it flies out of site, heading towards Midgar.