The four Turks looked wordlessly at Heidegger, who was flailing his arms wildly, as if to speed up their reactions. Tseng was the first to speak. "Where was she taken from?"

"From the guest room at the Shinra mansion," replied Heidegger.

"How on earth could anyone have gotten past the guards?" asked Tseng.

"They used some kind of sleep-petrify spell, or at least that's the best we can tell."

"All the guards have armor that protects against that sort of magic," pointed out Tseng.

Heidegger waved his arms again. "I know that, Tseng! I'm just telling you what we know - which, as you can imagine, is not much at this point. The guards are still out and all we have to go on is this note," rushed Heidegger breathlessly as he handed the Turk leader a sloppy, handwritten note, enclosed in a plastic bag.

Tseng read the note aloud as he walked over to the copy machine. "Shinra: To ensure the survival of our resources, we must insist the mako reactor being built in Garin be destroyed immediately. Until our request is met, we will keep the collateral. Signed, AGP" finished Tseng as he made a copy of the note through the plastic.

Elena scrunched up her face in thought. "AGP? The abductor's initials, maybe?"

"AGP stands for The Association of Gaia's Protectors," Rude informed Elena. "They're a small group of planet-loving militants."

Elena's face remained the same, even in light of the new information she had just been given. "But why would they take the president's niece, instead of Rufus? Wouldn't he have made a more valuable hostage?"

Heidegger nodded at the sensible question. "The President's niece was staying in the guest house, which is smaller and less guarded. And, if that is the case, then they knew she was visiting her uncle. But, like I said, at this point, we really don't have much to go on. You are to take over the investigation immediately - this is you're first priority."

Tseng nodded as he handed the bag to Elena. "Take this to the lab and ask them if they can find out anything from it- fingerprints, hair, whatever."

Elena snapped to attention as she accepted the bag. "Yes, sir!"

Elena left, leaving Heidegger, Tseng, Rude and Reno to piece together the few clues they had. Reno was the first to speak. "So, I'm assuming just destroying the reactor isn't an option..."

Rude nodded. "That seems like the easiest and fastest solution. After all, they just started putting up the reactor. There's wouldn't be much to tear down."

Heidegger shook his head. "It took Shinra geologist 3 years to pinpoint that mako well. It's a very promising site. That's not an option."

"Even for the guy's niece? Cheap jackass," noted Reno. "Hey, why couldn't we just tear it down and then build it back up after they give Rene back?"

"Because, that would be a waste of money. I'm starting to get the idea that you don't think you can handle the job, Reno," said Heidegger.

Reno's eyes narrowed. Biting his tongue, he resisted to let lose the slew of comebacks he had. Instead he quietly replied, "I just think it would be wiser to let these guys hand her back on their own. She's less likely to be harmed that way."

Tseng had to admit he was impressed. It wasn't often that Reno held anything back, especially to Heidegger, who was often the butt of Reno's fat jokes. But he knew it wouldn't last much longer and stepped in. "We'll find her. I'm sure the analysis on the note will turn up something," said Tseng as he stood up.

"Thank you, Tseng. I'm sure you're well aware that the President will be waiting for updates on the situation," said Heidegger as he walked towards the elevator.

After he left, Reno kicked the small garbage can by his desk. "Man I hate that guy!"

Rude finally spoke up. "I think we should visit Garin. They must have some type of lookout there."

"I was thinking that we should send one of us undercover to join AGP. However, I'm afraid they would recognize any one of us in a flash," said Tseng.

Rude was the first to comprehend what Tseng was saying. "Oh, man Tseng...you're not suggesting that we send Elena..."

"That's exactly what I'm suggesting. Any objections?"

Unaware that she had just been elected to become a spy in AGP, Elena entered the Shinra lab. Walking up to the front desk, she held up the bag.

"Excuse me, I need to talk to the highest ranking scientist in forensics..."

The woman looked up from her desk and pointed to a set of double doors. "Through there, take the first right and down three doors. His name is Dr. Com."

Elena thanked the woman and headed towards Dr. Com's office. After explaining the situation, she told him what she needed. "I also expect you realize that this is not to be discussed with anyone," added Elena.

The scientist looked somewhat annoyed at her comment. "Thank you. I'll keep that in mind."

Elena blushed. "Sorry, just doing my job, ya know..." murmured Elena.

Dr. Com snapped on a pair of gloves and opened up the bag on his lab table. Realizing that Elena was still in his lab, he turned to look at her. "You do know that this will take me a while, right? I'll call Mr. Tseng when the results are ready."

Refusing to let Dr. Com know how embarrassed she was, she quickly thanked him and walked back out and headed up to the office.

Tseng looked up as he saw Elena step off the elevator. "Dr. Com will call you as soon as the results are ready," relayed Elena to her boss.

Tseng nodded. "You have your first real assignment Elena."

Elena looked up hopefully. She had been waiting for the opportunity to show the others she could do more than fix the computer when it froze.

"You are to go undercover and join AGP. Find out as much as you can. I want names of the superior officers, hideouts, everything, and of course, information on where the President's niece is being held. I want you to leave for Garin in the morning. There should be some people there watching over the mako well. Talk to them about joining. Above all, don't mention anything about what you do for a living. Use your judgment." Handing her a book of company checks, he added, "Take the rest of the day off and purchase whatever you need. Remember, you're supposed to be a naturalist. In the morning, we'll have an airship ready for you."

Elena was a little overwhelmed. After a month of menial jobs, suddenly she was faced with what could become a very dangerous mission. Steeling her resolve, she took the checkbook from Tseng and grabbed the purse lying on her desk.

She nodded to the others and walked into the elevator, turning around just in time to see Reno slam his hand against the side to keep it open as he walked in. Wordlessly, Elena pushed the ground floor button and looked at Reno. "What floor do you need?"

Reno shook his head. "Uh, same one. Ground level," he stammered.

After the doors shut and the elevator began to move, Reno turned to Elena.

"Lena?"

"Hmm?"

"...Be careful."

Elena turned up at Reno, who was staring at his shoes. "...Thank you, Reno. I will."

Reno sheepishly looked up and gave a slight nod. Seeing that they were almost at the ground floor, he quickly gave her a half hug and ruffled her hair with his knuckles. The door opened and Elena got off. She waved to Reno, who flashed her with one of his cheesy grins.