Chapter 4

Post office Pickup

His wings strained with the constant motion of flight, but still he flew on. His destination lay on the other side of the mountain that he could just make out on the horizon. He followed the river and soon the waterfall was in sight. Landing softly on the grass. Maybe here he could find death.

The journey from Fort Condor to Junion was almost uneventful. Tifa did run across same plain wolves, but her fists soon made short work of them. Hindi, as Tifa had told Gus, didn't shy once. They arrived at Junion just before dark, three days later. Like most places, Junion had also grown. Buildings and walkways snaked there way up the cliff face, and the place had expanded outward considerably. Walking Hindi through the still busy streets looking for an inn, Tifa noticed the post office was still open. Dismounting, Tifa Tide Hindi to a post by the door and stepped into the building.

"Umm, excuse me." Tifa said to the tired looking man behind the counter.

Lazily the man looked up. "Yes?" he asked in a tired voice.

"Do you have a package for a Tifa Lockhart?"

The man slowly got up and went into the back room. Upon his return he carried a box.
"Here you go Miss." He said as he placed the box on the counter. "That will be 25 gil."
Tifa paid the man and with the box under her arm, she left. The box was heavy, so Tifa balanced it on Hindi's back as she lead the chocobo to the inn. Once at the inn, Tifa rented a stall for Hindi, and a room for herself. After tending to the chocobo, Tifa went up to her room and dropped off her stuff. The walk to the store was refreshing, the sea breeze played with Tifa's hair. Trying to tease it out of the ponytail she had it in. She made her purchases and walked back to the inn. Tonight would be very late.

Slowly Tifa opened the box and peered inside. Sitting on top of a stack of folders was an envelope with Tifa's name written on it. Picking it up, Tifa opened the letter.

Hey Tifa, these were all the files that I could find. I didn't read

any of them. It's not my business. Though I caution you to ask

yourself if you really want to read these files. Anyway, give my

regards to anyone you meet and I'll probably talk to you soon.

Reeve Saith

Putting aside the letter, Tifa took a deep breath. 'Is this what I really want to do? It's not like I would get an answer if I asked…' Tifa sat there for a while deep in thought. Final she reached a tentative hand into the box and pulled out the first file. Taking a deep breath Tifa opened the file.

CLASSIFIED

Tifa read through random files, there weren't that many, it was just that most were the similar in content. The ones that she did read though gave here an insight on whom Vincent was. But they also brought more questions…

Name: Valentine, Vincent
Age: 10
Birth date: October 3
Birthplace: Unknown
Blood Type: A

Case File # 40915F
Valentine appears to be a promising candidate for special project. He has no known family or home and appears to follow directions without question. Or initial weapons testing has informed us that Valentine is best suited for and gifted in the use of firearms. He is extremely gifted for someone of such a young age, though when asked, Valentine claims to have never used a weapon before. One great asset about Valentine is that he absorbs and remembers in detail everything said to him. He has been placed in Professor J. Simeon's class were he will be taking languages, math, weapons care, field medical, and infiltration. A diary will be kept to monitor Valentines weekly progress. See attached file.

'Who were His parents and where was he born. Why was he the way he was and how did he end up alone?' these questions floated around in Tifa's head as she selected another page to read.

Case File D1#40915F
Valentine is a most adept student. He has managed to stay top in his class in all subject. He has however few social skills and this is proven by his lack of association with his fellow students and his aloft nature. Suggest that Valentine be enrolled in an acting class to learn how to at least blend in and adapt to situations. Suggest also that he be placed in advanced classes as the current level seems to be to low. Professor G. Haldering's class level be of more fitting enrollment.

Case File D109#40915F
Valentine has far exceeded all expectation of this course. At age 13 he has already surpassed all current enrollment levels. He is by far the most-cold hearted, anti-social, marksman that has ever been taught in my class. He has mastered all tasks set before him. He has made only one friend in his time here, one Mitch Galown. However Mitch is not an ideal student, failing almost all tasks. Suggest task assignment for Valentine to prove his ability to perform the duties of Turk: Eliminate Mitch Galown. Suggestion was taken, reviewed and accepted by officials. Valentine completed assigned task without hesitation. Will be assigned under the tutorage of Mr. Galvis R. Turk

'Kill a friend just to prove something? That Shire is really messed up. And why did he kill his only friend?' Tiffa was really confused.
She flipped through the files until she came across a black folder, which severely contrasted the other cream colored files in the box. 'What's this?' thought Tifa. Opening the folder, she saw large bold writing.

JENOVA EXPERIMENT
Specimen V

-I have managed to subdue the specimen, though a little more extreme then initially intended. No matter, the .22 wound will not pose a problem after the initial injection.
-The experiment proves to be most pleasing, not only has his body readily accepted the Jenova cells without expiration, the side effects are incalculable.
-Side effects noted, change in iris color from blue to deep red. Left arm deformed and deteriating, replacement required.
-Replacement of left arm successful, mechanical claw well adapted.

Tifa felt sick to hear stomach. She continued to read.

-Implantation of the three extinct uber beasts, Gilian, Hellmasker, and Death Gigas.
-Side effect of implantations noted. Specimen appears to lose control of physical form at random. Some loose of form appears to be a merge of forms.
-Specimen has been placed in a comatose state. To unstable to keep contained in holding cage.
-Last injection before comatose was successful, specimen will be complete after trigger is destroyed.

Tifa sat stunned at the cruelty and sickness that was Hojo.