Zack XXVI: The main party arrives
Zack did not run into Yuffie again on his way back. Wherever she had gone, she had decided that their adventure was over, and she would not show up again until it was convenient for her. After the straining fights with powerful monsters in the cave behind the waterfall, he was wet, sweaty and sore, but still happy to have had some exercise. He had washed off most of the blood at the waterfall from his skin in order to not raise too much suspicion while walking through the city back to the inn, but he was still quite dirty, and blood stains were covering all of his uniform. The black SOLDIER 1st class uniform hid blood fresh stains fairly well, but the smell would be unbearable in an enclosed space, and he really needed a shower and a change of clothes.
He returned to the inn in as straight a line as he was able to in the confusing layout of the city, while avoiding crowds of people. The innkeeper greeted him politely when he entered, and he went upstairs as quickly and inconspicuously as he could. But in doing so, it began to dawn on him that, as Reno had told him the day before in no uncertain terms, that he was probably under surveillance, and his adventure could not have gone unnoticed. But he had not attacked anyone, and he had not actually left the city. Having killed some monsters had improved the safety of the city, if anything. And he was certain he would be able to talk himself out of accusations of ill intent because all he wanted to do was save a little girl he thought in danger.
He took a quick shower and sealed his soiled uniform in a laundry bag that would suppress the smell as well as possible. While he was back at the inn, he took the opportunity to pack his few things that he had unpacked into his bag. Seeing as they would move into Lord Godo's estate later in the afternoon when the main party arrived, packing his things now would save him some time later. Thinking about the arrival of the main party made him, admittedly, a little giddy, because he could not wait to be with Sephiroth again.
By the time he was done and dressed up again, it was time for lunch. He had received no further orders or inquiries from Reno, and so he decided to have lunch at the inn first and then go out to explore the city some more until the agreed rendezvous time in the afternoon. He wondered what Reno and Rude were even doing and why he was actually on site if they did not need him for anything. But orders were orders, and so he continued to do as he had been told the day before.
He returned to the inn when it was time to gather about three mostly uneventful hours later. When he entered the inn, the two armored cars that had taken them there the day before were parked in the lot. Inside, the rest of the group had already assembled in the lobby, and Reno was pacing nervously back and forth with his rod over his shoulder. Rude was standing by with his arms folded and an expressionless face. Reno had donned his "tidy" attire again with his shirt buttoned up, a black tie and his suit zipped up all the way, as the Turks' dress code dictated it.
When Zack entered, Reno turned toward him and eyed him with a piercing stare. "You're late!", he reproached the SOLDIER. "Sorry", Zack apologized, although he was exactly on time, but he saw no point in arguing about it with Reno being as anxious as he appeared to be. He would have told anyone who arrived last that they were late, no matter what time they arrived at. Reno would be relieved of command as soon as Tseng arrived, and Tseng never lost his nerves, no matter how dangerous the situation was. Zack would not challenge Reno to give him a hard time for the remaining hour or so until the main party arrived.
But unexpectedly, Reno was not done. He tapped his rod on his shoulder as he spoke: "So what have you been up to today?" Zack stared at him, stupefied. The Turks could not possibly have found out that he had been swinging his sword around, or could they? He had only killed some (admittedly quite strong) monsters. What could be wrong with that? He did not want to start a futile discussion about that, so instead, he went with the most diplomatic answer he could think of: "I explored the city, just like you told me." He would make a proper report including all the details to Lazard later.
"Explored the city, did you? Find anything unusual?", Reno continued inquisitively. Zack looked around the room as he answered: "The Da-Chao statue is pretty unusual." Reno lowered his rod and slightly rocked it up and down as if he was considering hitting Zack over the head with it. "Are you fucking serious?" Zack looked back and forth between Reno and Rude insecurely and inquired: "Did something happen?" He could understand that Reno was on edge, but he was going a bit too far now. Before Reno could respond, Rude adjusted his shades and interjected: "We should get going. We can discuss this later." Reno groaned and turned away. "Fine. Get your stuff and get down here immediately."
He saw Reno continuing to stare at him from the corner of his eye, while Rude stepped up to him and started talking to him quietly. He wondered what was going on, but Reno had not given him any orders other than to explore the city and make confidential data inaccessible on his phone. If they needed his help, they could just have notified him.
He followed the infanterists upstairs in silence and stepped into his room after Cloud, who gave him curious looks. "Do you know what's going on?", Zack asked him, but Cloud shook his head. "I thought maybe you knew. Reno was in a terrible mood when he came back, but he didn't say anything." Cloud quickly packed his few things into his bag as he spoke and threw it over his shoulder. "Is he always like that?", Cloud wanted to know. Zack shouldered his own bag, which he had packed earlier, and shrugged. "Not normally, but he has a really short temper. I guess stress really gets to him. Maybe it's just that."
They left together through the door and returned downstairs, where Reno was still standing in the lobby, typing into his phone. Rude was standing close behind him, looking over the redhead's shoulder. When the Turks noticed them returning to the lobby, Reno glared at Zack and turned away, while Rude waved him out and said: "You'll be riding with me" and walked toward the front door. Zack and Cloud followed him and got into the car.
"So what's going on?", Zack asked again after they sat down. Rude shook his head and pushed up his shades. "It's nothing." Zack rolled his eyes. Rude hardly ever said anything of substance, but 'nothing' was obviously not what was going on. The door opened and another infanterist got in while Reno and the three others walked by their car toward the other vehicle. Rude was looking out the window, following Reno with his eyes, while tapping his gloved fingers on his knee. "Wouldn't you rather be on the other car?" When Cloud asked this out of the blue, Rude stopped tapping his fingers and flexed his hand twice. Clearly, Rude was trying to keep a calm composure, but he, too, was agitated underneath his cool surface for unknown reasons. Before he could answer, the car started moving and Rude simply adjusted his shades, pulled out his phone and proceeded to ignore Cloud's inquiry. Cloud looked at Zack insecurely, but the SOLDIER could only shrug, for he also had no idea how to interpret Rude's reaction.
They traveled to the airport on the same route as they had taken the day before to get to the inn. With the airport surrounded by Wutaian military, they had to pass a checkpoint on the way and found themselves again in the midst of enemy soldiers. After their car was directed to park in a specific spot, the driver instructed them to wait until called, and Rude added that the helicopter carrying the main party had not yet passed the city's boundaries.
After a few minutes passed, a small detail approached their car, and a crescent unit member opened their car's door and saluted. They were led to the landing site, where a red carpet had been rolled out. While they were watching the large dark grey Shinra helicopter approaching, Reno tapped his foot on the ground nervously. Rude stood behind him with his arms folded, carefully observing the situation. Zack took his place beside Rude, and the infanterists took position behind them. When the helicopter approached the ground, he noticed Tseng sitting in front, observing the situation on the ground.
With the rotors having died down, Reno stepped up to the vehicle and Zack and the rest of the guard followed him, taking their places on either side of the red carpet. The helicopter door slid open, and the silver-haired SOLDIER climbed out, holding his long Wutaian sword in hand. Their eyes met for a split second as he gazed over the scene presenting itself, but Sephiroth's eyes did not linger, nor did he show any perceivable reaction to seeing Zack carrying Angeal's sword, and just a moment later, something else caught his attention while he was waiting beside the helicopter.
His eyes were on the highly decorated Crescent Unit member approached from the other side. Going by her looks and outfit, she was presumably the leader of the first Crescent unit. The proceedings were apparently the same as when the advance party arrived, with more decorum and higher ranks, for the representative that arrived, Aurum, was supposedly the strongest of Wutai's forces. Zack had heard many a story of this legendary warrior, although she still was no match for Shinra's strongest. Sephiroth's lips twitched a little when she approached, and he did not need to be prompted to bow to her. She responded in kind, her long flowing black hair falling into her face. She carried a sword not unlike Sephiroth's, an intricately decorated golden helmet glistening in the afternoon sunlight, and Wutaian armor on top of a richly embroidered Wutaian robe that more closely resembled a dress. With her noble features, tall figure, and a statuesque, enraptured smile on her lips, she had an odd, otherworldly beauty about her.
Both of them stepped aside to make way for the respective leaders of their parties. Zack was not surprised to find the sour-faced master of ceremonies who had received them yesterday approaching from the Wutaian side, flanked by several Wutaian soldiers. Turning his head toward the helicopter, Zack was flabbergasted to see Rufus Shinra climbing out, all dressed in flowing white garments, bedecked with a dark blue feather boa and dark shades. After Reno had gone through all the trouble to wear his uniform properly for a change and was still given a hard time, Zack could not have imagined that the vice president and representative of Shinra Electric Power would appear in an even less appropriate getup for this highly official part of the reception, which was undoubtedly broadcast on Wutaian TV. The master of ceremonies appeared to see it the same way; although he bowed graciously, he made no attempt to conceal the contempt on his face as the vice president approached and responded in kind.
After Rufus Shinra paid his respects, Reeve Tuesti followed with a somber look on his face. Zack had never met either of them in person, but whenever the Head of Urban Development appeared on TV, he gave sincere speeches and overly detailed explanations about upcoming construction projects, and never appeared to take anything lightly. His presence now was no different from what Zack had expected of him based on what little he knew about the Shinra executive. Four infanterists followed after him, and Tseng was the last to unboard the helicopter. As soon as his feet touched the ground, Reno stepped up to him and the two put their heads together, Reno whispering in agitation, and Tseng responding with slightly more composure.
The surprises did not end there, for Tseng directed Sephiroth, Reno and Rude to ride in the car with Reeve Tuesti for the way to the estate, where they were going spend most of their time during the negotiations on the following days. Zack, Tseng and one of the infanterists were to ride with the vice president. Why the vice president was given a noticeably weaker guard than his subordinate was beyond Zack's understanding, and Tseng did not explain his orders.
Inside the car, Rufus took off his shades, yawned and rubbed his eyes. His pale blue eyes twinkled at Zack, who was barely able to conceal his astonishment at the vice president's strange behavior. Although Rufus Shinra was not extremely present in public (and neither was the president), Zack had seen him a few times on TV and on the covers of magazines. And whenever he did show himself, he appeared completely devoid of color and human emotion with his pale skin, hair, eyes, and entirely white-and-black outfits. His complete lack of empathy had sparked the rumors that no one had ever seen him bleed or cry, even as a child. But the same was said about Sephiroth, and Zack had learned since being acquainted with the latter that none of these rumors were actually true. Needless to say, such tales did not stop the public, women and men alike, from fawning over either of them for their supposedly good looks. Though in Rufus Shinra's case, Zack could not fathom the lack of good taste displayed by his admirers.
While Rufus was studying the scenery through the window curiously, Tseng was typing on his phone, possibly communicating with Reno or his supervisor back at Shinra Headquarters. His face betrayed no emotion, and he paid his surroundings no mind. Cloud, who was sitting next to Zack, was wearing his helmet, which obscured his face and hair. His rifle laid across his knees, and his feet were nervously shifting on the ground. There was no doubt that he had never imagined himself riding on a car with the vice president of the Shinra Electric Power Company prior to this day.
The uncomfortable silence was finally broken by Rufus Shinra, who turned toward Zack and politely inquired: "I heard that you arrived yesterday. Are there any places of interest that you can recommend?" Zack was taken aback by such a question that was completely irrelevant for the mission at hand. Was he really going to go sightsee in enemy territory? Tseng snorted as if suppressing a laugh, but immediately covered his mouth with his gloved fingers and objected in an almost joking tone: "Sir, it is very risky for you to be walking around town." He and Rufus exchanged a short glance, but Tseng immediately focused on his phone again. Zack had had no idea that Tseng and the vice president were so well-acquainted. Rufus' pale eyes returned to Zack. With a light smile, he supported the side of his face on his fist, as if to emphasize that his question had not been answered.
Zack thought for a moment. While his personal highlight had been the weapon smith's shop, he sincerely doubted that the vice president was interested in melee weapons or local crafts and arts. The cave behind the waterfall had been interesting, but he was not supposed to have gone there; besides, it was not really a place where the vice president would go (or so he thought). So he went with the most obvious answer, which was: "The Da-Chao statue is quite interesting." Rufus chuckled, and sounded not quite serious as he commented: "What an intriguing idea." Next to him, Cloud shifted uncomfortably as he suggested: "The tea house park is really beautiful" Rufus Shinra's eyebrows moved up as he turned toward he infanterist. "Mr. Vice President", Cloud added quickly. The other observed: "Oh? A man of good taste." He cocked his head as he continued: "Did they actually provide you with service, though?" Cloud clenched his fists around his rifle and lowered his head.
Tseng looked up from his phone and studied the masked infanterist. Rufus commented: "I see", and turned to Tseng. "Think we can fit that into the schedule?" Tseng pulled his glance away from Cloud and looked at Rufus, repeating, more seriously this time: "I think that's really reckless, sir." The vice president nodded and said: "That settles it then." Tseng sighed. "Whatever you wish, Mr. Vice President." Rufus smiled and nodded toward Cloud: "You'll do the first shift today", before he turned back to the window.
A few quiet minutes later during which Zack tried to make sense of the vice president's odd behavior, they reached the gate of the palace, which slowly opened as they approached, and the car slowly drove inside. Zack was awed by the sheer size of Lord Godo's estate. Naturally, the estate did not only serve as a living space for the head of state and his family, but served some other purposes, including receiving foreign guests, central parts of administration, and, from what Zack could tell from the outside, even recreation and training. It was apparently comparable to the Shinra Headquarters in its function and meaning, but Lord Godo happened to live there as well, just as President Shinra did.
They drove a little further, along the outer wall of the palace, toward the west wing. When they finally stopped, the co-driver got out, walked alongside the car and opened the door for them. Between them and the entrance, there was a group of people, some of whom looked like palace guards, and others looked like servants. Reeve Tuesti, Sephiroth, Reno and Rude had arrived in the first car and were already waiting in front of the building, with Sephiroth and Rude flanking Reeve and Reno on either side.
Rufus put his shades back on and moved to confidently get out of the car first, but before he could do so, Tseng grabbed his arm and pulled him back. He nodded at Zack and then at Cloud, both of whom got out first and positioned themselves left and right of door. As he got out, he heard the Vice President and the Turk exchange a few words, though he could not understand what was being said. Finally, the two got out as well, and walked a few steps toward the first group, flanked by Zack and Cloud. The car drove off, and a few moments later, the other two cars dropped off the remaining infanterists.
With all 16 people now assembled, one of the palace guards approached them and bowed, apparently uncertain whom to address, and Tseng stepped forward and returned the bow. At this point, Zack was getting tired of all the bowing and the ritualistic procedures. With nothing to do while Tseng was doing the talking, he folded his hands behind his neck and let his gaze drift. Sephiroth looked equally annoyed, or perhaps even more so, considering how professional he usually acted. Rufus looked around curiously as well, but in light of his interest in the Wutaian sights, he was probably more fascinated by the architecture than he was preoccupied with the significance of his visit. Reno and Rude were sticking their heads together and talking, apparently ignoring what was happening around them. Only Reeve Tuesti was listening in as Tseng was talking to the guard. It was good to know that at least these two were mentally present.