White Desire
Chapter 21
The Turks.
They were a group of people who had been specifically hired by Rufus to carry out his plans as needed. They were really a contractor company of mercenaries, however, it seemed that their employment was an infinite one with the Shin-Ra Electric Company. It was rumoured that a member of the Turks would do any sort of job for just the right price. Most of the time, as long as money was involved, they could care less. After all, it seemed everyone in Edge, and even the former citizens of Midgar were most in love with money and the idea of being wealthy. Of course, with companies monopolising the land, the only people making that money were those people working in the companies. And in order to work in either of those companies, one needed to have a rather great amount of prior experience or some type of impressive lineage. It was so clear, though. So tightly was the Shin-Ra company wound, that it was damn near impossible to get anyone new in.
Yes, Tifa had gotten in, but that was possibly a glitch. Shin-Ra had lowered security and she was able to creep forward and take part in the company. Even after Rufus had uncovered her identity (which he was faintly aware of anyway), he'd allowed her to stay, and even kept her closer. He was afraid; he was concerned. At least a part of him was. He never faltered, however, and although he was aware the Turks knew of her, he also knew their loyalty to him was absolute. After all, that was the reason he had hired them in the first place. He knew they were trustworthy and that was closest he was going to get to ever having people considered 'friends' around him.
The door to the Turks' personal office had been thrust open by a rather rough-looking Reno. He appeared to be faintly annoyed or intimidated. The other two inside merely watched him for a few moments, waiting for some kind of explanation, not that they would necessarily receive that. Behind the red-head, was Rude who instead seemed thoughtful. That was common though. Rude was the serious one; Reno was the comical one; Elena was the annoying one, and Tseng was the polite one. And there was Reeve too...but he was just something else.
Slamming the door shut and smacking Rude in the face along the way, Reno dove forward for the couch and buried himself into it, inwardly vowing to himself that he would never, ever leave the room again. There was silence outside of Rude grumbling in a rather annoyed manner and then the sound of a cleared throat caught the red-haired one's attention. Reno lifted his head and stretched out upon the couch, reaching his arms up to rest behind his head as his eyes met the ceiling. "Sorry 'bout that, yo." It wasn't like he tried to annoy the others on purpose (oh, wait...yes, that was his intent), he just felt he was a misunderstood genius and people didn't give him enough credit. When he didn't hear anything more, his gaze found the long-haired one's behind the desk and then the blonde female's beside him. Damn it. I'm being scolded and they don't seem to understand that I don't like that sorta thing. "What's goin' down, ya guys?"
Tseng looked over to Rude who appeared quite ready to strangle the goggle-donning young man. Then he looked over to Elena and followed her gesturing back to Reno. He probably should have stuck with the matters at hand. There was a rather exasperated sigh given and he shook his head slowly, as though he couldn't believe who it was he got stuck working with. The only good thing about Reno and Elena was that they could follow orders without question and not make a mess of things. He really preferred the bald one because he rarely said anything and when he did, it was usually the right thing. "Explain, Reno. What did..." he shuddered when he thought of the name, "...Scarlet have to say?"
Scarlet. That was the reason for Reno's reluctance to leave the room, speak, or much of anything else. Apparently she had quite a large influence over the group of mercenaries. It didn't matter how much power Rufus had, or how he was really their boss; she was intimidating and the Turks were likely to do anything for her…to a point. Reno was quiet for a few moments before deciding to answer the question that had been asked him of him. He wasn't comfortable talking about that particular female and he wanted to avoid it if at all possible, but unfortunately it didn't seem like he was going to be let off easy this time. He shook his head slowly and a scoffing sound escaped through his lips. "She wants us to take someone out, yo. Or at least…she wants us to stage that we're doing so."
Well, that didn't make him very happy. The longer-haired male raised his left hand to his chin thoughtfully. Like his boss, Tseng was extremely professional. He didn't like doing things that would waste his time. It sounded like this request Scarlet had made wasn't going to be one that proved useful to them. The group that he led, the Turks, weren't fond of doing mediocre jobs, which were all-too-often offered to them. He shook his head out of disbelief and bent his neck to look through the paper work that had captured his attention before Reno made his rude entrance. "We aren't actors for her disposal. Our job is to protect the president and to follow his orders." Then an eyebrow rose as he thought about what the red-haired male had said. He didn't actually say it was a cop-out; he just mentioned that it could be like that. He had to know. "…Who does she want us to get rid of?" His eyes never once left Reno's; it was the first sign that he was giving Scarlet's request serious contemplation.
This was the other reason Reno really didn't want to talk about this. He'd heard every word that the evil blonde female had said and didn't want a part in it. Typically he could do a job without questioning the motives, but this time, it was just hitting too close. Now Reno wasn't the type of person to care about anyone, unless he had something to gain from it. No matter what it looked like on the outside, he was really just looking out for his own best interests. He pulled himself off of the couch and half-heartedly paced back and forth before Tseng's desk as he mumbled. If they weren't so used to it, then they would have had to ask him to repeat himself, but he wasn't concerned about that at all. "Tifa Lockhart."
Wait…isn't that the president's secretary? That girl from AVALANCHE, right? The darker-haired one didn't really know how to respond just yet. He could scarcely understand why the one in front of his desk was acting that way. Tseng could honestly say that over the time that passed, the former members of AVALANCHE weren't really that bad at all. In fact, he and the female clad in pink, Aerith, were actually good friends. And anyone who Aerith wanted to protect couldn't be all bad, could they? Besides, this was his boss's secretary Scarlet was talking about. He wasn't sure he could comply with such orders. Surely it wasn't something that Rufus wanted, which meant it had to be another of Scarlet's plans. He'd probably have to inform the blonde-haired young man before anything could be done. Then again, this was Scarlet. If she caught wind of them going to Rufus, they probably wouldn't hear the end of it and then they would have to deal with her as well.
When he hadn't said anything and he was beginning to look far too deep in thought, Elena had to nudge him. She hated seeing him look that way. She was afraid if he thought too much, he'd start looking really old and she just wanted to see him the way he was now. "Tseng! Pay attention!" She wasn't usually so harsh, but she desperately needed to get his observing eye. Typically Elena wasn't very good at being discreet. At least, she hadn't been when she first came in contact with the AVALANCHE team. Over the last couple of years, however, she had grown up quite a bit, and the others were nothing short of proud (not that they'd tell her or anything, of course). Not getting a response yet, she nudged him again and then began to tap her foot against the ground in a rather impatient manner.
He jerked back to life from her contact and then straightened his composure, rising to his feet. A hand rested at his chin in thought again and then he shook his head before joining Reno on the other side. "Miss Lockhart is the boss's secretary. I'm more than certain that he has not put this order in because he would have come straight to us. Scarlet must be yanking us around." Shaking his head again, he continued, growing a little more irritated with each passing moment. "We won't be pulling this out unless we are paid at an extremely high price. Our loyalty is to President Shin-Ra, not to his bimbo…female co-worker." It definitely took guts for him to say something like that, especially so close to the heart of the company. Scarlet probably had lackeys everywhere who were keeping a close eye on them and the president. Again, if she caught wind that they were onto her, they wouldn't be able to discover her plan and then informing Rufus would be a complete waste of his time, and that…they just couldn't have.
"It's not that easy, yo! That woman is gonna' stalk me an' Rude around! What are we s'posed to do then!" Reno wasn't liking where this was going at all. He didn't mind doing covert operations on other people, but when it came to these types of people, he didn't really want anything to do with it at all. If he had been more patient, he probably would have known that Tseng had a plan already beginning to brew within his complex mind. Not in the proper mind-set to actually think, however, he was about to be dealt a cruel hand by fate.
In a rather swift motion, Rude had pulled up his dukes and planted an uppercut into the red-haired man's abdominal region. It wasn't something he was particularly fond of doing, but it wasn't something he was going to pass up on, especially if it needed to be done. After Reno collapsed to the floor in a fit of coughs, Rude planted his right foot upon his back to hold him down. Unlike the rebel down there, he had every intention of following Tseng's orders. After all, like Rufus, Tseng's will was absolute. It didn't matter who or what it involved. If he wanted a certain thing done, it was their responsibility to do so, and he had no qualms with that style of living. He preferred to think of it as though it were more convenient for him. Every decision that Tseng or Rufus made was one less left up to him, and that was just fine. "Go on. What are we going to do?"
Two out of three wasn't that bad at all. And in some way, Tseng was aware that he had Reno's attention as well (much gratitude going to Rude for making that possible). He began to pace back and forth thoughtfully. He didn't want to speak of his plan until he was fully certain that it was doable. His thoughts had to be perfectly clear. He prided himself in knowing that the Turks could pull anything off with the right amount of consideration. Unlike others who worked alone, it was his job to see both sides to every equation and find a solution in the centre. A few minutes of silence, and he turned his attention to the others, the expression upon his face being one of confidence. He was not afraid of what was to come. And if he had his way (which he was certain he would), he would be successful in every possible way, shape, and form. "We'll perform Scarlet's request." Then he raised a hand to silence the other three. He needed to know that he had their undivided attention, and that meant preventing all attempts of interruption. "We will also inform the boss of the happenings. I am more than certain he will want in on our plans as well." A few more minutes of pacing took place and he nodded slowly before turning his attention back onto Reno. "You will go to Scarlet and get the details." Then he gestured to Rude. "And you, will go to the boss and let him know. We'll arrange a meeting with him as soon as his schedule is open--"
Reno lifted a hand from his seemingly crippled state and waved it back and forth, groaning at the weight piled on top of him. Rude was all muscle and that made him very heavy. The red-haired man, on the other hand, was rather thin and stalky, but still somewhat handsome (an understatement probably protested by many females who had the pleasure of his company). "His schedule's gonna' be open as soon as he calls Tifa back, yo!" A sharp kick to the back from the shade-clad one left the room in silence again. It didn't matter what sort of profession he had, Rude still demanded complete respect and one day, some day, Reno would learn exactly what that word meant.
That was interesting. Very interesting, indeed. Tseng had forgotten that Tifa had been dismissed for a much-needed vacation. In fact, he wondered if he was ever informed of it at all. He squatted down in front of Reno and reached out a hand to grab him by the red tufts of hair just above his crown and he lifted the young man's head. "So Miss Lockhart is on vacation. I forgot about that. I think we'll need to have the president call her back in order to free up his schedule. I wonder how put out she'll be about that." He was worried about the brunette as soon as he'd heard she joined the company. In his opinion (and the others of his group), he didn't think it was proper for her to be working there at all. However, Rufus didn't have a problem with it, so it wasn't exactly in his right to say anything. At the frantic nod from Reno, Tseng released his head, allowing his face to slam into the hard wood floor rather harshly. He rose to his feet, brushing himself off before shaking his head slowly. "So that's the plan. Everyone got it?" He looked around expectantly and then gestured to Elena. "Repeat to me our plan of action, Elena."
She paused for a few moments when he had directed that question to her. It wasn't that she didn't pay attention. She normally didn't have anything to do with their missions. The only time she was called in, was when Reno or Rude were indisposed. It was most often the same with Tseng. That was the way the Turks were run. Not just anyone could be a Turk. The job required one to be at their physical best. They were to do their job without question. Those type of people were difficult to find, though. It wasn't to say the Turks were heartless; they just knew there was a time and place for such things. Work and personal things were not to be mixed together. She was quiet for a few moments, perhaps a little thoughtful, before she finally spoke up. "We're to follow Scarlet's instructions and inform the boss. Miss Lockhart will be recalled in order to meet with the president."
If he'd gotten through to Elena, then Tseng knew that the other two understood as well. He was seemingly satisfied with her answer and nodded to her. "Good. If for any reason Reno or Rude cannot fulfill their obligations for this mission, then you will need to take their place. That is the reason you need to be informed of the details. You too, will be present during our meeting with the president if and when that date is determined." Then he gestured toward the door as his left hand reached out to take his cell phone from the front pocket of his jacket. "Until that time, you three are dismissed. If there any questions, please call me. I do not wish to be disturbed. And as always, not a word of this leaves this room, except the necessary items to Scarlet and the boss."
He waited until the three escorted themselves from the room, before he pulled open the device and he pressed a couple of buttons, bringing the receiver to his lips. "President Shin-Ra, I'll be sending Rude up to speak with you on a most delicate manner. If for any reason you are displeased, inform me immediately and I will handle the situation." And like the blonde-haired male, he ended his phone call and then slipped the contraption back into his pocket. Sitting down at his desk again, he flipped through the large stack of papers before him, suddenly wishing he had a secretary as well. Sometimes he would have preferred the job Reno and Rude had. Then again, neither one could be counted upon to do this type of work. They were the brawn, while Tseng was the brain. It was unfortunate that there was no other to take over for him. He had to make do, however, and that was the things were meant to be.
No longer had it been ten minutes before Rufus found the shade-clad man before him. The young president was a little irritated that Tseng had not called in more of an advance. It couldn't be helped, though. Those were the type of people he had working for him. In fruitful honesty, he preferred to be speaking with Rude rather than Reno. The red-haired young man often aggravated him terribly and he didn't feel like putting up with that at the moment. It was a matter of greatest importance it seemed, so Rufus decided he couldn't very well turn Rude away. He rose from his seat to brush some imaginary dirt from his perfectly white uniform. "I am assuming that your presence here is for a good reason. The sooner you speak, however, the sooner I can go back to work." He made a small gesture for Rude to either be seated before his desk, or to remain standing, whichever he preferred. Then he sat down again, trying not to be too exasperated with the situation. Whatever could this be about? What could be so important that he needed to be interrupted?
Rude was unsure of where to begin. He knew the boss didn't want him there any more than he wanted to be standing there. He wasn't comfortable enough to sit down. An eyebrow rose as he neared the chair on the left. It must have been the seat that Tifa frequented. The more he thought about it, the more he felt the entire room reminded him of her. Indeed, he too had been fond of Tifa at one time, not that he would ever admit such a thing. He liked her a lot, though. He wondered if that was the reason Rufus seemed a little less diligent than what he was used to seeing. The secretary's absence was certainly taking its toll on the president. "Sir, Scarlet is trying to hire the Turks to take out Miss Lockhart."
The strawberry-blonde lifted his head at the statement and looked to Rude. Damn those glasses. Rufus wasn't ever capable of reading his action because the man hid them so well. And not getting anything more, an eyebrow arched out of slight interest. "Elaborate." It sounded like he had a good reason to be worried about Tifa. Perhaps he should have sent at least one of the Turks to keep an eye on her. At least until he could put a stop to Scarlet and her vindictive ideas. By this time, he had focused all attention upon the one before him. His work had taken a back seat for the moment.
His companion was expecting that. Of course Rufus would need some sort of explanation. He raised a hand to straighten the glasses across the bridge of his nose. "Yes, Sir." What was he waiting for anyway? How come it took the request before he would say anything more? Perhaps it was because he was merely watching Rufus's reaction. If he said he wasn't interested in the president's relationship with his secretary, it would be half a lie. Although he pretended it meant nothing to him, there was a vague sense of curiosity that had overtook him the very first time he heard the president utter her name. "Scarlet of the weapons department approached Reno and myself to ask us to take Miss Lockhart out. And if not that, she requested that we stage it. After reporting to Tseng, he sent Reno to comply with Scarlet's request and myself here to explain the situation. Are we correct in assuming that this is not your order and merely hers?"
Typically Rufus would have ignored such a ridiculous question, but this entire situation he found scarcely intriguing. Scarlet had intended on getting rid of the brunette by going behind his back with his own bodyguards? He had to hand it to her. It was a clever idea, but it would have been better if she was aware of their complete loyalty to their boss. He was going to put a stop to this eventually. For now, though, the Turks had a good idea. They'd stage her little request and he'd end up either confronting her, distracting her, or staying as close to Tifa as he possibly could (and actually, that would have been the other way around). He nodded slowly, turning his attention back to his paper work. "Very well then. You have my explicit permission to do so." He didn't feel there was anything else they needed to discuss.
He hadn't exactly answer Rude's question, but the shade-clad man didn't really care. He had enough of an answer to put two and two together and that was all he needed. "Tseng wanted to have a meeting with you. Reno informed him that it would be difficult, though, because you are doing your own work again." Rude cleared his throat before continuing, trying to press pass that…faint implication he had planted against his boss. "It would be easiest if you could contact Miss Lockhart and request her swift return." He wasn't sure how Rufus was going to handle that. He had tried to make it sound like it wasn't a demand, but that was a little difficult, seeing how it…really wasn't a request. If Rufus wanted to make sure Tifa was going to be all right, he needed to bring her back or else he was going to be on his own for this one.
The blonde-haired young man gave an exasperated sigh and didn't respond at first. Then his azure eyes met the shades and a very subtle nod was noted. "Understood." He didn't like the way he was being spoken to, but he understood where it was coming from. Had it been Reno or Elena, he wouldn't have hesitated to contact Tseng and talk about it. However, it was one of his better-liked Turks. Therefore, his anger was less likely to become apparent. "You are dismissed, Rude. I will contact Tseng myself for a meeting time after I have spoken with Miss Lockhart." Before Rude could completely excuse himself, Rufus spoke up once more. "Do make sure that Scarlet does not hear word of this. I am most certain she would take this up with your group before she would with me." He knew the Turks could take care of themselves, but he didn't think it would be justified to subject them to the company of such a treacherous creature. He could only hope that she would be too locked into her own scheme to find out about theirs.
