It was supposed to be like any other briefing. Mission intel about some hidden laboratory out in the middle of nowhere. Sephiroth raised an eyebrow to see Angeal and Genesis were also being part of the mission.
"Just how dangerous is this laboratory?" The general inquired Director Lazard, who sighed.
"We're waiting on the expert who should be - "
And the door opened to reveal a young woman. Her ginger red hair up in a ponytail. The blue eyes behind the thin glasses held a determination that could rival a First.
"Gentlemen, this is Shalua Rui. She is the expert to discuss our target." Director Lazard introduced.
"I'm sorry, what department are you from?" Genesis raised an eyebrow.
"None. I'm just someone in search of my sister. Who happens to be within this laboratory." She glanced at Lazard, who activated the computer to show them on a larger screen for the laboratory in question.
"This is located in the far north. Almost within the same region as Icicle Inn. I am unsure on the names of all the scientists behind the experiments here, but the one in charge has been behind this lab for quite some time."
An image of a middle aged man with brown hair. Eyes seemed dead and lifeless as he stared into the camera.
"That is self proclaimed Professor Alexus. He first attempted to join Shinra some twenty years ago. But Professors Hojo, Gast and Hollander had earned their spots. When Professor Gast died, Alexus applied. For a short he was employed. But his methods into research were deemed too unstable and unethical. So he was let go."
"So the man created his own lab?" Angeal frowned, seeing where this was going.
"Yes. His aim is to create super humans better than Soldier. As of right now, he's got six successes. The first and oldest is named Weiss the Immaculate."
An image of a young muscular man with white wild hair. Pale skin and pale eyes. Even Sephiroth felt a shiver under that gaze. Something about them promised pain and suffering to any enemy and not bat an eye about it later.
"He is the strongest out of the six. From what little files I could retrieve from their systems, he is a great strategist. Cunning and ruthless. He only openly shows care towards his younger brother. However he recognizes the others and accepts responsibility as their leader. He wields two swords expertly in battle."
The image changed to another young man with unkempt dark hair. He's wearing a dark suit covering nearly his entire body. Attached to his back are metal wings.
"This is the brother, Nero the Sable. He supposedly controls darkness. Not sure how or what he does with this ability. He can fly short distances and the wings can be used in close range attacks. He is an expert in guns, too. He only listens to Weiss. And he is considered second strongest. But he shares the claim with one other."
The image changed to another young man. Wild short blond hair spiked in such a way it reminded one of a chocobo. The blue eyes would have been the gem to top him off, if they weren't glaring in such a way that they would set whoever he wanted on fire.
"Cloud the Wild. He also earned the nickname Heart Eater due to the fact he will eat the hearts of those he considered a challenge. He apparently has a deep connection to beasts and can tame and command them. While he can use various styles of weapons, he prefers broadswords."
"You mean to tell me, this young man eats hearts. Raw?" Genesis wasn't the only one horrified by this fact.
"Yes. Out of the group, he is the loner. In the notes it states he sometimes needs to be isolated because the others will try to pick fights with him. He apparently won't listen to anyone. His mentality is that he doesn't see them as his pack, but he does respect them enough not to attack on sight. The only one he occasionally listens to is Weiss."
"Excuse me, how does one control these super Soldiers?" Sephiroth found it hard to believe these guys haven't escaped already.
"They're equipped with special collars on the neck. If they try to kill the scientists, or try to escape then the collars are activated to kill them. Once triggered the collar will slice their heads off."
They all grimaced at the image of such a death. They can imagine living such a life. Being forced to be some experiment and only survive to live for the day they can exact revenge and then some.
The photo changed to a huge figure with yellow eyes and blue hair. Of the group he seems to be the biggest.
"This is Azul the Cerulean. One would think he's the leader with how he towers over everyone. But he has never brought Weiss to his knees. Because Weiss is stronger he has earned Azul's respect. His preferred weapon is a giant firearm."
The image changed to a woman with red hair kept away from her face. Her eyes held a cruelty that there was no way that this could be the sister Shalua spoke of.
"Rosso the Crimson. She is bloodthirsty as they come. She is often the one to instigate the fights with Cloud. When it's not her, then it is Azul. But unlike Azul who respects Cloud's strength, Rosso continues to challenge him at any chance she gets. She will only back down when either Cloud knocks her around or Weiss steps in. Her weapon of choice is a double blade that also fires bullets."
The next image is a small girl. Reddish brown hair to her shoulders and framed her face. Her blue eyes were identical to Shalua. This must be the sister.
"This is Shelke the Transparent. And my sister. She was kidnapped years ago when she was nine. She is the youngest and is often picked on by Azul. But he won't go further than insults because Weiss reminds them that she's proven herself. She wields two EM sabers."
"Is she the only one they kidnapped?" Sephiroth couldn't see that with the brothers.
"It is uncertain with Rosso and Azul. But I have crossed referenced their names just in case. Cloud is another one that was kidnapped from Nibelheim at just six years old. From my understanding the brothers were both born in this laboratory."
The screen changed to the missing person report. It showed a young boy, with the same hair and wide blue eyes with a smile to die for. The name read Cloud Strife. Ironic, in a weird way.
"What are our goals with these guys?" Genesis didn't like the idea of fighting any of them. Nero and Cloud alone made him hesitate.
"The best bet is to subdue Alexus. He will most likely have a security measure in place for intruders. He might try and unleash the Six upon you. If he does, your best bet is to strike a deal with Weiss. Win him, you gain them all."
"But Cloud doesn't always listen to him." Angeal reminded them.
"Based on what I've gathered, he behaves like a wolf. He will only show respect to those stronger than him. To those who are weaker, he will openly speak his mind even if it angers them. Hence why he only shows respect for Weiss. But because he doesn't fully fit into the group he is more of a loner than Shelke. My speculation is knock him down once then you've essentially earned his respect for life."
"That will be Sephiroth's job." Genesis eyed the general with a mischievous glint in his eyes.
"Why me?" Sephiroth frowned. "Any of us can potentially knock him down."
"Yes, but you have a commanding presence. Plus, Angeal got his own puppy. And I have no interest taking someone like him under my wing. If anything, I can try to speak to Weiss. See if I can win him over."
"You? Bargaining with the strongest of them like some business arrangement?" Angeal raised an eyebrow.
"I have a better way with words than you two." Their silence was enough of an agreement.
"So, what offers do you have that can gain their interest?" Genesis knew it would have to be something special.
"They can join the ranks of Soldier. They can be their own special unit, since it is unknown how vastly different they will be in comparison to the vast majority. I will essentially keep the dynamics how they already have. However if it came down to Cloud finding his niche, then he won't remain with the others." Lazard finally spoke. He sighed at the end, adjusting his glasses.
"The only downside is that I cannot avoid the president's order that Professor Hojo oversees their progress and assess all of their capabilities."
"They will only see him as another lab coat. If they ever have flashbacks of Alexus, they might prove to be harder to subdue." Sephiroth frowned.
"He's already working on precautions. Because of Shalua we're not going in blind. We have a basic understanding of how to either fight them or gain their trust. For many reasons it is preferred to gain their trust."
"Can I mention that there wouldn't be any controlling methods like the collars?" Genesis found an angle to at least gain their interest.
"Yes you can. I actually encourage that. If they don't like the idea of being tied down to the company, try to emphasize they can help shape the world so no one else builds laboratories like the one they were in." The director expanded the idea.
"Any last questions?" Shalua asked.
"Just one. How did you locate this and get all of the information?" Genesis had one.
"A very reliable source. He has disclosed the deal that I do not reveal his name. But he saw in me my desire to find my sister. He had skills that could help. And together we found the laboratory. But he knew that we needed bigger help." She was very vague, but this sounded like someone along the lines of a Turk.
A Turk who didn't want to be known? That wasn't something new. Turks prefer to work from the shadows. But to keep his identity secret entirely was a little excessive.
"When will we be making our move?"
"Tonight. I know this may seem rushed, but they are debating how to put these Six to the test. If they decide to aid Wutai then the war efforts would be harder on us."
Sephiroth didn't like to imagine these six individuals fighting in a war. The idea of meeting some of them in battle even made him a little uneasy. The three he was most concerned were the top three. Weiss, Nero and Cloud.
Weiss had the cunning and the strength to be respected by the others. There wasn't enough known about Nero's abilities on this darkness aspect. So that left a whole lot to the imagination. And then the idea of someone eating hearts was downright horrifying.