"His exact words were 'Jenova, the calamity that fell from the sky.'"

At least Sephiroth waited to demand explanations until they had returned to his office and had some measure of privacy.

"What do you know about Jenova?" he asked sharply. "What has Hojo told you? You put Jenova in your Modeoheim mission report but only described what Hollander said about her and her connection to Gillian and Angeal."

Zack winced. Now he understood why Sephiroth had gotten so focused on his mentions of Jenova earlier. If Sephiroth believed Jenova to be his mother... But Hojo had stated otherwise.

"Sephiroth, I... I just forgot," he stammered. "It didn't make any sense at the time. I thought Hojo was messing with me. He had me fighting experimental creatures, and he called Genesis a—a degrading monster, and a 'memento of an unenlightened era.'" He grimaced, realizing that he sounded like an idiot even though he had repeated Hojo's words almost exactly. "I know it's crazy—"

"First Class Zack Fair!" Sephiroth barked out, cold and rigid and clearly out of patience.

Zack snapped to attention automatically. "Sir!"

"Report, First Class Fair. Everything Hojo told you!"

"Sir, it was when the Genesis Army attacked Shin-Ra HQ. Angeal came to help us, if you recall."

"Yes." Sephiroth's single word was clipped.

"I went to protect Hojo from Genesis and his copies, but Hojo, he didn't take the threat seriously. He told me..." Zack swallowed thickly. "Hojo told me there was nothing to fear from, and I quote, 'a degrading monster.' When I asked if he meant Genesis, he said Genesis was 'a memento of an unenlightened era,' like I told you. He said it was a time when men could deem any unclassified life form an Ancient." He paused, not wanting to report what came next.

As he spoke, Sephiroth circled around him. When Zack stopped, Sephiroth paused behind him and said, "Continue."

Zack's repressed a flinch as his superior resumed stalking. He caught a glimpse of black and silver coming around his side. Sephiroth stopped directly in front of him and fixed him with an unnerving stare.

"I said to continue, First Class Fair." Sephiroth's tone was deceptively mild.

Zack swallowed again. "When...when I asked about the unclassified life form, Hojo called it Jenova and said it was the calamity that fell from the sky."

"His exact words, Fair."

"His exact words were 'Jenova, the calamity that fell from the sky.' Sir," Zack tacked on with a hint of his usual spirit. "As I said before. Then he called me ignorant, and told me SOLDIERs weren't required to think as long as they could protect people like him. At that point, he conned me into participating in some experiments for him. He seemed happy with the data he collected. He said he accepted me as a First. I guess he didn't before?" Zack desperately wanted to fidget, scratch his head or do some squats, but didn't dare. Not with Sephiroth's otherworldly eyes focused on him with laser intensity.

"You allowed him to waste your time while the building was under attack?"

"Uh, yeah. There was something about him, I dunno. I just..." Actually, Zack couldn't explain it. What had he been thinking? And yet, Hojo had seemed so sure... "He mentioned a second-rate scientist's creation."

"Hollander."

"Genesis arrived then. Hojo spent some time baiting him, called him pitiful. Genesis threatened him with that fire sword of his, and Hojo called Hollander a second-rate hack. Then Angeal arrived as well and told Genesis to stop, and Hojo goaded them both—called them Hollander's freak show, like I said before, and rambled about Loveless, believe it or not. Sucked all of us right into his word trap, too, even me. Hojo's a creepy asshole. Why does Shin-Ra keep him around?"

"He produces results that the President wants," Sephiroth snapped. "So Hojo gets whatever he asks for."

Zack did flinch this time. "Yeah, I guess. Things fell apart then. Genesis blew a hole in the wall and said something about the Gift of the Goddess before he flew out. Angeal and I chased after him. He summoned Bahamut—um, it was Bahamut Fury, I think. A bad one. Angeal had me take care of it while he fought Genesis, they both flew away still fighting, and well, after I took care of Bahamut that was the end."

Sephiroth grunted. "That's all?"

"I can't quote everything word for word, but there wasn't anything else that mattered. Especially about Jenova," Zack said, daring to pry just a little. "Considering what both Hojo and Hollander said, Jenova can't be your mother. It was something...else."

"No." Sephiroth gnawed his lip, a totally uncharacteristic behavior for him. "No, whatever Jenova is, she, or it, cannot be my mother. An unclassified life form, and a calamity that fell from the sky..." He cast a quick glance at Zack, still at stiff attention. "At ease. I'm satisfied with your report."

"Are you all right?" Zack asked with concern as he relaxed his posture.

"I will be. This is just another frustrating hole in my history. It goes perfectly well with all the other holes. At least holes are better than certain truths." With that ambiguous remark, Sephiroth moved behind his desk and seated himself. "It is now imperative to find Angeal. We also must interrogate Hollander ourselves. I cannot trust the Turks to do it."

Not after they'd lied to him, Zack thought. "You want to go to Junon?"

"I think I must. But I also must discover where Angeal is being held."

"About that," Zack began. He had an idea but hesitated to drag Kunsel, busybody that he was, into the current quagmire. When Sephiroth directed an inquiring look at him, he continued, "I have a friend. He always seems to know everything that's going on around the company. I can ask him to keep eyes and ears open, if you're willing to share information with him."

"No."

"Are you sure?"

"Hojo has been indiscreet with his words. It's not uncommon for him to pontificate for an audience, but some of the things he said... There must be no third parties involved. I will investigate this myself."

"No way am I just letting Angeal be disappeared!" Zack protested. "He has to be somewhere. Don't leave me out of this. We can investigate together!"

Sephiroth offered him a wan smile. "Yes, we shall."

Notes: Hojo really, really wanted someone to acknowledge his "great brilliance" in Crisis Core. He really did tell Zack so much about Jenova and Project G.