"We can't let someone like him be rewarded for essentially turning half of Midgar against the company!" Heidegger argued.
"We can't execute him when everyone loves him." Rufus glared.
"We can paint him to be a terrorist!" Heidegger remained firm on his belief. "It would be easy to turn the tide against him."
"A terrorist who danced toe to toe with General Sephiroth. You've seen the video. He gave our strongest the run of his money. And he's willing to take responsibility of Cloud Strife, even if it means killing him if he proves to be too stubborn." Lazard wasn't going to remain silent. He couldn't, not when Sephiroth was one of his own men.
"Professor Hojo. You know General Sephiroth best. And you've seen the video. Can he keep Cloud Strife controlled?" The president turned to the one in question.
"I believe he can. Having already read into his old files, he can handle the attitude problem just fine. In the fight he's shown he can overthrow this boy. It's easy enough when he hasn't been touched by mako."
"And once the mako treatments start? What then? Will Sephiroth still be able to keep him in line?"
"I can work on putting a leash on him as he progresses into the program. It shouldn't be too hard to figure out how." Hojo had some vague ideas in mind already to put to the test.
"So we're just going to forget that he's essentially raised his own network, an army, against Shinra?" Heidegger was near ballistic.
"No. He will be on a trial period of let's say, six months. Allow him to be under General Sephiroth's care. Should there be any reports that this boy slips, and we can kill him off and claim the war took him as a casualty." The president concluded.
It was enough for everyone to be satisfied. Lazard left the meeting feeling rather shaken. That was the most he stuck his neck out for anyone. He hoped with beyond hope that Sephiroth will prove this boy was worth it.
Tseng secretly shared the same sentiments. He was the first to approach the general, who stood outside the room Cloud was currently placed in. He was watching through the one way glass window.
"What's the verdict?" He asked.
Tseng glanced at the blond, who was pacing. His eyes dark and wild. He gave off the impression of a wild animal, forced to be caged. Such a vast difference than the weak boy who had only an attitude problem a year before.
"He's under your care. He's got six months trial to work with you. If he slips up, they will kill him and claim he's a casualty of war." Tseng crossed his arms.
"This is why you wanted to claim him." Sephiroth assumed.
"Yes. Under our guide, he can become another Turk. And we then have a bigger extension through him. But I'm realizing Heidegger would never have allowed it. And you've shown you can overpower him." He hated it had come down to this.
"I suppose I should give him the news." Sephiroth sighed.
"General? Please leave out the whole threat of killing him?" Tseng suggested.
"He will fight harder not to work with me." Sephiroth narrowed his eyes.
"I would rather he work of his own will not because of necessity. I am sure you would feel the same once you watch him." He elaborated.
"...Very well." Sephiroth saw the point.
The Turk left him and he entered the room. Cloud stopped pacing. He turned to open his mouth. Only to stop at the sight of him. Instead he opted to glare.
"You are on a six month trial under my care. You will be trained like any other Soldier, and I will watch your every move."
Cloud blinked as he processed all of this. There was a slight frown tugging the corners of his mouth.
"I would have thought they would want to kill me." He admitted.
"They would have, if your network hadn't released our fight to the public eye. Seems you're popular now. They rallied for your life to be spared. The company decided to listen." He almost added for now. But maybe it was implied enough.
"...So what now?" Cloud was still wary of him.
"I suppose I should get a better idea of your strengths. See what it is you need to work at. Come, if you don't put up much of a fight I will reward you."
"I'm not a dog." He glared.
"I'm aware. But I do not tolerate behaviors you got away with before. I will discipline you when it's necessary. And the punishment will fit whatever you did wrong. The more you don't fight, the better I will treat you. Your first lesson is to learn I treat my men equally and fairly."
Sephiroth already had an idea on how to gain Cloud's trust. And it just so happened Zack is scheduled to return in the late afternoon. Should Cloud not give any trouble then he will allow him to meet the lieutenant.
"...Fine." Cloud gave in. Although he showed he still didn't like this.
"Good. First, I'm replacing you with our standard uniform. And don't even try to argue. I already have your sizes. After you're done changing we will be dropping by Direcor Lazard's office. I want you on your best behavior." The underline threat was there in his tone.
"Yes." Cloud rolled his eyes.
"Yes, what?" Sephiroth glared.
Really? He was going this far? The blond sighed.
"Yes, Sir." His voice held a hint of venom.
Sephiroth handed the uniform over. He closed the door behind him to give the blond some privacy. A few minutes later Cloud opened the door, freshly dressed in Second Class uniform. He was a little surprised at the choice.
"I'm starting at Second? Not Third?" He wondered.
"You fought like a First. But that is earned. So you're starting at Second. If I placed you in Third you will be bored." Sephiroth's reasoning was valid.
He eyed the blond over. He had to admit, while black was appealing on the blond, blue really brought out his eyes. And it made him appear much younger. Sephiroth turned to lead the way before his thoughts wandered even more on the matter.
Wordlessly Cloud followed. Well at least he understood the situation he was in. Even so the general felt the eyes glare at the back of his head.
"Director Lazard?" Sephiroth knocked.
"Come in." He answered, already tired.
They entered to find the director at his computer sipping coffee. He studied them, taking in their expressions and stiff behavior. Lazard then placed his cup down slowly.
"Ah, I was wondering when you two will come by. So, I suppose we'll be going over the plans for the next six months?" He began to pull up files on the computer.
"Yes. For the first week I will be assessing Strife's abilities. Once that is done I will have a better means to train him and where he should proceed with specific instructors. In about a months time I would like to begin taking him along with missions. Only time will tell if he's ready for the front lines. I would like to save those for a little while yet."
"I see. So then this puts you out of commission from the war for, let's say four months? I'm afraid that's the best I can offer, unless Genesis or Angeal decide to cover for you a little longer."
"Four months should be efficient enough." Sephiroth agreed. He pulled out his PHS to mark down his calender. He also sent a quick message to Zack, informing him to wait out of sight of the training room. And if Cloud behaves then he is free to approach soon as training is over.
"Very well. I will begin adjustments. And do you believe he will be ready for the front lines? I understand he can fight, but unlike other Seconds he is at a slight disadvantage of not being as enhanced."
"His first few missions out there will be under my supervision. By then he should be able to keep up with the rest of us." Sephiroth speculated.
"I will hold you to that, General." Lazard sent him a look.
"Towards the end of the fifth month mark I will trust him to go on missions without me. He can be alone or with others, whichever is most convenient for you. Spice it up so he doesn't get too comfortable." Sephiroth suggested casually, earning a side glare from Strife.
"Got it. So keep him on his toes." Lazard typed away. When he was done he glanced back at them. "Is there anything else?"
"Actually, his new PHS." It was an afterthought. "And his living quarters?"
"He will actually be staying with you. Considering this is his trial run, it would be better if he's with you." Lazard noticed the sour expressions on both of his men and sighed.
"Look, Zack requested to room with him. But we are under very careful watch not just by the Turks, but the other departments as well. I can't show favoritism."
"I understand." Sephiroth didn't like this.
"Can I move out after the six months trial?" Cloud couldn't help but ask.
"If you make it that far and you've proven you are loyal, then I can put it under consideration. It won't be immediately, just so you understand. It will hasten once you find somone compatible and they agree, but I already have a sense on who you're thinking of." Lazard offered honesty.
"...Yes, Sir." He agreed.
"Good. And I will order him a new PHS. It should arrive in a few days. If that is all? I have an announcement to make soon." Lazard had taken up the offer to make the public announcement that Cloud will be trained under General Sephiroth. This gave Sephiroth and Cloud time to adjust without the public eye on them.
"That will be all. Thank you, Director." Sephiroth left, Cloud silently at his heels.
For the rest of the day Sephiroth pushed the blond to his limits in every field in the training room. Cloud for the most part didn't give any attitude. Although he did have a few side glares, sighs of disgust and one or two eye rolls.
As the hours passed he began to tire. Being unenhanced left him at a major disadvantage. And it showed as he struggled to force himself to go well beyond his limits. Despite the pain there was a fire of determination in his eyes.
For once his stubbornness was being put to good use. Sephiroth studied him, going over what Cloud needed work on the most. He had the speed to make up for power.
And he was quick on his feet. He had a good grasp on how to use materia. However he was too eager to get things over and done with quickly. He preferred to rush through everything and be done with it.
This heavily reminded him of a certain puppy.
Speaking of, Sephiroth checked his PHS. He had one unopened message. It said Zack was here, watching them. This was roughly an hour ago. Sephiroth looked up to study Cloud as he struggled to continue the kata forms he had him doing.
He sent a message to Zack that he can approach.
Warily he did so, almost slowly. He had seen the video of course. And before his eyes he saw a stranger with Cloud's face. He changed so much from the boy that held so much promise.
"We're done for the day. Zack, return him to my apartment in two hours time." Sephiroth instructed, taking his leave.
Cloud looked over for the first time. He blinked at the sight of Zack, who ran up and embraced him in a tight hug. The blond actually began crying as he returned the gesture.
Sephiroth heard the sound and his heart constricted.