8 AM, New Mideel Village, Mako Lake...
The mako lake was an active area in the Mideel reign, and it was, at one point, filled with mutated creatures roaming around it. Thanks to Vincent and Zack reducing their numbers the day before, the only types of creatures left were the herbivores. And as long as they didn't bother the villagers, Vincent wouldn't need to exterminate them as well.
The gloomy man stood as close as he could to the lake's border, bending down to study the raw liquid mako closely. The edge was crystallized and shimmered in a dim green glow as it contained some of the lifestream trapped inside. It came as a surprise to him on how fast crystals have formed in the recently created lake in just three short years. His bright red eyes caught an even odder sight in front of him, a smooth circular light purple materia nested between the sharp prisms. He reached in with left hand which was protected by his gauntlet covered arm, quickly taking it out just in case the liquid seeped in and hurt himself. Because of its color, he believed it to be a limit booster like the ones Zack showed him before. He didn't know what to do with it though, and he didn't know how to read materia the same way Cloud, Zack, or Aerith. Logically, he'll need to ask Zack what is it, but that would have to wait till the optimistic mercenary has finished his business with the doctor.
For the next hour, he explored the area for any signs of enemy activity, his second reason for accompanying Zack to this isolated village. With Deepground being active again, it would be best to see if they have other bases in other regions. But he walked back towards the community empty-handed concluding his search around the lake. On his way back, he took out his cell phone and dialed Reeve's number to report his findings.
"Reeve, Vincent here. The mako lake lead was a dead end. There is no Deepground activity nor base here, only mutant monsters and materia crystals."
"Good job Vincent. Sorry for the wild goose chase but it's better to be safe than sorry."
"Should I head back to base then?"
"That's not necessary. There are no missions that we need you for yet so just sit back and enjoy Mideel with Zack and Cid for the meantime."
"... Zack's too hyper for my liking and Cid... I'm not really in the mood for his cursing."
"I see, well then just enjoy the view in that case."
Vincent could hear Reeve laughing on the other end of the phone, obviously enjoying his torment. He should change the subject before Reeve wants the details.
"By the way Reeve, how did the Midgar mission go?"
"The last thing Yuffie reported was that she and Cait had no problem reaching the computer room. She also informed me that Deepground escapees were present in their old base and they had a professor with them, but she couldn't tell who it was. After that, the line was suddenly cut off."
"I'm sure she's fine. She's too stubborn to get caught by low ranked soldiers."
"I can agree to that. Well then, enjoy your break."
After their conversation ended, Vincent stopped walking and looked up at the early morning sun that was hidden behind the clouds. A slight worry reflecting off his crimson colored eyes, even though he was confident with the ninja's skills.
"Don't do anything stupid Yuffie."
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9 AM, Deepground labs, storage area...
Yuffie and Cait resumed hiding in some large containers far from where their new little friend was with her captures. Yet they could still hear the poor little girl's cries, tormenting them mentally. But they can do nothing in their current state, Yuffie silently cursing her bad leg during the hour. Cait was physically yanking his ears in annoyance.
The little girl's cries soon stopped, worrying them both. Regardless, they had to wait for some indication that the enemy had left, which they got when they finally heard the large door open and close. A signal for them to eventually come out hiding and check on their little friend. Thankfully, she had fallen asleep while sobbing.
"Lassy, I don't think I can stand any more of those yahoos torturing this poor babe."
"How do you think I feel then?! I don't this any more than you do... But we need to wait. I can't believe I just said that" Yuffie groaned in annoyance, She's usually reckless and bold. Planning was never her forte, and she was very aware of that. But she wasn't willing to risk the little kid's safety and freedom.
"We need an opening, and at night... is when we will have our best chance at escaping with both the kid and my bad leg." She continued to explain to her robotic friend reluctantly. Oh, how she wished she had some type of super healing gene like Cloud or Zack.
"Lassy, I hear them again." He whimpered. The poor girl will be suffering again. And all they can do is hide and listen to her outcries.
Yuffie sighed with her quivering lips as she unwillingly grabbed Cait and took him back with her to their hiding spot.
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9 AM, New Mideel Village, Clinic...
They all stood outside on the clinic's porch. Cid on the vacant rocking chair smoking his cigar, Vincent leaning on the wall with his eyes closed, and Zack pacing around nervously. They looked suspicious to the village residents, but the village elder had vouched for them.
"Would you stop it alright?! your making me dizzy just looking at ya kid." Cid finally lost it, he had been awake since 6 AM, so he was at his grumpiest.
"Sorry, I'm just nervous."
"For what? You're not that one going the surgery."
Zack stopped his pacing and continuing the argument won't help him relax either. So what can he do till the doc opens his practice? Maybe look around the village some more? It won't hurt him to try. "I'll take a walk then."
"Don't go too far."
"I won't Cid."
Zack found himself going through the shops across from the clinic. He recalled that one of them was selling some weapons that he found interesting. Though he also remembered that the shops in the village didn't have signs or decors that differentiated them from one another. for some time, he was observing them for any sign of who was selling what, but to his luck, no one was shopping at this hour.
"Guess I'll have to wing it."
He mentally played the ieny miny game, the end of the count pointed him to the shop farthest away. It won't have been his first choice, but he still needed to waste some time. So he entered the store regardless. The first thing his eyes met in there was a white Chocobo.
"Woah, well hello... I don't remember seeing you last time I visited."
"Sorry about that stranger, he's my grandson's pet."
"It's no problem, ma'am. though I've never really seen a white Chocobo before."
"They're pretty rare on Gaia, in fact, they are native to this region. Sadly, it's hard to find them these days."
"Too bad, still your grandson is probably one happy kid to have such a rare breed."
"Oh that boy is too proud of it if you ask me." the old woman giggled, signaling to the overgrown bird to get back to her side and not bother her customer. "Now then, how can I help ya?"
"Oh... Umm..." Zack paused before he replied, realizing that the store he was in wasn't the weapons shop. Still, he didn't want to leave empty-handed, plus the lady was so nice to him. "Well, I'm looking for something to give my girlfriend."
"Say no more! I have just the thing." the elderly woman ducked down behind the counter and took out a display case filled with beautifully organized rings. "These are perfect for any bachelor hoping for a guaranteed 'yes' from his lover."
"Huh?! T-that's not..." Zack's face turned shades of red, while his arms flailed about defensively.
"Come now, don't be shy. Mideel rings aren't that expensive, plus they have a wide range of defensive enchantments too. You can't go wrong either way."
"It's not like I'm not planning on asking her, but I need to save up for the surgery first..." He murmured low, intending to remind himself. He didn't count on the old woman having good hearing though.
"Surgery? What in Gaia for?"
"It's nothing! Man, you guys are in good health alright."
"The good doctor is a miracle worker. Now then, tell little old Mari what's troubling you young man. Just think of me as your own granny."
"That's very nice of you ma'am... But it's nothing to worry about, honest."
"Well, I guess I'll let it slide this once... But don't go biting off more than you can chew, you hear?"
"Y-yes ma'am."
"Please, call me Mari... Now still interested in getting a ring for your sweetheart?"
"... I guess I will."
~.~.~
"That kid's gone for too long."
"You did tell him that he was bothering you."
"I meant it as a 'STOP WALKING AROUND IN CIRCLES LIKE A DAMN DOG CHASING HIS TAIL' kind of way," Cid complained, which caused him to rock his chair more violently and puffing even more smoke.
Vincent was just glad that Cid was holding back his usual cursing. The last thing they needed was the villagers giving glaring at them like daggers. Though he was surprised that most of the villagers they saw were from the original village, he concluded that the springs and health care were just that good.
Zack had soon rejoined them. The two immediately took notice of the small gift bag he brought with him. While Vincent wasn't that noisy, it did stop Cid from asking.
"What ya got there kid?"
"A souvenir for Aerith."
"Guessed much, but what IS it exactly?"
"N-nothing weird, honest!"
"You just made it that way kid, I'm interested."
The discussion was starting to interest Vincent too. He kept his gaze at the two while Cid purposefully made the Ex-SOLDIER flustered more and more as the questions got more personal. It was, dare he say, amusing to see Zack in such a situation. He can also tell that Cid is getting a good laugh too, which was rare for the grumpy old man. Though the teasing had to stop as Vincent noticed the doctor approaching them.
"Good day gentlemen, can I help you?"
"Can you ever!" Zack announced in relief.
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1 PM, Deepground labs, storage area...
The girl was finally given a break from all the torment they called training. Since there was no one coming into the room till later, Yuffie and Cait sat right at the foot of her bed, letting her feel some sort of comfort as she slept.
Cait slowly slipt her doll in her grip for some extra relief. While Yuffie was texting Kunsel of what she planned to do.
"Alright cat, show me the map again... I need to be double sure that this plan is foolproof."
"Lass there is no perfect plan."
"Yeah yeah, just show me the map already."
Cait sighed, she wasn't going to listen to him in her current state so he might as well do as she said. Opening one eye, it projected a holographic 3D view of the lab's blueprints. Using the projection, Yuffie outlined her escape route, picking areas and hallways that were the least likely to have guards and patrols. Cait noted that she didn't choose ventilation routes, probably to account for her bad leg and the fact that it won't be convenient for them to use with a small kid in tow.
"That's all I need, thanks furball." She waved her hand as a sign for him to stop projecting while she continued to type with her other hand.
"Say, lass, you didn't happen to catch anything those soldiers were saying last time did ya?" Cait was finally able to ask, it had been puzzling him as to way Deepground was even doing with a kid this young. They were obviously training her, but with her loud sobs causing a disturbance to his hearing, he couldn't hear them clearly.
"Well, it was hard to hear with the kids crying. But I think they were forcing her to cast magic. Isn't that kind of impossible for a normal person to do without experiments being done on them?"
"Aye, there are exceptions though, Like being a Cetra. But as far as we know, Aerith is the last of her kind."
"Unless she hooks up with Zack that is."
"Get your mind out of the gutter lassy."
"It's kind of true though."
"I don't think either of them is planning to one just yet, lassy. Anyway, the only other explanation is that the kid was experimented on like Shelke was."
"Poor kid. Honestly can't Deepground take a hint? They'll never win. I can't wait to pummel them all. They more than deserve it for torturing an innocent kid for their own gain. Guys like that just make me sick."
"You taking this way too personally lass."
"And why shouldn't I? These are the same guys that sacrificed innocent women and children before to get what they want! Heck, they planned to cause Gaia to self destruct in some way! And I bet that it's still their plan this time too."
"I guess you're right about that. But if we want to succeed, then we both need to have a level head. Otherwise, who knows what Deepground will do if they catch us."
"They won't catch us, I can promise you that. We will get out of this place. Even if I had to limp my way. The kid deserves to be free from this dump."
Yuffie had said all that she wanted to say. To end the discussion she diverted her attention back to her cellphone, leaving Cait to his devices. While he admits that he admired his partner's determination and resolve. For some reason, he had this feeling that something was going to go wrong, and he hated that.
