-Chapter 4-

Restless Souls

Through moors and mists of deception, the uninitiated are conjoined; illusive bliss feeds obsession, a feeble orientation is provoked (is provoked)

Inflammatory bonds will be broken,being the Shepherd no more, yearning for that ever-glowing token in ongoing lore

Images appear before m,y eyes at any given time. Burdened, bearing all their lies; leeping laughter and secret smiles

"C'mon Rude! I'm starting to think all that time in the woods has you rusty!"

"Hmf, you wish."

Rude backstepped in a circle around his opponent, left fist held close to his chest and his right arm stretched out directly in front of him. He was completely shirtless, with loose fitting sweat pants and bare feet, with padded gloves on his hands. Through it all, he still wore his trademark sunglasses.

Across from him was Lysa, her red hair pulled into a high ponytail, the same padded gloves on her hands. She wore a black tanktop cut just below her chest-line to expose her midsection, tight fitting black athletes shorts, with tape wrapped around her ankles and feet. She followed Rude's motions closely.

The female suddenly lunged forward, twisting and swinging her right leg for Rude's head. Rude caught her leg, hooking one of his arms just inside her thigh, lifted her upward, then slammed her down onto the padded mat beneath them. Raising a gloved fist, he was caught off guard when her other leg suddenly wrapped around his neck and pushed him backward. She followed the momentum, and suddenly he was pinned to the mat, wherein she punched him once in the cheek. Quickly Rude raised his arms to guard against the next three punches, then lashed out his own right hook to catch her in the jaw and send her falling backwards. Rude was on his feet a second later.

Lysa grinned, readjusting her mouth guard, "Not bad, maybe I was wrong!"

Rude nodded, removing his sunglasses and tossing them aside, "You shouldn't underestimate your superior."

The female laughed, "Superior in rank, or superior fist fighter?"

Rude scoffed, "Both."

They were in a sectioned off area of the Tower, built specifically for training and working out for the Turks, recruits, or anyone who wished to use the facility. Behind them were a line of treadmills, each of which were occupied; to the right of these was another padded mat, where two soldiers were training in various martial arts. The rest of the space consisted of various gym equipment, with muffled shouts, grunts, and words of encouragement being shouted.

"You're not going easy on me because I'm a girl, are ya?" Lysa said, sinking into a stance.

Rude went into a similar stance, "That's how a man gets killed." Then suddenly charged.

Again the two came together, just within arms length and began to throw punches and blocks. When Rude swung left, Lysa twisted right and thrust her right fist out to be caught by the male and then thrown aside. This continued for a few seconds, before Lysa jumped back, twisted right, and brought her heel around in a roundhouse kick. Rude watched her body language carefully, predicted the attack, and ducked underneath her kick. He moved quick as lightning, and drove his shoulders into the back of her knees; she in turn landed on his back, but shifted her weight so that she again twisted about and landed on her feet, whereupon she charged him again. Rude was still the quicker however, and turned to snatch her right wrist that was aimed at his face, lifted her into the air, twisted, and again slammed her down onto the mat.

Here, she held up an open palm in surrender, using the other hand to remove her mouth-guard, and laughed, "Guess I was wrong about you being rusty, huh?"

Rude smirked, stood up, and offered a hand to the woman; she accepted it and was pulled back to her feet.

The two then turned and headed for a nearby water cooler, filling paper cups with water and downing them instantly. Lysa made a satisfied sound after, then looked up at the man, "So what happened out there anyway?"

Rude retrieved his sunglasses and placed them back over his eyes, "What?"

"You and Reno were gone for a long time," Lysa continued, taking another slug of water, "I doubt this entire time you and him and... whoever the mysterious third person is, had a pleasant stroll through the countryside! What happened?"

Rude scoffed, turned, and started for the exit, leaning down to grab a gym bag from the floor, "What does it matter?"

She was never more than half of a step behind him, "Might matter more than you think, Rude! Did you see anything about the Brotherhood? Another army, a group, scouting party? What about..."

Here, he whirled around and stood with their faces less than an inch apart, "Whatever I may or may not have seen doesn't matter. And even if it did, you're lower ranking than myself. Do I need to go on, Miss Howtzer?"

Here, she held up both of her hands, "No, of course not. I was just trying to make friendly conversation."

Meanwhile, on the other side of the Tower...

Reno could only smirk, leaning against the bar and holding his drink in his hand. In the chair right next to him sat Elana, her cheeks flushed red from the alcohol.

"C'mon, chick!" The redhead laughed, "You used to work at a bar!"

"Shut up!" The blonde laughed, "I told you once before this stuff is awful!" Then slowly tilted her shotglass back and let the burning liquid pour down her throat. After, she made a face and shivered.

Reno laughed again, "Here's a fun fact for ya! The more you drink, the less you taste!" Then knocked back his own shot, making a satisfying sound after.

"Another one!" Elana said, slamming an open palm down on the bar top.

"Easy, chick," Reno said, sliding into the stool next to her, "you look like you're about to faint!"

The female turned and eyeballed him, smirking a stupid smile, "How many drinks am I behind?"

Reno glanced at the bartender and winked, "Three, at least!"

"Is'zat true?" Elana slurred, looking at the bartender.

The man nodded, wiping a glass clean with a towel, "At least; I thought I counted for."

Again she slapped a palm on the bar, "Then four more fer' me!"

The lobby in which they sat was on the main floor of the Tower, accessed once one entered through one of five entrances and then walked around a circular hallway, where the bar and a cafeteria area had been set up. Reno checked his watch, two-thirty in the morning on a Sunday. The area was mostly empty, with only a few people there at that hour; two female Turk recruits were tucked away in a corner gossiping, and three low-ranking soldiers (two male, one female) sat at the furthest end of the bar and chattering quietly over beers.

Elana threw back the first shot, "So d'ya think Tseng will ever recover?"

"Man, don't be a buzzkill," Reno muttered, taking a long sip from one mixed drink that he didn't know the name of.

"Sorry," Elana murmered, the alcohol having obviously long since begun taking effect, "It's just... so much goin' on ya know?"

"Shit," Reno scoffed, opting to take another shot of his own, "try spending weeks in the woods and then comin' back to all this! Really changes your perception on things."

"What do you mean?" She asked, resting her chin on an open palm.

Reno stared hard into his cocktail, "It's like I told Rude, life can end just that quick. After Meteorfall, I figured you can't be super serious all the time; ya gotta have some fun!"

"But there's a time and place for that!" Elana responded, reaching for her second shot, then changing her mind and putting it back down.

Reno nodded, "Yeah, no shit! But that was then... now it's like, what's the point man?" He paused, slugging back another mouthful of alcohol, "You try and try to be happy but bad shit always happens."

Elana surprised him by laughing, "You're starting to sound like Cloud now!" And slapped him on the back of the shoulder, "And you told me not to be a buzzkill!" Then just as quick changed her mind again and took her second shot.

"You're right," He laughed himself,

"'Course! I'm a female, remember?"

Now Reno's eyes glinted a bit, "Oh yeah? Prove it!"

She slapped him on the shoulder again with a laugh, cheeks flushing even redder.

Reno rubbed the contact spot, still smirking, "Ya'know, I can't believe I said that, about trying to be happy. I think I need more booze!" He then whistled loudly to the bartender, throwing a sack of gil on the bartop, "Keep 'em comin'!"

Elana giggled, leaning back in her chair, loosening her tie, removing her black overcat and then unfastening the first three buttons of her shirt, "Little warm in here, isn't it?"

"Just means you're doin' it right, chick!"

As the bartender placed still two more shots in front of each of them, Reno pulled one of hers towards his own line, "I mean, we only get one shot at this, right?"

"Huh?" She asked.

"Life! We only got one life and one chance to go around the marry-go-round, so why waste it bein' sad all the time?"

"Well, duh!" Elana replied, downing the third drink; it stuck in her mouth for a second, she hesitant to swallow. Once she did, her face puckered and she shuddered yet again.

"Might be about time to cut you off, chick!" Reno laughed, reaching for the last two drinks in front of her.

But she slapped his hand away, "Buzz off, Reno!" And just as quick yet another drink was gone.

"I had a crush on him, you know," Elana went on, her eyes hazy and swimming, "Tseng I mean."

"Yeah? How'd that all work out?" He asked, downing a drink of his own.

She sighed sadly, "How you'd expect. A'course I never told him 'cause it isn't professional. Ya'know, employees being romantically involved, you know the rules."

"So?" Reno snorted, "Romantically? Shit, doesn't mean you can't get a little... nookie on the side!"

"Now I know why I never drank with you," Elana giggled, "you're a damn pervert when you drink!"

Reno shrugged, "Take me as I am or leave me at the door, baby!"

The woman considered this through her hazed mind, then sighed again, "Maybe I should've told him; it might have helped him pull through."

"Hey," He suddenly said, voice turning serious, "Quit talkin' like he's already dead. Tseng's the toughest son of a bitch I've ever known! He once whooped me and Rude's asses; we never stood a chance!"

Elana seemed to perk at that, giggling yet again, "Really? Oh, but I bet you put up a hellacious fight!"

"Weeeeell," He grinned, "I don't mean to brag but Rude went down before I did!"

"Why do I have a hard time believing that," Elana smirked,

"Hey, last call everyone! Ten minutes til three! Last call!" The bartender suddenly yelled. Aside from the two Turks, the others quickly gathered up their things, paid their tabs, and left.

"Well, shit. So much for partying all night til the chocobos come home!" Reno huffed.

Elana reached into her pocket and slammed a rather large pile of gil on the counter, "Four more apiece of your best booze!"

Reno said nothing, only laughed again as the bartender quickly poured and placed eight shots in front of the Turks; his own face had begun to turn red.

"Right, let's do this together!" Elana said, holding up a shot glass toward's Reno's.

Reno held out his own with a smirk, "One for the money,"

Clink!

"Two for the show," Elana replied,

Clink!

"Three to get lucky!" Reno said.

Clink!

"And here we go!" Elana finished.

Clink!

"Bonus round!" Reno replied, pushing forward the last two shot glasses he had set aside earlier; he gave one to the blonde.

She accepted it, "Here's to victory!"

Reno responded, "Through the teeth and over the gums, look out stomach 'cuz here it comes!"

Clink!

"Right, bar's closed you two. Gonna have to ask ya to leave." The bartender said, scooping up the money.

"Oooh, I don't feel so good," Elana complained.

"Come on, chick," Reno sighed, standing up and pulling the woman up by her arms, "I'll walk ya to your room!"

Elana could only smile, she nearly seeing double at that point, "Ah.. such a gentleman..."

They left the lobby area then, one of the woman's arms slung over his shoulder, and completely forgetting that she had left her overcoat on the bar. The bartender tried to call after them, but they never heard. A few minutes later, they stepped out of the elevator, the effects of the alcohol now in full swing. Both stumbled along, often tripping over each other but laughing with each and every missed step.

"I'm really glad you're back, Reno," Elana mumbled, "oh and Rude too of course!"

Reno could only drag her along, unable to stop his eyes from occasionally peering down her opened collared shirt, "Good to be back, chick!"

"Please... call me Elana for once," She whispered, looking up at him.

Reno met her gaze, grinned as wide as he could manage, "Whatever makes ya happy, ch... er, Elana!"

She smiled then at that, "Remember when we thought the biggest problem was Cloud and his friends?"

"What, before Meteorfall?" He chuckled, "Yeah, simpler times!"

"You know I've never had a boyfriend? Probably only went on a couple dates whenever I had free time..."

"Eh?" Reno asked, "Where'n the hell that come from?"

She giggled, "I don't know, moron! Just trying to make small talk!"

Reno's mind flushed, and found it was slowly becoming harder and harder just to put one foot in front of the other, "Shit, I don't believe that. You're not bad to look at, Elana!"

"Yeah well," She sighed, hobbling along, "guess I'm too serious for any guy to take seriously."

"Just gotta try harder, chick," He replied, "and above all be yourself! Somebody once said to me it's better to be hated for who you are than loved for who you aren't!"

She smiled at that, "You're right I guess... Reno, I'm pretty sure we passed my room."

They both stopped in the hallway then, which was completely empty and quiet. Once they realized they had indeed gone too far, they both burst into laughter, turned the opposite direction, and began to walk. A few occupants of the other rooms briefly stuck their heads into the hall to see what the noise was, and on discovery of it, only shook their heads or rolled their eyes, and retreated back to their rooms. Finally, they reached Elana's room, she shrugging off of Reno and leaning her back into the door.

"Well, guess I'll see ya tomorrow!" He said, and turned to walk away.

Her hand suddenly shot out and grabbed his wrist, "Reno wait... I don't want to be alone tonight."

"Huh?" He turned and looked at her.

"There's a war going on," She replied, "Tseng was attacked, Junon was nearly destroyed... who know's what could happen tomorrow? The next day?"

"What are you talking..."

Her other hand shot up to grip his shirt collar, ripping his face forward, their lips crashing against one another's. For a few seconds they became lost in that moment, before she finally pulled away and stared up at him.

"Any of us, or all of us could die tomorrow," She whispered, eyes gleaming with lust, "and I don't want to die with any regrets," As she said this, the hand gripping his shirt tugged him closer still, until she was tightly pinned between him and the door.

"So..." She said huskily, "...what do ya say, Reno?"

It only took a moment for him to decide, with his mouth again finding hers, the alcohol fueling his actions and thoughts, "Let's do it, chick."

"Call me Elana," She replied with a throaty gasp.

One of her hands then reached behind her to fumble for the doorknob as they kissed once again, finally turning the thing and the door falling open. They stepped in quickly, eyes locked, and already beginning to peel off articles of clothing. In one swift motion, Reno both flicked off the lights, and booted the dorm room door shut with his boot.

~ ` ` ` [VII] ` ` ` ~

~ ` ` ` [S.S Garland] ` ` ` ~

Tara stepped out onto the main deck of the Garland, shielding her eyes as the sun temporarily blinded her. She stood there a moment, sucking in a deep breath, then exhaling loudly; for some reason the salty sea air always lifted her spirits. She turned left, nodding to a passing sailor as he passed, and continued on. It had been a few days since her attack far below decks, and despite her spirits being lifted by the sea, it still unnerved her. Ever since then, she had rarely ventured outside of her own cabin during the voyage, and when she did, she was almost certain that Vincent was always nearby; a silent guardian. She hadn't known for sure, and at least hoped that the feeling of her always being watched was from the stoic gunman, and not another potential Brotherhood crony. Now that she thought about it, she hadn't truly seen nor spoken to Vincent since that day, only catching glimpses of him as he wandered about the ship.

At least here on the main deck she felt mostly safe, in broad daylight and surrounded by more than three sets of eyes.

"We're soon to drop anchor," A voice spoke as she rounded a corner.

She jumped slightly, even started to reach for her pistol, until she saw the speaker, "How do you know?"

Vincent huffed, pointing to the front of the ship, "See for yourself."

Tara moved to the front prow, staring far into the horizon and sure enough, there was a distant black smudge. Surrounding the land mass were a line of tiny silver specks, which were no doubt more WRO war ships, as evidenced by a distant ship's horn coming from that direction.

Vincent moved to stand beside her, "Costa del Sol," he answered her questioning look.

She nodded, expecting as much, "What are we going to do once we land?"

"Ask questions," He replied simply.

"What did the captain have to say when you told him about the stowaways?"

Vincent harrumphed, "Isn't it obvious? Have you not noticed the increased security?"

She paused, "Of course, but... what did he say?"

"What you'd expect. Suffice to say he did not believe me, until I showed him the corpses."

"Reeve and the others?"

"I do not answer directly to Reeve; our part in that tact is finished."

"Mr. Valentine," A third voice called out, before Tara could go on. Both of them turned to the newcomer.

He was a tall stout man in his early fifties, slightly taller than Vincent; he wore the typical attire of a high ranking WRO Navy member, with various pins adorned on his chest and a dark blue and black military cover on his head. He extended a hand to Tara and introduced himself, "Rear Admiral Alexander Price, captain of the Garland."

"A pleasure, sir," Then saluted, "Sergeant Tara Norfolk, sir."

The admiral nodded, then looked to Vincent, "We should make landfall in a half hour; what will you do then?"

Vincent nodded in turn, "A task that needs completing; we have far to go and little time to get there."

"I see," Price pondered, "well you've helped more than I expected, what with finding the terrorists on board and all. Who'd have thought!" He then looked to Tara, "I understand you were the intended victim; I am truly sorry, young lady."

Tara shook her head and avoided the senior officer's gaze, "It's okay, sir. No one could have known. I'm just glad Vincent was there."

Price nodded again, "Indeed. Mr. Valentine, as I said, you helped a lot. Any way I could return the favor? Offer you a ride, or an airship perhaps to speed up your journey?"

"No," Vincent replied quickly, "Reeve and I've already had this talk; he needs every ship, every captain that can be spared."

"Yes, President Tuesti and I had words on that matter, suffice to say they weren't all nice words," The admiral sighed, "Wutai, is it? I'm sure one single ship won't matter."

Tara perked up then, thinking that maybe they wouldn't have to walk all the way to Wutai after all.

But Vincent did not budge, "There are things, places along the way that require looking into. And with the Brotherhood sneaking onto ships, who's to say how far west they've spread, so quickly?"

Tara inwardly groaned, but did not give any sign she had done so.

"I suppose I see your point," Price replied, "but all the same, here." Then fished a slip of paper out of his pocket, "You'll find two names there; one is my younger brother, Warrant Officer Neil Price. He can get you a map, supplies, anything you might need; he's expecting you. He oversees the dock operations so he should be easy to find."

"And the other?" Tara asked.

"My youngest brother, Mark, also a warrant officer," Price went on, "if you happen to be traveling due north of Costa del Sol, you'll find one of our outposts that he oversees. Before enlisting he was a bit of a trouble maker; he can do some tricky things with computers. He might have some information and if needed, can resupply you. He also has been informed and his men are on the lookout for you."

"Thank you, Admiral Price," Tara said with a warm smile, "you and your brothers might be the difference between life and death for us."

The elder man offered a smile of his own, "Just doing my civic duty, ma'am. Good luck to the both of ya, and be safe out there." After he shook both of their hands one final time, saluting after, the man turned and left.

Vincent strolled past the woman a moment later, "Be sure that you're here before we dock."

Tara said nothing, instead watching the man walk away until he too was gone, leaving her standing alone. She glanced back to the landmass before them, feeling goosebumps prickle up her arms; one stage of the journey was over, and another was about to begin. Nodding to herself, she too quickly left the main deck, hurrying down to her cabin and preparing her things to leave.

~ ` ` ` [VII] ` ` ` ~

~ ` ` ` [Edge City; WRO Tower] ` ` ` ~

Clang!

Cloud stood up from his cot when he heard the familiar sound of a door down the hallway being slammed shut; across the hall, Barret likewise appeared at his own door.

"What's goin' on?" He asked across the hall.

"Guess we're about to find out," Cloud called back.

Right then, a helmeted soldier stepped into their sight, the vigils and patches on his sleeves identifying him as a high ranking officer; he was flanked by two marines.

"Good news, fellas," The officer said, "The president sent word down; you two are free to go."

"Hot damn, about time!" Barret hooted.

The marines each stepped in front of their holding cells, the jingling of keys right then being a pleasant sound to the blonde right then. Keys were inserted, locks slid back with loud clanks, and then the cell doors were slowly pulled open. Slowly, Cloud and Barret stepped into the hallway, and eyeballed each other; both the officer and the two marines watched them carefully.

"Now, there isn't gonna be any more problems... are there, gentlemen?" The officer asked at length, right hand slowly moving to his stun gun on his belt.

Cloud and Barret continued to stare at each other, neutral faced, and didn't say a word at first. Just when the situation looked to escalate, Barret suddenly burst into laughter, shoving one marine aside and embracing the blonde warrior. Cloud in response, smirked and returned the brief embrace.

"My bad, Spikey! I'll keep a lid on it from now on!"

"You're just saying that because I put ya through a table," Cloud said with humor.

"Pah, whatever foo'! Next time we're gonna see if chocobos can really fly!"

"You know some of them can, right?"

"Shaddup!"

"Right then," The officer said, clearing his throat, "these two will see you to the main floor. And see that there aren't any more... mishaps. I overheard Reeve himself say he might just throw you both into black cells next time."

"What'n the hell's a black cell anyway?" Barret asked.

"You don't wanna know," One of the marines answered, "let's just say they're reserved for only the most vile of vile."

"Good day, gentleman," The officer said, then strolled away to exit through a door at one end of the hallway.

"This way, Mr. Strife, Mr. Wallace," One of the marines said, gesturing in the opposite direction.

"Man, quit callin' me mister already! I ain't no business man!" Barret chuckled.

After their possessions were returned to them, confiscated prior to their imprisonment, the two of them were then escorted out of the isolation unit, up two flights of stairs, and finally up two more floors via elevator. The doors parted, and Cloud and Barret stepped out into the main lobby. Once they were in the clear, the two marines merely nodded, pressed a button inside the elevator, and were gone again. The lobby was surprisingly busy for the time of day, with people walking this way and that; mostly higher ranking soldiers and dignitaries from other regions of the continent.

"Looks like some serious shit is about to go down!" Barret commented, as the two stepped further onto the main floor.

"Looks like," Cloud agreed, then turned to face the other man, "now what?"

Barret thought a moment, "Think I'll step outside and get some air! Bein' locked in a box for that long damn near drove me insane! Gonna give Reeve's friend a call too; gotta check on Marlene and lil' killer!"

Cloud nodded, "Make sure to tell them everyone said hi, and... they still don't know about Yuffie, do they?"

"Course not!" Barret said quickly, "Leastways not if I have anythin' to do with it! I'll catch up with ya later, Spikey!"

"Later, then." Cloud finished, and walked the opposite direction from Barret, whom had already fished his cellphone from his pocket.

The blonde stood there then, dead center of the main floor, the large symbol of the WRO painted upon the marble floor. People passed him by every second, most not giving him more than a second look, while the rest never even seemed to notice him to begin with. Looking straight up, the ceiling stretched on and on, this section of the building being a cylinder shape with walkways often crisscrossing over one another; and always people were on the move. Not entirely thinking, the blonde turned to a nearby staircase and walked towards it, making a slow ascent. When his cellphone went off, a quick check revealed it to be Cid's number; Cloud decided he wasn't in a talkative mood, and silenced his phone. However, mid-way up the stairs he paused, remembering something, and reached into his vest to pull out the thin piece of rolled up paper Tifa had given him while he was still locked away. He slowly unrolled it, which had written upon it the exact floor, room number, and section of the Tower where she promised she would be. He heaved a sigh then, knowing full well that he had to keep his promise, a promise to tell her the truth.

He still remembered writing that note, buying that rose that fateful morning before the Brotherhood attacked Junon, with every intentions of sitting her down and talking to her. In a way he had almost been grateful for all of the sudden distractions, because he simply had no idea how he could put it into words. The nightmares, Sephiroth, Aerith's warnings, any of it. She would probably laugh at him, shut him out, even shun him. His phone went off again, Cid's number, and again silenced it. Despite not wanting to talk to the man, or anyone for that matter, he knew that it was time to force himself into a talkative mood. He pressed the button of the elevator in front of him, stepping into an already crowded car and pressing the appropriate floor number. Once the floor was reached and the elevator dinged, Cloud stepped out, studied the nearby room numbers, then turned right and started down the hallway.

At the halfway point the hallway turned into a four-way fork, and Cloud again looked to the numbers on the doors for direction, this time turning left. Barely twenty steps later, the left side of the hall opened up into a small sort of break room, with vending machines and two tables with three chairs apiece within. Side-glancing into this room, Cloud inwardly groaned at who he saw.

"Hey, spike-trap! You still ain't learned how to answer a damn phone!"

Cloud put one foot inside the room, "Sorry Cid. Some habits are hard to kick."

Cid laughed at that, thumping a lit cigarette out the open window, "Heard that! Also heard you an' Barret got set loose not long ago!"

"Word really does spread fast in here," Cloud sighed, "how'd you know?"

Cid stood up then, slugging back what remained of his coffee from a paper cup, "Was chatting up one of the guards, says it was time to let you two loose! Got a minute, spike-trap?"

Cloud shook his head, "I was just on my way to see Tifa, and..."

"Ah, she can wait just a minute!" Cid said, quickly stepping closer and pulling Cloud into a nearby chair, "She already knows you're out, but I told her I might get to ya first!"

Cloud was not at all impressed, nor pleased at being forced into a chair, but quickly decided it was better to not create another scene so soon after being released from jail. "What is it, Cid?"

Cid refilled his coffee cup, then slid into a chair across from the other male, "I've been hearin' rumors, Cloud," His voice was serious now, "from people who escort people who talk to people who escort Reeve and the other execs around!"

"That's a thick grapevine," Cloud scoffed, "A story can change when it comes down from a place that high,"

"Yeah but," Cid held up a hand, "its some serious shit! Wouldn't doubt it one bit; even went snooping around and talkin' to every person I could get to who started the rumors."

"And the rumors are?" Cloud asked impatiently, tempted to simply get up and flee.

"That Reeve and Rufus are puttin' together a top secret mission against Junction Town."

Cloud quickly began to lose what little patience he had, "Hardly a rumor, Cid, more like common sense. We already knew this was going to happen eventually."

"But!" Cid interrupted, "The story goes that it's gonna be a different sort of tactic! Involvin' you, me, the others, and even the WRO army itself!"

Cloud was suspicious now, and leaned closer, "Full scale attack on the Junction? What's Reeve thinking? The Brotherhood will probably kill Yuffie if that happens."

Cid shrugged, "Beats me, spike-trap! Can't get in touch with Reeve and any Turks I corner won't say a damn word!"

"Why are you telling me this?"

Cid shrugged again, "Better you hear it from me than a soldier or desk clerk an' go startin' more shit like you and Barret!"

Cloud stood up then, deciding to ponder on this new information later, "Thanks, Cid. And don't worry, I don't plan on going back into a jail cell again anytime soon. At least, not one of our own."

The pilot gestured with his hand in a small salute, "Right well, go handle your domestic life, spike-trap! You know how to reach me!"

Cloud left the break room a second later, turning left and continuing down the hall.

After that, it didn't take long before he reached the room Tifa had written on the slip of paper, and he double checked a final time to make sure he was in the right place. He stood there for a few minutes, gathering his courage, even laughed under his breath at himself. He had seen things, done things, fought monsters and beings that most people would turn and flee from, yet he could not muster the courage to confront his childhood friend and lover. Love, perhaps, was the scariest thing in the world, Cloud decided, simply because it was such a fragile thing and the tiniest thing could shatter it forever. He took a final deep breath of air, then raised a gloved hand and knock knock knock'd on the door.

"It's unlocked," He heard her call from within, he turning the knob and pushing the door open.

And there she sat upon a bed large enough for two, having discarded her black vest and instead donned a white tanktop and black bottoms. Her legs were crossed upon the bed, the nearby open window letting in a modest breeze that blew her hair backwards over her shoulders and the sunshine seeming to light up her features. When she realized who it was, she stood up quickly, bare feet pattering upon the wood floor and locking him in a tight embrace and a long kiss. For just that moment they were lost in each other, forgetting all of the bad things in the world and just happy to finally have each other again at last.

"I did miss this, you know," She whispered when they finally pulled away.

"Me too," He said back with a small smile.

They remained in that posture, her fingers slowly brushing again and again down his cheek, and his own running through her hair. Finally, she pulled away, but took him by the hand and led him to the bed, where they sat next to each other. "What did Cid want?" She asked a second later.

"To gossip," Cloud said truthfully, "he's been hanging around the soldiers too long. Word on the grapevine is that Reeve and Rufus are finally making plans to march against Junction Town."

Tifa nodded, "I might have heard similar things, but... that was already going to happen, right?"

"That's exactly what I told him."

"Did he say anything else?"

Cloud shook his head, "Not really. Just that it might involve all of us, you, me, Cid, Barret, the army itself."

"What..." She started, but he cut her off.

"I really don't know, Tifa. All we can do for now is wait for Reeve to call us. Right now... we have something else to talk about."

She managed a very small smile, but it disappeared as quickly as it had appeared, "I was hoping you'd say that."

With a sigh he suddenly stood up, walking two steps away to pull a chair back, which he slumped into afterward, "Where do I even start?"

He suddenly moving away startled her, but her facial features showed no sign, "Where all stories start, Cloud, the beginning." She paused, thought a moment, and then said, "You kept mentioning your dreams."

He nodded, "Right, the dreams," He scooted the chair in which he sat closer to the bed, then leaned forward onto his knees, "Do you remember all those months ago, I had called you to tell you I was going to the slum church?"

Tifa nodded.

"And when I came back, I had Barret with me?"

She nodded again.

"That day..." Cloud started, the memories rushing back to him as though it were the day before, "I was sitting on Fenrir, but... I don't know if you could call it a dream, or even a vision, but..."

"You saw her again, didn'tyou?" Tifa offered.

Cloud didn't move, nor blink, "Yeah... I was in a field of flowers, and she was off in the distance. I only went to the church because I thought maybe she was trying to reach through, to tell me something?"

Tifa raised an eyebrow, "Why would Aerith..."

Cloud held up a hand, "Just hear me out, Tifa; it turns out my assumption was right."

Tifa leaned back and did not say another word.

Cloud went on, "A while after that, I was asleep, and she came to me again, but it was like she was right there, in our room. She told me, 'everything is about to change, Cloud,' and at the time I didn't believe her. But she was right, because that was around the time the Brotherhood seized Fort Condor."

"Do you think that's what she was really referring to?" Tifa asked.

He shook his head, "I don't know, but it makes sense." He glanced down at his open palms.

"Have you seen her again since then?"

"The last time... was when we got back from Junon, inside the bar. I was upstairs, and she appeared in the doorway."

Now Tifa looked somewhat worried, "You weren't asleep? She was physically there?"

Cloud thought a moment, "Not really physically there, but... she was there. She told me again that things were about to change... again."

"What does that mean?" Tifa asked.

"Who knows, but so far she hasn't really been wrong. And there's something else she said... that the enemies aren't just on the outside, but inside as well."

"Which means there might be a traitor among us," Tifa said at length.

Cloud nodded again, "Exactly. But with so many people running around, it could be anybody."

"Or nobody," Tifa replied, "well, it sounds like Aerith knows exactly what's going on, but... how, I guess we'll never know. And you said it only started when you were sleeping? Now she's somehow manifesting herself in the real world... there has to be a good reason."

Now Cloud scooted his chair back a step, feeling a familiar darkness tugging at his mind, "And there's something else, Tifa... the dreams... it's not just Aerith."

She surprised him then, when she said, "It's Sephiroth, isn't it?"

A look of dread shot across his face, "How did you-..."

"My turn for 'remember when.' Outside the bar, when I tried to confront you about it, you had said 'it's him, it's him.' And you made a sound," Here, she made a ssss sound, to emphasize the letter, "And not only that, you looked afraid while trying to spit it out. So, I put two and two together."

Cloud had wanted to ask, 'so he isn't invading your thoughts either?' but thought better of it.

"Hmph, don't flatter yourself, Cloud. Had I wanted to possess the wench, I could have done so long before now."

Cloud pressed a fist against the side of his head, pushing the presence away. "Every single time I've slept... he was there too. And over time, the dreams have gotten worse."

She leaned closer still, "Go on."

As much as he hated to acknowledge it, he sifted through his memories, "At first it was just typical nightmare stuff, fighting and taunting... didn't think much of it at first. But then..." Here, Cloud lifted up his vest, to show her the thin scar that stretched across his midsection; a trophy of the very first dream where his nemasis was able to harm him in the dream world, and it carry through to reality.

Tifa stifled a gasp.

"And that too has gotten worse and worse... whatever he does to me now in my sleep... the wound appears," Cloud said with a shudder. He then completely removed his vest, stood up, and turned around to show a circular scar on his chest, a matching one on his back as though a sword had been pressed through him. On each of his arms was the faint outline of what remained of two bruises, shaped like hand and fingerprints.

"Cloud, I... I don't even know what to say," Tifa responded, and soon found that she was shaking slightly.

Cloud put his vest back on, "If you don't believe me, I understand."

"No, it's just... how? Why? Do you think maybe Aerith is trying to fight him?"

He sat back down, his face now saddened, "That or she is under his control... the last two times I saw her, Sephiroth came and... banished? Killed? Sent her away? And always saying things like 'she is under my control' and 'she cannot save you anymore.'"

"Always wringing your hands and playing the pity card, Cloud." Sephiroth's voice chuckled inside Cloud's head.

"Shut up!" Cloud suddenly yelled, pounding the side of his head again.

Tifa startled, reaching out to take Cloud's balled fist, "Stop that, Cloud!"

He drew away from her suddenly, kicking over the chair in the process, "I hear him all the time, Tifa! It's like the more time goes by, the worse and worse it gets! I saw him at Junon, he banished Aerith when we got back to the bar. The last nightmare I had before we came here was the most brutal and macabre one ever!"

She bit her lip, allowing him to rant and rave, before she too shot to her feet, "And what are you going to do about it, Cloud? Hm? Run away again, hide like a scared child?"

"Of course he is."

Cloud held his ground, ignoring the voice, "What am I supposed to do, Tifa?"

"Not run away!" She snapped at him, "Haven't you learned your lesson yet? That never helps anything, only makes it worse!"

He turned away from her, stepping over to stand by the open window, and said nothing.

She stood up behind him, an arm's length away, "Running has never solved problems, Cloud. Not for you, for me, for anyone. And even if it did, Sephiroth is in your head, right? Do you think even if you ran to the end of the world, you'd be free of it?"

He did not look at her, only continued to stare out the window, "It sounds like it would be a start," He muttered, and she barely heard him.

But she heard well enough, taking a step and yanking him around to face her, her eyes stern and drilling, "Now, you listen to me, Cloud Strife," and pointed a finger directly at him, "you can't run anymore, not now. It's too late for that."

He stared at her, face softening, and remained silent.

She went on, "You might be sick of hearing this, just like I'm sick of saying it, but we've all been through too much after all this time. You and me... and this war that just happened over night? All of the battles and the hardships... there were several times I thought I was going to lose you. But you can't leave now, you can't leave us." Here, she started to place a palm upon her stomach, realized what she was doing, and stopped herself. She wondered if she should share her suspicions... that maybe that would keep him around for the most part. Instead, she opted not to, and instead watched him carefully, waiting to see what he would do.

Cloud turned his head, averting his eyes elsewhere as he spoke, "I had never planned to leave you or any of the others... not really. But what else am I supposed to do?"

Here, Tifa reached up to touch his face, slowly and gently pushing his gaze back to her own, "We'll figure it out, Cloud. We always do, don't we?"

"I don't think this is something anyone else can figure out, Tifa. This... this is unlike anything we've ever had to face before."

"You're wrong," She replied at once, "it's exactly the same in context. There's no problem that can't be solved."

He continued to stare into those ruby colored eyes, his face remaining neutral, "But how can you be so sure, Tifa?"

She offered him a smile, "You really have to ask me that, as long as you've known me?"

Now he felt his own smile slowly form, "You're right, I guess. At least... I hope you are."

~ ` ` ` [VII] ` ` ` ~

~ ` ` ` [ Cosmo Canyon ] ` ` ` ~

Cait's body bobbed up and down as the soldier marched down the dust-filled path, the toy having situated itself upon his shoulder. Ten fellow WRO marines flanked around them, as well as fifteen of Red's own elite warriors, they having more knowledge of the surrounding area and thus made up of the outline of the patrol.

It had been several days since their first arrival at the Canyon, Cait having decided that the WRO force alongside himself, should remain in the area. Cait had went back to Red the day after their arrival, again trying to convince the chieftain to listen to reason. And yet again Red would not be swayed, nor would he budge from his logic and reasoning to protect his own people above everything else. Once a few of the WRO soldiers caught wind of this, rumors and speculation began to stir, some citing that the chieftain was selfish, arrogant, some even going so far as to cite Red as narcissistic. There was little Cait could do about containing these rumors, and yet despite them there had been no problems between the military personnel and the natives. Their stay had actually been pleasant, with abundant food and shelter, and gradually the natives of the Canyon began to become at ease, even open up to some of the soldiers, the former realizing that these strangers were not cut from the same cloth as the last group who had mercilessly slaughtered.

Even still, the toy agent knew that the powers-at-be had to be informed of Cosmo Canyon's stance on the war at hand, such as why the small troop were marching towards the outskirts of the Canyon. Cait had learned quickly that holding any form of stable communications, via any form of technology, was impossible in this desolate land, and so he requested a sort of scouting party to venture forth until a stable connection could be reached.

"Do you think we wasted our time coming here, sir?" The soldier commented.

Cait continued to study the device in it's hands, shaking it's head, "Hard to say, lad, though I'd like ta' think not!"

A female soldier nearby added, "And what about the soldiers we lost, sir? Do you think it right that we buried them here of all places?"

For the first time since it could recall, Cait became angry, "An' what would ya 'ave me do, lass? Allow tha' bodies ta' rot in this heat until a helicopter evac could be secured?"

"N-No sir..." The female soldier hesitated, "My own opinion is that our dead should be buried where they truly belong!"

Cait's ears twitched several times in annoyance, "Like it or not, we're all fightin' for the same thing. Their dog tags were removed, an' their names logged. Tha' soldiers who fought and died for a peaceful future will receive a burial of sorts back in Edge! Their spirits will find peace, regardless o' where they be buried."

And that ended that particular argument.

The troop continued to march for another twenty minutes, when the device in Cait's hands began to rapidly beep and vibrate, the signal (faint though it was) showing the device now fully functional.

"Oi! Hold it here!" Cait suddenly screeched, then pressed several buttons and turned a knob on the device.

Many agonizing seconds passed as the contraption attempted to establish a connection to the intended recipient, the majority of those present thinking it was another waste of time. Cait even went so far as to stand upon the shoulder of the man he was sitting on, and hopped over to the opposite shoulder. It's tiny hands held the machine into the air, twisted this way, angled it around that way, even held it upside down, upwards, downwards, and sideways; always the machine beeped and booped, trying to secure the call.

Finally, the beeping abruptly stopped, followed by a loud click and a final boop, and Reeve's face appeared on the small screen, "Cait? Where have you been?"

The toy flopped down, "Apologies, boss-man! Hard ta' get a signal within tha' Canyon!"

"I can barely see you," Reeve responded, "where are you?"

"Not far from tha' Canyon, sir! Had ta' come oot this far ta' contact ye'!"

It heard Reeve sigh, "Not surprising. What's the update, then?"

Cait shook it's head, "'Fraid Chief Nanaki is unwillin' ta' help right away. He reports that 'is own lands are under attack as well!"

"What?"

Cait went on, "He's captured a Brotherhood scout, sir! An' that 'is own villages are bein' raided an' destroyed!"

"And so he has to protect his own grounds, right?" Reeve replied.

"Aye, sir!"

Another sigh, "Damn it, so now the Brotherhood are in other parts of the world? Just what we need."

"What shall we do, boss?"

There was a pause, as Reeve considered this situation and that, "I might can charter another small group to Cosmo Canyon. If the rebels have really extended their hand that far west, then we have to fight on both fronts. Nanaki and his warriors cannot fight them alone."

At that, those of Red's warriors who overheard that shifted angrily, even grunted in annoyance.

Cait ignored them, "But what aboot the mainland, sir?"

"Reinforcements from the Northern Glacier should be arriving any day now. And that besides, Rufus and the Turks are attempting to gather as many new recruits as possible."

"Aye, good thinkin'! How goes it over there?"

Reeve paused, quickly opting not to reveal to the agent on Tseng's condition, "Well enough, given the circumstances." Then his image began to crackle and pop, slowly fading from the screen.

"About ta' lose ye' again boss! What should we do?"

"Just stay put, help in whatever way you all can." Reeve responded quickly, "Let Nanaki know the WRO will help however we can, and to be on the lookout for a helicopter!" Then the device beeped and shut itself down completely, the signal lost.

The next hour was spent trekking back to the Canyon, many of the soldier's hearts heavy at having to spend yet more time in this foreign land. Upon arrival back at the main camp, Cait had excused itself from the main group and had attempted to enter the main fortress, only to be stopped by four heavily armed tribesmen.

"The chieftain is in a private meeting, and has forbade anyone to enter," One guard had said.

"Chief Nanaki sent word however," Another quickly put in, "that he wishes to speak with you, Lord Cait, once the meeting is complete."

Unable to argue, Cait returned to the rest of his party, many of whom had since gathered around a large bonfire in the village. The sun had begun to sink in the sky, the final rays lighting up the sky in colors of red and orange, which only seemed to make the deep red color of the landscape burn fiercely, more brightly. As it walked, it caught bits and pieces of conversation from the WRO soldiers.

"No thanks, I don't like the taste!" One female soldier declined a large silver flask from a fellow soldier.

"You don't drink it for the taste, really!" The male counterpart laughed, taking a long swig from the flask.

"Can't believe we're having to stay here even longer!" Yet another soldier complained, "We should at least go back to Edge to help protect our homes!"

"Glories of military life, you don't get to pick and choose where you go!"

"Just think of this as a mini vacation, guys! At least we're not getting shot at!"

"Yeah, not yet. You ask me I'd rather deal with rebels than them fuckin' manticores and skeletons!"

Cait shook it's head, not bothering to throw in a comment of it's own. It did, however, worry what all of this would do for morale; already it could see the telltale signs of a quickly fading will to fight. Could this be one of many of the Brotherhood's strategies in their recruitment gathering?

"Lord Cait!"

"Oi?"

A burly, bronze-skinned warrior stepped into the agent's path, banging a heavy shield on a bronze shield with a clang! "Chief Nanaki has sent for you; he awaits you and urges you come quickly!"

"I'll be right there, lad! My thanks!" Then continued upon it's way, this time changing direction and walking from the way he had come.

"Commander Sith,"

"Yes, lad? Make it quick, aye?"

"What exactly is it we're supposed to do?"

The toy body shrugged it's shoulders, "Ya heard President Tuesti, lad. We 'ave ta' help however we can!"

"But what does that mean exactly, sir?"

Again Cait shrugged, "Only time will tell! Now I 'ave ta' speak with tha' cheiftain. Jus' hold down tha' fort here, aye?"

"Yes, sir."

Cait entered into the main 'throne' room of the main fortress, to find Red sitting on his hind legs upon the small throne. The chieftain nodded in acknowledgment, then beckoned the toy closer. Here, Cait discovered a strange sort of device just to the left of the throne. It had a cone shape, with a medium sized bowl around the top of the 'stem', and it was made entirely of stone. Cait wondered, had this thing been there the entire time and had not noticed? Nevertheless, it stepped closer to the throne.

"Welcome back, Cait. I trust you were able to communicate with Reeve?" Red asked as the other drew closer.

"Aye, lad!"

"And what news?"

"Reeve claimed that all is well! An' that he's sending more troops out this way!"

"But why would..." Red had started to speak.

"If'n tha' Brotherhood have reached so far west than we 'ave to fight 'em everywhere we can!" Cait said, forcing some joy into it's voice. "We're ta' help however we can!"

Red did not speak at first, glancing down at his paws, and thinking. Finally, he looked back up and nodded, even seemed to smile just slightly, "Of that I am relieved. However, I can't help but feel that this is another form of bribery."

"A'course not, lad!" Cait replied quickly, "Seein' as we're already here, Reeve means to secure a WRO foothold here as well!"

Red nodded again, "Very well. Come closer, there is something I wish you to see." And nodded towards the stone bowl nearby.

As Cait stepped closer to the thing, a third figure suddenly appeared in the corner of the room, stepping from the shadows. He was an elderly short man, his bronze skin filled with many frown lines and wrinkles; his hair was past his shoulders, and old age had turned it milk white. His robes were stitched of multiple colors, adorned in various colored beads and feathers, and he walked with a wooden cane, though several tribal lines and runes were carved down it's entire length.

"Cait," Red spoke, "This is Qal'Dorei, my personal adviser and head shaman."

The shaman nodded in acknowledgment, and spoke in a raspy, slow voice, "This one is honored."

Cait bowed in respect of the ancient shaman, "A pleasure, sir!"

"Qal," Red now turned to the shaman, "I would have you show Cait would you showed me."

"Step closer, young master," Qal whispered, removing a small leather vial from his robes and standing over the stone bowl.

Quickly, Cait pushed a chair towards the bowl, and hopped into it. Here it discovered the bowl was filled with water, but it had a glassy surface, nearly seeming more akin to a mirror.

"Oi, lad, what am I aboot to see?"

The old shaman rasped again, "What was... what is... and what will be. Even the wisest cannot know, for the scrying mirror shows many, many things." Then turned the leather vial over and poured three small drops of some silver liquid into the bowl. Cait leaned closer, as the small pool began to ripple, and was even surprised when a gray smoke began to gather beneath the surface of the water. Here, the old shaman swirled a gnarly digit once, twice, three times around the entire outer length of the pool, softly chanting in his native tongue. A few more seconds of silence passed, and slowly the image on the pool changed, the gray smoke dissipating.

The image before Cait was a peaceful green pasture, with azure blue skies and wild flowers growing every which way. Butterflies and birds bobbed in and out of the view, and Cait swore it heard the faint chirping of birds. Nearby, a flock of chocobos pecked at the ground, wark'ing contentedly.

"What was..." The shaman rasped. Then the image changed again, the gray smoke returning but just as quickly seeming to be blown away to reveal a very different picture.

It was a battle, between the WRO and the Brotherhood. Both sides exchanged rapid gunfire, the occasional explosion of a grenade startling the toy agent. Military vehicles zoomed in and out of view as well, and the battle waged on for several seconds before the smoke returned.

"What is..." Again the shaman whispered, and then the smoke faded yet again, and Cait gasped.

The entire landscape was dead, it looking like the entirety of it was coated in ash. Cities were ablaze, with black-hooded soldiers rushing about and killing anyone with no mercy. Giant iron works belched thick black smoke and oozing, white hot lava. Women and children were shackled and carried screaming out of sight, and those that resisted were either shot or their throats opened with razor knives. The entire time in the background, a large black flag bearing the Brotherhood's sigil flapped in an unknown breeze, JENOVA's eyes alight in bloodthirsty glee. A female voice laughed.

"Bloody hell..." Cait gasped.

Qal spoke, as the pool ripped again and then was nothing than a bowl of water, "Such is what the world will become, if you and your allies should fail."

"But how do we know fer' sure?" Cait asked, now clearly afraid.

But the elder shook his head, "The ancient magics do not lie, young master. All that we can do is trust in our own strengths."

Now Red spoke as the shaman shambled slowly away, "Even if I did not believe in the magic of our people, I have seen the barbirism of the foe we face. Thus, I do not doubt that these... Brotherhood rebels will destroy this planet. You mentioned Reeve to be sending reinforcements? How many?"

Cait shook it's head, "I'm not sure, lad. Though I would not be expectin' an army!"

"No... of course not. All the same, it appears we're stuck together now." Red said this with another smile.

Cait forced a smile of it's own, still very much rattled from the scrying mirror, "Aye, lad, appears to be!"

Just then, the wooden door at the back of the room was violently thrown open, both a WRO marine as well one of Red's own warriors rushing in. Red was standing on all fours a moment later.

"What has happened?" The chieftain demanded.

"Sir," The marine started, "towards the southeast, an army!"

"Beasts and men!" The warrior quickly added.

"Tha' Brotherhood?" Cait wondered.

"It maters not," Red said quickly, "Rouse the warriors, if it is a fight they want, it is a fight they shall receive!"

~ ` ` ` [VII] ` ` ` ~

~ ` ` ` [Somewhere south of Kalm] ` ` ` ~

The village looked as though someone had kicked over an ant bed.

People rushed this way and that, in and out of houses and stores, gathering supplies and making final preparations for their departure. An envoy arrived the day before, claiming to be a messenger of Reeve Tuesti himself, and promising an armed convoy to safely evacuate the village. Some days after the failed siege of Junon, it seemed that a smaller Brotherhood force broke off from the main army, and had surrounded the small and very much remote village. Those who had attempted to flee never returned, and the rest of the villagers could image well enough those poor souls' fates. But finally, it was assumed that a messenger had slipped past the rebel ranks, with the arrival of the WRO emissary.

And yet there were still doubts and nagging questions that stained the minds of many more than one of the townspeople. Why would the Brotherhood target their small town to begin with? How is it that the enemy could even make it this deep into the WRO territory? And more importantly, why had their military, the WRO, not done something about this sooner? And, why had their town not been approached when this whole mess began in the first place? Still others counter-argued that since their tiny village of less than two-hundred people was so far off the beaten path, it would be easy to overlook. Considering the WRO had more pressing maters, such as a war to fight and major cities and outposts to evacuate, their own tiny town would hardly be a forethought.

Hours passed, with the sun slowly going down and much of the village population now simple standing around eagerly and anxiously, ready to be safe. They did not have to wait much longer, as a small line of trucks crested the ridge, and started towards them. Here, many of them began to cheer, mothers whispering encouraging words to their children while at the same time cheering themselves. After a few minutes longer, the first two trucks of the convoy entered the 'gates' of the village, one turning to it's left, and the other to the right; upon the backs of each were a mounted gun, and a soldier behind it. From the rear, still more trucks entered into the village, again sporting mounted guns and soldiers. Each soldier wore the standard white and gray and red uniforms of a WRO soldier. Towards the northern side, a tractor-trailer was slowly backing up to a loading ramp, which would serve to transport the refugees.

One of the WRO soldiers stepped forward, and produced a megaphone, "Citizens of Carth, I'm Staff Sergeant Kyle Reese, Seventy-Fifth Air Brigade. If you'll please direct yourselves quickly but quietly towards the northern ramp, we'll get you all out of here safely."

That was all the villagers needed to hear, as they turned and started for the ramp; from the front of the semi, two more WRO soldiers stepped around and began to unlock and unhitch the back of the trailer container.

Some of the villagers noticed odd things, such as a score more of army vehicles angled around the outskirts of the town, in a sort of C shape. Others thought nothing of this, and were elated with the extra security detail, knowing they would reach their destination safely. The villagers stepped closer, now waiting less than five feet from the back of the semi as the aforementioned pair of soldiers unhitched the final lock and pulled the container doors open.

Ten more WRO soldiers were revealed to the villagers, the former of which quickly raised their rifles and began to open fire into the thick throng of villagers. Screams filled the air, as the villagers scattered this way and that, but to no avail. Every soldier also opened fire, and the innocents were caught between not one, but four walls of gunfire. Still other soldiers appeared with large cannisters attached to their backs and thick metal hoses in their hands, faces concealed by gas masks. These soldiers used their flamethrowers to set fire to the buildings, even turning the raging flames into the thickest clusters of villagers. Rocket propelled grenades soared through the air to blow apart other buildings, stray shrapnel killing still more people.

One woman had hit her back, sliding backwards and clutching her young daughter, sobbing and begging for mercy. The WRO soldier crept forward slowly, an evil glint in his eye. Without so much as blinking, he aimed the gun at the woman's head, and shot her. The young girl began to sob, trying to urge her mother to wake up. The soldier then turned the gun on the young girl.

Men, women, and children, all were mercilessly slaughtered and left to rot where they fell, the soldiers never seeming to care. After a time, the agent Kyle rounded a corner, to find more of his fellow soldiers surrounding two male villages, each one with bound hands. One of the men was frantic with sobs, as not even three feet away, his wife and son were riddled with bullet holes.

"Is that everyone, then?" Kyle said, removing the WRO red cover and tossing it into a nearby flame.

"All but these two, sir."

Slowly, Kyle eyeballed the two men, who now looked up at him with a sorrow rarely experienced. At a nod, two soldiers bent down, sliced their bonds, then harshly hauled them to their feet and shoved them towards the northern side of the village.

"Go!" Kyle yelled after them. "Tell everyone you meet what happened here, and know just who it was that did it!"

And the two men then ran, and ran as hard and fast as their legs would carry them. They ran by scores of dead, the blood still fresh and warm upon the ground. Loved ones, neighbors, friends, all dead, and all betrayed by the one power they had assumed would keep them safe.

"How many men does it take to deliver a message?" Kyle asked, scratching his chin.

Beside him, a soldier hoisted a large rifle upward, peering through the scope and aligning one of the retreating men's heads with the crosshairs of the scope.

"Only one," The rifle bearing militant snickered.

KRA-POW!