IX
CHAPTER IX
CASTLE IN THE SKY
The smog of dust and grime had all but dissipated as the trio passed beneath the glowing neon sign at the entrance to Wall Market, the hazy green light illuminating what remained of the misty particles. A hubbub of bodies inhabited the long streets of the town, the survivors of Sector7 seeking refuge around the many fires that had been lit for warmth outside the stores and eateries. It seemed that most had made the short journey from Sector6's Green Park, their sad eyes trailing the three as they ventured through the crowds.
Although populated with those who had suffered great and terrible loss in the last few hours, Wall Market's restlessness had not in any way ceased; its bars were crawling with drunks, and its nightclubs reverberating with music. The night air was consumed by the scents of fried foods and alcohol, the litter of the main road a feast for scavenging rodents and birds. Around them, the lamps lining the path began to flicker at set intervals, the electrical circuits of the district clearly affected by the collapse of the Sector7 Pillar.
Led by Tifa, they turned onto a side street, ignoring the cluster of scantily-clad prostitutes at the corners, and continued north towards the edge of town. Tramps and beggars lay asleep at the side of the road, covered in scrap and newspapers, unmoved amongst the chorus of barking by a pack of stray mongrels. Above the rooftops of the shacks and tents, Cloud could make out the darkened silhouette of Don Corneo's now-seemingly-abandoned mansion, each and every curtain drawn and lamp extinguished inside. He felt his anger rise as he thought of the man, but glanced quickly away, determined to keep his mind focused on the mission.
Beyond Wall Market, the grand structure of the Central Complex grew ever nearer, the high frame of its circumference void of light in the aftermath of Sector7's destruction. As they approached the border of the district, they saw a small fenced-off stairwell etched from the concrete boundary, the graffiti-covered passage rising away from Wall Market. Even from the road, the railway tunnel of the Complex was visible as the stairway's destination. Barret stopped at the foot of the stone steps, his suspicious eyes analysing the Shinra logo marked 'No Entry' on the barrier.
"This it?" he asked in a low voice, scanning the silent buildings around them.
"This is it," nodded Tifa. "Just as the blueprints showed."
"When'd you memorise this?" queried Barret, folding his bulging arms. "Hell, I never even saw that blueprint."
"It always helps to have a backup plan for every situation," Tifa answered with a hint of condescension. "You should know that better than anyone."
"Don't get cocky," snapped Barret. "That ain't important, now!"
"This route is probably one of the few not still monitored by Shinra," she explained, brushing off the retort. "Thanks to some of the old anti-Shinra groups, the public highways that ran between the Slum markets and the Plate were closed off years ago. The company still use them for easy access to their weapons storage facilities around the edge of the city, and the surveillance on those roads is pretty heavy."
"So what now?" frowned Cloud.
"If I'm not mistaken," replied Tifa, "we should be able to make it to the Plate through the underground railway and service tunnels."
"We need to get to Sector0, remember," said Cloud pensively. "Best way is probably through Sector4. Do you know how far up the tunnels go?"
"Does it matter?" Barret said impatiently. "What do these steps look like to you?"
"Just a normal staircase."
"Oh, yeah?" he gushed mischievously, beginning towards the gate. With a single shot, he blasted the padlock from the barrier, allowing the doorway of the passage to swing uselessly open. "Well, to me it looks like the shiny golden staircase of hope."
"Okay, that was a bad analogy," grunted Cloud, "but I understand what you're trying to say."
"If we follow the internal passages of the Central Complex, we should be able to find our way to Shinra Headquarters beneath the surface," concluded Tifa. "To me, it seems this is the only way to save Aerith."
"Then, there's nothing for it," Cloud acknowledged, his expression firm as he started up the steps. "Let's go…"
The steep ascent into the Central Tower and navigation through the dead service passages below the Plate proved more costly of time than the three had anticipated. Almost two hours had elapsed since they had begun their journey to the uppermost regions of Midgar. The climb itself had been far from quick, but it was a series of errors and miscalculations in coordination that had ensured a frustrating and tiring venture into the deep, twisting darkness of the upper-city's underground.
At brief intervals throughout their trek, they were able to witness the horror of Sector7; its homes and buildings flattened and black like burnt paper, emergency rescue teams scouring the wreckage without so much as a single life to be found. Of the entire expanse, only a section of the Train Graveyard remained intact; the tasteless irony of a place inhabited by lifeless Shinra machinery being the sector's last survivor. Stretches of torn metal and debris hung suspended from the Plate and Central Complex, desperate to plummet to earth in an attempt to wreak greater havoc. All about them, the city had fallen beneath a blanket of silence, a hatred swelling against AVALANCHE for the atrocity, oblivious to the hidden and cowardly smirk of Shinra, Inc.
At last, the trio came to a disused sewer tunnel adjacent to the Sector0 railway station north of Sectors 4 and 5. Only the faint trickle of water along the base of their path stirred amidst the cold musty walls, the brown current leading them northeast through a slither of drifting steam. After a short hike, they turned a corner to find a thin ray of white light dissecting the clouded air from the world above. Ascending the ladder at the side of the walkway, Barret heaved the manhole cover aside, and clambered out into the plaza. He quickly checked that they were alone and, holding out his arm for the others to follow, helped them out into the night. As Cloud pushed his foot away from the final rung, he allowed his gaze to rise, and felt his breath catch in his throat.
Before them, the foundations of Shinra, Inc.'s Headquarters loomed over the cobbled plaza like the monstrous underbelly of a mythical creature, spreading itself across sixteen square city blocks. Unending rows of windows lined the arcing face of the main building and smaller adjacent towers on either side, the golden glow radiating from each intensifying its synthetic appearance. Beyond the first thirty floors, the central body of the skyscraper slimmed in breadth, forming what seemed like a second structure, individual from its support. Masses of waste-emitting funnels and generators stood alongside the upper-building, belching Mako fumes into the overcast sky, every one marked by the Shinra Diamond. At the pinnacle of the Headquarters, the final ten levels narrowed further to become an even more secluded part of the construct, culminating in the Presidential Office seventy storeys above them.
Noting the direction of the signposted Highway 23 that snaked eastbound past the rear of the Building, Cloud instinctively grasped the handle of the Buster Sword as the sound of scraping stone cut the silence behind him, spinning in time to see Barret slide the manhole cover back to its rightful position. For the first time, he noticed the surroundings of the broad concourse on the southern side of the complex, his mind finally registering the environment as he took his eyes from the vast Shinra Headquarters.
The Sector0 north and south squares were isolated from the rest of the Plate by an enormous fortress wall, the respective gateways to Sector8's downtown district, the train station, and the construction yards of Sector4 situated within. Water soared high into the air from the elegant fountains atop the stronghold that enclosed the grounds of Headquarters, the bright spotlights beneath magnificently illuminating each spray as it sliced through the midnight sky, as well as the paved section the three now occupied. Collections of evergreen trees lined the street, somewhat hiding the formidable sight of the mass Mako piping and containment blocks within their boundaries.
To Cloud's surprise, it was Tifa who initially began towards the marble steps at the grand entrance to the Shinra Building, her gaze fixed determinately upon the upper-tower as she sought to redeem what she felt was her responsibility. She marched without falter across the south plaza, passing through the reaching shadows of the bronze statuettes, and stormed up the broad stairs. Stopping on the pavement twenty feet from the main doorway, she turned to glare at them, her stern face lit up by the beaming white lamps underfoot.
She was joined presently by Cloud and Barret, both continuously searching the backdrop for traces of movement. Cloud frowned as he approached Tifa, questioning the unusual lack of military personnel or even Shinra employees around the Building in such a time of crisis. Together, they surveyed the foyer of the Headquarters through the tall partition of glass that shaped the base of the skyscraper, shielding their unadjusted eyes from the brilliant radiance of its interior.
As his vision became accustomed to the brightness, Cloud was able to make out a young female receptionist at one of the desks on the right of the doorway. She sat busily typing at her computer monitor, ignorant to the three and the few members of staff that scuttled across the expansive hall behind her. Staring beyond the girl, Cloud saw a large holographic screen at the centre of the lobby broadcasting images of various Shinra projects taking place throughout the city, and repeatedly flashing the slogan 'Shinra's future is the Planet's future'. A sweeping carpeted staircase rose from view on either flank of the sprawling chamber, overlooked by the first floor terrace that housed another display area and a shop.
"You oughtta know this buildin' pretty well, huh?" whispered Barret, drawing Cloud from his thoughts.
"Not really, now that I think about it," he replied blankly, squinting hard as he analysed the internal layout.
"Huh?" spluttered Barret. "I thought you were a First Class SOLDIER?"
"I was," growled Cloud in frustration. "The military aren't based at Headquarters; the Midgar Army barracks are located to the east of here. SOLDIERs spend most of their time there when not on duty. We only got our mission briefings at Headquarters, and that was usually on the forty-ninth floor. I don't really know any other part of the complex. It was only completed a few years ago."
"Oh, yeah?" Barret snorted. "Even I've been here before, back when I still had both my hands. Came with a delegation from my hometown when the company was wantin' to build a Reactor in the Corel Mountains. Heard 'bout this place back then. Every level above the sixtieth is part of the special block an' not easy to access…even for employees…"
"That must be where they took Aerith," deduced Cloud.
"Any guards in there?" asked Barret eagerly.
"No."
"Me neither," Barret grinned, starting forward. "Let's go!"
"Wait a second!" hissed Tifa, grabbing his arm. "You're not thinking of just walking right through the main entrance, are you?"
"What else does it look like?" Barret brushed her off. "I'm gonna tear Shinra a new asshole after what they've done tonight …"
"That's not going to work," Tifa insisted assertively. "The security may seem pretty light now, but it won't stay like that if someone raises the alarm. We've got to find another way…"
"Ain't gonna be no other way!" argued Barret. "If we keep wastin' time like this, there ain't no tellin' what they'll do to Aerith…"
"I know that!" she gulped, again tugging on his ragged shirt, seeking support from Cloud with a pleading glance. "But, if we get caught here…"
"I agree with Tifa," sighed Cloud, watching Barret's face contort with rage.
"Then, what do you suggest, Spiky?" he snarled.
"I think we should be careful and find another way to sneak inside unnoticed," he said calmly. "We need to try and keep a low profile."
"Awright, SOLDIER-boy," fumed Barret, casting a furious stare at the unsuspecting employees, "we'll play it your way for now. But, I ain't leavin' here without a fight!"
"Let's just concentrate on finding Aerith first, shall we?" Cloud proposed, spotting an alleyway not far from where they stood, almost fully concealed by the darkness of the increasingly overcast night. "C'mon, this way."
Ducking low and slipping along the street around the edge of the tower, his footsteps as silent as possible, Cloud motioned for Barret and Tifa to follow him west of the glass entrance. The lane ran between the western wall of Shinra Headquarters and a detached structure by its side, idle according to the piles of trash that had accumulated. Panels of brickwork and steel rose on both sides, steam whistling over them as it shot from the grated air vents. The once-pale walls of the buildings had become smeared with grey and yellow, stained with the Mako fallout that had been pumped into the atmosphere by the chimneys above.
At the end of the cul-de-sac, a single green lamp indicated a fire exit approximately fifty feet from them. Nearing the light source, they saw the rusted metal doorway had been chained by thick links of iron. Cloud quickly glanced back, ensuring they had not been pursued, and brought his weapon crashing down upon the chains. There came a shriek of parting steel as the Buster Sword tore through the links, almost severing the door cleanly in two. Catching the falling metal as it toppled helplessly to the ground, Barret threw him a questioning stare, to which Cloud simply responded with a shrug.
They found themselves at the foot of what appeared to be one of the emergency stairwells for the skyscraper. Trapped within the bare concrete walls, the air inside had fallen to a temperature lower than that of the outside world, the rising vapour of their breath filling the hallway about them. Old cardboard boxes and garbage bags had been stacked haphazardly next to the doorway, concealed by the single dim light of the level, with numerous red insects buzzing around the floor under them, investigating the moulding cigarette filters that lay there.
"We really gonna take these stairs all the way up?" groaned Barret, half-heartedly counting the steps.
"We gotta save Aerith, right?" said Tifa, beginning her climb. "So, don't argue."
"Yeah, but talk 'bout outta the way," he shook his head, exhaling irritably as he started after her. "I dunno why you guys insist on doin' this."
"We don't want to start a commotion," repeated Cloud. "At least not until we find Aerith."
"I doubt that's possible," muttered Barret. "We ain't exactly the type to blend in with the Shinra suits."
"I know…"
"An' it seems I got you all wrong," he smirked as the three reached the sixth floor and continued to scale the stairwell.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Cloud glowered.
"I never figured that even you'd fight for someone else."
"Who cares what you figured?" Cloud snapped, unable to contain the pulse of fury that Barret's words had generated. "The only reason I even considered comin' here was because she helped me out after I fell from the Reactor. Somethin' that neither of you did."
"Don't start, man," retorted Barret. "We had other things on our plate, an' you know that!"
"Guys, c'mon," pleaded Tifa, breaking them off. "Can't this wait 'til later?"
"Awright," grumbled Barret, "but how much farther do these stairs go?"
"Why don't you ask them?" Tifa answered impatiently.
"You don't think it's one of those endless staircases, do you?"
"Don't be ridiculous," said Tifa. "See, this floor's marked '14'. We're definitely getting somewhere."
"But, we're still a long way from the top," he moaned, pounding his fist against the wall in frustration. "Damn, man, any more of this an' I'm goin' back…"
"And take as long getting down as you did getting up?" scoffed Cloud.
"Look, all I know is I'm just flesh an' blood…" he replied, waving his gatling-gun, "well, 'cept for this partner o' mine. Don't piss me about just 'cause I ain't ex-SOLDIER or a fitness freak…"
"What did you call me?" Tifa barked.
"Never mind," Barret sniggered to himself. "But, godsdamn the Shinra…they ain't no good for nothin'. Why'd they have to make these buildin's so damn tall?"
"What the hell are you babbling about?" said Tifa.
"Marlene, daddy just wanted to see your face one last time…"
"Will you stop acting like a retard and climb?" ordered Cloud, pushing him from behind.
"Pull it together, Barret," encouraged Tifa, skipping up the final few steps to the next floor. "We're almost there."
"Really?"
"Maybe…"
Although slowing to allow the panting Barret to catch his breath, Cloud and Tifa were reluctant to stop their ascent for him to rest. The hard patter of boots echoed throughout the space with each footstep, creating unease amongst the armies of bugs that infested the painted pipes along the walls. For most of the incline, the dark emergency stairwell was undisturbed by anyone other than they but, with the occasional lost employee or security guard opening one of the exits and inspecting the hallway, they were more than once forced to cower in the shadowy corners until their path was again deserted.
As anticipated, the stairs came to an abrupt end at the sixtieth floor. A faint trickle of light seeped through the slit in the doorway, the room on the other side scarcely visible. Pressing his face against the narrow strip, Cloud peered into the small lobby. The floor was vacant but for a single sentry asleep by the glass portal to another staircase; one leading farther into the special block of the Shinra Building. Mirrors lined the walls opposite, reflecting the elevators and seating area as well as the tiled silver floor. Taking his eye from the slit, he informed his comrades of his findings.
"I don't believe this!" grunted Barret. "After that, I never wanna see no more stairs in my life…an' you're tellin' me we need to go up again?"
"What else can we do?" posed Cloud. "The elevators will definitely have some kind of identification device that'll stop us goin' any further."
"But what about the guard?" asked Tifa, her voice anxious.
"We'll just creep past him," said Barret, a hint of menace flashing in his eyes. "If he wakes up, I'll make sure he wishes he'd never been born."
"Remember, we don't want to raise the alarm," Cloud reiterated, glaring at him. "Try to be as quiet as possible. This is the real thing, so stay focused. Okay, let's go."
Sliding its handle slowly downwards, Cloud pulled the door ajar. They were met with a welcome blast of warm air as they escaped the chill of the emergency stairwell, the difference in temperatures undeniable even though separated only by a thin screen. One by one, they skulked along the north wall of the bleach-scented foyer without sound, avoiding the rustle of the tropical plants situated in each of the corners. A low barrier encircled a large square opening at the centre of the room, indicating a vast shaft that stemmed the height of the Building's core, allowing them to cautiously scan the corresponding area on the levels below. Approaching the glass portico to the second stairway, Cloud was able to see himself in one of the security feeds on the monitor next to the sleeping guard, and knew that they must be swift and wary as they progressed.
To Barret's delight, the stairs leading from the lobby proved less steep and easier on the legs than before, the broad marble steps shimmering under the golden lamps of the compact walls. Oil paintings of famous landmarks and towns surrounded them, the magnificent colours of many recreating the views of the coastal city of Junon by dusk. After only a single flight, they came to a spacious landing bound by white panelled walls. Opposite the steps was an unusually-jarred electronic doorway, beyond which a canteen area could be seen. Holding his arm out, Cloud motioned for the others to hang back, passing Barret his sword as he ventured onto the level by himself.
The cafeteria seemed to span the length of the Shinra Headquarters' northern face, encompassing most of the sixty-first floor. Through the curving windows along the western wall, Cloud could make out the blazing lights of a sleepless city as the residential districts of Sectors 6 and 8 mourned the loss of their sister. A small garden patch was located in the centre of the lounge, the reaching branches of young birch trees shading the benched area beneath. Though brightly lit and far from silent with the dull drone of electricity, the canteen was occupied by a lone man, seated at one of many round dining tables, his nose buried in the evening newspaper. Glancing up as he took a sip of coffee, he jumped with a start at the unexpected appearance of Cloud, spilling a few droplets on his shirt.
"Godsdammit!" he cursed, snatching a handkerchief from his pocket and briskly wiping himself in frustration.
"Sorry about that…" said Cloud, standing over the young man.
"And so you bloody well should be!" he hissed angrily, brushing locks of his wavy blonde hair from his face. "Have you any idea how long I've been waiting for you guys to show up?"
"Well, I…"
"Three hours!" he interrupted, slamming his newspaper on the table. "The Shinra Repair Division said they'd send you straight away…those lying bastards! My boss has been taking a fit with the state of this place. He's out in the city somewhere searching for his wife and I'm supposed to be looking after his son. If he finds out I've left the boy alone for so long, I dunno what he'll do. What the hell kept you?"
"We've been busy since the attack…" Cloud improvised, blurting out the first answer that came to him.
"I know it's been hectic," the man hung his head, "but for heaven's sake, we're talking about the security of our Department Heads. After the Sector7 bombing, the whole place's been put on A-level alert, but not much good that's gonna do if half the building is falling apart. Why hasn't it been dealt with before now? Gods, it's been over two months since the incident that caused the whole situation. The doors to some of the levels are just being pushed open. I mean, look at this floor…the bloody thing won't even close."
"Which floors are unlocked?" asked Cloud.
"I'm not sure," said the man thoughtfully. "You'll have to ask the Mayor."
"The Mayor?"
"I know it sounds ridiculous," he rolled his eyes with disapproval, "but Mayor Domino has been put in charge of getting the security problems fixed while the Executive is busy dealing with the aftermath of the AVALANCHE attack. You'll need my keycard to access the library on the sixty-second floor. You'll find the Mayor there. Tell him Arkham sent you."
"Uh…thanks…" Cloud murmured as he accepted the ID card from the man. It was incredibly light, fitting perfectly into his palm, made of white plastic with Arkham's photograph and the Shinra Diamond on its front, and a magnetic strip on the back.
"Now, go on," he directed, waving Cloud away as he returned to his newspaper. "We don't know what kind of risk this place is under."
With an obedient nod, Cloud departed the cafeteria, hurriedly rejoining Barret and Tifa in the hallway. Both had remained hidden for the duration of the conversation and were only too impressed to learn of his inadvertent acquisition of the keycard. Suggesting that they follow Arkham's instructions and seek out the Mayor for further information, Cloud led them in their ascent to the next floor, edging their way carefully up the deserted stairwell.
At the height of the steps they were met by a hall similar to that below; a single security door at the corner of the landing the only decoration to the otherwise-bare walls. The doorway itself had a metallic facade, and bore a large printed '62: Executive Library' upon it, illuminated slightly by a beam of red light above the entrance. Swiping the magnetic strip of the keycard through the slim card reader at its side, there was a faint bing as the light turned blue, and the door slowly parted.
The trio found themselves immediately inhaling the stale air of dusty books as they ventured into the library. About them, all was still, the gas lamps hanging from the ceilings evidently dimmed to create a peaceful mood. The layout of the library was such that the exterior of the stairway was an isolated shell at the heart of the level, with a soft red carpet spreading from it in every direction. Throughout the expanse, its walkways were lined by row upon row of steel brackets, adorned by countless books and manuscripts. The shelves had been arranged by department, each represented by an individual colour and coordinated by importance.
Cloud began along the aisle before him, his fingers trailing the labels of the yellow bookcase. A bronze plaque above his head identified the section as Shinra's 'Urban Development and City Planning Research', the spines of the filed reports numbered in perfect order, most of which were authored by Director R. Tuesti. He mentally read the titles on some of the folders: Architectural Constraints of Midgar; Problems with Plate Construction in Midgar; An Illustrated Guide to City Planning; Midgar City Map: Sectors0-4; Midgar Highway Project, and several others.
Turning right, he came to a block of red columns under the title of 'Weapons Development Research'. This section of the library was significantly larger than the previous, spanning the length of the floor to the blackened windows of the tower's south face. Documents and reports as wide as any Cloud had seen before sat unmoving on the broad steel plates. Tilting his head as he walked, he continued to read: Special Regulations of Long-Term Mako Weapons; Materia Production and its Military Uses; Plans for New Land Weapons; Economic Report: Budget Committed to Anti-Shinra Activities.
"This place's a goldmine," whispered Barret from behind, his deep voice hoarse in the noiseless aisle.
"What do you mean?" asked Tifa.
"Jus' think how hard we could hit these bastards if we'd access to this information," he said, tapping the plastic folders with the back of his hand. "This place holds all the Shinra's secret stuff. We should burn it right now!"
"Let's not get hasty," disagreed Cloud. "Don't you understand the meaning of stealth?"
"Hey, screw you, man!" growled Barret. "I saw my friends die tonight 'cause o' the Shinra. I want nothin' more than to destroy this company once an' for all!"
"Can we please just concentrate on finding the Mayor?" Cloud responded without remorse. "Keep talkin' like that and you're gonna get us all caught!"
Without waiting for Barret's reply, he stormed down the passage on his left, oblivious to his comrade's infuriated cursing as he came after. The blue shelves of the aisle were labelled as the 'Scientific Research' files of the corporation, most of which had been organised by date. Only a select few caught Cloud's attention: Data on Experimental Animals Living Near Midgar; Mako Energy and the Rise in Life Forms; Biological Characteristics of the Ancients Throughout History; Profile on Dr. Gast, Biologist (Deceased), but he stopped dead as he read the tags of the last volumes in the block.
The documents, Ancients Project and Project Jenova, Professor G. Faremis respectively, lay undisturbed before him, a seal of classification taped around them. Gazing upon the latter file, he fought the strong urge to pull it from the shelf and rip it apart, his blood boiling as he remembered the name. With great effort, he tore his eyes from it, and allowed them to fall unexpectedly onto another paper nearby. Cloud frowned as he realised he was not looking at a report, but the marker for a text that had once resided there. A small, partially hidden sticker had been placed on the empty slot, the only proof of the file's previous existence. Leaning closer, he squinted to read the miniscule print of the sticker: 'X. (Project Jenova G Document Erased)'.
"Can I help you?"
Cloud stumbled backwards, his mind caught between the meaning of the mysterious destroyed report and the sudden voice, glancing up to see a stocky man at the end of the aisle. He was dressed in a white shirt and tie, his overweight stomach protruding from his belt, carrying a heavy collection of hardback books.
"We…uh…we…"
"May I ask what you're doing here?" said the man suspiciously, his stare shifting from the Buster Sword to Cloud, a glimmer of recognition in his eyes.
"We're looking for the Mayor," answered Cloud, raising his hands in submission. "We've just come from the Repair Division. They told us he's in charge of the security problem."
"Ah, yes," nodded the man politely, his tone sounding less than convinced. "He has been expecting you. If you'll please follow me."
Turning on his heels, the man paced down the passage from which he had come, his quick feet scampering over the carpet. Winding amongst rows of tall bookcases, some of which housed information on law and civil defence, he eventually brought them to a reading area in the easternmost corner of the library. Seated there in one of the leather armchairs, his back to the midnight sky, was a frail elderly man, sipping tea from a Shinra, Inc. mug as he browsed the pages of a manuscript titled Modern History of the Space Exploration Program. He looked up as they drew nearer, smiling welcomingly as he set the folder on the low mahogany coffee table nearby.
"Oh, hello," he said pleasantly, taking his spectacles from his face and placing them into the pocket of his brown cardigan, "and who might you all be?"
"We were sent by the Repair Division," replied Barret before Cloud had a chance to open his mouth.
"Well, how do you do?" the man chirped. "I'm Domino, the Mayor of Midgar. Actually, between you and me, I'm Mayor in name only. The city and everything in it is run by President Shinra, not by the council. My only real job is to watch over Shinra's important documents. Funny, isn't it? The Mayor…a librarian…"
"We was told you could get us upstairs," interrupted Barret eagerly.
"Were you now?"
"I'm sorry, sir," Cloud apologised, glowering at Barret. "Please forgive my colleague's rudeness. We have been asked to look into the security problem on the levels above. I spoke with Arkham in the canteen who said that you have a better idea than he would of what levels are in need of inspecting."
"Indeed I do," Domino pondered, leaning back in his chair. "Hart, leave us."
"Sir…?" stammered the assistant questioningly, again focusing worryingly on the Buster Sword.
"Hart, you are free to go," repeated Domino in a firmer tone. "I would like to speak alone with the workmen."
"Very well, sir," Hart agreed reluctantly, bowing his white head to each of them before making his way from the reading corner.
"Did you see, by chance," began Domino as he watched his deputy disappear amongst the shelves, "what it was I was reading when you arrived?"
"Not really, sir," Cloud shook his head.
"It was about the failed rocket launch, Mission: YA-79, four years ago," revealed Domino, lifting the file to show them.
"Yeah, I remember that," recalled Barret. "Wasn't that the one that was televised across the world?"
"The very same," grinned Domino with unexpected enthusiasm. "The launch itself was merely one of President Shinra's publicity stunts to try and consolidate the fading support for the Company at the time due to AVALANCHE's insurgence. I did not plan on analysing the report itself, but only to skim through it. I have taken a fond liking to reading the background history to famous people of the Company throughout the decades, you see. The profile in this of Captain Cid Highwind, for example, interests me greatly. Did you know that he was the youngest-ever pilot to fly in the Shinra Air Force? So appreciative of his duty during the Wutai War was Shinra that they granted him medal upon medal, and eventually named their first long-range airship in his honour.
"However, the more I read of this fascinating report on the launch of the rocket, Shinra26, the more I realised that it only takes one small thing to ruin the most prepared of operations. Even with the best engineers in the land…even with the greatest pilot in the world, still they were unable to go ahead with their plan because of one tiny hitch. I believe that this can apply to anything you can think of if you simply put your mind to it. Do you understand what I'm saying?"
"I'm sorry, sir, I don't follow," Cloud mumbled in confusion.
"You're not from the Shinra Repair Division are you, my lad?" sighed Domino, matching Cloud's gaze without compromise.
"What makes you say that, sir?"
"I'm not surprised you made it this far without being spotted," Domino chuckled to himself. "To the lapse, uneducated eye of many employees in this place, you are just another worker. But did you know that you have been wandering around bearing the Crest of SOLDIER on your belt? Nobody of that status would even pretend to be part of the Repair Division."
"I used to be in SOLDIER," Cloud said stubbornly. "I wear this to remind me of who I once was."
"Interesting," Domino nodded with curiosity. "But, my dear boy, it would be wise to keep out of sight as long as possible. Your outfit and armour are very similar to the uniform of top ranking SOLDIERs. There are few who would not notice that in the Executive suites above, and your Mako eyes don't disguise you in any way."
"So, you'll help us get upstairs, then?" asked Tifa optimistically.
"Of course," laughed the Mayor, laying his keycard on the table. "My card will give you access as far as the sixty-sixth floor. I'm sorry, but after that, you're on your own."
"Thank you," said Cloud, taking the ID. "But, sir, can I ask why you would want to do something like this?"
"To mess with them, of course," Domino sighed victoriously, clasping his hands together. "Since they came to power, the Company has been treating me like a common employee and I'm sick of it. Enemies of Shinra though you are, I can see in your faces that you're not here to cause devastation. I believe you will achieve what you came for and leave them suffering. This ought to make us even. Just goes to show you can't judge a book by its cover, eh? Now, go, before someone sees me talking with you."
Wishing them luck, Mayor Domino began to chortle lightly to himself, again picking the YA-79 report up from the table. The trio retraced their steps along the maze of aisles, taking their time to avoid the suspicious stare of Hart. It took a few minutes to return to the electronic door of the stairwell, the white wall of the central landing emerging between the bookshelves. As Cloud approached the card scanner, he glanced up at the small glass panel on the doorway, and ducked from sight, dragging Barret and Tifa to the floor with him.
"What the hell?" spluttered Barret.
"There's someone out there," shushed Cloud. "Stay where you are."
Slowly rising to his feet, Cloud peered carefully out into the hallway. A scrawny man much older than him waited at the foot of the stairs, flicking hastily through the pages of a clipboard. His thinning face was sharp and grey, as if all life was gradually draining from his skin, his greasy black hair tied in a long ponytail behind his back. The man wore a faded laboratory coat over a white shirt and brown trousers, most of which was stained with blood or chemicals and clearly unkempt. Watching the scientist begin to climb the steps, his shoulders hunched as if bearing the full weight of his crooked body, Cloud felt his mind spin, falling to his knees as the searing pain shot through his head.
"Oh, it's you. How is your assignment coming along?"
"Chief Veld has arrived and the final preparations are underway, but…is it really necessary to go this far?"
"Your opinion is of no importance to me."
"But-"
"So, this is the boy, is it?"
"I…I know that man…" gasped Cloud, his words catching in his throat as he groped the wall for balance. The very image of the scientist had sent a chill down his spine but, no matter how hard he fought to remember, he was unable to recall why the man's presence had paralyzed him with fear.
"How?" frowned Tifa.
"I…I don't know…" he gulped.
"That's Professor Hojo," Barret identified, leaning against the glass as the man disappeared onto the floor above.
Hojo…
"Who?" said Tifa.
"He's the top researcher here," explained Barret. "There was a profile of him that Jessie found in the files of the old AVALANCHE. I think they tried to recruit him 's Head of the Science Department or Biology Department…somethin' like that…."
"Biology Department?" exclaimed Tifa. "I bet he'll know where Aerith is. Cloud, hurry up and open the…Cloud?"
"I…I'm fine…" he winced, holding himself upright as he panted for breath.
Professor Hojo...that face…why do I know his face?
"You sure, man?" said Barret.
"Yeah, c'mon," he answered, dragging his thoughts together, and quickly slipped the Mayor's keycard through the slot. "Let's follow him."
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