Behind Black Curtains
An AU, Sephiroth and Tifa fanfiction
- by Amaranthos-
Chapter 23: Perspectives of War
"Good morning sir, you wanted to see me?" comes the voice of Cloud…
The General looks up from his paperwork and spares the boy a small smile, "my dear boy, how are you?" he stands to shake Cloud's hand…
"Very well sir" he replies
"Fantastic… and how is your new job? Are you handling the role of Commander well?" he asks..
He nods, "indeed.."
"Excellent…"
Cloud smiles momentarily enjoying the small measure of peace…
"I presume you know the reason I've called you?" he suddenly speaks, his voice completely changed.
Cloud purses his lips. An air of reverence between the men…
"Yes sir…"
General Lockhart leans into his chair and interlaces his fingers…
"Would you?"
"Apparently Mack Knights sees the recent Mech being compromised as unfortunate. In addition their General sees the urgent need for Mack Knights to be relocated at such time. This he emphasizes is of the highest importance" he explains…
The General focuses on Cloud's speech…
"How is this of diligent importance?" the General muses…
"He reckons, the Mech Black Crescents captured is a one of a kind to it's 4 predecessors. It's actually a hub - a control for the other systems. It's was programmed straight to the other 4 systems. If Black Crescents finds out that the Mech is a remote control for the other 4 systems… he sees it disastrous…" Cloud explains..
"You don't say"
"As such, he's offered a solution" Cloud informs…
"What kind of a solution?" The General enquires…
"The kind you're not going to like, sir.." Cloud intrigues…
The General sighs...
"Try me"
"It would seem Mack Knights understands the quintessential need for the Mechs working together, and cohesively. He mentions, with one Mech compromised, the others will be rendered useless. Which is why, the remaining 4 Mechs must be destroyed" Cloud informs..
"D-Destroyed?" The General is confused…
"Yes sir… Mack Knights believes the only way to truly render Black Crescents with the minimum spoils of war, would be to destroy the 4 machines. In its stead, one Mega Mech will be built to combat any abomination built by Black Crescents. This however comes at a price, this according to their General" Cloud informs..
"A price?" General Lockhart laughs sarcastically. "The sons of a bitches… they disrespect our contractual agreements, disobey my explicit orders and now they're offering a peremptory suggestion as such to destroy the Mechs I've paid millions and millions of dollars for, which th-hell was to be kept secret and confidential… have they no backbone? I shouldn't pay them a cent…" General Lockhart shouts out… "absolutely incredible"
"There's more, sir" Cloud presses…
"Fascinate me"
"Apparently Mack Knights fear a direct attack from Black Crescents, as they believe Black Crescents will search for the legitimate bodies who created the Mechs. As such, they want protection by a higher order. They've requested our protection and a stay to complete the last Mech." Cloud completes…
"How ironic…" thought the General, "how a foolish mistake could make an enemy under the sheets of no particular interest, become the sudden focal point of dismay." General Lockhart opens a report…
"Tell their General…I seek a meeting with him. Urgently…"
"Yes sir"
The General leans into his chair and holds the bride of his nose. War was a stressful agenda. Need he say more to the unfortunate blow of his Mechs compromised?
Cloud remains silent, feeding in the treatment of a stressed General. The sight of the willowed General causes him to stir.
"Sir…" Cloud finds his tongue…
The General doesn't react.
"Yes?" he looks up from his troubled gaze.
Cloud just looks at him. Somehow, would his question burden his great General some more. Didn't he have enough on his plate to answer, to question, to fix, to think about? War was more extravagant and lavish in mind process', than one could hardly imagine.
But it's troublesome, when the people you care for are wasted and soiled to it's ill side-effects.
Cloud remembers them. For many a man faces a life of outcast-nature when any grand war becomes truncated. Soldiers and Generals, Commanders and Admirals all are seduced to a life of troubles and frustration – this of war. It is a painted lie to tell a soldier that his life will be okay, for none knows the tomorrow that comes…
"N-Nothing sir…"
The olden man smirks, "come now Cloud. Surely I hear the gears in your head ticking. You think loud for a young boy, you know" he informs…
Cloud looks down and smiles. It's true, he did have a knack for 'thinking aloud' as they phrased it. It's not that he didn't want to ask pertinent questions, but he wasn't sure his questions would raise the intrigue he was heightened to.
"Really sir, it's nothing" Cloud assures…
The olden man waves off, "come now Cloud… something's on your mind…share with an old man your current thoughts… pardon me not from such a selfish delight" he pleads…
Cloud understands the General's words. General Lockhart was a man who was a perfect tactician with barely any life outside the portfolio of normal. He's the key player and executioner of Red Hearts, and with not much joy to surrender on his soul – as it is unfortunate that is sole happiness, Tifa is stolen to Black Crescents. Surely, no one indulges General Lockhart in conversations outside the bounds of war politics and strategy. What need is it to him, they ask.
He's a sharp individual who doesn't wear trivial on his nature, so why indulge a man like General Lockhart into conversations about the simple pleasures, or truths of life. Surely his agenda could not match such mundane things… but is it?
"I've always thought about my servitude to war… or rather, being a soldier with an absolute agenda. It troubles me to hear the stories of olden men, former glory soldiers explain the nightmares and ingratitude of society dubbing them unwanted - for all they've fought for in blood and tears, in gallantry and hope. Could society be do deprived, General Lockhart? Is it true, that at the end of this war there is no place for me?" Cloud asks…
The General understood. Cloud like many was alas asking the question about their end in the war. A silence stretches between them.
"You know, I was never one for normal. At least society's normal. Bahh! Too overrated for an old-timer like me" he waves off, his voice full of fun.
But Cloud kept his eyes glued to the floor, fixated on his thoughts.
"The future is anything we design it to be Cloud…" General Lockhart explains…
Cloud looks up, "I don't want to design it, General Lockhart." he whispers…
"How do you envision this war Cloud, as the epicenter of your life?" he asks…
Cloud sighs, "from a very young age I've entered this war and my entire life has been one of anarchy. And to be honest General Lockhart, sometimes I curse my life having to be displaced between two war nations. And I want and crave normal. This word normal… I crave it at times. But at other times, I enjoy being a war soldier. It's all I know. I've come to realize that… it's the thing that propels me. I have a duty and a mission, and I'm part of something great in the making. So to some point when a war as large as this is over… where is my place then? Is it to be like those olden soldiers? Am I to waste in the background of society allowing the nightmares to finally catch up with me? Do I speak to a conscience I've never quite known? Am I to go unwanted and mad, knowing I've served great glory days for people who will treat me worst than curs -"
Cloud is interjected.
"—If I could lie I would tell you now the things that would comfort your young heart. Protect you from a little less heartache and despair." He pauses, "do you know what I think about my end at the war?" he asks…
"Your end?" Cloud questions…
"Yes. My end… I would want an end, you know"
Cloud looks up expectantly…
"I would want to die in the war" General Lockhart confesses…
Cloud enlarges his eyes. He couldn't believe the words of General Lockhart.
"W-What?" somehow there was horror in his voice. He seem perplex, confused but such madly orchestrated words.
General Lockhart gingerly laughs. Cloud's reaction certainly was priceless.
"I prefer die on the field, Cloud. There is no place for an old man like me. I am tired to the ways of war. Tedious and treacherous are the hurts and pressures of war. And I've carried far too many. I've killed men and taught my men to kill others. Burdens too deep that God himself has cast his face on me, never to clean a soul like mine. There is no place for a man like me. Certainly, you should know… there can be no peace for men like us. Men who take lives and expect the reciprocation of life to be good by righteously granting us the pleasures and wonders of grace." He shakes his head, "life isn't like that Cloud. A glory, a victory, a pleasure… a joy itself. As miniscule as it is, it is not favoured onto us for the sins we've committed." He sorts his throat, "simple things must be done for ourselves. Love, joy…peace. They must be designed and built by our hands, surely…no one gives that to us. For I understand your need to have it, for what you've done, for who you've saved, for your committed determination… but it is fallacy you seek, if you deny yourself the reality of the caliber of man you are, … and the truth is we are beasts…" he explains…
Cloud arches his mouth, not sure what to say. General Lockhart's words drove home, striking him with all sorrow.
"What am I to live and die for? Am I to live and die for gold badges and buttons? New uniforms and higher statures?" Cloud asks weakly…
"Well, it depends on you. But I would die for glory. I would die to be proud, filled with glory that I've served and been part of all the good things I could. That I am a soldier, an instrument of this war but my melody is not of that rustic noise, but a tune that is novelty and unknown to the times of war. I would want to die with glory… red glory as I called it. To honour my forefathers and die for true purpose itself." He speaks…
Cloud stares. He never heard someone speak about death so poetically, and yet there was something beautiful and morbid about that confession.
Cloud nods, "I've never heard such a thing" he confesses..
"It's not a thing I'd normally tell." He turns to look at Cloud, "I guess no one asked"
To be continued…