Disclaimer: I own nothing except a few original characters and my ideas. So don't ask.
"So far we have quarantined the town of Kalm until further notice. We are taking all necessary precautions in handling these people but until we have determined why they were set free we must handle them with extreme caution. We suspect that the group that kidnapped the townsfolk, might be returning them with some sort of virus, or biological agent to spread fear and panic to the surrounding areas. But we have no evidence to support that claim. However, the missing people in question, do not even acknowledge being taken away in the first place.It was as if the incident never occurred. "
I was standing in front of Rufus Shinra. The owner of the Shinra Electric company and pain in my ass since I don't know when. Along with me were Reno, Rude, Tseng, Elena, and Reeve Tuesti (of the WRO). Rufus was currently reading from a report from the ATU (Anti Terrorism Unit) on site in Kalm. He threw the document down on the desk and looked at us. He looked like he hadn't slept in a week, dark circles prominent underneath his eyes, and his hair was more disheveled than normal. His white suit was wrinkled and it looked like he hadn't eaten in a while either. His eyes grew distant, before continuing with the briefing.
"So far we have learned nothing from the townsfolk about their abductors. And all we have to go off of is some man's crazy story about a man with fangs. The situation is getting dire. Cloud, do you think that Sephiroth has something to do with this?"
"Possibly, why would you ask?" I asked.
"We have been tracking a man that fits his description for a while now. But we lost him in the ruins of Midgar. Then I received some intel that you had fought him at that location."
"In other words, your tapping Tifa's phone."
"Yes."
"But, there were countless involved in the abduction of those towns." I said, slamming my hand into the desk. He frowned, shaking his head slightly.
"We are all upset Cloud. But that is no reason to lose your head. We have a limited amount of information, and far too many questions. Even the Shinra company has limitations." He said, sighing.
At that moment, the door to President Shinra's office flew open and a rather flustered young man in a lab coat walked in. He was from the Science Research Department and you could tell by his five-o-clock shadow that he hadn't been home in a couple of days.
"Sir! We've found something!" He shouted.
"What is it?" Rufus said, got up slowly.
"An unknown biological agent was found in one of the survivors bloodstream. We've run it through every known biological agent in our database, but so far have ended up with nothing."
"Do you at least know what it does?"
"No sir. But we do know that when we were taking blood samples, one man attacked one of the female scientists."
"Attacked? What do you mean by attacked?"
"Sir...he bit her."
"Bit her?" Rufus asked, narrowing his eyes.
"Sir, He says he wants to talk to you. He is currently in one of our holding cells. I will lead you there."
"Is he secure?" Tseng asked.
"Yes sir." The scientist said, his voice quavering.
"Sir, I wouldn't advice this course of action. We have no idea what we are dealing with." Tseng said.
"We will address that if and when the problem arises. I want answers that he might have; And if he is willing to talk, I see no problem with going to see him."
"Then at least let me order in more security."
"Hey! Who are we, chopped liver?" Reno yelled indignantly.
Rufus pursed his lips, then nodded to Tseng.
"We need three available guards to meet us in the holding tank area of the Science Research Department. Over." Tseng said into a walkie talkie.
"Roger. Three men being sent down now."
"Roger.Over and out." Tseng said. He nodded to Rufus.
"Everyone come with me." Rufus said, as he made his way around his desk. Tseng and Elena flanked him as we exited. Reno was still grumbling about no respect and Rude just nodded his head as Reno talked. As we were walking down the hallway towards the elevators, Reeve tapped on my shoulder.
"Long time no see Cloud." He said smiling.
"I have been busy."
"I was trying to call to see how your business is going. It was a delivery business, right?"
"Yes, but it hasn't been doing so well lately. Ever since this whole business with the disappearances. I haven't had one client call about a delivery."
Reeve laughed slightly"I am surprised that it did so well in the first place. You know, your always welcome at the WRO. We could always use a man with your talents."
"I think I'll pass."
He laughed again, "Same old Cloud."
We all climbed into the elevator and the scientist hit L5 on the panel. The elevator shuttered slightly and then started down. Rufus was discussing scenarios with Reeve. Tseng and Elena stood rigidly at his side, Tseng offering some advice when it came to protecting the building. The scientist drummed his fingers on the side of the elevator. I started to fidget slightly. I always hated going to the labs, there were too many bad memories associated with with them. I grimaced slightly as the memory of Sephiroth tried to force its way into my thoughts. Apparently Reno noticed it and he raised an eyebrow.
"You okay, Cloud?" Reno asked.
"I'll be fine."
"Yeah. The labs creep me out too."
"Thats not what you told one of the female scientists this morning." Rude said, smirking.
"I tell all the ladies that." Reno said. Elena looked back, and rolled her eyes.
We arrived at our floor a few minutes later. The whole place was buzzing with activity, People sitting behind desks staring at computer screens, looking down microscopes, or reading what I can only assume to be medical data. They all scurried out of the way as Rufus went by, greeting and nodding to him. They all looked nervous as one young woman dropped a stack of papers that were in her hand. She picked them up quickly and mumbled an apology before scurrying away. The young man led them to the end of the labs towards a large metal door. He produced a card key and inserted it into a slot to the side of the door. There was a heavy clang and then the sound of pressure being released, almost like a vacuum. As we were being escorted, I looked around, studying the holding tanks. They were plain white tiled rooms with a bed, a toilet, and a sink. A small slot was in each door for food and there was a thick sheet of glass for the scientists and guards to check on the people inside. A man in one tank smiled as President Shinra passed by and I shuddered slightly by the look in his eye. It was almost predatory. We stopped at a tank with the number sixteen above the door. The man inside was sitting, cross legged on the floor and was staring straight forward, never blinking once. He had long blond hair and bright, almost transparent, blue eyes. I stared, disgusted, when I noticed he still had the woman's blood on his mouth and shirt. He smiled as Rufus pressed the intercom button next to the door.
"Ah, and a wonderful evening to you President Shinra." He said, yawning.
"So you know me then."
"Quite well actually. Rufus Shinra. Owner of the Shinra Electric Corporation and secret benefactor to Avalanche and the WRO." He stood, bowing, "It is a pleasure sir."
"You attacked one of my employee's." Rufus said.
"She'll be fine. I assure you." he said straightening up again. He started to pace, like a wild animal locked in a cage. I looked over at Rufus, and noticed that he looked annoyed.
"Why did you attack her."
"Please sir. Attack is such a harsh word."
"What do you call it."
The man sighed ruefully."She was in no pain. I was simply bringing her into a new life. I see it as I am her father now. And a good father always takes care of his children." He walked towards the window, "Would you like to meet my father, President Shinra?"
"This guys lost his mind yo." Reno whispered, looking over at me.
"On the contrary, Reno. I am quite lucid. Everything is so clear now, unlike some people I know." He said looking at me. I shifted uncomfortably.
" Where have you been for the past week?" Rufus asked.
" Where indeed. So I take it you DO want to meet my father." he said, arching his eyebrows.
"Where?"
"Alas, I can't tell you. But when that pretty lady wakes up, maybe she could fill in the blanks."
"What are you playing at! She has been here the entire time." Rufus shouted, clearly annoyed.
"Please Sir. Do not yell. I can hear you perfectly and I am aware of the fact that she has been here the entire time. But now, she is slightly different."
"What does that mean?" Rufus said, narrowing his eyes.
"Sir! Come quick. Something is happening in the medical wing!" A man shouted down the hall.
"Ahh, there you are." He said smiling. He shut his eyes, his head tipping backwards, "Right on schedule."
One thing I noticed while running after the others, was that his two front teeth WERE elongated.
My god they look like fangs.
---------End chapter 3-------------
What is with me and the cliffhangers lately. Jeez!!