Life as a SOLDIER

Disclaimer: …well, no comment, I guess…

A/N: No comment! We're an inch from chapter thirty! It's time to rejoice, it is!
Muses: Whee!
Me: -grins- Sweet, thirty is a REALLY big number! Let's move on!

Chapter Twenty-Nine: Rufus Shinra, the Vice President of Shinra Company
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"We'd better get going," said Zack after polishing off a plate of leftovers. "We've been gone for a long time."

"That's true," agreed Cloud.

Tifa sighed sadly. "If you must leave so soon…"

"I know, I wish we could stay longer, but we'd get in serious trouble," said Zack. "And with Sephiroth way ahead of us, we had better hurry."

"I'm sure we'll see you again soon for Christmas Dinner, right?" asked Aeris.

"We sure will! Bye!" called Cloud as he and Zack headed for the newly-fixed Fenrir. "Wow, Cid did a great job! I mean, to fix it all in one day!"

Cid laughed self-importantly to himself. "Like I said, it would have taken a genius. In other words, me."

"Fascinating," said Zack sarcastically. Cid scowled and left. "And Cloud, is it okay if I drive Fenrir this time? You go way too fast for my liking…"

"I do? But aren't motorcycles made for speed?" asked Cloud.

"When you're alone, Cloud. But for now…"

Cloud sighed. "All right, Zack. For you, I will."

Zack sighed with relief. "That's good…. Thanks, Cloud. Now hop on, or we'll be late!" Cloud nodded and hopped on behind Zack, and Zack sped off (slowly) towards the distance to Shinra Company.

When they get back…

"Hopefully, no-one noticed we were gone," said Zack as he and Cloud hurried inside to the cafeteria, where all the SOLDIERs were now having dinner.

"Yeah, hopefully," agreed Cloud, sitting down next to Zack.

One of Zack's friends spotted them. "Oh, hey, it's Zack!" he said excitedly.

The other SOLDIER looked back. "Oh, hi Zack!" he and the one SOLDIER hurried to them. "Where were you, we've been missing you all day!"

"Have you now?" asked Zack. "That's strange, we were here all day."

"You were?" asked the other SOLDIER. "Gee, that's strange, you must be really good at hiding!"

"We sure are," said Zack with a wink to Cloud.

Cloud smiled shyly and glanced down at the table as Zack's two friends announced what was for dinner.

Meanwhile, in the shachoo's office…

"Shachoo, Vice President Rufus is back from his vacation," said his secretary over the phone. "He says he has many things to discuss with you. Shall I send him up?"

"Ah, he's back, is he?" asked shachoo. "Very well, let Rufus in. There is much we need to catch up on."

"Yes, sir."

A few minutes later, the Vice President of Shinra Company, Rufus Shinra, entered the room. "I've been gone for a while, and I hear that many things have been going on ever since I was gone," started Rufus.

"Yes, Rufus, a lot can happen in a few months. Sit down, for we have much to discuss and decide."

"Including the RANDOM program I sent?" asked Rufus.

Shachoo sighed. "Yes, Rufus, even that program."

"It's been a success, right?"

"It has. So has the BERSERK program."

"That program is one you developed yourself, isn't it, shachoo?" asked Rufus. "Who were these programs tested on?"

"They both were tested on the same SOLDIER. A new member, although he's already been promoted to first class," answered shachoo.

"And his name?"

"Cloud Strife. You've heard of him, I believe?"

"Oh, yes, that blonde haired SOLDIER, the one with a Jenova cell inside him, even before he came to Shinra. Let me know all about him."

So shachoo went into a pretty long story about Cloud, and his many battles with Sephiroth, the tests, his being promoted to first class and so on. "That's pretty much his history here at Shinra."

"You promoted him just because he defeated Sephiroth twice?" asked Rufus. "Is that really a good reason to promote anyone?" Rufus sighed. "I always said that you should be more assertive, you know? Lead with an iron fist!"

"Again, this is where you and I differ," said shachoo. "The second we become corrupted, the whole world will turn against us. Is that what you want?"

"No, but I--"

"Until you become president, these decisions are mine," interrupted shachoo curtly. "Until then, respect mine."

"But I think I know a way to use the power of the Lifestream!" interjected Rufus.

Shachoo looked up in shock; it was pretty clear that Rufus was just bursting to say this. "You what…? The Lifestream?"

"Yes, I know a way, if I can get the right tools."

"But to use the power of the Lifestream…" said shachoo slowly. "Hmm… Maybe… But we already have a good energy source now. Why would we need to use a new one?"

"You don't like the idea?"

"No, I like it, I just don't see it happening."

"But if we just tried, we might--"

Shachoo stood up. "I will say this one last time, Rufus. While I'm the shachoo of Shinra Company, it's my decisions that will be considered. While you are still vice president, your ideas are but mere comments and everyday speech. That is my final word."

Rufus stood up too. "…very well," he said after a few minutes. "I understand."

"…? Just like that?" asked shachoo in mild surprise.

"Of course… Father," said Rufus with a smile. "You're right, I should be more patient."

"…then we are agreed," said shachoo, sitting back down. "You may be dismissed. The Turks will be waiting for some work to do. Go see them."

"All right then," said Rufus. "See you later," he said with a wave of his hand. He walked out of the room, closed the door, and smirked evilly to himself. Very well indeed… If that is how you want then, then I shall become the new shachoo of Shinra company… And turn this pathetic company into a grand powerful company that no-one will ever underestimate… he looked down the stairs where many SOLDIERs were leaving the cafeteria, and he could easily spot a blonde-haired SOLDIER among the ranks. Huh… This should be really interesting, thought Rufus, evil thoughts going through his mind as went down the stairs towards the Turks research labs.

Meanwhile, with Cloud and Zack…

Zack looked up the stairs and blinked in surprise. Oh! Rufus Shinra is back…

Cloud followed Zack's gaze. "Zack, who's that?"

"Hm? Oh, that's the Vice President, Rufus Shinra."

"Rufus?" repeated Cloud. "That name sounds familiar…"

"It should, he's the one who developed the RANDOMs," reminded Zack, glancing down at Cloud. "Surely you haven't forgotten?"

Cloud's eyes fell to the ground. "…I--I've been forgetting many things lately… I never told you, but ever since you deleted my program, I've been forgetting some, or many, things…"

"Oh, that's right," said Zack. "Oh, gee, I'm sorry, Cloud…"

"But that's all right!" said Cloud hurriedly, looking up at Zack with a smile. "After all, I remember it again later! You don't have to worry if I'm a bit forgetful from time to time, it just happens sometimes!"

"Hmm…" said Zack. "If you say so. Now let's go get some rest, we have a big day tomorrow."

"We do?"

"Yep, tomorrow's Saturday, so we have all day to practice flying! We can finally perfect your ability to fly!"

"Really?" asked Cloud excitedly. "Oh, I can't wait!"

"Yeah, it's very exciting, isn't it? Come on, I'll even tuck you in tonight," said Zack, leading Cloud to his room.

However, Rufus stopped and looked up at them. Practice flying? he repeated to himself. Whatever does that mean? SOLDIERs aren't allowed to have wings… A light clicked in Rufus's head. He smiled and continued on his way to the Turks HQ, evil thoughts running through his mind.
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Wow, what a short chapter… But what else can I say about Rufus? Gee, I was just introducing him. -ahem- I'll see you in a bit!