Chapter 3: The Dreams of Men…

Once again Angeal sat at his office desk thinking with his head in his hands. "What am I going to do?" he fell silent in thought for a moment before abruptly standing up. for just a few seconds afterward the room seemed like it was enshrouded in a white light. When Angeal opened his eyes he saw what looked like white feathers falling all around him then they were gone, as his eyes focused everything was as it was. "What… what was that just now?" he looked around the room but everything was normal. "A… hallucination?" Angeal went over to his bed and lay down. "I need a nap… yes, just a nap."

At the cafeteria Zack and Cloud were eating together. The food was never the best for anyone in ShinRa's militia only the receptionists, and the higher departments got the top quality food. However today was lucky Zack had managed to steal some meals from the chef's kitchen while he was trying to hit on one of the receptionists.
As they ate Zack had something interesting to say to Cloud.
"Hey, listen… you know what we were talking about yesterday about the MAKO and ShinRa's economical choices? Well I was a bit suspicious about what else goes on in this company." Zack carefully took out a folded piece of paper from his pocket. "Here, I took this from the filing cabinet in the science departments reception last night." Cloud took the paper and peeked at its contents. "I don't believe it!" he almost shouted.
"Shhh!! You'll give us away." Zack whispered.
"Sorry… human experiments using MAKO?" Cloud whispered back as he returned the paper.
"I know, I tried looking for more but the night watch guys were coming so I had to disappear quickly, I don't know what's going on with this company but I'm interested to see what mission we'll be on next."

After they'd finished their pilfered meals a small siren went off in the building.
"Whoa! Guess that means mealtime is up eh? Come on Cloud let's go to the training facility I hate paperwork." Zack said smiling.
In the training facility the two young men formally crossed their swords with each other before taking a few steps back and preparing themselves for combat.
"Okay Cloud, don't hold back! You wanna be in SOLDIER? Then do your best!"
The two youths lunged at each other and their swords met with a clash. Cloud struggled to fend off his friends attack but wanted to show that he could be strong too.
As they fought Angeal was walking past the facilities corridors and heard the clashing of steel. "What the!?" He peered into the door window. Angeal smiled as he watched carefully the battle of two young hearts who only wish for their dreams to come true.
"So, they're at it again? I wonder if anyone will win this time."

Already the battle had lasted for 43 minutes and they were both getting tired.
Zack laughed joyfully. "Hahaha! You're strong Cloud, why didn't you get into SOLDIER?"
"I know you're holding back! I'm just a ShinRa MP you could have floored me already!" Cloud shouted. He was right, Zack was holding back, but not as much as Cloud thought, he only wanted to give him some encouragement.
Zack stopped the fight. "Listen Cloud, lets make a promise, let's promise that one day we will both be SOLDIER first class!"
Cloud lowered the sword and nodded. "Alright, I promise."
Outside the room Angeal had seen and heard everything. Contented, he withdrew back to his office to finish his paperwork.

President ShinRa was at the end of his office on the very top floor of the building looking down on Midgar and it's people, while somewhat unfitting opera music played in the room.
"Commander Angeal I don't know what you are up to or why it's taking so long for you to do what I have asked but you better get it done or the consequences will be severe."
Soon afterwards a tall man wearing a black suit walked into the room. "You wanted to see me President Shinra?"
The President turned around. "Ah! Veld, you are right on time. I have something I want you and your men to take care of."
This man was Mr. Veld he is the leader of the ShinRa Manufacturing Department in Administrative Research otherwise known as the Turks, the Turks are a group of handymen working under ShinRa they deal with the most secret of the companies affairs.
"What is the problem Mr. President?" Veld said calmly.
"It seems one of my most trusted officers can't be trusted anymore I require the Turks to keep an eye on him."
"Consider it done sir."
Mr. Veld left the room and was met by a few other members of the Turks, his right hand man Tseng a young and smart man with tied back, black hair and a mole on his forehead he was Veld's choice for his succession. The others were Reno who dressed a little scruffily he was also young but vibrant and cocky however he was very trustworthy and the silent but strong Rude who was as bald as an eagle and had many piercings in his ears.
"All done for today sir?" Reno asked.
"Yes we have our orders I will brief you when we get back."

Zack and Cloud were called to Angeal's office. Angeal sat on his chair with his hands together. "I have a job for you two, don't worry it's a small job so it'll be only you two and an escort to get you there."
Zack interrupted. "So is that glory grabber not coming?" he said jokingly.
"No, Sephiroth will not be joining you, this isn't a job for elites" Angeal paused briefly. "Or at least that's what he said when I asked him!" he laughed.
"Heh! Typical, no problem me and Cloud will do this easy! So what's the mission?"
"You will go to Wutai to the west and deliver food and supplies to the country."
Cloud spoke up. "Isn't Wutai that country that recently lost the War with ShinRa?"
"Very good Cloud, you pay attention unlike some people."
Zack smiled while sticking his tongue out.
Angeal continued. "Anyway, ShinRa has disallowed the use and possession of Materia in Wutai so they are dependant on ShinRa for supplies. That is all, you will leave for Junon in 3 hours, where you will take a ship to the west most continent good luck."
"Yes, Sir!" the two young men said in unison before they saluted and left the room.

End Chapter…