Chapter 7: The New Power

The sun was high up, touching the vast blueness of the sky, a few soft clouds swirling along effortlessly in the wind. As if they didn't have a worry in their puffy wispy forms. Staring up at the passing clouds and feeling the sun and wind on the skin is enough to calm even the most restless of souls, to let the feel of nature and life wash away your worries. But despite their charms, lurking just behind them, far out in the vast recesses of emptiness just beyond them, the coming catastrophe slipped silently closer.

To know that it was approaching was unnerving, that even those beneath the shroud of safety that a sunny afternoon could bestow, it weighed heavily on the mind. So much so in fact that one might be convinced that it wasn't such a pretty day after all.

Moving among the same clouds, high above the ground, soared the Shera, speeding along amidst the blasting air currents of the upper atmosphere, carrying a substantial payload of passengers. Cid himself stood behind the wheel, as this current trip wasn't another leisurely outing, but rather, a serious exploration mission, thus he didn't have the opportunity to be teaching the secrets of avionics to his students. The rest of the group was scatted around the cockpit, as was their normal fashion, anxious to arrive.

Rufus and the Turks were there too, Rufus himself standing motionlessly at the large front window, staring down at the passing earth. Reno was off doing who knows what, whilst Rude and Elena hung behind Tseng, who was using one of the Shera's onboard computer systems to continue his reading of the documents and official investigation reports on the hard drive. The hard drive that could perhaps hold the key to their survival. The contents of which were the personal data files for Scarlet, the now deceased Shinra Weapon's Head.

They were currently underway, their destination having been detailed in a map. It was a location just past Mt. Nimbel, which was part of a range of mountains just north of Nibelheim. Past Mt. Nimbel, but not leaving the mountain range either, right around the corner of which was Rocket Town.

Somehow, this news didn't surprise Cloud all that much. No matter how much he tried to avoid it, fate seemed to call him back to his home time and time again. Though he didn't mind that much, he was just relieved that this quest would take them past the reactor atop Mt. Nimbel, the Shinra Mako refinery which had been abandoned for a good while. No matter the reason, he would not ever step into the place again. Too many painful memories…And he already had no shortage of those.

What they were seeking out was something that had been in that data files, the same files that Tseng was reviewing. Most everyone else had gathered behind him, or to within earshot at least. There wasn't much data to go on, but with absolutely no leads on anything else, there was not much else they could do. He continued to scan the text, reading certain passages aloud.

"It's called GO-37. I suppose that it was never given a proper chemical name because they were unable to determine it's composition, or even its place on the elemental table. It had been discovered in a number of shallow caves along the mountain face, patches of it lining the inner walls. There had been some study on it, but nothing too extensive. The data here is incomplete, as if the files are brief and rather undetailed. Maybe their attention was diverted elsewhere, and this was forgotten about."

"Meaning," Reno broke in, having appeared from nowhere, "If that stuff has been sitting there for so long, then it's possible that it could all be gone right? Someone could have come along and said, "Hey, I bet I can make some money on this stuff," and came and mined it all up. Something like that isn't just going to sit there forever and not be discovered again."

"Why the hell can't ya say anything positive for a change!" Cid yelled from above, eavesdropping as he flew, "Be more optimistic, else I'll tie your sorry ass to the rain capacitor outside, and use ya for my new windsock!"

"That is certainly a point…" Tseng mused on Reno's question, "But I don't believe that has happened. Shinra may not be in control of all industries anymore, but we still have considerable clout and numerous ventures on the sales market. If some new substance were introduced for mass trading, we'd have known about it. Besides, no one lives too close to those mountains anyway, what with monster activity in the surrounding area. At least, no one with any interest in mining."

"But that still leaves the unanswered question," Red XIII added, "As to why the Shinra didn't ever return to finish what they started? Why abandon the study and not return to it?" Reeve leaned past Tseng, to get a better look.

"Probably, knowing Scarlet, she found another substance that could be refined into weapons with far less effort, and therefore would skip the long processes of careful study and scientific testing to see if it could be profitable. She was rather impatient like that…Always in a hurry to make the next big weapon."

"Quite the charming little vixen huh," Reno mused with a grin, leaning on a nearby railing.

"Not the words I would have used," Tifa muttered. She and the aforementioned Shinra manager had shared a nasty little confrontation in the past, which had gone down in history as a world-famous catfight. Tseng skipped ahead, scanning the lines for more relevant info.

"All it says here is that it is a brittle crystal-like ore that has an unusually strong levels of croydoxsomes in it, with hidden nodes of ionphomites inside, which would also account for its high concentration of sorphonic alkaline in the samples…Pretty vague facts really."

This was technical talk, going over everyone's head, including Tseng himself. Probably complex enough to baffle some scientists perhaps. In other words, Barret was certainly not going to understand it. And that didn't sit very well with him, as he was well known as being someone who like the facts laid out in a nice, clear, and simple manner, not getting sidetracked by unnecessary details.

"Will ya quit with all the mumbo jumbo and say it in English!" he barked, his eyes narrowing, clearly getting angry. "What the hell are ya sayin' and what does it mean! Is any of that crap gonna help us or not?" Tseng looked up from the monitor, giving the fuming man a cool raised eyebrow.

"What does it mean? I haven't a clue, and I don't see why you'd think I would. I'm no geologist or a scientist. This makes about as much sense to you as it does for me. All I can gather is that this substance, whatever it is, must have a high concentration of substances that could possibly be used as a power source. Of course, this was never truly confirmed or not, meaning this whole investigation may all very well be a farce and waste of our time. But since this is all we have…"

"Don't even go there," Tifa told him, "We're not going to get out of this mess if you doubt yourself. We have to be confident or else we will mess up." Despite her words, even she was feeling a little apprehensive. There was so much in doubt, whether or not anything would work. Reeve continued to scan the scrolling text.

"Hmm, this is…interesting. According to the analysis, GO-37 is a…biogamic compound. That's pretty rare."

"An' what the hell is that!"

"Biogamic? Well, in a nutshell, it is any sort of inanimate material that has what many deem as almost physical characteristics and properties…But it could still be refined into a beneficial substance with useful properties. In a way, it's very similar to many types of fungus."

"You gotta be kiddin' me! You're tellin' me that we're gonna power that huge ass gun and save the world with a goddamn fungus?"

"Well, not in it's current form, no, but if it does have some manner of energy that could be used as a power substitute, then perhaps it could indeed power the cannon."

"Speaking of which," Cloud spoke after his period of long brooding silence. He moseyed over to where Rufus was standing, still gazing out at the world going by, standing next to him. For some reason or another he hadn't taken part in the conversation.

"You did order all the technicians to begin reconstruction in Midgar right?" Rufus shrugged his shoulders, not looking up. His face was pensive and calm.

"I sent the majority of our workers there, and have alerted several divisions of resource management's across the world, sending a list of all possible parts we may need. But no, I haven't actually given the order to begin work as of yet."

"What?" Barret shouted, nearly vaulting over the railing to grab Rufus by the collar and shake him about, "Why tha hell not? This ain't no time to be sittin' around, waitin' for things tha pan out just tha way ya like it!"

"I am aware of that," he answered smoothly, "But if this does not work, if we are left with no other alternative source of energy, then I don't want anyone to be wasting time on some foolhardy task when they should be seeking shelter." There was genuine concern in his voice, but before anyone could argue the point any further, Cid bawl, "Alright, shut yer holes! We're comin' in for a landin'!"

With several uncomfortable lurches, the airship lowered to the ground, searching the craggy ground for any sort of suitable landing zone. After shuddering and powering down, the craft came to a rest, and everyone let out a silent breath. Landing was always an uneasy thing.

"Alright," Rufus seemed to almost take charge, turning to those around him, "We can't afford to waste any time here. According to the data, there should be at least seven or eight caves in the mountainous area ahead. I think it wise for everyone to split into groups of three or four to scour around. I have several radio systems so that we may remain in contact with one another…"
He gestured towards the door, as Rude was already carrying in a crate, with numerous walkie-talkies in them. Small black earpieces and microphones to keep one hands free. Rufus went on.

"I think it will be wise if Cid remains here in the airship, and takes flight. Some aerial reconnaissance may prove to be very beneficial, perhaps he can spot one of the caves from the air. I too will remain here and…"

"What!" Barret shouted the moment the words left Rufus's mouth, "You send us down to do all the dirty work while you watch from up there! Ain't that just so typical? Your goons might not got a problem with it, but that don't sit right with me!" Rufus shrugged.

"Maybe not, but as much as I'd love to participate in the battles you will undoubtedly find yourselves in, I think my time will be put to better use here, coordinating the endeavor. Besides, I don't need to tell you that I'm not the fighting type. I leave that to our Ex-SOLDIER here." Cloud grunted at that. "And I don't want anyone sidetracked in having to bodyguard me. This way, I am not a burden, and will provide you all with information from here."

No one argued with this further. Rufus may have been intelligent and shrewd, but there wasn't much he knew about fighting. Of course, there were times when even he could occasionally surprise, pulling out a big gun and blasting away like Barret, but in several prolonged battles, that could wear him down. Probably having him hanging around when things got hairy would only lead to troubles. No one wanted any part in that.

"Fine," Cloud agreed, "you stay aboard the ship, while Cid fly's around and tries to spot any openings. When we get down there, keep in contact, and alert everyone the moment you find something."

They each grabbed a radio, and split up. Cloud took the lead of his team with Tseng, Reno and Red XIII. Barret went with Rude and Reeve. Tifa, Elena, and Yuffie ended up together, and with each group ready, they went out. The land before them was rough and rocky, Tifa and Cloud being the most familiar with the geography. Though as kids they had never dared to venture this far north of the village before. Still, there was a lot to do. They exited the ship, and began the search…