Chapter Twenty-Four: Rocket Town
It took them at least three hours to hike through Mount Neibelheim, battling monsters that were hungry for human flesh and traveling through its rough terrain. Despite these conditions, everyone, even Calvin, remained determined to make it through the mountains and as far away from Neibelheim as possible. The last thing they needed in this part of their journey was for the Shinra to take them all the way back to Midgar, the stating point of their journey.
During their trip through the mountains, they each grew in their battles with the monsters that inhabited Mount Neibelheim. Vincent proved his worth with his shot gun skills and aim. Calvin and Hobbes continued to impress everyone as their skills in battle increased one battle after another. Hobbes began to master the art of conjuring the power of the materia and unleashing its magic on enemies and Calvin's skills with his dart gun and deathblow materia got better with each monster he eliminated. Also, Hobbes continued to annihilate monsters with his Eye of the Tiger limit break and Calvin killed off monsters as either Safari Al or Tracer Bullet.
Finally, after what seemed like forever, they had all found the end of the mountain trail that led to a small, flat, grassy plain.
"…finally…" Aeris gasped as she sat down in the meadow, resting her head against the smooth grass.
"Ugh," Barret grunted. "I thought that trail was never going to end."
"That Matera Keeper and those dragons certainly didn't make things easier on us, did they?" Tifa added, lying down next to Aeris.
"It's been too long since I've gotten to move around this much," Vincent said aloud to no one, seeming to have enjoyed the experience.
"I know I don't want to move around right now," Hobbes gasped as he fell face first on the ground.
"…I'm too pooped to poop," Calvin whined as he joined the rest of the crew minus Vincent and Cloud in resting on the ground.
"I think we're all worn out after that hike," Cloud admitted. "But we can't stay out here…there are monsters lurking about out here as well."
"Well, then why not go to that town nearby," Cait Sith suggested, pointing towards a town in the distance.
The town appeared to be smaller than other towns in the world, but there was one significant feature about it that everyone noticed right away: a giant rocket.
"Well, it looks like a peaceful town," Red XIII said.
"Wait a sec…I know that town…I ain't going near that place!" Barret sneered. "That's the town where those scum Shinra have their space program!"
"Barret…that program was terminated by the Shinra a long time ago. This town is of no importance to the Shinra anymore," Cloud replied. "If we go there, we won't be doing Shinra any favors."
"Forget the Shinra," Calvin said, gazing at the town. "I want to see that rocket!"
"And I wouldn't mind seeing if they have an inn we could sleep in," Aeris added, sounding a little tired.
"Tch…fine," Barret finally agreed. "But only for a rest…I don't wanna stay there any longer than I hafta."
"Then let's go," Cloud decided.
Upon arriving in the town, they split up and began to ask its residence the whereabouts of the inn. However, Calvin wasn't focused on finding the inn. Instead, he was engrossed with the rocket. In fact, he was almost drooling over it.
"Aw man, this is SO COOL!" Calvin squealed as he raced towards the rocket. But before he got too far, Barret grabbed him by the collar of his shirt.
"Aw, no ya don't, kid," Barret sneered. "We're all staying together. Got it?"
"AW, BUT I WANT TO SEE THE ROCKET!" he whined.
"Calvin, there are more important things at hand right now. First, we need to get some rest and then, we need to find out where Sephiroth is heading."
"Wait a minute…Sephiroth just tried to kill us all a few hours ago and we're going AFTER him?" Hobbes shivered.
"Ya can call it quits now if ya want," Barret replied.
"Never!" Hobbes roared. "Tigers don't quit!"
"Glad to hear it," Barret chuckled. "Now, let's find that inn."
"Great idea!" Calvin blurted. "You guys look for it over there and I'll look for it by the rocket!"
"Nice try, Calvin. You're coming with us," Tifa sighed as she picked up Calvin and carried him under her arm.
After a little searching, they had found an inn. But to their dismay, there was no vacancy.
"Well, THAT idea's been shut out," Aeris sighed. "I'm starting to get sleepy, too."
"So what's the plan now?" Cait Sith inquired.
"The innkeeper said that some people will be checking out in about an hour, so we won't have to wait for very long."
"Great! While we're waiting, why don't we go see the rocket?" Calvin suggested.
"NO!!!" everyone, including Hobbes, shouted at the same time.
"…you're no fun," Calvin mumbled.
"What we're GOING to do in the meantime is ask around and see if anyone has seen Sephiroth at all."
"Excuse me," a voice from behind the group whispered. Everyone turned around to see a woman dressed in a lab coat approaching them with a handful of groceries.
"Can we be of assistance to you ma'am?" Vincent asked.
"Oh no,: she assured. "It's just…I couldn't help but overhear your predicament. If you're looking for a place to rest, you're more than welcome to stay at my house for a little bit."
"Oh, Cloud, may we?" Aeris begged. "I don't think I can wait to take a nap for an hour."
"Me neither…" Hobbes yawned. "Tigers tend to get cranky if they don't have their afternoon cat naps."
Cloud thought about it for a minute before deciding to take up the woman's offer.
"Thank you, madam! We are in your debt." Cait Sith said, expressing gratitude.
"Please, call me Shera," the woman replied. "The house is just over here."
Within a few minutes, they had arrived at Shera's house. It was smaller than the other houses in Rocket Town and was messier than normal inside.
"Please excuse the mess," Shera groaned as she placed her groceries on the counter. "We're out constantly and don't have much of a chance to clean up around here."
"We?" Red XIII asked.
"Me, the captain, and his daughter. You see, I'm an engineer in this town…the only one, in fact, and people are calling me constantly for help with certain appliances. I'm lucky to have time to eat. The captain has his duties as well, which consist of maintaining the rocket in case the Space Program decides to re-launch it someday. As for his daughter…she's in college most of the time and between her homework, her boyfriend, and part time jobs, she doesn't have much time to help out around here."
"What do you mean the captain's daughter? Isn't she your daughter too?" Tifa asked.
"Oh heaven's no!" Shera laughed. "The captain and I aren't married and she's not my daughter…though I don't know who the mother is."
"I'm sorry to hear of your troubles." Red XIII said.
"Oh, don't worry about it," Shera assured. "Besides, the captain's daughter is coming home for break today, so she'll be able to help out around the house for a little bit."
As Shera announced this, there came a knock at the door.
"That'll be her now," Shera said and answered the door.
Everyone could hear Shera open the door and greet the girl, expressing joy and happiness to have her home. As they listened to them make small talk, Hobbes began sniffing the air as though he had picked up a scent. He studied the scent intensely as if he recognized it. After a few seconds, Hobbes' face became paralyzed with fear.
"…oh no…she lives HERE?" he shrieked.
"Hobbes? Are you okay?" Tifa asked with concern.
"Calvin! We've got to get out of here now! It's HER!"
"Hobbes, what are you talking about?" Calvin demanded.
Before Hobbes got to answer, they could hear Shera making her way back into the kitchen. Without a second to lose, Hobbes dove behind a couch and did not come back out.
"What the heck's gotten into him?" Barret asked, stumped.
When Shera returned, she returned with a young woman who looked to be about eighteen years old. She had dirty-blonde hair and had a somewhat muscular body. She wore a sweatshirt and blue jeans and carried a pile of books under her arm and a suitcase in her spare hand.
The teenage college student looked at the strangers in the room, a little shocked at their presence. She didn't know any of them, until she set her eyes on Calvin. At first, Calvin hadn't recognized her. But at second glance, he realized who she was and was immediately stricken with paralyzing fear.
"AHHHHHHH!" Calvin shrieked. "NOT HER! NOT…ROSALYN!!!"