4.

The bar was just short of rundown. Back at home she wouldn't have set a foot inside if she had a choice. She didn't intend to stay. This had only been for convenience. The man, who had caved in under some minor threatening, had taken her into the city. It looked mildly more inviting than the ruins of the one on its outskirts.

Johnny unpacked the truck as she took in the surroundings. Everything was dull, the lack of colour made the place more bleak than it should have been. She supposed in this city, nobody cared where they come looking for a drink.

She'd found out an array of things on the ride through the wasteland. His name, job, state of his marriage, the name of the city, the names of places in the surrounding country and most importantly, that there had been an attack days before. It was possible that the use of magic during that attack had a connection to her situation.

She let her attention drift back to him as he put the last crates on a table. He had the good sense to be nervous around her. He scratched the back of his head uncomfortably. "My wife's still working but I'm sure she can fix you up a bed for tonight when she gets back. We don't get much business around here these days and there's enough space to put…"

"I'm leaving," she cut in, mindless of his offer. Now that she was here she was going to find her answers. This wasn't something she could use him for. Sleep was secondary anyway.

His expression was almost comical. "What? I thought you were…"

She was already at the door but forced herself to pause and look back with what she hoped was a less intimidating expression. "Thanks for the ride"

Knowing what was best for him, he didn't follow her and as her feet pressed marks into the dusty street, he was already gone from her mind. There was life here and it fascinated her to observe the people. It was different. There was nothing grand, nothing that flashed excess and wealth and above all, the absence of nature. In the distance she could see the abandoned city with the tower-like structures. She'd been on the opposite end of this place without knowing it.

Lightning ignored the stares. She was well aware that she was out of place and she supposed her weapon made people nervous. That was interesting. It seemed large weaponry wasn't as much a commodity here. She hadn't seen anything close to resembling a soldier yet. Worse than that, there didn't seem to be anybody in possession of magic. This place was devoid of superhuman power, which didn't give her any clue as to what had conjured her.

She began to adjust her path to that of the crowd. The majority seemed to be moving into the centre of the city. The streets were widening and she found road signs, which didn't provide much help since she had nowhere to be headed. Vehicles passed by here and could only shake her head at the undeveloped technology.

Then an open circle of tarmac was spread out in front of her, a sort of platform in the middle. She supposed something had stood atop of it once but now most of the space around it was covered in debris.

Like ants, people were spread around one side of the place, working in teams to clear up the mess. She leaned into a corner, watching them for several moments. As foreign as this planet was so far, at least the people's mannerisms were not alien to her. She was just about to head into a different direction when a small body barrelled straight into her from the side. The hit went straight into her stomach and she doubled over as she staggered, winded and cursing under her breath.

Her gaze fell on the culprit who'd fallen backwards with the impact, a boy with messy hair and wide eyes. A child that just hadn't looked where he was running. They were just the same kind of reckless as those at home. Still, she was in no mood. Grabbing the stunned kid by the lapels, she pulled him onto his feet unceremoniously. He still seemed to be stunned because he didn't think to complain about her fists in his shirt.

"Watch where you're going," she snapped.

Finally, realization set in. "I'm sorry," he gasped out, "I'm just…I…was in a hurry"

Something Serah had said to her too, when they were younger. Her sister had been such a clumsy kid that she was surprised at how graceful she'd managed to become as an adult. Suddenly her arms felt too heavy bunched into fists. She let him go.

"Sorry," the kid hastily added again before continuing his sprint past her. She wasn't listening anymore. Her sister's face swam in front of her eyes and she clenched her jaw at the feeling. There was no use in getting sentimental when it wasn't going to help her get back. The only certainty was that Serah was safe with Snow there or rather, slightly safer than by herself.

She didn't look around again as she chose a different direction and headed away from the activity, into what looked like residency districts. Picking the first person she came across, she asked if there was anyone in charge, whom she could get information from. All she received were shrugs. A few of those she asked mentioned a name but refused to elaborate. She didn't know if it was a person or an organisation she was looking for. She didn't think that Shinra was the name of a Fal'cie.

Interacting with strangers had never been her strength and by the time the sun was sinking into the surrounding wasteland, she was irritated. None of the people living here seemed to have much of an idea who was really responsible. She was just about to take a break when something caught her eye.

Two men, one large and dark-skinned, the other lanky with wild red hair. Their spotless dark clothes weren't what caught her gaze though, despite their contrast to the rest of the general population. It was the rod-shaped weapon that the redhead openly swung in his left hand as they walked down the road. The first one looking remotely like a fighter.

Picking up her pace, she followed them.

The closer she got, the less they embodied what she expected. They were joking with another and she got no sense of professionalism from their interactions. She watched them with narrow eyes, taking a moment in front of a building as though preparing themselves. Perhaps they were thieves. The sign above the door labelled it a bar and although she doubted there was much to steal at this time, it was a possibility.

Keeping to the shadow of a corner, she considered her options. She could engage in the hope that they were some semblance of an organised military group, she could engage and have an opportunity to fight two thugs or she could remain in the background and follow them. None of them particularly prolific ideas.

But she was never one to waste time. The lanky one was the first to see her approach and despite his smirk it was clear that he had noticed she was armed. The dark one turned at his partner's elbow nudge. She couldn't read his face. It was passive; mouth a set frown and his eyes hidden.

"And what can we do for you?" the redhead drawled. His stance was casual; it didn't mean anything to her. She'd seen enough opponents who were experts and gave nothing away in their body language. No matter. She had the reflexes if he was to attack.

"I need information"

They exchanged a glance. At least, the slight incline of the large man's head indicated he had looked over at the other. He cleared his throat and the deep voice leaked suspicion. "You've got the wrong people"

"Hey man, you don't even know what she wants yet," the other objected and she hadn't missed his gaze on her legs. Spreading his arms in an open invitation, he grinned at her with utmost confidence. "Ask away"

She had no patience for any discussions between the two. They weren't of much concern unless they had answers. If she could bluff her way through, this could possibly work. As always, she went with the direct question and gauged their reactions carefully. "Where can I find Shinra?"

The change was instant. The large one rose to his full height and his fists balled at his sides. The other man suddenly had his baton in hand and advanced a step. His expression had dropped all curiosity. "What d'you say?"

They had heard right. She kept her arms at her sides, loosely tapping against her holster. She had found useful people after all. "So you know"

"Who are you? What do you want with him?" the redhead retorted, coming a little too close for her liking. It was admirable though, that he was trying hard to intimidate her. They may both have some height on her but that wouldn't make a difference.

So Shinra was indeed a person, perhaps some kind of ruling figure. These two were already giving more away than they knew. She shook her head slightly and ignored his questions, "Is he in the city?"

"You're not getting anything from us," he was bristling now. She'd made them angry and she couldn't care less. He was right on one account though – they wouldn't be talking if she continued this like a regular conversation.

"Fine." Her blade was a welcome weight in her hand as she drew it.

The two stared at it for a handful of seconds before her intentions clicked. Then both were jumping at her before she had the chance to deliver a blow, fists and weapon raised. It was almost too simple to disarm the redhead as she flipped over his head, her sword impacting with the rod and knocking it from his grip. The larger man's weakness was his size. He couldn't keep up with her agility. They were decent as a team though.

He landed one hit on her shoulder and she had to duck before another impacted. She slashed upwards, forcing him to leap backwards to avoid his chest being split by the blade. The redhead was behind her, aiming to catch her around the middle to immobilise her arms. She was quicker in her pivot and her foot caught him squarely in the stomach and sent him backwards against the wall of the bar.

She needed to remind herself that she needed them alive to talk. She dodged the dark man again; kicking his legs out from under him, then flipped her blade to point the gun at them. The stared at the weapon, frozen where they stood.

"Enough already. Where is he?"