Chapter 3
One Week Earlier
The sky over Midgar was filled with rows of clouds, in an almost prefect ploughed field formation, the setting sun casting an orange glow over them. It was a peaceful scene that was broken by the sound of an engine in the distance. The black silhouette of a helicopter broke through the tranquillity of the sky and contrasted harshly against the orange and white. Hanging below a large boulder shape swaying on a rope. As the chopper disappeared behind battered and broken ShinRa building that still dominated the skyline no one would have noticed as it landed just behind the old monument to power, greed and corruption.
Waiting at the helipad were two employees of the Department of Administrative Research. A long black haired man, immaculately presented in a navy blue suit, white shirt and navy tie. Stood along side him, was a blonde woman, also immaculately present in a navy suit and white blouse. "He's here, he's actually here" the woman spoke as the cargo was lowered from the helicopters winch onto a trolley. Tseng raised an arm and beckoned behind him, he gaze never leaving the cargo in front.
"There is no body here Elena, we're not even hear. Remember that" The older, wiser, leader chastised.
"Y-Y-Yes sir, of course"
Soon after the block of materia had been whisked inside the two Turks were interrupted. "That was boring old man" came the comment from a sloppily dressed man. His navy suit was creased. His whit shirt was unbuttons at the top, and pulled out at the bottom. His navy tie had been AWOL for a long time.
"You weren't on vacation Reno, You were there in a professional capacity. Besides would you have preferred it had he popped up alive and unbound by the materia?" Reno feigned a yawn and stretched.
"I was just sayin' jeez. Anyway, a pro isn't someone who sacrifices himself for his job. That's just a fool. Right big guy?" Reno tapped Rude on the chest in question.
"…" Rude's silence didn't stop Reno
"See, Rude knows."
"Alright, Rufus wants to see you. Go" Tseng concluded.
Rufus was sat in a dark office. His crisp white pristine suit a stark contrast to the deep black leather chair he was sat upon. The only light coming from a table lamp sat on the long solid oak desk. Its light casting out just enough to highlight the profile of the filing cabinets on the far wall and the two wing back leather chairs on the opposite side of the desk. He was hunched forward reading the papers from the single solitary file in front of him. Rufus was so immersed in the papers he didn't hear the knock at the door. He looked up as Reno tentatively opened the door and inquired of his availability.
"Sir?" Rufus looked up and closed the file he was reading, leaning back in his chair.
"The nightmare returns then." was all he said. The two Turks walked across the plush carpeted office floor and sat down in the empty chairs. Rufus looked expectantly at the pair. Reno was about to put his feet up on the table, only to be stopped by a 'ahem' from Rude, accompanied by a look suggesting that he had lost his mind. Rude then spoke first to Rufus.
"The body is still encased in materia as it was in the northern cave."
"Yeah" Reno butted in No idea if he's still alive though" he shrugged.
"Well then" Rufus started, "Lets go see our guest and see if we can wake him up then" As Rufus stood the two Turks shot up out of their seats and stood to attention.
There was every kind of machine doing every kind of test and calculation imaginable covering every last bit of wall space. In the middle of the room there was a table upon which lay the large block of materia. Surgical theatre adorned the ceiling in the centre of the room, beaming bright light down onto it. Scientists were scuttling round doing different tests. The floor round the table was littered with broken cutting wheels. Rufus and the Turks entered the room.
"Well?" Rufus enquired, "What's the status of our guest?" Panic at the sight of the president set in within the scientists.
"Sir, we, we, we don't know. We can get any readings through the materia, and as you can see" The lead scientists motioned towards all the broken saw blades and diamond wheels" We are having a little trouble cutting through to get the body out" A knocking sound drew everyone's attention towards the materia. Reno was stooped over looking into the face of Sephiroth. He knocked on the materia again.
"Yo! You alive in there?" he shouted. "Looks like you've got yourself an impressive coffee table here sir. He's dead." Reno stated with a dismissive wave at Sephiroth.
"Thank you for your expert opinion Reno" Rufus sardonically replied. "However, I'd like a second opinion. Get him out of there." The scientists looked at each other in worry, their best efforts so far hadn't even dented the surface. "No excuses, get it done" and with that final order Rufus left the room followed closely by the two Turks.
The lead Scientist took a moment to compose himself. "Get me a drill, a plasma torch, hammer and chisel anything." He barked to the others. Half an hour later more snapped and twisted metal lay broken on the floor along side the blades and cutting wheels. The scientist wiped the sweat from his brow it seemed hopeless. He was sure he was going to be fired or worse. Picking up the welding mask and plasma torch, he began trying to cut through the side. An hour later there was a sigh of relief all around as finally a small chunk of the materia gave way. Deciding that it would be best to work in shifts due to the enormity of the task ahead. He settled down for the night shift and set off cutting through the next chunk. Unaware that something had changed...
Sephiroth's eyes had opened.
I thought that i would write another chapter and get it up tonight too. Try and make up for falling behind over the weekend.
Dont forget to review/leave feedback and more importantly ENJOY.. i hope!