A/N: Probably could use another dose of editing, but this thing was kicking and screaming to be uploaded. So, here is chapter six! And to make things even better, it's the longest chapter so far (Yippee!).

Thanks for taking the time to read!
And to all my fellow students out there, happy spring break! :)

That Third Class SOLDIER

Chapter Six: Room 0023

Written By: Okami of Shinobi Saru Corp

"It's not like you to brood."

Silence.

Rhapsodos crossed his arms at Angeal's lack of reply, huffing out a loud 'hmph' accompanied by a slight roll of the eyes. He wasn't one for taking note of people's actions for the sake of assisting them, but Angeal, he was a different matter. Unlike the other peasants of Gaia, Angeal was a tolerable acquaintance, which in Rhapsodos's eloquent yet overly complicated language meant that the black-haired teen was a close friend.

Narrowing his eyes, Genesis studied the teen before him. It wasn't like the SOLDIER to mope around, hiding himself away from the world with eyes glazed over like icing on a cake. Something was wrong, and the crimson SOLDIER took it upon himself to figure out what that something was.

"You're not yourself, Angeal," Genesis began, subtly beginning the process of weaving his way into his friend's mental chamber. "This morning, did something happen to cause you grief and despair?"

No reply.

Rhapsodos pursed his lips. Time for stage two. When asking questions doesn't work, use humor to make the person in question open up.

"Ah, I see." Rhapsodos suddenly said, nodding his head in time with his sarcasm. "You saw Sephiroth this morning. I understand, my dearest friend; his face does make one's brain cells deteriorate. But don't you fret," Genesis walked over and leaned his face towards his friend's, his lips parting into a stupendous grin, "One look at my beautiful face and all those lost cells will regenerate!"

Angeal laughed and gave the dramatist a playful push. Both actions were good signs, indicating that Angeal's predicament wasn't too serious, but the question of what that predicament was still nagged Genesis's analytic mind.

'What could it be...' Rhapsodos mused. 'Surely nothing bad has happened at home - he'd be more distressed if that was the case - and all his recent assignments have gone well. So what is it?'

It didn't take but a second for the realization to slam into him.

"Ohhh, of course," the teen softly exclaimed. Honor – the answer to all Angeal's problems and joys. He really should have guessed it sooner.

"So, who violated it this time?"

Angeal glanced up before reverting back to a deadeye stare out in front of him. "Do you know Nick Fallow?"

Cocking his head, Rhapsodos flipped out the tail of his cloak before smoothly sitting down next to his moping friend. "Didn't realize the tittle-tattle of the Thirds concerned you so much."

"Didn't realize you kept track of what such Thirds speak about."

Genesis rolled his eyes. It didn't suit Angeal to be so sharp. That was his job, and he had enough trouble dealing with his own wittiness, much less Angeal's.

"Well, care to elaborate?" Genesis prodded.

Angeal twiddled his thumbs while he explained, "This morning I overheard some of the Thirds talking about a boy by the name of Nick Fallow. Didn't think much of it, until I heard some of the Firsts talking about it as well."

Rhapsodos frowned. Lower class gossip reaching the top of the ranks was never a good sign. "The information got that far up the ladder, eh?"

Nodding his head, Angeal continued, "Yes. I investigated the matter earlier today – even spoke with Lazard about it – and what I found…"

The black-haired teen lowered his eyes, the lines breaking out on his forehead indicating that he was deep in thought.

"And," Genesis motioned for Angeal to continue. "You know how I am with cliffhangers."

"I don't exactly know where to start."

Well that was a first. Genesis was known for his poetic speeches, but Angeal was also gaining a reputation for spouting off lectures about dreams and everything honorable. Far be it for Angeal – the up and coming prince of lectures – to not know where to start.

"Try explaining what exactly happened. I picked up a few tidbits here and there throughout the day, but overall I'm clueless."

Angeal slowly nodded his head. "Alright," he let out a long sigh, "Apparently Nick got into some trouble with the Turks, I don't know every detail, but I do know that his crime fell along the lines of being an intruder of sorts."

Confused, Genesis's eyes narrowed. "He's a recruit. A trainee. How is that being an intruder?"

"I don't know. I guess he was just here for 'the wrong reasons', whatever that means. But early this morning he was dragged out of his bunk room by two Turks and he hasn't been seen since."

Rhapsodos folded his hands, his lower lip resting on his two index fingers. "It's not like the Turks to be so careless. Every trainee and most every SOLDIER knows about this incident now. Seems a bit contradictory for such a secret group to be so open about this, don't you think?"

"That's exactly what I think," Angeal agreed. "Something's not adding up here, but right now I don't know enough to figure out exactly what."

"You should start your own show." Angeal threw his friend a look of bewilderment and irritation. Genesis, however, merely smirked in response. "The great detective, Angeal Hewley, and the case of the missing recruit! Tune in next time to see Hewley snoop around ShinRa HQ for clues about the boy's whereabouts!"

Angeal's brow furrowed. "I consider this to be a serious matter, Genesis. That boy was only fourteen years old. Who knows what kind of horrors he's being subjected to right now…"

Rhapsodos smiled. So that's the real problem. Unlike himself, Angeal possessed a genuine care and respect for people. It was just his nature, and Genesis respected him for it, despite never wishing to partake in such conduct.

"Of course it bothers you," Genesis began, "But realistically speaking, what are you going to do about it?"

Silence.

Genesis rolled his eyes. "Come back to reality Angeal. We've both been at SOLDIER for a year now. You should know to expect this sort of thing, and more importantly, to let such things go."

Almost mechanically, Angeal turned his head until his eyes bore straight down into his friend's. Rhapsodos sighed. He knew that stare all too well. He didn't need to hear a word. He already knew what he needed to do – stay silent and let his friend restart the conversation.

After a minutes of silence had passed, the talkative red-head's relief came when Angeal finally opened his mouth to speak. "I met one of your students last night."

Curiously raising an auburn eyebrow, Genesis asked, "Oh really now? Why and where?"

"Why? Well, he was in my spot."

The red-head cocked his head. "You're spot?"

"I go there sometimes to think." Angeal paused as he took in his fellow SOLDIER's expression of anticipation. It wasn't often that Genesis was so eager to know what he had to say next. "And no," he finally concluded, a sly smile on his face as he spoke, "I'm not telling you where it is. I'm afraid that would defeat the purpose."

Pretending to be hurt, Rhapsodos's face took on an over practiced pout. "My heart has been shredded to pieces by your cruel, unrelenting words!"

"I'm sure it has." A pause. "So," Angeal continued, the tone of his voice indicating that he was intent on once again changing the subject. "The great Sephiroth doesn't hiccup. Can't say I saw that one coming."

Genesis nearly coughed on his saliva at the recollection. "I could!"

The Second shot his friend a questioning look.

Genesis rolled his eyes. "He's a machine with silver hair that is approaching the floor at an ungodly rate. It's just as well that he can't hiccup – I'm sure it'll fit right in with the rest of his life-long resume."

"Oh, I see what this is." Angeal slowly nodded his head, a knowing smile on his face.

"What?"

"I mean, it explains everything really. The dooming stares, the way you practically stop quoting Loveless when you're around him; and this isn't even counting the way you magically turn into a whining two-year old every time you speak with the guy."

Rhapsodos scoffed and gritted his teeth. "You're point, Hewley?"

"It's simple really," Angeal paused for a moment to increase the effect. Any outsider would agree that the Second was doing a marvelous impression of Genesis the Dramatist. "You're jealous of Sephiroth!"

Rolling his eyes, Genesis glared at his friend. "Obviously. That isn't really a brilliant deduction there Hewley."

"No, I don't think you understand," Angeal laughed. "You are really jealous of him. It's almost to the point of obsession, if you ask me."

If Genesis had fangs then he would have showed them at that moment. His eyes, however, were doing a marvelous job of throwing metaphysical daggers into Angeal's smirking face.

"Shut up!"

His laughter increasing, Angeal gasped and covered his mouth with his hand. "Don't tell me you're gonna start quoting Sephiroth now?!"

Genesis's hand flew towards Hewley's neck, but the Second easily pushed his hand aside. Expecting his overly dramatic friend to fight back and throw a stream of expletives at him, Angeal was surprised when Rhapsodos allowed himself to fall forward, the crimson SOLDIER's head landing in Hewley's lap.

Smirking madly, Genesis looked up at Angeal. "Mission accomplished."

"What?"

The red-head pointed to his confused friend's face. "You're smiling."

It took a moment for everything to register, but understanding quickly dawned on the Second. Letting out a somewhat exasperated 'tcsh!', Angeal replied, "You cocky bastard."

Genesis's grin widened.

"You can't seriously tell me that your sole purpose in this conversation was to make me smile!"

Simply shrugging his shoulders, Rhapsodos gave his friend mischievous look before sitting up and jumping off of the seat.

"And where are you off to?" Angeal asked as he watched the red-head walk out of the 49th floor's dull longue.

Genesis stopped mid-stride. Looking back over his shoulder, he spoke, "When the war of the beasts brings about the world's end, the goddess descends from the sky. Wings of light and dark spread afar; she guides us to bliss, her gift everlasting."

Angeal rolled his eyes. "Yeah, sure, whatever you say Gen."

Gliding out of the lounge, Rhapsodos flicked his hair out of his face in a theatrical display of elegance (or, more accurately put, arrogance). He was about to turn out of sight when, suddenly breaking his gait, he glanced down at the tile floor and asked, "So who do you think they are, those beasts which bring about the world's end?"

After taking a moment to consider, Angeal shrugged his shoulders. "Who knows; a Behemoth perhaps?"

The humming of the nearby vent graced the silence which settled amongst the twosome, both of whom stayed perfectly still, neither of them daring to move a muscle. It was like someone had taken everything in that room, stopped time, and put it all into a frame to preserve it, causing everything to remain in an eternal state of silence and stillness.

"Hm. I wonder."

And with that the SOLDIER turned around and walked out of the room.

Why was I doing this again? I'm tired. I want sleep. I'm hungry. I didn't get to finish dinner due to time restraints on my far too busy schedule. Not that this predicament was totally a bad thing – the food provided in ShinRa's mess hall was far from tasteful after all. But extra training? Now, after all that I had been through in the past twelve hours, I was going to let myself be exposed to more torture?

I truly am an idiot.

Walking down the dim, grey hallways, I half-heartedly looked for the room number which Quincy had given me. At first, a part of me had hoped that the two conspirators – also known as Yu and Mr. Freak – had forgotten about their little, extra training idea. They had, after all, failed to have our first session last night. Though, perhaps they were just being considerate and letting me have a bit of time to mentally prepare myself before subjecting me to more pain.

I scoffed as I continued down the empty hallway. They're just so kind, letting me believe that I was off the hook before telling me to meet them after dinner. But that's just who they are – so kind, so lovable, and so considerate that I could puke blood.

Footsteps echoed off of the tile floor and concrete walls, producing the only audible noise in this dreary hallway aside from my soft breathing. A little on edge, I glanced to each side before doing a full turn scan of the premises. One couldn't be too cautious when dealing with Quincy. For all I knew, his training could start before I even entered the room, that is, if I could even find it.

I looked down at the paper in my hand. "Room 0023, eh? Oh where art thou…"

Softly, I began to whistle a made up tune while I continued my search for the seemingly nonexistent Room 0023. And it was during these drawn out, abnormal moments that I realized something.

I was alone.

Of course, I was already aware of that obvious fact, but for some unexplainable reason the realization had suddenly became stronger, sending a wave of shivers down my body. I smiled. It was like I was in one of those horror movies - stuck searching through a dark hallway, lights flickering down towards the end of the passage, and the sound of my heart beating in my hears. It just fit, and I became completely enthralled with it.

Quieting my breathing, I tiptoed across the floor, pressing my back up against the wall and checking each doorway before slithering across. A long forgotten sense of excitement flooded my senses, my limbs weakening in relation to the ever increasing tension.

Clank. The noise bounced off the walls and surrounded me.

I stopped. My breathing stopped. My heart stopped.

Eyes darting from side to side, I scanned the hallway. Nothing. So what in Shiva's name had that been?

My body moved forward, one foot slowly touching the ground as the other lifted.

Clank.

Stuck in place as if ice had surrounded my feet and attached them to the ground, I sucked in a deep breath. Reluctantly I jerked my head around, my curiosity out doing my fear, and was surprised to once again find nothing.

Clank.

I leapt towards the wall to my right and held onto it as if we were symbiotic.

Clank.

My breathing quickened along with the rhythm of my heart. Instinctively, my analytic brain switched itself back into action, once again allowing for logical thought processes to occur. Sucking in a deep breath, I closed my eyes and concentrated.

The time between each noise was shortening, yet the sound itself was growing in volume. Was something approaching me then? And if so, why? If only I knew what was making that dreadful sound…

Clank.

Again the noise got louder, forcing me to reopen my eyes.

Clank. Clank.

Just stay calm. Just stay calm. Just stay calm.

Clank. Clank. Clank.

I clenched my eyes shut. "Oh Gaia, I'm screwed."

Clankclankclankclankclank...

The noises ran together in one long stream of loudness, making it seem like a freight train was accelerating towards me. I could already picture the headlights approaching while I awaited my impending doom.

Accordingly, my mind went rampid: Oh Gaia, is that a bomb? It is, isn't it? Gaia, I'm gonna die! This place is insane and I am gonna die. This is gonna be so much fun, and I am gonna die, and no one is gonna care, and I just wish this thing would explode already so I can die, and–

Thunk!

The excessively loud and wholly unexpected noise resounded throughout the empty hallway, amplifying the sound into a monstrous noise.

To my later self's shame, I squealed, jumping back into the wall and collapsing to the ground in pure fright. My ears rang and my heart throbbed in my chest. If I had been old, then I most certainly would have had a heart attack just then.

After multiple deep breaths and curses, I calmed myself down enough to notice the soft humming from a nearby machine. It only took me two seconds to place my finger on what it was.

ShinRa's horrid, stupid, practically animate air-conditioner.

I groaned, letting out a long sigh as I realized that my fantasy train-bomb had been nothing more than ShinRa's heating and cooling system. I scoffed at myself. Then moaned. Then sniggered while shaking my head at my hopeless self.

"Oh, I am such a genius."

For a moment I just sat there on the ground, laughing at myself for my stupendous failure. Wiping the tears away from my eyes, my mind took notice of a rather important piece of information, causing me to immediately regain control of myself.

That was the first time I had laughed in… ages. In fact I hardly remembered the last time I had laughed over something instead of merely scoffing or turning my nose up at it. It was strange, especially since ShinRa's air-conditioner had caused such an uncharacteristic outburst of amusement.

Guess all those psychotic, anti-ShinRa crazies were right after all. This place really does do weird things to you.

After more, tedious searching, I finally found the correct room. Just to make sure, I double checked the number, matching up what was on my paper to the little sign by the door.

"Guess this is it," I muttered to myself while my hand reached for the door handle.

Hold on, what exactly had been written on the sign again? Stopping, I did a double take and stepped back to once again look at the little plaque by the door.

"This is a storage room?!"

As if on cue, the door swung open revealing Quincy's unemotional, yet somehow angry-looking face.

"You're late."

I opened my mouth to reply, but a young voice cut me off.

"Is that Gavin?" I waved timidly as Yu's face peered over Quincy's shoulder. "Heyah! Come on in!"

I waited for Quincy to step out of the way before cautiously entering the room, making sure to keep my distance as I slid passed the sadistic soul-searcher. Once inside I took in my surroundings and immediately began to fear for my life.

The place looked more like a dungeon than a training room with its damp air (I could practically taste the mold growing in its corners) and cramped space. The lighting, which was next to nothing, came from two oil lamps (Gaia knows where those two schemers managed to get those) which sat at the two far corners of the room on top of some cardboard boxes.

Shuffling my feet to glance around me, I noticed the thick dust lines and clean spaces on the filthy floor, an indication that everything which now lined the perimeter of the room had been recently scattered around on the floor.

"Did some redecorating I see?"

Yu nodded his head and Quincy closed the door (was is just my imagination or did I hear him lock it?).

"Our space is limited, but it is large enough for short sprints and basic combat practice."

Just then, mental images of Quincy armed with a sword, charging at me with that sadistic glare in his eyes, sprung to mind and a little squeak managed to escape my lips. "Combat practice?!"

Quincy rolled his eyes. "What'd you think we were going to be doing here? Singing?"

Letting out a little cough, I placed my hands on my hips as I tried to wipe my mind clean of the images that continued to drain into my mind. "Now there's a thought."

"Well, let's get started!" Yu exclaimed, an all too happy grin plastered onto his face.

"You sure about this?" I asked, trying to get someone on my side so that, perhaps, I could leave this dooming place. But, to my dismay, the boy just cocked his head and gave me a confused look.

"Sure about what?"

I scoffed. Why couldn't Yu be a professional in reading subtext? "Isn't your pristine conscious bothered by the fact that we really shouldn't be in here?"

Completely overlooking my emphasis on the last few words, Yu replied, "Nope! Helping you outdoes the bad of breaking ShinRa rules!"

Yu shot me a wink and a sly grin, causing me to inwardly moan. There just went my last chance of escaping.

"Now," Quincy's voice rang off of the walls and, almost maliciously, he rubbed his hands together as he glanced down at my feet. "First things first, take off your shoes."

Expecting the soul-searcher to say something much more menacing, I was taken aback by his seemingly harmless words. "Wh-what?"

The teen rolled his eyes. "Don't make me repeat myself."

I held my hands up in defense as I slowly reached down to untie my boots, never once taking my eyes off of the purple-haired freak standing above me. "Okay, okay. Fine. I'll do it."

After I had removed my shoes, I tossed them to the other side of the room before standing back up.

Quincy coughed.

"What now?" I groaned.

"Your socks."

I glanced down at my sweat stained, once white socks. "Yeah, these are my socks. What about 'em?"

"He wants you to take them off."

Spinning around, I cocked an eyebrow. Since when did Yu become Quincy's personal interpreter?

"And why, may I dare ask, does Quincy want me to take my socks off?"

Yu simply smiled. "He wants to see your feet!"

I coughed – a mixture of a laugh and a scoff, really – and shook my head. "My feet?"

"Yes, your feet." The purple-haired teen approached me from behind, his light, ghostly footsteps making my muscles melt. "You can't possibly think that you can run with socks on."

I shivered at Quincy's closeness, not to mention his suddenly airy voice. "Well, no, but–"

"Well, then take them off."

I wanted to retort – oh how I wished I could throw some sort of sarcastic remark back into that sadistic freak's face – but I held my tongue, biting my lip as I reached down for my feet. Lifting one foot at a time, I removed my socks, defiantly rolling them up and tossing them aside.

"Fine."

Once I had finished, Quincy continued, "Now, if you would be so kind, Gavin," I nearly choked on the teen's fake politeness, "Run from one end of the room to the other. Yu, take notes as we discussed while I observe."

I desperately wanted to slip my shoes back and stomp right out of that room, but I played along with their little schemes, knowing full well that if I wanted to get out of such a mess then I should have spoken up long before now. So I ran, awkwardly at first, but slowly getting used to two pairs of eyes watching my every movement. It was like some demented science experiment, and I was the subject under strict observations. The never-ceasing chill lingering on your skin, the always peering eyes following your body, the constant, dooming aura foretelling your impending future; in fact, now that I thought about it, this must be what all those microbes feel like while being watched through a microscope. The poor blokes. I now know how you feel.

"Alright, I can't take this anymore." Rubbing his temples, Quincy approached and placed himself beside me. "Follow my lead."

I did as I was told, halting my running and resetting my position to copy Quincy's stance – left foot forward, right foot back, and arms positioned as if I was mid-stride.

"Now, take your back leg and move it forward as if you were going to run in slow motion."

Quincy showed me what he meant and I followed suit, my back leg moving forward and my weight shifting in accordance with my changing stance. I was about to set my foot down when Quincy once again shouted at me to stop.

"No, no, stop right there."

I rolled my eyes. "What now?"

"Just look at the foot you lifted up off the ground."

I looked. My foot – my very cold foot, I should add – looked very dirty. It was definitely in need of a good washing; perhaps I should get Mr. Creepy Bossy Pants to clean it for me as pay back for making me take my shoes off in the first place?

"What do you see?" Quincy asked.

Trying not to burst into a full fledged scoff, I bit my tongue before replying, "I see a very filthy foot."

Obviously not having as much restraint as myself, Quincy huffed out an exasperated sigh. Inwardly I smiled to myself. I was annoying Quincy. Call me a child, but I thoroughly enjoyed watching the purple-haired teen rub and shake his head in frustration.

"Your leg – not your foot – is in a horrid position."

"It is?"

"Yes, it is!" Quincy exclaimed as if the art of leg positioning was something everyone should know.

"Care to explain?"

The soul-searcher fingered his glasses. I could almost hear the defiant 'No' being muttered under his breath before he reluctantly began, "When you run you need to pick your knees up instead of just fumbling through the movements like a child learning how to walk. The knee of your planted foot also caves in, indicating weak hip and butt muscles, and you don't move your arms in accordance with your movements."

My face twisted into an elongated scowl as the teen continued. I had a feeling Quincy was making this far more complicated than what was necessary - he was an arrogant show-off after all - and his actions and haughty attitude ticked off my prideful nature.

Thus, with all the maturity and kindness I could muster, I simply replied, "You know, why should someone of your great stature and state of mind stoop down to help a fumbling infant like me? Wish to gain something? Like to laugh at the helpless? Or do you just enjoy wasting your life away on the pathetic creatures of Gaia?"

To my greater annoyance, Quincy remained silent.

"Oh? Am I not allowed to question your superior knowledge?" I scoffed, folding my arms across my chest as I continued, "Well thanks for the helpful advice, my dear acquaintance, but I could care less about how I run. In fact, I really could care less whether I make it into SOLDIER or not, so you can just take your helpful commentary elsewhere."

"Then why are you here?"

Surprised that it was Yu, not Quincy, who had spoken, I glanced over at the boy and asked, "Excuse me?"

"You heard me." The boy's lips parted into that optimistic, childish grin of his. "Why are you here at SOLDIER if you don't care?"

"Why…" My lips mouthed the word yet no sound accompanied it, leaving it a mere whisper which faded into the air. All thoughts and logical processes in my mind halted, my brain essentially shutting off and falling into the dark pit that had become all too familiar to me. But anything was better than the alternative – anything was better than asking that dreaded question:

Why?

Turning around, I stuck my hands in my pockets and headed for the door, ignoring the fact that I was leaving my shoes and socks behind.

"Sorry, Yu, but I don't dabble in 'why'."

Obviously taking note of my change in attitude, the soul-searcher announced, "I need to organize this information. Yu, meet me in the mess hall tomorrow morning after our early morning session so we can review the information we have so far."

My hand rested on the cold exterior of the door's handle.

"Oh, and Gavin?"

I glanced back.

"We will meet back here tomorrow evening. And don't bother bringing your shoes."

Sweat, grime, dirt – the hallways reeked of it, causing multiple people to shield their noses with their shirts as they hurriedly walked along. Among this mass of people strode First class SOLIDER Mike, back home early from vacation and less than enthusiastic about the stench seeping through his shirt and up into his nostrils. The trainees must have just finished their afternoon training; if only they had the decency to leave their clothes in the actual shower room rather than piling them up along the hallways.

The First abruptly sneezed into his uniform's collar, spreading droplets of spit and snot all over the fabric. Nose crinkling up in disgust, he lifted his face from his clothing. In his head he made a note to never come down this way again during the evening shower times – the trauma was too much for his germ phobia to handle.

After surviving the walk through sweat-filled hallways, Mike rounded a corner and made his way away from the mass of dirty trainees. He didn't stop until he was absolutely sure that the air was clean, which in his mind meant that he was at least five hundred yards away from the teens' living quarters. Relieved, he sank down against the wall and finally removed his hand from his nose, taking in long gulps of fresh air.

Once he was sure that he had eradicated all the germ infested air from his lungs, he pushed himself off of the wall and continued walking. He didn't get far. His sporadic, high functioning mind picked up a few stray words coming from a room to his right. Instinctively he knelt beside the door and peered into the room through the crack between the wall and the door's frame.

Strange. This is a storage room, so why are there voices? And the light is off, do they not want to be noticed?'

Cautiously, the First observed the room beyond the door. Near the back of the area he could partially see a young man who, by the way which he was standing, was obviously talking on a cellphone. The young man was wearing the standard gear for SOLDIER's trainees and his hair was messy and damp.

Ah, a trainee having a conversation in a storage room. He obviously just got through with some training due to the state of his hair, so he's probably calling his family. Or his friends. Or, what's more likely, his girlfriend.

Mike made a face. Teenagers, the only type of human who would go into a storage room just to call their significant other - he would never understand their logic.

About to stand up and let the young man be, the trainee's words forced Mike's overly curious nature back into action. Quietly, the SOLDIER pressed his ear up against the cold metal of the door and listened.

"What the hell are you going on about? I did my job, didn't I? Is that not enough for you?" the teen whispered into his cell phone before standing still as he received his reply.

Abruptly the trainee's voice rose, anger lacing his response, "What?! You said you would keep me safe!"

Safe? Safe from what? Mike leaned in closer to the crack in the door so he could hear what was said next.

"I didn't mess it up! I told you, I did my job!"

A pause.

"You... you can't be serious…"

The teen began to pace back and forth across the room. It was hard to tell, but Mike could have sworn that he saw tears in the trainee's eyes.

"No, damn it! This can't be happening! We worked too hard for this!"

A momentary paused preceded the teen's next reply. "No." Another pause. "I'm going to handle this."

The teen then took the phone away from his ear and stared at it. He didn't even close the device to properly end the call, but instead just dropped the device to the ground.

Completely lost as to what just happened, Mike blinked stupidly like a SOLDIER standing before the might of a Behemoth. That was definitely the strangest phone conversation he had ever heard, and being in SOLDIER, he had heard a lot of weird discussions.

"Mr. Daughtry, what in Shiva's name are you doing?!"

Rapidly spinning around, the First stumbled over himself as he tried to regain what little of his composure he had left. Upon recognizing who had spoken, he squeaked out a timid reply, "Oh, Lucy, it's you."

The lady in question rolled her eyes dramatically. "Yes, it's me! Of course it's me! Why wouldn't it be me?"

Mike drooped over himself at the all too familiar spew of questions. "I thought I didn't need a secretary anymore..."

"Ha! Now there's a joke that's worth laughing over, but right now we don't have the time. I need you to follow me."

Frowning, the First sluggishly shuffled after his demanding secretary. "I don't like following people, especially when I don't know where I am going."

"Too bad!" Lucy called out. "Now hurry up! A lot of stuff has been happening while you were gone so I am going to need to fill you in on the details."

"Hm?" Mike's head popped up. Now this was interesting. From Lucy's tone of voice, this 'stuff' was obviously more than just the typical SOLDIER gossip. It must be something serious, and it was probably the reason why ShinRa had called him back to work so suddenly. He'd only been gone a day or two, and while ShinRa was known for its fast pace, for something so apparently drastic to happen in that short amount of time was unusual. Especially if such an event forced SOLDIER to call back a First from his time off.

And then there was that trainee's phone call...

Abruptly Mike stopped and glanced back at the room where he had overheard that conversation. Narrowing his eyes, he took note of the room's number - Room 0023. He was sure that it was meaningless and that the teen's problems were probably a separate ordeal from whatever was occurring at ShinRa, but his vivid imagination screamed at him to file away this bit of information.

After all, you never know what a teenager might be up to.

"Mr. Daughtry, do you not know the meaning of hurry up?!"

Sighing, Mike dragged himself after his secretary. It was going to be a long night.