This is the wrap up of the mission they've been on, hopefully keeping Angeal in character.
Angeal's lightheadedness is based on something that used to happen to me when I was painfully shy, so it really does happen.
Moved from bottom for clarity:
I don't know what to do now. The next thing I know that happens is the Mission to Wutai that Genesis and Hollander disappeared on. I don't really want that to happen immediately after this mission, because I'm planning to arrange for Kael to go on that one to, and it would be weird to have it immediately after he comes back from another mission...
Any ideas?
Good Day
Angeal was unconsciously alarmed by Zack's attachment to the scientist. His pupil did not seem to realize just how dangerous that man was. Having found the scientist while bringing squad 7 to the rest stop, Zack spent the whole midday break catching up. Angeal was relieved when they moved out again and Zack was once more up front, helping him clear the way, and the scientist was back with the rear guard.
After stopping that night, he found Zack and Kael trading ghost stories, and excused himself for that night because of a sudden lightheadedness. It worried him that the dizziness continued the next morning, but decided it must have been hunger when it abated shortly after breakfast and departure.
The target came into view a few hours later, and Angeal forgot about his earlier unease entirely. After giving the SOLDIERs their final orders, he and Zack set off on their mission while the others began the main assault. Barely an hour later, the SOLDIERs 1st and 2nd had retrieved the data they had been sent for while more or less clearing out the base. They headed for the front gate to regroup with the others. Any surviving Wutai troops had retreated, and the Shinra troops were using the break to get their wounds treated.
The squad 14 leader saw them approach and rose hurriedly to his feet, addressing Angeal "Welcome back, sir. How did your mission go?"
"No problems. We have what we came for," Angeal replied, "And we've already called for pickup. Did everything go well on this end?"
"Yes, sir."
"Any casualties?" Angeal asked, as Zack glanced around for the source of a faint rotor noise.
"No, sir," The squad leader reported, "Thankfully our medical personnel knew what he was doing, so we're all going to pull through."
"Good," Angeal turned to look over his shoulder, towards the sound of the arriving helicopters. Seeing them coming down for a landing, the SOLDIER 1st turned back around and waved a hand over his head to get the troops' attention.
"Listen up! We're moving out now, mission accomplished!"
This was followed by a quiet cheer, and Angeal smiled before continuing.
"Everyone get to a helicopter. I'm going to check that there are six SOLDIER from my list on each chopper, then we'll head back home. Understood?" There was a murmur of affirmative answers, so Angeal nodded once and gestured towards the helicopters, "Move out."
Angeal followed Zack to the nearest chopper and motioned for him to get on. Checking his pupil off the list, along with the squad 14 leader and four other SOLDER, he nodded for the pilot to take off. The next one followed the same procedure, taking the Squad 10 leader and 5 other SOLDIER. In the next helicopter, he found the Squad 7 leader with only 4 other SOLDIER.
"There's only…" Angeal began in question.
"6, sir, including you," The squad leader replied.
Oh, right, Angeal face palmed himself mentally, I didn't remember that I would have to be the sixth passenger in one of the helicopters. That might have been a problem later.
"Very good," he replied aloud, "Let me check on the last chopper, and if it's all clear we'll take off."
The squad leader nodded and moved to relay the message to the pilot as Angeal proceeded to the final helicopter.
He found a fully able member of Squad 7 helping Professor Kael lift the last of the injured carefully into the helicopter. Kael turned to him and nodded in recognition, "Almost ready here."
"Is it safe to put all the injured in one chopper?" Angeal asked, honestly curious, momentarily forgetting his misgivings about the doctor, "What if we get separated?"
Kael shook his head, standing with one hand on the edge of the door in preparation for getting in, "Even if we knew we were probably headed into that situation, and maybe especially then, I have to be with my charges, in case their conditions change."
Angeal nodded thoughtfully, that made sense.
Without registering it until after, he jerked his arm out to push Kael gently into the helicopter as he slipped. He was rewarded with a smile that reminded him inexplicably of Zack, and he smiled back without thinking, "We're all accounted for. Thank you for your good work, Professor."
Smiling again, Kael inclined his head respectfully, "It was my honor, sir, to work you and your men. I hope to have such luck again."
Angeal blinked at this, still smiling, and nodded, "Take off then, Professor, and maybe after this mission is over, we'll have a chance to work together again."
Kael's returning smile was quiet and gentle, no longer like any of Zack's, "Thank you, sir. I'd like that."
Angeal walked away, strangely lightened, as the helicopter lifted off. He pulled himself up into the last helicopter. "We're all accounted for. Let's head back."
The pilot acknowledged and the chopper took off.
"A good day," The Squad 7 leader remarked amiably.
"Yes," Angeal replied thoughtfully, "A good day."