Ever since the first day Reeve had begun his job he had always found a large amount of paperwork waiting to be filled in on his desk. Because of this he often found himself staying late to catch up with it. Some of it is well intended, but utterly pointless. For example there is a chart for each mako reactor, and how much it produces. Which had always puzzled Reeve, why did the paperwork for the mako reactors always find their way to his desk? Sure Reeve had played a role as an architect who designed the reactors. However it was a minor role that was soon taken over by the science department, shouldn't there be the ones to do the paperwork as the reactors were under their jurisdiction.
However didn't the science department have better things to do then paperwork? Reeve snorted. Of course there did, that is why there pushed the entire pointless book keeping in his department. And as the pushover he was, he did it. Because that is what he was paid to do, he would not cause any trouble for Shinra. His department did nothing more than pointless paperwork. And there was nothing he could do about it.
Lately he had begun to neglect the work, no one would notice or care as most of the work was on hard copies, it would take hours for someone to go over it all. Reeve was almost positive that paperwork was only invented to keep people like him out of the way.
Reeve had always had concerns for Midgar's citizens and the Planet itself. He knew if he discussed the Planet with the other heads of departments, He could be labeled as a eco terrorist and spend the rest of his life in a jail cell. Reeve exhaled a breath, he did not know he was holding.
He had chosen to undertake a new project, maybe if he could prove that the Planet really was dying, he could convince the president to do something. Reeve had no idea what had come over him lately, ever since he had awaken yesterday morning he had this sensation that he had to do something, it was like all of the uncertainty he once held of the Planet being un-stable had been removed. It was strange because now he knew for a fact that the mako rectors were killing the Planet.
Reeve sighed and return to the task at hand. Another strange thing he had come across was that he had the desire to build something. He had no idea what the end result will be on this new piece of technology, but what he did know was that he was going to call him Cait Sith.
Angeal sat at his desk waiting for Zack to bring Strife to his office. He had been thinking about what Zack had told him last night. Could this be true? A cadet with mako in his system, was it even possible for a body so young to service the acidly liquid, that made grown men break down into tears when injected, was mako really flowing around a teenagers bloodstream? So many questions.
Angeal had remembered meeting the young boy in the hallway. He had just passed him on as another cadet. The fact that he had never looked Angeal in the eye showed that the boy wanted to hide it, so he must be clearly aware that if he were to be seen with the glow he could get a lot of unwanted attention.
This boy was he even a cadet? Could he be an escaped specimen, running from the Science department? If the boy was then all of the rumors of human experimentation may be true.
Angeal then heard a soft click, Zack had now walked into his office. Followed by Strife in full cadet uniform, helmet included.
Cloud had followed Zack to Angeal office. It did not take Him long to work out what was going on. Zack kept given him these small looks and every time Cloud would look up at him Zack would turn away.
Cloud knew that Zack would end up telling Angeal something, Zack maybe a good friend but he could be read like an open book, when it came to his emotions. A small part of him was grateful that Zack was worried about him enough to get Angeal to help him, However the rest was worried about Angeal questions. Taking a deep breath, he walked into Angeal's office.
"Commander Hewley, Zack told you didn't he?" Cloud questioned as he stood to attention.
"I didn't mean to spiky I swear! He blocked my escape root!" Zack begged. Pointing his index finger at Angeal.
Ignoring his student, Angeal gave Strife his full attention, this kid was smart. "Yes, Strife and just to confirm him, remove your helmet."
Cloud did what he was told, but he made sure his eyes were as dim as he could get them, the less mako that Angeal thought he had the better. He then made eye contact with his commander, letting his eyes give off a dim glow, which would normally be found on a lower class SOLDIER.
Cloud watched Angeal's expression, his mouth hanging open slightly, eyes wide. It amused him a little to see a SOLDIER Frist class, so speechless.
"So it is true." Angeal let out a breath, shaking his head and then turned back to Strife.
"Strife, how did you come to have mako in your blood?"
Cloud knew his story that he told Zack would not last long, so he had come to the conclusion that he would just have to settle for the next best option, a better lie.
"I have had it for as long I can remember sir, the mako is a part of my DNA." Cloud hoped he had sounded convening, he never liked to lie. Tifa had always told him that honesty was always the best root to take, however looks like he has proven her wrong.
"Wait what? Cloud are you telling me that you have always had mako, like since you were a baby and everything?" Zack asked
Angeal remained unfazed and continued to question him.
"What about your parents Strife, did there have mako too?"
"Well my mother's used to live under the plate until she found out that she was pregnant with me, so then she moved to a rural village and to this day she has never told be who my father was. Every time I ask her she gets upset and tells me that he broke her heart and was not worth knowing." For that question Cloud was telling the truth, whoever his father was he did not care, he didn't need a father. His mother was all he ever wanted. But at least not having a father had actually came to be a benefit to him for once.
Angeal was looking at the teenagers eyes, Cloud was telling the truth. But Cloud's response had produced more questions than it had answered.
"Very well Strife, you have given me my answers and in return, I will provide protection from the Science department. I have no doubt that if Hojo finds out you would end up in his care."
"Thank you sir" Cloud smiled.
Zack came up behind him, placing a hand on his shoulder.
"look Cloud I am really sorry about telling Angeal, I just didn't know what else to do! I can't believe I broke our promise, please Spick forgive me!" Zack had now slumped to his knees.
"Zack I never made you promise me anything. I knew that you were a good guy from the start. I also knew that you would never do anything that would harm me. And now that Commander Hewley knows about this. I have a better chance of not been drugged and dragged off to the labs. It is me that should be saying sorry, I was the one who lied."
Zack jumped to his feet and hugged Cloud. "Then I forgive you Cloud, but I still feel a little bad for telling Angeal."
"Put him down Zack, he can't breathe." Angeal said with a small smile on his lips.
Zack let him go and smiled at Angeal, while Cloud was doing his best to catch his breath back.
"I do have one request about the situation Commander Hewley, if you would not mind following." Cloud asked, making eye contact with the SOLDIER.
"And what would that be Strife?" Angeal answered, his left eye brow raised.
"I would like this to remain between the three of us. I do not wish for anyone else to know" and by anyone Cloud meant Sephiroth. If he were to find out, it might help him remember who he was, and that was the last thing Cloud wanted.
"You have my word Cloud" Angeal promised
"Yeah! You have mine to!" Zack added
After Cloud had returned to his lessons and Zack left to do his missions, Angeal had planned to call Sephiroth and Genesis, however he had given his word that he would not. It would be strange to not tell them both, he knew that if he did tell them, it would be likely that Genesis would want Cloud to become his student. It is not often that someone as smart and powerful as Cloud came along. Who was sure to become a strong fighter, and Genesis would want the credit of being his on the other hand would see Cloud as puzzle, and would stop at nothing until he found out who the boy's father was. Sephiroth was the type of person that would want every detail. It is not uncommon to find him in his office after hours, still reading SLIDIERs missions reports just to make sure he did not miss anything.
Maybe it was for the best that his two friends did not know about Cloud, if Cloud was seen with Sephiroth, Genesis and himself too often. Then it would be likely that it would be seen as favouritism, and place Cloud in the public eye. It was more than enough that Cloud was being trained by Zack.
Angeal was then pulled from that last thought, by the ringing of his mobile. Taking the device out, he did not bother to check the ID before putting it to his ear.
"Commander Hewley specking."
"Angeal" Sephiroth's voice sounded emotionless as usual.
"What can I do for you Sephiroth?"
"I require your guidance Angeal, Lazard has given me a task that I lack the knowledge to complete."
Angeal pushed back on his office chair and raised his left eye bow.
"What would that be General?"
"I need you to give me your lessons plans for the Cadet classes, I have been asked to help teach them how to be good SOLIDERs."
For the second time that Day Angeal was yet again speechless, he had tried to convince Sephiroth for years to take on a class or student. Sephiroth had always refused telling him that the cadets were not worth his time. In Angeal's shock sate he could only say one word.
"Why?"
"Well Angeal you have had many students, and taken on several classes it woul-"
"No Sephiroth, I mean why would you want to teach a class?"
There was a long paused until Sephiroth gave him his answer.
"The Turks wish to recruit one of our cadets."
"Which cadet?" Angeal asked, hoping to whoever was listening that it was not Cloud.
"I asked Kunsel to do find out who, and he had overheard Tseng talking to another Turk about a cadet named Karl Swift, I plan to teach his lessons and find out more about him, when I have the time to find his profile." Angeal let out a breath that he had been holding.
"Very well Sephiroth, I will help you. However you do understand that, you cannot harm any of the cadets if they misbehave don't you?" Angeal almost sounding like a parent.
"Yes I am aware of that." Sephiroth replied
Cloud made his way towards his first class of the day, Shinra history. The class was one of the few he could remember from his first life. The class was mostly propaganda, which would always make Shinra be seen as the heroes. Of course Shinra could not lie about the history of the planet. As everyone had an idea of what happened in the pass. However Shinra had found a way to twist the truth in to their favor, just like there always did.
Cloud made it to his first lesson just on time. He quickly joined the line of cadets going into the class room. Entering the academic classes in Shinra is like passing through the gates to a jail and serving a 2 hour sentence, 2 days a week. Cloud knew that everything that would come out of the teacher's mouth would be compliments for Shinra and useless knowledge. It was embarrassing that in his younger years he was the top of this class.
Cloud went straight to the back of the class, finding a desk as far away as possible from the teacher. Not wanting to draw attention to himself, Cloud made sure to check that he still had his helmet on. In this class he could not guarantee that he could keep his emotions under control. The lies that were about to make their way into his ears could easily reawaken the long buried anger towards Shinra, that he had been pushed aside for so many years after meteor. Rufus and the Turks may have worked beside AVALANCHE to help defeat Kadaj, but did nothing to help ease the scars that lay under his cloths and in his memories. It would always be this way for Cloud, there were things he could never forgive.
Leaning back on his chair with a groan, Cloud mentally prepared himself for the lies to come.
Thought out the whole class Reno was doing his best to work out Strife. Normally Strife would be sitting right at the front of the class and not at the back beside himself, throughout the whole lesson Reno didn't think that Strife even noticed that he was there.
The teacher, that Reno was almost positive was one of the woman he had seen in the exhibit room, was doing nothing more than reading from a text box, and would send random questions and point to one of the cadets to answer them.
Every time she pointed to Strife, the only response she would get was a shrug of the shoulders and a helmet shacked head. This was unusual as before this lesson Reno could not remember Strife getting one question wrong. Reno had spent the whole lesson looking at the side of Clouds helmet as if it would explain Strife's strange behave.
Another thing that puzzled Reno was the fact that Strife would clench his hands into fist and mumble something that Reno could not make out under his breath every time the teacher said things like "heroic" and "bravery."
Reno looked around the room at the rest of the cadets, most were half asleep and not paying any attention, what so ever to the woman.
Sweeping his gaze across the room he saw his two other bunk mates. Troy was staring blackly at the front of the class, while Charlie had his head down on his desk. From were Reno was sitting it looked like the little cadet was not breathing.
Pulling his attention away from the most likely dead cadet, Reno turned his attention back to Strife. Only to find Strife's head turned in his general direction. Reno could not tell were the blonde cadet was looking. So just in case Strife was looking at him, Reno raised an eye brow.
"Why have been staring at me?" Strife whispered just load enough for him to hear.
Not wanting to get on the wrong side of Strife Reno whispered back, " I wanted to ask you something."
"And you thought glaring at me would get you your answers?" Strife replied.
Did Strife just make a jock? Who was this kid? What had happen to Strife that would make him into, well whatever he is now from the scrawny, weak willed and push over cadet that everyone overlooked.
But Reno was not complaining, Strife was more interesting this way. Also if Strife was still getting training from Fair then his physical scores will increase. Strife will then be more than likely to make it in to SOLIDIER and could be a very useful ally, if needed in the future. It paid to have Friends in high places.
"Let's make a deal Strife, if you watch by back I'll watch yours." Reno held his breath and hoped Strife would take the bait.
Strife shock his head and sighed. "Your too late Reno both of us have already made an agreement like that."
"what?"
"Myself, you Troy and Charlie. We are already a team, You don't have to make deals Reno. You have us now." Strife smiled at him.
The class was then dismissed and Reno was still in the same place he was, after Strife had smiled and left the room with the other cadets.
Strife's words echoed in his ears "You have us now." Never in Reno's life had he had someone to rely on. It was always him against the world never had he had someone to stand by his side. His own mother had gotten rid of him the first chance she had gotten and Reno had no idea who his father was. The man was more than likely a well-paid snob that spent too much time at the honey bee inn.
Still sitting in the room by himself, Reno smiled to himself. Maybe being in a team will not be as bad as he first thought it was.
Getting to his feet he made his way to the door of the room and shorted "Yo Cloud! Wait up!"
Vincent flinched at the feeling of the breeze against his exposed face. He had been traveling for a few days now, however he was yet to get used to the outside world again. The demon had remained silent since their last discussion and Vincent had done nothing more than ponder over it.
After so many years of trying to ignore the devilish being, Vincent had actually tried to provoke Chaos into a conversation, but nothing he did would make the demon voice his mysteries.
Vincent had so many questions, who was this friend Chaos spoke of? Could it be his old partner Veld? And why would a being sure as Chaos tell him of this? Vincent stopped that thought, hoping that his endless questions would break Chaos's silent and he would get his answers. However to his disappointment Chaos did not utter a word.
To some extent it was pleasant to have his every action and thoughts to go without being criticized, it had been many years since he had sure a simple luxury to be the only voice in his own mind.
Shaking his head, he returned his attention to the task at hand. At the moment he was still traveling thought the Nibel Mountains. He was grateful that the Shinra mansion was on the outskirts of the small town of Nibelheim. He knew from memory that the town's population was well under seventy five people. And by the looks of the village from when he had bypassed it completely, over the time he had spent in the coffin that fact had not changed.
He knew that he had no choice but to avoid the village at all costs. It was more than likely that Shinra would have spies living among the people of Nibelheim. Shinra would never allow a village to exist without some insight to what was happening, especially since a mako reactor was present in the village.
Another reason why Vincent wanted to avoid the village at all costs was that if Hojo was still alive, then there was no doubt in Vincent's mind that if the man knew of his awakening, then he would be hunted down and more than likely to killed, If Hojo had no interest in having him as a specimen again.
The weather was bitterly cold, he had been traveling no foot for two days now. He had managed to find a hand gun and an summon materia in the mansion before he had left. These items had come in handy as he had come across many monsters looking for an easy meal. Vincent would have no problem with fighting these creatures unarmed, however a gun just made the kills cleaner and quicker than it would be if he just used his claw.
Planning out his journey in his mind, Vincent had estimated that it would take him a total of two weeks to get to Midgar. If he wanted to, Vincent could make his way to Midgar within four days. However if he were to do this, he was certain that he would be seen by Shinra spies, as a man with red eyes and a claw would be easy to sport on an air ship meant for the public.
Vincent continued to walk throw the Mountains, only to suddenly stop as he heard the sound of footsteps, turning around to face whoever was following him, with his gun in hand. His eyes only came to meet a young girl who he had never seen before.
Vincent stated unblinking at the girl, something about her was familiar. Before Vincent knew what was happening, flashes of images came to his mind. The images were of an older woman who seemed to be behind a bar who had similar features as the girl. The woman appeared to be with another, a man who was standing next to her. His back was turn to Vincent's view. However the ex-Turk could make out that , he was of average height with a lean, but muscular build. He had blonde hair which was spiked; he also had a large sword sitting on his back. He turned to look at Vincent, however the red eyed man could not make out his face. His vision was becoming more and more unclear, his legs then gave out and he fell to the ground, lifeless. The last thing he heard before he passed out was the girl's voice.
"Do I know you?"