Days of Exile
Chapter 3 – Flowers
10 December 0007
"So… Elena, isn't it?" Said Tseng, peering at a young blonde over her application form.
"Y-Yes!" She squeaked.
Reno, whose eyes were closed, opened one of them to look at the applicant. She was a petite girl, still wearing her school uniform, though anyone would notice that the uniform belonged to one of the most prestigious schools in Midgar. They also would not overlook the multiple Elite Emblems pinned onto her lapel, boasting of this girl's combat prowess. The girl wore her hair in a short bob that spoke of professionalism and seriousness, but her blue eyes clearly revealed that the girl had lack of experience.
"You've stated here that you are 18 years old." Tseng said slowly. "What makes you think that you are old enough to become a Turk?"
The girl that was Elena coloured at his words. "I am more than eligible to be a Turk!" She retorted. "Ala-" Realising what she had done, she covered her mouth with both hands.
Tseng sighed to himself, but Reno decided that he could use a little fun. "Speak up, girl." He grinned. "Finish your sentence." Elena stared at Reno, recognition and annoyance filling her expression, but Reno was not fazed by her glare. "I'm waiting." He smirked.
Finally, she relented. "A… Alana was accepted as a Turk when she was 15." She said quietly.
"Indeed." Rude, who was sitting on the other side of Tseng nodded quietly.
Reno grinned. He was surprised to hear that after months of chaos and destruction, to which Shinra was placed the blame on, someone was interested to become a Turk. Of all people, it was Elena, the younger sister of a colleague that left Shinra in the aftermath of Zirconiade. Rather, everyone in the Turks fled into hiding, except Tseng, Rude and himself. Even though Rufus Shinra had placed the verdict to spare the lives of everyone, the exiled Turks were not to enter Midgar.
Obviously, the (remaining) Turks are more resourceful than that. Of course they know that her sister, Alana, is in Midgar. Two more former Turks, Rodzen Daisa and Cassie, are scuttling around Midgar and escaping the eyes of Shinra soldiers as much as possible. Reno and Rude simply kept mum and kept the information of the other Turks under 'missing in action'. President Shinra had never asked the credibility of the information; no one (not even Tseng) offered to update him otherwise.
"You are very different from your sister, you know." Reno sat forward and leaned forward. "You have really grown, little Elena… You've cut your hair, you've lost your baby fat…" He grinned when Elena blushed deeper. "Like a pretty little flower." Elena shot a small glare at Reno's teasing but respectfully kept quiet.
"Reno." Tseng interrupted. "This is an interview, not a catch-up session."
Reno sat back and propped his legs against the desk, a signature style of a comrade he once knew. "I know, I know." He drawled.
"At all times, be on your Turk behavior."
"Fine." Reno huffed and placed his hands behind his head. "I am on my Turk behavior now." He declared and began rocking his chair back and forth.
Tseng narrowed his eyes at the laidback posture of Reno, but said nothing more. It was the middle of an interview; he'll deal with Reno later. When he had given feedback to the President stating that the Turks needed more manpower, he was surprised to see Elena coming to show interest. Her sister, Alana, was a superb Turk. Time would tell if Elena could surpass her.
He cleared his throat, gaining the young girl's attention. "Miss Elena," He said slowly. "I have heard of your special… connections." Elena bit her lip and nodded slightly. "I hope you understand that we will not view you differently because of that."
Elena's face brightened. "I appreciate your actions. That is exactly what I was hoping for."
"Do not expect special treatment from us, either." Rude added.
"I won't!" She beamed slightly.
"That is, if we decide to recruit you." Tseng said. He shuffled through his papers. "We still have more questions to ask you." Elena smiled and sat straighter, ready for the next wave of questions that will determine whether she is fit to be a Turk or not.
Being a fugitive was never a challenge for Alana. In her years as a Turk, she had lived comfortably under the secrecy of being Shinra's executors. She had more than enough training as to work, live and even breathe as if one was invisible.
Fleeing from Shinra was not a challenge at all.
Alana did sort of escape to Wutai initially, where she sought shelter and advice from a retired combat teacher who taught her during her schooldays at Shinra Military Academy. After some weeks of refreshment training and catching up, Alana felt that it was time that she should return to Midgar and check on her family. Since then, she has been in Midgar. She did not manage to meet up with Rod and Cassie, the other two Turks who had been staying in Midgar from the first day of exile. Today would be the first time they meet again.
She pushed her sunglasses against her nose and reached for her rose tea. She sipped and enjoyed the aroma from the cup. Wutai's tea was made of tea leaves, not that Alana disliked it but she was happy to back in Midgar enjoying her favourite rose tea instead. She continued reading her book, but soon felt a presence approaching her. She tensed, because the footsteps did not sound like the people that she was waiting for. Alana looked up.
If she was surprised at the sight of the person sitting in front of her, she didn't show it. The man had a sharp-featured face, complete with intense dark eyes and a tight smile. His dark hair was shoulder-length, no longer in a ponytail but styled down. Alana tensed ever so slightly at the sight of the Turk suit, a uniform that she had stopped wearing months ago.
The man lifted his head slightly to look at her. "Alana." He greeted simply.
"Good afternoon, Mr. Tseng." She replied, setting her book on the table and meeting his gaze. Tseng made no attempt to rectify the formalities. Alana always spoke with a courteous and civilised manner.
She watched him refuse a waitress' request to order. Then he folded his arms and gave a small smile. "It has been a few months," he observed. "You look well."
"So do you." Alana cut a small sliver of cake. "How was Elena's interview?"
"It went very well." Tseng answered calmly. "She does have your potential." The Turk crossed his fingers across both hands and narrowed his eyes at her. "Do you think that's the reason why I specially delayed my schedule to be here?"
"I believe that it wasn't in Mr. Tseng's plans to visit me today," answered Alana politely. "Even if Mr. Tseng has stopped by to talk to a normal citizen like me, it wouldn't be just to talk about my sister's interview."
Tseng looked at her briefly, but agreed. "I'm here to warn you: Tell Rod and Cassie to leave Midgar. If not..."
"If not?" Alana asked in return. "Will you approach me the next time with twenty plainclothes sharpshooters surrounding you?"
Tseng gave her a grim smile. "You weren't the master strategist for nothing. Threatening you with a strategy which you devised is futile."
"You think too highly of me." Alana said. "I was only exaggerating about the twenty sharpshooters. You are capable of defending yourself very well."
"I'm not here to capture you, Alana. I'm only here to warn you." Tseng said. "President Shinra is not aware that some of you are back here. If he were to find out, he'll-"
"He'll what?" Alana shot back. "Will he then send you to all of us to assassinate us? Just like what you did to Commander Veld and his daughter?"
Tseng closed his eyes and sighed inwardly. "Alana…"
"I trusted you, Tseng." Alana said.
"A Turk carries out his duties, no matter what the mission is." Tseng insisted.
"Then please excuse yourself out of the café." Alana answered. "Because you have nothing more to explain, and I have nothing more to say."
Tseng looked at her as if to speak again but Alana shook her head. Finally, he stood up and giving her a short nod, he strode out of the café. Alana released a huge sigh of relief. For a moment, she feared that Tseng has brought the Shinra troops to capture her to the headquarters. After all, she was a fugitive. An unarmed fugitive.
A distinct movement caught her eye and when she looked up, she saw the people that she was waiting for. The man had muted red hair and grey blue eyes. His broad-shoulders, lanky figure and his lazy swagger similar to Reno's weren't hard to recognize. The man carried an arrogant smile that never wavered in the 6 years that he was a Turk.
Alana looked at the woman that he was with. Now that she wasn't a Turk, the woman's lightweight shirt and dark jeans showed her lean body well, a result of fifteen years of game hunting and shotgun mastery. Her sandy brown hair was still tied in a high ponytail and her matching eyes twinkled with mischief. Alana smiled to herself. Just like how she had often brought trouble to the man because of her mischief, surely things had not changed much after they had left.
When the both of them approached Alana, she looked at them. "Rod, Cassie." She smiled. "It has been a while."
"ALANA!" Cassie squealed. She immediately hugged the blonde. "I missed you!" She released her hug and rattled on, ignoring the curious stares from the neighbouring tables. "Did you know that Rod can be the most boring person ever!? And not only that, it has been Rod and I in Midgar the past few months, I haven't heard from anyone at all! Where is everyone?"
"Easy, Cassie." Rod pulled her away and shook his head at Alana. "Yo, Alana. Still prim and proper as I remembered." He grinned.
"We'll catch up later." Alana pulled an extra chair for Cassie to sit. "When you called me, you said it was urgent." She peered at the two of them curiously. "What is the matter about?"
Rodzen grinned. "The news is so shocking, you'll want see it for yourself." Then, he leant over to Alana's ear and whispered.
By the time he pulled away, Alana's face was full of surprise and there was a small glimmer of hope. "Bring me there, please." That was all she could say, for she wanted to see it for herself.
Reno strolled down the streets of the Sector 5 slums, not caring if people ran away at the sight of him. There was a famous saying in the slums: Better to be mauled by a Kalm Fang than to be hunted by a Turk. Reno was used to their reactions and sometimes he relished in the solitarity. He wouldn't have liked to be disturbed while on the job.
Reno never liked observing Aerith. The first time he did, he returned to the Shinra Building with a broken wrist because Aerith swung her Guard Rod too hard. He hadn't been allocated the task anymore. Even his former colleague, Cissnei, did a better job than he did. And they fell for the same guy, mind you. He thought.
Cissnei…
Reno cleared his throat. Now was not the time to think of the past and his former colleague. He had a job to do, albeit not the most exciting of jobs.
He soon approached a run-down, old church. An old fellow started it decades ago, hoping that the citizens of Midgar will find solace and peace in a higher deity. Of course, the religious craze died down as quickly as it rose. Midgar was never meant for anything spiritual. The church became an empty shell of wistful hopes and disappointment.
When Reno heard voices inside, he wasn't surprised. This was the place that Aerith was often found. He was, however, surprised to hear an extra voice.
Who could possibly be inside apart from the Ancient? He thought. He had never called Aerith by her name. He couldn't bring himself to, because it would feel as if their relationship will become more than just the hunter and the hunted. A shudder passed through his spine as he thought about the other voice. The only person he knew of who spent time in the church with Aerith was long dead months ago.
"Nowadays you can find Materia everywhere." He heard a male voice speak.
Who could that be? Reno wondered. Maybe some random slum drunk who stumbled his way into the church. He gripped his EMR tightly. If the intruder intends to interfere with his job, he won't be getting away easily.
"But mine's special. It's good for absolutely nothing." Reno heard Aerith reply.
Special Materia? Reno's ears perked slightly at the response. It was one of the things that he dreaded to hear though. He had encounters with many 'special' Materia, one of which almost caused the entire world to be brought under. Forget being the last Cetra on the Planet, if Aerith had a special material that is capable of-
"… Good for nothing?" The man spoke again. "You probably just don't know how to use it." His tone was that of an adult mocking a child.
"No, I do…" Aerith insisted. "It just doesn't do anything. I feel safe having it." She paused for a moment, as if recalling someone dear. "It was my mother's…"
Upon mention of Aerith's mother, Reno decided that it was time to peek into the church. Aerith hardly spoke of her. Whoever that could make Aerith speak of her mother must be someone significant.
Reno peered into the church. It wasn't hard to do because the door was ajar. He saw the girl standing among the flowers that she grew. Since the last time he saw Aerith, she had changed out of her blue frock and was now wearing a pink one instead. Her hair was tied with a pink ribbon and she even had boots to go, bringing forth a look of a shy, sensible girl yet capable of dealing damage. It had been almost seven years since he last saw her, she looked older and more womanly than when she was a child.
Rod shook his head to himself. He too, had grown some. He was no longer the young, wet-behind-the-ears sixteen year-old who only thought of hitting on girls and feeling guilty about the job he has.
The man that was with Aerith would have stood out in the crowd. He had striking blond hair styled in a spikey hairdo. Reno almost took a double take when he saw that the man was wearing the SOLDIER First Class uniform.
How could this be? Reno thought. There were only four SOLDIER First Class in the last 8 years! He flipped through the names in his head. Genesis Rhapsodos, Angeal Hewley, Sephiroth, Zack Fair… He stared back at the man. This one is neither of them.
Relax, Reno. A thought came to him. Maybe he IS a slum drunk who found himself a SOLDIER First Class uniform. The best way to identify him is to check for the special identity tag inside his uniform. Only SOLDIERs and the Turks know where to find it.
Another voice in his head taunted. But yeah, sure. Because it will be totally alright to go to him and say, "Please strip your uniform so that I can identify you."
Not that he cannot do that. A true-blue SOLDIER First Class will understand what he meant. However, he couldn't startle the Ancient. Reno scratched his head wildly. There was no way he can check on the man. He would have to report to Tseng later.
A sudden movement made Reno look at what was happening in the church. Aerith had returned to tending her flowers again. This time, Reno had made up his mind. Forget reinforcements. He had a job to finish and he didn't have the patience to wait for lowly soldiers to back him up.
For today, he isn't here to only observe Aerith. He is here, under orders of Tseng, to capture Aerith once and for all.
As he walked in, the voices of Aerith and the man grew louder.
"The name's Cloud. Me...? I do a little bit of everything."
"Oh... a jack of all trades."
Reno chose to stay a short distance away. So… Spikey's name is Cloud. He sounds like a mercenary, so how did he manage to get hold of the SOLDIER uniform?
Cloud was replying Aerith. "Yeah, I do whatever's needed." Aerith giggled in response. "What's so funny? What are you laughing at?" He frowned at her.
The flower girl shook her head vigorously "Sorry... I just..."
As if suddenly realising that they weren't alone, both of them turned and spotted Reno standing at the back of the church. Reno sighed to himself. Way to go, Reno. He said. Very discreet. Cloud began walking towards him and Reno braced himself for a chance of a fight. His fingers brushed against the tip of the EMR in his pocket. If this man is a mercenary, he will be capable of fighting, though he probably wouldn't be a match against Reno. If he is really a SOLDIER First Class well… Reno has a lot to worry about.
"Cloud!" Aerith shouted from where she was. "Don't let it get to you!" She shot a glance past Cloud and glared at Reno. Reno raised an eyebrow at her. She was still harbouring the grudge years ago when he first observed her and decided that Tseng's soft approach wasn't going to work out. Instinctively, Reno rubbed his wrist, remembering how she struck back violently as he was pulling her out of the church.
Cloud shrugged and soon approached Reno. He gave the Turk a questioning look. "… Don't worry about me." Reno waved him off. The blond threw him a suspicious look but Reno raised his eyebrows at him. A small relief came over Reno as the man decided not to pester him and walk back to Aerith.
Reno's PHS rang and using his earpiece, he spoke in a low voice. "Reno here. What's up?"
A timid voice replied on the phone. "Um… Reno, sir? I'm one of the soldiers sent for backup. I just want to say that I'm a big fan of yours. You are an absolute genius on the helicopter and-"
"Alright, keep your panties on." Reno rolled his eyes. "Where are you?"
"Right outside the church."
"Then come on in. The subject is not alone." Reno replied, flipping his PHS shut before the excited soldier could say anymore. He narrowed his eyes at the sight in front of him. Apparently the man did not really decide against leaving him alone. He stared Cloud as he walked towards him, with Aerith hiding behind the mass of spikey hair.
The blond spoke. "I don't know who you are, but..." Reno raised an eyebrow at him, throwing the man off guard. "… You don't know me…?" Cloud faltered.
Good Gaia. Reno thought, resisting the urge to give him a facepalm. What is he trying to say?
"Oh yeah…" Cloud nodded in recognition. "I know you." Cloud stared at what Reno was wearing. Reno looked down at his messy and crumpled uniform and shrugged. "That uniform…"
From behind him, three Shinra soldiers ran in. Reno could almost hear one of them squealing in excitement. They laughed when they saw that they were only faced with one man. "Hey, sis, this one's a little weird." One of them nudged the other and they laughed.
Cloud coloured. "Shut up! You Shinra spy!" He roared.
"Reno! Want him taken out?" The one, whom Reno now recognised by voice as the one who spoke to him on the phone, asked.
"I haven't decided yet." Reno said. The orders said to capture Aerith Gainsborough. Nothing was said about her employing a bodyguard of sorts. Tseng, the Turk who was placed in charge of her capture years ago, never saw Aerith having company, apart from Zack Fair. Now that Zack was dead…
However, Reno was more than curious to know about this impostor. Even the sword strapped on his back looked like the Buster Sword that Zack used to parade around in. How did this man get the uniform? Who is he? There was never a SOLDIER First Class named Cloud. Was it an alias?
"Don't fight here!" Aerith yelled. "You'll ruin the flowers!" Beckoning Cloud, they ran towards the back of the church.
As the two of them left, Reno walked slowly, not noticing his surroundings and not realising that he was stepping on flowers. "They were…" He frowned. "Mako eyes."
The guy has been infused with Mako. With that amount of glow in his eyes, the concentration was not miniscule. Only SOLDIERs First Class had eyes with that kind of glow. I must inform Tseng about this.
The Turk turned back to the soldiers. "Yeah, all right. Back to work, back to work." He beckoned them to follow, but soon he remembered what Aerith said. "Oh!" He turned to them. "And don't step on the flowers…"
Reno turned back and flipped his hair proudly, glad that he had remembered to protect Aerith's flowers. Behind him, he heard the soldiers talk angrily and in unison. He did catch something about 'holy hell'.
As he walked through the door to the back of the church, he looked around him. A large missile managed to plant itself through the church. The foreign inscription on its sides told him that it belonged to Wutai. The church was in total shambles, and the wooden walkways looked as if they are about to crack. Considering the fact that being under the Plate meant that they were away from the sun's heat, the church was unusually warm. Reno fanned himself and made a mental note to get a cold beer later.
He looked up and spotted Cloud and Aerith, by the edge of a broken walkway. "There they are, over there!" He shouted. With the other three guards, they ran forward and stared at the escapees. What the heck are they going to do?
Then, Reno saw Cloud jump across the wide gap between the two walkways. Agile fellow. He observed. A thought flashed in his head. What if Aerith does the same? Reno looked up and saw that a narrow beam leading them to a large hole on the roof at the front of the church. Walking along the roofbeams back to the area where they first confronted each other, they will be able to escape.
Horror struck Reno. There was no way he was going to return to Tseng empty-handed. He was on tenterhooks with Tseng already because of his recent attitude towards his work. I have to capture the subject. He thought, fanning himself again. There is no mission impossible for the Turks!
There was no turning back, Reno will resort to unscrupulous ways to achieve his goal. Allowing his true 'Turk' mode to surface, Reno roared. "The Ancient is getting away! Attack! Attack! Attack!" The soldiers were only too happy to comply. They fired rounds of ammunition at Aerith. Aerith tried to run away but she slipped and fell. She tumbled down the missile spine and onto the church floor.
"Aerith!" Cloud shouted.
That was a little too much, don't you think? A small voice that was once his sane self commented quietly but Reno paid no attention. When focused on the job, Reno was well-known to be sadistic, brutal and extreme to both men and women alike. No amount of persuasion and retaliation will make him let of his target. "Think we killed 'em? They shouldn't have put up a fight, I'll say." He gave a sadistic grin, feeling the gentle breeze caress his face with triumph.
Wait… wind inside a church?
Reno sniffed. He instinctively realised that the wind was not natural, but a spell from an almost extinct Materia.
Aero… Which could only mean…
"You three." He regarded the infantrymen with a rather stunned expression. "Capture the Ancient." He stared back at the front room, where the flowers are. "I'm going to check something, yo?"
Aha! New chapter again! I've written absolutely nothing in the past two weeks! Work is really challenging me, I hope things can sort out in time, leaving me more time to write.
So I'm sure from the chapter you know where we currently are in the FF7 game. I'll definitely drop hints of the game progress throughout the story, but be warned. FF7 is NOT the main part of the sequel, so I will speed through a little.
My favourite line is Reno saying 'Keep your panties on', heheh. I snitched it from Blaise Corso, one of the cops in the iphone game 'Cause of Death'. You should give it a try if you have an iphone. It's amazing. Both the gameplay and the storyline!