Days of Exile

Chapter 29 – Confrontation

7 January 0008

Meia stared defiantly at Kunsel and his partner, Fred. "What is the meaning of this?" She demanded. She was bound in ropes and her hands were tied behind her. Instead of bringing her to the interrogation rooms on Floor 38, they brought her straight to Floor 67… the Science department.

In Professor Hojo's laboratory, they tied her to a cold metal chair. Not a single word was uttered. Meia kept talking to Kunsel and Fred, asking for an explanation. The SOLDIERs did not answer her.

"Mr. Kunsel…" She looked at the SOLDIER, but he immediately turned away. "Please talk to me." The SOLDIER did not answer. "Could you at least let me know what is happening? I hate being in the dark about things."

For a moment, Kunsel looked at her with a flicker of confusion. Then, Fred growled. "Don't let that spy trick you, Kunsel." As if being shaken awake from a dream, Kunsel realized that he was about to talk to the captured woman. Nodding quickly, he turned away. However, Meia has gotten enough information. Ironically, thanks to Fred.

So… I'm being caught here because I'm a spy. Meia thought, her heart sinking. The trouble was, which spy job was she caught for? She was snooping around in the Shinra Mansion in Nibelheim, but she was also a spy under the disguise of Professor Hojo's assistant. Either way, she was in big trouble.

It was funny how they were already treating her like a criminal before she was even proven guilty. Meia shook that thought away. The more important question now was who was the one responsible for her capture, and how can she get away from this?

"Have you caught her?" From behind her, someone walked into the laboratory. Meia did not need to turn her head to recognise the person; she knew that voice very well. Nevertheless, she whipped her head to stare.

You! Was what she wanted to say, but instead, Meia gave her best confused expression. "Professor Hojo?"

"Of course it is I, were you expecting someone else?" Professor Hojo peered at Meia through his rimless spectacles. "I didn't think that you would come back. This shows that having a contingency plan was good. Also, that you sure have some guts, even if you lack the brains."

"What are you talking about?" Meia frowned, inwardly trying to calm her thumping heart. She had no idea what Professor Hojo was driving at, so for now she had to play along. "Of course I would come back. I went for a short break."

"Of which prior to that, you launched a series of threats at me." Professor Hojo's face was impassive, though his tone said otherwise. "For such a sudden change in attitude from my dumb but obedient assistant… to a dumb but resistant one, wouldn't I be suspicious?"

Oh. Thought Meia, her heart sinking at his words. I shouldn't have been so fiery at his remarks then. Completely my mistake, and a pretty dumb one too. She thought of their conversation in Junon, when she tried to stop Professor Hojo from experimenting on the unconscious Tifa and captured Barret. His words completely threw her off guard, and her feisty, argumentative characteristic emerged. She felt embarrassed for letting her 'mask' slide so easily.

When I get the chance again, I'm going to make sure I say the right things before my stupid temper gets the better of me. She vowed.

"You know why you're here…" Hojo paced in front of Meia's chair. "Or are you that stupid?" He taunted. Meia gave him the pleasure to feel superior by responding with a blank look. The scientist shook his head to himself. "And the President wonders why I'm dissatisfied with the errand boy."

"Lab assistant." Meia corrected.

"Who is less helpful than an errand boy."

"Regardless." Meia shot back and felt a surge of triumph as Hojo's face twisted into a sneer. She would pay for her insolence, but at least she proved a point. She was hired to be a lab assistant, and not some kid who ran errands.

That triumph quickly turned into shame as she realized what she had just done. Didn't she just chide herself for responding before thinking? Barely 2 minutes after her 'vow' to think before talking, Meia went ahead and let her temper go… again. Definitely my weakness. Meia admitted with a tint of shame on her cheeks. She could imagine Alana's look of disapproval and her words, along the lines of 'Of all things to ruin your plans, you let your childishness bring you further trouble.'

"You think you're so clever, don't you?" Hojo sneered. "Just a lowly assistant… and already putting on airs." Turning to Kunsel, Hojo said, "Slap her."

Meia turned to Kunsel with a look of horror.

"Professor!" Kunsel protested. "We have not confirmed-"

"Did I ask Heidegger for SOLDIERs or advisors?"

Kunsel stood straighter. "With all due respect, sir, our orders were to bring this suspect to you. We were not ordered to interfere with the interrogation."

Thank goodness for righteous people like you, Kunsel. Meia thought earnestly.

Kunsel glanced at Meia. "At all." He emphasized. Meia caught his message and pushed away her hopes. Whether they agreed or not, Kunsel and Fred will not help Matilda nor Professor Hojo. It would be their own battle to win.

"And people wonder why I think SOLDIERs are all muscle and no brain." Professor Hojo muttered to himself. Kunsel held a hand to stop his partner, Fred, from arguing. "Hmm… Very well," he said after some thought. He shook his hands a little. "I shall punish the spy myself. If not we will-"

Meia growled. "I don't think s-" She gasped as a hard hand swept across her face.

"That will teach you not to interrupt me when I'm talking." Hojo sneered, rubbing his wrist.

Meia winced at the sharp sting on her cheek and squirmed against the bound ropes. "You are not being reasonable here," she said through gritted teeth. "I'm not guilty of anything. What have I done you wrong?"

Professor Hojo peered at her. "My sources said that someone has been snooping in the Shinra Mansion in Nibelheim, a few days ago."

Meia tried not to react at his words. At the very least, it's not about me being a spy for Veld. She stared back at Hojo in confusion. "What does it have to do with me?"

"Isn't it a coincidence that you took a break as well?"

"Are you implying that I'm the intruder?"

"I don't know…" Hojo pondered with a push of his spectacles. "Are you?"

"Of course I'm not! It does not mean anything!" Meia stared at Hojo fiercely. "Why don't you ask Tseng for the background check if you don't trust me?"

"I would, if I could. The Turk is indisposed at the moment."

Oh, I know where he is, thought Meia. Want me to give you his number? Meia looked around. "I'm sure there is some way to prove that this is all a mistake." She insisted. "I don't mean any offence, but you are grasping at loose straws and going nowhere. You are insisting that I am suspect, without any solid evidence. You better bring out something substantial, if not the joke's on you."

"For an 'innocent' person, you don't sound very fearful," observed Hojo quietly.

Meia sat up straighter and stared at Hojo with what she hoped to be an unsettling gaze. "Why should I?" asked Meia, almost haughtily. "When I know that I am innocent."

To her dismay, Hojo grinned in response. "We shall see about that." He stalked to the nearby monitor and switched it on. Meia's heart sank when she saw the video footage. "My sentries were very efficient in retrieving the files of the hidden security cameras in the Nibelheim Mansion. And you thought you did your research well enough?" He sneered. Meia tried hard not to show her panic on her face. "What do you have to say for yourself?"

"About what?" Meia blinked sweetly at Hojo.

"Don't act dumb with me, girl, or are you really so?" Hojo pressed a skinny finger on the screen. "That is you right there, sneaking around!"

Meia squinted at the screen; it was a pixilated figure of her, no doubt. With black hair curled up on ends. "Are you mistaking me for someone else?" She inclined her head towards the screen. "That person has black hair." If Meia could flip her hair for emphasis, she would. "Do I look like I have black hair?"

"I-" Hojo squinted at the screen. Meia hid her smile when she saw that Hojo fell for it. "It does…" Clearing his throat, he said, "Don't think that this is over. You two," he called Kunsel and Fred. "She will be brought to the cells."

"Excuse me?" Meia protested. "Why? I did nothing wrong!"

"Guilty until proven innocent."

"That's a load of bullcrap!" She scowled. "Let me go!"

"Miss Matilda…" Kunsel mumbled, clearly surprised that this lab assistant was unusually feisty.

"You can catch me again when you have stronger evidence. Besides," Meia said. "You're not the government, you can't decide how I should be treated. Don't we have mayors for this?"

"Major of Midgar?" Hojo chuckled. "Miss Ederfeld, I believe you are living in your own mind. Are you actually relying on the mayor to dictate what is allowed here?" He leant his face closer to Meia. "In case you do not know, Mayor Domino is nothing but a mere pawn!"

Not that Meia did not know, but it was always an option… A rather ineffective one apparently, Meia thought miserably.

"You fail to realise that this Planet is not ruled by monarchy nor government." Professor Hojo sniggered. "Mayors and village leaders are but pawns to the one true king – Money and fear."

"You. Are. A. Monster." Meia said through gritted teeth.

"Blame it on the lack of government." To Kunsel, Hojo ordered, "Bring her to the cells, but treat her nicely." Meia felt herself being unbound from the chair. She tried to wriggle her arms and legs to seek some blood circulation but they were bound too tight.

Suddenly, Kunsel spoke beside her ear. "Sorry, Miss Matilda. This might get uncomfortable."

"Wha- WHOAA!" She squealed as Kunsel and Fred hoisted her onto their waists, like carrying a wooden log. "Put me down!" She growled. "I am not an animal! I can walk!"

"Perhaps we will consider that statement once you start to cooperate with us, like how proper humans would." Professor Hojo chuckled. All Meia could do was to stare helplessly at the diminishing figure of the scientist as she was carried out of the laboratory.

The cells were not very far from the laboratory. Like the rest of Shinra Building, the corridors were dimly lit by white lights. One would think that to identify suspects and enemies better, the lights should be brighter for easy identification. Perhaps the truth was that Shinra did not want these captured people to see their faces instead.

There was no guard on duty when Fred and Kunsel arrived, carrying Meia. Finally, they placed Meia on her feet again. "Was that really necessary?" She growled.

"Sorry, lady," said Fred apologetically. That was his nickname for her since their first meeting. "We don't want any chances of you attacking us, just sayin'." He tapped a few keys on the control panel and the door of the empty cell swung open. "Here, your humble lodgings." The big man spread out an arm in flourish.

"I am not amused by how lightly you're taking this, Mr. Fred." Meia narrowed her eyes at him.

"You should be, though." Fred's voice turned serious again. "I apologise if I was a little rude to you earlier on. Now… I personally disagree with the Professor on keeping you locked behind cells when there is barely any evidence on your crime." He folded his big arms. "That is on the presumption that you are not guilty. Do be warned, lady, that if you're guilty…"

Meia grinned. "I know." Behind Fred, Kunsel's face was quiet and reserved. "Mr. Kunsel, if it's not too much of a trouble… may I speak to you for a moment?"

The younger SOLDIER shook his head. "I'm sorry, Miss Matilda. Despite the fact that there is nothing against you currently, I think it is unwise that we talk to you any further. I'm afraid you'll have to stay in there till you're called upon again." He tried to lead Meia further into the cell, but Meia stood firmly. "Miss Matilda…" He asked again. "Please cooperate with us."

"No, you please," Meia begged. "Please listen to me." Her response was a firm push into the cell and the steel doors slid shut. "I don't have any other way out of this!" She begged.

"Come on, Fred."

"Please, you've got to hear me out." Meia grabbed the open window bars. "Kunsel!" She yelled.

There was something in her voice that finally reached her old friend, because Kunsel stopped and looked at Meia in amazement. His chocolate brown eyes and mouth were wide open, though no sound came out. Kunsel raised a hand. "Blizzard."

"Kunsel!" Fred yelled.

The window bars of Meia's cell began to frost and freeze. Meia stepped back and watched as Kunsel raised another hand… towards the security cameras around the jail corridors. "Kunsel…" She murmured, watching the layer of ice form over the cameras.

The doors opened and Kunsel stepped in. Turning behind, he said to his colleague. "Fred, go ahead first. I'm going to hear her out."

"Oh no, you don't." Fred pulled Kunsel by his collar, stopping him from advancing. "You know that interacting with suspects without witnesses is prohibited. Close the door now, before she escapes," he said with a cautious glance at Meia.

"I'll explain to you later," retorted Kunsel, squirming out of the Gongagan's grip.

Fred's resolve was as strong as a rock. "If anything, you cannot act alone." Fred repositioned his grip to hold Kunsel's arm now. "We are assigned to be partners," said Fred determinedly. "So you will not do this alone… I'm sorry, lady, but if you want to talk to Kunsel, you'll have to talk to me too."

"Fine with me," Meia shrugged. "If Kunsel trusts you, then so will I." She allowed the SOLDIERs to enter her cell. She sat on her bed while the two men stood.

"Kunsel," Fred warned. "Freezing the cameras is not a wise decision. You have about twenty minutes before Shinra notices the cameras."

"Okay." Kunsel looked at Meia, his face full of emotion. "You can't be…" He trailed off. "I thought I saw your figure in the video…" He gestured at Meia's outfit. "All these… it was just a disguise?"

Meia grinned. "Took you a darn long time to find out, Kunsel."

"Who is she?" Fred asked, less cautious than before.

"An old friend of mine," answered Kunsel. "She was one of the exiled Turks."

"The exiled Turks?" Fred stared at Meia in amazement. "I thought they were missing in action… and that Shinra had finished business with them."

"Exactly," Meia rejoined.

The Gongagan SOLDIER stared at Meia with a sudden flash of realization. "She… Is she the one that you've talked about? She's Meia, isn't she?" Fred extended his hand and Meia shook it. "A great pleasure. Kunsel often talked about you."

"Oh?" Meia grinned at Kunsel. "Talking about me behind my back?" She smiled. "Better be good things that you're talking about."

Kunsel placed a hand on his forehead and shook his head slowly. "Well now," he smiled warmly. "So much for meeting in more favourable conditions." Meia laughed, remembering what Kunsel had said right before she left Shinra. "Meia, what are you doing here?" He asked. "You know that the last place you should be in is this building."

"Tseng brought me back here. I…" Meia took a deep breath. Then, she began to explain everything to Kunsel. Due to the lack of time, she could not elaborate much, but Kunsel managed to understand the gist of events.

The SOLDIER sighed. "You are most annoying, Meia." He said, smiling when Meia pursed her lips into a tight line. "Why can't you just stay out of Shinra? Now that you've gotten yourself into this mess… who can save you? …" Kunsel paused when he realized where this was going. "No!" He exclaimed. "No, no no… You are not going to ask us to save you! The truth is that you DID go to the Shinra Mansion, and technically you ARE convicted."

"Please!" Meia clasped her hands and pleaded. "You are probably my only way out of this cell! I need to get back to finding out how to stop Meteor!"

"What about your Turk friends?"

Meia looked away darkly. "I've promised them that everything I do in this will be my own actions and therefore will pay for my actions."

"Maybe you should think more for yourself next time."

"I'm just trying to find as many ways to help save the Planet from Meteor." Meia mumbled. "The Shinra Mansion is full of such information."

"If Shinra wanted any information from the mansion, they will send their own people to retrieve it. Was there a need for you to be so nosy?"

Meia gasped. "I'm really offended by your words, Kunsel." She folded her arms. "So much for 'Let our friendship not be affected by distance and circumstances'."

"That-" Kunsel groaned, a discrepancy from his usual composed self. "Seriously, you are being such a little girl, Meia. Haven't you realized what you have done?"

"Kunsel," Fred urged. "It's time to go."

Meia widened her eyes. Were they going to keep her here as well? How could Kunsel betray her? I need Plan B… and quick!

Kunsel sighed. "I'll be back for you." He said, at the same time as Meia who said, "I know what happened to Zack Fair."

He stopped at the door and slowly looked at Meia. "What?"

Even Fred spun around in surprise. "Zack Fair as in the SOLDIER First Class?"

Oh. She realized that Kunsel was intending to come back for her at a later time. Now it's too late.

"Kunsel," Meia said slowly. "If… If you help me out of this place… I will tell you everything about his disappearance." She paused. "Everything."

The SOLDIER's gaze never left Meia as he made sense of what he had just heard. "You… There was information of him in the Shinra Mansion…" Kunsel said.

"Hard to believe, isn't it?" Meia smirked. "Things are not what we thought they were."

"Tell me, Meia!" Kunsel strode up to her and grabbed her arm. "Don't lie to me anymore, Meia!" He yelled. "When you came to me to console me… again in September, was he still alive?"

Meia looked away. "… No. He really died. But I know everything that happened during the four years of his fake death…"

Kunsel released his grip on Meia in despair. "Then, it does not matter whether I know the information or not. It doesn't change the fact that he's gone." Meia stared at Kunsel. If Kunsel was not interested in hearing about Zack, then her leverage was gone. "But I guess since the opportunity presents itself," Kunsel straightened himself. "Then, I shall hear it."

Relief flooded her. "You mean…"

"I will help you get out. In return, you will tell me everything about Zack Fair. Everything that you've learnt in Nibelheim." Kunsel took a deep breath and looked at Meia with resignation. "You're really sneakier by the day."

"Many things happened." Meia said, with a tight smile. "I'm not the same person as I used to be."

Kunsel chuckled at the sight of her irritation. "On the contrary, you're still the same Meia that I know. You still work on the intentions of helping others more than yourself."

"How am I…" Meia kept quiet when she realized what Kunsel meant. For the longest time, the man fought thoughts and doubts about his best friend. He was declared killed in action when in fact, he had been alive, for another four more years. Even so, Kunsel and many more people who knew Zack, knew nothing about what exactly happened.

"Well, despite your dangerous actions," Fred offered, finally speaking up again. "Your intentions were to help the Planet from Meteor, right? Not too sure about how you're going to do that, but it wouldn't kill to have an extra hand around here, would it?"

"Meia," Kunsel said again. "We can't let you go now, they'll catch you immediately. We'll be back tomorrow."

Meia nodded, relieved to finally release her truth little by little. Perhaps she should stop keeping Reno in the dark too. That's what I'll do, once I get out of this mess.

8 January 0008

The corridors were empty, save a few infantrymen on patrol. None of them acknowledged Reeve Tuesti's presence when he walked by them – they only need to salute Rufus, President of Shinra. Reeve strode past them and quickly entered his office. Easing himself into an armchair, he gave a loud sigh. Cait Sith and AVALANCHE had been very busy, and even though he was not present in physical form, Reeve felt exhausted. Whenever he had time to himself, he would observe what they did. And Reeve had a lot of time to himself, because his main job was to build and rebuild. Shinra did not fix Sector 6 after Zirconiade. Neither did they intend to rebuild Sector 7. Mako Reactors were all they cared about.

Since the meeting, Heidegger and Scarlet have been enthusiastic about collecting fragments of Huge Materia from different places, hoping that it can nullify the Meteor's existence. Reeve mused about how similar the situation sounded to one just a few months ago, with a group of Turks who were now 'missing in action'.

Reeve rubbed the bridge of his nose, trying to soothe the ache at the back of his head. The missing Turks were gone for not more than three months when Sephiroth (more accurately, Sephiroth clone) assassinated President Leon Shinra. Since then, so much more had happened in a mere span of a month. Reeve could barely begin to piece any information together when another incident would happen, taking up all his time and concentration.

No one protested when Tifa wanted to stay in Mideel to take care of Cloud. Despite the absence of two people, the remaining AVALANCHE were surprisingly focused and on-task. Clearly, they had no intention of letting Shinra get its way. After eavesdropping on the meeting in Shinra, they had gone to Fort Condor and Corel, successfully retrieving the two fragments of Huge Materia. Now, one more fragment of Huge Materia was with Shinra, taken from Nibelheim. The last fragment was in the Underwater Reactor in Junon.

Reeve switched on his screen and watched AVALANCHE again. Cid had suggested that they take a short break from Shinra's scrutiny to visit Cloud in Mideel. The Highwind should be in Mideel any moment.

In the tablet, Cait Sith beamed and gave a thumbs up. "Welcome back, Reeve!"It said excitedly through Reeve's mind. "And right on time, too! We were just about to head to the Mideel clinic."The picture of Cait Sith switched to show AVALANCHE walking up the wooden steps to the clinic.

Hello, Cait Sith. Reeve thought. Good job on Fort Condor last night.

Cid walked into the clinic and gave the nurse a nod of greeting. Then, the whole party piled into the small room.

"Hey! Watch it!" Yuffie complained as Nanaki's fur bristled against her legs. "You keep that torch away from me!"

"I am highly offended by your description of my tail," said Nanaki curtly. It swished its burning tail proudly.

"Really now!"

"Quieten down, you $%^&*!" Cid whispered harshly.

Tifa looked up as they entered the adjacent room. She smiled sadly. Cid walked up to the blond man sitting on the wheelchair and gave him a light pat on his shoulder. Cloud looked up slowly, looking past Cid. He groaned, as if it was difficult to get the words out. His tongue lolled and his eyes were lacking in recognition.

Reeve sighed and reached for his glass of whiskey. He is one of the worse cases I've seen. He said telepathically to Cait Sith.

"You bet, but don't you think it's weird?"

What is?

"Since Cloud Strife was a SOLDIER First Class, then Mako exposure wouldn't be a huge issue, would it?"

That actually made sense. However, Reeve could not come with other possibilities. So he shrugged. Perhaps the Lifestream is more potent than any of the Mako injections that Hojo can come up with.

"Sir!"

Reeve muted the tablet that was showing video footage from Cait Sith's eyes. He looked up and watched a young clerk enter the room. "Good morning, Kent." Reeve said politely.

Kent was everything but outstanding. He was not one of those good looking people who left a lasting impression on you, neither was he the ambitious sort who would climb the corporate ladder. However, Reeve found Kent useful, for his low profile was the perfect camouflage to be his 'eyes' in the Shinra Building.

Kent walked briskly to the desk. "Matilda Ederfeld was captured yesterday."

In Reeve's head, Cait Sith asked, "Reeve?"

Not now, Cait Sith. Reeve said quickly. I'm attending something here. Reeve sat up straighter. "Yesterday?" He asked Kent.

"Yes," Kent nodded. "They kept really quiet about it."

"Who is the one behind her capture?"

"Professor Hojo. Sir," Kent paused to ensure that Reeve was giving him his attention. "This woman was captured for withheld reasons." Reeve looked at Kent, realizing that there were bigger issues behind Meia Etsky's capture.

Cait Sith's voice said again, "Reeve? This is really urgent too!"

Give me a minute. Reeve said crossly.

"Reeve!"

Reeve gave a deep sigh of frustration. To Kent, he said quickly that he would look around the next day and quickly dismissed him. Once Kent left the room, Reeve paid his attention to Cait Sith. Explain yourself. Cait Sith responded by showing Reeve the image of Ultima WEAPON in front of Cid, Vincent and Barret. Goosebumps ran across his arms when he saw the mighty creature. What happened? He demanded of Cait Sith.

"Oh NOW you wanna talk," replied Cait Sith with equal frustration. "There was this earthquake. Cid said that the Lifestream seems to be rushing out of the ground."

Reeve frowned. Rushing out of the ground?

"Then, all of a sudden, Ultima WEAPON appeared out of nowhere!"

Perhaps it was attracted by the overwhelming Mako power.

"Damn!" Cid's rough voice cut through their mental conversation. "That &%$^%$ WEAPON! Of all the times to show up!" Cid swung his spear forcefully and grinned. "Okay then, come on! You &%$^%$!"

Tell me more about what happened. Reeve ordered. He stared at the Cid, Vincent and Barret. How will three people defeat that mighty creature?

The ground started shaking in the clinic, like an earthquake. Cait Sith replied. When we rushed out of the clinic, we heard Ultima WEAPON's roar. Well, everything is happening so quickly that that's about it. Sorry I couldn't tell you more.

Reeve nodded and quickly assessed the situation. Cait Sith, I want you to assist AVALANCHE in restraining the WEAPON, if not destroying it. He grabbed a handset by his table. Meanwhile, I'll give a call to Tseng.

I thank everyone for the patience of one more week while I try to get this chapter right.

Apart from the scenes of Meia, I'm pretty satisfied with the others. The scene of Meia's capture frustrated me to no end, because my details began to contradict each other. In order to resolve the loopholes, I had to create another scene (the Kunsel and Meia scene). Argh. Normally, I will be more than happy to work on smoothing the scenes until they work but as of now, it is annoying because of the time constraint.

The writing bug kicked in a little, but now that my work is going to come back in full force next month, I am afraid that the bug will hibernate again. Let's just go with it and we'll see how it goes, alright?

Please read and review!