Sephiroth sat back and glared at his computer, as if his stare alone could melt the display down into lumps of plastic and metal.

He'd never considered himself particularly talented at coding. Oh, he could do it as well as he needed to… but that was just it, he never needed to. Or rarely, in any case. He felt similarly about hacking. He really only knew the basics and a handful of some intermediate techniques.

ShinRa had experienced a Cyber scare just after he'd been officially inducted into SOLDIER. From what he understood, the President had been upset about how few people knew enough with the newest updates concerning cybernetics to hire. Hojo had bragged how Sephiroth could learn whatever he needed to in a fraction of the time and the next thing he'd known, he'd been shoved into a class on it.

The class had been rushed and honestly more of a stop-gap than anything else, so while it hadn't been a problem for Sephiroth to keep up, it hadn't been as… useful as it should have been. It had covered the fundamental principles well enough, though, so he'd honestly thought the knowledge he'd taken from that class would be enough to at least try to explore the option of simply hacking into the science lab, but… he'd been wrong. He hadn't realized computer language – computers themselves, to be honest – had changed that much in just five years. But it had.

So he had a couple of choices. He could spend the next week reading up and learning everything he could about hacking today's computers, or he could find another way to get the information he needed sooner. Hojo would be gone until next week, but he did not like the idea of putting this off for even that long. The sooner they got the information the better. Unfortunately, the more he thought about it, the more he realized he would have to visit the Science labs himself. As soon as possible. Without an appointment.

Which would draw a large amount of attention that he really could not afford. He had to get this information without letting the President or Hojo know about it. At least not yet. That meant he needed to avoid involving the Turks and likely everyone else on the board. Up to and including Lazard. He respected the man, but that didn't mean he trusted him with something like this. He had no delusions: the scientist would learn about any visit he made to the labs. So he had to find a legitimate reason to visit them.

The idea of him voluntarily going up there for anything about himself was about as repugnant as it was certain to draw attention, but perhaps if he asked after one of the other SOLDIERS? But about what? Unless it was nigh unto a life-or-death situation… of which they were rather short on at the moment. And he wasn't about to create one of those. Plus, he didn't like the idea of drawing attention to anyone in SOLDIER, especially not from anyone in the science labs.

Why else would he visit the science floor though? Unless a 'specimen' escaped (difficult to do without being caught) or a mission of some sort that required high-level information…

That he could order if he needed to…

He didn't have to find a reason, he could create a reason. He wouldn't even need to inform Lazard. It wasn't a privilege of his position he often had to utilize, although he'd had to on occasion. So, while it might draw attention, it would be manageable.

A plan began to form in his mind.

But he'd still need help. He'd have to ask Angeal or Genesis if they knew of anyone who could meet his criteria later.

It only took him a couple of minutes to put the mission he had in mind into the system – a false mission he could easily pass off (and maybe double in use for their own means) – then sign himself up to prep said mission. Then he assigned Genesis to supposedly execute the mission and printed it off.

Within ten minutes, he found himself smiling in satisfaction as he strode out of his office with papers in hand, locking the door behind him.

xXx

"Sephiroth," Angeal said, looking up from where he and a panting Zack had been sparring. "What's wrong?"

In response, Sephiroth just held the mission report out to him and pointed to the relevant space. "I need someone who can help me… set up some details of this particular mission who… isn't a Turk."

Angeal blinked at the paper, then looked up at him. "Details? Are you looking for Turk- like skills then?"

Sephiroth nodded.

The brunet frowned. "So someone with the necessary skills whom we can trust that will keep all of this quiet."

"Indeed," Sephiroth responded, pleased that his friend had caught on to the underlying message. "If you have someone you'd recommend, I will trust your judgment."

The larger man shot a warm smile at his friend before he took on a more thoughtful expression for several seconds. After a moment's contemplation, he smiled and looked pointedly at Zack.

The younger teen blinked. "Huh?"

"What about your tech friend, Kunsel?" Angeal's expression shifted to exasperated.

"Oh!" Zack's eyes widened. "You're right! Kunsel's perfect! Why didn't I think of that?"

Angeal snorted. "Be glad Genesis isn't here. He would have verbally eviscerated you for leaving yourself open like that."

"Heh, yeah," Zack grinned, rubbing the back of his head sheepishly.

"Besides, I think you tend to take people's talents for granted," the mentor of the group stated, amused.

The puppy bristled. "I do not!"

Angeal laughed. "You take people as they are. You don't see any sort of potential to use them because you don't want to use them. I don't think that's a bad thing, Zack, but it does mean that you tend to look past how useful a friend can be in a given situation."

The younger boy frowned. "You think?"

"Kunsel?" Sephiroth broke in, wanting to get back to his reason for searching them out.

"He's a second. I… uh… don't know his family name." The sheepishness had returned.

It was a distinct enough name that Sephiroth didn't see a problem. "Do you trust him?"

Zack blinked. "Absolutely! The guy's great!"

The Silver General paused and scrutinized Zack. "Can you promise me he won't go to the Turks or Lazard if I present him with… sensitive information?" He trusted Angeal's judgment, and with the situation being what it was, Zack's as well, but he also felt that a verbal verification was appropriate.

Zack fell silent, taken aback as he caught on, and gave the question the thought it deserved. Then he nodded firmly. "Explain it to him, and he won't. You might owe him a small favor, but he's good on those!"

Sephiroth stared at Zack for a couple more seconds before he nodded and pulled out his PHS to look the SOLDIER up. "Very well. I'll go speak with him. Please, continue your training."

"See you tonight," Angeal said.

"Yeah," Zack agreed. "After I finish my report."

"And your missions, and finding a new game console… don't forget," Angeal admonished.

Zack sighed. "Yes, sir."

Sephiroth just nodded to them in farewell before leaving the practice room, already reading through SOLDIER second class Kunsel Kitesun's file.

xXx

Not having Hojo in the building was a boon Sephiroth found so convenient it was almost suspicious. Otherwise, getting this information would be infinitely more difficult. The scientist rarely left his labs unless absolutely necessary. Not to eat, or sleep (Sephiroth had seen the cot in his office that he used) and especially not to speak to anyone not involved in his experiments. Getting in and out of the Science lab without being intercepted by Hojo would be… difficult, even (maybe even especially) for him. Even now, he knew couldn't stop this from getting back to Hojo.

But now he could stop it from looking suspicious.

It felt strange to find he would be relying on someone relatively unknown for a mission for once. Usually he was the one everyone else relied on. He supposed there was no avoiding it, though. Not if he wanted to be both quick and thorough in an area that was most definitely not his expertise.

It took him a little while to find the SOLDIER he was looking for (his status was listed simply as 'standby: standard rotation' in the system), but eventually he found the man in a training room, leaving with another group of SOLDIERS, laughing and patting each other on the back.

Sephiroth felt a tug of satisfaction that his subordinates seemed to be getting along so well. Then he focused back on why he'd come and called out to them.

"Second Class, Kunsel?" he asked. Apparently, the boy had requested his family name not be mentioned aloud if possible due to Wutian heritage. Lazard was willing to humor him, so Sephiroth didn't see a reason not to. That and acquiescing to a small demand like that could certainly go far in persuading the boy to help him.

The entire group froze and looked over at him with wide eyes, each straightening up and saluting him. Then one of them stepped forward, not bothering to remove his helmet.

"Sir!" he said.

"You are Mr. Kunsel?" he asked.

"Sir, yes, sir!"

Sephiroth nodded. "At ease." Then he looked up at the others. "You are dismissed."

They looked hesitant, but did as ordered, leaving him and Kunsel alone in the hallway. Once he was certain they were alone, he held up the papers and handed them over.

"I am currently preparing a mission and need assistance with it."

The younger SOLDIER took the papers with a frown and looked over them. Then his frown deepened.

"The information required is not currently on a level I can access," he said, slowly, as if choosing his words very carefully. The older SOLDIER approved. Caution was a good sign.

"No," Sephiroth acquiesced and began walking down the hall, gesturing for Kunsel to follow. It would be difficult for anyone to really hear anything of use, electronic or otherwise, if they simply kept moving and avoided people. "That is why I need your expertise," he paused, thinking over his proposal and decided to explain first.

"Zachary Fair recommended I come to you," he said as he turned down a hallway that would lead them to the equipment room. "He said you could… be trusted."

He practically felt the SOLDIER stiffen behind him, but the boy didn't say anything, so he continued.

"I won't lie to you. I am… after some information. I do not want Professor Hojo to know that I have acquired such information."

A pause in which only their footfalls sounded.

Then, "What information, sir?"

He felt his fists tighten as he went over his answer to that in his mind. He didn't like it, but it needed to be said. He would simply have to keep it vague.

"You know that I was raised in ShinRa?" he asked, keeping his voice steady and measured.

"Yes," Kunsel said slowly.

"It has recently come to my attention that I was lied to about some… personal information. That is the information I wish to acquire."

Another long pause of silence.

"Do you… mind if I call Zack, sir?" he asked, voice quiet and wary, but not soft. "It isn't that I don't trust you, but…"

Yes, it was, and they both knew it. Sephiroth wasn't surprised. He would have done the same thing in the boy's place. Withholding a sigh, he nodded and fixed his gaze ahead.

After a moment, he heard some slow shuffling and a PHS flip open, then nothing but their tread for a few seconds. Was the boy thinking? Then, finally, dialing.

One ring. Two. Three. And on the fourth, he heard Zack pick up, his voice distant with a distinctly tin-like quality. "Kunsel!"

"Hi, Zack."

"Hey, man! How are you?"

"I'm good." Kunsel responded, stepping back from Sephiroth and lowering his voice. "Well… you see, I'm with the General here. He said you recommended me for a mission?"

Sephiroth couldn't help himself from listening in and concentrated on hearing Zack's reply.

"Oh, yeah. That's okay, right?" the Puppy asked, a little worried. "I mean, he said he needed some help…"

"Zack… this doesn't sound right. Do you know what kind of information he's talking about?" Kunsel asked, his voice quiet and he'd dropped to several paces behind the SOLDIER First, enough that a Second wouldn't be able to hear, and a First would likely have issues if someone spoke quietly enough… but Sephiroth wasn't a normal SOLDIER. He politely took a couple more steps and then waited, still listening in while pretending not to.

Genesis would be so proud.

Or smug.

He would never find out about this, Sephiroth vowed silently.

"Yeah, I do," was the firm response. "It's… important that he gets it."

A pause.

"What kind of information?"

This time, it was Zack's turn to hesitate. "I… don't think I can say. It's personal."

"I'm... not putting anyone in danger by helping cover this up from the Turks, am I?"

A pause. "It would put more people in danger if we don't help him get it."

Kunsel pulled his PHS away from his head and stared at it in disbelief for a moment before putting it back to his ear. How he could hear with that helmet on, Sephiroth didn't know, but apparently he managed it.

"What have you gotten yourself mixed up in, Zack?"

More silence.

Then Zack answered, sounding nervous. "Look, I gotta go. Angeal is giving me that face. You know, the one that says I'd better get done with this soon? But... I… Can you help him? Please? It's important, I promise."

"How important are we talking here?"

"Like… save the world important?"

Kunsel's mouth worked in shocked silence for several seconds before he finally managed to hiss out, "Zack!"

"It's not my secret to tell." That was… very mature of him. Sephiroth hadn't expected something like that from Zack, but he sounded so firm.

This child.

Kunsel sighed. "Fine, but you owe me. An explanation and a favor. And so will the General."

"Usual rules?" Zack replied, voice cheery once again.

"Yeah." Kunsel shook his head. "Alright. I'll see you later, Zack."

"Oh! Wait, wait, wait!" Kunsel's friend stopped him suddenly. "I might need to owe you two. Do you know where I might be able to find a SGSP? Today? It's also urgent and I kinda broke mine."

The look of utter befuddlement on the younger SOLDIER's face that Sephiroth caught out of the corner of his eye was… amusing. Apparently, 'owing favors' was a rather big deal. It took him a couple of seconds to answer.

"Are you sure you… I mean…" Kunsel started, then sighed and rubbed the bridge of his nose. "I might, but call me back later, okay? I am in the middle of something," the Second reminded.

"You're the best, man!"

"Later," Kunsel said with a sigh and flipped his PHS closed. Then he took out a pocket-sized book and walked over to Sephiroth as he wrote in it. When he got there, he held it out. "If this is off the books, you owe me a favor."

Sephiroth frowned. "What kind of favor?" He'd considered asking Zack, when it had been mentioned, but held off. Better to get that information from the source.

"Usual rules. Can't be something that puts someone's life in danger, will try to give advance notice – general politeness after that, et cetera, et cetera and so forth. But this is big and if we don't want Turk involvement… well, you're lucky I carry a jammer around with me."

The Silver General blinked. The boy had a point about having his own jammer. Still... "What about the call? Couldn't they overhear that?"

Kunsel snorted. "If they can tap my PHS, they deserve the info." He held out the booklet.

Sephiroth blinked again.

"Why are you not a Turk?" he asked as he took the open book, skimming what Kunsel had written and found it a replica of what he'd just said aloud. He held out his hand for the pen and signed his name under the note that said 'one favor' in black ink.

Kunsel just smiled a little. "Turks put the company first. I don't. It's as simple as that."

"If I may ask, what is first?" the taller man asked, handing the notebook back.

The Second's smile turned grim. "My family and friends, then human lives. Then the company. On a good day."

"That… must make your job difficult," Sephiroth said slowly.

The boy took the book and shoved it into his uniform before he turned around and walked back the way they'd come.

"I'd say you have no idea, but somehow, I think you do, sir. We need to go back to the turn up there. I'm going to need to loop this feed and it'll be easier if I have something to loop it with. Namely, us walking down the hall and not stopping to talk on PHSs and generally freak out about something that may potentially be world ending."

Sephiroth felt his eyes widen, and then a smile came to his lips.

It seemed Zack and Angeal were right. Kunsel would be perfect.

The younger SOLDIER looked over his shoulder at Sephiroth, eyes narrowed for a bit, studying his commanding officer as if he'd just confirmed something. Had he suspected Sephiroth of eavesdropping, perhaps?

In turn, he raised an eyebrow pointedly, half in question, half in challenge.

Kunsel hummed a short chuckle and shook his head, but didn't say anything, instead turning to focus on the hall again.

Sephiroth was beginning to see why Zack had befriended the Second.

Re-walking the hall while explaining the basics in full view of the cameras and realizing he wouldn't have to worry, seemed almost surreal. These particular cameras were set at angles that would make lipreading impossible, so he wasn't concerned on that front, but their little talk was suspicious. He spared a thought to wonder how Kunsel's jammer compared to Genesis'.

"How long will it take for you to set this up?" Sephiroth asked after he'd explained. He and Kunsel walked out of the elevator they'd been taking.

Kunsel smirked and handed him an ear piece. "Give me half an hour."

Sephiroth's eyebrows rose again. "That short?"

"Let's just say I have the equipment in place." Kunsel smirked and offered him an earpiece of all things. He'd just… had it on him? Like he also had a jammer on him?

The Silver General didn't say anything for several seconds, then accepted the device with a nod. "Very well." He could find out just how much of a tech arsenal the boy had later.

"I would like another half to go over the cameras and review blind spots with you." A very reasonable request. Sephiroth wondered what other surprises the youth kept.

He was rather glad this one seemed to be on their side.

xXx

The Silver General stood just outside the elevator on the Science floor, next to the wall but not leaning against it, his PHS out and at his ear. It connected to a burner number to record a call being placed to his own PHS, but there was no one on the other end of the line. Instead, he had turned on the small earpiece, which was, thankfully, almost invisible while in use. Sephiroth tried to keep his own comments and questions as short as possible as cameras could definitely see him here. Thankfully, Kunsel tried – very successfully – to pose questions so that they could be answered in single syllables (frequently 'no').

Sephiroth had taken the standard security classes in deception and information gathering, as every SOLDIER had, but it had been long ago and was yet another skill he simply hadn't needed to rely on often, if ever. That was a Turk's job. Thankfully. He didn't find it difficult to pull annoyed expressions for the cameras: the necessity of this subterfuge was mildly irritating. Kunsel had seen him fairly early into their 'conversation' and had told him to play it up. He did so by taking deep, calming breaths a couple of times and even rolled his eyes once. He hoped that would be enough.

"Almost done," the Second finally reported, "you can start heading in."

He began walking towards the labs, though slower than he normally would, as if he were still preoccupied by whatever imaginary rant was aimed at him on his PHS.

"Give me a few… More seconds…." Kunsel muttered. Sephiroth could hear the rapid clacking of a keyboard in the background.

"Aaand… I'm in!"

"I am fully confident you can take care of this yourself," Sephiroth said for the cameras then shut his PHS and picked up speed as he put it in his pocket.

"Ooo, I even have access to the alarm systems! No extra hacking required!"

Sephiroth didn't answer, but he was pretty sure Kunsel had set it up that way when he'd set everything up initially.

What kind of information does he have, the Silver General wondered, and resolved to ask the boy when he could.

Then he was striding into the ShinRa Science Department Main Laboratories, shoving his uneasiness and disgust down. He held his head high and focused his gaze on the first assistant unfortunate enough to meet his eyes. The lab assistant looked somewhere between gobsmacked and terrified.

"S-sephiroth… Sir?" he squeaked out. The man in question rolled his eyes.

"I have a mission, and I need someone with ultraviolet level clearance."

The aid's eyes bugged out and he couldn't even seem to answer verbally as he nodded emphatically and scurried away. Sephiroth waited calmly, ignoring the looks the other aids shot him before going about their business.

Of course, since Hojo wasn't there, it would be the second most despicable person in the Science Department that came to see him, looking particularly grumpy.

"Well, well, well. If it isn't Hojo's little pet project," he said, voice dripping with disdain. "What do you need so desperately to call me away from my work?"

He was honestly just about as bad as Hojo.

"Professor Hollander," Sephiroth said, making sure to keep his voice calm. "A report came in with the description of a former subject from the science lab being spotted in the Eastern Grasslands. I need information on the subject before I can send one of my SOLDIERS out to confront it."

The man frowned as he looked over the paperwork. Then his face twisted in rage as he looked up at Sephiroth.

"You're sending Genesis? My SOLDIER to confront it?"

Sephiroth shrugged. "All the more reason to get me the necessary information."

The man looked ready to explode, but Sephiroth simply blinked at him expectantly.

"And Hojo thinks you're superior," Hollander spat before turning and stalking down the hall to one of the side offices. Sephiroth followed, not letting any of his disgusted confusion show on his face. What did his need of information have to do with his superiority or lack thereof?

Scientists. Only logical when it suited them in Sephiroth's experience. Perhaps they operated on game 'logic' (insanity)? What a terrifyingly plausible thought.

Hollander stalked into his private workspace and up to his desktop computer, plopping angrily down in the seat and slamming his fingers angrily on the keyboard to bring up the log-in page. At first glance, Sephiroth could see why someone like President ShinRa would choose Hojo to be the head scientist over this man… although in this case, it didn't seem like there was a lesser of two evils, only differing ones.

Sephiroth carefully watched the keystrokes as the man typed in his password. It was a seemingly random series of numbers and letters, but he could remember it. Excellent. Objective one, accomplished.

After several minutes of uncomfortable silence, Hollander hit the print key even harder and then turned to the printer in the room, practically tearing the pages away from the machine as they came out. Then he thrust them at Sephiroth, very deliberately not looking at him as an intentional (very petty) insult.

"Anything else I can help you with?" he asked in snide sarcasm, eyes pointedly on a wall clock.

Before Sephiroth could reply, Kunsel spoke in his ear. "Golden opportunity. I'm setting it off now."

The Silver General nearly yelled out in surprise. That had not in the plan. They were supposed to wait until Sephiroth was on his way out of the lab before the alarm would be set off. However, there was nothing he could do about it now. Thankfully, he caught himself at the last moment even as a flurry of clacking rattled in his ear. It only took him a second to recover and shake his head at Hollander as he took the papers, very glad the man's sulking had kept his gaze away.

"No. That will be—"

The alarm went off and both of them turned to the hallway.

"Oh, what now?!" Hollander asked, rushing out. He just left his computer completely open. Sephiroth blinked after him, then looked back at the computer, almost not believing his good fortune. Hojo would have remembered to lock the computer again.

"Sir! This is perfect! The room camera isn't on the door, so put your papers in the corner to your left," Kunsel hissed excitedly. That brought Sephiroth back to the here and now. Quickly, he did as the Second bade.

"Please wait there, sir, and I'll handle the gap," His voice quieted down into a muttering as Sephiroth heard more typing. "Who is the idiot who set this up? Works great for us, but still..."

More clicking and clattering. Seph looked around the space, noting small details that only supported the lazy characteristic flaw attached to the scientist. Half-hazardly stuffed folders were especially prominent.

"Caught, sir!" Kunsel reported a couple of seconds later. "Connect me, please."

That brought Sephiroth back to the here and now. Quickly, he rushed over to the computer, pulling the external hard-drive from his pocket and plugging it in. It had the remote software on int that Kunsel could used to download the necessary information.

"Please pull any information about myself, Jenova, Project S, Project G, Genesis, Angeal, Lucrecia, or Vincent Valentine."

"Spell 'Jenova'."

"J-E-N-O-V-A," Sephiroth responded.

"'Lucrecia'?"

"L-U-C-R-E-C-I-A, to my knowledge, but it could be an alternate spelling too." That was what the game had said, but (like Aeris vs Aerith) he didn't want to miss out on information with this chance.

"Right. I got it from here," Kunsel said. "You get out there and play your part."

The SOLDIER First nodded, despite knowing the younger man couldn't see him, then rushed out into the hallway. He stepped into utter chaos. Scientists ran in all directions, clutching random objects of import to their chests as they did so.

Did they not have protocols? Then again… he couldn't really see Hojo being the kind of person to 'waste time' on something as 'unnecessary' as the lives of his subordinates, even if the protocols were in place.

"Something escaped!" Hollander said to Sephiroth, stomping over to him angrily. "Take care of it!"

The Silver General refrained from rolling his eyes, if barely.

"You need to evacuate," he said.

"What?!" Hollander shrieked.

"Now. Standard alarm protocol. I will be verifying this procedure is followed throughout the lab."

The portly man grit his teeth as he glared up at the SOLDIER First, but eventually he capitulated. "Everyone out! Now!" he yelled. Only a couple of people nearby heard and began to detour towards the entrance.

Sephiroth called Masamune to him and several more people paid attention.

"You will all leave immediately," he said. Somehow, they seemed to find it easier to follow his quieter statement.

Hollander didn't look happy.

"Fix this!" he hissed before he too turned and rushed out. It took several more minutes to get everyone evacuated, Sephiroth 'guarding' their retreat, at which point the SOLDIER first began to search the entirety of the lab in a grid pattern to both follow through on protocol and to give Kunsel usable feed or loop material if needed.

"Make sure to pause for a couple of seconds when you've hit the blind spot so I can get footage of the empty lab with the alarm lights on," Kunsel said.

Sephiroth nodded and made his way towards a large blind spot they had noted during their half-hour brief and let himself relax for a moment. "How long do I need to stay here?" he asked.

"Just a moment… and I have what I need! Okay, you can keep going, sir. I'll let you know if you need to head towards another blind spot or if anything else is…" Kunsel faded off as Sephiroth resumed his stiff-shouldered act and continued to search the lab in his grid pattern. The feed capture was just a precaution if they needed it. Actual footage would be far less suspect.

Then a soft gasp. "Sir… I… what is this?"

The silver-haired man stiffened further, but didn't stop walking. "You read it."

"Of course I read it!" he snapped, then he hurriedly tacked on, "Sir! But Calamities? Ancients? The Promised Land? I…" He faded off again, and then several far more colorful words shot through the ear piece. "Did… did you know about this… sir?" he sounded desperate, pleading – as if his entire world had just been torn down.

Sephiroth swallowed. "No. I suspected, which is why I wanted the information."

Silence. Then, "This… is the company I work for?" Kunsel asked, tone now filled with disgust.

"Do not say," Sephiroth said, deliberately not moving his lips at all as he was currently facing a camera. "I… not yet."

Another long pause. "Alright, sir. But… I don't know if you can brace yourself for something like this."

Which was exactly what Sephiroth was afraid of.

He continued to search the room, but of course, there was nothing to find. Eventually, he began inspecting the cages until he came to one that met their needed criteria: it was occupied, the door was out of every camera frame, and he could reliably break the lock. Inside the cage sat a feral beast, a strange hybrid cross between a guard hound and some breed of wolf that would be of absolutely no threat to Sephiroth. He looked at the beast growling and attacking the front of the cage before holding out his ice materia.

"I'm sorry," was all he said before he shot several small ice spells at the creature. In seconds, it was over. Deed done, Sephiroth started pulling on the door, gradually increasing the amount of force used, until the lock finally broke under the strain. Then he immediately made a show of inspecting the surrounding area. Kunsel had pointed out that this area would be best for adding extra frames, if he needed to shift any footage around. After several seconds, he continued in his grid search, just to 'be thorough'.

"Okay, I think that's everything," Kunsel finally said, sounding subdued. "Yeah, it's ready for you whenever, sir."

"Understood," Sephiroth said, making sure to finish his search as calmly as possible. Once he finished, he dismissed Masamune and walked calmly back towards the office. The option to leave his papers in the room itself combined with Hollander's pouting really had been a 'Golden Opportunity', "I'm heading back," he said.

"Good. Walk inside, pick up the papers and turn to walk out. I'll shift the jump and you can get the hard drive."

They really had gotten an additional lucky break with Hollander not logging out. The man wasn't just a lazier version of Hojo, but a sloppier one as well.

He calmly walked into the office, picked up the papers and turned to walk out. Just before the door, he stopped.

"Kunsel?"

"Sorry. The shift is a go. Let me know when you're heading out so I can finish covering my tracks and get out of here. Sir." He sounded so tired, like he was just done with everything. Sephiroth could empathize.

The SOLDIER first turned and hurried over to the desk. He ejected the external drive and pocketed it before he logged out, hoping Hollander would think it timed out or that he'd actually logged out himself.

"Done," he said. "Heading out."

"Okay, loop's closed. I'll see you at the meeting point. Kunsel out." The earpiece cut off.

Sephiroth didn't nod as he was in full view of the cameras and he could only assume his accomplice would take his calm actions as a confirmation. He walked back out to the lab area and over to one of the consoles where turned off the alarm, using his own authorization codes. A pity said code couldn't get him into the system without being suspicious.

Twenty or so seconds later, Hollander rushed in, followed by his far more hesitant fellow employees.

"Well? Did you take care of it?" he asked.

Sephiroth nodded. "I found the cage with the broken lock. Fortunately for cleanup detail, the specimen was still in the cage. Unfortunately, the lock isn't easily replaceable and the cage could not be secured. It attacked, I took care of it. The notes on the door indicated there was only one specimen in that unit, but I performed a sweep to be sure." He gestured towards the staged area.

This happened often enough that he doubted they'd really look into it. Still, if they did suspect him of anything, he knew how to lie convincingly. That, and they had taken precautions. He supposed it was unfairly balanced in his favor: his target was incompetently lazy, and he had an apparent tech genius on his side.

"And you finished searching everywhere?" Hollander asked.

"Yes," Sephiroth nodded tersely and continued the act. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I have another possible escaped specimen to deal with."

Hollander muttered under his breath about cheap equipment. Then he turned around and started issuing orders. Some people immediately got to work, some rolled their eyes and followed what he said, and others ignored him completely.

Sephiroth, who had already spent far too long in the labs, took Hollander's blatant ignoring of him as the dismissal it was and turned to hurry out.

No one stopped him.

xXx

AN: *End Mission Impossible Music*

What?

So, you guys get an extra long chapter for the wait. Hope you enjoyed it! :D

My Kunsel may or may not have been HEAVILY influenced by Mystic 777's story Escape Plan Green… *ahem* I like competent, almost-Turk Kunsel. It amuses me.

I'd also like to thank Imagination7413 for practically co-writing this chapter. Seriously, she put so MUCH work into this guys, thank her! She's incredible!

Thank you to my Discord server as well. You guys are amazing. :D

Also, probably won't be a chapter next week, but I'm hoping to have more after that (this chapter was a DOOZY to write, I'll tell you).

Discord: discord dot gg/aYgkNWRTrc