"Since even non-sapient single Jenova cells possess the Reunion drive and can actually force their hosts to locate one another no matter where they are, it stands to reason that the process would have to function on some kind of instinctive telepathic level."
The hotel room was surprisingly modern, with flat carpets, nice lamps, two double beds, and a small table with two chairs. A television sat on the dresser, and there were other electrical appliances like lights, outlets, a clock-radio, and a small coffee maker. Radiators in the main room and the bathroom provided heat.
Sephiroth had definitely been interested in hearing about the red monsters, but counseled caution and that they hold off on their discussions until they had settled into the room and checked it over for any spy devices. He proceeded to spend the next forty minutes following through on that suggestion with extreme thoroughness.
Finally satisfied, Sephiroth stepped back and quietly regarded Angeal's specimen container where it rested next to the television. "So," he said to Zack while staring at Angeal's quiescent face. "You mentioned red monsters with one black wing."
Zack gave Angeal a quick glance, didn't notice anything out of the ordinary (aside from him being a living head in a jar), and instead focused his attention on Sephiroth. "That's what Rich—he's the desk clerk—said. From the way he talked, I guess they're like the local bogeymen. Supposedly they kidnap people, though he said there aren't any missing persons reports. Rich didn't believe the red monsters were more than hysterical stories."
"He was very forthcoming, wasn't he?"
Zack plopped down on one of the beds and let out a little laugh. "The guy talked my ear off. I guess he loves to talk."
Sephiroth made a humming noise. He never took his eyes of Angeal. "Probably Genesis copies, then."
"Rich was specific about them flying with only one wing. They must be Genesis copies. They've been raiding local medical clinics and a supply warehouse for a while now, though he said the last sighting was over a month ago."
Sephiroth folded his arms over his chest and huffed, displeased at that information. "So the trail is cold."
"At least we know Genesis copies are on this continent," Zack pointed out, trying to stay positive.
Sephiroth finally looked at Zack. "That's true. There were no such reports farther south, which probably means we're heading in the correct direction."
Zack hoped so, but it was always possible that Genesis and Hollander had already moved their own location. Paranoia worked for him and Sephiroth, but it was also a necessary fact of life for their quarry.
Sephiroth again intently regarded Angeal's head. "Angeal agrees," he said in a tone that brooked no argument. "We'll find Genesis and Hollander somewhat closer to Rocket Town. Angeal is very sure. He says he can tell. It's something Hojo did to him."
"Oh," Zack said uncertainly. He was careful to keep his doubt and worry hidden. At least he hadn't heard Angeal's voice this time. The last time had really creeped him out, and then he'd also had that terrible nightmare.
"I believe it is Reunion," Sephiroth said, putting strange emphasis on the words, "based on the information your Turk friend gave us, combined with the things Hojo told us both. Plus what Angeal says."
Zack swallowed. He hadn't thought about Cissnei in a long time. He'd had so many other things to worry about. Now he wondered what had become of her. Had she been killed for betraying Shin-Ra, or had she been working for the Turks all along and had simply set him and Sephiroth up for capture? One could never really be certain with Turks, and Hojo had been expecting them to attempt to rescue Angeal. He'd even complained that they'd taken too long to finally get to it. It all pointed to a set-up, and only the Turks could have arranged it.
Unaware of Zack's distraction, Sephiroth continued, "As Hojo stated, his Reunion theory claims that Jenova cells instinctively draw together. He also claimed to have altered Angeal to activate and strengthen his Jenova traits. The ability to locate Genesis must be a function of Reunion. They were both created in Project G, so there are bound to be Jenova-based ties between them."
Zack shuddered and didn't even try to hide it. He vividly remembered Hojo ranting about Reunion while giving a grotesque performance: He'd set up a demonstration showing how Angeal's extracted eyeball moved by itself and then reintegrated with Angeal's empty eye socket.
On the surface, Sephiroth's idea seemed credible to Zack. To a point. Zack hadn't really considered the finer details about how those A-Ahrimans on the Eastern Continent must have found them before. Like Sephiroth, he'd assumed they'd somehow zeroed in on Angeal, and it was true that Angeal and Genesis both had a weird telepathic connection with their copies. He'd seen it for himself. It was all alien bullshit, but there was no denying it was real.
Zack's real doubts were with Sephiroth's interpretations. Given how Sephiroth himself had also been created with Jenova biological components—apparently even more than had been put into Genesis and Angeal—it seemed more likely that he was very probably sensing Genesis's direction himself. Probably it was a subconscious instinct, and in his obsession he claimed it was Angeal doing the tracking work.
Pointing that out wouldn't accomplish anything useful, though. Zack did as always and played along with Sephiroth's delusions. "You think Angeal is acting as a kind of homing beacon?" he asked.
Again Sephiroth turned his disturbing gaze onto Zack. "I do," he said simply.
Zack dared to press a little harder. "Like how they communicate with their copies?"
"According to Hojo and the Turks' stolen documents, it seems likely. Recall there was a research topic on 'Para-Communications' with regards to Angeal. That and his ability to communicate with and control his copies almost certainly implies some form of telepathy."
"But I thought Angeal and Genesis could only control their own copies, not..." Zack trailed off. "You think whatever Hojo did to Angeal probably enhanced the ability, made it more generalized?"
"The goal, from what I was able to determine, was to make him more like Jenova." Sephiroth grimaced, openly expressing an unusual amount of mental pain. "Aside from repeatedly taking him apart, studying him, and reassembling him."
Zack scrunched his eyes closed, trying to shut out the imagery Sephiroth's words evoked. "Yeah," he mumbled. "That, too."
"Since even non-sapient single Jenova cells possess the Reunion drive and can actually force their hosts to locate one another no matter where they are, it stands to reason that the process would have to function on some kind of instinctive telepathic level."
All this explanation merely confirmed to Zack that Sephiroth, not Angeal, was probably the source of the Reunion instinct that pointed them toward Genesis. Again, he kept that opinion to himself. They just needed to find Genesis and Hollander. It didn't really matter if it was Sephiroth unconsciously pointing the way. Did it?
He again remembered hearing Angeal's chuckle, his advice to stay with Sephiroth.
Delusions must be catching, he thought.
"In any case," Sephiroth said, changing the unpleasant subject to one more immediate and practical, "I want you to wait here with Angeal while I scout around. I want to learn more about these red monsters for myself."
Zack was struck with another horrible thought. "Sephiroth, Rich talked pretty openly about the red monsters. He said the whole town knows about them. They aren't a secret. Do you think the Turks have caught wind of them, as well? The red monsters were first reported here several months ago. There's been plenty of time for word to get back to Shin-Ra."
"This is an oil town with no mako resources, so Shin-Ra probably has little interest in it. No one will be talking to them, and local ghost stories rarely make it to official channels, but we'll have to be careful, anyway," Sephiroth said.
"You heard stories about one-winged monsters raiding medical suppliers and farms in this area when we were still on the Eastern Continent," Zack said as another uncomfortable memory surfaced. "You said medical personnel kept aware of what was going on in their profession and paid attention. That's why we took ship here. Would news of these raids also get across the ocean?"
"It's possible," Sephiroth admitted, strangely unconcerned. "Monster reports are not uncommon and are often exaggerated. Keep in mind that I heard gossip, not official reports. A gang stealing drugs for the black market is one thing, weird monsters never before seen or catalogued who steal people as well as supplies are another entirely. As I said, we'll be careful and keep watch for Turks." He picked up a novelty book titled "Ultimate North Corel: History, Attractions, and Oddities" from the small table and flipped through it, glancing idly at the many photographs. "No red monsters here."
Would they even see Turks coming? Zack doubted it. "It's just a local guide book. Probably every room in this hotel has one. It was probably put in here years before the red monsters showed up."
"We'll continue toward Rocket Town," Sephiroth said, handing the book to Zack. "We know it's the right direction. I'll take the motorcycle and go find the medical supply that was hit. Angeal needs some fresh reagents, anyway, so my shopping will be a good excuse to drop by and talk with the sales clerks. I'm sure they'll enjoy chatting about the red monsters, just like your desk clerk."
Zack's mind boggled at the idea of Sephiroth gossiping casually with the locals. Still, he'd obtained useful information about the freighter and where to find medical supplies back on the Eastern Continent, so he couldn't be incompetent at acquiring information in ways that wouldn't alert the Turks.
After Sephiroth left, Zack sat on his bed and turned on the television. A news show was on. He didn't bother to change the channel. There were probably only two or three in this town, anyway. He flopped onto his back, closed his eyes, and let the male announcer's professionally manicured voice drone in the background.