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Darkened Skies	By : Cynthia Category: Final Fantasy VII > AU - Alternate Universe Views: 949 -:- Recommendations : 1 -:- Currently Reading : 1
Disclaimer: Final Fantasy and all characters are the property of Square Enix. I do not profit from this fanfiction, it’s for entertainment purposes only.

Chapter List
- 16
- 17
- 18
"Darkened Skies"
Chapter seventeen: Limits
A Final Fantasy 7 AU fanfiction
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*Disclaimer: Final Fantasy and all related characters belong to Square-Enix. This fiction piece is strictly a non-profit exercise of creativity and entertainment for people (like me) who can’t get enough of this world and the characters.
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            Two days after the incident, Rufus held a confidential meeting in Junon. Because of his direct involvement in recent events and his collaboration with the three senior SOLDIER officers, Zack was permitted to attend, as well. The conspicuous absence of President Shinra, Scarlet, Heidegger, Palmer and Hojo cast a foreboding pall over the assembly, reminding them all of the severity of the situation. In light of how quickly they'd lost key members of the corporation in such a short time, Lazard and Rufus were almost civil to one another.
"I've assigned the space program over to a pilot by the name of Cid Highwind," Rufus announced once the meeting was underway. "Before my father cut funding to the program, Captain Highwind was working on a rocket for a space launch program. It never reached completion, but there's still a lot of potential there and Highwind knows more about avionics and rockets than anyone currently on our administration—therefore, I've replaced Palmer with him."
Lazard frowned. "With all due respect, I don't think this is the time to be looking to the stars."
Rufus likewise tempered his response, keeping his tone polite for the sake of collaboration. "Of course, we have bigger concerns than reviving the Space Program, but I'd rather not leave departments unmanaged and I believe Highwind will be more competent than Palmer ever was—provided he can learn some semblance of manners."
"I...concur," agreed Lazard. They couldn't very well leave whole departments unsupervised, and the remaining executives had enough responsibilities, without trying to juggle other departments as well. "Where does this leave the Science and Research department, then?"
Rufus glanced at Tseng and he got out of his seat and walked over to the window overlooking the city below, before answering. "I'm reinstating Hollander, for now. Yes, he's moved against this company before, but his betrayal was mild compared to the damage Hojo has caused—and may still be causing. We need a top-ranking scientific mind heading our research department, and I've chosen the lesser of two evils."
"You believe Hollander can be trusted?" queried Sephiroth dubiously.
Rufus turned around and smirked, absently adjusting the collar of his white suit. "Of course not, General. I'm not a fool...but I am an opportunist. As I said, we need someone especially brilliant overseeing the research—especially now that we know Hojo was involved in secret biological experimentation. Hollander was involved in the project at the beginning and he claims to have some understanding of what they were trying to do. Even if he's lying, he's the only scientist we have with credentials comparable to Hojo, and I believe he'll be easier to control."
"No shit," snorted Reno. "Hojo's gone off the deep end, man."
Rufus chose not to comment on that. "I want reports on everyone's progress, before we proceed further with this meeting."
"All citizens have been successfully relocated," obliged Reeve. "There are still missing persons unaccounted for, but most went missing before this disaster struck."
"SOLDIER lost two operatives during the event," Sephiroth reported next. "Other than that, injuries were minimum. We're prepared to assist with any further investigations you deem necessary."
Rufus eyed Sephiroth up and down, before looking at Angeal and Genesis calculatingly. "Word had spread about your...enhancements. I think it would be best if all three of you avoid venturing out in public, except when necessary to conduct missions. This goes for Fair, too."
"Me? Why?" Zack blinked at the president. "I don't have a wing."
"But you're part of their elite group," explained Rufus with a wave of his hand at the three senior officers. "And people know it. We don't need civilians distracting any of you from your duties with their questions or demands, and we don't need added publicity."
"Think of yourself as a celebrity, kid," suggested Reeve with a pacifying smile Zack's way. "You're famous now, and you need to keep a low profile while this investigation is going on. Let the hype die down a little and focus on the job."
"It's also a safety matter," agreed Lazard. "Some people out there still have hostile feelings toward our winged officers, I'm sure. What happened in Midgar has the public shaken up, and people tend to fear what they don't understand. For now, the less exposure the four of you have, the better off everyone will be."
"People will get used to it, eventually," predicted Reeve.
Genesis scowled at him. "Really." He manifested his wing, drawing stares from everyone in the room. "Because it's been five years now, and I have yet to 'get used to it', myself. I somehow doubt the craven masses of uneducated yokels will—"
"Enough," interrupted Sephiroth, cutting off the redhead's growing tirade. "I think what they are trying to say is that eventually, people won't be so inclined to lynch us. The shock is still too fresh in their minds, however."
            "But, how are they ever going to get used to it if you guys stay hidden away?" reasoned Zack, spreading his hands. "Wouldn't it make more sense to mingle with the 'regulars' more, so they can see you guys are still people, like them?"
            "He's got a good point, yo," Reno agreed, pointing the pen he'd been chewing on at Zack. "The more you're exposed to something, the less shocking it is. Think about it; if you popped a porno flick into that projector right now, I'd barely blink...but I'll bet Hewley over there would trip over himself trying to turn away."
            Angeal crossed his powerful arms over his chest and leaned closer to Genesis. "Why does everyone assume I can't handle adult entertainment?"
            "Because you're wholesome," muttered the redhead back with a smirk. "Unlike the rest of us."
            Angeal cleared his throat self-consciously as the others watched him with amusement. Tseng came to his rescue, drawing everyone's attention away from him. "It does raise an interesting question. Would we really be better off hiding these men away from society, or would we get more positive results by allowing them to work out in the open, with the other SOLDIER operatives and militia?"
            "I say let 'em out in the open," insisted Reno, "instead of keeping them hidden like some dirty little secret. Zack's got the right idea."
            Rufus thought about it for a moment, nodding slowly. "I can see the benefit in that plan. What do the rest of you think?"
            "I think it's a winner, personally," answered Reeve. "Zack's logic is simple but unavoidably sound, and I have a feeling these men are going to be needed a lot in the future, if Hojo's threats are to be believed. Maybe a low profile really is the opposite of what they need to maintain, right now."
            Lazard sighed. "I'm opposed to pushing people's limits too far. We must consider the strained atmosphere people are living under, right now. With the fear of terrorism hanging over their heads, they aren't going to be inclined to accept something so new and strange to them. I think we should give them more time."
            Genesis coughed to gain their attention. "Excuse me, but I feel obligated to point out the fact that people have already been exposed to the strangeness of our mutations. It's a bit late to try sheltering them from it now." He made a sweeping gesture with his right hand. "Barn door. Chocobo. Gone." He kissed his first two fingers and waved goodbye to the imaginary chocobo.
            "Lieutenant Rhapsodos has painted a colorful mental image," Sephiroth announced dryly, "and as much as I'd like to refute his observation, he's right. So are Zackary and Reno, for that matter. The public already knows about us and considering that we have no way to mass hypnotize them into forgetting what they've seen or heard, it's pointless to try and hide it, now. I also agree with Director Lazard too, however. People have their limits and we're better off not testing them."
            "Then we need to meet somewhere in the middle," reasoned Angeal. "We can help them adjust to what we are without throwing it in their faces."
            Genesis clucked his tongue. "So then I take it the 'Winged Pride' parade is out of the question."
            Angeal frowned at him as Reno guffawed behind his hand. "Get serious, Genesis. This isn't a joking matter. We narrowly avoided being mobbed after the bomb went off in Midgar."
            "I was merely pointing out the flaw in your plan—albeit with sarcastic flair. You're proposing we walk on eggshells for these ingrates. I disagree.   Why in Minerva's name should we—their protectors—continue to hide or apologize for this?" He spread his wing slowly and gracefully, drawing the eyes of everyone in the room. "This is what we are now, Angeal, and monsters or not, it isn't our problem if they can't handle that. I'm done with censoring myself for the intolerance of others. They can either accept the fact that we come with wings now, or they can make due with one less 'monster' to babysit them."
            Sephiroth narrowed his eyes at the redhead. "What exactly are you saying, Lieutenant?"
            Genesis hesitated for a second, looking at Angeal with a flash of uncertainty in his eyes before answering with a tired sigh. "I'm saying I'm finished trying not to offend the delicate sensibilities of the ignorant masses, so they can go on pretending everything is status quo in their pathetic little bubbles of reality."
            "Genesis," began Angeal uncomfortably, obviously torn.
            "No, Angeal." Genesis' aqua gaze flashed on him. "We have given sweat, blood and tears for this organization. We didn't choose this, and I won't be ShinRa's 'dirty little secret', as Reno so aptly put it. If you and Sephiroth want to play along with this shame game and keep apologizing to the world for being monsters, feel free. I, however, will defect again before I bend over for the masses."
            Genesis turned away then, and he left the room while the others stared after him. Sephiroth found his tongue after the door shut again. "I apologize. Lt. Rhapsodos—"
            "Doesn't suffer fools gladly," finished Tseng softly, before the general could finish. The Turk director had a look of admiration on his aristocratic features, and he looked at Lazard. "You were saying people have their limits, Deusericus. I believe that goes for Soldiers, as well."
"I don't blame him," Zack announced with an accusing look at Lazard. "How much crap are these guys supposed to take, Director?"
"Lazard, I advise you to bring this under control quickly," warned Rufus in an exasperated tone. "We don't have time for theatrics."
The SOLDIER director cursed under his breath, and Angeal quickly volunteered to try and salvage the situation. "I'll go after him," assured the big man. "I think once he calms down, I can talk some sense into him."
Sephiroth nodded and patted him on the arm, his emerald gaze betraying a hint of gratitude. "I'll finish up here."
Angeal left without another word and once he was gone, Rufus leaned back in his chair and cast a look around the room. "Would anyone else like to leave the meeting or otherwise disrupt it? Please, don't let the severity of our situation stop you."
Reno looked like he might say something, but Rude nudged him covertly and he wisely kept his mouth shut. Rufus looked around calmly. "Anyone? No? Then maybe we can discuss the information Scarlet has given me...unless of course you have somewhere better to be."

~****************************~

            After a bit of searching and thought, Angeal found Genesis on top of the Junon cannon, looking out at the ocean. As the big man touched down on the huge cylinder structure, he could tell that his lover was genuinely, deeply disturbed. Ordinarily, Genesis would turn to "Loveless" for inspiration or comfort at a time like this, but now he just stood broodingly, watching the horizon as if seeking hidden answers in clouds hanging over the ocean. Not even his favorite piece of literary art was enough to console him, now.
            Angeal approached quietly, and he could tell by the way Gen's head turned ever so slightly that he was aware of his presence. The more he thought about what he'd said in that board room, the more he began to understand. Angeal came up beside the redhead and he looked out over the water with him for a few seconds, before speaking.
            "That wasn't just about the wings, was it?"
            Genesis lowered his gaze and smirked without humor. The salty breeze stirred his hair and carried his spiced scent over to Angeal. "You really do know me too well."
            "Maybe not." Angeal looked at him with troubled blue eyes, his dark brows drawn. "I still don't know exactly what else it was about; I just know it's about more than the wings. Is it because we're dealing with more hidden conspiracies from the research department?"
            Genesis shook his head and sighed, drawing his blade to inspect the length of it absently. "No, that isn't it. I've come to expect lies and betrayal from them, by now. This latest fracas didn't shatter any illusions of trust, for me."
            "Then what is it?"
            Genesis turned his head to look at him. "It's personal."
            Angeal gave him a pained little smile. "Can't you do better than that? After all this time, you should at least trust me by now."
            Genesis compressed his lips and began to pace, absently swinging his sword to make it sing through the air. "I do. You'll think it's stupid, though."
            "How do you know, if you won't tell me?" he pressed. His smile grew, despite his concern. Genesis' boyish behavior indicated he was struggling with his feelings again...most likely ones of the sentimental variety. "I promise, I won't think it's stupid."
            Genesis looked at him through wind-blown locks of auburn hair. His eyes were wary as he hesitantly tried to explain. "It's...us. Hiding. We're always hiding what we are from the world."
            Angeal frowned again, confused. "I thought this was about more than the wings."
            "I don't mean the wings," elaborated the redhead. "I mean us. Our relationship, Angeal."
            The big man's expression softened with understanding. "Oh. I didn't realize it was bothering you that much."
            "Ordinarily, it wouldn't. We agreed to keep our private life private and there's practical wisdom in that." Genesis looked out over the water again. "But in that conference room, it struck me how much we hide from the world. It made perfect sense before, but now that the big secret it out, I find myself questioning why anyone would suggest we try to stuff it back into the box."
            "We went over this in there," Angeal answered gently. "People are scared. They need time."
            "And why is it always up to us to assuage their fears?" demanded Genesis, turning to face Angeal again. He searched the taller man's eyes, an unhappy frown pulling at his lips. "When I confronted those people and let my wing come out, I felt...almost...free. This burden of shame I've carried for what I am finally seemed to lift a little, once I revealed my nature to the world. It was liberating, Angeal. No matter what they thought of me, no matter what I thought of myself, at least I was no longer hiding."
            Angeal nodded, understanding more than he cared to admit. He reached out and put a supportive hand on Genesis' shoulder. "No one can blame you for feeling this way. There's nothing stupid about it."
            "Then you'll understand why I meant what I said in there." Genesis' features hardened with determination. "I will defect before I agree to pretend to be something I'm not. We aren't like them anymore, Angeal. They at least owe us the courtesy of accepting that and letting us be what we may be. I think it's a small compromise to make, in exchange for our services."
            Angeal nodded again. "I agree; it's a reasonable request. We should discuss it with the others."
            Genesis' wary look returned. "You aren't just trying to humor me to keep me from leaving, are you?"
            Angeal stepped closer to him, putting both hands on his shoulders as he shook his head. "No. I really agree with you. I just wish you had said it like that in the conference room, instead of taking off. I'm going to support you on this, but you have to stay long enough to discuss it with them and give them a chance to do the right thing. Do I have your word on that?"
            Genesis sighed. "I...suppose."
            "Look at me."
            The redhead grumbled under his breath before meeting Angeal's eyes. "Yes, I swear not to defect until after I've given them the chance to agree to my terms. Happy?"
            Angeal's mouth twitched. "A little less worried, at least."
            "Well, you can stop worrying. You've managed to talk me into...wait...what are you doing?"
            Angeal had cupped Genesis' face in his hands and he continued closing the distance between their mouths. "I'm engaging in a public display of affection," he answered, "and if someone happens to look up and see us, fuck it."
            Genesis' jaw dropped in response to Angeal dropping the "F-Bomb", but the bigger Soldier's mouth covered his before he could issue a surprised exclamation.
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            When the meeting finished, Sephiroth and Zack both went looking for their comrades, concerned that they'd both "flown the coop" again, in Zack's words. The two Banoran Soldiers were inseparable and by now, it was a given that if one of them decided to leave, the other would be sure to follow. Because of some of his past experiences with his old friends, Sephiroth thought to look on top of the cannon after searching other likely areas of the city.
When he landed on the cannon and spotted the two of them snuggled up at the base of the weapon under Genesis' red coat, he contacted Zack with a text to inform him. Sephiroth hesitated after putting his phone away. The couple appeared to be napping together, and though he could tell they were fully dressed, he was loath to disrupt their private time. Intimacy like that was a rare treat, to men in their positions. He himself barely grasped the concept—having never connected to another person the way Angeal and Genesis did—but he understood this sort of bonding was therapeutic for couples.
With a sigh, Sephiroth approached them. All good things had to end, sooner or later.
~******************************~

            Genesis stirred when a shadow fell over them, and he squinted against the afternoon sun as he looked up. He wasn't surprised to find Sephiroth standing over them, with his long silver hair whipping in the wind. He grimaced, brought back to reality by his presence.
            "Angeal," he muttered, nudging his dozing companion. He discreetly reached beneath the coat and took the bigger man's hand off his crotch. "Nap time is over."
            Angeal lifted his head off Genesis' shoulder, frowning with disorientation. When he realized they had company, he relinquished the redhead's jacket to him and got to his feet with a grunt, retrieving his nearby Buster Sword.
            "Sephiroth," greeted Angeal, "We...lost track of time."
            "Clearly." Sephiroth offered a hand to Genesis, helping him to his feet. There was no judgment in his hooded, emerald gaze. "Have you come to a decision?"
            The couple looked at each other askew before Genesis answered. "If we have and it involves defection, will you try to stop us?"
            Sephiroth looked out at the ocean, and a mass of clouds moved in and blocked out the sun. "If that's the case, then I unfortunately arrived too late to try and stop you. I'll be sure to relay it to Lt. Fair."
            Genesis relaxed a little, sparing a faint, subtle smile. "Then it's a good thing you arrived on time to talk us out of it."
            Sephiroth nodded and he cast a similarly reserved smirk at the two of them. "That's fortunate."
            "My cooperation is conditional," warned Genesis.
            "Of course," Sephiroth answered smoothly. "I would expect no less of you. We can approach the director with your terms when we go back inside. For now, I think you should hear what we discussed at the meeting after you left."
            Genesis shrugged and leaned back against a support structure, crossing one booted ankle over the other. "I'm listening."
~************************************~

            "They call them 'Tsviets'," explained Sephiroth, "and they are apparently the Deepground equivalent of the three of us. According to Scarlet, they found a way to bypass the security in the mainframe and disrupt the programming that kept their control chips active. Without the compulsion chips functioning properly, the Restrictors couldn't control them and naturally, the Tsviets led an uprising against them. Heidegger reported that they were killing everyone—including the weakest Deepground operatives amongst them. The explosion was actually a result of President Shinra activating a self-destruct sequence, in an effort to prevent Deepground from reaching the surface. AVALANCHE had nothing to do with it."
            "Just like Wallace said," Angeal murmured. "But if they were keeping these Deepground soldiers subdued with implanted control chips, what was that collar you mentioned finding in the ruins?"
            "That was a temporary control collar," answered the general. "They used them on new recruits, until they could determine whether the enhancements would take or not. If the subjects survived the process, they would be put on the operating table to have control chips surgically implanted."
            "So what you found was essentially a shock collar," suggested Genesis with a distasteful scowl, "as if they were training fighting dogs."
            "According to the information we've gotten so far, that's technically what they've been doing," answered Sephiroth. "These Deepground soldier units have been subjected to treatments that go far beyond anything the average SOLDIER operative endures. Evidence suggests it may even be more intense than what was done to us—and that only pertains to the common Deepground units. Not even Scarlet could say exactly what the Tsviets have been subjected to. President Shinra wasn't content with his military, SOLDIER and the Turks. He was trying to build a super army."
            "And there's the question of how much of her information is the truth," Genesis said. "I'm sure that bleached wench is holding something back for her own gains."
            "Probably," agreed Sephiroth, "but President Rufus believes the information she's given him so far is the truth. She's even given him the decryption codes and the locations of some of her own hidden files. She has alleged that the president intended to bring Rufus in on it eventually, and she was trying to convince him to do it sooner. She seems to realize that she's alone in this, and the information she's given so far has proven accurate when investigated."
            "What about Hojo?" asked Angeal.
            Sephiroth shook his head. You wouldn't know Hojo was his father, for all the concern he showed. "At this time, he's a raving lunatic. He's in one of his self-induced states of euphoric egomania, and he can't be reasoned with. Any attempts result in his babbling about Jenova's plan and the cosmos."
            Genesis rolled his eyes. "Religious fanatics would love the man. So, that well is apparently tapped out for now. Maybe he's finally gone completely off the deep end. We should put him out of his misery and be done with it."

            "It could be an act," suggested Angeal. "Hojo is nothing short of devious."
            "I doubt he's faking his current state of mind," answered Sephiroth, "but either way, like it or not, he's necessary. He may be the only one that can stop whatever he's begun, and there could be further projects he's been involved in that nobody knows about."
            "Well, the Deepground threat should be gone, now." Genesis picked at a loose thread on the cuff of his jacket. "They didn't find any life signs when they scanned the area surrounding this hidden 'Sector 0'. Logically, we can presume the bomb destroyed the facility and everyone in it."
            "One can hope," agreed Sephiroth. "I suspect at least one of them made it out of the facility alive, though. Someone assassinated President Shinra before Lazard and I arrived, and the evidence suggested the culprit was beyond human. We can't say for certain how many may have escaped."
            Angeal considered everything he'd been told and a dreadful realization came to him. "How many of those Deepground operatives do you think were willing participants of the program?"
            Genesis gave him an almost pitying look. "Angeal...they were using shock collars on new recruits and they had control chips surgically implanted into the brains of the rest. I sincerely doubt any of them volunteered for it."
            "The earlier subjects were originally members of SOLDIER," explained Sephiroth. "Taken to Deepground when it was still a medical facility. That was Lost Unit. Some may have volunteered, but I doubt they knew what they were signing up for. The others may well have been missing persons from cities around the world. Scarlet confessed that they began abducting people for the program, near the end."
            Angeal shut his eyes and sighed. He walked over to the base of the cannon and as his companions watched, he suddenly punched the metal structure surrounding one of the valves, hard enough to make a dent. Genesis lunged for him and caught his arm before he could do it again.
            "There are active wires in there, Angeal," warned the redhead with a severe frown at him. "Getting yourself electrocuted won't help anyone."
            Angeal's whole body was tense and he took a few steadying breathes before speaking. "At least we volunteered," he said, "even if they would have eventually tried to force us into service. We had the illusion of choice."
            "Yes, I know," agreed Genesis—never comfortable with being the voice of reason. "And it's reprehensible that they would forcibly take citizens for experimentation. Are you really surprised, though? We've known what ShinRa is capable of, for some time now."
            He shouldn't be surprised...not by now. Still, with each new low he learned of them sinking to, his tolerance waned further. Defection was starting to look more honorable to Angeal than seeing it through in the slim hope that ShinRa would mend its ways. He was starting to regret talking Genesis out of leaving again.
            "Those who were involved in the Deepground project are either in custody or dead, now," reminded Sephiroth, "and Tuesti ran biological scans of the area several times, before we withdrew completely from Midgar. There were no remaining survivors. Deepground is finished. We need to concentrate on repairing the damage and ensuring history won't repeat itself. We need you to put aside your rage, Angeal; if only for a little while longer."
            Angeal looked between Sephiroth and Genesis, and for the first time he realized that his wing had emerged in his angst. He retracted it and he did as he was asked; shelving his personal feelings in the interest of healing the damage and building a better future. He reached out to both men and placed a hand on either of their shoulders, nodding.
            "It seems our limits are being tested. For the sake of the innocents dragged into this, I'll endure. Thank you for reminding me of what's important."
            Zack's winded voice distracted them from anything more they might have said. "Hey guys...found you! Whew...everyone...okay?"
            The three men turned to see Zack Fair climbing up the right side of the cannon, for some reason. He didn't seem to notice their puzzled stares as he struggled over the side and lay there panting for a moment, before dragging himself to his feet. He got up with a grunt of effort and looked around, the wind blowing his sweat-dampened, spiked black hair around his face.
            "Nice...view," he wheezed. "Why'd you have to...pick such a high...spot, though? I was...worried and that...was a helluva climb."
            Genesis leaned closer to Sephiroth. "Do you want to get this one, or shall I?"
            Sephiroth made a courteous gesture with a gloved hand. "By all means, be my guest."
            Genesis pointed behind him, glancing over his shoulder before looking back at the breathless young Soldier before them. "See that behind me, Fair? That is what's known as a 'catwalk'. It has these convenient things known as 'stairs', which enable the technicians to climb the cannon with relative ease and maintain it. Why you chose not to use them is a mystery."
            Zack looked at the modular stairs behind Genesis and the others, his blue-violet gaze following them down to the fire doors set into the structure on top of the building. His face was already flushed with exertion, but the redness deepened with embarrassment.
            "I...didn't see those." He glared at Genesis when the redhead smirked at him. "Shut up. I was worried, okay? I just wanted to get up here fast, because I thought you and Angeal were going to abandon us again."
            Genesis' sarcasm softened a bit, though he still clearly found Zack's single-minded determination ridiculous. He looked at Angeal. "Wherever you go, your 'puppy' is sure to follow. Maybe you should give him a ride down, Angeal. He looks ready to collapse."
            Angeal struggled to hide a smile as he approached his panting former pupil. No matter how dire the situation, Zack always managed to lighten it up with his antics. He wasn't a stupid young man, but like Genesis, his passion got in the way a lot. Unlike Genesis, Zack was light-hearted to a fault, and he was as guileless as a puppy with his optimism—hence the nickname he'd earned.
            Angeal stopped before Zack and he allowed a gentle smile for him. "What do I keep telling you about thinking with your heart, instead of your head?"
            Zack lowered his gaze and shrugged. "I do it too much."
            The grin broadened. No matter how much he'd matured over the years, some things about Zack never changed. "Only when you let it compromise your safety." He turned around and knelt for him. "Climb on. I'll take you down."
            Zack did as instructed with a grateful sigh. "Thanks, man. I feel so stupid."
            "It's okay," soothed Angeal as he got to his feet with Zack clinging to his back. He manifested his wing and so did Sephiroth and Genesis. "Those stairs do blend in with the structure, and I know you were worried."
            "So are you guys going to stick around?" demanded Zack as Angeal took to the air, "or do I need to start packing? There's no way you're taking off without me again."
            "I don't think you have to worry about that," assured Angeal as he followed in Genesis and Sephiroth's wake. They flew over the streets of Junon as they circled around the ShinRa building, and people looked up and pointed, making exclamations of amazement at the sight of them. "Unless the council refuses to cooperate, we aren't going anywhere."
~********************************~

            "Those are the terms," Genesis finished sometime later, in the very conference room he'd retreated from. "If I'm going to continue serving, it won't be as a distasteful secret. If you have to hold a press conference and station troops throughout the city to prevent rioting, so be it. The way I see it, Angeal, Sephiroth and I have given more than enough in exchange for a little bit of dignity."
            Lazard exchanged looks with Reeve, Tseng and Rufus before regarding Sephiroth and Angeal. "Do the two of you feel the same, despite the dangers of over-exposure?"
            They glanced at one another and Angeal nodded. "We do," answered Sephiroth. "We have discussed it, and I feel it's a reasonable compromise. We need Hewley and Rhapsodos more than we need public approval, right now."
            "I see." Lazard turned to his younger half-brother. "I stand by my men in this, then. If they want to serve openly with the rest of the military, they have my support."
            Rufus looked at the SOLDIER operatives calculatingly, before turning to Tseng. "As discussed before, public exposure has already occurred. What are your thoughts?"
            "I support their right to serve openly," answered the Turk director without hesitation. "I've worked with all of these men in the past, and their full cooperation would be an undeniable asset. Humans are by nature adaptable, Sir. If there is resistance to the presence of the winged operatives at first, we could employ martial law until it settles."
            "I'm not wild about the idea of martial law," Reeve said, "but people are going to have to get over themselves somehow, if these men are to continue serving. I think we should do whatever is reasonably necessary to keep order, but don't bring out the troops until we're sure we need them. Tyranny isn't the way to influence folks."
            "At least, not right away," agreed Rufus coolly. He looked up at the Soldiers and he nodded. "I concur. Tomorrow, we'll hold a televised press conference addressing the nation, and I will explain the situation to the masses and make it known that these Soldiers are to be considered military authority figures, and any hostilities against them will amount to treason."
            "That's a bit over the top," protested Reeve.
            "Is it?" Rufus met his eyes with an un-apologetic gaze. "We are barely keeping a lid on the catastrophe my father caused, Tuesti. If we're to maintain control, all departments must have recognition and the respect of the masses. We are their government, not their nannies. If I have to resort to some 'tough love' to glean some cooperation, so be it."
            "Ain't nothing tyrannical about a warning," Reno offered. "If people decide to ignore it and end up in the slammer, it's their own fault."
            "I agree," said Lazard after some hesitation. "So long as the situation is publicly explained and due warning is given. Let's just hope it's enough to discourage anyone from acting out against these men in their fears."
            "We'll begin the Midgar clean-up project after the weekend," said Rufus, "although I want scouting teams sent in to be sure the situation there remains stable. Tuesti, can you confirm that we've retrieved every living survivor from the area?"
            Reeve nodded. "There haven't been any changes. No life signs have been detected near ground zero, so I think it's safe to say that we've already rescued whatever survivors failed to evacuate. I shudder to think of the body count we'll find when we finally excavate Sector 0."
            "We'll get started on that next week," answered Rufus. "Until then, let's focus on preventing civil unrest."
~***********************************~

            Meanwhile to the northeast, a chunk of rubble shifted in the smoky ruins of Midgar, where the main support pillar and the ShinRa tower once stood. An abnormally large hand, gloved in torn gray material, pushed its way through the opening. A low growl came from beneath the rubble and the feral glow of a yellow eye peered through the opening as more debris shifted away.
~*************************************~

-To be continued
- 16
- 17
- 18
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Darkened Skies