Adult-FanFiction.org : Final Fantasy

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
- 3
- 4
- 5
"Darkened Skies"
Chapter Four: Incentive
A Final Fantasy 7 AU fanfiction
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Author's note: I don't think I'd want Angeal mad at me.
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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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            They arrived at Modeoheim two days later, exhausted and chilled from the long journey. Going from the semi-tropical climate of Banora to the freezing climate of Modeoheim was hard on the system; even for SOLDIER operatives. Genesis guided Angeal to the factory outside of Modeoheim, where he'd helped Hollander build a lab to conduct testing and cloning experiments. When they arrived, there was no sign of Hollander or any of the Genesis copies they had created there. They walked the cold, tiled floors of the abandoned factory and took note of the evidence of a hasty retreat. The good doctor left some things behind in his hurry, but the most important items were gone, like him. Angeal was inspecting an empty containment pod when Genesis' swearing revealed the biggest problem.
            "He took my fucking samples."
            Angeal looked away from the containment pod with a frown, his eyes sweeping over Genesis and settling on the refrigerating unit he'd opened. "What 'samples'?"
            "My cells," explained Genesis. He dragged his fingers through his hair and kicked at the cooling unit. "I let him take various blood and tissue samples for testing and cloning. That's how we made the copies."
            Angeal shut his eyes and fought a groan. "Genesis...what possessed you to trust him with any of that?"
            "Oh, I don't know," snapped the redhead, "maybe the fact that my body is deteriorating and I wanted to stop it from happening? Try and keep up, Hewley."
            It was probably as close as Gen would come to admitting he was just plain scared. Angeal couldn't fault him. "Why do you think he left? You didn't contact him to tell him we were coming. He shouldn't have had any reason to suspect you might turn on him."
            "How should I know?" sighed Genesis. "Maybe the company sent someone here to investigate and they were getting too close. Maybe my telling him to stay put got him paranoid. What I do know is that the man is now at large, with an entire collection of my genetic material to play with. It seems my copies are going to be used in a war against ShinRa, after all."
            Angeal's jaw tightened grimly. "If that happens, your chances for a cure are compromised."
            "How do you figure?" demanded Genesis, "and it's not just my cure, by the way. More than likely, it will apply to you as well and perhaps even Sephiroth."
            "Because the more focused Hollander is on getting his revenge against Hojo, the less he's going to focus on treating your condition. He'll string you along so that he can keep you on his side but believe me, he's only out for himself."
            "Since when did you become an expert on Hollander's thought patterns?"
            "I trust my mother," answered Angeal.
            "You trust the woman that allowed that man to conduct experiments on you in utero, thus causing this to happen to you?"
            Angeal's expression hardened. "I'm going to let that one slide, Genesis. Once."
Even in his shaky state of mind, Genesis knew he'd pushed the boundaries. His face went through an interesting shift of expressions and Angeal could tell he was trying to figure out how to apologize without openly apologizing.
Angeal sighed. "My mother and your parents made a mistake by cooperating with the science department. They've paid for that. Consider this, though; we wouldn't exist if they hadn't signed up for the project."
Angeal walked away, needing time alone to pull his thoughts together. Genesis didn't try to stop him and the big man dared to believe he might feel some remorse for speaking ill of his mother.
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            A couple of hours later, a light snow began to fall and Angeal returned to the factory. Genesis was sitting on a broken pillar, studying his precious play. He looked up when he heard Angeal approaching and he scanned him with his eyes to be sure he wasn't injured.
            "Feeling better?"
            Angeal nodded. He didn't really look like he was in better spirits, but neither of them had anything to smile about, now.
            "May I ask where you went?"
            "I found a quiet spot to meditate in." Angeal shrugged. "I just needed time to myself."
            "There's a cave system behind Modeoheim, under the mountain," said the poet softly. He looked down at the book in his hands and he tapped his finger against it absently. "I searched it on the off-chance I might find Hollander there."
            Angeal nodded. "And?"
            Genesis frowned and glanced around. "'And' what? Do you see him here?"
            The big man gave him a hard look and Genesis hastily sweetened his attitude. "No, I didn't find any evidence that he fled there. If I were to venture a guess, I'd say he's heading back to Midgar. With Sephiroth growing suspicious, it makes sense that he would want to speed things up, don't you think?"
            Angeal considered the information and nodded. "If he's getting desperate, that's a very real possibility."
            "Then we should probably go there."
            Angeal measured him with his eyes. "I want you staying out of sight. Travel with me, but avoid being seen or contacting anyone."
            Genesis resisted the urge to snap at him. "And why is that, pray tell?"
            "Because you're a wanted fugitive," answered the big man. "You lay low while I go and search for Hollander. I haven't committed any crime yet, so even if they attempt to capture and arrest me, they have no legal basis for holding me."
            "Interesting, how you use the word 'yet'. Is it your intention to commit a crime soon, Hewley?"
            Angeal smirked without humor. "That depends on Hollander."
            Genesis tilted his head. "Don't take my path, Angeal. It's not for you."
            "I'll keep that in mind. Just conserve your strength and let me deal with Hollander."
            Genesis smirked at him, well aware that he was trying to prevent him from acting on any of his earlier plans. "So you're going to try to babysit me while attempting to capture Hollander and avoid ShinRa authorities at the same time? Aren't you the ambitious one."
            Angeal grimaced. "I've told you before, Genesis; I keep my promises. I said I would help you and I meant it. You have to cooperate with me, though."
            Genesis sighed. He couldn't help but admire his friend's unwavering stoicism and sense of honor. Sometimes he envied him for it. Thinking of that, he was reminded of why Angeal stormed off and he buckled down to do something he had never been good at: admit he was wrong and apologize. He shut his eyes and began to speak.
            "About what I said earlier, before you left. I shouldn't have said that about your mother. She was...a good woman. It wasn't my place to forgive or condemn her and if nothing else, I should have considered your feelings."
            There was a moment of utter silence, and then: "Now open your eyes and say that."
            Genesis heaved another sigh and obediently opened his eyes. He looked up at the ceiling and began to repeat himself. "I shouldn't have said that abou—"
            "Look at me."
            "You're determined to make this as hard as possible, aren't you?"
            Angeal didn't back down. "If you're sincere, you'll at least try to look me in the eye while you apologize. I'm still going to help you regardless, so this only matters if you think it does."
            Genesis clenched his jaw. His friend was giving him a pass to stop this foolishness, but he knew Angeal's respect for him would suffer if he took it. The man felt obligated to fulfill his vow, but that didn't mean he had to remain friends with Genesis to do it. The thought of losing that friendship troubled him and he swallowed his pride. He looked straight into Angeal's eyes and just let it out, free of embellishment.
            "I'm sorry I said that about your mother."
            Angeal's chiseled features relaxed into a small, wistful smile. "That's all I needed from you. Was it really so hard, Gen?"
            Genesis shrugged, his face warming. The look Hewley was giving him was...distracting. "You know me better than anyone alive. It's a moot question."
            "So it is," agreed the big man. He reached out and patted Genesis on the shoulder. "That's what makes an apology from you special. Thanks."
            Genesis shrugged and grumbled under his breath.
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            A few days later, at ShinRa headquarters in Midgar:

            Zack found Sephiroth there waiting when he arrived at Lazard's office and he groaned, bracing to hear bad news. The director didn't disappoint him.
            "I have good news and bad news," said Lazard as he got out of his chair and approached Zack. "The good news is that you are officially promoted. Congratulations, SOLDIER 1st class Zack."
            Zack grinned broadly, even though he knew there was going to be bad news soon following. He looked at Sephiroth and the general granted him a dignified little nod and a quiet, crooked smile.
            "Now, onto less joyful matters," Lazard said, smothering the good mood. "The company wants Soldiers Hewley and Rhapsodos exterminated. I received orders from the president this morning and he isn't going to reconsider his decision. I've already tried."
            "But why?" demanded Zack. "They haven't done anything...well, okay Genesis had his bloodbath in Banora, but Angeal hasn't—"
            "They're a liability," guessed Sephiroth, interrupting Zack's tirade, "and the one thing ShinRa fears is bad press."
            Lazard nodded. "Zack, you know it's been established since he defected that Angeal is going to be an accessory to whatever crimes Genesis commits. He's had multiple chances to return and explain himself, yet he's chosen not to. The president doesn't want this to get any worse than it already has and he believes the best way to do that is to eliminate the risk. The offer to lift the execution order in exchange for their cooperation has been rescinded."
            Sephiroth narrowed his eyes on the director. "I'm interested in why you're telling us this. I believe Zack and I both made our position clear on any assassination attempts. You know we won't turn on them."
            Zack breathed a little easier, thankful to Sephiroth for saying what was on his mind too.
            "I'm well aware of that," agreed Lazard. He looked at both of them respectively, his gaze resolute. "I'm not giving you this information because I want you to take the mission. If it hasn't been made clear already, I don't want Rhapsodos or Hewley killed any more than you do."
            Zack was admittedly confused. "Then...why tell us any of this?"
            "Because as their friends, I thought you should know. What the two of you choose to do with this information is up to you."
            "So you're warning us," reasoned Zack, "so we can warn them, if we get the chance."
            Lazard's face was void of expression. "Interpret it how you choose, Fair. Now, if you'll both excuse me—"
            The lights suddenly went out, leaving the three young men in the dark. Just as Zack was about to blurt a confused question, the backup power kicked in and the warning lights overhead began to blink red. Alarms began to blare and Lazard hastily went to his monitor to check the security status.
            "We're under attack. This may be the chance you gentlemen need, if you intend to act on the information I've given you."
            "How do you know it's Genesis?" questioned Zack as he impulsively reached for his sword.
            "Because I don't think anyone else would be bold enough to wage an open attack on ShinRa headquarters," replied Lazard coolly. "At any rate, I need you both to defend this building."
            Zack exchanged a look with Sephiroth and shrugged. Sephiroth readied his masamune and regarded Lazard thoughtfully before urging him to get to a secure room and stay there. He then made some calls to ensure Hojo, the president and all of the company VIP's were out of danger.
            "Lets go," Sephiroth said once he was satisfied.
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            Zack and Sephiroth found Lazard's assumptions to be true—at least, as far as they could tell. Headquarters was overrun with Genesis copies. The clones attacked with single-minded determination and it was all the two Soldiers could do to drive them back. They seemed to have a purpose, but of course, they didn't answer Zack when he demanded they tell him what they were after. With a lot of effort and a few bruises to show for it, Zack and Sephiroth cleared the building of enemies and got it secured. Sephiroth made some calls and ordered several groups of both regular militia and SOLDIER operatives to guard the building and ensure no further enemies breached the perimeter.
            "There are more in the streets," Sephiroth announced, looking through the front windows with narrowed eyes. Fortunately, the glass was shatterproof and the copies wouldn't be able to easily force their way in through the front entry.
            "So what are we doing?" Zack asked eagerly, spoiling for a fight.
            Sephiroth considered their options and the enemies fighting ShinRa troops in the streets. With headquarters secured and the director locked in a safe room, there was little left to do in the building. However, Angeal and Genesis would likely make an appearance eventually, if bringing down ShinRa was their goal. He'd spoken briefly with Tseng when making security arrangements and he knew the Turks were out there, clearing out and securing city sectors.
            "Go to sector 8," Sephiroth ordered after some thought. "Contact Tseng there and assist him, if he requires it."
            "You got it," Zack agreed. His amethyst gaze scanned Sephiroth curiously. "What will you be doing?"
            "I'll be getting some answers," replied Sephiroth.
            Zack cocked his head with wolfish curiosity, but he didn't question him.
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            Zack did as he was ordered and he helped the Turks fight off some of the copies in Sector 8. He earned a lecture from Tseng when he spent as much time flirting with Cissnei as he did fighting off the enemy. He met Reno, Rude and Elena for the first time while he was there and he fell into instant like with the spunky, foul-mouthed redheaded Turk. The two of them exchanged banter as they fought, until Tseng got onto them and warned them to concentrate on the job. When they finally defeated all enemies in the area, Tseng called in some backup to keep it secure and he got word that Hollander was spotted in Sector 5. He advised Zack of this, knowing that SOLDIER was in charge of the investigation concerning the missing doctor.
            "Where was he heading when they spotted him?" Zack inquired, eager to find the man and question him about what happened to Angeal and Genesis.
            "The reactor," answered Tseng. He looked around at his sparse manpower. "I would send people to investigate myself, but we have our hands full securing the city."
            "No problem," Zack said. "I'll go check it out and if he's there, I'll bring him in."
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            Sephiroth stopped outside the data room, hesitating. Inside, he would find top-secret files on the Research Department—and possibly answers to some of the questions he had about himself. Hojo was hiding something from him...he didn't need his mother's voice to tell him that. Records of past scientific experiments and procedures were kept in this room, along with classified information concerning the SOLDIER project and its origins.
            If he broke protocol and stepped into that room, there would be no going back. Whatever he found in there could change his life forever—and not necessarily for the better. He saw his reflection peering back at him from the glass of the small, square window and the inhuman glitter of his serpentine eyes reminded him of how different he really was.
            Steeling himself, he decided to take this opportunity while it was available. He fished Hojo's keycard out of a pocket in his jacket and he turned it over in his fingers before using it to open the locking mechanism on the door. It was careless of the man to leave the object behind when he left his lab, but it presented an opportunity to Sephiroth that he just couldn't pass up. The general went inside the data room and locked the door behind him.
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            Zack knew he was on the right track when he had to fight off more Genesis copies on his way into the reactor. After defeating them, he made his way further into the reactor, staying alert for danger all the while. He fought two more battles on the way down before he passed through a door and discovered what appeared to be a sort of lab. Zack scratched his head as he looked around at all of the scientific equipment, wondering how long it had been like this. He found a couple of documents lying around and he read them hastily, frowning.
            "Ange is going to deteriorate?" Zack whispered, horrified. Casting another wary look around him, he stuffed the documents into a pocket. He heard something clatter to the floor on the western side of the room and he went to investigate.
            "Hollander, you might as well come out," Zack called as he moved around the room, keeping his sword ready. "You're wanted for questioning and there's no way you're getting past me."
            He saw a blur of white as a middle-aged, bearded man came out from behind a steam valve and tried to make a run for the exit.
            "Oh, no you don't!" Zack lunged for him and he caught him by the arm in passing, halting his egress. He grunted as the man kicked out at him, striking him above the knee. "Cool it, Doc! I'm not going to hurt you unless you make me! Just cooperate and you won't be—"
            A huge, familiar blade interposed itself between Zack and Hollander as the older man broke free and ran for the exit. Zack stared up the length of the blade at his mentor's grim face. The only thought that came to his mind was that Angeal was actually using his sword—even though he hadn't actually attacked him yet.
            "What about wear, tear and rust?" Zack blurted.
            Angeal's lips briefly twitched. "The possibility of weapon deterioration doesn't bother me as much as it used to."
            "Because it's going to happen to you too?" guessed Zack. He pointed at the fleeing Hollander. "Look, he's getting away! Whatever's happening to you and Genesis, that guy might be able to fix it! Let me by, Ange!"
            "That's why I can't let you take him in, Zack." Angeal blocked the younger man's attempt to get past him, his expression unyielding. "I don't know how you learned about the deterioration, but if you know about that, you should understand why we need Hollander in our custody...not ShinRa's."
            "But, he's not going to be in anyone's custody if you don't either let me by or get him yourself," Zack pointed out. Hollander was already out of sight, probably on his way out of the reactor. "Look, we can work this out, man. I know we can. I'm your friend, remember?"
            Angeal faltered. "None of this is your fault, Zack, but you have a duty. You have to try and bring me in."
            Zack groaned. "Boy, you're hard to reason with. Angeal, it's not all black and white and to me, it would be more of a disgrace of honor to turn on you than to not do my job, okay? Listen, they want you and Genesis dead. They aren't interested in hearing your side of things anymore."
            Angeal bowed his head and nodded. "I see. Then, you have to fight me."
            "Did you listen to anything I just said?" demanded Zack as the big man got into a combat stance and looked at him expectantly. "I'm not going to fight you, Angeal! You'll have to murder me first."
            Angeal faltered again, his expression full of conflict. "I'd rather not hurt you, Zack."
            "Then don't," urged Zack with a shrug. "We don't need to fight and the more we stand here arguing about it, the further away Hollander gets. Why don't we just concentrate on capturing him and go from there? Let's put aside all this other crap and work together, for now."
            Angeal regarded him warily for a moment, before lowering his blade and giving a nod. "Agreed. Let's—"
            "I knew it," interrupted Genesis' voice from the open door. It startled Zack enough to draw a yelp from him and even Angeal jumped a bit. "The feculent fink moved his cloning operation here."
            "Genesis, I told you to stay out of sight," admonished Angeal as Zack stared at the redhead.
            "You said nothing of staying out of your sight," replied Genesis calmly. "And your puppy doesn't count, either."
            Angeal sighed. "Did you grab Hollander?"
            Genesis frowned. "Do you see him in my custody?"
            "But you had to pass him on your way in here," objected Zack. "He just ran out of here minutes ago."
            "He was here?" Genesis looked behind him. "I didn't see him. I came in here to investigate myself and I knew someone was down here when I saw the bodies of the clones."
            Angeal sighed. "I'm sure the man knows this place better than we do. He probably took a different route leaving than Genesis took coming in."
            "Then we'll have to find him again," groaned Zack. "Any idea where he would have gone? I mean, Lazard said he was probably working with Genesis."
            Genesis raised his eyebrows. "Did he, now? Isn't that interesting."
            "Why?" Zack didn't see what was so interesting about it and Genesis was hard to comprehend on his best days.
            Angeal looked at his partner suspiciously. "Yes, why is that interesting, Genesis?"
            The poet shrugged and examined the ruby blade of his sword absently. "It's interesting that he would so easily guess the truth. Would you like to keep debating this subject, or would you like to capture him before he slips completely out of our grasp?"
            Zack looked at Angeal. "Should we split up?"
            Angeal shook his head and looked to Genesis. "I think I know where he could be going. His purpose here was to get revenge, after all."
            "Hojo," Genesis said, as if silently communicating with the big man. He nodded. "With his plan falling apart around his ears, he's going to lose his opportunity for satisfaction, soon. He's getting desperate and reckless."
            "Hojo's locked up in one of the secure rooms on the top floor of headquarters," informed Zack. "I doubt some middle-aged dude can break in there and kill him on his own."
            "Hollander is a lot more dangerous than he looks," Angeal warned. "The man is a genius. He's managed to elude us and the authorities, build a lab directly under ShinRa's nose and make off with Genesis' DNA."
            Genesis nodded. "Even with his access frozen, he has ways to get around it. He has an accomplice on the inside and he will find a way to get to Hojo, if we allow him the chance to try."
            Angeal looked at Genesis suspiciously. "It's Lazard, isn't it?"
            Zack stared at his mentor. "Huh?"
            "What's Lazard?" Genesis asked casually.
            "The accomplice," elaborated Angeal. "The contact you and Hollander have been using to monitor ShinRa's activities and plan your attack? It's Lazard, isn't it?"
            Zack ogled him. "You think Director Lazard is a traitor? Ange...what the hell have you been smoking?"
            "It's Lazard," admitted Genesis, his aqua gaze locked with Angeal's. "How long have you known?"
            "I wasn't sure until now," answered Angeal. "I knew it had to be someone with top-level security clearance and it was unlikely to me that the president or his son would sabotage their own company. Your reaction to Zack's comment about Lazard assuming you were working with Hollander really gave it away."
            Genesis golf-clapped. "Very good, Angeal. I've always said you're far more intelligent than you look."
            "You're too kind," answered the big fighter dryly. "Deusericus' betrayal can wait, for now. We need to capture Hollander, before it's too late."
            "Wait, wait," Zack pleaded, struggling to absorb the information that his regiment's top authority was indeed a traitor, "Why would Lazard turn on the company like this? It doesn't make any sense!"
            "He's a neglected bastard attempting to avenge a dead whore," Genesis answered. "That's the gist of it, anyway. I'm sure you and Sephiroth will want to interrogate him later. Lazard is the least of your concerns, right now."
            That being said, Genesis turned to go. Angeal joined him and they began to argue softly, while poor Zack followed behind in helpless confusion, trying to decipher the vague information Genesis had given him. As Angeal passed beneath one of the overhead lights, Zack noticed a glint of white in his hair and Zack frowned. Like Genesis, Angeal was beginning to go prematurely gray. Neither of them looked any older but their vibrancy and color was beginning to fade.
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            Sephiroth checked the number when his phone rang. His eyes went back to the screen and he continued reading the file he'd pulled as he answered the call.
            "What is your status, Zack?"
            "I'm in the air."
            Sephiroth frowned. "Pardon?"
            "I said: I'm in the air." The sound of wind buffeting the phone lent credence to Zack's bizarre claim. "Look out a window to the south, man. You won't believe it until you see it yourself."
            Sephiroth glanced at the file again. He'd gone through everything he could possibly access and he'd only learned a few more specks of knowledge for his efforts. "I confess, I'm curious to see where this is going."
            He shut down the computer and left the data room exactly as he'd found it, his gloves preventing prints from being left behind. He crossed the hallway to an empty boardroom and he looked out the massive glass window to the south.
            "What exactly am I looking for, Zackary?"
            "The three dudes flying toward you," answered Zack. "You can't really miss us if you look in the air."
            Sephiroth's brows drew together. When Zack said he was "in the air", he assumed he meant he was in a chopper or on an airship, for whatever reason. Sephiroth could see a couple of Turk choppers far in the distance over the plate, but he couldn't see—
            At once, he spotted it and he nearly dropped the phone. Two winged men were flying toward the ShinRa building. The big one's wing almost seemed to glow white and he appeared to be carrying a smaller person with him. The one beside him bore a dark wing that nearly blended in with the night sky.
            "What in Gaia..."
            "You still there, Seph?"
            Sephiroth kept his eyes on the shocking sight and his discipline was the only thing keeping his shock in check. "I'm here. Is that Angeal and Genesis, with you?"
            "Yup. They're telling me you need to go find Hojo and keep him safe. Hollander's behind these attacks and they think he's on his way to put Hojo's lights out."
            "I see. Relay to them that I'll secure Hojo and detain Hollander, if he makes an appearance."
            "Uh...yeah...about that, Angeal wants to take Hollander out of here."
            "I can't let him do that," answered Sephiroth.
            "I think you should listen to what he and Genesis have to say before you make that call, General. I'll let them explain it when we meet up with you."
            "I'll be interested to hear their side of this," agreed Sephiroth, "but I can't make any promises."
            He'd discovered something relating to Zack that he had to tell him, too. It seemed between Hojo and Hollander, the lies and deception never ended.
~********************************************~

            "To what do I owe the pleasure, boy?" Hojo asked when Sephiroth gained access to the security room and entered.
            Sephiroth retrieved Hojo's key card from his pocket and held it out to him. "I found this in your lab when I stopped by there to check your status. You should be more careful, professor. Anyone could have taken this keycard and used it for their own gains."
            Hojo took the card from Sephiroth and he draped it around his neck. His black eyes were suspicious on the General as he looked at him from behind the lenses of his glasses. "Wouldn't that be a shame?"
            "A terrible shame," agreed Sephiroth neutrally. "You should probably be aware than an old colleague of yours may be on his way here, and his intentions aren't friendly. Hollander is behind these attacks. My sources indicate that his purpose is to get to you. Can you tell me why, Professor?"
            "Jealousy," reasoned Hojo dismissively. "That poor excuse for a scientist was always jealous of my skills! He's resented me since the day I became head of the Research Department and it doesn't surprise me at all to learn he's trying to murder me!"
            "Why would anyone want to do that?" Sephiroth said facetiously.
            Hojo adjusted the frames of his glasses and smirked up at the tall, silver-haired warrior. "You should be more charitable, my boy. Your strength, speed and brilliance in the field are all results of my work on you. Without me, you would be as average as any infantryman—though perhaps a bit smarter."
            "Wouldn't that be a crime," muttered Sephiroth. He moved around the blue-carpeted room, checking the windows and the air ducts. He knew better than to press Hojo for details concerning the processes he used on him to enhance his genetic makeup. The man always gave him the same story about higher doses of Mako and cellular enhancement formula. He would never tell him what the cellular enhancement formula was made of.
            "I suggest you have a seat on the couch over there and try to get comfortable," said Sephiroth. "We could be here for a while."
~***************************************~

            Dr. Hollander did indeed know the upper plate better than most people. He gained access to ShinRa headquarters through the sewers and the duct system, eluding security with shocking ease. If it was the last thing he did in life, he would see Hojo pay the ultimate price for his betrayal. He supposed he could have gone to someone with the truth about Hojo stealing his research to use in another top-secret, underground project but he knew at least two of the department heads were already aware of it and so was the president, himself. The corruption ran so deep that he had a good chance of getting himself killed if he went to anyone with the information. He didn't even know where the project was taking place—only that it existed.
            He came out of the duct system into one of the top floor bathrooms and he listened carefully at the door before pushing it open and checking the hallways. He'd already taken care of the security system, so as long as the main power grid stayed down, he could move without worrying about the cameras. He drew the gun in his coat and made his way carefully to the panic rooms, where any department heads on the premises would have gone and hidden themselves. He knew which one Hojo was in, thanks to Lazard's information. He briefly wiped sweat from his brow before pressing on.
            He would have his vengeance before this night was through. After that, he didn't care what happened to him.
~******************************************~


            Having Zack along with them saved Genesis and Angeal the pain of fighting their former associates. Zack ordered all SOLDIER operatives and militia to stand down as he led his companions through the building and to the stairwell. They could have broken into one of the top-floor windows to save themselves the hassle, but Angeal didn't want to add destruction of property to the list of reasons ShinRa wanted him and Genesis out of the picture.
            "I hardly think a broken window would have made our case any worse," Genesis huffed as the three of them climbed...and climbed. "We'll be too out of breath to catch Hollander, by the time we make it to the top floors."
            "We'll be fine," insisted Angeal. "A few stairs is nothing, compared to most of the training we've endured as Soldiers."
            "You owe me a cappuccino, when this is finished," huffed Genesis. "Or a latte...depending on my mood."
            "If we can find a coffee shop that won't turn us in, I'll gladly buy whatever you want."
            Zack chuckled. "Latte? Wow...you're kind of girly, Genesis."
            Genesis abruptly stopped and Zack almost face-planted in his ass. The redhead turned and glared down at Zack, making him re-think his observation.
            "Uh...I mean girly in a manly way," Zack hastily revised.
            "We have a more important issue to worry about," reminded Angeal to both of them. "You can debate coffee and masculinity later."
~******************************************~

            Hollander heard the door to the fire escape open and he saw Angeal step into the hallway first. He immediately dove into the first un-locked room he could access and he heard Angeal shout his name as he shut the door and locked it. He quickly looked around the room and he dragged one of the chairs around the meeting table over to the door, trying to barricade it. He barely got the piece of furniture in place before the door burst open, throwing him to the floor. The barrier was no match for the strength of an enhanced Soldier. It hung on by one hinge as Angeal entered the room, grim-faced and silent.
            "Dr. Hollander," greeted Angeal coolly as Genesis Rhapsodos and Zack Fair came in behind him. "I think we have something to discuss."
~******************************************~

            Genesis watched as his companion confronted Hollander, and he had to admire Angeal's calm and control. He could see the tension in the big man's shoulders and he knew he was struggling with the revelations concerning his origins. It must surely be hard on him, learning that his biological father made his mother swear never to tell him who he was. Knowing the same man had experimented on him without remorse or concern for his survival must be even harder. Genesis could certainly relate to the feelings of betrayal his friend must be suffering.
            "Don't do something you may regret," advised Hollander. Even as he spoke, he reached for his weapon. Angeal slapped the gun out of his hand as easily as if he were a child and Hollander watched it skitter across the floor with anxious eyes.
            "You should take your own advice," said Angeal in a low, dangerous voice.
            Genesis felt a chill go down his spine. He'd only ever heard Angeal use that tone of voice when he was at the end of his rope. If Hollander wasn't careful, he might soon find himself headless. Zack started to retrieve his cell and call Sephiroth, to inform him that they had Hollander cornered. Genesis drew his blade on him and shook his head before he could press a single button.
"Put it away, Fair."
            Zack looked from the redhead to Angeal. "Come on, this is getting out of hand."
            "I told you before, Zack," Angeal said without taking his eyes off Hollander, "we need to take him into custody...not ShinRa. I'm sorry, but I can't let you get anyone else involved."
            "Not even Sephiroth?" prompted Zack, raising his eyebrows. "I thought you three were best buds. You've got to tell him your side of things."
            "Especially Sephiroth," answered Angeal. "He has his own problems to worry about and I won't add betraying us to his burdens."
            "He wouldn't betray you!"
            Genesis smirked. "You're so very naive, Zack. It's almost cute."
            "Sephiroth is known for putting his duty above his feelings," explained Angeal. "I won't make him choose between letting us go with Hollander or turning us in. Neither should you."
            Zack sighed and put away his phone. "I hope you guys know what you're doing."
            "Genesis, you must trust me," Hollander said to the redhead, "I'm the only one who can cure your condition! Angeal, you'll begin to deteriorate over time as well. I can see you've already begun developing symptoms."
            "And you're going to cure them," answered Angeal levelly.
            "You must help me bring down ShinRa, first," insisted Hollander. "Only then can I gain full access to the laboratory I need! Hojo stands in the way of—"
            "I don't believe you," interrupted Angeal. "You don't need the ShinRa labs to do this. That's just an excuse to get your personal revenge."
            "I need the equipment here," Hollander said stubbornly. "Do you think that sort of technology is available just anywhere?"
            "Then wing it," suggested Genesis with a shrug. "If you could manage to make a cloning lab in a warehouse and another in a Mako reactor, you can manage this."
            Angeal nodded. "Exactly. No more lies, Hollander. You don't have a choice."
            "You know I'm your father, don't you?" Hollander persisted. "Don't you think I want to cure your condition, son?"
            "Don't...ever...call me that." Angeal's eyes flashed with uncharacteristic rage. "I'm Gillian Hewley's son, not yours. You were just a sperm donor."
            "Be that as it may, you are my flesh and blood," argued Hollander. "If you think I want you to degenerate, you're wrong."
            "I don't think you care one way or the other," Angeal said, "but I know you care about your own life."
            Nobody in the room could have predicted what Angeal did next—not even Genesis. The big man gave Hollander a sudden, violent shove that sent him flying right through the window. Unlike the first floor lobby, the glass on the top floor windows weren't shatterproof—save those in the secure rooms. The hapless scientist burst through the window and began to fall to the city below, amidst glittering shards of glass. Zack stood there in slack-jawed stupidity and Genesis felt like his feet were glued to the floor in his shock. Angeal manifested his wing and he leaped out the window behind Hollander. Genesis finally found the power to move again. He ran to the shattered window and looked down to see that his partner had caught Hollander by the lab coat, and was holding him suspended over a killing drop.
            "Can you fly, Doctor?" Angeal asked coldly.
            "Please," begged Hollander at the top of his lungs, his eyes huge, "D-don't drop me, Angeal!"
            Zack was calling out to Angeal but the big man didn't seem to hear him. "My mother went hungry some nights, just to ensure I got enough food," Angeal said ominously as the doctor grabbed frantically at him, clinging to his arm. "She went without medicine when she was sick. You could have done something about that, but you chose not to."
            "Angeal, don't do it, man!" Zack's shout carried on the wind, but he may as well have whispered for all the effect it had on his mentor.
            "You want Hojo for revenge," said Angeal to the doctor. "That's a sentiment I'm learning to appreciate. If I drop you now, would it be justice? Some people would answer 'yes'."
            "Angeal."
Genesis spoke his name urgently and unlike Zack, his voice got through the haze of righteous anger. The big man looked up at him and Genesis shook his head warningly, letting his gaze speak for him. Killing Hollander wouldn't bring Gillian back and it would sign both their death warrants.
            Angeal visibly struggled with himself before making his decision. He looked Hollander in the eye and he spoke in a tone that commanded respect. "You're going to give up this scheme and come with us. You're going to put everything you have into finding a cure for this degeneration. That's your only choice, Hollander. Agree to cooperate or fall to your death."
            The choice was easy for any sane person, and Hollander demonstrated that he wasn't completely mad by conceding to Angeal's terms.
~**************************************~

            After Genesis and Angeal left with Dr. Hollander, Zack called Sephiroth and told him it was all over. When everything calmed down, he officially reported that Hollander escaped—but he went to Sephiroth's quarters later that night and he told him the truth. He described the events from the time he left headquarters to the moment Angeal and Genesis left with Hollander. He showed him the documents he'd found in the makeshift lab inside the reactor and he braced himself as he informed him of the worst part.
            "That's not all, Seph. Director Lazard is in on it, too. He's the one that's been warning Hollander and Genesis when authorities go looking for them. Genesis wouldn't tell me why, but Lazard's been working with them from the beginning, to bring the company down."
            Zack sighed and lowered his gaze, fiddling with the arm of the chair he sat on. "I guess you'll want to demote me now, huh? I mean, since I let them get away with Hollander and didn't come get you right away."
            There was utter silence from the general. Zack started to look up at him, dreading the anger he might find in that feline gaze. He was treated to a sharp swat on the back of the head before he could do so and he yelped and rubbed the smarting spot.
            "Don't tell me what to do with my command, Fair." Sephiroth's mouth quirked. "Come with me to the Director's office. You and I have some things to discuss with Deusericus."
~*************************************************~

            Lazard thought the two operatives requested this additional meeting to discuss new information they'd found. He was all too correct; but the nature of the information wasn't what he expected. When the Soldiers came into his office and Sephiroth bade Zack stand by the door, Lazard began to feel uneasy. The cold, unblinking gaze of the general made him even more nervous and if he weren't so certain the man would cut his hand off before he could draw it, he would have reached for the gun in his drawer.
            "What is this all about, General?"
            Sephiroth leaned against the wall and crossed his arms over his chest. "Have a seat, Director. Let's discuss your involvement in Hollander's attack on this establishment."
            Lazard looked from Sephiroth to Zack with an expression of protest. "I don't know what you're talking about."
            "Genesis told me," Zack said, watching the blond man with a disappointed look on his face.
            "And you've been acting strange, lately," Sephiroth said. "Unless you can give us a plausible reason Genesis would lie about such a thing, I have no choice but to believe his word."
            "Genesis Rhapsodos is out of his mind," Lazard reminded. "I thought that was already made abundantly clear when he slaughtered his family."
            "Angeal backed him up," Zack said, "And I know for a fact he's not bonkers. Don't even try to convince me he's lying too, Director. I don't want to lose anymore respect for you than I already have."
            Lazard started to argue further, but he looked up at Sephiroth again and something inside of him broke. He sighed and propped his elbows on the table, putting his head in his hands. "All right...it's all true. I've been trying to sabotage this company from within...but I never wanted any of my men to get hurt. You must at least believe me when I say that. I've done everything possible to protect Rhapsodos and Hewley, through all of this."
            "We know," agreed Sephiroth, "and that's the reason we came to hear your side of this, before turning you in."
            "Why would you betray SOLDIER?" Zack said. "You seem so passionate about it!"
            "I am," answered the blond, his handsome features troubled. "My actions aren't anything personal against this department. If I could have brought the whole of ShinRa down without compromising SOLDIER, I would have."
            "Tell us why you did it," Sephiroth demanded, "and we'll decide what to do from there."
            Lazard took his glasses off and set them on the desk. "Have you noticed a resemblance between myself and a certain company VIP, Sephiroth?"
            The Soldiers stared at him curiously and of course, Sephiroth made the connection first. "Rufus. The vice president."
            "So...how are you two related?" Zack questioned, noting the many similarities in facial structure as well.
            "He's my half-brother," sighed the director. "Before he was born, the president had an affair with my mother. She was a...an entertainer at the Honeybee Inn. My f—President Shinra promised he would give her a better life if she became his permanent mistress. He lied. He never came to see us after I was born and eventually, my mother killed herself. I was placed with a foster family and after I finished school, the president gave me this position. I'd like to think he did it because some part of him felt a bit of sentiment, but I'm more inclined to believe it was sheer pride and vanity. He couldn't stand the thought of knowing his own flesh and blood was working a low-end job—not even an illegitimate son. I did this to avenge my mother and see that man suffer, as he deserves."
            "Wow," Zack said uncomfortably. "That's...that's rough. So that's what Genesis meant when he said...uh...it's not important."
            The general stood unmoving, staring hard at the director's face. Guessing where this would lead, Lazard slowly got out of his chair and held his hands up. "I won't resist. Do what you need to do, General."
            Sephiroth made no move to take him into custody. Instead, he offered an alternative. "Director Lazard, you have the ability to contact Genesis, do you not?"
            "Yes," answered Lazard suspiciously, "whenever he's in a location that gets reception. We keep in touch with prepaid phones."
            "You'll inform me immediately when and if Genesis or Angeal contacts you, from now on. Understood?"
            "Of course," answered Lazard in confusion, "but I hardly think that's likely to happen, seeing as I'll be in custody."
            "No, you won't."
            Zack looked just as surprised as Lazard felt. "He won't?"
            "I won't?" Repeated the director, mystified.
            "Let me explain my position," Sephiroth said calmly. "This organization has suffered massive blows this year, with the mass defection, Hollander's scheming and the tension we've all seen between departments. My job is to command my men to the best of my ability and do my part to keep this department running. If I'm to do that, I need someone cooperative to work with at the top of the chain of command. Knowing what I do about your involvement in this event, I can report you at any time."
            "Yes, you can," agreed Lazard with a frown.
            "So long as your plotting ends here and you give me your full cooperation now and in the future, I won't need to do that. Despite everything, you're a good leader with a level head. I don't trust the president to find a better replacement. This incident goes no further than this room, until I say otherwise. Do you both understand that?"
            Lazard nodded humbly, having little choice but to go along with it. Zack looked irresolute but he obviously trusted the general's judgment.
            "If you think this is the way to go, I'm with you," agreed Zack with a sigh.
~***************************************~

The first thing they did was force Hollander to reveal where his remaining samples of Genesis' genetic material was hidden, deep in the reactor where he'd manufactured further copies. Genesis frowned when he opened the cooler hidden in the wall and counted the vials inside. Angeal noticed and he gave Hollander a warning look before coming up beside his friend.
            "What is it?"
            "There should be twice as many samples in here, even if considering additional copies he made in here."
            Angeal cast a mistrustful glance at the doctor before questioning Genesis in a concerned whisper. "Just how much of your blood and tissue did you let him take, Genesis?"
            "I couldn't tell you exactly," answered the redhead. "A pint of blood, some nail clippings, a few strands of hair and some skin he extracted from my injury. I believe there was a urine sample in there, too."
            Angeal's brows drew down severely. "Genesis!"
            "What? Don't judge me, Hewley. You have no idea what it's been like."
            Angeal manifested his wing and gave the other man an ironic look. "I don't?"
            Genesis smirked a bit and shrugged. "All right...so you do have an idea. The point is, there were a lot more vials before and what he's done that we know of doesn't account for the all the missing ones."
            Angeal turned around and immediately approached Hollander. He grabbed the doctor by the lab coat and half-dragged him over to the cooler. He shoved him forward and motioned at the inside. "Where is the rest of it?"
            "This is all that's left," answered Hollander. "I used the rest of it for testing purposes, I swear! I can't stop the degeneration without experimenting with the G cells, understand?"
            Angeal glanced at Genesis, who nodded grudgingly. The big man returned his gaze to Hollander and he gave him a warning. "It's in your best interest to be completely honest with us, doctor. Remember that."
            Hollander opened his mouth to respond, but Genesis approached without warning and stabbed the man directly in the neck with something he held in his hand. Angeal stared at his friend in open bewilderment as Hollander backpedaled and clutched at his throat.
            "Genesis, what did you do?"
            The redhead watched Hollander with a smug look of satisfaction. "I took out an insurance policy."
            Angeal looked at the doctor again to see him pull what appeared to be a spent syringe out of his neck. He stared at the object as he held it up in a shaking hand and then he looked at Genesis with wide, accusing eyes.
            "That's right," Genesis said before Hollander could issue a question or complaint, "Now you're infected too, doctor. I know the raw sample won't turn you into a copy or make you sprout a wing, but you'll still deteriorate like Angeal and I, if you don't find a cure."
            Angeal couldn't decide whether he was more impressed or disturbed by Gen's ruthless stroke of genius. Hollander looked like a man who'd just been put on Death Row.
~***********************************~

-To be continued
- 3
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- 5
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