"Good morning, Madame!" Stephens cried, bearing a tray of food in his hands. "I come with gifts."

"Go to hell," Scarlet spat.

"Now, now, Scarlet, be nice," Stephens said. "Eat up, we have a lot of work to do."

"I'm not eating any of that food," Scarlet said. "And I'm not helping you either."

"Oh, but you must," Stephens said. "You can't starve up here. And you have no choice but to help me."

Stephens sat in a chair across from Scarlet and pushed the tray of food towards her on the table. She eyed it warilly.

"It's only sausage, eggs, and cheese, Scarlet," Stephens said. "And some coffee. If I remember correctly, you liked your coffee light and sweet, right?"

"Sicko," Scarlet muttered.

"Just eat," he told her.

Scarlet picked at her food, watching as Stephens went around the room turning all the computers on. She didn't have much of an appetite, and after a few bites, dropped her fork.

"Finished?" Stephens asked. "I suppose you're ready to begin, then."

Scarlet merely glared at him.

Stephens sighed. "Scarlet, do you have any idea what will happen to you if you don't comply?"

She continued to stare.

"Very well." He pressed a button on his hand held PC.

Suddenly, the chair Scarlet was sitting in seemed to be on fire. She tried to stand, but it seemed to have the oppisite effect. It was almost as if she were glued to the chair. She back even pressed to the back of it and her arms became stuck to the armrest. She screamed in pain.

Suddenly, just as fast as it had came, the pain went away. She turned to look at Stephens, sweat pouring down her forehead.

"I imagine that isn't very pleasant," he said. "But I assure you there are far worse tortures you can endure. My suggestion to you is that you don't give me any problems and do the work."

Scarlet closed her eyes and tilted her head back.

"Now," he said sternly. "Are we ready to begin?"

He walked back to the eagar group of boys, who's chattering silenced when they saw Zack walk towards the wall and post the results. He smiled at them.

"Alright, young men," he said. "I must say this to all of you. I've been very, very proud to have trained you fine young men. All of you are strong and all of you will be successful, even if your name is not posted on that list. IT has been my pleasure to train you fine young men and I want to wish you the best of luck.

He watched as the boys murmered thanks, squirming in their seats.

"Alright, fellows," Zack began. "You can check the list."

Within an instant the boys rushed from the bleachers and ran straight for the far war. Zack watched as they crowded around the small paper on the wall, looking for some sign that determined their fate. They crowded around each other, pushing and shoving in effort to locate their name. They whooped and howled when they did see their name, and excitedly ran out of the gym.

Zack watched the display until only one boy was left in the gym, still staring up at the paper. He was one of the smaller boys, who often struggled during training. Zack approached him as he continued to stare at the paper.

"What's a matter, Todd?" Zack asked carefully, standing beside the young man.

Todd turned to look at Zack with sad brown eyes.

"My name is not on the list," he said. "I'm the only one who didn't make it, in fact."

"Are you sure?" Zack asked, reading the paper. Todd was right - there were 49 out of 50 names, and Todd Shatfield was the missing name.

Zack turned to look at the saddened boy. "Don't you worry, Todd. Like I said, you don't need this army to be successful. You're a smart boy. I know you'll find yourself somewhere you want to be. Hell, maybe this happened for a reaon. Maybe fate is saving you from something bad, and maybe it has a much, much better plan for you."

Todd shrugged. "I guess," he said quietly. He turned towards the exit. "Thanks, Lueitenant."

Zack nodded. "Any time, Todd. Good Luck."

Zack gave a week smile and headed for the exit. Zack smiled and looked at his watch. He would now be able to head home and see Aeris.

"I look like Tseng," he had mumbled miserably.

"Why don't I get a disguise?" Randy asked. "And why do I have to wear this stinkin' maintenace uniform>"

"That's just how Rufus planned it," Tseng answered. He refused to dye, let alone cut his precious locks, so he'd tied it up in a bun so that it could be concealed under a cap.

"Hmph," Randy murmered angrilly. "He would choose something like this for me."

"You should be glad you're not being force to wear some ridiculous disguise," Reno muttered. "You and Elena both."

Rude appeared out of the bathroom, a surprisingly natural looking toupe seated on his head. The brown hair was slicked and combed back very nicely, matching his goatee perfectly. Rude had a dull look on his face, while Randy's jaw nearly hit the floor. Reno smirked.

"Nice look on you," he joked. "Thats only for a few weeks, till your real hair grows in. And those sunglasses have to go." Reno pulled the shades off Rudes face. He pulled a pair of perscription free glasses out of his bag and handed them to Rude. "Here, these'll make you look smart," he said.

Rude slipped the glasses on, glanced in the the mirror, and raised an eyebrow.

"Rude, be a bit more talkitive," Reno suggested. "Everybody on this planet know's your the quietest soul to ever walk it. We have to fool them."

"In that case," Elena broke in, who was sitting on the bed going over an outfit Tseng had chose for her to wear on her next dinner date with Ross, "Reno, maybe you should be quieter, less rude, obnoxious and sarcastic. Everyone on this planet knows you are all of those things. And if you really want to fool them, don't enter a bar the entire time you're there! Then they really won't suspect you."

"Very funny," Reno muttered saracastically. "Look, we're gonna be late for the first day of 'work'. Let's move out."

As the two half Cetra continued to babble, Kaeori rose to her full height and her green eyes began to glow. She extended her arms, which were glowing in a faint golden hue, and as she did this, both Aeris and Tayeko turned to her suddenly.

Kaeori said nothing to them. Her green eyes shown with the intensity of the lifestream or a mako stream. Aeris and Tayeko's gazes locked directly with hers, and the emeralds they stared into were powerful orbs that sent messages directly to them.

Suddenly Kaeori snapped her arms down and her eyes ceased to glow. She then began to walk out of apartment, not speaking a single word.

Aeris and Tayeko obediently followed.

In the past several days since Cloud fell ill, he, Yuffie, and Striker continued an extensive search for the supposed bomb. Their results had proved to be completely futile. Kat had even come from Midgar to help, much to Rufus's disdain. They went from business to business, even daring to search the yards of some residents who live close to the town square. Unfortunately they'd found nothing and Barret concluded that they had fallen for a bluff.

"Those bastards!" He cried one morning when the three decided to regroup outside his office. "They've led us on a wild goose chase and in the mean time they're probably nearly finished turning my youth center into a energy craphole. "We've been had!"

"It's not too late," Striker said. "Since there seems to be no bomb, maybe we can take the risk of challenging them again."

"Striker's right!" Yuffie announced. "We ain't gonna find no bomb, we've looked everywhere. Time to kick some ass!"

"First time you've ever made any sense to me, Yuffie," Barret said with a smile. "Let's go!"

"We won't let you down, Barret," Kat said with a smile. "I know how much this means to you."

They readied themselves for battle and marched straight down the road that led to the old warehouse. As usual, they spotted the crew of men outside the building, carrying crates and boxes with the Ross label on them. There were sounds of drilling and machinary coming from inside.

Barret spotted the red haired jerked he'd met a few days ago and with his gun arm aimed, marched right up in front of the warehouse. Another crewman pointed them out to the red haired man, who turned to face them, a clipboard in hand.

"Back again?" he said with arrogance. "What do you want now?"

"You gone get the hell up out of here," Barret said in a booming voice. "Dead or alive."

The mand dropped the clipboard and grabbed his gun. The other workers outside also stopped what they were doing and went to their weapons.

"Geez, we're kinda outnumbered!" Kat whispered.

"I know, but I don't care anymore," Yuffie whispered back. "We're too quick for these old fools anyway. We'll have them tripping on their own feet before you cn say Meteor."

Kat nodded but her fear didn't dissipate a bit. Unlike her friends, she wasn't used to such serious battles. Her experience on Tzumron had taught her many things but that was different. It was a large group against one nasty alien, and Kat didn't have to do much. Now it was three of them against maybe twelve to fifteen angry men.

Striker shot her a look of reassurrance as Barret advanced ahead of them.

"I'ma count to three!" he announced. "Then I'm blowing ya to hell!"

The redhead laughed, but Barret kept his word.

"One..."

Guns cocked.

"Two..."

Yuffie's shruiken glittered in the sunlight.

"Three!"

Barret began shooting before he even said the word "three". His bullets sent men diving for cover while other ran straight for Yuffie and Kat. Striker ran with speed aroumd the front lawn of the ware house, which now was a battlefield, attempting to dodge bullets that came from various many guns. Barret had shot down several men already, but more began to pour out of the house upon the sounds of battle.

Kat was about to smash her nunchaku into the mouth of a greasy faced man when his gun much more quickly found itself between her eyes. She froze in great fear, ready to meet her maker.

"Time to die, meddling little bitch," the man spat at her.

Before Kat could recite her final prayer she uttered a shocked cry as a seven inch dagger suddenly lodged itself in the left side of the man's skull. She backed away from him as he lowered his arm and fell into the ground in a lifeless heap.

She turned to see Striker jogging towards the body to take back his dagger. He pulled it out of the man's head and looked at Kat.

"Be careful," he said as he began to rejoin the battle. "Don't get too close to anyone."

Kat watched as he ran off and drew the mighty Jagged Edge from his back. She closed her eyes and ran towards Yuffie as he cleaved a man in half.

Yuffie had just caught her now bloodied boomerang shruiken back in hand when Kat came to hide behind her. Barret's roar could be heard as his barrage of bullets tore into the enemy.

"I'm scared," she whispered behind her."

"Use your materia and forget the nunchaku then," Yuffie said, simetaneously casting a bolt spell. "That way you can stay outta the front lines."

Kat nodded and ran as far back from the battle as she could without completely abadoning it. She was about to cast a fire spell on a crewmen who was attempting to sword fight with Striker when a horrible explosion rocked the air.

Barret stopped shooting. "What the hell was that?"

The redhead, who was still alive and shooting from behind a tree, began to laugh.

Barret began to fire in his direction. "What the hell's so damn funny?"

The redhead never answered him. Instead Barret turned to see the sky to the west turning a shade of red with a plumes of smoke spiraling towards it.

"Ha!" the redhead laughed. "I guess now you've finally found your bomb."

"The town!" Barret cried, abandoning the battle.

The redheaded man laughed as Yuffie, Striker, and Kat ran after their friend as well.

Tayeko lifted her head slowly.

She looked around the room she was in. The walls were made of a strange, white colored wooden material, as was most of the furniture. Blue orbs were glowing in different places across the room. She was laying in a bed that was lifted off the floor, supported by white poles, with soft flannel blankets. She rubbed her eyes and saw Aeris sitting on a be that was closer to the floor, with Kaeori brushing her hair.

She shook her head. "Where are we?"

"We're home, of course," Kaeori said, beginning to re-do Aeris' braid. "This is our shell house, in the City of the Ancients. Don't you remember?"

"I don't remember much of anything," Tayeko muttered to herself. "I must have slept really hard."

Aeris turned to her. "How did you sleep?"

"Well, actually," Tayeko said, stretching. "This bed is so comfortable."

Kaeori smiled and stood. "I'm glad of that," she said. "We have alot to do. You girls have to begin to study the knowledge of the Cetra." She nodded towards one of the glowing blue orbs.

"What for?" Tayeko asked slowly.

"You have to be prepared if we're going to save our people," Kaeori told her.

"Especially you, Tayeko," Aeris added. "You know even less about our heritage than I do."

Tayeko nodded in agreement, although her head was hurting slightly. "I suppose you're right."

"How about I fix breakfast?" Kaeori said with enthusiasm. "Then you can begin to study the orbs and learn everything about the Cetra there is to know. And once you're fully prepared, we'll begin to practice our magic."

"Sounds good to me," Aeris said, rising. "I'll help you with breakfast. "I've already bathed, Tay, so you can use the bath. You're always such a late riser!"

"Isn't that the truth," Tayeko said with a yawn. "I'll bathe and be ready in a minute."

"Place your hands on the orbs and listen carefully. "Only Cetra like us can listen and understand."

Kaeori stepped outside while Aeris and Tayeko concetrated on the orbs. She looked around, the bright summer sun warming her face. Although they were so far north, the City of the Ancients retained enough sun that it wasn't as cold as Bone Village or the Northern Crator. Kaeori was thankful for that.

"Soon this city will be restored to it's former splendor," she said quietly to herself. "My people will gain revenge for what has been taken from them."

She laughed, and walked through the city, silently planning how she would build the capital city of the soon to come new Cetra world.

"I sure as hell don't look like a Turk," he complained to himself as he walked through the halls in Ross's Junon Intelligence Department.

Reno had teased Randy as soon as he put his undercover disguise on.

"I didn't know you were so skinny under all those baggy clothes," He'd commented.

Randy rolled his eyes. He hoped the later missions he'd be on for the Turks would allow him to wear the standard blue suit he'd seen them wearing all the time.

He didn't have much to complain about though. The Turk salary had come as a shock to him. He'd make more money on this mission alone than he had probably had in all his life. He'd already begun making plans for what he'd do with his money.

A condo in Midgar, a brand new Shin-Ra Mackie convertible, a huge sack of pot, a full bar, and my very own round the clock 'escorts'. What else could a man want?

The intelligence department was only one floor, with administrative offices Randy was only allowed to enter to "clean" after hours. There was a small lobby were a receptionist sat, giving Randy rather dirty looks. Maybe it was bright orange-blonde tuffs of hair that stuck out under his janitor's cap, or his eyebrow ring, or the flaming skull tattoo on his right forearm that was quite visible with the sleeves of his uniform rolled up.

Randy wasn't exactly sure how he was to execute his job here on the Intelligence floor, but he'd have to figure out something. He stopped in front of a door that read "Administrative Offices - Intelligence Department." He heard voices, and with a shrug, grabbed a broom from the nearby supply closet and decided to enter.

There was a small lobby that was empty, and to the left was a room with the door slightly ajar, the voices coming from inside it. Randy knew he couldn't go in there, for they wouldn't allow him to clean while they were having a discussion. Instead, he pretended to sweep the floor very close to their door, listening intently.

"We have information that Rufus Shin-Ra of R&R Shin-Ra are onto us and planning tactics to 'get rid of the competition,' a female voice said. "President Ross is very upset. We must come up with ways to dissuade the Shin-Ra."

"I say we declare war," a booming male voice suggested."

"That is one smart but costly idea," a third voice commented. "Or perhaps we could run an assassination on President Shin-Ra and Vice President Reeve. Then we could eliminated them without much drama."

"Wouldn't people surely suspect us?" the woman asked. "We are their only competitors."

"We could make it look like an accident," the third voice suggested. "Have one of their electricty power lines come crashing down on their heads."

"I still prefer the idea of war," the second voice yelled. "Aren't the soldiers ready yet?"

"Their going to begin the infusion on Monday," the woman said. "It's not proven yet whether that experiment will work, and as you know that is not my area of expertise. Besides, Shin-Ra has a large battilion of soldiers that are overseen by General Sephiroth. We may not be ready to contend with that yet!"

The second man sighed.

"Look," the woman said. "I'll present all of these ideas to President Ross when I meet with him this afternoon. Then we will see what happens."

"Let's go for lunch," the third man suggested.

Randy took this as his cue to move and quickly scampered away from the door to the far side of the lobby where he pretended to leave. The three intelligence agents left the back office - a portly black man, a skinny that was balding, and a rather attractive woman with dark hair. They ignored the janitor in the lobby as they left, laughing and talking.

When they were gone, Randy prided himself for his sharp hearing. He'd done well on his first day, surely Tseng would be pleased. Being a Turk wasn't so hard after all.

"Don't worry sweetie," Tifa said, tickling Jewel's face gently. "You're gonna stay with Daddy for a little while."

The door suddenly swung open and Reeve stood in the frame, brightening when he saw his friend.

"Why, hello, Tifa!" he exclaimed. "Oh, and with the little one too!" He held out his arms and Tifa carefully placed Jewel in them. "My, what a beautiful little girl!" he cooed. "Say hi to Uncle Reeve!"

Jewel squealed in delight, reaching up and grabbing Reeve's goatee."

"Heh, playful little one isn't she," he said as he handed her back to Tifa.

"I'm surprised I didn't have much trouble getting past all the security checkpoints and secretaries," Tifa commented.

"Yes, well, members of AVALANCHE get special privilages," Reeves laughed. "Oh, Tifa, I heard all about Cloud. How is he?"

"Actually, that's sort of why I'm here," Tifa answered. "Dr. Richardson told me that the only possible way I could cure Cloud would be to get some 'Zyba'."

"Excuse me?"

"Zyba is some energy element, similar to Mako I suppose," Tifa explained. "However Richardson seems to think that it has the opposite effect that Mako does. I need to go to the Northern Crator, for that is the only place that would still have it. I've already gotten Cid, Red, and Nekura to offer to help me. I can't get Aeris or Tayeko on the phone, and I know Zack is working. As you know, Barret and the other are having problems in Corel."

"Yes," Reeve said with a nod. "Would you like me to send Cait? He isn't doing much of anything these days."

"That would be great, Reeve," Tifa thanked him. "But that's not why I'm here."

"You want Isabelle's help?" Reeve said. "She's very busy, in fact, she's out of town on assignmetnt."

"No, No, that's not it either," Tifa said.

"I-"

"You want the Turks?" Reeve guessed. "Because I'm afraid they can't. They're all already on a mission-"

"No!" Tifa cut him off. "It's not that. I... I need to speak with Rufus."

Reeve suddenly looked down at Jewel. "Oh... oh dear. I see. Yes, well, he's in his office. Come on, I'll tell him your here."

Tifa stepped further into Reeve's office, which was plush with blue carpeting, brown leather seats, and a cherry wood desk. He had a picture of Isabelle, Cait, and even a group picture of AVALANCHE sitting on his desk. He walked across the office to a door that read "President Rufus Shin-Ra" and knocked.

"What?" came the response.

"Rufus, Tifa is here," Reeve said. "She needs to speak with you about something important."

It was quiet for a few moments, and Reeve waited for Rufus's outburst about being disturbed. Finally, he called out in annoyance.

"Fine! Send her in!"

Reeve nodded and stepped away from the door, returning to his desk. Tifa flipped her hair behind her back and marched into Rufus' office.

It was much large than Reeve's, with soft, bright white carpets and black leather seats. His chair was high backed and his oversized desk was made of dark wood. He look from Tifa straight to his daughter."

"Hello," he said calmly, standing. "Nice of you to bring her to see me."

"Exactly," Tifa said, handing Jewel over to him. "I'm afraid you're going to have to care for her for a while."

"WHAT?" Rufus hollered in panic. "I'll do no such thing?!"

"You must," Tifa insisted. "I have to go away for a few days to search for something to cure Cloud's mako poisoning," she told him. "I certainly can't bring Jewel along."

"I don't have time for this," Rufus argued, looking back and forth between Tifa and the baby in his arms. "You can't just leave her with me!"

"You're her father!" Tifa reminded him. "You don't have a choice." she reached into her purse.

"This has my PHS number in case you ever need to reach me, as well as Jewel's feeding times, what she needs, ect." She flung the hug baby bag that hung over her shoulder onto Rufus' desk. "There are most of her things. You'll need to get diapers and such from the store."

Rufus' jaw dropped.

"I'm not thrilled about leaving her with you either," Tifa spat. "But I have not other options at this point. Now I'm warning you, Rufus, you take good care of our child and don't you dare neglect her. I'll wring you're neck if even a strand is out of place."

Rufus scowled. "You could have told me in advanced?"

"There was no advanced," Tifa said. "Cloud is dying." She grabbed her purse and headed for the door.

"Wait!" Rufus cried. "You're just gonna leave her here?"

"I've got to go now," Tifa said.

"In the office?"

"I have to go!" Tifa shouted at him. "Rememember what I said!"

Jewel started to cry.

"Shit!" Rufus cursed.

"Watch your mouth!" Tifa warned. She walked up to Rufus and took Jewel from her, giving her a final hug. "Mommy will be back soon," she promised. She handed her back to Rufus.

Rufus looked up nervously as Tifa went to the door.

"Tifa, wait!"

Jewel began to wail as soon as the door slammed shut.

"Boy, I tell ya," he said to his three feline companions. "We can't have no peace. Barret's up to his ears in trouble and now Cloud's on his deathbed." He shook his fist in the air. "Why us? Ain't we good people, goddamnit?"

Nekura nudged his leg with her muzzle. "Don't think negatively, Cid," she told him. "We will be alright."

"Easy for you to say," Cid spat. "You weren't there when we had to fight Seph in that crator, and now to think we're going back to that horrible place!"

"Nekura's had her share of troubles as well," Red defended his mate.

"We'll be fine," Cait said with enthusiasm. "We plowed through them monsters at the crator last time with no problem!"

Cid rolled his eyes just as the door swung open.

Tifa stood there with a large bag in her hands. Cid immediatley noticed the Premium Heart on her hand, stocked with materia.

"What's in the bag?" he asked.

"Just a jacket and sweatpants," Tifa answered, locking the bar door and placing a "Temporarily Closed" sign on the door. "I'm not gonna freeze my butt off the way I did last time."

Cid laughed.

"Did you leave Jewel with Rufus?" Red asked quietly.

"Yeah," Tifa answered as they began to walk away from the bar. "We wasn't too happy about it, though."

"What?" Cid barked. "It's his child. What kinda mf'er is he?"

Tifa shook her head. "I guess he still hasn't fully accepted the fact that he's got a child with me."

"Perhaps once he spends some time with the child, he'll grow to love her," Nekura said.

"Sure," Nanaki agreed. "By the time we return, he may not even want to give her back to you."

"Children can have that affect on anyone," Nekura added.

Tifa shrugged. "I just know he better not mess up," she said. "Or else that will be the end of him."

"Don't worry, Tifa," Cait remarked with a bounce. "Let's just get ready to save Cloudy!"

"Let's stop by Tayeko's house," Tifa said. "I can't get her or Aeris on the phone, but let's just see if she's home. I'm a bit worried about them. I wanted to ask them to come along."

"Yeah," Cid said, taking a puff on his cigarette. "The Highwind is parked outside of Midgar. Let's not waste another goddamned second!

The bellhop let them go up without question, knowing the members of AVALANCHE and knowing they were friends of Tayeko's.

They took the elevator and walked to her apartment door.

"It's not fully closed," Tifa pointed out.

"Let's go then," Cid said, taking a step foward.

"Wait," Red said, grabbing the pilot's pants leg with his teeth. "It's rude to just walk into someone's house like that."

Cid pulled his leg out of Red's mouth and rolled his eyes.

Tifa knocked gently. Waiting a few moments, she knocked harder.

"No answer..." she said, affording a quick peek into the living room. "Oh god!"

"What is it?" Nekura asked.

Tifa pushed the door open, finding that the entire living room was trashed. Furniture was over turned and almost everything in the room was somewhere it didn't belong.

"Tayeko!?" Tifa screamed.

"What happened here?" Cait hollered.

"Goddamn..." Cid remarked. "Did they get freaking robbed?"

"Nothing seems to be missing, though we can't be sure..." Cait said.

"God, where is Tayeko?" Tifa asked. "I hope she's alright!"

Red and Nekura began sniffing the floor.

"Aeris was here," Red said.

"What?" Tifa said, whipping around.

"I smell her," Red said.

"And someone else," Nekura added.

Tifa ran in the direction of the bedroom. "Tayeko!" she screamed again.

Tifa yelped as she met with glowing green mako eyes by the door of the bedroom.

Sephiroth stood before Tifa, his shirt off and his face full of anger and distress. He focused his gaze back and forth between Tifa and her companion.

"What happened here?" Cid asked loudly.

Sephiroth pushed passed Tifa and stood in the center of the living room. "Aeris and Tayeko are gone," he said in a chilling voice.

"Gone?" Tifa repeated. "Gone where?"

"What happened to your living room?" Cid demanded.

"I did it," Sephiroth admitted. "I was angry."

"What happened to Aeris and Tayeko?" Cait asked in a panic.

"They've disappeared," Sephiroth answered. "Tayeko never moves an inch without telling me, and I cannot get her on her PHS. Nothing like this has ever happened. Zack said Aeris left him a note saying she was coming here. He can't find or contact her either. My front door was wide open when I came home. Tayeko would never leave the door open. Zack is on his way here. We are going to search for them."

The panic hidden in Sephiroth's voice made Tifa flinch.

Red and Nekura continued to use there noses around the room. "They were both here, that's for sure," Red said. "And someone else. The smell reminds me of Aeris and Tayeko... only stronger."

"What could that mean?" Tifa asked.

"Cetra maybe?" Nekura suggested.

"Get out of town," Cid said, leaning on his spear. "You know Aeris and Tay are the only cetra still living."

Red sat on his haunches and shrugged.

"This comes at such a horrible time," Tifa said, covering her face with her hands. "Barret and all his problems, and Cloud..."

"What about Cloud?" Sephiroth asked, raising an eyebrow.

Tifa felt her eyes well up with tears. "His mako poisoning has manifested to an almost irreversible point. Dr. Richardson thinks he can only be saved if we get some element called zyba, up in the northern crator. That's why we were looking for Aeris and Tayeko. We thought they'd want to help."

"Since Barret and the other's are busy and all," Cait added.

"Zyba..." Sephiroth repeated in thought. "In any other circumstances I would help you myself but the lives of my wife and unborn children are at stake. I must wait for Zack so we can find Aeris and Tayeko. I... am sorry."

"I understand completely," Tifa said. "Who knows what sort of danger they could be in. It is just as important to find them as it is to save Cloud's life."

"Sometimes we just have to split up to get the job done," Red said.

Cid turned to the door. "I'm getting anxious," he said. "Let's get to the Highwind!"

Tifa nodded. "Good luck, Sephiroth. "Please contact my PHS if you get any information."

"You do the same," Sephiroth said, giving Tifa a small salute. "And good luck too you as well."

He adjusted the glasses he wore, because for some reason they kept slipping down his face. He approached the weaponary vault near the end of the corridor and used his provided key to gain entry.

The vault was pitch black, and Rude quickly located the light switch. His eyes went wide as he realized how huge the vault was.

Rows upon rows of weapon shelves reached far back past were Rude could even see. It was almost as if it were some sort of weapon library. Rude shook his head, thinking that this vault was only slightly smaller than Scarlet's vault at the old Shin-Ra building.

Rude looked down at his clipboard and read some of the items that required his count. He nodded as he read through familar names - Uzis, semi automatics, standard-issue rifles, shotguns, 9 millimeters, mako guns, grenades, swift bolts and fire veils. He walked through the isles and quickly located the items, checking them off on the clipboard and marking the count.

After about twenty minutes, Rude was beginning to think that Ross had nothing of interest in the weapon department until he came to a door in the back of the vault that read "Secret Weapon Dept. Level 5 Employees Only".

Rude raised an eyebrow and looked down at his name tage. He was a mere level one employee. He sighed, but Rude knew that he wasn't here to really take inventory for Ross. He was a Turk, and he had a job to do.

He looked down at the lock on the door. It was a numeric keypad that asked for a series of six numbers, much like the ones at Shin-Ra. He looked over the numbers - 0 to 9, and made a thoughtful face.

Rude smiled to himself as he flipped the page on his clipboard over and pulled a pen out of his breast pocket.

No one really knew why Rude was so quiet or why he was such a valuable assest to the Turks, except for maybe Tseng and Reno. He began writing vigourously on the sheet of paper, jotting numbers in a incoherent fashion very quickly. When the page was nearly full, Rude smirked.

Had Rude gone to college he probably would have probably surpassed even Hojo in genius. His prodigy lay in his ability to compute math and work with numbers. He also handled the pay for all of the Turks, because Reno and Tseng both knew that Rude could spot within a second of looking at a paycheck if so much as one gil was missing. Reno often joked with Rude in private about his gift of computation, but he never dared say anything in front of anyone else. He knew that it would embarrass Rude, whose image was just of a tough killer, and nothing else. It was for this reason Rude told no one, not even Elena, of his ability. He reserved if for times when it was needed, such as now.

He read over the list of numbers and began checking off combinations he thought would most likely work. He remembered from Shin-Ra securtiy that the combination were often two of the same numbers, followed by a sequence of backwards numbers.

Rude tried several of his combinations, failing each time. He had one last one that he prayed would work.

He entered "2-2-8-7-6-5" on the keypad. The lock flashed green and small beep emitted, and Rude heard the familar click of the lock being opened.

Saying nothing, Rude smirked and entered the Secret Weapons room. He flicked on the light and looked around.

This room was as small as a closet but it was probably because there were only one of each model of weapon. He looked along the shelves, and found a clipboard attacted to the wall. He removed it and found a list of inventory similar to his.

"Aero diminsher, in progress, A-1" he read. He walked to a slot that read A-1 on the shelf and found a long machine gun. It had a lable with an array of rainbow colors. There was a sheet of paper laying under the weapon, and he began to read what it said.

"Aero diminsher. Caution. Casts Aero when fired at enemy, then disintergrate enemy's molecules. This weapon is still in the developemental stages. Full manufacturing expected in September. The Multi-Aero Diminisher in also in progress. The M.A.D. weapon is four times the size of this weapon and can be used to wipe out large groups of enemies at once."

Rude folded the paper and stuffed it in breast pocket. He moved on to the next weapon.

"Zyba Force Grenade" he read. It was a grenade that was glowing a slight blue color. He frowned at the word zyba, knowing he had heard it before, and pulled out its accompanying sheet.

"Zyba Force Grenade now being manufactured. One grenade contains enough power to eliminate an entire city full of enemy. Soldiers will be equipped with Z.F.G. standard in September."

Rude took this paper as well and continued through the 'closet'. He located many guns and strange weapons that either incorporated a dangerous amount of magic or this strange'zyba'. He became particularly intrigued by the entire final shelf in the room.

The shelf itself was lable "C.S. Uniform." Rude picked up what appeared to be a helmet and inspected it. It was made of a hard silver metal and had a black tinted face mask over it. He looked inside the helmet, and notice what seemed to be at least fifty shorted wires hanging out of it. He flipped it in his hands and placed it back on the shelf.

He then noticed more of what seemed to be this strange armor, with all of the peices having wires hanging from them. He inspected each peice with great wonder until he located a sheet of paper.

"Cyber Soldier Uniform Armor - production finished. Extremely resistant armor for the C.S. army. All part include mandatory wiring to the body. Diskette drive located in back of armor where commands will be give. Zyba flow passageway in center of skull. Expected to be fire, Ice, Lightning, Water, and bullet resistant. First use in September."

Rude stuffed this paper in his pocket as well and began to leave the room. He closed the door and reset the securtity so that it would be locked again. He shook his head as he began to walk out of the weapons vault. There was no doubt in his mind that Ross was up to some pretty bad stuff - admittedly worse than Shin-Ra in the old days.

This would be her fourth time meeting with Ross, and over the past few dates she'd come to find that he was a dull man who thought mostly about himself. Their conversations consisted of talk of his company, his hatred for Shin-Ra, his assets, and just about anything else that had to do with himself.

Elena pulled adjusted the skirt of her light blue dress and got into the car.

"Good evening, Raquel," Ross said as she sat and shut the car door. "You look lovely this evening."

"Oh, thank you," Elena said, forcing a smile. "Where are we headed tonight?"

"Actually," Ross said, stopping at a red light and turning to smile at her, "I thought we'd go to my place.

Elena shuddered at the thought. "Oh..."

"Doesn't that sound like a good idea?" Ross asked. "I have maids preparing an excellent meal for us."

"Yes," Elena lied. "I would like that."

Ross nodded and continued driving.