Final Fantasy - All Series Fan Fiction ❯ Ashen Skies ❯ Chapter 31 ( Chapter 31 )

[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]

"What are we going to do, General?" Angeal asked as he flew over to Sephiroth and hovered near him.  A quick look on the ground assured him that Genesis, Zack and Aerith were unharmed.  Reeve had joined their side and he kept his gun aimed warily at the confused beast.  The Turk chopper hovered nearby, awaiting instructions.

"Hey, whatever we're gonna do," Reno said over the transmission, "We'd better do it fast, ya know?  I don't think whatever's stopping this thing is going to last forever, yo."

Sephiroth looked at Aerith and he got confirmation of that fact.  The Cetra was clearly losing concentration.  The shock of accomplishing her feat coupled with the fear that triggered her ability probably didn't help her focus.  The general looked around at the others and he considered the situation.  They had backup on the way but there was no guarantee that Aerith's spell would hold until then.  He and the other Firsts had taken out a WEAPON on their own before, but it had been messy, risky and very difficult.  The question he needed to ask himself was whether it was worth risking death or injury on a fight that wasn't truly necessary.  

"Fall back," he said.  He adjusted the channel on his transmitter and contacted OPS.  "Cancel backup.  We are not engaging the WEAPON.  Repeat: We are not engaging the WEAPON."

Cloud looked at him with surprise and Reno uttered a curse over the frequency.  "We've got it by the balls," protested the Turk.  "We ain't killing it?"

"A fight would be pointless," answered Sephiroth sternly.  "It can't follow us into hallowed territory and we have no need of further research specimens.  Land your aircraft in the colony, while we fall back into the forest."

"But we've still got to keep the population down," persisted Reno stubbornly.

"We've already established that can't be done," reminded Sephiroth.  "Not with our numbers.  One more WEAPON death won't make a difference to our situation, and I'm not risking the one solid edge we may have."  His gaze went to Aerith again, who was still concentrating on keeping the creature blind to their presence.  Zack had gotten up again and he had one arm around her.  The dread on his face had nothing to do with the looming WEAPON, Sephiroth was certain.  His wife's secret was out.  Reeve was staring at her with astonishment and Chaos had landed beside him to regard her with brooding interest.  

There was nothing to be done for it.  Her actions were born of desperation and fear, but she couldn't take them back and the others couldn't forget what they had witnessed.  "Return to the colony," Sephiroth said sternly.  "That's an order.  The creature will go its way and we'll go ours."



After entering the safety zone of the forest canopy, Zack returned Reeve's jet boots to him and put his own shoes on.  It came as no surprise to Sephiroth when Zack separated from the group the moment he was finished and pushed his wife behind him.  He drew his sword, making Aerith stare at him like he'd grown a second head.

"Zack!  What are you doing?"

"He's protecting you," answered Sephiroth before the one-eyed soldier could answer, "from us."

Cloud was utterly confused.  "What is this about?"

"Seph's right," answered Zack warily, his eye shifting from one man to the next.  "Sorry Cloudy, but my family comes first.  I know you wouldn't do anything to her but you'd follow orders if Seph told you to take her from me."

Cloud looked at Sephiroth with big blue eyes.  "Take her where?  We already knew what...er..."

Reeve caught on before he could stifle his statement and the engineer stared at Cloud and Sephiroth with a frown.  "You knew?  Both of you?  And you didn't tell any of us?"

Genesis raised two fingers of a gloved hand.  "Not just them."

Chaos shrank in on himself, shifting back into the less intimidating form of Vincent Valentine.  "I suspected."

Reeve's eyebrows shot up.  "Okay, everyone who knew Aerith was an Ancient, raise your hand."

Everyone except Angeal obliged.  The big Soldier stared at Genesis with an expression of mute, subtle betrayal.  The redhead noticed and he clicked his tongue, sighing.  "Oh, don't look at me like that.  I thought of telling you but it wouldn't have made any difference."

"I would have known that we have a major tactical advantage right under our noses," argued Angeal quietly with a nod at Aerith.  "You saw what she did out there."

"You wouldn't have known she could do that, even if I'd told you she's Cetra," reasoned Genesis.  "I certainly didn't know it and judging by the looks on everyone else's faces, they didn't know it either—including Aerith."

"It's true," said Aerith softly, lying a soothing hand on her husband's tense shoulder.  "I didn't know I could do that, until moments ago."

"It doesn't matter what she can do," Zack said.  "I don't care if she can make the WEAPONS play Patty-Cake and dance the tango; nobody's taking her.  I don't want to fight you guys, but I will if I have to."

Genesis lost his patience.  "Oh, put the damned sword down, Zackary.  Nobody's taking anyone anywhere."  He looked at Sephiroth sidelong for confirmation.  "Are they?"

"No," answered the general levelly.  "I have no intention of taking Mrs. Fair into custody, and my official order here is that she be left alone."

"What if the Director or the President order you to?" challenged, Zack, not relaxing his stance.

"I don't answer to Rufus," responded the silver-haired warrior with narrowed eyes, "and I would politely refuse Lazard's order and escort myself to a jail cell, before I'll participate in imprisoning her for study."

"Why?"  Zack clearly wanted to believe him and Sephiroth had kept Aerith's secret so far, but he knew Sephiroth's philosophy and it was no secret that the man rarely allowed sentiment to direct his actions.

Sephiroth smirked humorlessly.  "Why, Zackary?  Given my history, do you really need to ask me that?  No good can come of violating someone with scientific research against their will...particularly a person with all the powers of the Ancients.  We would be hastening our own doom, by making an enemy of this woman.  Your wife could be more powerful than all of us combined.  The last Cetra should be protected, not violated."

"I don't care what she is," Cloud said when everyone fell silent in thought.  "Aerith is my friend and I'll fight anyone that tries to hurt her.  I thought you knew that already, Zack."

Zack winced.  "Hey, it's nothing personal, kid.  I just know...dammit...you're in SOLDIER now and I know we all try to follow orders."

"I didn't follow orders when they told us to kill that girl Shelke," reminded Cloud with narrowed eyes.  "What makes you think I'd betray Aerith for orders?"

"I don't," Zack stammered, "I mean...I'm not a mind reader!  She's my wife...the mother of my child!"

Reeve took a step forward and opened his hands in a placating gesture.  "Zack, son...just put the sword down.  None of us want to take your pretty bride into custody.  I practically think of her as my niece."

"But you've got to be wondering about her powers," Zack said.  "You can't tell me none of you want to find out more!  Angeal's the only one that's been honest enough to say so!"

Angeal sighed.  "Zack, you can't really expect us not to be curious after seeing what she can do, and you can't deny the potential advantages this could bring us.  However, I'm with the others; if anyone wants to run tests on Aerith, she'll have to consent or they'll have to go through me."

Cloud nodded and crossed his arms over his chest.  His dual-colored wings retreated into his back and he regarded his friend with the hurt expectation of someone who felt he'd been deeply wronged.  Zack looked aggrieved and Genesis again lost patience.

"You buffoon.  If you hadn't pulled your bone-headed stunt and forced Aerith to use her powers, nobody would know anything of your fair lady's origins—except for those of us who already knew, of course.  You have no-one but yourself to blame for this and do you really think anyone here would harm a hair on Aerith's head?"

Zack was beginning to look unsure of himself.  His eyes went to his former mentor and he got the "puppy look" on his face that made it so hard for people to stay angry with him.  He finally lowered his blade.  "Geez...Ange, I'm sorry.  I just...I can't let anything happen to my wife, you know?"

"I understand," Angeal said patiently.  "Nobody here blames you for that, Zackary."

"I do," Genesis said bluntly.  "He's being a dick."

"Bury it, Gen," muttered Angeal out the corner of his mouth.

Reeve cleared his throat.  "Could you aim that apology this way some more?  I stand here unfairly accused too."

"I'm sorry to you too," Zack obliged.  He looked around at the others.  "All of you."

Everyone began to relax, but Cloud pointed out one little detail that they had forgotten.  "We know none of us are going to turn Aerith in, but what about the Turks?  Reno and Rude saw it happen, too."

Zack winced.  "Good point, Spike."

"I'm not sure they knew what they were looking at," Reeve said thoughtfully, scratching his beard.  "Reno's comment about the phenomenon didn't indicate that he knew Aerith was the cause."

"Yes," agreed Vincent, "he said 'whatever is causing this', when he pointed out that it wasn't likely to last for long.  He also didn't question how the girl was doing it."

"I wouldn't take any chances," Cloud said warily.  "Just because neither of them said it doesn't mean they didn't realize it was coming from her.  If they knew it was Aerith and they tell Rufus..."

"We'll be fighting against the Turk organization," finished Sephiroth in a low voice.  "And this colony can't afford in-fighting, if it can be avoided."

"So what do we do?" Zack queried.  "I'm not bringing Aerith back into that city if the Turks are going to nab her for experimentation."

"Then stay here in the forest," suggested Sephiroth, "while the rest of us go back to determine the situation."  

"You're going to have to tell them why you cancelled backup," Reeve reminded, "and without a body for evidence, they won't believe we dispatched the WEAPON ourselves.  Plus, you'll have the Turks' conflicting reports to deal with."

"I've thought of that.  I'm going to tell the Director the truth."

Cloud didn't look a bit pleased with that.  "Are you sure that's a good idea, Sir?"

Sephiroth graced him with a faint, crooked smile.  "We're speaking off-record now, Cloud.  Formalities aren't required.  Yes, I think it's a good idea.  As Tuesti pointed out, the Turks will have reported the event to Rufus, by the time we return.  He in turn will most likely speak with Lazard—probably to accuse him of hiding a secret weapon from him.  Lazard is nobody's fool and I won't insult his intelligence with lies.  He's a civilized man, however.  He can be reasoned with and he won't want any harm to come to the Ancient, even if he does want her brought in.  I'll try to convince him to protect her rights and I'll get word to Zack when I have the verdict, one way or the other."

"But what about our daughter?" Aerith demanded with a worried look at Zack.  "I won't leave my baby behind."

"Where is she?" Cloud asked.  "I could get her and bring her to you."

"She's with Yuffie and Tseng," Zack answered.

Sephiroth shut his eyes and groaned.

"What?" Zack demanded with a frown.  Sephiroth only made that sound when supremely frustrated or getting lucky.  

"You left her with the head of the Turks," answered the general.  

"Surely Tseng wouldn't use an innocent baby to force Aerith out of hiding," reasoned Reeve with at troubled look at Aerith's distressed face.  "He's expecting a child of his own and Yuffie...well, her manners are questionable but she's Aerith's friend."

"I doubt Tseng would tell his loud little wife what he was up to, if he did take it upon himself to try and use Kirsten as leverage," Genesis suggested.  "Let's not forget what this man once did for a living, people.  The Turks aren't above taking hostages and their beloved President is the dick of all dicks."

"Then let's not waste time," said Angeal.  "Genesis and I will go retrieve the baby while Sephiroth speaks to Lazard."

"I'm staying here with Zack and Aerith," Cloud said.  "I can help protect her and if I have to, I can fly her away from here."

Sephiroth nodded in approval.  "Good.  Reeve, I want you and Vincent to come with me."

The two men agreed without argument and the group separated.




"Aerith, I'm sure the others will get the baby to you," Cloud comforted when they were alone in the forest and Aerith bit back a choked sob.

"It isn't that," she said, sniffling.  She pushed away from Zack when he tried to comfort her and she took a deep, shuddering breath.  "If anything happens to our baby, it's my fault."

"No, honey," Zack said huskily.  "It's not.  You can't change who you are and if anything happens to the baby, I'll kill whoever's responsible."

"I'll help him," agreed Cloud.  

"You're both projecting too much on Tseng," she sighed, turning her back on them.  "But he hasn't done anything yet.  Maybe he would hold a baby hostage to get my cooperation, but I don't think he'd hurt her."

"Keeping her from her parents is hurting her," Zack insisted, "and I won't let him do it."

Aerith turned to regard him.  "Neither will I.  Zack, the reason she's in danger is because of me.  Lazard knows what I am already, but when he finds out what I did, he may think I've been holding back my gifts when I could have been helping more.  Maybe if I had worked with him and tested myself more, we wouldn't be in this situation now."

Zack scowled.  "Bullshit.  If Lazard thinks you've been holding back on purpose, he's a bigger idiot than I am.  You haven't done anything to hurt the colony."

Aerith chuckled unevenly and she reached up to caress his face.  "Zack, the lack of action on my part has hurt this colony."

"But you didn't know what you could do," reasoned Cloud.  "Why do you want to punish yourself?"

"I'm not trying to 'punish myself', she corrected, "but I do hold myself accountable for being too scared to do my part.  I know I'm not human, but you're all my brothers and sisters.  We're two sides of the same coin and I haven't done enough to protect everyone.  Maybe that's what the voices have been trying to tell me all along."

Zack watched her with blatant admiration and a little fear.  "So what are you saying, Sweetheart?  I'm not letting them take you into some lab...you can forget about that."

"I don't want to be a lab rat either," she assured him, "but if I have to choose between our daughter's safety and my freedom, there's no contest.  I think it's time for me to do my part anyway, whatever that is."

"We don't even know for sure what's going on yet," Cloud pointed out.  "Don't get yourselves worked up until you have a reason."

Zack and Aerith looked at each other and she sighed.  "He's right.  We won't do our daughter much good if we make ourselves nervous wrecks."

Zack compressed his lips and nodded grimly, though it was hard not to worry over the very real possibilities they were faced with.





Lazard sat quietly behind his desk as Sephiroth, Reeve and Vincent explained everything to him.  He lowered his gaze in thought and tapped his pen against the stack of paperwork he'd been going over.  A frown adorned his lips and the three other men waited in silence for him to make a decision and speak.

"You're sure of this?  All of you?"  Lazard lifted his gaze to stare at them each in turn.

"Positive," answered Reeve.

"Affirmative," replied Sephiroth.

Vincent merely nodded.

"The Cetra race does have a connection to the planet," reasoned Lazard softly.  "And the planet did create the WEAPONS.  It would make sense that a Cetra could interact with the creatures...possibly even control them."

"Sir, if I may," Reeve interjected, "Aerith didn't seem to be controlling the WEAPON, so much as tricking it into thinking we had vanished."

Sephiroth nodded in agreement.  "She made us invisible to it.  She had no control over the creature's actions or behavior at all."

"But that's not to say she couldn't control one of the beasts," countered the Director.  "Eventually.  We know virtually nothing about the true powers of a Cetra.  With a bit of effort and patience, she could discover any number of interesting and helpful things she can do.  Testing and research should be conducted."

"Sir, she is a citizen of this colony," reminded Sephiroth flatly, "We don't kidnap our civilians and force medical experimentation on them.  I thought we'd learned that lesson, by now."

Lazard's expression hardened.  "Your chastising tone isn't appreciated, Soldier."

"She's the last of her kind," Vincent said, siding with Sephiroth.  "Risking any damage to her would be foolhearty, at best."

"You attract more flies with honey than vinegar," Reeve chimed in.

Lazard raised a brow.  "First, I'd like to point out that I said nothing about kidnapping or compulsory experimentation.  Secondly, we don't know that she's the last of her kind.  Given how long she's been with us before anyone discovered the truth, I think it's logical to assume the possibility that there could be more hiding amongst our population.  Thirdly, Reeve's little quip is exactly what I had in mind to begin with."

"So you intend to ask her," reasoned Sephiroth.

"I intend to persuade her, yes," answered Lazard.  "I'd rather not resort to coercion and I'm counting on the young lady's compassion to guide her.  She's proven reasonable before and I trust she can be reasoned with again.  I would like to speak with her myself and see if an arrangement can be worked out, before any decisions are made."

"I think that's a wise choice, Sir," approved Sephiroth in a more respectful tone.

"There's just one thing," Reeve said.  "Two of the Turks witnessed the phenomenon as well.  Reno and his partner Rude actually led the creature to us.  They were being chased by it and they were trying to reach the safety of the sanctuary.  They would have made it back before we did and it's a sure bet they went to the President to report the incident."

"They did," confirmed Lazard calmly, threading his fingers together on top of his desk.  

"Did they?" prompted Reeve.  "I assume Rufus came to you with the report, demanding answers?"

"Not really," answered Lazard succulently.  He regarded the paperwork on his desk with smug, gray eyes and he picked up the first sheet.  "I have a hastily written report, delivered to my desk from one of the President's secretaries.  The account of the Turks was somewhat different from yours."

"In what way?" questioned Sephiroth.

Lazard red Reno's scrawling handwriting aloud.  "It says here that the WEAPON started to 'malfunction, or some shit', and Sephiroth ordered a retreat while the thing was disoriented."

"What about the glowing light?" asked Reeve.  "Did they mention that?"

Lazard scanned the rest of the brief report and shook his head.  "There's mention of a Barrier spell erected by someone in the party.  The Turks evidently mistook the origin of the light and they didn't make the connection to Aerith."

"So they claim," warned Vincent ominously.

The others looked at him.  "Why would they fill out a false report?" Reeve asked.

"To gain some kind of advantage," answered Vincent.  "They are Turks.  They're loyal to the President.  The report on the Director's desk may not be the same report his brother received.  I once operated on the same tactics, you recall.  Some things don't change."

Lazard nodded, smirking without humor.  "And I know my half-brother.  This could be genuine, but I'm not so sure I believe neither Reno nor Rude noticed that Aerith was responsible for the WEAPON'S altered behavior.  They're trained to be observant and no matter how shaken they might have been from the chase, I believe one or both of them knew something besides a 'malfunction' was amiss."

"So if this is a deception, it means Rufus knows about Aerith and he's making plans of his own," sighed Reeve.  He pinched the bridge of his nose.  "And I'm responsible."

"No you aren't," Vincent argued.

"Not deliberately, but Aerith was only there because she wanted to watch Genesis test my boots."

"You can all argue over who's more at fault for this later," suggested Sephiroth.  "We have a problem and we need to correct it."

"Well, there are two possibilities," Lazard said.  "Either this report is genuine and Rufus' Turks are truly losing their edge, or my dear sibling is testing me.  He wants to see what kind of report I'm going to send to his desk.  Rufus has never trusted me."

"So his solution is to lie to you and see if you'll do the same?"  Reeve shook his head.  "Old man Shinra really messed that kid up."

"It was probably a blessing that I was raised by foster parents," agreed Lazard wryly.  "Still, this is all just speculation at the moment.  I trust we'll discover the truth soon enough."

"What is your plan, Director?" Sephiroth asked.

Lazard tapped his fingertips on his desk and stared unseeingly at the antique clock resting on it.  "I'm going to tell him the truth."

Reeve stared at him.  "Uh, pardon me for saying so, but I think that's a bad idea.  Rufus may not have participated in the experimental programs your old man set up with Hojo and the others, but he's sleeping with one of the people involved in all that and he doesn't have a conscience to speak of."

"Some people would say the same about me," Lazard answered dryly.

"I'm inclined to agree with the administrator," Sephiroth said.  "You should play your hand carefully, when it comes to dealing with the President.  I'm certain he won't share your finesse, when it comes to dealing with Mrs. Fair."

Lazard nodded.  "I'm prepared for that.  I'm going to call a mass meeting, with all high-ranking Turks, Soldiers and department leaders.  What I say in that meeting is going to depend largely on how my discussion with Mrs. Fair goes.  How this turns out for this colony depends on her cooperation."

"What if she isn't willing to cooperate?" Reeve asked.

The Director looked up at Sephiroth.  "I'm sure arrangements are already being made to safeguard the Fair family, in the event that we can't reach an agreement."

Sephiroth gave a brisk, single nod, and he didn't try to make excuses or lie to the Director.

Lazard scooted his chair back and stood up, stretching a little.  "Well then, we should get this over with now.  Mr. Valentine, I need your assistance to speak with Aerith without security seeing me leave."




Reno looked up at the spectacle of Vincent Valentine floating over the city.  Nothing could be seen of the gunman except his blood-red cape, moving fluidly like the liquid it so resembled in color.  The redhead shuddered and glanced at his boss and his partner.

"Every time I see that, it gives me the chills.  I'd almost rather see Chaos flying around over our heads."

"It is...unsettling," agreed Tseng, studying the retreating phenomenon.  "He seems to be leaving the city."

"Probably to scout and make sure our playmate left," suggested Rude.  "He'd just confuse a WEAPON in that form."

"True," agreed Tseng.  "Come, we mustn't keep the President waiting."

The other two agreed and Reno waved at Elena when he saw her heading their way, toward the Turk headquarters.  Reno still wasn't totally sure about what he saw earlier, but Rufus wanted to discuss it with all of them.





"They didn't give us any trouble," Angeal assured the couple as he touched down in the forest with little Kirsten in his arms.  "Tseng was out and Yuffie was happy to give the baby over to us."

Genesis landed beside him, burdened with the nappy bag Zack and Aerith had left with Yuffie and a second bag of supplies.

"I had to break into one of your upper windows," Genesis informed as he lowered the goods to the ground.  "I took the liberty of collecting some supplies to bring, just in case."

"I'll have someone repair the window later," Angeal said.  "And we'll have the place watched, if you have to go into hiding."

Zack smiled at him gratefully as Aerith eagerly took their daughter from Angeal.  "Thanks, guys.  You too, Cloud.  I'm really sorry for doubting you."

"It's okay, Zack," Cloud said for perhaps the sixth time since the incident was resolved.  "Stop apologizing."

Zack sighed and he put an arm around Aerith's waist and smiled down at his daughter.  "Don't worry, kiddo.  Mom and Dad are going to keep you safe...yes we are."

"Don't start with the baby-talk," warned Genesis, "or I'll go and turn you in myself."

Zack was about respond to that when Vincent floated down from the trees.  His cloak flowed around him as he touched down and when it opened and settled around his shoulders, they saw that he was not alone.  Aerith took a cautious step back as Lazard stepped away from the gunman.  Zack reached for his sword, eyeing the Director warily.

"What's he doing here?"

"He's here to talk," answered Vincent.  "We weren't followed.  You'd be wise to let him speak, Lieutenant."

Zack shot an uncertain look at Angeal and Genesis.  The redhead was watching Lazard with quiet interest and Angeal gave Zack a reassuring nod.  Cloud moved closer to Aerith and though he hadn't reached for his weapon, his wings manifested and he looked around guardedly, as if expecting armed troops to burst out of the undergrowth.  Lazard himself held both of his hands out, displaying his palms.

"I'm unarmed and I came alone," explained the Director softly.  "As Mr. Valentine said; I only want to talk.  The General explained everything to me and I think we all know this won't get resolved on its own."

"What did you have in mind, Sir?" Zack inquired, not relaxing.  

"A mutual agreement," answered Lazard calmly, "one that will benefit everyone.  I'm sure you don't want to take your little family into hiding, Lt. Fair.  Even if your wife can hide your presence from the WEAPONS, a life of exile in the wilds is no way to raise a child."

Zack looked at Aerith and their tiny daughter, his eye betraying his inner struggle.  "Then what...let you take her into some lab to be a guinea pig?"

"I was thinking more along the lines of working with her to discover what she can do of her own free will," assured Lazard.  "Part of the reason we're all in this situation now is because of scientific experimentation gone out of control.  Aerith, you have gifts that could save lives...perhaps even end this conflict, some day.  I will protect your civil rights if you'll just agree to work with us.  You'll have complete autonomy and no tests will be run without your expressed consent."

"How can you promise that?" Aerith asked him.  "You can only speak for yourself."

Lazard conceded that point with a nod.  "That's true.  However, Commander Wallace and Captain Highwind can be reasoned with and President Shinra and Scarlet are both unwell.  You already have the support of General Sephiroth and all of the First Class Soldiers.  If I explain this to the others and assure them that you want to try to help this colony survive, I believe they'll agree to it and protect your rights as well."

"What if you're wrong?" Zack said.  "I really want to believe you, Director, but I haven't forgotten your order to kill that kid and I can't take chances with my family."

"That order was given for the safety of the colony," answered Lazard with a touch of impatience, "I won't remind you of that fact again.  Your wife is Cetra, not a Deepground operative.  She is a gift to humanity, not a bane."

"Aerith isn't a 'gift', she's a person," Zack stubbornly pressed.

"Zack, please," Aerith soothed.  The baby began to fuss and she wrinkled her nose when she realized why.  "We have a little one to think of and right now, she needs changing and feeding.  This isn't your decision anyway; it's mine."

Zack looked at her with anxious surprise and Aerith smiled with gentle fondness at him.  "We talked about this, Zack.  Don't look at me that way.  Like I said: maybe it's my turn to protect our family and friends.  Trust me, I'm not helpless."     

"I know that," he murmured with a meaningful glance at Lazard.  "And you're not the one I don't trust."  

"It's so nice to know my men have such faith in me," sighed Lazard.

"Right now, he's having a difficult time trusting anyone, Sir," Angeal excused before Zack could respond to the Director's caustic remark.  "And who could blame him?"

Lazard examined Zack, Aerith and the baby.  "To answer your earlier question concerning the chance that I'm wrong about how our colleagues will respond, you and your wife stay hidden here in the forest until I send for you with confirmation.  I'll simply explain that you have refused to return until you have it in writing that Aerith's rights as a citizen will remain intact."

Zack and Aerith looked at each other, each weighing the risks and advantages.  The bay's whimpers grew to thin cries and they only increased in volume.  She tried to shush the child and she looked at Lazard.

"Okay.  We'll try your solution, Director."





After Lazard took his leave with Vincent again, Aerith remembered she was angry with her husband.  Though she still ultimately blamed herself for making such a display, Genesis was right about one thing: if Zack hadn't pulled his crazy stunt to begin with, she wouldn't have had to use her powers.  

"Oh, by the way..." She shifted her infant in her arms and smacked him on the shoulder while he was watching Vincent's spooky exit.  Zack jumped a little and turned to look at her with blatant surprise.

"What'd you do that for?"

"For scaring two years of life out of me with that stupid move!"  She lowered her voice and gently bounced Kirsten as the baby started to fuss.  "You could have been killed back there, and we wouldn't be in this mess if you hadn't been so...so....ooooh!"  She made a half-hearted kick at him and he dodged away easily, looking like a scolded puppy.

"I'm sorry, baby," Zack apologized, openly confused, "but you said I should join the fight!"

She sighed, unable to refute that.  "I didn't mean you should try something so reckless!  What were you thinking, using those jet boots?"

Zack looked helplessly at their companions.  Cloud was carefully absorbed in watching a butterfly, wanting no part of an argument between wife and husband.  Angeal looked as though he wanted to say something on his behalf, but like Cloud, he felt it wasn't his place.  Genesis smirked without sympathy and shrugged.  "You'll get no help from this quarter, Zackary.  I know better than to aid and abet you, now."

Zack grunted in frustration before turning back to his wife.  "Okay, I wasn't thinking...not really.  I just knew I had to get up there and help.  Flying was the only way to do that."

"Or waiting for them to bring it down to the ground," insisted Aerith.  "Is it really so important that you get in on the action right away, Zack?"

He scratched his head and blushed, looking guiltier by the second.  "Well...kind of.  I'm a soldier.  That's what we do, Sweetheart.  I thought you understood that."

She bit her lip.  "I know, but..." Her oak-green eyes shifted to her husband again, revealing both frustration and love.

"Let's give them a moment," Angeal suggested softly to Genesis and Cloud.  They wordlessly agreed with him and the three of them moved away, staying in sight but out of earshot.

When they had enough privacy, Zack turned to her again and he caressed her face with gloved fingertips.  "Talk to me, Aerith.  What do you want me to do?"

She started to answer, but the baby began to cry.  Aerith could tell by the pitch of her daughter's complaints that she was hungry, and delaying a feeding would only worsen things.  Practiced at it by now, she easily made the necessary adjustments and began to nurse the infant.  Kirsten settled down and Aerith gathered her thoughts and looked up at her husband's handsome face, needing him to understand her point of view.

"I do understand what your duties are as a Soldier, Zack.  I know you have a responsibility to protect this colony, even if it means risking your own life.  I accepted that part of who you are when I married you."

He stepped back and threw his arms out.  "Then what's the problem?  Why are you so mad at me for doing what I've been trained to do?"

"I'm pretty sure you weren't trained to do that," she argued.  "I don't believe for a second that Soldiers are told to use the most reckless means possible at every turn!"

He flushed again and kicked at the moss covering the forest floor, sticking his hands in his pockets.  "Well, no.  It just sort of happens that way, sometimes.  I was taught to use anything and everything around me as a weapon in a fight, Aerith.  That's what makes SOLDIER such an elite military force; we don't hesitate."

"Sephiroth did," she pointed out.  "He called a retreat, back there."

Zack shrugged.  "Sometimes that's the best strategy—but when we're in a fight, we don't hold back.  You keep saying you understand that but then you turn around and get mad at me when I go and fight!  I don't know what you want from me, Aerith."

Aerith sighed again, feeling a headache coming on.  "Zack, look at our daughter."

His gaze went to the infant nestled against her breast and he smiled, his expression softening into that paternal wonder he always expressed for their daughter.  Seeing that she had his attention, Aerith drove the point home.  

"You're more than a weapon now, Zack.  You're a Daddy."

His expression altered and she could tell he was finally starting to get it.  Aerith pressed on, knowing this was the perfect moment to make him understand.  "I know that every time you swing that sword or make one of those moves that scares the dickens out of me, you're doing it for us, as much as for everyone else.  I understand that you have to fight, Zack.  I just don't want you looking for the fastest ride out of this life, okay?  I need to know that the father of my child is at least going to try to preserve his own life so he can be there to see her grow up.  I need you here, with me...not watching from afar as a spirit in the Lifestream."

Her speech had the desired effect on him.  He lifted his gaze from their daughter and met her eyes, his mouth twisting with regret.  "Aerith, I'm so sorry.  I never thought of my actions that way.  I just thought I was doing my best to be a good, strong fighter."

"You can do that without disregarding your own safety," she insisted, smiling tremulously at him.  "I'm not asking you not to fight, Zack.  I just want you to try to think more, before you act.  From now on, consider the situation and think about whether you really need to take a risk to get the job done.  Can you do that...for Kirsten and I, if not for yourself?"

His expression softened and he smiled crookedly at her, nodding.  "I think I can manage that, for my girls.  I'm really sorry I got us into this mess, Honey.  I'm a bonehead."

Aerith relaxed and gave a shrug of her own, relieved to have finally gotten through to him.  "Next time, I'll just let it squish you like a bug.  Now give me a kiss."

Zack grinned broadly at her and obeyed, lowering his dark head to hers.





As planned, Lazard had his talk with Rufus and then he called an emergency mass meeting.  He tried not to notice the sallow state of his half-brother's complexion as everyone filed into the designated meeting room.  Beside Rufus, Scarlet faired slightly better, but they both had breathing masks hanging around their necks for quick access.  Rufus coughed into a handkerchief at random intervals while the assembly got situated.  It was a bit crowded by the time all significant parties were accounted for.  The room was in the Shell house that Lazard had claimed as SOLDIER headquarters, and this was the first time since migrating to the Forgotten City that they had held a meeting of this magnitude.  All Turk, SOLDIER and AVALANCHE officers were present—with the notable exception of Angeal, Genesis, Cloud and Zack.

"Well, you've got us all rounded up and stuffed in here like chickens in a coop," Cid remarked as he bumped elbows with Barret and Shera.  "How about you tell us what's on your mind, Lazard?"

"This better not be about another evacuation," Barret grumbled.  "My little girl's been through enough of those already."

"It isn't about another evacuation," Lazard assured from his standing position at the head of the long table.  "This meeting is about hope for the future."

Rufus and Scarlet rolled their eyes at each other.

Cid took a cigar out of his vest pocket and stuck it in his mouth without lighting it, knowing the rules against smoking in meetings.  "I don't wanna hear some speech about rainbows and puppy dogs.  You didn't call a meeting this size for a pep talk, so why don't you tell us what the hell we're doing here?"

"Cid, please," Shera whispered to her husband, blushing.

"Naw, I want to hear it straight, whatever it is," insisted Cid, his gaze narrowing on Lazard.  "These corporate types are always hiding the details behind their suave speech and patronizing smiles.  Whatever this meeting's about, I want him to skip the double-talk and get to the point."

"I'm with Cid," agreed Barret, looking at Lazard with a frown on his dark, rugged features.  "AVALANCHE is always last to know when there's news, and we ain't your grunts!"

People began to talk then, arguing and speculating before Lazard could even announce the purpose behind the meeting.  The Director looked at Sephiroth in exasperation and the General understood what he wanted.  

"Quiet."

Though he hadn't raised his voice, Sephiroth's calm, cold order carried over the rising chatter and the effect was as immediate as a whip cracking.  The assembly fell silent and looked up at the General, whose inhuman, cat-eyed gaze swept over them all, chilling them.  Satisfied that order had been restored, Sephiroth turned to Lazard and gave him a respectful nod.

"Director, I believe you had something to say."

Lazard returned the nod.  "Thank you, General."  He faced the assembly again.  "I haven't gathered you all here to prepare for another mass exodus.  There is no Promised Land and this city is—quite literally—our last remaining sanctuary on Gaia.  If the WEAPONS strike here, it will be humanity's last stand."

He let that sink in for a moment and there were no arguments forthcoming from anyone.  The silence was deafening as each participant considered his words and what they truly meant.  

"Why don't you tell them, Lazard?" Rufus' said after a few heartbeats, breaking the silence.  His spoke in a low, hoarse voice but it carried like thunder in the quiet of the room, echoing off the plastered walls.  "Tell them what you've discovered."

Lazard's jaw tightened and he entertained a delightful fantasy of leaping across the room and throttling his snide, conniving half-brother.  He almost smiled at the mental image, using it to calm his anger.  "Perhaps you can tell them, since you've apparently made the discovery yourself and pretended ignorance with me, Rufus."

"You knew before I did," countered the President.

"This is not the time or the place to indulge your smear campaign against me," spat Lazard, "Save your breath, 'big brother'; you need all of it."

Rufus struggled to his feet, glaring at his rival with undisguised venom.  "Why don't you come here and say that to my face, you illegitimate bastard?"

Behind him, Tseng grew tense and so did the other Turks present at the table.  Reeve groaned and put his face in his hands and even Scarlet looked uncomfortable as Lazard impulsively began to oblige Rufus' arrogant challenge.  A golden-clawed hand settled on the Director's shoulder before he could take two steps, applying just enough pressure to get his attention.  Vincent shook his head silently when the blond turned to stare at him.  Sephiroth said nothing, apparently content to let Lazard deck the President if he so chose.

Lazard grimaced and straightened his blazer, nodding curtly at Vincent.  The gunman slowly retracted his claw and regarded him with penetrating crimson eyes as Lazard reigned in his temper.  When he felt calm enough, he regarded Rufus coldly.

"I won't hit a dying man, no matter how tempting it may be.  We have matters more pressing than our petty rivalry to discuss, Rufus.  You know it as well as I do."

Rufus sank back into his chair and nodded at Tseng, who turned his oxygen tank on.  "Then by all means," coughed the president, waving a hand at Lazard, "continue.  I'm interested to hear what you have to say."  He placed his mask over his mouth and nose and shut his eyes, revealing that his last action had cost him dearly.  Lazard felt and unwilling swell of pity for him, but he grimly squashed it down.

Shalua was the first to question Rufus' cryptic remarks.  She looked up at Lazard with wary curiosity.  "What is he talking about, Director?"

He held back a sigh.  As if trust issues weren't bad enough between Shalua Rui and the rest of the department heads.  There was no point in delaying it and it occurred to him that just blurting out the simple truth might have enough shock value to stun the gathering long enough for him to explain his agreement with Aerith.

"We have an Ancient among us."

Everyone looked at Vincent, misunderstanding the Director's meaning.  Vincent's true age was a hot topic of speculation in the colony.  Poor Vincent unconsciously ducked his face even further into the high collar of his cape, attempting to retreat from view like a turtle.

"What does this guy's age have to do with anything?" demanded Yuffie with a gesture at the cornered gunman.  

Reeve cleared his throat and came to his lover's rescue.  "He means a Cetra.  One of our colonists is a Cetra...probably the last in existence."

Now all eyes turned to Lazard.  Some looked at him accusingly, some with disbelief and others with speculation.  Shalua spoke her thoughts first.  "The Cetra were wiped out long ago."

"Not all of them," argued Lazard calmly.  "One still lives...found here in this very city by our Soldiers, last year."

"Aerith," Nanaki reasoned, lifting his great head from his paws.  He'd been listening quietly on the floor while the humans debated and argued.  Now he was showing some interest in the conversation.  "Lieutenant Fair's wife.  I sensed that there was something different about her, but I could never quite put my paw on it."

"If that's true—and that's a big 'if'—" Cid said, "then how in holy turnips did she survive here, all by her lonesome?  What happened to her family?"

"Her mother raised her here, secluded from the rest of the world," explained Lazard.  "How she eventually died or what happened to Aerith's father, I don't know."  

Scarlet looked up at Sephiroth suspiciously.  "How long have you known what she was?"

"Since before the evacuation of Modeoheim," he answered, unconcerned.      

"The good Director also knew," announced Rufus with a nasty look at his half-brother.  "And I can't help but notice that four of your top officers are absent, Lazard.  I think we can all guess why Fair isn't here but I'd like to know where Hewley, Rhapsodos and Strife are at."

"They weren't able to attend because they are on a classified mission," Sephiroth answered before Lazard could, "and that's as much as you need to know, Mr. President."

Rufus scowled and he looked around at the assembly as he pulled his mask away from his face again to speak.  "You see?  They keep secrets from the rest of us.  They pick and choose what they want us to know.  Lazard doesn't rule this colony equally with the rest of us, as agreed."

"Nobody 'rules' here," Reeve insisted firmly.  "This isn't a monarchy."

"Well, it sure as hell isn't a democracy, either," Scarlet said with a sneer.  "And we agreed that each department would work together as a council, for the good of the colony.  We can't do that if certain individuals keep information from the rest of us...especially something as vital as an Ancient in our grasps!"

Reeve lost patience with her.  "What you just said only justifies the Director's hesitation to share this information.  I'll bet you'd love to get your claws on that girl, you painted floozy."

Scarlet looked as though she wanted to sink her proverbial claws into Reeve instead.  "She's a potential weapon we can use to our advantage, you scatterbrained fool!"

"She's a human being!"  Reeve thundered.

"No, she isn't," Countered Rufus.    

"Neither am I," Nanaki said, getting to his feet and staring around with dignity.  "But I am a person, and so is Mrs. Fair.  May I also remind you that some of this colony's strongest protectors are in fact something more than human?"  His orange gaze went to Sephiroth and Vincent, drawing everyone's attention in that direction as well.

"Hold up a minute," Cid said, making the "time out" gesture with his hands.  He took his cigar out of his mouth and pointed it at Rufus.  "I wanna know what makes this turkey think that girl has any special powers—Ancient or not.  I hear she couldn't even defend herself from Hojo, and even my Shera coulda taken down that bony hunchback.  I don't know what ya'll think she could do against the WEAPONS."

Barret nodded.  "The girl doesn't have it in her to be a killer.  She's no fighter."

"She won't even smush spiders when she finds them in her house," Yuffie said, crinkling her nose.  "I'm with Cid and Barret: leave her alone.  She's not a warrior and I won't let my friend get cut up for someone's science experiment."  She glared at Rufus and Scarlet, daring them to challenge her.

"Yuffie," Tseng began softly, trying to reason with her.

She yanked her arm away from his grasp, her delicate face stubbornly determined.  "Do you wanna throw down?  Because we will if you try to nab my friend."

Tseng looked helplessly frustrated and Lazard felt a bit sorry for him.  "Nobody is going to 'nab' Mrs. Fair," assured the Director calmly.  "You have nothing to worry about.  I've taken measures to ensure the safety of your friend and her family."

"I'm still not convinced that girl is anything more than woman with a few screws loose," Cid grumbled.  "The girl hears voices.  That doesn't make her an Ancient; it just makes her strange."

"Reno," Rufus called, lowering his breathing mask again, "tell them what you saw today, when you were fleeing the WEAPON and the SOLDIER officers joined you."

Reno looked a little startled as all eyes turned to him, then slightly uncomfortable.  He shrugged and scratched his head, glancing sidelong at his tall, bald partner.  "Well uh...we saw Fair pull this stunt with those jet shoes Tuesti invented and the General here was shouting orders and taking dives at the—"

"He means with Aerith," Tseng prompted, noticing Rufus' impatient look.  "Tell everyone what you saw Zack's wife do."

"I was getting to that part, boss," Reno muttered out the corner of his mouth.  "So anyways, Zack pulled this crazy move with the shoes and he couldn't steer himself outta the way when the bad boy decided to munch down on him.  Rhapsodos tackled him to get him clear and they both went down in the dirt.  All the sudden, the WEAPON started stumbling around, looking all confused—like it was malfunctioning or something."

"And what was Aerith doing?" Rufus urged, looking to Rude instead of Reno.  "You tell them, Rude.  Reno's penchant for storytelling is wearing on my nerves."

"She was holding her hands out, like she was casting a spell," obliged the bald Turk.  "That pendant she wears around her neck was glowing and there was some kind of force field spreading out from her hands."

Yuffie's rolled her eyes.  "Yawn.  Mountain, molehill.  Sounds like a big Wall or Barrier spell to me.  She does keep some materia on her, you know, and it's not like she'd step outside the safe zone without some kind of protection."

"This wasn't like any Wall spell I've ever seen," Reno insisted.  "This thing spread out like a Mako explosion or something, but it didn't blow anything up and it was kind of a twinkling white color."

"After that, the WEAPON acted like it couldn't see us anymore," Rude added with a nod.  "Maybe it's a coincidence but from what I saw, I doubt it."

"Unstable materia could have theoretically caused that effect," Shalua said doubtfully.  She looked at Lazard.  "Can you confirm or deny any of this, Director?"

Lazard looked to Sephiroth, Reeve and Vincent; who had witnessed the phenomenon as well.  "I called this meeting to tell the truth.  You three were there.  Do you agree with the Turks' assessment that Aerith was the cause of the WEAPON'S change in behavior?"

Vincent nodded.  "Undoubtedly."

Reeve nodded as well.

"She can hide us from the WEAPONS' sight," agreed Sephiroth.  "I can't confirm how long she can maintain this ability or how wide it can reach, but the situation was such that she had to act quickly."

"So the girl has the power to make humans invisible to WEAPONS," Scarlet said in satisfaction, looking around the room.  "Can anyone dispute what a powerful advantage that can be for us?"

"Only if we need to get away in a hurry," reasoned Elena.  "Sure, it would give us an advantage in battle but the planet makes two WEAPONS for every one we kill, so we can't use it to clean them all out."

"That's true," agreed Rufus with a frown, "but the girl has untapped potential.  This could be just the tip of the iceberg."

Lazard resisted a grimace, disturbed by how similar his half-sibling's thoughts were to his own.  "It could...or it could be the pinnacle of what she can achieve.  That's why Mrs. Fair has agreed to work with us, to find out how much she's capable of and learn how to use it for the benefit of this colony.  She doesn't want to hide anymore and she wants to help.  In exchange for her cooperation, I've promised her full autonomy and protection of her civil rights.  Regardless of her heritage, she is a citizen of this colony and as such, she is entitled to full protection."

Rufus didn't look pleased.  "If we have her cooperation, where is she?"

"Under the custodial protection of SOLDIER," answered Sephiroth, "where she will remain, until a signed agreement is drawn up stating that this council will protect Aerith and her civil rights to the best of its ability."

"You intend to simply hide her away in the forest indefinitely, if the council disagrees with your demands?" Tseng queried.  

Lazard and Sephiroth both nodded.  "If necessary, yes."

"You realize we could have you both...charged with treason for this?"  Rufus was forced to pause and breath through his mask halfway through his sentence.

"You could try," Lazard answered calmly, "though I doubt you would succeed.  If you read over the Colonial Protection and Defense agreements, you'll find on paragraph fifty-three, sub-heading six that no citizen of the colony may be subjected to biological testing, medical procedures or tissue donations of any kind without their expressed consent, or that of a legitimate family member or named spokesperson.  In short, you can't legally force Aerith Fair to donate a single drop of her blood or a moment of her time to scientific research.  As Nanaki kindly pointed out: you can't use her heritage as an excuse to bypass it, either."

Rufus looked more exasperated than angry.  He gave Scarlet a warning look when she seemed like she was about to start insulting Lazard with impunity and he began to look tired.  "Your defense of this girl's freedom is admirable, even if I think it's a huge mistake.  I hope you aren't letting compassion cloud your vision, Lazard."

"Compassion has never stopped me from doing what needs to be done before," reminded Lazard.  "She has agreed to cooperate and given that under our laws she didn't have to, I'm satisfied with that.  Now, are we going to draw up that statement so that we can start working with her, or do we keep arguing?"





Cloud looked up when he felt Aerith's hand squeeze his shoulder.  He smiled at her and scooted over as she sat down beside him on the rock.  "Where's the baby?"

"With Zack," she answered softly.  "They're napping.  Angeal and Genesis are keeping watch while they rest."

"Why aren't you resting with them?"

Aerith shrugged.  "I'm too nervous to sleep.  Do you mind if I sit here with you for a while?"

Cloud shook his head and gave her one of his shy, quiet smiles.  "If you want to.  I'm not very good at conversation, though."

"That's okay," she assured him.  "I just want the company."

The sun had set and the stars were out.  Cloud watched them twinkle through the breaks in the canopy and he sighed.  

Aerith noticed the sound and she regarded him thoughtfully.  "You're worried about him, aren't you?"

Cloud gave her a blankly questioning look.

"Sephiroth," she said with a little smile.  "Who else did you think I was talking about?"

Cloud smiled and lowered his eyes shrugging.  "After today?  My first thought was Zack."

She laughed softly.  "Oh, right.  Everybody worries about him, though.  I think he'll try to be more careful though, after the talk I had with him."

"Hope so." Cloud looked at her quizzically.  His vivid blue eyes were almost startling in the moonlight.  "But what made you ask if I'm worried about Sephiroth?"

"How quiet you are," she answered, "and the expression on your face when you look at the sky.  I thought you might be thinking of him, wondering if he's going to get himself into trouble on my behalf."

Cloud shook his head and looked up at the sky again.  "I trust him.  Even if something goes wrong, Sephiroth will figure something out.  That's just how he is."

"You have a lot of faith in him," observed the Cetra gently.  She impulsively brushed a leave out of Cloud's fluffy hair when it landed in it.  "I have faith in Zack too, but I can't help but worry.  I guess I'm too protective."

Cloud grunted.  "Like you said: everybody worries about Zack.  You aren't over-protective."

She laughed again and linked an arm into his.  Cloud didn't pull away when she rested her head on his shoulder in a friendly, trusting manner.  "Cloud?  Thank you for this.  I mean, for helping protect my family."

Cloud looked down at her and he smiled slightly.  "It's okay."

She sighed, relaxing a bit.  Before she knew it, she fell asleep against his shoulder and she didn't feel him put a supportive arm around her and adjust her shawl to keep her warm.






The meeting was over, the agreement was signed and Sephiroth was on his way to the Sleeping Forest to bring Aerith and her protectors back home.  Lazard was just about to retire to the bedroom above his office for the night when his secretary came to him with the announcement that Shalua Rui wanted to speak with him about something.  Lazard sighed heavily, debating over whether he should admit her or send word that he'd speak with her in the morning.  

Deciding it might do more damage to blow her off—especially since she was newly promoted in the science department—he told the secretary to let her in.  He pushed his paperwork aside on his desk and he politely indicated the chair across from it when Shalua entered his office.

"Please, have a seat."

The woman shut the door behind her and she took his offer, crossing long legs as she sat down.  Lazard tried not to look at the limbs, keeping his eyes on her face.  "What can I do for you, Miss Rui?  I thought I made it clear that I would be answering no further questions, once the meeting was adjourned."

"This isn't about questions," she said softly.  "This is about opportunities."

He frowned.  "What kind of opportunities?  The decision has been made and we already have the Cetra's cooperation."

Shalua stared at him wordlessly for a few heartbeats and Lazard nearly reached up to wipe at his face, wondering if he had something on it.  When she finally spoke, it was in an even softer tone than before.  "Can I trust you, Lazard?"

He parted his lips, reconsidered his answer and then spoke.  "I could say 'yes', but would you believe me?  Only you can decide whether to trust me or not.  I did order your sister executed, after all."

"Yes, you did."  She didn't stop staring at him.  "But when I put my personal feelings aside and try to look at the situation objectively, I can understand your position and why you gave the order.  You also spared Shelke and took us in.  What you did this afternoon for that Ancient is also a mark in your favor."

"And you think I did that just for her?"  Lazard smiled without humor.  "We stand to gain by Aerith's cooperation.  Practicality drove me as much as compassion."

"And did practicality drive you to spare Shalua?"

"No.  Insubordination can be credited for that," he answered truthfully.  "My people simply refused to do it and I knew they wouldn't leave you both stranded there, either."

"But you could have ordered someone to carry it out when we arrived here," she pressed.  "At the very least, you could have spoken to President Shinra and arranged for one of his Turks to do it.  They don't strike me as the sort to suffer many compunctions."

"They aren't," agreed Lazard, "for the most part.  Is this conversation going anywhere, Shalua?  You obviously came to me because you want something, but I haven't been able to decipher what that something is."

She took a slow breath and let it out.  "You try so hard to seem cold and indifferent, but I think you care.  I think you never acted on your original plan for my sister because you knew it was wrong."

He shifted in his seat and sighed.  "Do you?  Then why don't you tell me what it is you want from me?"

She hesitated for a moment longer before answering him.  "I've never fully explained my sister's synaptic net diving abilities to you.  She can access more than electronic networks."

He frowned, not liking where this was going.  "You swore to me that she would never use her abilities without prior consent from me.  Whatever data she's unlawfully collected—"

"You aren't listening," interrupted Shalua, growing tense.  "Please, hear what I have to say, Lazard.  You can decide what to do afterwards but I want your word that you won't take Shelke into custody against her will."

He resisted the urge to groan.  "Just tell me what she did."





When Shalua was finished explaining her sister's odd trip through the Lifestream to the birthplace of the WEAPONS, Lazard stared blankly at her.  She waited expectantly for him to speak, but his sculpted features detained that strangely detached look and his blue-gray eyes remained glazed and fixed behind the lenses of his glasses.

"Director?"  Shalua considered reaching out to shake him.  "Lazard?"

He blinked, straightened in his seat and cleared his throat.  "So you're telling me that your sister has managed to spy on the planet?  She's actually been down inside the Northern Crater—where the WEAPONS are manufactured—heard the voice of the planet and got back out without being detected?"

"That's what I'm telling you," agreed Shalua.  

"When did this happen?"

"A little more than a month ago," she answered, "Around the time when Lt. Fair and his wife's child was born to them, as a matter of fact.  I remember because of all the excitement over it the night she went into labor."

"And you chose to wait until now to tell me?"  Lazard raised an eyebrow.

"The way you waited to tell everyone else that Mrs. Fair is a Cetra?"  Shalua raised a brow right back at him.

Lazard smirked.  "Impressive counter.  I trust you haven't allowed Shelke to take further dives of any kind since?"

"No, I haven't," assured the woman, "and I would have told you about it sooner, but I didn't trust you then and I thought the Cetra were completely extinct.  I didn't see the point in taking the risk but now...there's a chance we really can end this conflict, with the help of Shelke and Aerith."

He looked intrigued.  "Go on."

"When my sister woke up from her dive into the Lifestream, she had an interesting idea.  I thought it was just a whimsical fantasy on her part, but I often forget that she's older than she looks.  She suggested we try to communicate with the planet, to find out why it's so angry and what it wants from us.  I told her it wasn't possible, because the WEAPONS will kill anybody that tries to make it to the bottom of the crater and only the Cetra could—"

"—Speak with the planet," finished Lazard with a dawning expression of amazement on his face.  

Shalua nodded.  "But now, we have a Cetra who can mask the presence of humans—and I presume herself—from the WEAPONS.  It seems I was wrong when I told Shelke that her idea isn't possible."

Lazard stood up and went to the window, clasping his hands behind his back as he looked out at the night sky.  "Improbable, but not impossible.  I never would have considered using her abilities that way."

Shalua felt a thrill of excitement in response to the look in his eyes when he turned to regard her again.  "Then what do you want to do, Director?"

"I need to sleep on it," answered Lazard immediately, frowning.  "Anything I decide now would be born of adrenaline, and this is too important to rush.  I need to take a day or two to absorb this information and discuss it with people I can trust.  I assume you and your sister would be willing to help, if a project comes of this?"

"That would depend on the nature of the help you want," answered Shalua warily.  

"Nothing that would put her at significant risk," assured Lazard, "she's already done that herself, with that dive that brought us this information.  What I'm going to need from both of you are your ideas."

Shalua relaxed.  She even offered him a little smile.  "I think I can arrange that."






-To be continued
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