Final Fantasy - All Series Fan Fiction ❯ Seduction of the Darkness ❯ Chapter 12: Mission Shut Down Begins ( Chapter 12 )

Chapter 12: Mission Shut Down Begins

 

Cid turned to AVALANCHE as the hatch doors opened. It was dark by the time they'd gotten to the newly repaired bay and Hellfire resisted the urge to wrap her robe more tightly around herself. She glanced at Vincent who seemed fairly indifferent to the chill night air. He has his arms crossed over his chest and was waiting for Cid to give the mission briefing. It was crucial that they understood what was going on this time and not just throw themselves into battle, as was their usual habit.

 

`All right, it's time to shut these bastards down once and stop them from waking the biggest nasty they could find,' said Cid. He turned to Reeve, who was standing beside him armed with only a small machine gun. `The floor's all yours, buddy.'

 

Reeve stepped forward with an air of authority that told everyone to pay attention. `We've uncovered information concerning the whereabouts of the containment chamber in the base.' He looked at each of them in turn. She noticed that he looked quickly away as soon as he and Vincent exchanged looks. It was clear that he was still worried that the gunman was still furious at him for withholding information earlier. Reeve continued.

 

`Deep Ground's motion sensors are light sensitive and therefore cannot detect movement in the dark, but there are spotlights sweeping certain areas where it's lightly guarded. However…'

 

He turned to a small device and pressed a button on top. The device opened and they saw a holographic map of Deep Ground's base. Some areas of the facility were shaded with different colours while there were also small dots of blue, green and white light covering the entire map.

 

`There are areas where the lights don't sweep and therefore can be infiltrated easily.' He pointed out several darker areas, all around the east side. `This is the entrance to the ventilation system. They lead to areas where there is tighter security, but the air ducts run above the containment lab and the valve systems in four separate sectors surrounding it.' He looked at the team.

 

`Our mission is to infiltrate those systems and manually shut down the valves that keep the essence containers running. While the team is doing that, the rest of us will be creating a diversion around the outer perimeter of the base. This will draw off most of the guards from the inner sectors and allow easier access to the labs without being seen. If we're successful, this should shut down the containment lab and give us ample time to destroy the facility from the inside, preventing Deep Ground from completing Halanitum's awakening.'

 

`All right,' said Cid. `We're going to split up for this one. Cloud will lead the perimeter team in creating the diversion. Yuffi and Vincent, you'll infiltrating the base and shutting it down from the inside. Is everyone clear on that?'

 

The three nodded. Cid nodded in satisfaction.

 

`Then let's get the teams assembled. Tifa, you and Barret and Reeve are with Cloud. Hellfire, you'll be helping Yuffi and Vincent infiltrate the base.'

 

`Is that a good idea?' said Yuffi, unease creeping into her voice. `She's the one they need to wake this big guy up. Have her go into the base and she'll walking right into their grasp.'

 

`That's why she's going with you,' said Cid. `We'll be too caught up in the diversion to help protect her. If she's with you, then they won't be able to get to her.' He looked at the beautiful young warrior. `She's the only chance we've got to make sure this thing's not let loose. If Halanitum's given the wake up call, we're pretty much screwed.' He turned to the team again. `All right, let's lock and load!'

 

Cid ran to the bridge while Reeve led Cloud, Tifa and Barret to the next bay. Yuffi, Vincent and Hellfire stepped onto the air boards and braced themselves for take off. Hellfire felt her sword resting against her back as she bent her knees and it provided a measure of comfort to her. She was with friends, and they wouldn't let anything happen to her. So, why did she feel like there was an ice chest sitting in her stomach?

 

`Squad, prepare for drop.'

 

Hellfire swallowed. `I hate this part,' she muttered. Yuffi must have heard her for she turned to Hellfire with a grin.

 

`Come on, it's fun!' she cried cheerfully. `Don't tell me you don't feel the rush when you race down this ramp and into the air.'

 

`No,' replied Hellfire. `I feel my stomach jump to my throat and an intense urge to hurl.'

 

Vincent chuckled softly at her bitter retort. Yuffi laid a comforting hand on the woman's shoulder.

 

`Just think of the feeling you get when you move in for an attack,' said the shorthaired sprite. `Remember the rush you feel when you're caught up in a fight. I know you enjoy it.'

 

Hellfire looked at her. It was true: she did enjoy fighting. It was to her the greatest rush she could ever experience. Well, aside from when she was alone with Vincent. She felt her face grow hot and she was glad for the darkness. She smiled at Yuffi, silently thanking her for the hint and turned to the ramp.

 

Not a moment too soon. The clamps released the boards and they went streaking down the ramp at breakneck speed. Yuffi whooped with excitement as they raced out the bay doors and sailed into the air. Hellfire felt the rush she'd been talking about expel the cold feeling she'd harboured before vanish and tried her best not to grin. It was fun, she was just too scared to notice it last time. Also, the ship was being attacked then, so she'd seen no enjoyment in the situation. They sailed gracefully through the air, swerving occasionally to avoid the sweeping spotlights. Just a few feet from the ground, Vincent leaped from the hovercraft, flipping over like a professional gymnast before landing in a crouch on the ground below. Hellfire landed lightly behind him while Yuffi waited a little longer before making the drop. The shorthaired woman covered her mouth as she got to her feet, resisting the urge to throw up. She glanced at Hellfire who was rising from her crouch. Her robe was round her knees, exposing intricate knee-high black leather boots tooled with intricate silver patterns. Hellfire threw off the robe and Yuffi stared. Even Vincent had to stop to look at her.

 

She was clad in a bodice of black leather tooled with intricate gothic patterns in the brightest silver that bared her toned stomach and smooth white shoulders. Her flowing silk skirt swept to her ankles, but stopped just above the knees at the front The bodice was cut very low at the back to reveal her tattoo and a black belt of the same design as the bodice looped her waist. Silver gauntlets tipped with sharp-looking talons covered her black elbow-length gloves from the wrist down. Her long black hair was held back from her face by a strange circlet of silver completed the attire. She looked a goddess of the darkness, a queen of the night that had emerged from dreams to fight for their cause.

 

`Hellfire, what-?'

 

`If I am to die, then I am going to die as the warrior I am,' replied Hellfire. She looked at Vincent and saw the fire blazing in his eyes that was close to reverence. Hellfire strapped her sword to her back and turned to look up at the side of the base.

 

`Looks like there's our way in,' she said, pointing to a large opening in the wall. It was big enough for a man to stand upright with no discomfort and Yuffi looked up to where Hellfire was pointing.

 

`It's now or never I guess.' Yuffi stepped back a few paces and made a running leap for the wall. Her momentum carried her up to the opening and she crawled in. Hellfire looked at Vincent who was looking at her.

 

`After you,' she said.

 

The gunman looked at her. `Sure you don't need a lift?'

 

Hellfire smiled slyly. `I thought you wanted to keep this quiet. It would look a little suspicious if you carried me up there.'

 

Vincent chuckled softly. `You'd like that, wouldn't you?' He leaped up to the opening and disappeared inside. A few moments later, his head poked out. Hellfire focused her energy into her legs and shot up to the ventilation entrance, her arm stretched out to the gunman. Vincent automatically grabbed her arm and pulled her inside. He looked at her.

 

`Where did you learn that?' he asked as he rose to his feet. Hellfire smiled slyly.

 

`Wouldn't you like to know?' She brushed herself off and walked ahead of him. Shaking his head and smiling briefly, he brushed past the young woman and led her into the base.

 

~*~

`We're in.' Vincent's voice came out distorted over the speaker of the intercom system. Reeve looked at the others with relief before leaning over the holographic map.

 

`All right, the containment lab is in the centre of the base and the valve systems are in separate rooms surrounding it. Let us know when you get to the containment lab and I'll give you further instructions.'

 

`Copy that.' The speaker went dead and Reeve looked at them.

 

`Looks like we're going to have to wait.'

 

===

 

Vincent ended the connection and turned to the two women. `Let's go.'

 

Yuffi and Hellfire nodded and followed the gunslinger through the interlocking air ducts. After an hour, it had become so dark in the vent that they had to stop to get their bearings. Yuffi strained her eyes to see in the dark, but it was useless.

 

`Now what?' she said. `We can try to find our way by feel, sure, but what if we end up going off course.'

 

Vincent had to admit she had a valid point. He was just starting to mull the problem over when a taloned hand rested on his shoulder. Purely on instinct, he whirled around and grabbed the arm, hurling the person against the side of the vent. The snarl of pain sounded very feminine and he stopped what he was doing.

 

`Hellfire?'

 

`And I thought I was jumpy when people sneaked up on me.' Her voice was even but carried an undertone of sarcasm. A flash of white light and the whole vent was illuminated by a small ball of white flame sitting in the palm of Hellfire's free hand. The other was in Vincent's grip. She winced slightly.

 

`Valentine, you're hurting me.'

 

`Sorry.' Vincent released her and she drew her sword. She held the fireball over the blade and it seeped into the engraved lines of the weapon, causing the whole blade to glow with a white light. She glanced at them, taking in their questioning looks.

 

`I learned to do this when I couldn't find something I lost and the light blew out,' she explained. Vincent chuckled and a sparkle of amusement lit up the woman's eyes.

 

`Well, we got some light,' said Yuffi. `So let's keep going before something happens.'

 

As if on cue, a siren blared throughout the air vent and Yuffi resisted the urge to cover her ears. Hellfire broke the silence, her voice dripping with sarcasm.

 

`You were saying?'