Final Fantasy - All Series Fan Fiction ❯ The Unknown Ally ❯ Chapter 14: A New Recruit at the WRO ( Chapter 14 )

Chapter 14: A New Recruit at the WRO

 

Vincent sat in the Shadowfox, listening intently as Reeve gave him a lengthy but detailed report on their situation. Apparently Deep Ground was still hiding beneath the ShinRa complex in Midgar, but they'd recently started development on a new base away from the ruins. They'd been regrouping their efforts and attacking small WRO squads that were stationed in the remaining cities. Also, rumours had been circulating about Deep Ground having a new and more powerful means of defence: a biological weapon that was possessed a weakness to fire. It sounded like the information Vincent had given to Reeve had been proven to be true and that made the gunman a little uneasy. What would Deep Ground use this weapon for?

 

`I'm not entirely sure about what Deep Ground will use this weapon for,' said Reeve, answering Vincent's silent inquiry. `But it seems from what Intel we've gathered on it that it might be a mean of replacing their robotic assault units.' He looked at Vincent. `Unless you have something to add to that footnote.'

 

Vincent shook his head. `I didn't find anything else on the weapon.' He then proceeded to tell the commissioner everything that had happened while he was stationed at ShinRa. Reeve listened intently, nodding to confirm some of the information the gunslinger had gathered had was true and adding what the WRO had learned concerning it. As Vincent suspected, Reeve laughed uproariously as he recounted the incident with Rufus ShinRa and the portable energy prototype.

 

When Reeve was calm again, the gunslinger told him of the assault. The commissioner nodded when Vincent concluded his tale.

 

`It's a pity you couldn't find more information on the ally,' said Reeve. `Although to be perfectly honest, I didn't expect you to keep hidden for much longer anyway.'

 

Vincent raised an eyebrow. `Nice to know you have such faith in me, Reeve.'

 

Reeve chuckled. `What I meant was I was about to terminate the mission. Cid and the others were beginning to worry when you didn't answer your phone, and Yuffie started on how you were most likely hip-deep in some trouble.'

 

Vincent frowned. `She panics too easily. And my hips are none of her business.'

 

Reeve laughed again. `Still a comedian.'

 

The gunslinger smiled slightly. `I try.' He became serious again and leaned forward. `So, you couldn't find anything else on that weapon?'

 

Reeve shook his head. `No. But we still keep getting information about Deep Ground and possible moves they could take to ensure that no one finds out. If our ally is within the ShinRa company, then they're doing a very good job of hiding themselves.'

 

Vincent nodded. `Guess we'll just have to work on what we have.'

 

Reeve laughed. Vincent frowned.

 

`What?'

 

The commissioner shook his head with a smile. `You're so quick on your feet, Vincent. I'm beginning to wonder if you can read my mind.'

 

`Why?'

 

`Because I was just thinking the same thing.'

 

Vincent chuckled. `I hit the mark way too much these days.' After that, he and his friend sat comfortably in silence.

 

A few hours later, the driver's voice boomed over the speaker built into the vehicle.

 

`We'll be arriving shortly, Commissioner.'

 

`Excellent.' Reeve nodded. He looked at Vincent. `Will you be willing to stay for a while? We could use your help.'

 

The gunslinger sat up and looked at his friend for a moment before nodding. `Sure.'

 

They climbed out of the vehicle and walked into the building. It looked the same as it did before the incident with Omega, but Vincent noted that there were more surveillance cameras set up and that the sentinel squads were greater in number.

 

`Tightened security, I see,' he remarked.

 

Reeve looked at him. `I can't afford to have a repeat of the last attack. It took quite a long time to rebuild this place, but we're still short on soldiers.'

 

Vincent nodded, remembering the havoc Azul and his squad had wrought. `I'm sure you'll get more people.'

 

`I hope so,' said the WRO commissioner. `We need all the help we can get. We've even started taking in ShinRa personnel that have defected and wish to join our cause.'

 

They entered the building and were greeted by soldiers passing by on their duties. A few of them Vincent recognised from the Midgar assault seven years ago and he smiled slightly as they waved to him. One lieutenant saluted Reeve and the commissioner nodded to her.

 

`Yes, Sarah, what is it?'

 

`Sir, we have a woman requesting to see you,' said the lieutenant. `She says she is from ShinRa, but wishes to join our cause. I asked her to wait in the command centre for you.'

 

`Thank you,' said Reeve. He dismissed the lieutenant and he and Vincent walked to the elevator and stepped in. The commissioner pressed a few buttons and the capsule made its way up to the highest floor. They stepped off and walked through the maze of corridors to where the command centre was located. Vincent noted that some of the corridors trailed off a little, most likely to confuse anyone who tried to attack the command centre. They walked through the doors and Vincent got a terrible shock.

 

Standing there was the silver-haired scientist he'd been protecting for the five months he was with ShinRa. She was wearing all black this time and it provided a very stark contrast to her pale hair and eyes.

 

`Reeve Tuesti,' she said. She bowed slightly. `My name is Isolda Charis. I was told to wait here till you arrived.'

 

Reeve looked at her. `You're the new head of ShinRa's Biotechnology and Weapons Research.'

 

`Former head, sir,' she corrected. `You see, we were attacked by a battalion of soldiers- Deep Ground, from what I've gathered from the archives. But I'm getting off track. I wish to join your prestigious organization, sir.'

 

Reeve frowned. `And why do you wish to defect from ShinRa, after working there for so long?'

 

Isolda swallowed hard. `The Intel you've been gathering….on Deep Ground and their movements……'

 

Vincent narrowed his eyes. How she know of that?

 

Reeve's frown deepened. `How did you-?'

 

Isolda lowered her head. Reeve's eyes suddenly went wide.

 

`You….?'

 

Isolda looked up and nodded. `Yes. I'm the one whose been sending the information.'

 

Vincent stared. He hadn't been expecting that. And from the look on Reeve's face, he hadn't either.

 

`But why?'

 

Isolda looked at them. `Rufus may have started to remove the taint from the company, but it is still corrupt,' she said. `I didn't want to work there in the first place, but the president was so kind-hearted that I couldn't turn him down when he offered me the job. So, whatever information I could find while I was taking time off work, I transmitted to the WRO. I wanted to help in any way I could, but I didn't know how I could leave the company without arousing suspicion.'

 

Isolda looked at the commissioner. `I know it doesn't' make any sense, but that the only way I can explain it. I want to help out the WRO any way I can.'

 

Reeve nodded, satisfied with her explanation. `It doesn't sound as strange as you might think. We have many ShinRa defectors coming here and we treat them as one of us. After all, this is a war and we need to be prepared for anything.' He turned to her. `We happen to be in need of someone who has knowledge of weapons technology. Your assistance would be greatly appreciated.'

 

Isolda looked stunned. `Does that mean I'm in?'

 

Reeve laughed. `I guess it does. Welcome aboard.' He held out his hand to her and she took with a warm smile. He glanced at his friend who had been watching the exchange and started, remembering he wasn't the only person in the room.

 

`Oh, Dr. Charis, this is Vincent Valentine, a friend of mine and a great asset to the WRO.'

 

Isolda looked at the silent gunman. `We've met,' she said. Reeve looked startled.

 

`You have?'

 

`She was the one who saw me after I blew my cover,' said Vincent, breaking his silence. Reeve looked at his friend.

 

`Then you'll have no objection if I put her in your charge, Vincent?' he asked. The gunslinger looked at the commissioner before turning his piercing gaze on the young woman.

 

`I'll do what I must,' he said coldly, keeping his eyes on Isolda. Reeve looked like he wanted to ask why the gunman was so hostile towards her, but decided against it. He knew what it was like to rub Vincent the wrong way.

 

`Very well. I need you to take your leave. There's some things here I need to do. Sarah will give you directions to your quarters.'

 

Vincent and Isolda nodded in unison and left the commissioner to his business.