Disclaimer: Final Fantasy VII and all the characters rightfully belong to SquareEnix. None of it is mine, I’m just doing a fan-fiction.
Chapter 2
The room was dimly lit and the table was scattered with papers. Documents of Shin-Ra’s experiments, reports on the TURKS’ assignments and the information of where the last Ancient may be. Tseng leaned back on his armchair and observed the papers on his desk like an Eagle trying to locate his prey. “This is not going anywhere.” Tseng observed. The night was peaceful and it would be a waste to let it go just like that. Tseng stood and just as he was about to leave his office, Reno and Rude came in.
“You should knock before you enter.” Tseng’s tone did not betray the irritation he felt.
“Oh, sorry. Hey, boss. Rude and I , we got the item you’re looking for. It was with Don Corneo all this while. He was hoarding it.” Reno took out the green slip of paper from his pocket.
“Good job, you’re making speedy improvements. It’s only your third week though.”
“So, do I get a promotion or something? Maybe a better assignment?”
“That is all.”
“Hey, but I-”
“All right then but this job may not be as simple as it sounds.”
“Yeah! Finally, I thought I’d die of boredom. So, what is the job?”
“I want you to be the Vice-President’s bodyguard.”
“That’s easy.”
“Aren’t you scared or something?”
“Who would be? I mean, look at his dad,” Reno pointed to President Shin-Ra who was in view, “ I don’t think a brat would be a problem.”
“Well, good luck then.”
“Sure, thanks boss.”
Reno and Rude left the room and the office which was filled with life was again empty. Tseng looked at the item Reno retrieved and placed it on the table with the other spreads of paper. It was funny thought Tseng, that a green slip of parchment could alter the atmosphere. Although incomplete, Tseng could most probably guess where the illegal experiment was being done. Tseng chuckled at the word ’illegal’, if experimenting without permission and doing it in secret was ’illegal’, then Shin-Ra, it seems, should be charged too.
...
The helicopter’s blades began to reduce its speed as the machine descended onto the landing pad. A passenger stepped out and following him, was a large black dog. Rufus had finally arrived. His well-kept hair and well-pressed coat made him seem more of a man of power than his father. The night air was surprisingly clear and it did help lighten Rufus’ mood as he walked to his office on the top floor of the building.
Rude and Reno was waiting for Rufus outside his office and the long wait was starting to get on Reno’s nerve. His throat was dry and wait was boring him, he could survive almost anything but not boredom. It was his greatest enemy, his relationship with boredom was like a rattlesnake’s relationship to a mongoose. His footsteps echoed as he paced up and down impatiently.
“Hey Rude, when is this Vice-President dude going to appear?” Reno made no attempts to hide his displeasure.
“Soon.” Rude replied as he took a quick peek at his watch.
“How soon? I can’t stand this anymore! That’s it! Vice-President or not, I am going to-”
“Where? You agreed to this job.” Rude was almost expressionless.
“To the toilet, I need to go there.” Reno was at a loss. Rude was right, he was the very person who wanted to do this assignment and it would undoubtedly taint his record if he were to abandon it now. Reno waved lazily at Rude as he made his way to the nearest lavatory. The hallway was particularly empty around this time; Reno did not realize how eerie it seems. Although the place was well-lit, the air felt heavy and the echo of his footsteps seem to be made by some other presence that was invisible to his eye.
Rufus took his time, pausing occasionally at rooms that caught his interest. His wondering eventually led him to the empty hallway which Reno walked through just a few minutes ago.
“Yo, I am Reno, nice to meet ya.” Reno posed lazily in front of the mirror as he practiced his greeting to the Vice-President. That greeting felt too informal, Reno tried again. He casually brushed his fringe aside, placed his left hand in his pocket and stretched out his right towards his reflection, “Nice to meet you. I am your -body-guard. My- name is Reno.” The words rolled out with much pain and reluctance. This was impossible, it was against his style.
“That does it! Vice-President or not! I am not going to compromise my style and way of life!” Reno slammed his fist on the marble sink.
“Oh? Are you certain?” A calm but arrogant voice suddenly spoke up from behind him.
