Redemption

Authors Notes: This chapter was brutal, and mercilessly long. But it was also pivotal, and I hope that it makes some connections and explains some plot developments. I'm thrilled with the amount of encouragement I've received, thank you so much for your comments. :) I apologize for any typos or grammatical errors that might be found, I was suffering from lack of sleep when I edited it.

It's time to start introducing Sephiroth's role. Next up, Aeris. Haha.

Connecting the Dots

Cloud had assumed that the Wutaian prisoners were dangerous and deadly to warrant an armed guard. But when he had arrived at the prison that they were currently being held in, he was surprised at just how pathetic they seemed. Two looked nearly dead, underfed and malnourished. Their mission leader assured them that it was simply because they refused to eat, starving themselves to prove their defiance of Shinra. They didn't mention much about the bruises and wounds found on all three, the obvious marks from their interrogations.

The third prisoner was a little healthier, perhaps the only one of the three that Cloud would had considered a warrior at any point in time. But by now he simply looked broken, tired and despairing as he ignored everything around him.

None of them looked like a threat, and Cloud wondered why Shinra was going to the lengths of assigning SOLDIER as escorts. Excessive as it seemed, however, Cloud knew better than to vocally question Shinra's orders. As pitiful as the prisoners looked, Shinra had deemed them dangerous, and dogs of Shinra were not to question this.

As they prepared the vehicle for transport, the other SOLDIER were quick to voice their skepticism. "Well this'll be a breeze, won't it?" A tall, redheaded SOLDIER said while hammering in a patch to the truck bed.

Cloud was spreading a new canvas over the frame of the truck's back with another lanky SOLDIER who laughed at the comment. "They're drugging those poor bastards for the entire trip. They'll be sleeping the whole time." The man said with a grin at Cloud as they worked. "They're taking it easy on the newbie. Watching over prisoners that couldn't lift a weapon, never mind know how to use it."

"One of them has been trained to fight." Cloud muttered, though he shrugged with doubt. They were right, the man would be too drugged to ever use any of the training he might have had.

"Good eye." The second class SOLDIER and acting team leader said through the back window of the cab. He was in the front, testing the radios and electronics for problems. "One of those 'poor bastards' took down a full platoon of infantrymen before SOLDIER showed up to capture him. He hasn't been starving himself like an idiot, he was even working out in his cell before they started strapping him down. They're drugging them to make sure he doesn't see an opportunity and take it."

"Well then, I'm glad that he's drugged." The smallest of the group said, shaking out and rolling up their bedrolls and tents.

"There's five of us." The second class said confidently, "Only one of them has seen battle, and we are trained SOLDIER...mostly." He added, glancing at Cloud. "Use your training and you'll be fine." This seemed to comfort the smallest SOLDIER, and ease everyone's mind. Throughout the morning they prepared the truck for the journey, repairing the back of it and ensuring everything was in working order.

The wilderness around Corel had recently been victim to a sudden upsurge in Wutaian activity, highly populated with Wutian guerrillas who were extremely active against any of Shinra's activity. The prison had been deemed insecure at the time being, and as these were important captives, they had to be moved to a more secure area as soon as possible. However helicopter flights had been repeatedly interrupted by missile attacks from high cover, and so land vehicle was chosen as the safest and most effective option of transportation.

The truck was fully equipped with jamming devices to keep them off of enemy radar, and intercepting radios to keep track of any chatter from the surrounding enemies. Topped off with a team of five members of an armed escort, and the whole operation looked to be a sure success. All was operated by the small SOLDIER, named Robby, who was highly trained in communication devices. He took the second seat in the cab, next to Chev, the redheaded SOLDIER who was renowned for being able to drive anything with wheels.

This left Nial, the lanky SOLDIER, and their leader, Ben, in the back with Cloud to watch the prisoners that were later brought out. As they were told, all three were in a drug induced sleep, placed at the front of the box on mats. Despite the drugs, they were all still bound with manacles, which seemed to be overkill as far as Cloud was concerned. Rolling out padding and blankets in the back of the truck bed, the three made themselves comfortable for the drive.

Going by truck meant hindered speed due to the rugged terrain. Most of the paths they took had only been recently cut into the undergrowth, fallen trees and rubble common. Despite this, the day was entirely uneventful. Riding with the tailgate down, the two SOLDIER and Cloud sat on it, kicking their feet as they drove. For a while they competed, tossing rocks that they grabbed off the path at wildlife that would burst startled from the undergrowth.

When Nial accidently hit a rather irritable malboro, which then dedicated itself to following them with alarming speed, they decided that their competition was not the best idea. Instead of being alarmed by the angry creature, Cloud instead reached easily for his fire materia. The others watched, both amused and impressed, as he repeatedly cast the powerful fire3 spells as they continued to drive, incinerating the poor beast until it counted it's losses and disappeared back into the vegetation.

They drove late into the night, until Chev complained loudly that he needed to sleep. They set up camp and Ben administered a shot of tranquilizers to each prisoner, confirming that they would stay under throughout the night. They pitched two tents, four of them pairing up, as Ben opted to sleep on a bedroll in the back of the truck to keep a close eye on the prisoners. They took turns on watch, Cloud being stuck with the last shift.

He slept lightly in the tent with a foreign body near him, so when he was woke for his shift he was ready for it. When he crawled from out of the tent the sun was still nowhere to be seen. Cloud found it hard to stifle the multitude of yawns that escaped him as he walked the perimeter of their camp. When he was satisfied that it was secure, he returned to the fire that had long gone out, no doubt the last SOLDIER who had fallen asleep and failed to keep it going.

By the time the sun started to rise Cloud had stoked the fire and used it to brew a pot of much needed coffee. Cup in hand, he checked the perimeter again, and then the prisoners to make sure they were still unconscious. Satisfied that everything was as it should be, Cloud settled back down by the fire. As daylight grew brighter the others started to wake up, quickly claiming their own cups of coffee and eating a simple breakfast before they broke camp to start their journey once again. But as they continued the already gloomy sky darkened further, and by mid morning it was raining a miserable downpour.

The day they had spent riding on the tailgate already forgotten, Cloud and the other two SOLDIER were now huddled back into the truck trying to escape the driving rain. Lighting a small lamp they huddled in a circle around it, their discomfort amplified by the many more bumps and jostles caused by extra ruts and potholes washed into the road by the rain. A deck of cards found its way out, and this time Cloud was happy for the distraction.

He was pleased further when he had the opportunity to use a few of the combos Angeal had trumped him so badly with a few nights past, even managing to win himself first watch from Nial. It would mean being awake longer than the others, but he would have the longest uninterrupted sleep of the night.

Any good mood vanished from all of them when the rained picked up even harder, and the truck ended stuck in a sinkhole of mud. Unhappily the three jumped from the back of the bed, joined by the short Robby from the cab who disappeared to his knees in the muck. It took a great effort of pushing and prying to eventually free the truck from the sinkhole. They hardly made any progress at all before they were stuck again, and the team resigned themselves to their very muddy fate.

The rest of the afternoon was spent pushing and pulling the truck through the waterlogged road. Completely covered in mud from head to toe, soaking wet and miserable, they were able to keep up by walking along side of the truck as it inched through the mud. Late in the day, Nial looked up from their position pushing on the back of the truck, glaring at the drugged but clean prisoners inside.

"Should be waking up and making them push." He muttered, and as miserable as he felt, Cloud found himself agreeing.

When darkness fell none of them had motivation to carry on any further, giving up and quitting for the day instead. They floundered in the rain, trying to find a place out of the mud to set up their tents, but gave up shortly. Not even bothering to start a fire they ate in a miserable silence piled into the back of the truck. None of them felt like playing cards, and so they turned in early. Chev and Robby climbed into the cab, possibly the only dry place available, though they complained about a couple of leaks in the roof that had been missed during their repairs.

Cold, dirty, and miserable, Cloud huddled in the back, not quite out of the pelt of the rain. Curled around his lantern, he checked the prisoners first, finding them all still out cold. It wouldn't be until the next day that they would be awoken to eat and drink, before they were once again put under. The next dose of tranquilizers would be administered that night by the third watch, which left Cloud with nothing to do during his shift other than to stare out into the wet, listening to the rain bounce off the top of the canvas roof.

It was entirely uneventful, which caused Cloud to wonder if there was anyone from Wutai that was loyal enough to their anti-Shinra causes to even be out in this weather. Checking his phone, he was more than relieved when the time flashed for the end of his shift. He didn't feel the least bit guilty as he shook Chev awake, ignoring the grumbles and mutters as they switched places. Thankful that the bedroll he was taking was further into the truck and out of the rain, Cloud attempted to use a blanket to dry himself off enough to curl into the bedroll. It was a failed attempt, but he knew he would have to sleep even if he was uncomfortable and cold. He had lived through worse.

He had never been a particularly hard sleeper, and considering the circumstances Cloud was not surprised that his sleep was light and easily interrupted. When watch shift changed again, Cloud kept quiet as the two men grumbled unhappily. After they settled down, he concentrated his attentions on the sound of the rain against the roof of the truck, and that lulled him into a light sleep.

He heard movement, and it took a moment for him to realize it wasn't in a dream. The quiet clink of chain, the soft choking noise and a gasp for breath brought Cloud from gently asleep to armed and dangerous in seconds. There wasn't room for First Sword in the back of the truck, so Cloud instead threw himself out of the bedroll in a lunge, tackling the source of the noise.

One of the prisoners was awake, Cloud saw the angry glint of eyes moments before he was cuffed about the head with the hard metal strap around the man's wrist. He had misjudged his tackle and landed mostly on Ben, who's life he had just saved. This allowed the prisoner to burst free from the tangle of bodies.

He swung at Cloud again using the chains of his manacles as a weapon, and Cloud ducked just in time to feel the hard metal graze his hair as it flew over his head. Ben was unable to move, his hands had gone to his highly bruised throat but he was still having trouble bringing in breath, and Cloud was sure that there had been some serious damage done.

He had no time to heal him, instead he tackled the Wutaian prisoner again, the momentum driving both of them out of the truck and into the mud. "Somebody help Ben!" Cloud shouted, and he heard Nial's bleary shouts in response, the man finally awake and hopefully helping their squad leader.

The Wutaian was on his feet before Cloud, and the blond recognized the disadvantage instantly as a heavy punch collided with his jaw as he struggled to regain his footing. He was thrown down to the ground, and the man was already running by the time Cloud got up. With a snarl he reached to his back, drawing First Sword.

Chev had burst from the cab of the truck by this point, kicking his way through the mud as he screamed. "Who the fuck forgot to drug that son of a bitch!" He shouted, clearly giving up hope of catching the man in the dark and the rain. Cloud was not so quick to give up. First Sword drawn he dove into the woods the man had charged into.

The man was still drugged, bleary, and not playing smart. His trail was easy to follow, and Cloud knew he was faster on his feet, unbound and free from the effects of days worth of powerful drugs in his system. It wasn't long before Cloud could see the back of the man as he scrambled through the growth.

"Stop where you are, or you will die where you stand!" Cloud shouted, his voice easily heard over the rain and the storm.

The man did stop, turning in place as he glared daggers at Cloud. Perhaps the sight of First Sword was enough to set him on edge, but he seemed to judge Cloud as an easy opponent, viewing the small blond as weak, untrained. The man would have been intimidating in size at one time, but a life of captivity had been a hard one, taking its toll on the man's strength. Considering the man was unarmed and bound, Cloud was sure of his victory.

When the man lunged for him, Cloud sidestepped with a speed that had obviously not been expected. Quicker yet was his response, a quick knock with the flat of his blade across the man's back, strong enough to knock him to the ground. Cloud was on him in moments. The man struggled beneath him, turning onto his back to try and fight him off, but Cloud pinned the man's chained above his head, slamming his knees into the man's shoulders to stop him from bucking him off.

"I got him!" Cloud shouted, still able to hear voices dimly behind him, knowing the others would hear and come to help. "He needs to be drugged!"

The man thrashed at that, struggling hard to kick Cloud off, and finally Cloud grew tired of holding him down. Releasing the man's hands long enough to pop a materia from Mystile's slot, he pressed it to the man's neck the same time dirty, tired hands found his. The materia sparked to life, and Cloud's gaze was challenging.

"It will take seconds for me to melt your head into the ground," Cloud whispered threateningly, and he knew that the heat from the Fire materia was burning the skin of the man's neck. "How long will it take for your pathetic grip to strangle me?"

And that was enough, the man's hands fell to his sides from Cloud's neck. While Cloud stopped the materia from making contact with the man's skin, he did not pull it away completely.

"Shinra wants me alive." The man declared, his gaze defiant, his hands still balled into fists at his sides as if preparing to attack again. "You can't kill me."

"Do not mistake me for one who cares for Shinra's desires." Cloud snarled, pressing fiery materia into the man's skin again, drawing a startled shout in response. It was enough pain that the man slumped underneath him in defeat.

"Then let me and my friends go." He whispered, suddenly pleading. Perhaps it was the sound of footsteps through the undergrowth, shouting out to Cloud, or the fact that he would soon be drugged again that had invoked a change of heart. "I know nothing of what Shinra wants from us, and my friends are only villagers, they've lived peacefully all their lives. We have nothing to do with Wutai! We are being tortured mercilessly, when we are not even enemies of Shinra." The man snarled.

"You are an enemy of Shinra. You have killed many of their army."

"In defence of my people and my town. Our village was burned for the ground on false accusations, merely to cover up evil things that Shinra did to the townspeople, to remove witnesses of their villainy. Do the right thing and let us free, we merely want our lives back again."

Cloud's head was hurting, The Planet whispering things to him suddenly, confirming the man's story, sending him images of Shinra's terrible acts --soldier's destroying a town, women and children murdered, raped. It's not my problem. Cloud thought, desperately, continuing to hold the man down, forcing his face into passive stone. He could not help this man, he could not jeopardize his standing with Shinra when much more important things were riding on it.

When the man found no sympathy on Cloud's face, his expression turned from pleading to angry, and Cloud found the outrage on his face calming for some reason. Perhaps it was easier to be the enemy, to be hated than to be relied on. He was not a hero of the people, it wasn't his job to right every wrong. Making the conscious decision to walk away from this, to leave things to play out as they pleased without his interference, was freeing in a way. Despite the protests from both The Planet and his conscience.

"You are a pathetic dog, doing Shinra's bidding." The man snarled as he struggled against Cloud's grip again. Lifting his head, he managed to spit in Cloud's face before the blond shoved him angrily back into the muddy ground. "You will rot in the depths of their corruption, and none will mourn for your loss."

It was a little more than the stream of curses Cloud expected, but he did not have to reply. By that time the other SOLDIER had made it to him, including Ben who was now standing, though there was visible bruising on his throat.

"Good work, Cloud." He said, before briskly dropping to his knees next to the prisoner, a needle in his hand. When the man started to fight, Cloud pressed the materia to him once more, and that was enough for the injection to go in smoothly. Soon the fighting stopped all together as the drugs kicked in.

"The other two were starting to wake up as well, but we put them under quickly. It seems that our third shift forgot to administer the tranquilizers." Nial who was standing behind Ben seemed rather put out, muttering his apologies at the ground, unwilling to meet anyone's gaze.

"I was half asleep myself." Ben admitted with a sigh as Cloud stood. They dragged the prisoner upright to move him back to the truck. "I didn't hear him move, and he nearly killed me for it. At least you heard and attacked." He said, looking at Cloud. "You saved my life, and stopped a dangerous man from escaping. Thank you."

Cloud shrugged, not sure if he had done the right thing or not but forcing himself not to care. He could not solve everyone's problems, he knew this. He had only one important mission, and everything else was beyond his grasp. Trying to help everything work out for the best would stretch himself too thin, when his sanity was already so dangerously pushed to begin with.

Knowing he would now be unable to sleep, too pumped with adrenaline and stress, Cloud volunteered to take the last watch. He sat on the tailgate, not caring about the rain anymore, First Sword drawn across his lap.

Perhaps Shinra was in the wrong, it wouldn't have been the first time. But it wasn't Cloud's responsibility to do anything about it, he had a different purpose. And as time went on, he was finding it hard to care about anything else.

The rest of the mission went much smoother after that. The rain cleared up later the next day, and while they still had to get out and push it out of the mud in some places, they were able to sit in the back and soak in the sun instead of wading through mud keeping up with the truck.

They had rolled out most of their bedrolls and blankets on the tailgate, as well as other various items they were trying to dry out in the sun. When they were sure the sun was out for good, they rolled back the canvas top of the truck a ways to let more sunlight into the box, sprawling out and enjoying themselves.

Ben had taken a while, but eventually forgave Nial. The night he had forgotten to drug the prisoners had been a rough day, and while disappointing it was easy to understand how he could have forgotten. It also helped that Ben himself had been sleeping on the watch. Cloud had been the one to stay up during the night, and despite the fact he had to drink a couple of hypers throughout the day after to get by, he managed. This was his element, he realized after a while. Being on the road, travelling, fighting. It reminded him of a different time, when he and his group of friends had been on a mission to save the world. Moving from place to place constantly, fighting their way through each day.

Those times seemed simpler now, even though they had been so chaotic back then. Perhaps because the enemy had been easier to distinguish, the target easier to access. Clouds mission now involved more than just fighting, and he didn't have the backup he once had.

By the time they had reached Costa Del Sol, everyone was in good spirits. They drove to the harbour and reported in, unloading the prisoners and arranging their transportation back to Junon. There was a couple hour layover while they waited for the ship to arrive, and they all quickly jumped on the opportunity to throw themselves at the beach, laying in the sun and just relaxing. Cloud had chosen to sit at a picnic table overlooking the sea while the other SOLDIER's flopped into the sand. A mixture of the sound of the waves and the warmth of the sun lulled him into an contented doze that he was not broken out of until it was time to leave.

Both the sail to Junon, and the helicopter ride back to Midgar contained the same easy spirits. They swapped stories, played cards, chatted about their lives. It was a comfortable atmosphere, and for the first time in a very long time, Cloud found himself happy, content.

When they arrived in Midgar they were offloaded at the Shinra building, and Cloud heard the friendly announcement echo through the halls that their squad had returned from a successful mission. The attendants at the doors were happy to greet them, leading them to where they would be debriefed. Cloud received special commendation for his alertness, which encouraged his mood further. All thoughts of what the prisoners were now experiencing in Midgar were far from Cloud's mind.

"So, do you guys want to go for lunch?" Chev asked as they exited the conference room.

"It's only ten, it's not even lunch time." Robby complained.

"I'm hungry!"

"You're always hungry."

"We deserve a good lunch, man." Chev declared, and the others seemed to have fallen into agreement. "There's this new pub on the plate, I hear it has the most amazing steak you'll ever eat."

Ben's stomach rumbled loudly at the thought, causing the others to snicker. "Alright, let's go then."

Cloud nodded his agreement, but just as they were about to leave the phone inside his pocket vibrated, still on silence from the conference. Answering it, he was surprised to hear Zack.

"Hey! I heard the announcement that you guys are back!" Zack said happily, on the other end. "Everything went well?"

"Yeah." Cloud agreed. "It was good."

"You sound good! Who would have thought a mission would make you happy. Then again..." Zack laughed. "So what are you up to?"

"Was going to have some lunch. Would you like to come?"

"I can't, I'm in training right now. Just taking a break to call. I'll be at it for a couple hours, if you'd like to have lunch then."

"Training?" Cloud couldn't help but remember their interrupted training session, and while some parts of it were enough to bring heat to his cheeks, he longed for the idea of training. He was in good spirits, his energy levels were high, and just coming back from a mission with limited action, he felt the need to blow off some steam.

Zack seemed to pick up on all of this, just from the tone of Cloud's voice. "Yeah, training. Want to come join in? I'll buy you lunch wherever you were planning on going after. Training center five."

"Alright." Cloud agreed, "I'll be there in a few."

Hanging up and turning to the SOLDIER who he was surprised to see were all watching him. He pocketed his phone and touched a hand to his hair. "Uh, can I rain check that lunch?"

Ben snorted. "Figures. Training the moment you get back from a mission? You're out of your mind." Still, he grinned and lightly punched Cloud's shoulder, a friendly gesture of camaraderie. "We'll have plenty of time for lunch. I'm sure we will be seeing a lot more of you around, what with the SOLDIER entrance exams coming up. You'll be one of us before you know it."

They all grinned and nodded their agreement, and Cloud left the hallway with a bare smile pulling at his lips. Comrades were something he had nearly forgotten. During the Last War, he had taken good care of his men, had fostered honour and loyalty among them. His soldiers fought to the death for what they believed in, and while these were different circumstances all together, it was still comforting to know that there were people in this world who he could fight with, who he could feel comfortable on the battlefield around.

The fact that they were part of Shinra, a company that had done so much to harm humanity, was just a quirk.

He didn't want to hold up Zack, and was eager to start training, so Cloud didn't bother dumping his gear in his room. Instead he made his way to the training center fully armed, First Sword fully assembled at his back, the sheath's pockets and mystile filled with materia.

As he swung open the door to the training center he was to meet Zack in, he was rather unpleasantly surprised to see Angeal standing with Zack, correcting his stance as he ran him through some complex disarming techniques, ones that the older man had used on Cloud the last time they'd trained together.

Zack stopped and turned to Cloud when he heard him come in, smiling brightly while he waved Cloud over. Angeal simply nodded to acknowledge the blond's presence. There was no hostility in his posture, and so Cloud walked to where they were standing. He was wary of Angeal, knew that the man wanted to interrogate him badly. But his confidence that he would refrain from doing so while training Zack was strong, the younger SOLDIER had invited him there, after all. Still, there was no harm in being cautious, and so he mimicked the polite nod in Angeal's direction. Quiet and courteous, perhaps then Angeal would start to believe that Cloud was truly not a threat.

Zack was grinning at him. "Well don't you just look like a hardcore SOLDIER." He said with both admiration and amusement, obviously referring to Cloud's attire.

"Didn't change. Just came from debriefing. Managed to shower back in Junon, was covered head to toe in mud."

"Rough mission?"

"Just rain, mostly. Went well. It felt good to be out there doing something." Because Cloud was a warrior, he felt better when he had a sword in his hand and blood on his mind. Dealing with people and normalcy could be left for someone else, all he needed was a reason to fight. Perhaps that's what Angeal saw in him, what the man was worried about.

Cloud knew he was in no danger, The Planet had an iron grip on him and gave him his sole reason to fight. That would be all he fought for, until his purpose was completed and his promised rest would come.

"You look good." Zack smiled, perhaps a little suggestive. Cloud was now able to tell when Zack was restraining himself, able to recognize the signs of Zack's mind approaching the gutter.

Angeal apparently knew how to recognize them as well. "If you're done chatting, back to training." He said, while picking up two VR helmets and tossing them to Cloud and Zack.

Catching his and plunking it onto his head, Cloud reached into his sheath to adjust his materia. He added cure and haste to an already loaded mystile, checking to make sure shell and wall were in First Swords hilt, as well. Cloud played a good support role with Zack. Though he lacked Zack's endurance and strength, he was better with magic and healing. Combined, they made a great team.

Looking up as he closed his sheath pocket, he caught the stern stare Angeal was giving him. Choosing to ignore it, Cloud dropped the visor down over his eyes, doing his best to avoid confrontation with Zack's mentor -- lover. Hoping that Angeal would do the same, he drew First Sword and focused on the Welcome! screen flashing before his eyes.

Angeal selected their mission, and Cloud stiffened in surprise when a level 60 mission's details rolled across the screen. These were for high ranking SOLDIER, training strategy and teamwork as hard as combat skills, not for a 3rd Class and a cadet. Zack seemed to share his sentiment.

"Hey! That's a pretty tough one." Zack said, sounding slightly alarmed, his voice audible to Cloud even though he could not see him through the blue screen of the VR visor.

"If I didn't think you could handle it, I wouldn't suggest you try." Angeal answered easily, and Cloud found himself frowning. He knew Angeal pushed Zack hard in training, but obviously had never made him do a mission like this. Which meant Cloud was the difference, and this made the blond suspect Angeal was testing him. Perhaps the man had recognized Cloud's materia, or heard about his mission's progress. Was Angeal challenging him, to see if he knew how to use the equipment he possessed? Or was it something more dangerous -- did Angeal already know, and was instead testing to see just how powerful Cloud was?

Cloud was sure that revealing any more strength than he already had would not go well. His course of action was clear.

"We can do it, Zack." Cloud said confidently, "You're SOLDIER, right?"

As the mission started, the virtual landscape started to generate around them. Zack appeared at Cloud's side, his sword drawn and at the ready. As mission instructions were repeated by an artificially feminine voice, Cloud reached for Mystile. Materia flared to life as he cast --protect, shell, and haste swirled around them as All materia pulsed.

"You can go full out." Cloud instructed once the mission's instructions were done. They were to infiltrate and recapture a war base that had been overthrown by enemy troops. Then, they were to defend that base against further attacks, stemming the flow of enemies by destroying a second base, located in a mountain range behind them. It as a complicated mission, requiring the need to practice and balance both offence, and defence. Cloud was grateful for the store of materia he had in his sheath, as he was sure it would come in handy. "I'll play support."

Their target base was backed by cliffs and mountainous terrain. A forest covered the west side of the base, and open meadow on the other. They were located on the far side of the field, and as Cloud adjusted his visor to scan and zoom function, he saw that the tall walls of the base were protected with turrets. It would be handy for defence when they had possession of the base, but a pain when trying to infiltrate. Destroying them was out of the question, because they would be so necessary later. Which left the forested side -- they would have to enter from cover, without alerting the guards. Some of the trees were exceptionally tall, perhaps tall enough to help them clear the wall.

Exiting scan mode, Cloud looked across to Zack, who was looking rather overwhelmed. "This is going to be hard." Zack said. "How do we even take a base, never mind two, and defend...?" Despite the fact that it was more complicated than any training mission Zack had previously ran, he was scanning the area, trying to find a solution. It brought a pleased smile to Cloud's face, because this was the Zack he remembered. A leader and strategist, one who did not simply give up, and would find a way through any situation. Perhaps he was inexperienced now, but with more training and practice, it would come.

"There are two entrances." Cloud said, deciding to give a quick rundown to help Zack plan. "One is into the mountain, currently inaccessible." Zack was paying attention, listening intently. Cloud was pleased that Zack took him seriously, understanding that the blond knew what he was doing. "The other entrance is heavily guarded by turrets and who knows what else. We could destroy them, but that would weaken our own defences later." Zack nodded, though he was frowning.

"So how do we get in?"

"The west side is forested, right up to the wall. This will provide cover, and hopefully we will be able to use one of the taller trees to get over the wall. Once we are inside, we destroy any resistance. Surprise attack, close range combat, fast and hard. Defensive magic and buffs will help." Cloud explained, touching his materia. Zack was now grinning as their plan started to form.

"The attacks will come from the mountains, tunnels and pathways. All of it will be close quarters, dangerous terrain. Close range combat is our specialty. We let no one past, set up barriers and blockades. We storm the enemy base head on. Destroy everything, no holds barred. Destruction magic will help.

"Damn." Zack muttered, "I didn't know you were so good at analysis and strategizing, on top of everything else."

'War was my life', Cloud was tempted to say, but instead he only smiled with a flattered embarrassment. "I studied a lot."

Zack only grinned before he drew his sword, pointing it at the trees. "So, shall we begin?"

As he drew First Sword Cloud nodded, letting the tension of battle flow through him like the magic of the buffs he had cast. "Definitely."

Everything went according to plan. A particularly tall tree near the wall, when felled, provided a ramp into their target base. Cloud was careful about his own offensive, falling instead to Zack's back, carefully destroying anything that came too close. The buffs he cast protected them from the onslaught that threatened to overwhelm them, and a few well placed spells removed the threat of any enemies that tried to stay out of the melee.

The barriers Cloud cast on the mountain trails and turrets stopped any assault that managed to slip past their aggressive assault. A well timed berserk spell turned Zack into a well oiled killing machine, removing all hesitation and concern from the man's mind, allowing him to be overcome by the heat of battle. Quake crumbled the wall of the enemy base, and once they burst through the front lines of resistance, they were unstoppable as they stormed the area.

After the mission was complete, Zack threw off his helmet and tackled Cloud in an excited hug, before the blond could even finish removing his visor. "That was amazing!" Zack exclaimed, grabbing Cloud by the shoulders. "It was like, the best mission I've ever ran. Right, Angeal?"

Some of Zack's enthusiasm disappeared when he looked across to Angeal, and Cloud tentatively followed the SOLDIER's gaze. Angeal did not look happy, and his angry expression was clearly directed at Cloud. All at once, Cloud knew he had handled the situation wrong, had done nothing to alleviate Angeal's suspicion. The man had been testing him, trying to prove something, but Cloud had misjudged the man's intentions.

"It was well done." Angeal said, complimenting Zack. And by the steady, vicious gaze Angeal maintained, Cloud knew that it was only Zack he was praising. "You fought well, stuck to the plan, and followed expert guidance."

Cloud then knew what he had done wrong. Angeal had not been testing his strength, probably something the older man was already familiar with. He was testing Cloud's knowledge, his experience. Both were something steroids would have no effect on, something Cloud had so far kept hidden by keeping his head down and following orders.

But no cadet had the training or the experience to take the lead and execute strategies on the battle field. They did not have the ability to analyze their partner's strengths and weaknesses. Common infantrymen were not trained to use supportive magic in the way Cloud had. His course of action should have instead been to follow Zack's lead, allow the man to determine their course of action, and charge in fully offensive and allow them to be gunned down. Perhaps then Angeal would rest easy knowing Cloud was powerful, but harmless.

Instead, he had just demonstrated how capable he was, how dangerous he could be. He had proven he was anything but a normal cadet, and who knew what conclusion Angeal was drawing, now.

"I should go." Cloud said softly as Zack released him, the brunet sensing how tense the situation had become.

"No. You should start explaining." Angeal said, his words obviously an order. Angeal once again had moved between Cloud and the exit.

There was aggression in the man's posture, and without thinking his actions through, Cloud reached for First Sword in a purely defensive reflex. His actions were obviously misunderstood. Zack flinched away, stepping back and out of the line of fire. Angeal instantly drew the training sword at his side, and pointed it directly at Cloud.

"Do not draw that sword unless you plan on seeing it through to the end."

Cloud's hand jerked from the handle of his blade as if it had burned him, automatically putting both hands in the air to show he was not taking an offensive stand. "I don't want to fight you." Cloud said quietly, honestly, but Angeal did not lower his sword.

"Yes, you are not a threat, correct? Just a normal teenage cadet? There are SOLDIER captains that have been unable to complete that mission with a full team, due to lack of planning or foresight. Support squads, fully trained and equipped, only dream of providing the level of aid you so effortlessly gave. But of course, you have had no formal training. And of course, there is nothing threatening about your knowledge or skills."

Cloud was not sure what to say, his hands still hanging in the air while his brain scrambled for some kind of response. Angeal had a counter for anything he could respond with, an accusation prepared for any reply. He was at a loss for words as he simply stood there, blankly.

Angeal seemed to know he had Cloud in a corner, and so he advanced, moving towards Cloud with his sword still drawn, tilted in line with Cloud's throat. "You aren't going to waste my time with more denials and cover stories? So why not tell me the truth, then. How did you learn what you know?"

The truth to that question would be unbelievable. Years of fighting, years of pain and trials, victories and defeats. He learned to command an army who was ready to fight to the death, because there had been no one else left who could. He learned how to play all roles on the battlefield, to be a one man army, because in the end he had been the only one left.

"Necessity." Cloud whispered, knowing it was the truth. He had learned from pure necessity. But Angeal obviously did not accept this answer, his glare becoming more intense, and Cloud found he could no longer meet it as he shifted his gaze to the ground instead. "You would never understand."

"Try me." Angeal growled, and finally something within Cloud snapped.

"Just leave me alone!" Cloud snarled, and before he was aware of what his temper had done, First Sword was drawn and held out from him, pointed at Angeal in a way that mirrored the training sword the man still brandished. "I say that I am no threat, and I haven't been lying. I've done nothing to harm anyone that warrants your actions. Your suspicions are unfounded. Either find something tangible to accuse me of, or keep your ignorant ideas to yourself!"

There was nothing scared or defensive in either Cloud's tone or his posture. He was close to an edge that he could not cross, a point of no return. He was fed up and angry with the persecution. He knew that somewhere he wanted Angeal to attack him, to give him a reason to respond violently. He knew something in his eyes was showing just a little bit of instability. Perhaps this was the closest he had ever come to simply losing it. The closest to becoming entirely the weapon The Planet had turned him into, simply a violent tool to be used wherever he was placed.

He hadn't expected the dangerous sort of amusement that crossed Angeal's features, and it was enough to throw him off guard, gave him a chance to regain his senses. "You think my suspicions are unfounded? You think I'm concerned you are some sort of threat to Shinra? You think I don't realize there is far more to it than that?" There was something in Angeal's words that struck fear into Cloud. How much did Angeal know? What if the man wasn't simply being protective? "Do not misunderstand. Just because I am unsure of what you are, does not mean I don't believe you are more than what you appear. I know you are dangerous, and a very real threat to those who are close to me."

Cloud took a desperate look at Zack, who was standing against the training center wall, his eyes wide as he stared at the two of them with a fear that Cloud could understand, and hated to be the cause of. "I would never hurt Zack." He whispered.

"He is not the only person in this world you threaten." Angeal said, his voice still low and oh so dangerous. "Perhaps not Zack, but what of Sephiroth?"

The question and the name behind it came from nowhere, threw Cloud completely off balance and unsure of how to respond. His mind was fully returned to him, crashing down around his ears and bringing with it confusion and panic all at once. "Sephiroth?" When Angeal remained transfixed, clearly not willing to elaborate, Cloud felt the aggression completely drain from him, First Sword lowered to the floor. "How do you think I am a threat to Sephiroth? I've never even met him."

He had hoped Angeal had simply been grasping at straws, even if he knew from the man's expression that such hope was completely unfounded. "Because General Sephiroth dreams every night of his death at your hands. He can describe to me exactly what you look like, even though he has never seen you before. He can describe to the every detail the sword you carry, and all the ways you use it, despite the fact he's never seen you fight. But I have. I know there is no mistake."

Cloud was stunned, confused. Zack was having dreams, he knew this and he had assumed they were of the future Cloud had been sent to prevent. But Sephiroth? If the silver demon was having dreams of that future, then he would indeed have reason to be threatened by Cloud. Especially if those dreams omitted Sephiroth's insanity, the fact that Cloud had been not only fighting for his own life, but for the life of The Planet which Sephiroth had been so keen on destroying.

"They are dreams." Cloud found himself saying, "Only dreams."

"So it's a coincidence, that both me and Zack share this same type of dream? That we both dream of the same things?" Cloud could see the pain on Angeal's face, and when he glanced to the side, he saw the pain on Zack's as well. He knew little about what had happened between these two in the past. He knew that Angeal had not been around shortly after he had met Zack, knew that something had changed Zack's personality drastically in that time. But he could not bring himself to ask.

"Is it a coincidence too," Angeal continued, "That after my death in those dreams Zack carried on with Buster Sword? A sword and fighting style completely unique to us two? A coincidence that when he too, dies in these dreams, he gives that sword to you? And here you are, carrying it's equal, fighting with a style that only me and Zack would know - and I haven't even trained Zack in yet! Using the very same techniques in training sessions that you used to kill one of my best friends in those dreams!"

Cloud was shaking. What were these dreams? How did Angeal know so much, simply from piecing together the parts that had been related to him? Even if he had known about the dreams or how people were having them, how was Cloud supposed to explain it? How was he supposed to explain his own role in them, his presence in this world?

"They're dreams." Cloud whispered, imploring Angeal's sense of reason. "I can't control dreams. I don't know why you are having them, but that's all they are."

Angeal seemed unsure of what exactly he was accusing Cloud of. He knew the blond was involved, but Cloud was not giving him any ground. Cloud could use the irrational nature of his circumstances to disprove anything Angeal could piece together. It was unfair, he knew. Angeal was carrying the burden of knowing there was a connection, but being unable to understand it.

But Cloud had his own burdens, and people were better off not knowing that their dreams were anything more than that.

"You know." Angeal finally said. "You know everything, but you aren't telling."

"Both you, Zack, and Sephiroth are all still alive and well." Cloud pointed out. "I have not displayed suicidal tendencies that have caused me to make attempts on Sephiroth's life. You still have your sword. What is there to explain? They are only dreams."

"If they were only dreams, then I would not be looking at you right now." Angeal said quietly. "You would still be the boy Zack befriended in his dreams, the cadet in your records."

Cloud's head spun with the implications, the very intelligent conclusion. This man knew more than enough to be dangerous, knew more about Cloud than the blond imagined anyone from this life ever knowing. But Angeal was only making assumptions, he had nothing concrete and he could not prove anything. Cloud clung to that knowledge, fully aware it was the only way he would be able to escape the man's suspicions.

"Just what are you suggesting?"

There it was. Angeal was prepared to connect the dots, but not to guess what they meant. Any rationalization was impossible and unrealistic, and Angeal was not willing to believe that this was what his reasoning was coming up with. "Why don't you tell me?"

Cloud drew himself to full height, unintimidating as it was, and sheathed First Sword at his back. "If you are concerned I might attack Sephiroth, you have my word I'm not stupid enough to try and assassinate a General of the Shinra army. I advise you tell him that they are just dreams, and not encourage the foolish notion that dreams have any impact on reality."

Angeal opened his mouth to argue, but Cloud held up a hand to cut him off. "They may be unusual, you may be able to make connections. But it doesn't matter. Reality is what you should focus on. And until you have something real to accuse me of," Cloud sighed. "Just leave me alone, and I'll do the same to you and those close to you."

He wasn't sure if he would be able to keep that promise forever. He knew little about Sephiroth, but if the man once again became a threat to the planet, he would have to be removed. However until that happened, Cloud was not going to get involved.

And if he had to leave Zack behind as well, so be it. His focus had to be placed on his purpose, even if it meant sacrificing what little of his humanity he had regained and what pleasures he had found. He was no stranger to sacrifice.

Angeal did not move to block him as he exited the training center, and for that Cloud was grateful. It was harder to leave Zack, knowing that Angeal might now stop him from seeing the young man again, as the blond had offered. The pressure on his mind was great, The Planet's voices garbled and hard to make out as they tried to speak with him, but Cloud decided it was just as well. The Planet never had any comfort in their words.

As Cloud left, the two SOLDIER remaining looked at each other evenly.

"I believe he's not a threat to us." Zack declared after a long silence, moving towards Angeal. "Is it possible that you're just...reading too much into this?" He whispered, sounding almost hopeful in his wish that things were more simple than they appeared.

"No." Angeal said, shaking his head as he looped his arms around Zack's shoulders, pulling him into a comforting embrace. "I know I'm right." After another long silence, Angeal finally laughed. "I just don't know what I'm right about."