The Reason

Chapter 15

“Radios on.” Tseng whispered. The group was nearing the bunker exit in Midgar. “Reno, you’re with Rude, as usual, Elena, you’re with me, and Vincent, you’re with Jexebel. Radio if anything happens.”

“Sir.” The group answered in unison.

Silence ensued as the rock hiding the bunker slid over, allowing the group to escape the darkness.

Vincent made sure that Jexebel was seated on her bike before mounting his own. Jexebel fought minutely, but as soon as she was set upon the machine, she immediately knew that she could control it.

The sound of six motors starting at the same time was almost like music as the Turks began their long trek into the ruins of the fallen city. It was dark out; not quite morning yet, and the air was cold, seeping into Jexebel’s skin. To her surprise, she found the bike ride thrilling, not terrifying like her ‘first’ experience with Vincent. Her face blossomed into a smile and she sped up, zipping around Vincent and laughing quietly. Reno whooped and joined her, the two zigzagging in and out of formation. Tseng didn’t seem to mind. He had grown fond his newest co-worker, and was glad to see her so free after all that she’d suffered. He heard Elena sigh longingly, and gave her a gentle nod, letting her know that if she wanted to join, it was okay with him. She squealed and sped up, joining the frolicking. Rude, Vincent, and Tseng hung back, as Jexebel expected. She looked over her shoulder to find Vincent with one of his trademark almost-smiles. She smiled at him, a smile that showed how thoroughly overjoyed she was to be free. Then, he surprised everyone in the group by speeding up and keeping pace with Jexebel. Playing with her. She let out a delighted sound and swerved to the right, spinning her bike in a circle. When she righted the vehicle, Vincent’s bike was nose to nose with hers. He nudged her front tire to the right, sending them both spinning, staying connected nose to nose the whole time as the two spun in what felt like slow motion. Jexebel stared at Vincent. The look on his face was one of animal enjoyment. Lust painted his features, making a shiver run through Jexebel’s body, and she returned the look ten-fold.

The bikes righted and Vincent came to ride at Jexebel’s side. She glanced at him and smiled seeing his braided hair flying behind him, long and silky.

Before long, Tseng and Rude adjusted their speed to keep up with the others, the group only slowing when the fallen structures of Midgar came into view.

“The entrance is this way.” Vincent said, remembering his time in Deepground last year.

“No, wait.” Jexebel said. They turned to look at her. “There’s another entrance. It’s this way.” Vincent nodded and followed her into a small building next door to the ShinRa tower.

Inside it was nothing but a small item shop. Potions and elixirs lined the walls, along with oddball items here and there scattered about the floor. Jexebel walked behind the counter and ran her hand underneath the countertop; searching for something, it seemed. She found it. She pressed a small red button and the back wall of the shop sank into the ground, revealing a rusty metal tunnel.

“Where does this lead?” Tseng asked. Jexebel slowed to walk beside him. “All of the tunnels in Deepground connect in some way, this one leads to a command center where we can get maps and data files.”

“Right on.” Reno said. Jexebel once again took the lead, striking a flare and lighting the way. They walked in eerie silence until they came to a big metal door. Rude pulled out a small computer to connect to the locking mechanism.

“No!” Jexebel whispered loudly, grabbing his arm before he inserted the computer card. “It’ll set of the silent alarm. Like this.”

She lifted her right hand and drew one of her knives with her left, carefully pricking her finger. She started at the top of the door, drawing a line down the center with her blood. The others watched in silent confusion, then awe as the line of blood began to glow, seeping into the door. The door began to shake, then lifted open to reveal a large room full of computers.

“What was that?” Vincent asked, quietly.

“The doors are mako sensitive. If any of you come to a door like that one, don’t use the computer system. It’s a security device. Everyone with clearance to these areas knows that the locks are like traps. Use your blood.” She explained.

“How do you know that we have ma-you know what? Never mind.” Tseng said, shaking his head.

“Here.” Jexebel walked to a large metal file box and retrieved three small plastic squares. She handed one to Tseng, one to Rude, and kept the last one. “These are maps. Just do this.” She threw the plastic square onto the floor, watching as it unfolded to become a three-dimensional map of the Deepground tunnels. “This,” she pointed to a room on the map, “is where the control center is. All of the back-up files we have are in this room. It’s our best bet for getting information without being noticed. There will be guards, probably six or seven of them, but they won’t be a problem. Tseng? Which way will you and Elena go?”

Tseng took over from there, looking over t he map and deciding how they should approach the room. After receiving a nod from Jexebel as to whether or not it was a good plan, the group donned their headsets and split into twos.

“Here, Vincent. Stick it in a pocket.” Jexebel handed him the map. He took it, sticking it in an inside pocket of his jacket. He turned to her and pulled her into his arms as soon as the others left the room.

“When we get back to the bunker…” He said nuzzling her hair. She chuckled softly.

“Then lets get this over with, shall we?”

He pushed away from her and nodded, stepping aside and motioning for her to lead the way.

Not once did they need to use the map. Jexebel knew the tunnels better than she knew herself, it seemed. In less than twenty minutes, they were approaching the door to the control room.

She used Morse code to locate the others.

“Where are you?” she asked.

“Rounding the corner to what looks like your right.” Came the reply from Reno.

“We’re from your left.” Elena said.

At the same time, the other two groups came into view.

“All right, it’s through here. Inside there should be guards. If there aren’t, I suggest we get out, because that means they know we’re here.” Jexebel said. She pricked her finger again and ran in across the door. The door didn’t open. Instead, it began to glow a bright orange color.

“Shit!” She said, “Run! Go! The center hallway!”

“What?” Tseng asked, “What’s wrong?”

“Just GO!”

The group ran down the hallway and rounded the corner. As they did, the lights went out and a red light started flashing, an alarm buzzing loudly. Footsteps could be heard behind them as the group neared the entrance point.

“What happened?” Elena shouted over the alarm.

“I think when I disappeared they removed my clearance. I set off the alarm. I’m sorry.”

“Don’t blame yourself, Jexebel. You didn’t know.” Vincent said. Jexebel just shook her head and ran on, cutting in front of the group with Vincent right behind her,

Her body was like stone.

Vincent came to appreciate that fact when she stopped suddenly in front of him and he crashed into her. She didn’t even budge. He righted himself and peeked around her to a sight he hoped they wouldn’t have to face for a little longer.

Weiss. Weiss the Immaculate.

Then Jexebel said something that he had never in his worst nightmares imagined that she would say.

“Milo?”