I

THE DIRECTOR'S OFFICE

Embrace your dreams. And, whatever happens, protect your SOLDIER honour.

Angeal had always made it sound so simple. Even in the early days of his SOLDIER training, Zack's mentor had reinforced the principle. It had been cemented in Zack's psyche; the foundation on which every action, every mission, every decision to take or spare a life was based. Honour was the one thing that a SOLDIER should never compromise, Angeal had taught him. You must be willing to die for it.

Yet, Angeal had abandoned his honour in the end, and all that remained of his legacy was Zack's shattered credo.

Is that how little SOLDIER is worth these days? What do I have left to fight for?

The express elevator shuddered suddenly, returning the young man to the present. He glanced up at the monitor above the door, watching the numbers increase as he ascended through the levels of Shinra Headquarters: 22…23…24…25. Time seemed to slow while he counted, adding to what had already felt like an eternity in this cramped silver box. For all the difference it might have made, he could probably have taken the emergency stairwell.

Lowering his gaze, Zack caught sight of his reflection on the steel panels. He had not taken the opportunity to freshen up before heading for the SOLDIER Director's Office, and noticeable patches of grime still clung to his bare arms, as well as the dark blue poloneck and baggy combat trousers of his uniform. Thick spikes of black hair fell clumsily to one side of his face, caked in dust from the city's Slums.

Zack had spent the afternoon collecting scrap parts for Operation: Midgar Full of Flowers, Wallet Full of Money. That was the adorable name his girlfriend had given their endeavour of building a flower cart and selling the lilies that miraculously grew in the Sector5 church. He had been pleased with the results of his efforts, but Aerith seemed unnecessarily picky about the design of the wagon. Having been summoned back to HQ, there was not much more he could do right now.

It's all about the flowers, anyway.

In truth, sad though he was to leave Aerith at the church, Sephiroth's call had come as a welcome surprise. But for a brief and recent meeting in Junon, he and Zack had seen little of one another since the events at Modeoheim. The Company had eventually sent Zack on a compulsory vacation, presumably for his own mental health. The demands of his duties had limited his grieving, stalling his recovery from being forced to slay his mentor, and later two of his colleagues. Even now, after all these months, the deaths of Angeal, Essai and Sebastian still felt raw.

And I can hardly blame Sephiroth for avoiding me: Genesis and Angeal were his closest friends

With a resounding whir, the elevator began to decelerate, finally approaching the 51st floor. Eager to learn about the developments Sephiroth had spoken of on the phone, Zack fell into his usual habit of performing squats, quickly realising the six-foot greatsword on his back was something of a hindrance in such a tight space. Groaning, he stood upright, brushing a last wad of dirt from his bicep as the doors parted.

The Director's Office for Shinra, Inc.'s Department of SOLDIER was open plan for the most part, partitioned mainly by glass walls that bore various digital displays. Like much of the tower's interior, there was a grey, sterile look to the décor, broken only by the coloured glass and the stark crimson diamond of the Company's emblem. Zack had not attended the office in a while, but the faint scent of Lazard's aftershave still lingered on the air.

Lazard had been the Director of SOLDIER since before Zack joined the organisation, but had recently abandoned his post amid an investigation by General Affairs. Evidence was uncovered that not only linked him to the rogue SOLDIER, Genesis, but proved he was using Company money to fund Dr Hollander's research into curing Genesis' degredation. In the wake of Lazard's disappearance, Director Heidegger, head of the Security Department, had assumed command of SOLDIER. There was even talk of an amalgamation of all military and police divisions, and promoting Heidegger to the rank of General.

Shinra's in disarray right now, with the fallout of the Genesis Army attacks, the Wusheng insurgents in the city, and the re-emergence of AVALANCHE. Giving Heidegger more authority would be a disaster. I don't know what's worse, his incompetency or that stupid horse laugh…

Following the corridor, Zack soon came to the central office of the 51st floor. A pair of stylish workstations dominated the broad chamber, vacant now that Lazard's computers and paper records had been confiscated. A library of reports and books covered one wall, and opposite it the shuttered windows of private rooms. Above the large, crescent desk at the rear of the space hung an enormous briefing screen, currently exhibiting a map of the Planet with several blinking red markers across it. One of the highlighted locations was Gongaga, his hometown, half a world away.

Reactor sites…?

Sephiroth stood beneath the television, deep in thought as he studied its contents. He turned when he heard Zack's footsteps approach, offering a curt nod to acknowledge his colleague. The bangs of his lengthy silver hair framed his sharp features, a unique shade for a man in his mid-twenties. As always, the Captain was clad wholly in black but for metallic shoulder guards strapped on either side of his high collar. His leather trenchcoat had been buckled at the waist to expose his bare chest and crested belt of SOLDIER beneath, its tail hanging limply around the polished ankles of his boots. Sullen as he was, Sephiroth's sheer presence was awe-inspiring; the swordsman was a living legend.

"It's good to see you," he greeted Zack, his jade green eyes flashing with sincerity.

"This place has changed a bit, huh?" the SOLDIER First Class remarked in response. "It feels so empty."

"You can thank the Turks for that," muttered Sephiroth. "They're still reviewing Lazard's files. He corrupted most of them before he fled, but there's enough evidence to lock him up for treason."

Zack had always had a good relationship with the Director, so learning the extent of his betrayal did not sit well. He frowned, and gestured to the screen. "So, what's the big emergency?"

"Legions of monsters have spawned near a regional Mako Reactor," Sephiroth informed him. "We received a distress call a few days ago, but it would appear the facility's workers have since gone missing."

"All of them?"

Sephiroth's expression was like stone, difficult to read. "Local SOLDIER operatives have vanished, too."

"Huh…?"

"The Company is dispatching a special SOLDIER unit to investigate the matter. You and I, to be exact."

"Understood," mumbled Zack, folding his arms across his chest and turning away.

The Captain peered at him curiously. "What's wrong?"

"It's just…" Zack paused for a moment, sighing. "I thought you'd found something out about…that other matter."

At their last encounter, Sephiroth had intimated to Zack his suspicions that Genesis did not die at Modeoheim, and that throwing himself into the abyss of the frozen mines was a ruse. In recent months, Genesis' foot soldiers had been sighted all around the Planet, seemingly searching for something. Sephiroth was convinced their theft of Hollander's anti-degredation equipment from Modeoheim – not to mention the successful breakout of the scientist from Shinra custody – was proof that his old friend lived.

"The missing SOLDIERs were the ones tracking Lazard," he replied grimly, leaning back on the desktop. "They also reported a strange, pod-like device at the Reactor."

Zack's jaw dropped, and he met Sephiroth's gaze. "You mean…is it Hollander's?"

"Probably," speculated the Captain, his brows furrowing. "We may find the fugitives there. Lazard…Hollander…"

"…and Genesis," finished Zack, lost for words.

Could his theory really be true? If so, then Angeal…

"We should go pay them a visit," Sephiroth said as he straightened up, slowly pacing across the room, his long locks floating behind.

Zack nodded, straining to keep the eagerness from his voice. "Definitely."

"Then go gather your things," he instructed, stopping in front of the library to admire the collection. "Our Turks contact is currently en route. We'll depart as soon as you and the men are ready."

"Roger that," beamed Zack, saluting his superior and making for the exit.

"Our orders are to investigate the Reactor," Sephiroth called after him, halting the young First Class in his stride. "They say nothing of old friends."

Zack glanced back over his shoulder, watching the Captain stare absently at the books for a few seconds before lowering his head. Sephiroth had rejected the Modeoheim mission because he knew how it would end. This time, things were not so transparent. "What are you going to do?"

"Depending on how things play out," he answered pensively, "I may have to abandon Shinra. But, until then, I'll remain loyal to SOLDIER."

"As will I," answered Zack, leaving him to his thoughts as he started back to the elevator.

Whatever happens, protect your SOLDIER honour

11