This chapter was kicked into high gear after getting a third review for ch.4 earlier today! Writing this story has been loads of fun, what with trying to convey everything strictly through dialogue. As usual, if any part seems ambiguous or confusing, please let me know so I can try to make it better.
I wish I owned Final Fantasy, but...I don't. hmm
The Ubiquitous Network of Zack Fair
Ch. 5 Kunsel: Just a little longer...
09MAY22 0913
Tifa: theres some kinda townhall mtg goin on. whats this lady look like?
Zack: blonde, stuck-up, mean, always has a cig, always wears bright red.
Tifa: i just see a buncha guys, maybe shes inside
Tifa: ooh fight!
Zack: fight?
Tifa: skinny white guy just punched a big black guy. i guess black guy is pro mako, and other guy is pro coal. most ppl seem pro coal
Zack: hmm i wanna back the pro coal folks, tho our lives kinda depend on them going pro mako, so kuns can come and scout this place and pick us up. how crappy
Tifa: well maybe he can still come out to scout? its not like theyre building it yet
Zack: i'll ask
09MAY22 0936
Kunsel: I'm pretty certain now that Shinra isn't gonna give a shit what Corel wants, they're gonna build that reactor. Recon set for take-off tomorrow at 0600 hrs. Estimated arrival is 0715. Lazard is so awesome, I convinced him to just put me and Lux as the recon team! Did you know Lux can fly a helicopter??
Zack: AWESOME!! i did not know lux had such mad skillz... have you guys got a full briefing yet
Kunsel: Yeah, when I get the Corel Mtns map, I'll mark a good spot to pick you guys up. Maybe you guys can help us determine a good place for the future reactor!
Zack: oh i just can't wait... btw how long is scarlet gonna be here, she's stunk up the inn with her damn cigs i'm about to die
Kunsel: The final decision is supposed to be announced later today, then I'm sure she'll make sure to get the hell out of that town before nightfall. If you die on her cigs after surviving being Hojo's test subject, I'll be insanely pissed.
Zack: lol
09MAY22 1047
Tifa: just talked to the general store owner. he seems pretty resigned that the mako reactor's gonna be built
Zack: kuns just basically confirmed that. they're gonna build no matter what. final decision is sposed to be announced today
Tifa: im comin back now to drop off stuff. then im gonna join the townhall mtg to see whats up
Zack: be careful, keep a low profile
09MAY22 1100
"Damn, you bought a lotta stuff! Here, I'll get that giant bag..."
"All they got were these denim overalls, it's like all they wear here. Here's some shirts, too. Socks and boxers for you guys. This pair of cool, aviator sunglasses for you—"
"Awesome!!! These are badass!"
"I got a couple hats, too—"
"A fedora!! Cloud can have the newsboy cap. Badassssss! Thanks, Tif! What's in the backpack?"
"Oh, just food, and a bunch of water."
"Man, sorry I couldn't help you lug all the crap..."
"It wasn't that heavy... Anyway, they're getting rowdy out there, so I think something's going down. They're all men, though, so I'm thinking you should go. Not to mention you'll know who those Shinra people are. With the overalls, sunglasses and the hat, you'd fit in just fine. Maybe rough up the overalls with a bit dirt? I'll stay and look after Cloud."
"Sounds good to me. He's just been passed out since he hit the bed, so no worries there."
09MAY22 1108
"NO TO SHINRA! Support our campaign!"
"Hey, so I was just traveling through, what's the story?"
"The evil corporation Shinra wants to take over our long tradition of coal minin' and turn us into their slaves for their stuff!"
"Stuff?"
"They call it a 'Mako Reactor', son. It's dangerous, and turns the land around it into a wasteland! Are you from these parts?"
"Uh, no, actually, I'm from Gongaga, actually, yeah."
"Gongaga? Then you should really be against Mako Reactors!"
"Er, I actually haven't been back in a while since I've been traveling..."
"You don't know?? The reactor blew up there last year, killing half the town!"
"WHAT?"
"Yeah, Shinra's been coverin' that up best they can—hey, are you okay? Breathe, son! I got some water here, take it..."
"...thanks. Sorry...about that. So... is the meeting going on in the hall?"
"Nah, son, it don't start 'til twelve-thirty. But you bet the two camps're fightin' hard before the big vote. Damn Barret's convinced at least half the town already. But we're stayin' strong."
"Barret? That guy talking to the crowd over there?"
"Yeah, he was one of our the best miners, too. Shameful."
"If you don't mind, I would like to go talk to him. Maybe see if I can't figure something out."
"You ain't going over, now are ya?"
"No, don't worry about that."
09MAY22 1119
Zack: tell me it isn't true, kuns... i just heard from one of the townspeople that the gongaga reactor blew up last year and killed half the town...
Kunsel: Man, Zack... I'm sorry, but it was true. Don't worry, though, your parents are safe, I had checked on that when I first heard about it.
Zack: oh my god, thanks, kuns...
Kunsel: What're you doing running around outside?
Zack: tif had bought a bunch of overalls, hats, and stuff for us. all the the ppl here at this town hall are guys, so if she came to snoop around she'd stick out.
Kunsel: Well, I'm sure Scarlet and her goons wouldn't know us anyway without our SOLDIER outfit on. Not like she ever cared look our way anyway. BUT, KEEP YOUR CELLPHONE OUT OF SIGHT. IT'S A SHINRA-ONLY PHONE!!!
Zack: oh shit, you're right. ok, i'm gonna turn it off til i get back to the room. see ya
Kunsel: Good luck, don't get into trouble, please... we're coming tomorrow!!
Zack: roger that, kunz.
09MAY22 1146
Zack: tif, just lettin you know that i'm turning off the phone while i'm out here. kuns reminded me it's shinra issued.
Tifa: ok
09MAY22 1146
"Hi, are you Barret?"
"That I am, how can I help ya?"
"Well, I've been on this journey to see the world, and I just happened by your town. I talked to the man over there and he mentioned you. See, I'm originally from Gongaga, so I kinda felt obligated to warn you about those Mako reactors..."
"I understand your worries, man. Now, I ain't no big fan o' Shinra, mind ya, but coal has got no future. It's just the sad truth, and we really got no choice. Coal's been in our blood for ages, but we've been losin' contracts to alotta small towns, who'd rather go with Nibelheim's reactor. Coal's limited, too. Old man Jay don't see it, but we've been minin' the Corel Mount'ns since our granddaddies. There can only be so much, I tell ya!"
"I'm really not trying to tell you whether you're right or wrong. To be honest, Shinra just built the reactor at Gongaga without asking us, so as far as I'm concerned, it's not like you guys had much of a choice anyway. But, hey, just don't let that disaster repeat. I hear they were covering that up, too."
"I know Shinra ain't no saint—far from it. And, honestly, the Gongaga blow-up ain't light on my mind. I'm really sorry 'bout your town."
"Well, my parents survived... I don't know if I'd be this calm otherwise, actually. Anyway, never trust Shinra, that's all I gotta say."
"Understood, and I thank ya for your concern. Good luck on your travels."
09MAY22 1337
Kunsel: I sent the map and marked the drop spot that seemed the best. Let me know what you think.
Zack: man i just got back from the townhall 'vote'. scarlet was so oily i had to wash my hands and my face when i got back to the room.
Zack: hey, we're gonna choose a build spot far away from town. no more gongaga's.
Kunsel: I know, I know. I was eyeing this ridge in the Corel Mtns. Should be high enough and far away enough, maybe. The problem with making it far though is that the people gotta get there somehow to work.
Zack: ah right... well the one in nibel was up a mtn.
Kunsel: That was a class 1 reactor. It's Shinra's top-of-the-line, and it was top secret. Only Shinra scientists worked there...as you know. Corel's will be Class 3, like Gongaga, locally employed.
Zack: top secret fuckin brewery of death. anyway what the hell is class 2 then
Kunsel: The Midgar reactors.
Zack: hey i know! we can build a ski-lift thingy for Corel!
Kunsel: lol Anyway, c'mon look at the map and tell me what you think.
...
Zack: it's a go, kunz!! We'll be there at the spot at 0715 tomorrow sharp!!
Kunsel: CAN'T WAIT TO SEE YOU!!
09MAY22 2032
Zack: aerith! i'm coming back to midgar tomorrow if everything goes well!!
Aerith: Zack!! Where will you be??
Zack: i think we'll be staying at a place in sector 7. I can't wait to go see you!
Aerith: Tell me where you'll be! I'll come see you!
Zack: you don't have to do that... isn't it dangerous?
Aerith: Zack Fair, I've lived in the slums all my life, I'm not defenseless!
Zack: ahh i'm sorry, sweets. we'll be at a bar called seventh heaven. ask kuns to figure out where it is, because i don't actually know.
Aerith: And don't worry, Zack, I'll sneak out so Tseng won't see me!
Zack: good thinking, aerith! i really really really miss you
Aerith: No, I miss you more!
Reviews, comments, suggestions, constructive critique, all are very welcome.