Cloud nodded, turning the corner and following closely behind Leveche, with Tsuna just behind him. The corridor stretched on for a few more meters before opening into a large hexagonal central chamber. The chamber was occupied with four work stations, each sporting a desk with a computer and several other instruments as well as various office decor. Each of the hexagonal walls to the right and left sported familiar Shinra style doors, metal and automatic, each with a datapad located just to the right of the door. Directly ahead on the room's far wall a passage way headed straight ahead and appeared to bend in a L like the one Cloud and the others had just exited. The voices trailed off as the three entered the room, the three Shinra scientists working at a single station becoming quiet. Cloud held his head low, sweeping around the room looking for any signs of an alarm panel, seeing none. ” Uh, SOLDIER what are you doing here with… are those prisoners? ” A male blonde haired scientist spoke up, stepping past his two colleagues, a red headed woman and a shorter black haired man who appeared quite young. ” We're not expecting any test subjects… are we? ” The blonde man continued, turning to the woman as he questioned. Cloud kept his head down, did his best not to face the three, hoping none of them would recognize him.
Post edited 2:38 pm – February 22, 2015 by sanarian
Chapter VI: Belly of the Whale
Leveche kept an even expression as they stepped into the hexagonal chamber. Several work stations in the room, each of which had a desk with a computer on it, various assorted instruments and other office décor. There were familiar ShinRa-style doors on the left and right sides of the room, with a data pad next to each door. Directly opposite of the group was a passage which appeared to continue on for some time, before turning off and out of sight. A trio of scientists stood arguing around one of the desks, but as the group came into the room their voices trailed off. Leveche eyed them carefully for a moment before approaching their work station. “Yes, they are.” Levy declared flatly as he quickly made a cursory glance over each of the scientists. “They’re a pair of subjects that the company has been after for quite some time—associated with the group that was sent to H.Q.—that I’ve brought them here under my own authority.”
A silence prevailed through the chamber for several moments as each side attempted to read the other. Cloud lifted his head, glancing over the scientists who seemed perplexed by their arrivial, even though Leveche has expressed that he brought them here under his authority as a SOLDIER 1st class. ” That, that's Tsuki Tsuna I believe. I worked with him once several years ago. ” The female scientist spoke up, breaking the silence that has been present for many seconds. ” He was one of Hollander's experim— ” She continued to speak before being cut off. ” Why would you not inform headquarters of this mans capture? And that one, I've seen his face as well… ” The blonde haired scientist spoke up, stepping in front of the other two. ” I'm going to have to call this in. ” He broke off, taking a step towards the nearest work station which sported a phone.
— OOC Talk: Posting out of order to save us a round. It's Griff's post then I'll post again.
Walking into the lab, Tsuna cause sight of the female scientist and his eyes widened and he stood stuff. Seeing her in this environment brought back memories of who knew how long. A grin covered his face as she remembered him and his fist tightened. “A pleasure to see you again. I am honored you remembered.” Tsuna bowed low with his hand across his chest.
As he torse began to ascend, Tsuna raced forward as fast as he took, his gloves wrapping his hands in the process. He punched down on the male scientist's hand, hear the bones crack, echoing in room, “But I believe we have everyone here that we need.” Cracking his neck, Tsuna looked towards the female scientist, “It shames me to say I don't remember your name, there were just so many scientist. Would you honor me with your name?” While a question, Tsuna's murderous gaze told her it was not a choice.
Cloud acted quickly but not as quickly as Tsuna who quickly found himself engaged physically with the blonde haired scientist, knocking his hand away with enough force to send the man tumbling to the floor. The others stepped back with shock carved on their faces, the reality of the situation settling in. Cloud moved in between Tsuna and the female scientist, his arm held out to catch Tsuna if he decided to move in for the attack, knowing that the scientists were much more valuable to them alive than dead or hurt. ” These aren't big fish, we're not going to hurt them and they are going to tell us anything we want to know. ” Cloudd said as he looked Tsuna in the eyes, his mako blues attempting to calm the fiery rage that burned in Tsuna's soul. ” You heard me, answer the question. ” Cloud calmly stated as he turned his gaze away from Tsuna, glancing across Leveche before settling on the female scientist. ” I, I'm Paris. ” The woman replied, stuttering from fear. ” You mentioned Hollander, we would like to view his research and lab. ”Cloud said calmly, turning to Leveche inquisitively, wondering what other knowledge could be gained from the scientists.
— OOC Talk: Ask away while we can get some answers.
As they spoke Levy maintained a blank, unfeeling stare as if he saw right through them; yet the truth was that his mind raced as he tried to come up with an excuse that might set them at ease without blowing their cover. Leveche had remained quiet until the blonde-haired scientist spoke up and started toward a nearby work station. At that moment Leveche opened his mouth to speak, but what he had been about to say was quickly forgotten as someone flew past him in a flash. Only a moment later the man crashed into the floor, with Tsuna looming over him threateningly, leaving Leveche staring dumbstruck at the reckless actions of his comrade. When the reality of this sudden turn of events set in the emotional mask he had work fell apart and his outrage was clear as day in his expression. Leveche instinctively reached to draw his weapon, but came to a sudden stop when he saw that Cloud had moved to bar Tsuna’s way, preventing him from doing them further harm. A deep sigh of relief, mixed with the barest hint of frustration, escaped his lips as he assumed a more relaxed stance. Yet there was a vague caution in his sky blue eyes, as if he wasn’t quite sure that Cloud could truly restrain their comrade from undertaking another brash course of action. Cloud spoke up while trying to calm down their friend, though by his tone and manner it was clear that it was less of a request for the scientist’s cooperation and more of an order. Meanwhile Levy had made his way over to scientist that had been attacked and crouched down, offering the man a disarming smile, before reaching out his left hand and holding it over the scientist’s injured arm. “Sorry about all of this.” Levy whispered as he focused intently upon the man’s injury. As he did so a faint green glow began to emanate from one of the materia in his armlet, and a misty green aura formed around the scientist’s injured hand for a few brief moments before it faded away. ”I’ve mended the damage to your hand,” Leveche suddenly declared as he stood up, shifting his weight onto one foot and folding his arms across one another. ”and personally I’d really appreciate it if you'd show us any other documents you have that concern Genesis, Sephiroth, or either of my friends here too. Leveche said with an awkward half-smile, as if he wasn’t quite comfortable making the request.
Tsuna's smile grew as he learned the scientist's name, “Paris. What a beautiful name. If only I had known, would made those aweful things seem better, if only by context.” Tsuna could feel his blood lust coming it, but he was enjoying this. The scientist always felt so safe when he was still captured by them. Though they never questioned why they were replacing someone. Shooting both Leveche and Cloud a look of betrayal, he then faced Paris again, “No need to act like these people are so innocent. They may not have imagined the experiments, but they executed them. And no need to fetch my file, would probably be to big of a bother to read through. Especially, since we got someone with first hand knowledge that can tell us the important details.” Tsuna laughed, “Would keep me titilated, I'm sure.”
Cloud relaxed his arm, letting it causally fall to his side. He had shuttered for a moment, having peering into Tsuna's eyes, feeling the rage which was present there. He wondered if anything could ever calm his friends soul and bring him peace. ” Tha..thank you. ” The blonde scientist had said, breaking the momentary silence as Leveche had healed his hand. ” But Hollander's research isn't here, Hojo had all of it sealed in his lab on the lower level of the facility. ” He continued to speak, motioning downward with his hand towards the floor. Cloud let out a sigh as the man spoke, the realization that they would have to go deeper into the belly of Junon's reactor, into harms way no doubt, to acquire the information they were after. Stepping past the scientists Cloud neared the work station the blonde man had attempted to call from, leaning over to view the flickering monitor screen. ” Is there an internal map of the facility on this computer? ” Cloud asked, as he began to type. ” That would make this a lot eas— ” Cloud continued before being cut off. A blaring klaxxon sounded through the room, deafening in volume and accompanied by a flashing strobe of crimson red from above each door and passageway. The siren dipped in volume but remained consistent in tone. Cloud turned to the group of three scientists, a look of bewilderment on his face. ” What is that?! ” Cloud shouted over the noise. ” Th.. The intruder alert.. But I swear I didn't do— ” The blonde man responded, seemingly as confused as Cloud. ” We have to move! ” Cloud said turning to the others.
With every word from Tsuna his smile faded away, until there was little to his expression save open contempt. “They’re not innocent, but they are unarmed, and I’ll be damned if I ever turn a blind eye to my honor again.” Leveche angrily declared while openly staring daggers at his comrade, clearly prepared to draw steel if the matter were pressed any further. No matter the cost, he would not back down, even if that meant he would have to fight against his own allies. Levy could not, and would not, tolerate that same evil he had left behind even if it wore a different face. Suddenly a blaring noise began to reverberate throughout the room, and a flashing crimson strobe above each door and passage lit up. While the sounds quieted soon enough, it hadn’t turned off completely, nor did the flashing lights deactivate. Leveche immediately turned his gaze upon the group of scientists, but a cursory glance was enough to notice they too were surprised when it went off. “Couldn’t agree more!” At that he removed the strap which held Cloud’s weapon over his left shoulder and proffered the weapon out for Cloud. ”You’ll need this.” Afterwards he undid the ties which held the sword at his belt, observing the weapon for a brief moment, as if unsure to trust the man with it before he tossed the sword to Tsuna. Without saying another word he set off down the corridor opposite the way they had come in, hoping to cover some distance before they would have to fight their way forward.
— OOC Talk: That SOLDIER Pride is so obnoxious to write sometimes….
Tsuna's sword seemed to move through the air in slow motion. His eyes catching every moment until the cane hilt was in his hand. His eyes locked into the female scientist and CM-3 began to see red. All the aweful things they had done to him came rushing back in a tidal wave. Without looking away, he spoke to Levenche, his jaw gripped tightly, “Want to talk about honor? Their precious organization took me as a baby because of my father's debt. Shinra has no honor and deserves none.” CM-3 spat out the end and continued to watch in slow motion his allies moving away.
CM-3 right hand, holding the sword began to tremble. Thoughts of destroying this whole place raced around while knowing it would do no good prevented them. His right hand began to move to to his back, the sword going into the back of his belt loop. His entire body trembled till Tsuna looked around again and understood the situation. A sly grin crossed his face as he raced across the room and grabbed Paris with his right hand and slung her over his shoulder, “I'd be most pleased if you came with us. Your expertise will be needed to find what we are looking for. Please grace me with direction to our destination.” Tsune felt in control for once, but the sword created a hot spot in his mind he felt calling to him.
Cloud reached out, grasping the hilt of his blade, taking the weight from Leveche into his own. The siren wailing in the background seemed to go silent as Cloud searched his subconscious for the truth behind their placement in this turbulent torrent of chaos that manifested itself as their mission. He and Tsuna, and yes even Raiden too, had been made different, and they were at the center of it all. Somewhere below them the answers to why that was could be found. They were so close to the final truth, yet between it and them lay yet another test. He wondered if they could meet this one, of if they had finally gone too far. The siren returned as Cloud shook away his thoughts, looking at his blade, then Leveche, and finally to Tsuna. ” Are you prepared to protect her? We'll be heading almost surely into harms way. ” Cloud asked Tsuna, making sure he knew that regardless of her role in their tests that she was not responsible and thus could not be held so. ” We can discuss it as we move. ” Cloud cut off as he started behind the SOLDIER 1st class towards the passageway. The passageway was shorter than the last, turning and exiting into a small room which branched off both left and right in long corridors. Directly ahead occupying the wall they faced was a set of elevator doors, with a singular button to call the lift.
Leveche dashed down the hallway, only stopping for a moment to make sure that the others were still following. When he saw that the female scientist was slung over Tsuna’s shoulder, he couldn’t deny that he was surprised, but he quickly cursed himself for not forcing the others ahead of him. Part of him knew he should have expected this to happen. She might be able to offer them a fair deal of insight into what to expect, but at the same time meant they would have to protect her, and that wouldn’t be easy given the heavy opposition they could expect. Only a few moments after that Levy rounded the corner, and came into a small room with passages to the left and right. On the far wall, directly ahead of him, was a pair a set of elevator doors and a lone button which he assumed would call the lift. ”This way!” Leveche called out to his friends as he closed the gap between himself and the elevator. If they were to reach Hollander’s Lab they would need to head toward the lower levels, and it was better to do so now before the ShinRa forces had closed in upon them.
Cloud was right behind Leveche, exiting the passageway into the small room with more corridors on either side and the elevator directly ahead. It was clear from their conversation before that they would have to head down to find Hollander's lab, and here tbey stood at the elevator doors that would take them deeper into the Shinra compound. As Cloud stepped forward towards the doors, the lone button calling to him, the sound of movement came from his left, dancing through the long corridor. ” There are reports of intruders in the lower levels, come on SOLDIER move your asses! ” A faint voice grew in volume and tone as it reached Cloud from the distance. Cloud's head turned quickly, catching sight first of the movement of shadows down the left corridor. ” We've got company. ” He said bluntly as he quickly pressed the elevator call button, knowing somehow it wouldn't arrive in time, leaving them stranded to fight off a wave of attack. His assumptions proved right, the group of four SOLDIER 3rd class turning a familiar corner in the long passageway, coming into view. The SOLDIER seemed to stop, confused by the presence of Leveche, Cloud, Tsuna, and the scientist Paris. Unsure if they were suppose to be there or not. Lifting his blade Cloud made it clear they meant to fight.
— OOC Talk: I've posted out of order, Griff will post next than me again.
Tsuna smiled devlishly while Paris most likely seem worried, “She'll be in the best of care.” Tsuna ran after Cloud with Paris on his back. Even standing still, he kept her off the air and on his back. The feeling of having control over one of the scientist was everything he dreamed of, minus the torture and wouldn't let it go for anything, except actual people to torture.
Lowering Paris to the ground, Tsuna stared straight into her eyes, “Don't move or I'll be forced to leave this fight.” Turning to face the SOLDIERs, he continued to speak to her, “You know how much I hate leaving fights.” Satisfied that she was goin no where, Tsuna charged off into his first conflict using his gloves.
The gloves still felt foreign in his mind to use for fighting. Sure he used them before, but only to get his sword back, but the feeling felt right. If he was going to fight people, he wanted to feel what he was doing. Know the every strike he landed would be felt by himself as well. His right fist clenched in anticipation. Putting everything he had into the first punch, Tsuna hitting one of the SOLIDIERS. The hit felt amazing, so much so that Tsuna paused and looked at his clenched fist.
Cloud's mind was sent into a momentary frenzy upon hearing the words echoing down the long corridor. A realization had come over him and only cemented itself in his pscyhe when the SOLDIER's rounded the corner with a look of bewilderment on their faces, not expecting Cloud and the others to be there. It was clear as day, they were not the intruders the SOLDIER's were rushing to fight, somewhere deeper in the complex there were others. ” No time to play, lets do this quickly! ” Cloud said with growing confidence. Cloud watched as Tsuna moved past him, making quickly towards the first SOLDIER to exit the passageway. Tsuna at once seemed alive, the trill of combat like a jump start for his friend. Cloud could not share the same state of mind, his eyes tugging towards Paris, a distraction that was tugging at his focus. Trying to shake the presence away Cloud realized there was only one way he would be able to concentrate on the fight. Turning back, his left out out stretched and aglow in a soft green aura he summoned the power of his materia. Dancing through the open air the aura enveloped Paris and like a clamping shell of a clam encapsulated her in a barrier of protection.
— OOC Talk: San you can attack next then I'll post again for the SOLDIER's actions.
Leveche stood near the back with Cloud, passing his friend a wary glance: he didn’t feel too confident leaving the scientist unprotected while they fought, but that fear was allayed when Cloud cast a protective shell over her to shield her from harm. With a brief smile he took a step forward and returned his focus to the battle. It was obvious that the first SOLDIER was well under control, so he fixated upon the second and dashed forward fast as he could manage. As he came ever closer to his target two of the materia in his bangle began to shine, green and blue lights lit up in unison on his bangle. Once he closed the gap fully he outstretched his left arm, and an arc of lightning exploded from his bangle toward the SOLDIER mere feet in front of him. A split-second later he one-handedly swung his gargantuan blade toward the man in a sweeping slash.
The arcing bolt of of electricity cut past Cloud then Tsuna as he struck the first SOLDIER to exit the corridor. The air splitting bolt struck the second SOLDIER with a blaze of smoke as both fell backwards into their allies. The SOLDIER's were caught and thrust upright, pushing through into the small lobby like room. It was cramped, specifically four eight people swinging blades and fists. ” I.. Thought that the intruders were in the labs! ” One of the four shouted ahove the melee, bewildered as they bull rushed the three intruders The SOLDIER pushed with all their strength, attempting to make enough space to attack with their own blades, which they had yet to draw.
— OOC Talk: They're attempting to push us back towards the other corridors so they can have space to attack.
The feeling of his fist connecting with the SOLDIER through the glove was exhilarating. Tsuna didn't need a blade to extend his fury, his training with beasts translated much better to fists. It also required less space, something these SOLDIERs should have thought about. With the SOLIDIERs stuck momentarily, Tsuna glanced back at Paris to make sure she was there. The protective spell was not important to him, but she was there and he could battle on.
Still not use to the gloves, Tsuna thought back to the beasts he had fought. The memories came quick as if engraved on his soul. His legs bent and his upper body extended forward, standing like a fang. His lips pulled back his a snarl, his fangs shown with growling through them. Though not physical, Tsuna had taken on the soul of the fangs that he had fought. Running forward on all fours, Tsuna sprung forward, pulling back his right hand and punched a SOLDIER like a fang slashes at it's enemies.
Levy stood his ground without so much as flinching when the enemy SOLDIERs made an attempt to force him back. Warningly he brandished his greatsword toward the enemy, in an attempt to dissuade them from trying to capture the group, but it did little good. Out of the corner of his eye he caught sight of Tsuna, which only served to bring back his frustrations with the man. Levy drew upon that anger, harnessed it, and used it to bring forth strength he hadn’t even known he possessed. Without much effort at all he easily hefted the greatsword onto his shoulder before stepping toward the advancing SOLDIERs. In that same motion he thrust his left fist out low, where it crashed into the man’s stomach with an audible thud. Then he shifted his weight onto his left foot and fluidly followed his previous attack with a heavy kick toward the man’s left knee—intent upon bringing the man down. Then finally he took hold of his weapon with both hands and swung it toward the man with devastating power.
Time seemed to slow for the briefest of moments, the force of the SOLDIER's pushing into the small lobby enough to bring his mind to a near standstill. He blinked and upon regaining his vision two SOLDIER's had fallen to the tiled floor at their feet. Cloud shifted his head left and then right, having missed two swift attacks from both Tsuna and Leveche which had crushed the likes of SOLDIER 3rd class. ” Part ways! ” Cloud shouted to his allies who stood in front of him, darting forward as they instinctively moved at the sound of his voice. brandishing his blade Cloud amassed his strength and momentum in one powerful sweeping slash of his blade, cutting across the two SOLDIER's just as the pressed through the arching entrance into the small lobby. His blade cut true catching each of their would be capturers across the center torso, his own body twisting quickly around his x-axis one hundred and eighty degrees before he came to rest at a knee facing Tsuna and Levy. Between them he watched as the elevator door slide open smoothly, announcing itself with a small ping of sound. ” Lets go. ” He said calmly as the SOLDIERs slumped against the the arching doorway behind him.
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