Post edited 1:43 am – January 20, 2017 by dystopia
Side Quest: The Wind Cries
Cid moved through the automatic door quickly, turning his body sideways as he walked forward, just narrowly avoiding a passing Shinra Grunt. The foul fetor grew more pungent with each step, as did Cid's growing repugnance with the state of his beloved Highwind. His mind was filled with disgust for Shinra, for Palmer, for Rufus, how they could wreak much of his life's work and see no problem in doing so. No problem in forcing him to repair the ship just so they could do it once more. He fully understood the hate that Cloud and the others who had stumbled into Rocket Town injured, weakened, on the run, felt now. It was a galvanizing feeling, it strengthened his resolve, he would repair the ship and free her from Shinra and then rejoin the others and use her as a tool to wipe Shinra from the planet. ” Fucking maggots! ” Cid belted out as he entered the Highwind's central chamber, which housed the main engine, the power from it being diverted to each of the ships props through complicated series of gears and machining. A billowing cloud of black smoke was oozing from the colossal mechanism paired with out of sequence vibrations that shook the room at uneven intervals. Cid's hands instinctively shot into the the air in outrage as he searched for the lead engineer, a look of scorn on his face. ” Shut the fucking engine down! You stupid mother fucking moron! You're going to rupture the cylinders and blow the whole fucking engine! ” He found himself spurting as his eyes found the short fat engineer who, covered in dark stains, was fiddling with a nearby control valve. ” Babysitter, I'm going to kill this fat bastard, I hope that it doesn't get you in too much trouble. ” Cid said matter-of-factly before bursting into a full sprint towards the engineer.
Levy trailed after Cid as they made their way into the bowels of the airship. As they passed a Shinra Grunt, Leveche acknowledged the grunt with a curt nod. A foul, pungent aroma hung in the air, which made it blatantly obvious to the SOLDIER that the technicians in charge of the Highwind's care weren't doing their jobs. In spite of the overwhelming stench Levy kept a stoic silence, though he maintained a watchful eye upon the old man. Cid was the first of the pair to enter the chamber that housed the main engine, almost immediately bellowing out in outrage. As Levy entered the room it was clear why the older man was so upset; a black plume of smoke had erupted from the engine, and occassionally a massive set of vibrations would shake the chamber. Levy made no effort to stop the old man's tirade, until at last Cid made to make good on his threats. In an instant Levy launched into motion, bounding after Cid with alarming speed. In a few moments the SOLDIER was clear past the gruff blonde, forming a human wall between Cid and the engineer. “Get.” Levy brusquely ordered the engineer, the air heavy with tension (and the acrid tang of smoke). A moment later he made the order more succinct for the engineer. “I said get lost. I'll leave you to the old man before I say it again.” Levy puncuated the last sentence with a cold glance at the engineer, the statement further accented by the eerie glow of his mako eyes through the smoggy haze.
Cid took heavy thunderous steps as he barged through the central engine room towards the grease stained folly of an engineer. The fat man's eyes bulged as he tensed, sensing the wollop that would have come had Leveche not cut the pilot off first. ” Hey! ” Cid yelled through Leveche as he tried to reach around the SOLDIER and at least lay a solid slap across the fools fat chin, his arms flailing to no avail. His mind registered that they had at least picked a suitable babysitter, finally ShinRa did something right. ” Get him out of the way at least! ” Cid found himself shouting over Leveche as he moved the man away from the engine, it's wheezing black smoke slowly filling the upper levels of the tall chamber. With the engineer cleared away Cid moved in, his eyes quickly scanning the engine, becoming aware of it's breath. He reached out, placing a hand on the valve, stopped, felt the vibrations. Cid moved quickly, dancing around the catwalk with a great fleet of foot. Adjusting knobs and valves until like a storm cloud clearing, the dark smoke slowed to a halt and the engine began to hum in a slow steady rhythm. ” Jesus, they really did a number on this girl. Prop shafts are probably bent to hell now, go call up to the bridge and have'em shut her down and get lost. ” He said as he looked towards Leveche.
Levy didn't so much as give an inch while Cid desperately struggled to reach past him to strike at the engineer in whatever way he could. When finally the gruff blonde relented and allowed the rotund engineer to leave, Leveche made sure the engineer was safely on his way out before sitting down upon a nearby stairwell while the old man went to work. Levy kept a sharp eye on Cid while the man went about the task at hand, but otherwise kept quiet. Best to let the man work in silence and cool off after that last outburst. Before long the dark cloud erupting from the engines began to slow, before it came entirely to a halt. In place of the heavy vibrations the engine seemed to hum in a slow, steady rhythm. At the barked order from his charge Levy only let out a sigh of frustration before he rose to his feet. Searching the immediate area his mako-infused eyes chanced upon a small box that appeared to be a communications system near a room labeled 'Operations'. Levy made his way over to the box and pressed a button on it to activate the system. “Under my authority as a SOLDIER, First Class I hereby order the immediate shut down of this vessel and the departure of all personnel while we have a specialist conduct ship-wide repairs.” Levy paused for a moment to before resuming. “If a verification of rank is required I can be found outside of the operations room.”
The slow pulsing reverberations of the engine calmed Cid, the Highwind always had that effect on him. Being back was like a dream, he feared that it could easily turn into a nightmare, at least if Palmer had his way. Slowly Cid turned from the engine, looking back for Leveche who had issued to command to clear the ship. Somehow he new that if he was going to make it out of this in one piece, it would be because of that man. ” Alright, we're going to need to inspect the props. ” Cid spoke, hoping that his own voice didn't betray his internal thoughts. ” That means we're going to have to climb up there. ” He continued after a brief pause, before pointing upwards to the second level of the central room, where on either side of the far walls two steel ladders were bolted, each leading upwards to a closed shaft that ran under the props. Cid didn't wait for Leveche to object, simply making his way around to a dirty metal staircase that lead upward to the second level. ” I'm going to have to squeeze in there, going to need someone to hold the flashlight. Think you can do that kid? ” Cid said with a sly grin as he started to climb the first ladder, giving to heed at all to the fact Leveche would have to find a flashlight first.
Post edited 9:07 pm – January 21, 2017 by sanarian
Side Quest: The Wind Cries
Levy said nothing as Cid spoke, and simply stared at the old man apprehensively. Every instinct made it clear to him that the old man was up to something, to be cautious about these requests of his, but he knew well enough that to outright refuse to cooperate would get them nowhere fast. There was nothing to be done about it, not until Cid would at last make his move. “I'll find a flashlight, just give me a moment.” Leveche reluctantly conceded, starting toward a nearby room before pausing mid-step. “I just want to say: Palmer gave me a direct order not to let you out of my sight,” Levy turned to look at Cid, halfway up the ladder now. “if you make me regret belaying that order….” Levy simply let the threat hang in the air; he doubted it would deter the old man, but he felt it only right that Cid understood he wouldn't hold back if it came down to it. Leveche couldn't risk his rank, it was the only thing that would allow him to search for Zack under his own authority. A chocobo with an arrow directed toward that same room was painted onto the floor. Perhaps the room had meant to be used as a stable, but from here it was evident that the crew had been using it as extra storage space, a mess of cardboard boxes strewn about the room. Once inside the room proper Levy began rifling through the contents of a nearby box, a second, then a third. At that point his frustration had reached a peak, and without a second thought he emptied the contents of the next box onto the floor in order to expedite the search. After a few more attempts Leveche caught sight of a red toolbox that had been hidden behind one of the first he had searched through. With a chuckle he took the box and opened it: there was a flashlight inside, along with an array of other nearly sorted tools. Levy suspected that if Cid truly intended to repair the ship he would need the various tools at some point or another so he simply took the entire toolbox with him and made to leave the room–paying little mind to the disastrous mess he had made out of the rest of the room in his search. “I've found a flashlight, old man!” Levy announced his success.
Cid smirked at Leveche's subtle warning, seeing no need to say any more. He watched as Leveche walked away, descending the metallic staircase and entering into the cargo bay. The sounds of the SOLDIER rummaging echoed through the large central chamber, their piercing sounds reverberating though the metal catwalks. Cid let out a sigh, as he climbed back down the ladder taking a moment to reflect on the Highwind, his eyes moving along the walkway, stopping at each door, remembering. He knew he would have to instill some trust in this young man, if he planning on getting himself and his ship out of here, though he feared he would have to betray that same trust. ” Took you long enough kid. ” Cid shouted down as Leveche moved back through the doorway, red toolbox in hand. Cid didn't wait for Leveche to return, his hands grasping the cool steel ladder as he climbed back upwards, quickly popping off the grate which protected the small shaft that ran under the starboard prop. Exhaling Cid contorted his body and slowly climbed inside. ” Alright kid, climb up here and give me some light. ” Cid's voice bellowed from the above.
Levy let out a sigh of frustation at Cid's complaint, though he wasn't all that surprised by this point. With a deliberately casual pace the SOLDIER made his way across the room and up the stairs, across the length of the catwalk, and finally to the ladder. At the base of the ladder Leveche cast his gaze skyward, only to scoff at the sight of the passage at the peak. It was far too small to carry his greatsword through, on his back or otherwise. Quickly he set the toolbox down and unfastened the leather steps that held the massive blade to his back, putting the sheathed blade to rest against the nearby wall. After that Levy cast a cursory glance over the bangle on his left wrist, checking to make sure he had the proper materia junctioned. Finally he opened the red toolbox and removed the flashlight before starting up the ladder. When he was at the entryway to the shaft he twisted and crawled inside, pulling the flashlight up and flipping to switch on the side to activate it. “Just tell me where to point the damn thing.” Levy announced flatly, clearly frustrated with the situation.
Cid shimmied his way into the shaft, using his arms and lower body strength of slide along the tight passageway. The unmistakable smell of burnt oil was strong in the tight space—Cid knew instantly what that meant—The Shinra's mishandling of the engine had sent vibrations down the prop-shaft and caused it to burn through most, if not all, of it's lubrication. Hopefully the shaft itself remained straight, he thought. ” Aim the light on the prop shaft above us, but angle it towards me. ” Cid called back to Leveche as he twisted his body, turning onto his back as he waited for the light. ” Hurry it up kid, I don't want to spend all day in this shaft with you. ” Cid prodded with an unseen smile, hoping to get the SOLDIER on edge.
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