Friday, September 17, 2004

And now...the much overdue Chapter fifteen...
(First off, I apologize sincerely for my absence...trying my best to cope with my schoolwork this year...anyway, this chapter isn't very long, so please bear with me.)

Upper Junon was a glitzy place, with access to five star hotels, magnificent theaters and classy restaurants. It was the ideal tourist destination, catering only to the affluent and aristocratic members of society. Huge billboards advertising the latest movies towered overhead, almost blotting out the mid-afternoon sun. Cheerful music filled the air, reminding Cloud of Gold Saucer. The town was teeming with activity, which made it easy for Cloud and the others to blend in with the crowd.

They made their way to the travel agency, where Lucia entered and spoke with the man behind the counter. A slight frown appeared on her face, but she continued speaking. A sum of gil was exchanged, and Lucia came outside to meet Cloud and the others.

“They say that they no longer allow boat rentals,” she explained hastily. “But there is a cruise ship headed for Mideel within the hour, and they’re stopping off at Costa del Sol and then at Bone Village to refuel. But I could only manage to get four tickets, because the rest are sold out. Since I bought them, I’ll have to choose who gets the tickets. Let’s see…” Lucia paused for effect, her emerald eyes darting about the group. “Ryudo--”

“I think it would be wiser if the girls get the tickets,” Ryudo interjected. Noticing Lucia’s miffed expression, he shrugged composedly and added, “Hey, I’m just trying to be a gentleman.”

Cloud ran a hand through his wild blond hair idly. “Okay. The rest of us will find a way to sneak on board,” he said, grinning slightly. “We’ll see you gals later.”

Cloud, Tidus and Ryudo made their way through the crowd, headed towards the docks. The girls and watched them go, when the sound of a scream drew their attention to a spot further down the road. The crowd had suddenly moved away from a certain area, where two burly guards were escorting a man away. He was screaming in agony, and his eyes were blank, as though he were miles away from Junon. His haunting screams faded and died, and the people in the street returned to normalcy, although hushed whispers had developed among them.

“Those in Upper Junon discovered to have the Jenova virus are immediately sent to Lower Junon to prevent uninfected persons from contracting the virus,” Lucia said quietly. “That’s the only policy that President Shinra put in place to deal with the virus.”

Tifa, who had previously distracted by the scenery, now drew her attention over to the conversation at hand. “From what you’ve said, it would seem as though he doesn’t want to control the Jenova virus at all,” she said evenly.

“I think you’re right,” Lucia concurred. “And he doesn’t want the public to be aware of this virus. I think he’s afraid that the people will panic and start a rebellion.”

“That’s terrible!” Sakura exclaimed suddenly. “Why don’t you let them know what’s really going on, Lucia? They’ll listen to what you have to say. You are a government official, aren’t you?”

“Even so, my words will not be able to influence them,” said Lucia. “Unfortunately, the people have known nothing but a dictatorial government all their lives. A government that keeps them uninformed, and tells them what to do and what they can and cannot say. People are content with being ignorant and implicit, because that’s the way it has always been.”

“Maybe they’ll eventually realize that change isn’t a bad thing,” Darksoul said optimistically. “As long as they have a good leader to show them the way, they can change.”

“I guess you’re right,” Lucia said, smiling cheerfully. She glanced down at her watch. “Wow, is that the time already? We’d better board the ship now, or we’ll get left behind.”

+++++++

At the jetty, a few armed soldiers were on patrol, shouldering their guns and pacing back and forth grimly, as though they were marching for a funeral procession. The monotony of the scene was broken when shouts of “Sleepel!” echoed throughout the jetty. A strong gust had built up from the source of the sound, and the
unsuspecting guards were flung into the air and out into the water.

“Darn…wrong materia again,” Tidus said, grinning at the guards floundering in the water. “Terribly sorry about that, blokes. Feel free to send me the drycleaner’s bill.”

At once, Cloud, Tidus and Ryudo came running up the pathway. The three entered the cargo compartment and the thick metal door swung shut behind them, ensuring their place on board the ship, supposedly undetected. But unknown to them, a trio of steely gray eyes had observed their every move from a distance.

Cross Blade was growing more impatient by the minute. “What the hell are we waiting for, Josie? Let’s get rid of them while we have the chance!” he hissed angrily.

Josie watched the trio board the ship, her dark cloak fluttering in the wind, and smiled vaguely before turning to face Cross Blade. “No. Leave them,” she said, frowning. “They will be of no use to us dead.”

Wing and Cross Blade exchanged looks of skepticism. “Xenos had warned us that this might happen,” Wing muttered, frowning. To Josie, he said, “If I didn’t know any better, I’d say that you have a weakness for the enemy.”

“What?” Josie retorted, as though she had been accused of a crime of the worst degree. “I’m afraid that you are very mistaken if you believe this crap.”

“Am I?” Wing asked irately.

His hand had just reached the hilt of his masamune when he was flung aside by some invisible force. The menacing figure of Xenos had come into view, and both Josie and Cross Blade bowed before him respectfully. Wing had also fallen onto one knee before him, lowering his head in shame.

“There is no time for brawling and bickering now,” Xenos said sternly. “Go, and return our brother to me alive. Do whatever you will with the others.”

“Is this slaughter really necessary?” Josie addressed Xenos, with an air of defiance.

Instantly, Josie felt a sensation of thousands of foreign beings swarming through her bloodstream. Suddenly, a white-hot pain slithered up her spine and into her head, and everything around her went white. The next thing she knew, she had fallen onto her knees before Xenos, breathing heavily.

“Do not question my instructions, or I will be forced to question your allegiance,” Xenos said coldly. “Let that be a lesson to all of you. Now go, and do not return until you have accomplished your task.”

Josie bowed before him obediently, and hurried off to meet Wing and Cross Blade. Jenova’s menacing figure appeared beside Xenos, in the form of President Shinra. “That one,” she hissed, pointing an accusing finger in Josie’s direction. “I sense that her immune system is now struggling to oppose the virus. At this point, it is a fight that she cannot win, but we cannot afford to take such a chance.”

Xenos nodded. “Hmm…I see. I will ensure that she is dealt with accordingly, when the time comes.”

“Of that I have no doubt,” Jenova said. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have some important business to attend to.”

With that, Jenova turned on her heels and left. Xenos remained alone, his cloak flapping behind him in the wind, as he watched over the hustle bustle of Upper Junon, a sadistic smile written on his face.

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