For Honor or Glory

Camping

Chapter 50 

A short time later, the three Soldiers and two scientists were gathered around the three birds and putting away the last of the supplies they would be taking with them. They had decided that to keep the birds from flagging, Alex and Peter would ride while the third bird would carry the majority of the supplies. The arrangements could be revisited after they caught any others.

Once Alex was sure things were almost finished, she grabbed her brother by the arm and pulled him a short distance away. She was trying not to frown as she said, "I know you can't be any more comfortable with leaving things like this than I am. What if Shinra tracks this truck back here?"

Angeal sighed and ran a hand down his face. His brow was furrowed when he answered. "The man that owns the farm is ex-Shinra infantry. He was happy to help Sephiroth. Plus, we didn't ask them to hide anything. All they'll know is that we are headed east. We fully expect to be tracked to here."

Alex still did not look convinced. "Don't you think that could cause issues for them if they are accused of stealing?"

Angeal still looked uncomfortable, but he motioned to the truck as he said, "That is why they are to leave it where it can be found and fully intact. The supplies are of less concern. Besides, anyone following will know we took them." Alex didn't like it, but they didn't have much choice either. She shook her head and turned back to the chocobos. They needed to make distance if this was going to do them any good.

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Neither of the two men in the cockpit of the helicopter looked like they wanted to be there. Though it was harder to tell for one than the other. The silence was only broken when the one with red-hair turned to his partner with a dramatic sigh and said, "Man, this is ridiculous. Do ya really buy that bullshit about this being a cross-department drill? Why the hell are we looking for all three of the Firsts at the same time? What the hell is headquarters thinkin'?"

Rude barely spared a glance at Reno before he shook his head and answered, "Have you seen anything? They didn't give us much to go on."

"Tch."

That was Reno's only response before a new voice piped up over the comm unit. "You should make sure you turn off the mic before you say stuff like that. Never know who might be listening."

"Ah, shut up. Who asked you anyway."

Rude looked away from his partner pointedly when they heard Maur's chuckle on the other side of the line, but his action brought something into view. His voice was calm but held a note of interest when he said, "I think I found our transport."

Reno leaned forward to try and look over his shoulder. As soon as the truck came into view, he glanced at his partner. "Huh, imagine that."

Maur's voice was much more professional this time. "We have your coordinates. Two Guns and I will be there in less than twenty minutes. Don't forget we are to track them but not engage. As soon as we have a visual, we are to report back to headquarters."

Reno rolled his eyes at Rude as he responded, "Yeah, yeah. I got it. Play nice, don't ruin the Shinra image and don't scare 'em off. Don't worry." Rude gave his partner a longsuffering look as they turned the helicopter to land near the truck parked in the outskirts of the wastes.

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Despite only having three chocobos, the team of five made surprisingly good time. They had only headed east until they were out of sight of the farm before they stopped and turned south. They still hadn't had a chance to decide where to go, but it would be easier to hide in the forests near the foothills of the mountains until some choice could be made.