For Honor or Glory

Truth

Chapter 72 

Alex glanced at her brother, and his smile of encouragement helped to loosen her nerves. That didn't mean she liked what she was about to say, but it needed to come out. "There are two locations where we might find better resources. The first is the safer of the two, but I am unsure what equipment might be waiting. There is a strong probability that it isn't much better than here, plus it is the further of the two. The other location definitely has equipment we could use, but it is old. It is also dangerous."

Sephiroth had a slight furrow between his brow as he said, "If there is the possibility of danger, why list it as an option? Where are the two locations?"

Alex wished she didn't need to bring it up. She gave them two options because part of her wanted to avoid the second place like the plague, but she knew it was their best bet. Somehow, she managed to find her voice and said, "The first location is where Professor Gast escaped to after he left Shinra. Everything should still be there, but I don't believe it was a full lab."

That statement had both Sephiroth and Bugenhagen sitting forward. The elder was the first to speak. "My old friend came here for a short while, but we both felt it would be best if he kept his destination to himself. How did you find out?"

Alex paused at that point. She knew this needed to come out, but if she wasn't careful, the men around her would start asking questions she couldn't answer. At least not if she wanted them to continue thinking she was sane. She finally answered, "Because the professor didn't leave Shinra alone, and Hojo was unwilling to let Ifalna go. He tracked them down and had Gast killed before he took Ifalna and her daughter back."

Sephiroth sat back stiffly, and Alex knew he was upset, even if it didn't show. She wished she could comfort him somehow, but Bugenhagen drew her attention when he sighed and said, "I had not heard from him in years. I hoped he was still out there somewhere, but I cannot say I am shocked."

He then paused and gave her a curious look as he asked, "Does that mean Ifalna is still within Shinra?"

Alex shook her head sadly. "No, she escaped again years ago and took her daughter with her."

Bugenhagen sighed again as he muttered, "I suppose that's good then."

Alex barely caught a grimace. She wished she could tell him everything, but there was no way she could have known what happened to Ifalna and Aerith after they left. Not without the goddess's help.

Thankfully, she was not given long to worry about it. Her brother stepped in and said, "It makes sense that you would consider his previous location an option, but Shinra knows where it is. Plus, you said it might not have everything there. Does that mean the other location is a better option?"

Alex tried not to let her worry show as she answered, "In so much that it has more equipment, yes. However, it is also a dangerous location. It is where Hojo carried out all the Project S experiments, but it has been abandoned for years."

Genesis had a hand on his chin as he said, "I suppose it makes sense why that would be the better location. Shinra knows where both are, so the one that is better equipped should be where we go."

Alex hated it, but she didn't disagree. She nodded as she said, "That is my suggestion. The labs and library are still supposed to be there. The only thing is—" She paused and had to swallow a couple of times before she could get the rest out. "Nibelheim is also where Hojo is storing the remains of Jenova."

Her statement caused a brief uproar that was finally calmed when Angeal stood and frowned at them all. Bugenhagen took the opportunity to say, "That is surprising. I had thought the boy would have kept it closer to Midgar. Still, this could prove beneficial."