𝕰𝖝𝖕𝖊𝖈𝖙𝖆𝖙𝖎𝖔𝖓𝖘 [𝕮𝖑𝖔𝖚𝖉 𝖝 𝖗𝖊𝖆𝖉𝖊𝖗]

[Chapter 3]

"SOLDIERS may attack on command but I hear they make good guard dogs too. Bet you've seen your fair share of reactors. So how do we get to the bridge above mako storage?" the bulky man not so politely asks Cloud.  To which the answer he got was, "dunno. Actually never been to one. But she knows all the reactor layouts by heart. She'll lead us there."

Barret was kind enough to spare a glance to your direction, "you sure." A sense of distrust existent in his voice. "She knows the reactors better than anyone. I'm quite sure." You smirk at Cloud's reply and nod your head in response. "Just don't expect her to talk."

It didn't take long till the door opened, which of course revealed even more guards. Resulting in you heading into the room yourself and taking them down.  You waited a bit till the door reopened, so you started on opening the other door from the access panel. "We're back!" Jessie announces. Only to see you swiftly typing on the access panel. "Good thinking, we need to make this quick," Cloud notes. You nod your head in acknowledgement.  Jessie stood by your side, watching you unlock the door. She wondered how you knew the passcodes. You however, wondered how stupid your father actually was for not changing the passcodes to the reactors as the door by your side opened. 

The elevator was inside the next room. Cloud himself had decided to push the button since it seemed that the elevator was on another floor. As all of you enter the elevator and you press the button. Jessie's voice sounds once again. "So...you know Tifa, right? It's not really my business, but are you guys close?" she asks him. Your nose scrunches, you never even heard of the name 'Tifa' in all the time you knew Cloud, until the group came looking for Cloud. But he wasn't one to talk about such personal things. The furthest you got was that he was the one who killed Sephiroth and he came from a mountain village  town called Nibelheim.  He didn't seem comfortable to go further so you let the topic dropped. Both of you were not ones to talk about your past. Yet surprisingly, Cloud was more open to it than you were. With you just giving one word answers. Both could be considered to be equal though in terms of hesitancy.  

The blonde haired SOLDIER stayed quiet at the question, to which you recognized him to be experiencing a flashback to the past. About Tifa most likely. "Tifa and I..." he mumbles. But he didn't continue after the three words. You felt that odd sense of discomfort settle into you. It wasn't even long till Barret decided to break the awkward silence and start a entire speech on the planet. "...You gonna stand there and pretend you can't hear the planet crying out in pain? I know you can!" he yells out. 'So damn loud,' was all you could think. 

"You really hear that?" Cloud mutters. Barret nodded and pounded his fist into his chest, "damn straight I do!" Cloud scoffs at the man, "get help." You chuckle softly as you leaned on the elevator's wall, he always gave such witty replies. "Say that again!" Barret demanded. The lift jerked to a stop as you hear the buzz sound. Cloud looked at Barret straight in the eye, "I'd worry less about the planet and more on the next five seconds. Save all the screaming and shouting for later."

With that you exit the elevator and enter the area of which you recognized to be the Utility Access. Barret of course, had to yell something out, "our lives are on the line now. You listening. merc? One false move..." he shoots the sentry ray behind him as an example, "and that happens!" You roll your eyes, so over the top. Jessie chuckles, "so much for having Cloud and his friend do all the fighting. Guess there are some places a sword just can't reach, nor a first or daggers." 

You scoff a bit, as Cloud sighs, "should've asked for more money." Leaving one a bit let down, the other annoyed.  You huff quietly as the sentry rays activate. You didn't even need to look to shoot them down. You memorized every placing of machines and the layout, including the laser system timing which waited for you on the floor below and the one after. Letting Cloud deal with the monodrives.