Crisis Core: The Female SOLDIER

6

The three SOLDIER members were walking along the forest path once again, Angeal taking the lead as they walked back towards the helicopter they had come in. Thinking about what happened back there, both at the fort and at the temple earlier, Zack slowed down his steps, "Hey Sera?"

Sera turned around to look at Zack and he rubbed his head sheepishly, "Thanks for watching my back. I would've been a goner if it wasn't for you."

Sera tilted her head curiously, not really understanding why he was thanking her when it was something all comrades do, at least from her point of view. "Why're you thanking me?" she asked him. "Comrades would always watch each other's back, wouldn't they?"

"Yeah but we're not just comrades. We're friends...right?"

Sera's eyes widened for the second time that night. She had never heard anyone call her a friend before so she's not sure what to think about it. Sure she got along with a few people from Shin Ra but they never really called each other 'friends'.

'Does he really think of me as a friend?'

At Zack's easy and genuine smile, Sera's eyes softened and was about to respond when the sound of someone coming over was heard and all three of them turned their attention to see Lazard running towards them slowly, slowing down to a walk as he neared.

"Sorry to keep you waiting. I'm not used to being on site," he told them.

"You didn't have to come," Angeal reminded him.

"This operation will bring an end to the war. I have to see it through personally." Lazard turned towards the other two, " SOLDIERs 2nd class, Zack, and Sera."

"Sir!" They both straightened in attention.

"You performed your duties admirably at Fort Tamblin. I saw it with my own eyes. Frankly, my evaluation of you is..."

Sera could practically feel Zack shaking next to her as he waited anxiously for the result. She hoped it was good for his sake.

"You supported not only Angeal well, but each other as well while diverting the enemy. An acceptable level of work for 2nd Class. Be ready for your next assignment." Lazard finished.

Zack's eyes brightened with joy and he grinned, with Sera letting out a small one as well. 

"Zack," Angeal cupped his chin. "I know Sera knows this, but do you know the difference between a 1st and a 2nd?"

Zach shrugged and shook his head. "Sera, if you would," Sera sighed and nodded, turning to Zack. "A SOLDIER 1st Class performs above and beyond the call of duty at all times," she told Zack.

"Remember that," Angeal added and Zack nodded.

"Good. Now, let's hurry. Sephiroth is waiting." Now that got Sera's attention.

"Sephiroth is here?"

"Sephiroth?! The SOLDIER hero?" Zack yelled as Angeal and Lazard continued onwards and he grew excited. "Wow! I get to meet a hero!"

"I wonder if he was called over as backup," Sera wondered out loud. 'Wasn't the mission already completed?'

Before she could think further on this, three enemies dressed in red and with helmets covering all but the lower half of their faces appeared and attacked.

The two of them quickly made work of the three enemies and Angeal's voice called out. "Zack! Sera! Come on!" Sera and Zack quickly took off towards them and stopped where Angeal and Lazard stood. Before them, were the same enemies the two of them had encountered just now, downed on the ground. Then the foliage behind them rustled and they all turned around to find more of the same enemies appear before them.