Crisis Core: The Female SOLDIER

11

Following the map Tseng had handed over before the mission, Zack ran to the clifftop to see Tseng and Sera kneeling by the edge of the cliff, looking over at the factory below.

Zack saw the deep frown on Sera's face and the hard look in her eyes as she glared down at the building and wondered what had happened back at Genesis's home. It was Tseng who answered though before he could ask, already knowing what he was going to say.

"We found a newly constructed grave by the house," Tseng answered his unspoken question. "Genesis's parents... were in that grave."

Sera's grip on her gun tightened as her anger grew and Zack looked appalled. "Wait, he...his own family?" Zack couldn't believe Genesis. No wonder Sera looked ready to kill.

"We can't expect reason from him," Tseng said.

"Did you managed to find Angeal?" Sera asked Zack calmly, forcing the anger down.

"I met his mother but...he wasn't at the house, just his sword" Zack looked down, disappointed that he couldn't find his mentor before looking at back at Tseng. "But please, give me time!" Zack implored, "If I find Angeal, I can talk to him. If I can convince Angeal, maybe Genesis will come back, too."

Tseng looked towards Zack. "I understand now why Sephiroth chose you and Sera to take this job."

"Huh?"

"Genesis and Angeal." Tseng elaborated. "Before Sera, those two were Sephiroth's only friends. He didn't want to fight them. That's why he refused the mission."

'I see,' Sera thought, now understanding. She found it odd that Sephiroth, who usually accepts any mission without hesitation or complaint, would refuse this one. Now she knew the reason for it.

"Well, Angeal's our friend, too!" Zack refuted.

"He's counting on the both of you to bring them both back," Tseng told them. He stood up. "Time is short. Let's go."

Sera and Zack nodded. Taking the lead, Sera leaped towards the roof, landing lightly on one of the glass panes. She knelt down and pressed a hand on the glass, and closed her eyes, whispering under her breath.

"What are you-" Tseng shushed Zack, cutting him off before he could fully ask his question and Zack looked at him questioningly. "Just watch," Zack was confused, but decided to keep quiet and do as he was told.

Sera's brows furrowed as she concentrated, her eyes remaining closed as she muttered furiously and soon, the glass beneath her hand began to vibrate, trembling violently from an unknown force before it suddenly shattered into tiny fragments, creating an opening as the fragment fell through and she jumped in.

"What the..." Tseng chuckled at Zack's dumbfounded look before jumping in after her, followed by Zack after his moment of shock. "Holy shit, Sera! That was awesome! How did you do that?"

"Stay quiet Zack! You'll give us away!" Sera hissed at his echoing voice. "Why did you think I-" Three Genesis appeared rushing towards them to attack and she sighed, drawing her sword. "Nevermind."

Zack grinned sheepishly before turning to Tseng. "Go on ahead. We'll take care of things here." Tseng nodded and ran off as the two SOLDIER members confronted the copies and took them down without any difficulty.

They made their way deeper into the facility, taking down any and all Genesis copies and stolen machinery coming towards them as they followed Tseng down below. They went inside a room to see Tseng checking at a computer for any information. "Looks like the copies are being made here," Tseng stated as he typed at the keyboard. "You two check the second floor. Genesis may be there."