Even Demons Can Be Saved

Negotiations and Ninjas

The troops assigned to accompany the two Firsts were finishing up the last of their preparations while Eve talked to Reno. Both Genesis and Sephiroth were with the soldiers. It wasn't that they felt they needed them for this mission, but Captain Hawl insisted that if the two highest-ranking officers were going to be headed into the heart of enemy territory, they did not need to go unescorted. Eve was just glad that so far, none of the Soldiers picked to go had given her any issues. Some of the others hadn't bothered hiding the fact that they did not care for a Turk being attached to their General in any way.

Eve had taken Reno off to the side and out of earshot, even for the enhanced Soldiers, so they could talk privately. "I know you aren't thrilled that I'll be alone with all those Soldiers, but you know that Sephiroth won't let anything happen to me. I'm not exactly defenseless either."

He scoffed at her and shook his head. "I still ain't convinced that they won't go bonkers." He put both his hands up when she glared. "I know, I know! I'm not stopping ya. I'll be talkin' to Tseng shortly. Anything you want me to tell him?"

"Just what we went over. I hope to have a cease-fire when we come back, at least one that will hold until we can figure out our next steps. I will give you fair warning that he probably won't be happy that I'm taking action without orders, but now that the truth has started to come out, I don't see anyone being able to stop it. It's better to make the most of it."

Reno shook his head at her, but he was still grinning. "It ain't like I've never pissed him off before. I know how to handle that much."

Eve chuckled. "Yeah, I bet you do."

She gave him a nod and started to turn away, but he called out and stopped her. When she turned back, his face was as serious. "Hey, Dollface, stay safe, yo."

She smirked and nodded. "You too, Gingersnap."

Eve was still smiling when she made it back to the transports. Sephiroth was doing last-minute checks and smiled when she drew even. "We are ready to leave."

"I have everything as well." She paused and looked between the two vehicles. "Which one are we in?"

He stepped to the side and held a hand out. "This one. The driver will be the only other Soldier in this transport. The other three will be in the other truck."

She nodded absently as she watched Genesis have the two Thirds and a Second load up. She frowned back up at Sephiroth. "Will we have the opportunity to talk?"

He nodded but didn't say anything as Genesis had joined them. The redhead smirked at her as he jumped up. It was at that point she realized the back had no steps. It wasn't necessary for men that were all over six foot and could jump higher than they were tall. She sighed as she grabbed the back and started to pull herself up. She let out a little screech when she was suddenly lifted and set down inside. She whirled around to see Sephiroth had already followed her up as well.

He frowned down at her. "I apologize if I startled you, but I thought you might have problems without steps."

She put a hand over her heart and shook her head. "It's alright, but next time at least warn me first." She shot a glare at Genesis when she heard him snicker, but nothing else was said until they were on their way.

Once Eve was sure their driver couldn't hear, she pulled out the transcribed sheets and gave a copy to both men. "So, the report was pretty simple. Just a brief overview of how things went, but what was interesting was the eye witness accounts. The man that sent it was obviously not there. From the sounds of it, he didn't really believe what his troops told him, so he included their own words separately."