FFVII | Project: SOLDIER

X

Cid held the large piece of shatter proof glass above his head. Slowly, he angled his body downward and slid the glass into a perfectly built compartment. The moment the glass hit the metal, a switch clicked, sealing the glass into place. He did the same with the remaining four sides. "Good." Vincent placed a hand on his chin. "Now, for those sprinkler systems and sensors."

"I got my guys workin' on it. I'll be pickin' it up next week." Cid replied, plopping down on a nearby stool.

"Why next week?" Vincent bent down in front of the control panel.

"I gotta keep watch in Midgar. I think I got a match on Claire. One o' my guys saw 'er down there, at least a lass that looked like 'er."

"We'll all have to find a way to get her out of there without causing a scene."

"Vin, do ya think...Shinra's behind all this?" Cid leaned forward and rested his elbows on his knees.

Vincent pursed his lips. Slowly, he nodded. "There can't be anyone else. Even if Clarity's alone out there, they'll find her before we can." He looked up and sighed at his friend's confused expression. "Clarity's bathed in Mako. She's a fugitive of Shinra. Essentially, she was never intended to survive her Geostigma, or the torture they put her through. Now, they'll want their prize back. This is why it's imperative that we get to her first."

"What'll we do when we find her? She's fuckin' deadly, Vinny."

Vincent stood up carefully and eyed his friend. Cid shifted awkwardly in his seat as Vincent's expression grew more and more sinister.

"You leave that to me, Cid."

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"Keep it up, baby! You got it!" Reno cupped his hand over his mouth, the other positioned in front of him clutching a stopwatch. "Almost there!"

Claire huffed as she ran at full speed on the treadmill. Her brain and body alike begged her for a moment of rest, or at the very least, a drink of water. She'd been through this endurance test before, yet she dreaded it every morning. Each and every day, they increased the time and speed she was forced to run. She was unable to stop, for her waist remained securely strapped to the edge controls of the treadmill. She felt the belt begin to slow down to a stop. The strap snapped away from her and, within a second, she collapsed to the ground. She lay on her back, panting relentlessly as Reno fanned her face with his magazine. She caught her breath, finding herself able to close her mouth faster than she expected. Her eyes glazed over upon the realization of what was to come. She wasn't sure she could handle another session. The feeling of drowning carved a hole in her stomach and created a lump in her throat. Her lips quivered as she heard the door open and footsteps approach her. Rude grabbed her arm tightly and lifted her onto her feet. It no longer took two men to handle her, for she'd given up on trying to escape it.

When they reached the dreaded room, they didn't force her into the pod as they had in the last few months she'd been there. She stared at the container, confused, as she was guided to a metal chair. In front of her, Rufus and Hojo sat side by side. Rude connected multiple electric probes to her arms, chest, and neck. "What is this?" She asked, her voice reducing to a tremble.

"An evaluation," Hojo replied with great stern as he turned on the sensory machine.

"I'm going to show you some images, Clarity. You don't need to say anything unless we ask you first. Do you understand?" Rufus tilted his head questioningly. Claire looked down and closed her eyes. With great hesitation, she nodded. "Good. Now, look at me." He placed a tablet in front of her, showing her a familiar image of her father. The machine pinged, causing Rufus and Hojo to make eye contact.