Doing Things Differently.

[Rufus Shinra]

The Shin-Ra Electric Power Company held complete and total control over the citizens of Midgar, especially in the slums, where they worked and toiled for their precious power. How it amused him, to see by their actions the absolute dominance one figure could wield over the masses via socio-economics. It brought a slight smile to his face, but this would soon be dismissed as the all-too-annoying laughter filled the air.

"Gya ha ha!"

It was Heidegger, head of Shin-Ra's Public Safety Maintenance Department, which is simply a euphemism for Shin-Ra's military, the elite SOLDIER unit and the Turks.

"Mr. President, gya ha ha..."

There would be none of this, at least not without a warning from his superior.

"There will be none of that, do you understand me? Now, stop that infernal laughter and proceed with more important matters."

It came in a low tone, one that was like a calm before the storm, and unlike the clumsy Palmer, Heidegger could usually listen.

"I'm sorry, sir. I... will try m--"

He was cut off, a staring Shinra was not a good thing to have piercing into your very soul.

"Try? It was an order, not a suggestion, you blithering idiot!"

Heidegger quickly nodded, and continued with what he had intended to inform President Rufus about. It had been something the Castro-bearded man had been talking and hinting about for many weeks now, now it was time to deliver.

"There has been recent reports of a vast Mako reading to the east of the city, I had sent Shin-Ra Special Forces to handle the task."

This was slightly interesting, so a prodding into the results of such an expedition seemed logical.

"And, how did it percipitate?"

"Excellent, just as one could expect under your leadership."

That caused the President to smile, but it would be hidden behind his folded hands, only leaving his never-blinking ice orbs from to face the pot-bellied Heidegger.

"Continue."

"It is unlike any kind we have harvested before."

Now, it had gotten very interesting.

"Unlike? Explain."

"It has not been tested fully, but from what little exercises have been performed, their results conclude it is more precious than what Shin-Ra has become accustomed to. It is also reusable, as odd as that may sound, gya ha ha."

There was a violent stare, all because of that horrendous laughter that sounded like a horse in heat. Immediately the military officer looked away, allowing himself to be engulfed in silence. However, the President overlooked it... this time.

"Recycleable materials? How interesting, tell me more about the findings, Heidegger."

"We--"

A single clicking reached his ears, but unlike Heidegger, his eyes remained on the task at hand. But what Heidegger would see was a beautiful woman, in her mid to late 20s, someone as loyal to the Shin-Ra name as the President, but just as ruthless and undermining. It amused him, to have someone like him amongst the elite ranks, but it also made her a potential danger.

"Oh... am I interupting something?"

"Yes, yo--"

"Of course not, I expect you to be of more valuable information than he, especially in regards to something like this."

That made the Shin-Ra's Weapons Development Department officer smile, lips as red as her namesake; Scarlet.

"Why, thank you, Mr. President. I will be sure to cherish such a rare compliment."

This did nothing to incite a response from the Shinra, and so with that the woman continued speaking, presumably taking over for the slightly steaming Heidegger.

Taking MY glory! How typical of the bitch.

"It would appear this new form of Mako is not of this world, as hard as it is to comprehend such. It has been influenced by other... outside powers, so to speak."

"Outside powers?"

"Yes, but my resarch team is on the case, a solution will be obtained within 48 hours. In the meantime, you will be pleased to know this new Mako is capable of powering our reactors 500% more, and as expected increases our Sister Cannon's power by 300-fold."

"Interesting... and what is your opinion of this foreign substance?"

"The alien Mako, if that is how it must be addressed, must have come from beyond our atmosphere, from another world."

"And you believe such nonsense? I think Heidegger's bullshit would have been twice as amusing as... space invaders."

"Hmph. You asked me what I thought, and you got it."

"Next time, I'll ask Horse-Laugh."

The female lowered her head, deciding to bite her tongue and keeping quiet for the moment. It was now that Heidegger spoke up, taking back his rightful place as speaker of the room.

"Gya ha ha!"

This time the President glanced at Heidegger, lowering his folded hands and began to rise, at which moment Heidegger became slightly nervous. However, the owner of Shin-Ra would just move past him, arms finding their places inside of his white trenchcoat's side pockets, typical of when he looked outside his top-story window to the city below.

"Heidegger, bring me Tseng. I wish to recruit the Turks into a little mission, but if he asks for details, you tell him it is a direct order from me."

"Yes, Mr. President! I'll contact him, just as you requested! Gya ha ha!"

"Heidegger..."

"Yes, sir?"

"I never give requests, is that clear?"

"Indeed!"

"And one more thing..."

Scarlet tried not to smile, but she knew what was coming next, as did Heidegger. It was so predictable.

"... cease that ridiculous sound!"

[Tseng]

The hour he'd requested was still not up when his desk phone rang this time, his cell being conveniently turned off. For a brief moment he considered not answering it, but if it was important he couldn't afford to not answer for the sake of a little peace and quiet. Sighing he lifted the receiver.

"Tseng," he answered, quick to the point as always. "Yes, Heideggar?" Gah, the annoying laugh filled his ear, his nose crinkled in a look of disgust as he held the receiver away from him to let the portly man finish his god aweful chortling. "I see. Inform President Rufus that I am on my way." With that he hung up, glad to be rid of the gruff laughing that was still coming through even as he clicked the phone down to hang it up.

Straightening his suit coat and tie he stood from his desk. There was work he wanted to finish first, but to delay Rufus was to ask for swift retribution usually in the form of a pay deduction. Long flowing ebony strands were smoothed back even as his free hand hit the elevator's button for the top floor. Standing straight and looking professional the doors opened into the huge base of operations of President Rufus of Shin-Ra.

"I'm here as you have ordered, Mr. President." It was his idea of a proper greating and he emphasized the 'ordered' because he knew that Rufus never 'asked' or 'requested' anyone's presence. Only ordered it. Why bother calling it anything else, then?

[Rufus Shinra]

The arrival of Tseng was timely, it was to be expected of the leader of the Turks. However, Heidegger took it upon himself to approach and confront the long-haired enigma, belly jiggling as he did so, all in an attempt to look and sound impressive.

"It is about time! Gya ha ha! Do you know how long the President has been waiting? Gya ha ha!"

The President kept his gaze staring outside, watching as multiple ShinRa helicopters took off or landed, loading and unloading, doing what was expected of them. It was the life of a ShinRa operative, they were the wish makers for him, and that was a desirable feeling to be maintained; Power.

"Ignore that blubbering whale, he isn't worth the trouble. I do trust your recent reports have informed you about a mysterious resource discovered several miles away from the outskirts of the city? If not, I will be most disappointed in you Turks."

The rounded figure only did the same in return as Scarlet had suggested, ignoring her as she was not worth the trouble. To be honest, all that mattered was the Turks leader, as with ShinRa's leader taking a temporary silence, it would be most beneficial to him to obtain Tseng's attention.

"Mr. Shinra has asked for your services, and would like for you to initiate an immediate action in regard to the alien Mako discovered not too long ago."

No laughter, perhaps there was some seriousness to Heidegger after all, or maybe it was that trying three times was a death wish as, despite Rufus being silent, there was his sense of hearing the larger man's horse chuckling. However, the female would take up where the male left off, at least that was the intention.

"Heidegger..."

"Yes, Mr. President, sir?!"

"... shut up, I'll talk to my own property."

Property? That only indicated how cold he was, seeing other people as economical pawns, but at the same time the Turks only worked for recognition, fame, and finances, it was considered a failure to be emotionally or personally involved, but it could happen. However, ShinRa's finest knew better, so he played on that.

"Tseng, I know you are not a man to take a seat, but do so for my sake."

How kind of him, but there had to be a catch to that gentle tone, it had a hint of deception to it. But, that was all that could be expected of the man who had been connected, at least by theory, to his father's untimtely death. Having left ShinRa in the hands of his heir, someone more vicious and tyrannical than God could have intended any man to be.

"I have a mission for you, but I wanted to inform you ahead of the others."

"You are being given a great responsibility! Gya ha ha!"

The President turned around, now facing everyone in his luscious office, keeping his hands tucked inside his stainless white trenchcoat's side pockets, a single strand of hair dancing inbetween his icey blue eyes. It was the stare of a handsome devil, but could the Prince of Darkness look so good in white? I think not.

"I told you to stop making childish noises!"

At the sudden change of tone, a low purring filled the air, and within seconds it was obvious its location and to whom it belonged: underneath his desk, and to Dark Nation, the eccentric-looking feline that had the muscular build of a panther. Regardless, whatever it was, it was as complimenting to savagery as its master.

"Ah, my pet. I had almost forgotten about you, has the fat man awoken you from your sleep? You seem... hungry."

This caused Heidegger to take a few steps back, gulping each time he did so, all to avoid becoming this cat's next meal. However, as could be contributed to the white-coated business man, the creature's piercing gaze was appeased with a simple whistling which allowed the creature to arch its back, stretching, and followed by a yawn before it curled up and remained at the side of his desk, peeking at Heidegger every now and then.

"I do not expect him to bother us anymore."

With a low purring, Dark Nation had placed ShinRa's Commander in checkmate, and allowing the 'grown ups' to continue their discussion on significant matters.

"The Turks will handle the alien Mako, using it to charge Midgar's Sister Cannon, and firing into the atmosphere. I insist on seeing this power Scarlet speaks of first hand."

Scarlet just smiled, watching the two handsome men conduct their business, but in the end she was helpless to do much. Still, she could count her blessings as she was not being considered for Dark Nation's next meal. She cast her gaze to Tseng, finding an opportune moment to speak.

"This mission is to be considered experimental, but it will be done. It is spoken by our very own President, but more so by the spirit of Shin-Ra itself. I do trust you will have no gripe, as can be expected of men with little to no emotional contacts."

"Reno will be accompanying you, I find value in the others too much to risk them. You're most experienced, so you can compensate for the two of you to increase your chances for survival."

[Tseng]

Cold, dark eyes fixed the fat man's with an unwavering stare when he was greated, features stern and as unrelenting as the marble floor they stood on. "Heideggar, I know precisely the due time it takes to respond to an order and I will not be made to feel otherwise. But please, accept my gratitude if you comment was out of concern that I may have forgotten that our President does not like to be kept waiting. I will assure you though that I have no intentions of keeping him so please excuse me." For a handfull of heartbeats longer he held the stern gaze, making it abundantly clear that he was not going to be intimidated by the fat man. He knew well enough that Rufus had expected him at the precise time he walked in and had no doubts in his punctuality or his service. Now for the secound obsticle to get to Rufus.

"Indeed I have been and the case has been fully reviewed by my team." He didn't like the idea of haphazardly going to investigate unknown mako without proper safety precautions taken first. He'd save that for someone who was in a position to do anything with it. Scarlet was not someone he'd trouble himself with at this point in time, though she had her merits and he didn't over look them. "I would be most disappointed in myself if I had not kept up to speed as well. As I do not need to fear that, neither should you." He was polite in tone but behind it laid a mild caution and perhaps a slight threat. He took great pride in his work and in his loyal service, to call it into question -twice- was making him unnoticably irritable and he hid his irritation behind polite and carefully chosen words.

A thin ebony brow lifted just slightly as the fat man spoke again. Rufus wanted the Turks to be the ones to haphazardly go investigate this unknown agent? That did not wholly sit well with him, but as with Scarlet he'd save his concerns for someone in the right position and not waste his breath or time. True to form he barely gave the man an acknowledgement that he heard him and instead continued on into the office chamber to stand before Rufus at last after getting pass the two.

Property? Did it bother him to be called such? Of course not. His services were bought and paid for by ShinRa and therefore by Rufus and that made him 'property' so to speak. He knew of the terms of his engagement with the blonde devil, and so if the man chose to assert his position by refering to him as what he technically was, well...Tseng would choose to look at it as Rufus solidifying their contract verbally each time. The stoic man hardly let trivial matters of word choice get beneath his alabastor skin.

"Mr. President, I will, as always, take a perverbial seat in your presence." It was hidden in his words the fact that he caught the deceptive tone of the man and sent his own message back in response: I am no fool. ShinRa would, one way or another, attain dominion of the planet and with total control came peace---in one deffinition of the word or another. It was that cease in strife that he believed in and believed only ShinRa's power could attain. Therefore, his Turks were a tool to be used for that lofty goal but he understood that Rufus was a dangerous man to throw into the mix. Tseng had been much more comfortable with the man's father.

He hardly stirred at Heideggar's voice but did stirr when the lithe masterpiece of creation cackle/purred to life. Tseng was moved by it's grace and power held within it's sinews and sleek muscle. It was a beautiful animal worthy of respect just like the man it belonged to, it got that respect out of fear. Yet Tseng did not fear it for it's focus was not on him and wouldn't be since he knew how to keep himself out of trouble.

"I must respectfully interject," he started, tone carefully modulated to exude respect and not come off arrogant or out of line. He knew his place, but he also did not willingly put the lives of his men into jeapordy without at the very least speaking up first. "I'm sure you're well aware of the risks an undertaking of this kind poses to me and my men. I am flattered you think of us so highly to assign this mission, as I know you do not waste valuable resources when the risks outweight the benefits. I also know you do find us valuable and therefore have every confidence that this mission can be a success. However, I would like some kind of assurrance that I am not blindly running into danger. I assume you have some data collected as to the true nature of this phenomena. I only ask that I am given full access to all data that has been collected thus far no matter how sensitive it may be. I'm sure you understand the importance of such information and it's attachment to the likelyhood of our success."

[Rufus Shinra]

Silence.

Cold, eerie silence.

No one dared say a single word, especially not anyone who did not have the first name of 'Rufus', but was this all due to something Tseng had said or just general thought? The clock on the wall ticked, loudly, becoming louder.

"Mr. President, are you okay?"

Scarlet remained silent, awaiting several more moments before she displayed any signs of concern. It was typical of the white-suited male to indulge in silent sessions, but never this long after Tseng spoke, what was happening? Heidegger was about to find out.

"Dark Nation..."

The beast raised its head to look towards the dominant one, its master and supreme owner. It awaited with a silence as eerie as moments ago, never moving, always eager to do its superior's calling.

"... you merely come when called, do as you are told when told. You were intended for nothing else."

The canine-esque feline merely remained lifeless, always watching the trenchcoatted fiend as he made direct eye contact with a wild beast, something no sane individual would do. It was death to stare one of God's creatures in the face, expecting it to remain docile and tamed, but it was happening now.

"Good boy."

With that, the creature lowered its head but kept its eye on the ShinRa President, at which point he made sure to drill into the heads of all three fellow members.

"Though he is free to do as he sees fit, he remains focused on me. Always willing, always ready. It is this that allows him purpose, and it is this that I bring forward to you as proof, Tseng."

The President began walking around his desk, opposite the side of Dark Nation, and stopping when he was standing side-by-side the sitting Turk.

"Unlike an animal, you think -- it is these thoughts that offer detterance from your intended path, that of financial gain. If you expect to eat and live well, you will take my word enough for anything."

Scarlet remained silent, as did the could-be laughing Heidegger. It was the most serious their beloved Chief Executive had been in quite some time, and to be honest it was frightening.

President Shinra, how frightening you can become so quickly, but this is just as you said... the people of the world are too insignificant to be ruled through services, only fear. How quickly to master are you, Rufus.

The blonde-haired male did not close his eyes, it would be two opticals that stared out ahead, away and from afar of Tseng. They would continually stare at what Tseng's backside prevented him from seeing, but even if the head Turk turned around it felt as if a crosshair was on his forehead, embodied in that red dot already there, and to move was death.

"Tseng..."

That voice, so chilling and disturbing. It was powerful, even for someone as stoic and in-control as the chief Turk, it came with years of being raised as a politician, a heir to a mighty economical empire, but most shockingly of all it came from deep from within, that of his very living -- his heart did not beat with blood, but darkness.

"... is my word not enough?"

Such a powerful question, so many potential outcomes to any answer given. It was indeed difficult, but in the end fate would guide the elder Turk to his destination, allowing him liberation from this heated battle of the two.

[Tseng]

Tseng held up exceedingly well to Rufus' imposed silence, that was until he spoke. Dark quiet eyes locked onto the obsideon beast, but would not dare look into it's eyes as Rufus would and did. That alone sparked some fear in him, for a man to control a beast like that...it was something he'd never wish to witness again.

He could see what a fine line he was treading on, how words and implied meanings could spell out wrath from Rufus if taken the wrong way, or perhaps the right one. He had to be meticulous about his words then or else face a wrath he was not quite prepared to deal with just yet. His men's lives were of uptmost importance to him, but he would be doing them no favors if they had to starve because he talked back to Rufus.

Tseng, however, was not a man of fragile nerves nor one prone to fear easily. He was also, gratefully, not a hot headed man and knew when to bide his time and hold his tongue and when to speak out and take action. Now was not the time for foolish words or deeds. As Rufus stared passed him so too did Tseng stare fixated ahead playing this game of wills. He knew his role, however, and so like the animal that stared into it's master's eyes he dropped his own after a moment to indicate submission, his head tilting a little downward letting a few loosened strands of ebony cascade down his front.

"Forgive me, President Rufus, I had not intended to sound so recklessly dissobidient." With the appology and submission out of the way he raised his head no longer appearing ashamed, and why should he? He took accountability for his misstep and now was 'in line', he had no more reason to grovel and be worthlessly meek. "Your orders were never in question, Mr. President, as you will notice I had not refused a direct command but mearly asked for more reasources with which to carry our your agenda. I do not ask for more than I need, I think after years of my service you would know that. However, I did not make myself clear in that I had every intention of following your orders and for that I ask you to forgive my error of omission. As for your word, I have not, and will never, doubt you or your word, Mr. President. That was never in question and if I made that appearance it was completely unintentional and regrettable. I need nothing further from you than your absolute command and it will be carried out to the best of my abilities as always. The extra information would have been only a small tool and I will make do with out it. If that is all I will prepare to retrieve this new mako and have a demonstration with it ready for you as soon as possible."

It was hard to swallow back his pride, but pride was such a small thing in comparisson to success. Sacrifice pride now and succeed in the long run, it was worth the bitter taste in his mouth. However, his features remained stoic and calm, as always Tseng would remain unphased on the outside.

[Reno]

"Oi, oi... I'm here, Shachou," came that loud, gruff voice as he sauntered in with his partner-in-crime in-tow. Disheveled crimson locks which appeared to be rather unkempt in not only style, but cleanliness; unbuttoned shirt that seemingly had more wrinkles than buttons, baggy slacks... scuffed shoes. The appearance of one man that appeared as if he hadn't cared, but truth be told, he really didn't. Business is business.

He slumped against the frame and closed one eye, the other peering at the bald-headed TURK which stood in silence beside him. "What's th' mission, boss? 'Nother clean-up or what?" More inquisitive than his nature attempted to betray, but his appearance never quit, he brought his calloused hand upward and flicked it across two loose bangs so that they would flitter atop the rest of the mess he called a hairstyle.

The TURK beside him merely retained his stance still, hidden behind a shroud of black and navy. Suit, tie, gloves, glasses; he appeared as though there had been no flesh to behold, but still he spoke as a human when in-company of the vulgar TURK that he had learned to call friend. As they both looked to Tseng, then the President, the red-headed 'bastard' as he had been called reached into his slacks' left pocket and drew out a cellular phone, as to flip through his missed calls.

"Fuck, boss. Next time y'gotta' call, don't call so fuckin' much, yo'." Tseng, the leader of the TURKs, and the man that had a fuckin' cellular phone glued to his ear at birth. Never seen without it, people have wondered if it was his source of power... either that, or that fuckin' dot on his forehead. "Expect me to always be on fuckin' call, but won't lemme'n' Rude buy somethin' ta' eat with Shin-Ra funds."

[Rufus Shinra]

The ShinRa President moved away from Tseng, seemingly satisfied with his response. It was noticed that not informing his beloved Turks was unusual, but there was moments when the blonde devil was eccentric.

"Excellent, then you will no longer infringe upon my time and deliver this Materia to the Sister Cannon, and test its potential."

Heidegger nodded, taking this as a cue to inject his own verbal doctrine to the situation. However, the lack of an odd laugh indicated a dire seriousness to the events unfolding.

"And see to it you do not fail the President, or your heads will be put on a pike. I can assure that."

The President closed his eyes, that lady-killing smirk formulating across his smooth facial design, it was moments like this that justified the phrase 'if looks could kill', if so the ShinRa leader would have become the Adolf Hitler of Midgar.

"He speaks no lies."

Heidegger was pleased, and tossed his head back to erupt into that annoying laughter. It could not last long, it never did.

"GYA HA HA! GYA HA HA! GYA HA HA!"

In a flash second, the ladies man became a raging demon, cutting down Heidegger's constant forgetfulness to his orders to desist that confound noise of his.

"Cease that infernal racket! Or, you'll be the one with their head on a pike."

Immediately the laughter stopped, leaving the room in an eerie silence, but nothing like moments before. However, it was cut short by the arrival of Reno, the always fashionably late Turk.

"Late again, are we?"

The feminine voice would snake its way to the charmingly good-looking male's ears, or at least the one not glued to a cell phone. If there was one thing that Reno would take a second glance at, besides wasteful spending, it was a luscious lady.

"Scarlet, enough. I believe Tseng here has much to inform our late-comer of..."

The white-clad male glanced to Tseng's direction, keeping an optical lock on him from the corner of his eyes.

"... and he would not want to waste anymore of my time, isn't that right?"

Scarlet could only nod, watching as the President began to move again, this time approaching the red-haired male, stopping only when a few mere inches from him.

"Your services will only compensate for this sort of behavior for so long, Reno. I wouldn't continually dance with lady luck, as I hear she sometimes steps on her partner's toes."

With that, a single finger snapping filled the air. It meant that this meeting had come to an end, and immediately Heidegger proceeded to move to the door and see the Turks out.

"Right this way, gentlemen! I will take you to the location of the new Materia."

It would leave Scarlet alone with the ShinRa corporate, a man as cold and vicious as Satan himself. It was spoken in low circles that if Hell had a price tag, it would have been purchased and absorbed into ShinRa. It was only a nominal compliment to ShinRa's President's vast influence.

[Tseng]

Tseng breathed a very, very quiet and restrained sigh. If it were not for the man's influence and power he would not subject his men to this kind of tirany. It had to be done, the Turks would find no where else that would be able to support and hire their services to the extend that ShinRa could and did. It was the sad fact of life, but he would once again swallow pride with impeccable skill and ensure the survival of his team. With Rufus obviously finished with him he hit the redail button for Reno's cell that he'd been trying to call since he got the message to see Rufus. Damn man, answer your cell phone![/i]

Slowly, almost notably so, he stood and turned to face the Shinra once again. "I, of course, have no intentions of wasting your valuable time, Mr. President." His eyes flashed just noticably at Heideggar whom he despised, anger threatening to finally burst forth at being reminded not to fail constantly. Need he be given such obvious commands?! A fist clenched by his side and the anger expelled in the tensing digits rather than with reckless words. He'd prove to Heideggar just why he was the leader of the Turks and what his unit was made of. Not here. Not now. "I also have no intentions of failing him either, I should think the consequences of such would be rather clear to anyone who works beneath him. But thank you, for your kind warning. It is rather humbling that you value my life in such a way that you continually remind me of how precariously close to losing it I am. Mr. President, you have such fine men in your employ." He couldn't help the jab, really he couldn't. When physical attacks could not be used, sarcasm in the disguise of politeness was Tseng's weapon of choice and he used it well.

He had to fight a smile when the threat was returned to Heideggar due to his obnoxious laughter. The smile, as always, was blocked and his features remained as expressionless as ever. Rufus' on the other hand...that smile had been rather unnerving to see and he was quite glad that Heideggar had interrupted it. Rufus had something up his sleeve and it irked him to be witheld from information that could likely save his life. To question Rufus twice would ensure his head became a trophy and so Tseng kept his mouth shut like an obediant dog. Unlike the dog, however, he did not blindly follow orders to his death. He'd complete this mission with all the confidence of a true Turk and with that success might demand to know why Rufus had felt it best to keep such a valuabe man in the dark. For now he did not have that success behind him, and so his mouth remained shut until the red haired vulgarity waltzed in late. Typical.

He nearly winced at the man's utter and total lack of respect but trusted Rufus to speak for his own pride. Tseng would likely lecture the man later for his rude and late entry and warn him of the life he'd likely lose if he kept it up. For now Rufus would handle the threat and Tseng took note of it with a slight fire in his eyes. No one should ever threaten his men like that, it was his place to deal with them as he saw fit, even if Rufus bought and paid for them they were still his men. Yet again this would go unspoken as the head Turk knew when to keep it to himself. Still...it infuriated him. As much as he'd like to beat Reno upside the head sometimes the man was still one of his own and as such warranted his protection. Of course if the man kept this up, Tseng would be rather powerless to save him if Rufus was hell bent on his death, but he'd damn well try to reason him out of it first.

"Reno. Rude." He greeted the two as per usual with his near lifeless personality that hid a vast array of emotion kept well under control. "I will, as the President suggested, explain as we go. For now you are to keep a civil tongue in that mouth or risk it being cut out, do I make myself clear?" His voice was stern but his eyes were not as hard and cold as he sounded. He truly did not want to see Reno killed over something as trivial as the way the man spoke. Tseng could put up with it himself when it was just directed at him in private because he knew the kind of loyalty and hard work the other put in. Rufus wouldn't be so understanding or patient, best to leave before Reno received too many more marks against him. "Let us do as our President commands and follow Mr. Heideggar out."

Once out of Rufus' presence Tseng would lean toward the red head and speak in a low tone of voice as they followed along behind the portly man who was hopefully out of earshot. Rude would, of course, pay close attention too. "Listen to me and listen closely, our President is highly moved by this new discovery of mako we'd been notified of just days prior and desires this new power like he desires all power. Fail him and you wont live to get a second chance. I strongly urge you to be careful while on this mission as it could cost you your life. He wouldn't give me any more details than what we'd been given in that initial report, and that troubles me. I will only say this once," his barracaded wall dropped quite suddenly to reveal strained and concerned features which spoke to the level of seriousness in what he was about to unfold as the man rarely displayed such emotion, "please be careful." After that was said with all seriousness his features were back to stone. He might not let his employees get pizza whenever they wanted, but like a father who knew when to give in to his children and when to hold back he cared about their lives. [/size]

[Reno]

All they do is complain about him being late... when he does show up. What do they know? They should be happy he even does. Could be gettin' drunk instead of this shit. After he had entered the room, he leaned against Rufus' desk so that he could get relaxed, and buried into his coat pocket to retrieve the package of a familiar habit he couldn't seem to kick.

Scarlet was the first to speak up, voicing her familiar tone of redundancy laced with annoyance as she stared at him. His own sarcasm was brutish as he spat out his own little comment in retort, mentioning, "Tryna' ride Shachou's dick again, are we?" He laid the cigarette on his bottom lip and tugged out a lighter, thumb brushing over the flintwheel as he watched the Boss-man trade conversation.

But soon enough, it had all came to an end. President Rufus, in all of his enigmatic glory, had halted the conversation with his 'witty' comment and a snap of his fingers, the others following him outward. Reno simply stood at his still and lit the cigarette, then taking a long--lazy--drag. When he lifted his right hand, the middle finger erected to alert the President silently in his usual 'Fuck off' manner.

Yeah, fuck you too, Shachou. I ain't got the time to bother with yer shit.

"Alright, Dot-man. What's the mission?" He had once more flicked two digits through strands of crimson, before shoving his goggles back onto his forehead to subdue the cascading tresses. Thankfully for him, most of it stayed where it should due to all the grease from the last washing... or lack there of. But still, the less-than-tamed hair still wanted to trouble him. He'd ignore it, for now.

Go figure. First things first, he told him to keep his mouth shut. Atleast, he should've. Reno keeping a civil tongue was like Rufus managing to bang Tifa, it ain't happening. "Yeah, Boss. Got it." He had merely retired to standing in silence, staring at his partner in all of this. If there was anyone he could actually trust... It was Rude. He had been there through thick and thin, especially the thick. Like when he broke his arm.

Oi, oi! Enough of th' reminiscing, we got work to do!

For the first in a long time, he had reprimanded himself mentally. It was rare that he spaced enough, especially after he started smoking. A huge scar lay on the back of his hand from the last time it happened, when the cigarette managed to fall and scathe into his skin. He didn't even scream when it happened. Merely flinched, then tossed it out. Wouldn't be the last time; his hands had been calloused by hard work since.

As he snuffed out the cigarette on the wall beside himself, when he had shaken himself back into reality, he stared with slight disinterest at his leader in these times. But if what he said is true, this could be interesting. "Oi, new source of mako? What typea' shit is it? Ultra-powered or somethin'?" He had hoped that his question would be answered, but instead... was rattled by a show of emotion.

"Got it, Dot-Man." He flicked a thumbs up, and turned to his partner once more... whom only delivered a solemn nod. Just like Rude, always silent. Always the reserved member. Unless shit got really deep, then he'd havta' worry about him losin' his cool. Which never was good. "Where's th' first stop, eh?"

[Rufus Shinra]

The female smiled, allowing a soft fit of laughter to escape through the crevices in her lips, but in the end it would incite no immediate response to the red-headed Turk himself. Instead, she would save herself for the President.

"Quite the mouth on that one."

"Perhaps."

The voice of the ShinRa Chief Executive was low, but filled with confidence and truth. It seemed unlike him, the latter, to be addressing something with honest tendencies.

"Perhaps?"

The President moved from where he had seen Heidegger guide Tseng and Reno out of his office, the door shutting behind them and turning to begin his way back to the large glass window that allowed him to glance across everything that he considered his.

"He brings a lot to this company, as does Tseng. I never underestimate the Turks, to do so would be like my old man."

Scarlet's eyes widened a bit, remembering Senior Shinra, but quickly shaking the memories out of her head and looking at the future of the ShinRa Electric Power Company, it was young and handsome. It was a power-hungry tyrant.

"... I see."

"Don't give me bullshit responses, I pay you to speak honestly."

Honestly? Since when did the white-clad devil praise and listen to others and their opinions? It seemed odd, but if that is what he wanted there was not much choice but to comply.

"Mr. President, do forgive me, but why do you keep the Turks in the dark about this new Materia?"

"It is simple, Scarlet."

"Oh?"

"This new Materia, the region you excavated it from, I know exactly what it is, or most likely is. It is best the Turks handle this, anyone else would not have the likelihood of survival as they do, which would ultimately render me resultless from this resource's producitivity value."

How cold, but it did make her smile. He was indeed Satan, or at least a damn good replacement. However, she felt the liberty to elaborate on what her superior had stated moments ago.

"It is a beautiful plan, sir. I believe I understand now..."

"Do you? Then, enlighten me."

"Of course."

She laughed softly, taking a moment to collect herself before speaking and presenting herself to Rufus.

"If the Turks can not do this, no one can. You would rather save time and finances by doing it once, doing it right, instead of trying to go with an average nobody, only to have them fail, possibly resulting in their death."

"Correct, so far."

She smiled, it felt good to be acknowledged by the ShinRa mastermind, but there was more to go with. She coughed, clearing her throat before reaching the conclusion.

"Thank you, Mr. President. You are keeping them in the dark, for if they knew they'd have more of a reason to altercate or abort the mission, but knowing their loyalty and dedication to carry out ShinRa's will, you are using that against them, as well as their curiousity, to ensure the mission goes as expected."

The President closed his eyes, tucking his hands into his trenchcoat's side pockets, laughing softly.

"So, you've figured it out, huh? Bravo, but..."

Uh-oh, not good. The word 'but' usually meant something bad, and this coming from Rufus himself, it could only be the Hurricane Katrina of verbal deliveries, so she prepared herself as best she could.

"... you have no idea the power they will possess."

This was frightening, the tone taken by the President was slightly hesitant, very unlike her superior. If only for a moment, it startled her iron nerves, but she recollected herself and continued speaking, defying a growing fear.

"And what power is that?"

The blonde devil stopped, turned, and locked eyes with an already nervous individual. It was like a carnivore staring down his prey, the precious, fleeting moments before it lunged, claws extended to tear the meaty flesh from their cold bones.

"That... of a God."