Chapter 9: Twin Dragon Mreg

To Willy’s relief, Tyser was waiting for them on the first floor of Shinra Headquarters. "Finally. You guys sure put your asses on the line." He frowned when he saw that Korben was depending on Willy’s help to walk. "Hey, what happened? You drunk?"

"Something like that," Willy replied wearily, motioning for him to take her place. He did, and she took a moment to stretch. "He’s a little less that clear, okay? We’ll talk later."

The blonde narrowed his eyes—he must have noticed that Korben was still trembling—but he didn’t argue and helped his friend into the elevator. Once inside, Korben sagged against the glass wall. He sighed and rubbed his forehead.

"I gotta warn you about something," Tyser said as the glass cylinder began to ascend. His voice had lost it usually cheery tone and become grim. "This job we’re being assigned to…might have to do with Gavin."

No. No more. Willy pressed her hands against the smooth, transparent surface to keep them from shaking. "Vincent, why aren’t you here?" she whispered despairingly. She licked her dry lips with an equally dry tongue, and closed her eyes. She realized then that she wouldn’t want Vincent always kept a straight face and a clear head. He treated each problem with logic and skill, and he never lost his cool.

But Vincent wasn’t there now.

Which meant that Willy had to do it herself: Because Tyser was a damn fine Turk but not the smartest of men; and though Raile often acted with compassion for his friends, Gavin’s behavior and Korben’s mistakes would quickly list both men as unforgivable. The leader of the Turks was strict if nothing else.

"Willy?"

"I’m okay, Tyser." Willy leaned away from the glass wall. "But there’s something you should know."

The elevator announced their arrival on the 30^th floor with a soft pin, and the door slid open. "Save it," he told her. "Just brace yourself, okay?" He glanced at Korben. "You okay, pal?"

Korben, who had been staring at the thirty-foot drop outside the elevator with fascination, managed to push away from the wall and walk on his own. "I’ll live," he muttered, stepping into the President’s massive office. His two friends followed a moment after.

"So, you finally decided to join us," grumbled General Sines from behind the president’s desk. He was a tall, thickly built man with wide-set eyes that were nearly crushed beneath a pair of heavy, rusty-gray eyebrows. Once he’d been an energetic, glory-seeking red-headed soldier; age and the strains of living in Midgar had conformed his spirit to match the iron labyrinth’s rugged and demanding center. "I don’t want to hear excuses. We’ve wasted enough time as it is."

"We apologize, sir." As the Senior Turk it was Raile’s responsibility to answer for all of them.

"I’m sure you do," said the President. His elbows were braced on his desk, chin resting on folded hands. "But let’s not lose focus. General."

The General lifted a vanilla folder off the President’s desk and began to flip through its pages. "This mission is somewhat different than what you’re used to: it’s an assassination. I realize that your best sniper, Valentine, is off an assignment, but this won’t require dead-eye accuracy. I do, however, want all four of you on it."

"All four of us, sir?" Raile repeated questioningly. Usually only one or two Turks were assigned to a sniper assassination.

"Yes, all of you. Your target is a member of SOLDIER."

Raile nodded; Tyser lowered his head; Korben merely blinked; and Willy held her breath. Her hands, trained to her sides, curled tightly.

"His name is Kem Arvon," General Sines continued, and Willy kept herself from sighing openly in relief. When she remembered who Kem’s partner was, however, her mood darkened once more. "I believe you’ve worked with him before. He’s a First Class SOLDIER member, partner to Gavin Frekes. We also have reason to believe that he’s the one leaking information to the terrorists."

"As you know," the President interrupted, "I take this matter seriously. I won’t accept traitors to my company."

"Of course, sir," Raile replied tightly, "but why not send another SOLDIER member?" His real concern was the First Class title attached to the name of their target. SOLDIER members were trained to be perfect, and the highest ranking officers were some of the strongest, most elite fighters in the world.

General Sines handed over the file. "There’s something else you need to know," he said authoritatively. "Last night Arvon was assigned to guard the Sector Three plate construction along with two other Third Class officers. There was a rebel attack, and though they ultimately were driven off, nearly a dozen were killed, including the two Third Class SOLDIERs. And they weren’t shot."

Willy closed her eyes briefly, recalling what she knew about Kem Arvon. She knew him to be a quiet youth who was very serious about his work. She couldn’t imagine him doing the things General Sines was implying. But then, no one was acting normally.

"Since then he’s gone missing," the General continued. "I doubt he’s left the city yet. Your job is to locate and eliminate him."

A moment of silence passed among the Turks. Then Raile said, "Understood, sir."

"Arvon was last seen in Sector Three. When you find him, I don’t recommend approaching."

"Yes, sir."

The President unfolded and then refolded his hands. "I expect swift results, Mr. Raile. Don’t disappoint me."

"No need to worry, sir. It’ll be take care of." All five Turks straightened in unison and nodded agreement , as one unit moving silently to the door. Only Korben’s hint of lethargacy offset their precision as they exited the President’s office.

Raile pressed the elevator button for the lobby, then turned to his Turks. "I know you dislike this as much as I do," he said gravely, "but you heard the General. Kem Arvon is dangerous, and it is our responsibility to handle this."

"I’m stumped as to why Kem’d do this," muttered Tyser. "He’s a good guy, and I didn’t think he’d ever betray Shinra."

"It is strange," his boss agreed as the elevator descended. "But I’m afraid we can’t hope for explanations."

Leaning her back against the glass, Willy took a deep breath. She glanced at Korben, wondering if he intended to speak, then decided to do the job herself. "There’s something I have to tell you," she said quietly. "Gavin might be involved."

Raile’s attention fell upon her quickly. "Why’s that?"

"Because I saw him earlier, and he was acting strange." She cast her gaze to the far edge of the plate, where the last vestiges of orange day could be seen. "He wasn’t himself. His eyes have changed, and he…" She broke off, not wanting to speak of his harsh words.

She was saved from having to explain by Korben’s soft interjection. "Something was done to him," he murmured. "He’s been changed. Whatever made Kem do these things is part of Gavin Frekes as well."

"What do you mean?" Raile demanded. "What was done?"

Korben kept his head down. Though he had all but recovered from the drug, he was still unsteady on his feet from his previous experiences. "I…should tell you all," he said at long last. "You should know."

"Know what?" Tyser prompted.

"Let’s go back to the apartment. I’ll explain there."

Despite Raile’s impatience, Korben insisted on doing things his way. He sat on the floor at the short living-room table, legs crossed and eyes down on his deck of cards. The others seated themselves around the table in anxious silence. After a considerable amount of time the newest Turk retrieved his deck, shuffled, and placed four cards face up on the wood. The first was Amphorus, the One-Winged angel; the second looked like a glowing skeleton, draped loosely in pieces of flesh; next was a dragon, its thin body colored white; the last was Chaos.

"I used to live with my parents and grandparents, far away from here," he began in a subdued tone. "My grandmother could tell the future, like I can, but she didn’t need cards. She could sense peoples feelings and listen to voices from the Earth. She…was a Cetra."

"A Cetra?" Tyser repeated, puzzled. "That some kind of disease?"

"More commonly known as the Ancients," Raile explained. "The original inhabitants of this planet." He stared at Korben thoughtfully. "You’re an Ancient?"

"Sort of. My grandmother was, but my grandfather wasn’t, and my mother was human. So I’m only about one fourth Ancient." He inhaled deeply and continued. "There aren’t many left. But that’s not what matters." He gestured to the cards with a wave of his hand. "I’m not very good with Ancient stuff unless I have help, like these. I came up with them—most of them—on my own, and some are people I’ve met, like Mindy. But these four are different. Amphorus, Pawn, Serramph, and Chaos; immortality, vulnerability, self, and…damnation. I had no real motive or inspiration in creating them. I never gave them much thought, because they rarely show up. But now…."

"I hope this has something to do with our mission," their leader interrupted.

"It does." He took a sip from the glass of water Willy had brought for him. "I read Kem’s fortune after the day I read Gavin’s. He pulled Chaos. Everyone did, but they all pulled it on the first draw. I figured it out." He lowered his head. "The problem is me. I think I’ve been picking up the psychic waves from some being."

Raile and Tyser exchanged baffled looks, clearly becoming annoyed with the ridiculousness of Korben’s explanation. "I think you’re tripping," said the latter.

Willy bit her lip and didn’t speak. Korben remained silent for a moment before elaborating. "It is possible," he told them slowly. "Ever since Vincent pulled Chaos, since he met Lucretia and was relocated, something’s happened. In March, something happened. I’m telling you, there’s something here, in this city, that doesn’t belong. It’s…." He shook his head almost violently. "It’s driving me out of my skull."

Willy was stirred to defend him from their elders’ dubious looks. "He’s not making it up. When Gavin came here today, he wasn’t himself. If you’d seen Korben’s reaction, you’d believe him."

"So what exactly are you trying to say?" asked Tyser. "That Frekes’s a freak, and Arvon’s really a psychic being?"

"I’m saying that they’ve changed somehow," he responded, his voice becoming strained. "It’s something unnatural—inhuman, even. And it has to do with these four cards."

Raile sighed, clearly unimpressed, and climbed to his feet. "I’ve had enough."

Korben raised his head. "I’m telling the truth!" he cried. "You don’t understand—whatever this thing is, it’s got more on its mind than Shinra politics and plate construction."

The head Turk crouched down, swiftly grabbing the man by the collar of his suit and dragging him to his feet. "I told you, that’s enough," he said in a harsh, low tone, startling them all. "You think I haven’t figured out what you’ve been doing, Jay? I’ve been covering your ass for a long time, but this is the end. Cut the bullshit and keep yourself clean for once or I’ll have you taken care of." He let go, and Korben sank slowly to the couch. "Now, you heard the general. We take Arvon out, and then question Gavin. All of us. I want all three of you at Mordrina Station in one hour, got it?" His eyes snapped on each in turn, waiting until they’d given him a nod of approval. Korben’s affirmation was hesitant, but he wouldn’t argue. "Good. Now get ready; we place this by Spades." With an air of superiority he left.

"Geez, what was that?" Tyser muttered, frowning thoughtfully. He turned to his friends. "What was he talking about?"

Willy moved over to Korben and put a hand on his shoulder in sympathy. "Raile’s family is in Sector Three," she reminded them. "If something had happened to the plate construction, they could have been killed. This is personal for him." She looked at Korben, and found herself staring at a dejected, terrified man. "Korben," she asked quietly, "is that all? What do you think happened to Kem and Gavin?"

Korben gulped, trying to collect his thoughts. "I’m not sure," he replied at long last. "But there’s something in them that doesn’t belong. Something awful. I…don’t know if I could face it again."

Willy sighed, clasping his shoulder to give him strength. "Korben, I know you can handle it. You just have to pull yourself together. You’re a Turk, right? We all have to be strong."

Standing above them, Tyser looked on thoughtfully. "I don’t really get what’s going on," he said, "but you can’t let it get you so bad. I saw we focus on this and worry about psychic demons later."

"Tyser’s right, for once. Let’s just take care of Kem."

Though he was still made weary with anxiety, Korben nodded. "Alright," he agreed hoarsely. "I’ll get ready."

The four Turks gathered in Sector Three, armed and prepared for the task ahead. The first several hours of their mission were spent searching for the missing SOLDIER, inquiring at every bar, inn, and tenant house in the Sector. No one had seen Kem since the incident. Their search of Sector Two was similarly ineffective, and Sector One. Finally Tyser suggested they simply find the man’s apartment.

"Arvon’s place is in Auglim," said Raile. "It’s under constant surveillance, and he hasn’t gone back to it."

"Gavin hasn’t, either?"

"I guess not."

The Turks paused to collect their thoughts; none were eager to question everyone in Midgar’s population. Korben suggested, "What about Mindy’s? Gavin was there earlier."

Though Raile was obviously reluctant to follow any of Korben’s advice, he relented out of desperation. "All right, we’ll try. Come on."

Mindy’s Café was alive that night, as it was every night, with the usual crowd of drunken men. They laughed and argued, harassing the waitresses as they shared exaggerated stories. Mindy herself was about, sliding gracefully through the tables and casting suggesting looks at the men. Willy silently envied her elegance and charm, and the ease in which she gathered the attention of every man at the bar. It was sickening and unfair.

Mindy surveyed the dozens of eager men at her disposal, then moved purposefully across the room to a table near the bar’s large glass window. Seated there were two men in casual clothing, laughing at some joke. It was Gavin and Kem.

"Wha’do’ya know," Tyser muttered, hiding with his companions in an alley across from the bar. "Duce was right."

In the bar, Kem pulled a wad of money out of his pocket and handed it to Mindy, then waved to Gavin. A short exchange of conversation passed among the trio, then Mindy took Gavin by the hand and led him toward the back room. By the time the door had closed behind them she’d already begun unbuttoning his shirt.

Willy closed her eyes, attempting to erase the scene from her memory. "I’m fine," she told the others before they could ask. "Kem’s alone now. Let’s do this." When she reopened her eyes they were filled with resolution. Gavin’s not himself. Remember what you told Vincent? If you love him, you’ll take care of him, despite his mistakes. She took a deep breath and began to check her gear.

"We’ll have to get Gavin, too," Raile said, accessing the situation. "We won’t have to kill him, but I want him immobilized. Korben’s our main sniper now, but I don’t think he’ll be taking this shot." The man in question lowered his head and nodded. "Tyser, I want you. Make it clean; there are a lot of innocent people in there."

"I wouldn’t call them ‘innocent’," muttered Tyser, "but I got it. One shot."

"Mindy’s room has another door," said Korben. "In the back, leading outside. When she’s with a customer she keeps it unlocked in case they get rough."

Raile considered. "I’ll take care of it, then. Once Tyser takes the shot, I want Willy to check the body and Tyser in with me. If anyone in the bar tries something, you’re safety is more important than theirs."

"Thanks, Raile," replied Tyser. "I didn’t know you cared."

The boss shot him a stern look, though his mood had lifted since the hours before in their apartment. They possibility of ending this mission gave him some confidence back. "Anyway, Korben will stay here as standby, got it? Good." He slipped out of the alley and made his way around the back of the bar, being careful not to pass the window where Kem was seated. Willy took up a position near the door, giving the appearance of idleness while Tyser readied himself in the alley. He raised the rifle Korben had let him borrow, aiming the electronic sights at the side of Kem’s head. After giving Raile ample time to reach the back door, he took a breath and squeezed the trigger.

The door was easy to find; it was covered in fluorescent spray paint that read "Mindy’s Room." Raile held his weapon ready in both hands, waiting. A moment later he heard the percussion of Korben's rifle, and the shattering of glass. He sprang into action. The door yielded without complaint under his boot, and in an instant he was in the room with his gun aimed at the back of Gavin's head. "Hold it!" he shouted, slightly disturbed by the scene he’d interrupted.

Gavin groaned, more annoyed than startled by the intrusion. He rolled away from Mindy, who didn’t bother to cover her naked body. "Do you mind?" she snapped. "I’m with a customer here."

"Get up and put your clothes back on," the Turk leader instructed, his sights still on Gavin. He repressed a flash of anger at the man—after dealing with a lonely and Gavin-deprived Willy for a year, he couldn’t accept this behavior. SOLDIER or not. "I’m sorry, but I’m taking you in."

Gavin regarded the armed Turk coldly, clearly unimpressed. "Any other time I might go along with this," he said, "but I’m not in the mood right now. Unless Shinra’s made sex a crime, too."

"You’re a funny guy, Frekes. Now get up. Your partner’s already dead."

He cocked an eye. "So are you," he muttered. He dragged Mindy back to him, settling the problem with a wave of his hand.

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