Guilt’s Cost: Part LXXX

Vincent’s Visitor

Porter sat in his office trying to get through some paperwork the Professor had assigned to him. The scientist had been working in the lab nonstop since capturing Tifa and Vincent. Porter didn’t really know what was happening to the two captives nor did he care; at least that’s what he kept telling himself.

Deciding that the paper work could wait for a few moments, he leaned back and dropped his pen. He reached down and pulled open the bottom drawer to his desk. From within he brought out Vincent’s Death Penalty.

Porter admired the weapon in his hands, never having seen such a gun before. Its glossy black surface shone with a carefully polished brilliance. Where Hojo’s prisoner could have acquired such a weapon Porter did not know. It was unlike anything he had ever seen and he was excited to now be its owner.

Hojo threw open the door. "Porter!"

The Turk jumped at the rude entrance and quickly put the gun back away. "Yes Sir?"

"I need to go out for a bit. Tifa is ready and there are some things that require my attention before proceeding. Go watch over our guests." The scientist ordered, obviously annoyed at having to exit his precious laboratory.

"Yes Sir." Porter rose up from his desk and pulled his passkey to the lab from his pocket. After Hojo had gotten to the elevator Porter opened the lab and went in. He made his way to Vincent’s room wishing to see the former Turk. D trotted along closely at his side.

Vincent opened his eyes, spotting his visitor staring at him from the doorway. Seeing anyone other than Hojo brought an odd smile to his lips. "Porter?"

The Turk took a few steps forward and his dog sat at his feet. "Mr. Valentine."

Vincent’s eyes landed upon D. The cybernetic amendments on the animal caught his attention. "He did it to your dog too?"

Porter looked down at D. "Hojo did this to him before I had him. I found him in the trash destined for the incinerator. I don’t know what he did it for."

Noting the depth of emotion on Porter’s face as he spoke about the dog, Vincent realized that the man before him was a feeling human being, unlike Hojo. This might be the chance that Vincent had been searching for. He recalled Hojo’s comments about Porter and his girlfriend. "Tell me, what do you think Hojo has done to your girlfriend?"

Porter raised his eyebrows. The question had caught him off guard. "How do you know I even have a girlfriend?"

Vincent rested his head back against the table he was still strapped to. "Hojo told me. He also told me that he’s done something to her."

"What?" Porter wondered if Vincent was telling him the truth or if he was trying to manipulate him.

"I bet he’s done something to her like this; if Hojo doubts your loyalty to him he will let you know that if you don’t cooperate with him she will die." Vincent closed his eyes, knowing the mad man’s ways all too well.

"You don’t know what you’re talking about." Porter narrowed his eyes and clenched his fists.

"Maybe, maybe not." Vincent slowly reopened his eyes and looked at Porter. "Why don’t you ask Hojo for yourself? If I’m wrong or lying, so be it. But if I’m right and you want to save her, let me know."

Porter felt a chill run down his spine. There was something in this man’s tone that was very sincere. Then again, Vincent had been a Turk, and psychological manipulation was something he would have received training in. Unfortunately, this was the same subject that Porter had been so terribly bad at, making him suitable for this assignment. "If you’re right, why would you want to help her?"

Vincent’s face lost all expression. "Because if I help you, you might help me in return."

Porter scoffed. "And risk pissing off Hojo and ending up like you? No thanks!"

"Your girlfriend means that little to you?" Vincent frowned slightly. "All that has happened to me at the hands of the Professor is because I cared for the women I loved too much."

Vincent had struck Porter where it hurt. The young man did love Rayna and knew that if it came down to it; he would go through the gates of Hell for her.

Vincent just watched as Porter’s thoughts played out on his face. Although he didn’t show it, Vincent felt a flicker of hope. It was clear that this young man had no business as a Turk. He felt too much.

Porter felt uncomfortable under Vincent’s continued stare and went back out into the main room of the lab. He worried about what Vincent had said to him. There was no doubt in his mind that Hojo was capable of having done something to Rayna, but he hoped he was just being paranoid.

He gave a brief moment of thought to going in and seeing Tifa, but he knew that Cloud would be in there too. The animated dead man made Porter uncomfortable and he found himself unable to go check on her.

Porter sat down in a corner of the lab next to a garbage bin. He began to pick through its contents looking for anything of interest.

Hojo eventually returned with a large box in his arms. He spotted his Turk over at a table messing with his few scavenged electronics. "Porter!"

The Turk shot up from his seat startled. "Sir?"

"Up to your trash picking again, I see." Hojo sighed as he set his box down on the counter.

Porter cleared the table, stuffing his treasure into his coat pockets. He looked up at Hojo, feeling a sweat break out across his skin. How can I ask him about Rayna?

Hojo sensed the change in Porter’s composure and turned to him. "Something on your mind, my dear Porter?"

He tried to force a smile, wanting to seem casual. "I checked in on Vincent and he tried to scare me."

Hojo’s eyes narrowed. "How is that?"

"Oh, he said that you had probably done something to Rayna." Porter dropped his gaze to the side betraying his fear.

"Ah, I see." Hojo remembered telling that to Mr. Valentine. His lips upturned into a cruel smile. "He did not come up with that idea on his own, I fear."

Porter felt the color drain from his face. "What?"

The scientist took a few steps closer to his Turk. "You remind me a lot of Mr. Valentine. As such, I have made certain to make arrangements to assure your continued loyalty to me."

Porter’s hand ached to pull his gun from his side. "What did you do to her?"

"Let’s just say that you had better make damned sure that nothing happens to me, that’s all." Hojo took his glasses from his nose and started to wipe them with the hem of his lab coat. "If my heart rate drops below a given point, she will die. I have placed an implant in her linked to me."

Porter fell back into his chair. He heart felt as though it had been torn from his chest. Vincent had been right and Rayna was in danger. "Professor…"

"Don’t worry, dear Porter. As long as nothing happens to me she will remain unharmed. There is nothing for you to be concerned about." Hojo slipped his glasses back on. "I will admit this is quite a bit for you to take, so I will dismiss you for the rest of the day."

Porter rose from his seat, shaking terribly. His legs felt as though they would give out at any moment. He was speechless and he merely patted his thigh to signal D to follow. The Turk trudged out of the lab without looking back at Hojo. He got onto the elevator and let the tears come. He was terrified about what might happen to Rayna. He hit the button to go up to the accounting offices at once. He needed to see her.