Guilt’s Cost: Part CXXVIII

Mission Departure

The next two days passed slowly, filled with one briefing about the mission after another. Everyone started to feel a little over prepared when the time to leave finally arrived. They were leaving early in the afternoon as to arrive in Midgar at sundown.

Vincent and Tifa were the first at the helicopter to meet Angel and Tseng. They stood in a tense silence as they waited for the others to arrive.

Back in their room, Rayna was giving Porter a tearful goodbye. She was terribly worried about him; he was still having a difficult time even walking although he was hiding it well. Rayna had pled with him several times during the night and this morning not to go, but he had politely disregarded her begging. He knew full well that he needed to be with them on this mission. Porter was the only one who had any idea where they needed to go or how to get there. He was vital to the success of this trip.

Resolving that he was in fact going to leave, Rayna placed her arms around him and gave him a farewell kiss. "Please be careful. I don’t know what I would do without you, I love you."

He closed his eyes, drinking up as much of these last few moments before departure as he could. "I will Rayna, don’t worry. I’ll be fine, and don’t forget I love you too."

"Okay…" Her voice wavered through her tears. "Goodbye."

"Goodbye." Porter took a few steps back from her. "Take good care of D, all right?"

"Sure." She slowly closed the door behind him as he left. After she knew he was out of earshot, Rayna threw herself onto the bed and started to cry, fearing for her lover’s life. D climbed up next to her and laid down at her side. If anyone was looking, they would think that the dog too was concerned for his master’s well being.

Porter emerged onto the airfield soon followed by Jaras. They approached the others as everyone continued to wait for Reno who was, as usual, late.

Jaras made his way right to Vincent’s side. "Hey."

"Are you ready for this?" He asked his son.

"Yes." Jaras wrapped his hand around the hilt of the sword strapped to his side. His long hair was tied tightly back and he was wearing the typical black mission outfit that Tseng had provided him.

Vincent wasn’t entirely certain of his son’s resolve but it was too late for worrying. He reached over and patted Jaras on the back. "This will be all over soon and then life can get back to something a little more normal."

"Whatever that is." Jaras sighed.

Tifa caught the expression on Jaras’ face and came before him. "Jaras are you sure you feel okay?"

He nodded slightly, trying to hide how he really felt. "Yes, thanks."

Reaching out and picking up one of his hands, Tifa locked gazes with him. "There is still time to change your mind."

"No, I’m sure about this." Jaras let his fingers curl around her tiny hand so that he could hold onto her for just a little longer. His feelings for Tifa were still driving him crazy despite his preoccupation with his returned memory. As soon as he felt his father’s gaze back on him again, he let go of her.

Tifa stepped back to Vincent’s side, knowing that Jaras was still thinking of her in terms beyond friendly. She had started to become accustomed to the way he looked and talked to her and on some level it had become very flattering.

They were all distracted from their individual conversations and thoughts when Reno burst out onto the airfield, announcing his arrival quite loudly. "All right, let’s get this fuckin’ show on the road!"

Everyone turned away from Reno’s disruptive entrance and started to board the chopper. Angel got on last along with her husband after giving him a quick hello peck on the cheek. He in return gave her a light swat on the rear as she got onto the helicopter.

Upon watching his son in law’s handling of his daughter Vincent rolled his eyes and sank further into his seat. Tifa saw his reaction and smiled to him before placing her hand on his knee.

Once everyone was on and strapped in, the engines to the chopper started and Tseng handed out the obligatory headsets to everyone so they could listen to yet another briefing on the way to Midgar.

"All right, can everyone hear me?" Tseng asked, looking over all those present.

Everyone nodded in response, except for Reno who as usual just flipped a hand at his boss.

"Good." Tseng smiled weakly. "Well, I think we’ve gone over this plan enough times that you all understand what you are to do, correct?"

Again, a unanimous nod from the crowd, save Reno.

"Excellent." He cleared his throat quietly before going on. "Basically all I wanted to say is that I appreciate all of you volunteering for this mission. You are all very aware of the risks, and many of you are having to face your own personal fears in order to invade that lab. Many of you have suffered terribly at the hands of the man we are about to face, and I commend your bravery. Once this mission is over, all of you will be set for the rest of your lives. You will not be expected to go on any more missions, if you wish, you may consider this your retirement. On the other hand, if any of you should wish to keep working as ASRIO agents, well I’d appreciate that as well."

Ericson and Morris looked thoughtful at this news. As life long agents, the thought of an early retirement was very tempting, however this life was all they had come to know and it was a fair bet that they wouldn’t accept his offer.

Reno smiled widely at the thought, until Angel gave him a quick leer telling him to forget any ideas of quitting the business.

Vincent and Tifa however would be more than ready to quit and settle down once this was over. Tseng had known this when he’s made his offer and in truth it was directed at them as well as Jaras.

Jaras in the meanwhile seemed to be taking little notice of Tseng’s words. He was staring out a small window at the ground growing distant below. Being trapped in his own thoughts things such as financial security were meaningless.

After a few more words, Tseng took his seat and left everyone to their own thoughts for the duration of the trip.