By Kristen Gupton-Williams

Very little was said amongst those on the helicopter as it made its way to Midgar. Vincent and Tifa sat together holding hands with Angel and Reno next to them doing the same. Jaras had managed to stash a book in the pack that Tseng had given him and was doing his best to read despite the shaky ride of the chopper.

Dark had just descended on Midgar by the time they neared it. At once, the stench of the open Mako wells within the old reactors was thick in the air, even inside the helicopter’s cabin. The pilot circled over the vast city before making the approach to the plate.

From the windows of the helicopter they all got a good view of what the plate had become. In the center where the Shin Ra building had once stood was now the enormous power plant that processed the solar energy collected by the panels that made up the majority of its surface. The great power plant with all of its lights stood out like some sort of vast ghost of the city that had been there before. An eerie green vapor still emanated from the old reactors even though all of them except number Six were completely abandoned. There was one sector of the plate that was completely dark, unadorned with solar collectors or power lines. This was their goal for that was the still unrepaired area where they were to land.

Porter got up from his seat and made his way to the cockpit in order to direct Brad where to set down. He placed himself somewhat awkwardly into the empty copilot’s seat and donned a headset.

Brad gave him a passing glance as he continued to guide the helicopter toward the vacated sector. "Mister Porter?"

"Yeah, I thought I might show you where I think it would be best to sit down." Porter said, pointing vaguely at the nearing dark area.

"I think I know where best to set down this bird." The pilot said, not entirely grateful for anyone’s help no matter what their intentions.

"Well, granted, but I know where to get into the ducts that go to the reactor and there is a real nice open area pretty close to there. I thought maybe I could just show it to you." Porter was going to do his best to make the pilot feel that the final decision on where to land was his own idea. "I don’t know anything about landing spots but if you thought it was good maybe you’d like to use it."

Brad knew what the former Turk was trying to do and decided to humor him. "Fine, where is this spot?"

"It’s almost dead center, there between those three taller buildings." Porter again pointed out toward the abandoned area.

"Okay, I got you." Brad nodded slightly as he guided the chopper toward the spot. After circling over it a few times, he had to admit that Porter was right. Without further discussion, he slowly began to bring the helicopter down.

Satisfied that he had gotten his way, Porter pulled off the headset and made his way to the back of the chopper again, finding the other’s donning their packs in preparation for disembarking.

Once the helicopter was on the ground and the engines cut, Tseng gave those present some last words. "You all have your orders. Please be careful and we will see you when it is time to pick up."

The side door was slid open and people began to get out. First went Ericson and Morris, followed by Porter and Jaras. Tifa and Vincent both stayed inside for just a moment longer, as they both gave Angel and Tseng brief embraces and good byes. Reno also was with them until the end, as he remained to give his wife a lingering farewell kiss. Afterward they too stepped out onto the surface of the plate.

Tseng closed the door to the chopper and locked it. He, Angel, and the pilot would remain there in the locked helicopter until Ericson returned at which time they would leave the plate until it was time to return to pick up the others.

Porter wasted no time and started toward where he knew the nearest hatch was. He walked as quickly as he could manage hiding his limp as well as possible. There was no way that he was going to allow anyone to know exactly how badly he was still hurting. This mission was the most important thing to him right now and he had to make it through.

Not having enough time to sit and stew in their fear for what was coming, all of those present soon had to follow the Turk into the shadows. Porter led them straight to a ruined two-story building and climbed through an enormous hole in the wall. Just inside was a gash torn into the floor, which would give them access to the inner passages of the plate.

Carefully as was possible, Porter dropped through this opening and into the duct. The impact of the short fall sent a searing pain through his entire injured leg and for a moment he had to catch his breath fearing that he had undone all the healing that had taken place. By the time all the others had joined him however, he had managed to start walking again.

Vincent and Tifa still took up the rear and made their way behind the rest of the team. Tifa could sense Vincent’s tension and felt badly for him. He had suffered so much at the hands of the man they were about to meet that the fact that he was able go toward that lab at all was a miracle. In the darkness of the tunnel she would flash him reassuring smiles which he tried hard to return.

In truth Vincent was more concerned with Tifa’s safety than his own. The mere thought that she would be in the madman’s presence was killing him. He would do anything to prevent the scientist from touching her no matter what that meant. When the passageway was wide enough for them to walk side by side; he would take Tifa’s hand into his own.

Jaras too was mired in thought as he made his way down the tunnel. Often he would reach down and grip the hilt of his sword tightly in an effort to reassure himself. It may have been over seven years since he had properly used the weapon but he was fully confident that when the time came that he would be more than able. He was still worried about what would become of him if he survived this. Whether or not the act of killing would be pleasurable to him was his biggest concern. If this mission made him back into a homicidal maniac he hoped that someone would do him in before he took the life of someone innocent. Also within him was a small copy of what his father was feeling. His feelings for Tifa still remained and he knew that if it came down to him defending her that he would do it with every fiber of his being.