Timeframe: Alternate universe, so Cid and Vince are not 35 years apart-_^

The man's short blond hair was cut haphazardly; short with some parts even standing up a bit. Unruly bangs covered his eyes, but Vincent could tell from his stance that he wasn't keeping his eyes downcast. He was a bit short, but seemed stocky, even in the loose outfit he wore. Hojo's hand squeezed his shoulder as he grinned at the audience. "This is the first volunteer to complete my special training program. Captain Highwind, formerly of the Shinra Air Force." There was polite applause, but Hojo had expected that. "Perhaps a presentation is in order. Mr. Valentine, would you care to assist me?"

Ever doubtful of Hojo's motives Vincent shook his head, but turned to Reno. The redhead nodded and walked up onto the platform stage.

"All right then. If you could just try to attack me please?"

Reno grinned as he cracked his knuckles. He knew how much his boss hated Hojo, so he'd be sure to give him a good show. He didn't think the captain would give him that much trouble.

Reaching back to slug the Professor, Reno suddenly found himself facedown on the ground with his arm being pulled back roughly. "Shit!"

Hojo tried to hide his amusement as best he could. "You may release him captain." The blond let go of Reno's arm, and then stood up straight as if nothing happened. Reno rubbed his shoulder and arm, sulking as he went back to his seat. He was worried that Vincent would be angry with him. But the Turk leader was staring at the captain curiously. His movements had a fluidity Vincent had rarely seen, but there had been a slight hesitation when ordered to let Reno go. //I saw Hojo tap his back when he told him to stop. I don't think he was only threatening, I believe he really planned on breaking Reno's arm. Just what kind of training is this?//

"Of course, these trainees are not dangerous to us. For example," he reached over and grabbed his assistant's hand, then pressed it on the captain's crotch, squeezing. While the assistant was blushing madly, the captain didn't give the slightest hint of reacting to this. Not a blink or quick breath, or even a change in how his muscle tensed.

"Thank you." Hojo released his assistant's arm and continued talking while she hurried back to where she had originally been standing, blushing all the way. "As you can see, this special training has made him desensitized to any non-battle stimuli. So he can't be distracted or otherwise made to deviate from his mission. He is now a weapon for our use."

***

Vincent growled to himself as the helicopter flew around Nibelheim, as Reno was trying to find a suitable place to land. The captain was sitting across from him, never taking his eyes off the floor (once Vincent told him to stop staring at him). //He's like a toy robot with no batteries. It's so aggravating.// The president had ordered the Turks to take him on a mission and see if he could be useful or not. It was a minor situation, but Vincent and Reno knew that they were now competing to see who could do the better job. Yet what irked him most was the fact that Hojo had been the one behind this. They had once unofficially competed for the same woman when they were young, and although neither had actually gotten her attention, they still hated each other without reason. So Vincent was determined to see the captain fail.

Once at the inn, the three dropped their things off in their room. Vincent thought they'd be able to concentrate better on their work after a light lunch, so he told Reno and the captain to meet him downstairs in the pub. The redhead ran off quickly, always hungry. While Vincent checked over his weapons, he unobtrusively watched the captain get something out of his pack. He had grabbed a small filled syringe from a small box on his lap, and then removed the plastic cap. After rolling up his sleeve, he injected the syringe into himself without any change of expression. Putting his things away, he stood up straight and stared at Vincent. The Turk tried to ignore him, but he could feel the blond staring at him, even past the short hair. "What do you want?" His voice betrayed his irritation.

"What are my orders, sir?"

//Didn't I just say it? Maybe he's not too bright. More brawn than smarts or something. I need to get him out of my hair before he drives me mad though.// "Your orders, Captain Highwind, are to head north toward our target. You're to scout the area and clear the way for Reno and me. We'll meet on the way there within the hour."

"Yes sir." The captain saluted, grabbed his spear, and then left without any other comment.

//How arrogant. I'm sure we'll find him cowering behind a rock when we get there.//

***

An hour later, Vincent was amazed at the number of monster corpses on the side of the path. Reno whistled appreciatively at one carcass that had a gaping hole right between the eyes. "Damn, I'd hate to get him angry. Oh wait, I forgot, he can't get angry, heh." He chuckled as he kicked at the dead beast. They walked a little more in silence until the path they followed turned behind a rock formation.

"Holy shit! What the hell is that?!" Reno grabbed for his weapon as they came upon a dead dragon. Even Vincent was amazed at the size of this monster.

It was a full-grown mountain dragon, now lying in rubble on its side. It had several injuries on its neck and chest, and one wing had been slashed in half. //How could he have done this?// Vincent looked around, his gaze pausing on lighter blood droplets leading away from the dragon. "Look. I don't think this dragon was such an easy kill for him." The two followed the blood for about half a mile of the increasingly rocky terrain. They finally found its source fighting against 3 Nibel wolves.

The blond man was favoring his right leg, and was only using one arm to hold his spear, while the other was hanging limp at his side (which was the cause of the blood on the trail). Vincent and Reno ran over to help him, dispatching the beasts quickly. Once finished, the Turks tried to see if there was anything they could do for the blond.

"Have I completed my mission sir?" The captain's face was dripping blood, yet his expression was unemotional as always.

"Erm... yes Captain Highwind. Mission complete." The brunet winced as he realized the reason his arm was limp was because it had been gnawed on by the dragon, and the bones were splintered grotesquely, "Next time, please don't take such wild risks, all right?"

"Yes sir, understood."

//I don't. How can you not feel this?// Vincent cast a 3rd level Cure on his arm, glad that most of the damage healed itself. "Reno, find me something to use as a splint."

"Not necessary sir." Highwind flexed his hand. "I will heal. May I be permitted to continue?"

"Geez man, take a break!" Reno shouted out, amazed at the captain's determination. "Why don't ya just be rear guard for us, yeah?"

"Yes sir."

***

After the day's duties, the trio rested at the inn. Reno passed out once he had stripped to his boxers, though he covered himself completely in a thick blanket.

Vincent was sitting at the small table, cleaning his disassembled gun while the captain took a shower. When he came out Vincent couldn't help but stare at the nearly naked man. His stocky body was fairly tan, and his muscles rippled with each movement he made. His skin was covered in scars, mostly his back, but they were light despite their numerous amount. As he dressed, Vincent realized the wounds from that day had scabbed over darkly, looking much better than earlier. "Highwind, how did you heal so fast?"

"The professor used small amounts of Mako during my training program." He sat on his bed and started grabbing his box from his pack.

Vincent got up and went over to him. Without saying anything, he pushed Highwind's damp hair away from his face. Sky blue eyes looked at him passively. They were curious, but not what Vincent would have expected from anybody else he suddenly stared at without explanation. //They don't have a mako glow, perhaps Hojo used other things as well.// He blushed slightly, then removed his hand. //I can't believe how quickly I've gotten used to him not reacting to anything with emotions...// Highwind took this as a sign he could go back to what he was doing, so he started getting his supplies ready for another shot. "Just what are those?"

"Professor Hojo says I must use them at least twice a day. I have not been told what they contain." The needle went cleanly into his skin as he pushed the plunger.

//And that doesn't bother him?// "What did you do before this? Before Hojo's program?"

"I was a mechanic, then a pilot. I don't remember much else. It's a side effect of the training."

"I see..." Vincent watched as the blond put his things away then laid down. "Goodnight Highwind."

"Goodnight sir."

***

On the return flight, Vincent wasn't as on edge from the captain's silence. It also helped that he kept his gaze to the floor from the beginning. //It wasn't so bad. His fighting was rather helpful, really. I think it might be a good idea to mention to the president that it could be helpful if we were supplemented with his occasional help. Of course, his blind loyalty to orders would make it impossible to fully replace us.//

***

A couple of months later, Vincent and the captain had been paired up again for a mission to investigate the progress of Gongaga after a reactor explosion. The president had agreed with Vincent's original report and often ordered Hojo's soldier along with his Turks. Captain Highwind and he had to fight over four-dozen mako-enhanced monsters when they tried to leave the forested area that surrounded the destroyed city. Somehow, it hadn't been nearly so bad going in. "Highwind, it's getting dark. We should camp for the night."

"Yes sir. I'll scout out the area." The captain jogged behind the large boulders they were near, then past them into the tall grass. Vincent meanwhile started to make a fire, hoping it'd keep most of the beasts away during the night. By the time he had it going pretty well, the blond returned, wearing a few new scratches. "It is safe now sir. There were only two monsters in the near area."

"Good work." Vincent motioned for Cid to sit next to him, so their backs would be at the largest boulder. "Sleep, I'll take the first watch."

"Yes sir." Captain Highwind leaned back on the rock and crossed his arms over his chest. He had lost his pack during the day's fighting, and so he hadn't had any shots since they left Midgar in the morning. But he accepted it as an unavoidable problem.

After a few hours, Vincent mentally mapped the moon's progress and decided he only had about another hour to go before it was the captain's turn to take watch. Only a minute or so after he thought that, the blond started getting restless in his sleep. For all the times Vincent had seen him sleep, the blond had never done anything but sleep calmly. //Is he sick? Or having a nightmare?// He shook him slightly. "Highwind? Are you all right?"

The blond woke quickly, giving him a puzzled look.

//His eyes... they've never held so much curiosity.//

"What do you mean sir?"

"You were having a restless sleep. Were you having a nightmare?"

"I don't dream sir. But I am in pain, perhaps that is it." He looked down at his arms, where the cuts were healing quickly, yet pained him.

//Pain? He's never felt pain before. At least, none that he's ever reacted to.// "Do you think that this is because you haven't had your medication?"

"I suppose so sir." Highwind looked back at him. "Is it my turn to watch? You should rest sir."

//Something seems different, but I can't figure it out. He seems more... familiar. Not friendly, but something like that.// "If that's all right, then I think I will go to sleep."

"Good night sir."

Vincent laid back as he felt his tiredness make itself apparent. //I wonder...// "Captain, what is your first name?"

"Cid, sir."

//I half-expected him not to remember. I suppose that was silly of me.// Vincent fell asleep soon, the image of the captain's blue eyes soothing him in some strange unconscious dream.

***

In the morning, they continued to the outlaying flat lands beyond the forest. It seemed to Vincent that Highwind had a strange anger whenever he fought. It was as if his repressed rage was released suddenly, and it showed itself in how he killed any beasts in their way. //I guess I can tell Reno that he does get angry after all. I wonder why though. Perhaps his medication has some kind of side effect?//

A little while after noon, they finally made it to where Reno was waiting with the helicopter. Vincent used a potion on his and Highwind's wounds. They went over their report together, Vincent still feeling that strange type of casualness from Highwind, though he didn't mention it. He felt more comfortable with the blond than ever, and couldn't help but wonder if that was a good thing or not.

Once back at Midgar, Highwind was talking to the Professor while Vincent gave his report to the president. The Turk was explaining what they had seen at Gongaga when he turned suddenly as he heard the blond gasp. Professor Hojo had just injected him with a solution, as he was recapping a now empty syringe before putting it into his pocket. //Since when do his shots hurt him?// Vincent couldn't help but stare, especially when the Professor left without saying anything and the captain followed him, no longer limping as they had gone into the room.

The president noticed Vincent's distraction. "You suspect something?"

"Well Mr. President, I believe he is just too perfect. You've read my reports."

"Indeed. I want you to keep a close eye on Hojo and his pet project. Don't get caught though, this will be unofficial and I won't back you up on it."

"I understand Mr. President."

***

By the end of the day, Vincent had managed to break into Hojo's labs while he was getting supper from the cafeteria. He was glad the professor was messy, so there were several convenient hiding places. He found a good spot on top of a crate that was settled behind other stacked crates in a darkened corner of the room.

Hojo returned soon, tossing his trash into a waste receptacle. He walked over to a glass specimen container and typed into the keypad. The glass door slid open and someone got up from the floor then stepped out. Vincent recognized the captain and wondered as to why he had been in there. The blond looked calm as he stared at the Professor, even when he was suddenly slapped.

//What in the world?//

"You will never lose your serum again, understand?"

"Yes sir." The blond stared back unemotionally, but flinched just before Hojo slapped him again.

"And you will not engage in social interaction with that Turk again! I can't believe your lack of control!" Again he slapped the blond, which caused the reddening skin to turn even darker. "Understood Highwind?!"

"Yes sir." The captain's voice was even, but he was wincing slightly.

"Good. Execute order 10."

"..." In only a second, the blond immediately stopped wincing, his breathing also going back to normal.

"All right, let's put you back with the others." Hojo led the way to the side labs, one of which had a two-way mirror Vincent could see through even from his angle. Hojo unlocked the door and the captain walked inside without comment.

Vincent counted 4 other men in the room and 3 women. All had the same emotionless look as Highwind.

After Hojo closed the door, he went over to a control panel in front of the mirror and turned on an interior comm. system. "Execute order 17."

Vincent's jaw dropped as he saw the people inside kissing and groping each other without any pretense. They seemed to pair off randomly, grabbing whoever was next to them. Only one couple was male and female. He looked at the captain, who had been 'chosen' by the youngest looking male, probably only 22 years old. But unlike the others, Highwind pushed him away roughly, then went over to another couple and grabbed one of the other men. He then started passionately kissing this one, who didn't seem to have any problem with changing partners. The young man went off with the man who had lost his partner, and they continued as if nothing had happened.

Vincent couldn't help but wonder why Highwind had been choosy, so he tried to differentiate this man from the others. He seemed to be younger than him, but older than the one he had denied. His hair was long and black, but there was another man and one of the women also had black hair. His frame was somewhat slim, but not so much as to make him stand out from the others. Vincent mentally shrugged and looked back at Hojo.

The professor's hands were in tight fists and he seemed to be shaking slightly, from anger it seemed from his expression. The scrawny scientist turned and stomped into his office, where Vincent could hear him typing on his computer. While he waited, he turned back to the soldiers inside the room, feeling himself blush as he realized most of them had all ready started copulating. They hadn't removed their clothes, but just undone zippers and pulled down pants slightly, though Vincent could see some shirts had been pushed up as well. Knowing he probably shouldn't, but not being able to resist, he turned to look at Highwind, who was still fully clothed as was his partner.

The Turk felt voyeuristic watching, but couldn't turn away. Something about the blond's deep kisses and roaming hands aroused him. Perhaps it was the passion he was working with, plus the fact that he was oblivious to the other pairs around him, only focused on his partner. Though he was very lust-driven, he wasn't overly rough with the other man, even running his hand through his hair without pulling it. He only tipped the dark-haired man's head back slightly when he wanted another kiss. Vincent felt his blush deepen as he watched them both pull their pants down slightly, knowing he'd probably never be able to face Highwind if he was anything but the unemotional personality he had come to know. The captain pulled down his partner's pants down all the way, then grabbed him by the waist and lifted him up. At that point, Vincent had to look away in utter embarrassment. //How can I be watching this and getting a hard on? This isn't right! I knew Hojo must have been doing something wrong, and this proves it!// After a few minutes, he looked back, glad they had all finished. While all the pairs were sharing cots, Highwind was getting into one by himself, ignoring his partner. In some small way, it comforted him. //I wonder what it would be like, if I got a chance to be with him...// Vincent shook his head as if that would make the mental images go away.

Hojo left a minute or so afterwards, turning out the lights before locking the main lab doors behind him. Vincent waited a while to be sure, then left his hiding place and headed straight for Hojo's office. //Good, he left his computer on. I'm glad the fool is too arrogant to use passwords. I could get past them, but this makes it easier.// He pulled out a small electronic device from his pocket, which was about the size of the tip of his little finger. //I must certainly thank Reeve one of these days for making these for us.// He connected it between the phone line and the computer, which hooked up fine. It would take a close look to realize something new was there and Vincent doubted Hojo did that very often. //Of course, I'll be able to have his entire hard drive downloaded onto mine by midnight, so it doesn't even matter if he finds it.// Leaving the office, he didn't realize he had knocked a paper from Hojo's desk onto the floor.

When he past by the mirror, he took a minute to pause and look in. All the soldiers were asleep, including Highwind. //I wish I could just take you out of here, but it would be best to have the president's go ahead. That should be soon though.// He raised his hand to the glass, giving the blond a half-wave, but making sure he didn't actually touch it and leave any prints.

Once safely back in his room, Vincent turned on his computer and began copying Hojo's files. He distracted himself for a while, then went back when everything was done. //That is a lot of information. Must be years' worth.// Out of curiosity, he opened the file that Hojo had added to that evening. It was certainly not anything he expected to read.

~~~Subject Highwind seems to be fixated on Valentine. I suspect this is because he went without the serum while in close contact with the Turk. I disciplined him after getting some more information, but apparently I did not get my point across. During a 17, he deliberately chose a partner who is similar in appearance to him. It might be difficult to break him of this, but I've no doubt it can be done. I will teach him a lesson tomorrow.~~~

//Fixated? Because of lack of those shots? I remember thinking he was acting differently, but I don't understand.// He decided to just start reading from the beginning of the captain's file, and it gave him a chill to see it began 7 years ago. He kept reading until midmorning, when he had to force himself away from the computer because he still hadn't finished. He had started only skimming in the predawn hours, but he knew he had a pretty good idea of what had been going on.

These 'volunteers' were nothing of the kind. They had all been Shinra military who had been seriously wounded some way or another. Hojo had healed them with weak Mako treatments (which meant some had died; Highwind truly was the first subject though, but that was why there was quite a large age gap between him and the others). And after everything he had ever said, Hojo hadn't been doing any type of training. His methods were conditioning and reprogramming with the help of a neural implant, drugs, and even torture in the beginning. The implant was surgically placed deep inside the brain, where it could affect emotions, memory, and simulate pain sensations. This was initially used to teach the subjects to obey all of his commands on fear of pain. Even though he had this little device inside all of them, Hojo would find ways to physically hurt the subjects in their first year or two. Apparently that was a safety valve, so no matter what happened, they would never attack him.

Afterwards, the drugs in the solutions Hojo gave them nullified pain as well as emotions, though Hojo speculated it could lose effectiveness. But even if that ever happened, he was sure that only a trigger would be needed to get the results he wanted. Vincent learned they were taught 20 numerical commands, which Vincent only glanced at before he printed out a sheet in hopes of memorizing them. He did look up 17 in detail though, curious about what had happened. Apparently, it was needed to keep the subjects sane to a point. The lack of stimulus their brain could process would eventually cause the tissue to atrophy from disuse. Although it would begin in areas that Hojo didn't want, it would most certainly move around, ruining the subject eventually. Sexual activity seemed the best solution as it stimulated so much of the brain. When Hojo gave the command, it triggered the implant to instruct the brain to secrete several sexual hormones. So the soldiers would end up having sex with whoever might be around, regardless of whatever their sexual orientation originally might have been. This recent session had bothered Hojo because it was the first time one of the subjects actually made a choice as to a partner.

The fact that Highwind had a preference meant his mind was thinking about a person similar to the one he had chosen. Vincent couldn't help but blush again and wish he could reciprocate, but he knew that Highwind wasn't really in his right mind. He was probably only thinking about him because of their close contact during the mission anyway.

//I must tell the president about this. I'm sure he wouldn't stand for this kind of maltreatment. I'm sure he'll see what is going on and immediately send them all to Junon. Perhaps the scientists there can help undo the damage Hojo has created.//

***

Vincent was haunted by mental images of the blond captain all afternoon. He knew he had to talk to the president quickly, but he didn't want to say goodbye to Highwind. //Could I ask to be transferred to Junon perhaps? That might be suspicious. But no matter what I do, if I stick with him, it'll be obvious.// He sighed to himself while going up the elevator to the top floor. //I can't wait any longer. Regardless of what my feelings are, I need to tell the president what is going on NOW.//

As he walked up the single flight of stairs to the president's floor, he entered as habit, by opening the doors without knocking.

"--just think of the possible acquisitions." Hojo turned to see who had interrupted him. Instead of glaring at the Turk as usual, he smiled most evilly at him.

//Does he know?// Vincent realized that the president and Hojo were not alone. Hojo's soldiers were standing against the wall, wearing black combat outfits. The Turk shivered as saw that they were all armed with their various weapons. "Wha?"

"Shall I get rid of him, Mr. President?" Hojo couldn't hide his grin.

"All right, go ahead. It'll prove your proposal is something worth paying attention to. Nice knowing you Valentine."

"But President Shinra--"

"Capture the intruder by any means necessary!"

Vincent gasped as he saw the soldiers turning on him. His mind seemed to work faster than time when he saw Highwind. The blond was wearing a long strip of gauze over his left eye, though it wasn't wide enough to hide the tips of the slice that crossed from forehead to cheek. Hojo's notes echoed in his head as he stared into the single eye, glaring with cold hatred. ~~~I will teach him a lesson tomorrow.~~~ As time righted itself, Vincent knew his only chance was to run for his life. He remembered how the blond's anger had been deadly in Gongaga. It was controlled in a manner to make him an effective fighting machine, and Vincent knew he didn't have much chance against him alone, much less with the other soldiers here too.

He ran out of the room and went to the main stairway, counting the floors until he got to his own, hoping the other Turks could help him make a stand against the soldiers. About to open the door to the floor, Vincent suddenly realized that there were only six pairs of footsteps above him. //An ambush?!//

The door in front of him was kicked open just as he jumped back, avoiding being smashed in the face only barely. Highwind and one of the women seemed to have taken the elevator to cut off his escape. Before Vincent could do anything, the woman sidestepped him and got between him and the lower stairs. Now he was trapped.

"No Highwind, please don't." He tried to plead with the blond, but was only glared at silently. //His eye has so much anger in it. Hojo must have hurt him in some way that made him think I was responsible for it. I'm sorry Captain. If I hadn't been so selfish, I would have gotten to the president before Hojo and made him understand what was really going on. You wouldn't be his slave anymore...//