Chapter 15: Rocket Launch Site

"We’ve arrived. It looks like the flight ceremony is already over, but we made it just in time."

The airfield was located a short distance from the rocket launch base. Fortunately, the ceremony had just concluded, and the aircraft involved had been moved back into their hangars, leaving the runway clear. Since our flight had been an unscheduled, last-minute trip, I was relieved we hadn't caused a disturbance. More importantly, I had successfully delivered Director Palmer.

"Uhyo-hyo! Thank you, Cloud, my boy. Thanks to you, I’m in time for the launch!"

Palmer gave me a bright, carefree smile as he offered his thanks.

"Hey, you lard-filled fossil! You’re the man in charge, and you’re still late? Not only that, you show up in a relic like this! You make me give a speech I’m not built for while you’re off enjoying a leisurely stroll through the clouds?"

Before I knew it, a man had approached and landed a light jab into Palmer’s stomach. Palmer didn’t seem to mind at all; it was clearly their usual way of greeting each other.

"Sorry, sorry! The schedule changed at the last second. Besides, speeches are... well, they're a pain. I'm no good at them. It’s much better when Cid-chan does it!"

"You just said they're a 'pain,' didn't you? Look, I can kick the asses of the boys in Space Exploration all day long, but the President and the Vice President are here today. There's no way in hell I’m saying anything just to please them."

"Uhyo! So, what did you say?"

"I looked right into the camera and told 'em to watch close, 'cause we’re gonna show 'em results—and then they better hand over a bigger budget!"

I wasn't sure if he was wild or just reckless. So, this was the man the Director mentioned—Cid of the Space Exploration Department. It was hard to believe someone like him held such a high position within Shinra. He was a type you would never see in any other division. In the Science Department, he’d be turned into a test subject; in Public Security, he’d be demoted instantly.

If anything, he reminded me of the coal miners I met during my inspections of Corel. He had that same booming energy—rough around the edges but clearly big-hearted. Barret, the leader of the miners, was exactly that type. I never expected to find someone like that among my fellow Shinra employees, let alone as a close associate of a Director.

"Hmm? You the kid who flew this thing in?"

Cid finally noticed me and turned his attention my way. As soon as he saw me, a wide grin spread across his face.

"You’ve got some damn good guts, kid. I like you! Those suits over in Advanced Weaponry do nothing but build automated drones these days. Nothin' wrong with tech, but the sky belongs to the man behind the stick!"

He punctuated his praise with a heavy, boisterous slap on my shoulder.

"Cid-chan, you’re overwhelming Cloud," Palmer chirped, though he seemed to be enjoying Cid's antics.

"Oh, sorry 'bout that. I’m Cid Highwind. My official title for now is Captain of the Shinra No. 26. Nice to meet ya, kid."

He held out a hand, and I shook it. Though I’d heard he was a pilot, his hands were as calloused and rugged as a seasoned soldier's—perhaps even a match for a member of SOLDIER. If it came to a brawl, he could likely hold his own against a standard trooper or even a member of the Turks.

Did a pilot really need that much combat capability? Or perhaps, like me, he was also acting as Palmer’s bodyguard...

"Cloud Strife, Captain of the Advanced Weaponry Experimental Unit!"

"Ho? So you’re the one they’ve been talking about... Hah! Better to meet a man in person than hear a hundred rumors. I like you! Tell you what, why don't you come have a look inside the rocket?"

"Is that alright? Isn't it classified Space Exploration tech?"

"It’s fine, it’s fine! Hell, I want you to see it so you can get the Advanced Weaponry guys to help us out for the next launch. If our Director here worked a little harder, maybe all our budget wouldn't be sucked up by those Mako Reactors!"

Laughing, Cid gave me a thumbs-up and began leading the way toward the launch base.

"Must be nice in your department. I heard your Director hoards engineers and gives 'em all the Gil they want. Over here, with this lazy tub of lard in charge, we’re scraping by on a shoestring budget for this one launch."

"That’s because every launch so far has been a failure! The rocket from the Midgar attempt is still sticking out of the Slums!" Palmer retorted.

"Yeah, I thought I was a dead man that time. Instead of space, we went straight for the dirt. The only thing that worked was the escape pod, and that ain't even a funny joke."

The two continued their banter as we approached the vehicle that would take us to the pad.

"Would you like me to drive, Captain Cid?"

"Nah, don't worry about the formalities. Just 'Cid' is fine. My grease monkeys call me Captain, but it feels weird coming from a colleague. You’re one of us, so keep it casual."

"Understood, Cid. Then, please, let me drive. I have a tendency to get motion sickness if I'm not the one behind the wheel."

Through my dealings with high-ranking officials who insisted on being addressed casually, I had learned a survival tactic: just follow their lead. You have to mind the time and place, of course, but people are usually happier when you call them what they want to be called. Though, I still didn't have the courage to try that with a Director...

"Hahaha! You can fly a plane but get carsick? That’s a rough hand you’ve been dealt. Or maybe it’s a blessing—makes sure you’re always the one in control, eh?"

"Uhyo, Cid-chan! Let’s get to the launch pad already. I’ve been working so hard I’ve only had caramels to eat. I want to relax with a cup of tea—with plenty of lard!"

Before we knew it, Palmer had already hopped into the back seat and buckled his seatbelt.

"Well, I'll take you up on that, Cloud. I can handle anything with an engine, but I’m much happier when there's nothing but open sky around me."

I started the car and headed for the launch site. During the drive, Cid and Palmer talked at length about the rocket and space development. I had always thought of it as a field Shinra wasn't particularly invested in, but I didn't feel that at all from the people on the ground. Their passion was equal to that of the Urban Development teams working on the new Mako Reactors.

Coming here with Palmer might have been the right choice. You can't judge everything by the numbers; sometimes you have to see the reality for yourself. Perhaps that was why Scarlet was so adamant about sending me on inspections to places like Corel—so I could absorb the atmosphere of the front lines.

As a Unit Captain, I would likely have subordinates of my own someday. I needed to study hard for that. Scarlet has high expectations for me; I won't let her down.

"Look at that. She’s a beauty, isn't she? The pinnacle of Shinra technology: the Shinra No. 26!"

Standing at the center of the base was a massive cylindrical structure—the spacecraft built by Shinra’s Space Exploration Department. I had heard the term "rocket" before, but seeing the real thing was different. Its sheer presence was overwhelming.

"This... flies beyond the sky and into space?"

"You bet your ass! It kicks out energy on a whole different level than a plane. Come on, take a look inside. The final checks should be wrapping up right about now."

Cid led the way into the launch facility, followed by Palmer and then myself. A few workers were inside; when they noticed us, they stopped and bowed.

"Captain Cid, welcome back from the ceremony! Maintenance on the Shinra No. 26 is almost complete!"

"Good, good! I talked a big game to the President and Vice President, so we’re making damn sure this launch is a success!"

Even though they were all technicians, the vibe here was different from Advanced Weaponry or the Science Department. It was less like a lab and more like a workshop of master craftsmen gathered around Cid.

"I didn't expect you to ask for a budget increase on a live television broadcast."

Coming out from a back room was Vice President Rufus, who had arrived ahead of us. I immediately straightened my posture and saluted.

"It seems Scarlet has a sharp nose for these things. Sorry, Cloud, but I’ll be needing your cooperation as well."

Rufus motioned for me to stand at ease. Then, from the Vice President’s shadow, a man stepped forward. I had never met him in person, but there wasn't a soul in Shinra who didn't know his name.

"Nice to meet you, Cloud. I've heard about you from Zack. I’ve been wanting to meet you."

He had long, silver hair and carried a legendary blade on his back that was longer than he was tall. He wore a silver pauldron over a black trench coat, and his eyes bore the unmistakable glow of a SOLDIER treated with Mako.

"Sephiroth..."

The name escaped my lips in shock. Why was he here?

Sephiroth’s whereabouts were classified at the highest level within Shinra. It was nearly impossible for other departments to track his schedule. Currently, he often operated alone to deal with AVALANCHE. His training schedule and deployment locations were kept strictly secret to prevent enemy organizations or SOLDIER defectors from tracking him.

"Scarlet contacted me just a moment ago. Your boss is quick to catch on. A sign of her competence," Rufus said with a smirk, handing me his communication device. It was a new model, operated by touching the screen rather than buttons.

The screen displayed "Head of Advanced Weaponry." I pressed the device to my ear, and a familiar voice came through.

“Hello, Cloud... You ran into Vice President Rufus before I could reach you. My apologies, but please follow the Vice President’s instructions and provide support for Sephiroth.”

"So, you dropped Palmer off just so Sephiroth could take his seat?"

“Exactly. No one checks the President’s private plane. It’s the perfect way to transport someone in total secrecy. With Sephiroth alone, we can move him away from Shinra headquarters without the other employees noticing.”

After parting with Cloud, I had done some digging. Sephiroth taking a "vacation" felt suspicious. When I wondered why Palmer was kicked off the flight, it clicked: they needed the seat for someone else. When I asked Rufus, he told me quite easily—like a child who couldn't wait to reveal a prank.

“It seems AVALANCHE is targeting both the rocket and the Mako Reactor currently under construction in Corel. We’ve stationed a full SOLDIER unit at the reactor, and the Turks are on standby just in case.”

If an anti-Shinra group were to strike, they wouldn't hit Midgar HQ directly. They would go for the Mako Reactors under construction or the Rocket Launch Site—places where security is thinner than the head office but the damage to the company would be significant.

"But you've sent an excessive amount of personnel to the Mako Reactor. You're practically advertising their presence."

Shinra's priority right now wasn't the rocket—which had no history of success—but the President’s beloved Mako Reactors. Everyone in the company knew it, and anyone outside looking in could see it clearly.

“Correct. If you're going to fly the flag of anti-Shinra, you'd target the reactor. But Sephiroth and the SOLDIERs are there. They wouldn't dare pick a fight with that kind of power head-on.”

"Which is exactly why you secretly took Sephiroth to the Rocket Launch Site instead."

In other words, they were using the rocket launch as bait. By sending only a minimal security force, they were luring AVALANCHE into a trap where Sephiroth would be waiting.

“I don’t see much necessity in the Space Exploration Department, but if I can use them, I will.”

The President was obsessed with Mako and the Promised Land, but Rufus’s interest in space was another story. Honestly, I think the Space Exploration Department is worth keeping for technical preservation, but it’s hard to justify pouring the company’s main resources into it.

“You’ve already sent Cloud to that side, haven't you?”

"Yes. He's delivering the Palmer you abandoned."

“I don't need Palmer, but if that's the case, I’ll have Cloud do some work. Sephiroth should be more than enough, but I’d like them to get acquainted.”

Since Rufus became the head of the SOLDIER bureau, I hadn't seen Sephiroth at all. I was too afraid to poke around, so I left him alone—I never imagined Cloud would meet him one-on-one. I'm incredibly worried, but it's too late now. This version of Sephiroth hasn't experienced the Nibelheim incident yet; he shouldn't be "broken."

It’ll be fine, right? If Cloud and Sephiroth end up forming some weird grudge at the Rocket Launch Site and the Nibelheim incident gets replaced by a "Rocket Town Incident," my stomach is going to give out!

"I’ll speak to Cloud myself."

“Then shall I hand the phone over? I just saw him entering the rocket with Palmer.”

"Yes, please. And please... look after Cloud."

“Hmph. You’re awfully overprotective of a subordinate.”

Of course I am! You might not know, but bringing Sephiroth and Cloud together makes me incredibly anxious! If something happens, neither I nor Vincent can help him from this far away. I made sure Cloud had a full set of equipment, but I’m still worried!

“I know he’s talented, but he’s just one subordinate. Don't you think you should act a bit more composed?”

"No! I'm worried. If he's treated as disposable, you'll have to deal with me later."

“Fuhaha. Fair enough. I have no desire to draw the ire of a woman for no reason. I don't make a habit of wasting talented personnel.”

Rufus laughed, as if my worrying for Cloud was the funniest thing he’d heard. Listen here—he’s not just the key to the fate of the world; he’s essential for my own future plans!