Zack of Trades

“They should try breathing in between names, then they will not run out of breath.”

CLOUD eagerly followed Zack onto the 48th floor, looking around at his new surroundings and even fascinated by the sound of his boots squeaking on the polished floor – Even if there was nothing of value, CLOUD loved the new experience. When guided to the window, apertures widen to see the city below them, gloves hands press against the pristine glass as the android gazed upon the speckles of lights below them.

He gazed upon the reactor and immediately spotted the Mako, his own body was full of it so it was the only thing he didn’t need to learn about. CLOUD listened intently to Zack explanation of Midgar, he had no idea about the city outside, let alone there being two levels.

“The [Research Department] prides itself on it’s [Security] and [Privacy], you would be correct that there isn’t many windows.” CLOUD replies, he even leans onto the glass as if to try and see more of the city.

“I would love to see these [Sectors], what are they like?”

Zack laughed  at Cloud’s breathing comment.  Of course! Zack’s way of speaking got misunderstood.  

Still, what a clever thing Cloud was! It was nice to see him fascinated with a world Zack had become so familiar with.  It reminded him of his first time seeing Midgar, his nose pressed to the glass up on the observation floor shortly after he had enlisted.

“There are eight sectors. Nine, if you include us:  We’re in Sector 0.”  He grinned.  “These ones in front of us are okay, but not really safe for you, I think.”  He didn’t want to teach Cloud about Wall Market yet anyway.  “I think you’d like Sector 8.  A lot of ShinRa employees go there to be entertained.  There’s lots of shops and theatres.”  And there was no better place for Cloud to people watch.

@zackoftrades​ from here

He’s not getting over that. No. Not ever.

Cloud’s fairly new and that did little to nothing for his case. Everyone one was dressed the same exact way except for Sephiroth (before they were off) and Zack. The Turks were dressed the same way, but not like SOLDIER. Those guys were in all black and they seemed far too secertive for his liking or comfort.That’s right. He wouldn’t be forgetting anything about his training. With as harsh and grueling that was–it was something enough to make anyone wanna ask ‘are you sure about this’? But no one would dare. Maybe it was best that he did remember. Even if his nervousness ended up nearly killing him, he’d still live to tell about it.

That came so suddenly, the questioning did. He was unprepared for it. He guessed that he could’ve handled how he delivered it better than he did. He couldn’t help it because nervousness swamp over him like an unforgiving sea ready to pull him under. Or maybe hit him like a freight truck. Whichever is first. And as many times as he’s been asked his name–you’d think that he’d be prepared for it. Apparently not. That’s how it feels. His first day. And what does he do? Forget his name. Smooth. Real smooth.

How he managed to get this far really surprised him. But he guessed that Shinra saw some sort of ounce in potential in him. Probably more, he didn’t know. Question was, why? Otherwise, they would’ve handed him his things and let him know firmly to take a hike. Oh great. Now the ‘whys’ started. Luckily, Zack’s here to break him away from that. Zack seemed ideal. Cloud’s attention snapped away from his thoughts. He’s thankful for it. Sort of. “Uh. Uh…Well, yeah. But that’s okay. I can’t blame you. You weren’t able to see me.” Cloud laughed a little and he shook his head, though he’s glad to see he wasn’t the only being awkward. Conversation with Zack seemed easier than he anticipated. Therefore, it was easier for him to smile. “Forgetting something else? Like what?” He blinked. The quizzical stare really betrayed and exposed him. Suddenly mirroring his grin, with the rest of that his unease began to face. “That’s easy. You’re Zack. Anyone would know that.”

“I dunno,”  Zack’s boots made a loud crunching sound as he felt his foot go deeper into the snow.  “Ack!”  Some of it got into his sock.  Modeoheim’s terrain was like Gongaga but the climate certainly wasn’t.  When he sighed, a hot puff of air fogged in front of his face.

“Like,” he hummed, crafting up a story to entertain himself and the blond on their hike uphill.  It was a long trek and Cloud seemed to be the only one worth talking to. “What if I got amnesia?”  Zack blurted suddenly.  “We could’ve been friends,” he laughed. “I could’ve known you for months!  But I had one solid whack to the head and now we’re a blank slate again.”

“I would like to know their names but I was told there was too many, I have upwards of a [Petabyte] of storage so I do not think that would be an issue.” CLOUD explains as he carefully navigates the steps, he seemed to be getting the hang of it once the memory comes back to him. When Zack opens the door to the 48th floor the android stops, appearing curious once more.

“I’m usually in the [Research Department] exclusively, [Reeve Tuesti] is my assigned owner and usually comes up to see me.” CLOUD replies, peering inside the door before looking at Zack.

“Any learning experience is greatly appreciated.” In other words: yes, you can show me something, I’m very excited.

“It was probably more of an issue for them,” Zack explained.  “Sometimes it takes a lot of breath to introduce yourselves when there’s a dozen in the group.”  Not everyone enjoyed talking like Zack did.  “They’re lazy.”

Zack hoped that he wasn’t making a mistake by taking Cloud downstairs, though.  Still, he wasn’t really in the mood to have a run-in with the Professor so their journey toward floor 30 continued--after a brief stop, of course.

Zack gestured for Cloud to follow him down the hall.  The 48th floor had polished floors and a variety of offices with closed doors.  If there were any employees on that floor, they were sealed into their offices working away.  

There seemed to be nothing of value here but Zack still walked straight toward the end.  Then, he hooked a left. There was a sitting area with a giant window and a great view of the city.

“You’ll want to see this,” he said.  Zack walked up to the glass, trying his best not to rest his index finger on it while he pointed out.  The massive city glittered below them.  

“Come here--see that?”  A reactor straight ahead of them had a soft spray of mako gas glowing above it. “That’s reactor 6.  To the left of it is Sector 5.  That’s where I work sometimes.”  Zack put one hand over the other.  He waved the lower one.  “Midgar is a city with two plates. I’m usually on the lower level.”  He pointed to the industrial area to the right of the reactor.  “Same with Sector 6.”

It took a moment for CLOUD to realize that Zack wanted him to follow, when the door opened the android perked up and hurried over to the SOLDIER. The android pauses as he processes Zack’s name.

[IDENTIFICATION PROCESS INITIATED] Voice recorded. [Voice playback: “My name is Zack.”] Name detected.

“It is nice to meet you, [Zack]. My name is [Project: CLOUD] but you may refer to me as just [Cloud].” Now came the stairs, he stood at the top for a few moments, processing that he needs to move down; he watches Zack, then looks at his feet, a hand grips the banister and he begins walking down. He spends most of his time in the Research Department and doesn’t use the stairs very often.

“I’ve never been to [Urban Planning] before… What is a [Sector 5] and [6]?” Before he could ask any more questions, he registered that Zack had asked him a question first.

“I was following the [soldiers], they usually bring me to training. I believe they were the wrong [soldiers] to follow.”

Zack laughed.  “It’s easy to get confused when everyone hides their face with their helmets around here.”  The helmet wasn’t a uniform requirement, but it was good to have on hand when you didn’t want to brush your hair for a week.

Watching Cloud’s pace, Zack slowed his own steps.  Had Cloud not used the stairs before?  Imagined if he slipped!  If that happened, Zack would be responsible for a billion gil piece of equipment crumbling at the bottom of 49 flights of stairs.

Yeah, he should be careful. 

“You’ve never been to Urban Planning?”  Zack asked.  That was odd.  “First time out?”

If that’s the case, Zack wanted to give the guy a new experience.

@zackoftrades || [x]

“The [SOLDIER] floor.” He repeats in confirmation.

The wandering android looks around at his surroundings, looking at the rooms that Zack had gestured to, every ounce of his curious AI wanted to continue exploring but he knew that this was outside of his usual areas. The android paused at Zack’s question, unsure of how to answer, he’s never been asked such a thing.

“I do not think I am meant to be here.” The android replies, “I followed the soldiers into… that.” He gestures to the elevator. “I could not determine movement and experienced a severe hardware error, I should return to [Reeve Tuesti]. Could you assist me?”

“Urban Planning is on Floor 30,”  Zack explained as he eyed the elevator.  Reaching into the pouch on his suspenders, he pulled out his employee identification card.  Now he could access the exits.  

“Let’s take the stairs down this time.” He said, gesturing at the android to follow. He pressed his key card to the access sensor and the door unlocked. “I’m one of Director Tuesti’s personally assigned SOLDIERs for cleanup in Sectors 5 and 6.  My name is Zack.”  He grinned.  “What should I call you?”

He could take Project: CLOUD downstairs and drop him off. If Director Tuesti wasn’t available, his secretary could probably look after the android until the Director came back.  

"Oh!"

Project: CLOUD had startled him out of his skin.

Zack had heard that the Director of Urban Development liked to tinker with AI, but this was absolutely next level! Was this really one of Tuesti's passion projects? Zack took a moment to take in the other man, his gaze flicking from his fluffy hair to his eyes.

This guy was pretty lifelike up close.

He had to have been a collaborative effort with the professor somehow...Right?

Still, Zack saw no trouble in engaging with the android.

"You're on the Floor 49," Zack made a sweeping motion to the training and briefing rooms. "The SOLDIER floor."