Final Fantasy - All Series Fan Fiction ❯ I Know What Lies Beneath the Snowfields ❯ Chapter 25 ( Chapter 25 )

[ T - Teen: Not suitable for readers under 13 ]

"I Know What's Beneath the Snow Fields"
Chapter 25

"Well, well, Mr.Valentine," Professor Hojo greeted mockingly, "I'm so
glad you could spare a minute from your busy schedule."

Several days had passed since Vincent had last spoken to Lucrecia.
After that miserable day, Vincent never neared Lucrecia for fear of
upsetting her with his unpleasant presence. In fact, he avoided any kind
of contact with her unless absolutely necessary.

He expected no apology from her; not even a kind word to ease his pain:
why should she? *He* had wrought this suffering on himself. How could
even dream of blaming her? Indeed, for every argument, he found some
plausible excuse for her. He refused to find any fault with Lucrecia.

She spent her days imprisoned downstairs in the library, succumbing to
all analysis tests both Professors thought essential. Every minute of
her time or ounce of energy were immediately sacrificed to the greedy
Project. Thought Professor Gast warned her not to overwork herself on
account of her child's health, Lucrecia refused to stop working. It was,
literally, the only solace to her torn mind.

However, at some rare moments. Lucrecia would stop working and let her
mind stray into her gloomy thoughts. Nobody could guess what or *who*
occupied her mind during those few minutes.

Yet while poor Lucrecia slaved in the Mansion, Vincent scarcely stayed
inside. The grand, beautiful house had aroused such a passionate disgust
in his heart, he preferred to accompany soldiers on patrol duty rather
than lounge inside. If not, then he would practice with his gun in the
deserted fields beyond the village; perhaps just drift aimlessly along
the hills, even though Davoren warned him many times of wild animals.
Anything but sit in that loathsome mansion.

Despite his distraught, broken heart, Vincent concealed his feelings so
artfully, especially from Davoren, nobody would have guessed anything
troubled his mind. His impeccable obedience impressed everyone around
him, as well as his business-like, courteous manners. Yet his face had
grown exceptionally cold in such a short time. A hard, unnaturally
frigid glow had appeared in his eyes. He hardly spoke unless spoken to,
and shunned any form of company, preferring to wallow in his private
thoughts by himself.

On one particular autumn afternoon, Vincent had been aimlessly
strolling along the fields as usual, when a soldier came rushing to him
from the village. Through several gasps, he informed the Turk that
Professor Hojo wished to see him immediately, concerning "some very,
very important matter".

Vincent resentfully consented to obey the hateful request (he did not
find the thought of meeting Hojo particularly appealing). So, without
further delay, he returned to the quiet village, the breathless soldier
lagging behind him. Vincent marched wearily into the Mansion, through
the endless corridors, and down the twisting passage. He stopped
momentarily at the dreaded library door to knock, then obeyed on hearing
Hojo's brash voice cry "enter".

Vincent took three steps into the dim library before halting near the
first bookshelf. His eyes scanned the new surroundings: several gigantic
bookcases, stuffed beyond the limit with books, ran uniformly along the
stone walls. An awkward generator had miraculously squeezed itself at
the opposite wall, filling the library with a very low hum. The huge,
rectangular operation table Lucrecia had been perched on still dominated
the far corner of the room. Yet now numerous disection instruments
cluttered the top, accompanied by two yellow manuscripts and a glass of
water.

Vincent also noted the stacks of books huddling along the grim walls,
some wide open, others rudely overturned. Several scraps of crumpled
papers scattered around the book stacks, as if paying homage to their
vast knowledge. Finally, a flickering lamp, cruelly pushed into a
corner, filled the great library with a dim, feeble light. The three
scientists had obviously been quite busy with their Project.

Professor Hojo emerged from the other chamber of the library, wearing
his thick glasses and carrying an enormous book between his bony hands.
He welcomed the new guest with that previous remark before slamming the
book shut and turning his face to the Turk. Vincent, however, merely
stiffened his back as a response. His calm eyes fixed themselves on the
malicious Professor with an abnormally stoic expression. He did not show
the slightest trace of annoyance at the sarcastic remark.

Professor Hojo dumped the burdensome book on the disorderly table top,
the adjusted his glasses very arrogantly. With a most haughty motion of
his hand, he beckoned the Turk to step forward, as if saying "I am your
superior, Sir, what will you do about *that*?" Vincent obeyed the
command in silence.

"Now then, Mr.Valentine," Hojo said, eyeing the morose Turk top to
bottom, "I asked for you because I want to discuss some matter of
particular interest to me. To be specific: Ms. Lucrecia."

Vincent made no answer, except a slight twitch of his hands at the
mention of the name. The Professor coughed importantly, studying the
Turk's tall figure with peculiar interest.

"Let us be honest, Sir," Hojo declared as he tied both arms behind his
back, "I never liked you the minute I saw you. I think you a pathetic
lackey to the company, despite all your over-praised merits. And you do
not particularly hold me in high regard, correct?"

Vincent still refused to answer. He remained rooted to his spot,
returning Hojo's glare with a perfectly unruffled look.

"Well, you're a man of few words, I see," the Professor frowned
contemptuously, "No point stating the obvious. But I did not wish to
waste my precious time on such frivolities, Mr. Valentine."

He began pacing around the untidy room, re-adjusting his glasses
whenever they slipped down his nose. His long shadow danced with the
flickering light as he glared maliciously at the unresponsive Turk.
Vincent never flinched from his spot. Instead, his cool eyes followed
the Professor; he masked all his emotions behind a most serene visage.

"Mr. Valentine," the spiteful man pronounced firmly, "regardless of our
mutual dislikes, I would like to remind you of your proper postion. The
ShinRa President grants us scientists full authority provided our work
benefits the company in return. YOUR duty, Sir, in case you had somehow
forgotten, is to merely oversee our safety, and any interference in our
work means a breach of your duty. Is that clear?"

When Vincent made no reply, Hojo stamped his foot with incensed
impatience.

"DAMN YOU!!!" he roared at the top of his voice, "ANSWER ME!! IS THAT
CLEAR?!!"

Vincent reluctantly replied, "Yes, Sir."

"Furthermore, Mr. Valentine, might I also remind you that as a Turk in
ShinRa Inc., you are obliged to obey our commands to the letter. And
not, under any circumstances, question or judge our actions with your
poor, narrow judgement. Do you understand?"

"Yes, Sir."

Professor Hojo pursed his thin lips as he halted directly infront of
Vincent. His rat-like eyes narrowed keenly on the Turk, ready to murder
him if only possible. Vincent still retained the stoic expression on his
hard face; he refused to answer the impudent man beyond that required.

After an awkward silence, Hojo resumed his pacing around the room. He
occasionally kicked a hapless book out of his way, yet never took his
scornful eyes off the Turk.

"I am pleased you understand," Hojo smirked, that same mocking tone
returning to his voice, "Apparently, you forgot your duties a few days
ago. I happened to find Ms. Lucrecia quite upset with your..how do I put
it...'difference of opinion' as regards to.."

But Professor Hojo stopped short on noticing Lucrecia standing in the
doorway, her pale face betraying great distress. She had, in fact, been
listening behind the door to Hojo's harangue until she finally decided
to discover who the addressee was. At the sight of Vincent, intense
alarm had siezed her so violently, she almost collapsed in her spot had
not she gripped one of the bookcases. Vincent, on the other hand, merely
glanced back at her, then returned his calm eyes to the spiteful
Professor. He made no acknowledgement, not even a polit nod of the head,
to poor Lucrecia.

"Ah, my dear, we were just talking about you," Hojo greeted amicably,
yet keeping his narrow eyes fixed on the Turk. The Professor then made
some gesture to invite her forward, and resumed, "As I was saying, Mr.
Valentine, I happened to find Lucrecia crying by the village well, quite
upset with your opinion concerning a particular aspect of the Project.
Indeed, she was so distraught, it took me well over an hour just to calm
her down to a reasonable level and find out what upset her."

Vincent did not wince a muscle at Hojo's accusing tone. Lucrecia, who
had walked up to the Professor during his speech, now fidgetted very
anxiously a few steps behind him. Her tearful eyes dared not look up for
fear of meeting Vincent's; instead, she cast them down to the stony
ground in shame. Nor could Vincent induce himself to look at her
suffering face. In truth, it took him great effort to maintain his stoic
expression, knowing at the same time how badly this embarrassing
spectacle pained her. He wished Hojo had at least the decency to spare
her this confrontation.

"And obviously, Mr. Valentine," Professor Hojo sneered through grit
teeth, "your opinion, the very recollection of it, still distresses Ms.
Lucrecia. Therefore, Sir, I ask you to restrict any further personal
opinions to yourself, without conveying them to Ms. Lucrecia. To be
honest, you lack the proper judgement, capability, and intellect to
debate our actions or express any valid opinion about them."

Lucrecia turned to the professor, much alarmed at his brazen behavior.
She opened her mouth to protest, but immediately turned away in disgust.
she could not say anything to stop this humiliating scene.

When he had finally finished his pompous lecture, Hojo folded both arms
across his chest and glared arrogantly at the Turk. However, Vincent
would not answer. He had merely stared calmly back at the insolent man,
letting him hurl insult after insult at him as much as he pleased.

A heavy stillness filled the room for a moment. Professor Hojo tapped
his foot impatiently, while Vincent persisted to linger in his obstinate
silence. Lucrecia did not speak a word either.

"Do feel free to speak, Mr. Valentine," invited the Professor
mockingly, breaking the silence at last, "It takes at least two people
to make a conversation, you know."

Vincent said nothing.

"P..Professor Hojo..please don't do this..," Lucrecia beseeched meekly.
But Hojo only dismissed her with a rude wave of the hand: he *would*
have an answer!

"From what I gather, Sir," Hojo sneered as he tied both arms behind his
back again, "You think yourself a very...*close* friend to Ms. Lucrecia,
yes? I would think you'd have much to say to me, especially
regarding..."

"With all due respect, Professor," Vincent interrupted dryly, "I would
prefer you refrained from discussing my personal life, as it is, and
forgive my impertinence, none of your business."

"Ah!" exclaimed Hojo, eager to argue, "But you certainly took the full
liberty of discussing *her* personal life, even though it was, to use
your own words, none of your business."

"You misunderstand my intentions, Professor," Vincent answered with a
cool, restrained tone. he glanced at Lucrecia, who had turned away in
disgrace, but immediately returned to the malicious Professor, "I assure
you, I had no desire to upset her or offend her feelings. I had merely
expressed a heartfelt concern for Ms. Lucrecia's safety and her child,
on account of her involvement in the JENOVA Project."

At the mention of 'the child', Hojo gave the Turk a very suspicious,
hostile look. His piercing eyes darted back to trembling Lucrecia,
silently berating her for having revealed too much. However, he soon
faced Vincent again, quite agitated but under control. An ugly grimace
distorted Professor Hojo's thin lips as he resumed to pace around the
chaotic room; he tied both arms behind his back as usual. Both Lucrecia
and Vincent watched him, one apprehension, the latter with
well-concealed yet genuine hatred.

In truth, Vincent could not recall when Professor Hojo had struck him
as more revolting, despicable, and spiteful than he did at that
particular moment.

"'A heartfelt concern for Ms. Lucrecia's safety and her child', hey?"
repeated Hojo in a mumbling voice full of malice, "Hm..hm..and pray tell
me, Mr. Valentine, what aspect of the JENOVA Project do you reckon to be
a threat to Ms. Lucrecia's safety? On what facts, with your obvious lack
of information, do you base your 'heartfelt concern' on? Enlighten me,
do!"

Hojo's increasingly aggresive tone startled the poor woman. Vincent
narrowed his kken eyes at the Professor's biting sarcasm, yet replied as
coldly as before, "I realize your knowledge of this Project surpasses
mine greatly, Professor. However, I found Ms. Lucrecia's consent to
become..pardon my bluntness..a human guinea pig quite alarming."

"There! Now we're going around in meaningless circles again!" thundered
Hojo, losing all patience in a flash, "Need I constantly remind you of
your duties as a Turk?! I say you..."

"I am quite aware of my duties as a Turk, Professor," Vincent
interrupted composedly, "You need not remind me of my obligations to
ShinRa Inc., or to you, thank you."

"Yes..so you claim! If you were, indeed, aware of your duties, you
would not pester Ms. Lucrecia with your unfounded fears or 'heartfelt
concern', Mr. Valentine! You do NOT argue or question our
decisions..your sole duty is to ensure our safety! nothing more, nothing
less."

"But you can't just experiment on human life, Professor!" stated
Vincent very firmly, feeling the suppressed rage rise to the surface.
His eyes involintarily glanced again at Lucrecia, who too struggled
against some violent emotion.

Hojo suddenly halted infront of Vincent, his eyebrows knitted in
intense fury; this challenge to his authority obviously enraged him
beyond measure. Vincent stiffened his back on meeting the Professor's
fiery eyes, yet refrained from speaking.

"We are scientists," Hojo hissed as he pushed his glasses up his nose
very haughtily, "And we can do *whatever we want! As a Turk, you will
obey MY authority and MY command!! If I tell you we can do whatever we
please, then you will accept it without question!! That's is your sole
duty: to obey your superiors!! Do you understand, you meddling piece of
COW DUNG??!!!!!"

Hojo's brash voice roared all over the library by the time he had
finished those words. His lean face fumed with wild rage as he poked
Vincen't shoulder to emphasize his point. Lucrecia was thunderstruck
with horror.

"And if you dare...even DARE interfere with us again," Hojo spluttered
uncontrollably into Vincent's calm face, "I swaer you will suffer the
consequences!! MARK MY WORDS, TURK, YOU WILL!!!!"

Vincent coolly wiped the Professor's spit of his own face, then stood
as rigidly as before. He made no reply.

Hojo opened his mouth to continue, but stopped short when he noticed
Davoren suddenly enter the library. The Professor glared breathlessly at
the intruder for a moment before turning away in annoyance. The leader
of the Turks paused a minute before venturing further into the dim room.
He nodded his head respectfully to Lucrecia, whoose cheeks were flushed
in unconcealed embarrassment.

Hojo guzzled down the full glass of water, yet said nothing.

"Is there a problem, Professor?" Davoren asked finally.

Vincent and Lucrecia remained rooted to their spots, while Hojo yanked
off his glasses on hearing the innocent question. His mocking eyes
continuously darted back to Vincent's calm face, growing more insolent
with every word.

"Why, yes, Mr.Davoren," the spiteful man sneered loudly, "Evidently,
I'm trying to do *your* job. Namely, teaching one of your men his proper
place as a Turk in ShinRa Inc."

Davoren glanced back at Vincent, then replied coolly, "I see. Has Mr.
Valentine offended you somehow?"

Hojo scoffed again at the question, but answered with forced
politeness, "To be sure! Kindly, Mr.Davoren, remind your man over there
that any interference in *my* business constitutes an interference in my
company's business. If he has...a problem with the Project...then he is
to restrict his thoughts to himself! I will not tolerate any sort of
disobedience or disrespect from anyone!!!"

Davoren happened to glance at Lucrecia for a split second. Yet from his
face alone, she realized at once Davoren had guessed the exact
"problem". He had, indeed, overheard enough of the speech to understand
that she was pregnant, and had accepted to be a guinea pig for some
mysterious experiment. The poor woman, mortified beyond measure, decided
to flee this horrid spectacle. So without even a polite farewell, she
rushed out of the room, as if escaping a dreadful nightmare.

Vincent stepped aside to let her pass, the resumed his formal spot
after she had left. Davoren coughed to ease the tension he had caused
while Hojo only turned his back away from the two men; he found their
presence an unbearable nuisance.

A very awkward silence followed.

Though Vincent's face still retained the same dispassionate composure,
his blood boiled with violent rage. He had clearly seen Lucrecia's
embarrassed tears as she left through the door. Despite her every effort
to avoid his eyes, he had seen them streaming down her cheeks.

Davoren cleared his throat, then answered very deliberately, "Of
course, Professor, nor will I tolerate such behavior. if Mr.Valentine
has...disobeyed or disrespected you in any way, I will, most assuredly,
speak to him," he looked askance at Vincent as he added, "..and he will
apologize if necessary."

Hojo twisted his lips into a wry smile, only too delighted at the
thought of an apology. He tied both armes behind his back as he faced
Vincent, his mean eyes gleaming with triumph. Instead of defending
himself, Vincent stood rooted to his spot; he would not speak.

"However, Professor Hojo," Davoren continued in a surprisingly firm
voice, "I'll also remind *you* that you must..and will..show
Mr.Valentine the proper civility required, since he is an employee under
the direct command of President ShinRa."

Hojo glared maliciously at the man, yet said nothing this time.
Davoren's hard face and cold tone certainly discouraged any
interruption.

Davoren folded both arms before adding with more coollness, "I would
also strongly advise you to refrain from comparing Mr.Valentine
to..animal excrement..in future times. It is quite undecorous, not to
mention very unwise, if you understand me."

Professor Hojo acknowledged the meaning with a dismissive nod of the
head. He gave Vincent one last haughty look before turning away from the
two. He began rummaging through the manuscripts cluttered on the table,
and said no more.

Davoren, believing his point had been understood, decided to retreat
out of the library. Therefore, with a tap on Vincent's shoulder, he
signalled for them to leave the insolent man alone. The Turk immediately
obeyed.

Professor Gast bumped into them as they exitted through the doorway,
his face showing great puzzlement mixed with compassion. After a sincere
apology to the two gentlemen, he entered the library, then closed the
door behind himself.

"I say, Hojo," Professor Gast asked pituously, "What's wrong with
Lucrecia? I happened to see her running to her room, crying her eyes
out! Poor girl! You're always so rough with her."

"Bah! You know how sentimental woman are!" Hojo scoffed in a loud
,contemptuous voice, "Only fit to cry at the slightest upset..especially
when pregnant!!"

Vincent happened to hear that last remark as he left the loathsome
library. Though he followed his leader as obediently as any soldier, his
heart swelled with such unbelievable rage. So much so that his whole
face, unable to resist the passion any longer, darkened with unforgiving
hatred.

He wished he had shot Hojo..yes..one clean shot through the head would
have sufficed...