Desha's Reno of the Turks Fan Fiction

Chapter 96: Loss

“Veld…” Tseng breathed, and for a moment, he swore his own heart stopped dead. He was frozen to the spot, unable to move. This wasn’t happening.

The Turk leader slumped forward, catching himself momentarily and bracing himself partially upright with both arms, but then the strength seemed to leave him and he collapsed onto his side on the ground.

Tseng finally managed to shake himself from his paralysis, and ran to him. By the time he reached his mentor’s side, he was no longer under the impression that his heart had stopped… because now it was pounding so hard that he could hear the rush of blood in his ears. He eased Veld onto his back, taking a shaking breath as he did so.

“No…” he whispered, a feeling of cold dread coming over him. It was bad. He didn’t even have to see the wound to know just how bad. His mentor was already pale, his clothing bloodsoaked. Veld turned his head towards him.

“Listen to me…” he commanded, his voice struggling to make itself heard.

“Don’t try to talk,” Tseng said, swallowing sharply as he fumbled for his PHS. This was not happening. “I’ll call in the helicopter. There’s still time.”

He nearly dropped the device as he flipped it open and keyed in the code that would summon an emergency evac directly to the phone’s GPS signal. Veld’s hand rose and covered his own.

“They’re yours now, Tseng. Take care of them.”

Tseng shook his head in denial. “No… Veld, please. Please… don’t leave me. I’m not ready for this. Please…” He felt the first tear fall. “I’m not ready to lose you.”

“And I’m not ready to leave you…” Veld answered, grimacing in pain. He pressed his free hand to his chest, and when he drew it away, it was covered in crimson. “But I don’t think it’s up to me.”

“Veld…” he tried again, but the words wouldn’t come. Instead, he grasped his mentor’s hand, squeezing hard, as if in an effort to will him to hold on.

“Look after Esme and my little Felicia for me.”

The younger Turk could only nod. Of course he would. They were as much his family as Veld was.

“I’m proud of you, Tseng. So… very proud…” the Turk leader whispered, before letting out one final breath. Tseng watched, helpless, as the life left his eyes.

More tears followed the first, and Tseng let out an anguished scream. His hand shook as he reverently closed his mentor’s eyes, and let slip a quiet sob. Veld was more than a mentor. More than a friend. He’d been a father… probably a better father than the man who’d actually sired him in the first place. And now he was gone… all because of a stupid slum rat who’d gotten in a lucky shot.

How in Leviathan’s name was going to tell Esme? How was going to tell Felicia? He’d always known that, should the worst happen, it would be him delivering the news… but somehow he’d never truly believed that such a fate would come to pass. It almost didn’t seem real, even now.

And the team. The team would be just as devastated as Veld’s wife and child. He would have to tell them all.

The sudden weight of reality was crushing. They were his now… and it was as if every lesson – everything Veld had ever taught him – was simply gone. Erased from his memory. He had absolutely no idea what to do.

It wasn’t until the sound of helicopter blades rent the air above Sector 4 that his training finally did take over. The alley was too narrow for the aircraft to land… but the street beyond would give the pilot just enough room. Reluctantly, Tseng stood, wiping away the tears and left Veld’s body in order to guide them to a safe landing point. It wasn’t the Turk’s helicopter, and he belatedly realized that Remy and Sykes had taken it for their assignment on the western continent earlier that morning. This one was property of the Midgar Police Department. Commandeered, clearly.

The copter set down shortly thereafter and Tseng signaled the pilot to shut down the engines. This was no longer an emergency evacuation.

Moments later, the side door slid open and Rude hopped down from vehicle.

“Sir… what’s –” he began, but Tseng held up a hand, demanding silence. He drew in a breath and slowly exhaled.

“There’s no need to rush. I’m… afraid it’s too late,” he said, closing his eyes for a moment. When he opened them again, he saw the realization that had dawned on Rude’s face. “Help me with him.”

The sheer level of calm he felt now was almost frightening. Deep down, he wanted to scream. To cry. To throw things. But none of that would help right now. He would do all of that and more… but later. Right now, he still had a job to do, and if he wanted to do it, he had to hold himself together, not only for his own sake, but for the team’s as well.

His own pain would have to wait. They were his now… and Veld was counting on him to lead them.

---

Wutaiian winter was nothing at all like the winters in Midgar. It was cold outside… but there was no bone-chilling wind, no snow on the ground, no gray skies threatening to let loose a blizzard…

The walk through the imperial gardens would have actually been pretty nice, were it not for the metaphorical storm clouds hovering over the pair of would-be lovebirds. Reno had been glad when the awkward stroll had finally ended and they’d made their way back to the Highwind for awhile. They were still sticking around for dinner later that evening, but at least they’d ditched Godo’s niece.

That, the redhead had recently discovered, was who she was. Keiko was the girl’s name. Specifically, she was the eldest daughter of Godo’s eldest sister… which apparently meant something, status-wise, but frankly he didn’t understand the whole Wutaiian sibling hierarchy thing enough to really be able to figure out what. And to be honest, he didn’t think he cared enough to remember to ask Tseng about it later.

She hadn’t made a particularly good impression on the Turk… but that was largely because she was so stand-offish with both Rufus and his security. Not that Rufus was any better. By the time they’d completed a half-circuit of gardens, it was blatantly obvious – even moreso than it had been at lunch – that neither of them had any interest in this whatsoever and were only going through the motions for the sake of social obligations.

He sighed softly and shook his head as he made his way back to the executive cabin where Petra was taking her turn babysitting the Brat. Fucking rich people, man. He didn’t think he’d ever get them.

“Hey,” he called out as he entered, “The pilot wants to know what the… schedule… for…”

His sentence abruptly trailed off as he registered what he’d just walked in on, and his jaw dropped. At his unexpected arrival, the two occupants of the room made a hurried effort to separate themselves. Reno blinked in utter shock, half convinced he was hallucinating… because there was just no way in the Nine Hells that Rufus Shinra had just been making out with a Turk…

“Uhhh… one of you wanna tell me what’s goin’ on?” he finally ventured, pointedly looking at his subordinate, “Like… right now?”

“I-I… um…” Petra began, only to be cut off by the vice president.

“I hardly think I owe you an explanation for anything, Slum Rat. Mind your own business.”

Reno glared at him.

“Yeah, okay, drop the bullshit,” he shot back, folding his arms over his chest, “Ya know… I don’t really give a shit what two consenting adults get up to on their own time, but A, Petra’s on duty, and B, you ‘n me both know that this is gonna be a problem for someone. If not Veld, then definitely the President.”

Rufus narrowed his eyes at the Turk in challenge.

“And what business is it of either of theirs?”

The redhead snorted contemptuously and felt the reins on his temper slip a bit.

“Tch… when’s your old man ever refrained from stickin’ his nose into your love life?! The whole goddamned reason we’re here is ’cause he’s tryin’ to marry you off! And if he decides he wants to shit-can a Turk ’cause she got a little too friendly with his precious heir, it becomes Veld’s business!” He glowered at him angrily. “You might not have much to lose here, but Petra sure as fuck does!”

That declaration seemed to, for the moment at least, shut him up, so Reno turned his attention on his subordinate.

“Okay… you, go stand guard in the corridor while I figure out how the fuck I’m gonna deal with this…” he sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose in exasperation.

“Yes, sir,” Petra said, somewhat quietly, and the redhead mentally cringed. To be fair, he didn’t think it ought to be anyone’s business but their own. But given the potential fallout… well… he couldn’t just ignore it, could he? Sure, he technically didn’t have to report this to anyone. It’s not as if there was actually a rule against it – though, the more he thought about it, the more he had to wonder why their wasn’t…

In fact, he’d much rather not say anything. But just turning a blind eye was… irresponsible at best. Reno sighed heavily and turned to the vice president.

“You just live to make my life difficult, don’t you, sir?” he grumbled.

“Difficult?” Rufus replied, haughtily, “There’s a very simple solution. Keep your mouth shut.”

The redhead rolled his eyes but ignored the comment, and instead stepped out into the corridor, where he found Petra dutifully standing watch outside. He shut the door behind him, and paused, standing in front of her.

“Sir, I can explain…” she began.

“Yeah, I don’t think I need an explanation of what was goin’ on in there,” he replied, “How long’s this been a thing?”

“I… It’s not really a… thing. We aren’t… I mean, we haven’t been… This is only the second time he’s kissed me, sir,” Petra stammered, blushing furiously. Reno raised an eyebrow. “The first time was… at the Christmas party.”

He exhaled slowly, collecting his thoughts. Okay, maybe things weren’t as bad as they’d initially seemed.

“Start at the beginning,” he ordered.

“There’s… not really much to tell, honestly,” Petra replied, “I was… Ruf– that is… the vice president was heading up to bed after the party and I was standing under the mistletoe, and… he kissed me. And that’s all that happened. Today was the first time I’d even seen him since.”

“Annnnd… what I walked in on was… ?” he prompted. The younger Turk ducked her head slightly.

“We… started out just talking, sir. About how much he hates his father’s meddling, and how ridiculous this all was, and… well, I think I said something about following his heart, and the next thing I knew…” She trailed off with a slight shrug. “I knew it wasn’t a good idea, but I… um… didn’t exactly tell him to stop, either, sir.”

Reno released the breath he hadn’t realized he’d been holding, feeling a slight wave of relief. This wasn’t really good, but it could have been a lot worse.

“This is so far above my pay grade,” he sighed, “… ‘kay. Soon as we’re back in Midgar, you ‘n me are goin’ straight to Tseng’s office ‘n tellin’ him exactly what you just told me. ‘Cause I got literally no idea how to handle somethin’ like this. I mean… technically speakin’ you’re not doin’ anything against regulations or anything, but… he’s the Ifrit-forsaken VP, Petra…”

“I-I know, sir. I’m so sorry. It just… happened.”

“Yeah… I get it. Tch… I’m way more ticked at Rufus than you. Little shit never worries about anyone but himself,” he muttered. Well, alright… to be fair that wasn’t completely true. He’d seen how much Rufus was capable of caring. Mostly when Tseng was involved, but still… He wasn’t a complete asshole. The problem was that he was an entitled little shit who didn’t always think through the consequences of his actions. Like how dragging him into a fight on a frozen lake might not be the smartest choice… or how not making damn sure the gun’s ammo was actually spent before pulling the trigger might just end in a gunshot wound to the redhead’s arm. This, thankfully, had considerably less potential for maiming and/or death… but it wasn’t something that could be ignored.

“Well… we’re stuck here ’til dinner, so –” he began, only for his PHS to abruptly interrupt. And not with his normal ringtone. It was the one specifically keyed to high priority and emergency communications.

“Reno here,” he said, frowning as he answered it.

“…”

“Rude… It’s a phone. I’m gonna need a little more actual talkin’ from ya…” he sighed, slightly annoyed. If it was so important –

“Veld’s dead.”

Reno’s mental processes screeched to a halt, mid-thought. It took him a full ten seconds before he could formulate a coherent response, and at least another five before he managed to spit it out.

“What?” he asked, in disbelief.

“It happened about half an hour ago. He and Tseng went down to take care of an assignment in the Sector 4 slums. Something went wrong. Tried to evac him to the Plate, but… didn’t get to him in time.”

“Shit…” the redhead breathed. “… How’s Tseng?”

“… He’s not injured. Beyond that, I’m not sure. Keeping it together. For now. He just left to tell Esme.”

Reno ran a hand through his hair, the previous problem all but forgotten, as he ran through a mental checklist of where everyone else was right now. Remy and Sykes had been sent to Nibelheim. Liam and Zephyr had been doing reactor sweeps earlier that morning, but were probably back at the office by now, and the other two rookies had been put on paperwork duty, last he heard.

“Do the others know yet?”

“Everyone still in the office does. And like I said, Tseng went to tell Esme in person. He left me in charge here.” He paused a moment, and then added, “Kinda wasn’t really sure what to do after that, to be honest. He didn’t tell me to notify anyone else… Didn’t tell me he wanted to do it himself, either, though. Figured I’d ask you… considering.”

“Yeah… Thanks,” the redhead responded, with just a hint of sarcasm, “Uh… ‘kay. We’re stuck havin’ dinner with Godo, but soon as we’re in the air again, I’ll tell ’em to step on it ‘n get us home ASAP. Tell Remy ‘n Sykes what’s goin’ on soon as ya hang up with me. And see if you can get ahold of Kai while you’re at it. I know she’s planning on resignin’ ‘n all, but… she should know, too. ”

“On it,” Rude replied, sounding somewhat relieved to have a specific order to follow. Reno ended the call and flipped the phone shut, tucking it back into his pocket. He couldn’t believe it. Veld. Gone. It didn’t seem possible.

“S-sir?” Petra’s voice prodded him, and he looked over at her. “What’s going on?”

Reno swallowed sharply and took a deep breath. “That was Rude,” he said, feeling slightly numb and disconnected as the reality of the situation began to really set in. “I, um… Veld… was killed on an assignment in the Slums. ‘Bout half an hour ago.”

“No…” Petra gasped, clapping one hand to her mouth.

“Do me favor… head up to the cockpit ‘n tell our pilot that we’re gonna be headin’ for home, double time, as soon as this bullshit with Godo’s done. I… gotta update the V.P.”

“Yes, sir…” the subordinate Turk responded and hurried off down the hall.

Once she was out of sight, Reno leaned back against the wall and closed his eyes. How could this have happened? What had gone wrong? And how was Tseng taking it? Probably not real well, considering that Veld was basically a second father to him. And Rude had said they’d been on whatever assignment this was together. He’d watched it happen. He had to be wreck, even if he wasn’t letting anyone else see it.

Almost as soon as the thought occurred to him, another realization entered his mind. Tseng was now the commander of the Turks. It suddenly dawned on him that… Rude hadn’t called him before any of the more senior Turks because they were best friends and he didn’t know what else to do. He’d called him first because… he was the one Tseng had been training as his successor all this time. If Tseng was Commander, now, then that meant…

The redhead swallowed sharply, feeling himself go slightly pale at the thought of being officially designated the new Second in Command.

---

Tseng parked his car in one of the spaces just in front of his mentor’s condo, and for a long moment, couldn’t seem to make himself go any farther. Each time he thought about opening the door… stepping out… walking up the sidewalk to the front porch… Each time he tried, he couldn’t actually bring himself to do it. In fact, it wasn’t until the front door opened, and Esme curiously peered out, apparently having noticed his arrival, that he finally found the strength to go through with it.

Steeling himself, he got out of the car, and made the short journey to where she was standing, eyeing him with obvious trepidation. She knew. She knew from his mere presence in the middle of the day, and his hesitation. He finally reached her, after what felt like an unbearably long walk, her eyes never wavering from him.

“Esme…” he began, and found he couldn’t continue. He’d rehearsed exactly what he was going to say to her on the drive over, but now that he was stood in front of her, his mind had gone blank.

“No…” Esme said, pleadingly, half a whisper, half a sob. Tseng dropped his gaze, unable to hold hers any longer. She felt to her knees, sobbing, and Tseng knelt down, pulling her into his arms.

“I’m sorry…” he breathed, “I’m so, so sorry, Esme…”

---

It was late by the time the Highwind took to the skies again. Well after one A.M., in fact, and though Reno knew he ought to be trying to get some sleep while he had the opportunity, he also knew there was just no way in hell that was actually going to happen. Rufus and Petra had already turned in for the night. The young executive had gone strangely quiet when Reno had informed him of the Turk leader’s untimely passing… probably worrying about some of the same things the redhead had been. Or at least one of them.

He hadn’t been able to get ahold of Tseng. He’d held off trying for awhile, figuring that he’d probably be with Esme for most of the evening… especially since he’d want to be there when she told Felicia, too, and that wouldn’t be until she got home from school. But even at nine in the evening, he wasn’t answering his PHS, and though it worried him a little, his fears were slightly assuaged when Rude had called for a second time with a few updates, and let him know that his mentor had checked in a short while ago, and that he was still with Veld’s family at the time.

So… at least he wasn’t alone.

Reno, however, was very much alone at the moment. It now was almost five in the morning and they were still at least another hour out from Junon, and since he couldn’t sleep anyway, he’d retreated to the quiet solitude of the observation deck for the time being. The moon was high and bright, and as they made their way north, he began to see the light reflecting off of snow-blanketed islands below him, informing him that they’d long since left Wutaiian waters.

He wondered if they’d end up flying over Kai’s island. Rude hadn’t been able to contact her directly as of yet. He’d ended up leaving several voicemails asking her to check in, before finally delivering the news to the recording and hoping that she would eventually hear it.

Remy and Sykes had apparently never actually made it to Nibelheim. A particularly nasty winter storm had rolled in just as they’d reached the coast, and they’d spent the better part of the afternoon in Costa del Sol, instead, waiting for the skies to the west to clear. They still hadn’t left by the time Rude had checked in for the last time that day, so Reno had told him to relay a return order to them. The Nibelheim assignment was low priority, anyway – just a general security check on the reactor – and the way storms settled in over the mountains sometimes, they could be waiting another day or more before they had an opportunity to get in. In all likelihood, they were already back in Midgar.

The Highwind wouldn’t arrive in Junon until nearly six A.M. Then another forty five minutes or so in the executive helicopter back to the city. They’d be landing on the roof of the Shinra Building at close to seven. The redhead snorted softly. There wouldn’t even be any point in going home by then. By the time he walked into his apartment, he’d have to turn right back around and head back to the office. He was gonna need a lot of coffee today.

Or maybe not. Right now, he didn’t feel any fatigue at all. He wasn’t sure if it was the ever colder air as they traveled farther and farther north, or just the sheer amount of adrenaline in his system at the moment… but he couldn’t have slept if his life depended on it.

As the seas below slipped silently by, the redhead lost all track of time. Eventually, the lights of Junon were visible, and he was so deeply lost in his own head that he didn’t even notice until the airship began to descend. Once he did realize it, though, he hurried below deck, making his way back to the executive passenger cabins and knocking loudly on Petra’s door first, and then Rufus’. Petra was the first to join him, much to his surprise already dressed in a fresh uniform and looking ready for the day.

“Get much sleep?” Reno asked.

“A bit,” Petra replied, “But I’m always up early. What about you?”

The redhead shrugged. “Eh… Sleep’s overrated anyway. We’re landin’ now.”

Rufus still hadn’t responded to his knock, so he tried again, louder this time.

“Sir… about what happened earlier. Between Rufus and I…” Petra said, hesitantly, but the senior Turk shook his head.

“We’ll worry about it later,” he said. He sure as fuck wasn’t going to bombard Tseng with something like that now.

“Yes sir. I… just want you to know that it won’t happen again.”

Reno nodded, but before he could respond, a somewhat bleary-eyed vice president wrenched open the door to his cabin.

“What in Ramuh’s name do you want at this hour?” he mumbled, clearly still somewhat asleep.

“We’re landin’ in Junon, sir. Time to get up.”

Rufus glowered at him, but the look didn’t have anywhere near its normal amount of venom behind it, and he merely gave the redhead a dismissive wave before retreating back inside to dress.

Fifteen minutes later, they were on a helicopter back to Midgar.

---

Remy glanced into the mirror in the women’s locker room, and straightened her tie. She and Sykes had arrived back at headquarters late last night. She’d opted to simply sleep in the office. Given the circumstances, it had just seemed far more reasonable than heading for home only to return in a few hours. Tseng would almost certainly be in extra early himself. Probably, so would everyone else. There was… a lot to do.

She was glad that she and Sykes had been recalled. The weather forecast hadn’t been especially promising when they’d left Costa del Sol. Odds were good they’d still be sitting there this morning, and while normally, she wouldn’t have complained about a few free hours on the beach… there was nothing normal about today.

The issue they’d been sent to investigate hadn’t sounded especially urgent, anyway. Animal attacks, Veld had said. They’d been sent to ensure there was no danger to the reactor. It could wait.

Even with her late arrival, she hadn’t really gotten much sleep. Too much on her mind. Hence her early morning run and subsequent shower. She had a feeling that several of her other teammates had been likewise sleepless last night. Rude had already sent the rookies home by the time the helicopter had landed, and he’d looked moderately relieved to see her when it did. He’d filled her in on everything that had happened while she’d been in the air – which, on the whole, was very little – and given her an update on where everyone was.

Tseng, unsurprisingly, was with Esme and Felicia, and Reno and Petra were en route back to Midgar with the Vice President, with an ETA somewhere around seven A.M. In fact, she noted, glancing at her watch, they ought to be arriving any time now.

Which meant that she needed to get back upstairs. Assuming he hadn’t already beaten them to the office, Tseng wouldn’t be far behind their returning teammates, and the Turk lieutenant – she had to stop and mentally correct herself – the Turk commander would be anxious to brief them on what had happened yesterday. She didn’t intend to make him wait on her account.

It was hard to believe that Veld was gone. Though she knew it was foolish, a part of her had always believed him somewhat invincible. She knew better, of course, and yet… the news of his death had still come as a shock. She wanted to know what had happened. Who had taken him down… and had they been dealt with? And if not, who would be assigned to ensure that justice was served?

Remy shook her head. She wouldn’t be getting any answers from the mirror. She turned away from her reflection, striding purposefully into the hallway and heading for the elevator. When she reached the office, it was just as quiet as when she’d left, and for a moment, she thought that Sykes and Rude must have still been asleep. But as she walked down the hallway towards her office, she could hear a voice coming from the lounge, and quickly altered course.

“Yeah,” Rude said, as she opened the door, stepping inside. “I took care of it.”

She slipped by him, not wanting to interrupt his phone call, and helped herself the the freshly made coffee on the side table instead, taking a seat at the table in the corner.

“… About as well as you’d expect,” he answered, to whatever question he’d been asked, “The newbies seemed pretty shaken. Liam was… not quite as shocked, but still pretty freaked out. Sent ’em home early. I figured there really wasn’t much for them to do last night.”

If it was the rookies that were under discussion, then the other participant in the conversation was probably Tseng.

Rude paused again, listening to the reply.

“No… she hasn’t. You want me to keep trying?” he asked, and then shook his head. “Alright. Tseng’s on his way in now. Should be here in a few minutes.”

Remy blinked in surprise. If the caller wasn’t Tseng… then of course it must have been Reno. Which, in hindsight, she supposed made perfect sense. After all… that was going to be his job from here on out. To support Tseng and speak for him when he wasn’t present.

“See you then,” Rude said, and ended the called. He glanced over at Remy as he put his phone away. “Executive copter will be here in ten.”

She nodded, and took a tentative sip of her coffee, flinching slightly as it was still a bit too hot.

“This is… a nightmare,” she said softly.

“…”

“Do you know what happened?”

“Just the basic rundown. Tseng… wasn’t real talkative during the evac. Apparently, Veld was chasing down some punk in Sector 4. Punk pulled a gun. Got in one lucky shot right before Tseng took him out. Veld was gone before the copter even got there.”

“I can hardly believe it…” Remy mused.

“Same here,” Rude agreed. “Mind keeping an eye out for the rookies? Reno’s kind of worried about ’em, and he asked me to make some more calls…”

“Of course,” the senior Turk nodded, cocking her head to one side. “Calls to who? I would have thought everyone had been notified by now.”

“Still trying to get Kai to pick up her damn phone. He also asked me to track down a number for Ashland and let him know.”

Remy couldn’t help but give a faintly amused snort.

“He’s really on top of things, isn’t he?” she commented. It was strange. The redhead always seemed so disorganized and all over the place in daily life, and yet… when something needed to be done, he was laser focused, and had every last detail accounted for. Even she hadn’t yet thought of informing Ash.

“Hmph… he always is. Just doesn’t always let it show,” Rude agreed, turning to the door, “Tseng should be in any minute, now, by the way.”

She nodded, and the younger Turk slipped out into the hallway, headed, she assumed, for his own office to start making the requested phone calls. Remy, meanwhile, returned her attention to her coffee, trying not to think about what the day had in store for her. She was less than successful.

She had only a very vague memory of Veld becoming Commander, herself. It had happened just before she’d been promoted to rookie, and her primary impression had been one of barely controlled chaos as Veld and Tseng had made the transition to their new roles. She had only even met Veld’s predecessor a handful of times… the last being at her final evaluation. So while she had known him briefly… his passing hadn’t really affected her. Veld was the only Commander she’d truly served under, and… she had almost no idea what to expect now.

Obviously, Tseng would take over. And of course, Reno would be promoted to Second. But beyond that?

She had to admit… it frightened her a little. She remembered all too well, the confusion in her early days as a Turk, where even the most experienced of her new teammates didn’t’ seem to know whether they were coming or going for awhile. Would it be like that now?

She almost couldn’t see any other alternative. She certainly didn’t have a clue what she ought to be doing… beyond looking after the rookies as they arrived, as Rude had requested. And frankly, she wasn’t even sure what to say to them. When it came to training rookies, she was an expert. But when it came to the more personal side of things? Well… she didn’t always have the warmest personality, and she’d long known that she wasn’t always easy to approach. Especially by those who didn’t know her very well.

Reno, on the other hand…

She snorted softly. The little redhead was practically the definition of approachable. Everyone loved him. Even people who’d never met him before usually fell under the spell of his charm fairly quickly. It was no wonder he had such an easy time with the rookies…

“Remy…” a voice called to her from the doorway, interrupting her quiet musings, and she jumped slightly, sloshing coffee over her hand. She grimaced slightly, and set the cup down on the table.

“Tseng,” she acknowledged with a nod, “How are Esme and Felicia?”

The newly anointed Turk leader sighed and joined her at the table.

“Felicia is taking it extremely hard. Esme is, too, but she’s holding herself together for her daughter’s sake.”

She studied him for a moment. He hid it well, but she could see he hadn’t slept.

“And you?” she asked, pointedly.

“I’m still reeling a bit,” he admitted, “To be honest, everything since it happened has felt rather surreal. There are moments where I almost convince myself that it didn’t happen at all. That this is just some terrible dream that I’ll eventually wake from.” He sighed again and rested his hands on the tabletop. “But it’s not, is it?”

“I’m so sorry, Tseng…” Remy said, reaching for him. She let her hand rest on top of one of his. He smiled faintly.

“You know… I always believed that Veld would be the exception that proved the rule. That he would be one of the fortunate few of our ilk who survived long enough to retire and live a peaceful life.” His smile faded, and when he looked up at her, she saw a rather strange determination in his eyes. “There’s something very important I need to discuss with you, Remy…”

---

Reno stepped out of the elevator and into the hallway, turning back momentarily to look at Petra.

“Don’t forget the coffee. I think we’re all gonna need it today, and that cheap piece of junk we got in the lounge isn’t gonna be able to keep up.”

“Yes, sir,” she replied as the doors were closing. He’d figured that those who’d stuck around headquarters last night were probably only just getting up. Rude had been up early, but when he’d checked in with him a little while ago, only he and Remy had been awake. Sykes was still out cold, and the rookies weren’t in just yet. He’d sent Petra on a breakfast run on account.

His first thought was to head to Tseng’s office, but as he was making his way past the lounge, he distinctly heard his mentor’s voice from within. He shrugged and started towards that room, instead.

“There’s something very important I need to discuss with you, Remy…” Tseng said.

“Yes, sir?” Remy replied, and Reno paused for a moment outside, not wanting to interrupt the conversation if it was important. He heard his mentor sigh, the sound muffled slightly by the door that stood between them.

“I want to ask you…” he continued, hesitating for just the barest of moments, “… to be my Second in Command.”

Reno’s breath caught in his throat, and for a few seconds, all he could do was stare blankly at the door to the lounge.

A moment later, he turned and fled.

~end chapter 96~