![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
shinra_vpThe WRO Headquarters really is in the middle of bloody nowhere, and while Rufus understands that's great when you need the space to house a small army and perform research and all sorts of things you don't want near the general public, but it's also a pain in the ass on the rare occasions when Reeve wants to meet with him in person and show him something at the facility.
It means Rufus has to leave the comfort of his office and travel to that ridiculous mountain range just north-east of Junon.
The blond sighs as he slips his jacket on and heads out to meet Tseng at the helicopter, not at all pleased to have to get up early just to make the meeting time, but Rufus has never been one to be tardy without reason, so he climbs into the helicopter and puts on his headset. "If he's called me all the way out there to show me a layout for a sewage system, or something of the like, you have my permission to shoot him."
It means Rufus has to leave the comfort of his office and travel to that ridiculous mountain range just north-east of Junon.
The blond sighs as he slips his jacket on and heads out to meet Tseng at the helicopter, not at all pleased to have to get up early just to make the meeting time, but Rufus has never been one to be tardy without reason, so he climbs into the helicopter and puts on his headset. "If he's called me all the way out there to show me a layout for a sewage system, or something of the like, you have my permission to shoot him."
(no subject)
Date: 2014-02-20 02:20 pm (UTC)The helicopter did need some work. Upgrades they needed the tools to complete. So Reno flew and stayed with the copter and Tseng rode and stayed with Rufus.
"He gets...overly invested in his plans, I admit. I will pistol whip him and then shoot him. Satisfactory?"
(no subject)
Date: 2014-02-20 05:41 pm (UTC)Rufus generally dislikes flying by helicopter. It's incredibly noisy without a headset, and if anything goes wrong, there's absolutely no possibility to glide to a safe landing. Still, the benefit of maneuverability outweighs his paranoia, so he simply holds on as they take off, watching the ground fall away.
"The problem with helicopters is that you can't bring your coffee with you or it will end up in your lap." Which probably also explains Rufus minor detour into wishing violence upon Reeve.
(no subject)
Date: 2014-02-20 06:47 pm (UTC)If nothing else, he was ready for a caffeine emergency. He makes certain Rufus is secure before gesturing to Reno for take off. It's not a long flight, but it will probably prove long enough.
"Do you imagine we will want to remain in the area overnight?"
(no subject)
Date: 2014-02-20 06:52 pm (UTC)"That depends on how long Reeve rambles, but he did schedule an alarmingly long time for it, so I assume he plans to use all of it. The man does know how to talk." It was one thing on emails, where Rufus could skim over them and pick out the pertinent details, but in person, he knew he would have to constantly remind Reeve to skip over the unnecessary bits.
(no subject)
Date: 2014-02-20 07:19 pm (UTC)"Reeve has always been like that. He talks himself in circles. The key is breaking his concentration. Popping gum or doing something vaguely suggestive. That type of thing." Directors meetings had tended to get a bit dull.
(no subject)
Date: 2014-02-21 12:11 am (UTC)What is the world coming to? Tseng with chewing gum? That's like Rufus skateboarding. It's just not something that even gets considered as a possibility. The sun might as well go dark, for all the credence Rufus would have given such a thought.
(no subject)
Date: 2014-02-21 12:58 am (UTC)The expression is rather, dare he say it? Cute. It makes Rufus look more his age while at the same time making him decades older. "Gum chewing was one of the least scandalizing things to be done. Think of it as the lesser of several evils to get everyone out of the meetings on time." Then, belatedly, "Reeve isn't at all a bad man. He is simply...passionate."
(no subject)
Date: 2014-02-21 01:17 am (UTC)"I know he's not a bad man," the blond replies with a slight smile. "Even as a regular employee of Shin-Ra, he had more moral character than the majority. I do, however, question his good sense. A cat in a cape riding a stuffed mog. Really?"
(no subject)
Date: 2014-02-21 01:22 am (UTC)It's a trip down memory lane, and Rufus is a bit too young to go with him so Tseng resists being lost to it. "There was no nudity, sir," He deadpans back. "Unless you count specialized days like Free from Clothes Friday. Morale booster and such."
(no subject)
Date: 2014-02-21 01:41 am (UTC)He has to admit, he's not actual sure if Tseng is being serious about Free-From-Clothes Friday. He says it with such a straight face that even if the idea is absolutely preposterous, there's the possibility of it actually having happened. Somehow, he can picture Scarlet and Heidegger proposing it like it's some brilliant idea that will revolutionize the office and double performance. "Well, I bet you were a sight to see," he deadpans right back, deciding to play this little game on the assumption that Tseng is lying. Odds are in that court, anyway.
(no subject)
Date: 2014-02-21 01:46 am (UTC)Tseng just smiles pleasantly at Rufus. He can see he doesn't quite believe it. "I was. Though not as impressive as Rude, say. Or Shotgun was quite a sight to behold when she fired off a few rounds..." And, well, to be quite honest that hadn't been a lie. "You could try reviving it as a new workplace initiative."
(no subject)
Date: 2014-02-21 02:24 am (UTC)He watches the approaching mountains in the distance, signalling that they're getting closer to their destination. "I am aware that Rude's physique is quite impressive. He's very strong and he trains diligently. Almost as diligently as you."
(no subject)
Date: 2014-02-21 02:29 am (UTC)"Rude is a powerhouse. He's always going to be able to break someone in half, but it takes training to master the strength." And Tseng...well he really started young and doesn't know what else to do with himself. He trains in a variety of different things. "You could join us. We wouldn't tell."
(no subject)
Date: 2014-02-21 03:02 am (UTC)He does, however, muse on the possibility of training more in self-defense. His proficiency with firearms is adequate, but if it ever came to a point where he were disarmed, his ability to defend himself effectively would be somewhat limited. "I suppose it wouldn't hurt to learn some martial arts."
(no subject)
Date: 2014-02-21 03:08 am (UTC)They were clearing the airspace near the WRO compound. Tseng almost wasn't looking forward to it. "Martial arts," He agreed. "As well as general self defense. It's not quite as graceful but learning to rip out a man's larynx is useful."
(no subject)
Date: 2014-02-21 05:53 pm (UTC)"I don't think I'll need to be ripping out larynxes. Simply learning how to knock a man out will suffice."
((We have a choice. They can get attacked as they get off the helicopter, we could actually shoot the helicopter and crash it into the WRO, or there could be a disguised assailant inside the WRO.))
(no subject)
Date: 2014-02-21 07:17 pm (UTC)"Smile. Disarm the villagers," Tseng tells Rufus before the blades cut and they are left in relative quiet. It's going to be a long few hours.
((I vote someone on the inside.))
(no subject)
Date: 2014-02-22 05:53 am (UTC)And it does seem to disarm the villagers, indeed. Reeve smiles right back, maybe a little too enthusiastically, and he rushes forward to usher the two of them inside. Rufus resists being manhandled, brushing off whatever hands are placed on him. He'll walk at his own pace and he doesn't need to be guided, thankyouverymuch.
Though, dear God, the man can talk. And talk. And talk. Without actually ever coming to any sort of point, and Rufus has to remind him three times to get to the point of why he was actually here before they're finally brought down into the manufacturing area. Apparently, Reeve has a new wind turbine to show him.
(no subject)
Date: 2014-02-23 01:46 am (UTC)He follows a couple of paces behind as Reeve takes Rufus from place to place. Tseng could condense the summary of an hour into about two useful sentences, but he doesn't protest. The wind turbine is quite interesting, Tseng will say that. It seems to be quite similar to what Rufus has been interested in.
He catches movement out of the corner of his eye, on a high platform. It's ridiculous; there are people moving everywhere, but the glint of a rifle is unmistakeable. "Down!" He yells, moving to push Rufus and cover him right as a bullet tears through his shoulder. Tseng has his pistol out, another shot tearing through his thigh as he drops.
There's someone else coming up, too quickly to be cover fire from the WRO, and Tseng turns knowing he'll be a fraction too late for Rufus.
(no subject)
Date: 2014-02-23 05:01 pm (UTC)He even understands the concepts behind the windmill's ability to rotate according to where internal sensors calculate where the best angle will be to generate the most power. That's brilliant.
It could have been summed up to a mere fifteen-minute presentation, though. It really doesn't need--
His boredom is suddenly interrupted by Tseng's alarm, and then the impact of the Turk moving him from harm's way.
The only reason Rufus specifically knows that the bullet is armor piercing is the way it tears right through Tseng's arm and again though Rufus' bicep. Good thing he's not left-handed.
He doesn't bother calling out Tseng's name in surprise. That's a waste of time. He heard the second shot, he knows Tseng is injured, and he can see that other man coming towards them with too much intent to be helpful. A man to finish the job.
Definitely a good thing he isn't left-handed. Training kicks in. Time slows down. Even as Tseng falls to the floor, Rufus is pulling his shotgun out. Idiots. Close range is the most deadly.
Aim. Fire.
It's almost mesmerizing, the pattern the bullets make as they tear into that man's chest, but he can't be distracted now. He looks up, trying to track the other man, but he's gone already. Dammit.
Eventually, time speeds back up and there's suddenly people bustling around them, checking him for injuries, hands all over him, and he talks over the lot of them, shooing them away with all the charisma of a man holding a double-barreled killing machine. "I'm fine. Take Tseng to the medical wing immediately."
(no subject)
Date: 2014-02-23 05:28 pm (UTC)He has a flash of pride as he reholsters. People are swarming and Reeve looks pale and disturbed. Tseng spares the thought that they are protecting Reece in particular and then he's leaning on a medic.
Rufus is successfully giving orders. Tseng lets them look at his shoulder and leg, but his eyes are for Rufus's arm. "Minimal damage. Make sure his arm wound is superficial." With his luck it would hit a tendon.
He limps along where they usher him, blood rushing from the thigh wound and making him rethink the severity. But his eyes are sharp on Rufus, wanting him nearby.
(no subject)
Date: 2014-02-24 12:48 am (UTC)He brushes off the medics that try to take a look at him, and he moves closer to Tseng, almost as if it were his turn to be the bodyguard, as the two of them are escorted to the medical ward.
It's not until they get there that he tucks his shotgun back into his coat and really gives Tseng a once-over. "Twice? Tsk. I thought you were faster than that," he chides, mostly to cover up his relief that the injuries don't seem to be life-threatening.
(no subject)
Date: 2014-02-24 12:53 am (UTC)He knows Rufus is going to resist, and that any Turk would as well. But this is Rufus and he can never be too careful with him. Tseng is aware he's lying on a medical table in just his briefs but that's hardly new, even if Reeve looks like he might throw up at any moment while he issues orders to find the shooter.
A prod to his thigh results in a low hiss and he knows the bullet is still in there somewhere. Perfect. "Sit," He orders Rufus, not even able to be diplomatic.
(no subject)
Date: 2014-02-24 02:15 am (UTC)Rufus regards Tseng for a long moment when he's given that order, and when he does sit, the look he gives Tseng lets him know that he's sitting because he wants to, not because he's been ordered to do so.
He might have slight problems with authority, which is why he always insists on being at the top. "I'm fine." Though, he'd mostly forgotten about his own wound until now. The reminder of it makes it throb, though, and there's a sharp burn that starts to spread along his arm. It's not exactly a pleasant sensation, and that's the only reason he allows the medical attendants to start removing his jacket, vest, and shirts.
(no subject)
Date: 2014-02-24 02:51 am (UTC)He's still thin from his illness, but the marks are gone. Tseng soothes himself with that. The bullet went clean through his arm, too. Tseng bites his lip as they start digging for the bullet in his leg. Even the injection of a local anesthetic isn't helping, and he doesn't want anything stronger.
"He was wearing a uniform," He tells Reeve. "Blue bands on the sleeves. Hair was flat like from a helmet." It's all he can offer, holding his arm still for it to be wrapped, eyes keep drifting to Rufus despite his best efforts. "Are you alright?"
(no subject)
Date: 2014-02-24 03:00 am (UTC)He squirms in slight discomfort as the medics clean and bandage his wound, and he keeps his eyes on the people around them, too. If there were two agents trying to kill them, it's possible there were more.
"And we'll need the corpse for examination," Rufus adds, wondering how Reeve can possibly be so shaky when he's already lived through the end of the world twice. Perhaps seeing things like this is different than experiencing it through a screen.
He looks over at Tseng after and snorts quietly. "Worry about yourself."
(no subject)
Date: 2014-02-24 03:21 am (UTC)"You're doing damage," He tells them between gritted teeth. He needs to be able to walk and the more damage to the muscle the longer it will take to heal up. He's grateful when someone else steps up, and retrieves the overly large bullet and a little bit of shrapnel.
Reeve arranges everything with Rufus. Tseng doesn't protest his leg being stitched and bandaged, though he does request some pants since his are beyond being put back together. No one leaps out to kill them, which is good, but Tseng is trying to work out why and eventually he asks they be left alone with Reeve.
"Someone knew. You have a leak," He tells Reeve flatly. "About your meeting. About where we would be standing, even."
(no subject)
Date: 2014-02-24 04:38 am (UTC)Rufus is more interested in finding out who the men work for, or if they're vigilantes. "Perhaps once we've identified the man I shot, we'll know more." An identity might tell them if he was working alone, or if he has an employer. The more they know, the better. Knowledge is power.
"Tseng, will you be able to walk?"
(no subject)
Date: 2014-02-26 01:23 am (UTC)"I can walk," He agrees even as the nurse protests. He swings his leg over the table and manages even to not yell as he tries to put some clothes back on. He'll need more treatment. X-rays, perhaps, and at very least an antibiotic but it can all wait.
"Have the corpse searched and photographed," He adds to Rufus's orders. Less reason for them to travel back and forth.
(no subject)
Date: 2014-02-26 06:23 pm (UTC)He sighs a little, as if terribly put upon. "Call Reno down. He'll be your replacement."
(no subject)
Date: 2014-02-27 02:28 am (UTC)He won't be doing any running, and he probably is going to hate himself, but he wants to stay with Rufus. He doesn't want him alone or with only Reno and though Tseng knows it's stupid, he feels like he's the best at protecting Rufus. In this condition it would be debatable.
"We need to leave the area, sir."
(no subject)
Date: 2014-02-28 02:03 am (UTC)Rufus gives Tseng another look over, frowning slightly. "At least use a crutch. You won't look like you're about to fall over, then, and it'll double as a weapon."
(no subject)
Date: 2014-02-28 02:21 am (UTC)"Then moving you to a secure area should be our primary objective." But Rufus was going to want to lead the hunt. And Tseng groans and starts to text Reno because he will need some back up for that.
(no subject)
Date: 2014-02-28 02:59 am (UTC)He then pushes it towards Tseng. "If you don't let it hold some of your weight, you're going to injure yourself further. This isn't up for negotiation, Tseng. Use the crutch."
(no subject)
Date: 2014-02-28 03:23 am (UTC)"Reno is in route. He'll meet us." And Tseng will feel better for having Turk eyes on Rufus again. Reeve is trying to salvage the situation, and it appears a few suspects are being trailed. Tseng doesn't put much faith in multiple suspects, anyway.
He takes the crutch and walks a few steps with it, but he's determined not to go at a sedate pace.
(no subject)
Date: 2014-02-28 05:32 am (UTC)Anyway, he wants to know who their dead friend is and what kind of a threat he actually poses, so he heads back to the engineering quarter.
Rufus is a little more alert on this trip, checking into side halls and dark rooms as he passes, making sure there's no one lurking. He's not sure how much faith he has in WRO security. He'll take his four Turks over a building full of WRO operatives any day.
Once they reach the body, he shoos away the people milling around it. His shotgun certainly made a mess of the man's chest, but Rufus isn't particularly squeamish. He looks at Tseng and nods, silently giving him the go-ahead to dig around. Reno will probably show up shortly, anyway.
(no subject)
Date: 2014-03-04 02:51 am (UTC)When Reno arrives, Tseng sends him to guard the door with a gesture, brushing aside the concern and giving him a quick briefing on what happened. They do have a body to search.
He can't kneel to look, but he can at least bend. The hole blown through his chest makes searching breast pockets a little more difficult at least, but Tseng is efficient.
"Foreign make suit. Expensive. No phone...a pager...a card..." He puts everything on a helpfully provided tray.
(no subject)
Date: 2014-03-10 05:39 pm (UTC)Through Rufus does prefer Tseng's company to that of his other Turks, he trusts them all to guard his life with their own. So, having Reno here, as well, is a comfort, even if Rufus will never admit to needing that comfort in the first place. He's not a child. Having an attempt on his life is no longer something that makes him tremble.
Rufus looks at the man's belongings as they're set on the tray, rifling through them. Although Tseng identifies it as a suit of foreign make, Rufus sincerely hopes that it's an import and that their culprit is local; easier to deal with and clean up. He doesn't want to travel overseas -- or send his Turks that far away unnecessarily.
Rufus picks up the pager and checks through the call history. "He received two pages from the same number this morning. Though, I imagine it's probably a disposable phone, hopefully you can still get some information about the caller."