Hello my wonderful readers. I know this chapter is a bit short considering how long you've waited, but that's just how this story is turning out. There's a lot of writing going on behind the scenes of each chapter for each story. Most of the time I'm writing for at least four stories at once so that's why these take a bit of time to get updated. Plus my writing program went kaput on me, so I have to use my back up program. It's still good, but I miss the other one. T~T Anyway, I'll try to see what I can do about getting these stories updated on a more normal schedule. But, hey we finally get to learn the name of that crazy professor guy! Took me a bit to come up with something clever, but that's what I get for writing at crazy hours of the night. xD

Enjoy!

Chapter Eleven

The doors to the meeting room opened as Cloud made his entrance followed by Tifa and Denzel. The group turned to look at him as he looked up at the screen. Rufus was the first to address him. "I see you're not as injured as your friends made us believe," He said, casting a glance over at Yuffie.

Cloud ignored him and kept his gaze focused on the screen. Finally he shook his head. "It's not Zack."

"The pictures don't lie," Tseng replied. "I don't understand it either. Under normal circumstances I would agree with you, but it's not just a matter of appearance. He knew too much about the Turks. He knew things that only Zack would know."

"Zack would have recognized me," Cloud replied. "When he challenged me he didn't seem to know who I was. And when he stole Zack's sword from the church he didn't make sense. He called the sword a prize, but the Zack I knew saw that sword as a symbol of honor-"

"Because it once belonged to Angeal," Tseng finished. Cloud nodded.

Cid adjusted the goggles on his head, "So is there a chance that he had a twin?"

"Zack Fair was an only child," Tseng replied.

"Maybe this one's a clone?" suggested Yuffie. "That's the only way to explain it. If it looks just like Zack, but it's not him then he has to be a clone." The group rolled their eyes.

"Like anyone has that kind of tech," commented Barret.

Reeve however looked thoughtful, "Actually, when I was working for Shinra there was one professor who had an interest in cloning. He worked under Hojo at the time and was let go by the professor when he found out he was using some of the Gil to fund his own research. Hojo had no interest in cloning, except when it involved Sephiroth."

"Who was this scientist?" asked Tifa.

"Licer, Professor Samuel P. Licer," answered Tseng. "He was brilliant, but his methods were inhumane and cruel."

"Look who he was workin' under," replied Barret.

Cloud didn't voice his own opinion, but he fought to suppress his anger at the memories by clenching his fists.

"No one will deny that Hojo's methods were a bit extreme," Tseng began, "but believe me when I say that Licer's methods were far more heinous than Hojo's."

"I doubt that," Cloud replied as he glared at Tseng. With his injuries still not fully healed the last thing he needed was a reminder of the horrors that he had lived through. Looking back at the image on the screen showing a man identical to Zack's likeness attacking a security guard at the Turk compound forced the blonde to replay some of the final moments he spent with Zack before he died. "If this scientist is responsible for the man behind these attacks it only proves that Shinra is fully to blame once again. Avalanche isn't your clean-up crew and we're not going to keep bailing you out every time."

Cloud turned to leave when Rufus' words made him stop in the doorway. "I understand your anger, and you're right. Shinra is responsible for many things, but this problem was caused by the old company. Not the one I'm trying to rebuild." He waited to see what the swordsman would do. When nothing happened he continued.

"I don't know what happened when that man confronted you, and I didn't get a chance to know Zack from before, but regardless of who he is, he's attacking both the Turks and your friends. The fact that he broke into our facility proves that no place is safe, including here. If he wanted to break into this compound, he could without much trouble. Will you still turn your back on this? Remember what happened the last time you refused to step in? The children you care for were abducted while you weren't around and your friend was attacked. Do you want those events to repeat themselves?"

Cloud turned and glared at Rufus. He didn't need to be reminded of what happened. He had finally gotten over it, but failing to rescue Marlene and Denzel from the remnants at the Forgotten City had bothered him for a long time. It was Vincent who ended up saving him and now he secretly wished for the ex-Turk's wisdom now. "If the others agree to help then I'll do my part. If not then you're on your own."

"Well, you heard him," Rufus stated, looking at the rest of the group, "What do you say?"

"Aw yeah, count me in! I'm ready to go," commented Yuffie.

"Someone's gonna have to keep her in check, guess that means I gotta go to," added Cid.

"I'll go," Tifa said, looking over at Cloud who nodded back to her. There was no way he'd let her walk into danger without him to watch her back.

"Avalanche ain't goin' nowhere without me," Barret stated, standing up.

"You'll need someone who can work behind the scenes as well as recon, count me in," came the voice of Reeve.

"Aye, I'll be the recon side!" chimed in a Cait Sithe who entered the room on cue."

Rufus shook his head at the responses from the oddball group. It was one thing that amazed him. How a group of people who were each so different and came from different backgrounds and different families and places around the world and yet they made such an excellent team that had saved the planet twice already and it seemed like they were about to do it again.

Rufus looked over to Tseng, "Go check on Reno and if he's awake get as much information from him that you can. I have a feeling we'll be needing it. I trust you can decipher useful information from utter nonsense."

With a nod the head Turk left the room. Denzel looked around the room, "What can I do to help?"

"You can help me monitor from here," Reeve told him, meeting the eyes of Tifa who sent him a silent thanks. "Between operating the Cait Sithe and keeping an eye on everyone's movements it might be too much for me to see to everything at once. I need another pair of eyes to help me stay on top of things. Are you up for the job?"

Denzel slowly nodded, "Yeah. I can handle it." Secretly he was a disappointed that he wouldn't get to go with everybody else. He wanted to make it up to everyone after what happened in the past. He felt partially responsible for what happened when the Remnants attacked. Once under their influence he may not have been at fault, but if he hadn't fallen for their lies and gone with them, if he hadn't drank the water then he might have been able to make a difference. He wanted that chance this time.

A red dot blipped on the map on the other monitor. Reeve looked at the screen. "That's Vincent's emergency signal. It's designed to broadcast if he remains in one place for too long." He typed something into the computer before speaking into the microphone, "Vincent, what's your situation?" There was nothing but static. "Vincent?" Reeve tried again. Still nothing.

"…Reeve? Is that you?"

Reeve looked up, "Nanaki? What happened? Where's Vincent?"