In The Absence of the Sun

Chapter 4

When I awoke I saw Midgar in the distance. I must’ve put the freighter on autopilot and then hit the sack.

As we approached the city I made sure all systems were ready for landing and then I radioed in.

"Midgar flight control this is Shinra Freighter 14 requesting permission to land."

"You may proceed."

Flight control was really nothing more than another attempt by the city to try and make it look like they actually had some power in this city, which they didn’t.

I flew around behind the Shinra building and gracefully landed on my platform.

"We’re here kid!" I yelled.

I gathered up my cigarettes, the only personal belongings I’d brought on this trip, and headed out.

The kid was already there waitin’ for me to open the hatch. Damn he was quick.

The second the hatch opened the kid sprinted out onto the platform and gazed at Midgar in awe. I came up behind him and spoiled his moment.

"Ain’t much to see here kid, just a bunch of pollution and slums. Now let’s get movin’.

He complied reluctantly and we kept on moving to our destination, my supervisor’s office.

I got plenty of looks on the way through the main office with the kid in tow, but I just shrugged ‘em off.

"Hey Highwind I didn’t know you were babysitting today!" yelled a fellow pilot named Lennie.

The kid turned beet red.

"Hey junior don’t let it get to ya." I said.

By that point we were at my supervisor, Coxley’s office. Without bothering to knock I opened the door and walked in.

"Highwind when are you gonna learn to knock!" he yelled.

Coxley was on the verge of portly and was graying a little in his old age.

"Not sure sir. My mum never taught me you know." I said sarcastically.

"Is this the lone survivor you were tellin’ us about." Coxley asked in reference to the kid.

"Yeah that’s me. What’s it to you?" the kid asked defensively.

"Easy there junior, no need to get all riled up." I said.

Coxley laughed as he listened to our exchange.

"Looks like you found us a feisty one Highwind." Coxley said amidst his laughter.

"Watch it boss, he can get a little temperamental." I said jokingly.

"What’s your name son?" asked Coxley after he stopped laughing.

"Winters, Hector Winters. And I’d appreciate it if you got me some decent food in a bed. This moron that I got stuck with on the way back isn’t exactly very accommodating" he said in reference to me.

"Hey I’m no moron. Watch your mouth or you’ll be eatin’ your food through a straw." I said.

"Calm down both of you. Alright son I’ll get you a room." Said Coxley.

After pressing a button on his desk an attendant came in and took the kid off to his room.

The boss and I then exchanged a glance.

"Quite a bundle of energy you brought back Highwind."

"He’s a little bundle of somethin’ alright." I said.

"Well he’s out of our hair now. We’ll send him upstairs to the suits and they can deal with him." Said Coxley.

"Yeah. Hey and by the way, I’m gonna need some techs to look at my ship. It got a little dinged up on our way out." I said.

"I’ll get someone on it before tomorrow."

"Alright well I’m gonna get some rest but first I think I could go for a few drinks."

Coxley nodded.

"As long as you’re in on time tomorrow morning." He said.

I opened the door and was about to step out when I delivered my last remark.

"Oh and by the way I think I’m gonna come down with somethin’ tonight, like the flu or somethin so I’m not comin in tomorrow. Bye!" I said as I ran out the door and slammed it behind me.

"Highwind!" yelled Coxley behind me.

"Hey Cid I think Coxley wants you." Said Lennie.

"Yeah probably does." I said as I lit up a cigarette and walked down the hall.

As I walked out of the office I breathed a sigh of relief. I was finally rid of that kid.

Authors note-I know that the chapters have been kinda short but they will get longer as the story progresses.

Go on to Chapter 5