Chapter Text
Chapter One: The Midgar Encounter
Aoiki Yamato was not one to get surprised, he didn’t get surprised when he switched places in a timeline in a vastly different country, in a place called Pallet Town, he just adapted. Now he was standing in the midst of a massive city with a large plate blocking out the sky. His bamboo green eyes scanning the skyline looking for a break and finding none. That and no one seemed to care that a ten year old was wandering the streets alone. ‘All I want to do is read a good book.’ he thought as he began to walk, taking stock of everything he had. ‘Hm? Fuji is not here, none of my Pokeballs are here at all.’ he realized, it did instill a small sense of worry. His Pokemon, or Pocket Monsters, was his main source of protection. ‘Meaning I will have to find a weapon worthy of me.’ he thought before grabbing his wallet and peering inside seeing that his money had changed as well. ‘I will have to gather information on the monetary system and what the exchange rate between Pokedollars and this new currency is. Best keep a low profile.’
Elsewhere, in this grand city called Midgar within a lab sat a scientist working on a computer when a light started flashing. The scientist looked surprised before calling out. “Professor Hojo?”
“What is it?” the scientist winced as her boss snapped at her, she looked over her shoulder seeing him approach and quickly explained. “Our sensors detected an anomaly in Sector 6, Wall Market.”
She flinched when she felt Hojo hovering over her shoulder, commanding coldly. “Show me the data.”
The scientist’s fingers typed away quickly on the keyboard bringing up the sensor data. “At 2045 hours the anomaly was detected and the sensors are tracking it….”
“Excellent, send a team to locate the anomaly,” Hojo ordered and when he looked down the scientist had a look of hesitation on her face. “Spit it out!”
“The anomaly is quickly adapting to our environment,” the scientist pulled the quickly updating data. “Second by second it is like it is becoming a part of our environment making it hard to track.”
“Bring up the camera footage, increase the sensor sensitivity and range, I want a face before we lose this anomaly,” Hojo ordered and the scientist nodded her head as her fingers moved quickly over the keyboard. Images being brought up, the camera trying to focus on different people as Hojo watched with a keen eye. A grin formed on his face as he said. “There.”
His finger reached out and tapped the screen as the scientist paused the image. Her eyes were hesitant as she saw a young ten year old boy walking. Long black hair flowing behind him, eyes like bright spring leaves of bamboo from Wutai, and smoothe pale skin like white jade that was making her jealous. However she knew her boss, he wouldn’t care about the age of the subject. The fact this child was an anomaly was reason enough for his capture and subsequent experimentation after an examination to see why he was an anomaly. That was when the sensors went off again and the scientist went to a different computer to pull up the camera recordings and sensor data for this as well. Hojo’s grin widened as he saw that it was the exact anomaly with some differences. The images showed another ten year old, this time a girl, but her location was different. Her appearance was also different, her hair was dark blue, light blue, and blue-green all at once, she had tan skin like she spent too much time at the beach, her eyes were liking beautiful aquamarines. She was by the exit of Midgar. “Send a message to the guards at the posts to detain her.”
“Yes sir,” the scientist gritted her teeth, she had a daughter around the same age. She didn’t want to put her family at risk for a child but she couldn’t help but compare them. She watched as the girl get approached by the guards but the moment they reached for her she began chatting happily. The guards seemed to pause before laughing. The scientist's eyes widened as she realized that the guard had gotten distracted as more began to coverage on their location. The girl seemed to notice this but she didn’t seem to mind as she walked past the guard with a wave.
“Seal the gates!” Hojo barked but the girl was moving quickly, her eyes focused on the expanse beyond Midgar like it was an adventure waiting to be taken. “Now!”
“Yes sir,” the scientist worked fast yet she hesitated but the image of her own little girl being without a mother made up her mind. She hit the button, yet this girl seemed to pick up her pace and slid underneath before bouncing to her feet on the other side running the moment she was upright. “Track her, she won’t be able to run forever.”
The scientist started to do so when a notification came onto the screen. “Sir? She’s in the system.”
“What?” Hojo sounded intrigued as the scientist pulled up the girl’s profile. “Umio, Manami, born 1989, in Costa del Sol. She was brought here after her parents were killed by Beachplugs and she was taken in by H-san who brought her over to Midgar to live. There is an address.”
“Send a squad to check it out, what about the other one?” Hojo asked and the scientist moved back over the first computer. Soon another image came up and Hojo bent over. “Aoiki, Yamato, born 1989 but this time in Wutai. Same origin story and same benefactor. I think it is this H-san who is the cause of this. Look into this benefactor.”
“Sir without the full name it will take years,” the scientist protested as she looked up at him. “It is possible that even if this was planned by H-san, it was to make sure that we wouldn’t be able to track the whereabouts….”
“It does not matter how long it takes, this H-san is the reason why two anomalies have been placed into my lap,” Hojo growled as he grabbed the scientist by her hair before pushing her towards the screen. “Your incompetence has already cost me one experiment, see to it that it does not cost me the other.”
“Yes… sir,” the scientist replied as she began her work with her head down. She flinched when she heard Hojo shout an order. “Focus attention on finding the boy! Use Sephiroth if you need to. Or the other two! I want him found!”
Umio Manami couldn’t believe that this was a different world, if it wasn’t for her lack of Pokemon. ‘I’m sure they’re alright, Mizu…Hira… They’ll look out for each other and if anything they’ll probably find their way to mom and dad’s house back in Pacifidlog Town and stay there until I get back!’ Manami thought happily as she adjusted her backpack. She had run quite the distance to get away from the strange city before she looked back. “I hope that the security guard doesn’t get into any trouble, he was nice.”
She had known the moment he stopped her that she had gotten onto someone’s radar, it wasn’t that hard to figure out. However Manami was on a mission, she wanted to see the ocean’s of this new place. However as her eyes scanned the wasteland in front of her worry filled her heart. ‘If there are any left.’
Yamato had found himself avoiding the monsters of this world, they were unlike the Pokemon back home. They were violent and mindless a lot of the time. Seeking only to destroy and not willing to become friends. ‘Not that I want this creature to become my friend.’ Yamato thought as he dropped a pipe he had used to defend himself to the ground in front of a creature that had spindly legs and sharp teeth in a sucker-like mouth. ‘Similar to Eelektross.’ Yamato wrote in a journal as he looked around for a place to hide. He had a feeling since a while ago that someone was tracking him, with the mounds of debris in the area it wouldn’t be too hard. ‘Running into another one of these creatures will make it difficult.’ he pondered as he set out to hide carefully. That was when he spotted them, some kind of security or military entered the area and looked around carefully. That was when Yamato spotted them, three unique men standing out. One with silver hair, the other dressed in red, and the last carrying a large sword. ‘I am never going to read my book.’ Yamato thought as he noticed that they seemed to be more sensitive to their environment then he noticed something else. ‘The monsters seem to be rather afraid of them. However that could be better for me because when a large group of creatures fear something they will try to tear it down.’ Yamator saw them crawling straight for the soldiers and attacking, giving Yamato time to begin his escape. He moved quickly through the debris utilizing his environment to keep them from hearing the sounds of his footsteps and he began to go around the fighting.
“Genesis, the child!” the man with the large broadsword barked and Yamato didn’t care, he almost made it to the next area when the silver haired man was in front of him. Yamato back away, his eyes analyzing the man. It was obvious, the towering height. ‘6’1”-6’7”’ , the massive odachi. ‘No ordinary man would be able to lift and wield such a weapon with percision.’ , the eyes ‘What a strange color.’
“Aoiki Yamato,” the man spoke, his voice even and cold, something that Yamato found that he could appreciate. ‘This man is right to the point.’ Yamato mused as he stared up at the man before cleaning his child size monocle while listening to the man. “You are an anomaly, your presence has been detected….”
“Yes, yes, this whole situation is quite anomalous to the both of us, why don’t you just cut straight to the chase,” Yamato replied, inside he was terrified, he knew that this man could easily kill him with one hand. However he wanted to know the reason why he was being hunted like a mere Pokemon.
“Your existence here could disrupt the order and balance of this world,” the man spoke, his face not even changing once despite Yamato’s brazen interruption. “You do not belong here, Shinra has an interest in anomalies such as yourself.”
‘Shinra? Hmmm Aki might have mentioned that before during one of his long rants between what genre of video games are better with Haru.’ Yamato thought as he focused on the name rather than what has been said. He stood there quietly as he was thinking. ‘Hmm, I cannot remember what video games they were referring to though, however this place and this man definitely has been described.’ Yamato glanced up at the silver haired man in front of him as he heard the fighting dwindle down. “Unfortunately I must decline, there is not enough information nor interest in Shinra for me to trust you.”
“You do not have a choice in the matter,” the man told him and Yamato gave him the look that said. ‘Try me’. The man lifted his hand as a group of the soldiers moved forward and Yamator glanced off to the side seeing something strange. He looked forward before throwing his backpack towards what he saw, the blade sliced the backpack in half but one of Yamato’s Pokeballs hit the creature. The monster sprung to life at whatever had attacked it revealing its nature to be that of a monstrous house. The soldiers leapt into action, one of them yelling. “HELL HOUSE!”
Yamato took this distraction to try and run back the way he came but his arm was grabbed by the man dressed in red from earlier who spoke to him with amusement in his voice. “Impressive.”
Yamato cocked an eyebrow as if acknowledging the statement. “Such cunning at a young age. But alas, the play is far from over.”
Yamato struggled to get out of the grip as he was pulled forward but he took a deep breath to calm himself as he spoke. “Not all actors need to be present on the stage as the play continues.”
Yamato reached for the potion he normally kept in his pocket and sprayed it into the man’s eyes, feeling the grip loosen as he slipped out of the grip and took off running. He knew that all of his stuff was going to get left behind or destroyed in the chaos. ‘Books can be replaced. Money can be earned. A life is something one cannot take back.’ Yamato thought as he clutched his journal close, running as fast as he could to get out of there. Making sure that the monsters would head towards the group of fighting soldiers than towards him. The man with the large sword was helping the soldiers defeat the monster so Yamato threw debris at more of the Hell Houses to make sure that he would be lost in the chaos. He saw a large number 5 on a wall and headed towards the area hoping to make it before he was caught again. ‘Without my Pokemon I am just a child. Without their comfort, I am alone.’ he thought to himself as he picked up the pace as he heard shouting getting closer. One of them must have broken from the fight to give chase, however Yamato wasn’t going to risk anything just to look back.
“He escaped?” Hojo hissed over the radio and the scientists in the room cast a wary look towards him as Sephiroth’s voice spoke through. “The anomaly utilized the monsters of Sector Six and the components he had on him to unleash chaos. In the chaos he got away from Genesis and myself.”
“Perhaps a different approach Professor,” Genesis’ voice spoke through, sounding completely amused with the situation. “This anomaly, this child, he is clever and resourceful and finding a way out of confrontations. Brute force won’t work as he will find a way to get out of it.”
Hojo thought for a moment before saying. “Get me Verdot.”
The channel was changed quickly as Hojo prepared himself for a negotiation that he needed to sway to his advantage. One anomaly was still in the city and he was going to claim it as his own experiment. What kind of secrets could he unravel through its DNA? However Verdot was unhappy that Hojo used the SOLDIERs to catch a child instead of using the subtle approach in the first place.
“Professor Hojo,” his voice was calm but Hojo knew this man too well, he was seething on the inside when called back after reviewing the data and the footage. “I understand your interest in securing these anomalies, the children, for your research.”
“Anomalies is the correct term,” Hojo said and Verdot was quiet as if asking him if he was done before continuing. “But let’s not forget the delicate nature of this operation. Brute force has proven ineffective and will already draw unnecessary attention to Shinra. Especially when a ten year old boy escaped three SOLDIERS-First Class and a unit of SOLDIERS of Second and Third class and he didn’t even have to fight them and other merely had to talk to the guard on duty at the exit and walked out of Midgar with no issue.”
Hojo frowned as he took in Verdot’s words, before he spoke. “What is it that you are proposing?”
“Professor Hojo,” Verdot said his voice taking charge of the conversation with ease. “If I may suggest a more nuanced approach. The child’s resourcefulness and ability to manipulate the environment to his advantage indicates a level of intelligence and adaptability we cannot underestimate. Instead of using force, which has already proven futile, we should employ a strategy of some subtlety and cunning.”
“Using your Turks, of course,” Hojo replied as he thought about it. “It is not uncommon to see Turks wandering through the streets as they do know Midgar. This could work.”
“Professor, while your scientific curiosity is understandable, our approach needs refinement,” Verdot told him, causing Hojo to frown. “These anomalies, as you call them, have already demonstrated remarkable adaptability and cunning. We will need to follow them, learn their patterns, lifestyle, everything we can before we can attempt to approach and detain them.”
“My SOLDIERs are already bringing back the one called Yamato’s things,” Hojo said as he thought about it. “I will send the ordinary items to you while I examine the technological aspects that he had on him.”
“That should give a start,” Verdot said and Hojo nodded his head saying. “Fine, we will try it your way, as long as I get my anomaly in the end what happens in between is no concern of mine. As long as I get him alive.”
“Of course Professor,” Verdot replied before the call ended.
Verdot sat back in his office as he pondered the task in front of him as the data from Hojo arrived on his computer. These anomalies, these children, they were adapting to their environment. Not just so they can make it past sensors, but they didn’t just stand there confused, they moved forward, they took what happened in stride. ‘Not only that but their data appearing in our system only moments, despite it seeming that they were born here.’ Verdot thought as he glanced at the two pictures on the screen. Umio Manami was the only one to leave Midgar, meaning she would be easier to track but not to follow. While Aoiki Yamato was harder to track, remaining in Midgar meant that he would be easier to follow once he was detected.
“Tseng,” Verdot summoned over the phone. “Prepare a team and get ready for a debriefing at 0600 tomorrow. A new mission has been assigned to us.”
“Yes sir,” Tseng replied and Verdot hung up his phone. This needed to become a game of cat and mouse rather than a mission of brute force. Both needed to be tracked with care and subtlety. ‘These anomalies can’t catch on.’ Verdot pondered in his mind as he got a notification that the items of Aoiki Yamato have arrived and was being analyzed.
Manami panted as she ran further, she had not expected this world to be full of monsters much different than her own Pokemon. These ones couldn’t even be caught in a Pokeball and even after she weakened them it still didn’t work. So she just ran. ‘I still don’t have any clue where I am.’ she thought as she looked around adjusting her backpack. That was when she spied a body of water and she grinned. “Time for a swim!”
She jogged keeping up her pace before realizing that the body of water was a lovely river right by a small town. She smiled as she walked into the town, deciding to see what it is she could buy before shopping. She greeted people and talked, visiting the shops. One of them selling mythril weapons, they were pricey but it turned out that she did have enough money on her. So she purchased a mythril saber, though it was a different one than the one on the wall.
“The one up there is a bit too big for a girl of your size,” the shopkeeper spoke and Manami nodded her head. “Sword user though?”
“Yeah, I’m well versed in many sword fighting styles,” Manami said as he showed her the different mythril swords. Manami’s aquamarine eyes scanned each one of them looking for the best fit. Then she saw dual blades and her eyes lit up. “These two.”
“Dual blade wielder, huh?” the man asked before going to prepare the purchases. “That will be more expensive.”
“I have the money,” Manami replied as she walked over, the man had an impressed look on his face asking. “Where’d a little girl like yourself get that much?”
“Fighting,” Manami answered, she fished through her bags. “Trainers always give cash when you win a battle with them.”
“Kids and their imagination,” the shopkeeper laughed as they finished the exchange. Manami laughed as she left, equipping her weapons before spotting some slots in them. ‘I wonder what these are for?’ Her eyes were drawn to a shop that was selling strange orbs and Manami headed over there interested in what they were. She listened to the store owner explain to a customer on how to use the orbs, materia, and the different effects they had. Manami backed away, she wasn’t sure about using something that powerful or if she could even buy them. After all, the weapon store owner didn’t question it because she told him that she was traveling. However, he did not seem to take her seriously.
‘I have to keep moving.’ she thought to herself as she headed away from the village, Kalm. She was going to cross the river and keep exploring this brand new world. She was used to swimming against currents, both in the water and in life. Though she did not have her Pokemon with her physically they were there with her in her heart. And as always they encouraged her to continue on.
Yamato walked through the streets of the city holding his wallet, Pokedex, and journal close. He had managed to slip into the crowd before they had a chance to find him. ‘My next step is to find shelter. Keep out of sight for now.’ he told himself as he slipped into a tunnel-like structure with lights in it. It was safe, for now, but Yamator knew that he had to keep moving. He slid down tiredly and rested his head on his knees as he finally managed to find some rest. He curled into himself as he thought of Pallet town and all the friends that he made there. This was the second time he had been pulled away from his home. ‘For how long this time, I don’t know.’ he thought sadly as his fingers played with the pages of his journal. He opened it up seeing the Chinese characters of his first language lining them as he looked at what his six year old self wrote when he appeared in Pallet town. Observations about his parents, the people around him, and eventually those who would become his friends. ‘Haru, Sora, Aki, Riku… I wonder how they are all doing.’ Yamato thought as he touched the drawing he made of them a sad smile on his face. This was the only book left from the ones he had on hand, he was going to treasure it.
‘I will wait two days before going to get some food.’ Yamato thought as he leaned his head back, he didn’t have his watch on him so telling the time was out of the question. ‘Plus I am not sure it adjusted to the timezone here in the first place.’
Tseng sat in the briefing room, with Reno and Rude there as well as a few new recruits. He set the file down on the table. “Anomaly 00, last name Aoiki, first name Yamato. Appeared in Wall Market at 2045 hours yesterday. Shortly afterwards his data appeared in our systems indicating that he had lived here his entire life, born in Wutai in 1989, parents died, taken in by someone who is only known as H-san.”
Tseng picked up the second file looking it over as the next image appeared on the screen. “Anomaly 01, last name Umio, first name Manami. Appeared at the exit to Midgar at 2048 hours yesterday. Shortly afterwards her data appeared in our system. Born in Costa Del Sol in 1989, parents died, and once again taken in by H-san. In both cases it is only reported who their parents are, that they were brought to Midgar, and even had a house arranged for them.”
“Keeping it as vague as possible as so we don’t dig to deep in case they were caught,” Reno mused as he leaned back in their chairs. “What’s so special about these anomalies anyways? They’re just kids.”
“Kids don’t just appear out of nowhere,” Tseng mused as he looked at the picture of Manami. Verdot nodded his head as he played the security footage in the debris field near Sector Five.
“00 had known he was being followed shortly after dispatching two Whole Eaters by himself,” Verdot continued as they watched the footage. Yamato hiding behind the debris and using the monsters’ distraction to escape. The confrontation with Sephiroth, the distraction with the Hell House, and using something to get away from Genesis. Not just that but awakening more Hell Houses to escape. “Anomaly 00 is clever and analytical, he likes to read. The equipment that was once in his backpack was standard camping gear with some notable items. Their intended purpose is still being analyzed.”
“And the girl?” one of the rookies asked as she looked up. “001?”
The next footage played of the interaction Manami had with the security guard starting when he stopped her at the gate. “But… I just want to swim.”
“You’re a swimmer?” the guard asked, as if trying to keep her distracted, Manami nodded her head as she pumped her fists. “Yeah, you know what it’s like right? Having a passion means you have to work at it?”
“Man I had a passion once,” guard chuckled as he rubbed the back of his neck. “You know, I don’t know why they had me detain you in the first place.”
“Me neither, this big old place seems kind of boring, you should go out and have fun,” Manami laughed as she did a little jump in the air. “Show some GUTS!!”
“Guts don’t pay for the bills kid,” the guard said sadly and Manami patted him on the arm saying. “They normally don’t, but good luck!”
“Thanks kid,” the guard said as Manami just booked it for the exit waving to him.
“Huh, clever kid,” Reno laughed as he leaned forward, his own turquoise eyes shining in excitement. “Want me to take over her file boss?”
“No,” Verdot said and they all looked confused. “Reno, Rude, Hammer, and Blade, you will be reading and observing Anomaly 00. You know Midgar well and how to blend in. If anything he will be looking for people who are hiding in the shadows or soldiers coming after him, not someone who sticks out as much as you do.”
Verdot’s eyes flickered to Tseng. “Including your other duties you will track and locate Anomaly 001 alongside of Sniper.”
Tseng nodded his head glancing toward the silent recruit as he picked up the file. The group being dismissed but Verdot held Tseng back. “Tread carefully, despite their sudden appearance they are still children.”
Tseng nodded his head as he thought back to Aerith. He knew that this needed to be handled with care. He couldn’t let his feeling get in the way, the way the two children adapted easily was worrying. While Aerith herself was a kind and easy to get along with child, there was a difference between being kind and the ease of how these two children slipped into the world. Manami herself almost didn’t seem to care, her mind focused on the ocean while Yamato knew that he was in danger but didn’t react in a fearful manner when dealing with beastly enemies. ‘They have either dealt with danger before or they simply do not care.’ Tseng thought to himself as he began to study and look for the direction Manami was headed in with Sniper by his side. She headed out the east gate. ‘Few areas over there with water. Kalm has a river right by it.’
“Alright, listen up,” Reno said as he led Rude and the rookies; Hammer and Blade, out of the office. “Our kid is smart, so we gotta be smarter. We’re not just hunting him; we’re getting into his head understanding how he thinks.”
Rude, as his usual quiet self, nodded his head as Hammer and Blade listened intently. Blade writing down notes in order to keep track of what they know.
“He’s clever, likes to read, and he’s cautious,” Reno said as he placed his hands behind his head as he walked. “So no marching in there like a bunch of Shinra Goons. We blend in, act natural, maybe hit a few bookstores. He’s gotta eat, he’s gotta move. We’ll be waiting when he does.”
Reno caught Blade taking notes and snatched the pad from her hands looking over the notes she had taken. “Don’t just write; observe. Think like him. Where would you hide if you were a kid on the run?”
Hammer looked unsure as he asked. “But… he’s just a kid, how dangerous can he be?”
Rude shook his head as Reno pointed at Hammer saying. “And that’s exactly why we’re on this mission. Underestimating him is exactly why SOLDIER’s licking their wounds right now.”
Reno glanced around at the cityscape in front of them as they left the building. “He’s a survivor, someone who adapts. And that’s what makes him unpredictable.”
The group moved towards the elevator. “We’ll start in Sector Five, he was heading towards there in his grand escape.”
When they got into an elevator they went down, Blade fidgeted in the silence. Hammer was right about what thing, he was just a kid. The doors opened and they headed out Reno ordering. “Keep your eyes peeled, but try to blend in so stop grouping up.”
Blade moved out, wandering the streets and seeing many children running around. It was a poor area, but it was peaceful for the construction workers who worked on the plates and their families.
“Checking in,” Reno’s voice spoke through the ear piece as it sounded like he had something to eat. “How ya doin’ kiddos?”
“Fine,” Hammer’s voice came through, Rude just grunted. Blade sighed before saying. “Quiet night.”
“Course it is,” Reno snorted and Blade caught a glimpse of him munching on a hotdog. That was when Blade saw a child right behind Reno with bright green eyes. Blade coughed a bit and Reno caught where she was looking and glanced behind him but didn’t say anything. After all they were observing him first and acting like normal citizens. Blade watched as he slid past Reno and moved onwards looking around as if choosing the next hiding spot.
‘That has to be the kid, too cautious,’ Reno observed but instead of following him he finished his hotdog. ‘He’s onto us so we can’t just start following him.’
Reno glanced at Rude and nodded as if to keep the newbies away as Reno got some information. Rude moved around bumping into some people but he made sure to get the attention of the newbies who moved off shortly afterwards. Reno kept an eye on the kid but didn’t make a move before he suddenly said. “Hey, let’s stay at an inn for the night.”
There was silence over the radio before Rude grunted in agreement. Reno moved after the kid pulling out his cellphone and pretended to talk to Rude over it. “How about that diner in Wall Market, the Korean BBQ plate sounds amazing.”
Reno caught him staring up at him with suspicion but Reno didn’t drop the act as Rude grunted in response. Reno wasn’t going to make his move just yet, the kid was definitely keeping his guard up. Meaning that right now as long as they stood out they weren’t gonna be able to get close so that meant they had to stay here for a while to get the kid used to them. ‘More than a week it seems.’ Reno thought as he got far enough away. “Scratch that buddy, an apartment would be better. Job is going to take a lot longer than it seems. Kid is as scared as a cat, ready to run at any sign of us going after him.”
Tseng listened to the mission report from Reno as he packed a bag, if Sniper and himself were going to track the girl they had to be ready. Tseng knew the reason behind why he was sent after Manami, Verdot was completing the mission but he knew that Manami was probably needing a caretaker. Someone to look after her while Yamato was able to survive on his own but he was too cautious. Observing Reno would get him to loosen up and learn how to blend in better. It wasn’t just about catching the children, it was about teaching them. ‘Probably so they will be brought in to the Turks and kept away from Hojo by the children’s own decisions.’ Tseng mused as he snapped the suitcase shut heading out so the mission could start.