Chapter Text
Vibrant blue colliding with orange, the strong smell of tobacco. Its bitter taste dulled by the filter of the cigarette. That intoxicating smoke making its way to his lungs where he breathes it in, his eyes drifting shut for just a moment, before he exhales slowly, the nicotine hitting his system.
Mind serene, eyes focused, thoughts going fast and calculating as he dodges and steers the yoke, pulling back on it so the nose of the Bronco II pulls up, avoiding a train of bullets coming from the two pirate planes remaining, currently attacking his airships.
He’s not wearing an oxygen mask, he doesn’t need it, the pirate planes are flying low enough, trying to get close to their objective: Aid for Midgar and the surrounding areas, tons of antibiotics, food and raw material for shelters.
Cid is not steering the wheel on the airships for once, he had rejected Reeve's suggestion that the WRO escorted the airships, or Gaia forbid, the remaining turks did. Cid Highwind hasn’t gotten to where he is now, hasn’t survived that long, by not calculating and anticipating. He has experience in the air and on land and he aint one to ignore the knowing feeling in his gut when it appears. A bunch of aircrafts or choppers trailing behind them would only arouse more suspicion, making them easier to track.
He doesn’t often smoke while in the air on a plane. The Highwind (re-built), and The Shera both have an observation deck and, on the rail overlooking the far away ground, a darkened spot where he often snuffs out his cigarettes when he goes out for a smoke and a comfortable moment with himself, his own thoughts and Vincent.
The Shera shoots back, and the fuckers think they can dodge the bullets, tire them out because they know they can’t waste ammo. Sure, the Shinra brat might be anonymously founding the WRO, but Cid doubts even Rufus would risk wasting bullets right now, at least until they can get back on their feet, so Reeve expects Cid to be mindful of keeping a lasting stock on board. That is fine by him.
Cid inhales and exhales the bitter smoke once again and narrows his eyes, he focuses until he feels as if the plane and him are a single being. He’s soaring through the skies, free and decisive. Ready to be first a nuisance and then the executioner of those who dared attack his babies.
Five down, two more to go.
Back in the day when he was doing his second career as part of the Shinra Youth Science Program, he used to spend most of his weekends bagging hours of flight to get his pilot’s license on the Shinra Air Force aircrafts. Yeah, before they started calling him Captain, he gained the tittle of The Magician.
Now you see me…
He dodges again and lets the plane’s nose dive to the ground, causing the two enemy planes to crash against each other, he picks up the yoke and the Bronko II surfaces among the clouds.
Treat: Neutralized.
…Now you don’t.
The cigarette between his lips has almost turned to ash completely, falling all over his lap. He gives it a final drag; the tension leaves him as does the smoke from his lungs.
The sound of the VHF signal crackling to life sounds in his headphones as he chews on the filter for a moment longer.
“This is Teacup, calling Kettle. I repeat, Teacup calling Kettle. We are in the clear, Captain. Thank you”
“Roger that, Oscar Tango Mike”
The transmission from The Highwind II finishes and following comes the transmission from The Shera, a familiar voice speaks, it’s a little bit distorted through the signal, but unmistakable. Cid smiles. It had been Vincent’s idea to use the old radio to communicate, the perfect technique to avoid being intercepted.
“This is Saucer speaking, come in Kettle. Report”
“Kettle here. Maintain course, blue skies ahead”
There is a long pause and after a moment the line comes to life again, the voice almost a whisper.
“It’s good to hear your voice, Chief”
“Likewise, Vince.” Cid replies, he has spit out what remained of the cigarette.
ETA, Three more hours to go. Good. He believes some tea and good company will be the first thing on the menu for him as soon as they land.