A Rose By Any Other Name

  *

  Vincent heard the roar and whistle of the wind tunnel before he and Natalie even made their way around the back of the reactor.

  "Do you hear that?" she asked him, sending his silent form a sidelong glance. "I hope we can find a fan hardy enough to withstand that pull. If we don't . . ." Natalie shook her head. "Yuffie is going to swear a blue streak."

  Vincent smirked.

  When the pair began to feel the pull of the wind tunnel, they stopped and simply examined the cave-like tunnel and the nearly visible wind current within.

  Natalie rested fists on hips. "Hm. Now here's a puzzle. The circumference of the tunnel is larger than the height of the opening." She tilted her head, not noticing that Vincent scrutinized her rather than the cave. "We likely won't be able to install a fan as large as the tunnel itself, which is unfortunate. It would be a better utilization of the wind-force."

  She crossed her arms and took a step forward to get a better look within, not noticing that the wind began to whip her auburn curls about her face. She only absently brushed them from her face. Vincent kept careful eye on her as he slowly followed her step, gauging the force of the pull of the wind as he did so.

  "I suppose we could install a tall pole that would then be attached to the generator out here, and then we could affix more than one fan to said pole. That would give us double or triple utilization. Although . . . there may be a challenge with the timing of the blades, unless we hook up more than one generator."

  Natalie took another step toward the tunnel, and Vincent again followed. This time the greater pull of the wind made his body tense as he readied himself for a quick reaction. "Professor," he warned.

  She absently nodded, cupping an elbow in her opposite hand as she tapped her lips with a long finger. "I know. That may not be necessary, if I can get the timing and circuitry correct in the one. And it would be a waste of hardware we could use elsewhere." She pointed at the tunnel. "If only I could reason a way of installing larger fans into the tunnel walls, with a metal guide within the rock of course. Then we could have the calibration unit fastened to the rock wall out here, and that would regulate the input to the generator. Although . . . hm."

  She again tapped her lips, her auburn brows furrowing in a slight frown as she made a move to step forward yet again. This time, however, Vincent grabbed hold of her arm and kept her back.

  Natalie blinked up at him. "What's the matter?" she asked, green eyes wide.

  Vincent pulled the bit of material from her hair, supposedly intended to keep it from her face, and released it. The bit of blue material was immediately sucked into the tunnel and launched violently upward. Natalie stared at it for a long moment before clearing her throat and peeking at him.

  Vincent released her arm. "A safe distance would be wise."

  She laughed. "Yes. You have a point." She motioned toward the wind tunnel. "So, what is your opinion on the matter? Do Midgar or Cosmo Canyon have any wind towers powerful or sturdy enough to handle something like this?"

  He regarded her a moment before shifting his attention to the wind tunnel. "More than likely. Red would be the better one to ask."

  "Certainly, but you have seen them in action. From what I understand from Yuffie, the wind towers at Cosmo Canyon don't need to withstand as powerful a gust as what's here. Do you think it would take much to condition them for that?"

  Her continued questions on his opinion drew his attention. "I don't know."

  "Well, I suppose we will need to go and see," she volunteered, holding his gaze. "We could go after we have the water-wheel setup and running smoothly? I am certain Yuffie and Red will let us borrow the buggy." She smiled. "Of course, I don't think I will need the power of the wind tower to run the little computer in the lab, so maybe we should put it off until I cure you. What do you think is best?"

  Fascination and intrigue swelled, especially at the memory of her spark of temper in the hallway of the Shinra Mansion and her remark of disdain for the risk to the--"What of the planet?"

  Natalie wrinkled her nose, dismissing the question with a wave before taking hold of his arm. Again, her touch did not flinch away from the cool golden metal as she led him back toward the clearing. "The planet will still be here in a week, and I highly doubt putting off the installation of a wind tower will sabotage anything. First come first served, and you, sir, have waited patiently for nearly 30 years. I do believe that is long enough, don't you?"

  Vincent caught and held her sidelong smirk. Perhaps.