Filed Under: Final Fantasy VII: Before Crisis

0002/06/17

23:00

Midgar

Shin-Ra Building

[Inside Hojo’s laboratory, an AVALANCHE member leads a herd of Bombs into the corridor; another AVALANCHE member releases them into the corridors.

A security guard stands watch over one of the rooms on the upper floors. The door to the room he is standing by opens, and a Bomb comes out.]

Soldier

Huh? A monster? Why…?!

[In a panic, he runs right into a corner. The Bomb follows him, blocking his escape route.]

Soldier

D- Don’t come any closer!

[The bomb knocks him out. The scuffle attracts the attention of another guard on duty further down the corridor.]

Soldier

W- What was that? Why is there a monster down here?!

[Another Bomb sneaks up behind him and attacks. The guard stumbles.]

Soldier

That one came from behind me… H- How many of them are there…?

[The guard collapses. An alarm goes off.

In the Turks HQ, Veld has been apprised of the situation.]

Veld

Everyone, get ready to leave!

Tseng

Sir. Has something happened?

Veld

A monster outbreak. Rosalind, get down there and contain the monsters.

Tseng

Sir, please wait. Where are these monsters?

Veld

Right here in Headquarters!

Player

What?! Here?!

Tseng

Then… the monsters that are on the loose are from…

Veld

That’s right. They’re Professor Hojo’s samples. They broke out of his laboratory. More likely somebody let them out.

Tseng

This is what you were worried about…

Veld

It’s too late to be worrying about it now. Right now our concern is dealing with the outbreak.

Tseng

Yes, sir. I’ll take over the evacuation of the employees.

Veld

I’m leaving them in your hands.

Tseng

Yes, sir.

Veld

Rosalind.

Player

Yes.

Veld

Monster research is one of the company’s most important classified projects. The only people aware of the project’s existence are the higher ups. We have to keep this incident as quiet as possible.

Player

So that means… only the Turks can act?

Veld

That’s right. We’re not talking about ordinary monsters here – we can’t depend on SOLDIER for this. Prepare yourself. Get what you need and then get to the 65^th floor.

Player

Yes, sir.

65^th Floor

Player

Okay. (Thought) I’ve got to eliminate the monsters starting from this floor on up. Let’s get this done as quick as possible!

[There will be a Bomb immediately in front of you.

FIGHT: Bomb [x1]

You must check all the rooms on the floor. Once you’ve eliminated all of the Bombs on one floor, you will get a message telling you that you are done. Some of the Bombs may be hidden, so make sure to look carefully. Once you have eliminated all the monsters on the floor, you must find a staircase leading to the next level.

You run into no particular trouble on the 66^th floor. On the 67^th, a surprise is waiting for you in the executive conference room. As you pass the head of the table, a Bomb darts out from under the desk.

FIGHT: Bomb [x1]]

Player

Whew. (Thought) I wasn’t expecting that. Who would have thought there’d be one hiding under the desk?

[You continue your patrol of the floor. When you are finished the 67^th floor…]

Player

(Thought) All right. It looks like I’ve eliminated all the monsters up to here. All I have to do now is check Professor Hojo’s labs on the 68^th floor and I’m done.

68^th Floor

[As soon as you step out onto the 68^th floor, you see a soldier lying face down upon the ground, dead.]

Player

! Are you all right?! Hey! Get up!!

[You check him.]

Player

…it’s too late... Huh? These wounds… (Thought) He’s been cut by a sword or a blade. These aren’t wounds from a monster! Who did this? I’ve got to find them.

[You make your way into the room. Hearing voices, you duck behind something. Peeking out, you see AVALANCHE operatives. But they are not ordinary operatives…]

Player

(Thought) Kainyuu! And Shears and Fuhito are with him?! What’s going on here?

[The trio make their way into the room. Kainyuu falls back, presumably to keep watch. Shears and Fuhito approach Professor Hojo, who appears to be busy examining a specimen.]

Shears

Professor Hojo.

Professor Hojo

Whatever it is, you can tell me later. Can’t you see I’m busy? Somebody’s released my research samples. Thanks to them, I’ve been able to gather much important field data. Hee hee hee.

Fuhito

I am happy you are pleased with the results. You see, we are the ones that released the monsters.

Professor Hojo

Well then, thanks are in order.

[Fuhito steps closer to Professor Hojo.]

Fuhito

That’s not all, Professor. We have brought you data that I believe you will find most interesting. Of fighting men that far exceed SOLDIER.

[Hojo turns around.]

Professor Hojo

Exceed SOLDIER…? If that’s true, I’d be interested in looking over your findings.

Fuhito

I promise you, you will not be disappointed with the data. Why don’t you leave the Shin-Ra and continue your research with us?

Professor Hojo

……

Well now, you people… you’re outsiders, aren’t you.

Player

(Thought) What should I do? Professor Hojo’s dangerous. But those three are even more dangerous…

Fuhito

What’s this? It looks like the Turks are here.

Player

(Thought) I’ve been found!

[You come out of your hiding place.]

Player

(Thought) I guess I know what I’m doing now!

Fuhito

Kainyuu, kindly take care of the Turk for me. We’ll show the Professor the way.

Player

Professor!

[You run to catch up with Fuhito and Shears, but Kainyuu blocks your way.]

Kainyuu

Heh heh heh.

Player

Move! I’ll shoot!

[FIGHT: Kainyuu

Professor Hojo

(In fight) Ah… so this is the redesigned SOLDIER, hmm? Interesting. I’ll have you show me its strengths.

You take Kainyuu down, but he gets right back up, as if he hadn’t been wounded at all.]

Player

He got back up! Their regenerative speed has quickened!!

[Hojo, who has been watching the proceedings, is excited.]

Professor Hojo

I see… You’re using a special kind of regenerative method.

Fuhito

Yes. I merely adapted the principles you had already set in place when creating SOLDIER. Kainyuu will revive no matter how many times he is taken down.

Professor Hojo

Hm. You’ve made some interesting changes.

Fuhito

Fufufu. The best parts are still to come.

Professor Hojo

All right. You’ve interested me. I’ll listen to what you have to say.

Shears

Then this way, please, Professor.

Player

Wait!

[You start to chase Hojo and the others, but Kainyuu swats you with his sword. You skid several feet and slam hard into the wall. A door pops open with the impact.]

Kainyuu

Heh heh heh.

Player

Damn. (Thought) He’ll just keep reviving himself. I can’t fight someone like that. Isn’t there some way?

[FIGHT: Kainyuu

Player

(In fight) (Thought) That’s it! If his body is completely destroyed, he can’t revive. If I can just push him into this furnace… If I use Gravity or something like that, I might be able to herd him in…

If you don’t succeed in getting him in the furnace, you’ll get this dialogue:

Player

(Thought) I knew it! I’ve got to stop him from regenerating.

And you will be forced into fighting him again. Once you’ve gotten him to enter the furnace…

Player

(Thought) I’ve got him. Now I’ve got to close him in – that button!

And you will hit a control panel on your right.]

Player

It’s over… Whew. I’ve got to hurry.

[You whip out your PHS.]

Player

Sir! We’ve got a situation!

Veld

What’s the problem, Rosalind?

Player

Professor Hojo’s been taken by AVALANCHE!!

Veld

What?! (Thought) AVALANCHE got into the building?!

Player

I’m about to follow the Professor now.

Veld

Can you do it?

Player

Yes, sir.

[Meanwhile, Tseng is running full tilt down one of the corridors when his PHS rings.]

Veld

Tseng. We’ve got an emergency situation.

Tseng

Sir. What is it this time?

Veld

AVALANCHE have got Professor Hojo.

Tseng

Hojo?!

Veld

It seems that AVALANCHE got into the building somehow.

Tseng

That’s unbelievable. They bypassed building security?

Veld

That’s what it looks like. There may be more of them somewhere in the building. They may try to sabotage or steal information on our important projects.

Tseng

Damn it… I’ll take the data down to the shelter.

Veld

Hurry.

[End of Chapter 10.1]

[Shears, Hojo and Fuhito step out of the elevator.]

Professor Hojo

Hm? This is the 69^th floor. How are you planning on getting out from here? I thought you were going to take me to the ground floor.

Shears

We’re going to steal one of the helicopters from the roof.

Professor Hojo

Ooh. Your knowledge of the building is impressive for outsiders. Still, I wonder if you can do this?

Shears

Don’t worry about it. Five minutes. All we need is five minutes and we’re out of here.

[Some minutes later, you arrive on the 69^th floor. Veld calls you on your PHS.]

Veld

Is that you, Rosalind?

Player

Sir!

Veld

Make your way to the roof from there. It looks like that’s where they’re headed.

Player

They’re after the helicopters, then?

Veld

Probably. We’ll have a hard time catching up with them if they get a hold of one. Hurry!

Player

Yes, sir!

[You will have five minutes within which you must reach the roof. You must navigate the corridors and find the staircases up, while avoiding patrolling AVALANCHE members. At various intervals, the scene will switch to Hojo and company, who are making their progress through the building.]

Professor Hojo

Ah, I remember now. You’re the ones that stole the disc with the SOLDIER data on it.

Fuhito

Yes. The contents were very interesting, to say the least.

Professor

Is that so? You were able to bypass that kind of security? You’re shrewder than I expected.

[One floor below, you take down two guards.

Hojo asks Fuhito more questions, halting the group’s progress.]

Professor Hojo

You’re a well organized group, managing to sneak into the building like this.

Shears

It wasn’t hard.

Fuhito

No, it wasn’t. Your monster research is a highly classified activity within the company. It was only a matter of allowing the monsters to escape; the only people that would be able to deal with the situation are the Turks.

Professor Hojo

Hmm. I see. You set it up so that the Turks would have to fight your redesigned soldier.

Fuhito

It’s as you say.

Professor Hojo

Heh heh heh. You’re an interesting man.

Fuhito

You flatter me.

[You reach the staircase going up to the next floor. Meanwhile, the executives are discussing the current situation.]

Rufus

What?! You’re telling me that AVALANCHE has abducted Hojo?

President Shinra

This isn’t good! If Hojo’s knowledge gets leaked out to the public, it’s the end for the company.

Rufus

……

Veld. What have you got to report?

Veld

We’re dealing with the situation right now.

President Shinra

Hurry it up. Hojo can’t be trusted!

Rufus

That’s true… all he cares about is his research. If he finds something else that interests him more, it will be nothing to him to reveal any information, classified or not.

[President Shinra makes a noise somewhere between a disgruntled growl and a worried moan.]

President Shinra

This is a dangerous situation. We have no other alternative, call on Sephiroth! Get Sephiroth here!!

Rufus

Sephiroth?! What could will that do? He’ll call more attention to the situation than Hojo or AVALANCHE put together will.

Veld

Mr. President. The Vice President makes a good point. If you bring Sephiroth into this, we won’t be able to keep this incident quiet.

President Shinra

It’s your job to make sure things like that don’t get out in the first place, isn’t it.

Veld

Sir…

President Shinra

Enough! Bring Sephiroth out right away!

[The scene switches. You are now on the next floor. There are AVALANCHE members guarding the entrances to various rooms as well. You must figure out which direction Hojo and company went in and be selective about which guards to engage.

Hojo and company emerge onto the roof. The sounds of whirring rotors fill the air – a helicopter is preparing to take off. A Shinra guard is standing on the roof. He spots Hojo.]

Soldier

Professor Hojo! I’ll save you!

Shears

You’re in the way. Move!

[Shears throws a punch at the guard, who falls to the ground with a groan.]

Shears

Okay, Professor, onto the helicopter.

Professor Hojo

All right.

Fuhito

Professor. We’ll discuss things in more detail once we’re safely inside the helicopter.

[Back inside the building, you take out the final three guards and get onto the roof. Just as you get there, the helicopter takes off.]

Player

Wait!

Fuhito

Fufufu.

Player

I’ve got to stop them.

[FIGHT: Helicopter. Yes. You vs. a helicopter. This is an easy fight. Normal attacks will not work on it, but there is no need to attack the helicopter. It will fire using normal ammo at you, which can easily be dodged. It will also shoot missiles, which are also easy to avoid. Eventually, getting sick of the anticipation, Hojo will speak up.]

Professor Hojo

How much longer are you going to keep me waiting? If you’re going to waste time shooting mindlessly at a Turk, I’m getting off.

Fuhito

Understood.

Shears

Then we’re leaving.

[The copter leaves. You try to line up a shot, but the helicopter soon moves out of range.]

Player

Damn it! They got away.

[You call Veld.]

Veld

Status?

Player

They stole a chopper and got away.

Veld

Damn. Head back to the 1st floor entrance. There will be a vehicle waiting. Pursue the helicopter from there.

Player

Yes, sir.

[End of Chapter 10.2]

Player

!! Tseng?!

Tseng

Get on!!

[The truck is on the highway, chasing after the helicopter.]

Player

You're finished with the meeting?

Tseng

I got Reno and the others to take over.

Player

Then everything will be okay. Do the other executives know about what's going on?

Tseng

Everything's in an uproar with Hojo's disappearance.

Player

No kidding. AVLANACHE being able to get in like that in the first place… it'd make anyone panic.

Tseng

Yeah. That's as far as they're going to get, though.

Player

Yes, sir.

[The truck catches up to the helicopter.]

Tseng

Okay. There's the helicopter.

Player

Let's keep them in our sight.

Tseng

Easier said than done… It looks like they've got other things in mind for us.

[Two AVALANCHE members on motorcycles drive up on either side of you, staying slightly behind.]

Player

Bikes?! This just keeps getting worse.

Tseng

Rosalind! Do whatever you can do stop the bikers. Keep them from getting ahead of us.

[At this point, you have to make sure the bikers don't get ahead of you by blocking them or else ramming them with the truck.]

Tseng

We've managed to hold them off.

Player

They've stopped chasing us.

Tseng

But the chopper's gone higher.

Player

Don't worry, Tseng. They might have gone higher, but they haven't tried speeding up for a while now. We'll catch up with them soon. At this rate, we can't lose track of them.

Tseng

……it's strange……

Player

What is?

Tseng

Why aren't they trying to get away…?

Player

Yeah. Maybe they're having problems with the helicopter.

Tseng

……

[On the helicopter, Fuhito finishes explaining to Professor Hojo.]

Fuhito

…and that's the way it is.

Professor Hojo

Oh, I see. That is rather remarkable… It might work on my test samples.

Shears

Oi. What do you mean by 'test samples'? Elfe's a human being!

Fuhito

Stop that, Shears. Professor Hojo is our esteemed guest.

[Shears makes a noise, but says nothing.]

Fuhito

I am sorry about that interruption, Professor Hojo.

Professor Hojo

Heh heh heh. It doesn't bother me.

Shears

……

Professor Hojo

However…If you want me to work for you, I won't have you complaining about what I choose to call my samples.

Shears

Bastard! If you think you can do whatever you want, you've got another thing coming!!

Fuhito

Shears!! Maybe it would be better if I sent you on your next mission. Go, deal with the Turks.

[Shears seems to be biting down a retort, but finally complies.]

Shears

..fine.

Fuhito

Dear, dear… (Thought) He really is troublesome sometimes…

[Back inside the truck, you and Tseng notice the helicopter's movements changing.]

Tseng

?! Rosalind!

Player

Tseng, someone's parachuting down from the helicopter.

Tseng

……

It looks like Shears.

What?!

Player

No way?!

Tseng

He just split the road apart with a bomb!!

Player

Tseng, hit the brakes!

Tseng

I am!

Player

It's too late!

[End of Episode 10.3]

[You are lying on the smashed pavement, curled into a foetal position. You are just a couple of feet away from the chasm created by Shears' bomb. It seems as if you jumped from the truck just before it went over.]

Player

(Groans) This is…

[You get up and examine the damage.]

Player

The freeway's been split apart… (Thought) I got thrown from the truck… It's a good thing I was able to end up on this side of the road.

[Realization dawns. You look across the chasm. The truck is not there.]

Player

(Thought) I'm sure of it… this is what AVALANCHE had planned from the start. That's why they didn't speed up. I can't see Tseng. Did he fall?!

Shears

Stubborn, aren't you?

Player

!!

[You look around frantically to see where Shears' voice is coming from. You spot him several feet away. You run in his direction, coming to a stop a short distance in front of him.]

Shears

You could have gone the easy way, if you'd just fallen off.

Player

Sh- Shears!

Shears

Well… It's not like you're going to be far behind. This twisted wreck is going to be your grave!

Player

That's what you think!!

[FIGHT: Shears]

Player

(In fight) (Thought) Damn. He's fast, but as long as I can hit him before he reaches me, I can do it!]

Shears

You've gotten stronger, I'll give you that. Good; it makes things more interesting. But! I don't have time to be dealing with worms like you today. I'll just have to settle for making you hurt to your bones!

Player

(Thought) Here he comes again!

[Before you can react, Shears rears back and knocks you down in one blow. He stands over you.]

Shears

That wasn't fun. You call that a challenge!!

[Shears swings his fist back again.]

Player

(Thought) No… not again…

[The sound of the helicopter descending distracts Shears.]

Player

The helicopter.

Shears

That was fast… They're ready to go already?

[Shears leaves you to get on board the chopper.]

Shears

(To himself) Next time…

Player

(Thought) Shears is - !! There's no way I'm letting him get away…

[In the helicopter.]

Professor Hojo

Well, that's certainly true… your leader would make an attractive sample.

Fuhito

I thought you might see it that way.

Professor

However… What are your facilities like? Are they befitting of a scientist of my calibre?

Fuhito

You needn't worry about that. We have a very powerful sponsor on our side. We will put anything you need at your disposal. I think you will find the facilities are equal or better in quality to the ones you use at Shin-Ra.

Professor Hojo

Equal to the Shin-Ra…? Is that even possible right now?

Fuhito

For AVALANCHE, anything is possible.

Professor Hojo

Heh heh heh…

Fuhito

Professor Hojo, that monster we were talking about is ready.

Professor Hojo

Finally?

Fuhito

Yes. You may, of course, borrow the principles I have used if it pleases you.

Professor Hojo

I have no ulterior motives. I just wanted to see its power in an actual combat, that's all.

[The scene switches. You get up. The sounds of the helicopter's rotors working is close by. You take a look around, then come to a decision.]

Player

I'll follow the helicopter on foot.

What?!

[A fireball comes your way. You manage to dodge it.]

Player

A fireball? (Thought) I'm not going to let something like that get in my way!! That helicopter isn't getting away.

[You are now given control. There are chunks of freeway all over the road. You must navigate them and make your way toward the helicopter while avoiding the fireballs. You may also use the pavement chunks to shield you from the flames.

The road shakes. A dragon lumbers forward.]

Player

This. Can't be. Happening…

[FIGHT: Dragon. It's particularly weak against Ice based attacks, so make sure you've got a Blizzard or similar Materia on you. If not, you can always call for help from your fellow Turks.

Once you have defeated the dragon, you will be badly injured, regardless of whether the dragon was able to hit you or not. You limp away from it as it advances on you.]

Player

Ugh…

[You collapse. The dragon rears its head back, preparing to kill.]

Player

(Thought) My body won't move. Is this the end?!

[A flash of white light. The dragon is cleaved in two. The screen pans left. We see Sephiroth standing, his back to you and the dragon carcass.]

Professor Hojo

It's over… That was spectacularly disappointing.

Fuhito

Inconceivable… to think he could dispose of that dragon with one hit.

Professor Hojo

Hmph. That dragon was also a creation of mine… well, it was merely a matter of it coming up against the wrong target.

[Getting up, you turn around. You are shocked at the sight of the dragon.]

Player

W-What…? Just now… What just happened now…?

[You sense a presence beside you. You turn around and look up to see Sephiroth standing on what looks like a freeway support structure.]

Player

(Thought) Sephiroth!

Sephiroth

……

Player

(Thought) So that's it… Sephiroth killed the dragon.

Sephiroth

……

[Sephiroth swings back. A series of fiery bursts wrack the helicopter.]

Player

(Thought) What was that just now?

[The chopper descends.]

Player

(Thought) That's impossible! He took down a helicopter from that distance!!

[On the freeway, you stand watch over Hojo, whose back is turned from both you and Sephiroth. Tseng's voice calls from off screen.]

Tseng

Professor Hojo!!

Player

Tseng!

[Tseng arrives and stops in front of Hojo.]

Player

(Thoght) He was all right.

Tseng

Professor, are you all right?

Professor Hojo

As you can see, I'm fine.

Sephiroth

The Turks. I'll leave the rest to you. I've done my duty.

[Hojo turns around to address Sephiroth.]

Professor Hojo

Sephiroth. You've become stronger.

Sephiroth

……

[Sephiroth leaves.]

Tseng

Professor Hojo. Come with us. We'll return to headquarters. A helicopter will be arriving soon.

[You leave. Tseng follows, but stops when he realizes Hojo isn't following.]

Tseng

Professor?

Professor Hojo

Hee hee hee. Sephiroth and Elfé… (Thought) There are still many marvelous things in this world. However… I don't have any intention of leaving Shin-Ra just yet. Because…

[We see a flashback of Sephiroth slaying the dragon.]

AVALNACHE HQ

???

When will you learn?!

Elfé

!

???

Why did you move on your own?! I didn't tell you to raid the building, did I?!

Fuhito

No, it was last year. After the disaster at Junon with the Mako cannon. We had them once before.

Shears

Fuhito!! Stop it.

???

Why are you bringing that up now? I'm sure I've told you, that battle was supposed to be lost. Think of that incident as a performance.

Elfé

I'm terribly sorry. I take full responsibility for all of this.

???

Just don't make another move without discussing it with me first from now on. If I hadn't warned you about Sephiroth, chances are we wouldn't be sitting here having this discussion. Remember that.

Elfé

Yes, sir.

???

Let's get back on topic. I've got new information. I've located the Ancient girl.

Fuhito

The Ancients?! I thought they'd all died out.

???

There's one last survivor. This is Shin-Ra's top secret. If I hadn't told you, you wouldn't have had a clue. Am I right?

Fuhito

We're grateful for your assistance. As a student of Planet Studies, I have a great interest in the Ancients.

Elfé

Then our next target is the Ancient.

???

Precisely. Get her before Shin-Ra does. Find her, and she'll tell you where the Promised Land is.

To be continued...