[Inside the AVALANCHE compound, klaxons go off.]

Intercom

Intruder in Area 6. Intruder in Area 6.

AVALANCHE A

That’s on the other side.

AVALANCHE B

Let’s go.

[In other area of the compound, Fuhito addresses one of his men.]

Fuhito

Tears.

Tears

Yes.

[Tears arrives and comes to a halt before Fuhito. Fuhito is turned away from him, looking at something else in the room.]

Fuhito

The Planet’s revival is close at hand. Return them to the Planet. (4)

Tears

Yes, sir.

Fuhito

Do you understand, Tears? This Planet is creeping closer to death every day.

[Fuhito turns to face Tears.]

Fuhito

The Shin-Ra company is responsible. (5) They are hurting the Planet with their reactors, sucking the Planet dry with their Mako energy.

Tears

……

Fuhito

That is why… we will restore the balance by replacing the lives the Shin-Ra have taken with their own.

Tears

……

Fuhito

This is what we must do, to save a Planet already so compromised. And this is what you, as Ravens (6) were created for.

Tears

I understand.

[Tears leaves. Fuhito turns back once more.]

Fuhito

The Shin-Ra are behind the worst of the Planet’s suffering. Something has to be done to eliminate that suffering, once and for all. Fufufu.

[The scene switches. You have arrived inside the compound.]

Player

(Thought) If I’m not the only person in here, who else is? Could it be one of the other Turks?

[You dash behind a corner and report to Tseng.]

Player

I’m in.

Tseng

All right. Start surveying the area. A map will automatically be created whenever you walk somewhere. All you have to do is keep walking. Your current location has already been entered into the system. (7)

[A black 2x3 box will show up on the screen. One part of the box will be filled in with green lines – this is the map. As you make your way through the area, the map will automatically complete itself.]

Tseng

Finish mapping the area.

Player

(Thought) Walk around and get as much of the map complete as possible. Got it.

Tseng

You should already be aware of this, but this is a covert assignment. Stay hidden. Don’t let anybody know you’re there. If you get caught and they call for backup, our mission could be compromised.

Player

I’ll be careful.

Tseng

Once you’re finished, send the data you’ve collected to me. Find out as much as you can.

Player

Yes, sir.

[You are free to begin your mission. Once you’ve finished surveying an area, you’ll get the following dialogue:

Player

 (Thought) Okay. This area’s done. Where do I go next?

You will also get dialogue when you’re about to go off and map another area:

Player

(Thought) I’d better be careful not to get caught.

If you do get caught:

AVALANCHE

(Shouting) I’ve found her!

Player

(Thought) I’ve been caught?!

This will set klaxons off and send AVALANCHE members into whatever area you happen to be in.

Intercom

Intruder in Area 5. Intruder in Area 5.

AVALANCHE

Now they’re on the other side!

Eventually, whoever else is in the building with you will also trigger an alarm, sending AVALANCHE back to the other area.

Intercom

Intruder in Area 6. Intruder in Area 6.

AVALANCHE A

The other side again?!

AVALANCHE B

There’s more than one of them!

Once you are done mapping....]

Player

(Player) That’s it for this area. Now where’s the exit?

[You run into a room with three capsules lined up against the wall.]

Player

W-where am I?

[You run up to examine the capsules. Upon closer inspection you notice…]

Player

SOLDIER?! I’ve got to get them out, quick!

[You break open the capsules.]

Essai

Uuuuuggghh.

Player

What happened here?

Essai

…a Turk. You saved us. Thanks.

Sebastian

Damn it, this is a disgrace. Us getting saved by a Turk.

Essai

We were sent out to the front line base.

Sebastian

That’s right! What happened? Everybody’s all right, right?

Player

……it was taken.

Sebastian

That can’t be!! You’re telling me the two of them did that by themselves?!

Player

Two?! That’s not possible. Two men did this to you?

Sebastian

It sounds like BS, but it’s true. These two AVALANCHE guys in black knocked us out.

Essai

And when we woke up, we were in those capsules.

Player

What are they for?

Sebastian

How the hell would we know?

[Essai glances at the capsule, then turns back to address you.]

Essai

They put those black suited AVALANCHE guys in there too. If they’re put in there, my guess is it doesn’t do anything harmful.

Player

Those capsules… could they be what’s making the Black AVALANCHE operatives stronger?

Sebastian

It’s possible. But then why would they put us in there?

Essai

……the company’s planning to attack this location?

Player

That’s why I’m here. I’m gathering data for the attack.

 

Essai

You’re going to need a lot of power to do it, and I’m not just talking about manpower.

Sebastian

Yeah. These guys have got capabilities the same as any guy in SOLDIER.

Essai

Anyway, a lot of preparation’s going to be needed.

Player

In that case, return to the front line base. We’ve set up a temporary base of our own there in the meantime.

Essai

Seems like the thing to do.

[The SOLDIER men turn to leave. Essai stops.]

Essai

What about you?

Player

I’m going to finish up my survey.

Sebastian

We’ll see you at the base, then.

Essai

We’ll tell the company what’s going on.

Player

Thanks.

[Sebastian leaves.]

Esasi

Be careful.

[Essai leaves. You turn to face the capsules.]

Player

(Thought) What… are these for?

[You call Tseng.]

Tseng

Rosalind. Is something wrong?

Player

I found the missing SOLDIERs inside the compound.

Tseng

Are they all right?

Player

Yes. I’ve sent them to the temporary base. There’s something bothering me, though. The both of them were in these capsules filled with some sort of liquid.

Tseng

Liquid? Poison, or something?

Player

No. The Black AVALANCHE operatives are also put in here.

Tseng

Fuhito’s specials? What is that man up to?

Player

Do you want me to destroy the capsules?

Tseng

Hold on a second. How many are in the compound?

Player

There’s a lot of them.

Tseng

Then don’t do anything. Just gather information.

Player

Yes, sir.

[No sooner have you hung up when Tears enters the room, carrying a short sword.]

Tears

Heh heh heh. I’ve found you.

Player

(Thought) Black AVALANCHE!!

[FIGHT: Tears]

Player

(Thought) It looks like I’ve been able to take care of him somehow… It’s dangerous here. I’ve got to secure an escape route.

[End of Chapter 7.2.]

[At the end of a corridor, there is a left turn. You are about to turn, when…]

Player

?! (Thought) Someone’s coming!

[You duck behind the corner.]

Player

(Thought) What should I do? Maybe it’d be quicker to just get this over with? Okay – here I go!

[You whip around the corner, weapon drawn. You come face to face with one of your fellow Turks.]

Player

Rafe?! (8)

Rafe

Rosalind?!

[He puts down his guns.]

Player

I’m so glad… are you done with the survey?

Rafe

Yeah.

Player

I guess that means we’re done here. Let’s go.

Rafe

If we’re escaping, there’s a shortcut back in my area (9). Follow me.

Player

Understood.

[Fuhito and two of his Ravens are running through the corridors. They burst into the capsule room. Fuhito looks over Tears, lying prone on the floor.]

Fuhito

It seems as if they can fight a little. Let’s make this a little more challenging, then. Tynes.

Tynes

Yes.

Fuhito

Kainyuu.

Kainyuu

Yes.

Fuhito

Start the operation.

[Meanwhile, you and Rafe are making your way through the compound when klaxons begin to sound.]

Intercom

Intruder alert. Intruder alert.

[A shutter slams shut behind you, blocking the path you just came from.]

Player

A shutter’s closed?! We’d better get out of here before we’re boxed in.

Rafe

This way.

[He leads you down another corridor. Another shutter slams shut in front of you.]

Player

Here too?! Are there any other ways out?

Rafe

This way.

[Just as you turn around, two AVALANCHE members block your path.

FIGHT: AVALANCHE [x2]

Be careful during these fights. You’ll be fighting with your fellow Turk. An HP bar will appear in the upper right hand corner of the screen, indicating his status. If the HP bar goes to zero, it’s game over.]

Rafe

This way.

[You turn another corner. Rafe is ahead of you. Just as he finishes crossing over, a shutter slams down between the two of you, separating you.]

Player

I’ll try to find some way out by myself. Rafe, you go ahead.

Rafe

Try to find another path. There should be another one somewhere that connects to this one.

Player

Right.

[You begin to search for another path. Just then, three AVALANCHE operatives accost you.

FIGHT: AVALANCHE [x3]

You run down the corridors, looking for another escape route. Your PHS rings. You come to a halt.]

Rafe

Have you found another way?

Player

I think I have. I’ll catch up with you soon. I’m right about to –

Rafe

(Makes a startled noise)

Player

?! Rafe? Rafe?!

……

(Thought) …the line’s gone dead. What could have happened? I have a bad feeling about this. I’ve got to find him, quick!

[You are given control once again. You will run into AVALANCHE operatives wandering the halls. If you get spotted, your best bet is to fight them and take them down before they can call for help. Eventually, you will find your partner. He has his back against the ball. Two AVALANCHE operatives are closing in on him.]

Player

Stop right there!

Rafe

Rosalind!!

[FIGHT: AVALANCHE [x2] This is another fight with your partner. Be careful that he doesn’t get hurt.]

Rafe

We’re going!!

Player

Roger that.

[You run into another pair of AVALANCHE operatives while trying to find your way out.

FIGHT: AVALANCHE [x2]

You burst out of the compound, a score of AVALANCHE members on your heels. Outside, a dozen more members are waiting.]

Rafe

Let’s get out of here!!

Player

Right.

[Here you have to run, avoiding the AVALANCHE members – now is not the time to get pulled into fights when them.]

Rafe

It’s this way.

[You run across the snow fields. Three AVALANCHE members cut you off. The both of you ready your weapons.]

Player

?!

Tears

Heh heh heh.

Player

!! You’re…

[You spin around. Tears comes to a stop in front of you. You’re now surrounded by Tears on one side and AVALANCHE regulars on the other.]

Rafe

You know him?

[A flashback of your fight with Tears.]

Player

I’m sure I took care of him the last time. Well, this time - !

[FIGHT: Tears]

Player

Whew… That should have done it.

[Rafe, having taken care of the AVALANCHE regulars, comes to stand over Tears with you.]

Rafe

Rosalind.

Player

Why… I’m sure I took him down the last time.

Fuhito

Strange, isn’t it?

Player

?!

[Fuhito, flanked by two Ravens, comes to a halt in front of you.]

Player

Fuhito…

Fuhito

It has been a long time, hasn’t it?

Player

(Thought) This isn’t good. What should I do? We’ve got to get out of here!

Fuhito

Fufufu. You see, my Ravens are a special unit.

Player

Special?

Fuhito

I’m sure you’ve seen those capsules back there. By putting my Ravens in there, they can regenerate.

Player

Regenerate?! (Thought) So that’s what those capsules were for…

Fuhito

They are indestructible, impervious to death. Even if you were to kill one of them a hundred times over…

Player

That’s impossible.

Fuhito

However… it still needs work. After all, there is this defective one that can’t even take care of one Turk.

[He takes out his weapon.]

Player

(Thought) He’s going to shoot!

Fuhito

I will return to the Planet’s embrace.

[A jet of green light hits Tears, who disintegrates.]

Player

?! No way… That was one of your men…

Fuhito

It is AVALANCHE’s duty to protect this Planet. We will destroy anything that harms it. All I did was return some of the Planet’s energy back to it.

Player

That doesn’t make any sense! What you’re doing is wrong.

Fuhito

Fufufu. If I hadn’t killed him, there would have been no point. You use the souls of people every day to create Mako energy. It amounts to the same thing. Now, let’s move on. It’s your turn, Shin-Ra traitors.

[FIGHT: Fuhito. Once again you’re fighting with your partner, so you’ll have to protect him. Fuhito’s gun uses normal bullets, but is also modified to shoot that disintegrating beam – getting hit with the latter will cause a considerable amount of damage. Fuhito’s also very fast, so you’ll have to keep up with him if you want to win.]

Fuhito

Your lives for the Planet!

Player

?!

[As Fuhito prepares to shoot, a loud rumbling noise startles you. A truck drives in between your party and Fuhito’s.]

Player

What the -?!

???

Rosalind! Rafe!!

Player

Who are you?!

???

If you don’t want to die, get on!

[You leap into the truck, which speeds off as soon as you’re in. The Ravens prepare to give chase, but Fuhito stops them.]

Fuhito

Wait. There’s no need to pursue them. We have more important things to do.

Raven A

Yes.

[In the truck, a PHS rings.]

Tseng

Did you get them?

???

Tseng. The mission was a success.

Tseng

Good work.

[Inside Shin-Ra HQ.]

Tseng

Head for the base.

???

Understood.

Player

Wait. Let me talk to Tseng. I have to give him a report.

Veld

Rosalind. What’s your status?

Player

Sir! We’ve got to take action immediately. Otherwise, there’s no telling what Fuhito will do.

Veld

Rosalind, calm down. Send me the data you’ve collected once you reach the base. We’ll take steps from there.

Player

Yes, sir.

[The truck rolls to a halt. The three of you get out. The driver is a tall woman, rather sturdily built, with long dark hair. She is wearing a suit exactly the same as yours.]

???

We walk from here. It’s some distance away, but that’s so the base can remain hidden. You’ll just have to deal with it.

Player

That’s fine. Aside from that, you are…

???

Sorry. I didn’t have time to introduce myself back there. I’m supposed to start officially tomorrow – I’m a Turk.

Player

From tomorrow?

Cyr

That’s right. I live around here. I was on my way to Midgar when I got the call.

Player

Oh, so that’s it. It must have been a lot of trouble, being called like that suddenly.

Cyr

Not at all. There was some compensation involved in this mission, so it’s more good luck than anything. (10)

Player

I see… This is your first mission, and yet you seem so calm. You wouldn’t be able to tell that you’re new to the job.

Cyr

I was a mercenary up until now. I’m used to this.

Player

I don’t doubt it. You handled that situation back there like a pro. I look forward to working with you.

Cyr

Same.

[The three of you start the trek to the base.]

Shin-Ra HQ

President Shinra

Veld, have you found anything yet?

Veld

Yes. I’ve looked at the data that’s been sent in. There’s no doubt about it. This is the place we want.

President Shinra

Hm. All right, then. Call in Sephiroth.

Veld

Sephiroth is currently on another mission.

President Shinra

Then send out one of the SOLDIERs. What about Zack?

Veld

Zack is on the same mission with Sephiroth.

President Shinra

I don’t care. This is just as important. Get Zack over there!

Veld

Yes, sir.

President Shinra

Veld. Tell the army this, and tell them well.

[The scene switches to what looks like the Junon airport. Zack is standing at in front of a column of men. Three SOLDIERs stand in the front row. Behind them are regular soldiers.]

President Shinra

This battle will be the most important one that any of them will fight. I don’t care what they have to do; I want that base destroyed at any cost.

To be continued…