Filed Under: Final Fantasy VII: Before Crisis

In Turks HQ

Tseng

……

Rude

……

Reno

……

Player

What’s going to happen to us? Can we go on without Mr. Veld?

Reno

……we’re under the command of one of the department heads.

Player

Department heads…

Tseng

……we’re to follow the orders of whoever is placed in charge of us. That’s all there is to it. It doesn’t matter who it is.

Player

……

[At that moment, Heidegger enters the Turks offices.]

Heidegger

Gya haa haaaa! Good. You’re all here. From this day on, I’m in charge of you lot.

Tseng

……

Heidegger

You’ve been nothing but trouble from the start. I’d say your old boss couldn’t keep you in line.

Reno

……

Heidegger

Things will be different under my leadership. It’s not for nothing I’m in charge of the Public Safety Maintenance Department.

Rude

……

Heidegger

All right. These are your orders. It appears that AVALANCHE is heading for Junon. I want all of you to patrol the city. If there’s anything suspicious, let me know immediately. I’ll call on the army to take over from there.

Player

Yes, sir.

Heidegger

The army will take care of anything that happens in Junon, but I can’t deploy them if there isn’t a reason to.

Tseng

……

Heidegger

I want the troops to get out there as quickly as possible. I don’t want to hear any complaining – that’s all you Turks are good for, anyway.

 

Player

…… (Thought) He’s not interested in using us?

Heidegger

Gya haa haa!

[In what looks like a large control room, Veld stands in front of a large monitor. A voice calls to him.]

???

Veld, sir!

Veld

Tseng… What are you doing here? You shouldn’t be here.

Tseng

I can’t accept your decision. You know as well as I do that the information leak had nothing to do with you. (1)

Veld

……you can’t deny that information is being leaked nevertheless. The Turks are entrusted with keeping the company’s secrets just that – secret. In the event of a leak, it’s only natural that I would be responsible.

Tseng

……I still can’t accept that!

Veld

Tseng. Go back. I’m not your superior, and I’m not a Turk. I’m just… an observer, now. (2)

Tseng

Sir…

……

You can keep track of what everybody in the company is doing from that monitor. Watch over us.

Veld

……

0002/02/01

18:00

Junon

Player

(Thought) I wonder why… I just can’t work up any enthusiasm today. It was never like this when the Commander (3) was around. Maybe it’s because Heidegger isn’t including us in any of the more important stuff?

[You get on a lift that takes you to the lower area of Junon.]

Player

(Thought) I wonder… if Veld’s ever going to come back…?

Location: Junon Harbour

Player

This is Rosalind. I’ve reached the harbour.

Heidegger

Oh, you…

Player

It’s Rosalind.

Heidegger

Patrol the area. Let me know if you see anything unusual. I’ll call for the army when that happens.

Player

(Thought) Again with the army…

…...

(Out loud) …yes, sir.

[In another part of Junon, Reno whips out his PHS.]

Reno

Reno here. I’m in L-Junon.

Heidegger

Patrol the area. That’s all I want you do to.

Reno

Wai – Is that it?

 

Heidegger

What? Do you have a problem?

Reno

……

Nothing in particular.

Heidegger

If there’s any trouble, call me immediately so I can release the troops. Gya haa haa!

Reno

…… (Thought) Oh, geez. This guy can’t be serious.

[In yet another part of Junon.]

Rude

This is Rude. I’ve reached R-Junon.

Heidegger

You stay there and patrol the area.

Rude

……

Heidegger

Hey! Can you hear me?!

Rude

I can hear you.

Heidegger

Call me if you find anything suspicious.

Rude

……yes, sir…..

[In a Junon back alley.]

Tseng

This is Tseng.

Heidegger

I want you to patrol the area around the Junon branch office. If you find anything, call me.

 

Tseng

……

Understood.

[Back at the Junon docks.]

Player

Um… (Thought) That department head – army this and army that. He doesn’t seem interested in the Turks at all. (Out loud) Anyway… Let’s go, let’s go!

[You are given control. Head left, and you will come across a large ship docked in the harbour. Standing guard at the entrance are two AVALANCHE operatives.]

Player

(Thought) AVALANCHE soldiers!! This isn’t good! I’ve got to call Heidegger.

…… (Thought) What should I do? It might be too late by the time I get through with calling him. I’ll just have to take care of this myself.

[You rush up to the ship. AVALANCHE spots you.]

AVALANCHE

A Turk! Kill her!

Player
That’s my line.

[FIGHT: AVALANCHE [x2]]

Player
(Thought) This is AVALANCHE’s ship?! I wonder how many people are on board…?

[No sooner have you finished the thought when three more AVALANCHE operatives come running out of the hold of the ship, alerted by the sounds of your gunfire.]

Player

They’re here!

AVALANCHE

A Turk! Our men!! Yaarrrrgggh!! I don’t care what it takes – kill her!!

[FIGHT: AVALANCHE [x3]]

Player

(Thought) Okay, first thing’s first. I’ve got to call headquarters.

……No. I’ve got to call Reno first.

[You start to dial. Just then, three more AVALANCHE operatives come spilling out of the ship.]

AVALANCHE

Were you going to call for backup?

Player

How many of them are there?! No good… there’s no end to them.

AVALANCHE

Not going to happen!!

[FIGHT: AVALANCHE [x3]]

[Reno’s PHS rings. He stops running and picks up.]

Reno

Rosalind. What’s wrong?

Player

Reno! AVALANCHE is at the docks! I need backup.

Reno

I’d love to help, but… I can’t right now. AVALANCHE has penetrated L-Junon too.

Player

They’re already in the city?!

[Reno pauses and looks to something on his left.]

Reno

They’re here! This isn’t good. Rosalind, I’ll talk to you later.

[He ducks into an alley between two buildings.]

AVALANCHE

He’s a fast one. Where the hell did that redhead go?!

[Inside a building, Rude takes out an AVALANCHE operative.]

Rude

There are too many of them… When did they manage to get in here in the first place?

[Tseng darts into an alleyway and stops. There are road barriers blocking his way. He dials a number on his PHS.]

Tseng

Veld, sir! You can see what’s happening here in Junon from the monitor room, can’t you? AVALANCHE has overrun the city.

Veld

……

Tseng

What do you suggest we do, sir?

Veld

Tseng. I told you, I’m not a Turk anymore. That’s something you should be asking Heidegger.

Tseng

But all Heidegger wants to do is play with his troops! They won’t be any good in the current situation. Sir! Damn… he hung up…

[An AVALANCHE operative catches up to Tseng in the alley. In the monitor room, Veld watches the scene unfold.]

Veld

……

[End of Chapter 9.1]

[Breathing hard, you stop to take a rest.]

Player

I’ve got to do something, or…

[The PHS rings.]

Player

Yes.

Heidegger

You fool!! Junon’s been overtaken by AVALANCHE soldiers! I told you to let me know as soon as you found anything!

Player

I’m sorry. I wasn’t able to get in touch with you.

Heidegger

Everything’s compromised, and it’s all your fault! Get your ass up to the airport – now!

Player

The airport?!

Heidegger

They’re after the airplanes and airships. Tseng’s found out. Stop them! Go! Now!

Player

Wait a minute! What are the other Turks doing? Shouldn’t we coordinate our movements?

Heidegger

Stop asking me stupid questions!! All you have to do is go to the airport!

Player

He hung up…

……
(Thought) There’s nothing for it. To the airport it is. The lift to the airport is just up ahead.

[You run down the street. Further down, an AVALANCHE operative is waiting for you.]

AVALANCHE

You came! This spot right here is going to be your final resting place!!

[Two more AVALANCHE flunkies, a regular and a special flank the first man.]

Player

(Thought) There are too many of them! I’ve got to find some other way.

[You duck into the entrance of the nearest building. There are AVALANCHE operatives inside.]

AVALANCHE

A Turk! Kill her!

[You can fight the operatives if you wish. There is also a corridor to the left that you can to. It leads to an elevator that will take you up. When you get outside, you get your bearings.]

Upper Junon

(Thought) This is B-District in L-Junon. The airport lift should be up on the right.

[You start making your way to the airport, but 200 metres head, a contingent of AVALANCHE block the road. The leader turns around and spots you.]

AVALANCHE

Turk sighted! After her!

Player

(Thought) I can’t go this way. I’ve got to find another way to the lift.

[You run down the opposite direction of the street. You see another AVALANCHE member, who spots you. He panics, and ducks into a building. A shout can be heard down the street.]

AVALANCHE

There she is! A Turk!

[AVALANCHE operatives have set up a roadblock some feet away from the building. Three operatives break away from the roadblock and give chase. If you want to enter the building, you’ll have to fight them.

FIGHT: AVALANCHE [x3]

Inside the building, you catch up to the AVALANCHE operative that ran inside.]

AVALANCHE

T-t-t-t-t-t-Turk?!

[FIGHT: AVALANCHE  Special[x1]

Picking over the unconscious/dead operative, you find a key for some place called “A26.”]

Player

(Thought) A key… I should find the door this unlocks. I might be able to find out more about AVALANCHE’s movements.

[You leave the building and duck down an alleyway, down a flight of stairs and into Lower Junon. Two AVALANCHE operatives are speaking to one another just in front of the alley entrance when you pop out.]

AVALANCHE

Damn. A Turk… So you’ve managed to come all the way here.

[FIGHT: AVALANCHE [x1], AVALANCHE special [x1]

Another operative that was standing just off the corner calls for help.]

AVALANCHE

It’s the Turks! No good!! I need backup!!

[He dashes down the street and into a building. The door slams shut. You try your key in the door. Inside is an elevator that takes you up. You get out onto a dull grey corridor. Just as you are about to turn the corner, you hear voices. You stop to listen.]

AVALANCHE

We just got a distress call from the team in Lower Junon.

AVALANCHE Special

What?!

AVALANCHE

Let’s move out!!

[The Special ducks his head into what looks like the elevator and calls to his men.]

AVALANCHE Special

There’s been a call for help! Head for Lower Junon!!

[You head outside and run down the street. The area is eerily devoid of any signs of activity, AVALANCHE or otherwise.]

Player

(Thought) Whew… It looks like all of them headed down. I can get on the lift now.

[On the lift.]

Player

(Thought) I’m almost at the airport.

[As the lift takes you up, a blue burst of energy rains down and hits you on the head.] (4)

Player

?! Something from above just hit me. (Thought) I’ve got to be careful not to get hit again.

[The lift stops. An AVALANCHE operative is waiting on a platform.]

AVALANCHE

I’m not letting you get to the airport!!

[He tosses a blue burst at you, which you avoid by jumping out of the way.

FIGHT: AVALANCHE [x1]

The lift starts again. More blue bursts come raining down at you. You must avoid them. The lift stops again. Two AVALANCHE operatives are on platforms on either side of you.

FIGHT: AVALANCHE [x2]

The lift starts moving again. This time several blue bursts will come raining down. Eventually, you will reach the end of the line.]

Player

(Thought) Finally, the airport.

[End of Chapter 9.2]

Player

(Thought) I’m finally here… What am I supposed to be doing here, though? I don’t know what the others are doing, so I don’t know how to proceed. (Out loud) Heidegger…

[From off screen, someone shouts.]

AVALANCHE

There! Kill her!!

Player

An enemy?! (Thought) I don’t know what to expect here. I should avoid getting into unnecessary battles.

[You run one way to avoid the oncoming AVALANCHE operative, only to run into two more. You’re trapped between them.]

Player

I’m trapped… I’ve got no other choice!

[FIGHT: AVALANCHE [x2], AVALANCHE Special [x1]

No sooner have you finished off the three of them, when five more AVALANCHE members run down the street, giving chase.]

Player

There are too many of them. (Thought) I can’t stand up to all of them alone. This isn’t the time to be getting caught in all of these fights.  

[You retreat.]

Player

(Thought) Everyone… I wonder if they’re all going through the same thing? Let them be all right.

[In another part of Junon, Reno is facing off against three AVALANCHE operatives. He takes one of them down, but two of them corner him and attack. Reno staggers, but recovers quickly, dispatching them. However, it is evident he is under a lot of strain]

Reno

What the hell is this? That asshole! (5) What is he thinking, leaving it ‘til it got like this?

[He starts running again, but is intercepted by yet more AVALANCHE operatives. He takes one down, but two more take his place. It is now four against one.]

Reno

They just keep coming. I’d better just retreat for now.

[Meanwhile, Rude is also having problems. He has been fighting his way through the AVALANCHE troops. He tries to escape, but is surrounded. His odds are worse than Reno’s – 7 men against 1.]

Rude

There’s too many of them… Junon will fall at this rate.

[In a Junon street, an AVALANCHE leader gives his men new orders. They all leave, except for one operative, who lags behind. After looking both ways to make sure nobody is watching…]

AVALANCHE

They’ve gone.

[The AVALANCHE member turns out to be Tseng in disguise. He takes off the AVALANCHE jumpsuit.]

Tseng

This is no good. There are too many of them.

[He gets on the phone.]

Heidegger

What’s your situation?

Tseng

They’ve overrun the city.

Heidegger

What did you say?! Then it’s time to bring out the army! Gah haa haa haaaa!

Tseng

Wait a minute. Bringing out the army at this juncture is too risky. The city will be destroyed.

Heidegger

So we’ll rebuild. All you and your Turks have to do is distract them until the troops arrive.

Tseng

Sir! What should we… We can’t coordinate if you don’t tell us what you’re trying to do! If – He hung up…

[From the surveillance room, Veld watches the situation. Reno is slowly being taken down by the enemy. Rude is holding up, but for how much longer?]

Veld

……

[The scene switches back to you. You stop running to catch your breath.]

Rosalind

(Breathing hard) (Thought) Where am I? Never mind. Just keep going.

[You are given control. Start running to the right. On the way, you will run into AVALANCHE operatives. Dodge them to avoid getting into battles with them. The more of them you can avoid, the better your rank will be at the end of the episode. When you’ve reached a certain point in the road, you will find that AVALANCHE has set up a blockade.]

AVALANCHE

A Turk. So you’ve managed to come this far. How’s life under Heidegger’s rule? He’s doing us a favour, having you all run around in circles.

Player

How did you -?! (Thought) How did they get that information?! There’s no way they could have known.

[The PHS rings at that moment.]

Tseng

Rosalind, are you okay?

Player

Yes.

Tseng

The army’s coming in. Hold off AVALANCHE as long as you can until they do.

Player

The army’s coming? (Thought) What were we all fighting for, then? Were we just expendable distractions with no other use?

[AVALANCHE takes advantage of your distraction to attack.

FIGHT: AVALANCHE [x3]

From the surveillance room, Veld continues his vigil.]

Veld

……

[Veld stands up. He leaves the surveillance room and makes his way to President Shinra’s office.]

Veld

Sir. I must speak with you.

President Shinra

……

Veld. What is it?

Veld

You should know better than anybody else how much classified information I’m privy to. If I went public with it, the company would crumble faster than the time it would take for you blink.

[President Shinra turns away from Veld and stares out the window, looking out at the city.]

President Shinra

……

Are you trying to blackmail me, Veld? What do you think you would get by doing something like that?

Veld

Command of the Turks.

President Shinra

I didn’t think you cared that much about them. I removed you from that position for your own good. This is the thanks you offer me?

Veld

You have nothing to worry about from me. Your top secret directive will remain safe with me even if I take up my position in the Turks again. (6)

President Shinra

If you fail, you know what will happen. You know too much.

Veld

I’ve always been prepared for that eventuality.

President Shinra

……

All right… I understand. If that’s what you really want, then I’ll return you to your position in the Turks.

Veld

Thank you, sir. I won’t make you regret your decision.

[Veld starts to leave, his strides more purposeful than they had been before. He turns to address President Shinra once more.]

Veld

I’ll get on the situation right away. If you could let Heidegger know what’s going on.

[Back in Junon…]

Player

Again?! From this way, too?! No, I’m cornered again.

[The PHS rings.]

Veld

Rosalind, what’s your situation?!

[You fumble with the PHS in shock.]

Player

Sir?!

[From Turks HQ, Veld gives everyone their orders.]

Veld

All of you, I want you to listen to me carefully. I have resumed leadership of the Turks. From now on you will take your orders from me.

Tseng

Sir! You’re back.

Veld

This is no time to be sentimental. Our first priority is dealing with the situation at Junon.

Tseng

Yes, sir.

Veld

Tseng. We’re lacking any useful information on the Ravens. We don’t know what their next move may be. Keep an eye on their movements. Find out as much as you can.

Tseng

Yes, sir.

Veld

Reno!

Reno

Yeah.

Veld

Head for the control tower. Get the situation at the airport under control. I’m counting on you to get there as fast as you can. (7)

Reno

I’m on my way, boss.

Veld

Rude.

Rude

Yes.

Veld

You’re Reno’s advance guard. Clear the way to the tower for him. Work as a team.

Rude

Yes, sir.

Veld

Rosalind.

Player

Sir.

Veld

Deal with the AVALANCHE operatives on the airships. They’re landed at the B-West landing area. Turn back the way you came and keep going straight.

Player

But sir! There are AVALANCHE operatives all along that road.

Veld

Don’t worry about that. Trust me, I’ve dealt with that too.

Player

……

Yes, sir.

Veld

You can do it. Go!

Tseng, Reno, Rude, Player

ROGER!!

[You turn back to the AVALANCHE operatives blocking your way.]

Player

I’ll believe in Veld! Get out of my way, all of you!

[FIGHT: AVALANCHE [x3]

Player

?! They’re running away. What’s going on?!

[As you make your way along the road, AVALANCHE members will run past you. If you run into them, you’ll be pulled into fights with them. It’s best not to get pulled into any battles with them, as your rank will go down, and they’re retreating in the first place – they’re not looking for a fight.

Halfway along the road, you come across three AVALANCHE operatives surrounding a burly man.]

Player

?!

???

GAAAAAAAAAAHHHH!

[The man launches himself at one of the AVALANCHE operatives and knocks him out. He decks another one, and turns to the last.]

???

Prepare yourself! You should know better than to pull innocent bystanders into this. There’s no way I’m gonna stand by and let that happen!

AVALANCHE

H-h-he’s strong!!

[He knocks the last AVALANCHE operative unconscious. The operative goes down, making a noise like a sat upon goose. You approach the man.]

???

Yo! You’re Rosalind, right? I’ve cleared the road for you.

Player

Um, are you are a Turk, too?

???

Yeah. I got an emergency summons from Veld. I’m starting today. Good to meet you.

Player

It’s nice to make your acquaintance.

???

The airship landing strip is just up ahead. Don’t let your guard down.

Player

Right.

???

I’m gonna stay here and make sure these guys don’t do anything funny.

Player

Keep up the good work.

???

Yeah. We’ll talk again later. When this mess is behind us, huh?

Player

Of course! 

[Four Junon guards are stationed just behind the new Turk. If you choose to talk to them, they’ll tell you where to go. They’ll also tell you that Heidegger’s been reassigned to his old position – he no longer has command over the situation in Junon.]

Player

Please let me make it on time!

[End of Chapter 9.3]

[Your PHS rings again.]

Reno

Rosalind.

Player

Reno! What’s going on?!

Reno

We’ve done it. Everything else is up to you. Go show them what you’re made of.

Player

Okay.

[After hanging up, you run a little more, then stop. Junon soldiers are lying unconscious on the street.]

Player

?! Th-this is…

[A soldier groans.]

Player

Are you all right? What happened here?

Junon Soldier

Be careful. He’s strong.

……

Player

(Swallows thickly)

Kainyuu

Heh heh heh.

Player

!!

[You whip around and see Kainyuu, flanked by a Special and a regular.]

Player

You! A Raven! You’re alive again?!

Kainyuu

Heh heh heh.

[FIGHT: Kainyuu, AVALANCHE Special, AVALANCHE]

Kainyuu

Heh heh heh.

Player

?! Whew… I’ve held them off.

Tseng

Rosalind!!

Player

Tseng, sir.

[Tseng, followed by Reno, Rude and the new Turk appear.]

Player

You’re all safe!

Tseng

Good job.

Rude

We’ve managed to protect Junon.

Reno

I thought for a moment there that we were goners.

Tseng

We succeeded because Veld was there for us.

Player

(Thought) I’m glad Veld is back…

[Tseng’s PHS rings.]

Veld

You’ve all done admirably. I would have expected nothing less from you.

Tseng

Yes, sir.

Player

(Thought) Veld… he really does care for us. Nobody else is as devoted to the Turks as he is.

Tseng

All right. Let’s return to headquarters. Veld’s waiting for us.

[In President Shinra’s office.]

President Shinra

Veld. That thing I told you to look into… what have you got to report?

Veld

Sir. We haven’t made any progress.

President Shinra

Hmph. Who’s leaking information out of the company…?

Veld

The list of candidates is small; it is information only the executive can get a hold of…

President Shinra

Maybe Hojo…? He’s got access to a lot of important data pertaining to SOLDIER.

Veld

……

(Thought) If Hojo is the one behind this, it would certainly explain the exponential increase in the strength of AVALANCHE’s forces.

……I should keep an eye on him.

To be continued…