Categories > Games > Final Fantasy 7 > Calamity
Chapters 3 and 4
0 ReviewsMore is known about the mysterious enemy and the disappearances, but there are still mysteries to be solved.
Calamity
Chapter 3
It was decided that instead of returning to Shinra right away, they would try to find Rufus. Shnira cadets were starting to be dispatched all over Midgar, so moving around the city would not be easy. "Great, Shinra's actin' already. Looks like a fight can't be avoided." Barret was upset by how the streets were flooded with cadets, while his side hardly had time to plan their next move.
"It can't be helped, we'll move underground," Elena suggested. Tifa, Cloud, Barret and Elena left, after instructing Marlene and Denzel to stay inside and keep the doors locked.
Sneaking out of the bar, and running down an alley, the group came to an entrance to the swear system. They followed quietly until they came to a rusted old door. "This is it? Do think it will still open?" Tifa asked.
Elena paused, holding a keycard. "To be honest I don't know. What I can tell you is that it will most likely give away our position, but it's better than fighting all those brainwashed cadets. From this point on, it's a race to Healin Lodge. We should be able to make it there before any of the cadets." Elena looked at her companions who nodded, and she slid the key card into the slot.
With some difficulty, the door noisily opened, revealing a hidden tunnel. Elena, Cloud, Tifa and Barret ran inside. Surprisingly, they did not encounter trouble on their way to Healin Lodge, and found that there were no cadets in that area when they exited the tunnels returning to the surface.
"We outran them?" Tifa sounded unsure, as if the possibility was too good to be true.
"This looks like a trap, but I guess we have no choice if we're going to find Rufus and get some answers," cloud readied his sword and led the way up the stairs of Healin Lodge.
When Cloud reached the top of the stairs, the door was opened, and there stood Reno. "We were expecting you, Avalanche and the traitor."
"Reno?" Elena moved forward, she noticed Rude was there as well. "I see, Rufus must play a key role if they send you two here."
Cloud nodded, "the enemy must be desperate to hide something, and Rufus must be connected to it. Tifa, how are you feeling?"
"I'm fine," Tifa's memories were still without Tseng, but she did not feel the urge to fight Elena or any of her allies.
"Then now's our change, you two have to realize you're being controlled!" Elena was determined to bring back the Reno and Rude who were loyal to the Turks, maybe more so than to Shinra; the Reno and Rude who would not abandon, or forget their Tseng.
"Elena, do not let Avalanche confuse you," Rude insisted, but Elena did not doubt her memories.
"Reno, Rude, stand down, let them come in," Rufus' voice was heard from inside.
"But they're here to attack you!" Reno complained.
"No they're not, let them in," Rufus insisted. His order was followed, and Tifa, Cloud, Elena and Barret were allowed inside.
"Do you know what's happening, sir?" Elena asked. Just as she thought, Rufus must hold an important clue.
"I'm not sure, but I want to hear your story first. You said something about being controlled." At least Rufus was willing to listen.
"Yes, something strange happened last night. There was a bright light and we believe it has a connection with what we suspect to be a virus that erased Tseng of the Turks from everyone's memories. As far as we know, only Midgar was affected. I had a little accident and was electrocuted at the time, in theory, that killed the virus and my memories were unaffected. Cloud's mako is helping him fight the virus, Barret doesn't have it because he wasn't in Midgar last night, and Tifa has it," Elena paused, letting everyone take in all the information; then continued her narration. "We think that there is something at Headquarters that can strengthen the virus, since it tried to brainwash Tifa into fighting against us when we were there, but it didn't work. You can fight it, you can hold on to the truth if you try. We wanted to use the virus scan machine in the main Shinra building but there was a change of plan and we came to look for you instead. Tseng was erased from the databases at Shinra, but I know he's real, what I don't know is why they wanted to erase him."
Rufus took a moment to think about everything Elena had said, and let it sink in. "There is a portable version of that machine here, you may use that. What you said, it all makes sense. Right now, as far as I know, I am Rufus of the Turks. The president is someone called Novarion, that is what my memories tell me. It's also what appears in the database, and Tseng is missing completely. But whoever modified the database and our memories couldn't modify paper." Rufus showed them an album. "I've been looking at that, it made things quite confusing and I didn't know what to believe, but it all makes sense now. That Novarion is behind this. I think he was trying to eliminate me, but Tseng stopped him."
Elena took the album, "pictures from the company activities? I didn't know you kept these." She remembered Tseng's trance the previous night. "Novarion, who ever that is must have hypnotized Tseng."
"Whatever happened, it was most likely meant for me," Rufus admitted. He was confused but the pictures were proof. It was by chance that Rufus had decided to look at them, an unexplained whim that just came and demanded attention.
"I remember all of this..." Elena smiled at the pictures. She had thought the company activities were not too much fun for the Turks. They always had to make sure no incidents occurred, it was another day of work; but it was more fun than she had thought. "Look at these you two, try to remember." She gave the album to Reno and Rude.
"Are you sure they're not fake?" Reno asked.
"I'm sure of it, I thought so too, but I'm certain they're not fake. The real president of Shinra is me, otherwise why are you here?" Rufus asked.
Reno and rude looked at each other as if trying to find an answer, but neither quite had it. "After Elena and Avalanche retreated, I said, we should check on Rufus," Reno explained. "Rude gave me an odd look and asked me why. Rufus is supposed to be a Turks after all. Our job was to protect Shinra, then we started thinking about how we couldn't clearly remember the president, and it got confusing."
"It seems the virus wasn't able to completely change our memories to include Novarion," Rude concluded.
"Yeah, so then we came, just because it felt like what were supposed to do, even if it might be against the orders," Reno was generally carefree, and didn't question his own confusion too much. Rude did, but he decided to trust Reno and follow him. Then it all made sense, after the explanation.
"These pictures look very real..." Rude quietly commented.
Reno agreed. "Yeah, I remember most of this, I'm not sure who that is," he pointed at Tseng, "but somehow I think he was there in the past."
"So we have a touching Turks reunion and the name of our enemy," Barret spoke. "Now what are we going to do next? We could go to Shinra and-" Barret's words were interrupted by the sound of an airship landing outside.
The group headed out to see Cid. "I don't know what's going on, but someone better explain it. I got a call from Rufus saying the Turks betrayed him and he wants them destroyed. He offered a ton of gil and to restore the space program if I dropped a couple of bomb here. What kind of an idiot does that, whoever it was, take me for?!"
"An easy to trick idiot?" Reno received a glare from Cid, "you were the one who asked!"
"Someone's takin' over Shinra. Novarion is his name from what we know so far. He took Rufus' place and is doing an even worse job then him," Barret explained the situation in his own way.
"Then what are we standing around for?! Let's all get on my air ship and go over there right now." It appeared to be simple enough for cid, since he had not yet heard about the virus.
"It won't be that easy, the people of Shinra are being controlled by a virus, at least we think it's a virus, we were about to confirm it. We'll need to cure it somehow; right now Novarion has only sent Shinra cadets against us, but what if they send civilians too?" The possibility that Tifa describes was truth, and it was a dangerous one.
"We left the kids at the Seventh Heaven thinkin' they'd be safe locked inside, but what if..." Barret could not finish. He realized that they made a mistake, and in the rush of the situation did not consider the possibilities. He had assumed Shinra and it's army was the only enemy to worry about, even if he knew Tifa was infected by the virus, she was fighting it, so Barret didn't think they could turn her against them. Marlene and Denzel were another story, they were still very young and didn't have all the experiences that made Tifa strong. Denzel's mako might help, but what about Marlene? "I'm worried, I'm goin' back to Midgar to get the kids."
"Right, we need to take them to a safe place. Everyone listen up." Cloud assumed the position of leader, and everyone's attention focused on him. "If there's a version of the virus scan machine here, let's use that. Let's see if we can figure out what this is about so we can find a cure. We'll split up, and some of us will deal with finding a cure, while others go to Midgar and bring back Marlene and Denzel."
"I'm going to Midgar," Barret had already decided. "I don't care if I have to go alone, but if anyone else is comin', I won't stop them."
"Cid, you can take Barret to Midgar on the airship," Cloud suggested.
"Right, got it, we'll be back with the kids soon," Cid agreed to his assigned mission.
"I want to go too," Tifa requested, though Cloud didn't think it was the best idea.
"You have the virus, it's best if we don't go near Shinra Headquarters until we're cured. It's too risky if we all get brainwashed and turn against each other. Plus we can't go straight to Headquarters with the entire city being held hostage. Everyone should get scanned just in case. Those who are healed will go to Midgar. The rest of use will start working on finding some kind of cure." Cloud was once again leading the group, as he did in the past, but this time, even if he was also confused, he would not create an illusionary world, he would seek only the truth.
It turned out that just as they suspected, it was a form of rare virus that worked similar to the way Jenova controlled the mind. Barret and Cid left on the airship to go to Midgar, while the others tried to figure out what to do.
"I can't access the Shinra database anymore. They know we're here and they'll know Cid wasn't trick when they see the airship at Midgar. We'll just have to move faster than Novarion," Rufus started to head towards the door. Everyone got the message it was not safe there.
Though the virus scan machine was, in comparison the one in the main Shinra building, a portable version, it was still too large to easily be moved. It consisted of a glass tanks with machinery hooked to it, and a keyboard and screen. They knew they might need it in the future to check if any possible cure they found had worked, but it would slow them down too much to move it. They appeared to have hit another wall with what to do next. They knew they needed to act fast, but they didn't know how.
To be Continued
Disclaimer, I don't own Final Fantasy VII. The situation becomes more clear, but who or what is Novarion and how can they cure the virus?
Calamity
Chapter 4
"The answer to curing this virus might be in the Shinra database, which we can't access unless we go to Headquarters, or..." Rufus stopped and looked at Cloud who responded with a knowing expression.
"Aeris' church, but the water there dried up some times ago. That's why I didn't bring it up before." Cloud looked a little sad as he said this. "We can hope for a miracle, but I guess we can't count on it."
"Maybe this is somehow affecting the planet," Tifa wondered how strong that virus was, and if it could go as far as affect the planet. If not the virus, then there was the possibility that Novarion was affecting the planet in some other way, and if he had such power, recovering control of Shnira would not be easy.
While Cloud and Tifa discussed the possibilities, Rufus and the Turks were quietly exchanging glances, with different looks and expressions. Bothered by their almost suspicious silence, Cloud decided to ask, "is there something you're not telling us?"
"It's only a theory," Rufus replied.
"Should we go find out if it's true?" Reno knew exactly what Rufus was talking about, as did Rude and Elena.
"Yes, there's also something else that must be done, this is an emergency," Reno, Rude and Elena nodded as if the keyword 'emergency' had been enough to make them understand that a plan previously discussed was to be put in action.
"Wait a minute, what is this about? What are you hiding?" Tifa demanded to know. She didn't like how the conversation was going.
"If we're going to team up for this, you'll have to share your information, or preferably we'll take care of everything without Shinra," Cloud was starting to become more and more suspicious. He would break up the team if need e, even if both Cloud and Rufus knew that, given the situation, it was best to work together.
"I'm not hiding anything, I have a theory that Novarion may be related in a way to Jenova, but I can't say for sure. I heard there is an observatory facility at Cosmo Canyon, they should have noticed something from there about the strange activity in the atmosphere," Rufus explained, at least half of what he was discussing with the Turks.
"Jenova, the calamity from the skies... What are you saying?" The way this was going was starting to alarm Cloud. "Are you trying to say that this Novarion is like Jenova?"
"There are many studies about Jenova that were not made public." Rufus explained. "One of them tells the story of Jenova, as an evil being from an alien race who was exiled into this planet by her own kind. But this is different, I'm sure Novarion has followers, an he doesn't appear to be as powerful as Jenova. We could be facing an invasion."
"An invasion by the same race that Jenova was from?" Tifa didn't even want to think about the possibility, but she knew she couldn't disregard it. "How could that be possible?"
Rufus wanted to confirm this information before reaching any conclusions, but it appeared to be a likely possibility. "If Jenova was exiled, then it can be assumed if we follow this theory, that she was far more powerful than an average being of her kind, and she was feared. Novarion must not be too familiar with how things work in this planet. We need to act fast, before he discovers more of Shinra's power and uses it."
"Alright, then it's settled. We'll head to the observatory at Cosmo Canyon, but they might not be happy to see someone from Shinra there," Cloud warned.
Rufus knew it wouldn't be easy, plus there was another task that needed to be done. "We can dive ourselves into two groups. I have some questions I want to ask at Cosmo Canyon so I'm going. Cloud and Tifa, you should come as well so that there are no problems getting in since they know you there, right?"
"Yes, they'll let us in, they know we're Red's friends, but for such a big group of people to move together, it will be suspicious," Cloud pointed out. During past journeys they often divided themselves into small groups of three people at most.
"The Turks have another task. There are weapons I want them to secure before Novarion gets them," Rufus wasn't telling the entire truth and Cloud noticed.
"Fine, then we'll divide ourselves into three groups, and I will go with the Turks," Cloud looked at Tifa, he wanted to stay with her, but he knew what she would say, and she said it when she noticed the look he was giving her.
"Don't worry about me Cloud," Tifa tried to give him a supportive smile. "I can take care of myself, and besides we still have our promise, but I'll try not to need it." Her hero had come to save her years ago, and he would come again if she needed it, but she would do her best to fight on her own too. Tifa had a liking for the hero type, she liked knowing that there was someone willing to rescue her, but Tifa was certainly not a damsel in distress, she knew how to fight and defend herself very well.
Cloud nodded. "Alright, then Tifa will go to the Cosmo Canyon with Rufus and... either Reno or Rude."
"Wait, what's this about Reno or Rude? It's always Reno and Rude," Reno rarely had a mission where he wasn't teamed with Rude, they were a good team and worked best that way.
"It would be bad if the virus starts acting up when we're near the weapons so we need to have someone who isn't affected in the group," Cloud explained.
"Right, I'll go," Elena stepped forward. "Decide, we should leave right away."
"I'll tag along too," Reno volunteered. "Sorry partner but geeky places bore me."
"I don't mind too much," Rude agreed.
"Tifa, be careful," Cloud looked at her with loving eyes.
"Relax, I'll be fine, you be careful too." After Cloud and Tifa's goodbye, the two groups went their separate ways.
While Cid and Barret were still off at Midgar, Rufus, Tifa and Rude headed towards Cosmo Canyon and Cloud, Reno and Elena went to secure the Shinra weaponry, or at least that was what cloud was made to think.
Not too far from Healin Lodge, there was a cave, and inside a secret entrance that led to an underground cave. The shiny metal walls told Cloud of the structure's young age. "This isn't an ancient secret of Shinra, it was built recently."
"Just a precaution," Reno ran ahead of the group. He was back to being his carefree self, even if the confusion of who was Tseng had not yet been lifted. It was almost as if the action was welcomed and he would enjoy it. Well, it was certainly better than paper work.
"Reno, wait up! We don't know if the Turk here was brainwashed." Elena ran to keep up with the red head, and Cloud followed.
"The lab rabbit wouldn't have been found here. I'm sure she's fine." Reno stopped as he heard the noise of heavy footsteps and a screeching sound like metal against metal. "It sounds like the guard is coming." A giant robot approached them, but Reno didn't look worried. "Let us pass; we have important business to take care of."
The robot ignored Reno and focused on Cloud. "Intruder!"
"You're not listening, yo!" Reno yelled at the robot, which continued to ignore him and fight Cloud.
"Did Novarion already take over or was this a trap," Cloud fought the robot, slashing away with his sword and dodging lasers until the robot mysteriously shut itself off.
"I had nothing to do with this," Reno truthfully said. They looked around for Elena but did not see her, and preceded forward. "Elena!"
"I'm here!" The door at the end of the tunnel was opened by Elena. "I went ahead to shut off the robots. They're set to automatically attack anyone they don't recognize as a Turk."
"I guess I forgot about that," Reno admitted, which earned him a threatening glare from Cloud.
"Will there be any other robots trying to kill me?" Cloud asked.
"No, there shouldn't be anymore after I shut off the main security system. This secret base operates separately from the main Shinra Headquarters so we shouldn't have any more problems." At least Elena hoped they wouldn't have any more problems. Something very important was being kept there, and they couldn't lose it. If Rufus' theory turned out to be true and the situation got to its worse, the item kept in that secret base could be their last and only hope. To use it would be a gamble that would save them or finish them off, but it was good to keep it just in case, only to be used if there was no other choice. But there shouldn't be any problems obtaining it, "unless..."
"The lab rabbit was brain washed..." Reno heard a secret door on the wall behind him open and turned quickly, his electro rod colliding with another weapon of the same kind.
"Missed..." A woman in a Turk uniform glanced at the three guests. "Reno, Elena, I knew you would come, but where's Rude? Why did you bring cloud instead?"
"You sound well informed, who are you?" Cloud asked.
"The lab rabbit," Reno replied for her.
"I'm known as Star, not lab rabbit, my real name doesn't matter," the pale, dark haired woman stepped out of the secret passage. "I take it's okay he's here?" She motioned toward Cloud with her head.
"No problem, he's on our side now, but you know." Reno's reply couldn't have sounded more suspicious to Cloud.
"By that I'm sure you mean not to give away too much information," Cloud glared impatiently.
Feeling the tension in the air, Star continued. "Things are going crazy up there. You know how the security is deeper down where I usually am. Nothing has reached this far, and the item is safe. I've been collecting data from the various Shinra systems. Whoever is managing Shinra, because I'm sure it's not Rufus anymore, has not detected this base, and doesn't fully know about the full potential of Shinra's technology. This take over wasn't vastly planned and the reactions from the data I could gather, have been slow. That can only mean two things, either they are very overconfident and sloppy, or very powerful and capable of fishing any resistance in a moment's notice if they grow bored of feel threatened. I'll have to put my gil on that second one."
"You're right about it not being Rufus at Headquarters. From what we know the one there is called Novarion, but Rufus' memories are not too clear, he must have witnessed something though." Elena explained. Though Reno, Rude and others were also affected by the virus, they had not witnessed any key events as it was thought that Rufus did, so it was his memories that needed to be unlocked for any kind of information that might help.
"I see; what are we going to do then?" Star asked.
"Rufus wants the item." Reno knew that cloud was getting annoyed at how they kept talking of that item, which was obviously important, without saying what it was. "Elena, you should take it just in case. We're going to meet Rufus at Cosmo Canyon, stay here rabbit, and find out as much as you can about a cure for this, or any weak points the enemy might have." Reno handed Star a disk, it was the disk where he had seen the Turks record the information about the virus they obtained from the scan machine at Healin. "Stay at the final level, it's safer bellow and you'll have to take care of things if we all end up being brainwashed."
"Understood, but do me a favor and try not to get brainwashed, I don't want to have to clean your mess, Reno. Let's go Elena, the item is this way." Star headed for another door across the room.
"I'm coming too," Cloud followed them, and neither Star nor Elena complained. Reno shrugged and followed along as well.
To be Continued
Disclaimer, I do not own Final Fantasy VII. If you're curious about Star, she's not a major character; I just needed a Turk to guard the item that will be revealed in the next chapter... I'm sure some of you might have already guessed what it is.
Chapter 3
It was decided that instead of returning to Shinra right away, they would try to find Rufus. Shnira cadets were starting to be dispatched all over Midgar, so moving around the city would not be easy. "Great, Shinra's actin' already. Looks like a fight can't be avoided." Barret was upset by how the streets were flooded with cadets, while his side hardly had time to plan their next move.
"It can't be helped, we'll move underground," Elena suggested. Tifa, Cloud, Barret and Elena left, after instructing Marlene and Denzel to stay inside and keep the doors locked.
Sneaking out of the bar, and running down an alley, the group came to an entrance to the swear system. They followed quietly until they came to a rusted old door. "This is it? Do think it will still open?" Tifa asked.
Elena paused, holding a keycard. "To be honest I don't know. What I can tell you is that it will most likely give away our position, but it's better than fighting all those brainwashed cadets. From this point on, it's a race to Healin Lodge. We should be able to make it there before any of the cadets." Elena looked at her companions who nodded, and she slid the key card into the slot.
With some difficulty, the door noisily opened, revealing a hidden tunnel. Elena, Cloud, Tifa and Barret ran inside. Surprisingly, they did not encounter trouble on their way to Healin Lodge, and found that there were no cadets in that area when they exited the tunnels returning to the surface.
"We outran them?" Tifa sounded unsure, as if the possibility was too good to be true.
"This looks like a trap, but I guess we have no choice if we're going to find Rufus and get some answers," cloud readied his sword and led the way up the stairs of Healin Lodge.
When Cloud reached the top of the stairs, the door was opened, and there stood Reno. "We were expecting you, Avalanche and the traitor."
"Reno?" Elena moved forward, she noticed Rude was there as well. "I see, Rufus must play a key role if they send you two here."
Cloud nodded, "the enemy must be desperate to hide something, and Rufus must be connected to it. Tifa, how are you feeling?"
"I'm fine," Tifa's memories were still without Tseng, but she did not feel the urge to fight Elena or any of her allies.
"Then now's our change, you two have to realize you're being controlled!" Elena was determined to bring back the Reno and Rude who were loyal to the Turks, maybe more so than to Shinra; the Reno and Rude who would not abandon, or forget their Tseng.
"Elena, do not let Avalanche confuse you," Rude insisted, but Elena did not doubt her memories.
"Reno, Rude, stand down, let them come in," Rufus' voice was heard from inside.
"But they're here to attack you!" Reno complained.
"No they're not, let them in," Rufus insisted. His order was followed, and Tifa, Cloud, Elena and Barret were allowed inside.
"Do you know what's happening, sir?" Elena asked. Just as she thought, Rufus must hold an important clue.
"I'm not sure, but I want to hear your story first. You said something about being controlled." At least Rufus was willing to listen.
"Yes, something strange happened last night. There was a bright light and we believe it has a connection with what we suspect to be a virus that erased Tseng of the Turks from everyone's memories. As far as we know, only Midgar was affected. I had a little accident and was electrocuted at the time, in theory, that killed the virus and my memories were unaffected. Cloud's mako is helping him fight the virus, Barret doesn't have it because he wasn't in Midgar last night, and Tifa has it," Elena paused, letting everyone take in all the information; then continued her narration. "We think that there is something at Headquarters that can strengthen the virus, since it tried to brainwash Tifa into fighting against us when we were there, but it didn't work. You can fight it, you can hold on to the truth if you try. We wanted to use the virus scan machine in the main Shinra building but there was a change of plan and we came to look for you instead. Tseng was erased from the databases at Shinra, but I know he's real, what I don't know is why they wanted to erase him."
Rufus took a moment to think about everything Elena had said, and let it sink in. "There is a portable version of that machine here, you may use that. What you said, it all makes sense. Right now, as far as I know, I am Rufus of the Turks. The president is someone called Novarion, that is what my memories tell me. It's also what appears in the database, and Tseng is missing completely. But whoever modified the database and our memories couldn't modify paper." Rufus showed them an album. "I've been looking at that, it made things quite confusing and I didn't know what to believe, but it all makes sense now. That Novarion is behind this. I think he was trying to eliminate me, but Tseng stopped him."
Elena took the album, "pictures from the company activities? I didn't know you kept these." She remembered Tseng's trance the previous night. "Novarion, who ever that is must have hypnotized Tseng."
"Whatever happened, it was most likely meant for me," Rufus admitted. He was confused but the pictures were proof. It was by chance that Rufus had decided to look at them, an unexplained whim that just came and demanded attention.
"I remember all of this..." Elena smiled at the pictures. She had thought the company activities were not too much fun for the Turks. They always had to make sure no incidents occurred, it was another day of work; but it was more fun than she had thought. "Look at these you two, try to remember." She gave the album to Reno and Rude.
"Are you sure they're not fake?" Reno asked.
"I'm sure of it, I thought so too, but I'm certain they're not fake. The real president of Shinra is me, otherwise why are you here?" Rufus asked.
Reno and rude looked at each other as if trying to find an answer, but neither quite had it. "After Elena and Avalanche retreated, I said, we should check on Rufus," Reno explained. "Rude gave me an odd look and asked me why. Rufus is supposed to be a Turks after all. Our job was to protect Shinra, then we started thinking about how we couldn't clearly remember the president, and it got confusing."
"It seems the virus wasn't able to completely change our memories to include Novarion," Rude concluded.
"Yeah, so then we came, just because it felt like what were supposed to do, even if it might be against the orders," Reno was generally carefree, and didn't question his own confusion too much. Rude did, but he decided to trust Reno and follow him. Then it all made sense, after the explanation.
"These pictures look very real..." Rude quietly commented.
Reno agreed. "Yeah, I remember most of this, I'm not sure who that is," he pointed at Tseng, "but somehow I think he was there in the past."
"So we have a touching Turks reunion and the name of our enemy," Barret spoke. "Now what are we going to do next? We could go to Shinra and-" Barret's words were interrupted by the sound of an airship landing outside.
The group headed out to see Cid. "I don't know what's going on, but someone better explain it. I got a call from Rufus saying the Turks betrayed him and he wants them destroyed. He offered a ton of gil and to restore the space program if I dropped a couple of bomb here. What kind of an idiot does that, whoever it was, take me for?!"
"An easy to trick idiot?" Reno received a glare from Cid, "you were the one who asked!"
"Someone's takin' over Shinra. Novarion is his name from what we know so far. He took Rufus' place and is doing an even worse job then him," Barret explained the situation in his own way.
"Then what are we standing around for?! Let's all get on my air ship and go over there right now." It appeared to be simple enough for cid, since he had not yet heard about the virus.
"It won't be that easy, the people of Shinra are being controlled by a virus, at least we think it's a virus, we were about to confirm it. We'll need to cure it somehow; right now Novarion has only sent Shinra cadets against us, but what if they send civilians too?" The possibility that Tifa describes was truth, and it was a dangerous one.
"We left the kids at the Seventh Heaven thinkin' they'd be safe locked inside, but what if..." Barret could not finish. He realized that they made a mistake, and in the rush of the situation did not consider the possibilities. He had assumed Shinra and it's army was the only enemy to worry about, even if he knew Tifa was infected by the virus, she was fighting it, so Barret didn't think they could turn her against them. Marlene and Denzel were another story, they were still very young and didn't have all the experiences that made Tifa strong. Denzel's mako might help, but what about Marlene? "I'm worried, I'm goin' back to Midgar to get the kids."
"Right, we need to take them to a safe place. Everyone listen up." Cloud assumed the position of leader, and everyone's attention focused on him. "If there's a version of the virus scan machine here, let's use that. Let's see if we can figure out what this is about so we can find a cure. We'll split up, and some of us will deal with finding a cure, while others go to Midgar and bring back Marlene and Denzel."
"I'm going to Midgar," Barret had already decided. "I don't care if I have to go alone, but if anyone else is comin', I won't stop them."
"Cid, you can take Barret to Midgar on the airship," Cloud suggested.
"Right, got it, we'll be back with the kids soon," Cid agreed to his assigned mission.
"I want to go too," Tifa requested, though Cloud didn't think it was the best idea.
"You have the virus, it's best if we don't go near Shinra Headquarters until we're cured. It's too risky if we all get brainwashed and turn against each other. Plus we can't go straight to Headquarters with the entire city being held hostage. Everyone should get scanned just in case. Those who are healed will go to Midgar. The rest of use will start working on finding some kind of cure." Cloud was once again leading the group, as he did in the past, but this time, even if he was also confused, he would not create an illusionary world, he would seek only the truth.
It turned out that just as they suspected, it was a form of rare virus that worked similar to the way Jenova controlled the mind. Barret and Cid left on the airship to go to Midgar, while the others tried to figure out what to do.
"I can't access the Shinra database anymore. They know we're here and they'll know Cid wasn't trick when they see the airship at Midgar. We'll just have to move faster than Novarion," Rufus started to head towards the door. Everyone got the message it was not safe there.
Though the virus scan machine was, in comparison the one in the main Shinra building, a portable version, it was still too large to easily be moved. It consisted of a glass tanks with machinery hooked to it, and a keyboard and screen. They knew they might need it in the future to check if any possible cure they found had worked, but it would slow them down too much to move it. They appeared to have hit another wall with what to do next. They knew they needed to act fast, but they didn't know how.
To be Continued
Disclaimer, I don't own Final Fantasy VII. The situation becomes more clear, but who or what is Novarion and how can they cure the virus?
Calamity
Chapter 4
"The answer to curing this virus might be in the Shinra database, which we can't access unless we go to Headquarters, or..." Rufus stopped and looked at Cloud who responded with a knowing expression.
"Aeris' church, but the water there dried up some times ago. That's why I didn't bring it up before." Cloud looked a little sad as he said this. "We can hope for a miracle, but I guess we can't count on it."
"Maybe this is somehow affecting the planet," Tifa wondered how strong that virus was, and if it could go as far as affect the planet. If not the virus, then there was the possibility that Novarion was affecting the planet in some other way, and if he had such power, recovering control of Shnira would not be easy.
While Cloud and Tifa discussed the possibilities, Rufus and the Turks were quietly exchanging glances, with different looks and expressions. Bothered by their almost suspicious silence, Cloud decided to ask, "is there something you're not telling us?"
"It's only a theory," Rufus replied.
"Should we go find out if it's true?" Reno knew exactly what Rufus was talking about, as did Rude and Elena.
"Yes, there's also something else that must be done, this is an emergency," Reno, Rude and Elena nodded as if the keyword 'emergency' had been enough to make them understand that a plan previously discussed was to be put in action.
"Wait a minute, what is this about? What are you hiding?" Tifa demanded to know. She didn't like how the conversation was going.
"If we're going to team up for this, you'll have to share your information, or preferably we'll take care of everything without Shinra," Cloud was starting to become more and more suspicious. He would break up the team if need e, even if both Cloud and Rufus knew that, given the situation, it was best to work together.
"I'm not hiding anything, I have a theory that Novarion may be related in a way to Jenova, but I can't say for sure. I heard there is an observatory facility at Cosmo Canyon, they should have noticed something from there about the strange activity in the atmosphere," Rufus explained, at least half of what he was discussing with the Turks.
"Jenova, the calamity from the skies... What are you saying?" The way this was going was starting to alarm Cloud. "Are you trying to say that this Novarion is like Jenova?"
"There are many studies about Jenova that were not made public." Rufus explained. "One of them tells the story of Jenova, as an evil being from an alien race who was exiled into this planet by her own kind. But this is different, I'm sure Novarion has followers, an he doesn't appear to be as powerful as Jenova. We could be facing an invasion."
"An invasion by the same race that Jenova was from?" Tifa didn't even want to think about the possibility, but she knew she couldn't disregard it. "How could that be possible?"
Rufus wanted to confirm this information before reaching any conclusions, but it appeared to be a likely possibility. "If Jenova was exiled, then it can be assumed if we follow this theory, that she was far more powerful than an average being of her kind, and she was feared. Novarion must not be too familiar with how things work in this planet. We need to act fast, before he discovers more of Shinra's power and uses it."
"Alright, then it's settled. We'll head to the observatory at Cosmo Canyon, but they might not be happy to see someone from Shinra there," Cloud warned.
Rufus knew it wouldn't be easy, plus there was another task that needed to be done. "We can dive ourselves into two groups. I have some questions I want to ask at Cosmo Canyon so I'm going. Cloud and Tifa, you should come as well so that there are no problems getting in since they know you there, right?"
"Yes, they'll let us in, they know we're Red's friends, but for such a big group of people to move together, it will be suspicious," Cloud pointed out. During past journeys they often divided themselves into small groups of three people at most.
"The Turks have another task. There are weapons I want them to secure before Novarion gets them," Rufus wasn't telling the entire truth and Cloud noticed.
"Fine, then we'll divide ourselves into three groups, and I will go with the Turks," Cloud looked at Tifa, he wanted to stay with her, but he knew what she would say, and she said it when she noticed the look he was giving her.
"Don't worry about me Cloud," Tifa tried to give him a supportive smile. "I can take care of myself, and besides we still have our promise, but I'll try not to need it." Her hero had come to save her years ago, and he would come again if she needed it, but she would do her best to fight on her own too. Tifa had a liking for the hero type, she liked knowing that there was someone willing to rescue her, but Tifa was certainly not a damsel in distress, she knew how to fight and defend herself very well.
Cloud nodded. "Alright, then Tifa will go to the Cosmo Canyon with Rufus and... either Reno or Rude."
"Wait, what's this about Reno or Rude? It's always Reno and Rude," Reno rarely had a mission where he wasn't teamed with Rude, they were a good team and worked best that way.
"It would be bad if the virus starts acting up when we're near the weapons so we need to have someone who isn't affected in the group," Cloud explained.
"Right, I'll go," Elena stepped forward. "Decide, we should leave right away."
"I'll tag along too," Reno volunteered. "Sorry partner but geeky places bore me."
"I don't mind too much," Rude agreed.
"Tifa, be careful," Cloud looked at her with loving eyes.
"Relax, I'll be fine, you be careful too." After Cloud and Tifa's goodbye, the two groups went their separate ways.
While Cid and Barret were still off at Midgar, Rufus, Tifa and Rude headed towards Cosmo Canyon and Cloud, Reno and Elena went to secure the Shinra weaponry, or at least that was what cloud was made to think.
Not too far from Healin Lodge, there was a cave, and inside a secret entrance that led to an underground cave. The shiny metal walls told Cloud of the structure's young age. "This isn't an ancient secret of Shinra, it was built recently."
"Just a precaution," Reno ran ahead of the group. He was back to being his carefree self, even if the confusion of who was Tseng had not yet been lifted. It was almost as if the action was welcomed and he would enjoy it. Well, it was certainly better than paper work.
"Reno, wait up! We don't know if the Turk here was brainwashed." Elena ran to keep up with the red head, and Cloud followed.
"The lab rabbit wouldn't have been found here. I'm sure she's fine." Reno stopped as he heard the noise of heavy footsteps and a screeching sound like metal against metal. "It sounds like the guard is coming." A giant robot approached them, but Reno didn't look worried. "Let us pass; we have important business to take care of."
The robot ignored Reno and focused on Cloud. "Intruder!"
"You're not listening, yo!" Reno yelled at the robot, which continued to ignore him and fight Cloud.
"Did Novarion already take over or was this a trap," Cloud fought the robot, slashing away with his sword and dodging lasers until the robot mysteriously shut itself off.
"I had nothing to do with this," Reno truthfully said. They looked around for Elena but did not see her, and preceded forward. "Elena!"
"I'm here!" The door at the end of the tunnel was opened by Elena. "I went ahead to shut off the robots. They're set to automatically attack anyone they don't recognize as a Turk."
"I guess I forgot about that," Reno admitted, which earned him a threatening glare from Cloud.
"Will there be any other robots trying to kill me?" Cloud asked.
"No, there shouldn't be anymore after I shut off the main security system. This secret base operates separately from the main Shinra Headquarters so we shouldn't have any more problems." At least Elena hoped they wouldn't have any more problems. Something very important was being kept there, and they couldn't lose it. If Rufus' theory turned out to be true and the situation got to its worse, the item kept in that secret base could be their last and only hope. To use it would be a gamble that would save them or finish them off, but it was good to keep it just in case, only to be used if there was no other choice. But there shouldn't be any problems obtaining it, "unless..."
"The lab rabbit was brain washed..." Reno heard a secret door on the wall behind him open and turned quickly, his electro rod colliding with another weapon of the same kind.
"Missed..." A woman in a Turk uniform glanced at the three guests. "Reno, Elena, I knew you would come, but where's Rude? Why did you bring cloud instead?"
"You sound well informed, who are you?" Cloud asked.
"The lab rabbit," Reno replied for her.
"I'm known as Star, not lab rabbit, my real name doesn't matter," the pale, dark haired woman stepped out of the secret passage. "I take it's okay he's here?" She motioned toward Cloud with her head.
"No problem, he's on our side now, but you know." Reno's reply couldn't have sounded more suspicious to Cloud.
"By that I'm sure you mean not to give away too much information," Cloud glared impatiently.
Feeling the tension in the air, Star continued. "Things are going crazy up there. You know how the security is deeper down where I usually am. Nothing has reached this far, and the item is safe. I've been collecting data from the various Shinra systems. Whoever is managing Shinra, because I'm sure it's not Rufus anymore, has not detected this base, and doesn't fully know about the full potential of Shinra's technology. This take over wasn't vastly planned and the reactions from the data I could gather, have been slow. That can only mean two things, either they are very overconfident and sloppy, or very powerful and capable of fishing any resistance in a moment's notice if they grow bored of feel threatened. I'll have to put my gil on that second one."
"You're right about it not being Rufus at Headquarters. From what we know the one there is called Novarion, but Rufus' memories are not too clear, he must have witnessed something though." Elena explained. Though Reno, Rude and others were also affected by the virus, they had not witnessed any key events as it was thought that Rufus did, so it was his memories that needed to be unlocked for any kind of information that might help.
"I see; what are we going to do then?" Star asked.
"Rufus wants the item." Reno knew that cloud was getting annoyed at how they kept talking of that item, which was obviously important, without saying what it was. "Elena, you should take it just in case. We're going to meet Rufus at Cosmo Canyon, stay here rabbit, and find out as much as you can about a cure for this, or any weak points the enemy might have." Reno handed Star a disk, it was the disk where he had seen the Turks record the information about the virus they obtained from the scan machine at Healin. "Stay at the final level, it's safer bellow and you'll have to take care of things if we all end up being brainwashed."
"Understood, but do me a favor and try not to get brainwashed, I don't want to have to clean your mess, Reno. Let's go Elena, the item is this way." Star headed for another door across the room.
"I'm coming too," Cloud followed them, and neither Star nor Elena complained. Reno shrugged and followed along as well.
To be Continued
Disclaimer, I do not own Final Fantasy VII. If you're curious about Star, she's not a major character; I just needed a Turk to guard the item that will be revealed in the next chapter... I'm sure some of you might have already guessed what it is.
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