The First Chapter of what I hope will be come a succssful series. won't be really long, but I hope ya'll enjoy it. Basicaly, this story is split into three parts, and each part follows a different part of the main characters life as the events before, during, and after FF7. The main character is Halber, a Turk who Shinra sends to do the really dirty work. During the story, he'll meet an dinteract with many characters from the game. Anyways, hope you enjoy. Oh, and if you like it and will keep reading, please review. I'd like to continue, but I won't if no one reviews.
Halber straightened his suit and tie, slightly nervous over his upcoming meeting with the President of the Shinra Electric Company. After all, no matter how much a veteran you became within the Turks, you were always directly commanded by the President of Shinra. Normally, Turks were given missions through their cell phones or their comrades. It wasn't often that the president decided to give them in person, as was the case today. Obviously, he felt it was important. The door to the elevator opened, and Halber stepped into the waiting room outside President Shinra's office. Two other Turks were waiting there, Verdot, the current leader of the Turks, and Tseng, who as usual was as professional as ever.
"Evening Halber." Verdot said pleasantly. Halber nodded, returning the greeting with a small mumble, and looked at Tseng, who simply nodded. Halber returned the nod coolly.
They'd been rivals for a long time now, ever since they'd been children. Somehow, they'd both ended up in the Turks, and while Tseng's attention to detail and organization had allowed him to progress, Halber's skill at dirty work and ability to keep his mouth shut had kept him in the lower ranks, where he was of most use. Sure, their paychecks were just about the same, but it was the contest that counted, the need to outdo each other.
"Either of you know why we're here?" He asked leaning against a nearby wall. "I don't like being woken up this early without a reason."
"You and me both." Verdot said laughing. "But when President Shinra calls, we answer."
"True." Tseng added. "But that doesn't mean we have to like it."
"I'll drink to that." Halber said with a small smile. Tseng turned his head slightly, looking at him out of the corner of his eye.
"You'd drink to anything." He said coolly. Verdot laughed loudly and Halber glared at Tseng.
"Yet, I'm still a better shot than you, even drunk." Halber countered bitingly. "Besides, if I have to get my hands dirty, I won't to be as drunk as possible." Both of his fellow Turks nodded slightly, and then turned as the door to the office opened, revealing a slightly portly man in a pure white suit. He was balding slightly, but had a thick mustache that was obscured by thick smoke coming from the cigar in his mouth. President Shinra.
"Gentlemen," his booming voice said. "Please, come in." The Turks obeyed, entering single file. President Shinra gestured at a set of chairs in front of his desk and told them to take a seat.
"Let's get down to business." He said taking his own seat behind the desk. "As you all have been informed, a dangerous terrorist group called AVALANCHE. Recently, they've become more active in their anti-Shinra activities, attacking checkpoints manned by Shinra troops." The President touched a button on his desk, and a screen built into the wall snapped to life, showing a scene from a checkpoint somewhere in Midgar. Shinra soldiers were scattered across the scene, sprawled out over objects and spread-eagled on the ground.
"I've heard of this group." Tseng said, leaning forward to observe the scene. "They're ruthless, not caring about civilian casualties or even major collateral damage."
"True," President Shinra said, "But unfortunately, that's just about all we know. We desperately need more intelligence on this group, and for that, we need informants, people on the streets with their ears to the ground. Even more unfortunately, our usual contacts seem to have dried up, either found dead, or claiming not to know anything."
"Threatened by AVALANCE into not talking." Verdot said. "They're starting to fear them more than us."
"Easy way to fix that." Halber said, stretching out on his chair. He started to open his mouth to make a few suggestions, but stopped when President Shinra raised his hand.
"I'm sure you could convince them Halber, but I have a different plan." He clicked the button on his desk again, and a picture of Sector Six of Midgar. More specifically, Sector Six's Wall Market, the red light district of the area.
"You are going to go to Market Street and negotiate with one, Don Corneo." The president said. "He is the local crime lord of the area, and no doubt has many informants in the area."
"So, you want us to convince him to ally with us?" Tseng said, steepling his fingers thoughtfully. "Negotiation."
"Yes," the president said, "But I'm not sending all of you. Just Halber." All the Turks looked up, surprised. Even Halber, who had been running his fingers through his hair, thinking about what he would drink tonight, was jerked out of his thoughts.
"You're sending Halber on a negotiation mission?" Tseng said, slightly incredulous.
"Is that a problem?" President Shinra said dangerously. He wasn't used to having his authority challenged. Tseng quickly recovered.
"No sir."
"Good." The president said, turning back to Halber. "Also, you will have a partner on this mission. Miss, Guarisca." Halber nodded respectfully.
"Great," he thought, "The women Turks are always so serious. No way she'll let me drink."
"Very well." The President said rising from his chair. "Halber, you're dismissed. You'll leave in an hour. Go meet your partner in the lobby." He turned looking at Tseng and Verdot. "You two, stay here. I still need to talk to you." Halber looked at his fellow Turks curiously, but then left, shutting the door behind him.
Fifteen minutes later, Halber was still searching for his supposed partner. The lobby was busy with people going in and out of the large building and Turks, SOLDIERS, and regular people all intermingled together. Finally, he found who he was looking for. A shorter woman, with a short black hair that fell almost shaggily around her head. Her blue suit was immaculate and perfectly trimmed so it rested lightly on her slim frame.
"Crap." He thought as he approached her. "She looks like a hard ass."
"Evening Miss Guarisca." He said holding out his hand. She looked at it for a second, and then took his hand, shaking hesitantly.
"Hello." She said in a quiet voice. "What's your name?"
"Well," he thought to himself surprised, "This might not be so bad." She was clearly shy or something. She kept looking down at her feet or fiddling with her hair.
"My name is Halber." He said, flashing his most charming grin. "And I'm your new partner. So, are you ready?"
"More or less sir." She said, reaching into her pocket and pulling out a pistol. "I have ammunition, my pistol, money for the trip and-." Before she could finish, a dozen Shinra infantry guards turned, training their weapons on her. Halber moved like lightning, drawing his revolver from the inside of his jacket and aiming it at the Shinra guards.
"Easy boys." He said to the troops. "She's just showing me her weaponry. She's new." The guards didn't waver, their weapons held steady.
"Start moving towards the door." Halber whispered, not taking his eyes off the guards.
"What?" she said in a shocked voice. Halber rolled his eyes. Great start to their mission, almost being gunned down in their own lobby.
"Start moving towards the door, or they will shoot." He whispered sharply. He started moving back too, left arm feeling for the door while his right hand held the revolver aimed at the Shinra troops. He heard Guarisca open the door and flee. Halber quickly followed, stowing his pistol back in his jacket pocket.
"Never, pull a gun out in the middle of Shinra!?" He said rounding on her. "Just who taught you to be a Turk!?" She looked down at her hands, fidgeting slightly.
"Tseng, sir. I trained under Tseng." Halber groaned aloud, smacking his forehead.
"Figures they'd put you with me." He said, walking down the street. He signaled over his shoulder for her to follow.
"I'm sorry sir." She said earnestly when she caught up. "It'll never happen again."
"Don't worry about it." He said with a sigh. "They're just taking security very seriously right now. Even we Turks have to keep our weapons concealed right now."
"Because of the terrorists, sir?" She asked curiously. He nodded.
"By the way." He said, as they rounded another corner, and the Midgar train station came into view. "What exactly do you specialize in?"
"Negotiation, sir." She said looking around her, scanning the crowd.
"Ah, so you should in fact be in charge." Halber said as seriously as he could. Guarisca jumped slightly at his words.
"Oh, no sir. I'm new- I could never- You can't be serious."
"I'm not." Halber said with a smile. "Just calm down kid. I'll keep you alive, and you can hurry this mission up so I can get back to drinking. Deal?" Guarisca looked at him for a second, confused, but then nodded her head and stood at attention.
"Yes, sir."