THE SOLDIER CHRONICLES
FINAL FANTASY VII
The Aftermath
After Lord Godo of Wutai signed the treaty, the war was officialy over. Despite that fact, peace had yet to visit Wutai. In the following weeks I was assigned to a small unit of SOLDIER operatives to hunt down remaining resistance in the nearby
hills. For even though the war was over, there were those who denied defeat and continued to fight. Also in our squad was SOLDIER 2nd class Cameron Ironhide, SOLDIER 1st class Robert Denning, two 3rds whose names I did not know, and a trio of MPs. Our squad was now on its third night in the hills. We sat around a campfire, eating some of our rations.
"So Jason, what were things like in Zack's unit?" Cameron asked from where he sat.
I looked at him from my spot, leaning against the rock wall. "It was hectic, and voilent," I told him simply. Then I turned to Robert and asked "How much longer are we assigned to these damn mountains?"
Robert grumbled a bit as he said "We head back to the Wutai capital tommorow. From their we will either be shipped to Junon or Midgar, or assigned to the Shinra barracks being constructed east of the city,"
"East of the city? Isn't that out in the open?" I asked.
"So?" Cameron asked as he gobbled down the last of his rations.
"That would leave it open to more angles of attack," I explained.
"Its only a temporary base. Once all the materia has been shipped from Wutai, and their army completely dismanteled, then the troops at the barracks will also withdraw back to the main continent," Robert explained in his normal drone.
"Well, I don't know about you guys, but I'm going to get some sleep," Cameron said. I agreed with him, and made my way over to the campfire as well.
--
By noon the next day we were marching into Wutai city. Shinra guards stood at ever corner, assualt rifles cradled in their arms, ready to fire at the first sign of trouble. SOLDIER operatives walked the streets. Many of the buildings had signs of
damage, likely from the initial takeover. Not everyone in the city had been willing to give up without a fight. No locals could be seen, they were all under house arrest until Shinra forces could be certain that all remaining resistance had been removed completely.
"Looks a bit sad doesn't it?" Cameron asked looking around.
"You think this is bad, you should see my apartement back in Midgar," Robert muttered.
"Lovely," I said with a role of my eyes.
Robert snorted and said "Lets move to the command center," The command center was the local pub, located fairly close to the center of town. Sephiroth had decided it was in an ideal location to deal with any threats that may have arisen
within the city. It had been heavily barricaded. Troops armed with assualt rifles looked out the windows, and a pair of 2nds guarded the door. A trio of snipers were on the roof keeping an eye on the surrounding area, and two MPs patrolled the pereimeter.
Upon entering I was surrounded by the sounds of people moving about, checking the defences and going over reports and other what not. Sephiroth was out of sight, likely in the backroom. Zack however, was leaning against the bar sipping
at an alcholic beverage.
"Ah!" He exclaimed as he saw us enter. He moved towards us and said "You guys are in luck, we already have all your assignments ready," He glanced at the 3rds and MPs in our unit. "You five will help to reinforce the defenses of this
building. Cameron Ironhide, you get to head back to Midgar, same goes for you Robert,"
"Finally, maybe I'll be able to track down a decent bed once I get there," Cameron said hopefully.
"You never know," Zack replied. I cleared my throat irritably. "Oh yeah, Jason Lance, you are assigned to the barracks east of town. You may want to hurry there, they need some extra manpower until the Wutai remnants are dealt with,"
Zack said.
"Yes sir!" I acknowledged, though secretly I was a bit upset I was going to have to stay in this country.
As Zack walked away Cameron said "That sucks man, but at least its only temperorary right?"
"Sure, why not," I said simply, then turned and left the building. I already had all my supplies with me, so I made my way out of town and to the new barracks.
