A/N: Now we get to see a big twist regarding the assault…one that will tell the tale to one of you as to why Vincent is so isolated fifty years in the future…and let me tell you, I won't promise that it will be pretty. I won't tell you how it happens yet, but I will say that I don't plan on killing everyone in the assault (just a lot of people), so if you're a CloTi fan, cross your fingers that they survive this. But all the same, do read and review would you kindly?
Fifty years ago…45 minutes after the first shots were fired…
World Regenesis Organization HQ…
The World Regenesis Organization was a band of counterterrorism specialists and a police organization with members from every corner of the world. They also served as a sort of paramilitary force when they were started by one Reeve Tuesti as a side project to his engineering projects. Reeve himself used to be a tactical commander and combat engineer of Shin-Ra's special operations forces—and he was proud to serve under Lazard Shin-Ra himself, gods rest his soul…to hear of the atrocities performed by Deepground had made him furious, and the part of him that was a civil engineer was raging at the collateral damage done to many of his buildings in order to kill more people. What's worse, to know that Professor Hojo betrayed the Suiryuseki Royal Family and killed the king and queen—his own brother and sister-in-law over power had disgusted him. And up to this point in time, he was angry at the fact that so many terrorists were wandering about ruling from the shadows with an iron fist of terror—with no less than 95% of them being affiliated with Deepground, and thanks to him and his freelance specialists, the number was going down quite quickly. However, as of this moment, he was not angry in the slightest…no, the situation had gone bad…so bad that it was going to be hell to reverse. Was he angry at all now? No…after hearing what he heard from one of his undercover agents, Reeve was terrified and frantic, and to the point that he was running down the hall from his office to the communications room. "Do we have any contact at all?"
"No sir. The entire area has been dark to long-range communications for the past half hour or so now. As a matter of fact, it's been dark ever since Alpha and Bravo have entered the factory. They must be jamming all long-range signals for this to be possible. Last I heard, the Highwind however is on nearby in the event that air support is needed."
"Get me Highwind then… tell him it's urgent. If I know that man, it's that he takes rather good care of that vessel of his…so I'm guessing he has already installed an ECCM unit on that bucket of bolts he calls an airship to counteract any ECM that's jamming him."
"What do you think I've been doing? I've been trying to contact him for the past fifteen minutes now. What the hell is wrong?"
The look on Reeve's face as he glared at the communications officer showed desperation and fear…fear as though something were too late. This was what frightened her most—something was wrong with the mission, and now she knew it, and so it was no surprise to her to hear what he had to say afterwards, and him saying it quickly with anger in his voice to the point that he was almost yelling. "If you care any bit for those soldiers out there Mira, then you'd better stop asking questions right fucking now, and get the fuck to work on getting a fucking line with fucking Highwind, and get it right fucking now! I don't fucking care if you have to get the nearest fucking gunship to land on that goddamn ship of his to tell him face-to-face, I don't even fucking care if you have to fucking walk on over there to do it your fucking self! Just get him talking to us right the fuck now, because this mission has been fucking compromised from the minute I learned that fucking intelligence was fucking fake!"
Oh she knew it was urgent all right…when Reeve started using the f-word at all, it was guaranteed that this was bad. With that, Mira started to move quickly…she had to get anything to communicate with the Highwind…she needed to hurry before all of Turk Company would be caught in the middle of a trap—with no apparent means of escape…
Mithril Factory Basement Level…
All of Turk company was stacked up behind the door with the C4 breaching charge ready to blow the door open and killing anyone from behind. Tiger and Rhino had their riot shields ready. The plan was that after the door was breached, one smoke grenade from each team would be thrown into the room, and thermal goggles would be ready as everyone moved in to assault everyone behind the door with overwhelming firepower. Bear and Squirrel would be taking care of breaching the next door while Tiger and Rhino spearheaded this part of the assault.
Eagle looked to Bear and Squirrel, shouldering their new RPG launchers as he held his new 9mm submachine guns in each hand. Wolf had spent the last few moments loading more 9mm rounds into his magazines for his burst pistol and his katana at the ready. The sounds of assault rifles and shotguns being loaded and pumped respectively filled the air. This was a man-sized version of the armored spearhead tactic—instead of tanks being at the front, it was men with metal riot shields, backed by two people carrying rocket launchers, while everyone else made sure that they weren't being flanked.
The countdown had begun in Eagle's head. He wondered if it was possible that a trap was waiting for them down here…no, he must push such thoughts aside…there was a very big possibility that Hojo was here…and the sooner he finishes this mission, the better. He refused to allow that man to ruin another life—to ruin another childhood! So many children that day lost their parents, so many lives lost…all because of his greed for power! Eagle did not care about the science projects that Hojo had been coming up with…not when vengeance was so close at hand. He knew that revenge solved nothing, but at least he felt that those good souls who were killed by his acts of terrorism would rest easy knowing that their murderer would be serving a sentence in the jail of hell. With all hesitation gone, he gave the word, and all time seemed to slow the second that breaching charge detonated.
"SMOKE AND CLEAR!"
After he gave the order for the assault to begin, it was then that time truly began to move rather slowly for him…as if everything were soaking in a sort of very thick syrup. Thankfully, he had everyone put on their infrared goggles so that they could fight in the grenade-generated smokescreen as they charged in. The second that Eagle made it out of the door, he jumped out of the line, and began to spray the nine o'clock position with short bursts of gunfire from both submachine guns upon landing, and then charging in with everyone else behind him taking up better cover as he charged into the next cover the second his submachine guns let out the click of emptiness. It was then that he took out his revolver, and went out of cover fired three shots of three .500 S&W rounds into the general area, taking down a good four terrorists before the gunfire had ceased. "EVERYONE, FORM UP!"
With that, everyone got back into their positions, and Bear fired a round from his RPG launcher. This was going rather well…and as he was moving along, Eagle took out the speedloaders for his revolver, and immediately aimed for the next shot at the door the second the explosive created another opening…
Airship "Highwind"…
Cid was happy so far, that he began to savor his cigarette…the terrorism pandemic was going to end here and now; granted, he knew that there would still be terrorists running around doing god-knows-what in order to cause the deaths of more innocent people. This was exactly why he signed up with the WRO—he had never seen such savagery until Deepground had done what they did, and he was a captain in the Shin-Ra Air Force. What made his day curious however, was the appearance of a gunship that flew on over with a message to him from Reeve…that was strange, he knew that if the boss-man wanted to speak to him, all he had to do was make a call. As of now, he was currently waiting for the information that Reeve wanted said to him…but at the same time, he could not help but feel satisfaction in the fact that those terrorist scum got what was coming to them. Oh yeah, he could do with a shot of Roger Moore's 1987 Rocket Town whiskey right about now…as a matter of fact, the bottle was right in front of him now, and so was the shot glass…he put out his cigarette, and started reaching for both bottle and shot glass for some relaxation time in inebriation…the second his hands were about to touch the objects in question, the sound of the door opening interrupted his thoughts.
The captain was not pleased that his relaxation was interrupted, but he knew it was important. "Captain Highwind I presume?"
"Speaking."
"I have a message from the boss. It's urgent."
"Well why the bloody hell doesn't he just call us up?"
"That's just the thing, the reason why is because according to him, all long-range communications are being jammed."
The look of fear on Cid's face was clear…he knew the consequences that a lack of communication could bring…but he was in denial as to whether things were as they were. "Impossible…my ship's got an ECCM unit…there's not a bloody chance that we're being jammed…unless…"
Before he could finish that line, the klaxons sounded off—something was definitely wrong…and sure enough, a voice emerged from his communicator. "Captain, we have multiple contacts heading our way—they appear to be SSMs, and they're travelling at almost 100km/hr!"
"Activate the fucking CIWS units! Don't let those bloody missiles get here! And you!" He said, pointing to the agent, "Don't you bloody fucking move! As soon as we're done with this shit storm, you and me are finishing this sodding discussion, savvy?"
Mithril Factory Ground Level…
While the army was the mainstay of the Shin-Ra Republic's armed forces, and her marines were among the finest soldiers in the world, hardly anybody held up to the might of her special commando unit—the SOLDIER unit was a bunch of genetically-enhanced super-soldiers chosen from a wide pool of recruits and volunteers from all aspects of the Republic's warriors. Cloud Strife was among those who fit under the latter category…for some reason, General Biggs himself had hand-picked him for the program personally; why, he may never know. The augmentations involved in turning a normal trooper into a SOLDIER was painful, but on some level, Cloud was thankful for them because it enhanced his reflexes such that he was able to drive his tank with better efficiency in the last battle against Deepground, as well as to handle that sword that Colonel Fair gave to him. Now his mission as part of the tank unit was to be part of the assault forces as they tore through the remnants in this area.
Turk Company was busy handling with everyone else on the inside…by the time this day was over, there would be no Deepground terrorists to tell the tale of this moment, and even if they did, their children would tell stories of memories they've seen of the consequences that befell those that would do what they did. He did care about two members of Turk Company in particular though. As he drove his tank through the buildings on patrol, he began to think back on the night that Tifa came on over to his place…she had a confused and tear-filled look about her. It was raining, as if to set the mood for her sadness. She said nothing…she simply grabbed him in a hug that practically demanded comfort…that was bordering on breaking his spine with her strength…that he was more than willing to return in order to make her happy. At the time, he had a pretty good idea what had happened…Vincent being a friend of his, had a habit of breaking up with girls he dates when he sees that they are conflicted about something; particularly when they find that they are in love with two men, but couldn't decide whether they should be with him or the other man. This must not have been easy for him to do, and from the fact that he was with Tifa down there, it must be rather awkward.
Before he could think on anymore of his love life, Cloud found a blip on the radar. It would not be long before he heard the sound of gunfire on the radio! "Can anybody hear me? This is Charlie Team, we're under heavy fire from machine gunners! We're currently pinned down, and our medic is down…he doesn't look…oh my god! Hostiles seem to have summoned a behemoth! Request immediate backup! I repeat, request immediate backup!"
"Charlie team, this is Captain Strife of the 43rd SOLDIER Regiment, you have a tank heading your way. We're currently Oscar Mike, so just hold on a bit longer and keep transmitting, and we'll get there, over!"
With that, Strife turned to his tank crew. "Wedge, turn us around, and track that transmission. We've got troopers to save, so double-time it!"
"Hooah!"
Mithril Factory Basement Level…Fifteen minutes later…
The last line of defense was set up…those Turk Company bastards would not enjoy their victory! Deepground had been ruling the world with impunity…everybody feared them, even those corrupt presidents and kings! And all those who would dare to oppose them would be killed—not even women and children in the world were spared! Many criminal organizations wanted to be in on the action in to gain more power—to the point that their ranks were swelled with lots of volunteers! Yes, it was a glorious time indeed, and the pragmatism of everyone that wished for power ensured that Deepground survived…however, after the people started fighting back, things went south!
The AVALANCHE mercenaries were the first among those who opposed Deepground and the rule of Hojo…and they were also among the most troublesome of opponents Weiss had ever encountered. Another opponent cropped up when Lazard Shin-Ra took power over the Schneider Empire after gathering a great deal of followers and supporters demanding a reform; the very second that that bullet shot out of Lazard's pistol and exploding inside the emperor's head was the very moment that the Shin-Ra Republic was born…and from then on, reforms had begun that made it so that the republic began to drive all Deepground members out and kill off anybody associated with them. The Wusheng Imperial Guard were stationed in North Wutai, while the people of South Wutai revolted and cried for vengeance from the very beginning against the murder of their last and rightful king, as well as that of his family; however, both factions were a thorn in Deepground's side in the darkness.
But the worst of the offenders was the World Regenesis Organization's Turk Company—they had the nerve to challenge the organization outright and in public! It was to the point that Weiss, Professor Hojo's right-hand man found himself with a rival in the one they called Eagle. Every victory that was won by Turk Company was done so with Eagle at the head…and it would seem that Turk Company would finally claim victory now…or so it seemed…Weiss knew something all right…and he knew that even if he's dead, Hojo would be getting the last laugh, and he himself would be laughing with him from beyond the grave! All he needed to do was to lead the gullible fools under his command to their deaths in order to make this look convincing and everything else will fall into place!
A/N: Cloud the tank commander…I wonder how people will be taking it…anyway, I'll be alternating between this story and "Blind Love"…so I'll update chapter seven for that story a while after this. In the meantime, I'm taking votes on who the traitor is…and our guesses are—
Wolf
Bear
Weasel
Other (Please specify in a comment on who you think the traitor is)
Songs Used:
"Bad Situation" by Toshiro Masuda from "Naruto"—Reeve's point of view
"Blow Me Away" by Breaking Benjamin from "Halo 2"—storming the way into the lab
"Splash" by Daisuke Ishiwatari from "Blazblue: Continuum Shift II"—Attack on the Highwind
"More Than His Share" by Martin O'Donnel and Michael Salvatori from "Halo 3:ODST"—Cloud to the rescue!
"Evil" by Toshiro Masuda from "Naruto"—Weiss thinking to himself
Vocabulary/Culture Notes:
ECCM—short for 'electronic counter-countermeasures'
ECM—short for 'electronic countermeasures'
RPG—short for 'rocket-propelled grenade'