With the fall of Hojo's department, some SOLDIERs began to show the same signs as Genesis in the aftermath. President Rufus ShinRa ordered all members to be reexamined by OPD to better understand what was happening since the Science and Research Department were running around like headless chickens at the moment.
Two months of collected data and the results were harrowing. Most of the Third Class SOLDIERs either died in agony of a slow death where no pain medications helped, or they grew into hideous monsters. They seemed to be targeting Sephiroth or the still captive Vincent once the monsters took control.
Half of the Second Class SOLDIERs were dead or dying. This left the only two First Class SOLDIERs, Zack and Sephiroth. They so far were deemed healthy and no side effects. With this data and rapidly rising among SOLDIDR ranks, President Rufus ShinRa ordered that mako was not to be used for SOLDIER enhancements anymore.
However, due to the fear of creating another Genesis, he allowed that certain SOLDIERs continue their treatment but it was to be monitored carefully. And once this order was placed this lifted less restrictions for those who always dreamed of becoming SOLDIER but weren't deemed worthy enough and tossed into Public Security. A wave of people applied again for the program and reached positive results.
One of them included Cloud Strife. They placed him in Third Class, but he was bored of the classes and held a higher mentality that he was quickly moved up a rank. Here Cloud began to shine.
Shortly after his rise in ranks there were a rapid increase of monsters attacking everywhere but Midgar and Junon. The call for action was needed immediate response and more men to accommodate. With this there was a rise in Third Class SOLDIER ranks to make up for the lost in the short time span of the fallen Science and Research Department.
"Group A, with me. Groups B and C, take to the left and right. If we move quickly and efficiently then we should all meet at the middle to take care of the worst of them." Cloud gave the orders to the Third Class SOLDIERs and a few trooper groups.
The groups nodded and went into position. An increase of monster attacks within small towns became a threat. Cloud was currently within Kalm to eliminate the threats. Zack left for Gongaga, and Sephiroth was being bounced all over the map. Cloud pushed all thoughts of his mate out of his head and turned to the lone gunslinger next to him.
"We'll make the way clear for you to decide how to proceed. Then once you start I'll be your back up." He eyed Vincent with hardened eyes. "Don't do anything stupid. I have orders to take you down if you try anything."
Vincent was given a trial to determine if he was still loyal. However since he was well more enhanced to the levels of Zack and Sephiroth, he would become a possible link between Turks and SOLDIER if he proved himself. If Vincent was to remain loyal to them they will allow him to become a leader of a third group that take on aspects of both Turks and SOLDIERs and aid both sides when needed.
The only reason he bothered for any of it Cloud felt was so they wouldn't hunt the gunslinger man down. He had a feeling that he could easily disappear off the radar and never be found. But for whatever reason Vincent took the deal. And so the company threw him at Cloud, and he suspected they were testing him as well.
They could have sent him to Sephiroth or Zack. But the general was openly displeased around Vincent. If Vincent did anything that triggered the general then he would kill him without a second thought. As for Zack, he didn't feel comfortable killing someone who spent years of torture under Hojo. His morals got in the way of his judgement.
Even with those reasons, Cloud wasn't sure if he alone could take Vincent down. Since he finished killing Genesis he set the bar extremely high for himself. No one but a very few people understood that that was dumb luck on his part, and he had two First Class SOLDIERs on his side. And a Turk as well.
The blonde glanced up to see Reno flying into position. He was to oversee this whole mission and be their eyes in the skies. Should the whole group fall under then he was to alert both HQ and the towns people to evacuate. Most have already made a run for Midgar. But if the monsters were too great a threat then Reno was last ditch effort to fend them off long enough for the people to escape.
"Ready when you are, blondie." Reno said into the microphone.
Cloud nodded. He took the initiative and Group A followed his lead. Someone radioed for the others to start as well. He felt the eyes of Vincent burning at his back, and he suddenly felt unsure where exactly his loyalties lie.
He pushed aside the thoughts and focused on the dangers ahead. Cloud swung First Tsurugi upon the first wave of monsters. Aerith had suggested he get rid of the sword, since it belonged to the first alpha Cloud killed. But he remained stubborn. He turned this blade into his own. It was an extension of himself, just as Masamune had become with Sephiroth.
The first wave was dealt with easily. They advanced further, confirming that the others had survived as well and advanced. So far the mission was on their side. But they weren't out of the woods yet.
A few minor injuries on all parties involved after the second wave. Cloud ordered they all healed up before continuing. Once they all radioed in they were ready they advanced further. It looks like they had two more waves to take care of before they reached the biggest threat.
The third wave they had no trouble so they pushed onto the fourth. That was when things went horribly wrong. One of the groups tried to radio in, but all they heard were screams. Horrible screams. Cloud paused, trying to listen with his own ears which direction it was so he knew which group fell.
Then all of a sudden the other groups not with him screamed as well. Cloud cursed. Above them Reno circled, firing when he could.
"This isn't looking good, goldilocks." Reno said in Cloud's earpiece.
"Can you not with the nicknames?" He snarled.
"Nah, I'm keeping goldilocks. But seriously, this isn't looking good, yo."