Part Six
The morning dawned of the battle of Wutai, cold and clear. The remaining members of the staff sat in Sephiroth's tent waiting for the general. After a short time, the Great General walked in the room, with a look on his face that made most in the room flinch with fear.
"Gainsborough was murdered last night. These were on his desk." Sephiroth threw down a bundle of papers on top of the maps. "Do any of you recognise these?"
Some of the staff looked angry at the implication, but Moore just picked them up and looked at them. He shot a sharp glance at Heidegger before setting them down, saying nothing. Sephiroth glared at Moore before saying "These are papers showing contacts to the Wutai chief of intelligence. But they're forged. Have any of your Turks gone missing Moore?"
Moore held his gaze, as he said "No As far as I know they're all on assassination missions."
"As far as you know? You don't keep track of your own men?"
"It's hard to keep in touch when you're out in the field sir"
Sephiroth glared at Moore again, but said nothing more of the matter. Instead he looked down at the maps. "Are we all prepared for the assault tomorrow? Nida?"
The small blue robed figure nodded underneath his broad brimmed hat. "Yes sir, we've been stockpiling ethers for just this occasion sir."
"What about materia?"
"Plenty of Alpha class sir, we might even be able to spare some for the ordinary troops. We've got just enough Theta class, but we still don't have anywhere near as much Kappa or Delta class as we'd like."
Sephiroth grimaced slightly before saying; "It can't be helped." He turned to Heidegger. "I'll take over Gainsborough's squadron myself. Are they ready for battle?"
Gainsborough nodded not looking quite as smug as he had when he came in. "Yes sir, they're all ready and equipped. Are we going to have SOLDIER support?"
Sephiroth looked down at the maps. "Yes. I think they'd be best employed on the flanks. The Wutai soldiers might try to circle us. I've put Commander Weiss in command of them, since I'll be taking Gainsborough's place. Harle, how are we for aerial support?"
"Back up to full strength sir. And Cid Highwind's come in from Junon, so we've got a good lead pilot."
"Cid Highwind's supposed to be the best in ShinRa isn't he?"
"That's correct sir."
Sephiroth smiled "Good. Moore, who did you manage to kill."
Moore smiled back. "We managed to get their chief of intelligence, several high rankers in their army, including the commander of their magic ops," his smile broadened into a grin "plus Godo's wife."
Sephiroth seemed taken aback "Lady Suroth?"
Moore nodded "And we didn't lose any Turks, although we've lost contact with Tseng, Edwards and Crole.
"Well, if we're all set… Nida, start the bombardment. Harle, send Highwind here for a briefing."
They saluted and filed out.
***
Moore met Heidegger on the way out, and drew him aside out of earshot. "Make no mistake fatman, I didn't cover for you, I covered for Tseng. Sephiroth tends to let his temper control him, and it wouldn't do to let Tseng end his career as Salami."
Heidegger smiled "Why Moore, where do your loyalties lie?"
Moore's eyes shone like flints "My loyalties are as they've always been. First ShinRa, Second Turks, Third myself. None of those would have benefited if I'd told the Great General about Tseng." He walked away, and Heidegger watched him go.
***
"Alpha squadron magic ops, Comets linked with Quadra magic!"
A storm of grey stones slammed into Wutai, before bursting into orange flame, as they started to trail off, Nida's voice rang out again. "Alpha Squadron, recover. Beta Squadron, Fire level 3s, linked with all."
A group of ShinRa MPs came forward with ethers, as huge fireballs went sizzling over their heads. The battle of Wutai had begun.
Part Seven
The massive ShinRa army prepared for the charge into Wutai. Sephiroth had come up onto one of the mountains overlooking Wutai to survey the battlefield. The Magic Ops were standing on this mountain, still hurling balls of fire, ice and rock into Wutai. From his vantage point he could see how utterly huge the army he commanded was. Row upon row of blue armoured ShinRa guards stood waiting for a signal. Every now and then, Sephiroth would see a flash of red or dark blue from a knot of officers or support magic ops. In front of these were the chocobo cavalry, wearing the traditional colours of steely grey, seeming incongruous against the bright yellows, whites, blues and golds of their mounts. Purple and black suited SOLDIERS stood on the flanks, even from this far away point Sephiroth could see the way the Mako enhanced warriors moved with an easy and threatening grace, like Tigers ready to leap at the throats of their prey. Sephiroth switched his gaze to the ShinRa airfield. ShinRa ground crews were swarming over the huge shapes of the Highwind, Gelnika and Meggido. Smaller groups scurried around the shapes of ShinRa fighter planes, refuelling and repairing. Sephiroth's smile faded as he switched his view to Wutai. Even from far away he could see the towering wall around Wutai, and the black armoured shapes of the guards, all elite members of Wutai's ninja and samurai clans. Sephiroth remembered the dark dragons in the canyon. This would not be an easy battle.
***
Heidegger sat astride his Green Chocobo. Despite rising through the ranks, Heidegger was a coward at heart, and battle was the thing he feared most. He swallowed round the lump fear had bought to his throat, and shouted the order "Form up!" All around him ShinRa soldiers cocked their weapons, checked their ammo, and prepared their materia. A few took out hero drinks or put on accessories. The soldiers who feared the powers of the Wutai mages put on peace rings and talismans. The air crackled with tension. This was the climax to a years long war. 'This is it'.
***
Moore saw the soldiers form up from his snipers perch on the Dao Chao mountains. Readying his rifle he looked at the other Turks on perches around him. He gave them a nod. 'This is it'.
***
Cid Highwind sat in the cockpit of the plane that bore his name. ShinRa crews bustled around him making last minute checks. He flipped the switch on the radio and broadcast to all the planes in the squadron.
"Alright, this is it. Let's kick some arse."
The sound of roaring engines filled the air as the airships took off, and hovered above the ground, waiting for the signal to attack.
***
Nida looked up at the sound of the aircraft. With a wave of one black-gloved hand, he ordered the magic ops to stop their bombardment. He bellowed out "Alpha Squadron magic ops, cease fire! All ops recover! Squadrons Alpha through Omicron, remove wide range materia, and replace with specialised materia! Squadrons Pi through Omega, attach MP Absorbs! This is it!"
***
Sephiroth manoeuvred his white chocobo to the head of his Squadron. He drew the Masamune and held it aloft. He looked over to Heidegger. Heidegger, his face pale, clumsily drew his narrow dirk out of its sheath and held it up. The dirk flashed in the light as Heidegger's arm trembled in fear. All around, green or red suited ShinRa officers held their weapons aloft. Sephiroth looked around him to the other ShinRa forces. Lights flashed on the belly of the Highwind, spelling out in Morse code 'OK'. Sephiroth shifted his glance to the mountain ranges. A blazing fireball went up from the magic ops camp, before exploding in a shower of glowing red sparks. Sephiroth smiled 'Nida does have a need to show off'. He strained his eyes trying to look over to Wutai, and saw light flashing off a mirror in the mountains. Sephiroth's smile widened. Before battle, his blood always pumped harder and faster, sending a rush of oxygen to his brain. Slowly he lowered his six-foot blade. Around him, hundreds of other weapons were lowered. Sephiroth's smile hardened with resolve as he shouted the order. "Charge!"
Part Eight
Heidegger swallowed as he urged his chocobo forward. Above his head, fighters and bombers surged towards the towering walls of Wutai City. All around him grey armoured ShinRa cavalry rode forward. His war chocobo started getting out of control, eager to be in the battle. Heidegger clung onto the crest of feathers on top of its head, and risked a glance at Sephiroth. The great general had the Masamune out of it's sheath and was whirling it around his head with one hand while deftly steering his chocobo with the other, laughing all the while. Gainsborough suppressed a shudder, afraid of losing his balance. The general must be mad. All thought went out of his head as he saw they were nearing the walls. Gainsborough grit his teeth and readied his gun.
Cid looked down from the bridge of the Highwind, and turned to the Pilot behind him. 'Are all the Paratroopers ready?"
The pilot saluted "Yes captain, ready for the drop."
Cid turned to the Pilot at the helm. "Take us low over Passage Beta."
The pilot gave a start. "Commander… I was told to drop the Paratroopers just behind Wutai walls."
Cid turned and gave him a look. "I don't give a shit what you were told pilot, I am the ranking officer on this plane, and I have been given new fucking orders. Now," he said, drawing a trident from under his console "did you want to argue over who's the fucking captain?"
The pilot backed away. "Coming in low over Passage Beta captain."
Cid pulled a cigarette from his pocket and lit it. "I was hoping you'd see it that way."
Moore jerked upright as he saw where the Highwind was going, and fumbled out his radio. "Infiltrator squad alpha, infiltrator squad alpha, this is Blue One, do you receive me?"
The radio crackled into life "Blue One this is Red Three, receiving loud and clear."
Moore gave a start "Crole?"
"Yes sir, I joined I S Alpha when I saw you were ready to attack."
"Red Three, Highwind is dropping its load at Passage Beta. Join up with them and act as support."
"I thought Passage Beta had been canned."
"Apparently not."
"Orders received Blue One. Out."
The Highwind flew over the city, with the Gelnika and Meggido trailing after her, flak bouncing off their hulls. It descended slightly, and as it got over a street like any other, hundreds of white shapes jumped out.
As they drifted nearer to the ground, the paratroopers drew knives and cut their ropes, ready to face the battle free of any encumbrance. A lone Wutai soldier shouted their presence, but he was quickly silenced by a rifle shot as they hit the street.
Sephiroth neared the wall surrounding Wutai. He held up his sword, calling a halt to the rest of the army, and took out his radio.
" Nida?"
The magic ops voice came back over the radio "Yes general?"
" Proceed with Earth magic."
"Orders received sir. Out."
Sephiroth thumbed another button on the radio "Weiss?"
" Yes sir." The SOLDIER commander sounded nervous.
" Proceed to passage Alpha."
"Sir are you sure this is…"
"That's an order SOLDIER."
Weiss' sigh came clear over the radio "Orders received General. Out."
Sephiroth smiled, and waited for the magic ops to do their thing.
Nida looked down from the peak at Sephiroth, then turned to the magic ops behind him.
" Alpha through Gamma squadrons, reflect on friendly forces closest to the wall, Delta through Zeta squadrons, reflect within range of enemy side of the wall. Eta through Omega squadrons, Earth magic, Alpha to Theta class… now!"
The air shimmered both sides of the wall as shields cam down, and all was still for a moment, the silence only broken by the warks of chocobos. Then the Earth below Wutai's wall exploded, sending glowing shards up into the air. The walls rocked on their foundations as the ground beneath them rippled and boiled. Shockwaves went out, only to be bounced back off the reflective shields. Slowly, the great walls of Wutai began to topple. The guards atop the walls screamed in fear as the walls cracked and crumbled then the City Walls were a pile of rubble, leaving the great city of Wutai open and vulnerable.
Atop his chocobo Sephiroth threw back his head and laughed. Raising his mighty blade, he challenged the City of Wutai in a voice like thunder, a voice that carried the strength of Jenova, "You've cowered behind your walls for a thousand years, but without them you are nothing! Let your Samurais come now and face me, and die by the arm of ShinRa!"
Answering his cry, the men of Wutai came over the ruins of their shield, prepared to shed their blood to defend their home.
Part Nine
They came over the toppled walls like a flood, and the ShinRa soldiers came forward to meet them. The chocobos rushed into battle, scratching and kicking at all in their way. Sephiroth swung his sword like a demon, the Masamune always hitting flesh, and killing with bloodless wounds. Atop his chocobo Heidegger grit his teeth and started making short, precise thrusts with his dirk, keeping away anyone who came within arms length. Seeing a knot of soldiers running towards him, he put his finger on the poison materia embedded in the hilt of his dagger. Green bubbles flew from the outstretched blade and a noxious odour filled the air. When the bubbles hit the Wutai soldiers they fell to their knees retching. Heidegger grimaced, wheeled his chocobo and charged toward Wutai.
***
David Crole had been a Turk for five years, longer than anyone else save Moore. He was the veteran of the team, but this was his first time in a battle. Leaning against a statue of Leviathan, in the centre of a walled garden, he scanned the nearby streets for the black armoured figures of Wutai guards. Stubbing out his cigarette on the toe of the statue and walked across the square. From the south, in the direction of the great gate, came the sound of fighting, but it wasn't there they were needed. Beckoning his men to follow, they moved towards the north of the city.
After a few minutes they were in among the narrow alleyways of the slums of Wutai. Crole turned to one of the Turks behind him, who was looking anxiously at a map of the city.
"Are we on the right track Roberts?"
The Turk looked up at Crole's question. He licked his lips nervously. " I believe so sir. If I'm right, and they're moving at the normal rate, the paras should be just round that…" He was interrupted by sounds of gunfire from round the corner. Crole smiled. "Good call Roberts. I S Alpha, support the paratroopers."
The blue suited figures moved into the shadows of the houses and moved slowly down the street. They rounded a corner, and saw the familiar blue armoured figures of ShinRa soldiers, chasing black armoured Wutai guards, who were backing down the street slowly. They looked to Crole, who raised a hand. The Turks bought out their weapons, an odd assortment of pistols, rifles, nightsticks, daggers, small swords and poniards, and they charged at the unprotected back of the Wutai guards.
***
Moore looked through the sight of his rifle as another Wutai commander fell to one of his bullets. He looked up grinning when he heard Sephiroth's voice crackle over the radio "Blue One, this is Black One, do you read?"
Moore picked up the receiver and pressed transmit. "Black One, Blue One receiving."
"I need some support for Purple Alpha"
Moore frowned at that "Orders received, but I thought the SOLDIERS were acting as support on the flanks."
"Then you should have thought harder. How are they going to flank us, they're surrounded by mountains, and we're attacking in the only open direction. Plus, we've got you and Nida in the passes. No, Purple Alpha is going to go in through Passage Alpha."
"You're doing a three pronged attack then general" guessed Nida.
Sephiroth's laugh came over the radio "It's hard to put one over on you Nida. Yes, three pronged, although strictly speaking the attack on the great gate is a diversion. I only told it to Cid Highwind, since he was the only one I could trust. He only came in yesterday, while anyone else could have been a mole. Sorry Moore, but I couldn't trust you."
"No problem general, I'd have done the same. You're sneaky enough to be a Turk you know Sephiroth."
Sephiroth laughed again. "Thank you Moore. Out."
Moore typed in the number for I S Beta on his handset. "Infiltrator Squad Beta, Infiltrator Squad Beta, this is Blue One, Receive?"
Over the radio, for the second time that day came a voice Moore had given up for dead. "Blue One, this is Red Nine. Receiving."
"Edwards? I can't believe it; you and Crole are alive! Listen, I need you to go and support Purple Alpha, at Passage Alpha"
"Purple Alpha? The great general's squad?"
"The great general's leading Black Alpha. It's a long story."
"Alright, Blue One, orders received. Out."
***
Edwards moved out into the street, followed by the rest of his squad. They readied their weapons and set off down the street towards the alleyway that marked the end of passage Alpha. They stood waiting in the lee of a pagoda, when they saw the purple suited SOLDIERS. Edwards stepped out to greet Weiss. He smiled and asked where they were headed. Weiss looked troubled, but finally answered.
"Lord Godo's house. We'll meet up with paratroopers and IS Beta there." A grim smile came on his face "We're gonna win this war boys. Move out!"
Part Ten
Crole and the paratroopers ran along the deserted streets of Wutai. Roberts moved up the line till he was next to Crole, and asked; "Why are the streets so deserted sir?"
Crole looked down at him with a frown "I was just wondering that myself. There should be at least some guards on these streets. They must be up to something."
***
Sephiroth whirled the Masamune, cutting swathes through the Wutai army, when he realised he had burst through the Wutai lines. He spurred his chocobo on into the city, leaving ShinRa soldiers bursting through the gap he had created.
***
Edwards and his squad slowed down as they reached the square that contained the massive eight-tiered pagoda that was the temple of the seven gods. Looking across the square he saw Crole and more Turks pouring out of an alley. They both started at a loud "Wark!" from down another street. Turning and bringing their guns to bear, they stood there shocked when Sephiroth came galloping down the street on his white warchocobo. He dropped from the back of his chocobo and motioned them forward. When all the soldiers had formed up behind him, Sephiroth slashed at the lock with his sword, and the lock came clean off.
Inside the shrine was empty. It was an awe-inspiring site at any time, but the holy atmosphere of the dark and empty shrine silenced the soldiers as they walked inside. Lit only by a small lamp beneath the statue of the first god, the dark seemed to weigh down on the soldiers, as if the gods were unhappy what was happening to their city. Sephiroth shook himself and walked to the stairs up to the next level. The soldiers followed him, and they kept climbing until they emerged on the top level.
The top level was completely different from the darkened lower levels. It was so brightly lit that the soldiers blinked when they entered. In the centre of the room was a huge black pool, and behind the pool stood a man in black and red laquered armour. On top of his head, he wore a helmet with a crest of three faces, each facing a different way. Although the armour's helm completely covered the figure's face, Sephiroth recognised the crest. He raised his sword.
"Godo."
The figure nodded and laughed. "Yes Sephiroth, Godo. Lord Godo of Wutai to you though."
Sephiroth snorted "You're lord of nothing. Out there Wutai is being slaughtered."
Godo laughed again "Wutai is more than men, it is gods. Even if the land is burnt to the ground and sowed with salt, the gods will look after Wutai."
Sephiroth snorted "Gods! Your gods are seven old men, a statue and a snake that doesn't exist. If they're all you're protected by, you'd best start preparing to meet them."
Godo laughed once more and opened his hand. In it was a small ball of red materia. Godo threw the red Materia in the black water and threw back his head and shouted "Dao Chao, throw off the chains you forged for the greatest of serpents! Let this water be flesh, let the soul infuse it! Bring to us Leviathan!"
The murky water boiled and heaved. It started to take on a shape, and a head reared out of the water. The head grew sharper and more defined until Sephiroth and the soldiers stood gaping at the jaws of a great sea serpent. Godo stood ignored as he screamed "Leviathan! Destroy them!"
The morning dawned of the battle of Wutai, cold and clear. The remaining members of the staff sat in Sephiroth's tent waiting for the general. After a short time, the Great General walked in the room, with a look on his face that made most in the room flinch with fear.
"Gainsborough was murdered last night. These were on his desk." Sephiroth threw down a bundle of papers on top of the maps. "Do any of you recognise these?"
Some of the staff looked angry at the implication, but Moore just picked them up and looked at them. He shot a sharp glance at Heidegger before setting them down, saying nothing. Sephiroth glared at Moore before saying "These are papers showing contacts to the Wutai chief of intelligence. But they're forged. Have any of your Turks gone missing Moore?"
Moore held his gaze, as he said "No As far as I know they're all on assassination missions."
"As far as you know? You don't keep track of your own men?"
"It's hard to keep in touch when you're out in the field sir"
Sephiroth glared at Moore again, but said nothing more of the matter. Instead he looked down at the maps. "Are we all prepared for the assault tomorrow? Nida?"
The small blue robed figure nodded underneath his broad brimmed hat. "Yes sir, we've been stockpiling ethers for just this occasion sir."
"What about materia?"
"Plenty of Alpha class sir, we might even be able to spare some for the ordinary troops. We've got just enough Theta class, but we still don't have anywhere near as much Kappa or Delta class as we'd like."
Sephiroth grimaced slightly before saying; "It can't be helped." He turned to Heidegger. "I'll take over Gainsborough's squadron myself. Are they ready for battle?"
Gainsborough nodded not looking quite as smug as he had when he came in. "Yes sir, they're all ready and equipped. Are we going to have SOLDIER support?"
Sephiroth looked down at the maps. "Yes. I think they'd be best employed on the flanks. The Wutai soldiers might try to circle us. I've put Commander Weiss in command of them, since I'll be taking Gainsborough's place. Harle, how are we for aerial support?"
"Back up to full strength sir. And Cid Highwind's come in from Junon, so we've got a good lead pilot."
"Cid Highwind's supposed to be the best in ShinRa isn't he?"
"That's correct sir."
Sephiroth smiled "Good. Moore, who did you manage to kill."
Moore smiled back. "We managed to get their chief of intelligence, several high rankers in their army, including the commander of their magic ops," his smile broadened into a grin "plus Godo's wife."
Sephiroth seemed taken aback "Lady Suroth?"
Moore nodded "And we didn't lose any Turks, although we've lost contact with Tseng, Edwards and Crole.
"Well, if we're all set… Nida, start the bombardment. Harle, send Highwind here for a briefing."
They saluted and filed out.
***
Moore met Heidegger on the way out, and drew him aside out of earshot. "Make no mistake fatman, I didn't cover for you, I covered for Tseng. Sephiroth tends to let his temper control him, and it wouldn't do to let Tseng end his career as Salami."
Heidegger smiled "Why Moore, where do your loyalties lie?"
Moore's eyes shone like flints "My loyalties are as they've always been. First ShinRa, Second Turks, Third myself. None of those would have benefited if I'd told the Great General about Tseng." He walked away, and Heidegger watched him go.
***
"Alpha squadron magic ops, Comets linked with Quadra magic!"
A storm of grey stones slammed into Wutai, before bursting into orange flame, as they started to trail off, Nida's voice rang out again. "Alpha Squadron, recover. Beta Squadron, Fire level 3s, linked with all."
A group of ShinRa MPs came forward with ethers, as huge fireballs went sizzling over their heads. The battle of Wutai had begun.
Part Seven
The massive ShinRa army prepared for the charge into Wutai. Sephiroth had come up onto one of the mountains overlooking Wutai to survey the battlefield. The Magic Ops were standing on this mountain, still hurling balls of fire, ice and rock into Wutai. From his vantage point he could see how utterly huge the army he commanded was. Row upon row of blue armoured ShinRa guards stood waiting for a signal. Every now and then, Sephiroth would see a flash of red or dark blue from a knot of officers or support magic ops. In front of these were the chocobo cavalry, wearing the traditional colours of steely grey, seeming incongruous against the bright yellows, whites, blues and golds of their mounts. Purple and black suited SOLDIERS stood on the flanks, even from this far away point Sephiroth could see the way the Mako enhanced warriors moved with an easy and threatening grace, like Tigers ready to leap at the throats of their prey. Sephiroth switched his gaze to the ShinRa airfield. ShinRa ground crews were swarming over the huge shapes of the Highwind, Gelnika and Meggido. Smaller groups scurried around the shapes of ShinRa fighter planes, refuelling and repairing. Sephiroth's smile faded as he switched his view to Wutai. Even from far away he could see the towering wall around Wutai, and the black armoured shapes of the guards, all elite members of Wutai's ninja and samurai clans. Sephiroth remembered the dark dragons in the canyon. This would not be an easy battle.
***
Heidegger sat astride his Green Chocobo. Despite rising through the ranks, Heidegger was a coward at heart, and battle was the thing he feared most. He swallowed round the lump fear had bought to his throat, and shouted the order "Form up!" All around him ShinRa soldiers cocked their weapons, checked their ammo, and prepared their materia. A few took out hero drinks or put on accessories. The soldiers who feared the powers of the Wutai mages put on peace rings and talismans. The air crackled with tension. This was the climax to a years long war. 'This is it'.
***
Moore saw the soldiers form up from his snipers perch on the Dao Chao mountains. Readying his rifle he looked at the other Turks on perches around him. He gave them a nod. 'This is it'.
***
Cid Highwind sat in the cockpit of the plane that bore his name. ShinRa crews bustled around him making last minute checks. He flipped the switch on the radio and broadcast to all the planes in the squadron.
"Alright, this is it. Let's kick some arse."
The sound of roaring engines filled the air as the airships took off, and hovered above the ground, waiting for the signal to attack.
***
Nida looked up at the sound of the aircraft. With a wave of one black-gloved hand, he ordered the magic ops to stop their bombardment. He bellowed out "Alpha Squadron magic ops, cease fire! All ops recover! Squadrons Alpha through Omicron, remove wide range materia, and replace with specialised materia! Squadrons Pi through Omega, attach MP Absorbs! This is it!"
***
Sephiroth manoeuvred his white chocobo to the head of his Squadron. He drew the Masamune and held it aloft. He looked over to Heidegger. Heidegger, his face pale, clumsily drew his narrow dirk out of its sheath and held it up. The dirk flashed in the light as Heidegger's arm trembled in fear. All around, green or red suited ShinRa officers held their weapons aloft. Sephiroth looked around him to the other ShinRa forces. Lights flashed on the belly of the Highwind, spelling out in Morse code 'OK'. Sephiroth shifted his glance to the mountain ranges. A blazing fireball went up from the magic ops camp, before exploding in a shower of glowing red sparks. Sephiroth smiled 'Nida does have a need to show off'. He strained his eyes trying to look over to Wutai, and saw light flashing off a mirror in the mountains. Sephiroth's smile widened. Before battle, his blood always pumped harder and faster, sending a rush of oxygen to his brain. Slowly he lowered his six-foot blade. Around him, hundreds of other weapons were lowered. Sephiroth's smile hardened with resolve as he shouted the order. "Charge!"
Part Eight
Heidegger swallowed as he urged his chocobo forward. Above his head, fighters and bombers surged towards the towering walls of Wutai City. All around him grey armoured ShinRa cavalry rode forward. His war chocobo started getting out of control, eager to be in the battle. Heidegger clung onto the crest of feathers on top of its head, and risked a glance at Sephiroth. The great general had the Masamune out of it's sheath and was whirling it around his head with one hand while deftly steering his chocobo with the other, laughing all the while. Gainsborough suppressed a shudder, afraid of losing his balance. The general must be mad. All thought went out of his head as he saw they were nearing the walls. Gainsborough grit his teeth and readied his gun.
Cid looked down from the bridge of the Highwind, and turned to the Pilot behind him. 'Are all the Paratroopers ready?"
The pilot saluted "Yes captain, ready for the drop."
Cid turned to the Pilot at the helm. "Take us low over Passage Beta."
The pilot gave a start. "Commander… I was told to drop the Paratroopers just behind Wutai walls."
Cid turned and gave him a look. "I don't give a shit what you were told pilot, I am the ranking officer on this plane, and I have been given new fucking orders. Now," he said, drawing a trident from under his console "did you want to argue over who's the fucking captain?"
The pilot backed away. "Coming in low over Passage Beta captain."
Cid pulled a cigarette from his pocket and lit it. "I was hoping you'd see it that way."
Moore jerked upright as he saw where the Highwind was going, and fumbled out his radio. "Infiltrator squad alpha, infiltrator squad alpha, this is Blue One, do you receive me?"
The radio crackled into life "Blue One this is Red Three, receiving loud and clear."
Moore gave a start "Crole?"
"Yes sir, I joined I S Alpha when I saw you were ready to attack."
"Red Three, Highwind is dropping its load at Passage Beta. Join up with them and act as support."
"I thought Passage Beta had been canned."
"Apparently not."
"Orders received Blue One. Out."
The Highwind flew over the city, with the Gelnika and Meggido trailing after her, flak bouncing off their hulls. It descended slightly, and as it got over a street like any other, hundreds of white shapes jumped out.
As they drifted nearer to the ground, the paratroopers drew knives and cut their ropes, ready to face the battle free of any encumbrance. A lone Wutai soldier shouted their presence, but he was quickly silenced by a rifle shot as they hit the street.
Sephiroth neared the wall surrounding Wutai. He held up his sword, calling a halt to the rest of the army, and took out his radio.
" Nida?"
The magic ops voice came back over the radio "Yes general?"
" Proceed with Earth magic."
"Orders received sir. Out."
Sephiroth thumbed another button on the radio "Weiss?"
" Yes sir." The SOLDIER commander sounded nervous.
" Proceed to passage Alpha."
"Sir are you sure this is…"
"That's an order SOLDIER."
Weiss' sigh came clear over the radio "Orders received General. Out."
Sephiroth smiled, and waited for the magic ops to do their thing.
Nida looked down from the peak at Sephiroth, then turned to the magic ops behind him.
" Alpha through Gamma squadrons, reflect on friendly forces closest to the wall, Delta through Zeta squadrons, reflect within range of enemy side of the wall. Eta through Omega squadrons, Earth magic, Alpha to Theta class… now!"
The air shimmered both sides of the wall as shields cam down, and all was still for a moment, the silence only broken by the warks of chocobos. Then the Earth below Wutai's wall exploded, sending glowing shards up into the air. The walls rocked on their foundations as the ground beneath them rippled and boiled. Shockwaves went out, only to be bounced back off the reflective shields. Slowly, the great walls of Wutai began to topple. The guards atop the walls screamed in fear as the walls cracked and crumbled then the City Walls were a pile of rubble, leaving the great city of Wutai open and vulnerable.
Atop his chocobo Sephiroth threw back his head and laughed. Raising his mighty blade, he challenged the City of Wutai in a voice like thunder, a voice that carried the strength of Jenova, "You've cowered behind your walls for a thousand years, but without them you are nothing! Let your Samurais come now and face me, and die by the arm of ShinRa!"
Answering his cry, the men of Wutai came over the ruins of their shield, prepared to shed their blood to defend their home.
Part Nine
They came over the toppled walls like a flood, and the ShinRa soldiers came forward to meet them. The chocobos rushed into battle, scratching and kicking at all in their way. Sephiroth swung his sword like a demon, the Masamune always hitting flesh, and killing with bloodless wounds. Atop his chocobo Heidegger grit his teeth and started making short, precise thrusts with his dirk, keeping away anyone who came within arms length. Seeing a knot of soldiers running towards him, he put his finger on the poison materia embedded in the hilt of his dagger. Green bubbles flew from the outstretched blade and a noxious odour filled the air. When the bubbles hit the Wutai soldiers they fell to their knees retching. Heidegger grimaced, wheeled his chocobo and charged toward Wutai.
***
David Crole had been a Turk for five years, longer than anyone else save Moore. He was the veteran of the team, but this was his first time in a battle. Leaning against a statue of Leviathan, in the centre of a walled garden, he scanned the nearby streets for the black armoured figures of Wutai guards. Stubbing out his cigarette on the toe of the statue and walked across the square. From the south, in the direction of the great gate, came the sound of fighting, but it wasn't there they were needed. Beckoning his men to follow, they moved towards the north of the city.
After a few minutes they were in among the narrow alleyways of the slums of Wutai. Crole turned to one of the Turks behind him, who was looking anxiously at a map of the city.
"Are we on the right track Roberts?"
The Turk looked up at Crole's question. He licked his lips nervously. " I believe so sir. If I'm right, and they're moving at the normal rate, the paras should be just round that…" He was interrupted by sounds of gunfire from round the corner. Crole smiled. "Good call Roberts. I S Alpha, support the paratroopers."
The blue suited figures moved into the shadows of the houses and moved slowly down the street. They rounded a corner, and saw the familiar blue armoured figures of ShinRa soldiers, chasing black armoured Wutai guards, who were backing down the street slowly. They looked to Crole, who raised a hand. The Turks bought out their weapons, an odd assortment of pistols, rifles, nightsticks, daggers, small swords and poniards, and they charged at the unprotected back of the Wutai guards.
***
Moore looked through the sight of his rifle as another Wutai commander fell to one of his bullets. He looked up grinning when he heard Sephiroth's voice crackle over the radio "Blue One, this is Black One, do you read?"
Moore picked up the receiver and pressed transmit. "Black One, Blue One receiving."
"I need some support for Purple Alpha"
Moore frowned at that "Orders received, but I thought the SOLDIERS were acting as support on the flanks."
"Then you should have thought harder. How are they going to flank us, they're surrounded by mountains, and we're attacking in the only open direction. Plus, we've got you and Nida in the passes. No, Purple Alpha is going to go in through Passage Alpha."
"You're doing a three pronged attack then general" guessed Nida.
Sephiroth's laugh came over the radio "It's hard to put one over on you Nida. Yes, three pronged, although strictly speaking the attack on the great gate is a diversion. I only told it to Cid Highwind, since he was the only one I could trust. He only came in yesterday, while anyone else could have been a mole. Sorry Moore, but I couldn't trust you."
"No problem general, I'd have done the same. You're sneaky enough to be a Turk you know Sephiroth."
Sephiroth laughed again. "Thank you Moore. Out."
Moore typed in the number for I S Beta on his handset. "Infiltrator Squad Beta, Infiltrator Squad Beta, this is Blue One, Receive?"
Over the radio, for the second time that day came a voice Moore had given up for dead. "Blue One, this is Red Nine. Receiving."
"Edwards? I can't believe it; you and Crole are alive! Listen, I need you to go and support Purple Alpha, at Passage Alpha"
"Purple Alpha? The great general's squad?"
"The great general's leading Black Alpha. It's a long story."
"Alright, Blue One, orders received. Out."
***
Edwards moved out into the street, followed by the rest of his squad. They readied their weapons and set off down the street towards the alleyway that marked the end of passage Alpha. They stood waiting in the lee of a pagoda, when they saw the purple suited SOLDIERS. Edwards stepped out to greet Weiss. He smiled and asked where they were headed. Weiss looked troubled, but finally answered.
"Lord Godo's house. We'll meet up with paratroopers and IS Beta there." A grim smile came on his face "We're gonna win this war boys. Move out!"
Part Ten
Crole and the paratroopers ran along the deserted streets of Wutai. Roberts moved up the line till he was next to Crole, and asked; "Why are the streets so deserted sir?"
Crole looked down at him with a frown "I was just wondering that myself. There should be at least some guards on these streets. They must be up to something."
***
Sephiroth whirled the Masamune, cutting swathes through the Wutai army, when he realised he had burst through the Wutai lines. He spurred his chocobo on into the city, leaving ShinRa soldiers bursting through the gap he had created.
***
Edwards and his squad slowed down as they reached the square that contained the massive eight-tiered pagoda that was the temple of the seven gods. Looking across the square he saw Crole and more Turks pouring out of an alley. They both started at a loud "Wark!" from down another street. Turning and bringing their guns to bear, they stood there shocked when Sephiroth came galloping down the street on his white warchocobo. He dropped from the back of his chocobo and motioned them forward. When all the soldiers had formed up behind him, Sephiroth slashed at the lock with his sword, and the lock came clean off.
Inside the shrine was empty. It was an awe-inspiring site at any time, but the holy atmosphere of the dark and empty shrine silenced the soldiers as they walked inside. Lit only by a small lamp beneath the statue of the first god, the dark seemed to weigh down on the soldiers, as if the gods were unhappy what was happening to their city. Sephiroth shook himself and walked to the stairs up to the next level. The soldiers followed him, and they kept climbing until they emerged on the top level.
The top level was completely different from the darkened lower levels. It was so brightly lit that the soldiers blinked when they entered. In the centre of the room was a huge black pool, and behind the pool stood a man in black and red laquered armour. On top of his head, he wore a helmet with a crest of three faces, each facing a different way. Although the armour's helm completely covered the figure's face, Sephiroth recognised the crest. He raised his sword.
"Godo."
The figure nodded and laughed. "Yes Sephiroth, Godo. Lord Godo of Wutai to you though."
Sephiroth snorted "You're lord of nothing. Out there Wutai is being slaughtered."
Godo laughed again "Wutai is more than men, it is gods. Even if the land is burnt to the ground and sowed with salt, the gods will look after Wutai."
Sephiroth snorted "Gods! Your gods are seven old men, a statue and a snake that doesn't exist. If they're all you're protected by, you'd best start preparing to meet them."
Godo laughed once more and opened his hand. In it was a small ball of red materia. Godo threw the red Materia in the black water and threw back his head and shouted "Dao Chao, throw off the chains you forged for the greatest of serpents! Let this water be flesh, let the soul infuse it! Bring to us Leviathan!"
The murky water boiled and heaved. It started to take on a shape, and a head reared out of the water. The head grew sharper and more defined until Sephiroth and the soldiers stood gaping at the jaws of a great sea serpent. Godo stood ignored as he screamed "Leviathan! Destroy them!"