Prologue- The Saucer Awaits
The music begins. The same music, haunting, beautiful, and annoying all at the same time.
200 feet above the surface of the Planet, at 11:00 PM, the Gold Saucer is lit up, somehow sparkling even more brightly than usual. Its shining acts as a beacon, forcing all eyes in Corel below upwards. The effect radiates outward, compelling citizens of Gonzaga and Nibelheim to look up, or else, turn on their televisions.
The song continued, the joyous melody now covering half the planet. As word of mouth spreads, televisions in Rocket Town click on. Slowly, the melody makes its way into Kalm Town, and finally hits all eight sectors of the rebuilt Midgar. Approximately 40 million people on the Planet are now tuned in, all focusing on this one object.
All staring at the Golden Saucer. All wondering what is next.
Their wondering is answered as two words appear on the screen. The two words that will define their lives for the next month.
'NO REMORSE'
As the words explode on-screen, the camera closes in on the Gold Saucer, as 5,000 people stand, cheering madly as two very familiar faces step on screen. One man who had worked for good, one man who had worked for evil….both men who had worked for Shinra.
Reeve: WELCOME TO THE GOLD SAUCER EVERYONE! THIS IS 'NO REMORSE', BROUGHT TO YOU BY SHINRA, INC!
The throng screams at the top of their lungs, attempting to draw the camera to them. Reeve's partner keeps a stoic expression on his face, as he wordlessly punches out a fan who has gotten too close.
Rude: …
Reeve: Yes, I'm glad to see you too, Rude!
Rude: …
Reeve: Okay, this is just ridiculous! I need someone WHO TALKS!! HELLO?!
Rude: …
Pulling out his PHS, Reeve quickly begins talking into the phone. Satisfied, he closes the PHS, and goes back to address the crowd.
Reeve: Now, for the past six months, we have been preparing for this day. On all Shinra TV networks, you've been seeing the advertisements for No Remorse. And now, at 11:05 PM, we are going to spill the biggest secret in television history! Do you have ANYTHING to say about THAT, RUDE?
The TURK looks over at Reeve, seemingly wanting to smack the taste out of the Cait Sith controller's mouth. Instead, he turns back to the audience, and…..smiles?
Rude: ACTUALLY, Reeve, I do.
Reeve looks positively flabbergasted as Rude continues on, in an extremely deep voice.
Rude: Society has established for us all certain rules, certain lines that we cannot and should not break. Ideally, human beings should not kill. We should not steal. We should not covet what others have. But, in practice, this theory falls apart. That is why we have Midgar Police……and the TURKS..
Rude glares over at Reeve, his point having been proven.
Reeve: Yeah, uhh…..Rude's right! In our society, if you do one of those things you're not supposed to do, you get arrested! You get jailed! And you might even get executed! It lets society run well, but it doesn't let us know who we REALLY are!
Rude: We are prevented from doing these things not out of our nature necessarily, but out of fear! The fear of reprisal. Leaving our Shinra scientists in a quandary. How CAN we figure out what human nature is? And for the answer, we turned to our best scientist. Put your hands together for HOJO!
The Jenova-enhanced scientists walks onto the stage, shaking hands with both Reeve and Rude, receiving a nice ovation from the crowd. He speaks, with a slight accent.
Hojo: Well, Rood, we came tooo the concloosion that oonly by remooving the penalties foor coomitting sooch crimes that we coold coome to a coonsensoos oon the matter!
Reeve: Thank you Hoo--err, Hojo! Yes, Hojo, ladies and gentlemen!
A drop of sweat pours onto Reeve's expensive black suit, as he watches Hojo leave. Rude chuckles under his breath, as a fuming Reeve continues.
Reeve: For those of you that don't speak scientist, what Hojo just told us is that only without reprisal for crimes, can we tell what human nature truly is! Would you kill your annoying next door neighbor, if only you knew you would get away with it? Would you knock off the Midgar National Bank, knowing full-well you WOULDN'T BE ARRESTED? WOULD YOU--
Rude cuts him off, a malicious smile on his face.
Rude: Would you have sex with the beautiful girl with the really big knockers, even if you knew she was succeeding in kicking your ass every time you met up with her?
From somewhere off screen, cries of, "I'M GOING TO FUCKING KILL YOU!" echo out, as Rude has himself a nice guffaw.
Rude: ….Sorry Reno, but the truth hurts, doesn't it?
Choosing to ignore Rude's tangent, the intrepid Reeve leaps back into his schpiel.
Reeve: For the next month, THESE PEOPLE WILL EAT, SLEEP, AND BREATHE SIN! It starts here, in the Golden Saucer. As the months go on, they will be sent to locations all over this planet, and even to other Planets! They will be sent in pairs, threesomes, quartets, and any other combination we can possibly think of! We will give them every chance to loot, kill, woo, pillage, and maim! The world will be their playground! BUT! After all the dust has settled, and all the smoke has cleared, they will have to make one final decision, the most difficult of all!
Rude: Behind us sits a machine, capable of erasing our contestants' memories, and reverting it back to exactly one month earlier, before they enter this Saucer! Will they become so overcome with grief at their actions that they agree, even at the cost of forgetting any happiness? Or will they be content with themselves as is, bearing both sins and joys for the rest of their lives?
Reeve: And now, it's time to tell you a little bit about each of the competitors that will be starting this incredible journey tonight!
The voices begin speaking. Short blurbs, explaining precious little about themselves..
"I'm Cloud Strife, from Nibelheim. I agreed to be on "No Remorse" because I just helped save the Planet, and I want to know what's next in my life."
"I'm Quistis Trepe, from Balamb Garden. I agreed to be on "No Remorse" because I want to meet the love of my life."
"I'm Auron. I'm dead. I'm here because I think it will amusing to watch all of these idiots do dumb things."
"I'm Rikku, y'know? I'm an Al Bhed…and I'm here to have fun!"
"I am Sephiroth…the One Winged Angel…that is all."
"Hi! I'm Selphie Tilmett, from Trabia Garden! How is everyone?"
"I'm Irvine Kinneas…from Galbadia. Hello ladies!"
"I am Aerith Gainsborough..I do not yet know why I am here."
"I am Wakka, ya? I'm here to let loose!"
"I am Summoner Yuna.. I am here to save Spira..well, actually, to laugh!"
"I am Seymour Guado…Maester of Yevon."
"I'm Yuffie Kisagiri! I'M HERE FOR MATERIA!!"
"Dis be Barrett, foo'! I is here to get all up in this BIATCH!"
"I'm Tifa Lockheart…I'm here for Cloud."
"I'm Tidus….from Zanarkand. This is my story."
"I'm Rinoa Heartilly, of Deling City..to soften a heart of stone."
"…..I'm Squall…."
"I am Lulu…Guardian of Yuna..which I am now, and forever."
"I'M CID FUCKING HIGHWIND! NOW GET ME MY &#^&&@^# TEA!"
"My name is Ultimecia…kill the SeeD.."
Reeve looked back up into the camera as the introductions were done. The confident smile was gone, replaced by a tinge of sadness. It was almost as if he had realized that this wasn't another Shinra scheme, another plan…this was real. He had been involved in a company that had tried to mold the Planet to its whim, but somehow, this seemed more evil. Perhaps because he knew several competitors as Cait Sith, or perhaps just his natural emotions. He consoled himself with the huge payday the higher ups would give him for the smash hit show, an irony not lost on him, as he whispers to himself.
"Selling my fucking soul for cash….I belong on the damn show."
Rude looks over at him, but gives no indication that he heard a word. Rude nods, and goes into his closing speech.
Rude: It is now 11:55 PM. In five minutes, THERE WILL BE NO REPRECUSSIONS!
Reeve: THERE WILL BE NO CONSEQUENCES!
Rude: THERE WILL BE….
He pauses, as the fans at the Saucer, and around the world scream the final two words. Rude waits for them to finish, and then says them, in a cold, chilling voice.
Rude: …..NO…..REMORSE.
"And we're clear!"
The cameraman's call was a relief to the two men. Off camera, they became like the rest of the Planet: Interested observers. Or so they thought. Near their position was a man with a web camera, broadcasting all activities during commercials to those who knew where to find it. Due to lots of web advertising, it seemed that just about everyone knew about . As they clicked onto their browsers, they saw an interesting picture.
Rude: So, we have any interesting matchups in the first day?
Reeve: Naw…the luck of the draw was kind to us.
Rude: How you figure? The boss wants big ratings!
Reeve: We're gonna get big ratings no matter what for these first few shows. We've got to give them a reason to keep watching. I mean, when Cloud realizes Aerith's alive, that's ratings, man!
Rude: Yeah, I guess you're right.
Reeve: Don't worry though. There are a couple of interesting situations to pique our audience's interest. Keep in mind, the competitors don't know who's in this other than themselves, so we're gonna have some FUN over the next month!
The music begins. The same music, haunting, beautiful, and annoying all at the same time.
200 feet above the surface of the Planet, at 11:00 PM, the Gold Saucer is lit up, somehow sparkling even more brightly than usual. Its shining acts as a beacon, forcing all eyes in Corel below upwards. The effect radiates outward, compelling citizens of Gonzaga and Nibelheim to look up, or else, turn on their televisions.
The song continued, the joyous melody now covering half the planet. As word of mouth spreads, televisions in Rocket Town click on. Slowly, the melody makes its way into Kalm Town, and finally hits all eight sectors of the rebuilt Midgar. Approximately 40 million people on the Planet are now tuned in, all focusing on this one object.
All staring at the Golden Saucer. All wondering what is next.
Their wondering is answered as two words appear on the screen. The two words that will define their lives for the next month.
'NO REMORSE'
As the words explode on-screen, the camera closes in on the Gold Saucer, as 5,000 people stand, cheering madly as two very familiar faces step on screen. One man who had worked for good, one man who had worked for evil….both men who had worked for Shinra.
Reeve: WELCOME TO THE GOLD SAUCER EVERYONE! THIS IS 'NO REMORSE', BROUGHT TO YOU BY SHINRA, INC!
The throng screams at the top of their lungs, attempting to draw the camera to them. Reeve's partner keeps a stoic expression on his face, as he wordlessly punches out a fan who has gotten too close.
Rude: …
Reeve: Yes, I'm glad to see you too, Rude!
Rude: …
Reeve: Okay, this is just ridiculous! I need someone WHO TALKS!! HELLO?!
Rude: …
Pulling out his PHS, Reeve quickly begins talking into the phone. Satisfied, he closes the PHS, and goes back to address the crowd.
Reeve: Now, for the past six months, we have been preparing for this day. On all Shinra TV networks, you've been seeing the advertisements for No Remorse. And now, at 11:05 PM, we are going to spill the biggest secret in television history! Do you have ANYTHING to say about THAT, RUDE?
The TURK looks over at Reeve, seemingly wanting to smack the taste out of the Cait Sith controller's mouth. Instead, he turns back to the audience, and…..smiles?
Rude: ACTUALLY, Reeve, I do.
Reeve looks positively flabbergasted as Rude continues on, in an extremely deep voice.
Rude: Society has established for us all certain rules, certain lines that we cannot and should not break. Ideally, human beings should not kill. We should not steal. We should not covet what others have. But, in practice, this theory falls apart. That is why we have Midgar Police……and the TURKS..
Rude glares over at Reeve, his point having been proven.
Reeve: Yeah, uhh…..Rude's right! In our society, if you do one of those things you're not supposed to do, you get arrested! You get jailed! And you might even get executed! It lets society run well, but it doesn't let us know who we REALLY are!
Rude: We are prevented from doing these things not out of our nature necessarily, but out of fear! The fear of reprisal. Leaving our Shinra scientists in a quandary. How CAN we figure out what human nature is? And for the answer, we turned to our best scientist. Put your hands together for HOJO!
The Jenova-enhanced scientists walks onto the stage, shaking hands with both Reeve and Rude, receiving a nice ovation from the crowd. He speaks, with a slight accent.
Hojo: Well, Rood, we came tooo the concloosion that oonly by remooving the penalties foor coomitting sooch crimes that we coold coome to a coonsensoos oon the matter!
Reeve: Thank you Hoo--err, Hojo! Yes, Hojo, ladies and gentlemen!
A drop of sweat pours onto Reeve's expensive black suit, as he watches Hojo leave. Rude chuckles under his breath, as a fuming Reeve continues.
Reeve: For those of you that don't speak scientist, what Hojo just told us is that only without reprisal for crimes, can we tell what human nature truly is! Would you kill your annoying next door neighbor, if only you knew you would get away with it? Would you knock off the Midgar National Bank, knowing full-well you WOULDN'T BE ARRESTED? WOULD YOU--
Rude cuts him off, a malicious smile on his face.
Rude: Would you have sex with the beautiful girl with the really big knockers, even if you knew she was succeeding in kicking your ass every time you met up with her?
From somewhere off screen, cries of, "I'M GOING TO FUCKING KILL YOU!" echo out, as Rude has himself a nice guffaw.
Rude: ….Sorry Reno, but the truth hurts, doesn't it?
Choosing to ignore Rude's tangent, the intrepid Reeve leaps back into his schpiel.
Reeve: For the next month, THESE PEOPLE WILL EAT, SLEEP, AND BREATHE SIN! It starts here, in the Golden Saucer. As the months go on, they will be sent to locations all over this planet, and even to other Planets! They will be sent in pairs, threesomes, quartets, and any other combination we can possibly think of! We will give them every chance to loot, kill, woo, pillage, and maim! The world will be their playground! BUT! After all the dust has settled, and all the smoke has cleared, they will have to make one final decision, the most difficult of all!
Rude: Behind us sits a machine, capable of erasing our contestants' memories, and reverting it back to exactly one month earlier, before they enter this Saucer! Will they become so overcome with grief at their actions that they agree, even at the cost of forgetting any happiness? Or will they be content with themselves as is, bearing both sins and joys for the rest of their lives?
Reeve: And now, it's time to tell you a little bit about each of the competitors that will be starting this incredible journey tonight!
The voices begin speaking. Short blurbs, explaining precious little about themselves..
"I'm Cloud Strife, from Nibelheim. I agreed to be on "No Remorse" because I just helped save the Planet, and I want to know what's next in my life."
"I'm Quistis Trepe, from Balamb Garden. I agreed to be on "No Remorse" because I want to meet the love of my life."
"I'm Auron. I'm dead. I'm here because I think it will amusing to watch all of these idiots do dumb things."
"I'm Rikku, y'know? I'm an Al Bhed…and I'm here to have fun!"
"I am Sephiroth…the One Winged Angel…that is all."
"Hi! I'm Selphie Tilmett, from Trabia Garden! How is everyone?"
"I'm Irvine Kinneas…from Galbadia. Hello ladies!"
"I am Aerith Gainsborough..I do not yet know why I am here."
"I am Wakka, ya? I'm here to let loose!"
"I am Summoner Yuna.. I am here to save Spira..well, actually, to laugh!"
"I am Seymour Guado…Maester of Yevon."
"I'm Yuffie Kisagiri! I'M HERE FOR MATERIA!!"
"Dis be Barrett, foo'! I is here to get all up in this BIATCH!"
"I'm Tifa Lockheart…I'm here for Cloud."
"I'm Tidus….from Zanarkand. This is my story."
"I'm Rinoa Heartilly, of Deling City..to soften a heart of stone."
"…..I'm Squall…."
"I am Lulu…Guardian of Yuna..which I am now, and forever."
"I'M CID FUCKING HIGHWIND! NOW GET ME MY &#^&&@^# TEA!"
"My name is Ultimecia…kill the SeeD.."
Reeve looked back up into the camera as the introductions were done. The confident smile was gone, replaced by a tinge of sadness. It was almost as if he had realized that this wasn't another Shinra scheme, another plan…this was real. He had been involved in a company that had tried to mold the Planet to its whim, but somehow, this seemed more evil. Perhaps because he knew several competitors as Cait Sith, or perhaps just his natural emotions. He consoled himself with the huge payday the higher ups would give him for the smash hit show, an irony not lost on him, as he whispers to himself.
"Selling my fucking soul for cash….I belong on the damn show."
Rude looks over at him, but gives no indication that he heard a word. Rude nods, and goes into his closing speech.
Rude: It is now 11:55 PM. In five minutes, THERE WILL BE NO REPRECUSSIONS!
Reeve: THERE WILL BE NO CONSEQUENCES!
Rude: THERE WILL BE….
He pauses, as the fans at the Saucer, and around the world scream the final two words. Rude waits for them to finish, and then says them, in a cold, chilling voice.
Rude: …..NO…..REMORSE.
"And we're clear!"
The cameraman's call was a relief to the two men. Off camera, they became like the rest of the Planet: Interested observers. Or so they thought. Near their position was a man with a web camera, broadcasting all activities during commercials to those who knew where to find it. Due to lots of web advertising, it seemed that just about everyone knew about . As they clicked onto their browsers, they saw an interesting picture.
Rude: So, we have any interesting matchups in the first day?
Reeve: Naw…the luck of the draw was kind to us.
Rude: How you figure? The boss wants big ratings!
Reeve: We're gonna get big ratings no matter what for these first few shows. We've got to give them a reason to keep watching. I mean, when Cloud realizes Aerith's alive, that's ratings, man!
Rude: Yeah, I guess you're right.
Reeve: Don't worry though. There are a couple of interesting situations to pique our audience's interest. Keep in mind, the competitors don't know who's in this other than themselves, so we're gonna have some FUN over the next month!