The Secret Lives of the Turks

Chapter IV: Tseng

The sun was now setting behind the horizon of the Junon Sea. The last shimmering rays of sunlight reflected off the Sister Ray, Junon's prized war cannon, bathing the entire town in an eerie orange glow. The Gelnika's landed, ready to make the last trip of the day, carrying SOLDIER back across the mountains to Midgar. Tseng walked up to Reno and Rude.

"After these guys get out of here we'll be taking a private chopper out of here, courtesy of Shinra," Tseng explained. "Make sure you have everything you need to do here taken care of before we depart."

"Guess he must know about your girlfriend," Rude chuckled. Reno grinned and headed out of the airport. Rude turned to Tseng. "What about Elena?"

Tseng smiled. "Concerned? I hate to break it to you Rude, but she fancies me."

"No, not that. I mean the other thing," Rude corrected.

Tseng sighed. "I'm not sure. I'll make an executive decision regarding that once we return to Midgar."

Rude nodded and then patted his friend on the shoulder. "We all have made mistakes. Go easy on her."

Tseng nodded and Rude left the airport. The last Gelnika craft landed with a deafening whirring sound. Tseng walked up to Taro, who still seemed in top condition after the long day.

"May I request a squad of your finest men to borrow for the evening?" Tseng asked.

"Of course, Tseng. What's the occasion?" Taro asked.

"I'd rather not get into the specifics, suffice it to say I believe I may need a little extra security," Tseng replied.

Taro nodded and made a hand gesture and Six 1st Class SOLDIERs marched up to Taro. "Alright, you six are going to be given the honor of a helicopter ride home. The catch is you have to keep an eye out for my friend Tseng here. You are to follow his orders as if it were a direct command from President Shinra."

The SOLDIERs saluted and then turned in perfect unison to face Tseng. Tseng nodded at Taro. "Alright. You six are follow my lead. I want to see an Adamantine Formation around me."

The six SOLDIERs stood in a hexagonal formation around Tseng. Tseng smiled and began to lead his troops into combat.

"So what exactly are my orders?" Tseng asked President Shinra.

The 69th floor of the Shinra Tower was very open and ornamental as though the President's Desk was a royal throne. The shining lights of Midgar shone through the window behind the President, who sat in his chair, smoking one of his favorite brand of cigars.

"You are to patrol the city during the storm. Our military will support you as well and of course you have your subordinates. Keep an eye on the city up until the storm hits, keeping every civilian safe. Take cover when the storm arrives and then help rebuild the city. And if you encounter any difficulties along the way, you have my permission to use deadly force," President Shinra replied.

"Do you believe that there will be conflicts?" Tseng asked.

"We've been dealing with these pathetic terrorist groups for years. We have reason to believe that there may be a group in Junon," President Shinra said. He then opened a file that was in front of him. "And you have an SIA girl with you, I see. Elena. While she's under your control she'll be wearing a Turk Suit, so she's completely your responsibility. If you wish to make her a full-time Turk you have my approval. After all our ranks have thinned some after the Nibelheim incident."

Tseng nodded. "Understood."

The poorly constructed door of an underworld house crumbled to dust under the weight of the SOLDIERs sword. A terrified family of three had huddled underneath a table as Tseng walked in.

"This family has been found guilty of the crime of Conspiracy To Commit High Treason and under the state of Martial Law forfeits its right to a trial by jury. The punishment is death," Tseng said.

The family begged for mercy, and pleaded ignorance, but Tseng knew they were lying. He knew exactly what scum these people were and that their lives were merely a difficulty for President Shinra.

"Fire at will," Tseng ordered. And with those words the family was gunned down by SOLDIER.

Tseng walked down the street to another house. He personally kicked the door in. By now a small crowd had gathered outside in the streets. One of Tseng's SOLDIERS shouted at the crowd. "Get back in your houses! You are all violating curfew!"

Tseng read the same warrant to this family, and promptly executed them, ending their cries for good. His blood pumped hard, and his eyes filled with delight as he savored ending every last criminal breath.

The true storm had arrived on the city of Junon.