Previously...
JENOVA had temporarily left the planet with Kadaj onboard, leaving Yazoo and her other kids on the planet to create a distraction, hoping to keep people from learning they were no longer on the planet. Meanwhile, Rufus was at Shinra Headquarters trying to pinpoint Kadaj's location and get the grasp of the current situation using his massive computer system like he always did for things like this.
Chapter 16: No Exit
(This section will focus on Rufus as the speaker) I had been spending what seemed like hours trying to get the coordinates on Kadaj's location. Something seemed to be interfering with my system's ability to function properly though. It kept going fuzzy when id try to use the air sensors to see whats going on in Shinra, which not only made progress difficult but had severely slowed my success and efforts. I tried to tap into them one more time, but the same thing happened and my screen went fuzzy. I started to get frustrated now. I tried the same thing again with a different command sequence, but the result didn't change. I then said "Urrrgh.... Darn it!!!" I decided to stop typing then. I tried every possible command to connect with the air sensors and none of them worked. I had began wondering if the air sensors were somehow broken or defective in any way. But what made that hard to believe was they were just developed and deployed with successful testing prior to that. Glancing at the fuzzy screen, i shook my head, not understanding why my newly designed surveillance technology was already not working properly. I sat staring at the screen in bewildered silence for a while, then suddenly heard people behind me approaching. I got out of my chair and turned to face Yuffie and Vincent. I spoke first and said "What brings you here?" Yuffie replied and said "We need to know what's going on out there. Something big is happening, and it didn't take long for us to find out. We thought you might have some idea whats happening." I shrugged and said "Well, i hate to break it to you but ive had difficulty getting intel myself. My air surveillance isnt working, I've lost contact with many of my troops, and ive been stuck trying to figure it out myself because of all this mess." Vincent spoke and said "But do you know why all of this is happening?" I paused and said "I haven't been able to get much intel since my troops went out several hours ago... I tried to check the air surveillance, and thats when everything had just quit. Couldn't see anything going on anywhere or reach anyone." Yuffie replied to me asking "Did you see anything at all before your cameras and communications blacked out?" I stopped in silence, trying to remember everything as best i could. I then said "Well, the sky did grow dark with a strange mix of green and black... It was like JENOVA's lifestream just came back--like lightning. Thats when everything had quit. But it all happened so fast i didn't have any time to think or do much about it." Vincent nodded and said "What you saw was right--JENOVA's lifestream is making its return. I'll bet thats what cut off your surveillance capabilities and communications." i then said "Well that clears up my problems trying to navigate the system... But if her lifestream is back, then that would mean Sephiroth is out there somewhere or is in the process of rebirth. With her remnants also on the loose, i can only see things getting progressively worse." Yuffie replied and said "I couldn't agree more. Im willing to team up with you just to stop JENOVA and her kids, but dont expect me to suck up to you like that. Im only doing this to save the planet." I then said "Tch, whatever... But with my computer systems down like this, we have no choice but to go by foot and investigate physically." Vincent nodded and said "Right. I know where we can start, too." I laughed and said "Well then lead the way."
Several hours later...
Vincent lead us to a place that was covered in molten rock, lava, and flames; it was literally nothing but fire and brimstone. I cried out in shock "Whoa! What the..." I wanted to run further but couldn't because the terrain just ahead was too dangerous. Vincent spoke next and said "If anyone knows what did this i presume you do, Rufus." I then said "This is what meteor does to the planet's landscape... but it didn't affect the whole planet, i see. But... how did this happen?" Yuffie replied and said "It started after me and Vincent pinned Yazoo and his brothers. The attack had started when they were too injured to fight much longer, and it seemed someone or something had reacted to their critical health and summoned a lesser version of meteor. Its too obvious that some unseen source used the attack to protect them, but everything happened too quickly, forcing both of us to escape immediately. We didn't have time to identify the source unless we wanted to die right there." I glanced at the destroyed landscape ahead of us, and Vincent said "We thought you might be able to tell us something about that event, so i lead us to your HQ hoping you might know something." I replied and said "I haven't completed research on the full scientific explanation of what you just described, but i can tell you how that happened. JENOVA's lifestream as you both know kills people who are against her in any way using Geostigma. What you both probably dont know is its other purpose for her race--it protects her children. So, Yazoo and the other remnants being in trouble triggered a reaction in the JENOVA lifestream that caused it to use meteor on a smaller scale in order to help them evade death. I also know that during Sephiroth's second time around it allowed him and JENOVA's remnants to regenerate their JENOVA cells on a catastrophic scale." Yuffie then said "Uh oh... So as long as her lifestream is around, theyre all basically immortal?" I nodded and said "Unfortunately, youre right. Unless her lifestream is destroyed in some way, theres no chance at victory. The last time her lifestream was destroyed, I was forced to use WEAPON. That was the only thing powerful enough to do the job in that bleak situation..." Yuffie then said "But WEAPON is so destructive and powerful it still killed a lot of people back then! Its strong enough to destroy the planet itself five times over again!" I sighed, putting my hand to my head and said "I know the stakes, but its the only way to get the infected lifestream neutralized. Otherwise, everyone dies anyway and its all over..." Vincent replied and said "I don't like it either, but he's right. I dont think there's a lot of time for bickering at this point." I then said "And controlling even Ultima Weapon with my computer systems down is very risky. If i cant navigate the system controlling it is near impossible. It doesn't end there, either; this version of JENOVA's lifestream is too powerful for Ultima Weapon; only Omega has the potential to purify this one." Yuffie said "Ohh, great... Isn't that convenient! We're doing suicide to end all of this!" I turned back to face her and said "Hey, look. We don't have a choice! Would you like to give up instead?" Vincent raised a hand and said "Calm down, you two. Do you think i like this anymore than either of you? Listen, guys. There is no victory without any risks. If we want to stop JENOVA we have to take chances and hope for the best. There is no easy way out of a situation this bleak and you both should naturally know that." Yuffie replied to him and said "Yeah, i know that. But there has to be a better way than suicide. Really, think about it!" I shook my head in silence. Yuffie clearly didn't like or even trust me at all. I spoke next and said "Yes, i get it; you dont trust me and think im going to get us all killed. Would you like to operate the system and control WEAPON yourself and kill us all no matter what?" Yuffie groaned at me with anger but didn't respond. Vincent stopped her before she could lash out at me and said "Thats enough, you two. We wont accomplish anything if we stand here and fight each other. I know you two never liked each other, i get it. But at least try to cooperate if you want anything done!" Yuffie reluctantly obeyed him and said "Fine... So where is Omega anyways?" I then said "Omega is in a very heavy slumber, atop the Shinra Munitions Depot... It might not look that tall from above, but its actually incredibly high." Vincent then asked "How do we awaken it?" I replied and said "The way id normally awaken it is by using the sensors i implanted in it several years ago, but as you both know my computer systems are having severe malfunctions. If the system's glitches affect Omega, it will inevitably become enraged and attack the planet itself. If that happens, we're done for no matter what." Yuffie then replied "Is there another way to awaken it without enraging the thing?" I paused thoughtfully and said "There are systems in the munitions depot that can trigger the sensors, but i have no way of knowing if the systems there are down or not... The only other alternative is to have someone confront Omega directly, face to face. It will awaken like so, but how it behaves or responds depends upon the person who is present. I haven't been able to completely decode how Omega reacts to people who confront it, but there is an ancient legend stating that Omega will naturally awaken when confronted by someone who is very pure in nature and behave in favor of that person in times of crisis. Likewise, if the legend is actually true, if either of you confronted it directly and were recognized in such a way, it would inevitably fly off and purify the now infected lifestream." Vincent then said "And what happens if the person who comes to it doesn't fit that description?" I then said "Do i even have to answer that? You'll die!" Yuffie then said "Go figures... If we still had Cloud Strife on our side, we wouldn't have to worry so much about that. I guess i'll have to climb that tower then..." I then said "Youd better be prepared for anything, then. Worst case scenario is you reach the top and Omega blasts you to oblivion, you die in the process. Even though the situation is obviously critical for the planet, i suggest you prepare and make sure you know what youre up against. Omega is strong enough to destroy the planet at least 10 times over before exhausting and going back into deep slumber to recharge. Maybe even more than that, who knows. Dont get careless!" Yuffie nodded at me and Vincent lead the way, all of us making way for the Shinra Munitions Depot, hoping to safely awaken Omega Weapon and end the crisis once again.
To be continued...
JENOVA had temporarily left the planet with Kadaj onboard, leaving Yazoo and her other kids on the planet to create a distraction, hoping to keep people from learning they were no longer on the planet. Meanwhile, Rufus was at Shinra Headquarters trying to pinpoint Kadaj's location and get the grasp of the current situation using his massive computer system like he always did for things like this.
Chapter 16: No Exit
(This section will focus on Rufus as the speaker) I had been spending what seemed like hours trying to get the coordinates on Kadaj's location. Something seemed to be interfering with my system's ability to function properly though. It kept going fuzzy when id try to use the air sensors to see whats going on in Shinra, which not only made progress difficult but had severely slowed my success and efforts. I tried to tap into them one more time, but the same thing happened and my screen went fuzzy. I started to get frustrated now. I tried the same thing again with a different command sequence, but the result didn't change. I then said "Urrrgh.... Darn it!!!" I decided to stop typing then. I tried every possible command to connect with the air sensors and none of them worked. I had began wondering if the air sensors were somehow broken or defective in any way. But what made that hard to believe was they were just developed and deployed with successful testing prior to that. Glancing at the fuzzy screen, i shook my head, not understanding why my newly designed surveillance technology was already not working properly. I sat staring at the screen in bewildered silence for a while, then suddenly heard people behind me approaching. I got out of my chair and turned to face Yuffie and Vincent. I spoke first and said "What brings you here?" Yuffie replied and said "We need to know what's going on out there. Something big is happening, and it didn't take long for us to find out. We thought you might have some idea whats happening." I shrugged and said "Well, i hate to break it to you but ive had difficulty getting intel myself. My air surveillance isnt working, I've lost contact with many of my troops, and ive been stuck trying to figure it out myself because of all this mess." Vincent spoke and said "But do you know why all of this is happening?" I paused and said "I haven't been able to get much intel since my troops went out several hours ago... I tried to check the air surveillance, and thats when everything had just quit. Couldn't see anything going on anywhere or reach anyone." Yuffie replied to me asking "Did you see anything at all before your cameras and communications blacked out?" I stopped in silence, trying to remember everything as best i could. I then said "Well, the sky did grow dark with a strange mix of green and black... It was like JENOVA's lifestream just came back--like lightning. Thats when everything had quit. But it all happened so fast i didn't have any time to think or do much about it." Vincent nodded and said "What you saw was right--JENOVA's lifestream is making its return. I'll bet thats what cut off your surveillance capabilities and communications." i then said "Well that clears up my problems trying to navigate the system... But if her lifestream is back, then that would mean Sephiroth is out there somewhere or is in the process of rebirth. With her remnants also on the loose, i can only see things getting progressively worse." Yuffie replied and said "I couldn't agree more. Im willing to team up with you just to stop JENOVA and her kids, but dont expect me to suck up to you like that. Im only doing this to save the planet." I then said "Tch, whatever... But with my computer systems down like this, we have no choice but to go by foot and investigate physically." Vincent nodded and said "Right. I know where we can start, too." I laughed and said "Well then lead the way."
Several hours later...
Vincent lead us to a place that was covered in molten rock, lava, and flames; it was literally nothing but fire and brimstone. I cried out in shock "Whoa! What the..." I wanted to run further but couldn't because the terrain just ahead was too dangerous. Vincent spoke next and said "If anyone knows what did this i presume you do, Rufus." I then said "This is what meteor does to the planet's landscape... but it didn't affect the whole planet, i see. But... how did this happen?" Yuffie replied and said "It started after me and Vincent pinned Yazoo and his brothers. The attack had started when they were too injured to fight much longer, and it seemed someone or something had reacted to their critical health and summoned a lesser version of meteor. Its too obvious that some unseen source used the attack to protect them, but everything happened too quickly, forcing both of us to escape immediately. We didn't have time to identify the source unless we wanted to die right there." I glanced at the destroyed landscape ahead of us, and Vincent said "We thought you might be able to tell us something about that event, so i lead us to your HQ hoping you might know something." I replied and said "I haven't completed research on the full scientific explanation of what you just described, but i can tell you how that happened. JENOVA's lifestream as you both know kills people who are against her in any way using Geostigma. What you both probably dont know is its other purpose for her race--it protects her children. So, Yazoo and the other remnants being in trouble triggered a reaction in the JENOVA lifestream that caused it to use meteor on a smaller scale in order to help them evade death. I also know that during Sephiroth's second time around it allowed him and JENOVA's remnants to regenerate their JENOVA cells on a catastrophic scale." Yuffie then said "Uh oh... So as long as her lifestream is around, theyre all basically immortal?" I nodded and said "Unfortunately, youre right. Unless her lifestream is destroyed in some way, theres no chance at victory. The last time her lifestream was destroyed, I was forced to use WEAPON. That was the only thing powerful enough to do the job in that bleak situation..." Yuffie then said "But WEAPON is so destructive and powerful it still killed a lot of people back then! Its strong enough to destroy the planet itself five times over again!" I sighed, putting my hand to my head and said "I know the stakes, but its the only way to get the infected lifestream neutralized. Otherwise, everyone dies anyway and its all over..." Vincent replied and said "I don't like it either, but he's right. I dont think there's a lot of time for bickering at this point." I then said "And controlling even Ultima Weapon with my computer systems down is very risky. If i cant navigate the system controlling it is near impossible. It doesn't end there, either; this version of JENOVA's lifestream is too powerful for Ultima Weapon; only Omega has the potential to purify this one." Yuffie said "Ohh, great... Isn't that convenient! We're doing suicide to end all of this!" I turned back to face her and said "Hey, look. We don't have a choice! Would you like to give up instead?" Vincent raised a hand and said "Calm down, you two. Do you think i like this anymore than either of you? Listen, guys. There is no victory without any risks. If we want to stop JENOVA we have to take chances and hope for the best. There is no easy way out of a situation this bleak and you both should naturally know that." Yuffie replied to him and said "Yeah, i know that. But there has to be a better way than suicide. Really, think about it!" I shook my head in silence. Yuffie clearly didn't like or even trust me at all. I spoke next and said "Yes, i get it; you dont trust me and think im going to get us all killed. Would you like to operate the system and control WEAPON yourself and kill us all no matter what?" Yuffie groaned at me with anger but didn't respond. Vincent stopped her before she could lash out at me and said "Thats enough, you two. We wont accomplish anything if we stand here and fight each other. I know you two never liked each other, i get it. But at least try to cooperate if you want anything done!" Yuffie reluctantly obeyed him and said "Fine... So where is Omega anyways?" I then said "Omega is in a very heavy slumber, atop the Shinra Munitions Depot... It might not look that tall from above, but its actually incredibly high." Vincent then asked "How do we awaken it?" I replied and said "The way id normally awaken it is by using the sensors i implanted in it several years ago, but as you both know my computer systems are having severe malfunctions. If the system's glitches affect Omega, it will inevitably become enraged and attack the planet itself. If that happens, we're done for no matter what." Yuffie then replied "Is there another way to awaken it without enraging the thing?" I paused thoughtfully and said "There are systems in the munitions depot that can trigger the sensors, but i have no way of knowing if the systems there are down or not... The only other alternative is to have someone confront Omega directly, face to face. It will awaken like so, but how it behaves or responds depends upon the person who is present. I haven't been able to completely decode how Omega reacts to people who confront it, but there is an ancient legend stating that Omega will naturally awaken when confronted by someone who is very pure in nature and behave in favor of that person in times of crisis. Likewise, if the legend is actually true, if either of you confronted it directly and were recognized in such a way, it would inevitably fly off and purify the now infected lifestream." Vincent then said "And what happens if the person who comes to it doesn't fit that description?" I then said "Do i even have to answer that? You'll die!" Yuffie then said "Go figures... If we still had Cloud Strife on our side, we wouldn't have to worry so much about that. I guess i'll have to climb that tower then..." I then said "Youd better be prepared for anything, then. Worst case scenario is you reach the top and Omega blasts you to oblivion, you die in the process. Even though the situation is obviously critical for the planet, i suggest you prepare and make sure you know what youre up against. Omega is strong enough to destroy the planet at least 10 times over before exhausting and going back into deep slumber to recharge. Maybe even more than that, who knows. Dont get careless!" Yuffie nodded at me and Vincent lead the way, all of us making way for the Shinra Munitions Depot, hoping to safely awaken Omega Weapon and end the crisis once again.
To be continued...
