Chapter 23: Shinra’s Turning Point

Another executive board meeting—I’ve lost count of how many this makes.

Lately, these sessions have essentially turned into time for Reeve to report on the smooth operation of the Mako Reactors.

"Based on the data, the Corel Mako Reactor is operating steadily. We have implemented a system that generates energy more efficiently than ever before, with minimal waste during the Mako extraction process. Furthermore, the technical expertise gained at Corel is being reflected in the renovations of the Gongaga Mako Reactor..."

"Hmph. Enabling this level of energy conversion at a lower Mako cost than previous methods... a higher profit margin is always a welcome development for this company," President Shinra noted, nodding with satisfaction as he scanned the documents.

Next, Heidegger spoke up, eager to boast about his own achievements.

"Gahaha! We are heavily promoting these results as a sign of Shinra’s 'Cleaner Mako Industry.' Those Avalanche pests—what was their slogan? 'Sucking the life out of the Planet'? We are countering that by highlighting how Shinra is solving environmental issues through technology. It’s an effective way to indirectly discourage civilians from joining their cause. As for the intelligence backing this up, the Vice President has the details..."

"According to information from the Turks currently embedded within Avalanche, the organization is exhausted after a string of failed operations," Rufus added. "Thanks to Shinra’s information control, an increasing number of members are becoming skeptical of their own claims. Support for their 'Save the Planet' mission is dwindling, and sponsors are jumping ship. Their primary backers now are merely anti-Shinra extremist groups and remnants of the defeated Wutai military."

I never imagined that the plan for more efficient Mako Reactors—originally a countermeasure against the Weapon threat—would play out like this. But then again, Rufus seemed to have calculated for this, and Reeve’s hard work certainly paid off. It must be much easier for Reeve to get things done now, especially since we’ve been providing so many resources and technical data from our side.

"Uhyohyo! From the Space Development Program, the pilot from Shinra No. 26 has returned. The retrieved data and meteorites are currently being analyzed by the Science Department, and the rocket telemetry is being put to good use by Advanced Weaponry!" Palmer chirped.

"To supplement that," Rufus continued, "the success of the rocket launch has significantly boosted our corporate image and served as a powerful display of our military might to other nations. Even the resistance movements in Wutai are showing signs of scaling back."

From a national perspective, a rocket launch is easily equated to long-range missile capability. If that were aimed at your own country... well, it seems the Turks have been expertly stoking those anxieties, manipulating other nations into avoiding direct confrontation with Shinra. Rufus really is too good at his job. He keeps Cloud as his trump card, of course, but he’s already solving most problems on his own.

"I see. The Reactors are stable, and the anti-Shinra factions are shrinking. All that remains is the Promised Land... Professor Hojo, what is the status of the project?"

The President’s voice, which had been jovial until now, suddenly turned cold. Despite Shinra’s flourishing business, there had been zero progress regarding the Promised Land—the one thing the President truly obsessed over.

Most people would be paralyzed with fear to be called out by that tone of voice, but unfortunately, the Head of the Science Department was not "most people."

"Regarding that... I believe it would be best to suspend the Promised Land project indefinitely."

"...I suggest you explain yourself," the President growled, glaring at Hojo. Palmer flinched at the sheer pressure of the President’s gaze, but Hojo remained unphased.

"There is nothing to explain. Professor Gast’s original hypothesis was flawed. Jenova does not possess the ability to locate the Promised Land. Therefore, what we should demand from Jenova is not a map, but the creation of powerful warriors. In fact, the SOLDIER program has exponentially increased Shinra’s military strength and contributed vastly to the company. Wouldn't you agree, Vice President?"

Rufus nodded in agreement.

"Indeed. While Shinra’s current profits are the result of efforts across all departments, the Science Department's contributions to the SOLDIER program are particularly noteworthy. It was thanks to SOLDIER that we won the war against Wutai and successfully executed our propaganda campaigns."

Rufus threw his weight behind Hojo, validating the Science Department’s worth. However, the President wasn't ready to abandon his lifelong dream just yet. He fired back.

"Very well. I concede that Gast’s hypothesis may not lead us to the Promised Land, and I acknowledge the Science Department’s contributions. However, we have discovered and are currently monitoring a genuine Ancient, have we not? Could we not use her to reach the Promised Land?"

Right—Aerith is right there under Shinra’s nose. The Turks are keeping a casual eye on her; they could snatch her up at any moment if they felt like it.

"True. If she were to cooperate with us voluntarily, we could perform a full battery of tests... but as she is the only precious specimen remaining, we cannot afford to use heavy-handed tactics," Hojo remarked.

"The SOLDIER Department will not permit any 'heavy-handed' tactics either," Rufus added. "We have currently assigned one of our SOLDIERs to the surviving Ancient as a 'bodyguard' in her daily life. It may take time, but eventually, she will come to contribute to the company of her own accord."

The fact that Zack and Aerith are dating is actually quite famous. It even circulated through the Fan Club newsletters; everyone in the company knows. The romance between the Slum Florist and the Elite SOLDIER... of course, it was the Turks who leaked those rumors.

If the company tried to take Aerith by force, Zack—the leader of the SOLDIER forces—wouldn't stand for it, and his subordinates would likely defect en masse. Besides, people find it easier to sympathize with a tragic romance than a fairy tale like the Promised Land; the employees’ hearts would be with Zack.

Realistically, the company hasn't forgotten the impact of when Genesis and Angeal took a faction of SOLDIERs and defected. A repeat of that would be catastrophic for Shinra’s current momentum.

"Gahaha! Looks like the Young Master has you checkmated, Mr. President. Come now, there's no need to rush when everything is going so well. Why not treat that plan as a long-term goal and re-evaluate?" Heidegger laughed.

"Ohohoho! For once, Heidegger says something sensible, Shinra is doing just fine without a Promised Land. There’s no need to take unnecessary risks here."

"Uhyohyo! It’s best not to interfere with a young couple’s romance. They say anyone who gets in the way of love gets kicked by a Chocobo!" Palmer joked.

"With the Reactors running smoothly, we can use that expertise to build the Neo Midgar you envisioned, using the current Midgar as a foundation," Reeve suggested.

"Kukuku... and of course, the Science Department is looking beyond the SOLDIER program to further benefit the company. To start, we are looking into mass-producing SOLDIERs at a lower cost... and researching treatments for Mako Addiction."

One by one, every department head voiced their opposition to the President’s fixation. Their individual ideologies differed, but for this brief moment, their interests were perfectly aligned.

"So, this is the vision you've chosen for the company... Rufus?"

"Yes. Shinra can reign over the world even without a Promised Land. For the sake of a new era, now is the time to solidify our foundation, Father."

The President knew exactly who had orchestrated this coordination. Staring straight at Rufus, the President finally gave a slow nod.

"Fine. I can see from the reports how much you have contributed and the results you've delivered. Since my son has finally matured as a businessman, it is only right that I yield for the future of Shinra."

"You’re being unusually agreeable today," Rufus noted.

"Don't be a fool. I am simply making a decision based on long-term strategy rather than immediate desire. And I have not given up on the Promised Land. If the Ancient woman becomes cooperative, continue the search with the utmost caution."

"Understood. I've met her a few times; at this rate, I believe she’ll cooperate with Shinra through Zack."

Wow, he actually did it! Rufus actually managed to suppress the President’s obsession with the Promised Land! This feels like the first real step toward a peaceful world.

What is this feeling? Is it the satisfaction of completing a massive project? Or the feeling of a proud uncle watching his nephew succeed at a huge job? No, wait... even if I'm "older," calling Rufus my "nephew" is a bit much. I’m getting too emotional and thinking weird things.

"Now, I would like to propose a discussion regarding the matter of Deepground located beneath us..."

"Ohohoho! Good work. You’ve certainly gained some presence, Mr. Future President."

"Gahaha! To stand your ground against the President and make him swallow your demands—the Young Master’s growth knows no bounds!"

After the meeting ended and the President left the room, the "Ohohoho and Gahaha" duo approached Rufus.

"Hmph. It’s only natural. With this much preparation and these profit margins, even my father couldn't just ignore it."

He’s clearly capable, but I really wish someone would do something about those laughs.

"Uhyohyo! I’m just glad it didn't turn into a bloodbath. I was able to enjoy my tea in peace."

"Kukuku... regardless, if I can conduct research without wasting resources on something like the Promised Land, it will be much easier for me to contribute to the company."

Why are all our executives such "characters"? Talking to them is exhausting. One-on-one is fine, but all at once is a headache.

"Thanks to the Vice President, I’ve secured a sufficient budget for the Midgar restructuring, and the renovation plans for the existing Mako Reactors are moving forward," Reeve said.

Is Reeve the only normal one here? Well, Scarlet is usually the easiest to talk to, but as soon as she gets competitive, that habit of hers comes out.

"Regarding Deepground..." Rufus started.

"Yes," Hojo interrupted. "Am I correct in assuming we can expend the existing 'samples' under the guise of the original objective—developing a cure for SOLDIER degradation?"

"I don't care. Our current SOLDIER forces are sufficient. We don't need to harbor potential liabilities internally. It’s better to use them to stabilize the SOLDIER process or find a cure for Mako Addiction."

Simply "disposing" of them would invite unnecessary backlash. Handing them over to Professor Hojo under the pretense of "medical treatment" is the most tactical move. How many of them survive the process is anyone's guess, but at the very least, they’ll become the foundation of medical advancement.

In terms of military power, we have the SOLDIER Department, Public Security, and the war machines from Advanced Weaponry along with their experimental units. That’s more than enough. To prevent further defections from Shinra, we need to clean up the internal mess.

Sephiroth and Zack wouldn't be pleased if the company continued to openly promote such atrocities. We've already seen the headache caused by internal staff defecting, like Genesis, Angeal, or Hollander leaking technology.

Avalanche grew because various anti-Shinra groups joined forces, but their root is Planetology—the study of protecting the Planet’s life. Since that's an easy concept for the masses to digest, Shinra’s counter-strategy must be a "Clean Image." If we can prove Mako Reactors can coexist with the Lifestream, and if Shinra establishes a cure for the addiction Mako causes, the anti-Shinra movement will lose its momentum.

"Professor Hojo, I received a report that you have a lead on a stable supply of SOLDIERs?"

"Yes. We've discovered that psychological factors interact with Jenova cells differently than pure physical aptitude. If we put candidates through a specific level of training before testing their SOLDIER suitability, it will lead to a much more stable supply."

"I see. I’ll coordinate with Sephiroth and we’ll restructure the training phase."

"Furthermore, since the SOLDIER Department provided me with a significant number of 'failed' samples created by Hollander... if I combine them with the S-Cells I discovered, I can mass-produce lower-quality units immediately—provided you don't mind them being inferior to our top tier."

"Hmph. How 'inferior' are we talking?"

"At best, 3rd Class level. Perhaps 2nd Class if the individual has high natural talent."

Well, we already have Sephiroth and Zack for individual power. For unit-based operations, as long as they are functional, quantity has a quality of its own. Honestly, 2nd Class strength is more than enough for a standard soldier.

"That’s fine. I don't expect another masterpiece like Sephiroth to appear anytime soon."

"Kukuku... quite right. There will never be another SOLDIER who surpasses Sephiroth. We shall shift our focus toward mass-producing SOLDIERs who can handle the grunt work so Sephiroth doesn't have to trouble himself."

"Ara, you’re as confident as ever when it comes to Sephiroth," Scarlet chimed in, prodding at Hojo. I’m getting used to this back-and-forth.

"Well... he is the ultimate masterpiece of my SOLDIER project. I’m willing to acknowledge that your Cloud is quite impressive in his own right, but surpassing Sephiroth is a tall order."

"Fufufu... it seems you finally recognize how excellent my Cloud is."

"Of course. A scientist must always maintain an eye for the quality of a specimen."

Hojo praises Sephiroth; Scarlet praises Cloud. Since they are rivals in the field of human enhancement, it’s fine if they want to compete over their results—but I really wish they wouldn't drag me into it.