Chapter 24: A Scientist’s Perspective

As a man of science, Shinra remains a sponsor of undeniable utility.

The funding is vast, the research facilities are state-of-the-art, and above all, the volume of samples available is unparalleled. All of this is perfectly satisfactory. My only grievance is the President’s persistent pursuit of that "Promised Land" delusion.

I will admit that Professor Gast’s presentation on the Cetra—the Ancients—possessed a certain charm, the kind that gives commoners ignorant of science something to dream about. But for the head of a corporation this size to be so utterly infatuated with a fairy tale... it is nothing short of preposterous. Since they hold the purse strings, I cannot complain to his face, but no matter how many results my SOLDIER Project produced, the inquiry was always the same: finding the path to the Promised Land.

It is a taxing endeavor to teach those who lack the capacity to understand.

The tides only began to turn once the Vice President took control of the SOLDIER department. The Vice President—though he undoubtedly prizes Sephiroth above all—greatly appreciates the achievements of the Science and Research Division. He was wise enough to set the Promised Land aside and prioritize the advancement of Mako and SOLDIER research.

Since then, the quality of data coming in from the field has improved, and I am being allocated a significant number of captured specimens. Previously, the Advanced Weaponry Division would pilfer them under the guise of "test subjects," but since I secured my own dedicated testers, their interference has diminished considerably.

Thanks to this, I was able to analyze the mass-produced failures Hollander left behind and successfully culture G-cells. With these, it is a simple matter to reduce the number of Mako-poisoning cases during the "SOLDIER-ization" process—though, naturally, the quality of the final product suffers.

I have never been fond of performing trivial experiments with obvious answers, but it seems such things are better received by the mediocre masses. It was the same when I modified those Guard Hounds a while back; I saw little scientific value in it myself, but they served as an excellent pretext to secure more budget and samples.

At the very least, it is clear that dealing with the Vice President is far more efficient for my research than dealing with the President. The Science and Research Division has thrown its weight behind the Vice President, and he seems to be handling the other departments quite skillfully. My working environment is finally seeing some improvement.

"Professor Hojo, the experimental data for the new SOLDIER model—the one utilizing G-cells with reduced Mako irradiation time—is ready."

"Hmph... Just as I expected."

"Even so, to be asked for improvements to the SOLDIER Project and to prove the hypothesis so quickly... you truly are a genius, Professor Hojo."

What a tedious man, asking such nonsensical questions. I find it slightly frustrating that it has become harder to turn men like this into test subjects, but given the overall improvements to my situation, I suppose I can overlook it for now.

"My boy... this is a matter of course. Mako poisoning is simply a phenomenon caused by exposing the body to excessive levels of Mako. A child could understand that reducing the dosage reduces the burden. Furthermore, the G-cells I cultured from those 'failures' have had their ability to copy cellular data neutralized, so degradation will not occur. By combining these factors, one can certainly create Mako-enhanced troops, but they will be nothing more than inferior imitations of a true SOLDIER. Frankly, calling them 'SOLDIERs' at all is an insult. I only used the name so the common folk could grasp the concept, but I would be quite bothered if they were equated with the genuine article."

That fool Hollander believed the G-cells' ability to copy their information onto others was an advantage. To me, it is not an advantage; it is a fundamental defect. With every copy, the original cellular data leaks away, causing the host to degrade at an accelerated rate. The SOLDIERs known as Genesis and Angeal certainly produced results—Sephiroth notwithstanding—but once degradation begins, their original power can never be recovered. I heard rumors they attempted a cure, but in the end, because they mistook a defect for a merit, they were never able to resolve the core issue.

In truth, stopping the degradation itself is a trivial task. If one refrains from using the abilities, the decay does not progress rapidly, and suppressing those abilities is easily managed. However, doing so means discarding the very benefits of enhanced physical prowess that define a SOLDIER.

Hollander, you were wrong from the very beginning. Your lack of scientific intuition led you to mistake a fake for the real thing, and you were too prideful to admit it. Professor Gast was the same; he had more intuition than anyone, yet he mistook Jenova for an Ancient.

"The SOLDIERs that will be mass-produced from here on are complete inferiorities compared to the existing models. Still, as samples for my perfect SOLDIERs—and given that the SOLDIER department requires a stable supply of numbers for troop formation—they aren't entirely worthless. Though scientifically speaking, they hold no value whatsoever."

I doubt a SOLDIER who surpasses Sephiroth will ever emerge. That is precisely why the Vice President’s idea to modularize SOLDIERs into units and change their very method of deployment is so rational. It seems the unit led by that specimen Zack has been acting as a sparring partner for Sephiroth, but they are still not enough.

Perhaps I should prepare an opponent for him so he doesn't grow bored. There is no need to obsess over using only SOLDIERs to face Sephiroth; Sephiroth’s very existence has already proven he is the pinnacle of that project.

"Professor Hojo, Cloud is here."

Another researcher called out. Explaining these trivialities has made my throat dry. Since an excellent specimen has arrived, I believe I'll have a drink and cool down.

"I was just about to take a break. You there, coffee."

The researcher I had just finished "educating" scrambled toward the coffee server. If they cannot handle at least this level of menial labor, they have no value beyond the operating table.

Lately, I have begun setting aside time for a brief discussion before taking data. The blond specimen before me possesses high intelligence and is quick to respond. I often find new hypotheses during these interviews, and he applies his intellect to accurately understand the experimental parameters I propose. Occasionally, from his perspective as a specimen, he offers insights that a scientist might overlook.

"Professor Hojo, I'm looking forward to working with you again today."

"Yes, and I with you. Sit down; the coffee will be ready momentarily."

Usually, he sits immediately, but today there is someone else with him.

"I'd like to introduce Elena, from the same department. She’s currently a trainee, but eventually, I intend to have her serve as the adjutant for my experimental unit."

"I'm Elena! It's an honor to meet you, sir!"

Hmph. He has been a one-man unit for a long time, but it seems he finally has a subordinate. And bringing her to me means...

"You didn't bring her here just for a greeting, I presume?"

"Correct. Would it be possible to put her through the same programs I’ve been taking?"

So, he has brought me a new specimen to provide combat data. If he brought her here, she must have some modicum of talent.

"It is possible, of course. What is your combat style?"

"I-I specialize in hand-to-hand combat, sir, but I can handle most weapons!"

"Unarmed... that means her attack power and frequency will differ from Cloud, who uses the Buster Sword. What equipment and Materia do you use?"

The gloves the female specimen handed me had six slots for Materia. They looked no different from standard leather gloves, but with small crystals embedded in the knuckles, their durability must be considerable. Another custom-made piece from that woman, I suppose.

"Then let us take her data first. What level of opponent shall we choose?"

"Do you have the simulation data for Sample: H0512?"

"Kukuku... it seems he expects quite a lot from you. Any ordinary SOLDIER facing that thing alone would surely lose their life."

"L-Lose my life?! S-senpai, let’s do this some other time! It would be a tragedy if your cute, promising junior died in a place like this!"

"No. Elena, your training has progressed significantly. It's time you experienced a life-and-death struggle."

It seems one can become strong through training to a certain point, but how one fights when their life is actually on the line is a different matter entirely. We scientists wouldn't know, and the SOLDIERs don't seem to have that issue—likely due to the influence of Jenova cells—but for a combatant who isn't a SOLDIER, it is a necessary experience.

"It's fine. At the very least, I've survived Professor Hojo's experiments this long."

"That’s because you're strong, Cloud-senpai!"

"I have a full range of Potions and medical facilities standing by just in case. Even a fatal injury can be operated on immediately. Rest assured."

"Eek! That sounds like I won't be coming out in one piece!"

"Steel yourself, Elena. You're fine; you have the skill to overcome this. All you lack is the indispensable experience of fighting an opponent above your level."

As she is a trainee, I shouldn't normally push her too hard; if she were injured, that woman would never hear the end of it. However, if her direct superior, Cloud, says so, then the responsibility does not fall on me. If the goal was to break this young woman, I would gladly cooperate, but that is likely not the case here. Fine, I shall be a bit flexible.

"In that case, I shall arrange for Cloud to be sent into the simulation if things take a turn for the worse. Does that put your mind at ease?"

"I-I think I can do it then!"

"Thank you, Professor Hojo. However, I won't interfere unless I think it's truly dangerous. You're not a full-fledged combatant until you can take this thing down alone."

"Understood! Your proud junior, Elena, will meet your expectations with everything she’s got! But... if I’m really in trouble, you have to come save me! Promise!"

"I understand. I promise."

Good grief. Managing subordinates is a trial. Not everyone moves according to one's intentions. Since she is his first subordinate, and since he has produced enough results for me to justify a little extra consideration... you should thank your superior, my new little specimen.

"Also, if I win, I want you to buy me dinner! A big celebration!"

"Don't get ahead of yourself. Well... I'll see what I can do within my budget."

"Yes! I love how generous you are, Senpai!"

A noisy woman. She is the polar opposite of Cloud, who is quiet and speaks only when necessary. Sephiroth is also taciturn, but in his case, it's likely because he loathes me and refuses to speak more than required.

"Hurry up and get ready... Professor, I apologize for the commotion."

As he urged the woman toward the simulator, Cloud bowed his head.

"Quite. Since you went through the trouble of bringing her, I expect she has some potential. Show me the results."

"Thank you, sir."

"Still, a trainee... True, with the right backing, someone in that position can move freely, which is ideal for gathering data."

Lately, my duties within the company have been so excessive that I rarely get to do field work. SOLDIERs are now mostly deployed in units, and I can no longer borrow them as easily as I once did. The Public Security Division is the same; they have no sense of the proper procedures for collecting natural specimens. And applying for a subordinate or a proper escort every time I need to go out is a bureaucratic nightmare.

"Is her training limited to the office?"

"No. Much like the Turks program, she is scheduled for field work around Midgar and combat against natural monsters under the guidance of a former Turk."

"Hmph... I see, I see..."

I am currently preparing a simulation to optimize Cloud as a training partner for Sephiroth. I have prepared combat data for Genesis and Angeal, as well as for Sephiroth himself. I cannot spend all my time overseeing his use of these, nor can I entrust it to anyone else.

"The simulation I mentioned before—the one for mock battles against Sephiroth and former 1st Classes—is nearly calibrated. I should be able to let you use it within the month."

"Really? Thank you! I haven't had many chances to fight Sephiroth lately."

"Naturally. The Vice President rarely allows Sephiroth to engage in mock battles outside of the SOLDIER department. For my part, I expect you to be a fine stimulus for Sephiroth, so I will not withhold my cooperation."

In the project to revive the Ancients—the Jenova Project—the 'Ancients' turned out to be fakes. However, in the study of Jenova, my Sephiroth is the real thing as a SOLDIER.

Neither the Ancients nor Jenova matter now. He is the SOLDIER I researched and gave form to. And among them all, my son is...

"I don't know how to thank you, Professor Hojo, for going to such lengths for my personal dream."

"It matters not. If it serves as the catalyst for Sephiroth to become even stronger, the more rivals he has to compete with, the better."

For he is the masterpiece, destined to reach even greater heights.

 Terminology:

Sample: H0512: This is the boss encountered in the Shinra Building in the original game and Remake, fitting Hojo's laboratory theme.

G-cells: Refers to Gillian Hewley's cells (from Crisis Core), which Hollander used for his experiments.

Degradation (劣化): The official term for the cellular breakdown seen in G-type SOLDIERs.

Author's Note:

The equipment Elena is using is actually the Crystal Glove, which Tifa would normally be able to equip.

Among the gloves you can buy in shops, this one has the best performance.

Attack +75, Magic +16, Accuracy +115, Critical Rate +2, 6 Materia slots, and 3 linked slot pairs.

In fact, there are stronger pieces of equipment for Tifa than this. However, many of them are rather quirky, often requiring combination with other items to be effective. So when considered on its own, this equipment is the easiest to use. Some people probably even kept it on hand even after obtaining the strongest gear.

In the story, although he has his subordinate prepare coffee, there is no scene where he actually drinks it. That’s because, upon seeing a new sample, he became too eager to start experimenting right away.

Even if he occasionally puts on a polite front in social situations, his fundamentally self-centered, mad scientist nature doesn’t change.

The daily updates have now reached the halfway point. I still haven’t built up enough of a backlog, so I need to keep writing.

As always, thank you very much for your feedback and for reporting any typos.