Chapter 28: To the Land Where it all Began

"Well? Any luck finding anything out about your father?"

"His name pops up in the research materials from before he met my mother, but after that... there’s nothing at all."

After our discussion, Chadley managed to get us authorization to enter the archives of the Science and Research Division. Apparently, any employee with a high enough rank can access this room if they file the proper paperwork. Zack and Sephiroth should have access as well, but they told me they’ve never used it once.

"Are you two just not the studious type?"

"I don't hate studying," Zack replied, "but archives always feel a bit... suffocating, you know?"

"I simply have no interest in the place," Sephiroth added coldly. "There is rarely anything of substance to be found here."

Listening to them, they sounded just like the kids back in the Slums who hated doing their homework. Well, I can sort of see Zack's point. I like reading, but archives do have a certain stiff, formal atmosphere...

On the other hand, Chadley, who works here, seems to spend all his free time in this room. He’s even memorized where every single document is located. He’s amazing! Cloud also drops by occasionally to study the records, so the two of them have been a huge help in my search for information.

"The documents stored in this archive only cover a portion of Professor Gast's tenure at Shinra," Chadley explained. "Therefore, we may not find much regarding Aerith’s mother."

"I see... Still, even if it’s just seeing his name in print here and there, it makes me feel a little closer to my father."

As I spoke, I leafed through one of the files. I don't really have the technical knowledge to understand the contents, but seeing my father’s name on so many documents means he must have worked incredibly hard on his research.

"Father..."

"Aerith, get behind me."

Suddenly, Sephiroth stepped in front of me as if to shield me. I was about to ask what was wrong, but before I could, a different voice rang out.

"Oya-oya. It’s rare to see such a crowd in the archives."

"What are you doing here!?"

"What a strange question. Is it so baffling that the Director of the Science and Research Division would be in his own archives? If anything, it is the presence of so many outsiders that is the true anomaly."

His logic was sound, but his tone was dripping with that signature condescension.

"Easy, Sephiroth. No need to be so aggressive. Our apologies, Professor Hojo."

Zack immediately bowed his head. I expected a sharp retort, but Hojo didn't seem interested in us at all. He looked away almost instantly.

"I care not. I assume you have authorization to be here. Though, I doubt there is anything of value in the documents you are permitted to view."

"Hmph. Is there another archive besides this one?"

"Naturally. This room is accessible to anyone in my division, and even personnel from other sectors like Public Security or Advanced Weaponry can enter with permission. We do not keep high-level secrets in such a public space."

As he spoke, he adjusted his glasses and brushed past us, acting as if Cloud and I didn't even exist.

"Why are you here, Professor?"

"Reviewing old data. I have to provide the President with an update regarding the Promised Land. Honestly, despite inheriting this from my predecessor, I fail to see why I must deal with such trivialities..."

"Professor, shall I fetch the thesis regarding the Promised Land from the archives for you?" Chadley offered.

"Very well... I doubt much remains, but gather whatever documents might satisfy the President."

Hojo watched as Chadley went off to collect the files. I couldn't help but feel a sense of dissonance. Was he always this... composed? I remembered him being more insidious, more spiteful. But I didn't feel that aura from him now.

His high-strung appearance hadn't changed, but he seemed to possess a strange sort of latitude—an air of confidence.

"Were you all looking for something as well?"

At his question, Zack and I hesitated for a moment. We were looking for information on Aerith's father, Professor Gast, but it was a well-known fact that Hojo held a massive inferiority complex toward him. Furthermore, considering Aerith is a survivor of the Cetra, revealing her presence here didn't seem like the best move.

"U-um, I have something I'd like to ask you!"

"Aerith!?"

Aerith jumped out from behind us and stood right in front of Hojo. My hand reflexively went to the hilt of Masamune, while Cloud and Elena silently moved into positions to cover Hojo if necessary. Zack placed a steadying hand on my shoulder, and I let go of my blade.

"Well, well... the little Ancient girl. How many years has it been since we last met? Do you have business with me?"

"I'm looking for information about my father and mother. You worked with my father, didn't you, Professor Hojo?"

A flicker of suspicion crossed his face, but he seemed to realize the intent behind her question immediately. A dark, intrigued smile played on his lips. Knowing him, I expected him to see this as a perfect opportunity to use his "specimen" for an experiment. To my surprise, Hojo actually answered.

"The majority of the records Professor Gast left behind were kept at the Shinra Manor. If you wish to view them, you must travel to Nibelheim."

"Nibelheim? Where is that?"

"It’s quite a distance from here," Zack chimed in. "That’s my hometown—and Cloud's, too. If we can get some time off, I can show you around."

I recalled that Nibelheim was the site of the first Mako Reactor, and there was supposedly an accident at the Shinra Manor managed by the Science Division a while back. The incident was hushed up, likely involving one of Hojo’s biological experiments.

Still, I hadn't realized Cloud was from there.

"The Urban Development Division currently manages the Shinra Manor. I left it alone, thinking it had little value... but perhaps it is time I checked on the status of that thing myself. Can I count on the experimental unit for an escort? If you deliver Chadley and me to the manor, you may do as you wish afterward."

"U-um, may I come along as well!" Aerith asked eagerly.

Hojo looked taken aback by her enthusiasm.

"Well... you are an outsider, but you are an Ancient under Company supervision. I suppose one more piece of luggage won't hurt."

"Yes, sir. Elena and I will take full responsibility for escorting you and Chadley," Cloud stated firmly. "With Zack coming along, Aerith's presence shouldn't be an issue."

"Very well. I shall send my schedule later. See to the arrangements."

With that, he walked out of the room with Chadley in tow, as if nothing had happened.

"That went well, Aerith!"

"Yeah! He wasn't nearly as scary as I thought."

As Aerith answered Zack with a carefree smile, I couldn't help but feel uneasy. Hojo isn't that kind of man. If anything, the one who pulled those terms out of him was...

"He seems to have taken quite a liking to you, Cloud."

"So, in short, we're all going to Nibelheim with Aerith."

"Yes. The Science and Research Division has formally requested us as escorts."

"And the SOLDIER program gave authorization since Zack is coming along," Elena added.

This has turned into quite a headache. If possible, I wanted to keep Sephiroth as far away from Nibelheim as I could, but it looks like he’s coming too. Sephiroth, Aerith, and Hojo... all gathered in one place. Even if the goal is the Shinra Manor, knowing Hojo, he’ll probably insist on checking the Jenova at the Mako Reactor once we’re there.

Management of the Nibelheim Reactor falls under Urban Development, but the Company is well aware of Jenova's presence deep within. They know how dangerous it is, but they need those cells for SOLDIER research, and since there’s been no visible damage, it’s been left as is.

From my perspective, I’d like to burn it to ashes right now. But to the Company, it’s a priceless sample—the very foundation of the SOLDIER project. As a mere executive, I can't just dispose of it on a whim. Since it hasn't caused any problems yet, Shinra's policy is to continue managing it as corporate property.

"When can we get everyone's schedules to line up?"

"Let's see... Professor Hojo won't be free until after the Executive Board Meeting next week."

So, in one week, Sephiroth and Jenova will be closer than ever... I need to recall Vincent in the meantime. I have to prepare for the worst-case scenario.

"Just hypothetically... if Cloud were to go all out against Sephiroth right now, what are his chances of winning?"

Elena tilted her head, not quite grasping the weight of the question. Cloud, however, seemed to run the data on Sephiroth through his head before answering.

"Assuming it’s just Sephiroth, and I have Elena and Vincent on my team... I believe we can handle it."

Right. We should be able to manage. If I remember correctly, the Sephiroth from the original game was a monster that had fallen into the Lifestream—he wasn't even human anymore. In that sense, no matter how strong he is now, he’s still within the framework of an enhanced human.

The same goes for Cloud. He hasn't undergone the SOLDIER process, but I’ve spent a long time power-leveling him, and his gear is a masterpiece of Advanced Weaponry technology. As for Elena, thanks to the "Cloud Bootcamp," she’s become a close-quarters specialist—honestly, she might be stronger than Tifa was in the game. Vincent has also cut his "shut-in" period short; with his training and experience hunting anti-Shinra cells, he's incredibly formidable.

Before I knew it, I’d assembled a team that perfectly covered all the roles of the original trio. Elena for CQC instead of Tifa, and Vincent for long-range instead of Barret. But instead of being "terrorists," these three are elite agents who outclass even the Turks. With them, I can keep an eye on Hojo and Sephiroth and hopefully cover any "incidents" that arise.

"I’m setting a special shift for the next week. Contact Chadley and have him adjust the combat simulations."

"Director Scarlet... do you really expect trouble in Nibelheim?"

I can't blame Elena for being suspicious. It is a strange order. Cloud and Vincent have infiltrated the Shinra Manor before, but she’s completely in the dark. It’s getting harder to hide the truth about Sephiroth and Jenova. It might be time to tell them what I can.

Sephiroth hasn't done anything wrong yet, and the Company views Jenova as an asset. But if I have to consider the extermination of Jenova, I’ll have to be the one to protect my team from the Company’s wrath. I’ve lived in this world for a long time now; I may not be a fighter, but I have to find my resolve.

"Listen up. I have something important to tell you all. This isn't about the Company—this is personal."

The time has finally come to face Jenova. If it has to be done, we’ll do it. These three have grown truly strong in the environment I provided for them. I might not be the protagonist of this story, but I’m going to slam the full weight of a "back-office salaryman" right into the face of destiny.

"This all began with a project Aerith’s father, Professor Gast, was conducting for Shinra..."

There’s a chance Nibelheim might go up in flames just like the original timeline. I want to prevent that, but I’m out of personnel. Maybe I can convince Rufus to lend me the Turks? Either way, regarding Jenova, I’ll have to start by persuading Rufus first. I have to find a way to make the Company look the other way while we handle it.

I might have to mobilize every bit of status and influence I’ve built up to strike Jenova down.

"Director Reeve, here is the summary of the Mako Reactor operations from last month. These are the first figures since the new safety protocols were integrated."

"Ah, thank you. Let’s see... everything seems to be in order. Wait... the Nibelheim Reactor..."

"Is something wrong, sir?"

"This is strange. The amount of Mako being drawn and the amount being converted into energy don't match. And yet, the same amount of energy is being supplied as before... There are no reports of excess Mako leakage, either. This is highly irregular. Please, connect me to Director Scarlet of Advanced Weaponry immediately. Also, put a hold on the Science Division's request for a site visit and send them this data summary."