Cliff Resort was a place created as a sanitorium at the dawn of Shinra Company for its staff. However, people enjoyed spending their time by the sea more than the mountains so it was eventually abandoned. A number of lodges remained as they were from that time. Splitting themselves into two cars, Rufus, Tseng, Elena, Reno, Rude together with Kilmister and Judd made their way there. A large crowd of infected people had already gathered. Most of them were patients of Kilmister that the Turks had transported from Kalm. Rufus was uneasy at what he saw and so, Tseng explained.

* * *

About a week ago, Kilmister arrived at the Shinra Building and had shouted out to them. Only Reno and Rude were the ones on the lookout at the time. Kilmister had said that he had a note from Rufus Shinra and having been a while since they heard any news of the President, both of them came out from their hiding place to meet him. The letter said, “Give all the stimulant you can to this doctor” but because they didn’t know what it meant, they were suspicious if it really was from Rufus himself. They told him to come back the next day. After that, Rude returned to their “office” in the Fifth Sector to discuss the matter with Tseng while Rude tailed Kilmister.

Tseng somehow felt it was the President’s handwriting but he wasn’t completely certain. He decided to give the doctor some stimulants so that they could follow him.

Reno followed Kilmister all the way to Kalm. There, a small hospital had become home to refugees because there had been no doctors around for over half a year. Kilmister was the doctor of that hospital. The patients in Kalm were happy to see the doctor’s return and immediately they seeked help from him. As Kilmister examined the patients unhappily, Reno thought to himself that he himself must have been ill too.

The next day, Kilmister returned to the Shinra Building’s entrance and found a box stacked full of stimulants. After confirming they were what he was seeking he opened one of them and diluting it with some water from his flask that he prepared, he drank it. Ignoring the Turks who looked at him dumbfounded, he sat down on the ground then laid on his side, telling them to wait until the medicine took effect. The Turks had no choice but to wait as told because he was the only man that had information about their President.

Soon after recovering and looking better, Kilmister asked the Turks to carry the box of stimulants out of Midgar. Clearly he was taking advantage of the situation – after that, he even went ahead to ask Tseng if there was a suitable facility he could make use of. He wanted an isolated place that was away from the human habitats but also wasn’t too far away to get to and was big enough to accomodate a large number of patients. He told them that he wanted to make a contribution to history by spending his time studying the disease there. As if he suddenly realised the Turks didn’t trust him, he began telling them about Rufus and his current condition. When he managed to tell them the exact details of his injuries, the Turks believed what he said. He continued about how he had protected Rufus by leading him out of Mutten’s mansion and that they should be grateful to him. When asked why he kept quiet about all this, Kilmister answered that he had wanted to get on the President’s good side.

Tseng soon remembered about Cliff Resort and decided to lead Kilmister there. Kilmister appeared to be satisfied with the location and ordered the Turks to bring the patients. It angered the Turks that they were being ordered around as if they were one of his stimulant addicted patients but he wasn’t going to tell them where the President was until all preparations were complete so they had no choice but to obey. They made many trips to and fro between Kalm and Cliff Resort, fulfilling the doctor’s wishes. As if he was satisfied using the Turks as his own subordinates, he finally agreed to lead them to where the President was.

They arrived a little later than the doctor because Reno had lost sight of the doctor’s truck in the heavy rain and floods. Reno later insisted it was his great senses that lead them to the cave afterwards without any guidance as if to cover up his failure.

* * *

Rufus spent his time at Cliff Resort as one of the patients. He was given some stimulants, although it was referred to as medicine and it certainly cured the pain the disease caused. When he didn’t have a fever and was in good condition, he would be updated by one of the Turks finishing their shifts and re-think his plans for the future.

“What’s at the centre of the new city?” Rufus asked Reno as the thought suddenly came to mind.

“Hmmm, a plaza. A big round plaza with nothing there. There’s a road extending straight to Midgar from it and surrounding it are other streets. That’s why we call it the centre of the city.”

“In that case, build something there. Yes, build a monument there.”

“What kind of monument?”

“An ostensible kind- A monument to commemorate how the planet repelled the Meteor.”

“An ostensible kind? Then what’s its true purpose?”

“To claim our place.”

“Ah! Having it in the centre of the city means Shinra owns the place! You come up with the best ideas, Boss!” replied Reno.

* * *

As usual, Shinra Company was asked to take responsibilty for the aftermath of the Meteor but by providing reources such as machinary, fuel and medicine they managed to gain some trust amongst the people. One of Shinra’s former employees Reeve brought many machinary and human resources from Junon, making a great contribution towards the construction of the city. It was clear that Reeve was now anti-Shinra but as long as the activities of the Turks and the former Shinra employees they gathered together made contributions towards society, he did not interfere with them.

Reno, with the help of some volunteers, began to construct the monument. People were happy to help thinking it was some kind of symbol being built at the centre of the plaza. Amongst them, there were also those who protested, knowing Shinra’s true intentions but such problems were resolved using as Reno liked to call it, “the Turks’ way of doing things”.

The number of patients at Cliff Resort fluctuated but the quiet days at the sanatorium continued. However, one day there was some commotion. Kilmister was making a fuss about how their supply of stimulants were running low. Elena who had become very close with the local residents of the city suggested that they should share the stimulants with them and Rufus permitted her to do so. For that very reason very little of the stimulants remained in the warehouses. Rufus orders the Turks to gather together the people who knew the stimulant’s formula to make the preparations necessary in making more – but they were going to have to think of a new name. He had thought of using Shinra’s facilities and if necessary, contact Reeve too but Kilmister didn’t agree. He insisted that they should secure the amount necessary for Cliff Resort first. Tseng and the others weren’t happy about the addict’s request but for some reason, Rufus tolerated him. The raw materials required to produce the stimulant were the tails of Nibel bears and after learning that they maybe able to produce more than a single stimulant from each tail if the chemicals they extracted were highly concentrated, Elena immediately set off to gather supplies.

“Hey Rude,” Reno called to him, looking unusually troubled. “Why is the Boss being so kind to that Kilmister?”

“He’s waiting for the results of his research. That’s what I think.”

“What research? If he’s just going to waste money to kill a little pain then even I can do it,” Reno grunted.

“I’ve provided some of my cells as one of the healthy people. He should find out something soon enough.”

“I want to do some investigating of my own. We’re surrounded by so many of these patients yet nothing’s happened to us. Weird, isn’t it?”

“The Boss said it isn’t contagious,” said Rude punching Reno in the stomach lightly because he still looked half doubtful. “How about little training, partner? Been a while.”

“Why?”

“To train our body and mind. If we are strong in both then we won’t fall ill.”

“Stop talking like an old geezer,” said Reno but moving into a fighting stance, the two of them began their training.

* * *

The little devils – That is what the elderly patients referred to Rufus and his followers staying at Cliff Resort. Someone once said they didn’t understand how they could stay so well united.

Even the President and his subordinates themselves didn’t understand how their relationship never deteriorated or how they could still continue working together as an organisation under such dire circumstances. Strangers saw their behaviour as little children playing make-believe, pretending they had a company. Little children that had nothing good waiting for them if they returned home and in a way, it was as if they were homeless little children out playing to their heart’s content.

* * *

One day, two years after that fated day, Rufus dropped by Kilmister’s room.

“Well, doctor? Shouldn’t it be about time you revealed the results of your research to me? I am very intrigued to learn what the relation between the disease I have and Jenova is.”

“Very well. First of all, there has been no progress towards a cure even over these two years,” Kilmister said as if he was joking even though he had managed to improve the effectiveness of the stimulant. Rufus listened without any change in expression. “But I very much know the source of the disease now.”

Kilmister began by telling Rufus how the very first patient had directly been washed over by the Lifestream. He knew this the moment he examined the first patient infected and seemed to be pleased he did.

“There is another common symptom I found in the patients. Whenever the disease’s symptoms grew worse, I found they were all troubled and were ready to accept their deaths – You know that yourself don’t you, Mr. President?”

Indeed, thought Rufus.

“After that day I’m sure many have thought to themselves there is no future for them and that death was near. It was then that there was a sudden increase in the number of infected people. Also…”

Kilmister began talking about the black water. Rufus remembered the water that seemed to have its own mind during the flood in the cave.

“…Amongst the ones with post-symptoms of the disease, we have seen many who appears to be stained with black water. I believe they have either submerged or drank the water themselves without knowing it. It is water after all. When you think of it like that then they could have absorbed it from anywhere.”

“What do you mean when you say if you think of it like that?” Rufus asked, curious in the doctor’s choice of words.

“The pain and fever the patients experience is proof that their bodies are fighting a foreign substance. Compared to other illnesses, it is perhaps too much for them to endure. However, the one who brought about this substance is powerful. Nothing can be done to ease their suffering.”

“Have you found out the true source of this disease?”

“…They are Sephiroth’s genes, you could say they are Jenova’s genes in a way – No, you should say they are remnants of his genes. It is as I have once told you. They resemble the distinct characteristics that Soldiers had.”

Rufus’ memory of being surrounded by black water suddenly came to mind again and his body froze at the sound of Sephiroth’s name.

“Mr President. I would like to have a look at Jenova. Where is it?” asked Kilmister showing no concern towards how Rufus was feeling.

“Unfortunately, I do not know of its whereabouts either.”

“Order your subordinates to find it.”

“Let me think about it.”

“I hope you make a decision soon.”

Rufus nodded and turned his back towards Kilmister. Just as he was about to leave the room, Kilmister said in his usual tone, “Long ago Professor Hojo rejected a project I proposed. Even now I am itching to give it a try. I think we might be able to create something beyond Sephiroth.”

“What about the cure?” asked Rufus without turning round.

“We must give up on those who already show symptoms of the disease. However, as long as those who are still healthy don’t cloud their hearts with darkness they will remain fine. You can tell the public about that but do not let them know about the water. It will cause a panic.”

Rufus who was also one those patients already showing the symptoms left the room in silence.

* * *

The next morning, Kilmister was found dead. He was shot. When Tseng examined his corpse, Judd appeared to confess he had killed him.

“Where did you get the gun?”

“I can’t tell you – I wasn’t told to keep quiet about it but the person who gave me it had saved my life once.”

Tseng went to report to Rufus about what happened between Judd and Kilmister but Rufus didn’t seem surprised.

“Tseng, listen to me.”

“Yes, Sir.”

“Shinra Company will find Jenova and secure it.”

“…Yes, Sir.”

“Our goal is to keep it safe and not let anyone get their hands on it be it mad scientists or-“Rufus remembered Kilmister’s words, “Or remnants loitering about the Lifestream.”

“Yes, sir. I will make the neccessary preparations at once.”

* * *

Rude and Reno were repainting the sign to Cliff Resort.

“What does ‘Healing’ mean?”

“It means to heal the world.” The two of them turned round to find Rufus who had suddenly appeared behind them.

“Our methods maybe a bit reckless but- We are Shinra Company. It won’t surprise anyone.”

Rufus’s voice tingled with excitement.

* * *

Episode:Shin-Ra
Fin

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