Cliff Resort was built in the early days of Shin-Ra Company as a health spa for its staff. However, people preferred spending time by the sea than in the mountains, so it was eventually shut down. The lodges A number remained in the same condition for all these years. Rufus, Tseng, Elena, Reno, rude, Kilrnister and Judd split into two cars and made their way there. Waiting there, were a large number of patients. Most of whom were patients of Dr. Kilmister that the Turks had brought from Kalm. Rufus was suspicious at first, but Tseng explained everything to him.

* * *

A little over a week ago, Kilmister showed up at the Shin-Ra Building and called loudly for the Turks. Reno and Rude were on guard duty at the time. Kilrnister said that he had a letter from Rufus Shin-Ra for them. Full of hope that they could finally find out about the whereabouts of Rufus, Reno and Rude came out of hiding and went to Kilmister.

All the letter said was, “Give as much of the stimulant as possible to this doctor”. Since they could make head nor tail of it, and were suspicious whether the letter really came from Rufus, they told him to come back the next day. Rude then went back to their makeshift office in sector five to consult with Tseng, while Reno tailed Kilmister.

Tseng somehow felt that it really was the President’s handwriting, but couldn’t say for sure. However, he came to the conclusion that they should give the doctor the stimulants and then secretly follow him.

Reno followed Kilmister, which led him to Kalm. Kilmister had apparently disappeared from his clinic about half a year ago, and the refugees had set up a small hospital themselves. The patients celebrated his return and pleaded with him to treat them. Reno watched through the window as Kilmister grumpily examined patients. He came to the conclusion that Kilmister’s own health was waning.

The next day, Kilmister returned to the foyer of the Shin-Ra building and and examined the piled up boxes containing the stimulants. He opened one of the boxes, picked up a canteen of water, diluted some of the stimulant in it, and drank it.

The Turks looked at him dumbfounded, as he sat on the ground and asked them to wait until the drug took effect. He then lay down. The Turks had no choice but to wait, since he was the only one who of Rufus’ whereabouts.

After a while Kilmister’s complexion and mood had improved considerably. He ordered the Turks to carry the boxes to a location near Midgar. Clearly taking advantage of the situation, he asked Tseng if there was a vacant facility he could make use of. He was looking for a remote, but not too distant place, where a large number of patients could live.According to Kilmister, he wanted to research a cure for the disease and make a contribution to the world. When it became clear that the Turks didn’t quite trust him, he suddenly started telling them about Rufus’ current condition. Since he could tell them exactly where Rufus was injured and how badly, the Turks had no choice but to believe him. In addition, he boasted that he was the person who rescued Rufus from captivity in Mutten’s mansion, and that the Shin-Ra Company should be grateful to him. When the Turks asked Kilmister why he had waited so long to contact them, he laughed, replying that he wanted to recruit Rufus Shin-Ra to his cause.

Cliff Resort immediately came to Tseng’s mind and he decided to lead Kilmister there. The doctor was very impressed with the location and immediately ordered the patients to be brought there. The Turks were reluctant to take orders from a drug-dependent doctor, but Kilmister threatened to leave them in the dark about Rufus’ whereabouts if they didn’t comply with his wishes.

So they followed his instructions and made several trips to transfer the patients from the Kalm to the Cliff Resort. Kilmister ordered the Turks around as if they were his subordinates. But eventually, he was so pleased with the way things were going, he agreed to lead them to Rufus.

The fact that they had arrived at the cave a little later than Kilmister, was due to the fact that Reno had lost sight of the doctor’s truck in the heavy rain and flooded roads. Reno later insisted that his failure was actually a triumph, by claiming that it was all thanks to his unique instincts that lead them to the cave, even without any guidance.

* * *

Rufus spent his time in the Cliff Resort as a patient. There still was no cure, so he just took the diluted stimulant, which merely suppressed the pain. On good days, when he didn’t have a fever, the Turks filled him in on the latest developments, and talked about their plans for the future.

One day, something suddenly popped into Rufus’ mind while talking to Reno.
“What’s at the center of the new city?”

“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 center of the city.”

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

“What kinda monument?”

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

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

“To claim our place.”

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

* * *

The Shin-Ra Company was still being held responsible by the general public for the disaster, but since they provided materials and equipment, as well as fuel and medicines, they soon enjoyed at least some degree of respect and trust.

One of Shin-Ra’s former executives, Reeve, made a large contribution by sending building materials and workers from Junon. It was clear that Reeve had now assumed a hostile attitude toward Shin-Ra, but as long as the work of the Turks and Veld rounded up former company employees for the benefit of the Society, he wouldn’t cross them.

Reno, with the help of some volunteers, began to construct the monument. Many people were excited by the idea of building a landmark in the center of the city, and were happy to help. Amongst them, there were even some who knew that Shin-Ra was behind it, and protested, but Reno always dealt with this problem “the Turk’s way”.

The number of patients at Cliff Resort fluctuated, but all in all the place worked wonderfully as a spa. However, one day there was uproar when Kilmister announced that at present rate of consumption, the stimulant would soon be used up. Elena had become accustomed to life in the town and had become close to the people, so one day she suggested they should distribute the stimulants in the town. Rufus had agreed to this, but it resulted in the depletion of stocks in the warehouse. So Rufus ordered the Turks to gather together the anyone who has pharmaceutical knowledge, and begin the production of the stimulant – but under a different name.

They had intended to use Shin-Ra’s facilities, and if necessary, they could negotiate something with Reeve, but Kilmister wasn’t satisfied. He demanded that they should first secure a was not sufficient amount for Cliff Resort.

Tseng and the others knew that he was only thinking of his own dependence, but for some unknown reason, Rufus was always very lenient with him. The stimulant was obtained from the tail of the Nibel bear. Since the dose of the active ingredient used to relieve pain wasn’t as high as for it’s actual purpose, it was possible to produce a substantial amount from only one tail. Elena immediately set off to take care of the procurement of the active ingredient.

“Hey Rude,” Reno looking unusually troubled. “Why’s the Boss being so lenient with 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 wouldn’t mind being examined. I mean, we’re surrounded by so many sick people, but nothing’s happened to us. Weird, isn’t it?”

“The Boss said it isn’t contagious,”

Reno admitted his doubts and Rude gave him a playful punch to the side

“How about a little training, partner? Been a while.”

“Why?”

“A healthy mind and a healthy body. If both is in harmony, we won’t fall ill.”

“Stop talking like an old geezer,”

In the same breath, Reno took a fighting stance, and soon they were engaged in a sweat-inducing Sparring match.

* * *

Hooligans – That’s how the elderly patients at the Cliff Resort referred to Rufus and his entourage. Some said they couldn’t understand why the cohesion of this group was so strong. Even in changing times like these, they still saw themselves as the President staff, but why they were still clinging to these long outdated hierarchy, wasn’t quite so clear. To outsiders, they seemed at times like children playing adults. Children who either had nothing enjoyable to look forward to at home, or had no home at all, and therefore indulged entirely in their game.

* * *

One evening, 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’m very intrigued to learn what the relation between the disease I have and Jenova is.”

“…Why not. So, first things first, with regard to an effective treatment, there has been no progress since the outbreak of the disease two years ago.”

Kilmister, who had obviously just administered a dose of his home-made stimulant, was in a great mood, and delivered this devastating realization almost like a hilarious joke. Rufus listened to him without the slightest change in his facial expressions.

“But I know, in principle, what the cause of the disease is.”

Kilmister continued, explaining how the first patients had come in directly contact with the Lifestream. He proudly announced that this realization came to him quite early, after he had questioned the patients.

“But there is a common characteristic which connects all of the patients. They are all either depressed, or had accepted death – does this sound familiar, Mr President?”

Indeed, thought Rufus.

“A global catastrophe had just occurred, naturally they had many concerns and fears about the future, and that death was near. That’s why the number of patients had risen so much. Also…”

Kilmister then came to the subject of the black liquid. Rufus remembered the black liquid in the flooded cave – the black liquid that seemed to have a mind of its own.

“Among the patients, the vast majority had seen this black liquid in hindsight. I believe they have either come in contact with, or drank the water without noticing it. We are talking about water after all. If you think of it like that, it can reach you wherever you are, if it wants to.”

“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 suffer from are symptoms that their immune systems are fighting against a foreign body. Compared to other diseases, perhaps this one is too fierce for the body’s immune system to handle, but with this opponent, it’s perhaps no surprise…”

“And who is this “opponent”, as you put it?”

“…Sephiroth’s genes… or Jenova’s genes – or rather, remnants of their shared consciousness. It’s as I told you before. They resemble the distinct characteristics of members of SOLDIER.”

Rufus froze at the mention of Sephiroth’s name – in fact, this had vaguely crossed his mind when he had been overpowered by the black liquid.

“Mr President. I would like to investigate Jenova. Where is it now?”

Kilmister showed no concern about Rufus’ reaction.

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

“Then order your subordinates to find it.”

“Let me think about it.”

“Fine, but don’t take too long.”

Rufus just nodded. Kilmister made his way to the door. He was still quite excited and appealed to Rufus once more.
“There was a project that I once proposed, which was rejected by Professor Hojo. I’m dying to give it a try. I’m sure I can create something even beyond Sephiroth.”

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.

“It’s too late for those who already show symptoms of the disease. Those who are health should be fine as long as they don’t cloud their hearts with darkness. You’re welcome to announce this to the public… but don’t mention the water. It would just lead to panic..”

Rufus, who himself suffered from the disease, left the room in silence.

* * *

The next morning, Kilmister was found dead. Somebody had shot him. As Tseng examined his corpse, Judd approached him and confessed to the crime.

“Where did you get the gun?”

“I can’t tell you – I wasn’t told to keep quiet about it, but I owe the person that much.”

When Tseng reported the situation to Rufus, he didn’t seem surprised.

“oh”

“Tseng, listen to me.”

“Yes, Sir.”

“Shin-Ra Company must 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 in the Lifestream.”

“Yes, sir. I’ll make the necessary preparations at once.”

* * *

Rude and Reno were in the process of repainting the sign to Cliff Resort to the name ‘Healen Lodge’.

“‘Healin’? What does that mean?”

“It means to heal the world.”

Reno and Rude turned to find Rufus approaching from behind them.

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

Rufus’s voice tingled with excitement.

“Let’s get to work.”

Episode:Shin-Ra
Fin

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