Scene 30
- Experimental Aerith -
(Cloud, Barret, and Tifa arrive on the 68th floor. It is a research lab, more advanced than that on the 67th floor. There is a glass tube like that on the 67th. Near the glass tube is Hojo. Inside the glass tube is Aerith.)
Cloud
"Aerith!"
Hojo
"Aerith? Oh, is that
her name? What do you want?"
Cloud
"We're taking Aerith
back."
Hojo
"Outsiders....."
Barret
"Shoulda noticed it
earlier, you..."
Hojo
"There's so many frivolous
things in this world."
(Cloud and Barret move forward.)
Hojo
"Are you going to
kill me? I don't think you should."
"The equipment here
is extremely delicate. Without me, who could operate it? Hmm?"
Cloud
"Ugh."
Hojo
"That's right. I recommend
you think things out logically before you make any rash moves."
"Now, bring in the
Specimen!"
(The red creature from the 67th floor is lifted into the tube. Cloud, Barret, and Tifa run to the tube. The creature twitches its tail. Aerith runs to the glass.)
Aerith
"Cloud, help!"
(Cloud turns to Hojo.)
Cloud
"What do you think
you're doin'?"
Hojo
"Lending a helping
hand to an endangered species... Both of them are on the brink of extinction..."
"If I don't help,
all these animals will disappear."
Tifa
"...animal? That's
terrible! Aerith is a human being!"
Barret
"You're gonna pay!"
Cloud
"Barret! Can't you
do anything?"
(Barret aims his gun at the tube.)
Barret
"Awright!! Step back!"
Hojo
"Stop!"
(Barret fires at the tube. The inside of the tube glows a brilliant white as it malfunctions. Hojo runs to the tube.)
Hojo
"Wh... what are you
do-- Oh! My precious specimens..."
(The tube glows brighter. The door opens... the light dims, and we see
the red creature poised in the door. It leaps forward and starts attacking
Hojo.)
Cloud
"Now's our chance
to get Aerith!"
(Cloud runs into the tube and helps Aerith up from the floor.)
Aerith
"Thanks. Cloud."
(She runs out of the tube, which starts to glow a dull blue. Cloud backs out of the tube.)
Tifa
"Cloud... what's wrong?"
Cloud
"...The elevator is
moving."
(Hojo pulls himself out from under the red creature.)
Hojo
"This is no ordinary
specimen. This is a very ferocious specimen!"
(It turns away from Hojo and sits.)
"He's rather strong. I'll help you all out."
Tifa
"It talked!?"
"I'll talk as much as you want later, Miss."
(Cloud runs out of the tube and to the creature.)
Cloud
"We'll take care of
that monster."
"Somebody take Aerith
somewhere safe..."
<CHOICE>
Tifa, I'm countin'
on you!
Barret, take care
of her!
***Cloud
Tifa, I'm countin'
on you!
(Tifa and Aerith run out.)
***Cloud
Barret, take care
of her!
(Barret and Aerith run out.)
<//>
Cloud
"What's your name?"
Red
"Hojo has named me,
Red XIII. A name with no meaning whatsoever to me. Call me whatever you
wish."
(The PLAYER names Red XIII)
Cloud
"Come on!"
(Boss battle with HO512)
(Aerith and Tifa/Barret run into the lab.)
Cloud
"Aerith, you all right?"
Tifa
"She seems all right,
...in many ways."
Red XIII
"I have a right to
choose, too. I don't like two-legged things."
Barret
"What are you?"
Red XIII
"An informed question.
But difficult to answer. I am what you see."
"...You must have
many questions, but first, let's get out of here. I'll lead the way."
Aerith
"Cloud... so you did
come for me."
(Red XIII leaps over the railing toward the exit.)
Red XIII
"I apologize for what
happened back there. I was merely acting to throw Hojo off guard......"
Barret
"Now we've saved Aerith,
ain't no need to be in this buildin'! So let's get the hell outta here!"
Cloud
"If all five of us
go together, we'll be noticed. Let's break up into two groups."
(You can rearrange your party here. I took Red XIII and Barret.)
Aerith
"I'll see you later!!
We'll be waiting at the 66th Floor Elevator."
Tifa
"We'll be going first!
Meet at the 66th Floor Elevator."
(They exit. A person in the lab gives them the Keycard 68.)
"No! Please don't kill
me. I only did what Hojo told me to do."
"To prove it to you....
here, this is the key card to the 68th Floor. Would I be doing this if
I was the enemy?"
(They go to the 66th Floor elevator and operate the switch. A Turk walks in and places his hand on Cloud's shoulder...)
Cloud
"H, hey! What is it?"
Rude
"Would you press 'Up'
please?"
Cloud
"Turks? Must be a
trap..."
(Tseng comes into the elevator.)
Tseng
"It must have been
a real thrill for you... Did you enjoy it?"
Cloud
"Ggh..."
phoenixgenesis@game-developer.com
Continue to Part 3 Scene 31