Post by Genesis Rhapsodos on Jul 20, 2011 19:25:32 GMT -5
SOLDIER (ソルジャー, Sorujā?) is the elite fighting force of Shinra Electric Power Company in Final Fantasy VII. They are advanced super-soldiers with superhuman strength, speed, and agility. Much stronger than the Shinra Peacekeeping Troops and the Turks, Shinra uses them for special missions that require the greatest use of strength.
OverviewEdit
SOLDIER members are divided in three classes: 1st Class, 2nd Class, and 3rd Class. 1st Class SOLDIERs are responsible for the most important (and usually most dangerous) missions, 2nd and 3rd Classes mostly assist Shinra Troops or 1st Class SOLDIERs or are in charge of less important missions. New units are recruited as 3rd Class and the best of them are later promoted to 2nd Class, and only distinguished 2nd Class SOLDIERs reach 1st Class.
1st Class SOLDIERs have special privileges, as they are allowed to use personal items, clothing, and equipment and are given the right to deny orders, assuming, of course, any responsibilities from their decisions. According to the Crisis Core Complete Guide[1] SOLDIERs in and of themselves are Shinra industrial secrets, and to prevent this information from leaking outside company walls it is very difficult for SOLDIER members to retire. Even if they are allowed to leave Shinra, the company will constantly monitor their subsequent actions. Even if people believe they have evaded surveillance, Shinra will follow them for the remainder of their lives, and, in a worst case scenario, the company will have them killed.
Children around The Planet dream of joining SOLDIER and becoming 1st Class like the hero, Sephiroth. Cloud Strife, the hero of Final Fantasy VII, claims to have been a member of SOLDIER inspired to join by Sephiroth. SOLDIER operatives are easily recognizable by the "strange glow" their eyes take. To further increase the organization's popularity and for use as a propaganda tool, Shinra has created Fan Clubs for many of the 1st Class SOLDIERs.
CreationEdit Creation sectionEdit
Artwork by Tetsuya Nomura.
"Shin-Ra had a special group of warriors called SOLDIER. And all of the SOLDIERs had Jenova Cells put inside of them."
—Marlene, in the prologue to Advent Children
Approximately 30 years before the beginning of Final Fantasy VII, the Jenova Project was initiated to produce a human-Cetra hybrid using the cells from Jenova (mistaken to be a Cetra) and Mako Energy from the Planet. The result of this experiment was Sephiroth, who, although not possessing the powers of the Cetra as originally intended, was a child with exceptional abilities. Shinra recognized the potential of such a powerful warrior, so a method was planned to begin a mass production of more fighters of his type.
Using similar processes, Shinra began exposing promising warriors to raw Mako (giving their eyes the unique "glow"). Although still eclipsed by Sephiroth's strength and power, the new warriors, called SOLDIER, were given powers far beyond those of a normal combatant. They were sent on the more dangerous or important missions, had access to more equipment and information, and were higher ranked than other members of the army. These forces would be used to great effectiveness during the Wutai War.
AVALANCHEEdit AVALANCHE sectionEdit
During the battles with the first AVALANCHE in Before Crisis -Final Fantasy VII-, the data on SOLDIER operatives are stolen. Fuhito, expanding on the SOLDIER idea creates his own brand of super soldiers, the Ravens. These forces are completely without wills; they are only mindless killing machines. Using the SOLDIER data, AVALANCHE is able to predict SOLDIER movements, and capture several members to transform into Ravens. The SOLDIER force never successfully defeats AVALANCHE, with most of the battles fought by the Turks.
Mass DesertionEdit Mass Desertion sectionEdit
Headed by the SOLDIER Union Executive, Lazard Deusericus, at the time of Crisis Core -Final Fantasy VII-, SOLDIER acts from the Shinra Headquarters in Midgar, from floor 49 that contains a training room, briefing room, and lounge area for off-duty members. Most SOLDIER members seem to spend their standby time in the Headquarters, wandering and talking to each other. Materia Fusion seems to be closely related to SOLDIER, as the room where it is made from crystallized MAKO Stones is also on the SOLDIER Floor.
However, many Second and Third Class SOLDIERs suddenly disappear along with First Class SOLDIER Genesis Rhapsodos. Shortly after the desertion, Angeal Hewley, also product of the Jenova Project like Sephiroth and Genesis, leaves the organization. Angeal was the SOLDIER's emotional heart, acting as a mentor to the younger SOLDIERs and inspiring them to always hold on to their "SOLDIER honor". Once the two were gone, Zack Fair, who was Angeal's protégé, was promoted to First Class and takes up Angeal's role as heart of SOLDIER, using many of his lines. Later Lazard defects to join with Genesis, causing great chaos across the Planet. Zack and Sephiroth are sent to Nibelheim to fix the local Reactor and during the mission a series of events result in Sephiroth denouncing his humanity and destroying the entire town. After Sephiroth defeats Zack a young Shinra Guard, Cloud Strife, defeats him. Professor Hojo takes Zack and Cloud as test subjects in the next round experiments in the Jenova Project. Though Zack later escapes, taking a Mako poisoned Cloud with him, the Shinra army guns him down just before reaching his destination, Midgar.
The Fall of SOLDIEREdit The Fall of SOLDIER sectionEdit
In Final Fantasy VII, while SOLDIER itself plays an important role in the story, actual members of SOLDIER are few and far between. This could possibly be attributed to the loss of personnel after the mass desertion, the disappearance of the Director of SOLDIER, and the loss of SOLDIER's three most prominent members (Genesis, Angeal, and Sephiroth). The appearances of SOLDIER members in the game are limited to enemies encountered during Random Encounters and include SOLDIER 3rd Class members guarding the Shinra Science Department area on floors 68 and 69 of the Shinra Building, 2nd Class members stationed in Junon after Meteor is summoned, and SOLDIER 1st Class members guarding the Mako Cannon in Midgar. Cloud claims to have been a member, but this is a false memory created by the physiological damage Hojo's horrible experiments caused him as well as the trauma he experienced from his hometown's destruction and the death of his best friend, Zack. Even though Cloud was never a member of SOLDIER, he becomes strong enough in Final Fantasy VII to be mistaken for a 1st Class member. Due to the effects of the experiments, Cloud's eyes have the "glow" that makes people believe he is a former member. After Shinra collapses, SOLDIER seems to have fallen with it. However, during the events of Dirge of Cerberus -Final Fantasy VII-, Vincent Valentine encounters remnants of SOLDIER hiding out in the Shinra Mansion and in the Midgar ruins.
OverviewEdit
SOLDIER members are divided in three classes: 1st Class, 2nd Class, and 3rd Class. 1st Class SOLDIERs are responsible for the most important (and usually most dangerous) missions, 2nd and 3rd Classes mostly assist Shinra Troops or 1st Class SOLDIERs or are in charge of less important missions. New units are recruited as 3rd Class and the best of them are later promoted to 2nd Class, and only distinguished 2nd Class SOLDIERs reach 1st Class.
1st Class SOLDIERs have special privileges, as they are allowed to use personal items, clothing, and equipment and are given the right to deny orders, assuming, of course, any responsibilities from their decisions. According to the Crisis Core Complete Guide[1] SOLDIERs in and of themselves are Shinra industrial secrets, and to prevent this information from leaking outside company walls it is very difficult for SOLDIER members to retire. Even if they are allowed to leave Shinra, the company will constantly monitor their subsequent actions. Even if people believe they have evaded surveillance, Shinra will follow them for the remainder of their lives, and, in a worst case scenario, the company will have them killed.
Children around The Planet dream of joining SOLDIER and becoming 1st Class like the hero, Sephiroth. Cloud Strife, the hero of Final Fantasy VII, claims to have been a member of SOLDIER inspired to join by Sephiroth. SOLDIER operatives are easily recognizable by the "strange glow" their eyes take. To further increase the organization's popularity and for use as a propaganda tool, Shinra has created Fan Clubs for many of the 1st Class SOLDIERs.
CreationEdit Creation sectionEdit
Artwork by Tetsuya Nomura.
"Shin-Ra had a special group of warriors called SOLDIER. And all of the SOLDIERs had Jenova Cells put inside of them."
—Marlene, in the prologue to Advent Children
Approximately 30 years before the beginning of Final Fantasy VII, the Jenova Project was initiated to produce a human-Cetra hybrid using the cells from Jenova (mistaken to be a Cetra) and Mako Energy from the Planet. The result of this experiment was Sephiroth, who, although not possessing the powers of the Cetra as originally intended, was a child with exceptional abilities. Shinra recognized the potential of such a powerful warrior, so a method was planned to begin a mass production of more fighters of his type.
Using similar processes, Shinra began exposing promising warriors to raw Mako (giving their eyes the unique "glow"). Although still eclipsed by Sephiroth's strength and power, the new warriors, called SOLDIER, were given powers far beyond those of a normal combatant. They were sent on the more dangerous or important missions, had access to more equipment and information, and were higher ranked than other members of the army. These forces would be used to great effectiveness during the Wutai War.
AVALANCHEEdit AVALANCHE sectionEdit
During the battles with the first AVALANCHE in Before Crisis -Final Fantasy VII-, the data on SOLDIER operatives are stolen. Fuhito, expanding on the SOLDIER idea creates his own brand of super soldiers, the Ravens. These forces are completely without wills; they are only mindless killing machines. Using the SOLDIER data, AVALANCHE is able to predict SOLDIER movements, and capture several members to transform into Ravens. The SOLDIER force never successfully defeats AVALANCHE, with most of the battles fought by the Turks.
Mass DesertionEdit Mass Desertion sectionEdit
Headed by the SOLDIER Union Executive, Lazard Deusericus, at the time of Crisis Core -Final Fantasy VII-, SOLDIER acts from the Shinra Headquarters in Midgar, from floor 49 that contains a training room, briefing room, and lounge area for off-duty members. Most SOLDIER members seem to spend their standby time in the Headquarters, wandering and talking to each other. Materia Fusion seems to be closely related to SOLDIER, as the room where it is made from crystallized MAKO Stones is also on the SOLDIER Floor.
However, many Second and Third Class SOLDIERs suddenly disappear along with First Class SOLDIER Genesis Rhapsodos. Shortly after the desertion, Angeal Hewley, also product of the Jenova Project like Sephiroth and Genesis, leaves the organization. Angeal was the SOLDIER's emotional heart, acting as a mentor to the younger SOLDIERs and inspiring them to always hold on to their "SOLDIER honor". Once the two were gone, Zack Fair, who was Angeal's protégé, was promoted to First Class and takes up Angeal's role as heart of SOLDIER, using many of his lines. Later Lazard defects to join with Genesis, causing great chaos across the Planet. Zack and Sephiroth are sent to Nibelheim to fix the local Reactor and during the mission a series of events result in Sephiroth denouncing his humanity and destroying the entire town. After Sephiroth defeats Zack a young Shinra Guard, Cloud Strife, defeats him. Professor Hojo takes Zack and Cloud as test subjects in the next round experiments in the Jenova Project. Though Zack later escapes, taking a Mako poisoned Cloud with him, the Shinra army guns him down just before reaching his destination, Midgar.
The Fall of SOLDIEREdit The Fall of SOLDIER sectionEdit
In Final Fantasy VII, while SOLDIER itself plays an important role in the story, actual members of SOLDIER are few and far between. This could possibly be attributed to the loss of personnel after the mass desertion, the disappearance of the Director of SOLDIER, and the loss of SOLDIER's three most prominent members (Genesis, Angeal, and Sephiroth). The appearances of SOLDIER members in the game are limited to enemies encountered during Random Encounters and include SOLDIER 3rd Class members guarding the Shinra Science Department area on floors 68 and 69 of the Shinra Building, 2nd Class members stationed in Junon after Meteor is summoned, and SOLDIER 1st Class members guarding the Mako Cannon in Midgar. Cloud claims to have been a member, but this is a false memory created by the physiological damage Hojo's horrible experiments caused him as well as the trauma he experienced from his hometown's destruction and the death of his best friend, Zack. Even though Cloud was never a member of SOLDIER, he becomes strong enough in Final Fantasy VII to be mistaken for a 1st Class member. Due to the effects of the experiments, Cloud's eyes have the "glow" that makes people believe he is a former member. After Shinra collapses, SOLDIER seems to have fallen with it. However, during the events of Dirge of Cerberus -Final Fantasy VII-, Vincent Valentine encounters remnants of SOLDIER hiding out in the Shinra Mansion and in the Midgar ruins.
