Tales of Midgar:
SOLDIER Divisions
SOLDIER is Shinra's elite infantry force. They are enhanced above
a normal human being, usually by Mako showering and infusions.
Only those that show strong mental and physical health are allowed
into SOLDIER, and, once in, they are subjected to rigourous
training and examination.
The tell-tale sign of SOLDIER members are their glowing eyes,
which gleam green because of their exposure to Mako energy.
The job of SOLDIER, in his 'peaceful era', is to keep order
in the boundaries ruled by Shinra Inc. Their strength and
power are almost endless, and therefore, they are suitable for
policing even in the toughest, most crime-ridden areas.
There are two main divisions of SOLDIER, SOLDIER alpha and SOLDIER
beta. Alpha and Beta are further divided into three classes,
First, Second, and Third.
SOLDIER alpha
SOLDIER alpha makes up about 95% of all SOLDIER forces under
Shinra. These are the soldiers who are eventually infused with
Mako to give enhanced combat abilities, physical strength, and
magical ability. Most of the members of SOLDIER are human, and
still are. They are mentally stable, and rarely
defect from Shinra. Tyr Signus, current Head of SOLDIER
forces, is a good example of a typical SOLDIER alpha.
When one joins SOLDIER and makes Third-class (up from trainee),
they are not infused with Mako right away. Although they are not
nearly as strong as those with Mako infusions, they are still
formidable opponents. Third-class SOLDIER are exposed to Mako
slowly, usually being showered in small quantities to enhance
abilities.
Second-class SOLDIER members have been fully exposed, and
once one reaches this rank, they are taken for the infusion of
Mako. This process has been proven to be dangerous to those
who are not physically or mentally fit, but by the time one
reaches Second-class SOLDIER, a person is prepared for the
process. They are showered with Mako and injected with
small quantities. Second-class SOLDIER are difficult opponents;
Mako energy multiplies their already deadly skills.
First-class SOLDIER are high-ranking members of the army;
among the highest in the world. There are very few First-Class
SOLDIER members because only the best actually make it into the
rank.
SOLDIER beta
SOLDIER beta is an experimental branch of SOLDIER. No one in
their right mind joins SOLDIER beta; experimental processes and
testing that is done of these members oftne results in unknown
effects. Usually, Shinra does its testing on orphaned infants
or dissidents.
SOLDIER beta is also divided into the same three classes as
SOLDIER alpha. Since most of the testees tend to go insane or
otherwise break down in Third-class, there are very few Second-class
SOLDIER betas, let alone First-class.
SOLDIER beta is a sort of hit-and-miss division; many die,
go insane, or sever their ties with Shinra Inc.
The most common type of experiment is injection of Jenova cells.
This is where the cells of Jenova are injected into a patient.
This sometimes involves in mutations, other times, it shows no
response at all. Often, it causes people to go insane.
The branch of Jenova cell injection is Sephiroth cloning.
Sephiroth was created by the injection of Jenova cells into
the womb of his mother, Lucrecia, and this resulted in a superhuman
product with extreme strength, good magical powers, and seemingly
stable mental abilties. Since Sephiroth's death, Shinra has
tried many times to recreate the most powerful soldier that has
ever lived. Most products have failed, although there are some
that have survived the process.
Other experiments involve gene splicing, the combining of DNA,
specialized breeding, injection of liquefied materia, and other
biological tests.
Typical members of SOLDIER beta would be Sephiroth, Azeral,
Knigthawk, Cloud (if he was ever part of SOLDIER), and
Vixen (if she were ever part of SOLDIER).
SOLDIER gamma
SOLDIER gamma is still an experimental division of SOLDIER.
The essence of this is to use the proven method of Mako infusion,
and then enhance it by involving technology and electronics.
The results (which have yet to be tried in a practical
situation) combine a human and electronic body armour that
enhances power, magic, and speed. The human being is linked
to his suit by a helmet, although developments to install
electronic chips in the templates of the SOLDIER are
already in progress.
Only the most hardy of SOLDIER members (usually the alpha
First-Class members) are allowed to volunteer to become part of
SOLDIER gamma. Once they volunteer, they undergo gruelling tests
and extreme conditions that often kill the less competent.
As a result, it is very rare to see a SOLDIER gamma in operation.
The initial suits involve boots, one glove, a helmet, and central
body armour that resembles and fits like the plate mail of the
Medival Times. On the back of the suit, there is a protected
Mako battery pack that powers the suit. The purpose is to power
the suit's many mechanisms.
Note that on the current units, there is one hand left free
for the use of guns and other weapons.
The suit's features are as follows:
- The link between the suit's Mako reserve and the human result in heightened magical abilities.
- The Mako battery serves to assist movement (by use of actuators), giving heightened mobility to the SOLDIER.
- Materia can be installed in the suit to give it customized capabilties (this has yet to be fully implemented).
- A 'revival kit' consists of a mechanism that injects one Phoenix Down and one Hi-Potion into the SOLDIER in case of unconsciousness.
There are, likewise, many drawbacks.
- If the battery is knocked out, then the suit easily becomes a hinderance to the person inside.
- Use of weapons often result in overheating (which can result in the explosion of the Mako Battery).
- Current batteries allow for only about six hours of operation before shutting down.
Eventually, the plan that Shinra Weapons Development has in mind
is to create tight-fitting body armour: flexible, durable, and
powerful, that can replace the bulky arm and leg pods. Unfortunately,
this dream is quite far into the future and will not be attained
for a while.
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