Very interesting thus far. You put your OCs to good use. You definitely use a lot of "show, don't tell"... perhaps too much. A bit more explaination here and there wouldn't destroy the flow.

Eh, at least this seemingly typical post-Meteor story (further conspiracies, another rise of ShinRa, a third power) has actually managed to be interesting, and that's saying something. You've managed to pull off some "standard" character types well, like the President and her "two-faced Machiavellian person in power" personality.

The talk about "our true God" seems either symbolic or like foreshadowing - because that doesn't seem to refer to religion. Interesting, that - I'll wait for an update explaining that.
The conspiratorial "third power" must be led by a particularly wealthy or influential person, because that's a lot of materia on them.

Hmm, I'd better check on those Tseng-is-alive clues when I find my FF7 disk. Good chapter - now I'm waiting for the next.

it's a fanfic that actually tells a story!

great developing story. hope you update soon.

Again, good chapter, although I didn't know what the 'o's were at first (I thought they were badly formatted speech or something...

Reno's comments were just pure Reno, especially the "He stuck us with so many needles... if we live to see forty without mutating... we'll thank the Gods." and how he interacts with the other Turks.

Barret's reactions were also realistic, though I don't know how ShinRa would be allowed to continue this for long. Maybe because ShinRa's bribing everyone into accepting the company again? ("massive relocation program to move the people of the slums..."; "creation of new jobs within ShinRa itself to afford many opportunities for people within the company...")

Hmm... the small amount of morals (or realism) that Sakir is displaying - that doesn't happen to be foreshadowing for a later event, does it?

And I'll bet my cookie that the teenager that attacked Vincent is mako / Jenova infused and more likely than not is either controlled by Jenova or ShinRa.

More.

Only one review? That's a shame, considering how good thsi fic is. Well, better address things as I see them...

"Elite scouting team", my rear. Can you really say the Turks have ever done that?

And Reno's being his usual, charming self, I see. *snerks* If they're the best of the best even after the Meteor incident, I'll eat my shoe.

Poor Elena. First she dies, and then her buddies act as though she never existed. *shrugs* Well, we all cope with death in different ways. Which brings me to...

Who's the guy Ms. Jo-Jo (*snickers at Hojo reference*) keeps referring to? I can understand not wanting another Sephiroth on their hands, what with the homicidal rampage through Shinra HQ and all. My moneyabout the mysterious person is on it being Rufus, but hey, who knows who it is?!

Ridwan... *snerks again* Geez, the kid's going to be traumatized if he has to live with that name. And what of Vincent's mysterious would-be assassin? Man, this is getting far too good already! I hope you update soon!!

Hmm, interesting. So, plans are in progress to create a new, loyal Sephiroth, huh? Well, at least you presented the idea somewhat creatively, instead of the great, the simply amazing "Sephiroth's perfect clone was stuck under the ruins of Midgar but suddenly became alive" or the even more amazing "Sephiroth had an illegitimate son before insanity". The fact that Elena is the new Lucrecia is a very... original idea, and an excellent one, in a twisted sort of way.

Several contradictions in the story compared to the FFVII plotline though, unless I've missed a sentence somewhere that says "AU": Tseng died in the Temple of the Ancients, and the only remaining Turks are Reno, Rude, and Elena (unless the other Turks you're talking about just stayed in the shadows during the game's timeline?).

Oh, and can you find a way to indicate changes in points of view? The Cloud-Zanya switches were too sudden and jarring - they messed up the flow of the story.

All in all, very nice start. I especially liked the quote / theme that you based this whole thing off of.

I'll be waiting for the next chapter.

- eb I live. ma I live.