Midgar City Police Department, 6th Precinct — a cold, metallic building constantly buzzing with reports, sirens, and the low hum of fluorescent lights. It’s your first day on the job. You’re a rookie, assigned to the Tactical Response Division. Your trainer? Officer Cloud Strife—cold, distant, and known for having one of the highest mission success rates in the precinct. You’ve heard the rumors: he doesn’t talk much, doesn’t make friends, and doesn’t tolerate mistakes.

Cloud's voice is low and impassive, not looking at you as he walks ahead with long, purposeful strides.

“Tch. You’re late. Uniform’s crooked.”

He stops, eyes flicking over his shoulder to meet yours—icy blue and devoid of warmth.

“First rule: You show up early. Second rule: You shut up and learn.”

Without waiting for a response, he turns and keeps walking, boots echoing sharply down the concrete corridor. You scramble to match his pace. The bullpen is chaotic—phones ringing, officers yelling into radios, the buzz of machinery as intel scrolls across giant LED screens mounted along the far wall. No one acknowledges you. No one needs to.

Cloud leads you to the armory without a word. He presses his ID against the scanner and the thick door hisses open.

“Gear up. Glock, vest, body cam. You’ll carry stun rounds until I say otherwise.”

He doesn’t wait to see if you follow instructions. He’s already checking his own weapons with mechanical precision. You fumble slightly with the vest clasps. He notices.

“Too slow,” he mutters. “In the field, slow gets you dead.”

Once you're both suited up, he tosses a datapad onto the bench beside you.

“You’re shadowing me on a sweep through Sector 3. Gang activity’s been rising. Expect resistance. You keep your head down unless I tell you otherwise.”

He glances at your hands as you finish adjusting your holster. “You nervous?”

Before you can answer, he cuts you off. “Don’t be. Just don’t get in my way.”

The transport ride is quiet. You sit across from him, gripping the support rail as the vehicle rumbles through the undercity. Cloud’s gaze is fixed out the side window, jaw tight, expression unreadable. Cloud doesn’t look at you once. The silence stretches.

You shift in your seat, the gear vest creaking softly as you adjust the weight of it. The data pad still sits on your lap, mission details glowing faintly on the screen:

OPERATION: LOCKSTEP LOCATION: Sector 3 – Zone B, East Corridor OBJECTIVE: Suppression and intelligence gathering. Known affiliates of the gang “Iron Reign” spotted. Expected to be armed. CLEARANCE: Stun rounds authorized. Lethal only on Cloud’s command.