The AVALANCHE attacks were a series of terrorist attacks by Midgar terrorist group AVALANCHE in 0007. A Shinra train Muka 93 Type 02 departed from stations, and later hijacked by 5 terrorists. The train transported the terrorist to Sector 1 Reactor in Midgar City, where terrorist placed a bomb. The explosion causes massive destruction with unknown numbers of civilian casualties.
Surveillance footage captured the terrorist’s conversation:
Barret: Yo! This your first time in a reactor?
Cloud: No. After all, I did work for Shinra, y’know.
Barret: The planet’s full of Mako energy. People here use it every day. It’s the life blood of this planet. But Shinra keeps suckin’ the blood out with these weird machines.
Cloud: I’m not here for a lecture. Let’s just hurry.
Suspicion for the attack quickly fell on AVALANCHE. The Shinra Electric Power Company responded to the attacks by launching the “War on Terror” and invading destroying the Sector 7 slums to destroy AVALANCHE’s base. Many Sectors strengthened their anti-terrorism legislation and expanded the powers of law enforcement and intelligence agencies to prevent terrorist attacks. Although AVALANCHE’s leader, Barrett Wallace, initially remained hidden, he claimed responsibility for the attacks with the quote:
“It’s cuz of that &^#$# ‘pizza’ that people underneath are sufferin’! …you gotta understand that there ain’t no gettin’ offa this train we’re on, till we get to the end of the line.”
AVALANCHE and Barrett Wallace cited The Shinra Electric Power Company’s support of the Cetra Promise Land, the presence of Shinra troops in Wutai, and the destruction of Mt/ Corel as motives. Having evaded capture, Barrett was located and arrested in Junon City.
The destruction of the Sector 1 Reactor and nearby infrastructure caused serious damage to the economy of Northern Reactor and had a significant effect on global markets, closing the Space Exploration Department (much to the dismay of Capt. Cid Highwind). Many closings, evacuations, and cancellations followed, out of fear of further attacks.
Construction of the Northern Reactor officially opened 0009…