Heidegger

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Gya haa haa haa!

Heidegger

Heidegger is an antagonist in the Compilation of Final Fantasy VII and a Shinra Electric Power Company executive. He appears in Final Fantasy VII and Before Crisis -Final Fantasy VII-. As a high ranking member of the Shinra organization, he is the head of Public Safety (a euphemism for the military).

Profile

Appearance

Heidegger is a large man who dresses in a green suit with red and gold details. His hair and bushy beard are black and his eyes are brown. In his concept artwork he has badges pinned on his suit front, possibly denoting his rank as a military leader.

Personality

Heidegger's trademark is his "horse laugh," "Gya haa haa haa!", much to Rufus Shinra's annoyance. Heidegger has a tendency to slap or punch random people when irritated by President Rufus's scolding or strict orders, mostly given when Heidegger fails at something.

Scarlet, the head of Weapons Development, believes him to be an idiot, but still often works with him. Like most of the Shinra staff, Heidegger is arrogant and pig-headed, often refusing to believe that he can make mistakes despite the clear evidence in front of him.

Story

Spoiler warning: Plot and/or ending details follow. (Skip section)

Before Crisis -Final Fantasy VII-

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During Shinra's war against the eco-terrorist group AVALANCHE, Heidegger is briefly given control over the Turks from their former leader, Veld. President Shinra distrusted Veld following AVALANCHE's series of successful attacks using suspiciously well-coordinated intelligence.

Heidegger attempts to command the Turks in an operation in Junon, but his incompetence and over-reliance on the military almost allows AVALANCHE to take the city's airfield, and the airships. Veld blackmails the President to take back control of his Turks, talking of releasing information on a mysterious "top secret directive." With Veld back in command, the Turks defeat the AVALANCHE forces.

When Veld is revealed to be a traitor, Heidegger retakes the command of the Turks.

Crisis Core -Final Fantasy VII-

Template:Sideicon Heidegger does not appear in-game, but he is the one who takes command of SOLDIER following another traitor to Shinra, Lazard Deusericus, the former head of the organization's departure.

Final Fantasy VII

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Heidegger works under President Shinra, and agrees to the plan to drop the plate upon Sector 7 to destroy the second, far less ruthless AVALANCHE organization. He is at the meeting with the Shinra executives that decides the plans for Neo Midgar, but leaves the Shinra Headquarters before Sephiroth appears. Surviving the attack from Sephiroth, Heidegger works closely with his successor, the President's son, Rufus Shinra.

Heidegger puts together Rufus's inauguration celebration in Junon, and accompanies him during Shinra's hunt for Sephiroth. Heidegger is onboard the cargo ship heading to Costa del Sol, but unbeknown to them, both Sephiroth and Cloud's party are also on board as stowaways. After Rufus discovers it he tells Heidegger he messed up big time. The embarrassed executive responds by throwing locals into the sea in frustration. Heidegger is not seen with Rufus again until the executives arrive at North Crater on the Highwind in search of the Promised Land.

Heidegger survives the Diamond Weapon's attack upon Midgar, and joins forces with Scarlet in the ensuing chaos. When Rufus Shinra is presumed dead, Heidegger and Scarlet plan to take over the company and strip Reeve Tuesti, another Shinra executive, from power. Together they fight Cloud's party on a giant robot called the Proud Clod, but when the machine is destroyed, it explodes, seemingly killing Heidegger and Scarlet.

Dirge of Cerberus -Final Fantasy VII-

Template:Sideicon Heidegger is mentioned briefly in Dirge of Cerberus, when Reeve notes he was one of the only Shinra executives privy to the secrets of Deepground.

Spoilers end here.

Etymology

Heidegger's name may derive from Martin Heidegger. [view · edit · purge]Martin Heidegger was a German philosopher most famous for his explorations of the idea of being and dasein. Despite his importance to philosophy, Heidegger remains controversial for both his obfuscating language and early support of Nazism.

Trivia

• Heidegger's appearance and mannerisms are similar to famous English actor Brian Blessed, including the identical trademark laughter.

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