reddit: u/wyniashear
"This is Hachi reporting in," the man said through the transmission.
"Hachi…" the older man replies in a robotic voice, "it's been awhile."
"What is it, doctor? You wouldn't contact me if it weren't for nothing."
"Tell me, how did the compatibility testing fare for the parasites?" Werner questions, sitting in a chair pulled up to his study. He knew the special parasites of Squad 13 were to have their final test done soon and was curious to know the results of one parasite in particular.
"Most of the cadets passed without incident," the younger man responds, recalling the events of the tests a few hours ago. "Codes 016 and 703 failed to connect after several attempts and are to be sent back to the Garden tomorrow afternoon. I can send you the results of their test."
"Oh, is that so…" the doctor says, trailing off. Things just became a bit easier for him. No need to make things happen arousing suspicion in the process. "Hachi, do make sure the boy stays on the plantation. He is to remain there until I arrive tomorrow."
"And of Code 703?"
"Send the girl off, I'll deal with her later."
Pausing to write down the orders regarding Code 016, he continues, "It will be done."
"Thank you, Hachi," Werner responds before tapping a key on his keyboard, terminating the transmission.
Werner sat in the lab within the plantation he was currently in, wondering what his next move would be. The boy failing the compatibility test did in fact make things a bit easier, he didn't want to force anything with his 'experimental' parasite squadron too much. Better to let things happen on their own without outside powers weighing in, the old geezers on the council in particular.
Reaching for the communicator on his desk, his gaze moves upwards towards the far corner of the desk, where a lone framed photograph rests. Ignoring the communicator for a moment, he reaches for the photo instead. Pictured in the photo, a younger Werner without metal augmentations stands, looking away from the camera, disinterested, with both hands in the pockets of his lab coat. Standing to the right of the picture, a young woman with medium blonde hair smiles, with an arm around the younger man, a stark contrast to his attitude at the time. Bringing it closer, a small smile begins to form on his face. "I hope you're right about this, Karina," he whispers.
Setting the frame back down on the corner of the desk, he goes back to his original task. Communicator in hand, he speed dials his personal assistant.
"Yes, doctor?" a female voice responding on the other end.
"Nana, ready a transport carrier. We are to depart as soon as possible."
"Why so suddenly? And what about Zero Two? She's still out there fighting that Klaxosaur."
"Oh," the doctor breathes, forgetting the fact that the girl was currently occupied. "Alert her after she deals with the threat, as well as her partner."
"One final question, doctor. Where are we going?"
"Plantation 13."
With an affirmation from Nana he ends the call and sets the communicator back down on the desk. Werner knew this day would come eventually and he wasn't sure if he was ready for what comes next. Then again, no one is ever truly ready for anything until it happens.