Falling From the Tree

(Author's note- This is my first fan fiction on this site I'm uploading so please don't be too harsh. Keep in mind I literally have no idea what I'm doing. Also this is a prologue chapter so it's kinda supposed to not make any sense and be really short. Anyway, enjoy!)

The room was silent, devoid of life, feeling, anything really. The illusion was only occasionally broken by a wet, sickening cough that would burst from one of the rooms inhabitants. They were in a secret bunker, with no windows or words to betray its location. Shining metal covered all and the dim artificial lights illuminated the darkness. With only a long table and two chairs to decorate the area, it radiated a cold that would chill anyone to the bone.

"Is it ready yet?" one of the voices asked, which was then punctuated by yet another fit of coughing. The voice's accent was jagged and sharp. It echoed around the room and carried a type of unknown power and confidence, even though it was raspy from the illness.

A moment passed before the other person in the room spoke up. This voice was high and fast, as though the user didn't want to have to waste their time with something as frivolous as speaking. "Yes, but I have my concerns."

Before the other person could respond, the second voice quickly explained, "My powers have never been pushed to a limit such as what you want. Coupled with the fact that this technology has been experimental for ages, the risks are very high."

"Ah, but that is the beauty of this arrangement," the initial voice said calculatedly. "The only person who may potentially suffer is me. You merely stand there and hit a few buttons."

"But if I had more time then surely…"

"You young people have no concept of risk and reward, always taking the road more traveled. Bravery is a virtue that has unfortunately been replaced by the sin of freedom. When playing the role of a leader you do not take roads but instead make them. We will move forward with the plan."

This time more hesitantly, the second voice asked, "Then let's wait a little…"

"No!" The scraping of chair being pushed back. The stomping of feet marching angrily. The shouts of anger being a punctual contrast to the previously manipulative calm. "I have waited decades for this moment. Years of planning. There is no second choice. No plan B. This is it. And I will not have it be ruined by a worrisome follower! Do not forget who dug your organization out of the ground and saved you. Do not forget who gave you the tools to revenge. Do not forget where your loyalties lie!"

The cough returned after the outburst, this time with a passion. The ill man leaned heavily against the table as sweat collected on his brow, and he gasped for air. A mechanical whirring filled the room as the second person moved to back away from the fuming other across the room. "Very well. We will proceed. But I still can not figure out one thing. Why are you insistent on it being him?"

For the first time during the meeting a positive emotion filled the room, though it was no more comforting than before. The first man smiled, a wolf's smile who had the sheep in sight. He slowly, almost teasingly sat back down, raised his wine glass to his mouth, and drawled with the thick German accent, "You know the saying; like father," a tortuous silence filled the meeting room as the man sipped his drink then wiped his mouth on a napkin before continuing, "like son."