Greetings people! I hope you're doing well! Please, take care and stay safe. Studies are taking my time away from me, but I'm insisting in writing this, so, we're keep going on. Also, I have a spoiler for the next chapter, I think a certain silver haired general will appear to give us an 'hi' XD
The Price of Freedom
"She... She was always like that. Only believing what she wanted to."
Vincent Valentine - FFVII: Dirge of Cerberus
†
Divergention
"This... this is..." Lucrecia whispered in a strangled voice; it got stuck in her throat while with wide, incredulous eyes, she reread the words in the document. She didn't know exactly which word to use to describe it; audacious? Madness?
Hojo defined it for her.
"It is an opportunity, doctor, to advance our research through means not yet explored. We tried with Allen to force an already formed and adult organism to accept the mutation by Jenova cells, which, as we followed during the procedures, didn't culminate in a satisfactory result. What could happen if, instead of forcing an adult organism to change, we intervene in the formation of the organism itself, inserting Jenova cells during pregnancy? The mutation would occur naturally and would be more easily accepted by the experiment."
The woman remained motionless, frozen in place, and only after she realized that her colleague started to tap the floor with his feet in a sign of impatience waiting for her answer that Lucrecia babbled, trying to find words.
"But, Professor this ... I ... This is ... No ... I can't do this ... How could I...?"
"Sometimes we cannot choose the opportunities that will knock on our door, but we can decide whether we will have the courage to accept them or not." The other scientist replied with the coolness of a mere observer who notes the facts. "Don't think with your emotion, Dr. Crescent, think with your reason; think of the great contribution that you could make to science by doing this."
The strength in her legs suddenly waned and the woman collapsed into a nearby chair, still staring at the project files lying on her lap, held in shaky, cold and numb hands.
"A pregnancy... I ... I never..." Lucrecia closed her eyes and shook her head.
She never imagined herself having a child. In fact, she had just started thinking about what it would be like to have a more common life and start a family after Vincent's unexpected proposal, but this...
She looked up and her brown eyes locked on the other scientist.
"I mean... we've done several tests on living organisms before to prove a theory, but never on a... it's a child, Professor Hojo..."
"It is only a fetus, Dr. Crescent, it can hardly be considered a child." A singular smile formed on the man's lips. "How many children and adults we can save or prevent from suffering catastrophic calamities in the future with the information we will be able to obtain throughout the development of this project? It is a necessary contribution to the greater good of humanity."
Lucrecia exhaled a weak, shaky breath and looking away from her colleague; she stared at the papers once more and inquired in an uncertain voice.
"Aren't we going too far ...?"
Hojo dismissed it.
"Some sacrifices need to be made by us, spokesman of science, so that others who haven't been graced with our gifts... can have a life blessed by our discoveries."
The man's black eyes narrowed and he approached her, stopping just a step away; Hojo bowed slightly and his proximity forced the woman to meet his eyes.
"Don't tell me you're afraid to do it." His voice suggested, laced with mockery.
"I'm not afraid!"
Lucrecia immediately countered and then fell silent; the idea of having relationships with someone unknown just to have the child and use it as an object of research made her sick. She thought of Vincent and her career, the proposal she was receiving.
Hojo straightened up again and his face filled with disgust.
"For God's sake, Dr. Crescent, there will be no physical contact between you and any staff of this Manor. What I need least is that the execution of primitive human acts will make you even more distracted from your work than you already are." The woman's face went up in flames turning completely red; he went on without paying any attention to it. "I have already planned everything to preserve your ... intimacy. The process will be carried out by artificial insemination and the sperm will be manufactured with the anonymous donation of a blood sample, DNA, from some random employee in the Shinra database. You will not have any contact with the donor and will have no responsibility for the experiment after it is born, IF it comes to be. It will be an experiment owned by the corporation. You will have your whole life ahead to do whatever your wants with it in the future."
Even at his words Lucrecia found no comfort; his black eyes were serious and devoid of any warmth.
"The great scientists of our world have arrived where they are because they dared to go where no one has gone before; think of how important this will be for your career and decide quickly because we have no time to lose." Hojo watched her. "If you refuse to participate, then you can return to Midgar as your usefulness here has ended."
Lucrecia's body immediately froze; she forgot her concerns and fears about the project. She saw in her mind the brilliant opportunity she had been given to break into a thousand pieces and her career plummet considerably, future doors closed because she would have said no to one of the most renowned scientists of her time. The project file fell from her hands to the floor and the pages scattered around when she suddenly stood up to confront her colleague.
"No ... I can't go back to Midgar! I won't go back!"
Hojo looked at her unsurprised.
"So I see that you will accept to take part in Project Jenova?"
Lucrecia hesitated only a brief second before giving in.
"I ... Yes ... I will do this."
"I can guarantee that you made a wise decision." He said simply.
Hojo's gaze strayed from the woman's face to the golden ring that hung from a chain around her neck and partially hidden by the fabric of her blouse, and a strange and amusing idea began to materialize in his head.
...
After Lucrecia decided reveal to Vincent about her new project, the woman stood still in the center of the room, unsure of what to think afterwards; the blank expression on her friend's face always remained firmly in place, unchanged during her tale. His crimson eyes, deep and serious, watched her indecipherably and it was impossible for the scientist to know what was going on in his mind.
Frankly, the woman wasn't sure what reaction she was expecting from the Turk; maybe surprise, a little confusion or even disbelief, anything but certainly not that indifference that left her completely without action.
Vincent showed no sign of reaction and the strange apparent calm that took over him gave the scientist the strange impression that his inertia was due to total lack of surprise, as if he already knew before... Lucrecia dismissed that absurd hypothesis from her head. Hojo had only recently talked to her about the Jenova Project and her friend was the first person she decided to tell about it even before the other assistants on her team.
The silence that fell on the room made her feel suddenly uncomfortable; Lucrecia opened her mouth to break it, but it was Vincent's voice that first came out.
"And you accepted that."
The man commented simply on a concrete statement, devoid of any emotion. Vincent crossed his arms over his chest and tilted his head slightly to the side; his piercing gaze didn't accuse her, just watched her closely.
"Why did you accept it?"
"It is an investment..." The scientist spoke after a brief moment. "... For humanity. I don't expect you to understand my decision right now, but it is for something good in the long run."
"I want to." He said, frowning. "I really can't understand your motivation to take part in this project."
Vincent closed his eyes for a second and remembered that same moment in his past; a cold and bitter memory that started a ripple effect on their lives, dark memories that even now were still difficult for him to deal with. His shock had been so great that he had run out of reaction, inert to contest or try to get Lucrecia to think clearly about what she was choosing to do. He never tried to fully understand her motivations; on the contrary, after that day the abyss that opened between them had been so great that nothing was able to cross it, not their regrets, not her pain and despair... And he had never forgiven himself for what happened.
Staring back at the woman he inquired directly.
"Why, Lucrecia? Was it for science? For status in your career? Or was it for money? What did Hojo offer you to agree to this?"
"He didn't offer me anything, Vincent." The scientist shook her head and went on. "This is something that is part of what I do, part of science; it is an experimental study that can help us take a big step in discovering so many things ..."
Her gaze strayed from her friend's face to stare ahead and the Turk realized the sparkle of dreams in them, projects and desires that she truly wished in deep in her soul to be able to undertake for the world.
"Things that one day may do great good for all people ... things that can bring us hope and light." Lucrecia sighed and when she looked back at him, Vincent turned his face away from her.
"Did he say that to you?"
"I believe in this." The woman stated with unshakable conviction. "We talked, yes, but I analyzed the scope of the project and this is my personal opinion about the expected results."
When Vincent met her face again, his eyes had lost some of their seriousness and his expression became softer; genuine concern flared in his crimson iris.
"Lucrecia ... I do not doubt your endless efforts for your work one day may have a practical application for society, you are a brilliant scientist, but this..."
He fell silent and sighed almost imperceptibly, and it was only because she knew him well that the woman noticed again that strange veiled shadow in his countenance. What was that?
Vincent shook his head.
"I don't think you should do this. You should think carefully before accepting to do something like this, it's not just about science or a career, it's about your wellbeing."
Lucrecia frowned and a thought crossed her head suddenly; she voiced the question to him directly.
"Are you telling me this ... due to the nature of this project? Because you've propose to me... this?"
The scientist pulled the thin necklace hidden under her blouse and revealed to his eyes the golden ring attached to it. Vincent watched the object and Lucrecia's brown eyes stared at him, waiting for his reaction.
She didn't know whether it was due to the nature of her profession or the fact that she had worked with the experimental sciences for several years, believing only in what was scientifically testable and verifiable, that left her so disconnected from the 'mundane' side of ordinary life. Still trying to absorb what the implication of his request might impact on her life, only then did the woman realize how strange that situation must have been for her friend, of things that for her were routine but for Vincent could be from another world.
He had recently declared himself to her and now she was literally pouring out on him she agreed to have a child by artificial insemination to put theories into practice.
The man met her gaze once more and didn't hesitate to answer.
"No; my request is independent of any situation regarding your work Lucrecia; it's still standing by awaiting your answer, whenever you want to give it..."
His countenance became thoughtful and the Turk proceeded cautiously and sincerely in his next words.
"I am concerned for your wellbeing. The sensation I feel now is the same as I felt before in the hospital when you told me you were leaving."
His reminder made the scientist relive in her memories that very moment; her euphoria at being appointed by Gast to replace him on the trip to Nibelheim, her prayers for Grimoire's improvement on the last visit she had made for him, Vincent's quick farewell and the words he had said to her before she left.
If you go to Nibelheim, you will find only pain and suffering.
Lucrecia's daydreams were suddenly interrupted when the room's door opened and the woman re-immersed herself into the present moment when she saw her colleague enter; the scientist eyes narrowed in Vincent's direction and his face turned into a frown denoted that Hojo had overheard part of their conversation and he interjected without even greeting them first.
"Science is present in all places, Valentine, it forms life and it is everything." His gaze fell on the woman. "Of course, he cannot understand the wonder of what we do in these labs, Dr. Crescent, not with the limited view of the world that the Turks have."
The crimson-eyed man looked at the newcomer unsurprised; any sign of the concern that had been on his countenance disappeared with the presence of the other scientist and his face became a mask of indifference.
"And did you just fill her with the great achievements that science could give her or did you also told her about the risks that can occur during this project?" Vincent asked Hojo directly while the other sat in a nearby chair; the Professor rested his face in his left hand while leaning his elbow on the table, clearly bored.
"They have been calculated, Valentine, and are totally acceptable."
Vincent ignored him and inquired Lucrecia.
"He told you about the side effects that will happen to you after starting taking the doses? What about your safety, Lucrecia? Can he guarantee that you are 100% safe in this?"
The woman opened her mouth to reply, but Hojo's voice cut her off.
"Our team is working to reduce any kind of side effects; we had already tested the doses on another employee of our team and he is doing well, he was sent back to Midgar for rest and monitoring."
"He was sent away... really?" Vincent spoke with evident disdain and Hojo narrowed his eyes, disliking the other man's insinuating tone.
Lucrecia intervened.
"I will not take the doses directly, Vincent; they will be applied to the fetus during its development. I will not be directly impacted by this."
"You have no say in this matter, Valentine; it is entirely the responsibility of the Department of Science. Your outrageous accusations are an unnecessary fanfare for a carefully planned project." Hojo's cold voice proceeded and Vincent watched him.
"My job is to ensure the safety of everyone inside this mansion, Professor, and I have authorization from Shinra's board to intervene in any procedure if deemed necessary, and believe me, I will." Turk's crimson eyes penetrated the scientist's black ones. "I am the son of a scientist, one of the greatest that this company has ever had and friend of the current head of the Science Department, and even though I didn't follow my father's profession, do not think that I am totally ignorant of what you are doing."
Hojo stood suddenly, furious with the insult veiled in the other's words and irritation bubbled up in his veins.
"How dare you insolent brat-!" He advanced on the Turk who remained calmly still waiting for him; Lucrecia instinctively placed herself between the two men and stopped her colleague's advance.
She knew the fame of Hojo's difficult temper because more than once she saw him irritated by the lab assistants, and although she had known Vincent for years there was something about the sober and perfectly controlled look in her friend eyes that at that moment made a shiver run down on her body. She had seen that same look in his eyes only once, the day he arrived at the manor and saw Hojo for the first time. It was a shadow she couldn't explain, but it terrified her deeply.
"Please, Vincent." She stared at him and begged in a whisper; her cold, trembling hand held his firm one and that made the Turk immediately turn away from his face to look at her; his crimson eyes lost partly that strange shadow and resembled once more the man she always knew. "Please… Don't interfere. It is our project and I am willing to do it."
"And are you sure this is what you really want?" He asked her again. "Or it is he who manipulated you decisions to accept doing whatever he wants."
"I'm sure!" She exclaimed; feeling as if she were standing on a thin line in the middle of two battlefield fronts. She feared for what might end up happening if that discussion didn't end soon. "It is my decision, it is what I want! Please stop it."
Vincent took a deep breath and took one last look at her hand holding his. He closed his eyes and broke the contact between them; Lucrecia felt her hand miss his touch and Hojo's voice sounded behind them filled with disgust.
"Get out of this lab right now, Valentine; restrain yourself in doing only your job; patrol the manor's surroundings."
The Turk ignored the other man, his serious gaze met Lucrecia's face and in his eyes she found compassion while he advised.
"Be careful of the path you choose to go... I'm afraid the stones will be sharper than they look."
Vincent left the room without saying anything else and when he left the woman felt suddenly cold, as if the only source of heat had disappeared and the temperature had dropped several degrees. Lucrecia embraced her own body in an involuntary gesture trying to warm herself up.