Spoiler warning for: Azran Legacy and Unwound Future
Yeah so I was minding my own business when I suddenly realized that the backstory to Unwound Future would have been the perfect time for Targent to bring Layton into the fold. It took me an hour to finish this.
I have no intention of continuing this so this story is marked complete.
Disclaimer: I do not own Professor Layton. The series belongs to Level-5.
Recruitment Drive
By Bilbo-sama
The nurse observed the patient's chest rising and falling weakly. The young man was brought into the hospital a week ago after being severely beaten. He had yet to wake up since.
He matched the description of one of Targent's targets. Hershel Layton, age 27, professor of archeology at Gressenheller University. Last known movements were noted to be investigating the cause behind the explosion that resulted in his fiancee's death.
He was originally Theodore Bronev, youngest son of the current leader of Targent, Leon Bronev.
Bronev had ordered several agents to track Layton down and bring him to the Nest. The loss of Claire Foley would have made the man more vulnerable and perhaps more likely to be recruited into Targent with the promise that the organization would provide assistance into investigating the matter as the carrot. Especially now that Bill Hawks sent agents of his own to ransack Layton's office and apartment to retrieve what the grieving man had discovered so far.
(An inside man reported that Hawks pushed the time travel project forward too soon all for his own gain. But Hershel would not be allowed to find out until he produced results for Targent.)
It would be weeks until Layton finally woke up and months before he completely recovered. Targent had plenty of time to wait.
The nurse reached into her pocket and retrieved a small device that resembled a radio. She pressed a button.
"Have you found him yet, Nightingale?" came Bronev's voice.
"I have, sir," replied Nightingale, "but its too early to move him."
"We have our own sickbay, Nightingale," Bronev pointed out.
"His injuries are still severe enough that transporting Layton would make it worse."
There was a pause before Bronev sighed.
"Very well," he decided, "keep watch over him, Nightingale. Once you deem it safe to do so, I'll send an extraction team."
"Thank you, sir."
"Do not fail me." The radio went silent.
The boss sounded more agitated than usual, Nightingale noted. She would be too if her son was within arms reach but could be lost from just one wrong move.
She stepped closer to the comatose man to check his vitals. There was no change from this morning. Well, at least he's not getting worse.
Targent would welcome Layton with open arms the moment he recovers. He had no choice in the matter. His father knew what was best for him.
Soon, Theodore Bronev would be coming home.