Hojo: I Alone am Sufficient
Hojo examined his equipment, checking for any flaws; the slightest flaw could ruin his precious samples. The operation was so simple even the lowliest of his assistants could perform it, but for this experiment, and on this specimen, he would allow no chance of error. He would, consequently, perform it himself.
The specimen is ready, Professor Hojo, his assistant informed him. He was not of Lucrecia's caliber, of course. In all the years since her death, he had not found anyone as skilled to replace her. He shook off the pointless memory, checked the healing materia in his armor, and said, Then we begin.
He cut the specimen's abdomen open and laid her open to view; there were no obvious defects, and the hasty preparations had done the necessary work. Now, even if the specimen escaped again, he would not lose her valuable data. He made another incision and began to remove the ova from the left ovary, immediately placing them in the cryogenic tubes to preserve them. He removed only a percentage of the ova, of course; studying the effects of natural conception and pregnancy would garner valuable data for his theories. He had an unwitting volunteer for that part of the experiment; he had merely bribed a doctor to reverse a minor surgery, and trusted that affairs would take their desired course. They certainly had previously.
He healed that incision and made another, and removed a percentage of ova from the right ovary, placing them in cryogenic tubes. He healed that incision, corrected a slight tilt of the uterus, examined the fallopian tubes and the cervix, and nodded in satisfaction. Perfect. He healed each of the incisions he had made for the operation until it was impossible to tell by sight that any operation had been performed. The specimen might notice residual soreness, of course, but she was not likely to know what had been done. Not that it mattered, since there would be nothing she could do about it.
Take the Ancient back to her cell. We'll perform more tests once she awakens from the anesthesia, he ordered.
Yes, Professor Hojo. The assistant, whose name Hojo could not remember, efficiently bundled the specimen onto the gurney and wheeled her away.
Hojo picked up the tubes and took them back to his lab, placing them carefully in the freezer alongside the sperm samples. He examined each of the cryogenic tubes containing sperm carefully; certain samples had been in storage for more than five years, and were now entirely irreplaceable if the cryogenic tubes should fail. He would test them thoroughly tomorrow, when his plans were finalized and he could begin the experiment. He closed and locked the freezer doors, walked into his office and locked the door behind him.
The three files he took from his desk were supposed to be confidential, at the least. However, Shinra being what it was, it had been quite easy for Hojo to obtain them. One file he reluctantly dismissed; however much personal satisfaction using that particular subject would bring him, it was simply too risky. The risk to himself was within acceptable parameters, but the risk to the experiment was not. The other two files were considerably more promising, both subjects quite strong and physically suited for the experiment, and he considered them carefully. The second subject would require considerably more time and effort in preparation; he marked the file for review, and examined the remaining file. This subject was superior to the second in most respects, although much less available. He noted the date for a routine medical examination and smiled. Or perhaps not as unavailable as he'd thought. He would have to work quickly, but the rewards could be great.
There was no time like the present. Hojo picked up the telephone and made a call.
'The evil that men do lives after them; The good is oft interred with their bones.' – Shakespeare, Julius Caesar, Act 3, Scene 2.