After several tests (see Report Number 25), it was found that when Jenvoa's cells were exposed to minimal amounts of Mako, the cells began mitosis, but do not show signs of mutation. It is unclear at this time why this is the case, but further experiments will follow to explore this.
Project 54 Report Number 27...Because of Jenova's exponential improvement twenty-four hours prior to initial Mako exposure(minimum five percent concentration), it has come to Professor Gast's attention on how to improve the current methods of Jenova's preservation. He has proposed that Jenova's body be moved to the Nibel reactor for continued storage and research. Monitoring equipment will be sent from Midgar for continued observation. This will be in the future interest in not only the study of Jenova, but also insuring her preservation.
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Lucrecia sighed as she stared out of the window. The surrounding trees had begun their annual color change from green to amber and yellow. The town's children ran around with ribbons and festival toys they had acquired from various games and contests. Once a year, Nibelheim celebrated their apple harvest with various foods and great liberations of hard cider. The oblong red and pink fruit dominated even the inn food.
Glancing down at her bedroom desk, she eyed the large reports and could only feel exhaustion. After several long nights, she completed the reports Gast needed to send to Midgar. Shinra was generous, but also expected feedback upon a finger snap. Not following through bode for unsavory consequences.
Removing her reading glasses, she rubbed at her nose bridge. 'I really ought to fix those silly thing before I chuck them into the trash.' The sun had already sunk behind the Nibels, leaving the town in its dark ominous shadow. Lucrecia closed her eyes allowing them to rest from staring at the report text and the blaring green of the computer font.
"Honestas? May I have a moment?"
Lucrecia lifted her head recognizing Gast's voice.
"But of course, Professor, you have my undivided attention." She turned as Gast took a seat in the spare chair.
"I wanted to talk to you before I talked to anyone else. I have been keeping close correspondences with Ifalna..."
Lucrecia sat back. "The botanist right?"
Gast nodded. "It still eludes me how that woman can write so much about lichens. It's like studying dirt. People are so much more interesting..."
"And complicated." Lucrecia added. "Sorry, Professor, what is it you wish to discuss?"
Gast glanced at the door and then back at her. Sensing his discomfort about the open door, Lucreca got up and shut it. Gast removed his glasses and began to clean them with the edge of his black shirt. "She insists she has information I need to see…and well since the project is so far ahead of schedule, I feel I could afford the trip."
Lucrecia crossed her arms. "So will the project be closed down while you are gone?"
Gast held his glasses up and inspected them. "That would be a waste of time and resources and honestly we could not afford such a luxury. I was actually hoping I could place you in charge while I was gone."
His assistant blinked. Did she hear him correctly? "Professor? You want me to head your project?"
"What? Is there reason I shouldn't?"
Lucrecia's eyes dropped. "What about Dr. Hojo?"
"What about him? He is here for strictly observation and to assist when needs be." Gast placed his glassed back on.
Lucrecia swallowed bowing her head in respect. "I am honored, sir."
Gast dropped his hands on his knees. "Good. I will make a memo for Shinra and let them know of the operation changes for this winter. I plan to only be gone for a couple of months, but knowing artic weather...that could change." Gast stood up and straightened his lab coat. "And don't worry about Hojo," He winked. "I will take care of him." Gast walked toward the closed door and paused.
"There was something else I needed to say..." He stood there thinking for a moment. "Eh, must have not been important." Gast opened the door and left Lucrecia's room.
Gast left Lucrecia room and returned to the basement lab. Pushing the door open, he found Hojo hunched over several sample jars.
"Hojo."
The man paused hearing his name. "What is it you want, Gast?"
The professor approached. "I thought I would make it plain that I am going to place Honestas in charge of the project for a brief while."
Hojo's movement paused. "What is the reason for this?" He replaced the jar lid and placed the sample back into the inventory box.
"I am going to pursue some additional research concerning Jenova." Gast removed his glasses and inspected the lenses. Either the lenses were deteriorating or his vision was changing again.
Hojo fought a smile. "How long do you think you will be away?" The thought of the professor being away brought an almost overwhelming sense of relief. Maybe now he could have a little more control of his environment. 'Perhaps he will take that dog with him.'
Gast replaced his glasses. "I expect only a couple of weeks. A month at the most." Gast was not wholly comfortable with lying, but when it concerned Hojo, he did not want him to grow too complacent in his absence. Many other projects fell to pieces because one left Hojo unrestrained.
"Very well, Professor." Hojo fought the curl that pulled at the edge of his mouth.
Gast watched Hojo for a moment before returning to his desk that was nested back in the book stacks. The lab fell silent except for the humming sound of the ventilation system and the additional computer equipment Hojo had brought back from Midgar. Removing a small notepad from his lab coat pocket, he glanced over his notes. There were several dates and tally marks. It had been a month since he had last checked Hojo stood up and went upstairs. It was time for him to make another check.
Using the end of his pencil, Hojo pushed aside some of the trash in the small bathroom wastebasket.
"Doctor, did you lose something?"
Hojo did not bother to look over at the Turk. Instead, he slowly straightened and placed the pencil in his lab coat pocket. Giving a hard stare at the Turk, Hojo walked past him and left the bathroom. As he walked, he removed a small notepad from his pocket and jotted down a date a few words before replacing it back into his pocket.
Vincent watched the scientist disappear into the shadows of the mansion. His brown eyes shifted back to the basket where Hojo was bent over. Part of him demanded that he take a look to find out what the man was been looking. He glanced over and shook his head. 'I've shifted through too much dumpster debris to stoop to digging through bathroom trash.' Vincent sighed as approached the basket and looked down. 'I am not paid enough to do this.'
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The image of the private plane quickly faded from view as it rose above the low laying clouds. The late morning sun struggled to break though the thick fall weather.
Lucrecia rolled the lab keys around her fingers, her thought lost in the glimmer from the morning light hitting the hard metal surface. She could still hear the loud hum of the small research plane that came to pick up the Professor. It many ways, she was going to miss the presence of her mentor, but he had entrusted her with his project in his absence. In her pocket lay a piece of paper with Gast's correspondence address in which she could send reports and letters. Then there was another name and address. She had heard the name mentioned once or twice, but was told if something came up and needed help, she was to contact Bugenhagen. However, Lucrecia was confident that it would not be necessary to use that emergency contact. What could possibly happen that the Turk could not take care of?
"Doctor?"
Hearing her name, she blinked and turned to the voice. Vincent stood looking at her. Realizing the landing pad was empty except for the two of them, Lucrecia nodded and began to make their way back to the mansion. There was more then enough work for her to attend to.
Author's Note: Sorry if this seems like a skimpy chapter, I was not quite sure how to treat the small details for this section. It was not worth the time to dally on minor matters, not that Gast leaving is minor. Not necessarily a chapter I am proud of, but hopefully the chapters after this will make up for this.