Scene 12:

Reno is worried, but won't admit it to the extent of stating it directly. Plus the idea of Kael being sent in missions worked itself out in my head, so he can save Genesis.

The Sendoff

Reno and Rude left on a mission the next day, and Kael found himself without plans for a while. He was intrigued by the VR room, and spent his free time tinkering with the program-writing software. Happily, he was quick to grasp the basics. He hoped he would be able to apply them to the VR-gun, but for now he had managed to create and fine tune two scenarios in a manner of days.

6 days after their departure, Reno arrived in Kael's lab, startling him out of his project.

"Hey, professor," Reno said in greeting, "You miss me?"

Kael blinked in surprise, then beamed, "It's really good to see you, Reno."

Reno gave that comment a moment of surprised consideration before pressing on, "Are we going to get more training, you think? It works. And you're getting better."

Kael smiled, "I'm sorry Reno, but I can't train with you guys for a while. I'm going on a mission to Wutai as medical personnel."

Reno blinked, "They let you out?" Kael nodded, "Every now and then. I do have a VR related favor to ask of you, though."

"Yea?" Reno replied, curious.

Kael smiled sheepishly, "I wrote two simulations for the room, and I'm wondering if they run at all like the training simulations." He looked over at Reno, "Can I prescribe you 2 simulations in the VR room while I'm gone?"

"You can prescribe stuff?" Reno asked, causing Kael to hold up his cardkey again.

"I'm in the medical department as well," he told Reno, pointing to the symbol.

Reno leaned back, "If that's what the doctor ordered." He smiled, "Rude too. We've got…"

"I already have your schedules up," Kael told him and pointed to the screen.

Reno came around to lean over his shoulder and they debated when the Turks should be assigned their training runs. Kael gave in and allowed Reno to have them scheduled during SOLDIER work hours, so he could show off.

As Reno was leaving, he paused in the doorway and looked back, "Hey, professor."

"Yea?" Kael asked, turning back from his filing cabinet.

"A scientist would have to be pretty careful over there. Right?"

Kael faltered for a second, then smiled happily and nodded, "Right."