Prototype

Lambda was once an officer of the Velgalta Empire, a steadfast warrior who found her purpose amid the cries and clatter of the battlefield. There was an inherent camaraderie that came with standing shoulder-to-shoulder with her comrades, their lives woven together by the thread of a shared cause. Yet, the demonic possession she discovered within her marked the end of that era.

She could have succumbed, allowed the dread to wash over her. Instead, Lambda chose to meet her fate on the battlefield. One last stand, she decided, one final testament to her spirit. Her comrades refused to let her face this battle alone, joining her despite the dangers, no matter how much she tried to dissuade them. Lambda's pride in them was immeasurable, her promise to bring them back alive resolute.

However, fate had other plans. Lambda was the only one to survive that brutal fight. Her damaged right eye would have been a lingering testament to her failures. In the shadow of such a tragedy, it seemed only fitting to let the possession take its course...

And yet, this still wasn't fate's plan. Shadow Garden found her and pulled her back from the brink. They saved her and gave her a new purpose – They've given her new sisters in arms. As a member of Shadow Garden, Lambda used her military experience to train their troops, ensuring that they were equipped to face any adversity. She devoted herself to this cause, driven by the determination to prevent a repeat of her past tragedy.

And then today happened. For the first time since that fateful day, her damaged eye stirred, a sign of life that left her startled. Was it a sign from fate, urging her to move forward? Or perhaps, a foreboding omen? To conceal the uncanny change, Lambda decided to craft an eyepatch from her slime suit, the slime cool against her skin as she made her way to meet with Alpha. The meeting had been called during lunch—an unusual circumstance, though not entirely unprecedented.

As she approached an ornate bookcase, Lambda's hand gravitated toward a book named 'V for Ven-Beta.' Designed by Shadow Wisdom, pulling the book initiated a secret mechanism, and the bookcase smoothly swung aside to reveal a concealed chamber.

Lambda was greeted by a scene both anticipated and concerning: Alpha, Epsilon, and 567 engrossed in a meeting. Something unexpected must've transpired.

The room, a harmonious blend of cutting-edge design and timeless elegance, was bathed in a celestial glow from the meticulous array of stained-glass windows. Sunlight, sifting through the vibrant panels, cast a kaleidoscopic dance of colors across the interior.

At the heart of the room, a grand wooden conference table stretched across the length, its polished surface gleaming under the ethereal light. The table sat atop a muted teal rug with a subtle decorative pattern, creating an island of deliberation amidst the sea of red carpet that blanketed the rest of the room. The table, like an unfaltering sentinel, bore the invisible imprints of the profound discussions and clandestine meetings it had hosted over the years.

Standing at the entrance waiting for her presence to be acknowledged, Lambda was outlined by the vivid mosaic of sunlight, her rigid posture echoing her ingrained military discipline. Her solitary eye, sharp and discerning, subtly observed the room's occupants. Across the table, near a window that offered a panoramic view of Alexandria's skyline, stood the young elven leader of Shadow Garden, Alpha. The afternoon light played in her platinum blonde hair, setting it aglow.

Alpha's gaze was directed out of the window, seemingly lost in the world outside, as she asked Epsilon, "What's with her nose?"

Caught off guard, Epsilon briefly faltered, "I... I might have accidentally created a magical pocket in her nose during the cure," she confessed.

A contemplative hum from Alpha echoed in the room, "Oh? Is that how it is?" Her query hung in the air like a delicate wisp of smoke.

Epsilon nodded, quickly adding, "She's human, ma'am. You know how tricky they can be." Lambda noted the respectful honorific Epsilon reserved for Alpha during times of stress.

A soft smile curled at the corner of Alpha's lips as she acknowledged Epsilon's effort, "I understand. You did well, Epsilon."

Her attention shifted to 567, "567, send a telegram to Oriana. Inform Eta to return immediately. We need a countermeasure for these antacids, 'ASAP'."

As 567 moved to fulfill Alpha's orders, the elven leader's gaze finally met Lambda's. "Ah, Lambda. You're here. Good, come in."

Nodding, Lambda moved to the foot of the grand wooden table, directly across from Alpha. As 567 brushed past her, Lambda's gaze remained firmly on her leader.

"Alpha, ma'am," she addressed her leader with a crisp salute, her voice as steady as her unyielding posture.

With a discerning gaze, Alpha studied Lambda, her characteristic intensity softening into an almost maternal concern. "Lambda, has it worsened?" she asked, her voice laced with worry as her eyes strayed to Lambda's eyepatch.

"No, ma'am," Lambda responded, the corner of her mouth lifting in a small smile of reassurance. "Quite the contrary, it seems to have healed somewhat. There was an incident earlier today involving an artifact 720 was carrying. It appeared to have triggered something."

At the mention of the recruit, Alpha's gaze flickered to Epsilon, a knowing look passing between them.

"720? You don't say..." she mused aloud, her eyes returning to Lambda.

Alpha's gaze became more focused, her question filled with an understanding only someone who had seen her struggles could have. "And how is that interfering with your other eye?"

Taking a steady breath, Lambda confided, "It's fusing." Her admission sparked a flicker of concern in Alpha's eyes, prompting her to swiftly reassure, "But it's nothing I can't handle, ma'am."

"Then I'll trust your judgment, Lambda," Alpha conceded after a moment, her gaze still locked with Lambda's. Then, almost as an afterthought, she added, "But at least let her know."

Lambda saluted once again, "Yes, ma'am." Her words rang with conviction.

Alpha finally broke her gaze from Lambda, her eyes returning to the window. She then asked Epsilon, "Epsilon, fill Lambda in on the situation."

Epsilon nodded, stepping up to the challenge. Epsilon began her update, her tone resolute, "The enemy has developed a counter to our slime suits: Antacids. They can dissolve the suits completely."

Lambda's brows furrowed, baffled by the revelation. "Antacids, ma'am?"

As if in response to Lambda's question, Alpha produced a pouch from the table, holding it up to the light streaming in from the window. The faint crinkling of the pouch and its strange contents caused Epsilon to recoil instinctively, inching closer to Lambda's side of the table.

"I doubt it's ordinary antacids," Alpha speculated quietly, her gaze thoughtfully analyzing the pouch, "but Eta's analysis will provide more clarity upon her return."

After a moment's contemplation, Alpha turned her attention back to Epsilon. "Epsilon, what's your impression of 720?"

Epsilon's shoulders hunched a bit, her brow furrowing as she considered her answer. "She's a bit... timid, and fidgety. Like she's constantly in her own head. I imagine she was traumatized by what she went through with her captors."

Alpha sighed, her gaze back out the window. "That's not too uncommon, unfortunately. And she's been through a lot already..."

With a deep breath, Epsilon suggested, "Do you think 720 could know something about these antacids? She was, after all, captured by the same bandits using them."

"You didn't ask her earlier?" Alpha asked, turning back to Epsilon, her tone a bit more stern than usual.

"Well, how much would she know anyway? She was in a cage the whole time," Epsilon backpedaled. "And, um, besides, it was 567... No, sorry. We were all distracted by the situation, ma'am," Epsilon admitted, her gaze drifting to the floor.

"I see," Alpha mused, "Well, I guess there's no need to rush. We might as well let her get comfortable first. Once Eta returns, we can start asking questions. We'll learn plenty then."

Epsilon simply nodded, accepting Alpha's decision. Lambda quelled any doubts as well, trusting Alpha's judgment.

Alpha then pivoted to Lambda, her expression serious. "Anyway, Lambda, we can't solely rely on Eta devising a counter to these antacids. I would value your insight on the matter."

"Ma'am, are you worried this may be the precursor of more anti-slime tech?" Lambda asked, her mind already racing through the possibilities. Alpha nodded in response, her expression grim.

Lambda held herself still, marinating in the implications of Alpha's concern. Their situation was dire, requiring a swift and effective solution. Then an epiphany struck her, the memory of their rigorous training flashing through her mind.

"Alpha, ma'am," she started, "Lord Shadow may have already provided us the answer through our training. I think it's time to dust off Alexandria's old armory."

Alpha's eyes flickered with intrigue at the proposal, a hand thoughtfully tracing her chin. "Of course! Those skills should be transferable..."

Lambda continued, "Yes, ma'am. I would suggest an emergency training week for all Numbers. That should be ample time for me to get everyone to adjust."

Alpha gave her a resolute nod. "I trust you, Lambda. Proceed with the preparations. You are dismissed."

Without hesitation, Lambda saluted Alpha, her resolve to protect her comrades renewed. "Yes, ma'am."