Adrian Walls listened as a familiar voice said, "How are you, old friend?" Eduard indicated with a barely perceptible smile.
"Oh, it's you… or half of you, to be precise," Adrian replied, noticing the missing arm of Eduard. The phrase was spoken in a light tone, almost as if he were trying to downplay something they both knew was significant. Standing before him was Adrian, a man of the same age as Eduard, though his appearance set him apart completely. Dressed like a true scientist, he wore an impeccable white coat, metallic gloves covering his hands, and thick glasses that suggested reduced vision. His average height contrasted sharply with Eduard's tall and slender figure.
"This is a wound from battle," Eduard explained, pointing to the empty space where his arm had once been.
"I see," Adrian said, adjusting his glasses as he observed with curiosity. "Although your arms always seemed different from human physiology due to your alien genes, I thought they were powerful and perhaps indestructible. But I see now that they're not."
Eduard smiled with a hint of melancholy. "Well, just as you were granted advanced technological abilities, I was given knowledge of things beyond this world—knowledge that I have shared with you. Despite my body having notable differences, I am still human at my core."
Adrian nodded slowly, processing the words. Then, in a practical tone, he asked, "So, do you want me to make you a prosthetic to cover that arm? I have many models here." The leader of Unit D gestured toward a nearby table filled with complex tools and devices.
"No, I wouldn't want technological implants in my body," Eduard responded firmly. He paused before continuing, "But do you remember what I asked you to try and create?"
Adrian squinted behind his glasses. "You mean the Reality Mender you gave me the references for? Thanks to your alien intellect, I managed to decipher it, though it was complicated. There's no technology I can't crack when I connect my thoughts directly with machines."
"Do you have it or not?" Eduard asked, barely masking his impatience.
Adrian didn't answer immediately. Instead, he walked over to a nearby cabinet, opened the doors, and pulled out a rectangular device the size of a hand. He placed it on the worktable and pressed a button on its surface. Instantly, the device began scanning Eduard's body. A soft hum filled the laboratory as letters appeared on the device's screen: Scan complete. Creation of missing part in progress.
Eduard closed his eyes, hopeful yet nervous. "I hope this works," he thought to himself. Then, as if by magic, a new arm began to grow in the place where there had once been emptiness. It was as if a green anime character had come to life before them.
The machine emitted a soft beep and displayed the final message: Process complete.
Eduard looked at his new arm in astonishment. He moved it slowly, flexing his fingers and rotating his wrist. A wave of emotion washed over him. The two scientists accompanying him also watched the event with surprise and admiration.
"Well, if you're done, I have work to do," Adrian remarked, returning to his usual cold demeanor.
"Always so cold, my friend," Eduard responded with a soft laugh. "But thank you. I thought this wouldn't work, but I shouldn't have doubted you. Now, please, leave my laboratory. I have many things to do."
Before Adrian could respond, Eduard added, "Oh, wait. I brought these two with me. They're ex-scientists from Radar."
Gin quickly interrupted, "Ex-scientists, yes. We no longer belong to that company."
Adrian adjusted a pair of special glasses he had at his side, similar to those used by optometrists, and proceeded to scan the newcomers. The glasses displayed real-time information: interesting individuals. Potential support. The intelligence quotient is slightly above average.
The scientist gave a slight nod, keeping his thoughts to himself.
"They don't surprise me much," Adrian said after analyzing the newcomers with his special glasses. "But if you brought them and want them to join the organization, they'll have to pass some tests. There might be vacancies in Squad O, where all the scientists who support us and don't have powers are stationed." He paused before adding, "I'll call someone to take them there."
Adrian pressed a hidden button under the table where he had been working. "Becky, come to my office," he ordered in his typically direct tone. Instantly, a female voice responded on the other side of the intercom.
The laboratory doors opened automatically, and a young woman hurried in. It was Becky Wright, a girl with short blue hair, round glasses, and a somewhat absent-minded expression. She wore the characteristic uniform of Team D: an impeccable white coat that contrasted sharply with her evident clumsiness. She entered stammering, "Becky Wright reported, sir." However, her shoelaces were untied, causing her to trip and fall to the floor with a dull thud.
"Are you all right, miss?" Eduard asked with genuine concern as he looked at the girl, who appeared to be about eighteen years old.
"Oh, Becky, always so careless and clumsy," Adrian commented, bringing a hand to his forehead as if he were already accustomed to such scenes. "What am I going to do with you?"
"I'm sorry, sir. A thousand apologies," Becky replied quickly. She got up awkwardly, tied her shoelaces, and adjusted her glasses, which had fallen during the incident. Despite her nervousness, she tried to maintain a professional demeanor.
"Well, Becky, you can take these two gentlemen to the Squad O area so they can undergo some tests," Adrian instructed, refocusing on his work.
"Yes, of course, sir," she responded, approaching the three men to introduce herself formally. When she reached Gin, he was completely smitten. The young woman was beautiful, though her clumsiness gave her a charming air. Her blue hair perfectly matched her clear eyes, highlighted behind the lenses of her glasses. For Gin, it was love at first sight.
"She's quite the diva," Gin murmured under his breath, almost without realizing it. Meanwhile, Becky extended her hand towards Dani and introduced herself warmly: "I'm Becky. Although within the agency I'm known as Agent D-Twelve, I suppose I shouldn't say my real name, but the boss tends to forget… Nice to meet you."
Dani, noticing his companion's distraction, nudged him. "You fool, pay attention," he whispered.
"Sorry, what did I miss?" Gin asked, shaking his head to return to the present.
"Hello, Big E," Becky greeted Eduard with a shy smile.
"Hello, little one. I see you've grown," Eduard replied warmly. Becky blushed slightly at the comment.
"Well, it's time for you to take them," Adrian interrupted impatiently. "I need to focus on what I'm working on."
"What a jerk," Dani thought to himself as he followed Becky toward the exit.
"Follow me this way," the young woman instructed, guiding the two former scientists out of the laboratory.
Once they were gone, Eduard briefly said goodbye: "Well, see you. It's always a pleasure to see you, old friend, even if you don't talk much." With that, he left the place, feeling complete now that he had both of his arms again. "Now that I have both my arms, I'll go get the crops to prepare more potions. I hope the guys have taken good care of them in my absence."
Upon entering his unit, Eduard found the crops in perfect condition. The climate was clearly controlled, creating an atmosphere that seemed to transport him to a natural world far from the cold concrete that surrounded the place. The plants flourished with vitality, as if they were in a magical forest rather than an underground laboratory.
"How wonderful that these guys have taken care of my beautiful plants," Eduard murmured with satisfaction as he began to harvest them carefully. However, just as he was focused on his task, he felt something cold pressing against his back. An unfamiliar voice echoed behind him: "Stay still. You're not taking our crops from here."
Eduard stood up slowly, as he had been kneeling while carefully plucking the plants. When he turned to face his attacker, he unintentionally made a series of funny faces. The person pointing at him couldn't hold back and burst into laughter.
"Well, well! It's you, kid!" Eduard exclaimed, recognizing the little intruder. It was a boy about nine or ten years old, dressed in an impeccable white shirt, green shorts, and wearing brown boots. His hair was a vibrant shade of green, and his intense orange eyes sparkled with youthful energy.
"Come on, give your boss a hug!" Eduard said with a warm smile. The boy dropped the object he had been threatening him with and happily threw himself at him. "It's true! You've come back, boss!" the child shouted as he wrapped his arms around Eduard. Eduard hugged him back tightly, feeling a mix of relief and pride.
"They told me you didn't have an arm because of the battle, but I see that's not true," the boy commented, pointing to Eduard's newly regenerated arm.
"Of course not. I asked my friend Adrian for help, and as you can see, I got it back," Eduard replied with a confident smile.
"How have you been, little one?" the man asked, looking at the boy affectionately. The boy's name was Floud Rest. Though his innocent appearance might be deceiving, Floud was one of the strongest members of his team and held the sixth position in the group's hierarchy.
"I've been fine. I was taking care of the crop fields, waiting for my leader to return," Floud said proudly, puffing out his chest.
"And where are your teammates?" Eduard asked, glancing around.
"I don't know. Everyone left, and they left me in charge of our place," the boy replied with a shrug.
Eduard frowned slightly. "They left him alone again… Poor kid. He's strong, but I think I need to train him better. I shouldn't have left without doing so."
"Hey, Floud, do you want to help me prepare some potions?" Eduard suggested with a mischievous smile.
"That bitter thing you make with these plants?" the boy asked, making a face of disgust. "Though when it's being prepared, it gives off a horrible smell, and nothing compares to its taste."
"But if you're not doing anything, come along, and I'll give you a quest," Eduard offered, a sly gleam in his eyes.
"A quest? That sounds interesting. What will you give me in return?" Floud asked curiously.
"This kid isn't dumb," Eduard thought to himself. Aloud, he responded, "Well, if you help me and complete the quest, I'll help you control your powers."
"Training? I'd like that! All right, you're the boss," Floud accepted enthusiastically.
Both got to work. Of course, Floud put on a mask to avoid inhaling the repulsive vapors that emanated during the preparation of the potion. Once they finished, Eduard handed him several vials and gave him precise instructions.
"Take these potions to Team C. It's important that they arrive intact," Eduard said seriously.
The young boy ran as fast as his legs would allow. He reached a passageway and found a door. He knocked decisively, and a female voice responded from the other side: "I'm Agent C-One. What do you want?"
The woman looked through the peephole but didn't see anyone. Confused, she asked, "Where are you? Don't hide."
"Look lower, agent. It's me, E-Six," Floud replied in a clear little voice.
The woman was momentarily speechless. "I think they're not going to open," Floud muttered to himself when suddenly the door burst open, and he was pulled inside.
"But what a cute little thing!" the woman exclaimed, while the other girls on the team also began to surround him, pinching his cheeks enthusiastically.
"Hey! What's going on? Why are you pulling me?" Floud protested, dizzy and confused.
"What's going on, girls? What's with all this commotion?" Azulema interrupted, entering the room. Upon seeing little Floud, her face lit up immediately. She pulled him away from the other women, leaving Mark aside, and hugged him tightly.
"But what a beautiful child! And where are your parents?" Azulema asked, squeezing him against her chest.
Floud, unable to breathe, tried to move, but she squeezed him even harder. Finally, Azulema let go and apologized: "Oh, I'm sorry! What's your name, little one?"
"Leave him alone!" Leila intervened firmly, pushing the other women away from Floud. "You crazy pair! Let him breathe. The boy was turning purple from all the pulling."
Once Floud regained his breath and his soul seemed to return to his body, he straightened up, trying to regain some dignity. With a shaky but determined voice, he said, "I'm Floud, from Team E, and I've come to bring you these potions so you can recover." Then, he muttered to himself, "But if I had known that all of you were women and crazy, I would have stayed put. The boss is going to hear about this for not warning me."
"Oh, so you're an agent like me," Leila commented, observing the boy with curiosity.
"I see that you're the sane one in this circus," Floud replied, still disheveled and visibly uncomfortable.
"Uh, excuse them," Mark interjected, keeping his head down near the door, avoiding getting too involved in the chaos.
"Yes, listen to him. This happens to him every day," Leila added with a mischievous smile. "These women should find husbands if they want kids so badly."
Floud let out a nervous chuckle along with her, feeling more relaxed now that the atmosphere had calmed down.
"We're sorry, we were just embarrassed," the other women said, ashamed of their behavior.
"Well, I'm leaving," Floud announced, ready to escape as quickly as possible. But before he left, he remembered something important. "Oh, take this as well, Miss Adia. The boss asked me to give it to you." Floud handed her a bottle, and Adia accepted it with a small smile.
"Thank you," Adia said sincerely. The others also thanked the boy for his delivery.
"Would you like a little dessert?" Azulema offered, still feeling guilty about what had happened and wanting to make it up to him somehow. Deep down, almost all the girls on Team C got excited over young boys because they longed to have a child to care for, but due to their work as agents, they had decided to postpone or give up on starting families. Maybe someday…
When Floud looked up, he saw a rich flan on the table. The boy loved anything sweet. "All right, but I'll take it with me for the road," he responded, grabbing the dessert and running out of the place as fast as his legs would carry him.
"What a charming boy!" they all commented as they drank the potion Floud had delivered. However, each of them felt an intense bitterness as they swallowed the liquid.
Once they had all recovered from the unpleasant taste, Mark interrupted for a moment. "Well, Miss Azulema, everything is ready now. That's why I came, but the commotion caused by Floud's arrival delayed us."
"Oh! This is my Marky!" Azulema exclaimed, pinching the boy's cheek affectionately.
"Well, let's get to the point," Adia indicated seriously. She was as direct as always, just as the leader of Team C knew her to be.
"All right, Marky, you may leave. You, Margaret, and you two — since Brea isn't here — Martha and Sheila, follow me," Azulema ordered with authority.
The door slammed shut behind them, and Azulema instructed Adia to sit on the floor, adopting the lotus position. "Sit here," she said, pointing to the center of the circle formed by the women. The others did the same, surrounding Adia. Azulema positioned herself in front of Adia, Margaret to her right, Martha to her left, and Sheila behind her.
"Let's begin," Azulema instructed the three women surrounding Adia. The three joined hands and began to levitate slowly, lifting Adia with them. She floated, unsure of what was happening.
"But what's going on?" Adia asked, confused and somewhat frightened.
"Focus," Azulema instructed calmly. "Close your eyes and relax. We'll take care of everything, but you're going to feel great pain as we delve into your memories of the past. I hope you're prepared, like the time you asked me to erase your past."
"As I've already told you, I'll endure it without hesitation. I need to bring Aiden back. I'm worried about that boy. I'll take the risk," Adia responded with determination.
Without another word, Azulema nodded. "All right, let's proceed."
Outside the location, after his unexpected adventure, Floud was sitting in a corner eating his flan with such intensity that it seemed he was venting his frustration over the scare he had endured. "Boss, why did you do that? I almost died in that awful place. You'll see," he muttered between bites, tears welling up in his eyes, each spoonful of sweet flan calming him little by little. Despite his feigned anger, the dessert was soothing his nerves.
Meanwhile, let's return to the room where the five women were gathered. Adia repeated softly to herself, "It's nothing," trying to stay calm as she listened to Azulema speak. The mage opened her eyes for a moment and observed the four women around her. Their gazes were illuminated by flashes of light that seemed to emanate from the core of their bodies to their eyes, like beacons of pure energy.
"Close your eyes, Adia," Azulema commanded firmly but calmly. "This psychic ritual is very demanding and intense. We need to concentrate fully."
Adia obeyed without hesitation, closing her eyes again and surrendering to the mage's instructions. Her breathing began to steady, and her body relaxed as the energies of the four women started to flow in perfect harmony.
Minutes passed in silence, interrupted only by the faint murmur of magical energies crackling in the air. Then, the energies of the four women rose toward the ceiling, forming a kind of bright cloud that hovered above Adia. Suddenly, the cloud descended rapidly toward her, entering her body with surprising force.
Adia's eyes snapped open, revealing an intense glow that seemed to come from another world. However, it wasn't her own eyes controlling her gaze. She had entered a deep trance, as if her soul had been torn from her physical body and transported to another plane.
"Where am I?" Adia murmured in a distant voice, gazing toward an unknown horizon. A warm, enveloping light pulled her in like a whirlpool, surrounding her completely. Before she could react, she was absorbed by the light and disappeared into it, leaving her physical body behind in the room.