The grey-haired android girl slowly opened her eyes, groaning. Her head felt hazy as she glanced all around her surroundings, noticing how dark and empty everything seemed.
She was lying in what looked to be a large glass cylinder. Its thick, transparent walls reflected the dim light above, casting strange shadows across her body.
"Where... Am I?" she murmured, her voice hoarse from disuse.
She tried to sit up, but something pinned her arms and legs against the cold glass, holding her down firmly. She pulled and strained against the restraint, but her movements only seemed to tighten the hold on her. The girl looked down at her body, seeing now that she was completely naked. Her body was smooth, flawless and devoid of any imperfections. She shivered, feeling exposed and vulnerable. Her eyes slowly adjusted to the dark, and she began to make out more details of her surroundings. The cylinder itself was not empty. There were strange wires and tubes sticking out from the sides, coming together into a single larger pipe that ran through the wall. The source of the dim light..
The tube glowed faintly with a soft blue-white light, providing just enough illumination for her to see herself clearly in her reflection. She was an android, a T-Doll. This explained the lack of clothing. T-Dolls were artificial humanoids built to fight, specifically for warfare. They were highly advanced, though somewhat limited by design. They had near-perfect human bodies and enhanced reaction time, as well as a few other functions. The girl tried to remember why she was here and how she got trapped in this cylinder. But no matter how hard she tried, her thoughts felt fuzzy, memories slipping through the cracks and fading away before she could grasp any significance.
She let out a deep breath, calming her mind. There was no use trying to force the memories to return, they would come back in time. Suddenly, she heard footsteps approaching from the other end of the room. The girl quickly looked up, her body tensing as she stared intently at the other end of the cylinder. She couldn't quite make out who was coming, but she could hear their heavy footsteps getting closer. The steps eventually came to a stop just outside the cylinder. The girl could see a dark figure standing just outside, but couldn't make out any details.
The figure was silent for a few moments, studying the cylinder and its inhabitant with what felt like a cold, calculating stare.
"You're awake."
The voice was female, and spoke with a strange mix of cool apathy and a hint of curiosity.
The android girl felt a chill run down her spine at the sound of the unknown woman's voice. There was an almost unsettling air of authority and indifference in her tone that made her unsure what to expect.
"Who are you?" she asked, her voice steady but with an edge of caution.
The figure outside the cylinder stepped closer until the dim light from the pipe illuminated just enough to reveal her features. She had long, blonde hair and wore a black suit with a white spider symbol on the chest and back, there was also a scar across her left eye which her left eye permanently closed. Her face was stern and unsmiling, but there was something about her eyes that made her even more unnerving. An intensity that felt both focused and detached at the same time.
The woman's gaze raked over the trapped girl, studying her appearance with a critical eye.
"Interesting." she murmured, her voice tinged with a hint of curiosity. "You're andorid."
The girl stumbled forward as the glass cylinder opened, her legs weak and shaky after being immobilized for so long. She was free now, but with nothing to cover her naked body, she felt even more exposed than before.
The blonde woman watched as the android girl stumbled out from the glass cylinder, her gaze still fixed on her with that same cold intensity.
There was a small moment of silence before the woman spoke again, her voice still cool and steady. "Can you walk?"
The girl nodded, taking a few tentative steps as she tried to get her bearings back. Surprisingly, her legs were strong and steady, despite the obvious disuse from being held down in the cylinder.
"Y-yeah. I can walk…" she confirmed, her voice still shaky with uncertainty.
The woman nodded once in acknowledgement, then pointed to a small bundle of clothes sitting just a few feet away from the glass cylinder.
"Get dressed." she ordered, her tone leaving no room for argument.
The girl didn't hesitate to use her built-in function to shapeshift, her body shifting and reforming until she was dressed in the clothes she was used to wearing. The blonde woman watched this transformation with a raised her eyebrow, clearly surprised.
"You can do that too?" she asked, her voice betraying just a hint of interest.
The girl nodded, confirming what the woman already knew. She was a hybrid, blending the superior capabilities of a T-doll with the flexibility of a symbiote.
"Yes, I'm... Part android, part symbiote." she admitted, glancing down at her clothes for a moment before looking back up at the woman.
The woman hummed thoughtfully, her intense eyes studying the girl even more closely now. She had a symbiote bonded to her, which explained the shape-shifting ability. Symbiotes bonded with living hosts and could shape-shift as well, but to have one bond with a T-doll was unprecedented.
"You're not the only one here, I'm hybrid too, as well as my friends." the woman admitted bluntly, her voice still cool.
The girl felt a small pang of unease at the woman's words. To be the first of her kind... It made her feel both special and exposed at the same time.
The blonde woman seemed to notice the girl's unease, and her expression softened just slightly. She stepped closer and spoke, her voice just a bit less cold than before.
"Don't worry, you're not the only one. There are others like you, and like me. You're not alone." she reassured.
The girl felt a small wave of relief at the woman's words. It was hard being unique, especially when you stood out. Hearing that she wasn't alone, that there were others like her, it made her feel a little less alone and a little less afraid.
"Others... Like me?" she repeated, her voice barely above a whisper.
The woman nodded, a small smile tugging at the corner of her lips for a moment. "Yes, others like you."
She gestured for the girl to follow her as she started to walk towards the only door leading out of the room. "Come with me. I'll introduce you to them."
The android girl hesitated for a moment, her thoughts swirling in her head. She had so many questions, so many things she wanted to ask but she quickly reminded herself that staying here and questioning wouldn't help.
"Okay… I'll come with you." she agreed, falling into step behind the woman as she led the way to the door.
The woman pushed open the heavy metal door, which creaked loudly on its hinges. Beyond the doorway was a winding corridor, its concrete walls illuminated by the dim overhead lights. She began walking down the corridor, the girl quickly following behind. The only sound was their footsteps echoing off the bare walls. The girl kept silent as she walked, her eyes darting around the dim corridor, taking in every detail. She longed to ask questions, but her mind was still a bit fuzzy, and she felt too unsure to speak.
Thankfully, the woman eventually broke the silence. "What's your name?" she asked suddenly, her voice echoing off the concrete walls.
The question caught the girl off guard. Her thoughts had been elsewhere, lost in her surroundings and the strangeness of this new situation.
"Oh..." she murmured, her voice a bit shaky. "My name is UMP40. What's yours?"
The blonde woman glanced over her shoulder, her eyes falling on the girl for a moment before looking ahead again.
"Gwenom." she replied simply. "But you can just call me Gwen."
UMP40 repeated the name in her head, committing it to memory. "Gwen…"
She was about to ask a question, but they suddenly came to a stop in front of another metal door, thicker and more secure than the one that led to the room she'd been trapped in.
Gwen placed her hand against a control panel next to the door, which glowed faintly as it scanned her palm. There was a moment of silence, then a soft, mechanical beep. The door slowly began to slide open, revealing a much larger room beyond.
The girl followed closely behind Gwen as she stepped through the open door. The room was large and fairly well-lit, its concrete walls and tiled floor giving it a more industrial feel than the corridor they'd just been in.There were three people in the room, all grouped together in small clusters and talking amongst themselves. The girl immediately felt a wave of uncertainty wash over her. All eyes turned to her, curious and assessing.
The three people in the room were all unique. It was obvious even at a glance that they were all hybrids, like her and Gwen.
The first one was a woman with brown hair, purple eyes, with fox ears and tails wears red and black traditional Japanese kimono.
The second was teenage girl who has white afro hair, black skin, green eyes, she wears black plugsuit with spider emblem on her chest.
The third one was a girl who looks in her mid-to-late teens, with a slender figure, red eyes, and long black hair. Her hair is kept tied into two pigtails with blue ribbons, and go down to her waist. Her fringe isn't kept parted and she has two bangs that go down to her chin. Her attire consists of a maid-like black top with golden trimmings and white frills around her upper arm and chest, and also reveals a certain portion of her cleavage. Her skirt is white with black trimming and is rather frilled compared to her top, and goes down to her lower-thigh.
The three of them stood together, their conversation ceasing as they turned their attention to the new arrivals. All three sets of eyes focused on the girl, their gazes studying her intently. UMP40 could feel a wave of nervousness wash over her as she looked back at them. She was used to being alone, being the only hybrid. This was new, and slightly overwhelming.
The fox-eared woman was the first to speak up, her voice clear and friendly. "So, this is the newcomer, huh?"
She was studying UMP40 intently, her purple eyes looking her up and down with a mixture of curiosity and assessment.
The white-haired girl stepped up beside the fox-eared woman, her eyes focused on UMP40 as well. "She looks pretty... Normal." she noted, her voice surprisingly mature for someone who looked to be a teenager.
The black-haired girl in the maid outfit chuckled lightly. "Normal, huh? That's not what I would've said."
She pushed herself away from the wall she was leaning against, her eyes never leaving the newcomer.
The fox-eared woman gave the maid a sidelong glance, amused at her comment. "Oh? And what would you call her then, Noire?"
The black-haired girl, now identified as Noire, shrugged slightly, a small smile playing at the corners of her lips. "I don't know... Unique?"
She raised an eyebrow as she looked the newcomer over. "In a few ways." she added, her tone slightly suggestive.
The fox-eared woman rolled her eyes at Noire's comment, but her expression betrayed a hint of amusement. "Oh please, don't pay her any attention."
She took a step towards UMP40, holding out a hand with a warm smile. "I'm Amagi, by the way. It's nice to meet you."
UMP40 took a slow, tentative step forward, her eyes still fixed on the three women before her. She looked from one to the other, unsure of what to say. Finally, her gaze fell on Amagi's extended hand. She took another step, her own hand lifting slowly to take Amagi's.
"I'm UMP40." she introduced herself hesitantly.
Amagi smiled warmly, her grip firm and reassuring as she shook UMP40's hand. "It's nice to meet you, UMP40." she repeated, her voice steady and confident.
Beside them, Gwen was watching silently, leaning against one of the cold metal tables scattered around the room.
The other two, Noire and the white-haired girl, stepped closer as well, both studying the newcomer intently.
The white-haired girl spoke up first, her voice even and steady. "I'm Addy Brock, they called me VEN#m, feel free call me Addy." she stated simply, offering a small smile.
UMP40 turned to face Addy, her eyes taking in the girl's form. She was tall, and slender, but there was something about her that implied a hidden strength.
"Nice to meet you, Addy." UMP40 echoed softly, her voice slightly steadier than it had been mere moments ago.
Addy nodded in response, her smile still present. She crossed her arms, leaning back against the table beside Gwen. Finally, all eyes turned to Noire, who was still studying UMP40 with an intense gaze. She pushed herself away from the wall again, her arms uncrossing as she took a step towards the newcomer. There was a moment of silence as Noire looked UMP40 over once again, her eyes still carefully assessing her.
Eventually, Noire spoke, her voice just as steady and mature as it had been before. "So, you're a hybrid too, huh." she stated, not a question but an observation.
UMP40 tensed slightly at Noire's question, her expression faltering for a moment. She hadn't expected such a blunt statement.
But she gathered her wits and nodded, confirming the others' assumption. "Yeah…" she agreed quietly.
Noire nodded in acknowledgement, a small hum of understanding escaping her. "Interesting…" she mused, her gaze never leaving UMP40.
There was something in Noire's eyes that made the newcomer slightly uneasy. It was as though she was being analyzed, and judged for her every detail.
UMP40 shifted nervously under Noire's scrutinizing gaze, her mind working anxiously. Her thoughts were still a swirling mess, her recent experiences leaving her unsettled and on-edge.
Amagi seemed to notice UMP40's anxiety, and gave her an encouraging smile. "Don't worry, Noire just being Noire." she reassured.
Addy chuckled lightly at Amagi's comment, looking over at Noire with an amused smile. "Yeah, she doesn't mean anything by it." she added, her tone lighthearted.
Noire rolled her eyes at the other girls, her expression not changing. "Oh, shut it…" she retorted, though there was no real malice in her voice.
Amagi chuckled as well, shaking her head slightly. "See? That's just how Noire is." she said, gesturing towards the dark-haired girl.
Gwen, who had been silently observing until now, finally spoke up. "You'll get used to it. Believe me." she added, her voice dry with sarcasm.
Despite the situation, UMP40 found herself relaxing a bit with the others' banter. Amagi's friendly reassurance, Addy's light-hearted chuckles, even Gwen's sarcasm... It all helped to ease her nerves just a little. She realized that these women weren't here to harm her, and in a strange way, she felt a sense of belonging amongst them.
The women continued to chat amongst themselves, the conversation turning to more mundane topics. Addy asked Gwen about a project she was working on, and Amagi and Noire debated about the best strategy for a particular mission. UMP40 simply listened, her mind slowly starting to clear as she watched the others interact. It was strange, being here with these women who were like her, yet so different.
The conversation went on for several more minutes, the women chatting comfortably as if they'd known each other for years.
But as they spoke, UMP40 found herself growing more and more curious. She had so many questions about these women, about their origins and their purpose.
Finally, she gathered her courage and spoke up. "Can I ask you something?" she asked.
All three women turned to look at UMP40, their conversation pausing as they noticed her speaking.
"What is it?" Amagi asked, her head tilting slightly as she looked at UMP40 expectantly.
UMP40 fidgeted with the hem of her shirt, hesitating for just a moment. "You're all… Hybrids, right?" she asked.
The women all exchanged glances, then nodded in affirmation.
Addy was the first to respond. "Yeah, we are." she confirmed, a small smile on her lips.
UMP40 looked from one woman to the next, taking in the subtle differences between them. Each of them looked so unique, yet there was no mistaking the fact that they were all hybrid.
"And... You said there were others like us?" she asked, her eyes drifting towards Gwen.
Gwen leaned back against the table, crossing her arms over her chest. "That's right. There are more of us, scattered across the world." she explained.
Amagi picked up where Gwen left off. "We're all working towards a common goal, though our methods may vary." she added, her voice serious yet confident.
UMP40's eyes widened at this revelation. More like her, scattered all over the world. It was a feeling she couldn't even comprehend.
"What... What kind of goal?" she pressed, her voice tinged with curiosity.
The women exchanged another glance, their expressions serious.
Noire was the one who spoke up this time. "We're fighting." she stated simply. "We're fighting for what we believe in, for our kind."
The women exchanged glances again, a silent communication passing amongst them. It was obvious that they weren't eager to divulge too much information.
Finally, Gwen spoke up, her tone neutral. "It's... complicated." she admitted. "But suffice it to say, we're all working towards a better future for us, and for humanity."
UMP40 could sense that the women were leaving out important details, but she didn't push the matter. Instead, she moved on to her next question.
"How long has this group been around?" she asked, her eyes flickering between each of the women in turn.
The women fell silent for a moment, as if considering how much to say. After a few moments, Amagi answered the question. "A long time," she stated matter-of-factly.
Noire chimed in as well, her expression thoughtful. "Longer than you can imagine." she added cryptically.
UMP40 couldn't help but feel a sense of both awe and unease at the women's answers. 'A long time' was so vague, it could have meant centuries or just a few decades.
She decided to press a bit further. "And… How did you find each other?"
Addy chuckled, an amused smile playing at the corners of her lips. "That's an interesting story." she said, leaning forward slightly.
Amagi was the one to answer the question, however. "Each of us found our way here in different ways. Some stumbled upon us by accident, others were recruited." she explained.
UMP40 nodded slightly, mentally filing the information away. It was strange to think that there were so many others like her, all with their own stories and experiences.
As she thought about this, a new question popped into her mind. "So... How many of us are there?"
The women exchanged glances again, their expressions guarded.
Gwen replied after a moment of silence. "There's no exact number, but there are quite a few of us." she understated. "Many more than most people realize." she added, her voice filled with a hint of warning.
UMP40 fell silent at this response. The women were clearly being evasive, and it was obvious they weren't going to reveal any significant information. She knew when to push and when to retreat, and this was not the time to press the matter further. There would be a better opportunity later, she was sure of it. The room fell into a comfortable silence, each of the women lost in their own thoughts. UMP40 took the opportunity to look around the room once again, her eyes taking in the cold, sterile environment. It was clearly an underground facility of some sort, and it was hard to imagine spending days on end in such a place.
Addy broke the silence after a few moments, her tone light and casual. "So, where did you come from, anyway?" she asked, her gaze fixed on UMP40.
The question seemed innocent enough, but UMP40 sensed curiosity behind it.
UMP40 shifted slightly under Addy's gaze, her thoughts flashing back to her capture and subsequent release.
"It's... a long story." she evaded, her voice soft and hesitant.
Addy raised an eyebrow at the vague answer, clearly intrigued by UMP40's reluctance to share.
But just as she was about to press further, Gwen spoke up, her voice firm and commanding. "Enough."
The room went quiet again, all eyes turning to Gwen.
Gwen was standing now, her arms crossing over her chest as she looked at the others. "We all have work to do." she stated simply.
The other women seemed to agree, each of them standing up straight and nodding in acknowledgement. Clearly, they were used to obeying Gwen's orders. And with that, the conversation seemed to be over. Amagi, Addy, and Noire all filed out of the room, leaving Gwen and UMP40 alone. Gwen watched them go, her expression unreadable. But as the door closed behind the others, her gaze turned to UMP40, her eyes studying her critically. UMP40 could feel Gwen's eyes on her, and she tensed slightly under the older girls' gaze. The silence was uncomfortable, and she shifted nervously under Gwen's unwavering stare.
Finally, Gwen spoke up, her voice crisp and commanding. "Follow me."
UMP40 followed silently behind Gwen, her eyes darting around the facility as they walked. The rooms they passed were all cold and sterile, each one filled with various pieces of technology and equipment. Gwen didn't say much as she led the way, simply gesturing at various rooms and explaining their function. As they made their way through the facility, UMP40 couldn't help but feel a sense of unease. Everything seemed so clinical and impersonal.
UMP40 followed Gwen as she led her through the facility. The cold, sterile hallways were maze-like, and UMP40 quickly lost track of their path. They passed numerous doors, each leading to different rooms and areas of the facility. A few rooms were clearly storage areas, filled with tools and equipment. Eventually, Gwen came to a stop in front of a large set of double doors. She pushed them open, revealing a large room filled with rows upon rows of screens and control panels..
"This is the control room." Gwen explained, her gaze sweeping over the myriad of screens.
UMP40 looked around in awe. The room was a technological marvel, filled with high-tech equipment that she'd never seen before.
Gwen stepped forward, her fingers tapping at a few of the controls. "This is where we monitor our progress, keep track of our operations, and generally make sure everything is running smoothly." she noted.
UMP40's eyes widened as she took in the incredible amount of information on the screens. It was overwhelming, and she had no idea what any of it meant.
"How do you keep track of all this?" she asked, her voice tinged with wonder and disbelief.
Gwen looked over at UMP40, a small smile playing at the corner of her lips. "You get used to it." she shrugged.
She reached out and tapped a few more buttons, bringing up various maps and diagrams on the screens scattered around the room. "This is where we keep track of our missions, our resources, and..." she trailed off, her expression hardening slightly. UMP40 watched as Gwen's expression changed, her mind racing to figure out what had caused the sudden shift in mood.
"And… What?" she prompted, her voice a quiet whisper.
Gwen paused for a moment, her fingers still hovering over the controls. She seemed to be contemplating whether to divulge any further information.
"And our enemies." she finally said, her voice clipped and stern.
UMP40 tensed at Gwen's words, her mind immediately going to the organization that had captured her.
"Who are they?" she asked, her voice faltering slightly.
Gwen turned away from the screens, her eyes meeting UMP40's. "That's a story for another time." she said firmly, her tone leaving no room for argument.
She took a step away from the controls, gesturing for UMP40 to follow her. "Come on, there's more I should show you."
UMP40 hesitated for a moment, her mind racing with unasked questions, but she knew better than to press further. With a deep breath, she followed Gwen out of the control room, the doors closing heavily behind them. The hallway outside the control room was just as sterile and austere as the rest of the facility. Gwen led UMP40 down the hallway, her footsteps echoing softly against the metal flooring. Eventually, they came to a stop in front of another set of double doors. Gwen pushed them open, revealing a large training room beyond.
The training room was spacious and well-equipped, filled with various pieces of exercise equipment and training devices. There were punching bags hanging from the walls, a large padded mat in the center of the room, and a wall of mirrors on one side. Gwen walked into the room, glancing back at UMP40 to make sure she was following. UMP40 hesitantly entered the training room, her eyes taking in the array of equipment. She had never seen so much fitness gear in one place before.
"This is the training room." Gwen stated, gesturing around the room. "We use this space for exercise, training, and simulations."
"Simulations?" UMP40 repeated, her eyes widening slightly.
Gwen nodded, gesturing to a bank of computers on one wall. "Yes. We have simulators that allow us to practice various scenarios and situations in a safe environment." she explained.
UMP40's eyes lit up at the mention of the simulation training. "Can I use them?" she asked, her voice tinged with excitement.
Gwen nodded in affirmation. "Yes, you can use the simulators." she confirmed. "It's a crucial part of our training regimen, and it will allow you to practice and improve your skills in a safe and controlled environment."
UMP40 was practically vibrating with eagerness now. "Is there one that can help me to improve my combat skills?" she asked, her eyes fixed on a simulation station in the corner.
Gwen looked over at the simulation station that UMP40 was staring at, a small smile playing at the corners of her lips. "Yes, there are several combat simulators that you can use to hone your skills." she confirmed. "They're designed to replicate various combat scenarios, and they provide immediate feedback on your performance."
UMP40 took a few steps toward the simulation station, her eyes greedily taking in the technology. "Can I try one right now?" she asked, her fingers itching to start.
Gwen chuckled lightly at UMP40's eagerness. "Sure, you can try it out." she agreed. "But let me run you through the basics first, and make sure you don't get overwhelmed."
UMP40 nodded, her eyes still fixed on the simulation station. She was practically thrumming with anticipation, eager to try her hand at the simulation.
"I'm ready." she said, her voice almost trembling with excitement.
Gwen had been watching UMP40 closely as she went through the simulation, a critical eye monitoring her movements and skills. But when UMP40 began to use her black 'web' ability to attack the holograms, Gwen's eyes widened in surprise.
"Impressive." she murmured, her voice tinged with both admiration and curiosity.
She watched as UMP40 continued to use her unique power, the black substance snaking out and ensnaring the holographic enemies. It was a powerful ability and clearly something she had never encountered before. Gwen kept her demeanor cool and collected, but inside she was impressed and intrigued.
As she watched UMP40 continue to decimate the holographic enemies with ease, Gwen couldn't help but wonder about the scope and limits of the newcomer's powers. It was clear that she had a lot to offer, and Gwen was already mentally running calculations on how to best utilize her abilities in the field. But for now, she simply observed, silently taking note of UMP40's skills and potential.
The simulation room was filled with the sounds of combat, as UMP40 continued to battle the hologram enemies. She moved with grace and efficiency, her black 'web' ability giving her a distinct advantage over the computerized opponents. Gwen watched her carefully, silently assessing her combat style and technique. The more she watched, the more impressed she became. UMP40 showed a level of agility and skill that was unexpected in a newcomer. She moved like a seasoned warrior, her 'web' ability giving her a unique edge in combat. Gwen began to silently strategize, mentally running through various scenarios where UMP40's abilities could be put to use.
Few minutes later as UMP40 finished the simulation training, Gwen walked up to her with a small smirk on her face. "Not bad." she said, her voice filled with approval and respect.
She gave UMP40 a few light claps on the shoulder, the gesture a sign of admiration. "You have a unique ability, and you're quite skilled." she complimented.
UMP40 felt a sense of pride and satisfaction at Gwen's praise. She had never been given such high praise before, and it felt good.
"Thank you." she said, her voice soft and hesitant. "I realized my abilities were so interesting."
Gwen chuckled at UMP40's humble response. "Your ability is indeed impressive." she agreed. "It could prove to be a valuable asset in the field."
She paused for a moment, her expression becoming serious. "But it's not just your abilities that are impressive. You have raw potential. You move well, you think fast, and you're clearly not afraid to use your power."
Once UMP40 had finished her training, Gwen gestured for her to follow as they exited the training room.
"There's one more room I'd like to show you." she stated, her voice serious once more.
She led UMP40 down a series of hallways, each one looking like the other, until they reached a set of thick metal doors.
Gwen placed her thumb on a keypad next to the door, a small scanner running over her skin. The scanner flashed green and the doors slowly rumbled open, revealing a large, dimly lit room beyond.
Gwen held the door open for UMP40, gesturing for her to enter the room. "This is the archive room." she explained. "It houses all of our information, files, and data."
UMP40 stepped into the room, her eyes widening at the sheer size and scope of the archive. Rows upon rows of shelves were filled with data pads, books, and physical storage devices. The room was cool and quiet, and it felt like stepping into a different world.
Gwen followed UMP40 into the room, closing the door behind them. "This is where we keep all of our most confidential information." she stated, her voice low.
She began to walk down one of the aisles, her fingers tracing over various data pads and storage devices.
"Every mission we've ever undertaken, every report we've ever written, every secret we've ever uncovered... It's all here." Gwen explained, her gaze fixed on the information around her.
She stopped in front of a small data pad, her fingers resting atop it.
"This room is... The heart of our operations." she said, her voice quiet. "We have information on our enemies, our allies, and everything in between."
She gestured to the shelves around them. "We've gathered data from all over the universes, and it's all stored here, safe and secure."
UMP40 was amazed. The sheer amount of information in the archive room was staggering, and she couldn't imagine the scope of the operation that had gathered all of it.
"How did you collect all of this?" she asked, her voice soft and bewildered.
Gwen smiled slightly, amused by UMP40's awe. "Years and years of research, investigation, and surveillance." she replied. "It's taken us a long time to build up this collection, and it continues to grow every day."
She began walking again, moving deeper into the maze of shelves and data storage devices. "Every piece of information here is crucial. We use it to plan missions, uncover secrets, and stay one step ahead of our enemies."
After showing UMP40 the archive room, Gwen led her back out into the hallway. There was one more room she wanted UMP40 to see.
"Follow me." she instructed, her voice firm.
She walked down the hallway, her footsteps echoing softly against the walls. UMP40 followed close behind, her mind still reeling from the sight of the archive room. They navigated a series of twists and turns, each hallway looking identical to the last. Finally, they came to a stop in front of a door that looked just like all the others. Gwen placed her hand on the panel next to the door, waiting for a moment as it scanned her skin. The door slid open with a soft hiss, revealing a large room beyond.
Gwen gestured for UMP40 to follow her inside, a look of anticipation on her face. As UMP40 entered the room, her eyes widened in shock. The room was not what she had expected. It was a simple, yet luxurious living space, complete with a bed, desk, chair, and a few potted plants. Lights were dim and soft, and the room felt warm and inviting.
Gwen stood by the door, watching as UMP40 took in the room. "This is your quarters." she explained, her voice softer than before.
She saw the look of surprise on UMP40's face, and a small smile tugged at the corner of her lips.
"We've set this up for you." Gwen said, gesturing to the room around her. "It's a quiet place to rest and relax, away from the hustle and bustle of the rest of the facility."
UMP40 looked around the room, her eyes sweeping over the bed, the desk, and the plants. It was all so unexpected. She had expected a small, sterile room, not something so comfortable and inviting. Gwen watched UMP40's reaction with a hint of amusement. She knew the room was a pleasant surprise, and she relished in the look of shock on the newcomer's face.
"The bathroom is through that door." Gwen said, pointing to a door on the far wall. "It's private and stocked with everything you should need. There's also a closet for you to store any personal belongings."
UMP40 was still trying to process the fact that this room was hers. It felt too good to be true, like she didn't deserve to have such a nice space. "This is for me?" she asked, her voice tinged with disbelief.
Gwen chuckled lightly at UMP40's surprise. "Yes, it's all for you." she confirmed. "We want you to feel comfortable and at ease here. This is your space, and you're free to do with it as you please."
UMP40 was still in awe as she took a step further into the room. The bed looked so soft and inviting, and the potted plants in the corner added a touch of life to the room. She couldn't believe that all of this was really hers now.
Gwen stepped back towards the doorway, preparing to leave UMP40 to settle in. But before she left, she paused for a moment.
"There's one more thing." she said, her voice turning serious.
UMP40 turned to face her, her eyes fixing on Gwen's. "What is it?" she asked, curious and a bit worried at the sudden change in Gwen's tone.
Gwen looked at UMP40 for a moment, her eyes studying the newcomer's face. Then she spoke. "There's a meeting tomorrow that I'd like you to attend. It's an important event, and I think it would be valuable for you to be present."
UMP40 nodded, her mind beginning to race with questions about the meeting. "What is the meeting about?" she asked, her curiosity piqued.
"It's a briefing on our upcoming missions." Gwen explained. "We'll be discussing our strategy, our targets, and any new intel we've gathered. It's important information, and I think it's important for you to be a part of it."
UMP40 digested this information, her mind already running through what the meeting might entail. "I'll be there." she said confidently, her voice steady.
Once Gwen had left and UMP40 was alone in her rooms, she allowed herself to fully absorb the situation. She walked around the room, running her hand over the soft bedsheet, admiring the potted plants, and peeking into the bathroom. Every detail was perfect, and she couldn't believe that all of this was really hers. She took a seat on the bed, her mind still swirling with everything that had happened. For the first time in a long time, UMP40 felt a sense of peace. Here in this room, she felt safe and cared for. She lay back on the bed, closing her eyes and letting the softness of the sheets soothe her weary body. The room was so quiet, save for the soft hum of the lights and the low whistle of the air conditioning. It was a gentle lullaby, a comforting sound that seemed to wrap around her. She took a deep breath, letting the tension drain from her muscles as she settled into the bed.
After spending some time alone in her dorm, UMP40 decided it was time to explore the facility a bit more. She got up from the bed, stretched, and headed for the door. As she opened it, she was surprised to see Addy standing there, leaning casually against the wall.
"Hey." Addy greeted casually, a small smile on her face. "Thought I'd come get ya. Gwen said you were settled in."
UMP40 nodded, the sight of Addy a welcome surprise. "Yeah, I just got done exploring my room." she replied, stepping outside and closing the door behind her.
Addy chuckled. "Nice digs, right?" she mused, falling into step beside UMP40 as they began walking down the hallway. "Gwen really knows how to treat the newbies."
UMP40 couldn't help but smile at what Addy said. "Yeah, it's... Really different from what I'm used to." she admitted, looking down at her feet as she walked. "I still can't believe it's all really for me."
As they walked, Addy continued to talk. "Gwen said there's a meeting tomorrow, by the way. Something about the upcoming missions and all that jazz."
UMP40 nodded, remembering Gwen's earlier conversation about the meeting. "Yeah, she told me about that. She said she wanted me to attend."
Addy shot her a sidelong glance, a smirk on her lips. "That's a big deal, ya know." she said, her voice laced with a hint of teasing. "Gwen doesn't just invite anyone to those meetings."
UMP40 felt a small flutter of both excitement and nervousness. She was honored that Gwen had invited her to the meeting, but she also felt a little intimidated by the idea. "Why do you think she invited me?" she asked, trying to keep her voice casual.
Addy shrugged her shoulders, her expression casual. "I don't know." she said, leaning slightly closer to UMP40 as they walked. "Could be a lot of reasons. Maybe she thinks you're smart. Maybe she thinks you're good at strategy. Maybe she just likes your face."
As they reached the meeting room, Addy led UMP40 to a couple of open seats where Gwen, Noire, and Amagi were already seated. UMP40 took a seat next to Addy, her eyes taking in the room and the other attendees.
Once everyone was settled, Gwen cleared her throat and began to speak. Her voice was firm and serious, leaving no room for casual conversation.
"Alright, everyone." she began, her eyes scanning the room. "Thank you all for coming. We've got a lot to go over today, so let's get started."