Chapter 50: The Hollow

The meeting officially began as the woman in the white suit adjusted her posture, exuding an air of authority and confidence. Her two bodyguards remained motionless beside her, their presence a silent reminder of the weight this meeting carried.

She cleared her throat before speaking, her voice steady and composed.

"Let me introduce you to the Hollow Affairs & Neutralization Department—H.A.N.D. It is an elite disaster response unit dedicated to protecting New Eridu's citizens from its most dangerous Hollows, or any other threats that require immediate attention. H.A.N.D. operates primarily out of its Headquarters in the Throne Quarter, as well as Scott Outpost near Hollow Zero."

She took a brief pause, gauging Miyabi's and Ellen's reactions before continuing.

"There are already several sections that have joined us. Special Operations Department, Section 9, Section 5, Section 3, and Section 1. If you decide to join, you would be the fourth section to integrate into our department."

Miyabi and Ellen exchanged brief glances, both carefully digesting the information being presented.

"Joining H.A.N.D. would grant you access to extensive resources, allies who are willing to assist in any crisis, and the ability to operate on a broader scale. Many of our operations will take place outside of New Eridu or within Hollow Zero itself."

The woman leaned forward slightly, a knowing glint in her eyes. "If you're worried about becoming mere lap dogs, don't be. You will retain your autonomy. Your decisions will remain your own, and any operation that does not align with the best interests of New Eridu's stability will not be forced upon you."

Miyabi and Ellen remained silent, listening intently and reading between the lines. They were no strangers to smooth-talking officials who twisted words to suit their own agendas. However, as Ellen studied the woman, she noticed something different. There was genuine passion in her words, a deep sense of conviction that couldn't be faked.

Ellen still held some reservations, but at the very least, she knew this woman wasn't lying. This was something she truly believed in.

As the woman continued to elaborate on the department's goals and structure, Ellen and Miyabi absorbed every detail, carefully weighing the implications of this offer.

The meeting had only just begun, but one thing was clear—this was not a decision to be taken lightly.

As the meeting continued, Ms.White spoke with unwavering confidence about the Hollow Affairs & Neutralization Department, or H.A.N.D. She elaborated on its role as an elite disaster response unit dedicated to protecting New Eridu's citizens from its most dangerous Hollows and any other immediate threats. H.A.N.D. maintained a strong presence at its Headquarters in the Throne Quarter and Scott Outpost near Hollow Zero. She explained that several prominent sections had already joined their efforts: the Special Operations Department, Section 9, Section 5, Section 3, and Section 1. If Section 6 agreed to join, they would be the fourth to integrate into this elite organization.

Ms.White emphasized the benefits of joining H.A.N.D., detailing the extensive resources, strategic allies, and operational support they would receive. She reassured them that their autonomy would remain intact, clarifying that they would not become mere pawns but retain decision-making authority in missions that aligned with the greater good of New Eridu. Miyabi and Ellen listened intently, carefully analyzing her words and ensuring no hidden deceptions lurked beneath the surface.

After Ms.White finished her explanation, Miyabi closed her eyes in thought, carefully weighing the proposal. Choosing her words with precision, she asked a series of vital questions:

"What kind of jurisdiction does H.A.N.D. operate under, and how will that affect Section 6's responsibilities?"

"How much operational freedom do we actually have? What are the limits to our autonomy?"

"Will we still be able to refuse certain missions if we find them too morally or ethically questionable?"

"Will we have access to H.A.N.D.'s intelligence network to aid in our ongoing investigations, especially regarding Hollow Zero?"

"Are there any obligations or commitments we should be wary of before agreeing?"

Ms.White took her time to answer each question meticulously, ensuring transparency and avoiding any wording that could cause mistrust. She reassured them that Section 6 would maintain its identity and independence while having access to H.A.N.D.'s vast resources and intelligence network. Any missions deemed unethical or problematic could be discussed or even refused, as long as it did not hinder public safety or national security. Most importantly, they would gain insight into Hollow Zero, an advantage few possessed.

Miyabi then asked if the rest of Section 6 was aware of this offer. Ms.White confirmed that they had already spoken to them, and they had agreed—on the condition that Miyabi herself accepted the deal.

Ellen, deep in thought, was leaning toward accepting the offer but wanted Miyabi to be on board as well. However, her focus was interrupted when Lotus turned her attention to her specifically.

"We are also aware of Mira and the organization that has taken an interest in her," Ms.White stated, watching Ellen's reaction carefully. "We can help keep you, Mira, and everyone associated with you safe."

Ellen tensed at the revelation, her instincts immediately sharpening. "How do you know about Mira?" she asked, her tone cautious.

Ms.White smiled apologetically. "We've been keeping tabs ever since Section 6 was attacked. It's part of our job to monitor any potential threats, and that organization is one of them."

Ellen exhaled slowly, somewhat reassured but still wary. "I appreciate the concern, but we still don't even know your name. It's strange to keep calling you 'the woman in white.'"

Ms.White chuckled at that, a playful glint in her eye. "Due to the nature of my position, my true identity must remain classified. However, you may call me by my code name—Lotus."

She then leaned forward slightly, her gaze meeting Ellen's with an amused expression. "If you truly wish to know who I am, you'll have to get to know me better."

Ellen blinked, her shark-like eyes narrowing slightly. Whether Lotus was flirting or simply being cryptic was up for debate, but before she could dwell on it, Miyabi smoothly redirected the conversation back to the topic at hand.

"I accept your proposal," Miyabi stated firmly. "Section 6 will become a part of H.A.N.D."

A satisfied smile spread across Lotus's face as she welcomed them to the department. However, her expression quickly shifted to a more serious and urgent tone. She pulled out a sleek tablet, tapping a few buttons before turning it toward them. On the screen, a detailed image of a Hollow appeared, surrounded by numerous charts, graphs, and energy readings.

Lotus looked at them both, her tone grave. "Now, let's discuss the other reason I'm here."

Lotus sat across from Ellen and Miyabi, her expression serious as she pulled up a series of holographic charts, graphs, and video footage on her portable terminal. "What you are seeing is data from our top Hollow investigators. Recently, a massive Ether aptitude spike appeared seemingly out of nowhere in the Outer Rim. Initially classified as an A-rank Hollow, it has since escalated to an SSS+ ranking. However, there's something highly unusual about it."

Ellen and Miyabi leaned forward, analyzing the information. The data displayed erratic surges of Ether readings, fluctuating wildly before stabilizing in an abnormal pattern. Lotus continued, "Unlike other Hollows of this magnitude, it hasn't expanded in any way. Its size remains constant—approximately that of a medium-to-large mountain. That alone is concerning, but there's more."

With a tap of her fingers, she played an audio-visual recording. The wavelength graphs resembled the sharp, rhythmic peaks of a heart monitor, pulsing with an eerie cadence. As the waveforms spiked, a low, reverberating sound filled the room—deep, rhythmic, and unmistakable.

Ellen narrowed her eyes. "That sounds like a heartbeat."

Lotus nodded. "Exactly. When we detected these strange frequency waves, we deployed an elite squad to investigate. Unfortunately, we lost contact with them almost immediately. This was the only footage we managed to recover."

The screen flickered, showing a squad of highly trained operatives approaching the Hollow's perimeter. As they stepped inside, the ground beneath them darkened, and within moments, an inky, liquid-like substance engulfed them. Panicked gasps and choked screams filled the comms as they struggled, their weapons useless against the suffocating abyss. The camera jolted, shifting its angle just enough to capture the heart of the Hollow—an enormous, pulsating mass, its rhythmic throbs resonating through the speakers. Silhouetted against the darkness, an unfathomably large creature loomed within, its features obscured by the churning void. Before any more details could be discerned, the feed cut to static.

Silence filled the room. Ellen exhaled sharply, her fingers tightening against her armrest. "So you're saying there's a living, breathing monster inside this thing?"

Lotus pressed her lips together before responding. "That's our leading theory. The other sections are already dealing with smaller-scale anomalies, which is why we need Section 6 for this operation. Your expertise in Hollow incursions makes you our best option. We need your aid as soon as possible."

Miyabi exchanged a glance with Ellen before turning back to Lotus. "When do you need us?"

"Tomorrow." Lotus tapped her terminal, sending additional details to their devices. "Once this meeting is over, a truck bearing our insignia will arrive within the next hour or two to transport you to our headquarters. There, you'll be briefed further and given materials to customize your uniforms if needed."

Ellen leaned back in her seat, exhaling through her nose. "This is happening fast."

Lotus gave a small, knowing smile. "Welcome to H.A.N.D."

After wrapping up the final details, Lotus and her bodyguards exited the room, leaving Ellen and Miyabi alone with the weight of what they had just learned.