Chapter 51: H.A.N.D

Ellen and Miyabi sat in the transport vehicle as it moved steadily toward the Throne Quarter district, the headquarters of H.A.N.D. The cityscape outside the window gradually shifted from the bustling streets of New Eridu to a far more rigid and structured environment. The once lively neon lights and crowded walkways gave way to fortified buildings, security outposts, and towering barriers designed to withstand disasters. This was a place built for war, not commerce.

Mira lay asleep in Ellen's lap, her small form rising and falling gently with each breath. Ellen absentmindedly ran her fingers through the child's hair while staring outside, watching the scenery change. She felt an odd sense of detachment from everything, as if she were being carried along by the current of fate rather than making choices for herself.

Miyabi, seated beside her, was focused on a tablet playing an informational video about H.A.N.D. The narration spoke in a clear and authoritative voice, explaining the department's mission, its role in neutralizing Hollow threats, and its various divisions. Ellen didn't bother listening. It felt redundant—she already understood the basics, and anything more would be better learned through direct experience.

Instead, she turned her attention to her own tablet, which displayed a customization menu for her new uniform. The screen allowed her to input preferences for design, color scheme, and additional features. With a faint smirk, Ellen recalled Rina's efforts in making her maid uniform after she had ruined the previous one. If nothing else, she appreciated the care that had gone into it.

With that in mind, she typed out the description of the maid uniform Rina had designed for her, ensuring that every detail was noted. However, as she pressed the confirmation button, a notification popped up on the screen:

"Your uniform will be modified slightly to better identify you as a member of H.A.N.D. Special Operations. Do you approve of these changes?"

Ellen clicked her tongue in annoyance. "What's the point of giving us options if they're just going to change it anyway? They might as well have just made the uniforms themselves," she muttered under her breath. Still, there wasn't much she could do about it. With a resigned sigh, she tapped the approval button and set the tablet aside.

Realizing they still had some time before arrival, she adjusted her posture slightly, ensuring Mira was comfortable before closing her eyes. If nothing else, she could use this ride as a chance to catch a quick nap before they reached their destination. The rhythmic hum of the vehicle and Mira's steady breathing lulled her into a light doze as they continued toward H.A.N.D. headquarters.

Ellen stirred awake as she felt a light nudge on her shoulder. She blinked a few times before registering Miyabi's voice.

"We've arrived," Miyabi said, her tone calm but firm.

Stretching slightly, Ellen took in her surroundings. The vehicle had come to a halt, and the doors slid open to reveal the headquarters of the Hollow Affairs & Neutralization Department—H.A.N.D. As she stepped out, she found herself looking up at an imposing structure of steel and reinforced glass. The entire complex radiated authority and efficiency, towering over most buildings in the Throne Quarter. The sleek black and cyan color scheme was consistent across its various sections, with massive holographic displays showing live updates of Hollow activity and emergency response details. Automated drones patrolled the perimeter, and heavily armored guards stood stationed at various entry points, each bearing the emblem of an open hand with intricate markings on their uniforms.

The entrance led into a spacious atrium with a polished floor that reflected the faint cyan glow of holographic terminals displaying mission briefings, combat reports, and ongoing operations. Above, walkways connected different floors, where personnel in matching uniforms moved with purpose.

As Ellen and Miyabi approached the main lobby, they spotted the rest of Section 6 gathered around Lotus. The group turned to greet them, and Ellen took in their new uniforms.

Each member's attire was designed for both mobility and protection, bearing the primary black and cyan color scheme of H.A.N.D., but each had unique features that reflected their skills and roles within Section 6.

Soukaku's uniform was adorned with the Zai (Creation) hand symbol, a subtle but deliberate placement over her left sleeve. The design was slightly looser than the others, allowing her freedom of movement. The fabric seemed layered, built for resilience yet breathable. The accents on her outfit were a mix of tactical and ceremonial, acknowledging her potential yet youthful need for refinement.

Harumasa's uniform bore the Zen (Enlightenment) hand symbol prominently on his chest plate, blending into the fabric's subtle embroidery. His attire had a traditional warrior-monk aesthetic, featuring light armor pieces over his shoulders and forearms. Yellow highlights adorned the edges, a stark contrast to the deep black fabric, reflecting both his battle-worn wisdom and the illness he carried within him.

Yanagi's attire lacked an obvious hand symbol, but her defining feature was the jagged pauldron on her right shoulder, which resembled the aggressive teeth of a beast. Its design evoked elements of both Kai (Intuition) and Retsu (Dimension), a fitting representation of her sharp instincts and unparalleled combat prowess. The interwoven layers of her uniform suggested a balance between offense and defense, with reinforced plating in strategic areas, ensuring she could move with lethal precision.

As Ellen and Miyabi approached, the group exchanged nods and greetings, their expressions reflecting a mixture of professionalism and familiarity. Lotus stood at the center of them all, hands folded behind her back, exuding the same composed presence as before.

Once the greetings were exchanged, Lotus gestured for them to follow. "Come. I'll show you where you'll be stationed."

They were led deeper into the headquarters, past bustling corridors filled with personnel analyzing data, calibrating weapons, and strategizing responses to ongoing Hollow threats. Eventually, they reached their designated floor—a sophisticated operations hub designed specifically for Section 6.

The space resembled an advanced office with a tactical overlay. Each member had a personal workstation equipped with a built-in holographic interface, allowing for seamless coordination and mission planning. At the center of the room was a large, suspended holographic map of New Eridu, its surface shifting dynamically with real-time updates. Various markers indicated Hollow locations, ranked according to threat levels, while other symbols denoted potential emerging dangers.

"This will be your base of operations from now on," Lotus informed them. "You have full access to all necessary resources, and each station is customizable to fit your preferences. Any missions or emergency calls will be routed through here."

Ellen took a brief moment to glance at the map before exchanging looks with Miyabi. It was clear this was a step beyond anything they had dealt with before. The scale of H.A.N.D.'s operations wasn't just about protecting the city—it was about tackling the threats before they even reached New Eridu.

Lotus turned to them, her expression shifting from her usual composed demeanor to something more serious. "I'll be your direct supervisor. If you have any questions or need anything, you can come to me."

With that, she gave a brief nod and took her leave, her two bodyguards following closely behind. The room fell into a momentary silence as Section 6 took in their new surroundings.

Ellen exhaled, crossing her arms as she looked around. "Well, looks like we're in it now."

Miyabi gave a small, thoughtful nod. "This is just the beginning."

Ellen, Miyabi, and Mira stood inside Section 6's personal changing room, each of them adjusting to their newly issued uniforms. The room was spacious, with dark metallic walls illuminated by soft cyan lights, reflecting the organization's signature color scheme. Several lockers lined the walls, each marked with an individual's name and rank, while a sleek bench ran through the center of the room. A large holographic mirror projected their full reflections, allowing them to view their uniforms in perfect detail.

Miyabi's Uniform - Toh (Harmony)

Miyabi's uniform embodied both authority and refinement. Her long, high-collared black coat was accented with cyan embroidery tracing elegant, symmetrical patterns across the fabric. The sleeves bore the emblem of Section 6, and on the back of the coat, the kanji for Toh (Harmony) was stitched in a deep silver thread. Her gloves, made of reinforced yet flexible material, were adorned with subtle etchings of her Kuji-Kiri hand seal, symbolizing her dedication to balance and leadership.

Underneath the coat, she wore a form-fitting combat suit with a flowing sash around her waist, reminiscent of traditional shrine maiden attire. The cyan highlights on the sash and coat symbolized her connection to the energy of Ether and the oneness she sought to maintain between order and chaos. Her boots were sleek but reinforced, designed for both speed and durability, allowing her to move with the grace of a warrior yet hold the presence of a commander. A matching cyan scarf draped around her neck, its fabric light yet warm—a personal touch that mirrored Mira's own scarf, solidifying their bond as a family.

Ellen's Uniform - Jin (Strength of Mind & Body)

Ellen adjusted the high collar of her jacket, which bore a striking resemblance to her maid uniform but was now modified for combat. The black, tactical design retained its sleekness but had reinforced plating on the shoulders and arms, offering protection without sacrificing mobility. The Jin (Strength of Mind & Body) hand seal was embroidered on the left sleeve in a glowing cyan hue, representing her resilience and unwavering will.

Her gloves had additional padding around the knuckles, clearly made for someone accustomed to hand-to-hand combat. A utility belt wrapped around her waist, equipped with small compartments for Ether-infused tools. The long coat had a split-tail design, allowing free movement while maintaining a dignified silhouette. Her boots were durable, built to endure high-impact movement and provide stability in high-stakes combat scenarios.

A final detail was her armband, which bore the insignia of Section 6's Special Operations Division, marking her as an official member of H.A.N.D. Despite the organization's modifications, the essence of Rina's original design remained, ensuring that Ellen still felt like herself beneath the uniform's militaristic adjustments. Like Miyabi, she now also wore a cyan scarf, mirroring Mira's in both color and style. The soft fabric sat comfortably around her neck, adding a touch of warmth and familiarity amidst the rigid structure of her new attire.

Mira's Uniform - Sha (Healing & Protection)

Mira's uniform was tailored for someone not directly in the line of combat, but who still played a vital role in the team. Her outfit was a hybrid between a traditional support unit's attire and a sleek, flexible bodysuit, allowing her freedom of movement. A short, cropped jacket bore the Sha (Healing & Protection) hand seal on the back, symbolizing her growing role as someone who needed to be safeguarded, yet could provide aid when necessary.

Her gloves were specially designed with Ether-sensitive fabric, meant to help her attune to the energy around her. She wore lightweight, reinforced boots that provided agility without weighing her down. Her cyan-accented scarf—one of the few personal items she had integrated into her attire—was securely fastened, a reminder of those who had helped her along the way. The overall design was non-restrictive yet functional, reflecting her position as someone who might not yet fight on the front lines but was still essential to the mission's success.

As they finished suiting up, the three stood before the holographic mirror, examining themselves in silence. Miyabi adjusted the cuffs of her coat, Ellen rolled her shoulders, testing the flexibility of her gear, and Mira lightly tugged on her scarf, her expression contemplative.

"Well," Ellen muttered, giving herself one last look. "At least they didn't make us look like total clowns."

Miyabi exhaled through her nose in amusement. "I think they did a fine job. These uniforms carry meaning."

Mira nodded quietly, still absorbing the significance of it all. The three of them, now officially part of H.A.N.D., had taken their first step into something much bigger than themselves. And with that, the mission ahead awaited them.