"Captain Axel, incoming transmission from Dr. Cuervo Cero," a mass-produced W reported.
"From Cuervo? Patch it through."
Cuervo's face appeared on the ops room monitor. His usual tormented expression was etched deeper today.
"Captain, apologies. Dr. Setome ordered me to adjust Ouka for the Geim System. I've stalled as long as I could, but any further delay, and she'll do it herself."
So, it's time. That old hag's overdue for disposal.
"Vindel, mind if I deal with that old harm?"
Vindel, Lemon, Echidna, and a confused Lee stood nearby. Lemon smirked; Lee was lost. Wodan was linked with Magus, absent.
"She's nothing but a liability now… but Cuervo joins us for this, right?" Vindel asked.
"Yeah, promised. Condition: restore Ouka and Zeola's memories."
"Fine. Memories don't matter if they're useful."
"Got it. Cuervo, where are Ouka and Zeola now?"
"Ouka's in my lab. Zeola's deployed with Bildfalken, aiding Major Archibald."
"Archibald's?"
Canon had Arado switching to Bildbilger, where he shocks Zeola's memory, loosening her brainwashing temporarily. Perfect timing.
"So, Agilla Setome's alone?"
"Yes. She rarely leaves her lab, though guards accompany her outside."
"Vindel."
"Conditions align. It's yours, Axel. But no traces back to us."
"No body, no problem?"
"Best case."
Suspense dramas obsess over body disposal, but I've got options. Spatial storage can't hold living things, but corpses? Fine. Slime absorption? Perfect crime.
"Cuervo, I need your ID for Setome's lab. Conveniently lose it?"
"Understood. Meet me near her lab in ten."
"Good. Vindel, I'm off."
"Careful."
Nodded, left the ops room. Behind, Lee got a briefing from Vindel and Lemon.
Near Agilla's lab, Cuervo waited, fidgeting nervously—a walking red flag.
"Captain Axel, here."
"Thanks. The ID?"
"Here. Enter 1579654 to unlock her lab."
Took the ID, memorized the code.
"And Ouka and Zeola's backup memories?"
"Stored in her lab. Please, don't destroy the facility."
Worry filled his eyes. What's he think I am?
"Can't promise fully, but I'll minimize damage. Wait—back in thirty."
Waved, headed to the lab.
"Please!" Cuervo bowed deeply behind me.
"ID… 1579654."
Entered the code; the door slid open. No challenge from within.
Out, unusually? Might need to wait.
Wanted to probe with slime, but opening spatial storage in a public corridor was risky.
"Dr. Agilla Setome, you in?"
No answer. Missed her?
Cautiously advanced, hiding behind cylinders, until I spotted Agilla at a computer, engrossed, muttering.
"Aurum-1's core memory stems from affection for Bronzo 27, 28, Latune-11. Redirecting that to another? Too weak. What if losing loved ones fuels rage, sadness—boosts combat? Heh, intriguing experiment."
Kill her now? No—let her taste her own medicine first.
Her computer likely holds critical data—Cuervo's warning about damage applies. Spotted a pitcher and glass—her water.
Cold water for an old hag, huh?
Grabbed the pitcher, upended it over her head.
"Gah! What!?"
Agilla jumped, scanning, locking eyes with me.
"You—Shadow Mirror's Axel? Why are you here?"
"Tried calling, but you didn't hear. Used your water—sorry."
"Who allowed you in!? How'd you enter!?"
Her face reddened, but I'd already decided her fate.
"Listen first. Still uninterested? Report me to Vindel—I'll comply."
"…Hmph, fine. What's your business?"
"Awakened a strange ability. Want your take."
Her annoyed glare turned greedy. Hooked her curiosity—the same curiosity that drove her atrocities.
"Look at my right side."
She did. I snapped my fingers, opening spatial storage.
"What… is that?"
A black hole to her eyes.
"Keep watching…"
Extended slime tendrils slowly.
"What is that!? Never seen or heard of it! Axel, answer! What is it? Ability? Composition? How'd you get it!?"
Foaming, eyes wide, she pressed. After teasing her, I spoke as she opened her mouth again.
"The ability…"
"Yes?"
"…is this!"
Slime surged, wrapping her body—face exposed—in an instant.
"What!?"
She reached for a switch—likely external comms—but slime pinned her, only her face free.
"How's it feel?"
"You planned this!"
Her hateful glare drew my smirk.
"Just an experiment. This slime digests, absorbs targets. You're the subject. Honored? Satisfying your curiosity till the end."
"Stop! Do you know what you're saying—doing!?"
Pathetic. Fine using others as test subjects, but panics when it's her.
"I know. You'll be absorbed alive, slowly. I'll watch your pathetic end."
"Your goal!? Vindel's orders!?"
"No goal, really. If I had to say…"
Paused, feigning purpose. She clung to hope, desperate.
"…watching you suffer and die."
"You…!"
"Your test subjects felt this. No issue, right?"
"Don't mock me! I'm Agilla Setome! Experimenting is my work! I'm no subject!"
"Selfish much? Don't stroke out. Feeling itchy?"
Her glare shifted—she noticed the itch, frowning.
"What did you do?"
"Silver slime, mercury-like. You can't see it, but your body's melting, absorbed. Look."
Exposed her right arm—skin gone, flesh nearly dissolved, bone visible.
"GAAAAH!"
Air hit her nerves; she screamed unbearably.
"Too loud—disturbing the neighbors."
Covered her arm again; screams stopped as pain dulled.
"You… why… this…?"
Gasping, she asked. Torturing her was fine, but this was just ugly. Enough.
"Curiosity's your thing, right? Die unfulfilled. SP Boost!"
"Aghiii!"
SP surged slime, absorbing her instantly.
Minutes later, calmed from the rush, I stored the slime and used Agilla's comm to reach Cuervo.
"Captain Axel!? You're contacting me, so…?"
"Done. Ouka and Zeola are free. Handle cleanup? Kept her room intact, as requested."
"Understood, I'm coming!"
He cut off, forgetting to disconnect.
"…Sorry for the wait…" Cuervo arrived, panting, but his face glowed with hope, not guilt.
"You know where Ouka and Zeola's backup memories are?"
"Yes, here."
He pulled a book from a shelf, opening a hidden wall safe. Two triangular chips—Ouka and Zeola's memories.
"Finally, I can save them…"
"Leave it to you. Timing for joining Hagane? Post-Operation Plantagenet. My call—tell no one. If it leaks, I might have to deal with you."
Understanding my seriousness, Cuervo nodded.
"I trust you, Captain, for giving us this chance."
-------------------------------
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