Eleven: The Sequel of AlterMyth

See The World

Prologue

Irys and Ophelia Lowry sat across from each other at the coffee table of Major Omega's office. Bae, Mumei and Kronii took seats on a separate sofa while Omega dutifully served them all Earl Gray tea.

The Nephilim nervously looked at her own reflection in the tea while Ophelia Lowry continued her introduction. Irys definitely saw glimpses of the younger Ophelia she remembered in the older woman. Even though Irys was not well versed in the fashions of the year 1969, she could tell that the older Ophelia was well dressed.

Ophelia's breezy metropolitan outfit starkly contrasted the olive drab officer's coat of Major Omega and the strikingly plain fatigues that Mumei, Kronii and Bae wore. It reminded Irys of how the younger Ophelia rode to battle on horseback while wearing fancy French-tailored coats and the finest British riding boots from the London High Streets of 1901.

Some things just don't change, huh?

Despite that, there were many things that changed from what Irys remembered. For one, it seemed that this Ophelia never went on the Great Phoenix Expedition. She traveled on the RMS Teutonic but never fought a great Sea Serpent. More importantly, this Ophelia never once defied her father - Mr. Steven Lowry.

Then again, the Ophelia that Irys remembered did all of those things because of a certain detective and the chain of events that transpired because of her. Irys finally took a sip of her now lukewarm tea and dared to ask Ophelia.

"How is Miss Amelia Watson, by the way?"

The talkative Ophelia paused. She closed her brown eyes and set down her teacup.

"Amelia Watson... now that's a name I haven't heard in a long time."

Bae, Mumei and Kronii seemed puzzled by the exchange between the two. Omega, on the other hand, watched with keen interest in her bright gemlike eyes, but she kept her own lips sealed shut.

"How do you know Amelia, if I may ask?" Ophelia tested the Nephilim now.

"I, uh..." Irys turned away from the elderly lady's gaze, hiding her blue eye from the aristocrat.

Irys knew the answer to that question, but she didn't know if she had the heart to answer that. Moreover, Ophelia herself seemed to be just as uncomfortable as her. True enough, Ophelia raised up her hand and changed the topic.

"It's alright. We can talk more about that later. Let's talk about our business for now." Ophelia reassured.

Irys nodded and heaved a sigh of relief. Ophelia, on the other hand, finished off her tea. The aristocrat leaned back into her seat, gestured to Omega and spoke.

"I am a mutual acquaintance of Major Omega and Major General Sparrowhawk. The companies under the banner of the Lowry Group have served MACV throughout the war, so we stand ready to help them protect humanity from the Horrors." Ophelia turned to Irys now, "When I heard from Omega and Claire - that is Sparrowhawk - about Operation Telstar, I knew that this was a turning point in our war against the Horrors. If there was something that all of my companies could do to help humanity, we'd do it." She looked into Irys' eyes, "In the future, it might be possible to broadcast your voice through the Telstar satellites to the whole world!"

"The Telstar satellites...?" Irys's two-colored eyes brightened.

"That was my objective with Operation Telstar to begin with." Omega admitted, "Telstars 1 and 2 aren't operational now, but we'll hopefully launch new satellites that can enhance your abilities, Irys." She waved her hand and added, "That way, we can stop the Horrors worldwide - once and for all!"