Eleven: The Sequel of AlterMyth

The Two Lieutenants

Prologue

Dr. Fauna Ceres walked through the halls of the Occidental College for Young Ladies that morning with a spring in her step. She whistled a happy tune and cradled a folder full of research notes as she walked. The coattails of her lab coat and the wide brim of her hat swayed as a noticeably cooler morning breeze blew in through the windows. That wind caressed Fauna's fair skin and the green hair tucked under her hat.

It's almost Autumn, huh? Summer Break will be coming to an end soon.

A dull pang of longing gripped Fauna's heart when she thought about this. The quiet hallways of the College and the relaxed demeanor of the staff were going to be missed, Fauna thought. After all, when the students and the rest of the regular staff come back, she predicted that they too would be excited about hosting the Telstar Nephilim and the Representative of Chaos of the Eleventh Council in their campus.

Fauna remembered the crowds that braved the sweltering summer heat yesterday. She knew that 'excited' may very well be an understatement.

While Fauna thought about the crowds, she passed by a peculiar painting hanging on the walls. It was a portrait of Dr. John H. Watson, one of the founding members and directors of the Occidental College. Dr. Watson's adoration of oddities and all things mythical was well-known to Fauna - even during her time as a student. She didn't need to be the right-hand man of a world famous detective to guess that he would have been excited to welcome Irys and Bae to the campus. His campus.

However, Fauna's attention was focused on the signature of the artist who painted Dr. Watson's official portrait. There was a small, subtle marking at the bottom right corner.

'ST63'

Sana Tsukumo, Class of 1963.

At times like this, I wish Sana was here to help me manage the welcome wagon. Then maybe I'd have more time to do my actual research - and maybe this college wouldn't be so lonely.

Unfortunately for Fauna, the halls of the college weren't going to stay quiet for long.

Hurried footsteps echoed in the halls from out of nowhere and drew closer and closer to Fauna. Then, when the doctor dared to look back, someone slammed into her!

Stacks of valuable research papers came flying out of Fauna's envelope and spilled out onto the floor around her. However, at that moment, Fauna's first reaction was to hold down her wide-brimmed hat - even if it meant losing her balance altogether!

Fauna closed her eyes. She felt gravity take a hold of her, so she braced for impact.

However, she was suddenly caught from behind by a peculiar mechanical arm.

"Are you alright, Doctor?" Fauna's savior asked.

The doctor craned her head back to look up at her savior. It was Major Omega!

"Better now that I'm in your arms!" Fauna swooned.

Omega promptly threatened to let Fauna drop down to the floor, so the doctor stopped her flirting. Instead, Fauna and Omega turned their eyes to the person that ran through the halls like a rocket.

It was a young lady with long white hair fashioned into drills. She was wearing the summer uniform of the Occidental College and somehow managed to keep her balance after the impact - all while keeping a slice of buttery toast protruding out from her mouth.

The young lady wolfed down her toast and promptly apologized.

"I'm sorry, Dr. Ceres!" The student apologized. She scrambled to pick up all of the papers that had now scattered to the floor, "I was trying to get to the exam hall, but I lost track of the time!"