The elevator dings and opens. The lobby is massive, naturally. It is the second largest room in the entire building. The entire wall facing the streets is made of glass. Few gigantic rectangles support the ceiling, several stories away from the ground. The floor is gray, the walls are slightly of a lighter tone with black accents forming a cubism pattern. Even the lightest step Adalia and Catrina make would echo and reverb along the walls.
The only life within the room, aside from Adalia and Catrina, is the receptionist. All black, including the mask, with a wide hat in the shape of a mushroom. Though they are sitting behind the reflective black desk, they're still way taller than the agents.
"Excuse me, agent code 1106-552A and 1106-567B," Adalia says. She and Catrina show their silver crossbow badge.
"How can I help you?" Their voice is soft, but chilling to the point it stings.
"We'd like to get changed," Catrina says.
"We request a new set of uniforms. We had a little bit of inconvenience during the execution so the current ones aren't of the optimum condition," Adalia holds onto the desk and leans in towards the receptionist.
There's a large monitor just off to the side. The receptionist taps on the keyboard a little bit and clicks. "Two sets of white dress shirts, two sets of black ties, two sets of black trousers, and two sets of belts."
"Oh, actually we'd also have the underwear and socks as well," Adalia adds.
"Affirmative," the receptionist clicks a few more times. "Is that all?"
"That is all," Adalia responds.
"Very well," they pressed enter on the keyboard. "Please go to the restroom and face your IDs on the scanner to acquire each set."
"Thank you," Adalia says.
They turn into a narrow hallway. There's a T junction. In the center is the restroom symbol. To each side are a very long way to the restrooms. The restroom itself has black floorings and sinks, gray stalls, and white ceilings.
Beside the dryer is a scanner. Adalia scans her ID and a cardboard box drops onto the sink table. Catrina does the same. They strip completely and throw everything down the bin, except the black leather shoes.
Their bodies are similarly muscular with a few differences. Catrina has a slightly larger build and 2 rows of several scars, one on each side of her back.
Opposite to the toilet stalls are the shower stalls. There are plenty of them, complete with their own soap and shampoo, but they share one. There are towels too, they'll be thrown down the laundry chute after use and replaced immediately.
Catrina brushes her fangs while waiting for her turn under the shower after her partner. She always took a bit longer than Adalia since it's difficult to clean her furry ears off of dry blood. After being refreshed and putting on their fresh uniforms, Adalia and Catrina carry their weapons and walk out of the building.
The sidewalk is wide and gray, the road is black, the buildings are huge, blocky, and light gray and the windows are all tinted black. The streets are full of trucks of all types and sizes and buses. Pedestrians only walk on the countless open bridges connecting the buildings, which ironically cover the vehicles from the rain while those who walk need to use an umbrella.
They go to the other side of the road and get on a bus to the nearest epsilon district. The seats are black while everything else is gray, including the driver. No other passenger is on the bus, it is work hours after all.
After a few minutes, they approach a gigantic wall, standing taller than any of the buildings except the headquarters offices. It has an opening into a tunnel. They left the monochrome world and enter a colorful world of neon lights and pastel paints on the other side.
Instead of large blocky buildings, most of the structures here are stands, tents, rides, and games, with the exception of a few small structures and storage buildings. People in suits are walking around carrying food, treats, snacks, drinks, stuffed animals, new sets of clothing, and boxes of other stuff they had just purchased in the commercial center just over the recreation center. Crowds going in and out of the structures. Sounds of screams and laughter can be heard everywhere. A giant Ferris wheel is in the distance while a roller coaster track goes all over the place.
"Remember Catrina, we're still on duty. Let's just go to the lab, get what we need, and..." Adalia reaches for Catrina's hand, but she's already gone, nowhere to be seen. "Catrina! Catrina! Very funny, haha. Now let's go back to work, Cat... HAH!" The sudden reappearance of her partner gives Adalia a shock. "My fucking god Catrina, you're giving me a heart attack. Where have you been?"
With an innocent voice and tone, Catrina answers, "Ice cream, you said we're getting them," She gives Adalia a cone of chocolate vanilla with caramel.
"Alright you wolf-eared silly mess, let's get your refill," Adalia wraps her arm around Catrina's and drags her to the lab.
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Catrina's hammer clicks, clacks, buzzes, whirrs, and finishes with a beep of blue light. Indicating it is fully refilled with nitroglycerin. "Hey, should we go get lunch? it's already close to midday and I'm getting hungry."
"No, we haven't reported the hunt result yet and we've already spent time buying nitro charges. Besides, it's still too early for lunch," Adalia's statement is immediately contradicted by the sound of her stomach to which Catrina responds with a giggle.
"What about we just grab a few sandwiches and eat on our way?"
"Alright fine, let's get something to eat."
They go to the nearest food stall selling sandwiches. Catrina orders a roast beef sandwich and a grilled cheese while Adalia orders two tuna sandwiches. They sit on a bench waiting for their orders to be made.
"Addy."
"Hmm?" Adalia is cleaning her blade with tissues and alcohol.
"Look at me."
"Yeah, what is it?"
"Give me your hand."
Adalia puts her hand on Catrina's.
"Both of them."
Adalia giggles, "what are you gonna give me?" She puts both her hands on Catrina's.
"Now close your eyes."
"I swear to god Kitty, if it's another rubber tarantula I'm gonna kill you."
"No, it's not, just close your eyes."
"Ok," Adalia closes her eyes.
"It's a real one."
"KITTY!!!"
"I'm joking, I'm joking. Here," Catrina slowly puts an item on Adalia's hands.
It's cold, tickling, and small. "What is it?"
"You can open your eyes now."
"Oh, it's a... Necklace," She holds it up by the chains letting it dangle and swing.
"It's half a heart. I got the other half. So now whenever we kiss they're gonna make a full heart," Catrina shows the other necklace and wears it.
"That's so corny and cheesy. I love it! Thank you!" She wears it and hugs her partner. "What's the occasion?"
"Our anniversary. It's today, isn't it?"
Adalia stares into Catrina, "oh fuck," She covers her face and looks down, "fuck I totally forgot. I'm so sorry."
Catrina pats her back, "Hey, it's okay, don't worry about it. We've worked so hard lately, but you better come up with something tomorrow."
"Yes, I will. I'll make it up to you," they hug again.
"Excuse me, miss. Your orders ready," the man wraps up the sandwiches into two separate bags and writes "tuna" on one of them.
"Oh sweet!" Catrina goes to take the sandwiches and pays for them.
Adalia stands and looks around. One of the people in the crowd screams, followed by two more, then five more. People start running away, from a man, groaning and growling.
"What's going on?" Catrina asks, paper bags on hand.
"It's a B-type, I got this," Adalia holds her scabbard with one hand and the hilt of her katana with the other. Another scream comes from the opposite direction before she could move. People are running away to reveal another man, muscular and furry with glowing green eyes. The characteristics of a B-type mutation. "You take care of that one!" Adalia shouts as she dashes at the first man.
"Roger!" Catrina says, rushing to the other man.