[Story Write-Up] Welcome to Unreality #002

While work on WTU # 002 visual production continues, I wanted to share with you all the written version of this issue. Also, stay tuned later tonight for the end-of-the-month content pack release!

Welcome to Unreality # 002: The Participants

Hitome chewed on her bottom lip absent-mindedly, lost in thought while she awaited the elevator's arrival.

Her hand reached up to thumb the access pass hanging from her neck. Her trip to Central Station had been surprisingly brief, and left her with more questions than answers:

"Nurse Nakamura, your presence has been requested in Corporate. Your access card has been updated accordingly. Please proceed to Main Access, you will await your handler in the Landing Lobby."

That's all the even-toned dispatcher had initially told her while she stood there, confused, before turning his eyes back to the computer terminal he was sitting at. A few moments passed before he noticed she was still there, prompting him to raise an eyebrow, "Main Access, Personnel Lift A. Leads you up from the Underground back to Main HQ, Landing Lobby is top side," he sighed, leaning back in his chair, "Just take a seat in the Lobby until your handler picks you up, in any case they're probably already waiting," he shrugged, "This request comes from high up, so you should be on your way. Don't want to keep the Executive waiting..."

The brief, synthetic tone signalling the lift's arrival brought Hitome to attention, its doors hissing open. She stepped into the elevator and pressed the button for the Landing Lobby, something she hadn't done in months.

Hitome had been working at the FabPharma Main Headquarters for well over three years now and, per company policy, rarely ever left the sprawling underground facility she had been assigned to. Fresh out of nursing school, the opportunity to work here had suddenly been floated by her, and she had taken it without a second thought. Working at the FabPharma Corporation, specially at Main HQ, was a rare opportunity, and one she just couldn't pass up, specially after the recruiter had promised her the job came with full medical care benefits, even covering rare cases like her congenital heart condition, and would allow her to participate in any medical trials of her choosing, should she ever wish to do so.

At the time, however, she hadn't known exactly how demanding the job would be. As part of the nursing staff, Hitome rarely left the facility, her leaves outside the compound limited to twice yearly, with trips above ground being almost as rare.

That's not to say Hitome didn't enjoy the experience. The FabPharma Corporation had quite literally built a small city beneath Big City itself for its staff, and Main HQ wasn't lacking in commodities. Still, riding the elevator upwards to the surface always filled the slim girl with excitement, more so today considering the circumstances.

The elevator suddenly stopped, the doors opening into one of the research floors, revealing a rather buxom, bespectacled lady, her flaming red mane brightly standing out against her starched lab coat, hanging behind the woman in a tightly spun ponytail.

Hitome nodded a greeting as the woman stepped into the lift, which she returned. A quick glance from her towards the elevator panel made her smile softly, "Ah, seems we're both headed top-side," the redhead remarked as she took her place next to Hitome, standing calmly as the lift doors closed once more and the car resumed its ascent.

Hitome looked up at her, returning her smile, "Yes..." she said, "Corporate wants me for... something, I guess," she offered.

The redhead tilted her head towards Hitome, her eyebrows raising as she smirked, "Ah, then it appears we're both headed the same way..." she said, then glanced at Hitome's access card, "... Nurse Nakamura, right?"

Hitome nodded, smiling, "That's me!" she said warmly, turning to face her before giving her a slight bow, "Hitome Nakamura, Nursing Division E."

The redhead smirked, apparently amused by her formality, "Calista Ariello, Research Group B," she said, turning to fully face Hitome before extending her hand, "Or just Cali, for short."

Hitome looked up at her, wide eyed. Standing in front of the woman, she was definitely taken aback by her looks. Almost a head taller than herself, she had to crane her neck up to look into her keen aquamarine eyes, she smiled almost meekly as she shook her hand, "Ah, y-yes... nice to meet you."

Cali nodded and offered her a warm smile as she turned to face the lift doors again. Hitome couldn't help but steal a glance her way.

'Wow, she's beautiful. And her chest is so... big!'

Hitome thought to herself, with more than a bit of envious longing, suddenly looking away as Cali turned a bit to regard her.

"Hope we're not in any trouble, hmm?" Cali smirked, "It's not every day us worker bees get called up to Corporate!"

Hitome's eyes widened a bit, "Gosh, I sure hope not... I don't think I've done anything wrong..."

Cali watched her for a moment, then winked at her with a wry smile, "Sorry, just teasing. Regular protocol for reprimands wouldn't include a meeting with the higher ups," she nudged Hitome with her elbow, "Who knows, maybe we're getting promoted."

Hitome shrugged, "Well, I'm just contracted for nursing duty, so..." she offered a soft smile, looking up at Cali once more, "Well, not really much to get promoted to in E Division, for me at least. But, I hope maybe you are!"

Before Cali could reply, the lift finally sounded its arrival with a soft, musical tone, doors hissing open. Hitome waited for Cali to exit the elevator before doing so herself.

They walked quietly into the Building's spacious Landing Lobby, Hitome looked around. It was a rather calm afternoon, with just some staff milling about.

"M-Miss Ariello? Miss Nakamura?", a somewhat meek, soft voice called out behind them.

The women turned around to spot a spindly brunette clutching a clipboard and some folders, her doll-like features arranged into a somewhat nervous expression, "Yes, it's you, thank goodness!" she said with some relief as she watched them, "You're expected upstairs, please follow me," she almost blurted out before turning tail and hurriedly making her way to the executive elevators, furtively looking back to make sure they followed her, "This way, please."

Cali and Hitome looked at each, taken aback by their handler's less than commanding presence, then shrugged and followed along, joining the mousy woman in the sleek elevator that awaited them.

The woman swiped her access card on the elevator's panel, spurring it into action. The lift zoomed upwards past dozens of floors before coming to a fluid stop a few moments later at the heights of the Corporate building.

The doors slid open soundlessly into a stark, yet luxurious antechamber. The woman beckoned them to follow across the room, standing in front of two massive doors, emblazoned with FabPharma's coiled double helix. She looked upwards, a hidden optical scanner registering her with a soft tone, and the doors opened to the Executive's office, which easily took up most of the building's entire floor.

"Ah, Sadie, right on time," the man known as Nicholas Montgomery exclaimed warmly from the opposite side of the office, sitting behind his desk, his voice carrying through the room towards the women with ease, "I see you brought Miss Ariello and Niss Nakamura with you, excellent!"

"Come, come! Make yourselves at home!" Mr. Montgomery said as he rose from his seat. Cali and Hitome walked forward behind Sadie, meeting him halfway into the room, his back towards a massive conference table, with the mousy assistant hurriedly walking to stand by his side.

"Mr. Montgomery," Cali nodded formally as she approached, "A pleasure to see you once more."

"Likewise, Calista!" Nicholas said with a wide smile, "How goes your research?"

"It's advancing..." Cali said, "...although not at the pace I hoped for."

Nicholas squinted slightly, "I see... no matter though," he grinned at her, "I'm sure everything will be in order nonetheless."

He turned to regard Hitome's lithe form, scanning her up and down before meeting her gaze, "And... Miss Nakamura, I presume?"

Hitome bowed deeply, "It is... an honor to meet FabPharma's Chief Executive, Mr. Montgomery..." she said softly.

Nicholas' smile widened slightly, "Ah, you're too kind, Miss Nakamura," he gestured towards the conference table, "Come, sit."

The girls a seat as Mr. Montgomery walked the length of the conference table, sitting at its head. He crossed his fingers as he first looked to Calista, then to Hitome, as if sizing them up.

"I'll get straight to the point," he said, breaking the silence while looking intently at Calista, "Your request to participate in the upcoming implantation trial has been approved, Miss Ariello."

Cali's eyes widened in excitement, "That's... great news, Mr. Montgomery!" she exclaimed, "So this means the new tissue expanders FabPharma has been testing have been successful?"

Hitome's eyes glinted with curiousity. She suddenly remembered her own submission to be admitted into such trials herself. A spur of the moment thing, and she never thought she'd actually get into one anyway, considering her health conditions...

Nicholas beamed, "Oh yes, very much so..." he said, looking at both of the women, "In fact, I would venture to say they will far exceed anything you were expecting," he smirked, "Although, to be frank, I still fail to see why you volunteered in the first place for this particular trial, Calista," he winked at her slyly, "You're as naturally bombastic as they come!"

Hitome had to glance at Cali again. She truly was a sight, even dressed the way she was, lab coat and all, it was fully apparent she had the kind of body most women would kill for, and then some. She couldn't even fathom why this woman would even want implants, her breasts were already enormous and perky as is.

With a soft sigh, Hitome looked down at herself and was quickly reminded what had spurred her impulsive submission into the trial when the forms had arrived in her quarters the first week she started working in the FabPharma headquarters. Already into her twenties, she had barely ever developed much, something she always had attributed to her health. Something which, as she was growing up, watching all her friends develop, and always being left behind, being the wallflower, she had grown to resent as a stark reminder of her health-imposed limitations...

"... more receptive to such news, Miss Nakamura,"

Hitome jumped, looking up to find Mr. Montgomery watching her rather sternly.

"I-I... I'm sorry, Mr. Montgomery," she hung her head in apology, "I must have drifted off..."

Nicholas' brow furrowed slightly, "As I was saying, you will also be included in this trial, despite your health issues. Or, perhaps, specifically because of said issues, as part of the treatments included in the scope of this trial may actually improve your heart problems," he said, "I was under the impression such news might be better received."

Hitome almost jumped out of her seat, "This... this is... I was never expecting this!" she said, barely able to contain her joy, "You mean this treatment can... cure me?"

The shadow cast over Mr. Montgomery's expression lifted quickly, "Indeed, Miss Nakamura. And give provide you with a shapely bust line, to boot."

Hitome laughed, standing from her seat, "Thank you, Mr. Montgomery! Thank you so much for letting me be part of this!" she exclaimed happily, "I will do my best to be the best trial patient I can be for the Corporation!"

Nicholas watched her carefully, then laughed softly, "You're very welcome, Miss Nakamura," he said softly, "In fact, I should be thanking the two of you for being such eager participants, your cooperation will allow us to further advance our future treatments and company offerings. As well as, dare I say, bring about quite a revolution in innovation!"

Turning away from the women, Nicholas clasped his hands behind his back, "On to more specifics, however. Considering the scope of this trial, you may expect some significant changes to your physiques, of course," he said, "As is the case in these matters, your regular duties within the corporation will be adjusted accordingly throughout the trial, so you need not worry about your usual work should the needs of the trial outweigh your preexisting job descriptions."

"Additionally," Mr. Montgomery continued, "You will be appointed a personal counselor, starting today. As per corporate policy, it is of our utmost interest to look after our trial participants to the best of our abilities. And, again, considering this both this trial's importance to the corporation, as well as it's inherent qualities, you will both be required to report and seek out your personal counselor for support throughout the trial process."

The doors to Mr. Montgomery's office slid open once more, drawing his attention.

"Ah, right on cue, it would seem!" he said, smiling, "Miss Ariello, Miss Nakamura, allow me to present Dr. Fuki Yamato, your personal counselor from here on out."

Hitome and Cali turned to regard the new arrival, both taken by surprise by her looks.

In front of the conference table stood Fuki Yamato. Obviously enhanced, her breasts stood out proudly beneath her fitted, buttoned shirt and vest, her toned, athletic form standing relaxed, yet confident as she regarded them, her clear almond eyes glinting with a cheery, if somewhat impish, disposition from behind thin, wire rimmed glasses.

"Ladies," she purred, her pouty lips parting into a sweet smile, "Dr. Fuki Yamato, at your service!" she bowed slightly.

TO BE CONTINUED