Jo looked at her resignation, typed up and ready to go. She hadn't handed it in yet, but each passing day made her want to send it more and more.
She glanced at the time. It was about time for her to go, so she powered down her tablet and put it away. Nobody would care if she was gone for longer than usual.
On the way out, she ran into a couple of co-workers. They hadn't asked her anything, just looked at her with those looks on their faces. The looks that assumed she'd given up too.
Best to ignore them.
Soon, she'd be out of here for good. Soon, she'd have a new horizon to gaze at.
Three people met her in the alley. Jo steeled herself and walked up to Achilles. He was taller than she'd thought he would be, though Lightning dwarfed them all.
"Good morning," she said politely. The three Legion members looked her way. Why was the kid with them? Not that it mattered too much.
"Alchemist?" Achilles asked. Jo nodded.
"I suppose that would be my new alias, yes. I am, however, more used to Dr. Faulkner or Jo."
"A doctor?" Lightning asked.
"Yes. A doctorate in chemistry, to be exact. I've been a researcher for the past ten years, though I doubt you'd have read anything of mine."
"So can you make explosions?" Light Master asked.
"No," Jo replied, allowing herself a slight glare. Chemistry was absolutely not all about explosions.
"Sorry about him," Lightning cut in. "What is your Miracle? The term 'alchemy' is a bit vague."
"I suppose it is. Sorry about that. It's a rather complicated thing. Have you heard of the ancient idea of alchemy?"
"Like lead to gold?" Achilles asked.
"That was the ultimate hope of it, yes, but basically it was the idea of changing one material or substance into another. My Miracle allows me to do something similar. I haven't been able to test its limits, but I can transform common food and drink items into concoctions with unique effects."
"Like bombs?" Light Master asked again. He was really stuck on that, wasn't he?
"If you insist, though I shudder at the thought that 'bombs' might be my most remembered creation. No, I'm talking about draughts that would enhance your bodies' natural healing abilities, stamina or strength. I wouldn't be on the front lines, but I believe I can provide vital support to the Legion. I do have one condition, however."
"Lame," Light Mater muttered. The other two ignored him.
"What condition?" Achilles asked.
"You provide me with whatever I need to research the extent of my Miracle and a facility to mix these concoctions. I won't be required to fight, but I will make whatever enhancements you require. I suspect with some time, I could even come up with a way to counter Paris' poison."
"Wait, what exactly can you make now?" Lightning asked.
"Let's see..." Jo thought hard for a moment. "A draught that can help you sleep, one that slightly increases the rate at which superficial wounds heal, one that enhances muscle strength and one that temporarily turns your skin to a shade of green."
Silence fell over the group. Crap. She could tell she was losing them.
"That is just what I have been able to research in the past month in my spare time! I work more than full-time, and I don't get paid very well, so I'm hardly able to research anything on this Miracle! But the one who gave it to me said that it was near-limitless in its potential. I need to learn more. Please. I know I'll be useful to you, I just need you to give me a space and time to work."
Jo knew she sounded desperate now. She'd been trying to avoid that. But the truth was, she was at the end of her rope. If the Legion didn't give her a shot, she'd be trapped in her dead-end job for the rest of her life. She'd already wasted over half of it. She couldn't afford to waste any more.
"I think I could create a more potent healing substance if given time and resources, one that might keep you guys out of the hospital. Mending bones, closing cuts, reversing any brain damage, I'm sure I could do it! You'd be much safer with me on your team. And that's not even counting the preventative measures I can give you. What if you were immune to Paris' poison? What if you were faster and stronger? The Phalanx wouldn't stand a chance against you!"
Please, Jo thought. Please give me a chance. I know we can benefit each other here. Please, just give me a reason to live.
"Why not peddle your talents elsewhere?" Lightning asked. "I'm sure any number of places would pay you better than us."
"No!" Jo was sure there was a terrifying look on her face, but she pressed on. "They won't appreciate this. I already submitted a proposal to research this to various places and none of them think it'll go anywhere. They think everything there is to know is already known. But if we limit ourselves to that, we'll never learn anything! We'll remain small-minded. What if humans had decided knowing the atom exists was all there was to know, even though the research built upon that makes our entire lives possible?
"Arx Nubibus runs on nuclear energy, which is the result of knowing more than just the existence of atoms. We know their structure, and how fusing atoms together can create enough energy to power everything we do! All our solar panels do is provide supplemental energy. The heart of Arx Nubibus is a fusion reactor. And if we keep trying to learn more, who knows how far we can go? I've been blocked at every point when I try to expand our knowledge base. But if I help you, maybe I can learn more about these Miracles, add something to the human knowledge base that will be foundational to our future!"
Jo took in the Legions' faces. They looked put-off. Of course. She was too passionate, too obsessed with her scientific field. But who could blame her? She'd been stunted for so long. This chance to spread her wings was worth more than anything.
Finally Lightning spoke.
"You realize that you may not discover anything foundational for the future, right? Your lifetime of research might go nowhere. Plenty of others have had that happen to them."
"I don't care," Jo said firmly. "As long as I can move towards that goal. Even if I find nothing, maybe what I do will help someone in the future. Maybe my insignificant achievements help someone else make the breakthrough of the century. Science isn't about one person doing everything. It's each generation building upon the knowledge of the last one, and thus accomplishing far more than one person could alone. As long as I have a place to work, I can make something worthwhile of my life."
Silence fell for another few minutes.
You blew it, Jo, she told herself, trying not to let her broken heart show on her face.
"Thank you for your time," Achilles said. "We will discuss your application and let you know within the week."
"Thank you," Jo said quietly. She headed back to the lab, pushing her feelings down where no one would find them.
"Alchemist..." Achilles mused. "What did you think of her, Light Master?"
"She's a weirdo. Resounding no."
"I see...Lightning?"
She took some time before replying.
"I think she would have value as a Legion member. But, like she said, as more of a consultant than an actual member. I'm hesitant to accept her promises at face value, but these Miracles are already pretty insane."
"I agree, Lightning," Achilles replied. "Especially if she's able to eliminate our reliance on the hospital, she'd be an invaluable member of the team. Any objections Light Master?"
"I guess not, if you put it like that."
"Excellent. I'll discuss the particulars with Ben, but it sounds like we have another new member. I'll be glad to welcome the Alchemist."
