TheoLeung@Sprint.ca

"So, what do you think we’re going to do this time?" I spoke out loud. Of course I wasn’t expecting an answer. I knew my companion would never speak unless he had too. We waited for the boat to align its self with our own boat.

Void, as his name goes. What an interesting one too. Void, a Crusader, the highest ranking for a Pokémon. It doesn’t abate curiosity to see how he got to the position he was in, especially for someone of his species. Still, if he is in this position, it must be for good reason.

Slowly, I opened the door to the new vessel. Inside, I knew Alex, Ignite, Styx, and Skymin in there. I read it in the mission briefing the night before, on the way out that night. Of course, I was surprised when I found Nil inside as well. Must have been a quick alteration to the plan, though I don’t think it will delay us any.

"It’s nice to see you again, Nil," I whispered to her. The young Pikachu nodded her agreement, as I took the liberty to get comfortable on this obviously bumpy ride. Void stepped in as well, though he more or less leaped inside, being his petite size.

"And our mission objective is?" Skymin asked, stretching his wings out, then flapping them lightly. I shrugged, only reading what I could last night. Void had all the details…

Void flickered his tail, swaying left and right. It makes you wonder if he would be a Water Crusader, Fire Crusader, or Lightning Crusader. I knew his abilities.

He was an Eevee, a darn good one at that. Somehow, he mastered how to use the abilities of all the Eevee evolutions, and still retain the ‘infant’ stage. Quite a feat, but it makes me wonder if there us more behind that then it seems…

Is he like me? We both are different, changed. I remember…when I froze Fuge’s blade, and then…I began to doubt my origin…even if that effect of freezing things never came upon me again…and now, I also begin to think, we are similar, me and Void…possibly altered…or perhaps different at birth? It is really hard to say…

"Hey, Ice, are you listening?" Nil whispered in my ear. I didn’t even realize she perched herself onto my shoulder, let alone that we were being told something…

Void stared at me in a very strange way…as if reading my mind. He shook his head, and continued with his briefing.

"As I was saying…the recent counter attacks on our raids are getting stronger and more determined," the Eevee spoke out. "Our sources confirm that the recent activity against us all come from the same root."

"Our mission now is to either eliminate that root. If that is not possible, then to at least disable them so our operations can remain unhindered for a certain period of time."

"What are we looking for?" Styx piped up. Void glanced into his direction, then continued to address the remainder of the group.

"The opposition uses a large sea worthy vessel, like ours, for their operations. Expect a Level 9 security system once we start the mission. Any other questions?"

The small passenger compartment was silent, aside from the soft whirl of the motor, and the splashes that rebounded harmlessly off the hull.

"Good. Be prepared in half an hour, were we will rendezvous with another team member for the operation," the Eevee concluded.

I heaved a sigh, expecting the worse from this mission. Sure, out of all the missions I’ve done in the past, the highest security level I’ve ever tackled was 7. Is Command trying to send us onto a suicide mission? Have we posed such a threat to them that they wish to eliminate us? I’ve heard rumors…they send certain individuals onto suicide missions to remove their presence.

Glancing down at the Pikachu on my shoulder, I can tell she was thinking the same thing. Would they send us on a mission like that? Even with a trainee on the team? Are they really that cruel?

"Hey, are you alright?" Nil asked, concern obviously in her voice, as well on her face. I never understood this Pikachu. Most other Pokémon would stay at least half a ship length away from me. Yet, here is this Pikachu, who enjoys my company as I enjoy hers. She was not like those ‘other’ Pokémon. Is she seeing past all my flaws? Does she really trust me with her life? Can she actually stand being with me?

"What’s on your mind?" she asked, this time a little more forceful in an attempt to get an answer from me.

"Nothing, nothing at all," I lied, and of course I knew she knew I was lying. She shook her head and smiled.

"Okay, I won’t ask anymore, but if you need to talk to someone, I’m here," she told me. I nodded. This was the first time anyone has offered me conciliation. I was…well, I’m not sure how to describe it…happy that Nil was someone I can call a friend…

* * * * * *

Half an hour passed quickly. Our last team member was someone very familiar. I enjoyed her company a lot, and when she wasn’t with her other friend, we were together, singing similar songs.

"It’s good to see you again Melody," I told the Lapras. She nodded, bowing her head. We spent a night together, playing a Lapras song for the entire night. I wasn’t sure how, but I had a natural talent to play a Lapras song on my flute…as odd as it may sound…

"Report," Void commanded, though not very harshly. There was a sense of authority in his voice, but there wasn’t anything to fear.

"The vessel is about 5 miles northwest from this location," she answered, facing the Eevee. "If they picked me up on any sort of radar, they didn’t show it."

"Good," Void whispered. He glanced backwards and forth between team members, obviously trying to assess the situation. "Melody will act as sea transport for Ice, Styx, and Nil. Skymin will provide air route for Ignite and I."

"What about Alex?" Styx questioned, though it probably wasn’t valid. The Eevee obviously thought about that one already.

"He’s our escape. Once we give the signal, he will drive the boat right up to the opposing vessel. We board, then get out as fast as we got in."

The plan sounded set. No turning back now…either finish the mission or die trying…words I never wish to hear.

* * * * * *

"If they’re so threatening, you’d expect a better security system," Styx whispered, idly waiting for them to reach the target. Even after knowing that, Melody was cautious at approaching the ship.

"Maybe they did not foresee an intrusion in their future," I offered as an explanation. I tossed my headset up and down in my hand, then fitted it on my head. I didn’t bother adjusting the mic, chances are, we won’t use it. Void specifically ordered radio silence just incase they had transmission decoders inside the vessel. The only aid these headsets were was from the limited information they provided on the small view screen. Great help that would be…

Nil remained awfully quite during our travel, which began to frighten me. It was obvious she was doubtful about this mission, just by her silence, the way she was pacing around back on the boat, and the fact she was sticking close to ‘someone she trusted’.

"Hey, Nil, nervous?" I whispered to her. She glanced up at me, blinking once in confusion, then nodding lightly.

"I’m just…worried about this whole ‘mission’ concept…" she replied, her voice very soft. I patter her head, making her purr softly. Smiling, I stood back up, keeping my eyes open for intruders, as Styx was from his vantage point on the Lapras’ head.

"We’re almost there," Melody told us. I couldn’t really tell, considering there was a thick fog that masked our path. We would just have to trust the Lapras’ judgement.

"I sure hope Ignite and Skymin are doing okay…" Styx spoke out, though I don’t think he meant to.

"They’ll be fine," Melody replied, freaking the hell out of Styx. "With Void up there, they shouldn’t have a problem."

"That’s what I’m afraid of…" Styx answered, concern in his voice. It was quite clear he didn’t trust that Eevee. I have to admit myself, I’m not so sure about that Eevee.

"Here we are," Melody spoke out, though it was impossible to see anything through this pea soup. Psychically, Melody cleared some of the fog away. I forgot, Lapras’ had the ability of telekinesis. No surprise Melody knew that.

The hull of the ship revealed its self as the fog was gently pushed away, allowing us to plan for our next course of action.

"So, how do we get up then?" Styx questioned, looking up, as did everyone else. Even with Melody’s Psychic assistance, we still couldn’t see the top of the hull through this dense mist.

"Melody, can you sense any guards on the deck?" I asked, quickly removing a long rope from my pack. She gave me the negative of guards.

"Here, allow me," she offered, taking the end of the rope with a psychic grip. Quickly, yet efficiently, she was able to tie the rope around the unseen railing at the top of the hull.

"Hop on," I told my two Pikachu companions. They leaped onto my pack, holding on as I tugged twice on the rope to make sure it was secure. Then, with a great heave, I began my climb up the rope.

"If anything goes wrong, I’ll blink my signal twice on the headset," Melody told us. I nodded, then continued to lift myself up the rope and towards our objective.

* * * * * *

"For some group that opposes us on a daily basis, you would expect something a little harder to break in to…" Styx commented, leaping down onto the deck from my backpack. Nil decided to stay on my pack, scanning left and right for any guards.

"Rather easy then difficult, right?" I asked, taping my signal once on my headset to state we were aboard and the area was clear.

"Sometimes, easy is harder then difficult," Styx muttered, most likely referring to the time in that tower on his last mission. I didn’t bother replying, only readying the pistol I held, adding a silencer to the barrel. Never know when trouble will arise. Best to be prepared…

My headset blinked once, indicating the arrival of the other half of the team. I was relieved, knowing my other comrades were currently safe aboard. The current code was two clicks for danger, three for completing an objective.

"Where’s the nearest location we can implement this virus too?" Styx asked, cautiously heading towards the closest door in the vicinity. I personally wasn’t sure, but if we could access a computer terminal, that would probably be our best bet.

"Just keep an eye for anything like a terminal," I responded, also walking towards the door. Doubting there would be a terminal outside, and after a quick scan to see if the door was bugged, we opened it.

* * * * * *

"Now…this just seems really easy…" Nil started complaining, though I’m guessing she was okay with the ‘linearity’ of the task.

"We’re on," I told the two Pikachus, referring to my laptop that was connected to the nearby terminal. We were in what seemed like one of the control rooms of the ship. Still, it was undetermined what the purpose of this room is for. Quickly, I typed in a series of commands, beginning to download the virus into their mainframe, while trying to ensure its safety across the anti virus programs inside.

Styx tapped his signal thrice, revealing our first objective was complete. The second was now to get the virus into the computer core.

As if on cue, alarms and klaxons began to blare off across the ship, forcing me to cover my ears for a split second at the suddenness.

Ignite’s signal flashed twice, indicating their danger. However, at the same time, Void blinked his signal three times, reporting the success at planting the bombs at the ship’s generator.

Quickly drawing my pistol, I punched a hole through a guards head who just entered the chamber, his assault rifle firing rounds in random directions, luckily not hitting any of us. Then, returning to my work, I was relieved to read that the virus was downloaded successfully. Flashing my signal three times, which then prompted the explosions of the ship core to rock the vessel. All the lights died for a second, then were revived in the faint red glow power by the emergency turbine.

"Well, so much for trying to destroy them at their root," Nil muttered, pointing towards the fact that neither team had time to achieve their third objective on the itinerary. I nodded, taking the dead guard’s assault rifle before running out, my two Pikachu companions following close behind.

* * * * * *

We were on the deck, and guards were swarming everywhere now. It wasn’t long before my ammunition was depleted on both on both of my guns, leaving Styx and Nil with all the fighting.

"Thunderbolt!" I yelled out, as both Pikachu’s unleashed the storm of lightning power, frying the unfortunate Staryu who blocked our path. His jewel blinked twice, before he passed out. "Quickly!" I commanded out next, rushing towards the bow of the ship. It was our escape point…I just hope Alex was there already.

"Hey, freeze!" another guard ordered, jumping out in front of us. He held his rifle ready.

"YAAAAAAR!" Skymin screamed out, smacking the guard across the head with a Sky Attack. The sonic speed attack knocked the wind out of the guard, as he fell to his side, unconscious.

"I owe you two now, Skymin!" Styx told the Pidgeot, who nodded.

"Who’s keeping count?" he asked back, smiling. Skymin flew on ahead. I hope he doesn’t get shot down like in the mission before…

I finally began to notice the fog was clearing, thus making our chance of escaping lesser. Without the cover of fog, it would be easier for these soldiers to pursue us over the sea.

"Don’t move!" the voice spoke, freezing me in my tracks. I quickly turned around however, to see who the new comers were.

"YOU!!!" Styx shouted out, though I wasn’t sure to which of the trio of guards he was referring to. Of course, when the center of the three stepped forward and responded, it was quite obvious who Styx was speaking to.

"Well, I thought you would’ve died after that fall back at the power," he replied, shrugging. Styx growled, obviously peeved off. "I can always rectify that," he continued, lowering his pistol towards the direction of the male Pikachu.

"ARGH!" the two guards behind shouted out. Both were lit on fire, the first via a Flamethrower attack while the second through a Fire Blast attack. The two went overboard in an attempt to douse the flames, screaming in agony all the way to the splash. The third quickly turned around, seeing Ignite and Void turn the corner.

"Urgh, die!" he shouted, facing me, and firing two rounds from his pistol.

I wasn’t clear about what happened next. I raised my hands, knowing it wouldn’t save me from those bullets. Seconds past, and when I realized I was still alive, something had to have happened. Which was answered, seeing the two bullets encased in ice at my feet. There was a moment of mute, as no one could believe the events that transpired.

Void made the first move, while the third guard’s back was turned, he used a Take Down attack on him. "Move it!" he ordered, pinning the soldier to the ground with amazing force. We didn’t wait to be told again, rushing towards the front of the ship, where Alex and Melody waited. A rope was already tied to the railing and with one leap over the side, I grabbed it, using it as a slight breaking mechanism, though it HURT.

Landing on the ship, I glanced up, seeing Skymin transporting the other three Pokémon down onto the boat. After a few more seconds, Void leaped down from that height, though making a slide of ice from an Ice Beam. Everyone but Alex was dumbfounded at how the Eevee performed the attack, but once he was aboard, we set off, back towards home base.

<Fin>