Day: 1, Time: 2204, Location: Trilands, North Island, SF Attack Team HQ, Main Floor

Des continued to type away gently, since the sleeping quarters for the warehouse was rather out in the open, and the hacker wished not to disturb their slumber with his over active slamming on the keys of the keyboard. Ever after so many hours of staring at the screen and typing away, he could not find anything that would prove to be of use to them. Sighing softly, he slowly retracted his hands, leaning back against the chair, creaking under the pressure he applied. He could care less at the moment, wiping the fatigue from his face and then glancing over to where sleeping Pokémon and Humans rested.

Moonlight shined through the partially dirtied glass that made up the warehouse, blurred by that very dust. Sighing once again, Des pushed his chair back, closing his laptop and deciding it best to take a break from his operations. It wouldn't do him any good if he tripped any sort of digital alarms through mistakes caused by his own fatigue.

The hacker quietly walked towards the 'kitchen', a small section of the warehouse dedicated to those kinds of needs, most of the stuff was in various coolers, plus a microwave, toaster oven, and coffee machine all on top of a few foldout tables. Des took a mug from the table, pouring out some coffee and downing a bit of it.

"Ack…Tim put too much mix again…" Des muttered, forcing himself not to spat out the coffee. "You'd think after all this time we've been separated, he'd learn how to make coffee better out of the machine," he continued to grumble, adding a lot of sugar from the sugar glass to the mix to drown some of the prior taste. "Next time, I ask Vyren to do it…" Des continued on to semi-curse, taking another sip from his coffee - a significant improvement from the prior tasting. Nodding slowly, Des slowly walked away from the makeshift kitchen and towards the stairs leading to the upper rafters and eventually outside. The sniper tried his best to not make any noise while heading up and across the metal stairs and rafters, though that proved more difficult then he thought, especially while balancing a mug of coffee.

Eventually, he walked out onto the roof at the end of the rafters, wondering if his footsteps on the roof would echo into the warehouse below. He ignored his own concerns at the moment though, sitting down on the roof and watching the moon in the night sky above. Sighing softly, he downed most of his coffee at once, cupping the item in both his hands. The sniper reminisced on the past, wondering what drove him to defect in the first place, and then defect again…to basically return to where he started.

Des glanced up from his coffee mug, hearing the faint creaking of metal shingles on the roof - 'intruder' snapped in his mind as he slowly placed a hand onto the Striker pistol holstered at his side.

"Don't shoot, I'm just a friend," a familiar female voice spoke, a voice Des hadn't heard for a while. He nodded, removing his hand from the pistol, wondering if it was because he was tired and sloppy that the intruder saw, or if it was because she just knew him well.

"Shouldn't you be sleeping, Lin?" Des asked, finishing the rest of his coffee, cupping the article between his hands once again. The Pikachu approached the resting hacker, taking a seat beside him.

"I could ask you that as well," Lin answered, evading the question at hand. Des smiled, patting the female Pikachu on the head gently. She giggled softly at his touch, something she never thought she would do for a long time. Des smiled more, withdrawing his hand.

"Couldn't sleep?" Des questioned, deciding to try again in a different form. Lin nodded slowly, shivering a little at the chill of the wind and pulling closer to Des.

"I had a nightmare…about another Pikachu…" Lin spoke, though shutting up at the expense of speaking too much already. Des glanced down at the yellow mouse, wondering what that nightmare was about. "It's nothing important…just…something terrible happened…" Lin spoke softly, trying to draw attention away, but only gaining it instead. Des remained silent, not wanting to pursue and issue that was uncomfortable for the Pikachu. The pair continued in the silence for a moment.

"I remember when we met at Mt. Moon….that facility…against Blaster…" Lin started, gazing up towards the moon.

"Don't remind me…those memories are…painful…" Des interrupted, trying to get those murderous thoughts out of his mind. He hated himself for thinking in such a way so long ago, turning his friends into sworn enemies for such pitiful reasons, he regretted that greatly.

"You've changed so much since then…so very much…" Lin spoke, continuing, and at the same time, bring Des' mind to partial ease. "At first…when you wanted Ryna dead…I didn't know what to think…even after hearing of all the pain and suffering each of us endured, I still did not believe you - yet…here we are now…talking as friends without any past angers or hatreds…"

"Time changes the souls of every individual, just in my case, for the better," Des responded, slowly getting up and walking back towards the warehouse, suppressing a yawn. "I'm going to go back to hacking, you should probably rest…"

"Nah…I think I'll keep you company…" Lin answered, smiling. Des smiled back, thankful for the small Pikachu's company, even if it was only a presence, it made him felt wanted…

Day: 1, Time: 2156, Location: The S.C. Aleathra, Deck, Stern

The harmony and melody of music echoed through the cool night air that surrounded the ship, though it didn't affect the player of the beautiful and compassionate music. In fact, he rather enjoyed the cool air, probably something to do with his genes.

Ice continued to play his flute melodically, striking more then a few tired crew members on board to open their windows and listen to the playing. It didn't take long until the soft, yet audible accompaniment of a certain Lapras joined the playing. The two graces of music intertwined together to make a beautiful music known to those as the song of the Lapras. The grace of the music lingered and danced in the sky, entertaining and soothing all those listening to the melody.

Sarpal watched the flute player from a distance, not wanting to disturb him, wanting to join him in presence, even if she can't do so in song. Yet, something held her back, as she could only watch, listen, and admire the music and the music player.

The female Chimera quickly glanced behind her, feeling someone nudging against her leg. She was surprised to see Vapour pushing on her.

"Go and be with him, I'm sure he'll enjoy the company," the Vaporeon told his trainer, causing Sarpal to blush and hesitate. Vapour nudged her again, nearly causing her to fall over with a cry. Ice glanced back, still playing his flute, noticing the female Chimera. He nodded, before returning his full concentration to playing.

Sarpal returned her gaze to Vapour, glaring at the Pokémon for giving her such a push, but also silently thanking her friend for trying to help her past her hesitations. The female wasn't sure if she should scold or smile at the Water Type, deciding it best not to do anything towards him and return her attention to Ice, from a distance. Vapour held his ground now, only listening too the calm and soothing music Ice played from the deck, accompanied by Melody on the ocean surface below.

And so continued the serenity of the pairs playing, as those listened with great admiration - one of those listening was a female Lapras Chimera, silently wishing courage to approach Ice. Sighing softly, the female stepped back and watched Ice for a few more brief seconds, before leaving the deck entirely and into the complex of crew quarters above…

Day: 2, Time: 0321, Location: Trilands, North Island, SF Attack Team HQ, Roof

Vyren stood still on the rooftop of the warehouse, listening to the wind as he's been known to do amongst his companions in crime on this mission. Some might take it as odd, to speak with the wind, and listen to it…but Vyren felt at home now within the openness of the air and the element. He knew Des was awake earlier in the night, the wind told him such, as well as the fact this Chimera couldn't get any sleep as well.

"Nothing strange," Vyren spoke softly, before remaining silent, listening to the beating of the wind, the heartbeat of the world. The vein of global communication lay in encrypted messages of the wind. A wealth of knowledge Vyren had little time to absorb, yet can never stop due to his nature.

"The whispers of the wind and their tantalizing tales…what a temptation," Vyren whispered. He smiled a little, shaking his head. "I've changed a lot…a lot since I began to speak with the wind…" He continued to gaze at the sky deeply, before continuing his whispered monologue.

"Samantha is mad at me…but also concerned…" Vyren whispered, changing the topic completely, chuckling again. "The wind speaks of her rage, at me, and at Carter…" Sighing softly, the Chimera slowly stood up. "Sorry, Samantha…I have to do this…" With those final words, he left the roof.

Day: 2, Time: 0321, Location: The S.C. Aleathra, Crew Quarters 3F

It was dark in the room, with only dim light from the exterior lights on the ship shinning through the closed curtains, billowing with the small breeze coming through the open window. There were two figures in the room, one sitting by the door of the chamber, head over his crossed paws as he slept on the carpeted floor.

The second figure sat on the bed, the sheet beneath crumpled and bent, signalling the unsuccessful attempt at sleep by the user of the bed. She sat with her knees curled up against her best, chin resting on her knees. Dismay and concern danced with anger and hopelessness in the ball of her mind, unable to sleep with such conflicting feelings sinking to her stomach.

"Vyren…" Samantha whispered, her eyes closed, pulling her legs closer to her body as the cold chill of night air brushed against her skin. She wondered if the wind could tell Vyren about her feelings, amidst the many other emotions churning in the giant blender inside her mind.

The female Chimera glanced out towards the open window, hidden behind the blowing curtains. Sighing once again, she leaned the side of her head against her knees, tired, yet too energetic to sleep.

"Vyren…can you hear me?" Sam spoke softly, to the wind Vyren listens to so much now. As if to respond, the a strong gust blasted through the window, throwing the curtains with such force that it hit the ceiling of the chamber before slowly floating back down to its idle position. Sam forced a glance at Spark, sleeping on the floor and guarding the entrance. The Growlithe was slightly agitated by the wind, brushing the back of his ear gently, but still remained asleep.

"Don't go dying on me, Vyren…please…please…please…" the Gym Leader whispered, closing her eyes and then leaning back against the headrest of the bed. Cold wind chilled her, yet she felt nothing of the bitter temperature that grazed her. Sighing softly, she slowly slid back into the bed, trying to get some rest for the upcoming events later in the day, whatever that may be…

Day: 2, Time: 0323, Location: Trilands, North Island, SF Attack Team HQ, Outside Perimeter

The Houndoom slowly trotted out the partially open door, stepping silently as not wanting to awaken anyone else from their rest. The perimeter surrounding their location was fenced off, to prevent trespassers or homeless people from making a home of the formerly abandoned location - not like that stopped anyone before, give them credit for trying.

Abetos glanced left and right, more attuned towards the darkness underneath all the shadows of the many buildings around that obstructed the moonlight above. He was a Dark type Pokémon after all, it was his environment to live in such darkness…though he would prefer a bit more then the cracks and shimmers of light reflected from the moon above to breech the defences of the buildings surrounding them. It was only a preference, the Houndoom could live without it.

He continued to walk around the building, slowly, expecting someone to try to sneak into the building without permission. The Pokémon did one round, returning to the partially open entrance with no detection of anything suspicious. The only thing suspicious was the omission of a certain sentry…

Day: 2, Time: 0856, Location: Trilands, North Island, SF Attack Team HQ, Main Floor

The soft clicking of keys echoed through the sky as Des continued to type away at his keyboard. Some members of the team wondered if the hacker even got any sleep that night, though they decided not to distract the hacker with such questions.

Alken was leaning against a wall of the warehouse, waiting patiently for something to unfold. Tim and Guile were out shopping for some information around the research facility, scouting out the facility with Rocker, Charlie, and Slasher in tow on the truck. Vyren was back on the roof, listening to the wind, something that disturbed Alken, though he dare not speak his mind on the issue.

Instead, at the moment, the ex-Rocket was more concerned about the Pokémon under his care. Psy was right beside him, chatting away in their Pokémon language with the Pikachu, Lin. Abetos, as Alken suspected, did get up in the middle of the night and started to patrol the surrounding area. The Houndoom was now resting in the 'sleeping area' of the warehouse, probably tired from the shift the Pokémon undertook that night.

"Always the one to keep an eye on everyone else, my friend…" Alken thought, glad for such a companion such as his Houndoom. He slowly laid his head back against the cold steel wall, listening to the pair of Pokémon nearby chatter their gibberish.

"Hey, Alken, check this out!" Des shouted from across the room, turning to face the other ex-Rocket and only other Human currently in the warehouse. Alken wondered what the commotion was about, pushing off the wall and approaching Des, who was eagerly waiting for Alken.

"What do you have?" Alken questioned, glancing at the screen. "Wait, this looks familiar…" he continued, giving Des pause as he glanced over the many lines and multicolour pallets used in the file that the hacker retrieved. Though there was no legend to indicate what each colour meant within respective sections of the file, Alken caught on quickly. "It's the layout to the facility…"

"Yep, and that's not all," Des continued, opening another two files, and opening two windows respectively. Alken was surprised with the amount of information ascertained.

"Underwater plans, shipping schedules…it's perfect…" Alken muttered, scanning over the information once more. "Just…too perfect…" Des nodded gravely, agreeing.

"You know me, I was complaining about how difficult it would be to get information from an exterior source," Des started, turning back to the screen. "And here…this information just seems to fall right in my lap…it's too…"

"…easy…" Alken concluded, though Des added.

"…coincidental…" the hacker replaced, closing the windows for the files. "I'll confer with everyone else…I don't like it as much as you do, but maybe I did just get lucky and hit the jackpot…"

"Probably the best idea," Alken agreed, finding the same concerns that Des had. Both glanced up towards the roof, knowing who was there. "I'll get Vyren," Alken spoke, quickly making his leave from the work station. Des silently agreed, continuing to work on finding more information, possibly something that was harder to get to…

Day: 2, Time: 1104, Location: The S.C. Aleathra, Bridge, Communications Console

Carter listened to the static more over the encrypted line. He was currently on hold, after getting a page from the bridge through the encrypted priority line - a message from his mission team on the Trilands. However, the sender decided to disappear for a moment just Carter approached the desk, so now he had to wait for their return.

"Come on…where are you…?" Carter wondered, speaking softly while listening to the static of the receiver. He was just thankful the headset was relatively comfortable as he listened for the return.

"Carter, are you there?" a voice obscured by static questioned through the channel, hard to recognize, but not completely unidentifiable. "It's Des…sorry for the wait, something needed my attention for a moment."

"It wasn't very long, don't worry yourself over it," Carter replied, trying to calm the situation. The leader of the operation wanted a clear, concise, and precise report from his subordinate in the situation, and what the plan of action would be. However, he doubted there would be any plan of action considering how short of a time it has been since the team's departure. "So, what do you got?"

"Floor plans, underground networks, shipping and receiving schedules…a lot more then I thought I could hack out in the first place," Des spoke, trying to sound calm, yet the emotion of anxiety was partially betrayed by his rapid talking. Carter wasn't sure what to say after that though, amazed with the multitude of information hacked.

"And how accurate are these reports?" Carter quickly questioned, seeing a deep need for caution with all this. Caution is always needed, just more now then in any other particular situation. There was a sigh from the other end, followed by silence that Carter wasn't comfortable with.

"It's debateable…Alken and I had our doubts as well when we first saw the information," Des continued to report. "We don't fully believe the legitimacy of the items, though there is little else we can go on at the moment."

"Just keep at it, we have time on our side…" Carter told Des. "Don't do anything rash, or else you'll jeopardize everything."

"I understand," Des answered, muttering the next small bit he added: "But Tim doesn't…"

"Just try to keep him in check," Carter replied to Des' gripe, knowing Tim's mentality in this mission. "That is all. Signing off."

Day: 2, Time: 1106, Location: Trilands, North Island, SF Attack Team HQ, Main Floor

Des placed the headset on the table, sighing softly and powering down the radio. He wiped his face with his hands, crossed between the conflict between his 'superior' and his friend. The group of Humans minus their hacker were waiting by the computer for the return of Des.

"Hey, Des, what's the verdict?!" Tim shouted out, getting impatient The hacker glanced up towards the group, Tim staring at Des with the sort of 'fatal' impatient look. Sighing once again, Des slowly stood up from his location on at the radio, walking just as slowly towards the group, trying to evade the gaze of Tim while doing so. However, it didn't take long until their hacker was right before them.

"…and…?" Alken questioned, arms crossed and awaiting the answer. Des opened his mouth to speak, but couldn't get the words to come out.

"It didn't fall through," Guile spoke, speaking the words that bothered Des mind. Tim glanced over at Guile for a moment, staring before returning toward Des. The hacker only nodded slowly.

"Damnit!" Tim exclaimed, stomping his foot into the ground with disgust before marching off, anger seething. Guile was about to get in his way, but was stopped when Vyren placed a hand on the Chimera's shoulder.

"Let him be…his heart is in conflict between his friends and his soul mate," Vyren could only speak, the four watching Tim slam the door open and closing it with equal amount of force as he exited. It caught the attention of the many Pokémon in the area, all confused at what just happened.

"Time to get back to work…" Des muttered, heading back towards his computer to find some more information…