Chapter III

Answers

Disclaimer: See Chapter One

Sirin faced the four strangers across the fire, regarding them with some interest.
'So, if this 'Imperium' spans the galaxy, how come this planet isn't part of it, and why're you here now?' He asked.
'To put it simply, ten thousand years ago when the Imperium was being forged, this world repulsed the Emperor's armies after refusing to join the Imperium peacefully; after also repulsing his efforts to bombard this planet into submission from orbit, he ordered that this entire system be quarantined until a peaceful end to matters could be worked out; The Heresy occurred before that could happen unfortunately, and the Vigilants have honoured that standing order to this day.' Brøm told Sirin gruffly.

'And as to why we're here,' cut in Rogal smoothly before Sirin could ask any more questions, 'I and my operatives have tracked a…criminal organisation here, they have been utilising technology and creatures stolen from this world in violent uprisings across the sector, our aim here is to ambush them, and either decimate their operation here, or track it to it's heart and destroy them there.' He explained, then sobered and became grave. 'And you insist that what you have told us about these Xen- pokémon,' Rogal corrected, 'is true?' He asked.

'Every word of it. They're mysterious in a lot of ways, but they're pretty friendly for the most part, and trainers like myself raise and battle them in contests of skill, strategy and strength.' Sirin confirmed.
'Bet I can guess on who's part the strength is,' said the woman, who's name Sirin was yet to hear.
Rogal sighed in exaggerated patience.
'Epithet, you're my apprentice. You're a psyker. Your talents are well suited to what we'll be doing here, and you are here. So stop the sarcastic comments.' He scolded.
Crark.
For the life of him, Rogal couldn't understand why the Murkrow was still insisting on perching on his shoulder.
'Just what is this…Murkrow, doing staying on my shoulder?' Asked Rogal, keeping any hint of irritation or distaste from his voice.

'I'd say she likes you,' Sirin replied, 'I've heard that some wild pokémon take a liking to humans, even if that human doesn't wish to capture it, and just follows them; I guess that Murkrow likes something about you.' He explained. 'So, what exactly are you hunting?' Sirin asked.
'As I said, a criminal organisation.' Rogal said tersely. 'They're a bit more sinister than that in the galaxy at large, but that's how I believe they will conduct themselves here.'
'Great.' Sirin said with a note that didn't invoke enthusiasm. 'Well, that brings three groups to mind: Teams: Rocket, Aqua and Magma all fit that description, so I would say you've got some work ahead of you.'

Having said this, Sirin pulled out the rest of his poké balls and released his team to finish their own interrupted dinners.
One and all they watched Rogal and his associates with a wary eye.
Except Bagon, who was too busy stuffing his gullet, and too young to care.
Sirin noted that for their parts, Rogal and company simply ignored the looks, as if having a silent conversation.
Kirlia. Sirin thought. What are they up to?
He got no reply straight away, then the psychic-type began to 'speak'.
Discussing how what you have told them changes things, two of them believe it prudent to travel with us, two of them think it wiser to simply find this 'cult' they're hunting, destroy them and have as little contact as possible with the people of this world, and the giant is wondering what would be being served in the way of food in a place called 'The Fang' at the minute.' Kirlia reported.
Sirin shot another glance at the small group.
The giant was easy enough to pick, but aside from him, there were only three others.
I think you miscounted. Sirin thought with some amusement.

As if to disprove this point, Kirlia stopped eating, and projected a psychic light at the four, causing them to glance around.
Now Sirin could see what Kirlia meant.
Leaning against a tree was a fifth man, in a tight fitting bodysuit which appeared to be reflecting light, much like the rest of him had been moments before.
There was deathly stillness in the clearing as the fifth man's form blurred and he changed his appearance to a man with short brown hair, only now wearing a t-shirt and pants.
Satisfied she'd made her point, Kirlia stopped using foresight.

'How did that thing do that?' Asked the bulky man with the bird with a note that expressed disbelief.
Sirin shrugged.
'An ability of hers, a learned one, I'd meant to teach Kirlia another one in it's place but I hadn't got around to it yet.' Sirin replied. 'So, who's the Invisible Man?' He asked.
Silence reigned for about twenty seconds, then Mr. Invisible and Epithet seemed to subside.
'Do you have any qualms about us travelling with you?' Asked Rogal carefully.
Sirin thought about it for a moment.
'Just how dangerous are these crooks you're after?' He asked.
'Fairly.' Replied Rogal evenly.

Kirlia? Asked Sirin quietly.
The psychic-type hesitated.
Despite what the Imperium did to this world all those years ago, they mean well, and it isn't just for this world that they're hunting this cult. It's for the galaxy at large. She said at last.
Can they be trusted? Sirin asked.
The journey ahead will change them for the better, but they're honest enough at present. Came the reply after a moment.
Sirin nodded.

'I've got no problem with it.' Sirin said after another moment, 'so, I guess some introductions are in order.' He added.
Rogal nodded.
'I am Inquisitor Rogal Flanagan, Ordo Xenos.' Rogal said.
'Heldane Gaul, bounty hunter, and the blood hawk on my shoulder is Corvus.' Said the bulky man, indicating the strange bird.
'You may call me Mordekai.' Said the Invisible Man shortly.
'Interrogator Epithet Nadia, Rogal's apprentice.' Said the woman in the jumpsuit.
'Brøm Greypelt, Wolf Scout of the Space Wolves chapter of the Adeptus Astartes, seconded to the Vigilants.' said the giant.
'And who might you be?' Asked Epithet.

Sirin shrugged and smirked.
'I am me, but my name is Sirin Matthews.' Sirin replied. 'As for my team, it's a fair bit bigger than this, but the six here are: Braviary,' Sirin indicated the huge eagle-like bird, which preened smugly, 'Haxorus,' he indicated the bronze and grey creature with the axe-like blades on the sides of it's head which was watching them closely, 'Druddigon,' the crimson headed purple dragon, also watching Rogal and his party suspiciously, 'Ponyta,' the fire-maned horse, which raised it's head as it's name was called, 'Kirlia,' the odd, dainty looking creature with the green helmet-like head, which was regarding them with peculiar intensity, 'and last but not least Bagon,' Sirin indicated a small blue and grey creature with a bony head, which was currently curled up fast asleep.
'From the looks of some of 'em, I'd say you'd be able to hold your own with them at your side, even if you couldn't hit the broadside of a brick wall yourself.' Observed Heldane with a smirk.

Sirin shrugged.
'I've always been more of the intellectual type anyhow.' He confessed.
'Indeed,' Rogal said, 'so where might you be headed, and where would you recommend we start our search?' He asked.
'I'm headed to Sandgem Town to meet Professor Rowan, and enter the Sinnoh League challenge, I guess you could ask him if he's heard anything,' suggested Sirin, 'he might even be able to help you all out a bit as well, I guess from what you've said that you can look after yourselves, but you might want to consider getting some pokémon of your own.'

Rogal looked visibly startled at the suggestion, as did Heldane, Epithet and Mordekai.
Brøm on the other hand looked thoughtful.
'Might not be such a bad idea,' he mused, then grinned, flashing inch long canines. 'Certainly be handy in a tight spot, Oberon wouldn't send us help unless the fate of the Imperium rested on it, and it'd be certain to jump-start a war like the last one.'
'To the warp with taking this league challenge though, I'm good enough with my fists to be going on with.' Heldane said.

Sirin shrugged again.
'Not saying you have to, but it'd help you blend in; most trainers who're travelling with pokémon are taking the league challenge. If they're not, people wonder why.' He said.
'It's easy enough to come up with plausible deceptions.' Rogal replied.

Brøm sniffed deeply, then exhaled.
'It's not getting any earlier, and I'm hungry.' He said. 'I'll be back in an hour.' He added, standing and departing the clearing.
'Where's he off to?' Asked Sirin.
'Probably to get something to eat, and what that might be I'd rather not know; Space Marines can eat a lot of stuff that'd kill a normal human.' Rigal replied then yawned widely. 'Heldane, you've got first watch.' He said, before leaning back against a tree.

You have no idea how tricky it is to make this believable.

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'til next time:

No One-liners.