TEN
Serena expected Teleurac's office to have a red-and-black theme to its décor, similar to what Café Lysandre had. Instead, the walls were off-white and adorned with portraits of notable figures in Kalos's history, including a print of "The King, the Pokemon, and the Key" that hung next to a portrait of a young girl with a Vulpix. The Governor's desk was kept orderly, and there was a liquor cabinet nearby along the wall.
Teleurac stood behind his chair as Serena and Augustine stood across the desk from him. Once the three of them were in position, the Flare grunts that had followed them up closed the door with themselves on the outside.
"Would either of you like something to drink?" he offered, gesturing to the liquor cabinet.
"No thanks," Serena rejected his offer, her voice flat.
"Professor?"
Augustine shook his head.
"Well then," continued Teleurac as he sat down in his chair. "Serena, I'm pleased that you have chosen to act as a mature adult right now, rather than the rash teenager you were three years ago. Sometimes it pays to stop, talk it out, and think before rushing into action.
"First off, I want you to know that Team Flare stands for something entirely different today than it did three years ago. Sure, the world is still plagued with greedy, destructive human beings that are slowly destroying the world. Lysandre was right about that. But unlike Lysandre, I believe people can change. Don't get me wrong, I admire the man greatly. To be so devoted to an idea that you would die for it . . . that's the kind of person we should all aspire to be."
Serena noticed Augustine tense up at the mention of Lysandre. She wanted to reach out and hold his hand in an attempt to comfort him, but she didn't out of fear for how Teleurac would react to that sign of affection.
"So when can we expect that weapon to pop out of the ground again?" inquired Serena, still not believing what he had to say.
"Ma chérie, I would not stoop to that. It is my job to protect Kalos, not destroy it," replied Teleurac, swiveling slightly in his chair.
"I believe in making the world a better place for both people and Pokemon, but firing off a weapon to kill millions of innocents is hardly a sustainable way to go about it. There is a way to ensure plentiful resources for future generations, and we are dedicated to finding it. See, these rations on food, water, and electricity aren't because I enjoy watching people suffer as they go without less. We are rapidly running out of fresh water. Food supply can't keep up with the demand placed upon it by a growing population. Generating electricity for all of Kalos at the Power Plant costs a great deal of natural resources. They'll run out soon, and until we find a more renewable source of energy, we have to make what we have last longer."
"From what I saw in your facility, Governor, it doesn't look like Pokemon are a very good source of renewable energy," Augustine commented disdainfully.
"That's because they keep dying during tests. Professor, starting tomorrow, I want you to help Mable find a way to maximize energy output from Pokemon without killing them." Teleurac said to Augustine.
"No," said Augustine defiantly. "What I saw was inhumane and I refuse to take part in it."
"Is that so?" asked Teleurac coolly. "Need I remind you that you work for me?"
"Then I quit."
Teleurac laughed softly and menacingly. "Go right ahead, Professor, but keep in mind that the only reason your lab is still open is by my good grace. I can justify keeping your energy-costly facilities open to the public if there's government-funded research happening there. You refuse to work for me, and I'll have it shut down. Everyone who works under you will be without a job. Think of Sophie, who has two children to feed. Think of how poorly you would be repaying Sina and Dexio, who dedicate their whole lives to helping you with your research. And what about all the young people who set out to become Pokemon Trainers? Where would they meet their first Pokemon, if not at your lab? Ah, that's right – you have Pokemon in your lab, don't you? They'd have to live on the street with the Skiddo and be vulnerable to those gangs that –"
"Oh, shut up!" Serena snapped. She could see how Augustine's hands were shaking at his sides.
"I'm sorry?" Teleurac eyed her.
"You heard me." Serena's voice shook with indignation, and she heard Augustine hiss her name in disapproval, as if he was telling her to stop before she did something she would regret later. She leaned forward towards Teleurac, placing her hands on his desk and glaring at him.
Teleurac sighed. "Oh Serena," he said, sounding disappointed, "Why are you so intent on hating me? Are you still so blinded by hatred of the very idea of Team Flare that you'll get in the way of progress?"
"Progress? Progress? Treating Bernard Lecroux the way he was treated is not progress – that's something out of the Dark Ages! And so is experimenting on Pokemon!"
"A wise man once said that the ends justify the means," replied Teleurac.
Serena wanted to tell him that this so-called 'wise man' was full of Tauros excrement, but she didn't once she felt Augustine's eyes on her. Instead, she clenched her teeth and continued to look at Teleurac contemptuously.
"I hope one day you'll see that I'm not the monster you think I am," said Teleurac civilly. "I don't like that Pokemon are suffering and dying any more than you, but at the same time some sacrifices have to be made."
Silence fell. Serena stepped away from the desk, backing up to be at Augustine's side. Augustine had his head bowed, and his hands were stuffed into his pockets. She saw how his brow was furrowed as he stared at his shoes in frustrated and disillusioned thought.
"I am glad we could have this discussion, even though you still seem unconvinced, Serena." Teleurac finally said. He stood up and walked to the door, opening it once he got there.
"Come along, you two."
Serena and Augustine followed Teleurac back out to his car, getting in the back seat while the Governor rode shotgun.
Inside the car, there was a faint smell of cigarette smoke mixed with musky cologne that clung to the smooth seats of the car. The air around everyone was tense during the car ride, and nobody spoke. Serena's eyes darted between Teleurac (who was speaking to his driver in low whispers) and Augustine, who was alternating his gaze between her and the window. She kept wondering what was going to happen next, and if he was taking her back to her apartment, to prison, or somewhere else entirely.
"So much for dinner," Augustine muttered, leaning his head back against the seat and sighing after he spoke.
"I'm free tomorrow," Serena answered in a hushed tone. She saw in the rearview mirror how Teleurac's eyes flicked up to look at her when she spoke.
"Maybe," she added hastily. It all depended on what was going to happen next; the uncertainty of it all made her stomach twist into knots.
The car soon pulled up alongside the curb near Serena's apartment building. The driver put the car in park, and Teleurac stepped out. He walked around to the back and opened the door next to Serena.
"Here we are, Serena. Say good night to Professor Sycamore."
Serena turned to Augustine and rose her hand up in a short, awkward wave. "Well, good night," she said uncertainly.
Augustine nodded, forcing out a small smile. "Good night to you too, Serena. Until next time."
Teleurac reached into the car and cupped Serena's elbow so he could gently pull her out into the road. He shut the door behind him and walked into the building, still maintaining his hold on her arm.
"What are you going to do to him?" Serena asked him quietly.
"Nothing," said Teleurac as he opened the door into the deserted lobby. "And I'm not going to do anything to you either . . . as long as you cooperate." He led her to the elevator and ushered her inside.
"Cooperate?" she asked, dread and uneasiness rising up inside of her.
"Yes. It won't be hard," replied Teleurac as he pressed a button to send the elevator up to the fourth floor. "Be a good law-abiding citizen. Go about your daily life, and don't cause any trouble or spread any rumors. Kalos doesn't need to be launched into the same irrational paranoia about Team Flare that you're currently experiencing."
Serena continued to scowl at him.
"Why would you want to cause trouble? Why make your family and friends to worry about you? Why make poor, sweet, dear Augustine worry about you? Of course I know about you and him, Serena. It's in every tabloid. And I know he doesn't like the idea of experimenting on Pokemon the way I want him to, but he'll realize one day it's all for the greater good – unless, of course, you make unnecessary waves. There may just be a tragic accident at Sycamore Laboratories, with one fatality."
The elevator door opened with a ding. Serena paid no attention; instead, she swiftly slapped Teleurac across the face with all her might. He smirked, and turned his head back to face her. She saw the pink imprint on his cheek that was the same shape and size as her hand.
"Don't do that again," he hissed threateningly.
"Don't threaten people I care about." Serena snapped.
Teleurac grabbed her by the arm again and ushered her out of the elevator. "Which apartment is yours?"
Serena pointed down the hall, at the door on the very end. The two of them began walking that way.
"How about this," Teleurac leaned in closer to whisper in her ear, "You uphold your end, and I'll uphold mine. Do everything as I say, exactly, and nobody gets hurt. Do we have an agreement?"
His words sent chills down her spine. She stopped walking, leading him to halt as well, and she studied his face or a moment. Beyond the threatening demeanor, she couldn't tell how sincere he was being.
"We have an agreement," she finally said, feeling defeated.
"Bien," he said, his mouth curving into an insincere smile.
He finished walking her to the front door of her apartment. From there, she got out her key and began to unlock the front door.
"Have a good evening, Serena," said Teleurac before he turned to leave.
Once inside her apartment, Serena locked the door behind her, placed her computer bag on the couch, and went to take a shower to get the smell of sweat, sewage, and Teleurac's car off her body. She spent the rest of the night lying awake on her bed, distracted by replays of her conversations with Teleurac in her mind – the very thing she was trying to avoid.
He had to be hiding something, she reasoned. If Team Flare intended to be perfectly benign, why not go public and announce who they truly were? What else was in that underground facility, and why was it even underground?
She grabbed her Holo Caster and called Augustine. He did not answer.