Chapter 92 – Space force all the way
Daybreak over Mossdeep City… From the office at the top of the main building at the Mossdeep Space Centre, Commander Fred Willard had a perfect view of the entire Island, and the surrounding sea.
To the east was the town with it's homes, offices, Pokémon Centre and gym, and to the west the space centre complex with it's many hangars, laboratories and other building and in the far distance the launch pad.
In the dim light of the early morning he could just see the outline of the Space Shuttle sitting upon it. He checked his watch. 0400 hours. Launch was set for 1400 hours that afternoon…
As a senior officer within the Space Force, with command of the Mossdeep facility, Willard had witnessed so many launches he had lost count. In his younger years he flown many missions aboard the wretched craft. But this launch would not be a regular launch.
There was a buzz on his personal intercom and his assistants voice filled the room…
"Bzzt. Captain rush and her partner to see you…Bzzt."
"Send her in," the commander replied curtly.
He turned on the spot in time to see a middle-aged woman with long dark hair, dressed in a green jumpsuit enter his office. She was accompanied by her Pokémon partner Porygon2. A red and blue creature that looked like a rubber duck and sat perched on her shoulder.
"Ah. Captain Rush. Please take a seat." The commander returned to his desk and gestured to the two chairs before.
"Now. This is a tough assignment," he said once Rush had taken a seat. "And, if I might be candid with you for a moment, I disagree with the Department about the need for this mission. It's too dangerous and fear too unethical for mere scientific curiosity." He sighed. "However, I do know that is nobody in the entire space force that I would trust more with this mission than you captain rush."
"Thank-you commander Willard." Rush acknowledged the compliment in a dry and emotionless voice.
"If this mission is successful," the commander continued. "Your team will be the first beings from this dimension to enter an Ultra Wormhole. If our calculations are correct, the wormhole will appear near the moon at 0400 hours in three days time. The vessel Centurion is currently in orbit shielded by a cloaking device to hide it from enemy satellites. This vessel has been designed for the express purpose of traveling into the Ultra Wormhole.
"As you are aware the technicians have developed a method of placing organic material into a form of suspended animation. It slows all biological function for a prolonged period of time. With your consent, yourself and the crew will undergo the procedures necessary to enter this form of suspended animation. The suspended animation chamber will be flown to the Centurion aboard the Space Shuttle.
The Shuttle will launch at 1400 hours this afternoon. After reaching orbit the Shuttle will rendezvous with the vessel Centurion at 1700 hours. The Centurion will proceed to enter the Wormhole. Do you understand your mission?"
"Yes commander," Rush replied with the same manner of fact tone. "I take the correct energy source has been located."
"That's correct."
"A Pokémon." A sombre tone entered Captain Rush's voice.
When the commander responded with a quizzical expression she continued, "The centurion is powered by infinite energy is it not."
The commander's eyes narrowed. "That information is classified."
"Yes but. As captain of the vessel I believe I have a right to know what it is I am piloting."
The commander sighed. "Personally, I agree with you, thought you must respect that I am under orders not to divulge the information I have about the Centurion."
Rush raised her eyebrows and gave him a weak smile. "I won't breath a word. You can trust me. How long have we been friends?"
The commander let out another deep sigh. "Very well. You are correct, the Centurion's propulsion and power systems are powered by infinite energy. The Aura generated by Pokémon. It's the reason I am of the opinion that this mission should not go ahead, but I have my orders. The system is designed to drain but not extinguish the subjects aura. They'll be kept alive in status. Think of it like a battery."
Rush turned her nose up at these words. "I'm trying not to think about it sir." Then after a pause added. "What Pokémon is it we'll be using."
"It was brought in last night," said the commander. "Something called the aura Pikachu. I've been assured it will neither perish nor suffer."
"Did it volunteer willingly?"
The commander tugged at his collar uncomfortably. "I think captain, it's best we get off this subject. As I said. It's highly classified information. I need to give you the full mission brief."
"As you wish commander."
The commander opened a draw in his desk and produced a thick Manila folder. He slid it across the desk to Rush. Rush picked it up and examined it. The word CLASSIFIED, had been stamped in the middle in large red letters.
"That there is the mission brief. It contains your objective and your instruction. The rest of the crew will be provided with a brief upon reanimation when the Centurion reaches its destination. The long and the short of it is this. The probe Odysseys was sent into an ultra worm hole two years ago. It beamed back the images contained in that folder."
Rush shifted the pages in the folder and found the photograph the commander was referring to. She raised her eyebrow. "Arceus. What is it?"
"We don't know. That's what you're going to find out!"
[Pokémon]
"Hello…HELLO!...I'M HERE TO CHALLENGE THE GYM…"
BANG…BANG…BANG
Cameron pounded his fists against the locked doors of the Mossdeep City Gym, a circular building on the edge of a cliff on the Northside of the island.
"Can you hear. I Cameron of Aspertia City hereby challenge the leader of this gym to a battle. YOU HAVE TO ACCEPT MY CHALLENGE!"
BANG…BANG…
But for all the shouting and knocking and pounding of the doors the gym remained silent.
"Cameron I don't think anyone's in there," said Jimmy.
"With all the banding you're doing, if they were they'd have answered," Lucario added rolling his eyes.
Cameron stopped hitting the door and snapped his fingers irritably. "Damnit. Then where the heck's the gym leaders."
"Not here. The gyms closed today," said a voice from behind them.
The trainers and their Pokémon turned around to find a young girl standing a little way up the path to the gym. She had long dark hair and was wearing a blue kimono and a scowl.
Ash recognised her at once. "Hey L…"
But before he could finish his sentence the girl continued. "Also, you're being extremely immature making all that noise. What are you some little kid?"
"Hey. I am not a little kid," Cameron protested.
"Whatever!"
She turned and storm in the opposite direction.
"Hey wait!" Ash called after her. "Liza."
"Pikaaa," Pikachu called from his shoulder.
The girl did not look back.
"Ash do you know her," asked Jimmy.
Ash nodded. "Uh-huh. That was Liza. She's one of the Mossdeep Gym Leaders."
"Wait she's one of the gym leaders," shouted Cameron. "Damnit Ash why didn't you say something. HEY COME BACK." He ran off after her, Lucario and Hunter trailing behind.
[Pokémon]
Our heroes followed Liza to the far west side of the island and the entrance to the Mossdeep Space Centre…
When Ash had last visited Mossdeep City the Space Centre had been open to the public. No locks or guards, he and his friends had been able to walk right into the complex…
Now the complex was surrounded by a high perimeter fence regularly patrolled by armed guards, Houndoom and Arcanine. Entrance was permitted by one gate on the main road, policed by two surly looking, and as our heroes were to find out, trigger-happy guards.
"Hey. What do you think you children are doing here!"
Cameron, Lucario and Hunter came skidding to a halt as they found themselves face to face with a pair of AR-15 Rifle's, aimed at them by two tall and thick set looking me in blue uniforms.
"Yaahh! Don't shoot," Cameron yelped. "Don't shoot."
"We were just looking for the gym leader," added Ash, his heart thumping in his chest and his stomach lurching.
"Does this look like the gym to you little boy," snapped one of the guards.
Under ordinary circumstances Ash would have objected to being called a little boy. But with these two men brandishing deadly looking weapons at them, he was not in the mood to argue.
"Can't you kids read," said his companion gesturing to a sign nailed to the fence.
It read:
THIS FACILITY IS THE PROPERTY OF THE IMPERIAL SPACE FORCE
DO NOT ENTER
Authorised Personnel beyond this point only
Its unlawful to bring weapons, explosives or drugs into this facility. Any person caught trespassing on this facility may be forcefully arrested, detained and brought before a federal judge. Penalties for trespassing are severe and include charges of conspiracy to against the Government and petty treason, with sentences of up to life imprisonments or death.
ASTRONAUTS WANTED
Enquire with in
"Okay okay," said Cameron. His face had gone very pale.
The normally bold Hunter was gripping Lucario's leg, staring open mouthed at the two guards.
"We weren't trespassing. We were just. Following someone."
"Then go follow them to some place else!"
"And don't let us catch you near here again. Or you're dead. Got it!"
[Pokémon]
" What in Arceus name was that about," shouted a still shaky Cameron the minutes later as they wandered back down the road towards Mossdeep.
"Bullies," muttered Jimmy. "I bet it makes them feel big to threaten kids like that."
Typhlosion let out a short of anger at his words, a few embers shooting from his mouth.
As they made their way back towards the Pokémon Centre, none of them paid more than a cursory glance at the two trucks that passed them by, as they made their way up the road they had just come down.
[Pokémon]
The trucks were white Scania, each towing a chemical tanker trailer. Each of the trailer were pained purple with the words Altru Inc painted across them in a large black letters. If one were to check the Space Centre's delivery register, they would have indeed discovered that a delivery of fuel was expected on this date.
However, if they had inspected the vehicles, they would have found that these particular Scania's were not registered to Altru. And while Altru did employ a subcontractor to make deliveries, these trucks were into in fact licensed to anyone. The plates were fake.
Unfortunately, the two guards manning the gate that day didn't do much in the way of checking…
The tucks rolled up to the gate and one of the guards walked up to the cab. The driver lowered the window. She was a young woman with blue hair and a tick pair or black sunglasses hiding her face.
"Hi there. We're here with the fuel delivery for the shuttle." She handed him a license.
The guard examined it before shouting at his compatriot, "Hey Bruce. Are they expecting a fuel delivery this morning?"
"Yeah that's right."
"Wanna check."
"Nah it should be fine."
"Alright then."
The two men promptly opened the gates and allowed the two tankers to proceed into the facility. The driver of the first truck rolled up the window and smiled at her companion.
"Well. That was easy!"
"Very easy. Oh, and did you noticed who it was we passed back there on the road!"
[Pokémon]
After spending so much time in his Pokéball, Ashachu found it nice to be outside again. Especially on a clear and sunny day like today…
With the gym closed and nothing else to do, our heroes had taken to the breach so Cameron could train for his upcoming gym battle…whenever that would be…and the others and their Pokémon could relax.
Ashachu had a moment or so to breath the fresh air and feel the warm sand beneath his paws upon materializing, before he was attacked by a certain Riolu…
"Yay Lightning butt."
Hunter wrapped his arms around him and pulled him into a right embrace, nuzzling the top of his head and his ears.
"Hehe. Nice to see you too Hunter." Ashachu hugged him back and licked him on the side of his muzzle. It felt good to be held so tightly by Hunter like this. Breathing in his scent, feeling his soft warm fur beneath his.
It was only after about half a minute or so of cuddling like this that the two became aware of Geyser, Sniveon and Nova watching them. Ashachu couldn't help but notice the hind to jealously and longing in Geyser's eyes…And Sniveon's. The two broke apart.
"Oh, what are you looking at," said Hunter.
Ashachu blushed slightly.
Geyser folded his arms and turned away. "Whatever. I'm going to go help Lucario and the others with their training."
"Come on. Let's go swimming," suggested Hunter. He grabbed Ashachu by the paw and dragged him towards the ocean, despite the mouse's protests.
"Whoaaa! Hunter."
[Pokémon]
Meanwhile – Mossdeep Space Centre…
The two Scania Tanker Truck pulled up outside the launch pad, where the shuttle was waiting. Two people stepped out of the each of the cabs. It was three women and one man, each wearing dark suits and thick black sunglasses.
Two technicians in white lab coats were waiting to greet them.
"Umm what's going on," asked one, a young woman with brown hair. "We weren't told to expect any…"
She didn't get to finish her sentence. The male drew an uzi from under his coat, pointed it at the technicians and fired. The pair were dead before they really knew what was happening. Before their bodies hit the ground.
"Excellent work," said the orange haired woman. "Now let's get to work."
[Pokémon]
Back on the beach…
"Hehehehe. You can't catch me Hunter," Ashachu chirped as he ran along the beach, the waves washing over his paws.
It was hard to run through the the water. His paws kept threatening to sink into the wet sand. Hunter was right on his tail. Literally. Hunter kept brushing the end of his tail with his paw. He could have grabbed if he'd wanted.
But he didn't. Ashachu hated it when others grabbed him by the tail.
"That's what you think lightning butt." He reached out with his paw and touched the tip of his tail again. "I've got you right where I want you."
"Oh yeah." Ashachu then did something Hunter did not expect. He skidded to a halt, spun around, and launched himself at Hunter, tackling the Riolu to the ground.
"Whaaa…" Hunter found himself on his back in the sand and sea, with Ashachu on top of him pinning him down. "Ashachu. I was it remember."
"Yeah I remember," replied Ashachu grinning. "But this way I get to do this."
He nuzzled Hunter's neck, letting off little spark from his cheeks as he did so. Not enough to hurt Hunter, just enough to let him feel it. To tickle him.
"Hehehe. Lighting butt. Cut it out," Hunter giggled. He put both paws and Ashachu's flank and mimed trying to push the mouse off. Thought he was actually enjoying the sensation greatly.
"Umm so which one of you is it," Came Sniveon's voice from behind.
Ashachu and Hunter looked up to find the Flareon standing over them, an exasperated expression on her face.
Hunter reached out with his left and arm and touched her leg. "It's you now."
Sniveon rolled her eyes. "You touched Ashachu. Doesn't that make it him."
"I thought we said tails don't count."
"Your paw's on his side."
Just then a large wave rolled in, washing right over the three of them. Poor Hunter, lying on his back was completely inundated. He promptly sat up, pushing Ashachu off him, and coughed up a mouthful of sea water.
"Ewww. It tastes like Magikarp piss," he whined sticking out his tongue.
"You have experience with Magikarp piss," asked Sniveon raising an eyebrow.
"Figure of speech." He stood up. "I need a drink. Get that taste out of my mouth. C'mon let's go see if dads got any soda pop left."
They wandered up the beach to where Lucario and Hirosaki were still battling. If battling was still the right word to describe it…Lucario was crouched on all fours, breathing heavily with one eye closed. Hirosaki on the other paw appeared to not even had broken a sweat during the course of the battle. Floating above the sand with a satisfied expression on his face.
The three of them stopped to watch. Lucario suddenly sprung to his paws and threw himself at Hirosaki, right paw raised in a fist. Hirosaki smirked and his eyes begun to glow with a mystic light blue color. A blue aura surrounded Lucario and he was stopped dead in his tracks, hanging in mid air.
The smirk on Hirosaki's face widened and Lucario let out a snarl. Then the poor aura Pokémon was thrown backwards landing hard on his back in the sand. He let out a gruff bark of frustration as he sat up.
"Ouch. You okay Lucario." Cameron bit his lip as he knelt down beside his partner.
"Ahh. Damnit it. One of these days I swear I'm gonna wipe the smirk off that stuck up Latios's face." He stared daggers at Hirosaki.
"Maybe you should use one of your other Pokémon," suggested Jimmy. "Use Hydreigon. He's a dark type so psychic moves won't affect him."
"He does make a point," said Cameron, rubbing his mates back.
Lucario shook his head. "No no, I can do this. Let me try again." He clambered to his paws a determined look on his face.
This made Sniveon giggle. "Hehehe."
"What's so funny," asked Hunter frowning at her. He had been watching the last few moments of the battle with a look of great concern.
"That attitude," Sniveon replied giving Hunter a playful poke in the ribs. "Like father like son."
"Darn right," Hunter replied proudly. "We're strong fighting types. As long as there's breath in our bodies we'll fight." He put his paws to his maw and shouted at Lucario, "You show 'em dad."
[Pokémon]
Mossdeep Space Centre…
"Commander Willard Sir." The young woman in a blue military uniform stood to attention and saluted the commander as he entered Mission Control.
"This had better be important major," Willard barked in response, but returning the salute all the same.
"It's critical sir," the major replied. "If you'll come with me."
This was the mission control centre. A large room on in the middle of the main building and the nerve centre of all space missions. Here rows and rows of uniformed technicians at computers oversaw all aspects of the operation and would be in constant communication with the shuttle…and the Centurion.
The major led the commander to the very front of the room. Here a giant computer monitor took up most of the wall. A complex series of numbers, letters and equations were scrolling across the large screen.
"It's seems our original calculations were wrong. It's happening now!"
"What are you talking about major," barked the commander.
"It's the Ultra Wormhole Sir. It's going to open much sooner and closer than expected."
The commanders eyes widened. "Are you sure major."
"Absolutely sir. The amount of Ultra energy in the vicinity has increased dramatically. A concentration like this in one local can mean only one thing. It's bleeding through the fault line, a wormhole is about to open."
"When? Where?"
"According to our new calculations, the wormhole should open at approximately 1330 hours. 5 kilometers to the north-east of our current location at an elevation of 15000 feet."
An image appeared on the large computer screen depicting a large map of the island with a red X in the top right-hand concern.
"Great Arceus, that's right on top of us," the commander gasped. "Alright. We'll have to move to plan B. Get me a line to the Department!"
[Pokémon]
Later…
Ash put the last mouthful of the sandwich in his mouth and swallowed before sitting back in his seat. He was finally full. He glanced around the plastic table they were sitting at to each lunch. Pikachu was sitting on the tabletop munching cutely on an apple.
He brushed the top of Pikachu's head with his fingers and scratched him behind the ear. The effort earned him a smile and a happy "chaaa," from his mate.
"Hey dad. Ash," pipped up a soft voice. He turned his head and noticed Hunter standing beside the table, tapping Cameron's leg with his paw.
"What is it," Cameron replied, looking down at his pup.
"Can Ashachu and I go for a walk on the beach," the Riolu asked, putting his paws together as if praying for him to say yes. "Please. We promise not to go to far."
"Umm. Well it's oaky with me," replied Cameron. "Ash?"
Ash looked at Hunter's big pleading eyes and then at Pikachu. "Errr. I don't have a problem with it. What do you think buddy?"
Pikachu put down his apple and frowned. "Errr I don't know."
"Oh, come on please," Hunter begged.
Ash crouched and whispered into Pikachu's ear, "Come on. Let them have some alone time."
"But what about Darkrai?" Pikachu whispered back.
"You ever heard of a Darkrai coming out during the day."
Pikachu sighed. "Alright. But I want Hirosaki watching you."
"What. Me," Hirosaki said bewildered, looking up from his food bowl.
"Yah." Hunter punched the air in triumph, while a disgruntled Hirosaki rose into the air.
Hunter went and grabbed Ashachu by the paw. "Come on Lighting Butt."
"What. Hunter where are we," gasped Ashachu as he was pulled along by the Riolu.
Ash couldn't help but grin…
As they wandered away, he felt a small tug on the bottom his trousers. He bent down and noticed Oshawott, so he picked the little otter up.
"Osha Oshawott." Oshawott pointed at the ocean.
"You want me to go swimming with you," Ash asked and Oshawott nodded.
"Okay then," he replied, then added in a whisper so only Oshawott could hear, "You just want to get my shirt of me don't you," making the otter blush.
This did not impress Pikachu, who decided that was a good moment to let off a small discharge.
"Whoa."
"Ash, are you okay?"
His two friends got to his feet as Ash convulsed and fell from his seat.
[Pokémon]
Mossdeep Space Centre – Mission control centre…
"Commander I know this is not my place, but I must make my protests known. The Alan Parson's Project was deemed too unethical decades ago. If parliament ever found out."
"Enough major." Commander Willard held up a hand to silence the protests of the Major. "I have my orders. "Project Skywalker must proceed. Too much has gone into the preparation of this mission. The mission cannot fail. The Alan Parson's Project was commission to meet just this eventuality."
"But Commander Willard Sir," said the Major. "The creature. It is a living thing."
"It's not a form of life given any protection by the laws of the Seven Nations. Nor is it doing much living in it's cryogenic tube."
"But."
"The orders are final. There is nothing I can do."
The major sighed. "If that is your decision sir, then…."
But she didn't get to finish her sentence, for it was at that moment than the alarm sounded.
[Pokémon]
"So why exactly did you insist on taking me for a walk," Ashachu asked feeling a little exasperated with his best friend. He didn't really feel like walking with a belly full of Pokéchow.
Hunter didn't reply at once.
"Hunter." Ashachu turned his head to look at his friend, and noticed he was blushing rather heavily.
"Oh well I. I thought it might be…r-romantic…to go for a walk together." Hunter forced himself to swallow. For some reason his mouth had suddenly gone very dry, and there were butterfrees fluttering in his stomach. "Now that you're my boyfriend. And to spend sometime together. Y-you know. Just the two of us."
"Oh." It was Ashachu's turn to blush. His heart seemed to beat slower and faster at the same time. "I guess it is."
Ashachu stood up so as to walk on his hind legs and reached out a paw to take hold of Hunters. He watched in satisfaction as Hunter's cheeks turned a deeper shade of red than his.
"Besides," Hunter thought to himself. "I thought now was a good chance to get you alone since Sniveon was taking a nap." Then under his breath added, "and Nova won't go near the sea. Normally those two don't leave you alone."
He squeezed Ashachu's paw and was delighted when Ashachu squeezed back…
[Pokémon]
Mossdeep Space Centre…
"Sir we have a situation," shouted one of the technicians from their desk. "Intruders have have managed to enter the Assembly building."
An image came onto the main computer screen of the inside of a hangar building with an extremely high ceiling. The wing of a space shuttle was visible. Inside was a scene of absolutely carnage.
Several men and women in white coats were running or attempting to flee from people in red suits and ties gunning them down with machine guns. The sound of gunfire crackled over the intercom.
"Oh my." The major clutched her mouth in horror. At the same time a chorus of gasps and screams went through the rooms.
"What in blazes is going on down there," exclaimed the major. "Where's security."
"Commander Willard Sir," cried out another technician from the far corner of the room. "More intruders. On the launch pad."
Another picture appeared on the screen. This one of the stairwell of the launchpad, where another group of people were running up the stairs towards the shuttle. Like the assailants in the assembly building, they were dressed in dark red suits.
"No. It can't be."
"Oh, but I'm afraid it is commander. This facility is now under our control."
The commander turned around. Standing in the doorway was an orange haired woman wearing a bright red dress. Her face was masked by an enormous red visor she wore over her eyes, and embroidered on the front of her outfit, was a flame in the shape of the Letter F…
[Pokémon]
"What the!" For the second time that day Hunter found himself knocked onto his back in the sand with Ashachu standing on his chest. "Ashachu."
Ashachu flashed a wide grin at him. "Arceus you're so cute when you blush."
"Wh-what are you…"
Ashachu giggled. "Hehehe. Not very often that you're the one lost for words. And I'm the one in control." He winked at the Riolu making him blush harder.
"I-I am in con-control," Hunter protested as Ashachu begun to nuzzle his neck. "Wha…"
"Oh, don't pretend this isn't what you wanted," Ashachu said before giving him a lick across his muzzle. "Now kiss me."
Ashachu pressed his maw to Hunters and kissed him. And his heart skipped a beat as felt the Riolu kiss him back. And then wrap his arms around him and hug him against his body. Before this moment he hadn't realized quite how he really did love his best friend.
Unfortunately, the moment was not to last….
Without warning Hunter had broken off the kiss and sat up, causing Ashachu to fall off him. Ashachu opened his eyes and experienced a lurch of fear in his stomach.
Umm. What happened to the sun?" Asked a bewildered Hunter looking up with a horrified look on his face.
The sky had turned pitch black. The sun, clouds and everything else had vanished in a sea of inky blackness. Ashachu couldn't see anything except the outline of Hunter right next to him.
"Oh crap. What's going on."
And then Ashachu heard something that made his blood run cold. A cold voice from behind.
"Hello boys. Not interrupting anything I hope!"
He turned around to see a dark red eye staring at them.