- VII -
Nanu can't shake the weight of uneasiness that's settled in his gut.
He's let the phone ring out three times in the last half hour and has even tried contacting government numbers in Aedis - all yielding the same result. There's been no response, not even an answering machine for him to leave a message. It's hard to believe that there'd be no one on duty attending the phone lines - not for this long, or in so many places. To say it's unusual is an understatement.
He hangs the phone up once more; it's been going for nearly a minute, he's certain now that no one is picking up. He scratches the back of his head, confused and frustrated.
Alpha chirrups at him inquisitively from her place on the floor beside him. She's been watching this whole time and expresses an interest in his perplexed state.
"Something's fishy, girl," he remarks as he reaches down to rub behind her ears. He catches the way Alpha's eyes flash and quickly adds, "and not in a good way."
She flicks her tail and pushes against his hand, purring deeply as she continues to observe.
Nanu turns his chair to face the computer. He hasn't tried emailing yet. It'll be slower than a phone call, but it's better than nothing. It takes a minute for the computer to boot up. He's pretty sure he's had the thing since he came to Alola. Might be worth upgrading - even if he does only use it for work and the odd game of solitaire.
Nanu hears Big Boss's distinct warning crow and he flicks his eyes up over the monitor to see what's ruffled the Pokémon's feathers. The corvid has puffed himself up and is warding a couple of the Meowth away from Fearow with his wings. One of the Meowth tries to playfully swat at him, even though he's far larger than them. He caws agitatedly and when they don't take his warning he flaps his wings and kicks his feet. The felines' bravado wears off and they scatter.
That was weird.
Nanu looks back to the screen and brings up the email app. Glancing back down to his cheatsheet he finds a few addresses that he could try to shoot off an inquiry to. He keeps his correspondence concise, getting straight to the point before hitting the send button. Almost immediately the email bounces back.
Nanu frowns. Something's definitely up.
Well, if there's a good place to start in figuring out what's going on in the island region, it's the internet. If he can't reach anyone in Aedis - by phone or email - it can't be an isolated problem. This kind of interference is bound to have generated some press attention, he rationalises. He opens a web browser and it's not long before he finds Aedis's recent news.
There are articles mentioning a once in a lifetime cosmic event, a few on booming tourist numbers and where to find the best places to stay - all benign to his investigation. Instead his eyes are drawn to the headline of a post made three days ago:
Desert Construction Project Causes Comms Blackout
This could be the ticket, Nanu thinks.
He scans over it, brows furrowing deeper all the while. From what he can gather, a government construction site is to blame for a region-wide telecommunications blackout. There are quotes from a statement issued by the Aedisian government regarding the incident as an unforeseen side-effect of the project. No one is reported to have been injured, but disruptions are anticipated to continue for at least another week while they assess and repair the networks.
That explains one thing, but what kind of construction work could do that kind of damage?
Nanu's rapidly falling down a Buneary hole as he clicks into several linked posts on the Aedisian news page.
He finds the name of it quickly - Project Star-Catcher. Completely government funded, it's an infrastructure project designed to assist celestial Pokémon in making a safe landing on the island. From the looks of the blueprints and mockups shared on the article, it's a giant ovaloid platform surrounded by eight towering pylons. When he sees the scale of the structure, Nanu can't help but blink a couple of times. Doing the numbers in his head, Project Star-Catcher is slightly bigger than the entire area of Po Town. And that was just one of the sites. The Aedisian government has planned for two of these platforms - one for each celestial Pokémon.
Nanu draws a blank at what they could possibly mean by celestial Pokémon. There are only so many that exist at the world's peripheral, and none of them - to his knowledge - meet the criteria of needing a platform of this size. Before he can click through to find an answer to his question, however, something catches his eye.
Down in the recommended section - a symbol.
An S-shaped insignia.
Nanu's hand darts for the drawer; the movement is so fast it startles Alpha. He pulls out the microchip he'd stored away, twisting it over in his fingers until he can see the mark engraved into it. It's the same.
There's an uncomfortable mix of satisfaction and apprehension that washes over him at this discovery, but none of it shows on the old cop's face. Determined for some clarity, he clicks through on the recommended article.
At a glance, it's nothing more than a fluff piece highlighting the region's most successful businesses, but it gives Nanu a lead.
"Somina Co." he murmurs aloud as he reads. The name doesn't ring any bells, but from what the journalist has to say, they're a big deal in Aedis.
Nanu shifts into a more comfortable position in his desk chair, leaning forward to rest on one elbow as he scrolls down the paragraphs. A Meowth jumps onto the desk but he pays it no mind, even as it rubs its face against his shoulder.
There's a little blurb about Somina Co.'s history, which saves Nanu from having to do another search for the time being. The company was founded fifteen years ago by a woman named Adelin Sivion. The photo beside the paragraph depicts a woman in a black blazer with cropped blonde hair and an angled fringe that crosses down over her right eye. She's smiling while shaking hands with an older man - salt-pepper haired and soft featured - that the caption describes as the current Aedisian president, Malleon Nett.
Nanu reads on.
Ms Sivion had developed a revolutionary form of treatment using technology derived from the famous Unovan Dream World device, initially invented by Doctor Fennel. This new device, when used together with Pokémon, is able to assist the recovery of people suffering from psychological trauma and other mental health conditions. And not only that, it also has recreational applications - providing a lucid dream experience to those who wish to seek it.
Nanu leans back into his chair, raising a hand to his chin thoughtfully. It makes sense that a region ravaged by conflict and corruption would benefit from such a device - whether it be to actually treat a condition or offer an escape. Either way, it's impressive technology. The Unovan model was much more primitive when it launched, from what he can recall, and was more oriented towards use on Pokémon rather than humans. Figures then, that the funding eventually dried up for Doctor Fennel, as her invention didn't have any wider application beyond niche research and entertainment for users. Somina Co. really made use of its untapped potential. So then…
What part did the microchip play? Nanu blinks as he looks at the tiny device in his hand, eyes struggling to focus on its details without the aid of his reading glasses. Did it have some function for Somina Co's therapy? If so, was Siane receiving treatment for something? Was it at all connected to Fearow's decision to bring her here?
All these questions are hanging like disconnected puzzle pieces; the more pieces that come together, the more he realises the picture is much bigger than he anticipated.
The weariness is starting to overwhelm him and while he promised himself a nap, his instincts tell him he's on the cusp of something big here.
Time for a coffee.
Or not.
The phone has started ringing.
The caller ID registers on the phone's little display and unfortunately Nanu recognises it as a local number. A Melemele island number, to be specific. He sighs, feeling somewhat disgruntled to be interrupted, but he supposes he's been overdue for a check in from the other kahunas.
The investigation will have to wait.
To Nanu's displeasure he's lost the remaining hours of the day.
Hala's call had just been the start of it. What initially opened as a damage report and inquiry into whether additional resources needed to be sent between islands, turned into an inescapable lecture on Nanu's absence during the last three monthly kahuna meetings. He seldom attends them. It's generally rare that anything of significance happens in Alola to warrant the collaboration of the kahunas, barring festivities and holiday events. Even then, he prefers to avoid those too. Why bother meeting up each month when there's little more to say than all's well?
Hala wouldn't have a word of it. Eventually Nanu had managed to disengage and hang up on the man; a move he knew would earn him another lecture later down the track. However, no sooner had he returned the receiver to its dock, it rang again. Surprisingly, it wasn't Hala, but it was work-related and even more unavoidable.
By the time he's addressed everything and returned to facing the computer, it's dark outside. Much of the station is unlit; he couldn't get away long enough to put the lights on. There's just the glow of the desk lamp and computer monitor - a conflicted beacon of cold and warm in the dimness of the building.
Nanu takes a deep breath, pressing his fingers to his forehead in an attempt to abate the headache that's formed. Looking up, the words on the screen start to blend together, becoming indiscernible. He sees no hope in getting through any more reading today. All of the bodily needs he's been ignoring come at him at once; he's torn between showering, eating or just going straight to bed. The latter is like a deadly siren's call. It'd be so easy to give in; every part of his body is screaming for him to. He would've happily resigned himself to the urge, but...
There's so much that needs to be done.
Arceus, he still needs to feed the Pokémon too.
He groans, pressing the heels of his palms against his eyes before drawing his fingers up through his grey hair. Out of the corner of his eye, he sees Mini trot over to the desk carrying something red in his mouth. Nanu turns and finds that Mini has brought over his old fluffy slippers. He has to admit his feet do feel a bit chilly.
His Absol gently places the footwear beside Nanu, nudging them with his nose and growling softly in his throat. Alpha purrs at Mini and the two chatter briefly, then look to Nanu expectantly.
"Alright, I get it," he huffs. "Knock off time."
Nanu bookmarks the articles in the browser before turning the computer off. While he tidies up the desk - ensuring all of Siane's belongings are back inside her bag - Mini heads back to the house door. After a few seconds the lounge room light pops on and Nanu is clear to turn off the lamp. He swaps into his slippers and as he passes Fearow he notices that she's awake and preening her feathers diligently.
Nanu is surprised by his own fascination. He's never really stopped to observe Fearows in the wild, so it hasn't crossed his mind how exactly they navigate typical avian behaviours with such a hefty beak. The Fearows in Alola are much smaller, but even their beaks are long enough to spoil your day if you bothered them. Compared to Siane's Fearow, though? Might as well be comparing a toothpick to a spear.
It doesn't seem to impede her, despite what he expects. She works the sharp tip between her feathers with speed and precision, working her way up through her wing and into the thick fluffy coat that covers her back. Upon closer inspection, it looks less like down feathers and more like fur. Peculiar.
His brows pinch together out of reflex. As he stares at the scattered constellation of spots on her fur, he remembers that Aedisian Fearows are prized for their dorsal pelts. Not only are they soft and warm, but they're waterproof too - ideal for making clothing to resist extreme weather. They also didn't look half bad as a fashion item - at least, that's what people had told him in the past. He never thought much about wearing Pokémon as a fashion statement.
Details of that case he had worked on in Aedis are starting to come a little clearer to him now - like a fog has started to lift. He was there to track down a smaller branch of Team Rocket; a motley crew of Pokémon poachers and traffickers. Nasty, bloodthirsty fuckers. They had been active in multiple regions at the time - Hoenn, Unova, Kalos. Aedis was their final stop by the time he and Looker were through with them.
Nanu is jarred by a sudden memory. The odious - almost painful - groan of a shipping container's doors opening; the pungent stench of uncleaned hides and carcasses flooding out like an invisible wave - mixing with and quickly surpassing the fresh oceanic air. Hundreds of Fearow pelts, beaks, claws...
Fearow croaks quietly, breaking him from his thoughts. She's stopped preening, having sensed Nanu's prolonged gaze. He wonders briefly just how many of her kind are left after he had closed that case a decade ago.
"Shutting up shop for the night," Nanu explains. "You need anything?"
Fearow exhales sharply, but a quick shake of her head indicates she's fine. She then makes a low warbling sound. He didn't catch her body language, but luckily Big Boss is still close by, perched on one of the filing cabinets. He caws and fluffs his feathers, 'she's worried'.
"You'll see Siane soon," Nanu replies. "For now, rest. You came a long way."
Sure enough, despite her agitated demeanour, there is still fatigue in her eyes. She doesn't argue. Instead, she resumes her preening, but with less energy.
Nanu gives Big Boss a gentle stroke along the top of his beak.
"You have any trouble, you know where to find me."
The next hour glides by and Nanu's barely conscious of it; body moving about the tasks as though left on auto-pilot.
He chucks a microwave dinner on to cook and gives the Pokémon their evening meals. He'll keep the Meowth horde within the home space for the night so that Fearow can sleep in peace. The Meowth don't seem to mind though. Everyone eats quietly as the rain picks up outside. Apparently he's hungrier than he thought - he finishes his meal before he realises it. He cleans up the mess and heads for the bathroom.
He makes sure to fold up Siane's outfit before he showers. Fortunately it had dried after hanging up overnight. The hot water does wonders to ease the tension in his muscles, but it's only half of the whole medicine he really needs. He hasn't got the willpower to do much more than stand there and let the water run over him, but he's content with that. He can shave tomorrow. At least now he's not carrying the smell of the whole day on him.
Alpha has already found her place at the end of the bed by the time Nanu has finished the nightly routine. As he unhooks the Darkinium-Z necklace, he sees the full laundry basket at the corner of the room and huffs. He keeps forgetting.
Arceus, it'll be a miracle if he wakes up tomorrow.
It's quiet.
Too quiet; like standing in a vacuum.
But there isn't a void around her - it's dim, nighttime perhaps - but there are warm, rough stucco walls around her and dark hardwood floors beneath. Siane brushes her toes over the jute rug - its weaves arranged in a chevron pattern and autumn coloured.
She recognises this rug. And the couch she's sitting on.
It's hers. She's sitting in her home.
It's like a switch has flipped - suddenly she can hear the rain pouring outside; smell the familiar scents of the plants potted around the room; feel the comforting presence of all the birds nesting here…
Strange. She can feel them, but she can't see them. Her living room is empty.
The old clock on the wall chimes as its hands strike eleven. The temperature drops, like an imperceptible draught has blown through the whole house.
What she thinks is the rustling of trees in the wind outside, is actually a knocking at the front door.
A knocking at the front door.
Siane finds herself standing at the edge of the step into the foyer. It's even darker here - she can't even see through the small panelled window at the top of the front door.
Who could it be at this hour?
"Si?" A low, muffled voice speaks from the other side. Who..? "Si, y'there?"
She shivers violently - it's like her body has been submerged in ice water. Her instincts are blaring their warning sirens as the hairs on her neck stand on end. Everything fades out until all that exists is her and the door.
The voice calls but grows more distant.
"C'mon, open up, it's—"
Siane jolts awake. She's trying to sit up before she's even fully aware of it, but her muscles are like putty. Her head falls back to the pillow and she groans. She manages to roll onto her side, barely able to lift her head up again to look around.
Oh right, she's in hospital. Siane doesn't know why that's a relief, but it is. The dream about being back at home was too uncanny.
But it wasn't just a dream, was it? That all happened - didn't it? Well, except for the part where her Pokémon weren't there. Was her subconscious trying to reconstruct her patchy memory of that night in its own way?
She sighs, defeated. No matter how much she tries, she can't bring new details to the surface.
A little more awake now, Siane takes in the comfortable dimness of the room. The blinds have been drawn down over the windows, but the warmth of the city's lights peek in through the cracks. The medical apparatuses behind her bed emit their own cool ambient glow, and coupled with the shaft of fluorescent light coming from the corridor, it's not long before her eyes adjust.
When did she fall asleep?
This keeps happening to her — how much time is she losing to these episodes? Surely this can't go on for much longer, can it?
Her chest tightens. What if this never goes away? She'll never be able to fly her birds if she can't control when she falls asleep.
That's a fate worse than death, she thinks.
Flying is her whole life. From the day she could walk, her head has been in the clouds; enraptured by the Flying-Type Pokémon that master the skies with their grace and finesse. She trained hard so that she could one day share that world with them; she didn't even wait to be licensed before she took her first leap.
Her heart lifts at the memory of the inertia, the rush. She'd been thirteen at the time - a scruffy haired, wiry limbed youth full of reckless, indomitable energy. And on that fateful summer afternoon, when she'd thrown herself off the cliffs of Aedis's great crater, she'd never felt more alive. How the wind rushed through her hair; her body suspended in breathless freefall. Evren, the Fearow she'd watched grow from a fuzzy, bumbling hatchling, soared beneath her with practiced ease - caught her on her broad back, and lifted them up, up, until all there was was the sky. Bright, all-consuming.
She remembers looking down at the island below - at the mighty Pyxis Range; a rugged mountainous ring circling the lush, emerald crater at Aedis's heart. In that moment there was no room in her mind for anything else. This was what she wanted - this freedom, untethered from the troubles on the ground. What came next was finding which cliff, tree or building would make the best launchpad. It stressed her mother grey, no doubt.
In hindsight, Siane realises it was probably all a manifestation of her grief. Her father had died just the year before that illegal flight of hers. Deep down, she knows that even had he lived, she would've taken to the sky; he had always supported her love for bird Pokémon. But perhaps she would've exercised more patience, more caution.
All fruitless what if's and could-have-beens.
Siane breathes and rolls onto her back again. Her thoughts are running unfettered, made worse by the fact she's been more or less bedridden for the last day or two. She tries to regain some control over them - remind herself that there'll be answers for her soon. Working herself up over it in the meantime is a waste of energy. And she hasn't got much of that to spend as it is.
As much as those memories provoke longing in her heart - for her home and her birds - it's soothing to retrace the sensations of flights past.
And as Siane closes her eyes, beginning to drift off again, picturing the yawning great blue over her homeland, she can't help but wonder how Alola must look from the sky.
Oh how she would love to see it.