POV: Cynthia / LOCATION: Veilstone City

Today's the day. To say that I'm ready is a major understatement.

Yesterday at the League, we finalized our plans for the raid. Charon, despite his creepy demeanor, actually provided damning insight into the machinations of Galactic HQ. Looker wanted us to split into teams, Lucian wanted me to stay home, and I wanted to be the one to personally apprehend Cyrus.

In the end, Looker sided with me, and since he had supposedly more authority over Lucian, I got my wish. Since my presence at Galactic HQ would draw the least attention, Charon gave me a few helpful items. I shuddered to accept anything from him, but he was persistent, claiming in his crocodile smile that I was the star of the plan.

My tasks were simple: distraction and espionage.

Currently, I stand within the windy square of Veilstone City, the Galactic fortress looming in the northern distance. My heart pounds in nervous anticipation. I glance over my shoulder, where armored tanks and helicopters wait beyond the bund. The entire city is on standby, holding its breath for the moment of reckoning.

"I don't like this," says Lucian. While everyone else ran off to their stations, he insisted on coming with me. His concern warms my heart.

"I thought you wanted to take Cyrus down," I say.

"I do. But what doesn't sit well with me is Charon's involvement. To appear out of the blue like that, as if he knew you were going to come… Is that not rather too convenient?"

"Good point. But he's the best lead we have."

"I know. I am also well aware that you don't trust him in the slightest."

Even though he's taller than me, I offer a warm pat on his shoulder. "Don't worry a thing, Lucian. After this, I'm treating everyone to sake."

With those reassuring last words, I march into the Veilstone Galactic HQ for what will hopefully be my final time.

Everything is… normal, surprisingly enough. To my left, a couple of Grunts are screwing around. To my right, some Grunts are freaking out over candid photos of their boss.

It's still a couple of hours until dusk. I have plenty of time.

"All the Grunts show below average intelligence," Charon had said during our meeting. "Cyrus purposefully surrounds himself with complacent fools who fail to comprehend the true scope of his plan. You'll have no trouble using them, Cynthia."

I nonchalantly tuck my hair over my shoulder while simultaneously adjusting my earpiece. Looker's voice fizzles over the line.

"You there, Cynthia? Wow, I'm so nervous that I drank fifteen pouches of juice in one sitting! Did you know that this is my first ever raid?"

After consulting the floor's directory, I saunter to an area with a smoke detector. With this firecracker in my pocket, I'll simply have to set this down and wait for some brainless Grunt to light it for me. The explosion will force Cyrus to investigate the incident. That's the only chance I can sneak into his office.

"Whatcha got there?"

I almost bash my head into the wall while spinning around. R-8's quizzical gaze slides down to my smuggled contraband.

"No fireworks on Galactic property," she hums.

"I-I wasn't going to set it off in here!"

"That may be so, but I'll have to confiscate any unregistered pyrotechnics."

"Ow… My stomach hurts. I'll be back in a minute, Cynthia."

"Fine," I grumble, surrendering my firecracker to R-8. It would certainly raise suspicion if I insisted on keeping it.

This sucks. Why couldn't I have run into B-2 instead? I didn't plan for a Grunt of all people to meddle with the first stage of the plan.

"Cyrus is busy right now," says R-8. "Why don't you take a stroll outside, Cynthia? The sunset is lovely this season."

"I-I'll do that. Thanks."

After R-8 leaves, I scramble for my earpiece. Instead of calling Looker, I dial Lucian and explain my conundrum.

"Never fear," he says. "I'll have Mr. Mime phase your item through the wall."

And in the blink of an eye, another firecracker pops into reality. Leave it to Lucian and his magic tricks. I drop a lighter, hide, and wait.

Not five seconds later, a group of Grunts converge into the obvious trap. They dare each other to set if off. One of them accidentally drops the lit lighter on to the fuse.

The resulting booms are music to my ears. It doesn't take long for the fire alarms to wail, simultaneously activating the sprinklers. Bodies flail against each other, mass panic spreading like wildfire amongst the ranks.

"I see Cyrus leaving his office!" Looker says. "He looks really mad!"

"What the hell is going on?!" Jupiter screeches. Saturn and Mars are also with her, both gawking at the sheer chaos that has unfolded.

Finally, our target comes storming down the emergency stairs. "We went over fire protocol last week!" Cyrus roars, his booming voice slicing through the din of noise. "Follow Jupiter! I fully expect a somewhat plausible explanation once we're done!"

I hide my snickering as I slip past the pandemonium and up the emergency staircase. The fire alarms continue crying when I reach the tenth floor.

Oh boy. His office is a complete mess, courtesy of the sprinklers. I would savor this scene if not for the ticking clock, so I speed to his desk, flinging open the cabinets until I find the thing Charon mentioned.

There it is. An off-the-counter medicine bottle.

"Use this," Charon had said with a low chuckle. I pull out an identical white bottle from my pocket. "These contain sedating antihistamine, commonly known as sleeping pills. This formula is powerful enough to keep him sedated for eight hours with just two tablets."

Eight hours are more than enough to land the finishing blow on Galactic.

"I've switched the pills," I say to Looker.

"Great! Now get out of here!"

I am about to do just that when a memory strikes my brain. The day of our beach escapade. After Jupiter had left, I've witnessed Cyrus cramming a handful of suspicious white pills into his mouth.

A few tablets are enough to knock a grown man out for eight hours. What if he took more than that? No, it's not a matter of if but when…

"Cynthia! Why haven't you escaped yet?!"

"Looker, I don't think this is a good idea—"

"Hurry up! Cyrus is coming back to HQ! I think he's doing a head count!"

Oh shit on a stick. I can't use the door, or else I'll bump into Cyrus. The only option is…

I switch callers. "Lucian! I'm going to jump from Cyrus's office!"

"W-What?! Wait—"

Without waiting for his response, I leap out of the tenth-story window. The whizzing air stings my eyeballs and scrapes my cheeks against my gums.

Luckily, I land on something soft and burgundy. Lucian is flat on his back, glasses knocked to the bushes.

"Thanks," I gasp.

"Don't mention it," he wheezes.