I looked around the ranger station meeting room for a moment, checking the notices on the walls. Most of them were of no interest to me.

"So," Bradford started, "We should talk about our last meeting. While the failure to get the Scyther to agree is unfortunate, we can always try again."

"There are innumerable Pokemon that are easy to ask for help," I replied. "Why a Scyther? Something like a Pidgeot or Tranquil would work very well. They are fairly docile and easy to train"

"Yes, Azelf," Bradford said. "I agree with your statement. But, frankly, we haven't seen too many of them around here. Still, we could go for a good pre-evolution of these Pokemon if possible. Not the base stages, however. These might be too frail for the task."

" I want to ask if you had any issues conducting ground scouting."

"I've been through this with you before, Azelf."

"Alright. I've been thinking a Linoone or a Furret would be good fits for a ground scouting role."

"Private Williams!" Bradford shouted. "Pull up Bulbapedia on your phone. Check the Pokemon that Azelf suggested."

The medic hurried to obey.

As Williams checked, Bradford continued, "I am not sure if either of the Pokemon you mentioned are around Keswick. However, it can't hurt to try. The residents of a town named Windermere reported seeing a few Pokemon that matched the Pokemon you suggested, and describes them having a wide range."

He took a breath, before continuing, "So, the plan is this: we catalog the most likely spots that house Furret or Linoone - or their pre-evolutions - and then send a few scout teams to accompany Azelf. Once that is done, I will personally persuade them to help us in any way I can. I will also keep an ear out for reports that concern any bird-like Pokemon in the national park, and do my best to decide exactly what Pokemon we want."

I nodded at his statement.

"Oh!" Bradford said. "I should tell you that the patrol boat is finally here. Come on. We'll meet the captain."

I levitated on the armed patrol craft's rear deck, in front of a stocky woman dressed in a white uniform.

"So this is the Being of Willpower," she began. "Pleased to meet you, Azelf. I am Adrinna Castator, the captain of the Custos patrol craft. My men and I are under orders from the British Royal Navy to watch over you."

"I understand. How if I need assistance, how can I contact you?"

"You can teleport onto the aft deck. That deck is free of weapons. The front deck houses a 20-millimetre cannon. I shall notify all my men here that any time they see you showing up, they are to send you to speak with me or another superior if you have any questions." She paused before saying, "The ground rules on this ship are - firstly, you cannot enter most of the ship unless you are cleared and have good reason to be there. For example, the communications room is off-limits and anyone inside will have to remove you from the location if you ever enter."

"Secondly, you are not allowed in the living quarters of any of the sailors on this ship; unless they specifically invite you there as a resident. This is to maintain as much privacy as possible."

I listened intently as she spoke.

"Third - you, and everyone else on this ship, for that matter, is barred from entering any room on this ship if it presents a safety issue. For example, except for the trained and qualified engineers, nobody is allowed in the engine room. Do I make myself clear, Azelf?"

"Crystal," I replied.

"Good. You can ask a few questions, if you like."

"Where am I allowed to be on this ship?"

"This ship has a few common areas. If you want, I can show you the way to the break room from here. It contains some entertainment facilities. You are also allowed to be accompanied through some of the corridors of this ship if you have an escort with you."

As Castator led me through the ship, I asked, "Do you have medical facilities on board?"

"Of course! The clinic is quite small, and I believe you asked that out of curiosity; but unfortunately, we lack the medical knowledge and tools to treat Pokemon. It should be near the break room - ah, here we are."

"I understand."

"Our scientists are working overtime to find out any scraps of information they can. We don't know the specifics of treating Pokemon yet, but there are veterinarians in the town. They'd be glad to

"There are Pokemon with healing abilities," I began. "Was that possibility ever considered?"

"Of course," Castator replied, "But, Bradford has said to wait a while. it might take some time before anything with that sort of power is found." She noticed the unhappy look on my face. "Look, why don't we get to the break room? That's what I wanted to show you."

The break room turned out to have multiple tables pushed together, where a few sailors chatted excitedly. One of them was reading books from a shelf on the far wall. Another group were huddled around a group of computers, roaring and laughing, clearly enjoying themselves.

"It's a place for you to relax, really," Castator replied. "Everyone! We've got a guest!" All eyes turned to look at me.

My eyes briefly flashed gold as I checked everyone's minds. '"Hello, everyone! My name is Azelf. Pleased to meet all of you!"

"What- that's some Charles Xavier shit right there!" The sailor near the bookshelf looked up from the book he was reading.

"Shut it, Ensign Neil ,and show them some respect. They are a Legendary Pokemon after all," Castator replied.

Neil's face visibly blanched.

"I am not going to hurt you," I replied.

"I'm sorry. Didn't think when I saw you."

"There's your problem, Ensign. You didn't think. Azelf here is psychic, and I think even someone like her would have issues finding a coherent thought in your mind," Castator replied. She turned to me. "Feel free to look around the break room. If you want to leave, ask one of the sailors here to show you back to the flight deck."

"Thank you, Captain."

The cramped, noisy corridors of the patrol boat, with pipes and wires everywhere and reeking of grease, gave the impression of a metallic beast. Every so often a thump would come from hidden machinery, making me recoil.

It felt good to be back on the deck. At least I could finally think.

"Can you tell the Captain I'll be teleporting into town? It'll be easier than her sending for a boat."

.The sailor nodded.

Back in the town, I appeared in a flash of light near the ranger station's back wall.I moved around to the front and entered.

"Azelf! There you are, and just in time too," Bradford replied. "How was the meeting?"

"it went well. The ship was really cramped and stuffy inside. How does anyone live like that?"

"You get used to it. Secondly, Azelf, in a few days we'll be leaving on another mission. The scouts just found a Tranquill colony that lies in the forest. along on of the auxiliary trails. I just finished briefing everyone. You all are dismissed."

"Understood, Sergeant."

Most of the squad filed out save for Williams and Browns. Until now, I noticed they were not wearing their weapons and armor.

"Azelf, you want to come over? There's not much to do here but talk."

The two soldiers had sat down at a nearby table, Water had been poured into small plastic cups.

"So, as to why we're here." Browns took a sip. "Randall's been talking about getting air support. Unfortunately fliers keep buzzing the helicopters and planes, so 'til that's taken care of the Apaches won't be coming any time soon."

"Apaches?"

"Here, I'll show you." He handed me his phone, which displayed a picture of a helicopter. "Basically, it's an armed helicopter used in warfare."

I heard the tapping of fingers on the screen.

"I'll show you some information about it - here, it's got some info about its weapons. 20mm shells are effective against just about anything that isn't a monster made of rock or steel." He looked out at the lake, where the Custos was docked. "Dunno how well that dinky boat would do against a gyrados with only a 20mm cannon though."

Williams coughed to draw our attention. "That thing is about 90 meters long. It's far from small. Azelf here is about two feet tall if we don't count her tails."

"You try shooting a bigger Legendary with a 20mm."

"Just so we're clear. I know what you two are thinking."

"Of course. Damned psychics. I keep forgetting that." Browns was laughing, which pretty much gave away he was joking.

Williams tapped his fingers on the table. "How much do you know about the town's population?"

"Not too much. I only check minds if I really need to. Like now, while I'm speaking."

"Have fun finding our weird sides. Soldiers have odd senses of humor."

Both humans stopped talking, before turning to me. "What about you? I'm interested to see what your world was like, and if our... fictional interpretation was correct in any way."

I frowned. "Sorry, but I don't really know how to start a conversation about myself. Secondly, I'd rather not want to think about what happened to my siblings now."

Browns smiled. "That's OK. Maybe some other time when you're ready. Speaking of which, being stuck in here is getting on my nerves. C'mon, Williams. Let's go for a stroll." The two soldiers left the room.

"I'll be at the lake if anyone needs me. Goodbye."