Insight – Sabrina plans
Four women, five if we find Lorelei Kanna on Ice Island, fated to contend with Team Rocket's plans to capture three all important Pokémon. The last attempt to enslave the Legendary Birds proved disastrous as global climate went awry. Somehow Giovanni, Team Rocket's leader, has come up with a plan to circumvent this calamity unless he is far less calculating and intelligent than he seems.
We docked on Shamouti Island late at night in a heavy gale, and disembarked the Corsola with difficulty in the driving rain. A very pleasant young man helped Millie get our gear and our persons onto the dock. It was a shock to find he was a Team Rocket agent because I detected no trace of the ugly greed, amorality and violent anger that I expect in such people. This Mondo was completely ingenuous and sincerely wished to help us.
Our reactions to him varied. Millie was grateful for the help and clapped him on the back companionably. I was more reserved, but enjoyed his company, he is very eager to please. Jessie was flustered and spent her time mumbling, 'thanks' and nervously adjusting the ludicrous sunglasses she hoped would disguise her identity. Janine was the most keenly affected by him, I could sense the warmth of her gratitude and regard for Mondo. I could also detect mutual admiration on his part. She recoiled when she caught a glimpse of the tell-tale insignia on hi jacket, but her longing was still evident.
As the youth departed whistling a jaunty tune I slipped to Janine's shoulder. "In spite of his affiliation he's not the slightest bit evil. I don't blame you for being attracted to him."
She wheeled, "You can tell that? What's he doing with them then?"
Jessie had joined us, "Because he thinks they're going to right the World's wrongs through subversion. Mondo believes TR is a scientific, environmental, and Pokémon rights organization. He's sure that the Team captures and experiments with Pokémon to better them and that our thieves are 'liberating' Pokémon from the trainers that enslaved them."
"You know him?" Janine demanded.
"Yep, the kid used to help James, Meowth and I from time to time. I swear he once had a crush on me. Mondo is a boy scout and a true believer. I'm not surprised you took a shine to him, he's a nice and handsome boy," Jessie said conspiratorially.
"How do you all know?" Janine was embarrassed.
"A combination of body language and the emotion in the air," I said matter-of-factly.
"Let's get out of this rain," suggested Millie, "It won't do any good getting sick from the weather."
We made our way to a shed where fishing nets were hung out of the rain. I turned and looked at my companion's faces – Jessie looking defiant through her shades, Janine seemed a bit lost, my new friend Millie looked expectantly and confidently into my eyes. I felt sick with the responsibility that faced me, but I couldn't be weak. My thoughts raced, I found a fragile sense of calm and began to speak.
"We have to do some things to find Kanna and thwart Team Rocket. First we must discover what Team Rocket has done thus far, and their whereabouts, second we must learn as much as we can about Kanna and the Titan Islands, third we need to find a way to reach the islands, and fourth we have to develop a rudimentary strategy to effect Team Rocket's defeat."
"Any ideas about how we do this?" Jessie wondered.
Somehow looking at Jessie's ridiculous disguise relaxed me. I broke into a giggle, "Not yet, but you could lose the shades Jess. As soon as Team Rocket knows I am here they will know the Amazon redhead with me is you."
Jessie blushed, "Okay I guess I wasn't fooling anybody."
"Except Mondo," I smirked.
"Don't feel so bad, the new look suits you, the new earrings are pretty," Janine soothed causing Jessie to do a double-take to make sure who said this.
Millie spoke, "I know how we can get to Ice Island – we brought the transportation with us."
"The Corsola is too big to not arouse suspicion," I cautioned.
"You forgot the two zodiacs I have along for exploring rocky islands and for use as life boats," Millie responded.
"I could try to find out stuff about Team Rocket by talking to Mondo since he's taken a shine to me," offered Janine.
"Are you sure this isn't an excuse to get close to him?" snorted Jessie.
"What if it is?" Janine bridled.
"Be careful Janine, for your safety and that of your heart. You could get Mondo in trouble too," I advised, "I suppose he is our only solid lead for now, but be on your guard."
"You think I'm an infatuated fool don't you?" Janine sniffed.
"You're not a fool. You are young, you are passionate, you find him attractive, and you are inexperienced with love. If you share a fate with this lad so be it, I shan't interfere, but take care. I must warn you for your sake and my dear Koga's."
"Aren't you taking this too seriously?" Jessie asked, "All she did was blush and smile at the guy."
Janine was flushed again, "I'll be okay," she muttered.
Jessie turned to me, "I can manage a little research on Team Rocket too."
"Be careful," I said looking into her eyes.
"Naturally."
I then returned to Millie. I had immediately noticed that this wiry, tiny, elf-like woman with the pale brown eyes and fine light brown hair was psychic. Her skills are not fully developed but she has the gift of prophecy and can detect other's thoughts and feelings. These are fine skills for a fisherman with a need to seek invisible prey and to keep a weather eye out on the water.
"I suppose it's our duty to dig up information about the Titans and the whereabouts of Kanna," I said to her.
"Fine with me," she said, "Let's find a place to bunk for the night. I know a little boarding house down the street where folks like Team Rocket would be turned away and our likes will be welcomed."