Jessie the Spy

When I was little I used to devour action adventure shows. I always wanted to be like the tough but good-hearted heroines who could handle themselves in a fight. I actually cried when those characters died or lost someone dear to them in the story. When I finally ran off on my own I had this romantic vision of being a martial artist or sorceress on the run with her heroic sidekicks.  The reality was that I was a third-rate sneak thief with bumbling partners in crime. The on really big heroic act of my life took place in these very islands and I got almost no credit for helping save the whole damned world. Life is so unfair.

So here I am risking my skin trying to dig up information about my old comrades. Maybe this time I'll get some credit, then again perhaps I'll be satisfied with a little payback for my lost years as an oppressed failed crook. As I pondered these thoughts I couldn't resist asking Sabrina why we were going to spend so much time gathering data on Team Rocket when we had the world's most powerful psychic on our side. "Why aren't we considering a frontal assault on Team Rocket as soon as we find a weak spot in their defenses? Surely you could use a little mind over matter or mass hypnosis to lay the grunts low."

Sabrina frowned and gave me a piercing glare that made me catch my breath, "Surely you must know that my experience with the Ketchem boy showed me the cruelty and brutality of abusing my powers on non-psys. My powers are a dreadful responsibility and I won't use them recklessly or maliciously ever again. If I can avoid hurting a single person I will consider it a victory."

"Aw Sabrina, you're putting us at a needless disadvantage," I protested.

"Rest assured my temperamental friend, if I need to protect Kanna or ourselves I will reluctantly resort to my powers, but I shan't use them for offense," Sabrina said with finality.

That was that, so I turned to my fellow spy on Team Rocket the irritable Janine. I sighed, "So Janine, I'll help you find Mondo. It's risky, I don't know how he'll react to me. Either I'm a traitor or maybe I'm still his beautiful stylish superior that lost her way. We can only hope it's the latter otherwise he might blow the whistle on us."

"I'm a little nervous about talking to him," she said softly.

"Natural enough, do be cautious in how you ask your questions. He's a pretty credulous guy, but even he's got some skepticism," I was trying to advise a relative innocent to pump another naif for information.

"How're you gonna dig up stuff if you're a traitor?" she asked. I was amazed to see something like concern for my safety in her eyes.

"I'll slip around and see what mecha are in place and try to assess the number of people the gang has on the island and where they are. Your job is to find out why TR is here and something about their plans."

"So how do we find Mondo?"

"With his gofer job we're bound to see his ancient jeep running down the main drag on some errand. He's so sweet he'll stop for us to cross the street. I'll feign the hopeless ditz in distress and ask for directions or something," I replied.

In less than an hour my prophecy came true as the lad's jeep came rumbling down the street. As soon as he noticed us tentatively hanging off the curb he stopped and cheerfully waved for us to cross the road. I took a deep breath, "Hi, um, could you tell us where the Temple of the Titans is?"

He looked up with a bright smile and said, "Oh, it's you Janine and…", he looked amazed, "Ms. Musashi? What are you doing here? They told me you had betrayed the Team."

"Well…I…got invited to work for Sabrina Natsume. She's with…oh, I couldn't give that away…" I stammered.

Mondo took on a knowing expression, "Ah, say no more Ms. Musashi you are working undercover with a clandestine agent?"

"Oh. How did you…I guess I can't get much past you," I said with a slow smile.

"My superior is as lovely as ever," Mondo enthused with a blush, "Ah, but you are matched by your charming companion," he quickly added. I suppressed a little waft of annoyance, "Mondo?" I said in my sweetest voice, "Could you conduct Janine to the Temple? I've got some shopping to do, and I know she'll be safe in your capable hands."

He did a double take, made a quick mental calculation and said, "I guess I could spare an hour or two for such a pretty companion without getting into trouble. I will help you."

"Okay Janine, I'll meet you in two hours. That's all the time you have, got it?" I said looking significantly into the girl's dark eyes.

"Um, sure," Janine said all aflutter, she jumped into the jeep and it took off with a throaty roar.

I spent the next couple of hours talking to merchants, exploring the waterfront, talking to cops (not my favourite pastime), and sneaking around the outskirts of town getting some word about Team Rocket. I only got yelled at once and was just a grunt who didn't know me from Adam's off ox.

Team Rocket had about 200 grunts on the island with maybe 6 elite commanders in charge. They had brought 3 large crates by helicopter seeting a maximum on the number of mecha. I also found that the Team had built a temporary heliport and made at least four trips already to all of the Titan Islands. I was waiting in the street at 2:00 PM when I caught sight of the Team Rocket jeep coming down the street. I heaved a sigh of relief, it seemed Janine and I had safely completed our missions.