Chapter 28: Enter Terrance

"Hey, Tina? Couldja tell me something?" June asked.

"What's that, June?"

"Why is it that, every time we're on foot and outside, it's raining?"

Just as Tina was about to answer, Youngdramon cut in, "Maybe it's because that's the kind of mood you're always in? You know: a big black cloud hovering over your head, and---"

"Very funny, Youngdramon," June spat. "It's just that…huh?" June heard distant crying noises. "You hear something, Tibemon?"

"Yeah, I hear it," she answered. "I'm not 100% sure where it's coming from, though."

"Maybe, if we move a little ways, we'll get a better idea," Tina thought aloud. They walked a few meters, and they found the source of the crying: it was a young man with long, red hair. He had a torn-up, drenched black sweatshirt and he had an electrical burn on his face. Tina gasped the minute she saw him. "Are you okay?" She asked. "Youngdramon, I hope that duct tape is sterile. We might need it for a bandage."

"No germ can penetrate the glue in this stuff!" Youngdramon answered.

"Good to know."

The red-haired person turned around and wiped the tears from his face. "I'm sorry; this electrical burn is killing me," he said.

"An e-gull got you?" Tina asked.

"Yeah…that's exactly what happened. I'm sure glad it didn't kill me, and that I had my pokémon with me."

"You're a pokémon trainer?" Tina asked.

"Yeah, I'm a pokémon trainer."

"There are about five pokémon trainers at our home base. We can get you bandaged up…and I would think we could get that sweatshirt mended, too, or else we could get you a new one."

"But…I couldn't impose---I have nothing to offer you people for your kindness---"

Ushering him under the shelter of June's umbrella, Tina insisted, "We aren't asking for anything in return. This is a humanitarian organization…the only one that exists, come to think of it. But, anyway, you look like you could use a hot shower, and a bowl of soup."

"I can get a shower at your base?" he sniffled.

"Yeah. June, here, found out that the water still runs at the building above us."

"Thanks for reminding me," June muttered.

******

"Sub-major, there is a private message for you from the emperor himself."

"I will read it in my office." The sub-major came out of his office a few minutes later with a look of determination and focus on his face---a look mixed with more than a little spite.

"What are your orders, sir?"

"I have no new orders for you. The contents of that message are unimportant at the moment, but they are top-secret. We may need to…alter our plans later on. But, for now, continue the plans for mining."

"Understood, sir."

"And have the scientists step up production on our human operative's gear. We will need his assistance, from what I can tell."

"Understood."

******

Gary's jaw dropped open when he saw the thief walk into the refugee center. "Not him!" Gary moaned.

"Why not?" Tina asked. "He's just like you were: alone, confused, and in a strange world with man-eating robots prowling the streets!"

"But he's a thief! A larcenist! He tried to steal my Eevee!"

"Haven't you ever heard of forgive and forget?" Tina shot back.

"Listen, I'm sorry for trying to steal your pokémon," the thief sighed. "I…all I wanted to do was sell it so that I'd be able to buy something to eat for me and my little sister."

"Your little sister, huh?" Gary asked. "Where is this little sister of yours, now?"

"I…don't…know!" he moaned with a sob.

Gary didn't know whether this guy was faking it or not. But he remembered how insolent he'd been when he was stealing Eevee, and that made Gary nervous. This thief reminded him of himself…that was not a promising thought. "Ack, forget it!" Gary shouted.

"Come on," Tina said. "Let's get you a new sweatshirt before you freeze do death." Unfortunately, the only sweatshirt his size was pink and covered in flower designs.

"I think I'll wait until there's a better option," the thief said, taking off his sweatshirt.

Tina noticed he didn't have anything on underneath his sweatshirt. Her jaw dropped open in pity. Then, she got an idea. "Let's see if my raincoat will fit you," she offered, unbuttoning it.

"You don't have to---"

"I can keep warm without it; you can't. And the only way you could tell it was a girl's raincoat is the fact that it buttons to the left."

"Well…I don't know what to say, I…"

"Then don't say anything," Tina said with a giggle. "I'll be back for it when there's something for you to wear. Oh, and there are a few breakfast bars in the pockets," Tina added. "Could you keep them for me? If I put them in my overalls pocket, they'd melt."

"…Sure…"

"Go ahead and help yourself to one of you're starving. I'll see ya later. Oh, by the way…what was your name?"

"Oh, uh, Terrance."

"Terrance…see ya later." Tina walked away from the refugee center.

Terrance wasn't his real name. But he hoped he'd be able to remember it in the near future. And he hoped that an opportunity would present itself later on.