Chapter 7: Cipher's Intrigues (Getting the Pokéballs)

For Ein Noviena, Chief Scientist and fourth Admin to Team Cipher, the day always started at the crack of dawn, no matter how long he had stayed up the night before.

The young, 22-year old scientist straightened his smoke-tinted sunglasses on his face and headed towards the lab area within the Shadow Pokémon Laboratory, blowing his long strand of dark gray hair out of his face at the same time. The several scientists he passed on his way in the halls all greeted him with the utmost respect, but Ein barely acknowledged them. He stormed into the lab and plunked down into the nearest chair with a sigh, lowering his glasses for a moment to stare around the lab. The only other person in it was his scientific assistant, 20-year old Hayden "Tech" Teckar. The young scientist was bent over a microscope, taking careful notes on whatever he was observing underneath the lens. Every so often, he would pause to brush a lock of his dirty-blonde hair back behind his ear, or adjust the pair of glasses on his face. Tech was young, but very smart for his age—why else would he be Ein's most trusted underling (after Sierra, of course)? However, he wasn't a very talkative young man, border-lining somewhere near boring if one were to attempt a conversation with him.

Still, for this reason, Tech was the only person Ein could really put up with in the wee hours of the morning, since he never spoke a word unless spoken to, and even then didn't say much. Besides, unlike the rest of the scientists in the lab, Tech was very meticulous with details, which meant no mistakes during experiments. And in the Shadow Pokémon Lab, there WAS no room for mistakes.

After several moments of staring blankly at nothing to get his bearings, Ein finally stood up, and crossed the lab over to his computer, sitting at it and turning to Tech. "Hey," Ein said, making the scientist look up from his data analysis. "Did Gonzap bring the rest of his Snagged Pokémon, like he promised?"

"Not quite yet," Tech replied.

Ein snorted. "That bastard…" he snapped, in a sarcastic tone of voice (which was normal for Ein). "He acts like everything's on his own time, instead of having a little consideration and actually following the schedule we agreed to. I'm surprised Nascour has held back his blade for so long… Such contempt for Team Cipher should've gotten Gonzap killed a long time ago."

"Master Nascour no doubt needs Master Gonzap for further plans," Tech reminded quietly. "After all, Team Snagem's manpower is valuable to us, not to mention the importance of all these Pokémon we're processing as Shadow Pokémon. Also, if all else fails... Team Snagem would be the ones to take the blame, and Cipher would drift off into the shadows..."

Ein rolled his eyes. "I know all this..." he grumbled. "After all, I am Cipher's 4th Admin..."

Tech blushed very slightly. "Um... of course..." he murmured, his light blue eyes lowering behind his glasses.

The door suddenly opened behind them, and a familiar set of footsteps readily entered and crossed the lab towards them. While Tech looked up to see who it was, Ein barely even twitched. "Good morning, Sierra," he grumbled, finally getting up enough motivation to log on his computer.

"Morning, Ein," Sierra replied brightly, taking her sunglasses off of her face and setting them on her head, before throwing her arms around Ein's neck in a hug. "You look tired."

"Gonzap is pissing me off… the idiot hasn't brought the last of the Pokémon we need to process, and Venus is getting impatient," Ein explained. "She needs those Shadow Pokémon to distribute to her peons."

Sierra frowned. "Who does Gonzap think he is?" she asked angrily. "He acts as if he's above us all! When we're through with that antenna-head, I hope Nascour punches him full of more holes than a colander."

At her comment, Ein couldn't help but chuckle. "Sierra… thank Lugia you're back," he said gratefully. "What would I do without you?"

"Shrivel up and die of brain-rot, I'm thinking," she giggled. "You work too hard."

"We're really almost through," he assured her. "After those last few Shadow Pokémon, I'll just have to eliminate all evidence of our work here… and then we can relax and join Master Nascour at Realgam Tower. You know, they're almost through with all our offices…"

Sierra squealed in delight. "No kidding? Yes! I can't wait to see what our office will look like!" she exclaimed.

"Don't get too excited… I don't want you decorating it," Ein insisted. "You'll decorate it with Mew knows what…"

Sierra gave him a fake pouting expression, before turning on her heel and smiling brightly at Tech. "Good morning, Tech. Whatcha looking at?" She fairly danced on over to him and poked her head over his shoulder, trying to see.

Tech's heart practically leaped into his throat as her cheek brushed his for a slight moment. Though he worked to keep it well hidden, the truth was that he—like countless others in the team, in varying forms—had an attraction for Sierra. He found her pretty, smart, and dedicated to her work; things he liked in a girl. But unlike most of the others who were obsessed with Sierra, Tech wasn't a blind idiot. He knew quite well that being attracted to one's superiors was a bad, bad idea. Besides, he knew it would never work. They were far too different from one another.

But that didn't mean he couldn't dream...

"Um... a hair sample from a Quilava, Miss Sierra," he replied, flashing her a rare smile. "I'll need to extract the DNA from it for further research after this, but you're welcome to take a look yourself."

Sierra beamed, and stepped up to the microscope as Tech moved aside. She put an eye to the lens, and, after adjusting the focus, gave a pleased giggle. "Neat... Heh, I've been out and about so much since we allied ourselves with Team Snagem that I almost forgot what lab work was like..." She stepped back, and beamed at Tech. "Thanks. That's pretty cool." Out of impulse, she reached out and straightened the glasses on Tech's nose, making him flush with embarrassment. "Keep up the good work."

"Um... thank you... Miss Sierra..." he managed to stammer in reply, watching her turn to Ein again.

Ein, in the meantime, had been sitting back in his computer chair, eyeing the two across the room with a wary glance. He wasn't oblivious to the fact Tech liked Sierra—hell, half of Cipher had the hots for her. Why should Tech be any different? But it didn't bother Ein so much. Though he was evilly pessimistic, he had a sort of hunch that Tech wouldn't ever try anything with Sierra. The young scientist was smart enough to know that wasn't a good idea. And even if he did, he'd get beaten to a pulp by at least four different people. First would be Ein, naturally, as the big brother. No one touched his little sister. Second would be Nascour, who not only had a soft spot for Sierra, but also valued honor and dignity greatly. Any guy trying to force his affections or lusts on a female would be severely dealt with. Third would probably be Cail, Sierra's boyfriend from Pyrite Town, and whom Ein had finally accepted with a bit of reluctance. Cail may have been a rogue, but he was good to Sierra. And Ein supposed that was all that mattered... And lastly—if she hadn't killed him at the onset of all this already—would be Sierra herself. Ein knew well she could fend for herself quite nicely.

After going over all this in his head with some amusement, Ein stood up and stretched. "Hey, be a sweet little sister, and get me a cup of coffee or something from upstairs," he said to Sierra.

"Coffee? K!" Sierra acknowledged, readily turning to go—being a Cipher Direct Subordinate kept you on your toes. "Ya want all the sugar and cream and all that?"

"Yes, yes…"

The young teenager saluted and turned to leave, but suddenly swiveled back to stare at her older brother again. "What do you call that?" she asked, indicating his double-collared, silver lab coat with blue stripes on the sleeves and sides. "Did you sleep in your lab coat again?"

Ein's gray eyes narrowed warily at her words. "Your point?" he quipped defensively, not wanting to listen to her lecture him again.

"It's all wrinkled and crap… Sheesh, Ein, you're definitely a scientist…"

Ein frowned, his good humor starting to drain away. "Whatever, Sierra… Just get me my coffee now, and then I'll think up some other fun things for you to do…" he muttered. He glanced up, and, seeing she was still eyeing him skeptically, snapped, "NOW."

"I'm going, I'm going," Sierra said, quickly scooting out of the lab. She knew her brother's sarcastic, pessimistic, and moody temperament well… one moment he was joking and loving towards her; other times, as cold and demanding as an Admin of Team Cipher ought to be. She loved him all the same, though. The two had had only each other to depend on for nearly eight years now, ever since their parents had died.

As Ein sat down at the computer once again, he became aware of Tech's eyes on him, boring through him like a power drill. "What the hell is it?" he snapped, glowering at Tech. "If you've got something to say to me, spit it out."

Tech went slightly pale, but explained. "Well… I was just thinking you ought to be a bit more grateful to… Sierra…" he suggested meekly. "She works every bit as hard as you do…"

Ein gritted his teeth together, and spoke in a bitingly dangerous tone of voice as response. "Dammit… if I wasn't so tired, I swear, I'd jam those words back down your throat," he threatened. "Mew knows I'm eternally grateful to Sierra, she's the only thing holding me together at this point. And she knows that too…"

"Forgive me…"

"It'll slide this time… but I don't ever want you lecturing me on what you think I should and shouldn't do again. Understood?"

"Yes sir…"

Another day in the life of Team Cipher…

Before Wes had even begun to comprehend that he had awakened, Rui was already dragging him out the door of the hotel; coat half on, half off, hair in a complete state of disarray, and two very confused Pokémon tailing behind.

"What the hell, Rui?" Wes asked, trying to release her grip on his arm. "I just woke up!"

"Come on!" pleaded Rui. "We have to get started! That mysterious Pokémon has to be saved!"

"That Pokémon can wait at least ten more minutes so I can get ready!" Wes replied. "Dammit… don't tell me you forgot my stuff in the room!"

Rui shook her head. "That's not very nice," she chided. "It's a bad habit to swear like that."

Wes took a deep breath to calm down. "Ok…" he said, trying to smile on her behalf. "I'm sorry for being a potty-mouth. But I'm not very happy about being dragged out into the street when I've barely even woken up, Rui. And where is all my stuff?"

"Umbri!" Umbreon nudged Wes's leg, to show that both he and Espeon were carrying all of Wes's belongings; his belt and two Pokéballs, the Snag Machine, and his sunglasses.

"Thanks, you two," Wes told his Pokémon, taking the items from them and putting them all on himself.

"See? No problem!" Rui smiled, before taking it upon herself to straighten out some of Wes's mussed hair. "Come on, let's go to the Poké Mart and get some Pokéballs!"

Wes sighed, as Rui began dragging him through the streets of Phenac City again. "Sure… ok…" he grumbled, putting his sunglasses on his head and putting on his trenchcoat all the way. He hadn't the heart to tell poor Rui there probably wouldn't be any Pokéballs to buy when they got there.

Once there, Wes managed to discreetly slip away from Rui for a bathroom break, and also decided to check his inventory of items again, just in case. Finding there was no need to purchase any more items, Wes went out to the main counter—and stopped short to find Rui nearly in tears, having a fall out with the shopkeeper.

"I'm very sorry, miss," he apologized, looking frightened that the adorable girl across from him was about to burst into tears. "But Pokéballs just aren't sold in Orre. There's no practical need, when there are hardly any wild Pokémon to catch anyway…"

"But… but… we need some!" Rui insisted, sniffling. "We have to—"

"Rui, it's ok. If there aren't any Pokéballs, then there aren't any Pokéballs," Wes cut in, giving the shopkeeper an embarrassed smile. "Let's go…"

"Wes… this is horrible," she continued to cry. "I thought if we got some Pokéballs, we could do this… But it's all ruined now…"

Despite how much Wes liked Rui, he was starting to find her blubbering a bit irritating. It seemed anything and everything under the sun could make her cry, whether for happy or sad. "Rui, would you quit crying?" he demanded. "Crying isn't going to help a thing, except ruin that pretty face of yours. Go on to the bathroom and pull yourself together, all right? We'll think of something else."

Rui nodded, and wordlessly ran to the bathroom to wash her face. Relieved, Wes decided to look around the store himself a little, just to pass the time. After scouring the first floor, he went upstairs to check out the second floor, where several people were hanging around, browsing the goods. A man with glasses on, who was playing some sort of card game with a little boy at a table (and who appeared to be losing, considering the scowl on his face), looked up as Wes approached.

"Good morning," he greeted, seeming relieved to have a break from the game.

"Morning," Wes replied. "What's this we're playing?"

The little boy smiled. "This is the Pokémon Trading Card Game!" he explained. "It's the next best thing to having actual Pokémon. We collect cards and create decks full of Pokémon cards, Trainer cards, and energy cards. We each take turns playing Pokémon cards and powering them up, and then attacking each other. Kinda like a card version of Pokémon battles. It's easy to learn, and a lot of fun."

"Easy and fun for you, maybe…" the man grumbled. "So… what was that row I heard downstairs?"

"Oh… well, my friend came here hoping to get some Pokéballs…" Wes said. "She, uh… has gotten it into her head that she wants to try catching a wild Pokémon of her own… She got really upset when she heard they weren't sold, though."

The man shook his head. "That's too bad… Poor girl…"

"What about Dusty?" the boy suddenly spoke up.

Wes's interest was suddenly perked. "Dusty?" he repeated. "What about him?"

"You know Dusty?" asked the man.

"Yes."

"Well, that's good. You seem like a good kid, so… I'll tell you a little secret." The man lowered his voice; so Wes had to lean in close to hear. "Dusty over at Outskirt Stand used to sell Pokéballs back when The Under—you know, that underground city that used to be a mining village—was still mining. Since there were a lot of Pokémon to catch when they were digging into the caves, ya know. Anyways… I'm not sure, but… who knows? Maybe he has some Pokéballs in storage still. You might as well ask him."

"Really?" Wes couldn't believe his luck. "That's great! Thanks a lot. My friend will be really excited to hear that."

The man grinned. "Hey, no problem. In this day and age, we all could benefit from giving each other a hand here and there… See ya later."

"Thanks," Wes repeated, before heading back downstairs to find Rui. Wouldn't she be glad to hear about this! He found her next to some capsule machines on the first floor, looking deep in thought. "Rui?" he said gently, getting her attention.

"Hm? Oh, hi Wes," Rui said. "Sorry for that big cry… I'm such a crybaby… It's just… I was so disappointed when I heard there weren't any Pokéballs."

"There's no need to be ashamed," Wes assured her. "You're just… you seem so innocent whenever you do cry… I mean, it's not a good idea to cry all the time, but… it's cute, in a way…"

"Really?"

Wes nodded. "Hey… you won't believe what I heard upstairs."

"What?"

"Turns out… the guy who runs the Outskirt Stand, to the east of here, might have some Pokéballs to sell."

"Really!" Rui exclaimed. "Are you kidding?"

"No kidding. He used to sell them when the mining business was still around. It's not far; we can drive there no problem."

Rui looked positively overjoyed. "Oh wow! I can't believe this! We're so lucky!" she cried. But suddenly, she looked puzzled. "Drive there? Do you have a car?"

Wes shook his head. "No… but I have a speeder. It works just as well. So… ya up for heading out to Outskirt Stand? We could have breakfast there too, if you like…"

He half-expected Rui to explode into giggles or something, but instead, she merely beamed with happiness, and grabbed Wes's hand. "Sounds great, let's go right now," she insisted, leading him out of the Poké Mart. Wes gave her a half confused, half amused look.

"I'm surprised," he said.

"About what?"

"You didn't giggle or cry or anything."

Rui blushed, and looked down. "I thought about what you said… crying doesn't help anything," she explained. "I decided to get serious. I want to be serious, so I can help that Pokémon. There's no playing around now. I have to be braver and stronger, so I can help you too."

Wes smiled, and squeezed her hand gratefully. "Well, that's really something, Rui," he admitted. "But you've got to promise me something."

"What?"

"Don't get too serious. I still like hearing you giggle every once in a while."

At that, Rui did giggle. "We all can't be too serious," she reassured him.

Twenty minutes later, Wes and Rui pulled up at the Outskirt Stand, with Rui left completely breathless from the exhilarating ride there. As Wes gunned off the engine and hopped off, Rui flopped sideways where she was sitting in the side of the speeder. "Wow… that was… pretty fast…" she gasped, as Wes came around to help her out.

"Are you ok? You're not going to be sick or anything, are you?" he asked.

Rui smiled, and shook her head. "No, I'm ok. But that was fun!" she exclaimed.

"Yep… There's nothing like it, eh?"

"Yo! Wes!" Both Wes and Rui turned as Willie suddenly ran over to them, looking pleased to see his friend again. "Back so soon?"

"Hey, Willie," Wes greeted. "Yeah, I'm back."

"And it's looks like you've brought a friend," added Willie, looking Rui up and down. "Man… who's the hot chick?"

Rui blushed furiously, and Wes introduced her. "This is Rui. She was being kidnapped by those two with the truck here yesterday, but I rescued her in Phenac."

"Those two were kidnappers? Wow… never would've guessed…"

"Rui, this is Willie," continued Wes.

"Hi," said Rui shyly, still embarrassed at Willie calling her a "hot chick."

Willie grinned, and crossed his arms in front of him. "Pleasure to meet you," he told her. "So… what brings you out to the Outskirt Stand again?"

Wes quickly explained about how they needed Pokéballs to catch a mysterious Pokémon, and even threw in a little about how he was once a Snagger. He decided to be up straight with Willie about everything; now that he was cut loose from Team Snagem, he needed all the help he could get.

The young rider looked sorely impressed more than anything. "So, turns out you used to be Team Snagem, too…" he mused. "You're an interesting guy, to say the least, Wes. Sure… I'll bet old Dusty's got some Pokéballs in that storage room of his, though whether he'll be able to find it beneath the masses is another story."

"Great. Thanks, Willie." Wes turned back to Rui momentarily. "Let's go inside and see if Dusty's got some Pokéballs for us."

Rui nodded, and the two entered the diner. They were greeted by the smells of food and the dull murmur of the few people frequenting the old place. Everyone looked up at them as the duo entered, and Dusty smiled from where he stood behind the counter.

"Well… if it isn't… Wes, wasn't it?" he greeted.

"That's right."

"And who's your pretty little lady friend?" Dusty asked.

Rui smiled. "My name's Rui, sir," she told him.

"Rui… what a pretty name. I'm Dusty, little lady, and I'd be happy to help you in any way I can. What can I do for you today?"

Wes winked at Rui, urging her to speak on behalf of them (since it seemed Dusty had taken an immediate liking to her). She quickly took the hint. "Well, sir… we heard you had some Pokéballs once… We're in need of some now, and we were wondering if you would still be willing to sell them to us."

Dusty looked impressed. "You heard about me selling Pokéballs before, eh? Heh… Well, sure, little lady. I think I may have some in storage somewhere… Just for you, I'll go dig them out." He exited out through a door behind the counter into the back somewhere, and Wes and Rui sat down to wait.

"I think Dusty likes you," Wes observed.

"I'm glad he does," Rui replied. "He's nice. He reminds me of some of the people I know back home."

Wes cocked his head at her. "Speaking of which… where is your home? You told me a little about it, but you never said where it was," he said.

"Didn't I? I'm sorry," apologized Rui. "I live in Crysala Town, which is several miles south of Pyrite. It's so pretty… it's almost like Phenac City. Maybe sometime you could come and visit it with me. I think you would like it… Wes?"

Wes had suddenly gone deathly pale in the middle of her sentence. "Did you say Crysala Town?" he whispered.

"Yes… Why? What's the matter?"

He smiled weakly. "Nothing. I… It's nothing," he replied. Damn… it is her! he thought. All the evidence goes together. She looks the same… has the same personality… lives in the same town… and has mysterious powers! She's the same girl I was ordered by Gonzap to kill nearly eight years ago! But why does it seem like she doesn't remember such a thing ever happening to her?

"Here we are!" Dusty suddenly interrupted, reappearing behind the counter with a box in his hands. "They were right where I remember putting them all those years ago…" He took one of the Pokéballs out of it, and blew the dust off it. "Still look good."

"Oh! Pokéballs!" exclaimed Rui. "Thank you… How much do they cost?"

"200 Pokéyen, but for you, little lady… I'll give you five of them for free. As a token of my friendship." Dusty took five of them out of the box and slid them across the counter towards her.

"For free? Really?" Even Wes was surprised by this.

"Thank you!" Rui gasped, taking the Pokéballs in her hands as if they were priceless treasures. "I… I don't know how to thank you enough!"

"Just seeing that pretty smile of yours is enough," Dusty assured, with a laugh. He leaned over to Wes, and added in a whisper, "You've landed a fine catch, Wes… Don't you lose her."

Wes's face turned red. "Um… I won't…" he stammered.

Rui passed the Pokéballs to Wes, who discreetly put them away inside his coat. He figured he would load them into the Snag Machine later. "So… can we have breakfast now, Wes?" she asked.

"Breakfast? You never mentioned breakfast!" Dusty said. "Well, say no more, little lady! I'll be whipping up this fine couple a breakfast they won't forget! What would you like?"

"Do you have… pancakes?" Rui asked.

"Sure do! I'll make you a feast of them! And you, Wes?"

Wes smiled faintly, burying his face into his arms on the counter. He was starting to be embarrassed by all this attention. "Um… same for me," he mumbled.

"I'll get right to work on that!" Dusty assured, leaving for the kitchen in a heartbeat.

As soon as he was gone, Rui nudged Wes. "Don't look so uncomfortable," she told him. "Dusty's just trying to be nice."

"I know that… and I appreciate that… I'm just not used to it…" he explained.

Rui smiled and leaned over to rest her head on his shoulder. "Poor Wes," she teased playfully. "So… after this, what do we do? Should we go to Pyrite? Or back to Phenac?"

"I don't know… you're the decision maker, not me."

The smile faded from Rui's face. "Wes… what's the matter?" she asked. "You sound so out of it… Are you feeling ok?"

"I'm fine… Don't worry about me. I'm just… tired, that's all," he lied. In reality, Wes was still being haunted by the realization of who Rui really was…

Please don't remember me… I don't want to lose you again…

After a relaxing night's sleep at the hotel in Pyrite Town, Alexander woke up extra-late the next morning to the sounds of Johnson blowing his brains out on his whistle, trying to break up a brawl that had broken out in Duel Square.

"No consideration…" Alexander sighed, sitting up and stretching. Lying across his legs, Persian gave a deep yawn, but did nothing to move off of her master. With a sigh, Alexander managed to get out from underneath her, slapping her flank playfully. "You needn't get any more beauty sleep, darling. You're beautiful enough as it is."

"Merow…" Persian replied sleepily, licking her black fur a little before closing her eyes again.

He shook his head with a smile. "Pretty little girl… a pity I can't find a human girl I can be in love with as much as I am with you," he murmured, locating his shirt and pulling it back on over his head. He shook out his long, disheveled hair hanging loose around him and began to comb it, which generally took a while to do. "Maybe I ought to have followed that McPhoenix girl's advice…" he thought out loud, recalling the last time he had attempted to rob the Grand Master of Kanto, Johto, and Hoenn, Samantha McPhoenix. " 'You need to cut your hair… I like long hair on guys, but that's a bit much…' I remember her exact words. It's too bad she hates me… She was pretty cute…" He glanced at the gold necklace around his neck, with a pendant shaped something like a gold C or crescent moon. Hanging on the chain next to it were the only things he had managed to steal from her… two feathers from the Legendary Pokémon Ho-Oh.

Standing up, Alexander carefully combed out the ends of his hair, and picked up a gold clip on the nightstand next to him. After putting all his hair into a long ponytail, he then placed the clip on the end, keeping it all neatly together. When all was said and done, Alexander's ponytail came clean down to his waist, making him shake his head. "Seems you were right," he mused thoughtfully. "Ah well… after I take care of business here in Orre, I'll get to it… eventually."

After completing everything else he needed to get ready, Alexander recalled Persian back into her Pokéball, and then buckled both of his belts back on his waist. Tightening his sword belt securely, and adjusting everything so it was comfortable, he departed from the room. Once out of the hotel, he decided to find some breakfast, and then get down to the business of checking things out in Pyrite Town. He winked at a pair of girls passing by (who both swooned so much they nearly collapsed), and then approached a diner nearby.

"Espeon, my sweet, I need your help now," Alexander whispered, quietly releasing his Psychic-type Pokémon before he entered the diner. "Keep your eyes and ears open…"

Espeon purred, watching her master disappear into the building, and then hopped behind a stack of crates to watch all the passerby. She had been trained to perfection in the ways of a criminal by Alexander ever since she was an Eevee, and she knew exactly what was expected of her.

It was time to get down to business.

Into Ein's fourth cup of coffee of the morning, he was suddenly jolted out of his deep concentration on analyzing a Shadow Sneasel by a call on the vid-screen nearby. He looked up, and straightened his glasses. "Who's that?" he wondered.

Sierra, who was elbow-deep in a mountain of paperwork concerning the Realgam Tower construction, instantly jumped up, desperate for a break. "Should I see?"

"Of course… It might be Nascour."

The two siblings quickly stood, straightened out their clothing a bit, and then marched up to the vid-screen together, side-by-side. Sierra pressed a button on a panel nearby, and the screen turned on, with Nascour's image on it.

"Greetings, Master Ein, Miss Sierra," Nascour said, an amused smile upon his face.

"Greetings, Master Nascour," the two replied in unison.

"I have some favors to ask each of you… I hope you don't mind."

Sierra smiled, although inside, she knew this would have something to do with her. As the Special Objectives Tactician for Team Cipher, Sierra had a whole lot of responsibility within the group. Her jobs included anything from deciding the team's activities and managing money allowance, to recruiting members and ordering enough toilet paper for the bathrooms in each facility.

"First… to you, Ein," Nascour began. "This is actually more to just inform you… but Master Gonzap has told me that a girl with the ability to see Shadow Pokémon's auras has been discovered."

"Are you sure?" asked Ein, shocked. "So… that idiot's stories about her were true… this is the same girl that Fera asked him to kill for her those years ago?"

"I don't know, but I would assume so. I would urge caution, and further research to combat her abilities, if it isn't too much to ask."

Ein bowed. "Of course. Um… after I finish processing the last of the Shadow Pokémon, which may take a while… Gonzap hasn't filled in his quota like he was supposed to…"

Nascour's already-cold eyes narrowed hatefully at Ein's words. "So… Gonzap still believes he has the authority to do as he pleases within the team? The fool," he spat. "That bastard never was a part of the team, and never commanded any respect, at least not with me."

"We like him every much as you do," Sierra assured him sarcastically. "Please tell me you'll rid us of him when all is said and done."

"But of course, my dear," Nascour smiled, sounding amused. "Slowly and painfully, if that is to your liking."

The younger Noviena sibling nodded, winking brightly. "Sounds perfect."

Nascour gave a pleased chuckle, and then nodded at Ein once more. "I'll be sure to… remind him to get the Pokémon to you. Now… for you, my dear Sierra…"

"Yes, sir?" Sierra quickly stood to attention.

"I have… two things of great importance for you to do. Can I trust you to accomplish both?"

"You can trust me with anything, Master Nascour."

"Good… the first thing… I wish you to accompany me this afternoon to a private meeting between Master Evice and me. As you know, Master Evice and I are none too fond of one another… Your presence there will help the both of us immensely… especially if you appear as nothing but an innocent child to him…"

Sierra smiled, knowing exactly what Nascour meant. Not only would having a third person in the room reduce the chance of the two tearing each other apart during the meeting, but Sierra's young age and appearance might very well fool Evice into thinking she was not a threat. Therefore, if Evice did try to pull something, Sierra would have an advantage in protecting Nascour from harm. Not that he was incapable of protecting himself, of course… "I would be happy to accompany you," she told him. "What time?"

"2:00 on the spot, dear. Don't be late. And as for the other thing… I have need of another direct subordinate…"

Sierra and Ein both sweatdropped. "What the hell did you do to Carmen?" Ein asked.

Nascour simply smiled, which, to Tech sitting silently at a lab table nearby, secretly listening in to the whole conversation, seemed strange. Why would Master Nascour ignore Master Ein's crude language towards him? he wondered. I've heard he kills subordinates for less insolence than that… Though Tech knew that Ein and Sierra had been the very first people considered by Nascour for Team Cipher's ranks, and that they were the closest thing Nascour had to best friends... it still was perplexing, the things they could say to his face and get away with.

"Master Ein… this time, it wasn't my fault," Nascour assured.

"Liar…" snorted Sierra. "How'd you impale this one? Through the head?"

Nascour frowned. "No… but I've never tried that before… hm…"

"Oh, Jirachi… I just gave him another gruesome idea…" Sierra sighed. "Why the hell can't I keep my mouth shut?"

"All right, what happened to Carmen?" asked Ein.

"Well… it seems Carmen was getting a fat head about me…"

At this, Sierra laughed out loud. "Oh wait… I know what you mean. She was always snapping at me. 'Nascour doesn't want a little runt like you waiting on him. I'm his direct subordinate.' Or, 'Back off, Sierra. You think you'd ever have a chance with him?' " she mocked. "What a bitch. She acted like you were her guy or something."

Nascour nodded. "You've got it, Miss Sierra. Frankly, I couldn't have conjured up feelings for her if I tried. She was merely my direct subordinate. But… yesterday, my dear Koyasha came to pay me a visit…"

"Oh, no," Sierra muttered, shaking her head. "Carmen never met Koyasha."

"Yes, and she obviously had no idea who she was, either, because later that night, Carmen got into a terrible cat fight with Koyasha…"

"Over you," stated Ein.

"Quite. And, well… Koyasha was unwilling to put up with Carmen's tongue for too long… She killed her."

Sierra gasped. "Killed her? You mean, with…"

"Her katana, yes. Left quite a horrid mess all over my office… I'm more annoyed about that then anything…"

Ein and Sierra exchanged disgusted looks. "If Koyasha's anything like you, Master Nascour… we don't really want to know the condition of poor Carmen," said Ein.

"Ah… well, Master Ein, Koyasha's actually much worse than me… Poor Travis had to clean up that mess… Looked quite sick afterwards, so I gave him the day off today," Nascour mused.

"Oh, poor Travis," Sierra said, looking horrified for the young peon. "Well, I daresay he deserved it…"

"So what I'm trying to say, Miss Sierra," concluded Nascour, "is that I require a replacement."

Sierra shook her head. "What is this? The fourth direct subordinate since Team Cipher formed?" she asked. "Well… if anything, Carmen lasted a lot longer than the other ones did."

"The lady ones tend to… They're much more agreeable to work with than the men, I believe."

Heaving a sigh, Sierra ran her fingers through her hair nervously. "I'll see what I can do…" she said.

"Thank you most kindly, my sweet," Nascour told her gratefully. "I shall see you later today, then. To you, Master Ein… good day."

"Good day, sir," Ein replied, as the vid-screen turned off.

The two siblings stared at the blank screen for a few moments, before Sierra gave a wail of despair and collapsed against her older brother. "Nooo! That jerk! How dare he kill off yet another one of his direct subordinates?" she shrieked.

"This one wasn't his fault," reminded Ein, with a smirk.

"Shut up! That's not the point! Do you realize how hard it is to find a replacement for direct subordinate under Nascour? Few people are competent enough to last even a minute underneath him! And now… it's got to be a girl this time! That narrows the possibilities even more!"

"Boo hoo… stop sobbing, get over it."

"Ein! This is going to be a nightmare! It took FOREVER to find Carmen, and Nascour was pretty hacked off at me about how long I took…" she whimpered. "What should I do?"

"Go pester Gonzap and see if some of his members are stupid enough to take up the job," Ein suggested, going back to his computer.

"But Nascour can't have stupid subordinates! He hates stupid people almost as much as you do!"

Ein laughed. "Forgot that… well, good luck, Sierra, I'm out of ideas," he said, before being slapped in the back of the head.

"I loathe Gonzap…" she growled. "I don't want to have to talk to him. But I guess I'll have to…"

"By the way… shouldn't you get ready for the meeting with Nascour and Evice?"

"Yes, yes… I'll be there in plenty of time…" Sierra grumbled, turning to leave.

"Don't forget your guns…" called Ein.

"Zenith Aria and Canas Aius? Right here, as usual," she reassured her brother, patting the two holsters on either hip. The holsters each held a silver, ivory-handled pistol, both presents from Ein and Nascour on her 16th birthday the year before. "If Evice tries anything, I'll shoot him full of more holes than Swiss cheese."

"Go get 'em, Sierra," Ein smirked, as his sister finally left. "Now… back to this…"

Taking a deep breath, Tech slowly stood, and quietly shuffled out the door of the lab behind Sierra, heading down a different hall from the one Sierra was leaving by. Ignoring the beating of his frightened heart, he continued on regardless, knowing what he had to do.

Valuable information like this needed to be disclosed… to the master.

Notes: Hayden "Tech" Teckar and Samantha McPhoenix are my own original characters. Please do not use them without permission, or derive ideas from them for use in your own characters. Sam has been previously introduced in my other fanfics.