Chapter 21 – Gathering Intel
"I hate heels… I hate heels…" the young woman grumbled as she walked along the sidewalk beside her partner. The man laughed as they walked. He was dressed up as well, wearing a black suit with red shirt. It was open at the top and matched his curly red hair. His shoes were also dark, but had a small red suede portion which held the laces. His date for the night was more known to the city than almost anyone else. What they weren't used to seeing was her dressed up like this on nights where there was no gala being held.
The resident gym leader was wearing small red silver heels to match a dress which stopped just short of her ankles with an open side up her right leg. She also carried a small bag which she carried her team. Maylene couldn't leave her gym without them. Of course her partner had his with him as well. What they were doing here wasn't exactly the safest operation. Which was exactly why Flint had volunteered.
"You look great in them though!" he told Maylene.
"Shut up Flint" she grumbled back as they came up to the club.
The two were investigating the rumours about Team Galactic. Veilstone had a few establishments which would be excellent grounds for recruiting. What Flint was worried about was being recognized and outed. He and Maylene weren't exactly working undercover, but neither would they be actively recruited. They were more interested in seeing if the headquarters here in Veilstone was bringing people in and for what reasons. Cynthia seemed convinced that they were doing it here. That there was something going on.
The two walked into the nightclub, Maylene certainly turning more than a couple heads. Her body was definitely showing off impressive curves. Her constant training created a form which most men in this city lusted after. Flint on the other hand, was different. He was dressed up but casual. His gait on the other hand was somewhat loping. Hands half in his pockets, people were looking at him for another reason entirely. His status with the Elite Four.
"Do you really think they're doing something here? I mean, Galactic Corporation does a lot of good things for this city…" Maylene asked.
"There's a lot of things they do for this entire region. But the people who we've been investigating are using the same name. That can't be a coincidence."
"Alright but I mean, Veilstone?"
"There's one of there major building's here and there's been an increase in traffic here right?" Flint countered.
"So the police have said. But why didn't you guys just reach out to them instead?"
"There's no case against them. And the international police are getting involved as we speak. They've probably got agents here as well looking to be recruited undercover so that we can try and get some more information about what exactly we're dealing with here."
"Okay that's fine, but why am I wearing heels?" Maylene asked frustrated as they found seats.
"Needed to see if you could squirm" Flint said with a wink and a smile. He waved down a waiter so that they could order drinks. Then both trainers began surveying their surroundings with an eye that caught things most other people missed. That was one of the many benefits of being a trainer. Because of how fast battles could move and change on a whim, trainers naturally grew to catch things at the same speed.
"Can we get you anything?" the young lady asked as she came up to the table. She seemed not to notice who the two were at first as she was looking down.
"I'll have a beer please" Flint said. She looked up as he spoke and opened her mouth in astonishment.
"Please, don't say anything" Maylene said before the waitress could say a word. The girls mouth closed and she nodded. No one really ever went against Maylene. She was one of the coolest women in town and could take down anyone. That some random boy had managed to defeat her the week past was the most shocking thing to happen in Veilstone in months. Maylene ordered her drink and continued to survey the surroundings.
"You know I've always dug this town. That casino and entertainment district just brings so many wicked people" Flint said as he too looked around the club. Both trainers were silent as they awaited their drinks. When they did arrive, both made it appear as though they were talking intently, however, both were far more focused on their surroundings. People passed by without a backwards glance. The music went on and conversation assaulted the ears. Finally, after what felt like hours, Flint saw exactly what he was looking for.
"Over there…" he said quietly. Maylene saw it as he nodded to a corner. In the booth, men and women both were entering and speaking with someone, then promptly leaving the club. Flint grinned as he grabbed his beer and headed over. Weaving his way through the crowd, he made it to the booth which contained a man wearing a white collared shirt and grey slacks. He had a laptop up in front of him and a glass half full of beer.
"Can I help you?" The man said as Flint sat down.
"Friend told me I should be coming on down here and get myself a job" Flint drawled.
"You've got some smart friends then. Do you know what the job involves?" the man asked leaning forward.
"Just told me it was some'n big. Changin' the world an' that."
"He's not wrong. Our leader is looking to create a world that is free from corruption and has a unified front. However, we need men and women such as yourself to help us achieve this dream." The man spoke with a somewhat robotic tone, telling Flint that he didn't really believe, but he must have been getting paid to sit here and tell people this.
"So what'd ya need then to join up?" Flint asked.
"We have a major meeting coming up later this week. Meet there and we'll break you all up into the groups to accomplish whatever tasks are required. Just enter your contact information here and we'll let you know when everything is taking place."
Flint was sitting down at Maylene's gym in the small break area. The young gym leader was back downstairs with her Pokemon training once more. Flint liked her for that. She had a strong, nigh unbreakable spirit. It was part of what made her such a powerful opponent for trainers who visited this gym. And her fighting types were equally as impressive. He walked away from the window and sat down putting his feet up and pulled out his phone.
"This couldn't have waited until morning?" the woman said.
"Awe come on Cynthia, I knew you'd be up" Flint replied. She sighed.
"Fine. What's the news?"
"Well we've got our in. Just have to wait for the next meeting."
"They didn't give you the date?" Cynthia asked, clearly tired.
"Nah, they weren't that dumb. It'd also make things far too easy." Flint was staring at the ceiling thinking. Something still wasn't adding up.
"Are you still there Flint?" Cynthia asked.
"Yeah sorry was just thinking. What could they possibly need so many men for?"
"And that is the million-dollar question" Cynthia ended.
It had been a few months, and Lucas was feeling amazing on is travels. He had met so many more Pokemon and everything about what he had experienced was beyond what he ever thought he would back in Sandgem town. He knew that the other two trainers who had begun their travels at the same time were also out there hwoever. They on the other hand were following a completely different path. Both Jill and Barry were out there challenging gyms and striving to become some of the strongest trianers in the region.
Lucas still remembered the first battle he had alongside Jill a few months back. She handled her Pokemon with a skill that he had never seen before, especially from a rookie trainer. And from what he had heard over the last few months she was getting even better. It was quite surprising really how much people talked.
Here he was now in Veilstone however. An entertainment city, but also home to one of the rather larger Galactic Corporation office. It was here that Lucas found himself. Well maybe not at the headquarters themselves but rather a warehouse a couple blocks away. He was following his maps tracking down another urban Pokemon. His Pokedex was slowly filling, something both he and Professor Rowan were quite thrilled about. His findings about Pokemon movements should really help with his future research endeavors.
"Hey!" Lucas whirled around at the noise. "What do you think you're doing here?" the man, who was blocking the opening to the small alley Lucas found himself in, accosted the young trainer.
"I'm not here to cause any trouble sir…" Lucas trailed off as the man came closer and the young trainer was able to get a look at what his accuser was wearing. It was the same outfit that people had been associating with team Galactic members.
"You're on private property here kid" the man said. He was getting menacingly closer and closer, his hand around something small. Lucas figured it was whatever Pokemon the grunt here was given.
"I'm sorry I'll leave now."
"Whoa now! Not so fast!" The man looked back and smiled as another team Galactic member appeared. Lucas backed off a couple steps and quickly rearranged his shirt to hide the Pokeballs he carried. "That's some pretty nifty tech you're carrying there. I think perhaps you should hand it over here."
"This was given to me as a gift. Please I have money…" The man was within arms reach finally and gave Lucas a hard shove sending the smaller trainer sprawling across the ground. As he hit, he lost grip on his Pokedex, the small encyclopedia bouncing just out of quick reach. The second grunt was much luckier and grabbed hold of the tech.
"Think it's ours now!" The second man said triumphantly. "Should fetch us a pretty penny!" Lucas was about to get up when the boot of the first man crashed into the young mans side causing Lucas to curl up into the fetal position. It was all he could do to protect himself as more hits rained down upon him before he blacked out.
Jillian's Pokemon:
Caladan (Grotle) - level 25, ability: Overgrow, nature: Bashful
Chase (Luxio) - level 24, ability: Intimidate, nature: Impish
Epona (Ponyta) - level 25, ability: Run Away, nature: Naughty
Urim (Togepi) - level 22, ability: Serene Grace, nature: Brave
Sphryna (Gabite) - level 24 ability: Sand Veil, nature: Naive
Icarium (Kirlia) - level 23, ability: Trace, nature: Lonely
I apologize for being so late at updating. I've had a busy time lately with both my old job and now my new one. This new job has me away from home for the next three months so I'll do my best to keep adding content! As usual please do leave your advice and comments about what you think and hope you're enjoying things so far!