Chapter 16,

Enigma

Earth 63, 2048, 10:03 AM

Z's POV

"What do you mean attacked?" I asked.

General Castle sighed and pulled a thumb drive out of his pocket, he gave it to Connor and said "there's a video that will shed a little more light than just me describing it"

Connor took the thumb drive and plugged it into his desktop, he then typed a small command into his computer, the glass walls were covered with black shutters along with lights in the ceiling activating. I could hear a small humming noise in the walls.

"My office is secured now, no signals can get in without going through my secure channel and the shutters are soundproof" Connor said as the wall on the opposite side of the room slid open revealing a television.

Connor then pressed the enter key and the TV turned on illuminating the darkened room. A security recording began to play, it looked like a junction with four different hallways.

"Where is this?" I asked.

"Our base in Kanto, this was about two days ago" Castle clarified.

You could hear gunfire in the security recording, eventually a squad of soldiers in white allegiance armor ran past, firing down the hall as they went. Seconds later, a creature that I had never seen before ran into frame, Connor paused the video just as the creature was in the center of the junction.

It looked like a mix of a Scolipede and a Houndoom. The beast were twice the size of a Houndoom with bug like armor plating that glowed with a red light in places. It's red glowing eyes were menacing along with the mandibles on its mouth that surrounded a mouth full of razor sharp teeth. It's entire body was pitch black with the exception of a few glowing lines on its skin.

I was awestruck, the creature's appearance put me on edge even though it was just a video. I had never seen a Pokémon like this but something about it made me feel uncomfortable.

"Do you recognize it?" Castle asked.

"No, I don't, and that is very troubling" Connor said within under second of the general's question.

"But I thought you were the expert on rare and legendary Pokémon?" Castle asked in disbelief.

"Which is why I find it troubling, where is this creature now?" Connor asked

"Dead, it took multiple armor piercing rounds in the skull before it died" Castle admitted.

"Did you at least save the body for examination?" Connor said, clearly fearing the answer.

"Couldn't, once it died it disintegrated, just dissolved into smoke" Castle clarified.

"I see, I'll do some more research and see if there is anything I've missed" Connor offered.

"Very well, keep me in the loop" Castle said before turning and walking towards the door, as he opened it however Connor stopped him.

"General, information is a two way street, I trust you will keep me in the loop involving your activities here?" Connor asked.

Castle gave a firm nod and then shut the door behind him.

"I'll leave you to it then," I said as I began to head to the door.

"Z, how is your project in the vault going?" Connor asked telepathically.

"Good, in fact I'll be running the first test at 10:30 tonight." I responded mentally as well.

"Wait until I arrive, I may have to see an old friend about this creature first but I'll be there." he said before turning his attention back to his computer.

I gave a quick wink before heading out the door myself, I needed some lunch before I got back to work.

Earth 63, 2048, 3:00pm

3rd person POV

"Impressive, the beta performed better than I anticipated," Mr. Rapt said proudly.

"I assume I've delivered what you wanted?" Cyrus questioned.

"Yes, but this is a mere field test in a very controlled area, I'll expect you to keep up with the quota. Charon, have you made progress on the other project I tasked you with?" Rapt asked, changing the focus to Charon just as Veronica Lemat entered the room.

"Somewhat, Im putting the finishing touches on the enhancements and gear but I need test subjects before I can make any more progress." Charon explained.

"Very well, I'll try to find some suitable candidates in the hospital on site, I can probably find a few people that no one would miss." Rapt commented as if it was a trivial issue.

"Mr. Rapt how could you say that!" Veronica demanded.

Mr Rapt looked Veronica straight in the eyes, he was staring her down in utter silence for almost a minute before he spoke calmly saying "Cyrus, Charon, could you give us a moment?"

Cyrus seemed to get the message and motioned for Charon to follow him with a head motion to the door. They were through the door and in the elevator within a minute.

"What is the problem Veronica?" Rapt asked formally.

"You cannot use patients for testing, Whoever you answer in Cipher has gone too far if THAT is necessary," she said, her voice showing sheer disbelief.

Rapt sighed and said, "I hoped that it wouldn't come to this, but obstacles to the goals of Team Shadow Rocket and Giovanni must be removed.

Veronica didn't even have time to scream as Mr. Rapt grabbed her by the neck and crushed her throat almost instantly. He then retrieved a silver remote from his pocket and opened a portal, Veronica's body disappeared into the Ultra Wormhole, the portal closing as soon as she was through.

Mr. Rapt went to his desk and pressed a button hidden underneath it. A compartment in the floor slid open revealing a hologram projector. The lights in the room dimmed as Giovanni's image appeared in the room.

"Yes Calrok?" Giovanni asked.

"Veronica Lemat is dead, she finally turned against us. I now have full control of the Neo Genetics complex, the beta test was successful and I am beginning trials on project Steelix now." Calrok said quickly, making sure to make his report brief.

"Excellent, Ghetsis has taken control of Sinnoh In earth 82, and the other leaders are on schedule, stay the course." Giovanni ordered.

Calrok gave a slight bow and said "As you wish."

Chapter Edited And Proofread By FXCF.