Chapter 28

Recovery

Earth 97, 2049, 8:00 PM

3rd person POV

"Well done Ethan" Colress praised as he was handed the rainbow feather.

"Thank you sir, if I may ask why are these DNA samples so important?" Ethan asked, he had gathered 2 other samples like this and was tired of being left in the dark.

Colress sighed and said "it's classified Ethan, all you need to know is that Giovanni has requested these for a reason" he handed the rainbow feather to one of his aids as the massive portal ring in the lab opened. Out of it came semi-trucks with pile after pile of metal plating. After all the trucks had arrived Ethan estimated at least 900 tons of steel. It was clear that Colress was ramping up fabrication on project Daedalus.

Things were on track…..

Earth 63, 2049, 9:30PM

Cassie's POV

As I woke up, I immediately realized i was Raikou, I was in a large cell that seemed to be made out of steel. It felt weird waking up on all fours, after all I didn't sleep as a Raikou and sleeping in general was more of a commodity to me and Charlie. As I shook off the effects of the tranquilizer, I felt electricity surging through my body at an incredible speed. It was the most powerful charge I'd ever maintained, I was surprised at first but after a moment I realized how it made sense. I had purposely discharged a bunch of power in the wilderness outside Ecruteak and left my battery in my duffel bag. I had been generating electricity unrestricted all day and just an hour of sleep would have tripled that power. My current body was designed to be on the move for months with little to no rest and shooting thunderbolts all the time. Inactivity had completely overcharged me.

"Your awake, are you able to understand us?" The familiar voice of General Castle asked.

I nodded but didn't respond, I didn't know if I could trust him, I hadn't exactly been on good terms with him, the whole team wasn't.

"You were fighting the ultra beast, but your species is rarely seen, are there more of you somewhere?" Castle asked.

I remained still and silent, glaring at the one way mirror on the far wall.

"I know your kind is capable of telepathy, answer me" Castle demanded.

I shook my head and looked around, pacing and looking for a way out.

Castle laughed and said "don't bother, this is our most secure facility, we're underground and have teleportation shields. You are going nowhere unless I let you"

Before I could think of my next move all the lights went off, my sealed cage was now pitch black. However thanks a Raikou's incredible night vision I saw everything. I heard screaming through the walls for backup power, before I could get a grasp of the situation a portal opened in the center of the cell. Out of it came 4 men in black armor. I instantly recognized them as Connor's black operations team he had maintained after the fall of the MRPA.

One of the men pressed a button on his gauntlet and then spoke in a deep voice saying "I'm Sandman, Connor sent us for you"

"Thanks, let's get out of here" I responded.

"Hold up Sandy, she's got a collar on her" the man behind him said

"I've got it" Sandman said before reaching forward and grabbing the collar. He held out his arm and fin like blade grew out of his arm. With a single slash he cleaved the titanium collar in half.

"Thanks" I said as shook my head, finally getting over the tranqilizer's effects.

Sandman was about to respond when he pressed his finger went to his ear, I could hear someone speaking to him.

"Backup power in 10 seconds, MOVE" he yelled as he and his partner dove into the portal they had arrived in, I followed him and got through just as the light in the cell reactivated and the portal closed.

As I got my bearing I noticed we were in a forest, the breeze was calm and the moon was full as the autumn leaves fell around us. I was twitching uncontrollably and shot a lightning bolt straight up to relive my hyperactiveness, causing my rescuers to jump.

I then noticed another 2 soldiers in black standing behind my two rescuers.

"Thank you… what are your names" I asked timidly.

"Our code names are all we use anymore, I'm Sandman" the tallest one said as his fin blade retracted into his arm.

"Truck" Sandman's partner said.

"I'm Grinch, I was cutting the power" the one in the back said proudly

The final was was the shortest of the group, he had his head turned away and a sniper rifle on his back.

"That's Frost, he doesn't talk much" Sandman explained

Frost gave a wave but still remained silent.

"Is he mute?' I asked, somewhat confused.

Frost shook his head as Truck said "nah, he just doesn't talk unless he needs to, more of an actions kinda guy"

"Oh, ok" i said, deciding not to press any further.

The four of them looked at me in silence, it was clear that even behind their masks they were staring at me waiting for something.

"You gonna change back?" Truck asked, finally breaking the silence.

I went wide eyed as frost threw my duffle bag down in front of me, they must have retrieved it for me.

"In the middle of that fight, i changed without treated clothes" I mareepishly admitted.

"Oh, sorry" Sandman apologized as he looked to his team and turned around, walking away behind some trees to give me some privacy. His squadmates followed suit.

I gave one last look around before shifting back to normal, the cold night air was chilling to my exposed skin. I quickly got dressed and put my battery back on my belt. I set it to full power, I started to relax as it began to siphon off the power i had built up.

"Im good" I yelled, causing Sandman and his team to emerge from the trees.

"Come on, lets get ya back to Olivine" Sandman said as he pressed another button on his gauntlet causing one of Z's portals to open, it led directly into my room back home.

They disappeared into thin air as their suits became transparent, nearly causing me to jump back. I had never considered how they got around so stealthily. Now i had the answer. I picked up my duffle bag and took a deep breath I entered my room, the portal closing as soon as I stepped through. Connor had saved my skin again, but I doubted there was much he could do for the grilling my mother was about to give me…..

Earth 63, 2049, 8:09 AM

3rd Person POV

Connor was sitting in his office, going over some school papers as he was sharing a coffee with Z. the two were happy about having some casual time together. For the first time in months they were relaxing.

"I still don't know how you do it?" Z asked plainly

"Do what?" Connor replied, still pecking at his computer.

"Sit here doing paperwork, drinking Coffee, and having normal days when Giovanni is scheming about destruction and you Son and Mate have abandoned you" Z stated bluntly.

Connor sighed and closed his laptop, he paused for a moment, considering his answer carefully. He got up and turned around, staring out the window, and pondering for another moment before finally speaking.

"Constantly dreading what i cannot fix right now is a horrible way to live, in my 112 years of life i've learned that some things cannot be fixed very fast, or sometimes at all. All we can do is go on and be ready if the time to fight comes" Connor said in a calm voice, it was clear this wasn't the first time he had said this.

"I envy you, you have a lot figured out" Z confessed as he threw his cup in the trash can.

Connor gave a chuckle and said "I don't have that much figured out, I just adapt as I go along and try to do what I think is right"

The phone on Connor's desk rang, he picked it up and immediately frowned.

"No general, I do not know what your referring to" Connor said calmly.

"I don't have anyone working for me that you don't know about" Connor insisted.

Z gave a look of concern as Connor began to raise his voice slightly.

"You have nor the warrant nor the right to conduct a search of my home or campus and you know it, GOOD DAY" Connor yelled before slamming the phone to its base.

"Is he coming?" Z asked.

Connor took a deep breath and said "no, an empty threat and nothing more"

"You need anything" Z offered.

"I have a business trip to Kalos on Wednesday and then I need a personal day, hold down the fort for me?" Connor requested

Z gave a small smile and replied "give you a day off, of course"

Connor gave his friend a small smile before leaving the room and heading to lunch….