Chapter 40: The Shipping Company
Rain as she was asked by Frost had woken up early and run a perimeter check of the hotel,it was nearing 8 AM and she was finally making her way towards Frost's room.
[It's been a while since the both of us have gone on a mission together, I am actually excited about this.] she thought as she drew closer to his room's door.
Knocking on the wood 4 times just like she always did back in the day Rain waited for a response only to realize that none came.
"That's weird he is usually awake at this time." she told herself as she took her Pokegear out and called the person in question.
Almost instantly she heard a ring but to her surprise it was not coming from inside the room but from behind her turning around almost instantly she saw Frost in wrinkled clothes and messy hair walking towards her.
Keeping her device back she asked
"Did you sleep on the roof again Frost?"
"No" came as a swift reply.
"Then what happened?"
Frost sighed as he continued to open his room's door and walk inside
"Just let me take a shower and I'll explain."
"Hahahahahahaahahah, you actually slept in the champion's room." Rain's laughter filled Frost's bathroom as she was perched on top of the sink counter and Frost was a few feet away from her behind the shower curtains. It was clear that Frost had told Rain about the previous night obviously leaving the part in the morning where he tucked Cynthia in bed.
"Stop laughing Rain, it's not my fault that Ninetales fell asleep on top of me." he said in his own defence.
Rain wiped a tear from her eye from all the laughing she did and replied
"You know normal people would just wake their Pokemon and leave."
"Yeah well I have a soft spot for her and when Cynthia offered not to wake her up I didn't really question her."
"You'll spoil Ninetales if you keep this up." added Rain.
Frost just chuckled at this and said
"You and I both know she is smart enough to be not spoiled by this."
"True..." sighed the blue haired women in response.
As Frost rinsed the remaining soap from his body he asked "So about this shipping company, you have a plan?"
Although Frost didn't see it from behind the curtain but Rain's expression changed to a more focused one as he answered "We have an appointment with the manager of this branch at 10 AM and reaching the place also takes around 40 mins from the hotel, other than that no plans."
"Good enough for me, our main objective should be collecting more information about Galactic's base in Kalos." Frost said as he stuck his hand out from behind the curtain and Rain handed him a white towel that shortly after Frost came out wearing around his waist.
Rain also stood up from her seat on the counter to observe Frost's exposed chest and back only to realize something different about it.
"You've gotten a few new scars, were they because of your solo adventures in the past three years" she asked.
"Yes, you could say that I will tell the whole story once we end things in Kalos." Frost replied.
Although the answer was short it was good enough for Rain as she handed Frost a new pair of clothes that were of course a working suit just like Frost's previous ones.
"Do we still have to wear these?" Frost asked as he eyed the new clothes he was given.
"Yes as long as we are in Kalos we need to wear these, now stop wasting time talking and get dressed we leave in 5 minutes." Rain responded sternly as she walked out of the bathroom.
"Yes Ma'am." was the only thing Frost said as Rain shut the door behind her.
True to Rain's word both of them were out of the hotel shortly after, they met with Spark shortly after who handed them a pair of glasses each and also the keys to their vehicle.
Frost instinctively raised his hand to grab the keys but stopped mid way as Rain reached the keys before him and said
"You don't even know where the office is do you Frost?" the blue haired women said as she started walking towards the black sedan parked few feet away from them.
"Well... ya." Frost said sheepishly as he followed suit behind her.
"Leader wait another thing." Spark called them out as both Rain and Frost stopped.
"Wasn't this supposed to be Ember and Stone's mission why are you guys going in there place, it's not like they can't handle it?" He asked genuinely.
"Well yes initially I did say that but I decided otherwise because both of them still need more time."
Rain replied for Frost.
"Time for what?"
"To at least become acquainted with their respective Champions, don't forget Spark the champion's aren't just are responsibility now they work with us so we need to be in good relations with them nothing too personal of course, If I sent them on a mission today they wouldn't get the time to interact with them." Frost completed his explanation.
"I see thinking five steps ahead again leader." replied Spark as he bid the duo of Rangers goodbye and wished them luck for their upcoming job.
As Rain sat in the driver seat Frost asked
"Rain did you bring a gun with you?"
"Yes." she replied dryly.
"Good" replied Frost as the engine of the car roared and they were off.
Once on the streets of Lumious Frost took the time to inspect the gun he got from the Mobile HQ a few days ago, it was the same gun he pointed at Lance during the meeting of Champions.
Rain glanced at the firearm while driving and saw Frost remove it's magazine and also ejecting the bullet in the barrel by cocking the slide.
[A basic 9mm with 12 rounds, a body made with High strength nylon based polymer body.] Rain summarized as she brought her attention back to the road.
"You know there were better guns in the Mobile HQ you could have taken?" she asked.
"Says the person who took the six-shooter." Frost countered immediately.
"How'd you know that?" Rain asked.
"The thing has a curved wooden grip I saw the bulge it made on your coat when you sat in the driver seat." Frost answered.
"I suppose your habit of observations is still there." laughed Rain as she continued.
"Trust me I need them if I am gonna be working with Cynthia her eyes are even sharper than mine." Frost replied as he put his seat belt.
"So let me guess you let the others pick the better guns."
"Ya I let Leaf and Spark pick the better ones first." Frost said as he finished inspecting his weapon.
Rain saw him as he put the magazine back in and pulled the rail back to chamber one round in, making his gun ready to fire.
"Rain give me your revolver." he asked as he holstered his own gun.
"Huh okay." agreed Rain although she was surprised with Frost's sudden interest.
She slipped her hand in her coat and pulled out a silver finished revolver that was slightly large considering they asked for weapons for concealed carry from the Kalos Branch.
Frost held the revolver in his hand and observed it carefully from all angles before he opened the cylinder to check the bullets in it.
Seeing Frost stare at the gun so intensely Rain said
"I already inspected my gun beforehand Frost you don't have to check again I know the guns they sent aren't the best but I think they should get the job done."
Frost hummed in response he returned the silver gun back to Rain.
[Something is fishy here, but I can't put a finger on it.] Frost thought as he looked out the window of the moving car.
Seeing Frost in deep thought Rain asked
"Is everything all right Frost."
Frost snapped out of his trance and replied normally "Yeah yeah everything is fine it's just that it has been a long time I have been on a mission with you."
Anyone would have bought that response anyone but Rain.
"You know Frost you can't fool me that easily if something is wrong you know I am always free to hear it." she said without taking her eyes of the road.
Frost smiled as he was caught
"I know but we should focus on the mission right now can't have you be distracted on our first job after 3 years now can we."
Rain sighed at Frost's answer but knew he wouldn't budge and all she could do now is ask him after the mission so she dropped the topic temporarily.
Just like this time flew as the duo engaged in small talk with one and other which mostly consisted of Frost asking Rain about the team during his absence and a little briefing for the current mission from Rain.
"They grow up so fast." Frost said with a fake parental voice obviously referring to the other members of their team.
"Well if you were so concerned about their growth you should have just stayed." Rain responded snarkily.
"Now where is the fun in that plus if I didn't leave I wouldn't have found the lead on you know what." he replied seriously.
"When are you gonna brief me on that one, believe me Frost my trigger finger is starting to get itchy just thinking about it." Rain replied darkly as her killing intent visibly rose at the mention of this particular subject.
"Let's get done with our business in Kalos and I'll tell till then please have patience." Frost requested.
Rain breathed deeply to calm down and returned to her usual self.
"How long before we reached the office Rain?" Frost asked as a change of subject.
"We are almost their prepare yourself." she replied seriously.
The car stopped on the side of the road as it stood in front of an office building of not more that 15 floors and a roof as Frost summarized just by glancing at it from the car window. Both of them got out the car wore the glasses that Spark handed to them before they left and started walking toward the glass door leading to what seemed like the reception.
Frost was walking ahead of Rain but stopped when Rain put a hand on his shoulder and said
"Let me take the lead on this one."
Frost obliged and let her walk through the door first as they were greeted by the Kalosian receptionist not more 25 years of age her black haired were tied in a bun and she wore formal clothing. Behind her was a glowing sign that read "AMS Shipping Solutions."
"Good Morning and welcome to AMS Shipping are you here to place an order or receive one." she asked in a overly cheerful voice.
"Neither we have an appointment with the manger of this branch I believe we spoke on the phone this morning." Rain responded dryly as she also pulled out a badge from her belt that proved she was an Pokemon Ranger.
The receptionist's back straightened almost immediately as she saw the badge and she responded cautiously "Yes Ma'am Mr. Brown will see you in his office on the fifteenth floor the lift is that way."
Rain and Frost didn't reply but instead walked towards the direction of the lift. Once they left the receptionist picked up the telephone and dialled an intercom number and said "They are here sir, should I organise the welcome party"
The husky voice on the line replied "Wait for my signal, I wanna meet these people first."
"Yes Sir." answered the women as the call cut from the other side.
Author's Notes:
Well I am back and I know I said I am trying to write longer chapters but I feel like I am better small 2k long chapters so I am gonna stick with them for a while longer. Also I have been getting some questions regarding the obvious absence of Anabel from the story and I just want to clear that I have not forgotten about her it's just the story hasn't reached the point to which I feel the need to introduce her. Trust me if everything goes out the way I plan it in my head this story hasn't even properly begun yet so please have patience and I will definitely satisfy all you abilityshipping fans out there. As usual don't forget to favorite and follow the story so that you don't miss future updates (No matter how slow they are... ya sorry about that) also if you guys have any questions feel free to PM me or ask in the reviews. I appreciate all the support on this story (we have reached about 19k views) I am very happy to know people enjoy my story. Yeah I have said enough now in the next chapter we finally get to see Rain and Frost in action. Until Next Time
PEACE OUT