Sorry for the delay, it's been a crazy holiday. Hope everyone had a good time. Keep those reviews coming!
* * * * *
D R E A D
Chapter 3
Professor Oak charged through the double doors to Ian Surge's office. Ian was on the phone, he beckoned for Oak to take a seat. Infuriated, Oak ripped the receiver from him and tossed the set across the room.
"WHO GAVE THE ORDER TO GIVE THE SOLDIERS LIVE AMMUNITION?!" He bellowed. "TELL ME, SURGE!"
"With all due respect, sir, YOU NEED TO CALM DOWN." Ian replied sternly. In Oak's absence, Ian's appearance had become even more disheveled; his tie was loosened and his shirt was untucked.
"YOU DON'T TELL ME WHAT TO DO!" Oak roared. He turned to his guards lingering in the doorway. "CLOSE THOSE FUCKING DOORS!"
The guards closed the doors without question. Oak turned his glare back on Ian, who was equally frustrated.
"Now you listen to me, Oak, and you listen good," Ian demanded, stabbing his finger at Oak. "We've been running these rescue/riot control operations for the past 48 hours, and our casualties are stacking a mile high. The Poke'mon have NOT stopped attacking, and that was pretty fucking obvious when it started."
Oak didn't flinch.
"For the past 48 hours, we've been ill equipping our men with riot control gear," Ian added. "We've been SENDING MEN TO DIE. And for what?" then concluded sourly, "to save some fucking Poke'mon."
"I will have you arrested, and court marshaled for undermining a superior officer." Oak growled. "Enjoy your last--"
"No." Ian interrupted coldly. "YOU enjoy your last order. You don't even know how our system works, do you?" he waved at the guards. "President Oak, for sympathizing with the enemy and compromising our operation, you are hereby relieved of your command until further notice."
The guards scooped Oak from under his arms. The man cried out in fury.
"LET ME GO!" he roared. "You're my bodyguards, LET ME GO!"
"You'll be sent to a secure location until we have this situation under control," Ian stated flatly. "We'll send for your family and anything else you may need."
Kicking and screaming, the guards pulled President Oak out of the office. Ian walked over to the edge of the room and scooped up his phone. After plugging it back in, he dialed in a number.
"Maggie, get Mr. Giovanni back on the phone please." he ordered.
* * * * * *
Ash squirmed underneath the armor. The fabric beneath the armored plates conformed nicely to his body, but he wasn't used to wearing tights.
"Hold still," his tech assistant grumbled. He had just finished buckling the side of Ash's hip guard and was now busying himself filling out a chart. "How do you feel? Cold, hot, wet?"
"How about embarrassed?" Ash retorted. He looked about himself. The armor resembled closely to that of SWAT gear except the pads were lined with steel and where his joints were exposed, his body was coated in a fabric that reminded him of thick spandex. Parts of it had pricked his skin, something that the tech referred to as 'In-Combat-Condition', or 'ICC' for short.
"When you experience trauma, like a bullet wound, the sensors in the fabric will detect the stress your body is experiencing and will give you a small dose of morphine to douse the pain. It comes in this small pouch here," the tech explained, patting a tiny slip on Ash's left hip. He walked around Ash, inspecting the armor. "And should your body continue to experience trauma, let's say if you continue to get shot." he eyed Ash carefully. "This pouch will inject you with a small dose of adrenaline, so that you may get yourself to safety. Regardless of either, the suit is in direct connection with the Indigo Plateau. Should you get separated from your unit, or need backup, we'll know exactly where you are at all times."
"Is there a manual or something?" Ash scoffed. The tech frowned and tucked his clipboard under the crook of his arm.
"It's Enforcer Armor A1 Prototype. If you're going to be protecting the President, you need to wear this. Sorry for the crash course." he sneered. The Tech proceeded to leave Ash to his devices as he tended another soldier. Ash took a step forward, testing the suit. It very much resembled SWAT armor in its look and feel. He felt light on his toes, but well protected enough to take a hit. He scooped the helmet up and examined it.
It was shaped like a football helmet with a tinted visor running down the front, the whole piece matching the black of his suit. He undid the visor and slipped it over his head.
"How's it feel?" Ian Surge asked, tucking in his shirt as he strode up to Ash. He was wearing a pair of aviators, something he did to hide bags under his eyes. It wasn't working well.
"We were doing field exercises in military fatigues less than 6 months ago," Ash frowned. "I felt like I was wearing blankets compared to this."
"Orders from the top." Ian replied, taking off the aviators to rub his eyes briefly. "You're picking up The First Family in Saffron and escorting them, along with the President, to a secure bunker in the mountains."
"The top?" Ash asked. "I thought you WERE the top."
"The Charter," Ian explained. "The Charter, that even the President swears by, states that should the Island come under a State of Emergency, the Presidential Family will be removed from danger to a secure location. That location being, Bunker A1-1, a few miles behind Mt. Moon."
Ash nodded.
"So that means…"
"Yeah," Ian said flatly. "You're gonna have to guard that prick, Gary. And yes, you have to wear the armor that will keep you alive and protecting him."
Ash bit his lower lip and watched a group of soldiers carry crates of ammunition across open platforms. From where he stood in the Armory Quarters, he could see most of the airfield. At the moment most of the runway was covered up by makeshift tents and buses of soldiers getting dropped off. The entire base was alive with activity.
"Did our techs develop this?" Ash asked. "Why didn't I hear about it?"
"Classified." Ian replied. "It was an outside contractor."
"Who?"
A row of black SUVs were driving onto the runway. Ian gave Ash a helpless look and adjusted his jacket. Soldiers were running to stop the convoy but Ian waved them off.
"It's okay!" he called. He waved the SUVs into position and as they parked, a black helicopter loomed overhead. It landed on an open plain of grass just off the runway and armed men poured from the SUVs to assist it. Ash stood just as dumbfounded with the rest of the soldiers as Giovanni was helped out of the helicopter. Accompanying him were several beautiful women, all of which were dressed in doctor's fatigues.
Ash removed his helmet and marched his way across the field.
"What the fuck is he doing here!" Ash demanded. Ian gave him a stern look as he tucked his Aviators away.
"How about you stay in rank and do your fucking job?" Ian growled. Ash's nostrils flared at the sight of Giovanni, but he kept his discipline and simply watched Ian greet the lumbering man.
"Mr. Giovanni, right on time!" Ian swooned, patting the man on the back. Accompanied by the women and the armed escorts, they walked into a large tent at the edge of the runway. The entrance was guarded by Enforcers.
Inside the tent, Giovanni smirked as he helped himself to a seat. "You must be excited." He rasped. His worn cane rested beside him as he made himself comfortable. "This is the first time in years that this complex is actually serving its purpose."
Ian smiled weakly and pulled up a chair across the table. The guards let themselves out of the room, but remained within earshot. Ian pulled a pair of documents out of his coat and placed them on the table.
"We did a mock up of your terms while you were on your way," he explained. Turning a page over, he pointed at a thin black line. "If you'll just sign here.."
"I'm not here to sign anything until we renegotiate," Giovanni said, his callused hand gripping the brass handle of his cane carefully. "You know as well as I do that negotiations over the phone are nonsense."
"What are you talking about?" Ian's eyes were narrowed at the man. "I thought--"
"You thought wrong." Giovanni interrupted. "I may be old, sir, but I am no fool. You could have had me wired at any point in the conversation. I'm not signing anything until we renegotiate."
Ian gritted his teeth and ran a hand through his buzzed head.
"I'm sorry, does that frustrate you?" Giovanni rasped. "Maybe I should take my leave..."
"What are your new terms?" Ian pressed. He crumbled up the papers and tossed them aside. A vein was on display along his forehead. "You want money? what do you want? if you haven't noticed, we're in the middle of a national crisis here, and our tax payer system has come to a halt--"
"Don't patronize me, BOY." Giovanni growled. "You think I want money? don't flatter yourself. I have money. I have power. I have influence. I have power beyond your wildest dreams. Why I'm here today is to address my own faults." he smirked. "No, no…I want immunity. For my entire organization, no exceptions. I will be allowed to continue my research--"
"What research?"
"Once again," Giovanni waved a finger condescendingly. "You think that I don't know about your undercover agents? your infiltration into my organization? yes…I know all about them, and I'll have you know that they're on my pay roll."
Ian's brow furrowed.
"Immunity." Giovanni repeated. "No exceptions."
"Is that all?"
"Open trade, and unmonitored air space. In fact, I would appreciate it if your government kept its nose out of my business permanently."
"Done." Ian said flatly. "Now can we get down to business?"
"Oh but dear boy, we have been down to business." Giovanni smiled menacingly. "I saw one of your soldiers wearing my prototype armor. If I'm not mistaken, we've been in business for longer than you can imagine. Now, I must ask…what is it that YOU want?"
Ian clasped his hands at the table and bit his lower lip.
"We want everything you know." he replied. "We want your technology, and all your intel. We want to know what's happening, and how quickly we can stop it."
Giovanni leaned back and rubbed his chin.
"You're telling me that you know nothing?"
"It's been over 48 hours since this mass outbreak of random violence," Ian said patiently. "We've been preoccupied scrambling forces and refugees into order. So no, I can't say that we've had a lot of time to look into the issue."
"Based on that, it's safe to assume you're short handed. You desire my men to accompany yours into battle?"
"That would be preferred."
Giovanni nodded slowly and glanced around the room. It was empty except for the table.
"Very well. However, my men follow their own orders." he said finally. "They don't take orders from your officers unless I order it."
"Then how do you expect--"
"I am in control here." Giovanni growled. "Do NOT interrupt me."
Ian's nostrils flared and he slumped back in his chair.
"My men will assist yours in all the operations that you see fit, however, they will not take orders from your hierarchy unless I say so. Your highest ranked soldiers will be given our prototype armor…" one of Giovanni's female escorts peeked her head in through the entrance. Giovanni waved her over. The woman, dressed in a lab coat, set a metal case on the table. "30 men of your choosing will be equipped with these." the woman opened the case to reveal several vials of a purple liquid. Ian eyed Giovanni suspiciously.
"What--"
"Performance enhancers," Giovanni replied. "Call it icing on the cake, if you will. Part of my research that your government finds so interesting." he scooped one of the vials from the case and rolled it over in his hand. "The effects are permanent. It's engineered to help the subject realize the extent of their physical potential." his eyes narrowed at Ian, he was proud. "It will make the men of your choosing stronger and faster."
"What's the catch?" Ian asked suspiciously. Giovanni grinned.
"This is why I asked for you personally," he replied. "You're an intuitive personality, Ian. If you weren't so straight laced, we could make a lot of money together."
"What's the catch?" Ian repeated.
"The 30 men will be test subjects." Giovanni said. "We've done preliminary testing in a closed environment, and the results have been…promising."
"Promising." Ian echoed. "So you want me to inject my men with some kind of super serum that could possibly kill them."
"Your call." Giovanni challenged. "30 men dead, or 30 men with the strength and power of 60 men. It just depends on how you train your soldiers. Am I to assume all these men are fragile?"
Ian grimaced and glanced at the vials.
"I believe we have an understanding, then," Giovanni said, rising slowly to his feet. He leaned on his cane as he paced carefully out of the room. "My men are already en route and will arrive shortly. You will have everything you need."
"Earlier you said you were addressing your faults," Ian called after him. "What did you mean by that?"
Giovanni waved to the helicopter and the blades started turning. He turned back to Ian.
"Keep your nose clean." he said with a menacing grin. He climbed into the helicopter with his female escorts. Ian turned to face the remaining woman holding the suitcase.
"I will brief the men you choose and administer the serum to them." she explained. "It's my responsibility to monitor their actions over the next 24 hours."
"Jesus." Ian muttered. "First poke'mon now test-tube soldiers."
He walked over to Ash whom was watching the helicopter take off. He gave Ian a hard look.
"So when are you going to tell me what the hell's going on here?" he asked.
"When you're older." Ian said half heartedly. "There's going to be a briefing for the Saffron Extraction in five minutes. I want you in there."
Ash nodded. "I do this, and you tell me what the hell we're doing working with Giovanni."
The SUVs were pulling out just as a swarm of helicopters arrived. Ian sighed.
"I think you can figure it out." he admitted. "Get in the briefing, I have more work to do."
* * * * * *
"It's going to be a simple, in and out procedure." Samson's voice was hoarse from years of yelling. He looked over as Ash stepped into the room. "Ah, Mr. Ketchum. Nice of you to join us. Gentlemen, this is Ash Ketchum from Alpha Unit. He's going to be leading this operation."
Ash nodded at a few of the soldiers and tucked his helmet under the crook his arm. Samson scribbled checkpoints on a hanging map.
"Our birds will drop us in at the roof, that's the safest check point. From the roof we make it into the lower levels of the Embassy. We retrieve the First Family, and we get them out. Very simple." his eyes narrowed at the men. "Very simple means no fuck ups. Saffron's been compromised, there's going to be a lot of shit going on around the building. If we're lucky, we will not have to engage the enemy and put the President's family in danger. At 0400 our ground forces enter Saffron from the north, so leave the heavy lifting to them." he nodded at the men. "Oorah?"
"Oorah." The men chorused. There were six of them. Samson set the marker down and stepped aside.
"Do you have anything to add, Mr. Ketchum?"
Ash licked his dry lips. It was time to put on his war face.
"You follow my lead, no exceptions." he said. "I'm used to working with Alpha Unit, not a bunch of high school fuck ups with guns." he paced in front of the men. "You are going to be protecting our nation's most important family, drink it in. "We chose you because you are the least likely to screw up out of everyone else. My ass is on the line just as much as yours. Are you going to deliver?"
"YES SIR!"
"What? I just hear a bunch of fucking retards."
"YES SIR!"
"Get your gear and meet me on the north helipad. You have 10 minutes." Ash ordered. The men scrambled out of the room. Samson smirked and shook Ash's hand.
"See you out on the battlefield," he said. Ash nodded and gave a salute.
"Hopefully not." he replied.
Ten minutes later Ash was carrying his duffel bag out onto the helipad. His men were prepped and ready, clad in the same strange armor as himself. Two jet black helicopters started their blades and a cloud of sand kicked up from the dormant pavement. Ash tossed his duffel bag into his seatahah and climbed in. Two pats on the side signaled the pilot to take off.
As he buckled himself in, he opened the duffel bag and began reviewing in his head the layout plan of the capitol building. It was a relatively small building, but there were a series of hallways and secret passages that had been constructed should the island come under a crisis. He had been informed that the presidential family were relocated to the basement bomb shelter. The worst part was landing on the roof, and having to come down all through the building, and then back up. A billion things could go wrong.
Normally this would not have been a problem, but this time he wasn't working with his squad. The rest of Alpha Unit was on assignment elsewhere. Otherwise he would have been paired with them. Instead he was suited with several anonymous soldiers, most of them looking just like tough 12 year olds. He raised his head to look among his crew. Their faces were all shielded by the tint of their visor. Two black helicopters loaded with shadow troops.
"Wonderful." Ash muttered.
A sea of gray metal below the chopper told him that they had arrived in Saffron City. There was smoke and fire building from the downtown area. Even over the roar of the chopper blades he could hear the chaos below. Several blocks west of them he could see an orb of electricity forming. The only thing capable of that are Pikachu. Ash bit his lower lip in anxiety and looked the other way. A news chopper was flying alongside them, getting dangerously close. Ash's pilot said something into his head piece and the second chopper moved evasively close to the news chopper.
"GET OUT OF HERE!" Ash watched the soldier mouth to the press. "GET OUT!"
The press team, stubborn as usual, lowered their altitude but remained a safe distance behind them. Up ahead was the capitol building. Ash pulled a few supplies out of his duffel bag and readied his rifle. The soldiers around him started readying themselves, one of them slapping his own helmet to get pumped up. The pilot turned his head and held up three fingers. Ash nodded and signaled they were ready to go. The helicopter slowed to a hover over the top of the capitol building and the first soldier threw a rope out. Ash tossed his hook on the rope and rappelled down to the roof of the building. He took cover, watching the utility door ahead of them and waited for the rest of his team to land. When they were in position, Ash spoke into his helmet,
"Alright, everyone on me."
"Yes sir." his squad said in unison, ringing crystal clear through his helmet's speaker. Ash moved to the utility door, keeping low to the ground. He moved swiftly and motioned for his troops to align themselves with the side of the door. Ash kept two of them behind himself, opened the door and peered into the dark stairwell. It was empty as expected, but the faint odor of smoke made his nostrils flare.
"Be advised we have a possible fire on the lower levels." he reported, moving swiftly down the steps. In his head he played out the layout of the building. If they took the utility steps all the way down to the main floor, they could cross the lobby, enter into the first hallway on their…
shit.
Ash could already see a cloud of smoke billowing up from two floors down. They were going to have to take the utility steps on the other side of the building to the basement, which meant crossing the second floor. He didn't memorize the second floor plans very well, which he scolded himself for.
He motioned his team to stay on him, moved down the last floor before the smoke, and opened the door.
"CONTACT!"
In one fluid motion Ash raised his rifle and fired two rounds into the chest of a Hitmonchan. The pokemon's knees buckled and it collapsed on the floor. There was a brief silence where the only sound was that of the team's ragged breathing. The first encounter with a Pokemon, and Ash dropped it. There had been too much blood, too much violence. Ash wasn't taking any more chances.
With that, his team swept down the hallway, rifles at the ready. The corridor stretched several hundred yards, with rooms and offices branching off from each side.
The area was littered with debris. Smoke was drifting up from the lower level and there was blood smeared along the walls. Ash quickly stepped over the body of a secret service agent. His skin was pale. He had been there a long time.
"Watch your sides." Ash murmured. There was a rumbling and several feet ahead a Rhydon crashed through the wall, slamming into the opposite side of the corridor. It trembled, shook itself off, and stamped its hooves into the floor.
Ash and his team froze, staring at the beast before them. Its nostrils flared as it leered at them. Behind Ash were two rooms, several feet behind them. The corridor was fairly narrow--
The Rhydon roared in fury, stampeding toward them, horn raised.
"TAKE EM DOWN!" Ash commanded, switching his rifle to fully automatic. A blaze of gunfire ripped across the hallway as the soldiers retreated. The bullets hissed as they ricocheted off the armored plates of the Rhydon's chest. Ash dove out of the way as the Pokemon threw itself into the wall to gore one of the soldiers.
"Fall back!" Ash ordered, backing up as the Rhydon recollected itself. The soldiers continued to fire in sporadic bursts as they exited the hallways and retreated into a small dining room. The Rhydon crashed through the wall and entered the room, ripping through a set of vases and paintings on display. Ash dodged a thrust by the Rhydon and rolled to his shoulder, feeling the suit prick his skin and numb his arm. He looked over and saw that the Rhydon had managed to graze the length of his bicep. A shallow gash bled over his suit.
The Rhydon knocked over the dining table with its horn and with it, pinned down another teammate. The soldiers gathered around the beast, unloading their magazines. Bullets bounced off the plating of the Pokemon's skin and as Ash rose, he plucked a grenade from his utility belt.
"FRAG OUT!" he called, chucking a grenade across the room. It landed near the beast's face and exploded, small shards bursting into the Pokemon's eyes. The Rhydon roared in fury, now blinded, and crashed into another wall. The remaining soldiers dragged their wounded out of harms way as the Rhydon roared in fury, its eyes draining blood. Ash threw another grenade and put the beast out of its misery.
When it was quiet again, Ash ripped his helmet off his head and stood over the dead Rhydon. His chest heaved in and out as if he had run a marathon. Blood from his lip was mixing with his sweat and provided a salty taste in his mouth. He wiped his lip and looked over his men. Of the six that had accompanied him from the roof, there were three left standing. The first soldier was laying in the hallway, with a gaping hole in his stomach. The second was suffering a broken leg and the third was pinned on the ground with a set of broken ribs.
"What do we do, sir?" One of the men asked, looking up at him. He was kneeling beside his wounded friend with the broken ribs.
"We keep moving." Ash replied. "We patch our wounded as quick as we can, and I'll radio in for a medical evac."
They dragged the two wounded into cover, patched them up, and continued their way down the hallway. Charlie, Zeke and Mike, Ash learned, were new initiates into the Enforcer program. How they had found their place at Ash's side was most likely due to a mix up in ranks after the attacks. The soldiers' performance showed Ash that they still had a lot to learn. Though he hadn't the time or energy to worry about this now, all that mattered was reaching the First Family in one piece.
Around the bend of the corridor two Machops were milling about. A few rounds dropped both Poke'mon and Ash's squad continued to the utility door at the end of the hallway. Down the steps they encountered no resistance, coming out into the lobby they stepped into a vivid display of discarded shells, dried blood and corpses, most of which were secret service.
"Whatever happened here is over," Ash said softly. "But keep alert."
They paced through the lobby and down the hallway. Another set of utility steps behind a secret entrance and Ash's team found themselves at the foot of a bomb shelter blast door. The intercom next to the door crackled to life.
"State your identification and purpose."
"Ash Ketchum with Alpha Unit. We're here to escort The First Family off the premises."
There was a short pause.
"What happened to the rest of your unit, Ketchum?"
"Wasted, sir."
"…I see."
The door unlocked and Ash stepped inside. Three very exhausted looking agents greeted them. The agents closed the door and holstered their handguns.
"So you're it?" one of them asked. Ash nodded and slung his rifle over his shoulder. The room was an entrance to a much larger room. Both were dimly lit. He walked across the tiled floor into the leading room where the Oak family waited anxiously.
Gary Oak was sitting on a cot adjusting his tie. Ash wanted to remark but he refrained.
"Who's this?" A woman asked, standing up to greet Ash.
"They're your escorts, ma'am," one of the agents declared. "We'll be leaving shortly, gather your things and--"
"I thought there'd be more..."
The speaker in Ash's helmet buzzed.
"Alpha Leader, this is Headquarters. Do you read, over?"
Ash turned away and reported back.
"This is Alpha Leader, go ahead."
"Alpha Leader….we're picking up heavy interference on your signal, what's going on?"
Ash looked over himself then bit his lip. He still knew little to nothing about this combat suit.
"Can't say, Headquarters. However I am with the First Family right now."
"Alpha Leader, be advised that your air evac has returned to base, area is too hot."
"Headquarters, repeat that please..what the hell are we supposed to do then?"
Ash's connection cut out. He ripped off his helmet and tossed it to the ground in frustration. Ash turned to Zeke and Mike. "Radio in to headquarters and let them know that we're going to need a ground convoy for escort, moving the family back up through the building is too risky."
"Are you insane?" Gary retorted, standing up. "The reason we're down here is because of what's going on upstairs!"
"What WENT on upstairs." Ash corrected. "I have two wounded, and one dead man on the second floor. God knows how a fucking Rhydon got up there. We didn't have the time to do a proper sweep. It's too risky, and besides half the building is on fire."
"Oh my god.." a young man covered his mouth.
"Sir," Zeke turned to face Ash. "Headquarters informed a patrol outside the city. They can meet us here in five minutes."
"Good." Ash replied. He turned to the family.
"Gather your things, and get ready. The minute that blast door opens, we're gonna run out of here."
Gary frowned but said no more. In minutes the family had their luggage and though looking very disheveled, were ready to go. Ash positioned himself by the blast door as Mike opened it.
"Ready?"
They nodded.
The door opened and Ash rushed through first, rifle at the ready. The hallway was still empty. Quickly and quietly they guided the first family up the stairs and through the lobby. Right outside three Humvees were pulling up.
In the sky were several bird Pokemon, they were dive bombing at anyone in the street. The soldiers at the convoy were waving to them furiously, each vehicle was badly damaged. A soldier scrambled out of the driver's seat to open the rear passenger door. Several family members got into the rear Humvee, two in the middle, and of course Gary jumped into the front with Ash.
"You've made it through everything in life on luck," he sneered when Ash gave him a quizzical look. "I'll consider you my lucky charm until we get out of here."
Ash bit his tongue and buckled himself into the seat next to Gary.
In front the driver gave the "ready" signal and the Humvees began moving.
"Headquarters, this is Red Fox. We have the package, over." he spoke into the radio. Ash kept alert but tilted his head back, his heart pounding fiercely. Outside mixed with the blur of buildings were small fires and scrambling figures.
"Affirmative, Red Fox. Proceed to rendezvous point Delta. Ground Unit 304 is en route, over."
"That is a copy, HQ. Over."
The bird Pokemon began dive bombing into the line of Humvees.
"SHIT!" the driver grunted, swerving to avoid a collision. The convoy broke as birds pounded into the line of Humvees. Ash look on helplessly as the birds assaulted the lines of cars. Gary said nothing as his face was strewn in terror.
"Where the fuck is the infantry!" Ash demanded.
"En route, sir," the soldier in the passenger seat reported. "We should rendezvous with them in about five minutes."
The Humvees roared through the abandoned streets, swerving through a maze of deserted vehicles and corpses. From the side a Tauros galloped and smashed into the rear humvee.
Up ahead a Charmeleon blew fire into the street. The Humvees roared through. The rear vehicle had caught fire and was swerving wildly.
"FOX 3, WHAT IS YOUR STATUS?" The driver shouted into the radio, glancing back at the rear vehicle.
"This is Fox 3, we're okay!" the vehicle reported, just as a Dugtrio erupted out of the pavement in front of them. The vehicle, still burning, flew up into the air, crashing into another abandoned vehicle on the sidewalk.
"MOM!" Gary shrieked. He went for the door. Ash stopped him.
"We can't stop!" Ash said firmly. "If we do, we're all dead!"
Gary shoved away from him and went for the door again. Ash elbowed him across the face and he went unconscious. The soldier up front gaped at Ash but said nothing.
"We can't stop." Ash repeated. He looked out the window at Pokemon gathering in the streets. They were racing for the downed vehicle. A Pidgeot slammed into Ash's side door and the vehicle swerved. It ran up onto the sidewalk and back into the street. Behind them the last Humvee as on fire. A swarm of bird Pokemon were hovering overhead, crashing into it.
Ash opened his side door and began firing at the Pokemon attacking the last vehicle. Ash's Humvee pulled out onto the freeway and the birds began to let up a bit. Back in the city they had started to swarm around the downtown area.
A mile outside the city was the first military convoy. Soldiers, tanks and mortar men greeted them. The Humvees came to a stop and the family unloaded. The family in the rear vehicle were weeping.
"WHY DIDN'T WE STOP?" a woman shrieked. "They killed my mother--"
"Ma'am, we have to move." Ash replied flatly. He guided her off to another soldier. "These men will take you and the rest of your family in a new convoy back to The Indigo Plateau. From there you will be flown to a secure location behind Mt. Moon."
Still sobbing, the family was led off by a pair of soldiers. Another carried the unconscious Gary Oak out of the charred Humvee. Ash slung the rifle over his shoulder and climbed back into the vehicle.
"Take us back to base." Ash told the driver.
* * * * * *
"Red Fox has made the delivery, sir." A soldier reported. "However three members of the First Family were lost."
"If they're not cabinet members, I could give a shit right now." Ian replied. He added some sugar to his coffee and walked along the row of computers.
"Who can give me the status of our ground forces?"
"Ground Units 304, 305, and 306 are mobilized and due to enter Saffron at any time now." another soldier reported.
"Right on time." Ian checked his watch. He sipped his coffee and watched the screen at the front of the room. Several dots indicated the soldiers making their way toward the city. "Alright people," he announced. "I want a combat update every five minutes. Nothing happens in this fight without me knowing about it, is that clear?"
"Get me on line with Colonel Thompson," He continued. "He's in charge of these ground units, correct?"
"That is correct, sir."
A couple of minutes later Colonel Thompson's voice crackled over the speaker.
"This is Thompson. How are you, Surge?"
"Good, thanks." Ian replied, taking another sip of coffee. "How are your boys looking?"
"Looking ready for a fight." Thompson responded. "We should be entering the city limits in under 5."
"Perfect." Ian said. "Keep me posted."
Someone tugged on Ian's pant leg. He looked down to see Foxx hugging a pillow.
"Can you help me find my mommy?" he asked tiredly. Ian glanced around the room then back at the boy.
"Hey! who let this kid in here?"
His response was a collection of confused looks.
Ian grimaced and knelt down beside the boy.
"How'd you get in here, son?"
Foxx shrugged.
"I don't remember."
"Well this area's for grownups," he said, waving over an officer. "This man here will take you to find your mom." he stood up. "The mother's name is Misty Ketchum. She should be somewhere around the front lobby."
The officer nodded and took Foxx by the hand. He led the boy out of the room. Ian watched them leave. When the door closed, he turned to look back at the screen when his foot kicked something. Looking down, there was a crumbled piece of paper on the floor.
"Must've been the kid's," he murmured to himself, scooping it up. It was a piece torn out of a coloring book. The only thing drawn on it was a pair of eyes.