Disclaimer: I do not own Pokémon. They belong to Game Freak and Nintendo. The songs I reference here belong to their respective artists as well. With that out of the way, please enjoy this piece of fanfiction.
Catherine was screaming as the world around her began to turn into a bright white light. Her head was glued to a smooth and hard surface. Body twitched violently in respond to a surge of electricity ran through her system. All of her muscles were doing their best to get her out, but the restrains on her arms and feet were too strong. When her lung was deflated from all the screaming, she stopped and gasped for air. During that state, she began to feel an intensive heat inside every organ of her body. It was building up and building up until it suddenly stopped all together. "Was the electricity getting weaker?" She could not figure out if that was the case or she just had been paralyzed. The latter seem more likely as she could not even move so much as the tip her fingers afterward. The bright light that was the world then slowly changed into a dim glow. She started to slip in and out of consciousness. She heard a conversation. It was hard to make out most of it as a ringing noised mixed in between bits of dialogs. The only coherent sentence she got before the darkness took over her vision was: "I love my job."
(The song "Do the evolution" by Pearl Jam begins to play)
Chesterization proudly presents.
A Pokémon fanfiction
Genesis
(Song ends)
Chapter 2: Welcome.
45 minutes earlier
The door slammed shut behind Catherine and left her in the dark. She instantly curled her left hand into a fist, head turned left to right. Her instinct told her to be ready for anything. As her eyes were scanning through the room, they picked up a sudden burst of light from the ground. The floor lit up into multiple circle patterns, spreading from the center of the room like ripples. From the innermost circles, thin beams of light sprouted up and mixed in together. Catherine did not know how else to react but step back slightly and expect the worst. The grip on her fist was getting tighter and tighter as the tiny beams began to widen. They then assembled themselves into a blurry green and black humanoid figure. Over the course of milliseconds, the image became three-dimensional. A small white chunk was added on top. The black spot that took up most of the image rounded up into a female business suit. The white chunk became a face with silky gray hair. Facial features were added: a pair of hazel eyes and a pair of lips that bent into a smile. The mixture of light had transformed itself into a hologram of a tall Gardevoir holding a golden notepad. Smaller details were added to the image. A pin with a red G wrapped neatly in an upside down triangle tacked on the suit and a crest of the foundation logo was imprinted on the golden notepad. Those features along with a number of wrinkles below the Gardevoir eyes finished the image.
The image's head slowly turned to Catherine's general direction and its mouth started to move in sync with a speaker located somewhere in the room. The sound of a soft-spoken female voice soon flooded Catherine's surrounding.
"Welcome. I am Anna, Genesis's executive, Supervisor of the Foundation Delta base and I shall be your interviewer for today, miss?"
Reluctant at first, Catherine gave Anna the answer with the fist was still in place: "Catherine, Catherine Kobb." Catherine slightly raised her chin each time she announced her name.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Miss Kobb. My deepest apology for not be able to speak with you in person." Anna then gave Catherine a humble bow. "How are you feeling today, Miss Kobb." Anna asked, attempted to break the ice.
Catherine popped the knuckles on her fist. "I had better days. But, why should you care?" Catherine then looked the other way, didn't wish to face Anna.
"Well, the doctors said it would take you much longer to fully recover from your injuries. Meeting you quite early like this…worry me."
"Again, why?"
"I guess it just come down to me caring for one of my kind. We Celestians got to look out for each other in this crazy world."
"What?" Catherine's head turned back at Anna, who slowly rolled up her sleeve and showed Catherine her wrist. There was indeed a maze tattoo, exactly like Catherine's on Anna's skin. If not for Anna's pale green skin, it would be impossible for Catherine to see it in this dimly lit room.
Aware that she had caught Catherine's attention, Anna covered up her tattoo and continued with a wider grin on her face.
"I wish to share the story of why I am here, but I think it's best to do it in some other time. Let's get to the main reason why we are here, shall we? Before we could get started, allow me to ask you something."
Catherine stared directly at Anna's hologram and said: "Go ahead."
"Yes, since time is valuable here at Genesis, I believe it would be better to confirm this right away. Miss Kobb, do you wish to leave and return to the Outland right now or do you prefer to stay and obtain more information before making that decision?"
Catherine was, confused to say the least. Did she hear that correctly? Did this Pokémon just give her the option to walk away like that? Was this Anna up to something? Of course she did, they all did. Catherine could see that in her smile. Catherine had seen that before, in the dark corners of the Celestial nation. It's the smile of a merchant. The smile that said: "I wish to be your friend as long as you could strike a deal with me." If that was the case, then why was she still thinking about it? Why couldn't she just immediately get away before this Anna got any chance to lure her in? The option was there, she just need to take it. But why and what was preventing her from saying what she had told the Snivy awhile back? Just say "No, I wish to leave. And it's over." Why would she stop at this moment?
"Say it! What's wrong? That's what you want, isn't it, Catherine?" A malevolent voice spoke in her head.
"Shut up!" Catherine spat inside her mind, making the voice changed into a taunting laugh.
"I see, you want something else, you want more, much more. Don't deny it, Catherine. There is no point in lying to me."
And that was when Catherine realized that Anna knew what that Catherine wouldn't turn down her whatever she had to offer. Why would Catherine want to return to the Outland? Who in their right mind would do that? Who would want to just walk away from an offer provided by a "multi-billion" corporation? The words: "Excitement; Violent and brighter future", rang in her head once again, but were spoken by the malevolent voice this time.
"Are you quite alright Miss Kobb? You seem to be spacing out. Do you need medical attention?"
Catherine snapped back and quickly shook her head in respond. "NO! I'm fine! Just sorting things out."
"So you wish to stay then?"
"Yeah, I think I'll be hanging around for a while. Make it worth something."
"I'll do my best. I must to inform you something. Today interview will be quite different. I'll be the one who will answer all of your questions, and you shall be the one who decide. So don't feel threaten by me. I'm only here to guide you, not forcing you into anything. It is a bit strange, yes, but please cooperate."
"That's depends."
"Very well." Anna continued. "Have Axel filled you in on The Foundation's operations?"
"Yeah, let me see, uh, what the fuck was it?" Catherine said while using her free hand to gently rub the back of her head. "I will be hired to protect your shit from anything in the Outland by violent means. Killing bandits from left to right. Is that correct?"
"Almost. However, the job we are offering you means more than that."
"How so?" Catherine said while lifting her eye brows up.
"So much more actually. But first, have you heard of our corporation: Genesis?"
"Nah, don't think so. But I got a feeling you're gonna tell me that anyway." Catherine released the tension on her muscles and let go of her fist. She crossed her arm, anticipating the long and painful speech.
"Genesis, as you may or may not know, invests in advance technologies of all forms. And what do we do with these technologies, you may ask? We use them for the sole purpose of rebuilding and sustaining Essal, turning this wasteland of a planet into the ideal world.
Before, we were stationed within various Nations and of course received their support along with protection. At first, things went pretty smoothly. We had discovered ways to made radioactive land somewhat habitable again. Clean and renewable energy was in development and so on.
However, as our technology became more and more sophisticated, the world began to take more interest in us with…questionable intentions. We were afraid to give it to governments for the fear that they will twist it into something horrible, just like in the past. In order to prevent this, we cut all ties with them and changed our location to the place that needed the most help-the Outland. Unfortunately, that gave us many problems.
You see, for the longest time, we along with the Pokémon who took refuge in our facilities were attacked by the land, as you may expect. And then there were also the rival corporations and governments that desired our technologies. They took advantages of the lawless Outland and were straight up robbing us. It was a mess."
Catherine just gave her the look and said "What the fuck do you expect?"
"That was the only available option at the time, please understand. In the end, Genesis CEO, Mr. Lucious came up with the idea of looking for skilled, powerful and ruthless fighters, "heroes" to help us counter these threats. They could be soldiers who want to support their family, mercenaries who wish to serve a better purpose or even criminals that want second chances to redeem themselves. We don't care about their background, so long as they provide security for the company and our workers."
Catherine crossed her arm. "That's all well and good, but what does that got anything to do with a higher meaning for my job? I mean, I will be hired to kill for the sake of protecting your interests."
"Your part in the picture? What you are going to do is not just protecting a plot of lands or a random building for some millionaire. You are protecting laboratories, hospitals that house scientists, doctors, engineers. They are our worker and they are a part of our company. They all work hard each and every day to restore Essal former glory. You are stopping the bandits, the scums from disrupting the creation of the lifesaving technology this world needs. You would be more than just a member of a security team but a foundation for a better future, a future for everyone on Essal. That includes you as well.
Can you see? I am here, speaking to you because Genesis and the Foundation saved my life. Without them I would have been dead for a very long time. And now, you could be the one that make something similar happen to someone else. You could be their hero. Catherine, this is not just me offering you a job. This is I, offering you an opportunity; an opportunity for you to use your abilities for the greater good.'
Catherine gave Anna another doubtful look. Inside, Catherine had more than just doubt. A part of her felt something different. It was sympathy mixed in with some admiration. With that mindset, an image of a much younger Anna flashed in her head. The littles Pokémon was not in business suit but in rags. She was a lost Celestian, just like Catherine was awhile back. Catherine had not seen much of this world, but she knew what it would be like for a Celestian to live in it. She heard stories and had personal experiences. For a child like that to grow up into the one in front of her, it would have to go through a lot of pain and need a lot of help. "But how much was a lot? There got to be a home, an education, and a whole lot more for a Pokémon who was stuck in the Dark Ages to rise up and become an executive of a multi-billions company. How much did they give her?" And all the sudden, the image of a lost and hungry Kirlia in Catherine's head got replaced with the question: "How much can they give me?" Catherine almost felt shameful for putting herself into this string of thought. Before she could restrain it, her mouth spoke. "That's nice and all, but, what in it for me? What you are saying is just an ideal. I'm gonna need more than that soooo." Catherine raised her index finger and began to point it at the door.
"No" Anna said in slightly deeper tone and a solemn gaze at Catherine. "We don't expect you to voluntarily perform favors for someone you have just met. There will be handsome rewards for your troubles of course."
"That's more likes it." Catherine bit down her tongue, "Everymon for itself, that's natural."
"Bear in mind, though, like all jobs"
"To the fucking point this time, please." Catherine interrupted her.
"There are rewards and then there are restrictions." Anna continued. "Which one do you prefer to hear first?"
"Rewards, that the only reason why I'm still here." Catherine put her left hand on her forehead, caressed it. Again with the thoughts: "You are being lured in. Remember this one is a merchant, a salesman. She is convincing you to buy her wares with your own self. Don't convince yourself for her. You don't know these Pokémon. Do not let it fall in the wrong hands. Don't".
"Everymon for itself, that's natural. Look at Anna, she is just like you. And you will be just like her if you stay. Let them serve you."The hostile volleys between the two were starting to give her a headache.
Anna didn't wait for Catherine eyes to fix on her, she just continued: "First off, there is the payment. Here, you complete missions to earn your credits. For example, a successful E rank mission will give you 8000 credits. In case you have trouble"
Catherine lifted her hand from her forehead and said. "Yes, I know. That's a lot of money. I'm not that clueless you know. And ranked missions? Are you guys playing explorers or some shit?"
"It is not that far off actually, but we certainly aren't playing. Anyhow, that is just the easiest rank. As you climb to higher ranks, you will earn more, simple as that. The highest rank we got is SSS rank so that should give you something to think about. Next, you will have access to very much anything you want as long as it is not illegal. You can purchase items within the base using the credits you have earned throughout your missions. Those purchases could be better meals, nicer furniture, state of the art weaponry for your arsenal and the latest pieces of technology, equipment, etc.
Some of which can only be found within Genesis and the Foundation. You can even enhance yourself through means of body modification or armors. Bear in mind that these purchases are quite expensive, so don't expect to obtain them right away. Okay? Did you got them all?"
"Proceed"
"The contract lasts for only 10 years. That's mean you will have plenty of time for other activities later on. Speaking of which, Genesis makes sure you have a comfortable retirement afterward. "
"I haven't even accepted the job and you guys talking about retirement?"
"We just want the best things for each of our employees. Back to the subject, when the contract expires, you could use the money you have collected throughout the years of service for other things in life. Like settling down and buy a nice and always affordable house in one of Genesis's prototype cities."
Catherine made a face when Anna mentioned the word "prototype".
"They do exist, mind you. They are just not very crowded. This house will ensure your sustainability for the rest of your life, even when you are not working. Or you can have the option of continuing for 10 more years if you demand more thrills and money and achieve a better retirement as a result.
To sum things up, we at Genesis will take good care of you if you do so to us in return. It's a mutual relationship."
"You should have told these before instead of, you know, all the other bullshit." Catherine was slowly stretching a smile and closed her eyes, hiding the fact that she wanted to punch herself in the face. "Everymon for itself; Everymon for itself; Everymon for itself." That thought was winning inside her head.
"But don't get too excited because there are restrictions as well. Look around, this base is a one of them. This base will be your home during the span of the contract. You will eat, sleep, shop and relax here. To most."
"They think this is fucking a prison, isn't it?" Catherine added.
"Yes. Therefore, I just want to give it to you straight. However, some found this base to be a good thing. Here we have everything like gyms, shooting ranges, restaurants. It has all the conveniences of an A class city. Some nation's living standards are not even close to this base. And it wouldn't be that bad since you can still go outside at time of missions and vacations."
"Vacations?" Catherine said, and repeated the process in her head: An imaginary slap to the face and "Everymon for itself".
"Yes, you will have those. Paid vacations so don't worry. You deserve those since some missions can be quite challenging. The difficulty of each mission can be ranging from tasks like defending facilities such as hospitals and the likes or reclaim territories to extremely dangerous tasks that cannot be generalized such as investigating anomalies, contain certain threats. Consider those to be thrilling mysteries of their own."
"Wait, reclaim territories? Anomalies? What the fuck happened to protect the fucking doctors and engineers?"
"No, I said you are helping us prevent disruptions to our work. So your job is not exclusive to just simply, say: guarding a door. You also need to contribute in some other ways as well. The territories part? Before, we did lose some of our properties to the bandits. They are mostly consisting of land and other structures. You are going to help us get some of them back. Afterward, we would build new laboratories or prototype city for our workers on these plots of land. You are included. See, you are doing something that would benefit yourself as well. And isn't it better for the world to be absolutely clean of all these criminals? Beside, you still got pay, so dare I say why not? As for the anomalies, well, there are uncharted locations that may hold important discoveries. And they may hold unforeseen dangers as well."
"I bet they do. And you expect me to be killed before you guys, right?" Catherine said and gave Anna a side way glance.
"Oh no, we are not. We go through the extra length just to hire Pokémon like you and you think we would throw you in danger without any consideration? Worry not; we only assign such tasks to teams and agents who had proven their capabilities. You wouldn't have to think about those for quite some time."
"I'll take that as a maybe."
"In addition, you must not attempt to escape for we will consider it as breaking the contract. Therefore, you will be fired and have all of your possession taken as a fine. Don't think that you can, Catherine, because your leg bracelet would help us tract and disable you at any given time." Catherine looked down, as if confirming a suspicion.
"Also you must not perform any act of crime during the span of the contract. If you do so, you are making yourself nothing more than those we are trying to cleanse from this world. Don't worry; we don't consider killing bandits as a crime, since it is your job. Those are just some of the basic rules to make sure that the place runs tightly and smoothly. Oh and some additional information, the grunts here, are not very bright. Avoid making contact with them."
"Yeah, that's what the Snivy told me. If they are so fucking dumb, why do you hire them?"
"They are much cheaper than you. And in an underground base filled with a large number of mercenaries, we need a lot of personals to help us monitor and deconstruct potential threats from within."
"Oh. Yeah, I would too, if I hire someone who has committed murder as my employee. Why won't those guys do our jobs?"
"They are not skilled enough to adapt to the chaos in the Outland. But do a good job as keeping the base safe. That is all I can tell you. Is there anything else do you wish to ask?"
Catherine returned to her thoughts. This time she made an effort to push the "Everymon-for-itself" aside and focused on the warning she had given herself. "Something got to be wrong, but what was it?"
The malevolent voice inside her head made a statement: "What is the matter? Are you scared? Now, why would you be?"
"NO, I'm not! "Being-someone's-bitch" will not be another landmark of my life. You hear me? Now shut the fuck up and let me think. "Catherine knew that was not entirely true. It was something else. She just couldn't remember it.
"Ahhh, you want freedom? Don't flatter yourself and know your place. That's how life works. Trust me, I have learned that for more than 2 decades. Just look at our position right now. We have nothing. Our first month of freedom did not cut it for us, didn't it? Sure, it was an enjoyable experience to murder things without any restrain but that get dull rather fast. "
"And fucking exhausting." Catherine added.
"Yes. And look at you, trying to push your own desire aside as if you have some moral high ground to show for. To that, I got something for you. You are not an Angelic Guard anymore. Stop pretending and stop trying to do so. I say, we stay here. It would be the best course of action for us. Our survival will be ensured. You will have a place to rest your head that is not a rock. And I can still satisfy my craving for destruction. Oh, they also have additional rewards. How much did the Councils pay for your contributions, Catherine?
Besides, it is just 10 years. You could just get better landmarks in life with the remaining time you have. And with me inside, you still have a lot ahead of you. Not only so, we are doing things for a good cause. That means your promise won't be affected …much. If that the reason why you have trouble deciding this? Well, considered it's done. Face the facts, this is job is perfect and both of us know it. Sometime I wonder, why do I need to do all the thinking for you?"
"You fucking moron! How can we believe that whatever they said was not a lie? "
"Then what else can we do? Catherine, tell me, what else can we do? Going back to that accused place and hope for the best? Running in circles and then die?"
Catherine opened her eyes in realization. She was in denial and defeat. She was defeated by Anna, defeated by the thing that she was supposed to control and defeated by herself. The thought "Everymon for itself, that's natural" made a return to celebrate its victory. She took a deep breath and said: "Alright, I accept."
"Excuse me, please verify."
"I'm in."
"Are you sure about that?"
"Cut the fucking act, you are not fooling anybody. I'm sold, okay. You made it sound like the best thing ever so why the fuck not? Where is the contract?"
"Right here." Anna tapped her golden notepad, commanding a table rise from the floor in front of her. The table then projected a hologram of a crystal tablet. Anna then instructed Catherine to pick it up. With doubt, Catherine moved forward and grabbed a solid tablet out of the table. Catherine almost dropped it in the process. She was in shock when her skin touched the device.
Noticed Catherine astonished look, Anna added: "That was our digital fabrication technology. It is the most used and probably the most exclusive technology Genesis has at the moment. Breathtaking, isn't it?" Catherine did not answer but Anna did not need it, she already had what she wanted. "All this were just a substitute for a fucking piece of paper? What else do these guys have?" Catherine thought while examining the words imprinted on the tablet with eyes wide open.
"So, what the fuck am I supposed to do with this" 'Catherine said while showing the letter filled side of the tablet.
"First, read it carefully. This contract is rather important."
And Catherine did just that. Her eyes scanned the transparent tablet, sorting through every word. However, none of those words seemed to stick, probably because Catherine had already made her choice. To her, at that moment, all of these were just a boring combination of letters that appeal only to lawyers. After finishing the final line, Catherine said: "Okay, now what?"
"You shouldn't have rushed."
"I said, now what?"
"Next, you simply pressed your palm against it. Any hand is fine." Catherine put her left hand on the tablet's surface while giving it a tighter grip on her right. The thing lit up in red as she did so. "State your name in addition to the line "I agree to all the terms written in the contract". "
Catherine looked down at the tablet and said: "My name is Catherine Kobb and I agree to all the terms written in the contract."
The tablet changed its color to green when Catherine finished her statement. Afterward, Catherine put the tablet back to the table, which then turned it back into hologram dust and absorbed it. The table then generated a purple band with the Foundation logo on it. Anna gestured Catherine to pick it up.
"Thank you for your cooperation. You are now Foundation agent number 364, an official part of the new Essal. I know this is a bit rush but, do you think you are ready to get your first mission?"
"Sure, why the fuck not?" Said Catherine after she had put the band on her right arm. The thing tightened them helmed itself into Catherine coat.
"Alright, however first you need to get an update before going anywhere. Tell Axel to take you to the upgrade center, from there they will give you the procedure to have you ready for your first mission."
"Uh, what, and why? "
"Update. Our weapons and technology are far too advanced for a Celestian to use. Trust me, I know. You need some basic trainings in order to work as a Foundation agent. However, regular trainings and manuals would take too long and usually are not that effective. The updates process shall fix that problem. The procedure will give you all the information you need in a flash, and the knowledge you get would stay with you forever. Ask the engineers for more details regarding the process."
"That's, nice, I guess." Catherine said with her face being an awkward mixture of awestruck and utterly confused.
"You should get going. The team is waiting for you."
"Team? As in the whole base?"
"Not really, I forgot to mention that you will work with three other Pokémon as a team or a squad, whatever you want to put it. It would be better for you to have someone cover your back. Do you have any objection with that?"
"As long as they don't get in my way, that's fine by me."
Catherine then turned her back and moved out of the room. Upon reaching the door, she glanced over her shoulder and look back at Anna, who was looking at Catherine with a grin and said: "We expect great things from you." before disappearing into a mix of floating pixels. Catherine just stormed through the door afterward.
Upon exit, she saw Axel was still standing at the left side at the door. He was gently tapping his foot again the floor, again without making a noise.
"Done already?" Axel asked. "Well, I am all up for efficiency, but that was fast." He looked at his wristwatch. "Okay, I'm going to take you to the hangar bay and drop you somewhere with shade in the Outland."
"Yeah, about that." She rubbed the back of her head. "I chose to stay."
"Huh?" He said before looking at her armband. "I see. You seem determinate from before. What's changed?"
"Let just say, I take this job over fighting for a bunch of scraps in the Outland any day."
"Don't feel like sharing? Fine with me."
"Knock the crap and answer me this. Why didn't you want me to join in? This place sounds like the best thing that could ever happen to an exiled Pokémon. So why trying to stop me?"
He scanned Catherine's face from the chin up. Detected her determination in finding the answer, he let her have it: "Like I said before, this job would be too much for a Celestian like you to take. The missions, those should be the easy part for a fighter like you. Nevertheless, the changes you have to make when you are one of us, that's the hard part. The world has changed, Kirlia. Things are not the same as the Celestial Nation anymore. For example, the things that are considered acceptable in your nation may not be accepted here or anywhere else and vice versa. The order and morals of this world have also changed. Will you be able to accept those and make your decisions based on them? The idea of change had and always will be the thing that frightens most. Can you handle that? "
"Pfff, first off, don't patronizing me. Fuck that. That kind of treatment always leaves a bad taste in my mouth. Second, you have underestimated me Snivy. And I take that as an insult but I'll let you slide…this time. Third, for your question, I'm not a typical Celestian as you can see. I'm quite, how to put it? Adaptable, I'll manage. I always will. You clear?"
"Things are easier said than done. But everything has been said and all have been done." He paused, closed his eyes and breathed lightly. "So, what are you planning to do next?"
"I don't know, Anna said some shit about getting an update and have me ready for a mission."
"Wasted no time, didn't she? Well, if she thinks you are ready then I will oblige, follow me."
"Hey, another thing " She then stroke out her right hand. "Catherine Kobb. 26"
"Axel Voynich. 27" said him as he took her hand and shook it twice.
"How the fuck could that happened? You look like 17, tops. And who the fuck are you with that last name, Glacian?"
"It's rather complicated. Think it as me trading my evolution for something really special."
"Something special?" Catherine frowned upon thinking about it. A thought went through her head. "Could he have it as well?" The subject she was thinking about decided to spoke up in her mind. "That would be marvelous, but I think he meant something else. I didn't feel the present in his touch."
"Okay. What is this?" Axel said and looked at the hands knot. Realizing she had been grabbing Axel's hand for more than 30 seconds, Catherine broke away the handshake.
"It's a handshake, dipshit!"
"No, that's not what I meant." Axel closed his eyes while making himself clear.
"See, I'm one of you fuckers now, better make you tolerable. Got a funny feeling that I'm gonna see you around here a lot."
A smile cracked on his face.
Catherine continued. "Wipe that smile off your face. Don't you buddies, buddies me, ever. I'm here for the pay and that's all. Now can we get the update thing over with so I can crack some skulls? "
"Sure thing." Axel shrugged his shoulders and signaled Catherine to follow him.
Axel led the way once again. They made a left turn from the conference room and headed straight to an elevator. The doors opened abruptly as both of the Pokémon were 3 feet away from them. This made Catherine stepped back with her hand gripped into a fist. Not only after Catherine noticed the empty elevator did she relax a bit. "Always on your toes; that's good. It will keep you alive." Axel told Catherine before entering the elevator with her. Catherine looked around the metallic cabin and could not find any control panel or anything else inside. She remained silent; keeping her from looking like a fool. Axel took the cylinder device out of his belt and twisted it in front of the inside wall, making everything beside the shutter door lit up in various strange and colorful patterns. He then dragged his left index finger across the surface in front, moving some of the shapes around.
Catherine then complimented on the colorful visual but criticized how that would be convenient for anyone. Axel just programed the thing and stepped back from the wall without saying much beside "Company's decision, not mine". The doors shut tight and the elevator began to howl as it descended further down.
Seconds later, a ding marked their destination. Another busy lab with a new set of noise was introduced as the doors opened. However, upon closer inspection this lab resembled more that of a shooting range than an actual lab. There were enormous glass cases to the left; each with at least two Kadabra engineers inside. One of them would always be holding a weapon and aim it to either a target board or a block of ballistic gel. The rest would just standing nearby and collecting data. The glass walls were simply made of pressure resistant glass as anyone could hear the ravaging sound of gunshots. They were changing from fast and rapid machines guns to shotguns and an abrupt boom from a missile launcher.
On the opposite of the glass-cages were a workshop and giant screens mounted on the wall. A few cubicles with dentist chairs (or at least they looked like dentist chair) surrounded by electrical equipment, a number of tables with various machinery, armor, weapons and monitors on them. There was also a dark doorway led to something in the back of this room, which stuck out like a black rectangle in contrast to a room filled with white light. After both Catherine and Axel had made their first step inside, Catherine was greeted by a hologram of Anna coming from a projector near the elevator's entrance.
"Greeting Foundation's agent!" The hologram said with the tone that was identical to the one inside Catherine's pod from earlier.
"What else do you want from me, Anna?" Catherine said.
"Apology, but you have mistaken. I am just a computer created in Anna's image." The hologram's bow is an almost mirror reflection of Anna's.
"Okay and you are here for?"
"I'm here to help you gain better understanding of the upgrade center."
"Make it brief." Catherine said, seemingly reluctant.
"As the name suggest. This place is where you upgrade your weapons and apply other modifications to things such as armors, barriers, equipment and biological upgrades. Here also houses the update service.
This service will help new employees such as yourself acquire knowledge on the latest weaponry along with other subjects in a relatively short time with little to no side effects."
"How do you do that? The update thing."
"We'll implant the information into your brain through…special methods. It is similar to downloading information to your brain."
"Are you going to explain more on the "special methods"?"
"I was about to, but you have instructed me to make things brief. Explaining the procedure would be time consuming. Do you want me to?"
"Aghhhh." Catherine groaned in frustration. "Just don't bother. In short you are going to jam my head with information and shit, right?"
"Correct. Before use, remember that only under level five information updates are free. All upgrades, updates and other form of modifications must be purchase using conventional credits. Do you wish to know more?"
"Nah, I'm good." Catherine just walked pass the hologram.
"Have a pleasant day." The hologram quickly retreated to a large projector on the floor not before giving another bow.
Axel tapped on Catherine's shoulder. "Just head to that chair over there and the engineer shall do the rest." He then pointed to the nearest metallic dental chair and signaled a Kadabra engineer with the number 476259447 standing nearby. "That's your engineer for today. Have any question just ask him. I'm going to go check on a few things, will see you after the update."
"Okay, okay, whatever you say, boss." She said while making her way to the Kadabra engineer Axel had mentioned. After Catherine had turned her back, Axel held his tube device and slowly became invisible.
When Catherine had settled on her steel cold chair, she looked pass the standing engineer for a sight at the elevator door. Noticed the absence of the Snivy, she changed her view to her engineer, who was tuning up some machines. He appeared to be humming a tune as he doing so. And once in every while, he would scratch across the numbers on his left arm. Catherine abruptly ended his humming. "Will it hurt?"
He turned to her and said in the same voice and manner as the engineer she had met in the last hour. "Yes. The procedure will stimulate your brain with electrical currents that will mimic nerve activities, which would simulate the learning process. And to speed things up the electrical current here will be much more powerful than those in your head. Needless to say, it would be quite painful."
Catherine took a deep breath.
"Take this as something to calm your "nerve". It would be over rather quick." The way the Kadabra gave her a wink just made her cringe from the inside.
"Okay. Good to know."
"So, how far do wish to know, new agent?" The Kadabra asked.
"How did you?"
"Age of information. I know you were going to come the moment Anna reclaimed the contract. Again, how far."
"Don't know, Celestian. Any recommendation?"
"Hmm, if that is the case then your brain would be overload with the regular options. *Tick* Oh well, I will just give you the information on weaponry, and the instruction on digital fabricators. You should do fine without driving skills, basic hacking, the Delta base's layout, basic repairs, first aid and political related informatiiiiiiiiiiiiiooooonnnnn. Oh dear, this is going to be like giving a Kabutop a nuclear weapon, isn't it? Oh well, company's order, cannot oppose."
"I'm still here, asshole." Said Catherine as she tried to add some weight to her voice.
Unburdened by her shift in tone, he continued. "Don't worry, no need to get upset, I will added them later. Other things. Do you wish to have your digital fabricator hidden in your clothes, in your melee weapons or replace your entire arm?"
"Oh, that must be the whole body modification thing. "
"So arm it is." The Kadabra quickly got down, picked up a blood-covered chainsaw in a bucket on the floor and revved it loudly, spraying some blood on Catherine's face.
"NO!" She protested. "Sleeve, sleeve, sleeve."
"Gotcha, hehehe, just a joke. An arm like that would cost you over 4000000 credits. And that is the cheapest kind, not include insurance." He switched the chain saw off and earned a relieved exhale from Catherine.
He then reached down below for a metallic helmet with wires connected it and a machine nearby. The helmet itself looked like a bowl frame with needles located in various places. He strapped it on Catherine's head, instructed her to put her own hands on the extended pieces of the chair, and pressed a few more buttons. He activated the chair's restrains on her arms and legs and put his hands on a large lever. "Safety procedure. Nothing to worry about. Now, dream of scientific advancements, new agent. Oh and if you feel something is burning inside your head that lasts for more than five minutes. That means the machine is working."
"Wait, what!"
The Kadabra pulled down the lever, making the needle pierced the skin on her head. The moment those needles punched through her scalp, electricity currents ran wild inside Catherine head and the rest of her body. She was struggling and screaming violently for a few seconds then stopped with eyes and mouth wide open.
The helmet on her head let out smoke while another machine next to the chair was screaming in siren. "Why is it still going?" The Kadabra asked while his hands were punching all sort of buttons and dials. "Oh, forgot." He then reached to a machine that was the source of the loud noises. He opened it, stopped the siren and took out what looked like a plate with a steamy and slightly burnt hot pocket on it. He proceeded to put the plate on a nearby table next to the bloody chainsaw, unplugged the wire that connected to the oven and hooked it to a heart monitor lay on the floor. Upon connection, the monitor let out a chart simulated a steady beating heart. He flipped a switch from another machine with a monitor. The machine showed an image of a brain drawn in red, blue and yellow lines. When everything was done, he picked up his snack and took a bite. A voice identical to him spoke up from behind.
"What in the name of science was going on here?"
"Nothing major actually. Just a new subject having a hard time coping with the updating process." engineer 447 answered.
"Having a hard time?" This sentence stood before the sound of panic footsteps of Kadabra with the number 158451056 on his arm (let just call him 056 for short) approached and picked up the heart monitor. He hooked his own crystal plate to it and got some reading.
"A hard time? She almost die!" 056 turned around and yelled at his double self.
"Calm down, she is fine now. Look, she is breathing. Sure she looks like a Margikarp dying out in the sun but still breathing nonetheless." 447 answered before taking another bite.
"That's no excuse for that kind of reckless" 158451056 was interrupted by the crunching noise came from 447's mouth. "What on Essal are you eating?" 056 pointed at the half eaten snack in 447's hand.
"A hot pocket, would you like to have a bite?"
"No, and dispose of that thing immediately! Consume one and it will take away 2 minutes of your life span. Sustain yourself with some real food. We have those."
"Negative, the cafeteria is 10089 footsteps away. I like eating while working better. It is more efficient. My lost 2 minutes of life span? I can always use the bathroom after I die."
"You, disgust me 447. I couldn't even comprehend the fact that we have the same origin."
447 answered with a shrug.
"You are hopeless 447. Keeping up those attitudes and they will decommission you. Decommission, I tell you. Take that as a warning from me."
"Then, I believe I need to finish this delicious treat before that happen. Wouldn't you agree?"
056 just walked away, slowly shaking his head. 447 turned to the monitor displaying Catherine's brain. He quickly wolfed down the snack, rubbed his hand against his lab coat, picked up a keyboard from the floor, placed his greasy fingers on it and typed rapidly.
"I love my job." 447 said with a satisfied grin before pressing Enter.
Author's notes:
Thank you so much for reading. If you enjoyed what you have just read and wished to see more, please follow or leave a review. They would give me motivation to write more for everyone. All feedbacks will be appreciated. If you find anything lacking or flawed in my story (grammar, word use, etc.), please tell me in the reviews as well. I shall do my best to updates these chapters sooner and make them more polished. This is my first ever story so please forgive any possible mistake in the future and help me fix them.
Thanks again and have a pleasant day.