Black flecks of dirt flew away from Mars' boot as her nail picked at them. Squatted over on the bed, she reached beside her and grabbed an old white rag, running it over the toe of her boot and rubbing until she heard squeaking. She looked down, seeing the polished white surface gleaming in the dim light of her quarters.
Getting up, she tossed the rag into a small bin, crossing towards the desk and squatting down. A drawer at the bottom of the desk's cabinet had a lock on it. Mars took the key tucked in the leggings of her uniform, sliding it in and opening it. The drawer slid open; several Pokeballs, tools and useful aids for her Pokemon, as well as several unmarked packages lined the inside. Lifting the topmost flap to one of the open packages, Mars could see the gleam of a gun tucked away inside, leaving it be as she reached down for the Pokeballs. A white snaking belt rested beneath the somewhat scattered Pokeballs, and Mars pulled it up, holding it by the latching ends. She put it on the desk, taking a seat in the desk chair.
Cradled between her hands, Mars stared down at the new Pokeball. Unlike the Pokeballs in her belt, this Pokeball had a gray shell with two, equally spaced vertical yellow bars painted on; an Ultra Ball. It felt identical to any Pokeball she had ever held, balanced and aerodynamic, feeling good when her fingers curled around it. Still, something didn't quite feel right about it.
"Don't let me down…" Mars muttered to the Pokeball, holding it up to the light.
The white belt slid effortlessly through the loops around Mars' torso. The belt doubled over and slid back through clasp on the front of the belt, locking down and sealing tightly. The holster clipped back onto the belt, sliding towards backside of Mars' hips. Another set of supplies for Mars' belt, resting on the desk moments before, snapped onto the belt with ease.
Lastly, Mars took the gray Ultra Ball from the desk, snapping it snugly into her holster.
The loading ramp of the shuttle stretched far down, leading out onto the grassy, muddied field that the shuttle was parked on. A deep shadow covered the ground, where only a very bright sliver of light could be seen just beyond the opening of ramp, the only visible end to the silhouette of the gigantic craft. The walls on either side of the ramp opening were lined with crates of supplies, pressed against the railings, the ramp space seeming bare with only two figures standing on it.
"Maybe… If you're not busy later… We could have a Pokemon battle? It might help to take your mind off the mission a bit…" Geegee swallowed uncomfortably as she put out her suggestion. Her whole body seemed to be on edge, poised uncomfortably at the beginning of the ramp.
Mars turned to Geegee, smiling. She squinted, the light from the world just beyond the ramp making the inside of the shuttle seem incredibly dark. A bit of wind knocked her hair up as she spent the moment looking up at her. Though Mars was several feet down from the ramp, a duffel bag slung over her shoulders, full of supplies, a deep black hoodie covering the breastplate of her uniform and her skirt removed, she seemed hesitant in her effort to leave for just a moment.
"I appreciate that," said Mars. "I'll see you at the rendezvous tonight, alright?"
Geegee nodded silently, standing frigidly at the top of the ramp as she watched Mars continue walking down the ramp, disappearing beyond the opening of the lowered ramp's arms.
As Mars crested a hill, climbing atop the rising land and steadying herself on the slick morning grass, the tall spires of windmills came into view. A few steps more, Mars found herself looking at the Valley Windworks building just on the other side of the hill she had just crested, down in the valley below, hugging the river that snaked through the valley. Over on the hills that walled the town off from the highlands of the Eterna Forest, distant windmills turned in the morning breeze, shrouded by morning mist.
Though Mars was mindful of the Valley Windworks nearby, giving careful attention the grunt who guarded the barricade door to the building, Mars looked off into the actual town, looking at the suburban area. A particular house caught her eye, one with a pastel pink roof.
A hat had been wadded up and stuffed into the front pockets of Mars' hoodie. Mars took the hat out, unfurling it and pulling the curved head of the black ski cap. She ran her fingers through her bangs and smoothed them down, the curling, frayed mess folding down as she slid her hat over it. The brim of the ski cap snapped snugly, hugging her head and giving warmth. Curled, wavy hair poked out from Mars' brow and beside her ears, no longer unusual to the common eye.
Slowly, Mars set about descending into the valley, heading towards Floaroma Town.