Hello Everyone, Another chapter to satisfy your reading pleasure!
Now, On with the story.
Chapter 13: Amending
(Headquarters of International Police's Galarian Branch, Galar)
Mateus was in a video call with his superiors of the International Police, and he was heated, about to burst into anger. The case was taking a massive toll on him and the discussion wasn't helping. "I knew it! I knew we should have added a curfew in Alola!" Said Ricardo over a video screen. "You are not making this any easier, Ricardo! Not only do I have to solve a difficult case, I have to play damage control on top of it!" Said Mateus. "So, it looks like the Mighty Detective, Mateus Cobalt is not as established as his reputation assures to be!" Ricardo's word struck a chord in the Aloan Detective's ear, prompting him to lash out. "Listen here, you think it's easy to…" "That's enough! You understand that this is not an easy case to work with, Ricardo. And, you must keep a leveled head while discussing, Mateus." Said Blake over a video screen. Mateus then takes a deep breath. "I'm sorry about that. It's just that whatever course of action we take, they seem to adapt with it." Blake then places his hand on his chin. "That is definitely the case, we'll have to determine what actions are necessary for us to take from here on out."
(Meanwhile, At Castelia City Hospital, Unova)
Sitting on a chair next to his wife's Hospital bed, Professor Alva was watching TV with Kaihaku with mixed emotion, happy that his dear wife was by his side, but worried for his eldest daughter, Hilda, and her best friend, Bianca. "Alva?" Questioned Kaihaku. "Yes, Dear." Asked Prof. Alva. "I've noticed that you've been more worried than usual." "To be honest with you, dear, I have. I'm happy to see you, don't get me wrong. But, this case has swapped some of that happiness with worry." Kaihaku then gives Prof. Alva an assuring smile. "Then go. Go back to assisting the International Police in finding them." Prof. Alva then looks at Kaihaku with a shocked expression, taken aback by her words. "Dear, I can't do that. I can't risk leaving you alone again." "Alva. I've spent many years raising our children alone. You don't need to worry about that. The doctors say I should make a full recovery in little time. Plus, in all the time I knew you Alva, when making a decision in good faith, you always went with the one that was the made the most sense. I know you want to be here and help me in my recovery, but I can tell that your heart is longing for you to help find them." Alva then looks down and takes a breath. "If you feel this is best dear, then I'll go help the International Police find those children." A smiling Kaihaku then hugs Prof. Alva. "I'll be waiting for you when you do."
(Hours Later, At the Headquarters of International Police's Galarian Branch, Galar)
"So that's it? That's the plan?" Asked Hau. "Yes. The thing is if we let the public know what we are doing in place, our perpetrators can easily find that information out and use it to adjust, but if we don't reveal that information. We may be able to catch them red handed." Said Mateus. "Without the information, they won't be able to adapt, and they can't adapt, they're more likely to make a mistake." Said Clemont, continuing the train of thought. "Which makes us able to more likely catch them and close in on their intentions." Said Rosa. Mateus then points to the table. "Exactly! I know it's not the best option, but given the ramifications, any plan is better than no plan at all."
(Meanwhile, In Alola.)
The developments of the case have been already worrisome enough for Charles and Grace, However, adding in the kidnapping of Amelia, The two had to take turns looking out for and comforting Professors Kukui and Burnet while also caring for their grandchildren, Wyatt and Stella. Grace was watching her grandchildren sleep while reading a book when Charles came in. "Comment était-ce, mon cher? (How was it, dear?)" Asked Grace. "Chérie, dire que c'était une poignée serait un euphémisme. Le professeur Kukui et Burnet sont dévastés et inquiets. (Dear, to say it was a handful, would be an understatement. Professor Kukui and Burnet are devastated and worried.)" Replied Charles. "Semblable à comment nous étions quand Serena a disparu il y a toutes ces années? (Similar to how the two of us were when Serena went missing all those years ago?)" Charles then looks up. "Oui. (Yes.)" Grace then closes her book before quietly placing it on the table. "En parlant de Serena, je me demande comment elle et Ash vont. Que doivent-ils avoir en tête en ce moment? Devoir aller à Galar avec tellement de pression. Et toutes ces personnes disparues, je ne peux pas imaginer devoir m'inquiéter pour un membre de la famille comme ça à l'échelle internationale. (Speaking of Serena, I wonder how she and Ash are doing. What must be on their minds at the moment? Having to go to Galar with so much pressure. And all those missing people, I can't imagine having to worry about a family member like that on an international scale.)" "Grace, ma chère, nous ne pouvons pas comparer nos expériences avec ce qui se passe en ce moment. Rien n'en sortira. Nous ne pouvons qu'espérer le meilleur et offrir notre soutien émotionnel, chaque fois que possible. (Grace, dear, we cannot compare our experiences with what's going on right now. Nothing will come of that. We can only hope for the best, and offer our emotional support, whenever and wherever possible.)" "Tu as raison, Charles. (You're right, Charles.)"
(Charles and Grace then hug each other before looking at Wyatt and Stella.)
"Ils sont si adorables! (They're so adorable!)" Whispered Grace. "C'est vrai. Je me demande ce qu'ils deviendront en grandissant? (That's true. I wonder what they'll grow up to be?)" Whispered Charles. Grace then turns to her husband. "Grandir et évoluer, pour être précis. (Grow up and evolve, to be exact.)" Charles then smiles. "Droit. (Right.)"
(Meanwhile, In an Unknown Region.)
"I can assure you that there is no need to worry, we are almost complete with our goal." Said someone using a voice synthesizer over a laptop. "Are you ignoring the fact that the International Police has not announced their patrol plans to the public? How are we to adjust from here?" Asked a Scientist. "There are ways to improvise without information." The scientist then squeezes some of the skin on his forehead. "At this point, doing so is extremely dangerous, Miss. What if the International Police find one of our members?" "I told you, there is no reason to worry. Should any part of the operation be compromised, I have a backup plan. Am I clear?" The Scientist then looks at the laptop. "But, Miss…" The synthesized voice then shifts into an enraged tone. "Am I clear?!" "Yes, Ma'am."
(Meanwhile, Back at the Headquarters of International Police's Galarian Branch, Galar.)
Serena was looking a window with her Delphox and Pancham by her side, wondering about the missing people. She didn't notice her husband was standing right behind her. "Sweetheart?" Asked Ash. "Oh! Ash-kun, I didn't realize you were there. Eon." Said Serena. "Sorry if I scared you." Serena then turns back towards Ash. "You didn't. What on your mind?" Ash then sighs. "A lot. But what else is new?" "Nothing much. Eon."
(Ash and Serena's Rotom Phones then go off briefly, revealing a notification.)
"I just got a notification. Mateus says that we're planning on moving forward with the plan to catch the perpetrators in a few days, he'll brief us in on the final plan tomorrow." Said Ash. "Same here. Eon." Said Serena. Serena then looks outside. "Ash?" "Yes Serena. "Remember when we came here for our honeymoon? Eon?" "Of course. We stayed at the Rose of the Rondelands. You admired the view of Wyndon skyline at night." "I do love beautiful skylines." Ash then places his arm on Serena's shoulders. "It's always nice to talk like this in difficult times like these, it helps break the tension." Serena then smiles. "That is true. Eon."
(Meanwhile, With Mateus.)
Hard at work, Mateus was finalizing everything to ensure that the same mistakes would not happen as they did in Kalos and Alola. "It's hard. Doing everything that can be done to prevent the same mistakes, but we're covering an entire region, and they're excellent improvisers, so many lives and then some are counting on us." Thought Mateus to himself. "You look like you need a hand." Said a voice from nearby.
(Mateus then looks up from his desk and see Prof. Alva on the doorway to his temporary office.)
"Alva? I thought you were with Kaihaku." Said a confused Mateus. "I was. She assured me that she was going to recover well and that I was best needed looking for them." Said Prof. Alva. Mateus then places his left hand on his chin. "So you took a red-eye from Unova to Galar." "Yep." Mateus is then seen extending his right hand. "Can't believe I'm saying this so soon, good friend, but it's good to have you back." "Can't say I'm not surprised myself". Prof Alva then joins Mateus' hand for a handshake.
*End of Chapter 13*
I hope you all have an excellent weekend. See you next Friday.
