Hello Everyone! Today's the day for another chapter to satisfy your reading needs (or wants).
Now, on with the story!
Chapter 19: Barraging the Base (Part 1)
(The Next Day, Headquarters of the International Police's Galarian Branch, Galar)
Everyone was hard at work. Either at searching the contents of the hard drive, or trying to triangulate the location of Dr. Archer's transmission. Choosing to forgo sleep, the entire group was working to, seemingly, no end. "These contents go on and on." Said Calem. "Tell me about it. Eon." Said a tired Serena. Serena and Calem then look at Ash, who was carefully looking at each of the files that went through him. "Is Ash usually like this?" Serena then looks at Calem. "No, he's stayed up late to help me before, but this is the first time I've seen him like that. I guess it's the stakes of the case." "Okay." "Hey guys, is it me or am I seeing some coordinates on this file." Asked Rosa, who was fighting the urge to sleep. "Wait, what?!" shouted the others.
(Ash then runs up to Rosa's computer screen.)
"39 degrees north, 0 degrees west. These are coordinates! Let me write them down and give them to Mateus!" Said Ash, looking at Rosa's computer. "Finally, we're one step closer to finding Hilda and Bianca." Thought Rosa to herself. Ash then turns to the groups. "I'll run this to Mateus, all of you can get some rest for the time being." Everyone then lets out a sigh of relief.
(Meanwhile, with Mateus and Goh, Mateus' Office.)
"So you just finished triangulating the source of Dr. Archer's transmission?" "Yes." Said Goh. "Could you give…?" Mateus is then interrupted by the sound of Ash running into his office. "Mateus. Eh heh. We found some coordinates in the hard drive. Eh heh." Said Ash, who was regaining his breath. "Excellent. Let me have a look."
(Both Ash and Goh then give their findings to Mateus.)
"Hm." Grunted Mateus. "What is it?" Asked Ash and Goh." Mateus then looks up at the two. "Both of your findings list the same coordinates. 39 degrees north and 0 degrees west. If my geography is correct, then our point of interest would be the city of Levincia in Paldea." Ash then turns to Goh. "Paldea, I don't think I've ever been there." Said Ash. "Neither have I." Said Goh. Mateus then places his right hand on his eyebrows. "We're not going for research or adventure." Ash then turns back to Mateus. "We know." Mateus then removes his hand. "I'll report to my superiors to form some sort of plan. You two and your groups can rest, you've all clearly earned it. You two are dismissed." Ash and Goh then leave.
(Hours Later, At Mateus' Office)
"So it is confirmed that the transmission was broadcast from Levincia." Said Ricardo through a video screen. "Not only that, the coordinates in Zager's hard drive are the same exact ones as the location of Dr. Archer's transmission." Said Mateus. Ricardo then looks with a shocked expression. "So you're saying that Team Rocket could have ties to Paldea?!" "As much as I want to doubt it, to ignore the possibility would be foolish." "Where in Levincia would Team Rocket hold any form of operations?" Mateus closes his eyes. "Levincia is one of Paldea's most prominent port cities. If I were one of our perpetrators in a port city, where would I hold any hidden operations?" Asked Blake through a video screen. Mateus then claps his hands. "The docks! It's easy to hide operations in the docks!" Ricardo then interjects. "Levincia's docks are under its league battlefield. How would we know which dock to enter from?" Blake then virtually turns towards Ricardo. "We'll need to do an aerial infrared scan before we can proceed." Mateus then looks at Blake's screen. "Very well then."
(Several Hours Later, At East Province Area Three, Paldea)
"Is the Thermal Drone ready?" Asked a Male Officer. "Yes. Rotom's inside and it's fully charged" Said a Female Officer. "I understand why we have to do this, but why did we have to wait until 2 o'clock in the morning?" Asked a Male Rookie. The Male Officer then turns to the Rookie. "Because this is the time most people are either inside their homes or asleep. We're facing southeast in our current position. This allows us to scan the docks without being spotted. The Female Officer then looks up. "Sir, Permission to deploy the Thermal Drone?" "Permission granted."
(The Thermal Drone is then deployed, lowering itself carefully onto the docks.)
"Steady, steady. We don't want the drone to land in the water." Said the Male Officer. "I know." Said the Female Officer. The thermal drone then enters the docks. "It seems like the Northern Dock looks to be clear of any activity." Said the Male Rookie. The Male Officer then leans closer to the screen. "Scan the dock further." "Yes sir." The Female Officer then controls the Thermal Drone to go left to right. "Nothing." "I see. Check the Southern Dock then."
(The Thermal Drone then heads to the Southern Dock.)
"Alright, scan from left to right." Said the Male Officer. "On it." Said the Female Officer. The Thermal Drone then scans left to right. "Wait! What's that?!" Said the Male Rookie. The Male Officer then looks at the screen. "That's a door, with two guards. The Docks are closed now. There should be no one there." The Male Rookie the turns to the officer. "Except for people with authorized access" The Female Officer then turns to the duo. "According to Rotom's search, that area of the docks has been rented by Dr. Archer for almost a year and a half now." The Male Officer then smiles. "So it seems we found Dr. Archer's hiding spot. Mission accomplished. Permission to return the Thermal Drone granted. I'll send this information as soon as possible."
(Hours Later, Headquarters of the International Police's Galarian Branch, Galar)
"We found where Dr. Archer and the missing people are likely hiding. What I don't understand is how Dr. Archer was somehow able to find this place before we did. There's something missing within all this." Said Mateus. "I was able to access the records of Levincia's Dock station ownership. Each dock has 10 stations. It seems as if Team Rocket was leasing Dock Station number #18 through a dummy corporation called Rocket Systems Incorporated." Said Clemont. Mateus then turns to Clemont. "When?" Clemont then looks at his screen. "They started leasing around 14 years ago and that lasted until the Paldean Government reassumed ownership around four years ago due to non-payment." Mateus then closes his eyes. "Team Rocket used a dummy organization to gain a lease for the station, which they maintained for several years until we arrested them. Then when they were acquitted and tried, the Paldean government stepped in and regained the station, likely due to payments no longer being made, since they were no behind bars. That explains how Team Rocket had a slimmer of a presence in Paldea in the first place, but it doesn't explain how Dr. Archer had found it." "The records also state that Dr. Archer has leased the station for almost two years." "Two years. Do you mind checking her last flight to Paldea?" Clemont then closely checks his screen. "It says Dr. Archer last went to Paldea roughly five months ago." "Around the time this whole thing started. I'll need to attend a meeting soon, Clemont. So, unfortunately, I'll need to ask you to leave." "Alright, Detective." Clemont then leaves.
(A Few Hours Later)
Mateus was heading back from his temporary office to where the rest of the group was residing, waiting for any details regarding a plan. Followed by his Decidueye and his Umbreon, Buddy, he was walking at a fast pace to where the others were. Upon entering the room, Mateus was greeted by an anxious group of 21 people. "Everyone settle down. I'll give the details." Said Mateus. Everyone then settles down and Mateus then looks at a board. "We were able to confirm that Dr. Archer and her group are indeed hiding in Levincia. Now, obviously with Levincia being a popular business hub, we have to consider how to proceed. We'll be going in casually…" Goh then raises his hand, causing Mateus to turn towards him. "Yes Goh?" "Wouldn't it make more sense for an International Police Squadron to go in first?" "Normally, yes. However, we don't want to cause a ruckus and scare the entire city. Where was I? Ah, yes. There are two guards standing at the entrance. Mirai can simply lull them to sleep." Rosa then raises her hand. "Why would you use your Meowstic?" Asked Rosa. Mateus then chuckles. "Meowstics are relatively powerful Psychic Type Pokémon. They're even able to rival some of the most powerful in its type and even some Legendary Pokémon. Lulling someone to sleep psychically is simply an afterthought." "I see." "Going by the building plans, each dock station has at least three underground floors. Dr. Archer should be in one of them. When we find her…" "We'll find the people." Said Prof. Alva. Mateus then turns to Prof. Alva. "Exactly. Now I know all of you have your lives, and the operation to bring Dr. Archer to justice could potentially be a dangerous one, so I'm giving all of you the option. If you'd like to take part in bringing Madeline to justice and rescuing the missing people, take a step forward. If not, simply remain where you are."
(Everyone then takes a step forward.)
"You've already provided excellent heaps of assistance in this case, all of you. It also seems you're willing to see this to the end. I won't stop you. We leave for Paldea in two days. Get packing. Until we find the missing people and bring Dr. Archer to justice, there's no turning back from here on out" Said Mateus.
*End of Chapter 19*
We're so close to the end. It honestly feels bittersweet.
If you are new to this trilogy: It is highly recommended reading "Intertwined" and "Interweaved" to catch up on things. Additionally, there's also two additional sets of side stories, "Interconnecting Stories" and "Interlacing Stories", available if you wish to read more of the overall story.
To all those who have Favorited and/or Followed any part (or all) of The "Tied in Love" Trilogy: Thank you! It brings me joy to know that you enjoy reading these stories as much as I do writing them.
I hope you all have an excellent weekend. See you all next Friday.
