Chapter 73: Reboot
I now find myself awake in some forest while I lie on the grass. It certainly looks familiar particularly with how all of the trees look. Where am I?
I sit up trying to get a better understanding of where I am. It is then I see troops dressed as Team Rocket grunts surrounding me, carrying Arisaka's in their hands. Again they look really familiar; in fact they remind me of my allied troops.
"Black, Black are you alright big brother?" A voice I recognise calls out to me.
It's Uni. Hang on a minute, hearing Uni's voice, seeing the Team Rocket troops and the forest. I must be in Lowee outside the cave near route 22. I must have died then, but I'm now revived. Yep it's all coming back to me and it's nice to see that the bats have been dealt with.
But while I'm pleased to see myself alright as well as my allied troops, I then remember the horror. The horror with how White has been captured, Pallet Town has been lost and how Bow and his group have all died in the caves. I feel terrible with how I was unable to keep hold of any Loweean territory. It's crippling as we're no better off now than before our operation has commenced. In fact we're worse off as we have lost White, my Loweean counterpart and perhaps our best shot in saving Gameindustri. Not to mention we have lost the Loweeans in the cave, perhaps the only Loweeans we could have saved.
There is a part of me that feels it's best to go back to Lastation just to defend it, but at the same time it'll be terrible to have to abandon Lowee to our tyrannical enemies. I cannot bear to hear or see the CPUs, as I have let them down. I also cannot begin to imagine how they'd feel to know me and White their best shot, have failed to even keep hold of Pallet Town and to keep the Loweeans alive. What must Blanc feel to know, that there is no hope in taking back Lowee now.
I'm not even sure if I can speak to Uni. At least last time me and White were together, but I feel that my actions have gotten White captured and I do feel responsible for the death of Bow and his men at the hands of Team Rocket. I guess since she's speaking to me I should at least reply to her. At least I can safely assume now that Lastation has held off the Leanbox attack, but at what cost? I guess it's worth asking but even then while they defend our great nation, I am tasked with going on the offensive and yet some offensive that was.
"I'm fine physically but not fine emotionally at all Uni." I reply to her via mind talk sounding very glum.
"What's wrong big brother, is it White being captured?" She replies trying to cheer me up.
"It's not just that, it's how I feel responsible for her capture. I have left her to guard Pallet Town but with too few men. I was hoping I could get to the caves and find the Loweeans there so we could rescue them and go to Pallet Town. I have really tried to find them and it took a long a time, but while I did get to find them it was too late as they have been spotted by a large army. I tried to rescue them but they ended up dying due to there being too many of them, not to mention too many Zubats and now Pallet Town has fallen and White has been captured. I would like to offer my deepest apologies to you, Noire and Blanc and her sisters. I am extremely sorry for failing at such an important stage. I feel ever so terrible for letting you down so badly. Whatever you wish for me to do I am in your hands and I'll understand completely." I speak with much sadness, much sorrow for what has happened.
Even though I remember the CPUs here to be very nice, I still feel terrible for letting them down and it wouldn't surprise me if they're to be extremely angry with me especially Blanc.
"We too feel the same responsibility and on behalf of the CPUs of Lastation and Lowee, I apologise. I was unable to provide you with surveillance when we were invaded, and if you had surveillance I could have perhaps guided you better which would have saved time. Not only this but we didn't send enough men to capture Pallet Town. We should have also realised that they rely on strength in numbers, as well as how they're everywhere and fairly quick to respond in any given situation. So if there's anyone at fault it's us for thinking that the troops and resources would have been enough. I don't think anyone especially Blanc thought that Lowee would be liberated easily, we should know that they will fight to the death for every last inch of this land." Uni replies to me sharing the same grief as I do.
"It's not your fault Uni, you needed to defend Lastation with every soldier you could get and you needed to be able survey the battlefield, as well as the Leanbox lines so you knew what their plan of attack was. At least you was able to keep us well supplied and you was able to provide me with a few troops. I should have done better in that cave. I should have just attacked with all of my troops instead of leaving them outside to defend. I know how much you guys were counting on me and White to capture Pallet Town. I just wish I could have done better to capture it. I should never have left White at the mercy of the invaders, I'm so sorry for this." I speak with the same sort of grief.
"But you did your best as well. I mean despite being heavily outnumbered you was able to capture Pallet Town, and was able to hold off numerous attacks. In fact I dare say you've perhaps killed hundreds of grunts compared to the loss of dozens of Loweeans. You even managed to find the Loweeans despite not knowing your way around the caves, plus which if anything it was the Zubats and the enemy troops that vastly outnumber you that you had to deal with. I mean due to the necessity of keeping cover you had to use weapons of their level, and their weapons aren't that adequate for dealing with squadrons of bats. And as for the number of enemy troops, it's not easy dealing with superior numbers when you don't have superior equipment, or when you have to avoid getting shot to avoid suspicion. For the circumstances you and your troops have done very well." She replies in the similar method and tone. I must admit she is boosting my morale and I am cheering up right now, but it's only a bit.
"When you put it that way you have a point. Maybe I have done the best I could considering the circumstances, and there's nothing I could have done to avoid the tragedies. But it still bothers me to know that those Loweeans have died and I couldn't save them, and that now White has been captured and is taken to Viridian City, I don't even know if we can get her out of there. Anyway how is it back in Lastation? Is everyone alright there?" I ask her in an attempt to lighten up the mood.
"Well… Although we have suffered some damage and some casualties and it's quite bad, we're able to fix them with no difficulty at all thanks to our highly advanced technology, and we're able to revive our dead troops thanks to the perk a colas. So in other words Lastation is fine, as matter of fact our Cole McGrath was able to wipe out dozens of their Titans with his super powers. With this said we have reason to believe that Leanbox intends to invade again soon, but with a much larger force. While it shouldn't be too much trouble for us, the battle will no doubt last much longer. I must admit it does bring us all grief with the amount of destruction and casualties we have to inflict against Leanbox, it is such a tragic loss of life. It makes us all wonder where they get their troops from, because they never seem to run out of troops or resources despite their losses.
Noire is actually happy that Lastation is able to hold off against the Leanbox attacks just as we all are. With this said though we are all quite upset to find that our operation in Lowee has not gone as well as we would have liked, but none of us blame you at all for this. While Blanc is especially sad knowing that the Loweeans in the cave have died and that her own sister White is in the hands of Team Rocket, none of us believe that given the circumstances there was anything we could have done to save them. You did what you could and if we didn't attempt to invade, they probably would have died by now anyway.
Although White has been captured, we now know that she has been transported to a camp in Viridian Forest near Viridian City. It's poorly guarded but we have reason to believe she has been transferred there, to keep her location a secret. They believe that if she was to be left in the city, defectors would find her and attempt to rescue her.
Despite the fact that we are need of all the troops we can get to defend our base, we are able to provide some more troops and equipment to this operation. Although it's not that many it's more than before, in fact we have a plan for rescuing White as well as to resume causing trouble for Team Rocket.
First of all I wish for you to board our container that's invisible to the naked eye. We'll pick you up via Noire's stealth plane and we'll then brief you on your next mission in Lowee." Uni informs me via mind talk.
"Thanks a lot Uni I appreciate it very much. It's good to know that you guys have a plan for rescuing White and there'll be more troops, supplies and equipment this time around. I just hope this time our plan can be successful. Still it's good to be going back to our sister's stealth plane; it is an impressive piece of technology. I look forward to seeing you guys again, I have been thinking about you guys a lot." I reply to her sounding much more happy.
It pleases me to know that there is a way out of this, though I can't help but be filled with curiosity as to how will we rescue White and what will we be doing in our plan this time around? It doesn't take me very long to enter the container as I use my magnetic vision. It astonishes me how it's optical camouflage blends in so well with the landscape, it's just as well as to stop Team Rocket from finding us out.
As soon as I get in I feel the container being lifted in the air. I lie on top of the metal floor to rest, as it's been a long day of constant fighting. It's a pleasant surprise to find that the floor feels like a cosy bed and it's really comfortable to lie on, I could just fall asleep on it.
It wouldn't surprise me if I got to rescue White and my rescue mission would probably commence tonight, with a group of my own troops. Although I am unable to look out of the container it doesn't bother me, as I'm still impressed with how both the interior and the exterior is covered in optical camouflage. It wouldn't surprise me if it has the ability to even feel like it's surroundings, this is some clever technology.
It's not long before I no longer feel the container rising, so I must be inside the plane. Ahh. It's good to be back though I need to remind myself that this is temporary, as I no doubt will be back in Lowee carrying on with my liberation with hopefully more success this time around. Still even if it's temporary it's nice to see the CPUs again.
Indeed I see the front of the crate open to find the familiar interior of the pleasant hanger, and outside the crate are the CPUs as well as Stanley Hargrove. All of them stand next to each other smiling, glad that I'm back. I notice the CPUs especially Noire being more emotional, and my CPU of Lastation herself even rushes towards me to give me a hug. Her hugs as usual are so warm and cosy, she feels so soft and warm as well. I enjoy the nostalgia of this and she even gives me a few hugs, I love her very much and I hope this time I can succeed for my family, my friends, our nations and for our futures.
"Welcome back Black, I'm glad you're ok. It's so wonderful to see you." Noire says in such a caring, soothing yet flirtatious voice that I could listen to forever.
"Yes it's good to be back, I wish I could have made progress in Lowee but at least I'm back in one piece." I reply smiling, pleased to see Noire again.
"Do not worry Black. You have done very well considering the very difficult circumstances. While Pallet Town may have been taken along with White and the lives of Bow and his men, it is not your fault. We must ensure that the deaths are not in vain, White is rescued and that Pallet Town can be retaken along with the rest of Kanto, and perhaps Pokémon province itself." Blanc reassures me.
It's good to know that the CPU of Lowee is not mad at me, but this is not the same one as in the series. Here she is much more level headed and understanding just like Noire and their sisters. I just hope that she can rule her nation again someday.
"I thank you for your forgiveness, I am terribly sorry for not doing as well as we would have liked. I too wish for Lowee to return to our hands so that you may be able to rule it with your benevolence, kindness and understanding." I reply with emotion as I mean every word I say to them.
"If anything it's my fault or at the very least circumstances have worked against us. Despite the quality and bravery of our troops there were just too few of them, for whom we were up against. We at least know of how they'll fight to the death, and how they have plenty of troops as well as good deployment. Although it pains me to say that my previous plan may not have been as good, hopefully this one will be better." Colonel Hargrove explains to us.
He motions for us to follow him as he then leads us to what looks like some elegant gigantic conference room. It looks very futuristic with black walls, black carpet and black leather chairs of high quality and comfort. They all surround a large black glass table. The room is well lit and is full of windows on one side of the room. The room also has a gigantic television with a projection screen, as well as portraits on the wall of Noire and Uni in different outfits, and pictures of the CPUs in different combinations, different poses, and wearing different costumes and at different places most of them of where I have visited since arriving in Gameindustri. It's such a nice room and I look at the view, to see the sun setting above what looks to be a gigantic forest full of trees, tall trees. It wouldn't surprise me if this is Viridian Forest.
I notice that there are a few dozen troops already sat at the table, though they're quite far away from the TV. They are dressed as Loweean soldiers just like the ones I remember from the cave, their clothes deliberately look in bad shape as they're a bit ripped and clearly worn. I'm amazed with how even their bodies look as though they have been living quite rough with limited supplies of food and water, as well as not having ideal accommodation or sanitation. While I know that the appearances of their bodies are fake as they have been well fed and had ideal lives in Lastation, it does impress me with how the Lastation technology covers the ability to make the human body take on the appearance of different conditions, such as that which I see before me. It's incredible and it's very useful in blending with the Loweeans already there. When they see us arrive they all stand up before turning towards us and give us all a salute which we respond in kind.
I also notice on the table how there is plenty of food there, distinctive takeaway food which covers the entire gigantic table. They consist of different spring rolls, different balls like chicken balls, pork balls, prawn balls, beef balls, different crispy fried meats such as chicken and beef all in different sauces, and they consist of various fruits like pineapples and peppers. There are also different rice's as some are with pork, while others are with chicken, others are with mushrooms and there are those that are with prawn. There are also plenty of noodles, prawn crackers of different flavours as well as chips, meat buns, fried seaweed, as well as different sushi and vegetables such as bamboo shoots. This all looks very tasty especially with how there's gigantic glasses full of our favourite drinks, to wash this scrumptious mouth-watering food down. I can just imagine the leaders of Wei and Shu tucking in to such gourmet cuisine.
It's not long before we are all sitting around this table with Noire to my left and Uni to my right, while Blanc, Rom and Ram are sitting opposite me.
How very nice that we get to dine during a briefing, we all tuck in while listening to what our colonel has to say on his new plan.
Note: Readers please listen to Medal of Honor Allied Assault Soundtrack Mystery 4 while reading this:
"Welcome back Black. Although we have not been able to achieve our objective, it's due to unfortunate circumstances and you have done very well. We have been able to inflict at least ten times the amount of casualties as they did. Unfortunately despite the amount of enemy dead in the cave, there are still too many enemy troops patrolling the cave and I fear and I'm sorry to say, that there's nothing we can do for what Loweeans remain in the cave. As for Pallet Town although you managed to take it, it was only temporary and it's even more well defended than before. As if this isn't bad enough, as you may know White has been captured and has been taken to Viridian Forest…" He explains in his usual tone.
He then switches the slide projector and I then see an image on the screen. This image is of a layout of the forest, it reminds me from playing Pokémon Yellow. In fact the layout is exactly as it was in the games pretty much. On this map though is White's location, which isn't that far away to the exit leading to Viridian City. There are also the locations of various groups of Loweean forces, and there are about half a dozen of them who I see scattered throughout the map. They're quite a distance away from the paths, and I can't help but wonder if their situation is just as dire as in the caves and whether them being attacked is inevitable.
"…Your mission is to rescue White. We will be sending you in along with about a few dozen troops to do so. When you get her out of there I'll need you to clear the forest of enemy troops. We are in desperate need of territory belonging to Team Rocket to return back to our control…" He explains further.
He switches the screen to show our own troop deployment in Viridian City, and it's nice to see the relevance of each point.
"…You lot won't be alone as we'll be sending in an additional 500 troops into Viridian Forest. But they will be split up into various groups in which half of them will be dropped off close to the Loweean camps, with which their mission will be to protect the camps while the other half will be split into two. They'll be fairly close to each exit but away from the paths, their mission will be to wipe out any enemy patrols they encounter.
Furthermore we'll be sending in 450 troops outside the cave that leads to route 22 to reinforce the troops we have there, as well as to ensure that no enemy reinforcements leave the cave. Hopefully they can create a forward base which will be used in our liberation of Pallet Town, when the time is right.
Along with your mission being to rescue White, the Loweeans as well as to then wipe out any enemy presence in the Viridian Forest, there is another reason for attacking Viridian Forest…"
He then switches the screen to show a map of Kanto showing all the locations, but the route between Viridian City and Pewter City is circled.
"…We have learned that the forest is used as a supply route to Viridian City as well as Pallet Town. We have also found that since our attack, there have been more and more supplies, equipment and troops that have been moved throughout this forest. If we are to take Pallet Town we need Viridian City to be at its weakest, as well to cut off their supplies. It won't be easy but it's more important that we do cut off their supplies, as we have also learned that some of their supplies consist of special equipment required to develop long range missiles. It's to be believed that if such missiles were to be set up in Viridian City, they would be able to attack Lastation forcing us to declare war officially against Team Rocket. This means we would have to fight two enemies at the same time which would not be ideal. While the missiles may not be as powerful as the nukes in Leanbox, we cannot allow them to provoke us into official warfare.
We also intend to send in 50 of our troops to the south of Pallet Town in the sea, in an attempt to intercept any supplies should they come that way.
So your mission will be to rescue White, rescue all the Loweeans, wipe out the Team Rocket presence and ensure that no enemy supplies reach Viridian City, as well as to defend the forest against any enemy attacks from Viridian City and Pewter City. If this can be done, with luck Pallet Town and Viridian City should hopefully weaken with lack of supplies along with those in the cave. During this time we should be able to supply more troops, equipment and supplies of our own to these locations, and when the time is right we can capture Pallet Town for good and perhaps Viridian City as well.
To make it easier in negotiating with the Loweeans there, all of those that are sent to Viridian City will be disguised as Loweeans. We will offer appropriate weapons which hopefully will be better than the ones in your first mission, and Uni will be here to assist you for as long as she can. You'll be dropped off along with your allies after dinner, I wish you good luck." He finishes briefing me.
It is then we eat dinner together while watching the sun setting over the forest. The meal is definitely very enjoyable to eat and as usual with Lastation cuisine it's always special, novel and tasty in my opinion and I look to see my friends, my CPUs enjoying this food as well.
As we eat our dinner and enjoy the view as well as exchanging compliments about the food to each other, I can't help but think about how I feel this plan has a higher chance of success than with the previous one. I believe this to be so as this one involves the use of more troops, and this time we'll be fighting in more ideal terrain. We should also have more surveillance this time along with more familiarity and easier navigation of it. Another thing to consider is that when it comes to defending the place, it should be easier than when we had to defend Pallet Town due to the terrain as well as troop numbers. The idea of taking control of the forest as a means of applying pressure to Pallet Town and Viridian City is very good. I only hope we can save some Loweeans this time and take some territory back for Lowee, for Blanc and for the Loweeans.
"I really like your plan Colonel Hargrove; it's very logical and well thought out in my opinion. Taking control of the forest is a very good strategy, hopefully this time we'll be a lot more successful." I say to him smiling.
After speaking Noire places her right hand on my left hand, she strokes my hand gently and smiles passionately. I can tell from her body language the amount of love she has for me, and I feel exactly the same way. Her hand feels so soft and soothing and it amuses me how despite the fact that she strokes me with her claws, I don't feel any pain and she doesn't scratch me instead it feels warm, gentle and pleasant. I love the physics of this world I really do.
"Thank you for the compliment, to be honest I have much more optimism for this plan's success, we all do. Hopefully we can at last establish a strong presence in the area, and finally make progress in our liberation for Lowee." He replies in a similar tone to me.
We all nod and speak of how we agree to this. After which Noire then stands up before holding a large drink of Pepsi in her left hand really high, and placing her soothing hand on my left shoulder.
"I would like to propose a toast…" Miss Lastation announces.
Upon hearing this we all get up and hold our drinks up high as well, smiling I notice Blanc looking at me, proud of me as she is confident that I will take back Lowee for her.
"To the liberation of Lowee." She speaks with pride.
We all toast our drinks together and both me and Noire then have a long hug and a kiss, which is very wonderful as we show our genuine love and compassion for each other. I enjoy this as I get to feel how heavenly her long, shiny, silky soft beautiful blue hair is it's almost magical. Her body also feels very warm, soft and soothing. I can also smell her perfume which consists of various fragrances which smell very nice. Yep it's very good to see her and get to experience again first hand, why I love her and appreciate my goddess so very much. I just love how she's able to defend Lastation against Leanbox attacks as well as how intelligent and caring she truly is, I can ask for no better leader.
"Good luck in Lowee Black I know you can do it." Noire says after giving me a long hug and a kiss.
"Thank you and same to you in Lastation. It's too bad our time together will be short lived." I reply to her appreciating her comment.
"It can't be helped. At least when Gameindustri will finally be safe and free from war, chaos and suffering we will have all the time in the world. If possible it would be nice if due to the circumstances both me and Blanc get to rule the world, but with peace and prosperity and the world would find us to be the best leaders ever." Noire replies to me and I can sense that she is thinking about her dream.
"I look forward to that becoming a reality and I do admit that it would be nice if you got to rule all of Gamindustri together." I reply to her agreeing with what she said.
She then giggles before giving me a hug and a kiss in appreciation. I also notice how Blanc looks at me in a pleasant manner, I can sense how she feels warm and happy inside with what is bound to happen; That Lowee will return to the Loweeans with her as its rightful ruler.
It is a shame that there is no time to do anything special together, but at least it will happen again someday. All I can really do right now is make the most of what little time we have left together, and then do everything I can do to make the day when we've won the war and brought peace come faster.
It is then we enjoy the meal we all have, tasting the different sorts of food in this cuisine which I enjoy very much. It's very filling and yet very healthy and it's great how there's plenty of the food to go around. It wouldn't surprise me if we were to save this for supplies in our campaign in Lowee, I'm sure all the allied troops there will enjoy this as much as we do. It's so much fun to eat together and talk about how they've done in Lastation; it fills me with great joy to know how well they're all doing. It's even very nice how they say with much honesty with how much they miss me and White, and the both of us feel exactly the same way. Me and Noire even coil our arms around each other and feed each other, which I find very fun and romantic. We even eat the same noodles so that we end up kissing each other and finishing each mouthful.
Eventually after we're full from eating it, we notice as expected that there are plenty of food left over. Despite this we know it won't go to waste and will be used as supplies for us just as I predicted.
"The food's very delicious and it's awesome how we're able to save this for you guys. I'll show you your new equipment Black." Miss Lastation playfully motions me to follow her in a flirting manner.
"I couldn't agree more; thank you so much your technology for making such food is very impressive." I reply to her as I get up and follow her.
She walks in a very attractive manner before she leads me to the firing range in this magnificent stealth plane of hers. I look inside to find on the table a rifle, a sub machine gun, a couple of pistols as well as a couple of Loweean uniforms, which I do wonder if it's meant for White when she's rescued.
I pick the rifle up to find that it's a Type 4 rifle, it's semi-automatic but it doesn't have many bullets inside only about 5. Still compared to what I've had before in Lowee it is a step up, though it doesn't seem to have any attachments to this gun. It does intrigue me that this weapon does remind me of the M1 Garand which has 8 bullets. I notice on the HUD how it says 5/100 which isn't bad.
I then pick up the sub machine gun to find that this is a Type 99 sub machine gun, which is another step up as I don't recall anyone carrying an automatic weapon that's portable. The thing is this gun only has 20 bullets, but it's still a reasonable number for an automatic. Again like with the rifle there doesn't seem to be any attachments to this weapon, but it does come with 10 extra clips.
Finally I pick up the two pistols which are the Masuer C96s that I had in the caves, with 15 bullets in each gun as well as 300 extra ammo and the change of clothes.
"I like the new equipment Noire, it's nice to get an upgrade but I still think the weapons that we can use at home are so much better." I say to her after picking up all the weapons from the table.
"I knew you would, thanks a lot for the compliment and I wish you good luck." She replies before giving me a rather long hug and kiss out of love and good luck. I can see her smile a lot as we are enjoying how we got to see each other again, even if it's temporarily.
After which she leads me to the hangar part of the stealth plane, where I see the few dozen Loweean troops that will accompany me. I see a few of them carry the same rifles as I do and a few of them carrying the same submachines guns as I do, but the rest of them carry Arisakas with bayonets attached to them as well as a couple that also have a scope. There's even one carrying a trench gun.
Upon seeing us they salute us again and we do the same. I sense from the look of their faces that their morale is very high and they are excited to be going to Lowee, and doing their bit in our fight for peace and prosperity.
"OK everyone listen up. The person that you need to rescue called White shall be known as Paula and your leader Black will be known as Butch, he'll be guided by our younger sister Uni. I've reason to believe that White's execution is imminent, and if they're to find out that White is able to survive an execution, they may end up becoming suspicious so you need to rescue her the moment you reach the ground. We're above the drop of point so it's just a matter of dropping you out of the plane. Don't worry about falling fast as the big fall will not kill you or hurt you, thanks to the perk a colas. I wish you all good luck in this noble and important mission, for Lastation, for Lowee, and for Gameindustri we will succeed. As your leader I am extremely proud of you all for taking part and doing your bit in our liberation of Lowee. I bid each and every one of you fare well, good luck and I hope to see you all again soon." She speaks with much passion and pride and even flirts quite a bit, which we all appreciate very much.
When she finishes her speech she blows kisses and waves to us all, only to salute and smile even doing a little dance. It is then the hatch for the door opens and we all jump into the forest, in the night sky. This reminds me of yesterday and the last mission, hopefully this time we'll do better considering we have better equipment, more troops and we have surveillance even if it's for now.
Ahhh Viridian Forest. Little more than grass, trees and various bases both Team Rocket and Loweean. White has been captured and transferred here today. Since then we've kept her eye on her. We're going in with the knowledge that she's still alive. Even though I don't know much of Team Rocket's interrogation methods, it might be better if I don't.