The early morning hours at the Shining Arcanine apartment complex, located in the western suburbs of Celadon City, were typically as quiet as you'd expect. It was 6 a.m. and for most the workday was still a few hours away, making this a good time for a last bit of rest. There was a notable exception though as in Apartment 104 the lights were already on. The one-bedroom flat was the humble abode of one Ken Worth with the Kanto truck driver already suited up in his blue and gold uniform and ready for another day on the road. This morning he and his partner Fennekin were up and ready to go for another run. Absol and Spearow were also out of their Poké Balls for a little fresh air before the run. Everyone had already had breakfast.
The day before had been a fun one for the group, enjoying a nice day off after a three-day run through the Johto region. Ken had taken his team out for a relaxing walk through a local park during the day before he and Fennekin used the evening to assembly a 1/18th scale model of a 750 Eeveeliner Unova Special like their real truck. The competed model, carefully painted and decaled to match the full-size Truck #653, now rested on the kitchen table. Ken liked how Fennekin's venting of heat via his ears came in handy to help dry the paint on the model faster.
The television was on and running local news as Ken awaited a weather report before going out the door.
"And in Pokémon League news Celadon gym leader Erika had a busy day yesterday with 11 battles," said the anchorwoman. "She went 8-3 on the day. Congratulations to 10-year-old Cammie Vickers of Saffron City, 12-year-old Jun Hattori of Cherrygrove City, and professional ice-type trainer Vinko Litzau of Tapu Village, Alola on getting their Rainbow Badges. Erika is scheduled to face at least another eight challengers today with walk-ins accepted this afternoon."
"And now here's Charles with the with the weather," said another anchor.
"Finally," said Ken as he got his keys.
"The weather is going to be relatively sunny across the Kanto region today," said Charles. "We've got a little precipitation coming in from the west out of Johto but it should head mostly north so maybe leave the roof up on your convertible in Cerulean City but elsewhere get out and enjoy the sunshine."
"Is he telling the truth Absol?" Ken said, glancing to his Disaster Pokémon.
"Absol," the Pokémon replied with a positive tone.
Ken was pleased. He'd face no weather issues today. It seemed like rain always preceded trouble for him but this time he was looking high and dry.
"Alright gang," Ken said. "Let's roll out."
Today's run for Ken was going to be a simple one. He'd pick up Truck #653 at the GS distribution center and then drive to the big Evolution stone mine in Stone Town with a double load consisting of a half-sized container full of conveyor belts with an extra skid-steer loader on the back. Once there he'd drop the belts off and then pick up a backhaul of the special stones for the Celadon Department Store. It was a simple run and he'd be back home to sleep in his own bed tonight.
Ken recalled Spearow and Absol into their balls before he and Fennekin exited the apartment into its garage. Here was where Ken kept his personal set of wheels, a "Lucario Blue" Devon 150 Growlithetraveler "Laramie Big P Ranch Edition" pickup truck. The "Big P 150 GT" was Devon's top of the line 4x4 pickup, hence why they'd licensed the name of Kanto's most famous Pokémon ranch to promote it, and it came with a plush interior, extra lights, and a factory lift kit. This one was a couple years old now but Ken got a good deal on it by buying used. Normally Ken took the train to work but he switched to his pickup when he'd be back later the same day. Fennekin liked the 150 since Ken usually let him ride with head out the window when the weather was nice.
Ken climbed behind the wheel of the 150 with Fennekin hopping in over him to get onto the passenger seat, even in the little truck the yellow fox rode shotgun. Ken pulled out a small pack of "Long Haul" sugar-free bubble gum after buckling his seat belt. The package had an image of a big rig on it with the slogan "Long-lasting Flavor that's in it for the Long Haul!" It wasn't hard to see why he'd probably been drawn to this brand. He popped a stick in his mouth before reaching into a storage compartment in the door and pulling out a little bag of small twigs. He tossed one to Fennekin, with the little Fox Pokémon getting a big smile as he started chewing away on it before Ken opened the garage door, fired up his truck's rumbling engine, and away they went.
Elsewhere in a Pokémon Center on Route 12 a young trainer was also preparing for the day ahead. A badge case with four badges already acquired sat on a night stand before the trainer packed it up. This was Jackson Donington, a trainer from Cerulean City with a determined attitude. Goals of Pokémon League glory were already abounding in Jackson's head and he was on the way to Fuchsia City in pursuit of his fifth gym badge. He preferred to breed the Pokémon for his team instead of just catching wild ones and today he'd be taking a scenic route through the mountains on his bicycle today to hatch a few of his most recent egg acquisitions in pursuit of something genetically strong enough to make a difference in the big leagues once trained. If they weren't good enough he'd cut them loose, a Pokémon with unique attributes could be good for trading but if they were just run of the mill there was no point wasting resources on them.
Using his Rotom Phone Jackson selected four Pokemon to carry with him today plus two eggs. One of them was brown with a white-colored ring on its midsection. After retrieving his bicycle from the Center's secured lockup he peddled on down the road. With Ken and Jackson both starting off their days the pair had no idea fate already had set them both on a collision course.
Back in Celadon City Ken pulled his pickup into a parking garage at the distribution center. Fennekin had his head happily out the window before they parked their little truck to switch to their big one. Ken rolled up the windows and locked the doors before they proceeded into the building.
There was something almost magical about the GS building this early in the morning as trucks were already setting off with cargos bound for every city, village, and dock imaginable across Kanto, Johto, and Sinnoh. The clank of loads being chained in place, the buzz of electric forklifts loading up trucks, and smell of multiple pots of freshly-brewed coffee drifting out of the break room combined to create a sensation like few others. As Ken and Fennekin approached Truck #653 it was already loaded up and ready to go. The pair had been driving their 750 Eeveeliner for a while now and Ken had been working to teach Fennekin to help him with its pre-departure inspections.
"Fennekin, give me an inspection on the lower side of the truck," Ken said. "I'll take the exterior."
"Fen," replied the little fox.
Ken walked around the outside of the truck to give it a visual once over then checked the cargos while Fennekin ran underneath the truck where his trainer wouldn't fit to make sure nothing was wrong with the undercarriage. After a visual once-over the pair reconvened.
"We're good on the upper level, all lug nuts in place and the loads are secured," Ken said. "Is the bottom looking good?"
"Fen," replied Fennekin in the affirmative.
"Anything hanging down?" Ken asked.
"Kin," Fennekin replied in the negative.
"Alright," Ken said while opening the door. "Then let's hit the road."
Fennekin hopped in the truck while Ken quickly ran to the office to grab his paperwork for the two cargos. The artificial diesel sound emanated from the truck as Ken turned the key and fired it up. He grabbed the gear shift and away they went. Immediately after they pulled out of the loading dock another 750 backed in to take their spot. The shuffling in and out never ended at the Celadon distribution center. Fennekin looked out the window ready for another day on the road. Ken reached up for his CB radio microphone.
"Dispatch, this is Vulpix 3 and I'm back on the road," Ken said. "I'm outbound for the Stone City mine. Over."
"Roger, Vulpix 3," replied the dispatcher. "Drive safe…Oh and pick me up a Sun Stone for my Gloom while you're there."
"Are you serious?" Ken replied.
"No," the dispatcher replied with an audible chuckle. "I'll get one at the department store but still, have a good day."
"10-4," Ken said.
As Ken and Fennekin's truck pulled out of the GS terminal a rather fancy looking burgundy red sports sedan pulled in. Other than the fact the car had a CB radio aerial attached to its roof it was bone stock. The vehicle parked in the terminal's executive staff lot in a parking space labeled with a sign "Reserved for Legal Department" and out stepped its driver, a man had slicked back hair and wore a dark blue suit with a burgundy tie that matched the paint of his car. This was Hab Cornwell.
For a company as big and global as GS Transport it was inevitable that legal issues would eventually arise so the company kept a personal legal team at its beckoned call for whenever it needed to "lawyer up." When it came to transportation-related court proceedings Cornwell was one of the best in the business. He was well respected among GS staff, so much so that while he'd never driven a truck the drivers had all given the Rustboro City native a suitable handle as Sharpedo 1 befitting his sharkish nature helping them in the courtroom.
Hab had spent the prior day at the Viridian City Circuit Court working on a case involving some Team Rocket grunts that attempted, and failed, to hijack a GS truck about two months earlier. He typically worked at the GS Saffron City office but today would be different. That case had an expected conclusion and he wanted to speak with the driver of the truck involved in the hijack attempt. He carried a small white box with the GS company logo on it in one hand and a bag for his laptop computer in the other as he entered the legal department room. A secretary typed away on his computer as he entered.
"Good morning," Hab said. "I'm here looking for driver Ken Worth. Is he in this morning?"
"Just a moment," said the secretary, typing Ken's name into his computer. "I'm afraid not, he just departed but he should be back this evening."
"That's alright," Hab said. "I'll work remote from here. Mack gave me orders to hand off this package to Mr. Worth specifically."
Hab found the GS building's business center and set up his computer to start on some work. Ken had no idea what this little case contained but the future assignment that came with it was sure to entice him once he got back.