Chapter 14 – The green 3.4 miles

The Airbus A300-600ST, also know as the Super Transporter or Beluga due to it's whale shaped body, sat idly at the end of the tarmac. It was 6:30 in the evening on the beautiful island of Akala in the Alola region.

The sun was just finishing it's descent beneath the horizon, casting a golden light over the Hea hea City airport. The effect of light and shadow gave the the super transporter, with it's sleek elegant design, an almost regal look.

It was the sight that would make aviation enthusiasts and plane spotters gaze up in wonder – Something that worth pointing at in a sky, or in this case ground, filled with the usual aircraft. But enthusiasts and plane spotters were amongst the many people on the company didn't want gazing at the plane.

The aircraft was parked beside the goods terminal at the far end of the airport. Away from the passenger terminals. Take off was not scheduled until 7:20 pm, by which time the sun would have truly set allowing the plane to make it's ascent to 35,000 feet without too many seeing.

The Super Transporter's design is similar to that of the A300, another of Airbus's wide-bodied airliners. It's wings, engines, landing gear and lower part of the fuselage are identical. The upper part of the fuselage, however, forms an enormous horseshoe shaped structure, 7.7 meters in diameter.

This superstructure permits the aircraft to carry large payloads…Like the large steel box on the K loader. The large steel box embossed with the golden trident symbol of the Aether Foundation…

A woman stood watching the operations from a window on the upper level of the cargo terminal. She was a middle-aged woman of around 40, though she looked much younger. She had long flowing blond hair and wore a white dress.

This was Lusamine Mohn – the president of the Aether Foundation whose box was to be loaded onto the plane.

She was accompanied by one other human and a Pokémon. The human was a young man named Lyte. He had spiky blue hair and wore a white lab coat and glasses. The Pokémon was a Weavile – Lusamine was holding in her arms, bridal style while he slept.

"You seem uneasy tonight Lyte. Is something the matter?"

Lyte' s attention had been so affixed on the aircraft, that it took him a moment to realize that Lusamine had spoken to him. "Oh no, it's just…I can't help but question whether we are doing the right thing? I mean, is this truly ethical."

"A question I have been grappling with," Lusamine replied sadly. "But ultimately yes. The Darkrai is just too dangerous to be left alive. I certainly can't have him in Aether Paradise. There are far too many vulnerable Pokémon there. Like dear Cleave here."

She hugged the Weavile a little closer to herself as she spoke. The dark type continued to snooze, unperturbed by the way he was being held.

"No, he poses far too much danger to them. Not to mention to our operation."

Lyte glanced away from the aircraft loading and over at the Weavile. A disapproving look crossed his face for a fraction of a second, before he returned his attention to the operations on the ground.

Lusamine noticed. "A problem Lyte. You don't seem to approve of dear Cleave here!"

"Well, it's not that," said Lyte shuffling his feet uncomfortably. "It's just. You've read my research on the Sneasel's of the giant chasm."

"I did. What of it."

"Then you've had seen my records of my observations. You know what Cleave…"

Lusamine cut him off. "Yes, I am aware of how Blade the Sneasel suffered at his claws. As I have often said, nature has a cruel side. At the same time, it must be remembered that the conditions in environments as extreme as the giant chasm are trying. Finding food, shelter and avoiding predators are daily challenges. The runt of the litter is seldom able to carry its weight. The others in the clan must provide for it and can often jeopardize their own survival because of it. Clave had responsibilities to more others, not merely Blade."

"I thought the Aether foundation existed to protect the weak!"

Lusamine nodded. "It does. But we are humans who have the technology and privilege to be able to offer such salvation. The poor alpha of a Sneasel pack deep in the wilderness does not."

On the tarmac below the Super Transporter had opened it's cargo doors – the entire top half of the nose above the cockpit lifted up to permit large container to be rolled inside. The K loader raised the container holding the Darkrai up.

"So, what will happen to Shadow," Lyte enquired. "Once he reaches Wyndon."

"Death, my dear Lyte," said Lusamine. "Our friend the chairman, has invented some type of energy converter that users the energy from Pokémon as a sort of battery."

Lyte frowned at her. "Like the ultimate weapon?"

"I do not believe so. The ultimate weapon steals aura. This device is different, apparently."

"Sounds brutal."

Lusamine nodded serenely. "Yes, I suspect so. Though, I suspect too good for Shadow, given what I've been able to find out about him?"

"What have you heard?"

"There are eyewitness accounts of incidents," said Lusamine. "It's pretty fucking horrific, actually. One account says he gutted a Zoroark with its own claws, then used its face like a puppet. Another claims he ripped out a Pokémon's tongue and tried to choke it with its own blood."

Lyte raised his eyes brows. "Super-fucked up! I didn't see anything like that when I was observing them. As I said in my thesis, I tracked Blade for a short time while they were together. I mean, I know about the purging of Cleaves' clan. That's what ended my study."

The two fell quite for a moment. Down below, the container was sliding into the belly of the Super Transporter…disappearing out of the sight. The sun had set by now, leaving the sky a deep purple color. All around the tarmac lights were being lit so the pilots and ground crews could continue to work.

"The chairman," Lyte pipped up eventually. "How well do you know him?"

Lusamine shrugged. "Not intimately. He's been a strong supporter of the foundation's work in the Galar region. Both due to donations and, of course, his political connections were instrumental in getting the wild area protections passed in parliament."

"Do you trust him?"

"As much as one can trust a billionaire. He's as concerned about the climate crisis as I. And he does genuinely seem to care about Pokémon."

Now it was Lyte's turn to frown. "He cares about Pokémon, yet he is developing some type of energy converter to harm them."

Lusamine sighed. "Occasionally, small sacrifices are required for the greater good. And, from what I've been able to gather, it only requires one very specific legendary Pokémon. The ultimate weapon stole many lives."

"So why does he need Shadow," Lyte asked curiously.

"I believe he needs a test subject. Something on which to ensure the device can actually work. Shadow has brought so much suffering to many. It is good that he give up his life to hopefully benefit others."

"Why not just euthanize him the traditional way?"

"Too difficult," said Lusamine. "The process is long, bureaucratic, and requires the involvement of lawyers, courts and government inspectors. And in Shadow's case, I suspect. And not guaranteed to work. Shadow already managed to kill one employee before we managed to get him in that cage. And now the foundation is facing a multi-million Poké lawsuit from the family. No, sending him off to Galar to die is much easier. Plus, in exchange, the chairman has promised. Let's say a healthy donation to our cause."

"Really." Lyte raised his eyebrows. "How much?"

From the tone in his voice, Lusamine implied that Lyte did not approve of such backroom deals. So, she merely shrugged and replied, "let's just say it's enough to settle the lawsuit several times over."

"So how have you managed to arrange to get Shadow to Galar with the feds finding out."

"It was the chairman who made the arrangements," explained Lusamine. "The create was consigned by one of his companies, MCA Freight. The company also owed the air carrier. The Aether Foundation transports Pokémon in and out of Alola all the time. Rescues coming to Aether Paradise. Rescued Pokémon being returned to the wild. This is nothing new. Our reputation precedes us. It's rare for customs to ask too many questions. If one were to examine the papers, they would discover the Pokémon in the container is a family of Grimmsnarl and Impidimp, being returned to the Crown Tundra. Highly aggressive and should only be handled by Aether Employees. Customs will think nothing off it. It will be off loaded from the plane in Galar, handed over to MRC freight where it will continue the journey to…Arceus knows where. Without detection and right under the government's nose."

There was a soft beeping sound, and a red light flashed somewhere outside. The Super Transporter had finished being loaded and was preparing for departure. The tractor was pushing the plane back, away from the cargo terminal.

"Now tell me young Lyte," said Lusamine, suddenly sounding more serious. "What's happening about your indictments and the investigation."

Lyte bit his lip and stared down at his feet. "It's listed for a long plea at the end of the month. I have to go back to Ryme City. My solicitor says he can argue it down to probation. Maybe a suspended sentence. He doesn't think I'll go to jail. Apparently, the prosecution aren't even going to seek a custodial sentence." He gave her a knowing look. "but you wouldn't know anything about that."

Lusamine grinned wickedly. "Well. Let's just say I have a good working relationship with Attorney General Kochanski."

"So, what happened to Blade," asked Lyte, quickly changing the subject. "You said last time we spoke that he was back in Aether Paradise."

"He was." Lusamine let out a long-exasperated sigh. "He managed to sneak out with two of my employees. I haven't been able to track him down, but we're working on it. It's a terrible shame. I had long term plans for that Sneasel."

"Like what."

Lusamine smiled softly and shifted Cleave in her arms so she could stroke his forehead. "I had been hoping to reintroduce him to his father."

Lyte pulled a face. "After everything that Weavile did to him?"

"I think with enough encouragement Blade could find it in his heart to allow Cleave back into his life. I had been hoping to breed them. Cleaves EV's are good. We could produce a strong pack of Sneasel and Weavile and help rebuild the Ula Ula population. A new pack. A new start for both of them."

Lyte shook his head. "I don't see Blade going for that."

There was a loud whirring noise from outside. The plane had started up the two General Electric CF6-80C2 turbofan engines that enable the beast to fly. It was taxing to the runway. Soon it would be in the air, carrying the Darkrai to his terrible fate.

Cleave started to stir, his eyes briefly opening then closing, and his claw twitching.

Lusamine knelt down on the floor and hugged Cleave closer to her "Shhh. It's alright sweet Weavile." She looked at him tenderly and begun to softly sing.

"The cage is packed…it's ready to go…I'm holding you here on the floor…You're safe here in my arms, no need to cry…For the night has fallin'…But it'll soon be morn…A fresh start coming…A brand new dawn…For the Darkrai is all lonesome…He's going to die."

Lyte put his hand over his mouth to suppress a snigger. 'Really,' he thought. 'That's corny as the distortion world.' But he had to admit – Lusamine did have a nice singing voice.

He looked back out the window. The Plane had all but disappeared into the darkness. Only it's wingtip lights were visible as it taxied to the runway.

"For your troubles are leaving….on a jet plane…They're never going to return again…And I'm going to hold you and never let you go!"