Chapter 68

"Parting Words from Margaret Thatcher"

Arriving at Lockerbie town hall, Psyduck and I arrived to the world's media and the residents of Lockerbie were gathering around the podium where Mrs. Thatcher would speak on behalf of Queen Elizabeth II in regards to the actions taken to bring Team Rocket down. A few moments later, Mrs. Thatcher came into the room and with her bodyguards surrounding her, she stepped forward and cleared her throat.

"Good morning," she began. "I'm sure you are all aware that the individuals responsible for the bombing of Pan American Flight 103 were captured during the night in Iran and in Japan. I have briefed her majesty, the Queen, on this matter. Furthermore, I have ordered that all British Embassies around the world increase their security in the event of any retribution caused by these savages and advise all British Pokemon trainers and their Pokemon to be on the highest alert."

All I could do was gulp at the idea that Mrs. Thatcher would call Team Rocket savages, because that was what they were: complete and total savages with no regard for any kind of life.

"Over 40 years ago," she continued. "One of my predecessors, Sir Winston Churchill, declared to the British People that the defeat of Nazi Germany: 'God bless you all. This is your victory. In our long history, we have never seen a greater day than this. Everyone, man or woman, has done their best.' Unfortunately, I regret to say that this day of victory will not stay forever. Team Rocket is not like Hitler, Mussolini or even Hirohito himself. Team Rocket will continue to survive despite the fact that its leader, Dr. Maria Sakami has been captured. The Queen wants to make it very clear that as long as Team Rocket remains in existence, there will be no total victory for Great Britain, the Commonwealth and her allies. We may have won the battle, but we have not won the war."

While I will say that those were not the words any of us wanted to hear, I couldn't help but agree with what Mrs. Thatcher said.

"However, while the threat of Team Rocket remains in effect," she said. "The time has now come for you, the citizens of Lockerbie, Scotland, to take the time to heal from such an atrocity. The bombing of Pan Am Flight 103 may have been an American tragedy since many of the passengers and crew were from the United States, but it's also a tragedy for Great Britain. Until December 21st, 1988, our country had not had an attack of this magnitude since London was bombed by the Nazis. Like London, Lockerbie will return to normal, but the scars you have suffered will remain. We will recover together and remember those who died on December 21st, 1988. And in conclusion, may we never forget what happened here and how December 21st is now our date which will live in infamy."

A date which would live in infamy…the last time those words were said, America joined the Second World War. It seemed to me and everyone in that room that Great Britain was not going to rest until Team Rocket was wiped off the face of the Earth.

As long as Queen Elizabeth II would be on the throne of Great Britain, that was going to be the case.

…

The next morning, my crew and I packed up our gear and prepared to make our way to Carlisle for our flight back to Japan. However, we would have company as Farmer Jones and Growlithe had come to see me and Psyduck off.

"You didn't have to do this, Farmer Jones," I said as we drove down the road out of Lockerbie.

"I felt like I had to, Lucy," he replied. "You gave us a face in the eyes of the Pokemon world. Because of you, Great Britain is in the war against Team Rocket."

Of course, I couldn't help but blush slightly. All I did was report the news and nothing more.

"I'm serious, lass," he said, taking notice of my blush. "Pokemon are normal creatures like people and animals. They don't deserve to be subjected to the horrors of savages like Team Rocket. Make no mistake that the Queen will not rest until Team Rocket is destroyed."

"You seem to echo the statement made by Mrs. Thatcher," I replied.

"I do," answered Farmer Jones. "I was in London during those bombings, even though I never flew in the Battle of Britain, I fired guns at those German planes. If Team Rocket would do the same thing, I would do the same thing to them."

I greatly admired the fact that Farmer Jones would be so gung ho about fighting Team Rocket. However, he was only one man and Team Rocket was one of so many.

"So, what are you going to do now?" I asked as we pulled onto the motorway towards Carlisle.

"What I've always done, Lucy: farming," he answered. "But I am also going to make sure that what happened here in Lockerbie is never forgotten by anyone. How I will do it…remains to be seen, but I won't be alone."

After a 45 minute drive, we arrived at Carlisle Airport and prepared to check in for our flight home on British Airways. As Psyduck and I got out of the truck, we gave both Farmer Jones and Growlithe a big embrace, thanking them for all they did for us in being hospitable during our time in Lockerbie.

"Thank you for everything, Farmer Jones," I said and Farmer Jones nodded as we made our way into the airport.

"Well, come on, Growlithe," he said. "Let's get back home. We've got a long road to recovery ahead of us."

A couple of hours later, we were in the air heading towards London's Heathrow Airport to connect onto our British Airways flight to Tokyo. All that mattered now was getting back to Tim, Pikachu and his dad to finish our long overdue and interrupted Christmas celebration.

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