Chapter 134 – Contingent arrangements

Rose Tower, Wyndon, Galar Region…

Chairman Rose was a patient man…

It came with the territory of managing the largest consortium of corporations in the world for deducted. Even though his eyes blazed with fury as examined the image on the computer tablet on the boardroom table in front of him, his composure remained professional. When he his tone was business like and had an air of desiring to solve the problem, as opposed to assigning blame. Rarely were good decisions made when emotionswere heightened. If Rose were ever to be angry at a subordinate, it was for a calculated purpose. And his assistant, thought a harbinger of unwelcome news this evening, had done nothing to earn his ire.

Chairman Rose was an enigma within a paradox. He was the most famous and well-known man in Galar, but the public knew extraordinarily little about him. He was the Chairman of the Marco Cosmos, his father being Chairman before him. He owned the Pokémon league and was an advocate for environmental protection and Pokémon rights. His eldest son was the champion and his younger son an aspiring trainer. They hadbeen raisedby their mother in Postwick. For all his public appearances, philanthropy, and spokesman ship nothing of else was known. Not his date of birth or even his first name. Even the closet person to him, Oleana, his personal secretary and Vice President of the Marco Cosmos, did not know Rose's first name.

"When did this happen?"

"It was about an hour ago," replied the assistant. "A source within the government leaked it the Castelia Times. It willbe printedin the morning edition. It will be on every news outlet before 9:00am Unova time."

Rose set the tablet down in front of him and folded his hands on the table. On the dimly lit screen, a news article with the headline

Collusion: Aether Foundation plotted with Team Skull to kidnap powerful Samurott to lure Necrozma to Alola, and to release a serial killing Darkrai into the wild. Indictments from special counsel expected.

He looked around the room. It was three o'clock in the morning and Rose Tower in Wyndon was quiet. Only Rose and the staff of his residence at the top of the tower, and a few employees working long hours scattered throughout the building were present. The floor holding the boardroomwas completedempty except for the three people seated at the table: Rose, Oleana, and the assistant. One of Rose's trusted personal staffers who is name he had not bothered to learn.

"I believe Chairman is asking about the information coming to light?"

"Oh," said the assistant. "Those agents from the OSS who were present when Guzma's bodywas found. It looks like they talked to Ash Ketchum and got the story from him. They passed it directly to Heather Dunbar's Team. The source is government however, so I suspect the information came from the International Police. They must have known as well."

"Pridurok." Oleana, less restrained than her employer, uttered the foul phrase in her native tongue. "Ms. Lusaminewas warnedthat Ketchum could be problem! She chose not to act!"

Rose raised a hand to silence her, and said to his assistant, "What exactly does the information accuse the Aether Foundation of doing. Is it merely that the Foundation used Team Skull to kidnap Geyser the Samurott from the Alola League."

"And an attempted kidnapping on Mele Mele Island, and an incident where a Milotic swallowed his companions's Lucario," the assistant replied. "They also allege a link between the P2 experiments and the Aether Foundation, and that the Foundation released Shadow the Darkrai into the wild and allowed him to murder another Pokémon. The journalist's source says that a sealed RICO indictment was filed in court alleging breaches of the Environmental Protection Act as predicate offences."

Rose nodded. "I see. Anything about the foundation."

"No," said the Assistant. "We're not mentioned."

"Very good. Please leave us."

The assistant rose from the table, bowed, to the chairman and left the boardroom silently.

Once she was out of earshot, a scowl crossed Rose's face for the first time. He turned to Oleana and said, his voice now harsh, "The Aether Foundation is becoming a liability. You are right. We warned Lusamine about theadditionaldangers the plan would face once an investigation started, and she has acted recklessly. Allowing Master Ketchum and his friends to escape and not acting afterwards was careless. Fortunately, we can prevent any further damage from occurring. To make her case Heather Dunbar will need depositions from Ash Ketchum, and he will need to give evidence in court. Intelligence reports from two spies is hearsay. It would not be admissible in a court of law. We can stop this going further, but we need to act quickly."

"Agreed," said Oleana.

"We mustterminateAsh Ketchumimmediately. His friends too. Contact Misty and instruct her to set Shadow to follow Master Ketchum and his friends. I would rather Master Ketchum's death look like a tragic accident than a murder. The less questions authorities are willing to ask the better. Without Ketchum to testify there won't be any indictments. Too much has been invested into Skyfall at this stage to allow Lusamine's folly to ruin it. We still need the Aether Foundation for my plans to succeed. I also want Ketchum's Pokémon. At least as many as can be taken alive. Especially Pikachu, Charizard, and Dragonite. Powerful mons is always useful. And, of course, we need Geyser the Samurott. He must not be killed."

Oleana stood up. "Right away Mr. Chairman. I will give the orders."

"And tell the media boys to prepare. We need to frame this investigation and the charges against Lusamine as possible. Let the world know this is a Poke-witch-hunt and that Lusamine is both innocent and wronged."

"Immediately."

Rose folded his hands together and nodded. "Thank-you Oleana, you are dismissed."

Oleana turned and followed in the direction of the assistant. As she reached the door she stopped and turned. Rose stood up and walked to the other end of the boardroom to stare out of the window at the City of Wyndon below.

As Oleana reached the doorway she stopped. She opened her mouth to say something, but Rose, having seen her reflection in the glass and noticed the sounds of footsteps stopping without the sound of a door opening, said, "What is it Oleana."

"What about OSS agents involved. Do yo have instructionsregardingthem?"

Rose was silent for a moment and then said, "In time we will need to find out exactly what they know. For now, nothing."

"Is it the same two whowere sightedat the Terrarium. Tel ze Inteleon and Sobby ze Sobbel."

"I suspect so," said Rose. "But they are not a priority at this stage."

Both he and Oleana knew that taking out two secret agents was an unwise move. Even Rose was not powerful to kill off law enforcement without their being consequences. Besides, the Office of Strategic Service was like a fungus. Cutting off one part would only stem more growth. More angles wouldbe assignedto probe the company.

Oleana nodded and said, "Thank-you sir," before exiting the boardroom.

Rose turned back to the city view below him. A thousand lights shinning below, just like the stars above. A never-ending night…

"It seems that my plans must be accelerated," he said to nobody. "SoonI shall bring about the Darkest Day, and this world will belong to me!"

And for the first time that night, a smile crossed his face…

A/N: Just a short chapter this time...Setting up for what is to come