From: "Clayton" <redneckdadd@yahoo.com> Subject: [PW!] Slated for Slateport Date: Monday, June 14, 2004 11:58 AM > Carol slowly pulled the boat up to the side of the Abandoned Ship as Bob > readied a pair of vines to descend down onto the small boat, Mimic in tow and > Raffy within his Poké Ball. Making certain that he was secure, he slowly > repelled his way down the hull onto the boat. > > "Thanks for the lift," Bob replied as he and Mimic settled onto the small > boat. "Smasher's not here, we checked." > > "We didn't come for Smasher," Alex explained. "Sabrina saw fit to tell us > about you being here with Team Aqua. And unless the two of you have a good > reason why we need to get on that boat, I say we make a break for it." > > "No reason stay," Mimic replied, reaching into his recreated clothing and > pulling out a sheet of paper. "Alex can read message en route." > > "That's all I needed to hear," Carol replied as she turned the motor back on > and allowed the boat to roar away. > > Alex took the sheet, and gave it a quick glance. > > "So why were you here, Bob?" Jeff asked his older brother. > > "The Aquas offered to help me deal with that Magma-created personality," Bob > explained. "They couldn't get rid of it, but I at least have a way of keeping > it under control." > > "Well that's good news," ShadowWarrior noted. He turned to his trainer and > asked, "So, what's with the note?" > > "It's from an Aqua Admin," Alex explained. She then read aloud, "'To Miss > Alexandria Masters. My apologies for not being able to reveal this in person, > however given your companions' recent actions in Petalburg Woods, I thought it > best not to panic those under my command. My name is Leif Henrik, and I am the > head of Team Aqua's Special Operations division. As you are well aware, three > Christmas Eves ago, a group of Team Aqua operatives broke into your father's > labs, copied his computer databases, murdered your father, and left. I was the > agent who led the effort, and am thus responsible for the death of your > father.' " > > "This 'Leif' guy killed your father?" Ben asked in surprise. > > "No, he's just taking responsibility for it," Alex clarified. She continued, > "'The intention of the operation was a simple one. Your father, as you well > know, was an expert in Pokémon breeding and behavioral studies. In his computer > databases he kept volumes of information concerning these fields. Team Aqua > sought to access this information and use it to our advantage against Team > Magma. I planned on a simple scenario without bloodshed, however my original > plan was foiled by the actions of an overzealous operative who has since ended > up dead in an unrelated situation. While he was the one who fired the gun that > killed your father, I was in command of the operation, and must take > responsibility for the actions of my late subordinate. While nothing I can do > can truly make up for the grievous debt I owe you, should you require my help, > I offer my services.' " > > "So an Aqua Admin wants to make up with you," ShadowWarrior realized. > "That's not so bad. There anything else?" > > "Yes, one thing," Alex quickly finished. "It says that part of the database > included genetic information on something that wasn't a Pokémon. Specifically, > it was genetic information on members of my family, on my father's side." > > "And how does that matter?" Nori asked. > > "My dad was where I picked up my unique traits," Alex explained. "He says > he's kept the information under wraps, however." > > "<Alexandria, you realize what this may mean,>" Surtur noted. "<This 'Leif' > may be the one who sent those bounty hunters after you.>" > > "Doubtful," Alex replied. "The way this was written, he doesn't sound like > the type." > > An eyebrow raised in curiosity, Mimic asked, "Bounty hunters?" > > "The trainers of those two..." Alex began before looking at Mimic. Shaking > her head to clear her mind, she continued, "...those two Pokémon showed up at > Dewford. If Carol hadn't shown up when she did, chances are good that Tsunade > and several of the guys would be dead and I'd be Goddish knows where." > > "So you actually got to see the guys this time," Bob realized. "And they > know that you know that they're after you." > > "Which means stealth may not be high priority now," Mimic realized. > > "And they may call in help," Alex added. With a sigh, she said, "It's never > easy." > > Alex soon felt a hand on her shoulder. She turned to find Ben standing near > her, a soothing smile on his face. "You'll get through this." > > Alex smiled, and placed her hand on his. "Thanks," she replied with a light > kiss. With a reassured sigh, she then called, "Now let's get going before this > turns sappy. Slateport's only a few hours away, and we've got a search to > continue." And so the ride continued with little action. The fact that nothing happened was refreshing and irritating at the same time. The sandy beaches of Slateport was not really a place to be wearing a lot of clothing and epect to blend in, as many of the beach's visitors are wearing very little. In fact, there was a small section where the people were wearing nothing but hair accessories. Bob glared in the direction of the blazing sun. Not that he didn't apreciate vast quantities of light -- just the opposite in fact -- it's just that it made the outfit he was wearing rather hot. Jeff, in contrast to his overenergetic self, was enjoying the beachscape. He slumped to the sand so simply enjoy the sand, sun, and surf. Mary was enjoying the surf more than the other two. But the beach had to wait until a little later for the group strolled along to the Pokemon Center, with intent to launch a battle plan into the ongoing search. It would be a mealtime discussion as yet another big map of Hoenn was sprawled across the table. Bob dared not touch the map, his fingers were a bit messy from the hamburger he was currently eating. Alex sat looking at the map. "We know that Smasher's helmet was found near here," Alex said noting the Ash Fields of the north. "What else?" "There's an Aqua base there," Bob said conversationally, motionning to the area of the Abandoned Ship with a vine. Surprisingly the voice held no hidden intent or malice. It had merely been an observation. It hadn't gone completely unnoticed by anyone observant enough. However none chose to comment on it now. "And he wasn't in Dewford," Ben added. "What's that mean?" There was some thought as the question was processed by this half of the Search Party. TBC ------- Clayton > [NS: I think the thread's pretty much finished up, but if anyone wants to add > anything in, feel free. Clayton; I wasn't sure if you meant for Bob to keep > Thyme or not, so I left it vague. You can clarify as soon as you can.] [NS: All right, I'm still trying to figure it out. It would make for a nice contrast in characters.]