Post by Moe on Aug 25, 2020 16:23:47 GMT -6
Volume 3, Unity
Chapter 1: Almost perfect
Chapter 1: Almost perfect
The Alola region was gorgeous. Four islands, with plenty of activities to keep the whole family occupied. One particular family was currently occupied with several activities. The girls had gone shopping in Hau’oli City, while the guys had decided to go fishing. At least, Nico decided to go fishing. CT wanted nothing to do with it, and Aidan was just along for the ride.
Gentle waves rocked the boat back and forth. The sun was bright, but not terribly hot. Nico had gone fishing many times with Ahti, but Ahti was the one doing most of the fishing. Besides, Nico wanted to share the experience with his father, and Aidan.
It was the first family vacation Aidan had been on, with his former friend. There was still tension between the two, but CT wanted desperately to make amends. He and Lasciel decided to invite Aidan and Lilith and their annual vacation, as they were considered part of the family. Aidan didn’t think so, but at least they were trying. Besides, he felt an attachment to Nico. He was very much like CT at that age, and Aidan couldn’t help but feel a bit of nostalgia.
CT was sitting under the shaded portion of the boat, trying to ignore the waves rocking them back and forth. He was still dressed just as proper as ever, as he hadn’t planned on doing any fishing. A decision he’d soon regret, as Nico hooked his first fish.
Aidan helped the boy reel in a small Wishiwashi. Nico struggled to reel in the tiny Pokemon, as he was still just a small child. Eventually, he yanked back on the rod, sending the fish flying directly into CT’s face.
“Oops.” Nico squeaked.
Aidan couldn’t help but snicker.
“Stop laughing.” CT growled, brushing his now-wet hair out of his face.
“Sorry, CT.” Aidan grinned. “But I told you not to dress all fancy, on a fishing trip!”
CT grumbled and slumped back into his seat.
Seymour, Nico’s pet growlithe, happily trotted over to CT and grabbed the wishiwashi in his mouth. The tiny fish was not pleased, as it let Seymour know with a Water Gun. Seymour yelped and dropped the fish, where it then flopped back into the ocean. The growlithe pup shook the water off, soaking all three of the boys.
“I think it’s time to leave.” CT growled, soaking wet and angry.
Aidan and Nico just looked at each other, and started laughing. Neither cared that they smelled like wet growlithe. They were having fun.
“Okay, okay.” Aidan grinned. “It is getting late, and I’m sure the girls are wondering where we are.”
The girls were not at all concerned. They had been spending the day shopping for clothes, getting their hair done, exploring the mall, and eating fresh malasadas. Currently, they were at the tourist bureau looking at souvenirs.
“Look how cute!” Lasciel gasped, holding up a plush pyukumuku.
The small child next to her only responded in a huff. The young girl was a little over three years of age, and wore an oversized shirt and hair that went down over her eyes. She didn’t appear to be having any fun, but that was normal for her.
“Are you sure she’s okay?” Lilith asked, as she browsed the plush toys, herself. “She hasn’t said anything the whole time we’ve been out. I can’t even tell what she’s looking at…”
“Oh, she’s fine.” Lasciel pouted. “Just takes after her father, is all. Speaking of, we should probably meet back up with the boys. I’m sure CT and Aidan have had just about all the quality time they can both handle.” She teased.
“Heh. Well, CT isn’t the easiest person to get along with. Er, no offense.” Lilith said, blushing as she realized exactly what she had said.
“None taken!” Lasciel smiled. “Honestly, sometimes I wonder why I even put up with him, myself.” She said, starting to walk out.
Lilith smiled. Lasciel was a good friend. One she would have immediately followed, had the plush rowlett not caught her eye. Lilith couldn’t resist purchasing the plush, along with several keychains and postcards.
“What is that?” Aidan said to the beaming Lilith, who was holding the fluffy plush in his face.
"It's a rowlett." Lilith happily chirped. “I bought it for you!” she continued, her tail wagging cheerfully.
“What is a row-let?” Aidan raised an eyebrow.
“It’s a Pokemon here in Alola.” She nudged the plushie further into his face, smooshing the two together. “Isn’t it the cutest? You could set it out in the training room and it could be like your dojo’s little guardian!”
“A plush toy can’t guard my dojo, Lilith. It would be much more effective to obtain a real Pokemon. Even then, we don’t have the permits necessary to take Alolan Pokemon to another region.”
“Aidan.” Lilith gave him a serious look. “Did you get all the fun sucked out of you, when you turned human?”
“That is physically not possible.”
“Good. Because it’s movie night!” Lilith grinned, grabbing Aidan by the arm and dragging him out of their hotel room, and into the Blackstone’s.
Now, none of this was CT’s idea. CT was just fine, having a nice quiet night, alone. After a scalding hot shower of course, to wash away the fish and seaweed smell from earlier. In fact, as much as CT would have liked to spend time with his family, he had just about all the socializing he could handle in one day. Although he and Aidan tried to set aside their differences, it was still difficult to spend long periods of time together as they did still periodically butt heads, particularly when it came to Blackstone’s research and continuing his projects. That, and Lilith was just a bit too high strung for CT to deal with, along with his own family.
Instead, as the rest of the group gathered in the main room to watch scary movies, CT retreated to the bedroom. Lasciel had a very strict “no business while on vacation” rule, but Stephen Porter had left several messages on CT’s phone. It occurred to him, perhaps, they could be important.
CT sighed, and decided to ignore his partner’s rule, just this once. He called up Porter, who answered in a very panicked, very loud tone.
“Thank Arceus you finally called back!” he shouted, so loud that CT had to hold the phone a distance away from his face. “So I went to check on the labs this morning because you left me in charge which I have no idea why you thought that would be a good idea but anyway I found them in complete disarray and a bunch of files and data missing so I called up Elvis’ office because who else would do such a thing and they said he was out on vacation which I thought was weird and-“
“Stephen.” CT intervened. Porter continued to ramble, until CT spoke louder. “STEPHEN.” He growled, effectively shutting up the scientist. “Take a deep breath, and tell me very slowly what is happening.”
Porter paused, for a moment. CT could hear as he took in a deep breath, and slowly exhaled. “A bunch of your written files have gone missing, and there are computer files open showing that some data has been copied. Elvis’ secretary said he’d left for vacation, which I found suspicious. Even more suspicious, is how anybody could have gotten into your labs and into encrypted data, without knowing there was anything there worth stealing. There’s no way anybody could have been so desperate to break into your labs, that they would shut down several very high near-impossible-to-hack security measures and grab data that you haven’t made known to anybody but myself. The fact that the labs have been completely trashed so randomly, makes matters worse. This was somebody on the inside, CT.”
“Bloody hell…” CT growled, quietly. Part of him wanted to roar out in anger, but he took a moment to calm himself so as not to bring attention to Lasciel and the others. “Even if somebody was leaking information to Elvis, he couldn’t possibly be so stupid as to track me to Alola, on my bloody vacation.”
“I wasn’t informed of where he went, but you’re right. He wouldn’t make a move that stupid.” Porter said, the clicking could be heard over the phone as he looked through the copied computer files. “In theory, it doesn’t matter who has the files. I couldn’t even crack his code. Your whole team of the best scientists couldn’t crack it. Even Laila couldn’t do it.”
“Until she disappeared. Twice.” CT remarked.
“You don’t think she-“ Porter started.
“Unlikely, but not out of the question.” CT interrupted. “Whoever did this, left the lab a mess on purpose. Somebody on the inside could have easily gone in and taken the data, and nobody would have known. No, the lab was trashed not as a cover, but to send a message. They wanted me to know they were a traitor. Laila isn’t that stupid.”
“So,” Porter sighed. “What do we do?”
“Nothing.” CT replied, sternly. “We do nothing. Whoever did this, obviously wants our attention. The simple solution is, we don’t give it to them.”
“And what if that’s not the solution?” Porter disagreed. “If they know you’re here, they could go after your family, again.”
“That’s not going to happen.” CT growled, raising his tone a bit too loud. “We’re obviously on high alert after this, but attacking my family for a second time is stupid even by Elvis’ standards. Just…go through the surveillance and find out anything you can. And notify Michael.”
"Hugo’s accountant? He’s still around?” Porter replied.
“Yes, he works for me, now. Privately. He’s good at keeping secrets and creating cover stories. It’s how I slipped into my new life, so easily. And Stephen,” CT added. “….Stay safe.” He said, begrudgingly.
“Aww, you’re actually worried about me?” Porter teased.
“Of course. First off, you’re my top scientist. Secondly, if anything happens to you, I’d have to look after Daniel, and I’ve already got enough children to deal with.” CT said, before abruptly hanging up.
He sat in silence for a moment, before flopping down on the bed and heaving a heavy sigh. Though he didn’t say it to Porter, he was scared. This was likely a ruse to draw CT to giving up something more important. Elvis had done it four years ago, and would likely try it again. Only this time, it appeared he had an informant. Who could possibly be working for CT that could leak that kind of information to a rival? CT closed his eyes, in attempt to settle his busy thoughts. It didn’t last, as he suddenly felt the hot breath of somebody next to him.
That somebody was Seymour, who happily licked CT’s face.
CT jumped in surprise, falling off the bed as he flailed in attempt to escape the growlithe pup. Seymour’s tail playfully wagged as he peeked over the side of the bed, at CT.
“NICK!” CT yelled, angry and dripping with dog slobber.