Chapter Twenty Four

Two disks down and three to go. That's what Macro kept telling himself as he looked over the list of four remaining locations. Botnet City, Cyan City, Meta City, and The Cache. Since he'd hit two and retrieved two disks, he was getting dangerously close to eventually hitting the red herring. If there even was one. There was always the possibility Surge had been incorrect in discovering there were only five disks.

His eyes lingered over Meta City for a moment. The huge red cross on his internal map. Even the name reeked of danger, and after DL's revelation that yet another hole had been torn in time and space right in the centre of it, he was even less inclined to venture there. Surely Socket knew DL could pinpoint these rifts. What if she'd simply been trying to lure him in?

"Struggling?" Switch poked his head around the cockpit door.

Macro looked up at him and sighed before turning back to the list of cities.

"You could say that," he said.

The talonflame strutted into the room and peered over his shoulder. Heat radiated from his feathers and Macro found himself instinctively feeling for his laser.

"I'd like to see Cyan City, personally," said Switch.

Macro snorted. "You've been here for what... a day? And you already have a list of sight seeing destinations?"

"Not exactly," said Switch. "Back home, I spent a lot of time in a place called Cyan Island. A drifting continent. You know them, right? They float over System, and I'm guessing it's been moved to a city status now. I want to know what changes have been made."

Macro raised an eyebrow at him over his shoulder. "Drifting continent? Don't be ridiculous. Cyan City, like every other city in System Sky, is an artificial slab holding towering skyscrapers above the clouds. It can't go anywhere. It's encased in a perspex dome like everywhere else up here."

"So what's happened to the drifting continents?" Switch asked. "Are they barren now?"

"There are no 'drifting continents'," said Macro. "Rumors and legends like you humans and that Fracture nonsense."

"You still don't believe the Fracture even happened?"

"Oh, I believe it now, but it's still nonsense. If it weren't for the fact I'd managed to obtain a human, I'd still think it were all fairy tales."

Switch let out a sigh and ruffled his feathers. "Then what happened to Cyan Island?"

"I haven't a clue. Some say they crashed and that's why they don't float any more. But there's no evidence to support that."

"Then... has anyone searched the oceans? They had engines in them, Macro. And they were huge! They couldn't just vanish. There must be remains somewhere, right?"

Macro stared at him for a moment, then flicked his computer off and stuffed it back into his pouch.

"All right, Switch, I'll make you a deal." He shifted his weight to one foot and pointed a claw at the talonflame. "I'm gonna show you System Ground, and you can see for yourself this ain't your world no more. All right?"

Switch frowned but said nothing, keeping his golden eyes on Macro as he moved out of the cockpit.

The mawile poked his head out of the exit hatch, squinting in the bright sunlight. Anchor was still fiddling with the small wishiwashi turret, whistling a jaunty tune as he worked away with DL sat beside him. The pachirisu's nose was streaked with grease, and she clutched a spanner in her paws, watching the granbull intently.

She looked tiny compared to the large, pink bulldog, but she wasn't the least bit intimidated by him. With the belt around her waist she didn't look out of place either, and at some point she'd acquired a green neckerchief that did look out of place amongst her blue markings. Sunlight reflected off her white fur with an almost dazzling intensity. Macro tore his eyes away and cleared his throat to address the granbull.

"Almost done, Anchor?" he asked. "Kinda wanting to fly soon."

"Yup," said Anchor. "Just gotta fasten this panel back in place. It got a bit bent, so it's tricky, but we're nearly there."

DL looked up at Macro and smiled. That smile alone flooded his chest with warmth, killing any retort on his tongue. He snatched his head back inside the hatch and leant back against it. With a sigh, he tugged his goggles free and ran a paw over his face.

"I really need to do something about this," he muttered.

...

"Where do we even find a human?" Widget asked.

The eevee skipped along beside Tracer, his mask completely hiding his face. It was near impossible to tell if he was joking or genuinely curious without seeing that cheeky glimmer in his eye.

"I've no idea," Tracer answered. "And since we're forbidden to interview anyone about this, then finding its trail is going to be incredibly difficult."

"Didn't Socket's guards faint at the sheer sight of it?" Widget asked. "'Cos I'd say we just look for a trail of stunned and terrified civilians."

"I'm beginning to wonder if you're being sincere."

Tracer stopped at his office and opened the door. Defrag didn't even look up from her desk, too focused on whatever task she was occupied with.

"Of course I'm being sincere!" Widget hopped on his toes with enthusiasm.

Before he'd even fully entered the office, he started to remove his mask. Tracer slammed the door quickly in a desperate bid to prevent the eevee from being poisoned. Despite Widget's claims to be immune to sickness, he was taking no chances.

Widget looked up at Tracer then nodded to Defrag. "We telling her?"

"Telling me what?" The lopunny flicked her long ear back to look over her shoulder.

Tracer shook his head at Widget and sighed. The eevee gave him an apologetic grin and slinked over to his desk. Tracer flopped heavily into his chair and turned on his computer.

"There's been... a problem in Meta City," he explained. "But it's top secret and if I tell you, it must not leave this office."

Defrag turned her chair fully to face him and crossed her legs. "Go on."

"I trust your professional attitude, Defrag-"

"But not enough to tell me before Widget spilled the beans," she retorted.

Tracer rubbed the bridge of his nose and sighed. "Let me finish, please."

"No. I get a little tired of being left out of your investigations." She folded her arms and her nose creased in a frown. "You do this all the time. It's like I'm just some kind of desk jockey to you."

"You are not a desk jockey, Defrag. You're admin. You do the administration work, which is just as, if not more, important!"

"But it's less fun." She paused. "Now tell me, what's going on?"

"There's a human in System," said Widget.

Defrag stared over her shoulder at him. Widget picked up his cup and sipped at it with all the nonchalance he could muster.

"Don't insult my intelligence, eevee," she said dangerously. "We all know humans don't exist."

"He's not lying." Tracer pulled out his computer, along with a fresh cigar, and opened Socket's email. "See for yourself."

Defrag took the computer and the room fell into silence as she watched the footage. Any sound had been muted out, but the image was as clear as day. A shape shifting human, lying in one of the mayor's rooms, resulting in the gothitelle being assaulted.

Once it had played out, Defrag lowered the computer to her lap and met Tracer's eyes.

"Is this some kind of joke?" The waver in her voice betrayed her anxiety.

"Oh, it's no joke." Tracer gently retrieved his computer from her grip. "Socket sent me the footage herself. She seemed very intent on catching this shape shifting human. Evidence states that its highly dangerous, as you've seen for yourself."

"If it were dangerous, why not kill Socket?"

Tracer shrugged and lit his cigar. "Maybe they simply didn't want to? Either way, assaulting a figure of authority tells me its dangerous and has no fear or respect for those around it."

"And did you see the way it just left the room?" Widget feigned a shudder. "Terrifying."

"You're not remotely scared," Defrag snorted.

"Nope," said Widget. "Crazy human? Bring it on."

"You think it might be crazy?" Defrag asked.

"Of course! Did you even see it? It has crazy written all over its face!" Widget took another swig of his drink. "Either that, or they just have no emotion whatsoever."

"History states humans were indeed emotional beings," said Tracer.

"Ordinarily, I'd be inclined to correct you that they are in fact fairy tails," said Defrag. "But after seeing that, I don't know what to believe any more."

Tracer blew out a stream of smoke and leant back against his desk. "You don't think it's enough evidence?"

"It could easily be fake," said Defrag. "I mean, we have the technology to create convincing videos. The only thing that makes me think it might even remotely be real is the fact that Socket sent it to you, and asked you to capture this creature."

Tracer shrugged. "Then I guess we'll have to accept that, for the time being, there's a potentially dangerous creature living in System. We'll have to be extra careful, and make it our number one priority to catch it."

"'Our'?" Defrag asked.

"Yes, 'our'. You are every bit as involved as Widget and I. I want you to scour the internet and dig up every shred of evidence you can about where this human is located. Sightings, hoaxes or otherwise. Suspicious damage, crimes, missing pokemon. Anything that might lead us to this creature's whereabouts."

Defrag pursed her lips and glanced sideways at her computer. "So, yet again, I'm to remain in the office?"

"Not indefinitely." Tracer turned his chair so he was facing his desk. "I've no idea how powerful this creature is. We might well need your assistance in the field."

...

The ship was finally ready to go, with Cyan Island as the next main destination. Macro stood beside his chair, watching Pulse City turn out of their field of vision as Wildcard Gamma pulled out of the docks.

Cyan Island may well be their next destination, but there was something he desperately wanted to do first. That was prove to Switch that the world he knew was no more. Any sign of the 'drifting continents' that were rumored to have once filled System's skies were gone.

Macro hadn't believed in them. He hadn't believed in any of it, and the human's constant yammering about things of legend were really beginning to grate on him. If showing him what state System now lay in would shut him up then he was more than keen to do so.

Raster Town. That was the destination he'd chosen. It was one of - if not the most - worst places on System, almost tying with the Analogue Isles. A smirk tugged at his lips and he glanced over at the navigation desk. It would be dawn by the time they arrived at Raster Town. Somewhat safer than it would be at night. Somewhat.

Switch huddled in the corner of the cockpit with his wings slightly spread. The motion of the ship turning clearly unsettled him. Macro had never considered a flying pokemon wouldn't like traveling in a flying vehicle, but in some way it made sense. Having no control over the movements, and only having two legs and a pair of wings to balance with, he could only begin to imagine the difficulties.

DL strolled into the cockpit, yawning widely. Her fur was still damp from her late shower. Either she didn't know how to use the fur drier or she couldn't be bothered with it. Her fur stuck out at funny angles around her shoulders, and crinkled around her ears. Somehow, she still managed to pull off the look.

She clambered up into his seat and he looked down at her, forcing a leer.

"Why do you insist on stealing my seat?" he grumbled.

"I'm not stealing it, I'm borrowing it," she said. "Besides, there's plenty of room."

"It's the captain's seat," he said.

"You're not using it." She fastened the seatbelt around her waist and leant back, keeping her melted chocolate eyes on his. "Would you rather I fall about, instead?"

"She has a point," said Switch. "You really could use two extra seats."

"I'd vouch for three," said Matrix. "We're picking up new pokemon at an alarming rate recently."

"We have no room for any more," said Macro. "We've already filled the two spare bedrooms we had. If we pick up anyone else, we'd have to share." He frowned. "And I'm not sharing with Anchor."

"Don't worry 'bout that, Cap'n," said the granbull. "I don't quite fancy sharing with you, either. You're a cover hog."

Anchor met Macro's glare and laughed, striking the dashboard with his paw."

"You can't talk to me like that," said Macro.

"Why?" Switch asked before Anchor could even throw a playful retort. "You talk to everyone else like that."

"Because I'm the captain." Macro rounded on him and his right paw fondled the handle of his laser. "You need to watch it, human, or you'll find yourself on the receiving end of my water laser."

"Water pistol." Switch smirked then winked.

Macro opened his mouth to throw a remark but caught DL's concerned face in his peripheral vision. Instead, he let out a sigh and ran a paw over his face.

"I'm getting a headache," he said. "I'm gonna get to bed. And don't anyone dare disturb me." He threw this last comment at the pachirisu.

She sank slightly in his seat, but that concerned expression never fell. Was she worried for him or for Switch? He didn't know, and he didn't want to know.

"I'll be back out before dawn." He stomped from the cockpit.

"What if we need you?" Anchor's voice froze him at the door.

"Define 'need'," said Macro.

"Erm... government fleet attack?"

Macro snorted. "Throw up the shields and fly fast. Maybe tie Switch down so he doesn't break anything."

As he stormed down the corridor, he heard Switch ask Anchor in a wavering voice;

"Does he mean bones or computers?"

Macro slammed his bedroom door behind him and threw himself onto the bed, flinching as the handle of his right laser jabbed him in the kidney. He wriggled out of his belt and tossed it unceremoniously onto his chair. With a groan, he fell onto his back and pressed his paws over his face. Things were beginning to get rather confusing.

Ordinarily, he wouldn't help anyone directly. Space pirates took on jobs - heists, for the sake of a better word. His jobs had always consisted of raiding machine and weapon parts to sell on the black market or to clients; obtaining information about the state of an area; invading government buildings to obtain maps for those who wanted to raid it but wanted low risk (and taking the things they wanted in the process).

Having unfamiliar pokemon on board was never part of the question. Switch's situation was beyond unusual, and as for DL, obtaining her memory disks could have been described as heists in their own right.

DL...

Scratch that. Things were becoming ridiculously confusing.

He was beginning to get rather worried - no, scared - that he was developing feelings for the pachirisu. Feelings brought pain. He needed to nip that in the bud and fast.

Space pirates always looked out for Number One.

If he was going to stop things growing any more confusing than they already were, he needed to do something about DL. Of course, he couldn't just let a pokemon without her memories walk around System on her own.

He groaned again and dragged his claws down his face. That was the gentlemon talking. After all her memories were retrieved, that was it. She had to go.

...

Wildcard Gamma chugged along in the sky at a steady pace. The cockpit was awfully quiet, but it also meant it was much less tense. Macro was still in his room, refusing to come out. Not that anyone had even dared to wake him for fear of laser retaliation. DL was still sat in his seat beside Anchor, watching the world outside with a look of awe. Anchor hummed to himself, carefully steering the hulking mass of a ship through the darkening sky. Matrix monitored the navigation screen, or at least that's what he was meant to be doing. The radar had been minimized to occupy a quarter of the screen while he played some strange retro game Switch hadn't seen in years even inside his own time line.

The talonflame squatted down in a corner, fearing he'd be tossed back and forth around the ship like the pixel ball on Matrix's screen, but things were going so smoothly it was like they weren't moving at all.

"Everything seems..." Switch cleared his throat as he thought over how to word things. "Very relaxed."

"Mm-hmm," said Anchor. "We have our orders, and now we're simply sticking to them without claws at our back."

Switch chuckled and looked over at the door. "Can I ask you something?"

"Ask away."

"Is he always so... strict with you?"

Anchor burst out laughing and struck the dashboard with a heavy paw. DL leapt slightly in her seat and watched the dog's arm warily.

"That's a funny way of putting it," said Anchor. "But I'd keep your voice down. Don't go blaring that around the Cap'n."

"I'm serious," said Switch. "The way he talks to you makes me wonder why you stick around."

Anchor fell silent, the jovial smile melting from his face. DL looked up at him curiously, while Matrix wound his antennae in his paw and looked at each of the other pokemon in turn.

"It's a long story, Switch," Anchor explained. "I can tell you, but... if I hear his door open, I'm gonna stop. You all right with that?"

Switch cast a cautious glance into the hallway, then nodded.

"Okay. Prepare yourself." Anchor pushed the steering stick forwards then looked over his shoulder at the talonflame. "This crew ain't always been the way it was, you know. I met Macro a long time ago. Six years ago, to be exact. Was only a wee kid at the time, myself."

"Kid?!" Switch's eyes flew wide open. "How old are you?"

"Sixteen."

"Pull the other one!"

Anchor roared with laughter again and looked away. "Nope. I tell no lie, Switch."

"Then how old is..." Switch fell silent, fearing the mawile might respond to the sound of his name and cut off the granbull's story. So he merely nodded down the hallway.

"The Cap'n's older than me by like... three years, I think. I lose count. Too many crew members and I don't do numbers." He paused as he steered the ship past a high cloud. "Anyway, like I said. It's not always been this way. He used to belong to another crew, quite a mixed one. Can't remember the name, but when I met him there were just him and a young lass named Digit. Pretty little buneary, she was. Think he were soft on her."

DL's ear twitched and she looked up at the granbull.

"Anyway," he went on, "When I met Macro, it was in Seed City. He were stealin' sheet metal from one of the supply depots. I were gonna stop him initially, but when I spotted his lasers I knew he were a pirate. Terrified, I decided to help him. Carried several sheets back into one of the surrounding villages. Can't remember its name. Him and his friend were fixin' up a ship, see. Looked like a magikarp and he'd named it Wildcard. Pretty basic thing. Not one of them knew how to build a vehicle, and suffice to say the ship never even took off. Burst into flames, actually. We put it out and I told him I'd design the next one. That's when Wildcard Beta came along. He designed it, decided he wanted a huntail ship. Went with his alias. Way back then, he went by the name Hunter everywhere. It were the name given to him by his former captain.

"He told me exactly what happened. They'd been on a raid in the Analogue Isles, but run into another pirate fleet. This was all dragon types, and they decimated the ship's crew. In a bid to save Digit, Macro had got hit really bad by the leader - a garchomp wearin' steel claws. Almost lost his eye. But he managed to fight him off and get Digit to safety. After that, they decided to set up their own crew, but first they needed a ship.

"I were pretty moved and scared, if I'm honest, but I decided to join them. Personally, I felt he'd kill me if I didn't. But of course, I learned really soon he's got a heart bigger than he shows. Sadly, that weren't enough for Digit. Thanks to Macro's wiles, they were often at odds, and after a rather... unfortunate heist... she decided he couldn't take things seriously. Like everything was a joke. He takes too many risks, I'll admit, but she couldn't take it any more. So she up and left, leavin' us down a navigator. Neither of us can navigate to save our lives, so we put out some feelers in Pulse City, and that's where we found Matrix, lurkin' in the Moonlight Lounge."

Matrix released his antennae and nodded towards the kitchen. "Cookie wasn't too far behind, either. We needed a cook."

"Could burn water, our Cap'n," said Anchor. "And I hate to cook."

Switch chuckled and gave another glance down the corridor. "So... you see through that icy exterior."

"Right through." Anchor gave him a warm smile. "Give it time, Switch. He ain't all bad. To be honest, he ain't got a bad bone in his body. Besides, someone has to keep him sane. I often fear if I weren't around, he'd take one risk too many and be dead in less than a week."

Switch nodded. "Makes sense. We all need someone." He paused, his mind going to the mental image of a huntail ship. "So... what happened to Wildcard Beta?"

Anchor took in a sharp breath through his teeth. "We don't talk about Wildcard Beta."