Pokémon Obsidian | An Orre Fanfiction

Chapter 44: Inside Information

When Lumir studied the CCTV, that boy didn't escape his notice, either. It was possible that he was a plant put there by Ilirian, but it seemed more likely that GoD knew his old disguise was no longer effective... or at least that was what Lumir wanted to believe.

The fusty, cluttered office was dimly illuminated only by desk lights. Outside, the sky was pitch black. Paper rustled. A chair creaked. Natalya finished marking her almost-overdue papers.

'Goodnight, Professor...'

'Oh, goodnight, Dr. Korotkova.'

Usually, she might have told him to use her first name, but she only sighed. Her keys jingled. Moonlight glinted on her Mt. Battle keyring. Three years ago, she reached the top, but couldn't beat Lyndon. Lumir hesitated.

'...Is everything OK? Feel free to tell me if it's none of my business, but... you don't seem yourself.'

Natalya sighed again. 'You're not the first to comment.'

'Ah. Then you must be tired of hearing it. But if you do need to talk...'

'To be honest, Professor...'

Her voice abruptly cracked. 'I'd love to, but...'

'Ah!'

Lumir understood. It was unlikely the office was bugged, but Cipher inevitably had access to the CCTV.

'You haven't found the key yet? Maybe my Glaceon can sniff it out.'

It was a mediocre excuse. Lumir's Glaceon didn't have a particularly impressive sense of smell. Natalya still looked relieved. Leaving all electronics and their lab coats in the office, they hurried out to the parking lot. After a few minutes of pretending to look for a missing key, they stepped away from the campus and walked briskly towards Red Rock Regional Park, where Leon was almost killed by his Shadow Charizard. Without their lab coats, the desert night prickled at their skin.

'If they can somehow hear us now... their capability must be beyond even my imagination. Please know you can be open with me.'

'I'm... actually very glad you asked, Professor... because I feel like you won't judge me. You know me. You know what I believe in and what drives me. You know I love the Orre region.'

'Of course. But why would anyone judge you?'

'Because... I think you know what Jet's up to. And... and so do I, but...'

Sobs shook her tense shoulders. 'But... I haven't... I haven't tried to stop him... I haven't tried to stop Piruzi... joining Cipher... because I was... I was a coward... I was so scared... of being sent home...'

'Your husband's actions are hardly your fault, Natalya. If you were a coward, you wouldn't be telling me this.'

'I want to stop them... I can't keep ignoring it...'

'What's most important is that you're safe. And Piruzi, of course. I'm sure this isn't a reflection of who she truly is. If there's anything you'd like me to pass on, I will.'

'That's the problem, Lumir... there are only so many people who could tell your people the things I know... and Jet knows I'm shitting myself. He knows I'd rather be married to you.'

Lumir stopped walking. '...Would you?'

'Of course I would.'

Natalya's scarf glittered in the moonlight as she glanced back. She sniffled.

'And maybe I don't even care what happens to me anymore... so do what you will with this information. Prestige is Cipher. Four functional mines hide entrances to Obsidian City: the Wilderness Mine, Azure Mine, Sandstorm Mine and Diglett Mine. I imagine, but can't confirm, that mines owned by Moore Industries also connect to the city. Which is currently home to about 50,000 people. If construction continues at the current rate, it can house a million or so more.'