Pokémar Episode V, A Clone's Destiny

Murphy's Law

Jackson

A day has passed since Mewtwo decided to fly off. And based on what Alex described of the files he can't exactly blame them. They were a product of a twisted, morally bankrupt experiment, one that fortunately yielded a being capable of understanding just how awful their creators were.

He wishes Mewtwo hadn't run off. They were a great ally to have in this fight. Perhaps they'll return once they've thought on it a while. 

His mind drifts back towards the streets of Rustboro. A mostly standard commute to work accompanied by Tsunami the Mudkip as protection, in light of recent events. As if to validate his current line of thought, a turn at an intersection unveils a grizzly sight. Police vehicles block the street completely in front of a Pokemart. The entire area is cordoned off by police tape and vehicles. Officers and their pokemon carefully move about, trying not to disturb what is likely a crime scene. But that's not what holds Jackson's attention.

Through the shattered window of the store there is blood. A lot of blood. Enough that someone had clearly died in there. 

"Arceus, that's horrific." Jackson mumbles.

"I think I'm going to be sick..." Tsunami mutters. 

As if the murder wasn't bad enough, the perpetrators were confident enough to leave behind a calling card; on the far wall is a stylized graffiti image of a massive letter R. No doubt covered in potential evidence that could lead back to them. And with everything that has been happening, Jackson fears that confidence isn't misplaced. 

One officer takes notice of his vehicle and gestures for him to move along. Jackson complies, not wanting to get entangled in this mess.

"I'm starting to worry that we're past the point of no return." Tsunami comments. "Every day it's a little worse. I'm not sure normal is possible anymore."

"I really hope that's not true... But Alex is on the right track with things. We've made progress. Here's hoping we have a way to start making things right."

"Here's hoping..."

>>>>>>>>>>

The rest of the commute was, mercifully, devoid of any more violent displays. Soon they arrive in the Devon Corp parking lot. Jackson parks the car and gets out, Tsunami not far behind. 

"I'm honestly surprised you're still working here after what we learned."

"I've been looking for another place, none have worked out yet. Soon though." Jackson takes out a pokeball from his pocket and holds it out to Tsunami, who quickly taps the button and is pulled inside. No sense leaving him in the car for eight hours.

He enters the main lobby to find his manager, Mr. Haro, standing beside the reception desk. 

"Mr. Pine," he says flatly. "I need to speak with you. If you could follow me to my office I would appreciate it." The red flags go up almost immediately in Jackson's head. He recognizes Haro's tone of voice. It's how he sounds when he's upset about something but trying to appear cordial. His mind immediately goes to the adaptor he stole. Was he careless? Did he not cover his tracks well enough?

"I have a bad feeling about this, Tsumani..." Jackson mutters as he follows. 

>>>>>>>>>>

Jackson takes a seat in front of his boss' desk. He tries his hardest to look calm and neutral. Perhaps it's nothing. Maybe there was an error in paperwork that needs to be corrected. Perhaps an upcoming thing that he needs to know about. Or, knowing Haro, he's blown something out of proportion and somehow found a way to blame him again.

"So, Jackson," He starts, going into one of his trademark long winded monologs. "You've worked for Devon Corp for, what, 9, 10 years? In all that time you've done what you've been told, you've done your job and kept to yourself. So imagine my surprise when I get a memo from the security department and see this." He turns his computer monitor around to face Jackson. On the screen is CCTV footage of the factory floor. And, clear as day, the video shows Jackson as he swipes the adaptor. 

His heart skips a beat. How?! How was he that careless?! How the frick could he have forgotten about the cameras?! Does anyone else know about this? 

"I'm disappointed Jackson." Haro continues, his voice dripping with sarcastic shame. Of course he had to be the one to deliver the news. He has wasted no opportunity to undermine him in the past. This is probably endlessly enjoyable for him. He fights the urge to retort. The situation is bad enough as is without goading him. "You know just as well as I do that we have a zero tolerance policy on theft. We're going to be sure you are punished to the fullest extent of the law. Tell me, why did you do it?"

Jackson says nothing. After everything he's seen, after all the peril Alex and Thunder have been through, there's no way he is going to expose them. Not that it matters. His stealing the adaptor so soon after Alex stole the tracking sensor from the camp is probably to much of a coincidence to-

A dawning realization sends a wave of dread through him. He just put Josh in the crossfire. What Rocket would do to his son...

Jackson bolts from his seat without thought. He had to get home. He needed to save Josh. He rushes out the door of the office and barely gets ten feet before getting grabbed by a police officer.

She says something to him but he's too high on adrenaline to hear it. He thrashes free and tries to make a run for it. And once again he is stopped. This time by an electric jolt paralyzing him. As he falls to the floor a Joltik jumps off of his back and skitters back to the officer.

"Jackson Pine," She says as she does a search of his body. "You are under arrest for theft of corporate property. You will have the opportunity to speak before a court if you so wish." Jackson tries to say something, anything. But in the throes of paralysis his mouth refuses to work.

The officer's search reaches his pockets. She reaches in and takes out Tsumani's ball before stashing it in her vest. She reaches for her radio. "This is Jennings. Suspect is incapacitated. Ready for pick-up." Within minutes another officer arrives to cuff him and help haul him outside to their car. Haro follows them with a restrained grin. 

As he is set in the back seat of the car Haro peers in briefly through the door. "Farewell, Jackson. I hope whatever your reason was, it was worth it." He slams the door shut and walks away, leaving Jackson alone with the officers as they take a seat and drive away. 

"You're going to wish you'd stayed away from this." the female officer says. "Fortunately for you, Siana wants you as leverage." His heart sinks. This just keeps getting worse and worse. Not only is he going to be a bargaining chip for Rocket, he has jeopardized both Alex's mission and Josh's life. He weighs what few options he has. 

The paralysis is starting to fade, but being in cuffs means he can't capitalize on it. Nor would leaping out of a moving car be very advantageous. His best option is to wait and see if another opportunity arises. If only he could warn them. They have no idea of the storm coming their way...