FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

"I don't understand... We usually capture at least one mon per night. There have been less as of recently," Mille said as they walked Castelia's streets. It had been a little over an hour. They mainly took poorly lit back routes so as not to attract attention. Some citizens didn't agree with Unovanish and could be aggressive when showing it. There was no surefire way to know who was against them, so it was best to avoid people when possible and never let their guard down as ferals were capable of attacking them as well.

"Maybe they got smart and have a hideout," replied Ace.

She turned into an alley with a large red cargo box against a wall to the left. Its color was fading due to its time there. "Check the contents."

"Got it." Ace approached the door and saw the lock off its handle. It was broken and on the ground, which he leaned and picked up.

"More deviants..." Mille opened the door and saw zero pokémon inside. The ropes were severed as well, and the camera previously watching the box was crushed and on the ground. An unknown rebellious group disagreed strongly with Unovanish's methods and wanted the company out of the city.

They tended to break captured pokémon free. The reason cargo boxes were used is due to Unovanish having outside companies pick up and handle pokémon post-capture. One of them was Castelia's ferry industry. They export pokémon to regions that accept them. Pickups happened every few hours at random so no one could follow a schedule. It reduced the amount of pokémon set free considerably.

"It's reported a lot, and nothing gets done."

"Not our problem. Our job is to capture and confirm. We report broken locks and damaged property if we happen to see them, and I don't feel like seeing it tonight." Mille walked past it. She was supposed to place a sticker on the box and use their scanner to digitally set it to 'empty.' Any company that collects captures can see the results on a server to pinpoint which locations to hit.

Unovanish employees also used the servers to find out which locations hadn't yet been tagged. Mille wasn't required to visit all checkpoints, so she'd leave it to the next employee. Everyone had to work checkpoints at least once per week. "We'll see if we can confirm any captures at some checkpoints nearby."

Ace watched as she walked ahead. He'd pretended to try and side with Mille-- but that somehow backfired on him too. "Can't win..." He followed after her.

--

They were, fortunately, able to confirm three captures in two stops for pickup and went back to headquarters with it after logging their night at database HQ. It'd look nice on their record. They took the hall into the lobby by entering the six-digit code to unlock its door.

Suited employees were required to use the roof's entrance ever since Katie's hire so it would be difficult to pinpoint the direct one to a potential follower-- although stalking a worker was illegal.

Mille was exhausted and wasn't up to walk multiple flights of stairs though. One time wouldn't hurt, and those who had broken the rules hadn't been caught by authority yet, mainly because it had only been done a few times that Mille knew of. There was a camera on the roof just outside of the elevator and a few in the lobby, but the footage wasn't looked over much as far as Mille could tell.

Ace wasn't sure how he felt about it, but the last thing he wanted was to start an argument with her.

"Can't even rest." She had to go straight to her meeting. Mille wouldn't bother stopping at the room.

"I could buy you something from the diner when you come back," Ace offered while walking around a few stopped people in the lobby chatting. No one had seen them enter.

"I can buy from the diner whenever I please. Where'd you even get money?"

Ace looked down, hurt again by her icy response. He should never have asked. He felt stupid for always trying to be nice to Mille when she never reciprocated it.

"...Ayame, hm?" She smirked while they approached the rooms. "It's not like you could be with her. Dreams are fun, though."

Ace swallowed, his face hot. He didn't view Ayame in that light. He was a ranked one pokémon, and she was the most important person here. Ace knew her. That was all. He watched Mille walk off before dialing in the code and pushing open the door. Ace shut it harder than usual and went to undress while holding back tears. He stuffed everything into his drawer and lay in his bed.

Ace hated life as it was. He wanted a source of comfort, to not be alone for once while Mille made him feel worthless daily. His family had been captured and sent to another region, and the chance of him ever locating them was zero to none. Ace was only kept in Unova because he was a teen in prime physical health. Kado gave him a false option to go with his parents and siblings.

Meanwhile, Mille had already gone to the room her meeting was held in. It was farther east within the lobby on the left corner. Any worthy ranks-- two and up, answered to a machamp that went by Muso. He still answered to Ayame's father, of course.

Mille sat beside a lopunny and delphox near the back rows of chairs as the front were taken. She noticed Elee standing off to the right of the room. Mille set her eyes on him but looked away after a few moments. Not only was she here for an important meeting, but she also didn't want Elee to catch her gazing at him.

There were roughly twenty pokémon in the room, and Muso had the doormon close the door after Mille entered, who was in charge of ensuring any low ranks didn't try sneaking in.

"Mister Nishida mandated this meeting, so every one of you'd better pay attention... As you know, wild pokémon've been spotted less and less around Castelia, and the amount of captures has fallen compared to usual in the past months." Muso paced, his arms in motion while explaining. "Two possibilities. Either most pokémon have taken the hint and have run to other areas in Unova, or they're hiding under our noses. What is needed from you lot is to find this supposed haven so we can continue work. I don't care how it's done, just get it done and report to me once you have. Do not disclose this information to anyone below rank two as of now. We need responsible employees on this case. That's all."

Mille's eyes shot around. She had to be the one to find it. It could take her far-- possibly to rank four. She'd gain access to the blue doors and a partner of a higher caliber. She stood and exited the room in thought and anticipation. Tomorrow night would consist of much more than hunting. She glanced behind at the doors and saw a human agent open the door for a few high ranks from the meeting. Pokémon weren't permitted to guard the door for other pokémon so as to reduce bribery and illegal entry.

While Mille made her way back to the room, she heard someone walking up from behind and glanced back. It was a ranked two cinderace she spoke to frequently.

"Mille, you heard all of that right?"

"Yeah..." She wasn't in the mood to converse. She had thinking to do.

"Why don't we try and find it together? I think we'd make a good team."

Not a chance. Mille wasn't willing to share credit if they found it. "I'll think about it, Inigo."

"All right..." Inigo stopped and watched her walk. He eyed her slim frame. Inigo liked Mille, but she never gave him the time of day unless they were sharing info pertaining to the job.

Mille entered her and Ace's room, ensuring she shut the door behind her. "It's true... They have to be hiding somewhere."

Ace wasn't in the mood, but he didn't expect to be right about what he said. He sat up. "Really?"

Mille nodded. "We have to find out where it is before anyone else. We're leaving earlier than usual tomorrow. Repeat nothing to anyone of what I've told you." She needed Ace on board completely. Mille knew he'd keep quiet.

"Mhm..." Ace didn't know how he felt about ratting out his own if a community truly existed, but he was curious at the same time and wouldn't bother questioning Mille. The most he could do was get some sleep.