Chapter 1.5 : Shadows in the City
Prelude
[Jubilife City, Sinnoh Region]
"Operator Cipher requested to be in the main lobby. Dr. Axiom wants to speak to you directly."
"Oh boy, what is it this time?" I thought to myself as I was running some errands around the city. It was Monday so the rush was expected but Axiom always liked his short notices.
I had a stack of papers when I got the call. I was holding or rather ... levitating a bunch of reports. It was off to the main lobby I go.
I stumbled upon the bright white lights of V.E.G.A. when I entered the building. The main lobby is always the first place you will see when you enter but even still, I never get tired of seeing it every day.
"Morning Cipher! Doctor's pulling you in again?" Ava, the Rotom receptionist greeted me when she saw me enter.
[Cipher]: "Yeah, you got it right. Got any ideas on what it would be? Could be anything for all I know."
[Ava]: "No idea either, sorry. Although, I've been hearing a few reports of structural damage. Something ... or someone might have been vandalizing it seems."
[Cipher]: "Hmm ... I might look into the reports when I'm done. Until then, duty calls."
"Good luck ... as always." She sheepishly gave me a smirk just as I headed to Axiom's office, the papers I was carrying still floating around me.
~~~
I had just made one knock on the door when Axiom bellowed from inside his office.
[Axiom]: "Come in."
I instinctively opened the door, having no time to waste when I saw Axiom hunched over at his desk. He seemed to be looking intently at some papers before he looked up at me with a grunt.
[Axiom]: "Oh good, you're here. Listen, I know you're the best man for the job that's why I sent you in on short notice. I need you to investigate something." Axiom subtly pushed what looked like a bunch of photos across the desk towards me.
I raised an eyebrow as I quickly looked at what he wanted to show me- a bunch of broken shops with what looked like something red glowing on the cracks.
"Strange ..." I muttered as I tried to look closer. "Anything else you got?"
"Pictures were taken last week. Dates appeared to be random." Axiom shrugged, it seemed like he was also in the dark about this.
"Right ... but the glow is kinda bothering me here. I've seen a broken building before but never a red light." I guess that was probably what Ava had been seeing as well. "So ... what do you want me to do?"
[Axiom]: "I need you to investigate what's been happening. Attacks are usually by night time so you would need to patrol the area."
[Cipher]: "But what about-"
[Axiom]: "You don't have to do this alone. I assigned Operator Elaina and another one who needed experience in the field. Surely you can handle it right?"
[Cipher]: "I guess. Do we start tonight?"
[Axiom]: "Yes, the sooner you patrol, the sooner you can get to the bottom of this."
[Cipher]: "Figured. Anything else?"
[Axiom]: "If any threats arise while patrolling, let me know right away."
It seems like it's going to be one of those all-nighters ...














