Chapter 182: Seeds of Doubt
Xiaoyuan stared in horror at the cocooned figures on the pavement, then looked around wildly before spotting a figure perched silently in the branches of a nearby roadside tree – a large, red-and-black spider-like Pokémon with sharp mandibles and multiple eyes gleaming faintly. An Ariados.
"It's alright," Xiu reassured her quietly, noticing her fear. "That's an Ariados. It belongs to the Pokémon Center's security team. They're protecting this location now."
As if on cue, several figures emerged from an unmarked van parked discreetly down the street – the tactical team Xiu had encountered earlier, led by the same captain. They moved efficiently, checking the immobilized men, then lifting the cocoons and loading them into the van. They drove off immediately, leaving three team members, including the captain, behind. They approached Xiu and Xiaoyuan.
The camera crew and actors, startled by the sudden confrontation, had paused their work, looking uncertainly towards the unfolding situation.
"It's fine," Xiu called out to them, projecting calm. "It's just an inchident[1]. Continue filming. Let's get this done quickly." He turned back to the approaching security team leader, offering a polite nod. "Gentlemen."
"Sir," the captain responded, his expression carefully neutral, though Xiu detected a flicker of intense curiosity in his eyes. He still can't figure me out, Xiu thought with mild amusement. Good. "Is the situation secure here?"
"For now," Xiu replied. "These two attempted to disrupt the filming, possibly targeting myself or my associate." He gestured towards Xiaoyuan. "Your team's intervention was timely."
Before the captain could probe further, Xiu smoothly shifted focus. "This is Ms. Yuan," he introduced Xiaoyuan again. "She is managing this food distribution point. Please coordinate with her directly regarding ongoing security arrangements for the storefront and incoming supply trucks."
He effectively handed off the interaction, stepping back as Xiaoyuan, regaining her professional composure, began discussing security protocols with the captain. Xiu turned his attention back to overseeing the final shots for the propaganda piece.
With the filming complete, the camera crew departed for the TV station to get the segment edited and televised. Professor Oak prepared to head back to the Pokémon Center to play his part in managing the arriving tourists. The 'actors' – Pokémon Center staff in plain clothes – remained, tasked by Xiu (via Nurse Joy's authority) to assist Xiaoyuan with the initial setup and sales.
"Alright," Xiu said to Xiaoyuan, "this operation is yours to manage now. Keep the prices fair, ensure orderly distribution, and liaise with the security team." He prepared to leave.
As he climbed back into the response vehicle with Professor Oak, the older man gave him a searching look. "That food supply you arranged... is it truly enough? Your associate mentioned securing an initial shipment, but Viridian's needs..."
Xiu met Oak's gaze, offering a faint, noncommittal smile. "It's sufficient," he stated simply, choosing not to reveal the full scale of the operation he'd planned or the warehouse's actual capacity.
He elaborated slightly, "The goal isn't to feed the entire city indefinitely, Professor. It's to manage what the people see— providing a visible, stable source of affordable food counters the panic.
The locals likely have some reserves at home, and even if they don't, seeing readily available supplies discourages hoarding. The immediate crisis is averted." He let a harder edge enter his voice. "This buys the authorities time. Maybe two days. If Head Nurse Joy and those within the city can't regain control within that window..." He shrugged, the implication clear. "...then no amount of supplies will matter. The city's collapse will be inevitable."
Oak absorbed this grim assessment, his expression turning troubled again. Xiu didn't elaborate further, focusing on driving back to the Pokémon Center.
The effect of the propaganda campaign was already visible. A steady stream of tourists, carrying luggage and looking relieved, was making its way towards the Center, directed by staff and reassured by the broadcast messages. Inspections were being conducted calmly at the entrance, emphasizing safety and order, just as Oak had described in the filmed segment. Everything seemed almost unnaturally smooth.
"You're frowning," Oak observed, noticing the slight crease between Xiu's brows.
"Something feels... wrong," Xiu admitted quietly, scanning the orderly queues, the calm faces. "Too easy."
"What do you mean?" Oak asked. "The plan seems to be working."
"Exactly," Xiu murmured. "The panic has been suppressed, yes. The immediate threat of tourists rioting is contained. But Team Rocket... they wouldn't fold this easily. They went to significant lengths – market manipulation, sabotage, and infiltration. Do you think they'd abandon their entire operation just because we offered people shelter and cheap bread?" He shook his head.
"This feels like... a feint. Or perhaps we've only dealt with a superficial layer of their plan." This isn't over. They have another move prepared. The conviction settled deep in his gut, an unsettling premonition.
"We've bought time," Oak countered, though his voice lacked some of its earlier confidence. "Nurse Joy's resources are considerable. Given time, she can stabilize the situation."
"Perhaps." Xiu remained unconvinced. He pulled up to the Pokémon Center entrance. "Professor, your next task awaits." He was referring to the 'popular science lectures' he'd suggested Oak give to the sheltered tourists – a way to keep them occupied, educated, and further calmed by Oak's reassuring presence.
Oak sighed, looking towards the crowded lobby. "Yes, yes, I know." He sounded distinctly unenthusiastic about playing lecturer to a captive audience but recognized the necessity. "Duty calls." He exited the vehicle.
Xiu didn't linger. He needed to check on the warehouse, ensure the supplies – and Xiaochun – were secure. He drove off again, leaving Oak to his duties. The journey back to the warehouse district was quiet, the streets still emptier than usual, the atmosphere subdued.
Is this the calm before the storm?
He arrived at the warehouse. Its location remained discreet, seemingly untouched by the day's chaos. He let himself in quietly. The place was silent, filled with the scent of grain and dust. He spotted Xiaochun almost immediately, huddled amidst the sacks in a shadowed corner, apparently asleep.
He moved towards her, intending to check on her condition, but stopped abruptly. His eyes narrowed, scanning the dim interior. Something feels off. A subtle displacement of objects near the main loading door, a faint scuff mark on the floor that hadn't been there earlier...
He approached Xiaochun cautiously. "Hey," he whispered, nudging her gently.
She woke instantly, not with a start, but with a fluid, silent movement, her eyes snapping open, immediately alert, assessing him.
"Two intruders," her mental voice relayed instantly through Abra, who materialized silently beside Xiu. "Came while you were gone."
Xiu looked around, then spotted them – two figures lying unconscious, bound securely with salvaged rope, tucked away behind a stack of grain sacks. He quickly checked them. No visible Pokémon gear, rough clothing, crude tattoos visible on their arms. They looked like common street thugs, not trained operatives. Both were merely unconscious, unharmed aside from likely bumps on the head.
He looked back at Xiaochun, raising an eyebrow questioningly.
"They tried to sneak in the back," she explained calmly.
Xiu examined the unconscious men again, then looked at Xiaochun's small frame and her bandaged wound. Did she just take down two grown men, silently? Her skills were formidable. "Did they see you clearly?" he asked aloud, though he suspected the answer.
Xiaochun simply shook her head.
Good. He didn't want loose ends that could identify her. But who sent them? Low-level thugs suggested local troublemakers, so perhaps looters probing for weaknesses during the chaos? Or scouts sent by someone more organized? He couldn't be sure. Leaving them for the Pokémon Center security team felt risky; explaining their presence, explaining Xiaochun's presence, would be complicated.
Better to handle this myself.
He made a decision. The less Head Nurse Joy knew about his... extracurricular activities... the better.
These two would simply disappear.
[1] y'all know where this is from