Mr. Roche's incredulous bark of laughter told Sasha all she needed to know. She scribbled 'office' on her notes next to Rafael Artega's name. "Your office at headquarters in Slateport, then," she replied, taking her employer's reaction in stride. [break][break]

At his request, she snapped the tablet stylus back into its holder and looked out the window at the looming Mauville skyline. "Not much, I'm afraid, but…" [break][break]

In actuality, Sasha kept up with Team Rocket's activity—at least, what was publicly available. The thought she could have been one of them, perpetuating war and conquest across the world, haunted her. It manifested in an obsessive compulsion to know just what the crime syndicate was doing, even if she only had access to news reports and social media. [break][break]

But her father had taught her how to analyze news sources and sift through bias to learn as much of the truth as possible. He'd be proud of her, even now. [break][break]

"There was the Kanto War, of course." A war she had narrowly avoided by only a few years. "Then they tried to take over Johto in the same way, but they failed. People are saying they're trying to take over Hoenn in the same manner." [break][break]

Could she truly not escape it? The iron grasp of Team Rocket?

TAGS – Colin Roche[break]
NOTES – mission

[attr="class","pkmn"]

As soon as the words "send a letterhead" left Mr. Roche's mouth, Sasha opened her note-taking app and unsnapped her tablet stylus from its magnetic holder. She jotted down the instructions in shorthand, going back to cross off the part he told her to leave out. [break][break]

At the mention of Rafael Artega, she raised an eyebrow but jotted down the name. She knew of the philanthropist, of course; she had thorough knowledge of the backgrounds of each man and woman Mr. Roche dealt with on a regular basis. However, she couldn't quite understand the animosity her boss exuded at every mention of Mr. Artega. [break][break]

"Would you like Mr. Artega to meet you at your office, or should I arrange for a business dinner?" she asked carefully.

TAGS – Colin Roche[break]
NOTES – mission

[attr="class","pkmn"]

Sasha sat on the ground next to Saskia, still absently brushing away the last of the sand from her clothes. "I'm keeping busy enough," the older woman said. "I got a new job recently as a secretary. My boss is a big banking CEO. EvoEx. Have you heard of it?" [break][break]

They recently opened up branches in Hoenn, taking over the remnants of what had been POG Bank. [break][break]

"I heard you had gone to live with your relatives in Sinnoh, but it's nice to see you back in Hoenn," Sasha remarked with a warm smile—one that faltered as thoughts lingered on the circumstance of their reunion. [break][break]

"I don't think you're complaining. Things just… happen, sometimes, and we are left to pick up the pieces."

TAGS – saskia volosenkova[break]
NOTES – mission

[attr="class","pkmn"]

Sasha pursed her lips at Mr. Roche's admonishment, taking mental notes of his reaction and demeanor. With a tap of her finger, she opened a few social media apps and scrolled through them. [break][break]

"There's been a rise in Team Rocket's public activity in the last two years," she explained, choosing not to remind her employer of his recent transfer—and, therefore, lack of personal knowledge. [break][break]

Pausing her scrolling, she continued, "There used to be a lot more protests both for and against them, but last year they really fell out of favor in the public eye after they kidnapped former Councilwoman Elinor Anderson." [break][break]

Sasha looked up at Mr. Roche. "Of course, Miss Anderson was rescued, but there's been increasing paranoia and heightened security about everything ever since. People on social media are just waiting for the next big strike from Team Rocket." [break][break]

She hesitated, recalling a recent debate she read online. [break][break]

"And they fear a single person won't be the target this time, but many."

TAGS – Colin Roche[break]
NOTES – mission

[attr="class","pkmn"]

Sasha stared at Saskia, perplexed. "Wait, you wanted to get caught in one?" she asked. [break][break]

Then again, the younger woman had always struggled to conform to quiet office life during her stint as an intern. Was it any wonder she preferred an outdoor adventure? [break][break]

"I'm here because I was taking a walk when it was a clear, sunny day," Sasha explained, leaning against Clefable for the reassurance of something warm and solid against her side. She fell silent for the briefest moment before admitting, "And, you know, I'd heard what happened here." [break][break]

The incident at the peak, she meant. The reason for the Top Champion's disappearance.

TAGS – saskia volosenkova[break]
NOTES – mission

[attr="class","pkmn"]

"Saskia?!" Sasha exclaimed, her body tensing as the younger woman stumbled into her, even as she recognized the "stranger's" voice. Before she could say anything else, however, the storm winds blew even harder, forcing her to duck her head and brace against it. [break][break]

We need to get to shelter, Sasha thought, her big sister instinct kicking in. Wrapping an arm around Saskia's shoulders, Sasha turned their backs to the wind and started to pick a route down the volcano. [break][break]

Eventually, they reached a small cave just big enough to fit the two women and their Pokémon. Relieved to be out of harm's way, the blonde woman set about brushing sand out of her clothes and wiping her eyes. She took a swig from her water bottle, then handed it to the brunette. [break][break]

"So what are you doing out here, Saskia?" Sasha asked. Frankly, it was a question she could have asked herself.

TAGS – saskia volosenkova[break]
NOTES – mission

[attr="class","pkmn"]

Sasha could not help an awkward laugh at Benji's rambling. She did finally shake his hand, surprised to find his grasp careful, not clumsy. A light blush colored her cheeks as she inwardly chastised herself for her earlier judgmental thoughts. [break][break]

"I do, actually," she replied, releasing his hand and setting hers back in her lap. "I paint and draw in my free time, so it's always interesting to come to these fairs and see other people's art, too. Even if it's not all painting and drawing." [break][break]

She settled against the back of the bench, turning her head slightly to make sure their Pokémon remained in her peripheral vision. [break][break]

"What about you? Do you come to these often?" she asked Benji, though she was sure she'd have seen him before if he did.

TAGS – benji sawyer[break]
NOTES – mission

[attr="class","pkmn"]

Indeed, Sasha screamed in shock and fear as a hooded figure emerged seemingly from thin air. Huge red eyes stared out at her, while some kind of horned beast loomed at its side. Her cry immediately turned into sputtering, however, as the wind whipped more sand into her mouth. [break][break]

"Stay back!" she warned, though her voice wavered with uncertainty. "My Pokémon knows how to fight!" [break][break]

Truth be told, Sasha was still working with Clefable to turn her into a decent fighter. The Fairy-type hadn't had much practice yet. To her credit, however, she stepped valiantly in front of her trainer to defend her from the stranger. [break][break]

But would she succeed with such limited visibility and cutting sands?

TAGS – saskia volosenkova[break]
NOTES – mission

[attr="class","pkmn"]

Sasha sat in the back of her employer's car, behind the front passenger's seat, her tablet balanced on her lap while she tapped away at her phone. Colin Roche himself sat opposite her behind his driver, but she put him in the back of her mind for the moment. The email she was composing was her primary concern. [break][break]

Only when she was fully satisfied with her wording did she press SEND. "There," she said to her boss. "I've let the press know we will not be taking statements about the Mauville City break-in at this time." [break][break]

The EvoEx branch in Mauville was their destination that day, their goal to meet with the police and gain a full understanding of what happened. [break][break]

Tucking her phone into her purse, Sasha picked up her tablet and thumbed through the news articles pulled up on its screen. "There have been a lot of break-ins of other financial businesses lately," she commented, shooting a glance at Mr. Roche. "It almost feels coordinated."

TAGS – Colin Roche[break]
NOTES – mission

[attr="class","pkmn"]

Sasha didn't know how she ended up so unlucky. Deciding to enjoy an easy hike around the lower section of Mt. Chimney, she had set out with her Clefable. Unfortunately, partway on the trail, an unexpected sandstorm kicked up along the mountain, catching both off guard. [break][break]

"We need to head back!" the woman shouted at her Pokémon over the howl of the winds. Or she tried, getting her hair and a bunch of sand in her mouth. She promptly coughed and tried to spit it out. [break][break]

The pair turned and started retracing their steps to the start of the trail. Sasha kept her arms raised to shield her face from the sand, but the storm raged so ferociously that it was impossible to see through it.

TAGS – saskia volosenkova[break]
NOTES – mission

[attr="class","pkmn"]

As soon as Sasha stepped out of the stall and into open air, she felt better. Freed from such cramped quarters, she could slip into the crowd for an easy escape—another of her mother's lessons. [break][break]

But she did not. Instead, she committed the stranger's name to memory. [break][break]

"I'm Sasha," she said. The name came so easily now, as if she'd been born with it. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Ben." With her hands full of the broken candle, she had an excuse not to shake his own in introduction. He seemed strong enough to crush her fingers. [break][break]

Dedenne hopped out of her purse as she made her way to a trash bin. The small mouse hurried toward the Furret, bouncing up and down in excitement, and started running circles around the larger Pokémon. [break][break]

"Don't run off too far," Sasha reminded Dedenne gently as she surreptitiously slipped the candle into the bin. She spied a bench nearby and sat down on it. "We'll be right here, okay?"

TAGS – benji sawyer[break]
NOTES – mission

[attr="class","pkmn"]