"Killian." The admin was greeted with a nod and a smile as he boarded their vessel.

"A little of both, I suppose." He mused, pausing a moment before continuing. "I was just wondering if you had a reason for selecting me to accompany you on this mission."

If it had been Martín del Mar standing opposite him, Barnaby would have included a teasing, 'Besides my good looks and overwhelming charm'. But Killian wasn't Mars and, truthfully, Barnaby hadn't spent enough time with the other admin to get a read on his personality. Perhaps their venture today would relieve some of the mystery surrounding Killian Decker .

"Whatever the reason, I'm looking forward to working with you again." And he meant it, if only to further his connections in ROCKET. "We're ready to set out on your word."

Killian Decker
mission: DEVON DIVES

☉

The polite smile on his lips morphed into a genuine grin. Barnaby laughed - a bright, sincere sound that ringed out into the open ocean surrounding them. He was beginning to feel more at ease around the admin, as evidenced by his next little quip.

“Of course. I knew you had a discerning eye.” It was a teasing remark to match Killian’s joke, but there was a kernel of belief to his tone. Barnaby’s hubris was nearly limitless, after all.

“Aye aye, captain.” He confirmed the order, still with that teasing lilt to his voice, and strode past where Killian sat until he reached the helm of the ship. With a gurgling rumble the vessel came to life. Using a deft and practiced hand, Barnaby guided them out to open water and toward their destination: Sootopolis City.

They sped into the setting sun, orange light bleeding into blackish-blue. By the time they arrived at the sea nearby Sootopolis, the horizon had extinguished into a chilly night. This far out, the sky lacked the light pollution of an urban setting; as a result, the stars shined beautifully overhead.

“We’re here.” Barnaby said, killing the engine and letting the ship's anchor fall to the depths below.

Killian Decker
mission: DEVON DIVES

☉

Killian Decker had been left to his thoughts for the duration of their boat ride. Not necessarily because Barnaby wanted the prolonged silence, but because the admin had looked so absorbed in whatever was passing through his mind that he felt it best to leave him be for now. There would be time for conversation later.

At Killian's instruction, Barnaby released three of his Water-type Pokémon into the depths below: an unusually-colored STARMIE, a hyperactive DEWGONG (who was already swimming circles around the other man's SHARPEDO), and a stalwart, standoffish WALREIN. Perhaps it was overkill to dive with so many Pokémon, but Barnaby knew the ocean to be a dangerous place; even more so under the cover of darkness. It didn't hurt to have backup.

"Strip."

A single word that goaded Barnaby's attention away from the railing of the ship. Now that wasn't a directive he expected to hear from this particular admin. Turning to face his superior, he smirked and nodded his head, consenting to the order.

"Yes, sir." He peeled off, a teasing rumble in his voice. When the admin returned with their gear he'd get the distinguished honor of seeing Barnaby in nothing but his boxer briefs. They were black and made of tight, moisture-wicking material. Very comfortable. Flattering, too.

Once Killian handed him his wetsuit, Barnaby would proceed with the tedious task of putting it on and checking to make sure the rest of their scuba gear was ready for use. It only took a few moments for the all-clear and, with a cheerful thumbs up, he informed the admin, "Ready when you are."

Killian Decker
mission: DEVON DIVES

☉

He had his orders. It was time for their operation to truly begin.

Barnaby quickly jumped in after Killian Decker. A wave of bubbles surrounded his initial dive into the dark depths of the ocean. Within moments, however, there was nothing but pitch black. The light of the moon barely penetrated the waters here.

Luckily, his Pokémon made up for this lack of sight. They knew how to navigate in territory like this. Barnaby's DEWGONG swam up beside him, offering his back for the ROCKET executive to take hold.

His STARMIE, meanwhile, worked to locate the pirate gang in question. Evangeline's psychic powers acted almost like a sonar, reaching beyond their physical body to try and suss out oddities in the landscape around them.

There.

Another ship nearby with several occupants. This late at night, and in this remote location, it had to be their target.

"How many?" Barnaby asked, psychically speaking to Evangeline although his voice would have rung in Killian's mind as well.

Five.

"Where?" Were they all collected in one area of the ship? Spread out?

One at the bridge. Two at the bow. Two at the stern.

Barnaby looked toward his superior's silhouette in the water ahead of him, awaiting direction on how they should approach.

5Lt9B5vq

Killian Decker
mission: DEVON DIVES

☉