notes

The bartender looks up at the strange request. "Sure thing, one moment," he tells the customer before disappearing through the doors leading into the kitchen.

The man who emerges from the same doors a few minutes later is not Zev, however, but the bar manager, Pete. The bartender follows at his heels, already focused on another customer who's raised a hand for his attention. But Pete's face breaks into a smile as he gestures for Martín to follow. "Please follow me, sir," he says, his tone polite and respectful. "Mr. Harcourt is waiting for you in the back lounge."

During those intervening minutes between the bartender's disappearance and Pete's emergence from the kitchen, word went through the chain of command. Zev had answered the urgent knock on his office door already knowing the reason for the disturbance. He'd nodded to Pete, then made his way through the narrow staff corridors that snaked through the building until he'd emerged in a side entrance of the aforementioned lounge.

Decorated with a similar industrial feeling as the rest of the bar, this back room holds a single wooden table and several chairs in its center. Lights hanging from the ceiling cast a moody glow upon the chamber. Shuttered windows prevent anyone from glimpsing into the space, while a heavy door at the back wall leads out into an alley behind the bar.

Zev settles into a chair facing the third and final door, the one through which his guest will enter. Propping his elbows on the table, he laces his fingers together and waits.

Martín del Mar

notes

"Likewise," Zev replies somewhat curtly, though on this rare occasion, he means what he's said. With the takeover of Sootopolis and the power shift within Rocket, he must ensure that his association with the organization remains intact. Del Mar had been the only new admin to contact him, and Zev is eager to understand where the other man's interests lie. If he can remain in Rocket's good standing — and perhaps, specifically, del Mar's — then Howling can continue to operate as Zev's cover and he can continue using Rocket to find Caleb.

Zev sizes up the man seated across from him. Del Mar is younger — a lot younger, the hitman recalls. On paper, he is the CEO of Piazza Oro Grande Bank, an investments expert and well-known philanthropist of League endeavors. Interestingly, his record on the Rocket side is threadbare. Zev's personal investigation amounted to nearly nothing besides del Mar's noted excellence at 'fieldwork'. But he supposes that's to be expected; the higher one's rank, the more obfuscated one's movements. And Zev has never bothered to entangle himself with Rocket's hierarchy.

He decides to cut to the chase. "I'm not much for small talk, del Mar. It's rare for an admin to visit Howling; usually you send your underlings to sort out contracts with me. So what brings you to my table today?"

Martín del Mar

notes

Our organization. Zev understands the implications of those words. Del Mar is there to judge Zev's loyalty, even if he might speak other words. The assassin sits back in his chair and crosses his arms over his chest, weighing his answer.

He could say what most every member of Rocket knows: that he wants work, and they are the best kind of client. Zev never lacked for work in Team Rocket's employment back in Kanto, and his reputation preceded him well enough that transferring to Hoenn had proven painless. Yet he knows that if he wants to gain standing with del Mar — and if he wants to use del Mar in equivalent exchange — then he must be a little more forthcoming.

"I'm looking for a man, and I want your help finding him," Zev finally replies. "He's a relative. Caleb Harcourt. It's possible he goes by a different name now, though, because he's been very difficult to locate."

It takes all of Zev's mastery of his facial expression and body language to remain calm, almost aloof. Hidden beneath this well-crafted exterior, though, rage begins to churn inside him. Rage at the League for their arrogance and audacity.

"To be clear, I don't expect you to look for him for me," Zev continues, tone neutral. "Simply keep hiring me for assassinations, especially those with League targets. I can do interrogations and torture, too. Eventually, I'll find information on their persons or in their homes that will help me track Caleb down."

Martín del Mar

notes

Zev isn't surprised that del Mar is so agreeable to his request. It's simple enough, after all; it doesn't take much in terms of time and resources to keep Zev employed. The insistence that Team Rocket help find Caleb comes as no surprise, either, unfortunately. Del Mar is a businessman through and through, and in their world, nothing is free.

"You don't have to worry about my loyalty," Zev reassures the other man. He chooses his next words with care. "I've worked exclusively for our organization ever since the Kanto War, and I have no interest in taking contracts from the League or releasing our secrets to them. You can talk with Cillian Quinn if you want someone else's word. He can vouch for me."

More importantly, Zev trusts Gavin not to share too much with del Mar.

"But I know well that everything has a cost," the hitman continues. "Howling is available for any business dealings, and I'll kill targets at my usual fees. But if there's something in particular you want from me, tell me now."

Martín del Mar

notes

Turning Howling at the Moon into a part of a larger smuggling operation is about what Zev expected. And he has no qualms with it, of course. There's enough space in the alley behind the bar for vehicles to pass through, and the storage cellar belowground can hold whatever illegally obtained drugs, guns, artifacts, and Pokémon Team Rocket wishes to keep there temporarily. When picking out a building for Howling, Zev made sure it had such features in case situations like this one ever arose.

"Sure," he says, nodding at del Mar. "You know how to contact me." He stands from the table, sensing that the conversation is over. And then he smiles. "Might I suggest enjoying a drink at the front of the bar before you go? Your visit to Howling doesn't have to be all business."

Martín del Mar

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