guided by his stakataka, they make their way through the electric realm before coming across a crashed spacecraft. each block that make up his stakataka slows to a halt before shifting together as it lowers to the ground. it vibrates softly, content with its discovery.

theo steps forward.

"looks of megalopolan make."

Naomi Sato

and follow he does.

immediately, they're met with loose, chaotic wiring that threaten to drown them, but having expected as much, theo's quick to instrunct his stakataka to hover forward to clear a path for them, doing so using jolts of electricity.

a control panel comes into view, called out with buzzes from his stakataka. the ultra beast hovers to the side, allowing theo to step up for a better look.

"this may take a moment."

he tinkers away, attempting to jumpstart the controls. meanwhile, he makes small talk.

"been well, head scientist sato?"

Naomi Sato

he's aware. it was just meant as a segue.

"then all is well."

because there will soon be no need for the distinction between their roles in team rocket and their lives outside of it. it shouldn't have existed in the first place, seeing how their entire lives are meant to be devoted to the cause.

but, of course, there are perks that come with living a double life. the relationships that come from it can often be used when the time comes.

"i'm not sure what advice i could give as someone who has never lived a double life, but yes, ask away."

the voice goes ignored for now as his focus lies elsewhere.

Naomi Sato

"the only way to ensure that would be to kill her."

but given the circumstances, he knows that to be incredibly difficult, if not close to impossible without laying the proper foundations. so they will simply have to settle for a compromise.

"tell me, sato, how exactly has she hurt you and the people you love? what has she done besides outing you as a criminal?"

Naomi Sato

forced to a knee by the sudden surge of gravity, he braces, muscles tensing against the fabric of his shirt as he resists.

"what does it matter?"

the words escape through gritted teeth as he reaches over to the control panel. his fingers brushes against unfamiliar buttons, and by sheer luck, he finds what they're looking for.

pressure instantly alleviates.

"why care about livy this much? if she hates you, then so be it. you can either ignore her or kill her. but you certainly won't be able to get her to feel differently."

then, he circles back to something she had said.

"you said you wanted to talk to her," he watches her carefully, "what about?"

Naomi Sato

his eyes narrow not out of scrutiny or suspicion—even if the situation may call for it—but curiosity, his scientific mind understanding the importance. but there is a fine line they must navigate; he wonders how well the scientist is able to balance.

"what about exactly?"

Naomi Sato

"be that as it may," a phrase he has begun to use more recently, "we cannot put aside conflict in favor of survival. it is logical, yes, but it is simply not feasible."

he speaks matter-of-factly, as though his words should be taken as gospel and not questioned when the truth is they are nothing but assumptions. they have foundations, yes, but as they have come to learn, nothing in this region is set in stone.

"an armistice cannot be achieved under the current circumstances."

Naomi Sato