[attr="class","gideon-words"]




Once the walkie-talkie's static subsided, Gideon shook his head and laughed softly through his reply, "I doubt you'd find many perks about working in an office. Would being indoors all day make you happy? Unlikely."[break][break]

Seeing ollie morales in his element was always a heartening experience. Gideon could see how much love and effort the ranger put into his job, just as the professor did in his own line of work. It was something they had in common. [break][break]

When his friend stepped closer, Gideon had half a mind to take a step back, but decided against it. He normally kept his bubble small around others, but Ollie was one of the few exceptions.[break][break]

"Treasure hunt?" He repeated, his voice thrumming with amusement. "We're here to secure the structure and help injured wildlife, no? I'm not sure we'll have time to find any treasure."[break][break]

With a passing nod to Proteus, the SLOWKING did just that — slipping into the waterlogged corridors ahead of them to scout out what might be lurking deeper in Sea Mauville.

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04. direct a pokémon to scout ahead for reconnaissance

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[attr="class","gideon-words"]




"Desi," He affirmed, bringing their pleasantries to an end with an amiable, "Nice to meet you, too."[break][break]

GIDEON GRAVES then returned his focus to the task at hand. While DESIREE BLOOMS admitted to not being familiar with this particular type of disaster, the professor actually had run into a similar situation once before during field work near Alola. [break][break]

"Truly. Oil can be devastating to wildlife, as a poison or otherwise. Flying-types are especially vulnerable — it can disrupt the natural waterproofing on their feathers, causing them to be unable to fly or regulate their body temperatures."[break][break]

As if to prove his point, a distressed and oil-covered PELIPPER suddenly came into view, struggling to stay afloat on the water. [break][break]

"From my experience, it's best to tackle this in a two-pronged fashion: one person focuses on rescuing and cleaning wildlife, the other attempts to cordon off the oil in the water."[break][break]

Seeing all the Grass-types that DESIREE BLOOMS had deployed, Gideon suggested, "One way to remove oil from water is to use a sorbent, like straw or moss. Perhaps your Pokémon could do something similar? As for cleaning..."[break][break]

Walking over to their supply area, the professor took stock of what was available: towels, various detergents, a makeshift tub, and other necessities to facilitate their cleanup. "A few of my Pokémon should be able to help with that. Proteus?"[break][break]

Upon being beckoned, Gideon's SLOWKING emerged from his Pokémon Ball in a flash, eager to help. His PSYCHIC powers would certainly come in handy.

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12. ensure sufficient supplies are available for the operation

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[attr="class","gideon-words"]




"Of course," GIDEON GRAVES replied, eyeing ollie morales as his arms rolled the ranger's jacket from his shoulders. "You know I've been wanting to help where I could. I appreciate you thinking of me."[break][break]

Speaking of, Proteus worked busily alongside the other Pokémon in the vicinity to clear the way so that their group could push further into Sea Mauville. [break][break]

"The office has its perks," The professor continued, though his attention was divided as he doublechecked their equipment bag while they had a spare moment, making sure their first aid kit and similar supplies were ready to go. [break][break]

"But this is quite exciting. Everyone at work made me promise to come back with at least a few good stories." To this his lips formed a thin, grave-looking smile; most would probably not recognize it as a smile, but Ollie would know.

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12. ensure sufficient supplies are available for the operation

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[attr="class","gideon-words"]




Proteus followed after the LOKIX, using its PSYCHIC powers to redirect water flow or bend metal as a stopgap against even more flooding. It was enough to pave the way for the two men.[break][break]

"Hoenn's in a dark place right now, as I'm sure you know, Caleb."[break][break]

Caleb Harcourt probably knew better than most, unbeknownst to GIDEON GRAVES. Still, anyone in the region would be able to commiserate with the sentiment. Times were hard.[break][break]

"ollie morales initially invited me to volunteer, but," Thoughts of all the people he cared for crossed his mind, how weak he was in the face of all of Hoenn's many disturbances, the crushing futility he'd felt. "...I just wanted to help where I could. This much is the bare minimum."

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03. address environmental hazards

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[attr="class","gideon-words"]




The smell of salt and brine stung at GIDEON GRAVES's nostrils, filling them with a caustic air that traveled through his body and settled in his bones. It was an uneasy feeling — amplified even more so as he arrived to Sea Mauville and the stretch of decimated, filthy ocean he'd been assigned to. [break][break]

"Jack Wainwright?" The professor called out across the waves, a SLOWKING at his side as he approached the only other person in their vicinity. [break][break]

"Dr. Gideon Graves, but Gideon is fine. Nice to meet you." He extended a hand for a brief greeting, getting formalities out of the way so that could begin their work. Time was precious, after all, and every minute that passed saw the sun sinking closer toward the horizon. [break][break]

"Go ahead and help, Proteus." Perking up, the SLOWKING slipped into the water and began using its PSYCHIC powers to clear a path for the two men to safely dive.[break][break]

Turning back to jack wainwright, Gideon admitted with a halfhearted smile, "This is my first time volunteering for this position. What exactly are we salvaging for?"

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32. clear debris or other obstacles to create safe pathways

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[attr="class","gideon-words"]




Parker.[break][break]

Hearing her name caused a visceral reaction, almost like nausea in the way it overwhelmed the senses. He put out a hand to steady himself on the edge of his desk while using the other to rub at his temple, eyes squeezed shut in concentration.[break][break]

Parker, Parker...[break][break]

"You..." Gideon's eyelids fluttered open as he suddenly went to open a nearby drawer.[break][break]

For all she knew he could have been pulling out a gun — but instead, a small, worn, leatherbound sketchbook emerged from its paperwork tomb and was set next to the Poké Ball on his desk.[break][break]

He flipped through the filled pages, frantically at first, as if looking for something he knew was there. If Parker were to shuffle closer, she'd see images flash by, depicting a myriad different mundane things in no discernable order. Many of them were natural scenes: flowers, landscapes, Pokémon. Some more scientific, like medical diagrams of various organ systems. Others showed what looked like a medieval town and its inhabitants going about their daily lives, frozen in time by charcoal and lead. [break][break]

Gideon's hands slowed as he neared the page he'd remembered. There, two women had been drawn hand-in-hand, smiling against a setting sun. They both wore bands on their ring fingers.[break][break]

"...you're her." He said, more quietly, his eyes suddenly glossy.[break][break]

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GIDEON GRAVES listened as howard slayte prattled on, allowing him grace to digest what was being offered without interruption or further prodding. By now the professor knew, at least somewhat, how the younger man operated. Best not too press too much.[break][break]

Eventually, Howard relented, causing a small smile to crease the professor's lips.[break][break]

"Then I'll get that scheduled for you. Now," He turned back to the case beside them, shifting the topic of conversation before Howard could retract his agreement. "Where were we?"[break][break]

The meteor shard almost glimmered under the fluorescent light above.[break][break]

"Ah, yes..."

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[attr="class","gideon-words"]




"What?" [break][break]

Naomi Sato? Kill someone?[break][break]

"She'd—" Never, he wanted to say — so, so desperately. But doubt creeped in at the edges of his convictions. He would have said the same thing about Elisabeth Fiorelli way back when, too, had there not been indisputable proof of her connections to ROCKET.[break][break]

Someone was lying. And there were no good options as to who. GIDEON GRAVES wanted to believe his little brother for the sake of their relationship... but also wanted to trust Naomi, too, if only so her actions could be redeemed. [break][break]

Gideon sighed and rubbed his face with one hand, clearly conflicted. Conveniently, the front doorbell rang that same moment to announce the arrival of their takeout and the end of the conversation.[break][break]

"Dinner's on. We can... talk more later. Let's put a pin in it for now."

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[attr="class","gideon-words"]




GIDEON GRAVES was tired of feeling helpless and stuck on the sidelines. [break][break]

With all the anomalous events occurring around Hoenn, it seemed like the people he cared for the most — Gunner Graves, ollie morales, Naomi Sato — were constantly putting themselves in harms way for the greater good.[break][break]

Even if it was something small, he wanted to feel like he was making a difference, too. [break][break]

So, when he'd heard from Ollie that help was needed off of Hoenn's southern coast, the professor readily agreed. As a volunteer, Gideon had been assigned to help with the "less" dangerous tasks here at Sea Mauville — and always with a designated LEAGUE official, whether that be a ranger or, as was the case today, one of the region's gym leaders.[break][break]

"Dr. Gideon Graves," He introduced himself, offering DESIREE BLOOMS a firm handshake in greeting before turning to survey the large sandbar they stood upon.[break][break]

Overshadowed by the huge shipwreck nearby, from this distance it was obvious that oil had somehow begun leaking from the hull of the ship and was now permeating the water and beaches surrounding it. [break][break]

"We'll need to try and contain the spill as much as possible." Gideon suggested, watching as Pokémon of all sizes struggled as they inadvertently coated themselves in the viscous oil.

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03. address environmental hazards

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GIDEON GRAVES wasn't sure what he was expecting to hear, but it certainly wasn't that.[break][break]

The DRK Triad. Taking a step back from Eduardo Hisakawa, the professor's eyes widened in shock for a moment before his eyebrows furrowed and shock gave way to serious contemplation.[break][break]

His thoughts immediately jumped to Naomi Sato and her professed war on the DRK Triad. How she wanted to unite the region against this common, otherworldly threat. And all the sacrifices she'd made to do so.[break][break]

"Yes..." His voice was harder than before, more wary. And though he tried his best to hide it, GIDEON GRAVES was starting to panic now, too. [break][break]

"...tell me why you're really here, Eddie."

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[attr="class","gideon-pkmn"]