Paxton's reaction was as Gunner expected. They had not talked much about their personal lives before, and the latter saw no reason to change that trend. So he stuffed his hands in his pockets and let his eyes roam the conference room, looking at anything else but his friend's face. [break][break]

"Um, no. She doesn't know. And—I don't know. Maybe?" [break][break]

The confession was pathetic. It didn't suit a man like Gunner, who was normally so put-together and cool-headed. Instead, his gut twisted and his face burned with embarrassment. [break][break]

"I'm not ready to tell her." A pause. "I don't think we're ready for—that." [break][break]

Would mila alexopoulos run away, as she always did when her feelings became overwhelming? Would she ghost him for good?

TAGS – paxton concordas[break]
NOTES – social, ~1 week post-Primeval

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Gunner watched the poachers closely for an opening and found one when had their backs turned toward his and Beau's position. [break][break]

Two were inspecting something in their pickup truck that he assumed was their getaway vehicle. Another pair were chatting as they tied ropes around the legs of a bloodied Cufant, while the last one walked a short distance away to piss. [break][break]

"Now!" Gunner hissed. [break][break]

His Pokémon surged into action. Madoc the Urshifu charged at the two poachers with the Cufant, uttering a tremendous roar. Their Nickit and Zubat leaped to defend them, but the bear rammed into them with AQUA TAIL. [break][break]

Moments later, Elaine the Mienshao joined the fray, using POISON JAB on the Cufant's binds to free it, knowing the poison would not harm it.

TAGS – Beau Fontaine[break]
NOTES – mission

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Gunner nodded, all too familiar with the rumors and reports coming from Slateport's lower district. The local police waged a never-ending war with Team Rocket's smuggling operations, yet the black market still flourished. [break][break]

Somehow, frustratingly, the crime syndicate always remained two steps ahead. [break][break]

"That's right," Gunner said. "What's valuable seems to change every so often, making it hard to fully predict Team Rocket's movements. But when we do get the right intel, we can hit them where it hurts." [break][break]

His Sableye, Safir, crouched by his ankles, gem-like eyes glittering as he kept watch over the area.

TAGS – Greyson Connors[break]
NOTES – mission

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Thank Arceus for Tom Thumb's PROTECT. As an EARTHQUAKE ripped through the cavernous tunnel, rocks—or what Gunner hoped were rocks—bounced harmlessly off the glowing barrier. [break][break]

The man shot an incredulous look over his shoulder at Yujin, but then the Nihilego were upon them. [break][break]

A sharp order sent Gunner's Claydol into motion. It blasted an oncoming Ultra Beast with EXTRASENSORY, sending the extraterrestrial jellyfish reeling backward. As Gunner hurried to rejoin Yujin, Tom followed, keeping as many of the Nihilego at bay as possible with psychic attacks. [break][break]

"Did you get everything?" he asked once he was at her side. "We should get out of here."

TAGS – Yujin Ha[break]
NOTES – ultra deep sea #2

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Gunner rapped on the door to ollie morales's office before pushing it open and letting himself inside. They had agreed to meet during Gunner's lunch hour, so the Head Ranger should expect his entrance. [break][break]

One arm curled around two paper takeaway bags from the local Unovan barbecue joint; in his other hand, he carried a cup tray with two coffees. His Umbreon, Laudine, followed at his heels. [break][break]

"Hey," Gunner greeted Ollie, nudging the door closed with his heel before striding across the room toward the desk. He set down the food and coffee on a bare space between Ollie's paperwork and other gadgets. "I got you some coffee. And this bag is yours, with your burger and fries." [break][break]

Commandeering the seat opposite Ollie's, Gunner grabbed the other takeaway bag. As he unwrapped his own meal, a pork belly egg sandwich and sweet potato fries, he asked, "So, did you get any leads?"

TAGS – ollie morales[break]
NOTES – social

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The sight of the two Ruinous Beasts exchanging blows was enough to strike fear in any lesser man. Thankfully, Gunner was used to the sight and heat of roiling magma from his training sessions with Penelope. She had never burned him, so he'd grown to trust her with Chi-Yu's fire. [break][break]

As for Wo-chien, what were vines and brambles when faced with lava and flame? [break][break]

So Gunner focused his attention on his own battle, ignoring the white-haired man's taunts. Grim triumph filled the agent as his Zeraora squeezed the life force out of the enemy Golett. A final THROAT CHOP spelled its death. [break][break]

Gunner hated to kill Pokémon, but if the Golett's trainer did not care to save it, then its life was nothing but forfeit.

TAGS – PENELOPE LIVY jayden cross Elisabeth Fiorelli[break]
NOTES – mission

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Gunner allowed himself to show an appreciative smile in turn. "Thank you," he said, reaching out briefly to touch his Gouging Fire's mane before dropping his hand again. "It's taken a lot of training." [break][break]

His earlier professional stoicness returned as Freya explained her goals. [break][break]

"I'd be happy to help with both efforts," he said, meaning it. "As you know, the HBIC provides intelligence for the entire League government, so that the Commissioner and Council can best lead us. Whatever you need, Freya, I'm more than willing to provide." [break][break]

He'd seen her on the field, too. There were few he trusted more in battle.

TAGS – freya morningstar[break]
NOTES – mission

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Reports of sighted poachers came in from Fallarbor Town, describing small groups snatching Steel-type Pokémon native to Route 113. Normally, the local Rangers and law enforcement worked together to address that particular crime, but the former had their hands tied with relief efforts on Mt. Chimney (still, after so many weeks). [break][break]

As for the latter, when Gunner's superiors thought Team Rocket might have been behind the thefts, then no one questioned the HBIC's involvement. [break][break]

He crouched among the tall grass on a high ledge, overlooking the poachers' campsite. Several Pokémon were trussed up, drugged, and locked in metal cages. Many were bleeding or injured. The criminals themselves numbered five in total, each one dressed in dark clothing with covered faces. [break][break]

Gunner looked to his side, hoping to catch his Ranger partner's attention by eye contact alone. "On my signal," he whispered, gesturing to the campsite. On his other side, his Urshifu and Mienshao tensed, both ready to charge.

TAGS – Beau Fontaine[break]
NOTES – mission

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Gunner approached Freya's seated form, having recognized her from a distance by her distinctive white-gold hair. It was his first visit to the draciary, despite an earlier attempt when she'd gone missing. Now that she—and the rest of the Council, coincidentally—had returned, its gates had opened to him. [break][break]

"Miss Morningstar," he greeted when he was near enough for her to hear him. Though they had met and fought together before her appointment, he spoke deferentially. "You wanted to see me?" [break][break]

At his side, his own Paradox Pokémon padded on large, silent paws. The Gouging Fire uttered a low rumble when it saw the Raging Bolts but did not move from its trainer's side.

TAGS – freya morningstar[break]
NOTES – mission

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"Hey, Wainwright. Long time no see," Gunner said as he approached the Ranger. Unlike their last encounter in Ever Grande City, the agent had completely healed from injuries incurred in January. He walked freely, without a cane or other mobility aid, and only occasionally dealt with aches in his back. [break][break]

At Gunner's side strode his Iron Valiant, Kahadin. The pair were meeting with Jack and his Pokémon on the fields outside Verdanturf for training. According to all intelligence reports, war was on the horizon, and Gunner wanted to be as prepared as possible. [break][break]

Still, that didn't mean he couldn't exchange pleasantries, no matter how awkward he usually was at small talk. "How have you been?" he asked, as he waited for Jack to choose a Pokémon for their practice battle.

TAGS – jack wainwright[break]
NOTES – mission

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