As much as Denny felt like he was making a huge mistake, he tucked the revolver into the small of his back with bitter resignation. Shiro reluctantly followed by flicking the safety on her rifle. 

Saisho, when walking between the two, placed a hand on each of their shoulders.

“I know you two have been doing what you believe is right. I wouldn’t have held it against you, even if you tried,” Saisho looked down at their hands. Even if they knew he was genuinely trying to make them feel better, Shiro and Denny couldn't help the sinking feeling in their gut.

“Regardless of what happens next, you two are more than welcome to join me in hunting down whoever this data leads us to.”

That put a salve on Denny’s metaphorical wound at least, but Shiro looked away. “I might be done after this. I’m so tired,” she muttered.

“That’s fine, too. All of you will be welcomed to my region as esteemed guests. If you ever need a permanent residence in the rubble, let me know,” Saisho said as he finished his heartfelt olive branch with a touch of black humor.

Saisho raised the scientist ungracefully with his telepathy. Still unconscious, the scientist’s upper torso and legs hung downwards as if he was being held in the air by his tailbone. Saisho dug into the scientists’ lab coat and slipped the hard drive underneath his armor between his skin and the chest plate.

Everybody finally took the chance to take a good look around. All of the CRT monitors were connected to burnt piles of electrical components, which upon further inspection, used to be computers and server towers. Any trace of paper was stuffed into a metal drum and turned into smoldering embers. Upon first inspection, it seemed like the hard drive was truly the only thing left that was salvageable.

Now that the threat of getting blown up by Denny was no longer there, they shifted their concern to the threat of getting blown up by Cipher, instead. Denny was finally able to get a good look at the screen. 

“Shit. I’ve seen this terminal command before,” Denny came to life as he made a dash to the monitor.

“Is there a way to stop the facility from exploding?” 

“Probably not. The last hideout that used this SDS command had a staggered detonation. The first set of thermobaric charges burn away evidence and suffocate everyone inside. What does your HUD say, sir?”

“My helmet says that oxygen levels are higher than normal.”

“I don’t have time to explain, but their vent system has a dual purpose so they can breathe down here and flood this place with flammable oxygen if they want to. That’s the fuel for the first set of charges. The force from the explosi-”

“Austin.” Logan deadpanned.

“The second group of explosives collapses the hideout,” Denny explains, his fingers mashing the keyboard in an attempt to enter a command. No dice. The cursor wouldn’t even move. 

“There’s no way Cipher would risk having any of their data stolen. They have something stronger prepared,” Saisho glowered.

“There’s no way for me to tell where the charges are set around the facility.”

“Even if you did, would you have time?” Saisho asked as he turned to look around the room. As he rotated his torso to look around, he unintentionally swung the ragdolled scientist into the side of a filing cabinet with a meaty thump. Nobody cared.

“No. If I were them, I’d invest in a seismic charge to make sure this entire place got buried for good. They obviously have the budget to do it,” Denny shook his head. 

“This place is going to collapse. 12 minutes… We’ll be cutting it close. We’re evacuating everyone above us,” Logan ordered.

Everyone took that as a cue to form a straight line and move up the rectangular stairwell to the upper floor. Saisho took the lead, dragging the scientist up the stairs with little concern of how much he was bumping into everything.

“Hey, you get part of your wish, at least,” Austin nervously laughed. Denny took a breath to sharply tell him to shut up, but he let out a pained sigh.

“I’ll take it.”

"Mage 3, when you said Orre was a backwater country, did you mean it?” Shiro asked, trying to settle her nerves as she looked at the walls around them. Between getting buried alive and shot, she’d rather get shot. Still, either was preferable than getting crumpled into an oversized meatball by Saisho. She has that to be thankful for at least.

"... I mean, sort of. I was planning on moving here, actually. This place is beautiful in its own, rugged way." 

“Hell, we could share a border. All I gotta do is hop over Twist Mountain," Vera said, “I could use a drinking buddy after this Op." 

Logan took in a breath to tell them to cut the chatter, but he suddenly found himself wanting to join the banter, “I think we all can. Mage 5.”

“It’s going to take way too much for me to forget this,” Denny muttered, “You might get me once.” 

“Oui. We’re bringing that lugia with us, right?” Johnny asked.

"Of course we are. That's not up for a vote." 

Saisho busted the door open to B4F with a loud crash by using the scientist as a crude battering ram. He was met with Lee (Acolyte 3-1), Paxton (3-2), Brie (3-3), and Alexa (6-5) tending to the shadow lugia. The massive beast flinched at the sight of Saisho and stirred under Lee’s hands. Fresh tears started rolling down his face as Saisho approached.

“Sorcerer…?” Lee (Acolyte 3-1) muttered as he ran his hand along XD-002’s cheek to keep him calm. 

"We need to get out of this facility, NOW,” Saisho urgently remarked. He tried to make a telepathic link to the lugia, but flinched and abandoned the attempt shortly afterwards. He couldn't reach past the never ending internal screaming.

"This facility is going to explode.”

"Oh. Fantastic. Well, I can't move them until I get a snag machine down here. I think these tubes might be surgically attached… I don't know if I'll have enough time to maneuver them into the cargo elevator before they bleed out…” 

The rest of the assault team got to work with whatever spare medical equipment they had, desperately emptying their potion bottles and tying bandages together so they could reach around lugia’s body.

“You made it," Alexa said with relief. She was straining herself to act as XD-002’s makeshift pillow. 

“Can't get rid of us that easy. How's everyone else?” Vera asked as she plucked pieces of glass out of XD-002’s skin.

“Bad. Not hurt, but bad." 

“Yeah, same." 

“How much time we got?" Lee asked nervously.

“10 minutes!"

"Fuck,” Lee muttered before cupping his left ear-protection to active his push-to-talk radio:

"Netcall, Netcall, Netcall! All Pathfinder  and Orrelian elements, this facility is scheduled to detonate in 9 minutes and 54 seconds. Wrap it up! I say again, this facility will detonate in less than ten minutes! Start the evacuation procedure immediately!”

"Oh my god.” 

Everyone turned to see Lina (Acolyte 1-1) run into the chamber with an arm covered in wires and tubes. On her back was a haphazardly assembled snag machine and in her hand was a snagball. She was covered in dried blood.

“Hey 1-Actual, does the snagball do medical?!" Lee shouted across the chamber. 

"If those extractors on his back are surgically wired in and connected to the ceiling, it doesn't matter what we use,"  Lina said as she ran forward, looking frantically at the tubes for any type of connection point, “Any ball will think that the entire facility is a pokemon and reject it-”

With a sudden downward flick of his wrist, Saisho forcefully ripped the other end of the tubes that were connected to the ceiling. Metal screeched against metal and a shower of sparks fell harmlessly onto the group. The torn edges of the tubes spewed a mist of purple-black ichor before Saisho tied them into an oversized knot. 

Needless to say, XD-002 was wailing and crying buckets, now. 

“We’re losing time, we need to find a way to keep moving,” Saisho said as he neatly folded the tubes underneath XD-002’s wings. “I hope this helps. If not, we’re going to have to drag him out of the glass and metal.”

"Arceus on a cracker, warn me next time you do something like that!" Lee shouted, eyes wide. The other Acolytes looked at Saisho in a mix of fear and awe.

"Lina!” Johnny yelled to snap her out of her stupor. She ran up and tapped XD-002 with the snag ball with one hand and crossed her fingers with the other.

To everyone’s immense relief, XD-002 disappeared in a flash of light, tubes and all. Lina looked down to see the snag ball close with a click. The snagball began to flash red and listed an extremely distressing list of medical trauma on the ball’s surface.

“Let’s get out of here. I hate this fucking place.”

With Saisho’s help, the last of them made it to the surface with 47 seconds left to run to a safe distance. 

With a muffled implosion, the facility crumpled in itself and was flooded with sand. A burst of fire spewed into the air from the opening, turning the surrounding area into glass. The facility was gone.

AFTER ACTION REPORT - ADDENDUM INCLUDED (2009)

The facility imploded and was destroyed utterly and completely. Any attempts to recover additional items of importance proved to be futile due to the explosions and the surrounding sand that filled the empty space.

Unbeknownst to all at the time, this raid is Pokenoa’s first recorded mystery dungeon.

The recovered data contained the schematics for a purification chamber, which was fabricated, replicated, and immediately put into service. 

Exposure to the facility, no matter the length, no matter the species, resulted in extreme psychological distress that led to shadow infestations in every ICSR member who took part in the raid. Without the chambers, they would have had to struggle with life-long adverse effects.

All staff who participated in the Operation were subjected to mandatory psychological evaluation. A quarter of the participating units were deemed as "unfit for service" post psych eval. The afflicted have been referred to psychological specialists for post traumatic stress disorder. After five years, some were able to make a full recovery. Most still require therapy.

The human Cipher agents in the facility underwent a similar physiological change like the shadow pokemon they were tasked to create. Of the six humans apprehended during the raid, one made a recovery from shadowfication. All six were sentenced to death by public hanging under Orrelian judicial law.

1,081 pokemon were recovered, 670 of which were shadow pokemon. 

Of the 411 non-afflicted, 230 pokemon were of sound mind and refused service to return to the wilds. The remaining 181 pokemon were returned to their respective homes with full access to applicable medical services and witness protection. 

All 670 shadow pokemon were purified using the research recovered from Cipher lab data. Of the 670 pokemon, 632 pokemon had to undergo an invasive amnesic treatment. They currently have no recollection of being in the lab, nor do they have any recollection of who they were before the raid. The remaining 38 pokemon did not survive after the purification process. Of the remaining 38, the longest period between purification and complete bodily collapse was seven minutes long.

The Kaido Region is born out of the mountain ranges north of Kanto and Johto, stretching from coast to coast. Various non-profit organizations provide restoration support in the form of workers and equipment. The work is extremely hazardous and any mistakes are fatal. Those who are employed in restoration efforts for a minimum of one year gain continental-wide citizenship in all three regions and are compensated with a 90% federal tax reduction.

Humans and pokemon are welcome to apply for residency as long as they can survive the harsh environments. The region is mostly occupied by pokemon searching for asylum and those whose bodies can handle the wasteland.

The Orre Region and the Kaido Region were accepted into the ICSR in the months following Operation Sunburst. Alola, Galar, and Paldea join the coalition in the span of the following five years.

Project Monaghan was greenlit immediately after the Operation. One Mewtwo is made per charter region under Saisho's strict observations. Currently, it is a point of contention that the charter regions are the only ones given Saisho’s biological data. 

None of the Mewtwos have been deployed in any official capacity. All of them are currently undergoing socialization and education efforts. Saisho treats them all as extended family and they all bicker like one, too.

Top secret research is done on the extra dimensional aspects of the shadow pokemon phenomena, but the research is fruitless. Any further attempts to reach an alternate dimension have resulted in failure, but Alolan scientists believe they are close to a breakthrough.

Cipher exports were traced and local authorities have raided over twenty terror cells in all of the human-led regions. A concerning number of high ranking government officials across the globe were arrested.

Unfortunately, due to the data making it to the surface, the instructions for creating shadow pokemon were disseminated through backdoor channels. The ones responsible were put on trial and sentenced to life in a maximum security prison.

Shadow pokemon are now a common phenomenon amongst the opposite ends of the criminal spectrum. It is common for professional criminal organizations to sell shadow pokemon to individual felons and gangs. They’re not as effective during Cipher’s heyday due to the lack of XD-002’s cells, but they are still effective enough to create a highly lucrative business.

Purification chambers are a commodity in major pokecenters across ICSR regions, but are seldom used. Shadow Pokemon are frowned upon by even some of the hardest criminals and the smarter ones know they invite extreme measures of retaliation by law enforcement. The low frequency in public appearances combined with the volatile nature of shadow corrosion results in an extremely low survivability rate. 

Great lengths in pokemon psychology were made as a result of saving the data, despite the clearly unethical methods to obtain it. The most notable progress is a variety of cognitive behavioral therapy methods that are pokemon specific. 

XD-002 retains his physical appearance and attributes. He has lost his status as a shadow pokemon and was forced to undergo amnesic treatment due to the immense toll on his mind and body. He remembers nothing up until the treatment, but is lucky to have his body in a stable condition. He currently resides in the Kaido region under Saisho’s care and intends to return to the Orre region when he feels ready.

After comparing lab data from Cipher and Team Rocket, Saisho discovered that he and XD-002 are more alike than they realize. Their physiology is not native to this realm, which allows them to perform reality bending actions. He is currently keeping this as a secret with no intent on sharing this information.

Lugia has made contact with XD-002 on friendly grounds while he was alone. He recalls that in their brief meeting, she called him “extraordinarily shy.” He has yet to choose a name for himself, and he says that he’d like to earn his name from Lugia herself, one day.

Lugia met with ICSR leadership to discuss the ramifications of having two of the same god. XD-002 seems to serve a different function than lugia and does not seem to have any deity-like powers. 

As a reward for purifying her, and the pokemon after, the coalition gained the God of the Seas’ favor. All ICSR equipment and regalia continue to adopt her and XD-002’s colors in their names.

The International Free Information Act (2009) reveals previously classified material regarding the Cipher raid.

PARTICIPANTS AND ICSR STATUS (AS OF 2009)

ASSAULT TEAM MAGUS

Saisho [ ACTIVE ]

Appointed leader of the Kaido region and ICSR representative shortly after the Cipher Raid. His main goal is to currently restore the region to its former beauty. He is the head of Project Monoghan currently looking after the other six Mewtwo who were born in the charter regions of the ICSR. 

Logan S Watanabe [ RETIRED ]

No longer an active ICSR Operator. Logan has returned to leading the operator's union from a desk. The raid proved to have an immense toll on his body. His dragonite is an extension of his executive power and is stationed in the Kaido region to protect the restoration efforts.

Shiro M. Mikazuki [ RETIRED ]

Retired from ICSR service shortly after Operation Sunburst with distinguished honors. She currently lives in Ecruteak City, Johto near the border to the Kaido region. She was last seen with her feraligator and her husband at the burial site of 1st Lt. Ikari Ryoh (MIA). It’s an annual gathering in Ecruteak’s War Cemetery by her Continental War unit, of which all three of them were a part of.

Austin F. Denny [ RESERVE ]

Currently works as the ICSR's liaison to the Orre Region and leads a domestic investigation unit revolving around the mistreatment of pokemon. Due to the raid’s lasting impacts on his psyche, he’s since been separated from his wife and two daughters who still live in Hoenn. His donphan looks over them at his request.

Austin O. Bauer [ ACTIVE ]

Currently works as the security team lead of a local Sinnohite Operator Union protecting the legendaries on Mt Coronet. He is part of the local task force that is currently hunting down ex-Team Galactic members. Off duty, he's notoriously known as a "coordinator’s nightmare," oftentimes steamrolling through local competitions with his lucario. 

Vera T. Kasyanov [ RESERVE ]

Forcefully placed on reserve duty due to failing psychological evaluations post-raid. She adopted (and currently works with) one of the rescued pokemon from the Operation, Trace Kasyanov, in the Opelucid City Fire Department. You can read more about their future on pokemon-fd.tumblr.com. Her houndoom also failed the psychological evaluation and lives in Nimbasa City as a nightclub bouncer. 

Johnny S. Neuman [ RETIRED ]

Retired this year after five years of continued service. Johnny has turned his part time teaching career into a full time position as a professor in Shalour University. His seviper decided to stay behind in Orre to provide support in protecting local wildlife.

SUPPORT TEAM CLERIC

Lina F. Bryant [ RETIRED ]

Works as local EMS in Lumiose city with her Gardevoir. They lead a book club held every month. No longer active ICSR reserve due to psychological issues post-raid.

Judy M. North [ RESIGNED ]

Resigned after failing psychological evaluations for active duty and reserve duty. She and her five audino work at the Nacrene City pokecenter.

Lee T. Shinohara [ ACTIVE ]

Currently working as an undercover agent with his two pokemon. 

James F Natsuki [ RESERVE ]

Currently works as a personal trainer on his off-time in Blackthorn City. With his two chancey and machamp, the four of them have made a name for themselves as well-known kinesiologists. 

Ela N. Faulkner [ DISAVOWED ]

Member of Team Galactic. Has yet to be apprehended.

RECONNAISSANCE TEAM ORACLE

Deacon D. Klein [ DECEASED ]

Passed away peacefully at home, buried with full honors. His flygon has returned to the wilds to enjoy the rest of his days wandering the globe.

Franky S. Cole [ RETIRED ]

Stationed at Pyrite Town as town Sheriff with his camerupt. Their efforts to focus on rehabilitation have been fruitful and they run multiple programs together on community service.

Hana F. Griffin [ RESERVE ]

Stationed at Phenac City as ICSR reserve. She is a professional photographer, earning critical acclaim for her beautiful photos of the Orre deserts. She credits her two yanma for the majority of their work.

TACTICAL OPERATIONS CENTER (TOC)

William K. Fitzgerald [ RESIGNED ]

After a brief discussion with the Assault Team, William Fitzgerald deliberately tampered with records and recording devices in the name of “victim privacy.” While he acted in a manner expected of his station, he was demoted for insubordination and obstruction of transparency. The retaliation was deemed as unfair when brought to the ethics committee by intelligence staff and Orrelian government officials. After he was returned to his old rank, he tended his resignation immediately. He now gladly works as an air traffic controller in Lumiose City.