Frontline Mission #2

Jackson scratched his head as he pondered over a recent mission request. It had asked for someone to escort a cargo taking supplies through Murkhaven. This was a somewhat dangerous task considering the shadow pokemon that roamed through the landscape. Highly aggressive and ready to attack at a moment’s notice. Still, the credit reward was tempting to the trainer.

“What do you think buddy, should we do this escort mission through Murkhaven?” He asked as he turned to his partner pokemon, Atlas. The pokemon was a noctowl/mightyena fusion with a blue and white fluffy coat. Atlas’ tail wagged in response as he stood up and rested his head on his trainer’s lap.

“I’ll take that as a yes then.” Jackson laughed as he scratched at his pokemon’s soft ears. He then got his backpack as he began to gather various healing and food supplies in preparation. Atlas trotted around following him as the trainer went room to room. Soon enough he was ready to leave as he put his backpack on over his shoulders.

----

“Ah you must be the escort.” A man said as Jackson and Atlas approached. He was leaning against a large truck which the trainer assumed must be filled with whatever supplies they were transporting. He hadn’t been told exactly what he was escorting, but truthfully he didn’t really care.

“Yeah, we are.” Jackson replied as he approached and the man raised an eyebrow.

“Rather a strange one aren’t you? Well my name’s Greg.” The man said as he looked Jackson up and down. His metal wolf mask that covered his face was somewhat unusual, although he paid no mind to Greg’s comment.

“Jackson. This is Atlas.” He replied simply as he motioned towards the noctyena. Atlas wagged his tail as the man looked over at him. Despite his tough appearance the pokemon was rather friendly. Though this also quickly changed when the time called for a more aggressive response.

“Well I want to get going before we get stuck in Markhaven in the dark.” Greg said as he glanced down at his watch. Jackson nodded as the man got in the truck. The trainer went to the other side and opened the door to get in, pulling himself up using the handle. Getting into a high up cab wasn’t exactly the easiest with his prosthetic leg. He closed the door after Atlas jumped into the cab and sat on the seat next to him.

“... Does the pokemon really need to stay out?” The driver asked as he raised an eyebrow. Jackson figured he was suggesting that Atlas could easily go in a pokeball for the trip.

“Yes.” Jackson replied simply, not really wanting to explain himself to this stranger. Greg shrugged his shoulders as he put the truck into drive, which made the trainer feel relieved. He really didn’t want to have to argue about Atlas staying out of his pokeball.

The area around them quickly became darker as they entered Murkhaven. They were driving on a makeshift road that winded through the swampy waters. Although calling it a road might be generous, it was mostly just a track of dirt that had been worn down by vehicles repeatedly driving over it.

Jackson’s eyes were fixated on the road ahead as Atlas looked around, intrigued by all the sights. The trainer would normally ask the window be rolled down for his pokemon, but Murkhaven was much too dangerous for that. 

As the driver continued the two sat in a tense silence. Jackson was already not one for small talk and the dangerous environment around them made him want to focus as much as possible. He could see Greg clutching the wheel, his knuckles white and face tense. For a moment the trainer wondered how much pay they had offered poor scared Greg.

The trip remained rather uneventful as the truck continued to move, its headlights cutting through the darkness around them. Greg had seemed to relax some, but Jackson was still alert and ready to face any potential dangers. Atlas had curled up next to him, the pokemon’s head laying in his lap.

Suddenly, the vehicle jerked as Greg breaked. Jackson looked over with confusion as the driver spoke with a shaky voice. “I-I think I saw something.” He stammered. Atlas was now wide awake as he looked around, sensing the tension.

“I didn’t say anything.” Jackson replied but he could tell by Greg’s face that the driver didn’t want to go anywhere. “Fine, I’ll check it out.” He sighed.