31
While the team dried off on the deck of The Big Wave, I pulled a small, jagged device from my pocket. In the chaos of the Vault, I'd managed to snag a Team Aqua Decryption Key right off a grunt's belt.
The Secret Message: The "Alpha" Protocol
I didn't even try to hack it myself. I knew my limits. I pulled out my secure tablet and pinged Steven.
"Steven, I've got a gift. Aqua's internal encryption key. Linking the data burst now."
Seconds later, Steven's face appeared on the screen, looking exhausted but sharp. "Incredible timing, Jake. This key is giving us access to their 'Alpha' channel. We're decoding a priority transmission from Archie to a deep-sea scout team."
The Decoded Message:
"The Anomaly is a distraction. The Vault was a feint. If the Silver Orb is lost to the currents, initiate Protocol Trench. We don't need the Seer's blood if we have the Submarine Explorer 1. Meet at the Slateport shipyards."
"Protocol Trench..." Steven muttered, his eyes darting across data streams. "They're moving on the experimental submarine in Slateport. Jake, they've stopped looking for the 'Prophecy' and started looking for the 'Technology.' Get to Slateport. I'm calling in the Elite Four—Sidney is already en route."
Shenanigans: The "Abyss" After-Effects
While I was dealing with world-ending conspiracies, May was having a much more... confusing afternoon. The "Abyss Breath" from the vault hadn't just protected her underwater; it had permanently tuned her ears to a new frequency.
"Jake! Jake! Stop the boat!" May shouted, pointing at a passing school of Luvdisc. "They're talking about us! They said my bandana is 'tacky' and that Blaze looks like a 'spicy marshmallow'!"
[Chat Log (Feed back online - 'Safe' mode)]
IceCreamQueen_C: Wait, can she actually understand them now?
PervySage: The 'Vessel' is officially online. She's a living Poké-Translator!
GymBro_Chuck: ASK THEM IF THEY LIFT!
The deck of the boat quickly devolved into a comedy routine:
Genji vs. Blaze: Genji (the Froakie) was trying to explain the "Way of the Shinobi" to Blaze. May translated: "He says you need more 'inner dampness,' Blaze. But Blaze says he'd rather just be 'inner spicy.'
"Jerry's Ego: Jerry (the Rattata) was strutting around, and May started giggling. "Jerry is literally reciting poetry about his own fur. He says the salt spray 'complements his silver highlights.'
"Kage's Respect: Kage (the Treecko) was sitting silently, but May looked at him and softened. "Kage isn't talking... he's just thinking about the Sun. He says he's proud of us for not 'melting' back there."
May suddenly turned to me, her eyes wide. "Jake... Raven is saying something really loud, but she's not using her mouth."
Raven was staring toward the horizon, her horn glowing. "The current to Slateport is fast, Singer. But the 'Submarine' Archie wants... it isn't just a boat. It's the only thing that can reach the Trench where the Silver Orb is hiding."
Arrival: Slateport City
As the sun set, the neon lights of Slateport City broke the horizon. It was a bustling port town, famous for its markets, its shipyard, and its Contest Hall.
"Alright," I said, addressing the team. "Brawly is dropping us at the back docks. We need to reach Captain Stern before Team Aqua does. May, try to keep the 'talking to fish' on the down-low. We're trying to be stealthy."
"Got it!" May chirped, then immediately leaned over the railing to argue with a Wingull about who stole her crackers.