I can't believe this is the first update to Eclipse in just over eight months (Nov 20, 2016 - Jul 25, 2017)! What's going on?! It seems like I've been either too busy with work, school, and Culinary Rivals, or that this story just isn't getting enough attention. Still, after playing a bit more of Sun and Moon lately, I've found my motivation to write this story again!

Apologies to deviantpokemontrainerjay and QUEENSPELLER67 (though I doubt you'll still be following this story at this point).

You will have noticed I added Anabel to the character list here! Why is this? Let's thank Pokémon Sun and Moon for that...

Chapter nineteen: Compromised

At exactly the 40th hour, when the sun had yet to break across the horizon to light up the sky in an hour, Eclipse had returned to the shoreline where she had left her boat.

As predicted by the marine broadcast, the tide was low, which meant she would have to haul her boat back to the waters. Reaching into her bag to take her Poké Ball out, she sent Purugly to help her push the boat.

"Let's hope Looker will be here, according to plan," she muttered.

Purugly sighed.

It was fortunate that Eclipse had the entire night for herself. She was exhausted to the point of wanting to sleep, for sure, but the darkness had provided her with a means to get out of the foundry in relative safety. However, she knew it wasn't easy either. The guards had stepped up their patrols and there was a sentry post set up near the gate where she normally entered in. In order to get past it, she had to rely on stealth just to make it past.

Eclipse had no idea how she got out of the weapons depot either. At first it seemed like a miracle to escape, and in the bright lights of the courtyard it was impossible to move unnoticed. However, Eclipse managed to merely walk safely past the sentry without need for any worry at all. How she managed to evade everyone was her secret.

Yet somehow, after what had happened which involved tackling a researcher and escaping by resorting to old tactics, Eclipse was very, very, angry at herself. It was as if she had lost herself for a moment and became that evil personality again.

What am I becoming… she thought. No! I can't – That wasn't me!

Purugly helped tackle the boat by jumping at it – quite literally. With a smash, the boat made its journey from the rocks back to the water.

And by then, she saw the silhouette of a boat approaching the shore. Yup, it was Looker, who had arrived on time. He disembarked and had sent out his Croagunk to help haul the boat to shore.

"You did say they had radar, right?" Eclipse said to Looker. "How do you know they haven't detected you? Let alone me?"

"If they did locate me, or you, they will have sent someone to investigate already," Looker replied. Then a thought struck him. "Did you ensure you weren't being followed?"

Eclipse wore an expression that read 'why do you need to ask?' Looker understood no less.

"Very well," Looker said. "Those creeps will be coming out of the woodwork any minute now. You better get back to the base."

Suddenly, Eclipse almost felt like laughing.

"I wouldn't have expected you to say stuff like that," she said.

"It's not obvious, which is the point," Looker said, which he almost smiled. "You've got to disguise your personality, you know. Did you find anything?"

She did have to look around suspiciously again, but returned her gaze to Looker.

"I have completed my primary objective in which I've found where the bombs are manufactured," she reported. "I've taken the liberty of disabling a few, but they're being built deep within their weapons depot which is underground. I'll also have to update our three-dimensional map, but you'll know enough where to find it. The area is heavily secured, so I don't know how you'll get past them this time without cover. Also, the head office is one place we haven't explored yet."

Eclipse provided more information of the stones she had seen and where they were last located – which were the labs. She handed over the EMP pen to him as well, before they began walking in separate directions.

Eclipse remembered she had extracted a bit of material back in the laboratory for analysis. She took the sealed lead-lined box from her bag to show it to Looker. "I've also acquired a sample of material in their lab, but we have yet to determine what it's for. I'll head back to base to have it studied."

"You do that," Looker agreed. "I'll begin my investigation now."

The two agents looked around them to ensure they weren't being followed. Eclipse, as Commander Mars, had too much experience in this field to not have her tracks covered. In the case of a crime organisation, though, she simply had to be extra careful – but the principles were no different.

"Couldn't we have used the boat to travel any faster?" Eclipse complained. "We could have cut down our travel time to half if we went just a bit faster."

"Don't forget that they have radar set up in there, Eclipse," Looker reminded. "You have to make a slow exit and entry, otherwise that will be it. You'll compromise us all."

Silently, the speedboat Eclipse and Purugly had used in the first place was cruising along the waters. It had taken an hour to get the boat within a safe enough distance away from the island, but the speed seemed to make up for it. By then, the sunlight had broken across the sky.

But even as Eclipse travelled across the waters, her mind felt angry. Angry like she had just lost a bit of purpose as to why she was doing what she was doing with the IP. It was as if, for the briefest instant, she felt her actions as a Team Galactic commander were justified. Even though she had reformed and so had Team Galactic, she felt pretty bad. Like the anger couldn't be controlled.

In the first place, Looker had used a white motorboat complete with a compass and map with speed not unlike the one Eclipse was using, whereas Eclipse had just a powerful engine (supposedly her boat weighed lighter). However, to ensure secrecy, they had to make the approach to the island slow all the same. Once safely away, Eclipse maneuvered her boat and rocketed away to the Battle Frontier.

In the same hour for Looker, the 41st hour as per his watch, he once again had his boat moored and hidden away near the rocks. Given its relatively small size, though quite bigger than Eclipse's, it shouldn't be easy to detect. After that was over with, Looker had sent out his Croagunk – as much as it pained him to remember his initial partner – and was on his way.

At the same time, the sunlight began to break across the sky and shattering the dark of night. However, to the International Police agents, there was seldom time to rest. Looker especially was in need of sleep, but that was impossible at this point. Perhaps Emma should have filled in instead, and where was a coffee where he needed it?

He approached the familiar refinery for what would be his second time. It was fortunate that, unlike the first outing, Looker was able to utilise intelligence gathered by him and know the area a little better. This included knowing the whereabouts of guards and – with Emma's help via the surveillance system – their movements.

So there were upsides and downsides. It was harder since the daylight made it hard to sneak in. Reminding himself of his objective, he had to investigate what was left which was the head office in the secure area. Sure, the IP had evidence there was bomb manufacturing in this area, but it would be much more useful if the IP – and specifically International Police Intelligence – knew where the PFA's next targets were.

The crucial part was that despite the PFA's links to Fiera, there was no direct evidence so far of Fiera's involvement. That required further investigation. So while there was bomb manufacturing, the IP had to do better than that.

So when it came to slipping past the sentries at the front, Looker took note that there were guards walking about the walls as well. There were two guards, which should be easy enough to bypass.

"Croagunk. Venoshock," he ordered.

Croagunk obeyed and raised an arm to shoot a poisonous liquid towards the sentries,

They won't see us coming, Looker thought. He took out his notepad to review what he had written down when he first came here. According to the combined intelligence of his and Mars', every hour or so there was a changing of the guard. If Looker knocked them out, that would be problematic. This was why he chose to poison one of them instead.

"Hey, you okay?" one of the sentries said.

"Not really, no. I think I'll have to go for a break or something," replied the other. "Keep your eyes peeled. There's been a report of many of our guards going AWOL. We don't know if it's a Pokémon lurking around or if a secret agent has been picking us out one by one…"

In that moment, Looker snuck past the sentries and focused on getting into the refinery again. He had the directions, he knew the location corner-to-corner, and could try to get into the heavily secured area once more. However, he didn't have identification with him this time, so he was going to have to find another way.

Three hours later, a frightful waste of time, Mars returned to the war-torn Battle Frontier. At this point, most of the ferries were long gone, with several IP boats remaining to watch the waters. All in all, the evacuation seemed successful.

As she neared the pier, Mars also took note of the ferry that had – as briefed by the IP – collected the remaining civilians. Most of the security forces were gone, therefore, and left the IP command post, a small number of tactical officers, and the counter-terrorist team to manage what was left in conjunction with the Frontier Brains.

For Mars herself, she felt she wasn't the same person she was after this shift. The girl she was, who liked to grow berries at Floaroma Town, didn't seem to fit her current state. Yet, she felt her state as an IPI officer wasn't purposeful either.

Her presence was welcomed with suspicion as she docked at the pier, with a tactical patrol walking over with ballistic shields ready.

"State your business," one of them said. "This is now a restricted area. Under the law, you are to be detained and have the right to remain silent unless otherwise–"

"International Police Intelligence," Mars replied, holding up her IPI identification for them to see. The black-and-gold Poké Ball eclipsing half of a blue-and-white globe was seen clearly. "If you want to question my age, please don't."

At once, the tactical officers were silenced and proceeded to help Mars dock the boat. Simultaneously Mars took it they understood her status and went straight to the IP command post where, if her hunch was right, they would have sufficient resources to make reports. Purugly accompanied Mars on the way there, and even the tiger cat Pokémon felt something was wrong with Mars.

Clearly, the area was emptier than it was 19 hours ago when she left the island. There were fewer patrols in spite of the tactical officers she saw. Soon enough, she had to share what she had learned with the commanding officer (that is, the CO), who in turn would grant her use of whatever equipment that had available. She did have to slip her ID to show the CO, initially.

"Agent Eclipse," the CO said. "Is there anything you need?"

"Some water would be great," Mars replied. "I just need a quiet place to contact the IPI, and…" she took out the lead box which contained the radioactive material she had discovered, "could we get this analysed? I have a bad feeling about this already."

There was a set of water bottles on the CO's desk, so Mars helped herself.

"Nothing with terrorists is ever good news," the CO said gloomily, taking the lead box and setting it on his desk. "You'll want to get a forensic team from the IPI deployed here full-time in the next hour so they can set up a laboratory here. If we had more time, I would have sent it straight to headquarters, but our operations won't wait."

Perhaps Mars hadn't told the CO anything about Fiera's possible involvement, but it was better left unsaid until she, Looker, or even Emma had found evidence for that claim. Quietly, Mars walked aside to activate her e-Scope Lens.

"This is Eclipse," she said, contacting H the IPI supervisor. "H. Are there any updates on my request? About information on that stone I found? I did send a picture to the department."

H's voice seemed blunt. "Unfortunately, Eclipse, we have yet to analyse what it actually does. However, we have intelligence in other regions that regard stones of similar nature in that they – based on a sample of fifteen stones – they all radiate power in their own way. We have deduced that they're not an energy source. That's for certain."

After that, Mars discussed the details of what she else had learned at the refinery. There was the radioactive material she had collected and had intended to have it studied for now. There was a short discussion about the laser drill found in the foundry in relation to the stolen laser drill of smaller scale in Nacrene City. In addition, she disclosed the fact that the area was indeed used for manufacturing bombs.

"That's excellent news, Eclipse," H said. "I'll file this to the Headquarters Office and we'll begin preparations for a raid."

"Don't forget that I still have about 51 hours to operate," Mars said. "Looker is still undergoing an investigation and I still need to have this radioactive material analysed. Also, please write down that I've found details of a 'Project Fusion' over there, which is still the subject of investigation. But for now, I need a forensic team deployed here to collect the material here."

"Will do. I'll see that the team will set up a laboratory there for analysis, with necessary precautions against radiation. Time is of essence now. Thank you, Eclipse. H out," H replied.

Mars checked in with the CO once more, just to get some reminder on things she missed out while she was away. According to the CO, the evacuation was complete, but this also meant the Hoenn security forces that were deployed here had satisfied their mandate and were required to leave to escort the civilians. The counter-terrorist team was free and willing to stay, as well as a squad of tactical officers. All in all, the Battle Frontier was secure for now, but the damage was already done by the PFA.

Afterwards Mars went to the Trainers Village, and putting on her IP hat on the way to make her look less suspicious. By the time she arrived there she found the front was empty, unlike the mass crowd of security forces that had crowded there earlier. Still, she could access the same room where she was based.

"I don't think we'll need to use locks anymore, when the island is under IP control," Mars remarked as she walked back into the room to see Emma working away.

"Huh," Emma said, indifferently. "Looker is currently working his way through the weapons depot. For all we know, he'll try to disable the bombs, but there are no cameras showing this."

Mars sat down on the bed and stared at the floor. Just what was she getting herself into? She wasn't feeling the same at all. Just… angry. She dropped her bag and stared. Even Purugly felt something was off.

"At least we've found where they're being made," Mars added, albeit emotionlessly. "That's a start."

Silently, she went over to the computer where Emma was working at and inputted data she collected on her shift. Extra data would mean the layout the IP had worked on was far from finished, yet close at the same time. The weapons depot and the connection to the underground level beneaththe secure area had to be made clear. Mars also made a note of the conveyor belt that connected the two that allegedly manufactured the bombs as well.

In the meantime, Looker had already made a safe entry into the foundry grounds. It was 9 AM, the 41st hour, in which he had used his time well and patiently to sneak around. He had no disguise or camouflage, which made things harder, but all in all things were going well.

Quietly, he looked at his notepad. Eclipse, otherwise known as Mars, had said the PFA's head office still had to be searched, and information on the stones wouldn't hurt either. After all, why would the PFA go through these lengths to have them extracted?

Looker listened in on the radio Mars had given to him.

"Pokémon patrols are still sealing off the shores, but for now we haven't seen anything," a voice said.

Heavy's was next. "What about the perimeter?"

"One sentry has reported sick so we needed someone to relieve him. We've already got that covered."

"Our reinforcements have consolidated with the regular guards. They won't be wearing the white bracelets since they're obviously not alliance members, so listen to them."

"How many reinforcements have we got?"

"Around thirty, with twenty of them chosen by the exec."

Looker kept quiet and kept listening. If there was more information to salvage here, now was the time, even if he was in the foundry grounds. However, the sound of an explosion could be heard in the skies, echoing its roar.

"What was that?" Heavy said.

"That came from the beachhead," a separate guard radioed in. "We'll be going there to investigate."

The explosion indeed had provided Looker a better opportunity to sneak in. Better yet, it wasn't even planned. This was his chance to sneak in without suspicion, so while the guards were distracted, Looker made his way to the weapons depot where it was possible to enter the secure area from there. When he was done with disabling another bomb or two, he would continue to investigate the underground secure area and the PFA leader's head office with it. Perhaps there would be more clues there.

As Looker snuck onto the descending platform using a container to disguise himself, he listened to the radio again.

"A hoard of Tentacool has detonated five of our mines," the radio said. "We do not detect any more life signatures in that area anymore."

They killed a number of Tentacool? Go figure, Looker thought.

The platform came to halt and Looker jumped off to begin working, as he discarded the container he had hid in. The first priority was to disable the bombs, and then see to investigating the head office. If all went well, there would be time to spare to head back and prepare for a raid; plus, Mars would have time to have the material she found analysed by the IPI.

At the moment, Looker drew out the EMP pen and went over to the rows of manufactured bombs and started disabling them one by one. It was going to take a while, but if there was one way to make things faster, he could have to disable the machine creating the bombs. He looked to the ramp where the bombs were coming from and went in that direction. Mars alleged that the conveyor belt led to the heavily secured area within the foundry, so he only had to collapse the area of that belt.

But, if he was going to investigate the head office, it would also mean trapping himself. He would have to leave through the upper level of the foundry too. Plus, the conveyor belt was moving in the wrong direction, which meant he would have to temporarily disable it.

Looker took a deep breath. This wasn't going to be easy. He had to be astonishingly quick. In fact, it was perfectly possible, but just darn impossibly difficult. Even with all the support he had from Emma and Mars, this was ridiculous.

First off, after disabling the bulk of the bombs, he went to the conveyor belt and climbed onto it. It didn't help the bombs were pushing against him so he had squeeze his way past them, neither did the belt moving in the opposite direction help. While still crawling through the small tunnel, wishing he had night vision, he needed to stop this thing for good.

Looker took out his radio carefully and said, "Essentia, can you patch me to Eclipse?"

"Sure," Emma replied bluntly.

As Looker continued crawling, he figured he was either going to have to destroy this machine quickly, which would be a welcome distraction, or keep it safe and head straight to that office. Then again, he could always come back to destroy the machine later. If there was an opportunity to get to the office undetected, now was the time.

"Hey, what's going on, Looker?" Mars said.

"Eclipse. Have you planted the device, by any chance?" Looker asked.

"You mean that electronic disrupter Atelier gave me? Yeah, I left it in the security room. It should come in handy at some point, I reckon," Mars explained. "Wait, you're not asking me to use it now?!"

"Possibly, possibly," Looker muttered. "We may need to use it, so be ready."

He decided that it would be best to keep the chatter low still. If there was time, he would destroy the machine on the way out.

Looker made it out of the conveyor belt and began making his way to the spacious area as Mars described. There was a bowl-like machine which was suspected to contribute to manufacturing the bombs, but that was all. It was also noteworthy that the area was highly secure and Looker was cautious to approach the elevator that would take him a floor above. However, he made a mental note that this area had to be destroyed to halt the bomb efforts. He just needed more proof of Fiera, if any. He got onto the elevator after.

"Careful, Looker," Mars warned. "You're in an area that's even more secure than that of the one above. I doubt even regulars could get in here like this."

"I know," Looker said.

The elevator stopped and Looker cautiously stepped out into a familiar hallway. He didn't require authentications, thankfully, to get past certain doors. However, he still kept the PFA leader's office in mind and cautiously approached it. This floor was as secure enough as it was. If there was time, he would destroy the floor below and that would be it. Still, there were other things to consider, like the laboratory and the black ore Mars had observed earlier.

The PFA leader had just left, so Looker did what he could to extract information. He hadn't a lot of time, so he dug in through the files hoping there would be some explanations.

Project Fusion… A project that involves the weaponising of certain materials… or so they try to experiment, Looker thought, as he read the description. He took some more documents with him and started to examine them, and he soon found that the PFA were linked to a terrorist organisation. Grimacing, he took the documents with him and left the office.

And outside, he ran into the PFA leader.

Shoot, he thought.

So he quickly made his move.

Looker had spent several hours in secret examining the files he had taken from the office. He hadn't a lot of places to run to, and he was fortunate enough to have taken safe refuge at the level below where he was likely to be unseen. There, he could examine things in private. He had been relaying this information to Mars and Emma while he watched the bombs continue to manufacture.

As he had nearly been captured by the PFA leader himself, Looker had requested reinforcements, but Mars and Emma made it clear that with all the security going around that was not an option at this time. After that, he cut the communications and kept taking pictures with his notepad.

It was 2 PM, the 46th hour, and he now wished that the place could be raided by now.

According to the document, links with Fiera were made and that there was something Project Fusion was supposed to achieve. But the file didn't go into further detail for that – but intuitively, there had to be a connection between Project Fusion and the radioactive research. There had to be.

And it was then Looker felt a sharp pain in his spine. It felt like his side was being torn apart.

"AGH…" he groaned.

No doubt, a knife had been plunged into his hip and he fell forward. Looking up, he saw a woman pull out the knife from his hip and pointed it at his head.

"Well, well, I knew you would be here, agent Looker," she said.

A face familiar to Looker.

"No… Why did you join them…" he groaned.

Fiera.

So Looker is wounded...