Pokemon: Brass Version
Prologue: HMS Swellow

Entrin has always stood as the forefront modern society. It’s vast empire stretching across the globe. Philitri is the jewel of it’s island colonies. The grueling two month trip there by sea tests even the hardiest of souls, but instead the university with all its ties has taken a more civil approach requiring only a short ride by coaches to the Donnol Airship port where you board the HMS Swellow and begin the much shorter week long flight. This would get the crew there in short time, and allow them to meet for the first time as team members.

The ship is somewhat large a sturdy ship made for delegates and other traveling people of authority. It seems the university has spared no expense on their crew. The center of the main deck is open and has furniture placed around nailed to the deck. The ship's crew keep to the upper level where the helm is, and can reach the bow by a raised gangway. The only other place the crew is seen is deep below in the cargo hold on the third floor or in the engine rooms on the fourth floor where men and pokemon work in blazing heat to maintain the boilers. The main rooms for passengers are on the same level as the captains on the second floor moving down. They are well decorated, but not overly so. They each provide a small taste of home even while miles upward. There are only four cabins for normal passengers forcing the six members of the group to double up in some places. Mrs. Evox bluntly refused to share a room before removing herself from the debate by locking her room shut. With the remaining five dice were thrown pairing Jasper, the engineer, and Vincent, the soldier, to one room while Robin, the naturalist, and Inaya, the doctor, were given the other to share leaving Nicolas the final room alone. The only other amenities on the ship are a parlor on the second floor as well with a small library, the galley on the third floor, and a room below the helm on the main deck that acts as a conservatory of sorts so you can view the skyline without having to be outside.

With it only midday and the airship well off into the sky the university crew is left to their own devices as to what they wish to do now.

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Jasper stepped into his cabin putting his backpack on a desk directly opposite the door, and the starring out the window just above it. He had never gotten to ride on an airship, and there was a strange feeling in him whenever he looked out the window to only see clear blue skies. Donnol mostly only had gray storm clouds hanging overhead, and if not those then the factory smoke stacks blocked the sun. He sighed scratching at his chin in reflection.

A lot of things were going to change. This was the first time Jasper has left Entrin, and suddenly five other people had been thrown into his life. He wasn’t sure of them yet, but from first glance he could tell the soldier he was rooming with had seen some shit. The lady doctor seemed interesting if not a bit cold. The naturalist seemed all too simple by the rest of the group.

‘Just a naturalist? Impossible.’ Jasper thought to himself, ‘We have a soldier, a doctor, an aristocrat, a university graduate, and a crackpot inventor. She must have more than just a degree.'

Jasper continued to ponder his thoughts going through the back pulling out his coach gun and whistling at its beauty. He shined up the barrel with his coat sleeve and looked down it at the floor. It was a thing of climatic beauty. The gun had been modified to direct the fire very well ever with scattering ammo and the solid bullets fire like it was a rifle. All part of Jasper’s design. He cracked it open the gun opening in the middle flinging an empty cartridge out and across the room.

“Damn, forgot to clean it. Oh well I have a week.” Jasper muttered looking down the gun before setting it aside.

Jasper scanned the room spotting a single bed, a dresser with a small clock on it, an armchair with footstool, and a sconce on the wall. Upon closer inspection Jasper noticed a glass bulb and wiring. The ship was wired for electricity and interesting trait. Jasper tapped a switch that turned the light on and then off. He stored the information for later so he could ask a crewman about it. For now though he checked the lock on his gun, and then holstered his other gun, a bladed revolver, on his hip. A sleek and deadly device using some designs imported from unova the revolver had class, style, and precision.

Sitting down at the desk the engineer began to write out some notes on intended projects for the week in the sky. Set next to him was the small wooden box he brought everywhere. Inside was an assortment of shiny brass and broken steel all of it scrap pieces and gears for tinkering. Hopefully there was enough of it to last through the trip. The last thing Jasper needed was to run out of excuses to excuse himself from conversation and the box always provided him something to do.

Vincent stepped into the tiny cabin room, taking in the room at a glance. Not the most spacious of rooms, but I've been in worse he thought. Noting just the one bed he glanced over at the grease monkey scribbling in his notebook and shrugged, "Bunk's yours." With that he set his bag in the corner of the room and settled down with his back against the wall so he could face the door.

After a moment Vincent reached into his bag and pulled out a cleaning kit, then unsheathing his combat knife, taking a long close look at the blade. After satisfying himself that there were no nicks in the blade he wiped it down with his cleaning cloth and sheathed it once more. He then took his rifle off the side of his pack and began to break it down, cleaning, wiping, cleaning, and oiling the barrel. Seems like an odd group for just a simple survey assignment. Work the lever, listening and watching for anything that would keep it from catching properly Definitely need to keep my ear to the ground, not going to have a repeat of the Oswin incident. Satisfied at last, he reassembled his rifle and glanced over at his bunk-mate's weapons and the cartridge on the floor. With an appraising glance he raised an eyebrow at him and grunted "You should clean those," and began to pack up his cleaning kit.

"What a crew, what a crew."

Inaya sat on the bottom bunk of the girls' cabin, her back pressed against the wood-paneled wall as her hands delicately flipped through pages upon pages of a white folder. As, what she would assume to be, the teams "medic" Inaya had found herself in the possession of some records of her crew mates. Mostly medical related, but general information was also laced between the messily scribbled pages. It made for some interesting reading, and would definitely be able to tide her over for at least the first hour or two of the trip. And so, with Qutun tucked comfortably against her neck and shoulder, and Celty currently adventuring around the room like a toddler, she read, her dark eyes tracing each world with excessive finesse.

The first she read about was a man named Jasper Richard, and boy was he plain when it came to medical histories. He was as healthy as a engineer could be in these times, and the only excitement he seemed to receive came from various cuts, broken bones, and bruises. If this guy was anything, it would be stubborn. No matter the injury, he always seemed to swing back and get knocked down again. He hasn't given up, as she could tell from the records, and with a shrug she flipped to the next person of interest, her roommate. Robin, last name withheld? She had an intense history of physical therapy and treatment. She had a sad history, and a hard one, and Inaya couldn't help but feel some respect for the older woman. She'd also have to look out for her, seeing as past injuries may always turn up someway or another.

Before Inaya could flip to the next page, she felt a tug on her socked foot, and she drifted her gaze downwards to find Celty, probably looking for some attention. A soft smile, one she would never show to anyone else, graced her lips, and she shifted slightly to pick up the small Ralts. A musical chime came from Celty, and as soon as he was in range of Inaya's face he raised his arms and patted her nose, perhaps tinkling of it as an attempt to keep her spirits up. Celty was always concerned for the feelings of others, after all.

"I'm fine, you know." She muttered between small hands that pressed against her lips. Qutun, at the arrival of Celty, let out a shrill cry and detached herself from Inaya's shoulder and tottered down her arm, snapping slightly at Celty. Inaya stopped the action by shooting a dangerous glare at the Swablu, bu then tilted her head and lowered down Celty, stretching out her back, "It's a bit stuffy in here, hmm? Wanna go for a quick walk?" She asked curiously, scooting towards the edge of her bed. Both chimed in with happy cries, and a feeling of agreement washed over Inaya before she stood, slipping on her boots as the two Pokemon gather by the door, prepared for a new adventure. Inaya sucked in a deep breath, readying herself in case some unwanted attention was gained, and with a final sigh she opened the door and started her trek through the ship, half-smiling at the appearance of her partners.

Qutun was flipping through the air gleefully, at times getting to close to a light or ledge, and each time she would just barely dodge a bonk to the head or a burn from the above head lamps. Celty was keeping a steady pace with Inaya, and refuse to get picked up for whatever reason, opting to watch as the wall paper designs rotated and the floor beneath his feet changed. It was kind of cut, watching his head tilt at every new and exciting detail, but she hated to stop and wait for him to catch up. Eventually, the trio made it to the main deck, and Inaya tilted her head at the homely interior, all while Qutun and Celty vanished between the sofas and desks, having a bit too much fun.

"Ah, youth." Inaya muttered to herself, smirking, and with a sudden wave of air sickness she stumbled towards a seat, collapsing onto it with a sigh. She still wasn't exactly used to being up on the air. Inaya leaned back against the plush sofa, running a hand through her hair as her eyes wandered, looking for her two trouble makers.

at least it's quiet . . . and empty

Robin had tucked herself away in the conservatory for the last hour or so. She hated being locked inside this machine, sure it was quicker but with no fresh air and tight quarters it was hard not to feel like a prisoner.

The armed guards didn't make things any better. Half of her own "crew" was carrying weapons of sorts. Robin had done her best to keep her cool. The sight of guns brought up memories she had worked long and hard on forgetting.

Here in the conservatory she could at least watch the sky around her. Pretend like she was outside soaring amongst the clouds free from the metal beast currently containing her wild spirit.

Watching the clouds roll lazily past her Robin found herself curious about the expedition she was currently on. Armed men, a doctor, prestigious professors and.... her? Sure she was good at navigating the wilderness but was she really needed? From what little studying she had done the archipelago wasn't too different geographically from what they were used to back home. If it boiled down to a lack of wilderness experience Robin could have simply given them a crash course overy a week or so then sent them merrily along their way. But things had to be mysterious, promising excitement and adventure. Two words that always tugged at Robin's heart.

She sighed and leaned her head against the glass window. As if on cue Oso stopped toddling around the conservatory floor and made his way to Robin. He pushed his head under Robin's arm and curled into her lap. He licked her face a few times before cooing gently and closing his eyes.

Robin couldn't help but smile as her anxiety faded, if but only for a moment.

“You should clean those.” came vaguely over Jasper’s thoughts, but he had become skilled at blocking out sounds. one could pound on an anvil next to him and he’d not even flinch

“Yeahwelwhaea” He mumbled in some incoherent response.

Jasper continued his notes passively looking over at the shotgun before placing a new cartridge in it with a cloth around it. He closed the coach gun raised it without looking and shot behind him, but the shot sounded more like a cough than a shotgun blast. A simple rubber bullet now sat in the soldier’s lap having gone off the wall and bounced back.

“Damn, need to adjust the compression chamber. Ah well. Such a shame been wanting to use these rubber bullets.” Jasper muttered before going right back to his work as though nothing happened. He scribbled down a couple new notes about reinforcing the seal on the gas chamber, and then put his shotgun away with its lock now on, “Ah well. Maybe I’ll find some better rubber on the island.”

Jasper stood up and pushed the chair in before taking his pokeballs and heading out up to the main open deck. He tossed one of the balls back and forth like a metronome. The sphere had been meticulously redesigned to give it a more red hue by adding hematite to the metal shell as well a chesnut had been emblazoned on it. Jasper did this to better personalize his pokemon’s temporary habitats as well as giving him a way to find them without looking. His other sphere was a brass cobalt alloy giving it a cold blue look then shined perfectly with all sorts of slashes and kicks in the shell.

Seeking some company Jasper tossed the ball hard into his right hand until there was a clear click. He then threw the pokeball hard a wire trailing behind it upon impact the sphere burst with light as Aecron was sent out. The stout rodent smirked up at his trainer as the pokeball was reeled back in by the device on Jasper’s arm.

“Best invention ever.” He chuckled, “So I know you aren’t keen about flying types, but I’d like some bearable company up here alright?”

“Chres!” Aecron laughed walking ahead with all the swagger he could.

Jasper wasn’t the only one excited about this expedition. Both pokemon knew very well what they were doing, and they were ready and raring to go. Aecron had come from the edges of donnol where his habitat was always in danger of city expansion. Now he’d finally get to see a real forest a real jungle even. Rook was much more subtle he’d follow his master anywhere, but he clearly was enticed by the challenge of it all. Always the strategic mind he was ready to take on new challenges and need be learn from his faults.

The chespin continued on ahead of Jasper making it to the main deck veforecoming to the door off the conservatory, and pointing to it as if to order troops. Jasper pushed open the door for the pokemon and Aecron stepped in announcing himself.

“Ches pion! ches chesss.” He cried having already caught the scent of the other two pokemon.

“Sorry he’s…. excitable.” Jasper said noticing the mysterious wilderness guide and her pokemon, “Jasper Ricard. Engineer and more. To be honest though I think it’s the more that’s got me on the short list for this crew.”

Some time after the group dispersed, Nicolas received a knock on his door. It was soft and cavalier. Nicolas, who had busied himself with research books he had taken from the library adjusted his glasses revolved his head to glance at the door. There was no second attempt at the door, but with the near silence in the room, Nicolas couldn't imagined he had mistaken anything for a knock. He got up and walked to the door, looking through the peephole, but couldn't see a face. The person on the other side was standing too close to see anything beyond the neck. Nicolas opened the door and stepped back. On the other side of the door a dark skinned young man nodded flatly to Nicolas and began to whistle to himself nonchalantly. The young man was carrying a duffel as well as a backpack. He put the duffel bag down on the free bed and began taking out affairs towards a bedroom - covers, nightwear etc. His behavior seemed to lack any and all affectations for a man that had yet to introduce himself or even meet with Nicolas before. In fact, his behaviour was so unapologetically crass and presumptuous Nicolas had to question whether or not he was the one with the problem.

"Er- excuse me, but this room belongs to me." explained Nicolas.

"Oh that's fine. I don't want the room. I just need the bed." replied the young man obnoxiously.

"No I mean- I'm sorry, who are you?" asked Nicolas, now rethinking what information was most important to ascertain.

"Trebeque. Marcus Trebeque." replied Marcus, still busying himself with his things and refusing to turn round to greet Nicolas properly.

"And you also here to take part in the exploration team?" asked Nicolas. Marcus took a breath before answering.

"Not really."

"You're a member of the HMS Swellow crew, then?"

"Nope" replied Marcus flippantly.

"Then who are yo-"

"You know," began Marcus, turning round to face Nicolas. His face was full of scrutiny and suspicion towards Nicolas, which was ironic considering the progression of their conversation. "You ask a lot of questions for a man who hasn't even given his first name," jabbed Marcus subtly.

"I did give my name - I introduced myself to the entire team!" replied Nicolas, a little high-strung with Marcus's accusatory tone. "My name is Nicolas Rion. I'm a cultural researcher. I am here to act as a guide. People know what I'm doing here." explained Nicolas. Marcus was silent for a moment.

"...Meh." replied Marcus eventually.

"Meh...?" parroted Nicolas.

"Yes. Meh." insisted Marcus. "You don't get brownie points for talking to people before hand. Just because they believed you doesn't mean you're telling the truth. For all I know, they could all be in on it."

"In on what?" inquired Nicolas.

"I don't know man," replied Marcus in a whimsically tone, rocking at the shoulders with his hands up. "I didn't find you suspicious 'til you started asking questions with suspicion. I was just like - oh hey there's some guy already in the room, that's cool. Probably best I just get on with my day - but you turned it into this whole drama about who I am and what I'm doing here. I am not the one who brought a crap load of suspicion into an already small, cramped room. Bad form Nick, bad form." critiqued Marcus.