Regardless of the dangers of that land, freedom in Galar was always restricted, especially for people of importance.
How could that ever benefit academic exchange?
What Professor Rowan feared most was Corviknight being tied down again by endless rules, leaving no time to attend the Pokémon Academic Summit. If that happened, he would be forced to handle the Magnetic Field Evolution report alone. He could not represent the entire project and would end up sidelined, his work left in the corner to gather dust.
Other researchers hoping to join the summit through the academic team would also lose their chance and be shut out.
But now, Corviknight wanted to leave Galar?
That was...
Wonderful.
Rowan quickly switched to the interface for international cruise routes, searching for any vessel that might pass by Hulbury.
Based on what Corviknight said, there were only three days left, so reporting to the League to arrange a special ship would be too late.
He didn't understand why the notice came so last-minute, but there had to be a reason. It wasn't his place to question.
With more than a decade of experience as an assistant, he knew well how to satisfy a professor's needs and the client's demands within limited conditions.
"Found it!"
He clicked on a route with excitement.
The Royal Unova, an international cruise operated by the Unova League, was designed to promote Unova culture and tourism.
But due to low passenger numbers, it had only been running for two years, with its routes shrinking constantly.
"This ship passes through Galar's eastern waters. By rule it doesn't stop..."
Using his clearance, he forced access to the route manager's contact and reached the director of the Royal Unova.
"Hello? I need your ship to—"
Before he could finish, another message from Corviknight arrived.
"Professor Rowan, send me your phone number. That way we can use a communicator instead of waiting at the computer for messages."
"Yes, yes..." Rowan typed fast while turning back to the call. He spoke into the receiver. "There's a very well-known Pokémon professor who needs to board your ship for a short ride. You don't mind, do you?"
"Uh..." The director sounded confused.
He had no idea who this important caller was, breaking in straight through the League's secure line. But if it involved a Pokémon professor, then it had to be serious.
In recent years, research had flourished, and with Professor Oak leading the way, the academic world carried immense weight.
The director dared not dismiss it and cautiously asked, "May I know which professor you are? And where exactly will this other professor be heading?"
He worried about detours or heavy burdens on the voyage.
Rowan finished sending his own phone number, then let out a small breath. After checking that it was correct, he replied casually, "I'm Rowan. You should have heard of me. You can confirm with my lab right now. As for the professor I'm arranging transport for, he's important, from Galar. You'll need to dock at Hulbury. Don't worry, I've checked the route. It isn't far."
"Understood..." The director mentally skimmed through the charts and, finding no major issue, exhaled in relief. "Please wait a moment. I'll contact your lab to confirm."
Out of caution, he would verify before changing the ship's course.
* * *
Wyndon.
On the fifth floor of the Macro Cosmos headquarters, in the corner of the vast research lab, two staff who had been staring at computer screens suddenly shot to their feet and rushed to Oleana, who was directing operations at the center.
"Lady Oleana! Shiro just sent a message!"
"What kind of information? Where's the report?" she turned her head slightly, her voice cold.
"Uh..."
In their rush, they hadn't printed it yet. But the contents were too important. Since she was right there, they chose to report it directly.
"Lady Oleana!" one of them rattled off. "Shiro contacted an outside professor, Rowan from Sinnoh. He sent details about wanting to escape. Three days from now, in Hulbury, a ship will be there to pick him up."
"Three days... Hulbury?"
Oleana recalled a recent report from her subordinates about dealings with the town's trainers. Doubt rose in her chest.
How did he know?
He could secretly contact a Gym Leader without their surveillance catching it?
And the timing aligned perfectly with the Gym Challenge reaching Hulbury. Was he trying to stir trouble? If even one person went missing, it could disrupt Chairman Rose's plans.
Her eyes narrowed as she strode toward the computers monitoring his every move on the network. She leaned over and searched for the relevant section.
"Leaving Galar... cruise at Hulbury... phone number?"
Frowning, she set her suspicions aside for the moment. Then she ordered the staff beside her, "Keep monitoring him. Also, I want every transmission from his communication device reported to me immediately."
"Yes!"
The two researchers hurried back to their stations and resumed their work.
* * *
Galar Mine No. 2.
After memorizing Rowan's number, Shiro smiled and closed the laptop. From his pocket, he pulled out the device he had taken from Kabu. It looked like a standard communicator, and indeed functioned as one.
He had already figured out most of its workings by now.
It seemed to be a Team Rocket product, an anonymous call device. The number was randomized, impossible to trace or tap into, using some kind of black tech. Its main purpose was cross-regional secret contact. The function to control equipment was just an add-on.
Kabu must have used this to communicate with Team Rocket outside the region.
Regarding the laptop...
Shiro knew perfectly well his online activity was being watched by the company. If he kept using it to contact Rowan, Oleana would see through everything.
But the cruise three days from now at Hulbury wasn't fake. Even if she suspected something, she could only assume he would board and prepare to intercept.
"So this is... crying wolf?" He muttered, then dialed with the device.
There were still details he needed to work out with Rowan. And the ship he truly planned to board would be the one after that.
Riiing… Riiing…
* * *
Far away in Sandgem Town, Sinnoh, Rowan nervously picked up the call. The number on the phone screen was unfamiliar, but he pressed accept anyway.
Just who was this Corviknight... some veteran much older than him? Or…
"Hello? Is this Professor Rowan?"
Shiro's voice came through the line.
**
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