"But who knows, maybe public good comes from a little chaos too, hm? That was... a joke."
"Yeah, I can't say I'm a huge fan of the 'general public should be kept ignorant and in the dark because their feeble minds can't take it' approach myself. For one thing, when people are already regularly disappearing and sighting 'Witching Beasts' up in Blaguarro, that cat's pretty well out of the bag."
"That may be so," Nolan said, sounding like nothing could be further from the truth, "but I struggle to imagine what good it would do to publicise our limited intelligence on these events elsewhere. The press would have a field day, exploiting public terror – or instead by labelling us cretins who believe in frontier
ghost stories."
He sniffed dismissively, and turned to another 'mon.
"You're not a recruitment agent. You don't like discussing your elusive dealings. Confidential stuff; I get it. But you did propose the idea of potential employment, so who would be willing to speak about the parameters of that? I again want to reiterate that getting close to Shadow Pokemon might spell certain death for us. So if you're keen on us 'investigating' as part of our potential deal here, something is going to have to give to make the prospects of that more accessible. I don't want to walk back into the line of fire without certainty I'm not going to have my heads blown off."
"Consider our cooperation on the matter of these shadow pokemon with the investigation bureau-- not any other organization. As for that particular subject, I think that's a discussion for another time... I'm assuming the earlier agreement is still on the table?"
Nolan's quizzical brow-raise returned.
"I
said I'm starting to think the Covenant would do well to employ you. I
also said a little prior that I have no authority to make any formal affiliation with you." The Inteleon sighed, and leaned back a little. "I can submit a memo recommending that you are approached. That is all."
He adjusted his cravat and cleared his throat.
"I had assumed that since
you approached
me that you were already intent on pursuing further investigation of the Blaguarro matter! If you've no independent interest at all, then that is most unfortunate news and there's little I can do to persuade you to stay involved. I had thought only that if we
were both looking into the matter, that we might continue to share our intelligence.
That is the offer I am making, and that offer – to which the Beldum gentleman refers – remains open. A gentleman's agreement to cooperate. Nothing more."
“You’ve mentioned that you’ve been doing research into how these Shadows are created. What have you found so far?”
Nolan ran a hand along his crest, which could have been a way of collecting himself.
"Unfortunately, without testimony, documentation, or observation of whatever process is used, I cannot begin to guess. However – and this is
pure speculation, mind you – I believe that wildlife and residents of the frontier region are being
turned into these appalling beasts, and that the sophistication and secrecy of this operation indicates it was begun, and may still be overseen by,
humans. This 'Wolf' being one of them. Call it intuition, or an educated guess.
"
"So what is the big deal with humans, in your organization's view?"
He nodded towards Dave at this point.
"Humans do not exist naturally on Forlas. If we consider them as a
species, then they do not exist at all. They cannot. Humans only exist here by taking the forms of pokémon, traditionally when they are summoned from beyond to prevent great disasters. In doing so, they inherit enormous potential for strength in battle, and a mantle of responsibility to use that for good."
He coughed lightly, and seemed to drop a certain formal air, as if he'd been quoting something.
"Surely you must have realised that you are growing stronger at a much greater rate than any native of this world. Surely you know that you are not
unremarkable. This trend will only continue."
