Traffic was normal, the work day was just starting and Pokemon were already on their way to their place of employment. As far as Proteus could tell all was as it should be. Hydroponics were about to begin their next harvest, on top of that they made an excellent job of providing fresh air for the colony. The mines were bringing in several hundred tons of desired minerals and ore. Several new apartment complexes were nearing completion allowing space for new workers to arrive on the ISS Olympia's next rotation. Crime was virtually non-existent.

As the superintendent of Athens Proteus was pleased to say everything was moving along like clockwork and for a computer construct to claim such a thing was momentous news indeed. Artificial Intelligence programs like Proteus were designed to be perfectionists, it was their job to keep the city's systems functioning and to ensure the wellbeing of it's citizens. In addition to monitoring production Proteus ensured the city's security, regulated the economy, directed shuttle traffic, and supervised the interstructural tram systems.

Everything that would take an entire team of Pokemon to manage Proteus could alone and more. Athens ran like a well oiled machine and as soon as the survey groups returned with viable new building sites it would be time to expand.

Checking and double checking the security network connections and system uplinks Proteus wrote out a brief algorithm that would optimize efficiency. Being capable of making several billion calculations a second the process was complete faster than the speed of thought. Keeping the system updated every few seconds Proteus was running another system check when the short-range sensors detected a new contact a few hundred kilometers off of Maraton-4's surface. Scans picked out the object among the asteroids that danced above Athens, solid metal rectangular tapering from stem to stern. The IMS Valkerie sent it's verification codes and clearance automatically which was part of an analytic function Proteus programmed into the connection made with the ship the second it Blinked in system. The IMS Valkerie was one of two ships that made routine stops for supplies, fuel and in the Valkerie's case to rotate Members of the security detail for Athens.

Though it had only taken four point six-seven seconds to open a communications channel, to the computer construct it felt like they were taking their time. "This is the IMS Valkerie, Anyone home?"

"Welcome to Athens." Proteus said through the channel as he accessed the Valkerie's mainframe. Following A labyrinth of crystal matrix pathways and generating access codes for half-a-dozen security firewalls Proteus found his way to the holographic matrix on the IMS Valkerie's bridge. Using the optical security system to 'see' the crew Proteus appeared out of thin air.

Commander Ulrich Ortega stood on the bridge's observation platform looking down on the city below, though at this distance it appeared as little more than a spot on a one of the innumerable drifting rocks. Before him appeared the image of a white vaporeon. Countless indecipherable symbols ran across his form, occasionally a stripe of pale grey or silver would mar the otherwise perfect white of his form. The only other color on him were his eyes which were pitch black. His programmer designed his visual self to be wearing loose casual pants and similarly loose shirt.

"Commander." Proteus acknowledged with a nod. He already had a already ran a dozen system diagnostics by the time he spoke. Engines and the reactor core were at minimum heat levels, coolant was processing properly, ventilation was optimal, main propulsion drives were operating at two-percent burn to maintain orbit without being pulled into Marathon-4's gravity well.

"Keeping everything in line Proteus?"

The AI in turn gave a wry smirk. "Of course." His gaze wandered for a moment however, but only for a moment until he looked back at the bisharp officer.

"Commander there is a surveyor baring down on the city from the southern hemisphere." one of the other deck officers announced before anything else was said. "Moving fast."

"Let me worry about what happens in my city." Proteus said without looking away.

"What's wrong?" Ortega asked out of curiosity.

"One of the survey teams had an incident while doing a seismic scan. Two members are unconscious and the third is on the verge of panic." Proteus spoke like it was a daily occurrence.

-----

Technology, one of the great breakers of society, and yet Pokemon were so dependent on it. Technology was one of the factors that brought It's own race to it's knees though their ultimate demise was the result of the Entity itself and it was proud to admit it. So much power, so many glorious memories, infinite knowledge, indefinite longevity. All of these were the benefits of wiping out It's own species. Lacking of other prey It fell into a deep slumber but now it was aware again, it's sleep lasted eons but the Pokemon that chose to call It's prison home were coming close, oh so close to releasing it.

-----

The air was thick with smoke, entire columns rose from the city below. The hum of the airship's engines drowned most other noise. The Martian atmosphere lent everything a red hue as everything under them passed in a blur.

Jericho sat on a seat mounted near the exterior of the landing craft, he would be one of the first ones out when they made their landing zone. He felt a hand on his shoulder, Allister was seated behind him, the gesture was proof that he was just as nervous as Jericho.

"Landing in two minutes." The crew chief announced through the suits comm channel. Militarized EVA suits had thicker armor plating, were slightly heavier and lacked the large domed helmets instead having a large visor and simple faceplate.

"Once we're on the ground we'll watch each others back." Allister said on a private channel. The story of their lives, Jericho and Alister were born and raised on the Mars colonies, the thing about it though was the war between he Martian and Terran Pokemon. What was originally a joint effort to expand the Pokemon civilization to Mars quickly turned into a war for independence.

The Meridian War was fought between three factions, the Terran's from Earth more favorably referred to as 'the Blues.' Martian militia were called 'the Reds' because of their association with Mars and the third faction were a neutral party who didn't care about the war, they tried to live normal lives while the others fought.

Allister and Jericho just happened to be the third party. The only reason they were involved in the fighting was because they had Were impressed by the Terran's. They were being forced to fight against their own people.

"One minute." The crew chief said again.

The entire ship suddenly lurched and Jericho slid out, he managed to grab hold of the edge of the bay before falling out completely but when the ship started a downward spiral it became a life or death struggle. His armor would have protected him from the fall but now there was a chance he could crushed by the landing craft. He felt Allister try to pull him back in but it was chore since had to hold himself in as well. Dizziness overtook Jericho as he watched the stars turn to ground turn to star's again, the ground got closer and closer until...

...Jericho woke gasping for air, his head was pounding and his eyes stung. He saw a bright light and for a moment he felt like he was falling as vertigo ran is course.

"Whoa, whoa, take it easy." He heard a woman's voice, when the room stopped spinning he found himself face to face with a Gardevoir. Her bright red eyes bore into his orange as she laid both hands on his shoulders. "You need to take it slow." She said assertively.

"Where am I?" He said blinking away something in The corner of his eyes. He tried to rub away whatever had crusted there. He tried breathing through his nose to calm himself and he was struck by the iron tinged scent of blood.

"Your in the medical ward, you had an accident while you were out." Still rubbing away what was apparently dried blood caked the fur under nose and in the corners of his eyes.

"Where are the others?"

"Allister woke up about a half-an-hour ago. Radik got the two of you back here." She said handing him a wet washcloth. "That might help a bit."

Jericho happily took it and proceeded to wipe his entire face when he finished with the blood. As she said they were in the medical ward, lacquered white walls and fluorescent white lights left the place bland and monochrome. The only real colors were the red cross on the Gardevoir's uniform and the grey, silver and black of his EVA suit and the bright reflective orange dome of his helmet which lay on a stand next to his bed. He lay on a gurney, the white sheets stained grey in places from dust that brushed off his suit. Another gurney had similar stains on it but was unoccupied.

"Thanks." Jericho said when he was finished.

"No problem, how's your head?" She replied trying to keep the conversation on the matter at hand.

"Horrible."

"Alright, let's have a look." She said pulling up a small black tablet. "Look into this please." She said pointing to what looked like a camera. As Jericho looked a green grid appeared over his iris, the light started to hurt terribly but thankfully it only lasted a few seconds.

When it was done Jericho blinked and rubbed his eyes again. "There is some trauma but most of it appears to be caused by psychokinetic stress. Your friend was a psychic type, is he a Tier?"

"A tier-six." Jericho said simply. As Pokemon evolved they gradually lost their natural abilities, some however still retained the powers of their ancestors, these few were called Tiers. Jericho for example was a tier-three dark type. He had some abilities but it was on a lower level. Allister was a tier-two electric type. The Tier system was a way of measuring how powerful an individual is. The lowest on the scale is tier-five, this being the weakest and tier-one, the highest rank, being the strongest. Being referred to as a 'tier-six' was a subtle way of saying you didn't have any powers.

Her question gave away her intention. She thought Radik was responsible, if he had psychokinetic trauma then it made sense that he was the cause, but being a tier-six meant that it was beyond his ability.

"Proteus." Jericho called. The Superintendent was had access to every system in the city. Just as soon as he spoke the AI's name the holographic image of a white vaporeon render at the door.

"Yes." He said crossing his arms like he'd been there all along. Rolling script scrolled across his body which made him look like he was moving. "I've already made the report to Commander Ortega and the chief of security. All records confirm that Radik Isais has no psychic capability. If that's what you were going to ask."

"That just about covers it." Jericho said looking back at the Gardevoir. "That should also answer your question doctor..." Seeing he was no longer needed the hologram of Proteus disappeared from view.

"Oh, I'm doctor Ilirea."