"Mostly promised on your behalf to teach me how to fight with swords," Steven says, apologetically. "Sword Pokemon. And, ah, maybe breed me a Honedge, in return for some future Pokemon eggs of mine. Not the current Gastlies from the last clutch—though since one of them turned out to be a Shuppet... well. It doesn't matter, those were your Pokemon pretending to be you, after all."

He shakes his head.

"So, you're doing better now? I'm sorry we can't do anything about that guy in security, but maybe after Jack takes over the, ah, board of directors... Well. Things will be different then. " He peers forward at the screen. "Where are you, anyway? I know you were traveling with Carly and her hippie friends before—are you still with them?"