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Vientown Ranger Base Leader Barlow,
It is evident that Almia is facing a new and emerging crisis. In light of this, the Ranger Union has decided to promote two additional Rangers to the status of Top Ranger in order to better protect the safety of Almia’s environment, people, and Pokemon. Based on your mission reports and our own review, we have decided to nominate Ranger Kate to this position. Given that you are her Area Base Leader, we seek your thoughts and recommendation before going through with this promotion. Please reply promptly; we need Almia’s best at the forefront of solving this crisis.
Regards,
Union Chairperson Erma
It was late, and Barlow was sore, and tired, and probably should just get to bed, and yet he couldn’t stop staring at the message.
He had only sent his and Kate’s mission reports late that morning. The mission itself had just ended yesterday. The Union could move fast when it needed to, sure, but this…
How long had Kate been with them? It felt like she had only joined them last week, and she was already so impressive. Here she was, shooting up through the ranks and getting the attention of the Chairperson herself, and Barlow couldn’t have been more proud. Kate really brought the team together; Crawford was more focused and Luana was more confident under Kate’s natural poise and leadership. She even filled in Barlow’s own weaknesses, loathe as he was to admit it. If it weren’t for her, he wouldn’t be here, and who knows what the fate of the Pokemon on the cargo ship would be.
The Union would be lucky to have her. And she would flourish as a Top Ranger. There was a potential in her that would only stagnate in their little Vientown, but with the resources and reach of the Union, who knows what she would be able to accomplish.
And yet.
There was a selfish part of him that whispered let us keep her. She had filled a gap in their team that he hadn’t consciously realized, and while they would be just fine without her, she made them so much better. Vientown was his home, and he was loath to give up someone so talented and dedicated that otherwise would be protecting his corner of Almia. He wanted to be the one to foster her growth, to see what heights she could reach.
And even with all of her skill and potential, Barlow couldn’t stop thinking about how young she was. Her comment of “Maybe this’ll be my first scar!” when he had been treating her burn wound after the Vien Forest fire blazed clear in his mind; both he and Crawford had histories of danger mapped on their skin, and even Luana had a few scars from her short time as a Ranger. Her youth was clear in the way she trembled when she directed Raticate to cut his bonds on the cargo ship, how she didn’t connect the evidence in the captain’s quarters to Kincaid’s identity like Barlow had until they met the man himself (and how Barlow still debated whether he should have shared his suspicions, to spare the betrayal in her eyes), how small she had looked, sopping wet and smiling shakily, as she had done her Ranger pose for the Mission Clear.
He had asked her if she wanted to go home for a bit after that, and while she had declined, it struck him how she had a home and family to go back to. The rest of his team were on their own. She had a family just down the road, and was it wrong of him to want to keep her close to them?
Being a Top Ranger would keep her busier and put her in more dangerous situations than ever, especially with the emerging crisis Erma was seeking to recruit her for. Here he could keep her safe; she wouldn’t have to go too far, and he could bench her if he needed to. As a Top Ranger, she could set her own Missions, and he knew little would stop her once she set her mind to something, no matter how dangerous. Not to mention the dangerous places the Union would send her to. It would be necessary, and he had no doubt she would thrive there, but the thought of it still stirred at his protective instinct.
He could deny her this. He could keep her close, keep her safe, maintain the team that worked so flawlessly now and personally be her mentor. If he raised doubts about her experience and age, refused to give the recommendation that Chairperson Erma sought, Kate would likely stay in Vientown.
But when would an opportunity like this arise again? Top Rangers were only promoted on an as-needed basis, either in crises like this or when an existing slot opened up. There was no telling when the Union would seek Top Rangers again, or that Kate would even be on their list when they did. This could be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity of her, one that she was clearly worthy of. Did he really have the right to do that?
If nothing else, Barlow was a leader. He did right by his people. Having seen Kate in action, he knew that she was ready for this. And ultimately, if the Union sent the offer out, it would be her decision. Even if part of him didn’t want to, it would go against everything he was to do anything but write his recommendation honestly and with the pride that he felt.
Union Chairperson Erma,
Ranger Kate is already one of the best members of my team. She brings out the best in other people with her confidence and poise. In a crisis, she is calm and levelheaded. She may be inexperienced, but her potential is undeniable. Above all, her compassion and love is undeniable. She makes me proud every day. It is my privilege to recommend her to the Top Ranger position.
Sincerely,
Vientown Ranger Base Leader Barlow