Chapter 93: Rocket Raid II electric boogaloo

Chapter 93: Rocket Raid II electric boogaloo

I told Surge why I was there. It was a long and rather shameful handful of minutes admitting my own failures.

Surges grin only held for a few seconds.

Then it morphed into hard lines. It wasnt a scowl. It was something more calculating. There was an edge there that I wasnt used to seeing in my once mentor/now friend. He rubbed his chin.

So, Team rocket set up a base in my city He rolled the words around in his mouth as though tasting them. He eyed me. How sure are you of this? The intel good?

I sighed. Yeah. Positive. You know Daniel?

Surge shook his head. Nah, he that one you thought would have been good down here with me? he said. Starting to pace back and forth.

This time it was my turn to shake my head. No thats Dennis. Daniel he was a new recruit that I got from the Rangers. Hed been with them for years, so I figured he was a safe bet. He had lot of the skills I wanted and well he had some good reasons to hire him on. Surges pacing became a little too distant to hold a conversation with so I started pacing with him.

He must have been agitated to force it into this sort of action. Turns out he was a plant for Team Rocket, and they saw a chance to slip him into my Gym. They even got him a fake wife.

Surge shot me a look. Shit they really crafted him to hit your buttons just right didnt they?

I grimaced and nodded tightly. Surge shook his head in a faux consoling way. See this is why you have big shiny issues like being a playboy! The bad guys want to get information out of you, so they send hot chicks! He made a show of slapping his cheeks. Oh no! Whatever will I do with these women!

I rolled my eyes, not missing how we hadnt stopped pacing during the entire tirade. Surge sniffed.

Still this situation is fucked, I tell you. Theyre damned close enough to roll some damn Electrode down the hill at me! Damn City giving me a gym located on the water! This is a terrible defensive position! Im a sitting duck! He scratched at his arm irritability.

He shot me a look. Do they know that we know? Suspect anything at all?

I shook my head. Everything has been kept in house. We got Jenny to hold him in the gym while we got him moved.

Surge whistled. You must be treating her good. Jennys are hot for justice and not much else. Surprised you got one to break protocol like that. Usually, she would have marched him into the police station, which I remember having some staffing changes recently.

I grunted, having to stride to follow him through to a long hallway. Yeah. Thing is I was well within my rights to have him locked there. Just like I was within my rights to have Sabrina there.

Surge stopped dead and stared at me for the first time in the evening, stumped. You got Sabrina there as well? Shes Kind of not going to Surge tilted his head. No you wouldnt have done that and gotten away with it with Jenny there to bag him. You play the good honest man. The aww shucks family man to the public, but you can throw some sneaky punches when you need to. He eyed me. What gives? Theres something more going on with this Daniel beyond him being a stinking Rocket. What did you learn?

I hummed. He already qualified as breaking the Espionage Act." Surge tilted his head and opened his mouth, but I continued. Vermillion is rated as a central Gym. Pewter is still a border Gym, so different laws come into effect. Surge stared at me before I shrugged. But we also found out hes a foreign plant.

Surge hissed. The fuck!? Who? Unova? Kalos? I tangled with those pricks during the start of the war, and theyre messed up!

I blinked. You did?

Surge merely sniffed and nodded. His jaw working tightly. Didnt start out as a Lieutenant Brock. I started things as a Private. In a war? You can get a lot of promotions if you're in bad situations.

I blinked, nodding slowly. I didnt really get what he was saying. I dont really follow.

Surge opened and shut his mouth before shaking his head. Never mind He started walking again and led me through another door. He marched into a room that had tesla coils and a number of pokemon lazing about.

Surge pursed his lips and trilled a whistle, and instantly, pokemon were up and moving about the room. Some formed up into what I could only describe as ranks while others bolted outside. Surge watched them go before looking at a single line of pokemon.

A Raichu held pride of place, followed by a Jolteon, Electrode, Electabuzz, Magnezone, Ampharos, and then oddly enough a juvenile-looking Graveler. I stared at the Graveler. Surge huffed at it and clicked his fingers.

Straighten out that spine soldier! Damn private, I should bust you to cleaning latrines for a month looking that sloppy!

Graveler stood slightly taller, as much as a boulder could anyway. Surge sniffed and continued on.

I glanced at the other pokemon and noted that he also had a small pond with Lanturn and Chinchou present.

Surge turned to me. Whod you bring with you?

Zephyr, Titan, Bertha, Knight, Shrek, Hypnotoad, Don, and Shin. Surge continued to stare at me blankly while nodding as if he had any clue who I was talking about. I rolled my eyes at him. My Noctowl, Tyranitar, Rhyperior, Aggron, Swampert, Poliwrath, Aerodactyl, and Kabutops.

Surge nodded once. Oh yeah, of course! You, you, you, you, you and you. He said turning as he did so to point at his Raichu, Magnezone, Jolteon, Lanturn, Electrabuzz and Electrode. The original appearance of this chapter can be found at Ñøv€lß1n.

I lingered on his Electrabuzz. That sort of pokemon needed a special, most likely man-made item to evolve. Perhaps I could experiment with a voltage converter or socket set to create one? Id have to talk to someone at the powerplant in Pewter for where to start. It wouldnt be as simple as AC to DC would it?

Still I looked over to the other pokemon that was early in terms of its arrival if this were a mere pokemon game. Magnezone, which required a specialised magnetic field which in an electric gym probably wasn't that hard to fall into. I had no idea if anyone else had seen it before but no one had commented on it in the past. Id need to review some of Surges matches to see if he ever used it.

That made me pause.

Surge had walked me into the seat of his power which wasnt something a lot of people typically would do. I was looser with letting people into the area at the back of the gym, but much more selective with who entered the cave system where I kept my elite team.

Surge hadnt even batted an eye when I followed him in.

Surge withdrew his chosen pokemon, and selected a number of other electrodes for his team. Then he nodded. Alright, so we have good intel about some punks that have set up in Vermillion next to the Pokemon Fanclub. That might make things a little tricky, but as long as we dont get too frisky with our area of effect attacks then theres going to not be all that much backlash.

It took a moment for me to recall that there were a lot of very rich men and women that happened to sponsor such clubs. If we did something against their club, Id probably need to call Agatha for help.

Then again, this would probably be something shed gladly leave me out to dry for just to mess with me.

Still, I nodded. No damaging the next-door building, got it!

Surge grunted. Lets go kick their teeth in. He said as he cracked his neck by rolling it from side to side, then he broke into a jog out the back door.

I had to hurry to keep up with his frankly huge stride. I was going to have the police join us to have the place locked down properly?!

Nah, I got my scouts roaming the gym and some circling us. Ill have them lock the place down when we get there. We jogged up the hill and I could instantly tell which building was which. One building was done up with privacy hedges and dark shutters. The grounds happened to have a number of secluded alcoves that were roofed over from what I could see as well if patrons of the club wanted to go outside. The large gate on the front door with the sizeable security lock made it clear that you had to know someone to get in.

The burlesque house in Pewter had less features to keep people from seeing inside.

Not that Id been inside. Id merely patrolled past it.

Surge whistled again and broke into a faster jog. Around us, a pair of Raichu and a small pack of Manectric sprinted out and surrounded the building neighbouring the fan clubs manor.

"Alright, Im going in the front! You back me up Brock! He then broke into a sprint. Gonna getcha! Gonna getcha! Gonna getcha!

Surge wait! I called as he bolted away from me.

Surge wasnt listening. His pokemon shot forward in blurs. I cursed and hurled Zephyr and Dons pokeballs overhead. Aerial blockade! I ordered them.

Surge pounded up the entrance, and when he reached the door, he stomped one foot into the ground while rocketing the other into the door right at the side of the lock. The door splintered inwards and hung like a wreck on its frame.

Knock knock! roared Surge as he loomed in the doorway.

A young woman hesitantly walked up. Uhm! Sir, were part of the pokemon club You You cant do this!

Surge stepped into the house. Im the Vermillion City Gym Leader I think youll find I can! Also!? I aint ever seen you at a club meeting!

The woman blinked in surprise, and I skidded to a halt behind him.

Then I registered what hed said. Wait what?

The woman reacted by reaching for a pokeball on her belt. Surge proved faster on the draw though. However, instead of releasing his pokemon he hurled a pokeball of his straight into her gut, knocking her flat. Ha! Gottcha! Get good, ya baby!

Team! Out! And clear the house! he barked. A moment later, his pokemon were out of their balls and partnered up. They went through the room before two of them broke off to a door to the side. I stared at the coordination.

Jenny glanced up at that having heard what Surge said. Your Gym was infiltrated Brock? Is Jenny there?

Surge grimaced. Oh shit! Thought she knew! he said sheepishly. I shot him a look and rolled my eyes.

Keep that close to your chest. This is the first raid of many that are happening tonight, I said. Jenny and Surge stared at me.

Surge whistled. You got other sites to raid? He grinned. Im down!

I snorted at him and then caught Jennys hopeful look. Ha, no sorry, other people are getting involved. Id say more but I flicked my eyes around the room, Ill wait until were out of the probably bugged house.

Surge gave the room a look over and clicked his tongue. Yeah good call, she must have fried all the equipment to stop us, but that doesnt mean they cant still be watching and listening to us.

A buzz on his wrist had him raising up his transceiver. Cant talk baby girl Im busy cleaning house with my favourite rat. Raichu whod been patting down his fur bristled at the name.

Surge winked at the pokemon before leaning in. Listen snookums I have to go. I can come around in a day or two. Theres a lot going on kay! Love you bu-bye!

He hung up and coughed. Nothing to see here. I shook my head and moved back into the building to poke around a little.

A number of policemen were poking around downstairs and I trailed in after them to find a room with a few trays of pokeballs.

Onix, Geodude, Graveller, Rhydon, Nidoking. I whistled. Looks like this was a room with pokemon that were prepared to fight against Surge, I said aloud. The police grunted their agreement and continued to take photos of the scene.

One approached me and coughed. Gym Leader Brock? Were going to need a statement.

I nodded. Yeah sure. No worries, best we do this outside though were worried the place is still bugged. That got a reaction as instantly the nearby police officer stopped taking photos and began inspecting the room much more thoroughly.

Got one! Got another! announced two people, one after the other.

The man that had approached me nodded and gestured back out the door. I signalled for my pokemon to follow and soon we were outside on the lawn. The building had been sectioned off by a number of Machoke that stood behind two onix that had been painted in yellow and blue along their sides. The words "Police" were also prominent on their bodies.

Behind them, reporters were already dashing up with cameramen following after them. I could see a number of red lights glimmering already. I suddenly wasnt sure if giving a statement out here would remain private. The policeman seemed likewise as unsure.

Then the gates from next door opened, and a very dapper-looking gentleman with a magnificent white beard sauntered out of the manor. He gave the police a curious look and then made a beeline for the reporters.

The reporters looked at him in annoyance as he approached them one by one. Then their faces morphed into looks of worry. They each made a chopping gesture at their necks and the cameramen dropped their cameras to their hips.

When one reporter tried to continue the man leaned into her space and whispered something while dropping a card into her hands. The female reporter turned white and ran for it, leaving her highly confused cameraman, who the gentleman merely nodded to.

I stared at the suddenly empty space beyond the onix. The gentleman approached the onix and gave them both quick pats. He nodded at the policeman and then sauntered back to the manor hed come from.

The gates closed without a sound behind him. In the space of not even five minutes, hed cleared out the reporters.

I pointed at the gates. Who the hell was that? I said incredulously.

The policeman coughed. That was uhm well he is the Chairman of the Kanto Pokemon club. Big name. Very influential. He founded Silph co before he gave it over to his nephew Big mover. Reclusive gentleman that likes to not be bothered. The policeman glanced at the empty space where the reporters were.

Apparently he doesnt want trouble with people snooping around. The news will do a piece later, but theyll make sure not to mention where it happened or whats next door like some of those houndoom reporters would have.

I scratched at my temple. Im not sure that answered my question or raised more Soooo Im just gonna leave it be.

The man nodded. Thats a good call. Now could you tell me

I wrapped up the talk quickly and then sought out Surge. He was talking with Jenny and the woman seemed highly unimpressed.

Cant go nuts like that! I know it must have set you off with the explosion but thats more of a reason for us to get involved instead of you haring off like you did! You dragged Brock into it as well! Did you think about him?!

Surge didnt meet her gaze. Yeah, sorry, just I kept him close, alright?

I was tempted to step in and defend him, but held back. He certainly didnt need my support in this.

Jenny sighed. Urgh stop giving us heart attacks. Cant you just be like other Gym Leaders?

Which ones? Koga? Blaine? He leered. Or should I be like the Cerulean sisters? Dress in drag and do the hula? Want me to shake what my momma gave me?!

Jenny groaned. Alright, so thats a bad example! Just don't fly off the handle and wreck a place!

This place warranted it! Surge said. Then he got a sly look. Say you doing anything now? Wanna get a beer?

Jenny shot him a highly unimpressed look. I literally, not ten minutes ago, heard you talking to your girlfriend.

Nah she was my side girl. I got a slot for a main girl!

Jenny groaned into her notepad. Surge glanced around, spotted me, and waved.

I waved back only for a pokemon to call out. Jynx~!

I glanced behind and found a Jynx waving from the gates of the manor at us no actually at Surge. He coughed and waved at her before marching into the house. I marched up to him and gave him a look.

Hey! Dont give me that look! he turned to the side to find Officer Jenny giving him the same look. He walked faster. Damn punks judging me! he said.

I sighed and shook my head only to pause as my transceiver buzzed. Sabrina? I said.

Surge spun about and nudged Jenny sending the much smaller woman stumbling. Heh! Hes getting called by his girlfriend as well!

I shot a look at him But didnt deny it. It was true.

Sabrina looked at me. Brock I see you have already raided your site. Well done. I am at the Plateau and we have begun interrogating Daniel. Were getting a number of facilities but are starting to get all that we can.

Thats good,. Are you feeling alright? I asked carefully.

Sabrina nodded her head. I am fine. I can do this with no issues. I small groan to the side made me know Officer Jenny from Pewter was listening in. Sabrinas eyes flickered off screen for a second before she said, Thank you for asking after me though. I appreciate it.

I snorted. Thats good to know. Surge and I took the Listening outpost with all the Rocket members but the last one destroyed some equipment. The police are still combing through the building.

A huff announced Agatha entering the conversation. Gym Leader Brock, you and Gym Leader Surge should make your way to League headquarters to debrief. A teleporting pokemon will be sent your way.

A moment later a familiar Alakazam appeared.

Debrief and then meet up with us, Agatha ordered. I nodded and hung up. I waved goodbye to Jenny from Vermillion as well as calling back my pokemon. Then I vanished in a teleport.

When I reappeared, I did so in a new clean building that just screamed high-tech and rich. Clear strips of metal ran along the floors and walls. With a number of signs indicating what room was in what direction.

Gym Leader Brock we meet again! said a voice from my nightmares.

I spun about my hand landing on my belt. Auditor Timothy! I said.

Next to me, Surge jumped backwards. Oh, shit where!? He spun about and took a defensive position.

Timothy laughed. Its wonderful to see you again. Sadly, this isnt a social visit though. I have been asked to compile a report. Shall we?

Urgh, I groaned. Do we have to? I said as I felt my heart rebel about being questioned by this Gengar puppeting a human body.

The man laughed jovially. Hahaha! Oh, yes, yes we must. Then he smiled, evilly, and indicated a possibly booby-trapped couch. Lets begin shall we? Get this all sorted out and filed away quickly!

I sat down and sighed. This was not how I expected this night to go.