Chapter 163: Schoool's out... forever!

Chapter 163: Schoool's out... forever!

The discovery of the Team Rocket Academy was a big win for the League.

I hadnt quite understood the depth of this win until Sabrina spoke up.

The Rocket Academy is a facility that is a lynchpin in the Team Rocket organisation, she said indicating the map with the site clearly marked out. It is a site that allows them to train both pokemon and people to meet their needs. From this one site, much of Team Rockets soft and hard power is developed.

I nodded and stepped up to inspect the map.

Lance frowned at the location and shook his head. How have we missed this site for so long? Surely someone would have learned of it in the past?

Sabrina shook her head. This site holds to war standards of information security. All electronic devices will be disabled prior to any person stepping foot in the Academy, with multiple checkpoints. The building itself is hidden within a valley that obscures it. There are also multiple patrols roaming around the mountains that act as observers. With the distance of the facility, it is not going to be picked up through traditional or modern methods. It is only with our capture of Executive Petrel that we learned the location.

Lance nodded his head. What about how they supply the facility?

Sabrina raised a hand and moved a marker from Cerulean north. They take a truck north and have it ambushed outside the city once it has passed a number of checkpoints. She then Teleported the marker a significant distance to the northwest. They use a large team of Hypno to Teleport the truck that brings in supplies and new recruits. This makes it impossible to track without another Psychic which is closely watched for. Even the Ghost specialists that Agatha has used in the past have not been able to infiltrate.

Agatha sniffed. They make sure no pokemon that are previously owned are allowed into the Academy. Any flying type seen above the Academy is culled lest they are passing a message to another.

I whistled, impressed at the security they were putting into this. All this for a place to teach their Grunts to be evil? I said jokingly.

No one laughed. Sabrina shook her head. The Academy site works in many different roles for Team Rocket beyond a training facility. It works as an indoctrination facility, with Hypno being engaged during lessons to loosen their reluctance for certain morals, or not shying away from theft.

She then gestured at the marker again and the display began to change as she telekinetically began to draw a rudimentary map. Team Rocket also uses this as a site to hold all the pokemon they steal from trainers. It is here that pokemon are brainwashed or have their memories repressed with specialised equipment to make them follow trainers not their own. It is host to thousands of pokemon that act as a reserve for Team Rocket.

Thousands? One of the G-men agents asked. How are they keeping the site hidden? This doesnt make sense! He waved his hand about. The requirements for food alone!

I felt a memory of a talk Id had with Oak click into place. Theyre using the electronic transfer system that is still being debated, arent they? All those pokemon are being dropped into the cyberspace of a server where they are held in true suspended animation.

Shit! Lance swore. They have an army of pokemon at their beck and call Worse! If were not careful, a lot of pokemon will be hostages.

Janine and I can Koga began to say only for Sabrina to speak over him.

This is not as simple as disconnecting the power, in fact, that should be avoided at all costs. We will not be able to conduct a typical raid with the destruction of power to sow confusion or disable the cameras.

I clicked my tongue. Urgh, maximum difficulty then? I asked.

Sabrina nodded her head. I will not be able to Teleport within as they also have significant Dark emitters in place which are, again, tied to the electrical grid.

This caused a round of murmurs to break out and Lance swept his hand out. We will hold off on any comments until we have the entire picture. Sabrina, continue your report of the situation, Lance said, inclining his head to her.

Sabrina, now finished drawing her rudimentary map, nodded. At any time there are roughly one hundred Rocket trainees on site, along with at least twenty trainers.

I heard someone muttering something about that being a better ratio of students to teachers than most schools offered, but that died off as Lance levelled a glare in their direction.

There are also usually two Executive level Team Rocket members on staff that serve as the Principal and Vice-principal. The only reason we have as much information as we do through capturing Executive Petrel is that he once served as the vice-principal under Executive Ariana.

Hmmm, fortuitous, said Lance with a pleased expression.

Koga snorted. It is a potential trap is what it is! He glared at everyone who had nodded along with Lance. Team Rocket did not become the threat it is today thanks to sloppiness! We are patting ourselves on the back for their failure to steal the Masterball and the designs from Silph Co. but we must not become complacent!

I grimaced. Koga was right, this could potentially be a trap. I glanced around. How did the League capture Petrel?

One of the League officials shifted. He was at a site that we had learned about through an informant. The Silph Co. raid has caused some members of Team Rocket to reach out for amnesty. Also, it seems their training and Hypno therapy to lose their morals isnt completely effective, as some did object to the raid on Saffron City. That is where we got the information for the raid which we acted on to capture Petrel.

That made me relax only for Koga to grunt. It could be a double bluff, he said, but that seemed less likely to me.

It seemed more like Lance was striking while the iron was hot and had been able to capitalise on the moment.

Lance leaned forward. We will need to act on this quickly. We will need to be decisive in our raid. The pokemon database and the generators that supply those structures will be vital. To cover for any potential damage to the generators, we need pokemon that can supply the electrical demands. The League has some specialised Electabuzz that can assist in this regard and will be attached to whoever is assigned to securing the servers that the pokemon are on.

I raised a hand. We also need to deny access to the withdrawal features of the servers. Having them stuck in there isnt as much an issue as having them come flooding out. Even disoriented pokemon will create chaos that we cant allow.

Lance nodded. Correct. He then leaned forward. That is why Agatha will be the first person to go in to secure the critical points. She can slip through any gaps in the dark emission. I very much doubt they have all the angles covered. Not for a site this big. If not, there will be other methdos she can use, he said elusively.

Lance then waved a hand towards Koga. Koga will be working to take over the access site to deny any and all Team Rocket members from withdrawing any pokemon!

He then slashed his hand. We will form two main groups for this raid. I shall lead one, and Brock, I want you to be the centre of the other."

I nodded, pleased that he was trusting me to hold one point.

Lorelei will be holding down the fort here along with Gym Leader Clair. Sabrina and Bruno will be joining us to attack from the side once we have drawn enough of Team Rocket away from their base.

Sabrina inclined her head while Bruno merely grunted.

Lance chopped his hand. This will be decisive and swift! Capture all that we can, as we have the facilities set up to deal with them."

Koga and Agatha shared a look. When did this occur? Agatha asked.

It is something that I was able to create in the last month. The League, while slow, has not been idle." Lance said. He then nodded to the side. Lorelei has been working on creating specialised camps to hold any prisoners.

Lorelei puffed her chest out, and I had to shoot her a look of surprise. I hadnt heard anything about that being created, and interestingly enough, the same seemed true of Agatha and Koga.

Agatha had a sour look on her face before it morphed into one of resignation.

I suppose I cant be told these things with my being on the way out now, can I? Agatha asked.

Youve got other duties, Lance pointed out, only to shake his head. If anything, it is more an oversight on my part. I have not handed out tasks in the past to my Elite Four and instead ran everything. That will change going forward, I cant give you too many tasks but I will give you some to handle If my guess is right, your replacement will have similar capabilities as yourself, so they will be able to fill the same roles.

Hmpf! Agatha said as though the very thought of her being replaced offended her.

I suspected she was merely putting on a show, though. If what Lance had said was correct, he was paying a lot of attention to Karen, which would suit the Guardians objective of inserting her as another Elite Four member.

I gave the map another look, committing what we had to memory before the upcoming raid.

Agatha walked up to me only to pause. Brock, were going to use this moment to

Agatha! called Lance disrupting whatever shed been about to say to me. He waved a hand and she scowled at him.

I am not a Growlithe young man! she said as she wandered up to him. Lance bowed his head and said something to her before indicating Koga. The trio all walked out and I went back to looking over the map before joining the group Id been assigned.

Hopefully, I would have some good League agents to work with.

Agent Looker checked his watch before looking at me. Brock, it is time, he said.

I stood and waved a hand. Looker was ostensibly in charge of the group, but I could feel a lot of eyes on me as I moved to the front. As Lance had said, he and I were to act as the big threats of the attacking force.

Koga had already gone ahead of us. He had a list of sites that he was going to disable quietly, the chief of which would be a few dark emitters to allow Sabrina to enter. If she was able to get freedom of movement, we would have a lot more options. At least thats what we hoped would occur. It would depend on what Koga found in their system.

I doubted things would go that smoothly.

The academy itself was a large facility, and restricting Teleport would already be challenging despite the specialist Houndour and Growlithe that we had in our teams with Mean Look.

It felt a little different to be storming a base rather than sneaking in.

Perhaps it was the difference of working with a big organisaiton versus a small unit?

I had to admit that so far I was biased towards small unit tactics, but that was only because Id succeeded with all of them, whereas moving as a large group of people felt so slow.

I paused and glanced around for anyone wearing red shirts or uniforms that made me itch. I ended up pointing at two men. Hey, you two, I want you behind me when we move, I said.

They shared a look at each other as they moved over. Uhmm? Alright? said one of them.

Was this because I was being too loud? Sorry, I am just so proud of my newborn! Shes adorable! said the other.

I nodded. Uhuh, and if you want to keep gushing over her, get your head on a swivel and start paying attention.

That made him shut up and start looking around, suddenly much more serious.

Huh, said the other man. Whyd you call me out, if you mind me asking? Is it because Im an expert pokemon nurturer and will be vital? he said puffing up.

Hmmm, yeah, sure, I said, mentally replacing expert with target. Honestly, Id picked two people that stood out as waving death flags before the encounter.

Looker glanced over at both men and shot me an inscrutable look.

As we moved along, I noted how the part of the valley that we were moving through was starting to become pinched. I frowned at the walls of the valley, my mind itching with how this was a perfect point for

Looker merely nodded, but the Haunter itself must have heard me as it glanced in my direction only to stiffen. I blinked and eyed it. It looked familiar.

Wait! I recognise you! I said, narrowing my eyes.

The Haunter started backpedaling.

Youre Jennys Haunter! I said as I remembered where Id seen this pokemon.

I glanced around. Id seen a lot of other Jennys standing around but I hadnt seen Pewters Officer Jenny. It was probably a case of not seeing the tree due to the forest or something, but now she stood out as she stepped forward with a pleased expression.

Reporting in! she said, offering me a salute.

I gave her a nod. Hey you! Why didnt you say anything? I asked.

She shrugged. Its not so easy to approach you when youre just casually hanging out with Lance, Agatha, Koga, Bruno, and the other bigwigs, you know?

I tilted my head. Theyre just people, though?

Jenny rolled her eyes. Yeah, sure, but thats because youre just as crazy as them! she said.

She gestured to herself. If I just walked up, people would think I was brown nosing!

I shrugged. Eh, just tell them were friends.

Jenny blinked and stared at me, having obviously not considered that herself.

She coughed and shook her head at me. Well, maybe! But you didnt say anything to me either! I considered pointing out that I hadnt picked her out, given how shed been standing with her cousins and aunties.

I frowned and looked around as an idle thought came to me. Yeah I think I was a bit caught up in how many people there were. I started counting. In our group alone, there were eleven Jennys that I could see. I looked back and noticed that my counting had not gone unseen.

Jenny gave me a dubious look. What are you doing?

"Nothing; Im just realising that this is the most police Ive seen together. I hadnt really stopped to consider it before but with the two big groups plus those that will be helping out with processing this is a pretty big operation, isnt it? I said.

One of the biggest! Jenny said happily.

Next to me, Looker snorted. Jenny and I glanced at him, and he smirked. Sorry, its just that this is bigger than you realise.

We both gave him expectant looks at that, but he waved a hand. Sorry, I cant say anything right now, but in a few hours we should be free to discuss it.

He inclined his head toward the awaiting facility that was built into the valley wall. For now, we need to secure the base. Officer Jenny, have Haunter scout ahead; if possible, link up with Agatha and then clear us a route to the servers and dark emitters!

Sir! Jenny said, saluting. Haunter, who was still eyeing me, copied her before zipping away to complete its task.

Looker glanced around, pleased at what he was seeing, only to pause. Whered Vice-principal Carl go?! he said.

I stiffened in surprise as my gaze swept around the area.

Id thought him locked down, but it seemed that he had more tricks up his sleeve.

Around us, cuffed Rocket Grunts also perked up and looked around. A few glowered, instead of looking pleased at their Executives escape.

I sidled over and caught a pair of Rockets whispering to each other. Damn it! Thats just like Carl! I bet him and Principal Sham have disguised themselves and run off like usual! This is just another day of training for them!

I frowned. Theyre skilled at disguise? I said.

The pair of Rockets twitched in fear, only to glance up, noticing how close Id gotten. They swallowed and shared a look with each other.

Uhm shit, what are we supposed to do now? said one.

I dont know! I still havent completed the course on what to do when captured! said the other.

I chuckled and knelt down. Oh thats easy; this is where you throw your boss under the stampeding Tauros, I said. Honestly, its standard practise in police actions like this. We let go of little fish like yourselves all the time for the chance to snag a big fish.

I smiled winningly and winked. Standard business for cases like this, I said.

The Rocket trainees seemed to consider this before nodding. Principal Sham and Carl are both masters of disguise. They train us in how to slip into places without raising alarms, or in some cases, get out without raising suspicion. Theyre both masters, and they run drills like this and demonstrate how to get out without anyone noticing.

Interesting, said a voice from behind me. I twitched and glanced behind me. I hadnt heard Looker approach, but his gaze had turned from the pair of trainees to those around him.

He rubbed his chin for a moment before nodding to himself. Looker? I called, only for him to wave a hand.

Im fine, Brock. Im just going to have to accept that Vice Principal Carl got the best of me with how slippery he was, he said over his shoulder.

I sighed and stood. Uhmmm, about that offer? said the trainee as I began to move away.

I glanced back and nodded. Oh right, Ill put in a good word for you, I said, deciding to give them something, despite how unhelpful their information had been. I got their names and had them given a spot to the side of their fellow trainees. They received a lot of glares, which had them leaning away from their companions.

I looked around and found Looker walking through the other cuffed Rockets, sharing some words with trainers and police officers that were corralling the Rockets into orderly groups that could be supervised as Officer Jenny awaited word from her Haunter.

I started looking around the valley itself. There didnt seem to be anywhere that Carl could have gotten away from running or flight. Which left

Bertha, Titan, I need you to Dig and check that someone hasnt burrowed down to escape, I said.

Looker paused, hearing this order, and shot me a nod of appreciation.

Both pokemon threw themselves into the ground, and everyone held their breath.

A few moments later, Titan and Bertha both emerged, only to shake their heads. I clicked my tongue. Thanks, I said while scratching my head. How had Carl gotten past us?

That was a good idea Gym Leader Brock. Vice Principal Carl could have escaped that way, Looker said, walking up and checking a Rockets cuffs before nodding at the man overseeing the collection of pokeballs.

Yeah, but he didn't, so were left scratching our heads. I sighed and shook my head. I just cant see how he escaped.

Looker chuckled, and I shot him a confused look. Whats so funny?

Oh, just that youre so young. You have a good mind for this, but you have to understand. Carl hasnt gotten away yet, he said pointedly.

Before I could question him on this, Looker lashed out with his hand and chopped the police officer that had been collecting the downed Rockets pokeballs in the throat.

The man gasped in shock, making to throw out a pokeball to protect himself, only for Looker to kick the other mans feet out from underneath him.

As he fell Looker grabbed him by the arm and twisted it so that he fell into the ground and was held with his arm held behind his back. Looker knelt on him.

People stirred in shock, and one man even pointed his pokemon toward Looker, only for a gasp to rip through everyone as the man on the ground turned his head to shoot Looker a hateful glare.

Everyone stared at Vice-Principal Carl as he glared over his shoulder at Looker.

"How?" snarled Carl. How did you know to keep looking for me?

Looker snorted. Please! It was elementary to realise that if you couldnt escape, you had to still be amongst us!

Around me, a few policemen slapped their foreheads as they grasped the truth of what Looker was saying.

My disguise though!? It was perfect! said Carl.

To some, perhaps, Looker said, only to signal for another to move in and cuff Carl. Keep a very close eye on him. Dont give him a moment alone; that means even toilet breaks. Constant supervision, he said.

A pair of Machoke lifted Carl to march him off with a pair of police officers of his own. Wait! No! You have to tell me what was wrong with my disguise! said Carl plaintively.

Looker laughed. I really dont! he said. I chuckled at Carls shocked expression and then moved to join the others as Haunter returned with a Gengar.

A thumbs up from both pokemon saw Looker signalling for the next part of the academy raid to begin.

Before that, I stepped up to Looker. Mind sating my curiosity? I asked quietly.

Looker smirked. You could say Im something of a disguise artist myself, and I can recognise another working their craft, he said, and I felt a memory stir about another Looker in the anime.

Hed been almost equal to some of Jessie and James disguises, hadnt he?

Huh, I thought to myself as I watched him direct how the next phase of the raid would proceed.

He was probably understating his skills, if anything.

I released Gawain and called Shin, Hypnotoad, and Shrek to move with us as we moved into the building.