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Spread out over the hood of a squad car were detailed floor plans of the Goldenrod Radio Tower. Each level of the building was clearly marked.
Next to them was a portable monitor. Looker tapped a few buttons, and a video began to play.
The footage was from internal surveillance early morning, the building bustling with employees rushing to their desks.
Everything seemed business as usual... until the sliding front doors opened, and a flood of Team Rocket grunts in black uniforms stormed in.
With the aid of their Pokémon, the Rockets quickly took control of the lobby. Screams echoed as terrified staff scattered, some managing to flee while others were surrounded.
The Rockets moved with practiced coordination, seizing control of the building layer by layer.
Then the footage cut out abruptly.
Kai narrowed his eyes. Looker's expression darkened.
"This is one of the boldest operations they've attempted in years," the agent said grimly. "I don't know what they're planning, but a stunt this public… Are they trying to declare war on the entire world?"
"Any contact from inside?" Kai asked.
Looker shook his head. "They've disabled the building's entire surveillance network. We're blind. Worse there are still people trapped inside. Hostages."
Just then, the monitor crackled.
A sharp static burst rang out, and the screen flickered before a new image abruptly took over.
Not just on their monitor every screen in sight changed. The giant LED billboard on the Radio Tower's front. Televisions in nearby stores. Phones in bystanders' pockets. All hijacked.
On screen appeared a woman with pink hair, clad in the familiar Rocket uniform. She stared directly into the camera.
"People of Johto," she declared, "we are Team Rocket. Today marks our return. All agents in the region, report to Goldenrod Tower immediately!"
Then her tone shifted, almost pleading.
"Giovanni, if you're watching this… join us."
The feed cut out.
The monitors returned to normal, but the tension that followed was heavy. Looker's brow was furrowed deep, a visible 'X' of concern across his forehead.
"What are they thinking?" he muttered. "Holding the tower is suicide. There's no escape route. And asking Giovanni to 'join' them? Doesn't that mean… this wasn't his plan?"
Kai's gaze was sharp. "From the message, it's clear they've lost contact with Giovanni. The Rocket cells in Johto are splintered. Their bases have been systematically wiped out. They're desperate; this broadcast is a last-ditch call for unity."
Looker nodded slowly, processing it. "You're right. They're trying to hold the region together with fear and spectacle. But this could also draw Giovanni out… That would be the perfect chance to end this once and for all."
Kai hesitated. He didn't agree.
Giovanni, ever since his identity as a Gym Leader had been exposed, had gone underground. He wasn't the type to show up in the spotlight, not anymore. This wasn't his style.
"If he's still out there," Kai said, "he's watching quietly from the shadows. But he's not walking into a trap like this."
Looker frowned, clearly thinking the same thing. "So what do you suggest?"
Kai offered his analysis. When he finished, Looker let out a long sigh.
"You're right again. I let my hopes cloud my judgment. This isn't Giovanni's hand. He's too calculated for a stunt like this."
Kai placed a hand on his shoulder. "It's still a major win. If we can shut down this operation, Johto's Rocket faction will be finished. Giovanni won't have any pieces left to play here."
That seemed to steel Looker's resolve. He gave a sharp nod.
"Then that's our priority cut off what's left of Team Rocket before they hurt anyone else."
With that, the plan snapped into motion.
Looker began barking orders. Riot squads assembled helmets, riot shields, and armored gear. A full assault unit, ready to move on his signal.
Then he turned to Kai again.
"This is where I need you, kid. While the police draw their attention from the front, I want you to slip in from the side. Find the hostages. And if you can take down whoever's leading this."
Kai smiled. "Now you're speaking my language."
He'd done this sort of thing too many times to count. Stealth, sabotage, infiltration he was almost too comfortable with it.
He turned to Erika, and just as expected, she was already looking at him ready.
He didn't need to ask. The fire in her eyes said it all: I'm going with you.
They shared a small nod, no words needed, and then huddled together to discuss their entry route.
The obvious exits, back doors, and rooftop access would all be heavily guarded. Team Rocket might be disorganized, but they weren't stupid.
Kai studied the building plans carefully, looking for alternatives. Air vents and maintenance shafts were too narrow to fit a person. Time was running out.
It was Erika who made the call. "What if we go through the upper windows?"
Kai looked up. The tower had many floors and lots of windows.
"Not bad," he said. "They don't have the manpower to cover every level. We'll be a ghost in their blind spot."
But there was one catch the space around the tower was wide open. Slipping in unnoticed would be tricky.
When they shared the idea with Looker, the agent gave them a grin. "That's no problem. I'll organize a feint a coordinated fake assault to draw their eyes. And smoke grenades. Lots of them."
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