Vermilion City—one of the most famous port cities in Kanto and also the largest.
Cruise ships from around the world dock here, and this constant influx of travelers ensures Vermilion remains perpetually bustling with people.
In the Kanto region, aside from the most prosperous metropolis, Saffron City, and the renowned commercial hub, Celadon City, Vermilion is arguably the region's flagship city.
After half a day on the boat, Lucas and Marnie finally arrived at Vermilion City from Cinnabar Island.
"Feels like there are way more people than a few days ago," Marnie remarked as they stepped out of the harbor.
They had taken the boat to Cinnabar Island just a few days ago from this very city.
But compared to then, the crowd today seemed noticeably larger—and judging from their clothes and demeanor, quite a few of them looked like high-ranking officials or wealthy elites.
"The S.S. Anne will be arriving tomorrow. As a world-famous luxury cruise liner that only docks in Vermilion once a year, it naturally draws a huge crowd," Lucas explained, showing no surprise.
Although it's called a luxury cruise ship, in truth, the S.S. Anne is more like a world-class naval cruiser.
Ships like that—symbols of status and luxury—are naturally beloved by aristocrats and successful types.
"I've heard of it too," Marnie said, tapping her chin thoughtfully. "The S.S. Anne travels around the world non-stop year-round. But I've also heard the ticket prices are insanely high."
"It's pointless," Lucas scoffed, his lips curling into a mocking smile. "Perfect for those self-indulgent types who love feeling important."
Rather than wasting time schmoozing with the so-called elite aboard a cruise ship, he'd much rather spend that time training his main team.
As they chatted, the two arrived at the Vermilion Gym.
"Let someone know that I'm here to visit Lt. Surge," Lucas said to a gym staff member who was loitering near the entrance.
"Hold on a moment," the staffer replied after sizing up Lucas, then turned and headed inside.
Thankfully, there was no melodramatic "lowly staff looking down on guests" scenario—Vermilion Gym was open to visitors.
Soon, Lt. Surge emerged from the doorway, a tall, muscular man in a black tank top. His eyes lit up when he saw Lucas.
"Heh~ Lucas! Long time no see!"
His fierce, scarred face broke into a grin wide enough to stop a crying baby, and he stepped forward to give Lucas a strong hug.
"Why didn't you tell me you were coming to Vermilion? I would've gone to pick you up myself!" he said, slinging an arm around Lucas's shoulder and laughing heartily. His cheerful personality was on full display.
"I just got off the boat. You really want to have a heart-to-heart right here?" Lucas chuckled.
Lt. Surge was a straightforward guy—rugged on the outside but surprisingly thoughtful on the inside. His boisterous, forthright nature, however, was no act.
"Haha~ come on in! You're on my turf now. Of course I've got to treat you right," Lt. Surge laughed as he led Lucas inside the gym.
As the Gym Leader of Vermilion, calling this city his territory wasn't an exaggeration.
In truth, the gym was much larger than the average person might imagine. In addition to the battlefields, most Gym Leaders also had private quarters inside.
In the Office.
Lt. Surge poured them both drinks himself. After clinking glasses with Lucas, he downed his drink in one gulp.
"Heh~ I think the last time we saw each other was at the base last year, right?" he said with a laugh. "I heard recently that little brat Carr went crying to Boss Giovanni to rat you out."
"You should've beaten that guy senseless. He's still as obnoxious as ever."
He wiped his mouth and grinned at Lucas.
Within Team Rocket, the so-called Three Executives, Four Generals, and Three Beasts were all high-ranking officers.
But being part of an evil organization didn't mean everyone got along.
In fact, the Three Executives—Giovanni's true confidants—never got along well with the Four Generals or the Three Beasts. Resentment and envy were common.
Lt. Surge, for one, couldn't stand Carr. That cocky little shorty, in his eyes, was completely full of himself.
"Snitching?" Marnie, sipping her juice nearby, blinked in surprise. Evil organization members do that? How... adorable?
But then she glanced at Lucas and immediately understood.
Yeah, makes sense. With how sharp-tongued Lucas can be sometimes, it's no wonder some coworkers would complain to the boss.
"That's all he's good for," Lucas replied with a light laugh. "Carr's capable, but too arrogant and stubborn. The boss sent him to Johto to polish him up a bit, but looks like it didn't really work."
He hadn't expected Carr to actually go complain to Giovanni. It was probably about the Entei incident—how petty.
But then again, what else could Carr do? He couldn't beat Lucas in a fight, couldn't outtalk him either. What option did he have other than tattling?
"Boss Giovanni puts too much faith in that little twerp. Even Archer is easier to deal with than him," Lt. Surge said, taking another swig of his drink with a disdainful snort.
Lucas just smiled, not bothering to comment. Internal politics between executives wasn't something he cared to get involved in.
"So, has the Three Legendary Birds project started already? You didn't get any assignments from the boss?" Lucas asked, tossing a cigarette to Lt. Surge before lighting one for himself.
The Three Legendary Birds operation was a big deal for Team Rocket, and it made sense for someone of Surge's position to be involved personally.
"Of course I got the call. I've already caught Zapdos," Surge replied with a grin, revealing a row of sharp white teeth. His rugged, fearsome face looked downright menacing.
As one of Giovanni's most trusted executives, there was no way Surge would be excluded from such an important mission.
And he didn't let Giovanni down—he had gone to the abandoned Power Plant and captured Zapdos.
"I've heard. Sabrina's finishing things in the Seafoam Islands now. She's probably wrapping things up to leave," Lucas said casually. "We recovered Articuno together."
That just left Moltres—likely assigned to Koga's team.
"Clicking their tongues in envy, huh? That Sabrina chick sure is hot, but she's got the personality of a block of ice," Surge muttered.
There was no denying that Sabrina was Team Rocket's resident beauty, but her cold, aloof demeanor was a pain. Even Surge, a brute of a man, found her emotionally draining.
"Oh right, speaking of missions, Archer contacted me recently. Said he wants to do something big," Surge added, raising an eyebrow at Lucas.
"Oh?" Lucas's eyes gleamed with interest.
"You know the S.S. Anne? Archer's planning to kidnap the captain!" Surge said, grinning wickedly.
(End of Chapter)