"Alright, your paperwork is processed. Since you've passed the written examination, you're cleared to enter the Team Rocket Headquarters directly."
"Kid, here's a map of the HQ. You'll need to present this to the logistics staff. The map marks their location clearly."
Panshi leaned in, his voice dropping to a low rumble. "One more thing. You've just secured a massive amount of credits—keep that to yourself. If word gets out, people will try to lean on you to hand them over. Until you're a formal member, trust nobody. Out of every hundred reserves, maybe twenty make the cut. Tuck away your mercy, kid. In this place, no one—myself included—is looking for redemption."
After that grim warning, the instructor closed his eyes to rest. Feng Che felt fortunate; so far, both Jessica and Panshi had proven to be pragmatic rather than predatory.
Following the map, Feng Che navigated a series of long, sterile corridors until he reached the Logistics Department, also known as the Exchange Center. This was the heart of the base's supply chain, handling everything from gear to Pokémon.
"Reserve Member Kongjian, here is your key card. Given your exceptional performance in the initial trials, you've been assigned a private studio apartment for the duration of your stay. Your temporary uniform is already in the room. Your 20-credit bonus for the written exam has been credited to your account. Use them wisely; waste is not tolerated here."
The logistics staff were surprisingly polite—likely a result of seeing Feng Che's high initial scores. In Team Rocket, your standing was dictated by your efficiency and success rate.
"Thank you."
Feng Che took the card but didn't head straight to the dorms. Instead, he took a lap around the base to get his bearings. The facility was immense, divided into several key sectors: the Residential Zone, the Trading Market, the Training Grounds, and the Shop.
The Residential Zone housed the dorms and a cafeteria where prices were reasonable—a bottle of fresh Moomoo Milk cost only 2 credits, and a 4-credit buffet was available. The Trading Market was a "buyer beware" hub where members bartered goods and credits; a place where a sharp eye could find a fortune and a dull one could lose everything. The Training Grounds featured a twenty-story skyscraper packed with specialized equipment. Finally, the Shop offered quality-guaranteed goods at a 10% markup compared to the outside world, backed by an official appraisal and complaint system.
After finishing his tour, Feng Che located his room: Suite 718. The 60-square-meter studio was clean and functional, featuring a kitchen, a bathroom, a desk with a slim laptop, and a single preserved rose for decoration. On the desk lay a letter.
Greetings, Candidate!
Congratulations on reaching the second phase of the evaluation. You are required to report to the Main Training Field tomorrow at 9:00 AM. There, you will receive your first Pokémon.
Signed,Your lovely and brilliant Instructor, Viper.
Feng Che let out a long breath. "So they do provide Pokémon. Tomorrow will be all about the selection."
In this world, Poké Balls were semi-transparent, allowing one to see the silhouette of the inhabitant. Combined with his ability to hear their inner voices, Feng Che had a massive edge.
They won't let us release them to test their strength, he reasoned. It'll be like opening a blind box. You can see the species, but not the potential. So, what should I aim for?
Given Team Rocket's standard stock, the pool would likely consist of Meowth, Ekans, Koffing, Rattata, Oddish, and Spearow.
I need a powerhouse to survive this cutthroat environment. That means Rattata and Oddish are out. Rattata is a weakling until it learns Super Fang, and as the saying goes, 'Three Rattata aren't worth one Meowth.' Oddish is a support specialist—Sleep Powder, Stun Spore, Poison Powder—but as a Master Breeder and Healer, I already fill the support role. I need an attacker.
Meowth is fast but lacks early-game punch. Spearow is fierce but notoriously difficult to train due to its temper. That leaves Ekans and Koffing.
Feng Che set his sights on Ekans.
As an apex predator, Ekans offered raw aggression and learned moves like Poison Sting and Bite early on. Its evolution, Arbok, was a versatile tool capable of learning the "Elemental Fangs"—Fire Fang, Ice Fang, and Thunder Fang. It was a universal "Swiss Army Knife" of a Pokémon. Furthermore, Ekans was a capable swimmer, giving it utility against Water-types.
If I have the choice, Ekans will be my primary partner.
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