บท 42: 42. Gastly
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Sabrina asked calmly, "So, how do we get in?"
Kai glanced up at the monitors around the Silph Co. building, then surveyed the area and pointed to a nearby office tower.
"That building is only half as tall as the Silph Co. tower. If we can access the roof and get inside from there, we can avoid the Team Rocket grunts stationed at the base."
Sabrina didn't argue. She followed Kai across the street, blending in with a crowd of white-collar workers as they entered the adjacent office building.
The two took the elevator to the top floor. At the stairwell leading to the roof, Sabrina used her psychic powers to break the lock, allowing them to proceed unimpeded.
'Psychic powers really are incredibly convenient,' Kai thought.
The cold wind greeted them as they stepped onto the rooftop. Kai walked to the edge of the railing and looked out.
From this height, the cars on the street below seemed like tiny toys. The Silph Co. tower stood some distance away, looming imposingly.
"What's the matter? Are you scared?" Sabrina asked, her voice soft.
"It's not fear," Kai admitted, "though my legs are trembling a bit. But there's no way I'm backing down now."
He scanned the tower across the gap, his sharp eyes quickly spotting a broken floor-to-ceiling window likely damaged during Team Rocket's incursion.
Beyond the shattered glass was an office, now abandoned due to the chaos.
"That's our entry point!" Kai declared.
Sabrina nodded slightly in agreement. Kai then turned to his Kirlia, motioning for her to come closer.
Kirlia wrapped her small arms around his waist, ready to teleport.
In an instant, they vanished, reappearing moments later in the abandoned office within the Silph Co. tower.
Kai turned to look back across the gap and saw Sabrina effortlessly levitating toward them.
She floated in through the window, landing gracefully.
'Of course, psychic powers,' he thought wryly. Must be nice.
When they regrouped, Kai whispered, "Gastly."
A ghostly form emerged from his shadow. "What's up?" it asked.
Before Kai could respond, Sabrina's hand flew to her mouth in surprise.
"It... can talk?"
Gastly shot her a sidelong glance. "What's so surprising about that? It's just human language, after all. Kid, you've got a lot to learn about the world."
"Enough," Kai interjected, waving a hand. "No need to be smug, Gastly. I need you to scout the area. Focus on locating Team Rocket's positions."
"Got it," Gastly replied before phasing through the wall and disappearing.
Sabrina watched the ghost Pokémon leave, then turned her attention back to Kai, her expression one of quiet curiosity.
"Trainer, member of Interpol, and you have a talking Gastly... I didn't expect someone my age to have experienced so much."
"I'm nothing compared to you," Kai replied, his tone light. "You're a gym leader with psychic powers. That's way more impressive."
Sabrina didn't react to the compliment, instead pressing on. "Do you know what Team Rocket's goal is here?"
Kai shook his head. "No idea," he admitted. "I can barely remember anything about Silph Co. from the games it's been too long. But it must involve the company president."
He took out his phone and frowned. As he'd suspected, there was no signal, just like aboard the S.S. Anne.
It wasn't long before Gastly returned. "Most of the grunts are concentrated on the top and bottom floors," it reported. "The middle floors have fewer guards."
"What about the staff?" Kai asked.
"They've been herded into a few rooms and are being guarded separately. But it doesn't seem like Team Rocket plans to hurt them, at least for now."
"What's our next move?" Sabrina asked.
Kai thought for a moment. "We can't save everyone by ourselves, but if we rescue the company president, we could disrupt Team Rocket's plans. That seems like our best bet."
Sabrina nodded. "Dangerous, but reasonable. Don't worry I promised to help, and I will."
"That's reassuring," Kai said with a small smile.
Taking a deep breath, he peered cautiously into the hallway but quickly pulled back. "There's a security camera ahead. If we step out now, they'll spot us. We need to take out the surveillance first."
He turned to Gastly. "Split up. Find the security room and disable their system. Meet us on the top floor when you're done."
Gastly grinned mischievously. "Leave it to me! Breaking stuff is my speciality!" With that, it dissolved into the shadows.
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Silph Co., Security Room – Ground Floor
Two Team Rocket grunts sat watching the monitors, their eyes glued to the screens.
They had strict orders from both the boss and their squad leaders: maintain vigilance at all times.
Despite being part of an "evil organization," Team Rocket treated its members surprisingly well.
The group had access to significant resources, including Pokémon, high-tech equipment, and competitive salaries.
They even hosted social events like tea parties and team-building activities, fostering loyalty among their ranks.
Suddenly, a voice crackled over the intercom. "How's everything looking down there?" It was a smooth, almost mocking tone.
"All clear outside, sir!" one grunt replied, his voice tense.
"And inside?" the voice pressed.
The grunt scanned the screens. "No anomalies detected on any floor, sir."
"Excellent," the voice said. "Stay alert and report any changes immediately."
"Yes, sir!"
The grunt set down the walkie-talkie and wiped his forehead. "No matter how many times I talk to the higher-ups, it's nerve-wracking every time," he muttered.
He waited for his partner to chime in, but there was no response. Confused, he turned around to see the other grunt slumped over the console, unmoving.
"Hey, quit messing around!" he barked, shaking his companion. "How can you fall asleep on the job—"
"Hehehehheheheh!"
Before he could finish, a sinister laugh echoed through the room, sending chills down his spine.
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