Silas had Jessie and James travel to Vermillion separately rather than accompanying him.
While it would have been safer to keep the group together, safety wasn't the objective.
Experience was. The two had grown tremendously over the past month, but growth obtained through training alone could only take them so far.
If they wanted to become competent Team Rocket operatives, they needed to learn how to function independently.
Those experiences would prove valuable in the future. As for Silas himself, he took advantage of one of his newest privileges.
Thanks to his contribution toward Team Rocket's acquisition of teleporter technology, he had been granted 3 free teleporter uses per month. Any additional uses would still cost points, but only half of what ordinary members paid.
It was a significant benefit.
Time was one of the most valuable resources a trainer possessed.
Instead of spending days traveling across Kanto, Silas simply stepped into a teleportation chamber and arrived at his destination moments later.
The sensation remained strange every time.
One moment he was standing in Celadon and the next, he was standing in Vermillion.
Upon arriving, Silas immediately headed toward the local Team Rocket base.
Unlike the Celadon Base hidden beneath the Game Corner or the Cerulean Base concealed within the Daycare Center, Vermillion's operation was located deep beneath Diglett's Cave.
The location was ingenious. Very few people paid attention to Diglett's Cave.
Most trainers simply used it as a shortcut between routes before continuing on their journey.
Deep beneath Diglett's Cave, however, Team Rocket operated one of its largest facilities in all of Kanto.
Reinforced tunnels stretched in every direction. Steel blast doors protected critical sections.
Research laboratories, storage bays, command centers, and transportation hubs filled the underground complex.
Entire sections of the facility had been carved directly into the bedrock.
The most surprising aspect was the cave's unusual residents.
Unlike most pokemon habitats, Diglett's Cave was remarkably peaceful. The local Diglett and Dugtrio actually cooperated with Team Rocket.
In exchange for valuable minerals and specialized ground-type resources, the pokemon assisted in tunnel construction and maintenance.
The arrangement benefited both sides.
Team Rocket received a constantly expanding underground network.
The Diglett received food and resources they would otherwise struggle to obtain.
As a result, the tunnels remained exceptionally stable despite their size.
Onix occasionally passed through the area as well but conflicts were rare.
For a place filled almost entirely with ground-type pokemon, Diglett's Cave was surprisingly tranquil.
Nobody would ever suspect that one of Team Rocket's most important bases existed beneath it.
When Silas finally entered the facility, he couldn't help feeling impressed.
The scale dwarfed most of the locations he had visited. Personnel moved constantly through the corridors.
Scientists discussed projects while low level grunts transported supplies.
The base felt alive.
According to Team Rocket records, it was the second-largest Rocket installation in Kanto.
That alone spoke volumes. As he walked through the complex, Silas remembered something.
The Gym Leader of Vermillion City wasn't simply a Gym Leader. Lt. Surge was secretly a Team Rocket Executive.
The revelation still felt strange. Publicly, Surge was a decorated war veteran and respected League trainer.
Privately, he held significant authority within Team Rocket.
Bruno had also mentioned that Surge knew Silas' parents before their deaths on the battlefield.
The thought lingered in his mind. If time permitted, perhaps he would pay the gym a visit. Not as Odin but as Silas.
For now, however, the mission came first.
He intended to scout Vermillion City as Silas and execute the operation as Odin.
Maintaining both identities remained important.
After spending some time familiarizing himself with the city, Silas eventually returned to the base to attend the mission briefing.
He never expected his first obstacle would be waiting in the hallway.
A tall red-haired woman walked toward him.
Her stance exhuded elegance, confidence, and danger all at once.
An Umbreon walked silently at her side. Its black fur seemed to absorb the surrounding light while the golden rings along its body emitted a faint glow.
The pokemon moved without making a sound as if it were a living shadow.
Silas instinctively scanned it.
Umbreon (F) — Level 81
Ability: Synchronize
Potential: A-
Moves: Rank A Light Screen, Rank A Protect, Rank A Reflect, Rank A Foul Play, Rank A Snarl, Rank A Protect, Rank A Growl, Rank A Heal Bell, Rank A Iron Tail, Rank A Bite, Rank A Quick Attack, Rank A Helping Hand, Rank A Dark Pulse, Rank A Shadow Ball, Rank A Moonlight, Rank B Wish, Rank B Psychic, Rank B Calm Mind, Rank B Thunder Wave, Rank B Taunt, Rank B Razor Wind, Rank B Substitute, Rank B Facade, Rank B Dig, Rank B Swift
Silas nearly stopped walking.
It's movepool and level were absurd. That Umbreon alone could annihilate Spartan 10 times over.
The woman noticed his gaze and to Silas' surprise, she stopped directly in front of him.
"You must be Odin."
Her voice was pleasant. Unfortunately, the pressure behind it wasn't.
"I am Ariana, an Admin. I have heard only good things about you from Archer so I will overlook you ogling me just now."
Her eyes narrowed slightly.
"There will not be another chance."
A chill ran down Silas' spine.
His instincts screamed danger. The hallway suddenly felt much smaller.
"Apologies, Ma'am. It won't happen again."
The truth was that he wasn't staring at her. He was staring at Umbreon. Specifically, he was staring at that ridiculous movepool. Making that distinction seemed unwise.
"Ew."
Ariana made a face.
"Do not call me Ma'am like I am some old hag."
Silas immediately recognized the trap.
"You will refer to me as Miss Ariana."
"Yes, Miss Ariana. I understand. Once again, I apologize for my rudeness."
Ariana looked satisfied so Silas internally sighed in relief. People like Ariana existed everywhere. The easiest way to deal with them was simple.
Tell them what they wanted to hear.
He wasn't strong enough to challenge her authority. Therefore, there was no reason to create unnecessary conflict.
Ariana eventually stopped before a reinforced door. Umbreon stood beside her like a silent guardian with its glowing yellow rings.
Ariana pressed a panel and the door slid open. Inside was a briefing room with a holographic projection floating above a large circular table.
Silas immediately recognized Vermillion Harbor with the massive SS Anne resting at its docks. Even as a projection, the luxury liner looked impressive.
The projection zoomed in.
"The SS Anne arrives in a few days."
She highlighted the upper decks.
"That evening, the captain will host a private gathering aboard the ship."
The projection shifted again.
Silas could see every detail as if it was a 3d image generated from the blueprints. Knowing Team Rocket, that wasn't out of the question.
The technology itself was impressive.
"Most of Kanto's elite will be present," Ariana continued.
"Politicians. Wealthy merchants. Corporate executives."
Her finger moved.
"And a handful of trainers important enough to make this operation inconvenient."
Silas immediately caught the implication.
"With all those high-profile guests, I assume some elite class trainers will be attending as well?"
Ariana smiled.
"Yes."
Umbreon's rings glowed slightly brighter.
"There will be an Elite Four member overseeing security."
Silas wasn't surprised.
Something this valuable would naturally attract serious protection.
"The Dragon Prodigy has accepted the invitation."
Lance.
Silas immediately understood.
If Lance was personally attending, then Team Rocket's interest made much more sense.
Ariana continued.
"Officially, the captain wishes to display an unusual discovery from his latest voyage. Unofficially, we know the truth."
The projection changed. A cargo container appeared highlighted in red.
"Several months ago, the SS Anne recovered biological remains from an unidentified legendary pokemon."
Silas' attention sharpened instantly.
Legendary.
That changed everything.
"DNA samples, tissue fragments, possibly even viable cells."
The implications were enormous.
Ariana tapped the display.
"Silph Co has already expressed interest."
If even a fraction of the material remained viable, the scientific value would be incalculable.
Ariana looked directly at Silas as her smile widened.
"Naturally, they will not be leaving the ship with it."
The projection expanded further and additional cargo appeared.
There were evolutionary stones, ancient fossils, deep sea pearls, combat held items, rare herbs, rare metals, etc.
Each item would be worth a fortune individually. Together they represented wealth beyond what most trainers would ever see.
Silas folded his arms.
"So this is a full raid?"
"Not exactly."
The map split into multiple sections.
"This is a precision strike disguised as a raid."
That immediately sounded more like Team Rocket.
Ariana began explaining the operation.
Several Rocket teams would infiltrate the party disguised as guests.
Once the signal was given, those teams would attack cargo areas and wealthy passengers.
The chaos would draw attention.
League trainers would respond and security forces would mobilize in response but meanwhile, the true objective would proceed elsewhere. Ariana pointed toward another section of the ship.
"While the distraction unfolds, I will handle Lance and any other elite trainers."
Silas glanced toward Umbreon then back toward Ariana.
"You're confident you can fight someone like Lance?"
Ariana laughed softly.
"My dear Odin."
The way she said his codename made him uncomfortable.
"I do not need to defeat him."
Her smile sharpened.
"I merely need to keep him occupied."
Silas remained silent.
"You would do well not to underestimate Team Rocket's Admins."
The statement wasn't arrogance.
It was fact.
Silas had already seen enough to understand that. Her Umbreon alone was proof.
Then Ariana shifted the conversation.
"While Lance is occupied, several Elite Officers will execute the true retrieval mission."
The projection zoomed toward another location aboard the vessel, the captain's private quarters.
Silas immediately understood.
"The meteorite."
Ariana nodded.
"The meteorite containing the legendary pokemon DNA."
Then her eyes settled on him.
"You will be participating."
Silas frowned slightly.
"Why me?"
Ariana's smile widened again.
"Because Archer believes in you."
That wasn't reassuring.
"You successfully stole the blueprints for revolutionary technology without triggering alarms."
She leaned forward slightly.
"I am willing to see what else you can accomplish."
Then her expression changed.
The warmth disappeared.
"If something goes wrong, i would be very interested to see how much Archer truly values you."
The message couldn't have been clearer. Failure was unacceptable.
Silas felt another chill.
This mission had become significantly more dangerous than he originally expected.
Before he could respond, a new voice spoke from behind him.
"We'll also be participating in the retrieval mission."
Silas turned.
A familiar boy and a girl roughly his age entered the briefing room.
The girl had crimson hair like Ariana and sharp red eyes that seemed to analyze everything around her. She had a darker complexion than most, with only people like Silas and Brock being darker.
Beside her walked a broad-shouldered young man with thick arms and a naturally intimidating build. Silas was surprised to recognize the familiar face.
Both newcomers looked competent. Judging by Ariana's lack of reaction, they were likely Elite Officers as well.
Silas had a feeling the SS Anne mission had just become even more interesting.