"So... how should I get to the upper floor now?" Ash stood in the corridor, contemplating his next move. Should he take the stairs or the elevator?
Naturally, he could choose either in the game, needing only to find the elevator key. However, in reality, such game mechanics didn't exist.
"Let's take the stairs first." Ash gritted his teeth and opted for the stairs. After all, he wasn't a Team Rocket member and didn't know their protocols. If discovered, he could escape more easily.
Taking a deep breath to calm himself, Ash, with Pikachu on his shoulder, walked towards the hall. His presence naturally attracted the attention of the Team Rocket members.
One member, seemingly their leader, frowned upon seeing Ash and was about to approach him but was stopped by another grunt.
The grunt winked at Ash and whispered something to the leader. The leader's expression softened, and he nodded, dismissing Ash.
Ash felt relieved. The grunt's carelessness had inadvertently helped him, though Ash felt no gratitude towards the Rocket.
Under the watchful eyes of the other members, Ash walked towards the stairs and ascended to the second floor.
The other Rockets were puzzled by Ash's choice to use the stairs instead of the elevator, but they didn't suspect anything, assuming he was simply delaying his duties.
The stairs were divided into two flights, each with nearly twenty steps. Reaching the second floor, Ash encountered another Rocket guarding the stairwell.
"Why did you come up? Did something happen downstairs?" The guard eyed Ash and Pikachu suspiciously.
"No, the leader ordered me to check on the situation and report to Archer," Ash replied calmly.
"There are no issues on the second floor, and the target research room hasn't been found yet," the Rocket explained.
"Then I'll continue upwards. Do you know which floor Archer is on?" Ash inquired casually.
"I'm not sure, but it should be on the tenth or eleventh floor," the Rocket responded.
After bidding farewell, Ash continued his ascent. Each floor had a Rocket guard, and Ash used the same excuse until he reached the seventh floor.
"Archer is on this floor, in the office at the end of the left corridor." The guard's words made Ash nervous.
"Got it!" Ash composed himself, thanked the Rocket, and followed the directions. There was no turning back now.
He had no choice but to face Archer.
As he walked, he encountered other Rocket members. Some were patrolling, while others stood guard. They all glanced at Ash, particularly at Pikachu on his shoulder.
It was unusual for Rockets to openly display their Pokémon, as it revealed their type and made them vulnerable to opponents.
Ash pretended not to notice and realized his mistake in bringing Pikachu along. He should have either kept him in his Poké Ball or left him outside, as Pikachu was too conspicuous.
Reaching the office at the end of the corridor, Ash faced two Rocket guards.
"I'm here to report the situation on the first floor to Archer," Ash explained, keeping his head lowered.
"Go in." The guards nodded and knocked on the door.
"Come in." A slightly high-pitched voice responded, and a Rocket opened the door, allowing Ash a glimpse inside.
...
Inside, Ash saw two people. One was a young man in a white uniform with a black undershirt and the "R" insignia on his chest. He had short, light blue hair and exuded a gloomy aura.
The other was a woman sitting on the sofa, her expression tense and resentful. She, too, looked at Ash with surprise.
"What's the matter?" Archer, the young man, glanced at Ash and Pikachu, frowning. "I don't recall seeing you before."
Ash froze, then calmly lowered his head. He knew this was Archer.
...
"Master Archer, I'm a member in charge of the first floor. The team leader sent me to report something." Ash avoided answering Archer's question directly.
"Report? What is it?" Archer frowned but didn't doubt Ash's words. To avoid interception, they were using this method of communication instead of walkie-talkies. Ash, unaware of this, had inadvertently used the correct excuse.
"The team leader said he noticed some suspicious people outside who seem to be aware of something amiss at Silph Co."
Ash had initially intended to make up an excuse, but now he had to improvise, as sending someone to report trivial matters wouldn't be believable.
"Suspicious people... The Alliance personnel in Saffron City are already under our control, so these people are likely not from the Alliance. Could they be from Interpol?" Archer pondered, muttering to himself.
Although Archer spoke quietly, the office was silent, allowing Ash to overhear. He was shocked to learn that the Alliance personnel in Saffron City had been compromised by Team Rocket, explaining their easy takeover of Silph Co.
"Go down and tell your team leader you're doing well. Continue reporting any unusual activity." After a moment, Archer nodded slightly, dismissing Ash.
"Yes..." Ash breathed a sigh of relief and turned to leave the office.
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