Unlike the previous base, which had been set up inside a cave, this was a true base. It was a giant dome with only the top exposed while the rest had somehow been embedded within the mountain, almost as if it had always been there.
Silas knew better than to waste time. Despite Viper's earlier demeanor, he was still an executive who demanded respect. So after making arrangements with his team, Silas headed directly to Viper's office.
The office was surprisingly plain. It had a window, a desk, and a few chairs, and that was it.
Surprisingly, Percy was already seated across from Viper, with an additional empty chair beside him.
As soon as Silas walked in, Viper looked up and gestured for him to take a seat.
Percy also turned around and nodded in greeting.
"Do you know why I called you in here today?"
"No, sir, but I'm happy to help any way I can."
"Haha, good. I hope you don't go back on your word."
The way Viper framed that made Silas feel a bit concerned, but he didn't show it.
Silas said nothing in response, so Viper continued.
"The reason is simple. Team Rocket has been infiltrated, and you are one of the few members with ability that I'm certain isn't a spy. You were brought in directly by Archer, and Percy here vouched for you."
"Thank you for the confidence, sir. I would never betray the organization."
"Cheeky bastard. You didn't even accept the first invitation. Hahaha!"
Silas laughed as well. Percy exposing the circumstances behind his Rocket origins wasn't a problem. In fact, it showed that Silas thought things through before making major decisions.
Viper spoke again.
"You and your subordinates will form a squad managed by Percy. I trust this arrangement will work out better than the last one."
"I hope you don't mind following orders."
Percy was clearly messing with Silas, but Silas took the question seriously.
"Frankly, as long as you don't ask me to do anything that puts myself or those I care about in unnecessary danger, then we're good."
This time, both Percy and Viper laughed.
"Now, let me catch you up to speed. Mount Thunder is one of three mountains. The others are Mount Flame and Mount Frost."
Viper went on to explain the situation.
Team Rocket controlled Mount Flame while the Luminary Court controlled Mount Frost. Mount Thunder was pivotal because whichever side gained control of it would break the current stalemate.
Viper wanted Silas to participate in an upcoming assault on one of the Court's bases.
The goal this time wasn't to take over the base.
They needed to cause as many casualties as possible and cripple the Court's fighting strength.
As the leader of Team Rocket within the trial, Viper had a huge responsibility. The Court had repeatedly attacked Rocket members, causing them to suffer heavy casualties, which reflected poorly on Viper's leadership.
He needed a show of force.
The idea was to strike a heavy blow against the enemy and potentially cripple them for the foreseeable future.
"Lord Viper, what if I had a way to expose the spies? I think we can kill two birds with one stone."
Viper looked at Silas with interest. Percy also stared at him, waiting to hear his idea.
"Let us proceed with the offensive as planned. However, there will be one wrinkle. I think Lord Viper should personally join the action."
Initially, Viper had been hopeful, but he frowned upon hearing Silas' idea.
"Without me protecting this base, they will immediately attack and attempt to take over."
"Exactly, sir. And who do you think will be the first ones to make a move?"
Now Viper understood the idea.
He nodded in acknowledgment, so Silas continued.
"The trick is that we need to look like madmen launching an all-out assault on the enemy base while leaving minimal defenses behind at our own. They won't sit idly by."
"Odin, this isn't a bad idea, but what about casualties? To make this viable, we'd have to leave enough people behind to make the all-out assault believable."
"Not necessarily. We just need to suffer a loss that makes you appear to go mad in public. Ideally, this would be a plan executed over time. First, we have to create the image that Viper is losing his mind and devolving into a rabid beast."
"Okay, that makes sense, but just because we suffer some setbacks doesn't mean a competent commander would lose his mind that easily."
"I say we have you wildly attack groups of Court members throughout the mountain and personally slaughter them a few times before circulating the plan for the all-out assault. This way, they'll let their guard down regarding your tactics and strategy."
"Odin, while that makes sense, there's still the major problem of the base itself. If I'm out on a rampage, they might retaliate by attacking our base."
"That's exactly what I'm hoping for. When they invade, we'll be ready."
As Silas said this, a powerful aura emanated from his shadow as it transformed into the silhouette of a massive scorpion.
"Whenever they attack, we'll signal you to return as quickly as possible through Teleport. While you and the elites under you rush back, those of us here at the base will stall them and kill as many as possible."
"No. Too risky. The payout is big, but we could suffer crushing casualties if we underestimate the enemy's firepower. I'm not willing to take such a risk."
Silas sighed but said no more.
He understood that while Viper now valued his opinion, Silas was still a long way from possessing the influence of an executive.
For now, he needed to keep his head down and defer to those above him.
Suddenly, a large, burly, dark-skinned bald man appeared inside the office.
"I think the kid's idea has some merit, but I don't want to wait around and suffer anymore. Team Rocket must operate from a position of power. What would you suggest, kid?"
The man's piercing eyes fell on Silas.
Sweat formed across Silas' back.
The man's intense gaze was like that of an apex predator staring directly at its prey.
"Leave the boy alone. I know wh.."
The man abruptly raised his hand, signaling for Viper to stop.
Surprisingly, Viper immediately did.
"Answer my question, kid."
Silas resisted the intense pressure and met the man's gaze.
"Sir, if we seek to establish a dominant position, then I suggest we lead aggressive attack squads into their territory and wipe out as many of their people as possible before they can properly retaliate. When they finally do, we feign weakness and retreat, leading their most powerful members directly into a prepared trap."
The burly man laughed loudly and began clapping.
Each clap generated a booming sound from his sheer physical strength.
"Not a bad idea, but I need to see your own pride as a Rocket, Odin. I will lead this assault as you suggest, but you will accompany me. I wish to see your strength for myself."
Without hesitation, Silas responded.
"It would be my honor, sir."
"I like you, kid. Hopefully, you don't break under the pressure. Perform well, and you'll learn exactly who I am within Team Rocket."
"Why am I being given such an opportunity?"
"Archer spoke highly of you, and the growth of your aura is quite impressive, so you piqued my interest. There are only a small handful of truly skilled Aura users within Team Rocket, so we won't hide that I intend to nurture promising talents."
Silas was visibly shocked.
Somehow, this man had sensed his aura and could even perceive how much it had grown.
The chilling part was that Silas had never sensed the man before.
That meant his level was far beyond Silas' own.
Even when the man first appeared, his movement had been so fast that it seemed like Teleportation.
Seeing Silas' shocked expression, the man simply laughed before telling Silas and Percy to leave so that he and Viper could properly plan the operation.
The details would be sent to their TR devices later that day.
Silas and Percy left together.
As soon as they exited the room, both men exhaled deeply.
"Shit, who was that guy?"
"The hell if I know! He feels more like a Pokémon than a human. He's way too powerful."
Silas suddenly smiled deviously.
"Well, we have some time to kill. How about a rematch between us?"
"Bring it on, but it'll be a double battle. I'm curious about your meteoric rise within the organization too."
"Boss, we have to crush this guy this time. He was looking down on all of us back then during my Elekid days."
Silas wasn't surprised. His Pokémon had an almost human like pride. They felt their strength was decent among Pokemon so disrespect couldn't be tolerated.
Before Silas could respond, another voice chimed in.
"Ha! He only could take advantage because your big sister Espeon had yet to join the team. Now that I am here, what do you have to fear? I'll blow him and his team away with my power."
"Espeon, you are ridiculous. You talk like you are the strongest among us. Maybe when we weren't fully evolved you held that advantage but what about now?"
"Sure I can tell you. NOW, you have finally approached my power level and given our boss and myself some breathing room. It was tiring carrying the load. I'm looking forward to resting my back."
Silas couldn't help but burst out laughing. That joke reminded him of his previous life. He didn't know where Espeon got that from or if she simply came up with it herself.
Electivire was annoyed but said no more and let Espeon have it. Although she could be annoying, she was reliable in battle and had saved them all more than once with a timely Teleport or Stored Power.
Infernape on the other hand jumped in.
"I'm pretty sure that I have always been the strongest among us but Espeon keep your delusions."
"Haha coming from someone that can't take a few Stored Power attacks."
"It's super effective, come take some Shadow Claws. If you can withstand the onslaught then I will concede you are the strongest."
"Hahaha no need brother Infernape. WE are the strongest. I'm willing to share the status of alpha."
Her shamelessness shocked Infernape into silence and he stopped responding.
Silas simply shook his head.
He and Percy soon found an empty training room inside the base.