Chapter 171: Threat Neutralized
The tactical team ascended the final flight of stairs, emerging into the complex, shadowy space between the arena's visible ceiling and the building's outer roof.
This upper dome structure was a three-layered system. At the very top lay the weatherproof outer shell and reinforced concrete. Below that, a skeletal network of thick, grey steel girders crisscrossed, riveted together, forming the main structural support. Suspended beneath this skeleton was the decorative inner ceiling visible from the arena floor, which also served as the mounting point for lighting rigs, speakers, and other equipment.
The team now navigated the middle layer – the steel skeleton. Peering down through gaps in the girders and catwalks, they could see the ant-like figures of the audience far below, unaware of the tension unfolding above them. The team leader paused, contemplating the mission's horrifying stakes.
Intelligence suggests the target intends to sabotage these support girders, he thought grimly. If this structure fails... the potential carnage sent an involuntary chill down his spine, despite his training.
Visibility here was better than in the lower access ways, thanks to ambient light filtering up from the arena, but the environment was treacherous. The crisscrossing steel beams offered narrow, precarious footing. Electrical wiring, sound cables, and support structures snaked everywhere, creating a tangled web that made movement difficult and dangerous, even for trained professionals.
One team member deployed their own specialist. Releasing an Ariados, the large spider Pokémon immediately began traversing the steel beams with effortless agility, its multiple legs finding purchase where human boots struggled. The trainer gave it quiet instructions: locate vibrations, find the intruder. The Ariados scuttled off into the gloom, sensing the subtle tremors of movement through the steel structure.
The team followed cautiously, climbing and balancing carefully between the girders. A single misstep meant a potentially fatal fall. The team's Rattata scout, light enough to move across the suspended ceiling panels below the girders, darted ahead, acting as forward recon.
As they moved deeper into the structure, the amplified sounds from the award ceremony below drifted upwards – the host's voice, the roar of the crowd. The noise added another layer of tension, making auditory detection difficult.
Suddenly, the Rattata froze, its body low, nose twitching rapidly. It emitted a series of sharp, high-pitched chitters, signaling towards a section of intersecting beams ahead.
The team leader peered forward, straining his eyes in the dim light. He could just make out a figure crouched low on a girder further ahead, seemingly tampering with something at a junction point. And next to the crouching figure... another form, slumped unnaturally, seemingly suspended or tied to the steelwork. Damn it! He has a hostage!
The leader reacted instantly, reaching for a Poké Ball, preparing for a high-risk engagement.
At that precise moment, another massive roar erupted from the crowd below – Kiba accepting his trophy. The entire structure vibrated faintly. The vibration, however slight, seemed to disturb the Ariados navigating nearby. It shifted its footing, perhaps dislodging a loose bolt or scraping against the metal.
The crouched figure ahead heard the faint sound and looked up sharply.
"Urgh!" A low grunt of surprise escaped the figure.
That sound, cutting through the ambient noise, galvanized the team leader. The element of surprise was lost. "Move! Now!" He abandoned stealth, drawing and throwing his Poké Ball towards the figure while signaling his team forward. "Go! Engage!"
But instead of a Pokémon emerging, the thrown Poké Ball was deftly plucked out of the air by the figure on the beam. A familiar, calm voice drifted back through the girders:
"Hold your fire! It's Xiu! What are you doing?"
The advancing team members froze mid-step, recognizing the name. The friendly operative control had mentioned. But... what is he doing here? And who is that with him?
Humans might pause, but the Ariados, operating on its trainer's last command – subdue the target – did not. It launched itself through the air, spitting a stream of sticky web towards Xiu.
Sshhink! A sound like tearing silk. The web strand parted mid-air, sliced cleanly by something unseen. Xiu shifted position slightly on the narrow beam, and the Ariados, its trajectory now slightly off, sailed past him, plummeting downwards. It quickly shot another web line from its spinnerets, catching itself and swinging to a nearby girder.
By the time the Ariados had recovered, the tactical team had reached Xiu's position. They saw him standing calmly on the beam. Beside him, slumped against the girder, was the unconscious form of the man they'd been briefed on. The "hostage" was, in fact, the neutralized target.
"Next time," Xiu remarked dryly, looking at the team leader, "perhaps verify your target before ordering an attack."
The team leader stared, momentarily speechless, the awkwardness palpable. He quickly regained his professional composure. "Mr. Xiu, is the situation secured?"
"Yes," Xiu confirmed. He casually tossed a bundle of tools – specialized cutters, prying instruments – towards the team leader. "His equipment." He then nodded towards the unconscious figure. "Handle him."
Without waiting for a reply, Xiu turned and deftly leaped onto an adjacent girder, moving back towards the access point with a speed and confidence that belied the treacherous footing. His balance was impeccable, each step precise, making the watching team members nervous despite his obvious skill.
What a mad lad, the leader thought.
As Xiu departed, the team quickly secured the scene.
"Target confirmed, Captain."
"Tools recovered, sir. Intent seems clear."
One member checked the unconscious suspect. The team leader scanned the immediate area. No signs of a struggle, no indication of how Xiu had subdued the target so quickly and silently. He recalled the sound of the web being cut... what did he do?
"Captain," another team member's voice came over the comms urgently. "The Machoke guarding the access gate... it's unconscious. No visible injuries. That operative, Xiu, is gone."
Damn! He slipped past our rear guard? How? The captain felt a renewed surge of unease. He quickly issued orders. "Secure the prisoner, double-time. Get him down and transferred to holding immediately. This target is dangerous." He looked back towards the empty catwalk where Xiu had vanished.
And maybe the target isn't the only dangerous one up here. He hurried back towards the access gate himself, leaving his team to manage the prisoner.
He arrived to find the Machoke just beginning to stir, confused but unharmed. No trace of Xiu remained. The captain briefly checked the Pokémon, baffled. No marks, stable vitals... is it psychic energy? Some kind of nerve strike? He shook his head. This Xiu... there's more to him than 'Professor Oak's assistant'.
Xiu, having exited the service levels unnoticed, calmly retrieved his comm unit. He contacted the control room staff. "Situation resolved. Suspect apprehended by tactical team. Maintain current security posture until official all-clear."
After confirming the venue was secure, he nonchalantly rejoined the crowd near the edge of the arena floor, blending back in seamlessly, just another face watching the conclusion of the award ceremony.
His mind, however, was racing. Team Rocket acted early. Much earlier than I anticipated. The museum heist, now this attempted sabotage... they weren't waiting. My interference must have played a part in this, forced them to accelerate their timetable.
This changed everything. His own plans were predicated on a slightly longer timeline, allowing him more preparation. Now, events were moving faster than expected. And if they'd hit the museum and the arena already, the Pokémon Center's emergency reserves were almost certainly their next target.
The tightrope just got narrower, the winds stronger.