Ash took a pen and signed his name in the document which Giovanni had his head of human resources deliver. With him officially signing on out of free will Giovanni looked from the corner of his eye to a drawer in his desk for future notice.
All Team Rocket academics were teamed up with a partner. He might have Ash's loyalty but it wouldn't be enough if he was a bumbling fool when it came to being a thief. He was still a bit to young to be inducted in the real Team Rocket academy so the boss had an alternative. Plus he will receive additional brainwashing at that place to really lock in his loyalty forever and betray all his old friends without a second thought.
Wendy finished checking the documents. With every thing in order she welcomed her new teammate. Taking his contract on a clipboard she set to get his registration in order for future reference.
"Here's to your productivity. Welcome to Team Rocket."
"That will be all Wendy. Leave us."
The green haired woman bowed and left the two men alone. Closing the door again Ash still stood straight waiting for his first orders. After Giovanni gave him a speech about what Team Rocket is about he wanted to follow the man's footsteps. Giovanni in truth is always what he has wanted to be. A Pokémon Master. He wasn't going to waste this opportunity to learn and work for one morals be damned.
"We already went over the details of your employment here so no need for further pleasantries. Are we clear on what you have to do first?"
Ash nodded yes even without being officially introduced at the academy explained his primary objective and cover up identity when he was going to learn how to be useful to the boss.
"Yes sir. Head to Pallet Town back home and pretend all is ok. After a few days I will tell Professor Oak and my mother I'm off on another journey to challenge a series of battle arena's in Unova. I will ask if that fool Oak will transport my Pokémon to me at the academy while in reality all of them will be turned like the ones I had on me."
Liking the response from the boss had to suppress a grin. He could really mold him into what he ever wanted him to be after selling out his mother and Pokémon caretaker in less than five minutes after he agreed to sign the contract.
As much as Giovanni wanted all of the boy's Pokémon at once it would blow the kid's cover that he now pledged allegiance to Team Rocket. His already converted Pokémon will act as normal and will socialize with the others at Oak's ranch till the time came their master needed them again. In the meantime Ash would use the Unova excuse to switch his roster out where they will be changed like some others were.
"After that?" The boss again wondering how good he was at listening and following commands.
"Go to the Sevii Islands. Head to Four Island. I'll find my instructor there and do the best I can do to pass my tests and go on missions for you before I become of age and enter the proper academy."
Sevii Islands is an archipelago in the Kanto region that exists out of nine large islands and several smaller ones. It was remotely with nothing much of value there making it Team Rocket secretly took station on one of them in which the new generation of recruits will be trained completely loyal to the boss.
Having been in charge of Team Rocket for a long time the boss discovered there was a lot of internal competition among his agents. Meaningless squabbles among his staff reduced productivity by a decent percentage. All his agents living in fear stood down the moment he addressed the issue saying everything is fine before continuing behind his back. If he wanted total domination he needed to get rid of any unnecessary arguments that might occur.
"The instructor is your boss until you pass your exams. Until he gives you the clear you will obey any instruction he gives you. You will not complain, protest or defy orders. Do I make myself clear recruit?"
"Your orders are clear."
"What are you waiting for? Get out."
With his new recruit leaving to execute his first orders Giovanni opened up his desk. Looking over the file laying in it he had his eye on this peculiar person and had no doubt with her talents which differed from the pure battler Ash is she'd make a decent partner for him in the academy and on his future assignments.
After spending a few days in Pallet Town to 'rekindle' with his mother and the caretaker of his Pokémon Ash headed straight for Four Island. Seeing an old warehouse that wouldn't bring any interest from the locals it was protected by Weezing and other Poison types home to Kanto.
The rumor existed that wild Poison types took home in the old place and made the area inhospitable to normal people. In reality they were all owned by Team Rocket members who made them patrol the area for unwanted visitors. The rumors mixed toxic fumes was enough to keep the locals away in fear of their health.
Ash knowing the real deal went to the place without fear. He knows that the foundation of his new life as a criminal was going to be laid here. Ignoring all the Poison types he wasn't attacked by any of them since they knew he was coming. With nothing standing in his way he walked inside the compound. Looking around he saw nothing of worth.
"Name's Boa. Know why you are here twerp?"
A loud and booming voice hollowed from higher up. Wearing an open silver jacket which held the outside of the R and a black shirt that completed the symbol with a collar sticking out. A black belt which carried black and white Pokeballs held up his silver pants and black boots and short gloves it was a Team Rocket uniform telling his allegiance. A black mullet that reached his bottom neck and green eyes stared at the young man inspecting him.
"Are you my instructor?"
"Affirmative. I don't need your name since I was already informed of your arrival. You understand your purpose here?"
"Giovanni said you'll train me." Following the burly man through the halls he only paid attention to him and not the grunts following him. The boss ordered that he will do anything his teacher will say to not disappoint him.
"Good. As for your Pokémon your grades determine on which ones you get to use. Perform as the boss expects you too you maintain full access to your roster."
Ash not protesting in the slightest. His Pokémon that are yet to be turned over are useless for now not willing to do anything he says to win. Plus it gave him an incentive to really try hard while in here. He knows that after the stunt he pulled in Unova he might get it rougher than most but he just had to endure it till he's proven himself in the boss his eyes.
"Let's get you out of that holiday outfit."
Commenting on his blue and white shirt and short black pants he was only allowed to wear what Team Rocket told him too now. Boa told Ash to follow him through the secret compound. On the way he passed by a bunch of people who were dressed in a style he recognized. Multiple men and woman were dressed in black uniforms with all of them wearing black hats and silver gray gloves and boots which told them their rank inside the organization.
The two men reached the end of a long hallway. Two racks of uniforms were hung out for anyone to pick up. One was red and the other was blue. Ash was sure that one of these was going to be his outfit for the foreseeable future and was looking forward to fitting one.
"Get rid of those clothes and dress in your uniform. Pick the right size from the racks. Get the blue one."
"Sure thing." As instructed Ash went to the rack with blue uniforms. Taking one that's his size he went to the end of the hallway where there was a spot to change. Making sure every thing is neatly in order he didn't wanted crease to his uniform on his first day.
Ash stepped out of the changing room wearing a blue uniform with a red R on the chest. A black belt with a silver buckle around his waste to keep the blue pants up he wore short black gloves and boots that reached just below the knees.
Having changed into the outfit he saw it was a variation of uniform he hasn't seen before. Having run into different type of Team Rocket members most of them wore black uniforms while only the three numbskulls wore white. Maybe during his time in the academy he'd learn more about uniforms and things but the question was burning on his mind when he walked back to his teacher.
"Can I ask you a question Boa?"
"When talking to a superior you'll address him by either sir or ma'am."
Educating immediately that niceties are not welcome and that they aren't friends who spoke kindly. The boss ordered Boa to use a militaristic approach to discipline him and whoever joined him in this secret training ground.
"Permission to ask you a question sir?" Ash taking his first lesson to note talked as his superior ordered.
"Granted." The cold voice of the instructor came out while staring him down trying to find a hint of fear and weakness in Ash that would grant him total control if he ever stepped out of line.
"Why is my uniform blue? I thought we all wore black or white."
"That is a cadet uniform. New recruits wear either blue or red in the academy to compete against each other. You haven't earned a Grunt uniform even so you'll wear that until you've proven yourself."
"And the white those three losers wear?"
Even with the change of mind he saw the ones who tried to steal his Pikachu as inferior people. After pondering about it the way over here he just didn't understand why Giovannni kept the three on the payment roll after their uncountable failures for just a single Pikachu when at times there was something of more value. Maybe he kept them around for a change of heart like he experienced for someone actually worth the effort.
Even if Boa wanted to lecture the boy on the further inner workings of Team Rocket he rather safe it for another time because he hates it if he has to repeat himself. Repeating yourself makes him sound that he was unclear the first time and as a drill instructor of his reputation couldn't have that.
"Let's save most of the questioning for when you get your partner."
"A partner?" Surprised he was going to work together with someone. Even if most Team Rocket crews were in groups he expected it to be a private operation by himself to make life harder for him in the academy.
"Other agents are currently working on her. You'll see her soon."
With the way Giovanni went over his recruitment he might see an old accomplice again giving him a good clue on who it will be.
"Is it the cave girl who was with me at Unova? Iris?"
Being aware of the tanned girl's identity she was not their main target as a partner for him. Boa got a little grin at how easily he downplayed an old friend by calling her an uncultured savage in a way.
"It's not the cave girl as you call her. She will join you but not as your partner. We have other plans for her."
The instructor given orders to train the twerp so that everyone who helped him in Unova got a face full of betrayal. The boss wanted to give them the feeling of failing their 'friend' who was a main reason their Unova operations failed. The aspiring Dragon type trainer being part of it deserved the same type of treatment Ash has received.
"You don't have an issue with her joining you in the academy?" Boa asking Ash if he had any objections to Team Rocket recruiting his friends too.
"As long as the boss has use for her I don't have much to say."
Ash found it a miracle he didn't leave the wanna be Dragon type master in a forest somewhere by herself. Her fear of Ice types was something he didn't understand since any Dragon type trainer will encounter them since they have an advantage over them. He wishes he saw the look on her face when the Fairy type was discovered who were even bigger threat to dragons because of their immunity. But if Giovanni saw value in her who was he to protest?
"You'll meet your partner soon enough. For now we'll finish your introduction in the academy. You will not speak until I give you further orders."
Ash stayed silent confirming he got the hint. A few minutes passed where the two stared each other down. Boa satisfied the boy is able to learn what the hierarchy is fast finally spoke up again.
"27-2-1996. This is your personnel number in Team Rocket. Your number is your identity. When it comes over the intercom, you will do as instructed. You'll keep your name but if any other Team Rocket member asks you to identify yourself you'll always respond with number first followed by name and rank. Understood?"
"Yes sir." Remembering his personal code for future reference Ash received further orders for what he is going to transform into here.
"Now. Hand over the Pokémon you have on you so we can convert them too."
Without saying a word Ash handed over the belt he wore when he arrived in his normal clothes. The Pokeballs of Charizard, Sceptile, Gliscor, Krookodile and Muk were handed over for corruption into adapting their trainers new life style being formed into the emotionless tools needed for his missions.
"When these are converted you will use them against some of the grunts here over the coming days. And let's evolve that Pikachu of yours." Boa wanted to get rid off the yellow mouse and evolve it to its fullest potential as a Raichu to increase its jolt further.
"Permission to speak sir?" Wanting to speak up without disrespecting the pecking order since he might have a better idea for his Pokémon.
"Granted."
"My former friends know that Pikachu would never want to evolve. If you give me a mission that might has something to do with them it will be suspicious if they see a Raichu instead."
Liking the idea of shocking them as much as the Electric type is able too he wanted to save it for a special occasion just to see the stunned looks on their faces. Not knowing exactly what type of missions the boss had in store he accepted it and held his evolution off for now.
"Very well. Keep it as it is. The option will always be open to you to evolve it."
"I will after one of them discovers I work for Team Rocket now."
It will be the ultimate proof that from now on his real friends are the people he's now allaying himself too. By forcing his best friend to evolve right in front of them he will show that nothing matters anymore but power and the means to achieve it ignoring the feelings of his Pokémon if there were any left.
"When you work for Team Rocket." Boa reminding him that he's still just a twerp in his eyes and had to study hard to get rid of that calling.
"Training start everyday at 06:00 hours and lasts until 18:00 hours. You will attend and follow the schedule we provide you at the end of the previous day which will always be located in your room. Straining away from the schedule will mean heavy punishment. Go to your room and entertain yourself for the rest of the day. You'll find your first schedule there as well. Those are your orders for the day. Dismissed."
Ash thanking Boa for went to the room he was designated too. On the way he passed a bunch of grunts which he paid no attention too despite them gossiping saying he's to young and will be a dropout in the first week. Ash wasn't going to connect with them as friends because they weren't going to be after he crushed them with his corrupted Pokémon as Boa instructed him.
Later.