"I still don't get how you'll stay the leader of Team Rocket while working for the Association," Blue said. "I really don't."
"Simple," Red replied, stretching out on the couch, smirking. The day had been long, filled with boring paperwork, such as transfer orders and contracts, most of it related to his new position. "I'll move quickly to gain loyalty in the Association while Surge takes care of the day-to-day business here in Team Rocket. He'll continue to send me info until we destroy the Masked Rockets, and then we'll reveal to the public how Team Rocket helped bring peace."
"And you think they'll all accept that?" Blue said, sounding very unconvinced. "Really?"
"The Association won't, obviously. The people, however, will be mostly grateful. With enough popularity and loyalty, it'll be easy to take over the Association... Once I find a way to discredit them."
"So that's the end goal?" Blue asked, but Red shook his head.
"That's a part goal," he replied with a shrug. "Listen, I know you're here because you want to kill Will and Karen for what they did to Silver... But will you stay with me, help me until the end? We must take over, remove any opposition. It's the only way to prevent war."
"You help me get revenge, I'll be yours to command," Blue replied, her voice strong and steady. "I won't let you carry that burden alone."
"Thank you, Blue. Again. We'll avenge Silver, I promise. You'll be my second-in-command at the Association as well, while Surge and Janine handle things here. I'm not sure Green would approve of me having you with me, but I couldn't find a more competent person for the job."
"Thanks... I think. We'll be moving out again soon then?"
"Yes, our current army HQ is in Celadon City," Red replied, getting to his feet. With a couple of quick hand movements, he brought up a series of graphs and maps. "We'll get our own building, a landing platform on the roof, two helicopters and a hovership."
"Bringing peace with two hundred and fifty men, three vehicles and a three story house?" Blue asked, raising an eyebrow. "You sure they're not giving us too much help here?"
"These are well trained men," Red replied, ignoring her sarcasm. "All of them have powerful Pokémon. Besides, we've stopped Team Rocket and other groups in the past with far less, haven't we? Besides, I don't mind them being few. It'll be easier to get them loyal that way."
"Right," she sighed.
"Anyways, you're dismissed. Go pack and be ready," Red told her. "I've got some final orders to print for Surge before we go."
"Alright," Blue said, getting to her feet. She left the room, giving Red's aide a nod before exiting into the corridor. She would welcome the change of atmosphere. Somehow, being with Association soldiers instead of Team Rocket grunts would make the attacks on the Masked Rockets feel more legitimate. Only problem is that she would have to hold back more, not lose her temper, follow orders more tightly... No matter though. Red had promised her revenge, and he was not one to break such a vow.
"Oh, hey Blue!" she heard as she passed a corner. Looking down, she saw Janine sitting on the floor, leaning against the wall. She had her knees drawn up against her body, making her seem strangely small. "Wish I could go with you guys, help out a bit. I think military life'd suit me. I'm great with dicipline, y'know."
"Janine, I'm sure you'll get your chance to avenge your father anyways," Blue replied softly, but the other woman just frowned at her.
"Avenge? This is about far more than that. We're all Red has, and we have to support him fully if he's to change the world and it's future."
"It won't be easy, will it?" Blue sighed. "We've both lost so much, and may lose even more in the days and months to come. We should take care of the friends we have."
"Yes," Janine said, nodding in agreement as Blue slid down to sit next to her. They sat in silence for a while, not speaking a word, Blue rocking gently back and forth. After a while, Janine sighed and looked up at the ceiling. "Blue, listen, there's something I've got to talk to you about."
"What?" Blue asked, tilting her head to the side and giving the other woman a glance. Janine frowned and looked up and down the corridor, licking her lips quietly as she did.
"Uh, I... Nevermind, it's nothing."
"What?" Blue asked again, confused. "Come on, if you've got something you need to talk about..."
"No, no, it's nothing," Janine insisted, not meeting her eyes. "Don't you have to pack? You're leaving soon, right?"
"Uh, yeah," Blue replied, getting to her feet. "Listen, we're friends, right? If you need to talk, just come see me?"
"Yeah, thanks Blue."
"No problem," the girl replied, disappearing down the corridor. Janine looked after for a long time, then sighed and rested her forehead on her knees. She had been so close to telling Blue what had really happened to Silver, but... They were friends, but her loyalty to Red had to come before that. After all, everything may depend on it.