Chapter 53
"Fighting for her Life"
Following her collapse at the Viridian City gym, Madam Boss was rushed to the Viridian City hospital and within minutes of arriving, doctors could see that her heartbeat was weak and that she was dealing with blood clots in her chest.
"STAND CLEAR!" cried a doctor as he placed pads on her chest and zapped her with electricity in an effort to get her heart started again. He then tried again. "ALL RIGHT, STAND CLEAR!"
…
In the waiting room, Dr. Namba waited anxiously for news on his mistress' condition.
"I warned her not to do it," he said to himself. "I warned her not to battle today, but did she listen to me? No she did not."
But Namba had to face the truth.
"If only the plan had gone according to plan, like with the Air India bombing. We had success then, celebrating for days. But, this? This was a failure, at least in my eyes. Why didn't it go right? Why?"
For the next hour, Namba sat and waited for news to arrive. The more his leader was in the emergency room, the more Namba became anxious. Just then, another Team Rocket scientist came into the room.
"John!" Namba called as the gray haired man came dashing over to him. "Thank God you're here!"
"I came as fast as I could, James," he said, panting. "How is she?"
"Still in surgery. She wasn't feeling well today, but still had the energy to do a gym battle today. I warned her not to do it, John!"
Briefly, John turned away and both scientists tried to maintain their composure. After a few moments, the doors opened and Madam Boss was wheeled out of the operation room. The doctor performing the surgery approached the two scientists.
"Are you Maria's associates?" he asked.
"Yes we are," said Namba. "Dr. James Namba and Dr. John Fuji."
The doctor gave the two men a suspicious look before refocusing himself on his job.
"Right," he said, removing his surgical mask. "So, your associate, she did suffer a severe heart attack. She's lucky to be alive, but…"
"But what, doctor?" Namba asked. "Out with it!"
"I think she should possibly consider maybe stepping back from whatever job you do with her," the doctor advised. "Of course, I can't tell her what to do."
…
The two scientists looked at each other for a moment and then proceeded to give the doctor their undivided attention again. Both men knew that Madam Boss' reign over Team Rocket would soon be coming to an end.
"When can we see her?"
"Once she gets out of recovery," said the doctor. "Now, if you'll excuse me."
As the doctor walked away, Namba and Fuji walked over towards the recovery room and saw their fearless leader being administered medicine intravenously.
"Where is Giovanni? He should be here!" sighed Namba. "This is his mother and he's the heir after all!"
"You know Giovanni and his mother have been on hard terms, James," advised Fuji. "He will not want to see her even in circumstances like this."
"But the time will soon come," advised Namba. "For Giovanni to assume control of Team Rocket. The question now is, will he be ready and willing to do so?"
…
Meanwhile, the doctor who had worked on Madam Boss went over to a phone at the receptionist desk and made a telephone call.
"Is this the Ryme City police department?" he asked. "I want to report about Maria Sakami, the leader of Team Rocket."
It took a few moments, but the doctor soon got a response.
"Lieutenant Yoshida speaking."
"This is Dr. Thanos of the Viridian City Hospital," he explained. "I want to call and report about someone you have been tracking for some time."
"Who?"
"Maria Sakami. She was brought here a few hours ago for a heart attack."
"Are you certain, Doctor?"
"I am very certain, Lieutenant. Madam Boss is here at the hospital in recovery."
On the other line, Lieutenant Hoshida was astonished that the leader of Team Rocket was in a rather easy position to be captured.
"Okay," he said, gesturing to his officers in the room to be ready to leave for the hospital. "I want you to keep the hospital calm and if there are any Pokemon trainers, ensure they are in their Pokeballs until the all clear is given."
"Yes, Lieutenant," said Dr. Thanos. "Is there anything else?"
"Nothing, which room is she in?"
"She's in recovery and once I find out where she will be put in, I will let you know."
"Thank you for your cooperation, Doctor."
Hanging up the phone, Yoshida summoned all his officers into the room and gave them their instructions: to capture and arrest Madam Boss at the Viridian City hospital.
Now, the wheels were starting to turn towards the fall of the current era of Team Rocket.
…
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