Chapter 59

"Raid on Team Rocket Tehran (Part 1)"

Throughout the course of December 25th, International Police Officers from across Europe and the United States were descending on Tehran, arriving on Iran Air flights and pretending to be Team Rocket agents. Minnie and I had been disguised as Canadian news reporters and using forged Canadian passports, we were able to enter Tehran.

"Rally," Minnie said nervously as we drove a rented van to the rendezvous point near Team Rocket's HQ. "I don't like these people."

"Just ignore them, Minnie," I replied, trying to keep my eyes on the road. "Most of the people here are friendly, but they are ruled over by the small majority."

I gotta tell you that driving through Tehran, I couldn't help but feel nervous myself. Even through the headscarves Minnie and I had to wear, we could both feel stress and anxiety coursing through our bodies. After all, we were in the same country where 50 Americans were held hostage for 444 days by these people. Suddenly, we neared the rendezvous point and pulled into a large sports complex where 100 International Police and FBI agents were gathering, armed with bulletproof vests and weapons.

"It's like we're going into war," Minnie remarked as we got out of the van while night fell on Tehran. "Isn't there another way to approach this?"

"Nope," I said firmly. "None at all."

Proceeding to the center of the field, all of the participating agents met with Scully and Mulder, who had arrived earlier that afternoon from Moscow.

"All right, is everyone here?" asked Mulder, ensuring that we were all gathered together. "Good. I trust you all had a smooth flight."

Like a bunch of school kids, none of us answered.

"Yeah, us too," replied Mulder, directing us to look down at a map of where the base was located. "Okay, this is the Team Rocket Tehran headquarters aka the former United States embassy. As you can see, the building is still fortified, so we will need to find the quickest way inside. Any questions?"

Naturally, I was the only one to raise my hand.

"Yes, Agent…"

"Vincent, Rally Vincent. Bounty Hunter."

"Bounty Hunter?"

"Recruited by the United States government. If you are going to get into the embassy, you are going to need to get in the same way those revolutionaries got in: you'll have to take a Team Rocket agent captive and force them to get whoever is behind the walls to open the gate."

To illustrate the point, I used my pencil to pinpoint the exact whereabouts of where Team Rocket would have guards.

"How do you know this?" asked Scully.

"Because I had to deal with a similar situation in the Chicago underground," I answered. "We took a guard hostage and forced the guard to get into the criminal hideout. Our goal here is to get into the embassy, take prisoners alive and take any documents that Team Rocket may have."

Both Scully and Mulder scowled at the idea that I was taking over the impending raid, but I said my two cents and left them back in charge again.

"Our intelligence also reports that Pokemon may also be aiding the Team Rocket guards on the walls," added Mulder. "So, we must not use firearms until otherwise fired upon, is that clear?"

"And furthermore," added Scully. "We have every reason to believe that Pokemon are being kept in the basement. Most likely they were stolen from their trainers, but we need to be sure. Where is our expert?"

A 60 year old man with light brown hair and wearing a bulletproof vest stepped forward.

"Right here," he said, turning to address the team. "Professor Sam Oak of Pallet Town. And keep in mind that some of these Pokemon are suffering from trauma, so it's important to be gentle with them if approached along with maintaining extreme caution."

"Thank you, Professor," said Mulder. "All right, get your gear on. We will go in 30 minutes."

Donning our protective gear, we joined the rest of the International Police agents in preparing to go into the embassy. Minnie was nervous, but she felt that it was necessary to go in and prevent Team Rocket from carrying out another terrorist attack using Pokemon.

…

Meanwhile, inside the compound, the Team Rocket agents of Tehran remained on their guard knowing that anything can happen. Guards and their Pokemon were placed on the walls with orders to shoot to kill if necessary.

"It's quiet," Jimmy thought to himself, starring out the window from his office. "Just as it should be."

Looking away from the window, Jimmy had two agents bring in a shredder and an incinerator to destroy any potential evidence that we could obtain against them.

"All right, you know what to do if needed," he said to the grunts. "If our security is breached…destroy the documents."

Jimmy then spread the message to the other rooms in the base: destroy all evidence if under attack.

Outside, Philly Ross and Richard Ellard were up on the walls and looking out over the streets of Tehran.

"Rich, do you think anyone will come?" he asked in a quiet voice.

"I don't know, Philly. But if they do…"

Richard then placed his hand in the back of his pocket and felt the handle of a Bowie knife that was in the back of his pants.

"...I'll slaughter them."

"Yeah, I'm going to get my $50,000 if I have to kill anyone."

Just then, they both heard the sounds of engines in the distance coming from the direction of the sports complex.

"Do you hear that?" Philly asked. "Over there."

Both men considered their options, but there was only one option available.

"Better go check it out," said Philly. "I'll stand guard here."

…

Down in the security camera area, Team Rocket grunts could see that all was quiet for the time being. Then, one of them spotted a pair of headlights approaching the gates.

"What the hell?" the grunt asked. "Hey, did you see that?"

"See what?" another grunt asked.

"Those lights," the first grunt remarked, pointing to the screen. "Someone's out there."

Reaching for a radio, the grunts radioed that they were about to be breached.

Outside, Richard Ellard got down from his post and proceeded into the courtyard, ensuring that the Bowie knife in the back of his pocket was ready. Suddenly, the lights disappeared and Richard became more suspicious. He then reached for his radio.

"Jimmy," he whispered, contacting Jimmy in his office. "It's Ellard. I think we might have company."

"Are you sure?" he asked.

"I'm positive. What should we do?"

"Stay on guard and do not attack until attacked upon."

Approaching the gate, Richard then heard the sounds of footsteps from the other side. Doing a double take, he could see that there was nothing. Still, he remained suspicious and took out the Bowie knife. Then, Richard looked up towards the tall buildings where two of the lights were on.

Quietly, Richard opened the gate and stepped outside, his eyes still locked on the two lights.

"The hell are you doing?" Philly whispered upon seeing Richard walking outside the perimeter. Reaching for his radio, Philly attempted to get Richard's attention. "Ellard, you idiot! Get behind the walls, now!"

But Richard didn't answer and slowly made his way over to the a subway station next to the base. Little did he know that there was going to be a little surprise in store. He then heard the sounds of loud running and before he could turn his knife on the intruder, we emerged from the subway and tackled him to the ground.

"Get off of me! Get off of me!" Richard cried as he tried to call out on the radio as loud as he could. "HELP! HELP!"

The attack on Team Rocket Tehran had now begun…

…

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