Chapter 202: Chapter 201: Rescue Operation & Justice
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The arrival of the old captain and his crew immediately lifted the gloom from everyone's hearts.
Fully aware of the urgency, the captain and his crew wasted no time, releasing their trusted Water-type Pokémon.
With the combined efforts of these Water-types, the raging flames in the corridor were quickly subdued.
The crowd followed behind the captain and his crew in an orderly manner, ensuring a safe evacuation.
Under the captain's protection, those trapped in the fiery corridor eventually made it to the deck. However, the deck itself was far from safe—many wooden sections were ablaze.
The wood used for the deck had been treated with tung oil to enhance its durability and prevent pest damage.
Unfortunately, this treatment made the flames on the deck burn even fiercer than those in the corridors.
Passengers who had reached the deck earlier were now trapped in the sea of flames. Many had already collapsed from inhaling excessive smoke.
"Form teams of two and start rescuing people! Rhodes, take a few men and prepare the backup lifeboats. Ensure every passenger is evacuated safely to the sea. Also, all Trainers and male passengers must assist in the rescue. Women, children, and the injured are to evacuate immediately!"
The old captain's commanding presence shone through as he issued orders to his crew and Trainers like Sato.
As the captain of the St. Louis, his pride and sense of responsibility were unparalleled.
Though it was clear the ship was beyond saving, the passengers' safety was non-negotiable. He had to ensure their survival—failure would mean he could never set foot on the seas again.
For now, all thoughts of the mission were cast aside as he focused entirely on the rescue operation.
"Yes, Captain! Be careful out there! Parker, Locke, stay here and protect the captain!"
Rhodes responded promptly. Leaving two of his most trusted men behind to guard the captain, he led a group of sturdy sailors into the flames to carry out the rescue.
In this maritime disaster, the captain had become the group's ultimate hope.
His recent actions to lead people out of the inferno had earned him immense respect, and his commands were followed without hesitation.
Within seconds, everyone began working in unison. Passengers rescued from the deck's fiery chaos also joined the relief efforts, adding to the momentum.
"Who would've thought this captain could rise to the occasion so admirably in a crisis? Alright, I'll lend you a hand too."
Watching the captain's actions, Sato couldn't help but feel a sense of admiration. Nodding, he joined the rescue efforts without hesitation.
Having witnessed the situation, Sato couldn't stand idly by. Helping others in need was something he was genuinely passionate about.
"Mudkip, Wingull, use Water Gun to extinguish the flames! Growlithe, head into the fire! Signal us if you find anyone!"
Sato released his Mudkip and Wingull, instructing them to aid in dousing the flames.
He also sent his resilient Growlithe, whose Flash Fire ability made it impervious to the heat, into the blaze to search for survivors.
To Growlithe, the intense heat of the flames was no different from relaxing in a hot spring.
Moving effortlessly through the fire, it relied on its keen sense of smell to locate passengers and Pokémon who had passed out from the smoke.
Thanks to the combined efforts of Mudkip, Wingull, and Growlithe, Sato quickly rescued six unconscious or mildly burned passengers and three Pokémon from the nearby flames.
He then called upon his Bellossom to provide healing, bringing the rescued individuals back to consciousness and treating their burns effectively.
The people and Pokémon rescued by Sato were immensely grateful, showering him with thanks.
However, given the urgency of the situation, they quickly followed Sato's instructions and joined the main evacuation group.
Sato's continuous success in saving lives quickly caught the attention of the other Trainers and sailors. Recognizing his exceptional skills, many gathered around him and began following his lead.
With the additional help, Sato's rescue efforts became significantly more efficient.
A large number of injured passengers were pulled from the blazing fire, though the limited healing capacity of his single Bellossom struggled to keep up.
"Mr. Sato, let me help you."
At that moment, Eileen appeared, covered in soot, accompanied by her Chansey and a supporting Azumarill.
Without wasting any time, she joined Bellossom in treating the unconscious and burn-injured passengers and Pokémon.
While Sato and the others focused on rescue operations, Mary and her team moved stealthily through the flames, waiting for the right moment to act.
The dispersal of crew members for rescue efforts left only a handful of sailors protecting the old captain.
With Rhodes and others sent to prepare lifeboats, the captain's defenses were at their weakest.
"Sir, should we act now? The ship's about to sink, and we'll lose our chance if we delay further," said a soot-streaked Shuuji Ikeda to Hector respectfully.
Hector's expression was grim as he stared at the old captain, who was issuing commands with a megaphone in hand. A trace of conflict flickered across his face.
The plan to sabotage the ship had been his idea, but now that it was unfolding, a pang of regret began to weigh on him.
Of course, this regret wasn't for the passengers perishing in the flames—it was a fleeting sense of remorse for the chaos he had caused.
To the part of Hector that aligned with Team Rocket, the old captain and his crew were nothing but obstacles to be eliminated. Yet the captain's actions gave him pause.
"Sigh, we've already earned the ire of everyone here. If we make a move against him now, those Trainers involved in the rescue will undoubtedly turn their fury on us. At that point, we'll not only die in disgrace but also become the villains in everyone's eyes."
After a moment of thought, Hector shook his head and voiced his reasoning. As agents of the Night Division, their job was to handle the Alliance's dirty work.
If they failed the mission, there would be no support from the Alliance. Instead, the Alliance would disavow all involvement, leaving them to take the fall.
After all, as unregistered operatives, they were expendable scapegoats.
Hearing Hector's words, the expressions of Ikeda and the other young Trainers darkened. A few even looked visibly shaken, confusion clouding their eyes.
"However, the mission still needs to be completed. That stone connected to Kyogre must not fall into the hands of a criminal organization like Team Rocket. If they succeed in their schemes, countless more lives will be lost. What we're doing is for the greater good. We represent justice, and everything we do is for the sake of the Alliance."
Noticing the dip in morale, Hector quickly changed his tone, adopting a fervent expression. His words reignited a fire in the eyes of his subordinates, dispelling their doubts.
"Yes," they thought. "We are the righteous ones."
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