Accompanied by Looker, Xia You, Shelly, and Courtney followed the first group of Action Team Members deeper into the mountains.
The forest path was difficult to traverse, but these people walked as though it were level ground.
Some twenty minutes later, a Hidden Base built into the side of a mountain came into view.
"Thermal imaging shows a large number of life signs underground," came a voice from the command vehicle behind them through their earpieces. "There are only four guards aboveground, stationed at the main entrance, the side entrance, and two elevated positions."
"Copy," Looker replied quietly, then turned to Xia You. "Xia You, my friend, what do you-"
Xia You had already taken three Poké Balls from his waist. As he pressed their buttons, blue light flashed, and three Pokémon appeared before him.
Scizor, Tyranitar, and Metagross.
"Aren't you commanding this operation? Don't forget, just like I said earlier, I'm only here to back you up."
Hearing this, Looker dispensed with the courtesies and issued his orders.
"Advance team, take out the guards and open the gate. Move out!"
Shelly and Courtney were both part of the advance team. They had just changed into tight-fitting outfits-the same ones they had worn with Gastly masks before-which gave them an air of mystery while also concealing their faces behind masks.
Given Xia You's current standing and strength, he basically no longer needed a disguise outside of specific circumstances. For them, however, keeping their identities hidden would make it easier to operate in the future.
Under Xia You's gaze, Shelly and Courtney each led a few people toward the elevated positions, one on the left and one on the right. They silently took out the guards there, then hurried to the main entrance before the base's communications and surveillance systems detected