Ash's Paldea Story

Chapter 26 Schedar Squad Raid Part 1

Reisa, Lillie, and I are back at Artazon City, since we are going to the Fire Type Team Star Base. Reisa asks, "So what's the deal with the Team Star?"

"First of all, we have to find the base and wait for this Cassiopeia to get the call." I say. "And maybe we will also find the director here as well."

"Director Clavell will also be here? What if he scolds us for not preparing for the mid-term exam?" Reisa asks.

"I don't think he would do that." Lillie says as we continue to walk on East Province Area 1. And then we find Director Clave- I mean, Clive, on the road.

"Ah, it's you, Ash, Lillie, and I see even Reisa is here..." Clive says.

"Director Clavell?" Reisa asks. "What's with the crazy haircut?"

"Just keep it a secret, will ya? I am Clive, the normal university student." Clive says. "Anyway, Ash and Lillie... I owe you one. Thanks to you, I've been accepted into Operation Starfall."

"Okay..." I say. "But why do you want to join Operation Starfall?"

"I need some answers, that's all." I guess he means the answer to each student since it is the director's job. "How do I resolve this situation with Team Star... and what's causing its members' odd behavior?"

"What situation?" Lillie asks.

"Team Star is the subject of more than a few nasty rumors swirling around the academy, you know. Some say their bullying has caused a worrying number of students who drop out of school... Others say they are holed up in their bases, plotting to cause trouble for the university."

I think we did hear Nemona talking about this, and I can see why the director is concerned.

"But these are rumors. The matter I am directly confronted with is something else... I'm talking about Team Star's persistent truancy. They've all been skipping classes for a while now... Five of them in particular - the so-called "bosses" of Team Star - haven't so much as set foot inside a classroom for over a year. And it seems the team's rank and file have recently started stirring up mischief as well."

Then I can see that the director is frowning. "That's why I took it upon myself to issue a direct order to Team Star to disband. I informed them that should they refuse, I would have no choice but to expel all students affiliated with their team..."

All of us open our mouths with wide shock. Lillie asks, "You... you're going to expel them?"

"But I'm afraid there's been no response. And the deadline I set for them to make their choice between dissolution or exclusion is nigh upon us. So you see, when I overheard you talking on the phone to Cassiopeia, it couldn't have come at a more crucial time..."

"I see..." I nod, and just then, my Rotom Phone is ringing once more, meaning that Cassiopeia has called us once again.

"It's Cassiopeia. Can you hear me?" Cassiopeia asks.

"Urk..." Clive mutters before whispering, "Another time, then...Be careful..."

After Clive leaves, the three of us turn to the phone, "Cassiopeia?"

"I see you're coming up to one of Team Star's bases. Was there... someone with you just now?" Cassiopeia asks.

"Now there's just me, Lillie, and Reisa." I say.

"Well... be warned that Team Star will have its guard up after losing one boss to you already. This base won't go down as easily as the last one. Proceed with extreme caution. I'll be in touch."

After that, she ends the call, and we all head to the gate and find a grunt standing in front of us.

"Whoa, whoa, you can't be here. This base belongs to Team Star." The grunt says. "If you don't clear out real quick-like, I'll hafta come at you in self-defense. You get me?"