DPA: Rivals

Chapter 27: Meanwhile, In Saffron, Part 1

"Where are you going, babe?" Klara asked, woken up by Sabrina, who was in the midst of packing. Sabrina didn't answer, her mind singularly focused on something that only she could see, as she gently placed a folded, black shroud into her satchel.

Klara didn't mind. She had gotten used to Sabrina's abrupt "vacations." The destination was unknown, and the mystery was part of what made her romance with Sabrina so exhilarating. She felt like anything could happen at any moment.

After a few minutes, Sabrina finally took a second to stop, turning her attention to Klara.

"I'll be back before dinner," Sabrina said with a smile. Klara laughed. She loved it when Sabrina smiled.

"I love you, Sabrina."

"And I love you, Klara."

With that, Sabrina walked out of the bedroom, through the kitchen and living room, and out the front door.

Klara pushed aside the covers, getting out of bed. "Mystery girl, mystery girl, I wonder where you are..." she hummed.

"According to intelligence from a paid source from within the company, the Silph President should currently be residing on Floor 11," Ariana noted, reading the important details from a tablet in her left hand. "Vanderbilt!"

"Yes, ma'am!" April straightened up.

"I am placing you in charge of safeguarding the Card Key."

"Oh...thank you, ma'am," April nodded.

"I sense a question," Ariana said. "Speak up."

"I'm just wondering why you would choose me for this responsibility, after the screw-up in Pewter City. I'm honored, of course, but also a bit surprised."

"None of us could have predicted that particular outcome, not even myself. Holding you personally responsible for something outside of your control would be counter-intuitive. Does this satisfy your questioning?" Ariana asked, clearly anxious for the mission to start.

"Yes ma'am," April saluted. Ariana held out the Card Key, which April took, delicately placing it in a small pouch attached to her belt.

"In order to keep the location of the Card Key hidden, I have told none of the other grunts who is responsible for holding onto it," Ariana explained. "Select a floor that seems adequate to you. Do not tell me what floor that is, for even I should remain ignorant as to your location. Are we understood?"

"Yes, ma'am," April responded.

"Good. Now, several of our grunts have secured the building, and the local authorities were easily persuaded to stand back. The local Gym leader is currently missing, we are running under the assumption that she is simply on an unannounced vacation, not an unusual occurrence for her. I have an important phone call to make, so I trust that you know what you are doing." With that, she walked off.

April took a deep breath, nervous. The colossal failure in Pewter City was not good for her image. This assignment would be the chance she needed to rectify that. Besides, with the Gym leader out of town, the worst that she had to deal with were Silph Company employees, a roster that consisted of some stuffy businessmen and a few lab geeks.

Knowing that her status as an upper-tier grunt would ride on whether or not she succeeded, April opened the massive glass doors that served as the entrance to Silph Co.