"Leader." The bald researcher approached Giovanni.
"This is Blaine, the lead researcher of the Mew gene project. His abilities are on par with any other Pokémon professor. He is the general commander of this research," said Giovanni with a smile, introducing him to Cain.
Then he turned to Blaine: "This is Cain, one of the new Elite-level officers. Don't underestimate him."
Cain and Blaine exchanged a glance, after which both smiled politely.
"Dr. Blaine," Cain extended his hand.
Blaine also shook it gently.
"I've heard about you for a while, Officer Cain. Ranking first in the exams, becoming the person in charge of the Hoenn region... How could I underestimate you?"
They both smiled on the outside, but their true thoughts remained within.
After a brief chat, Blaine looked at Giovanni again.
"Leader, is Officer Cain here for... that matter?"
Giovanni nodded: "Exactly. That's mainly why."
Cain didn't know what they were referring to, but didn't ask either.
"First, take a look," Giovanni told him.
Then, guided by Blaine, they began a short tour of the lab.
Although they only visited a portion, it was more than enough to leave Cain stunned.
The amount of resources Team Rocket had invested in researching the Mew gene could only be described as enormous.
Currently, the research had moved beyond simply cloning Mew to integrating the Mew gene with the genes of other Pokémon.
Since they didn't know which species or genetic combination would work best with the Mew gene, the lab contained the genetic data of nearly every Pokémon species.
Even Legendary Pokémon were included: like the three Legendary Birds or the three Legendary Regis.
With nearly a thousand species, the possible combinations were virtually infinite.
And it wasn't just about combining with one or two species — there could be dozens of genes compatible with Mew.
Even some combinations that don't work individually might work well when merged with multiple genes.
That requires researchers to deeply understand the traits of each gene and find the most suitable combinations.
"No wonder this research requires so many resources and so much time," Cain thought to himself.
And this was only the beginning of integrating Mew's genes with others.
"So, Officer Cain? What do you think after seeing all this?" Blaine asked with a smile.
Cain replied with an expression of amazement: "As expected of our Team Rocket... and of Dr. Blaine. This level of vision and capability is truly impressive."
A compliment for both.
It never hurts to flatter.
And, as expected, Blaine smiled even more pleased.
Without going into further details, the three of them moved toward a more secluded corner of the lab. Cain noticed that what was being researched there was somewhat different from the previous area.
"Blaine, explain to Cain," ordered Giovanni.
"Yes, sir."
Blaine nodded and began explaining: "Cain, you participated in the exploration of Mythical Island, right? It was in Mew's ruins that we found some of its hairs. From those, we managed to extract its gene."
"Our initial plan was to clone Mew to create a fully obedient copy. But things didn't go as expected."
"We discovered that, for some unknown reason, when trying to recombine multiple fragments of Mew's gene, they instantly collapsed upon contact. After spending much time and resources, we concluded that: Mew cannot be cloned!"
Blaine paused to gather his thoughts.
"Because of this, the research team split into different approaches. Various schools of thought emerged, and we decided to move forward with several parallel projects."
"What you saw earlier — the combination of the Mew gene with other Pokémon genes — is currently our main focus."
"But recently, another line of research yielded unexpected results," he said in a more serious tone.
Cain nodded. That other line of study was surely what was being researched in this part of the lab.
Blaine patted one of the machines and continued: "The focus here is... Since Mew's gene collapses when recombined, we assume there might be some Pokémon or person that is controlling or interfering with these genes."
"Our final hypothesis is that Mew itself, either consciously or not, maintains a direct link with its gene, which prevents it from being freely manipulated. So we explored this theory, and eventually, we discovered something surprising."
Blaine showed an expression of excitement.
He was completely absorbed in the research. Any progress thrilled him deeply.
Cain was astonished.
Trying to find a connection between the Mew gene and Mew itself?
Was that the idea?
What an unexpected stroke of genius. No wonder Giovanni used to say that without Blaine, Mewtwo wouldn't exist.
"Through those invisible links, we accidentally discovered a passage to an unknown space..."
At that moment, Cain understood his mission.
They had found a route to an unknown world, possibly related to Mew. And they needed someone to explore it.
"Due to the distance and the cost, we've only been able to create a one-time-use transport device, capable of sending a single person back and forth. Moreover, ideally, that person should have psychic powers — even better if they have some spatial sensitivity," Blaine explained.
That's why, when Giovanni mentioned Cain as a candidate, Blaine didn't object, knowing that Cain was a psychic.
Upon hearing this, Cain felt a slight chill.
A psychic?
And spatial sensitivity?
That meant there was real danger in the transfer.
"Then... Wouldn't Miss Sabrina be the most suitable person for this?" Cain asked with curiosity.
After all, Sabrina's psychic powers and spatial sensitivity were legendary in the Pokémon world.
And furthermore...
How did Giovanni know he had spatial sensitivity?
How did he even know Cain had powers related to space?
"Sabrina can't go," replied Blaine, shaking his head.
(End of chapter)