021. [Anonymous Text + Images/Locked Audio - Rocket Frequency]

[explosivecombat]

[ANONYMOUS TEXT + IMAGES]

[Kimblee hasn't been back in Goldenrod City for very long; he's well aware of the attack on the Tower, however - his contacts here have made him very aware of that.

He's well aware that he shouldn't do anything rash; however, his pride does have quite the tendency to get involved in decisions where it really has no goddamn business being, and as such, an anonymous text goes out over the network.

Seth's clearly making a reappearance tonight.]

It seems some of you have been enjoying yourselves lately.

[There's no clarification regarding exactly what he's talking about; however, there are, as usual, pictures accompanying the text.

The first is par for the course, as Seth goes; a set of six Pokéballs held in gloved hands, on chest-level with the person holding them - his face isn't visible, but the red R insignia on his uniform clearly is, even in the dim light of the room.

The next three photographs are decidedly more straightforward, in terms of what he's trying to get across; each image contains two Pokémon in heavy, reinforced cages set up in front of a black backdrop of some sort - birds, all of them. They seem alive, though "unharmed" is a bit of a stretch; they seem to have been roughed up quite a bit.

More text, clearly continuing on from the first line.]

So have I.

[One more image follows, similar to the first - though instead of Pokéballs clasped in his hands, he has a white card pinned between his index and middle fingers, the words written on it scrawled out in thick, blocky lettering as though someone had gone over the words repeatedly, obscuring any sort of distinctive handwriting for the sake of making them far less identifiable.

TELL FALKNER THAT SETH SAYS HELLO.]


[AUDIO / PRIVATE - TEAM ROCKET FREQUENCY]

[And a few hours later, once Kimblee has decided he's done instigating for the day, the Rockets will be granted something decidedly more sane and far less...uh, directly ominous.]

A good evening to all of you; I hope that it finds you well.

[Again, the voice over the locked Rocket frequency tonight is calm and possibly surprisingly pleasant, especially given what one usually encounters around the base in Goldenrod; the person speaking is clearly a bit soft-spoken and his voice is gentle in a bit of a high-pitched sort of way, but there's firmness behind his words. Authority. A bit of arrogance, perhaps, but it's just as easily taken for confidence.]

My name is Solf J Kimblee; I hold the rank of Beta in this organization. It's been quite some time since I've been in our beloved hometown; regrettably, business has kept me away, but it won't be that way for much longer.

To those new to the organization - I welcome you to Johto, and I would like to take the time to get to know you personally. I can offer you work and opportunities, should you require direction; should you just want someone to speak to regarding your sudden arrival in this world, I would like to help you - I can't promise you answers, but I can offer my assistance in any way I can. For those who have arrived recently, but haven't met with me personally yet, I would like to invite you to do so as well.

And those of you who have been here for a while - I'll expect some sort of proper report from at least one of you, regarding the incident that occurred last week. Many of you know exactly how well I adhere to Equivalent Exchange; offer me valid information and I'll gladly reward you.

I look forward to speaking with all of you; I would prefer meeting in person, simply know where you are and I'll gladly meet you.

Until then~

Comments

[explosivecombat]

A combination of both, actually; I see no reason for such things to be mutually exclusive.

[itsjustdust]

[There was a lull as he thought about it, and when he replied, he took his time, picking his words with care.]

I understand how the warfare tactics can be useful, if you just want to offset an enemy, or to retaliate for something. But, when you enjoy it, is it for the reaction, or just getting to hurt something under your power?

[explosivecombat]

It's nothing so basic as flat-out sadism; I take no pleasure in torture or causing misfortune to come to others.

I take pleasure in these acts because this is my life's work; it's what I do, and it's what I'm good at. My pleasure derives directly from what I do - knowing that I carried out my task to the fullest of my ability, as efficiently and beautifully as possible. Any other effects are secondary and therefore don't concern me.

[itsjustdust]

[Another long pause followed, then a simple question.]

What is your life's work?

[explosivecombat]

[And an equally simple answer.]

Changing the world.

[itsjustdust]

Do you care how?

[explosivecombat]

Of course I do.

My actions aren't random, I can assure you of that much.

[itsjustdust]

Then how do you want to change the world?

[explosivecombat]

The world itself is stagnant; the people within it have grown complacent with their lot, unwilling to fight for their right to continued existence. I would go so far as to say that if they were made to, they would be unable to fight for their right to continued existence, should it come under threat.

I intend to upset that complacency, if not remove it entirely. Should I be proven wrong, then I will gladly admit my position's defeat. Should I be proven right, then the strong will outlast my attempts while the weak will be put in their place.

This isn't the extent of what I intend to do; that is yet to come.

[itsjustdust]

[And have yet another one of those pauses.]

I think you would have been happy if you'd been from where I'm from.

[explosivecombat]

And what makes you say that?

[itsjustdust]

Because weakness always sparks the next war. I hear the future had peace, but I've never known it.

[explosivecombat]

[...well.]

Something we have in common, then.

[itsjustdust]

I seem to have that talent, yeah. Usually it's something a bit less intense than not knowing peace though.

[explosivecombat]

It doesn't seem to be a common trait, at least not in this world. Since you've volunteered such personal information about yourself, allow me to reciprocate.

My own country is permanently at war, either with neighboring countries or within itself due to its own people turning on one another. Before coming here, I had only been outside its borders once in my entire life, for about a day.

I understand there's peace in the future; I've heard it on good authority that that's the case. However, my nation has earned it.

[itsjustdust]

I think all warring countries feel that way. Mine is known as the most powerful when we're not being accused of being soft. We have the best shinobi because we take care of our own, but my Sensei has a flee on sight put on him, so I wonder sometimes if it's a sign of jealousy.

You want to do that here though? Wouldn't you need a country to fight against?

[explosivecombat]

"Shinobi"...?

And actually, no. Another country won't be a necessity, if what I'm working toward manages to take. No further details for now; you'll see soon enough.

[itsjustdust]

Yes. Ninja is another term for it. I'll be real disappointed if this messes with anyone I care about though, you're interesting.

[explosivecombat]

That's one way of looking at it, I suppose. I'm flattered.

[itsjustdust]

No reason to be, we just seem to agree on a few things, even if I wouldn't choose the methods you use to get there.

[explosivecombat]

And what would you choose, were you me? Consider it morbid curiosity.

[itsjustdust]

I would have to know better what is at your disposal first. I've only been midrank in any kind of war, but I had goals.

[explosivecombat]

What sort of goals are we talking about?

[itsjustdust]

Basically the military leader for my country. It's an honored position and I'd have had a legit claim since my teacher was the forerunner for the position, and the teacher of his teacher held it before him.

[explosivecombat]

...I knew someone with very similar goals, actually.

Might I ask what you would do with that position?