02X - Reintro. [Text/Locked Audio to the Rocket Frequency]

[explosivecombat]

[TEXT]

[Well! Those of you on the network today will be greeted by a bit of audio late this morning, from a device ID that's been bouncing back all attempts at contact for the last several weeks.]

...Oh, that's cute.

[...well, if that wasn't the most triumphant return ever, I don't know what is.

At the very least, however, he seems to get over whatever he's almost audibly linefacing at long enough to realize that the device is recording something; he promptly switches the thing over to text - he's never really liked talking at the machine when he's addressing all of Johto.]

My, it seems this place does still have its sense of humor, doesn't it? And here I thought that perhaps I'd only lost three days at worst - it was a bit of a surprise to find out otherwise.

Ah, but that's neither here nor there, is it?

[Kimblee, hon.]

There's not much to report from home, unfortunately; however, it'll be a pleasure getting in contact with all of you again - hopefully you've all been at least reasonably well.

[Oh, well. At least he doesn't seem too off-put by the whole disappearing-for-a-month-and-a-half thing?]


[PRIVATE AUDIO - TEAM ROCKET FREQUENCY]

[...At least, not until the audio message that goes out over the private Rocket network a few minutes later; Kimblee's voice is cold and clipped, and the amiable "tone" from the text earlier is completely absent.

He has no idea if he still holds his rank or not; he suspects he doesn't. Like hell if he won't throw it around anyway. He's a bit displeased at his life basically being a .gif from Community, and he's going to figure out what in the good hell is going on if it kills him.]

This is Team Rocket Beta Solf J Kimblee, reporting back in for duty; to my superiors, I admit that I don't know what happened, but I assure you that it won't happen again.

To the rest of you - check in with me immediately, particularly if you're one of my subordinates. I'm receiving a lot of "ID Not Found" nonsense, and I need to know who's still present; given that and various things that I've had to hear about secondhand, I expect a full report regarding what happened here from someone, I'm not feeling particularly choosy right now.

New members to the organization - welcome to it, and you have my personal apologies for the disarray. For now, you're welcome to introduce yourselves; it'll serve you well to know that I'm good to those who are good to me. Again, prove yourself useful and you'll be rewarded.

None of this is a request. Allow me to make that much clear.

[...oh dear. Well. At least he's not in much position to actually do anything at the moment - this is Team Rocket we're talking about, and if somebody's on the network very vocally overstating their importance and/or competence, that means it's pretty much a day ending in Y.]

Comments

[explosivecombat]

Is that so? Well, as always, I'm interested to see where this goes.

Although I understand that it's likely none of my business, how harsh was April's cruelty to you? You mentioned losses - were there many, or just a few that were close?

[doitrockapella]

You, a friend, a brilliant young woman, and two unparalleled men who loved me.

Some of those technically fell in the last week of March, but the heartache certainly saw fit to carry over.

[explosivecombat]

A shame. I've lost many in a brief period of time, but never so many that I was so close to.

Of course, I've returned to find that in my absence I've lost some that were important to me, but that really isn't anything I'm willing to contemplate at length for now.

[doitrockapella]

Not your significant other and your golem-tipping accomplice, I hope.

[explosivecombat]

My significant other is among those who are no longer here, yes.

[doitrockapella]

You have my condolences.

As I believe one contemporary philosopher put it best: "this sucks".

[explosivecombat]

An astute observation, if a bit of a crude one. As I told you in December, however, I'm more than open for conversation, should you desire it - that offer is still ongoing.

...or you can continue to send me animated images of kittens, though I suppose you don't need my permission for that.

[doitrockapella]

We're picking up where we left off then, hm?

Well, at least with Cobra Commander in jail, it's less likely I'll be interrupting any important meetings with my correspondence.

[explosivecombat]

I wouldn't be so sure about that, really, as he's almost never the one I'm in meetings with.

As for where we're picking up...I suppose we are. Unless there's a different point you'd like to pick up from.

[doitrockapella]

Nothing ventured, nothing gained.

Is it still on the agenda to meet face-to-face someday?

[explosivecombat]

I like to think it is. Or is it still considered "too easy" to simply ask you if you would like to do so?

[doitrockapella]

Circumstances change.

We'll have to wait and see if that's one of the ones that has.

[explosivecombat]

And how long do you plan on waiting?

[doitrockapella]

Are you in a hurry?

[explosivecombat]

I wouldn't put it that way.

Consider me more interested than impatient.

[doitrockapella]

The fourth of July isn't so far off.

I could see fit to keep my eyes on you in person if it meant avoiding a repeat of last year's fireworks.

[explosivecombat]

Well, in that case, I may even refrain from destroying the city first. Just for you.

...in all honesty, however, I would like that.

[doitrockapella]

Helen of Troy's face launched a thousand ships, and now mine might save a city? Consider me flattered.

Make no mistake, though, it's a contingent offer. Subject to rescission, if your activities between now and then get in the way of my...receptiveness.

[explosivecombat]

And now you're assuming your face - which I have yet to see, by the way, so I have no idea whom I'm meeting - is going to save the region. You're nothing if not confident, Locke, I'll give you that much.

[doitrockapella]

You gave me that pocketwatch for a reason, Nietzsche. Are you really so surprised?

[explosivecombat]

I'm well aware of why I gave it to you. I trust you've been living up to it, despite all the loss lately?

[doitrockapella]

"Only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go," as the wise man said.

If I ever find my limits, you'll be the first to know.

[explosivecombat]

Hopefully that day will never come, then - after all, some never find theirs, no matter how far they venture.

Of course, I've never been one of those myself, but I admire those who are.

[doitrockapella]

People change. And this is a different world.

Who's to say your limits might not have changed with it?

[explosivecombat]

I know myself well enough to know for a fact that they have.

Don't misunderstand me, Locke, I'm not brooding over it, nor do I find it a regrettable thing. If anything, it's a trait inherent to my status as both soldier and weapon - I am what I'm required to be at the time, and I don't mind that at all. I don't expect you to really understand that sort of stance - few do - but believe me, I'm not suffering for it, nor am I self-pitying. Things are what they are.