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]

You'd be surprised at how many people here are doing something horribly wrong, you know.

But I see your point, really; I'm not particularly good at these things, unfortunately, I've never been much of an instructor.

[itsjustdust]

Yeah, I hear that. I was never a teacher back home. I mean, I could relay order as needed sometimes, and take over when needed, but I never had exclusive charge over a group of anyone you know? It's a learning thing for me.

[explosivecombat]

I had exclusive charge over a unit many years ago; I haven't done it since. I choose not to at this point, really; I don't believe I'm missing much.

[And that is, quite simply, all it is. He chooses not to. Of course.]

[itsjustdust]

You don't count your pokemon as a group under your command?

[explosivecombat]

No. Intelligent though they may be, they're animals; there's a difference between raising animals and dealing with humans.

[itsjustdust]

That's true I guess, even the most intelligent summons value different things than humans do, yeah?

[explosivecombat]

Exactly, though I wouldn't say it's so much a matter of what one values as it is a matter of what one is able to comprehend in the first place.

Though I suspect you're referring to something different than what I'm used to, as I would hardly call these things "summons."

[itsjustdust]

Yeah these guys are on a different intelligence plain for the most part, but I'm not gonna risk underestimating them because they can learn human when they want to. Not to say that's a crowning glory or anything but it puts them above stupid animals too, you know?

[explosivecombat]

Oh, I'm aware that they can comprehend basic things in terms of speech, simply because there would be no point in issuing commands to them otherwise. And I'll go so far as to grant them the general understanding of intent behind certain actions.

However, I don't think they're quite as advanced as some claim - after all, back home even dogs could understand love and loyalty, and no one was trying to imply that they're anywhere near on par with humanity. Those who claim these creatures are anything other than weapons or perhaps pets are deluding themselves.

[itsjustdust]

What? No no I meant talking human. And I can't say anything about talking animals back home cause we have animals that talk there too. I mean sure, their grounding is in something less intelligent, but they can be pretty skilled so... I guess I come from a different basis because this is a step down from what I'm used to instead of a step up?