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]

[Oh, it's spared Kimblee a fair amount of odd looks, though it's not exactly due to having said something embarrassing; it's more that it forces him to think about what he's putting down before he sends it, lets him see if it sounds a little odd. Not poorly-worded sorts of odd; "expressing confusion about why you're all so mad about committing genocide" sorts of odd.

Apparently that latter one is a bad idea in polite company.]

And how have you found the organization in those two and a half weeks - has it been to your liking? I understand that there have been some...administrative difficulties that I'm working on straightening out; hopefully things haven't been too hideous.

[strongestoftheturks]

[Rude totally understands, though for him it's more of the wrong choice of words to describe his thoughts rather than hiding sociopathic tendencies. He's already leaning in the grey side of morality anyway; there's a reason why he never goes into too much detail about his work when asked.

As for organization problems, well...Rude can't really complain. They leave him to his own and as long as he does his work they don't nag or micromanage him.]

No problems on my part.

[explosivecombat]

[Hey, hey, we morally grey people have to stick together and all. Regardless of the reasons for said grey morality.]

Well! That's certainly good news after an entire day of everything but; consider it appreciated.

Might I ask what your line of work was, back in your own world?

[strongestoftheturks]

Security and investigation division under a company.

[explosivecombat]

"A company" - how utterly vague. Highly classified work, I'm assuming?

[strongestoftheturks]

In general.

[They let out a few rumours with grains of truth in them, just to keep people on their toes.]

[explosivecombat]

Former military, former government employee here.

I'm well aware of how it goes, believe me.

[strongestoftheturks]

[Finally, someone who understands!! Everyone else that he's met in Team Rocket is either a delinquent/moody teen, a comic character or a drama king; he was starting to wonder how Team Rocket was even taken seriously.]

Someone who understands.

That's a relief.

[explosivecombat]

Of course. I take it you've met some of our more...ah, interesting members? To put it lightly.

[strongestoftheturks]

Yeap.

[What he won't say? Childish, foolish, crazy and just...they just can't be taken seriously. I mean, his first brush with Rocket leadership was Cobra Commander . Laughing maniacally does not score you any points on the bad-o-meter, in Rude's view.]

They're Insert long long pause here as Rude tries to figure out something to say about them that wouldn't have him kicked out of Team Rocket unpredictable.

[explosivecombat]

Forgive me if it's seen as poor form to speak less than favorably of one's coworkers, but that's possibly the most diplomatic way you could have worded that. I'm well aware of what we're working with, don't worry.

I do hope none of them gave you too much trouble.

Wow, what a HTML fail on my part. I'm so sorry for that and the lateness of this tag.

[strongestoftheturks]

I did some work for Cobra Commander. Just back-up.

It didn't go too bad.

If you're alright with me saying this, sir, I wouldn't mind something more dangerous.

No worries - it happens to everyone, it's fine!

[explosivecombat]

[Hm, well...this has potential to be promising, assuming this person can be trusted; even if he can't, it has potential to be interesting, and Kimblee has never been opposed to doing something simply because it has potential to be interesting.

However.]

Given that you've been here for such a comparatively short time, I'm going to have to hold off on giving you anything too taxing; believe me, the sort of missions I tend to initiate would eat a new person alive, regardless of how skilled they were back in their own world - after all, I'm sure you've noticed that this world plays by its own rules.

However, I'll definitely keep you in mind; in the meantime, raise whatever creatures you have, and get used to how this place works. Once I have something suitable, I'll get in contact with you; for now, however, you can have my assurances that not everything this place does is centered around petty theft and simple duties around the base - I'd have gone insane through boredom otherwise, since I prefer to take on more...entertaining missions myself.

[strongestoftheturks]

[What Kimblee says makes sense; Rude may not like it, but it's logical and reasonable. And on the bright side he'll be ready for more active duty if his Pokemon are more battle-hardened.

It's just...so boring. Like paperwork. OK, nothing's as bad as paperwork but still.

Regardless, he's got his orders, and he'll stick with them. Accomplish the mission anyway possible. That's what he's been taught by Veld, and that's what he'll do.]

Yes sir. Understood.

[explosivecombat]

Excellent.

Anything further, then, before I send you on your way?

[strongestoftheturks]

No sir. I'll get started right away.