016. [Anonymous Text + Images]

[explosivecombat]

[And tonight, with no fanfare, a text hits the network. Completely anonymous, as always; those who have done their homework would recognize the 'Gear number as the one ascribed to the device that's been showing off several other attacks that have been broadcast to the network.]

Good evening, Johto.

The last few times we've spoken have been a bit unbalanced, wouldn't you agree?

[Ah, there are the pictures. Still images from the attack on the square in front of the Goldenrod Department Store, along with a few other images - the attack on the Kimono Girls and against a few random civilians, the Goldenrod Pokémon Center being destroyed. Little unpleasantries like that. Scroll past them and the text will pick back up, don't worry.]

You've told me so much about yourselves, during those attacks. I've gotten to know several of you quite well, actually.

For the time being, I would like to even the playing field a little. It will keep things interesting, I think.

From the time that you contact me onward, you have an hour to ask me anything you like. I can't guarantee you'll like or be satisfied with the answers, but it'll be better than nothing, I imagine; anything is up for discussion, short of my current location.

And don't worry - I'll introduce myself, just to spare you some time.

[There's one more image after the text ends; it's the sort of picture that usually closes out these transmissions to the network - a shot of the Rocket agent in question from the chest down to about the waist. The room behind him is dark, though it appears to be a meeting room of some sort, if you squint; the Rocket insignia emblazoned across his shirt is clearly visible above his hands, which are obscured by the pale gloves that come with the uniform. Instead of the usual Pokéballs clasped in his hands, however, there's a white card with a few words written on it in thick, blocky writing, as though someone had written the letters and gone over them repeatedly, rendering them unidentifiable through handwriting alone. The words are highly visible, standing out against the stark, glaring white of the card in the flash of the camera:

MY NAME IS SETH.

PLEASED TO MAKE YOUR ACQUAINTANCE.]

Comments

[TEXT]

[glaciates]

You're right about that. Do you really think anyone is going to fall for that "name" of yours? Why even bother giving one?

[ANONYMOUS TEXT FOREVER OKAY, I JUST SUCK AT HEADERS]

[explosivecombat]

For the sake of giving you something to call me, as most of you haven't had even that much. I don't know about you, but I prefer a name over "You" or "Rocket member" or whatever else you people like to call me. However, I've no doubt that most will continue to do so; I'm not stupid.

And there's also the matter of reminding you that whether you believe me or not, the fact is that I do have a name. There's no point in demonizing me. I'm a person, an individual - as are you, as is everyone else who has responded to me. Whether that instills hope or disgust in others up to them.

[glaciates]

I hope you're not expecting me to be surprised by that. There are people willing to do terrible things like this everywhere.

But you're one person. You're the only one who's been pulling off attacks. Where's the rest of your team?

[explosivecombat]

I'm only one person, yes. I'm the only one in the images, and I'm the one you've had contact with.

That doesn't necessarily mean I work alone.

[glaciates]

[...The messages he and Ouka received were quite different in what they said; one said the attack was ordered and the other said it was done of the man's own free will. It would make sense that there's someone else.]

And they don't want to take the credit for this?

[explosivecombat]

Since you seem to be taking Seth as a false name, as far as you're concerned I'm technically not taking credit for it, either, am I?

But no, they don't. Why should they?

[glaciates]

I meant within the organization. Or are you two doing this together for the benefits? Why don't we ever speak to your partner?

[explosivecombat]

You're only figuring for two of us? I thank you for the compliment regarding our power - though you aren't mistaken about how strong we are, I don't remember saying there were only two of us, either.

You don't speak to those I work with because they have no interest in talking to you. Should they decide to, I imagine they will, at their leisure; for the time being, however, I'm the one who usually handles speaking to the masses, as it were.

[glaciates]

How many of you are there? Are they aware you're doing this?

[explosivecombat]

When it comes to people who have made anonymous attacks that have been posted to the network, I'm aware of at least six different individuals, counting myself. We don't all work together, however; some of us have done things independently of one another, so there may be more that I don't know about. We inform each other of some things; when it comes to others, some of us are left in the dark. I'm no exception to that rule.

This little session was my choice. I didn't consult any of the others before doing this.

[glaciates]

[Six? Oh god, that's way more than he thought...]

Why do you all feel the need to work for Team Rocket? You can leave the organization. Or is it because you're all horrible people?

[explosivecombat]

We can leave, but there are consequences for those who do - surely you didn't think there wouldn't be. I imagine some stay through fear. Some stay through lack of anything better to do. Some stay to protect others that are within the organization, or to try to "save" them from themselves. And some stay because yes, they're terrible people.

There are many reasons why one might not want to leave. As for myself, look at these attacks and try to tell me that I'm not a horrible person.

[glaciates]

Why would I bother defending you?

[...you totally meant that literally, right...

Anyway, that line about "saving them from themselves" is kind of worrying. Emmy had said something about Kimblee joining the organization to keep an eye on Archer, hadn't she? Perhaps this person's aware of that.]

What do you plan to do next, then? Are all of these attacks just spur of the moment?

[explosivecombat]

Some of them are. Some of them are planned, some of them are ordered. So it's a bit hard to give you any sort of timeframe. You understand.

[glaciates]

What do you want? Are you just going to keep attacking people here until you get sent home?

[explosivecombat]

Should it come to that, I will. But attacking people isn't the end goal. It never has been.

[glaciates]

So you're willing to do terrible things to benefit within your organization. Why? You'll be returned home eventually.

[explosivecombat]

Perhaps I will, but this world will have changed through my effort.

[glaciates]

Any changes you make here are temporary. Eventually we'll all return home and no one will remember your attacks. What's the point?

[explosivecombat]

I wouldn't be so sure that we all leave.

A bit depressing for some of you if that's the case, isn't it?

[glaciates]

The longest anyone's been here is around two years. What about the people before? We'll be returned home eventually.

[There's no way he knows that Isaac is dead. That can't be what he's referring to.]

[explosivecombat]

The most that says is that the phenomena regarding this world started two years ago. Try again.

And again, can you be so sure?

[glaciates]

So you think you're just going to stay here and terrorize people forever? Someone's going to stop you.

[explosivecombat]

We're aware of that little band of would-be heroes trying to stop us. Personally, I'm not afraid.

[glaciates]

After everything you've done, you should be.