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

[explosivecombat]

Why bother, if you're so convinced that it's a simple matter of tracking me down and dealing with me? You imply that there's already no challenge to it by saying that - why bother engaging me like this at all?

I'm not doubting your abilities one way or another, mind you; consider it a matter of curiosity.

[enjoymyatelier]

You misunderstand me. If it seemed as though there would be no challenge whatsoever in tracking you down, I wouldn't have bothered with this at all, as it wouldn't have been worth my time. You had proven yourself to be more interesting than I expected during our last encounter-so, of course, I can only assume it won't be that easy.

[explosivecombat]

You have a very convoluted way of making your point, but I suppose I'm flattered.

So tell me, then - what is it you're after, information-wise? It is your hour, after all.

[enjoymyatelier]

Well, first off-what are you after? I'm not sure what you're hoping to accomplish with any of this.

[explosivecombat]

The "right" answer to this is furthering Team Rocket's influence and working toward supporting their objectives - which I personally cannot answer for, because that involves speaking for the group as a whole and I'm not authorized to do that at this point. There's also the monetary gain and what we can call "career advancement" that goes along with that.

The honest answer is a combination of that and "I do what I'm good at, and I enjoy what I do." It's not so much that I have my own agenda, though I have thoughts on the ideal results of my actions, as it is that what I want happens to coincide with what I can do for this organization.

Overall, I don't seek to rule the world, but rather to change it. We're too complacent with our accomplishments and the relative ease of our lives; it's unnatural, repulsive. And should change come about as the result of my actions, then I'll have ultimately succeeded. Should the people fight back to keep their way of life from being impacted, then that's restoring the desire to fight for themselves and they'll have earned their right to be complacent. Either way, I win.

[enjoymyatelier]

So, your solution to this is essentially going around making huge, destructive spectacles on behalf of an organization that relies entirely on crude tactics? I've noticed that people here are ridiculously complacent, but if they're going to be complacent with the completely random nature of this place then I'm not sure what can shake them. You will have people chasing after you, but that will only be a fraction of the populace.

[explosivecombat]

Because that's exactly what I said.

I don't blame you for not understanding what it is I'm trying to do. Believe me, I've done it for a rather long time now; I'm far from an amateur.

[enjoymyatelier]

...So, is this something you attempted back in your own world, then?

[explosivecombat]

It wasn't just an "attempt."

[enjoymyatelier]

...I see. No wonder you're being so arrogant about this, then.

[explosivecombat]

One man's arrogance is another man's confidence, wouldn't you say?

[enjoymyatelier]

Well, I suppose that if you have actual accomplishments to your name, you may be justified in considering it confidence.

[explosivecombat]

It matters very little to me whether you believe it to be justified or not. The fact of the matter is that I know it is.

Anything else, or are we done here?

[enjoymyatelier]

Well, I rather doubt you'll tell me where and when you plan on attacking next, so I believe we are.