explosivecombat | 017. [Locked Audio/Rocket Frequency]

017. [Locked Audio/Rocket Frequency]

[AUDIO / PRIVATE - TEAM ROCKET FREQUENCY]

Good evening.

[The voice that comes over the 'Gear tonight is calm, at least; soft and open, a bit high-pitched perhaps, but generally not unpleasant to listen to. Confident, in a bit of a self-satisfied way. So it goes.]

My name is Solf J Kimblee; I hold the rank of Beta within this organization. I suppose I owe you all an apology for being away from the organization itself for so long.

I think it's time to remedy that a bit.

As one of the field agents in charge of assisting with the training of the new recruits, I would like to extend an invitation to all of you - particularly the new ones that I have yet to meet, although I would like to see those I'm already acquainted with as well. It isn't an order; again, it's just an invitation to talk. I would like to get to know all of you, and to have a fuller understanding of your talents. Should you require orders or simply want something to do, I may have a proposal for you; we'll see.

I would prefer meeting you in person; I'm in the Goldenrod base for the time being, but if you're currently elsewhere, neither time nor money is a problem for me. Let me know where you are; I'll meet up with you.

I must say that I'm pleased with the work I've seen so far, however. Do keep it up, hm?

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[He falls silent for a moment. He's already told Kimblee more than he's told the citizens of Albion. Would it really hurt to talk a bit more about it...?]

...No. They don't know what's coming. I've been working to prepare the army, but even they aren't ready to face it.

...Wouldn't it have been easier to give them some sort of idea of what they might be facing?

[LOGIC]

It would have, yes. But no one in Albion has faced anything like that before. Many people doubt the existence of Hollow Men, much less something like this. I would have been deemed crazy, perhaps even removed from the throne for something like that. Then where would Albion be?

And there was no way irrefutable proof could have been provided?

No. It killed all the soldiers I brought with me. The Aurorans - the people plagued by it - wished to remain and fight against it in their homeland. Even with their word, it wouldn't have been enough to convince all of Albion.

...are kings really that easily deposed in Albion? At least where I'm from, the leader of the country has sovereign rule.

The monarchy in Albion is only fifty years old. I'm only the second ruler. I have a younger sister who could have very easily replaced me as ruler.

[...She... kind of is in the middle of doing that, um whoops.]

Only fifty?

[...holy shit

you guys are more backwards than Amestris, congratulations]

Well, I suppose that would explain a fair amount, then - I take it that your time period is rather far from this one in general?

Yes; my mother founded the monarchy.

[He seems rather pleased with that!]

Indeed. There are plenty of things in this world that are scientific advancements the likes of which we never would have imagined back home.

[Pretty much everything in this world, tbh...]

It's more than slightly advanced from what I'm used to as well, but given that you don't seem familiar with trains...

[He glances back over toward it; his gaze darts down toward Dorian, who...is still playing with Ruby, wtf. THE END OF DAYS, HE IS TELLING YOU.]

Have you been adapting to it well enough, at least?

[They're totally the best of friends, man. You clearly just didn't find him the right Vulpix to hang out with!]

I suppose so. There are obviously some things I've gotten used to better than others.

[Electricity is one thing, but no longer being responsible for 6.5 million people is another.]

[...other Vulpixes, that's funny. If Kimblee got another one, Dorian would find a way to flip a table despite having no thumbs.

Either way, Kimblee laughs a bit at that, though the sound is gentle.]

That's admittedly why I asked to meet with you in person; I still don't trust the device very much, and I've been here for almost a year now.

[That seems to remind him of something, however - Betas have access to certain, ah, services within Team Rocket, and if he can find some way to claim it's for TR business - training his new junior, perhaps....]

However, I'll have to introduce you to helicopters one day.

[Oh Dorian...]

Understandably so. It's incredibly complicated despite the simple design.

[He's mostly gotten the hang of it, at least!

That does get Logan to pause and ask the rather obvious question.]

What is a helicopter?

It's something that you have to see to fully appreciate. I'll just state that it's a mode of transportation and leave it at that; I have reason to think you'll like it.

[After all, you're close enough to him in temperament, and he loves the damn things.]

Ah, indeed? Is it similar to the train, then?

[No, but curious tho!!]

No, not at all; you'll likely become rather acquainted with them over the course of your stay here, should you remain with your current employment long enough, but I'll likely show you personally before that time comes.

It's a method of transportation the organization uses, then?

[Hmm. Curious.]

I'd appreciate that. It sounds interesting.

[...as long as you aren't also being introduced to vehicles with his other juniors behind the wheel. He's heard many things regarding the incident in spring; apparently Mr. Uryuu was an unholy joyriding terror...]

This organization is full of interesting things, really; the science division in particular comes up with some inventions and concepts that are bordering on terrifying, though admittedly in the best way possible. Most of what they do is a bit beyond me, unfortunately; I can imagine you'd have difficulties with some of it as well, but if you're ever curious, I would recommend seeing their labs sometime. Dr. Kato in particular is an associate of mine; he's a bit of an...ah, overly exuberant fellow, but mention that I sent you and he should treat you well.

I can only imagine.

[Seriously, he's still fascinated with light switches, just imagine how he'd handle everything else!]

What is the purpose of the science division? I assume the organization helps fund their research? What are our superiors getting out of it?

[This sounds like a Bad Thing, after all.]

[Kimblee glances around for a moment, guaranteeing they're still in the midst of that dead spot between arrivals and departures - too soon for anyone to be showing up with the intention of travelling to Kanto, not late enough for anyone to be arriving at the station with the intent of welcoming anyone to Johto. There are a few people milling around, but no one within earshot; Dorian seems relaxed and is still playing with Ruby - he'd be more alert if there were strangers or unseen Pokémon in the vicinity. They can talk here for the time being, it seems.]

Unfortunately, I don't represent our organization as a whole, nor can I really speak for our superiors and their plans. I'm in a bit closer contact with them than most of the others, perhaps, but I'm not authorized to make statements regarding our goals. I can make guesses once in a while, but I ask that you take my words as conjecture only.

With that in mind, however - as far as I know, the organization funds their research, yes. The science division itself creates machines and various other things that can be used to help us gain control of the region, or provide a large enough distraction to allow us to accomplish whatever task we've been set to complete for the time being. I don't know exactly what this is building up to; however, I've been here for nearly a year at this point, and I know someone else who's been in the organization for at least a year longer than me - I haven't seen much progress, personally, though again, I can't speak for the organization as a whole, nor do I know what they're doing behind the scenes.

As far as I go, I'm called upon to act, and I act. I was a soldier back home; I remain a soldier here.

[Logan is silent while Kimblee speaks, but from his expression, it's clear he's not pleased with the words.]

Why would you switch your allegiance over to this organization? If they're intent on taking over Johto they should be stopped. As a soldier, wasn't your allegiance to your country? Even if you can't serve your military here, what has this organization done to gain your support?

[Kimblee is totally a good judge of whether or not this organization is evil!!]

I don't lightly swear allegiance to any group or entity, simply because I won't support any group or entity that will force me to act at detriment to myself. A country's loyalty to her own people is never a constant; those in charge often act in their own self-interest. Personally, I was in a bit more of a privileged position than most in the country, due to knowledge I had received from within the government itself. There came a time when I no longer served my country's military; however, when I was brought here I was acting in the service of my country's leader directly. I was willing to follow him, but the country's government as a whole had less of the full picture - they were misguided through personal motives, such as greed or desperation. I wouldn't follow their orders, so in a way, no, my allegiance was not to my country; my allegiance was to our Fuhrer and those he was working with directly.

This organization has shown an appreciation for me, for my talents, and for the talents of my partner. It allows me to explore my own potential, and to make an impact on this world - to affect it and to change it, as we see fit to do. It's what I was offered back in Amestris; I'll follow those who offer me such things here.

[Wait, so Kimblee's government wasn't acting in the best interests of the country? Why? The country comes first. This is basic knowledge. How did the government manage to screw that up?]

Was your leader acting in the best interests of the country? I can understand serving him over the government if the government itself was corrupt.

[Though admittedly that's still a bit of a difficult idea to grasp. He supposes it would be something like ignoring a corrupt group of guards to directly serve the king or something along those lines.]

Your goal is to "make an impact on this world", then? What if that impact is negative? I don't see how this organization can bring anything but trouble to Johto.

[He pauses for a moment, considering. There actually is a way to answer to both matters at once - whether his leader was acting in the best interests of the country, and exactly...well, what the hell it is he's trying to do; it's just a matter of working out how to word it.]

Answer something for me, King Logan - do you believe that the best way to bring about change is through positivity?

I'm not trying to be snide, I'm honestly wanting to know your stance on such matters; it's relevant, I promise.

Not necessarily. It depends on the situation.

[He certainly knows that.]

But from the sound of it, you aren't seeking to bring about a specific change. It sounds as though you're seeking to change Johto in any way possible, be it positive or negative. It doesn't matter which it is, what ultimately matters is that you'll be remembered.

Or am I mistaken?

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