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

[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?

[Logan, I think you just won a prize for being more aware of Kimblee's motivations than Kimblee is.]

You are. Whether the world knows my name or not, whether it knows what I've done for or against it...none of that matters to me. I accepted long ago that if I died in the name of my work, I would die alone - that no one would know that I had been killed, and if they did know, then I would be hated to the point that no one would care; if I succeeded in carrying out the tasks that had been set to me, no one would ever know the extent of what I'd done. But I would know, and that's what was important to me.

Am I seeking anything specific? I admit that I'm not; you're correct in that regard. But ultimately, this place will be stronger for it - conflict begets strength, the strong outlast the weak. It's the way of the world.

This isn't your world. Perhaps that's true in your world, but this world is entirely different. You've said as much yourself; the only thing to be done is adapt to the way of this world. Why would you seek to weed out to weak? Your definition of weak and this world's might be entirely different.

[Not to mention the fact that this is giving him a horrible feeling. Even if it is the way of the world, that doesn't mean anyone is less important, no matter how weak they are. It doesn't mean they should be weeded out through conflict.]

Do you seek to start a conflict here in Johto, then?

[The question is very pointed and Logan's expression has hardened considerably.]

[Kimblee just smiles a bit at that, the expression a bit rueful.]

Ah, you won't have to worry about that; I'm a weapon, not a leader. I've never been much for positions of command, and I doubt I could orchestrate something that large myself; I'm well aware of my own limitations, believe me.

[...of course, this isn't mentioning what Archer is capable of, and what he's willing to help him do, but...]

...Good.

[Logan relaxes a bit at that, though it's clear he still isn't very pleased with the answer. He doesn't like the idea of Kimblee referring to himself as a weapon, but more than that he doesn't like the idea that Kimblee would be perfectly fine starting some sort of chaos here in Johto.

There have been anonymous attacks over the network, after all...]

[Kimblee tips his head a bit at that. Something doesn't feel right about this, exactly, though he can't exactly say what; he doesn't seem displeased, however. Just curious.]

Something on your mind?

I don't see my soldiers or guards as weapons. Perhaps your world treats them differently, but I'm not keen on the idea of referring to anyone as a "weapon."

[...of all things to get stuck on...]

I'm afraid I don't see what you mean.

Why not? I don't see why anyone would consider you to be a weapon instead of a person. I don't understand why you would consider yourself to be a weapon.

I...

[He trails off into silence after that, though, and for a long, awkward moment he's clearly unsure of what to say; this isn't the first time that he's had it pointed out to him that he doesn't refer to himself as being a person, but rather as something else entirely - this isn't even the first recent time. And he never notices there's something wrong with that until it's pointed out and explained...

He shifts a bit, uncomfortable; he folds his arms across his chest, adjusts a little when he realizes what he's doing, then gives up and folds them again.]

Would you prefer I refrain from such references, then?

[Logan tips his head a bit at that. It's obvious he's not following Kimblee at all.]

I would prefer it if you didn't consider yourself a weapon at all, but ultimately that is your decision.

[A slight hesitation, then he continues.]

I don't understand why you would refrain from saying it; it doesn't make me uncomfortable, it's just something I don't agree with.

It is what it is; where I'm from, what I did rendered me more of a weapon than a soldier, though I was officially classed as the latter. Most wouldn't acknowledge it out loud; I just believe in stating it for what it is.

Does it bother you that much?

You're considering yourself something other than human. Of course it bothers me. Perhaps in your world it's different, but I would consider a weapon to be less than a human; I can't see why you would want to refer to yourself as something like that.

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