017. [Locked Audio/Rocket Frequency]

[explosivecombat]

[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?

Comments

[decrees]

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?

[explosivecombat]

[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.

[decrees]

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.]

[explosivecombat]

[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...]

[decrees]

...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...]

[explosivecombat]

[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?

[decrees]

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."

[explosivecombat]

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

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

[decrees]

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.

[explosivecombat]

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?

[decrees]

[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.

[explosivecombat]

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?

[decrees]

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.

[explosivecombat]

[...oh, Logan...]

I don't see what difference it makes to you, really.

[That's...actually genuine, not defensive, uh.]

[decrees]

I don't like the idea of anyone looking at themselves as something less than human, especially not someone I like.

[LOOK AT HOW SUBTLE HE IS]

[explosivecombat]

[LIKE A BRICK TO THE FACE, LOGAN]

I...I see...

[decrees]

What?

[Oh come on, what is that look for?? We're totally friends, right!!!]

[explosivecombat]

[JUST GIVE HIM A MOMENT TO FIND HIS SWAG AGAIN, HE SEEMS TO HAVE MISPLACED IT]

...consider me flattered then, King Logan. I suppose I'm not used to expressing such things, or having such things expressed in my direction, for that matter.

[THERE WE GO]

[decrees]

I see. It just seemed obvious to me.

[............there might be some muted tsun going on here...]

[explosivecombat]

Ah, I...didn't realize you were so fond, I suppose.

[whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaat]

[decrees]

As I said, it seemed obvious. I don't get along this well with people normally.

[Maybe because of all his social charm and grace...]

[explosivecombat]

[All right, that's amused him a bit, hold on.]

Well, bear in mind that I don't know you very well; however, again, I'm flattered.

[decrees]

I'm sure there will be plenty of time for us to get to know one another.

[And besides, it's not like you actually need to know your friends!!!!]

[explosivecombat]

If that's what you'd like, then I'm not opposed.

[...if he didn't know better, he'd say you were hitting on him just now.]

[decrees]

Yes, I would like that. You're an interesting man, Kimblee.

[...good thing you know better.]