ROCKET PLOT? IN -MY- GAME? IT'S MORE LIKELY THAN YOU THINK.

[these_balls]

It’s early in Mahogany.

The sun is only just creeping over the evergreens that surround the little town at the base of the mountains—it hasn’t even yet started to dispel the wispy fog that drifts between the buildings.

Not, of course, that any of the Rocket grunts can see that from their rooms deep underground.

Most of them have had it pretty good the last couple of weeks. Nice rooms, nicer food, and how about that hot spring, guys? They’ve even been allowed to sleep in as long as they want. …. Well, until today.

Somewhere in the hallway, a loudspeaker crackles on… This time, the announcement isn’t made in Ariana’s voice—it’s Archer’s.

“Grunts. Proceed immediately to the conference room in Hallway 2B for a meeting. It will begin in ten minutes.”

It’s loud, although some of the deeper sleepers might have missed it—fortunately for them, a few minutes later, one of the big burly fellows who shepherded them into the hideout to begin with is coming around and banging on the doors just to make sure everybody drags themselves out of bed. How considerate.

The meeting room, when the tired Grunts trickle in and are lined up against the back wall, is fairly sizable, and Archer awaits them, arms folded behind his back. Fortunately, he doesn’t seem to have any guns or crazy dictator facial tics, so he’s probably not gonna shoot them up or something.

After the call-back Grunts are settled, the newest recruits are shuffled in—the ones who just showed up in Mahogany over the last couple of weeks. Lined up against a separate wall, they are told just to watch and listen, for this will be an educational experience on what is expected of them. Slightly ominous…

When the hubbub settles, Archer clears his throat.

“Good morning, Grunts. We’re sorry for the wait.” … Well, no, not really, but whatever. “There were a few snags along the way, but now that we’ve got you all in one place, playtime is over. Today… we will be getting down to business.”

He snaps his fingers, and the door opens. A haggard and mostly-asleep looking Petrel comes hurrying in, arms full of papers and what looks like rolled-up blueprints. Reaching the table, he dumps them down, making a few of the rolled-up sheets go rolling off in different directions before he scoops them all back into a pile again and straightens up, flashing Archer a hopeful smile. When all he gets in return is a dull stare, he wilts and scurries to the back of the room again.

Turning back to the group, the executive gives them all a hard stare before clearing his throat again and picking up a sheet of paper.

“If you’re in here, congratulations. You are among the loyal. We here in Team Rocket value loyalty.” A smirk crawls across his face like a caterpillar trying to impress a pillbug. Go back and read that sentence again. It doesn’t make much sense, but if you can visualize it, that’s what Archer’s face is doing. It’s almost like he’s trying to look like an evil admin. “However, loyalty alone… is not enough.”

Indicating the papers in front of him with a broad gesture, he rises from his seat.

“We’ve been keeping tabs on you all while you were out in this fine, fine country of ours. Some of you have done… fine, fine work. Very fine. Those of you who operated on your own despite silence on our part in particular are to be commended for your dedication. Those of you who didn’t… well, we like to consider ourselves reasonable leaders. You are excused for the time being for your inactivity, but next time, we will not be so understanding. We fully expect even the lowliest of grunts to continue the great work of Team Rocket no matter what, even when there is continued silence from your leaders.”

He pauses there for a moment, seemingly to collect himself, before adding, solemnly, “Just like we ourselves have done for the past four years.”

There’s a brief silence, broken only by a visibly-moved Petrel blowing his nose loudly in the back of the room.

“In any case,” Archer speaks up again sharply, and snaps his fingers. “These are your evaluations. Petrel, pass them out.” He turns briefly to the new recruits and adds “You lot haven’t been evaluated yet. But you will be eventually, so don’t think we’ll be going lax on you.”


The evaluations are passed out on short notecards, each with the recipient’s name—or at least the name that shows up on their PokeGear ID—typed neatly at the top.




Carona
You hunger for knowledge about our grand organization is refreshing to see, and we heartily encourage you to continue to learn about our great legacy. In particular, we recommend The Life and Times of Giovanni, the official biography of the great and powerful leader who started it all. It is in the bookshelf in the lounge.

Cobra Commander
Despite your frequent doubting of our competence (yes, we know about that), the fact that you not only performed on your own and showed an admirable will to take charge in the absence of direct orders, which shows the very attitude we prize here in Team Rocket, but still showed up here when called has proven beyond doubt that you are both a responsible subordinate and a capable leader. With this in mind, congratulations, you have been promoted to Rocket Private—one of the first of your foreigner status to attain such a position within our ranks. You will be given further details on what this title entails.

Daisuke Niwa
Two words: shape up. You have been a guest in our glorious Headquarters well long enough for the inevitable shock and awe to have worn off, and yet all you have done is mope. We expect a proactive, go-getter attitude from all our members and you have failed spectacularly.
You are expected to pick up a more eager mindset for the upcoming mission.
We can and will come up with something to motivate you if you do not do it yourself.

Don Paolo
Although your activity is not as impressive as some, we still appreciate your efforts. Should you keep them up, you will be rewarded for them. In addition, we are also impressed with your improvements to our machinery. As such, we are promoting you to an engineer position. We look forward to your continued contributions to our prestigious organization.

Easel
We understand that you have only been here a short amount of time and as such have not yet had the time to commit any of the impressive atrocities we would normally expect from one of our own. As such your lack of activity has been excused. However, more will be expected of you soon, so be prepared.

Grell
We are not entirely pleased with your inactivity during our period of silence, but because you have performed such admirable work on other occasions, most notably in your capture of one of the deserters, we have chosen to overlook it. Please continue with the good work. You are to work as an assistant in command under Privates Kneesocks and Cobra Commander during the upcoming mission.

Jango
Quite frankly, you are a rather disturbing individual and we are not entirely certain we like you. We would like to request that you refrain from co-opting any of the public HQ areas for dancing, as it misrepresents us as an organization and at least one native Grunt has reported that their Pokemon have been dancing continuously ever since having an encounter with you.
However, your hypnotic skills are of value to us and therefore you have a role to play in the upcoming mission.
More details will be given to you once we arrive on location.

Kasanoda
We’re watching you. Another attempt to leak information and you will regret it.
On the upcoming mission, you are to ask to be given a 9:00-5:00 job cleaning toilets.
We will know if you don’t and the consequences will be … unpleasant.
Do not disobey us again.

Kneesocks
We are very pleased with your work. Your obedience and loyalty has been exceptional, and in particular your capture of the deserter Vanitas was particularly impressive. We hope you continue to perform such quality work with us from your new position. Congratulations, you have been promoted to Rocket Private—one of the first of your foreigner status to attain such a position within our ranks. You will be given further details on what this title entails.

Niou
You seem to have no trouble getting into the spirit of things, and as an organization committed to nurturing each member’s inner criminal, we find it very heartwarming to observe your escapades with your fellow Grunts. However, please keep in mind that Team Rocket is an organization devoted to greatness, and in the future a great deal more will be expected of you than petty pickpocketing.

Shinji
Although all of us participate in juvenile goading of pathetic law-abiding individuals over the network from time to time, we would like to remind you that as a member of the great Team Rocket, a great deal more will be expected of you than simple antagonization.

Tarantulas
Yes, we know it’s you. We’re not sure what is up with the disguise, but we will play along and refrain from outing you to the police (obviously) and your compatriots. However, keep in mind that attempting to deceive US about your identity is a foolish move. We completely support your methods of disguising your presence in Johto to the police and your fellow foreigners, however. Very clever.
You have done work above and beyond the call of what Team Rocket normally participates in. However, there is no question that we could use a man of such skill and knowledge as yourself. With this in mind, you have been granted permission to full use of our facilities and laboratory equipment. Obviously we would prefer that you primarily use it for work-related reasons, but we will not begrudge you their use if you should happen to acquire any more… subjects you may wish to experiment on, so long as such activities do not interfere with your duties for the organization. Additionally, should you find out anything important or useful to our organization during any of this ‘personal research’, you are obligated to report it immediately.
For the time being, however, we would like you to accompany your fellow Rockets on the mission and stand by in the event that your … information-extraction skills are required.




As the papers are passed around and each of the returning Grunts is given a chance to look over them, Archer waits impatiently for a couple of minutes before clearing his throat once again. Does this guy have a cough or what?

“But enough of that. The time has come at last to reveal our work.”

Moving aside slightly, he gestures to an easel covered in a blanket. And then, with a dramatic flourish, he yanks it away, revealing a large photograph of…


The Goldenrod City Radio Tower..

“This, ladies and gentlemen, is our target. The objective is simple. Observe. Infiltrate. Take over.”

He pauses for dramatic effect, and then adds, hastily—

“Well, obviously there’s going to be more to it than that, but you will be given more specific orders upon arrival. The helicopters will be leaving in intervals over the next few days to transport you all there. Lodgings will be provided in Goldenrod City for those who cannot afford it themselves. Time is of the essence, so you all should get ready.”

By this he means ‘kiss that hot spring goodbye because there sure won’t be one in the ice-covered city YOU’RE going to’.

But as the grunts are milling towards the door, he holds up a hand.

“I have one last announcement. …. You have all been loyal. Coming here of your own free will. However… if any of you are having second thoughts, or are thinking of possibly deserting…”

He turns to the wall and pushes a depressed panel—causing the entire wall to slide away. What’s revealed?

Why, a glass window looking down on some prison cells containing the kidnapped deserters, of course!

When Archer speaks up again, his voice is chilly.

“Consider this a friendly warning as to what awaits you should your loyalty falter at any point. Now carry on.”



[OOC: Sorry for the long wait, guys!
Here are some notes:
1)For the ‘Rocket Privates’, privileges include the absolute right to boss around all other ‘otherworlder’ Grunts, as well as important commanding roles in the upcoming missions.
In addition, Cobra Commander and Kneesocks will be presented with a gift in honor of their promotion: a pair of TMs, both containing the move Hyper Beam. They are told to choose the Pokemon they teach it to wisely because they won’t be getting any more of those.

2) If your character is a Rocket grunt who was called back to base (aka, was a member of Team Rocket before the call-back announcement was made), and you did not receive an Evaluation, please comment here with their dastardly achievements (or lack thereof), and we will edit this post to comply. <3

3) For the imprisoned characters, there will be another OOC announcement made sometime over the next few days concerning their fate. We’d like everyone concerned to give us some input on what’s to happen to them, as there’s a variety of different outcomes possible!

AS ALWAYS, consider this to be an open log post for your characters to mingle and discuss this new information should they choose, and if anyone has any questions, please post them in the QUESTIONS thread!]

Comments

QUESTION THREAD

[these_balls]

Got questions? Please ask them here!

[redderbyrules.livejournal.com]

I'm sorry that this isn't a question, b-b-b-but I have to say

YOU GUYS ARE AWESOME, THERE IS NOTHING I DON'T LOVE ABOUT THIS POST AND PLOT, THANK YOU SO MUCH, LOVE, SO MUCH LOVE, LOOOOOVE

[urbaninja.livejournal.com]

I'm getting the feeling that this is going to be a pretty big plot, and I'm just wondering if you have any ballpark dates as to when shit's gonna hit the fan and all hell breaks loose, which I'm assuming is totally gonna happen.

Just...need to plan my schedule so I can be in on the action.

Thanks.

[all4fun-fun4all.livejournal.com]

So new Rockets? Are they participating in Goldenrod radio tower take-over too?

QUESTION THREAD

[serpensrex.livejournal.com]

So much love for you guys. Pretend this is a happy icon because this is awesome and you definitely deserve praise.

QUESTION THREAD

[itsybitsycrazy.livejournal.com]

THIS IS ALL AWESOME YOU GUYS HAVE NO IDEA HOW HAPPY THIS MAKES ME *A*

And that said, I do have one question.. thing! Loving, oh so loving traitor he may be, Tarantulas can also be a huge suckup, and now that action is being taken (and he's actually getting stuff fuck yes), sucking up and working with the men in charge seems like an appropriate thing to do here. Should I hit one of you guys up on AIM when I can over details or something later on?

[kickthecanplz.livejournal.com]

S-Shit... How did they...

[He's worried. Definitely worried.

... But you know what? yes, he will ask for that job... and do what he can to save the people there. But for now, he goes quiet, sighing.]

[redderbyrules.livejournal.com]

[Ohhhhhhh hell yes.

Scanty~ How much are you going to praise me when you hear this~

She adjusts her glasses, ever so calmly.]

I am honored.

[psychunaut.livejournal.com]

[A takeover?! And they're punishing those deserters... man, Raz has to think of a good way to let people know without getting caught out, and soon! But if they can punish them like this... Hm. He's gonna need more time to plan something.

For now, Raz is gonna give a glance to his Kirlia (he never keeps it balled, i swear), and gulp.]
We'd better get ready, everybody.
[he said, not just to his Kirlia, but to his other Pokeballs. He had a (failtastic) plan starting to form...]

THE PRISONERS...

[captain-pantsu.livejournal.com]

[How long had they been in this weird, cramped room anyway? There is only one window, far up and a stretch across the no real communications to the outside world except for their Gear. That's the only way to tell the time. The lights are a pale, gross yellow, shining from the ceiling. There's a door, heavy and dark and only locking from the outside. The walls are hard, made of concrete, almost impossible to break out of.

Their pokémon had even been taken from them before entering. They're being cared for, they've been told - but probably not well. After all, even they aren't being cared for well. The only meals they're properly fed are packs of baked chips, an abundance of celery sticks, and pathetically-made peanut-butter and jelly sandwiches.

Their beds are basically whatever they make of them - they've got enough old pillows and blankets (months or years old, with that sour, possibly moldy smell to them, even though they're clean) for everyone to keep warm during the night, and the room's not ridiculously cold. There's even a bathroom, with a toilet and a sink, but no mirror, no shower or tub. Cleanliness must also be a privilege.

The food for traitors, a Rocket Private introduces on day one. Since then, same basic snacks, and another grunt or private or someone coming in to tell them how they're horrible Rockets, how they're shaming the organization. It's all a mind game to them, it seems, to build them up to the Perfect Rocket Status. They say that line numerous times. "To be a Rocket, you must think and act like a Rocket, otherwise you're a traitor."

(Their vocabulary isn't very large.)

All the visitors do is taunt and tease. Bullying comes if people put up fights. The more the fights, the worse it gets, but otherwise they don't bother them too much. Basically, it's whoever picks a fight gets a punishment. Eikichi argued once, and the guy shouted in his face worse than his dad did when he came home wearing make-up--needless to say, Eikichi almost punched the guy in the face, but that Victreebel was giving him a dirty look; he decides to play it safe and grins and bares it. He saw a guy spit in a Grunt's face--the guy was rewarded with a kick to the gut; he hasn't moved from that spot on the other end of the wall since he bit the Grunt's ankle and sent him out screaming. Eikichi was staying away from that guy.

Each night, somewhere near ten, an unknown Rocket would come in with a Scizor and Victreebel behind him, laugh at them for being "pathetic", "weak", "traitors", and shut the light off, leaving just the moonlight from the window. If anyone tried to attack him, the pokémon would attack immediately.

In short? Potential revolts would be handled with extreme prejudice.

The most they could do was play on their Gears and talk with each other. And really? Eikichi was getting sick of it.]

This place is a nightmare... what are they tryin' to do, brainwash us?

Re: THE PRISONERS...

[subvertio.livejournal.com]

[He heard that, but Vanitas refrained from commenting with the lingering pain in his gut; that moron's boot was steel-toed, apparently, and it felt like his lower ribs were on fire. Staying put just hurt less, and for now? He'll have to stay quiet.]

[serpensrex.livejournal.com]

[Cobra Commander cackles. And cackles. And cackles some more.]

Finally, finally after months of hard work, I have been adequately rewarded!

[He takes a moment to compose himself. This had been a long time coming and even though his response was short, he wanted to savor every second of it.]

From this moment until the end of the time, with the exception of our bosses and my fellow officer, you will call me...Commander. This is no longer optional. Do not disappoint me, Grunts.

[And then almost as an after thought]

Or Team Rocket.

[oxidegreen.livejournal.com]

...Understood, Commander.

[futariniousama.livejournal.com]

[ Okay, okay, fine. Niou offers a hand to shake, not even particularly grudgingly. ]

Congrats, Commander. [ No 'Mom' this time! ]

[itsybitsycrazy.livejournal.com]

Hahaha, as you wish, Commander.

[... not that you, er. have any idea who I am right now or anything. but still!!]

[prison action]

[stakethruheart.livejournal.com]

[Asmo had, surprisingly, taken most of the verbal abuse in stride. She was used to dishing it out worse herself, after all, and in the grand scheme of things, she didn't think these guys were so tough. annoying... yes. but not tough.

the first few times they had yelled at her she had retorted with threats of her own. I'll kill you, you know... you won't know what hit you ♥, but that didn't seem to have much of an effect at all. so she ad backed off and decided to ignore it while she waited for their rescue to come.

right now, she was curled up in a corner of the room, head tilted back and pigtails hanging long and ragged (she hadn't bathed or brushed her hair in days) over her shoulders]

They're taking too long... [she mumbled, before she sighed and rested her chin on her knees] To slooooow.

[prison action]

[hitbyrecoil.livejournal.com]

[Zuko, on the other hand, was stubborn... bull headed. He refused to do anything that would get someone else hurt, but his pride prevented him from taking anything sitting down. He kept his head up, and an even glare at anyone who said anything to him, reacting in turn when something hit hard.

It didn't help that taunts of "traitor" were a sore spot for him... a personal trigger.

But there was no amount of physical pain that could have put up with his own father's scarring. There was nothing that could be said that could wound him more than his own actions. This, he thought, was the price he paid for honor.

... and so he bore it with pride.

But there were others involved. And Asmo, who didn't look like she'd ever been through anything like this before, who had teased him that first time, who he'd taken a strange liking to.

He rolled his eyes at her.]

This wasn't a weekend vacation, you know? We could be here a lot longer before they decide to do something with us.

[prison action]

[redeyesforpride.livejournal.com]

[Your sister has been plotting her revenge each day. It's not as bas as it would be if she were Satan, but she will not forget this. Never.

Also, she wants to take a bath. And troll see Keiichi.]

So annoying.

Prisoner Suggestion!

[combat_butler]

I have no idea what is already planned obviously, BUT just thought I could suggest something for those in there already;

Like if the people they imprisoned REALLY REALLY hate the whole Rocket shtick, they could maybe receive a ~*~ultimatum~* to either serve loyally or be exiled from the group and branded a traitor for good and publicly put out as a Rocket or something?

Like oops if you refuse to serve you are getting all memories of Rocket info wiped from your mind by a Hypno and being dumped in another town (Ecruteak?? it's a mountain away after all) with half of your shit missing?? idk JUST THROWING IT OUT THERE? since I cannot imagine there being a way some of the prisoners would be willing to ever do their dirty work |D

Re: Prisoner Suggestion!

[subvertio.livejournal.com]

We totally likey that idea :> We're going to add it to the discussion post about prisoners we're writing up right now /o/

[redcinematics.livejournal.com]

[What. What. After all these months, not even a promotion? Well, she can live with that, she's used to being on the lower links of the food chain...and for the same reasons, actually. But what she cannot get over is having to work under the Commander.

Yeah, she mad.

But she will throw something later. Because really, it's not very ladylike to throw a tantrum in front of others, especially those dashing admins.]

[serpensrex.livejournal.com]

Hello, subordinate.

[Cobra Commander cannot fathom Grell being promoted or at least not promoted to the same rank.]

Happy with your evaluation?

Prison action!

[mineisanevillol.livejournal.com]

[She's pounding on the door

and yelling

and won't stop yelling. Man why can't she just turn into a gun this would make things so much easier.]

Prison action!

[captain-pantsu.livejournal.com]

[Oh my god you're giving him a headache.]

Knock that off already! It's not like they're gonna answer.

[usedspite.livejournal.com]

*When no one of importance is looking Shinji crumples up his evaluation. Another person trying to tell him he's worthless? No, they're all wrong. They're worthless. One day they'll all be licking the bottom of his shoe.*

... But for now, I'll take advantage of my situation. Don't worry, you'll all see how wrong you are about me soon.

[itsybitsycrazy.livejournal.com]

[Despite the disguise, Tarantulas can't help but let out a laugh as he reads over his evaluation. Too good to be true, especially when he was expecting nothing at all.]

Well, I for one, am impressed, hahaha!

I suppose we just don't have a choice any more. Onwards then, Team Rocket! To victory...!! [does he really care? is he playing along? is he just in a really good mood? does it matter?]

[reveiller]

[oh goddammit he's really starting to not like this whole thing. Have a wry smile.]

I think they like you, Niyuu.

moar prison action~

[usedgao.livejournal.com]

[Sakutaro... hasn't been taking the verbal abuse and whippings very well. During the first few days, he endured it. Struggling so hard not to cry. Lions are supposed to be brave and have courage.

But he's at his limit now. And now, he's going to cry very loudly.]

U- uryu... uu-.. u...

UUUuuuuuu

moar prison action~

[redeyesforpride.livejournal.com]

Sakutaro! Sakutaro!