route_29 | A fresh start; [train plot epilogue]

11/23/11 18:49
We interrupt your regularly scheduled programming with this important news bulletin.

The woman on-screen looks polished and cool, but the scene behind her, the Saffron Train station, is total chaos. Evening is descending, and her neatly styled bob is periodically lit up with the red and blue of police lights. Under her, a scroll bar reads: MAGNET TRAIN HIJACKED, CURRENT MISSING POKEMON COUNT: 43.

"Hopes were high following a shareholder change that allowed for the completion of the Magnet Train renovation project. However, unexpected chaos arose today during its maiden voyage. The train was hijacked by the notorious Team Rocket about two hours into the trip; they went so far as to knock out the conductor to set up a bomb in the cab, threatening to blow the train off-track if passengers didn't hand over their pokémon."

The camera pans out to various images of people, young and old, being taken out in stretchers. A few crying faces, hands cradling empty pokéballs. Several Nurse Joys, all looking haggard, are accompanied by Chanseys and Blisseys to heal the poisoned.

"Luckily, some brave passengers were aboard, and most of the hijackers were apprehended or taken out. Many were injured, but no lives were lost—though many precious pokémon are now missing. While police here in Saffron work on taking in the captured Rockets, a concerted effort is being made on behalf of the Viridian and East Johto Police Headquarters, servicing New Bark and Cherrygrove, to find any pokémon lost in the Indigo Plateau. The Elite Four have generously volunteered their services, but this may delay the renovation in the battle halls and further push back the date at which they'll be accepting challengers."

A Jenny walks up to the newscaster's side, looking grim. The announcer politely hands her the microphone, which the police officer accepts with a nod.

"We currently have several Rocket members in custody, and are issuing warrants for several others--"

The image cuts to pictures and video showcasing several escaped Rockets, and some portraits and names. Over it, the Jenny's voice continues.

"If you have any information regarding these individuals, we ask for your cooperation in bringing them to justice. Our hotline is 1-800—"

Click. Darkness.

Ariana's eyes trail upwards from the remote control and settle somewhere around her boss' elbow, as if afraid of rising any higher. The silence hangs heavy in the room, and not one of them dares break it save for the dying hum of the enormous television. She can feel the heat rising off Archer, standing next to her, and it makes her tense. They could lose their jobs over this; they could lose more than that. It depends entirely on the whim of the man in front of them.

Certainly, this is what they'd wanted, but it's strange to find herself once again on a lower rung of the food chain.

His chair swivels, and they collectively hold their breaths. His mouth is a thin line, but neutral rather than disapproving. Just being under his scrutiny is overwhelming. Being in his presence feels like being in the middle of a roaring crowd. She wants to please him; they all do.

"Satisfactory," he declares, tossing the remote control to the desk with a clatter. "This will suit our purposes just fine."

They exhale.

"What next, sir?" Ariana dares, lifting her eyes.

"We wait," he informs her, letting his chin rest on twined fingers. "Count our gains. Train the new recruits. When the moment is right, we'll strike again. Patience is a virtue, as you well know."

"Yes, sir," they chorus.

"Good. Well done, and you are dismissed."

They turn and they march, like good Growlithes, his eyes burning into their backs. Ariana is both mournful and relieved to be out of the office.

And then Petrel opens his mouth.

"So that was a disaster, but it was a satisfactory disaster? Pardon me if I don't follow."

Proton rubs the bridge of his nose. "It wasn't meant to succeed. It was meant to be a red herring. Think, Petrel."

There is a pause, presumably while Petrel thinks. Anticipating that this may take a while, Ariana pipes up.

"The mission had three purposes: first as a loyalty test, secondly to capture pokémon, and thirdly to waylay the population."

"It's that third one I'm having trouble with."

Archer materializes at her side, looking amused. He arches a brow. "Don't you see, Petrel? This way, we're hiding our biggest asset. We already own the train line."

[[OOC NOTES:
      - You may post IC reactions to the broadcast here.
      - If your character was caught/was sighted/defected from the Team/dropped out/etc, now is the start of their two weeks of police dodging/community service/jail time! Have fun.
      -We're working on working out Kanto details and are hoping to have them out by the end of the week, keeping our fingers crossed. We hope you'll bear with us and use Bulbapedia for the time being. Gym leader levels may be modeled on those of their Johto counterparts.
      - If your character's pokemon was stolen and you're desperate to get it back, there will be opportunities.
      - This isn't the last of the Rockets! Sit tight for more nefarious scheming coming your way. ]]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

I just saw it on the news.

Was anyone hurt real bad?

I think some people were. [Anger crosses his expression just then.]

The Rocket I was fighting...he was taking the luggage on board and throwing them at the passengers. [And now his jaw clenches.] He was aiming for all the children on board.

_{[Heather's reaction is probably along the same lines as most.]}

... What the fuck.

I had Nineve and Archimedes keeping the luggage from hitting anyone, but some might have gotten through. I had my attention...elsewhere. [Read: The Rocket trying to pummel him.]

They're cowards, using defenseless people as shields.

Disgusting assholes.

I swear to god, if I ever run into somebody wearing one of those uniforms...

[You and me both, sister.]

It looks like the police here managed to catch a few, with the help of the trainers on board. Most of them got away, though.

...say, Heather. If you're in Goldenrod again, we should train together again. Like we used to.

_{[She'd been busy just looking pissed off there for a moment or so, but when he continues, she looks up.]}

... Yeah. I'd be into that. _{[She hasn't honest to goodness trained her Pokemon in awhile...]} Probably be good for all of us.

...But I dunno when I'll be back in that direction. I'm sorta hunkered down in Ecruteak for the time being. But hey... I'll be back to visit at some point.

It'll be good, whenever we get a chance to battle. [Merlin bites his lip, looking hesitant. Then switches to filter.]

You know, I thought they'd been too quiet all this time. Some of us went down to the Mahogany HQ to take a look--it's empty, Heather. There were still some Rockets around, but most of the stuff's been cleared out already. The place was mostly guarded by high level pokemon, not trainers.

Whatever it is that they're doing, I don't think the attack on the train's going to be the last we see of them.

... It's empty?

_{[She'd been told... well, never mind... that had been awhile ago, after all. Still, that's worrying information, especially after the Radio Tower, so she pauses for a second and chews on her lip, brows furrowed.]}

I guess they really AREN'T as harmless as we all pegged them for ages, huh?

Yeah, empty. The labs were still in use, but that's about it. Everything else was pretty much cleared out.

You remember the kidnappings and the prisoners being rescued? They probably didn't want anyone else to go sticking their nose into their business. I think whatever they've been working on, they're planning on using it in their new place. Wherever that is.

A fresh start; [train plot epilogue]

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[Video] Private to Heather

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