♕ THIRTEENTH COMMAND | VIDEO / TEXT | VIDEO - PRIVATE TO ROCKETS

[determinator]

[ VIDEO / TEXT ]

[The video opens to two Team Rocket Grunts. They don't look particularly important, just two stereotypical Grunts wearing the usual uniforms and waiting in what appears to be National Park. It's dark, but the two are still visible. They don't seem to know that they're being filmed.]

Man, we need to pull this off. The boss won't be pleased if we don't. So where are the saps we're supposed to be stealing from?

No idea. He said they'd be here though--

[The second Grunt is cut off by the approach of several figures. Both Grunts reach for the Pokéballs on their belts. They relax almost immediately though; the figures are three NPC trainers who frequent National Park.]

Good, you're here. Alright, hand over your Pokémon! We're taking them in the name of Team Rocket!

[The trainers don't protest at all. They hand over their Pokémon without complaint. The second Rocket Grunt shifts back and forth on his feet, obviously nervous.]

This doesn't feel right. People don't normally hand their Pokémon over like this. And don't they look funny...?

Shut up. The boss said this would be an easy job. He was right!

I just don't like this...

[With the Pokéballs secured in the first Grunt's bag, the two are quick to flee the scene. The three NPC trainers turn and walk out of sight in unison. All is still for a few moments.

Then a pendulum drops in front of the camera and sways back and forth for a few seconds. To those who have raised a Hypno it might look familiar. It's followed by a text a minute later.]

you might be next

[ VIDEO - TEAM ROCKET - 2 HOURS LATER ]

[A couple of hours later an unrelated video comes from Archer. He's sitting in one of the rooms in the base, leaning on a desk with his hands folded. He doesn't waste any time and gets straight to business.]

What can you tell me about the microchips? Have you experienced any odd behavior with the Pokémon that have been microchipped? I'm interested in studying the effects on the Pokémon that have been implanted with the chips.

[And maybe implanting more chips, but he'll leave that part out!]

I'd appreciate any information you can offer me. Thank you.

((OOC: Attack is mod approved! The Rocket Grunts are NPCs and are not being controlled, but the NPC trainers are being controlled by Archer's Psychic-type Pokémon! Replies will come from Alekhine, Archer's Alakazam who is behind the video! Archer will get away with this for the time being, but never fear, he'll be captured for messing with peoples' heads eventually!))

Comments

Video

[lightningbearer]

*now, Geddoe has no particular interest in a post like this, at least not the sort that would make him feel remotely compelled to reply to it, but Joker, on the other hand? Joker takes an intense and highly personal interest in this apparent reference to psychic-types. Which means there is currently a Kadabra staring intently (or is he glaring?) at the camera*

Anonymous Text

[determinators]

do you have a problem

[Aww, look! A Kadabra! He remembers when he used to be a Kadabra for five seconds! Good times~ Alekhine is as laid-back as usual and doesn't find this threatening at all.]

[Audio]

[canthearyou]

[Gordon's not sure what to make of the video, but he figures it's nothing good. The text at the end pretty much confirms it.]

WHAT IS GOING ON HERE?

[He thought Team Rocket just blew stuff up, not that it did whatever he just watched them do.]

[Anonymous Text]

[determinators]

[GOOD LORD MAN YOU ARE LOUD ugh his poor ears...]

psychic mind control

you havent raised psychic types have you

theyre very useful you know

and they can control minds

[Audio forever]

[canthearyou]

I'M ACTUALLY RAISING ONE RIGHT NOW. NOT THAT IT'S ANY OF YOUR BUSINESS.

[Though he doesn't think his Smoochum can control anyone's mind. Not that he'd even think about doing something like that.]

SO YOU USED MIND CONTROL TO MAKE THOSE PEOPLE GIVE UP THEIR POKEMON?

[If so, that's not good.]

[Anonymous Text forever!]

[determinators]

yes it was very simple

they don't have many thoughts anyway

you should try it your pokemon will like it

[Alekhine's a bit crazy, in case you hadn't noticed...]

private video;

[saxsongs]

[Microchipped? Well, it sounds like something Team Rocket would do. Though it's the first time Ren has heard of anything like that.]

I'm not sure if I've encountered such a Pokémon, so I'm afraid I wouldn't be very helpful. [Though his Zebstrika is a bit too willing to do anything. Could it be..?]

private video;

[determinator]

What was the Pokemon you received from Team Rocket? Or rather, the one that started at level 15? That Pokemon has been microchipped.

private video;

[saxsongs]

Ah, I see. Well, apart from being a training maniac, my Zebstrika's pretty normal. A little violent, but normal.

private video;

[determinator]

The starter I received is the same way. Violence can be useful in certain situations.

[But that's not important right now! What is important is that you're an unfamiliar face!]

Are you new here? I don't believe I've seen you around the base.

[Not like he spends a lot of time there, but that's not the point!]

I am Team Rocket Beta Frank Archer. It's a pleasure to meet you.

Private Video

[meikyuubutterfly]

Hey, question...

[And hoping she hasn't got anything wrong or this might sound a little weird. Like, maybe if only some pokemon have that chip? But if that was the case, why would he show the video to those who haven't agreed to it...? Whatever, but this girl has been wondering about one thing.]

Is it just the level 15 pokemon that's been microchipped or do both starters come with a chip?

Private Video

[determinator]

From what I've seen, yes, it's just the first Pokemon you received, which would be the level 15 one.

[You lucky new kids get two Pokemon! Why, when he was just starting in Team Rocket, he only got one! And it was level 5! And he had to train in the grass around Mahogany Town and it was practically winter before they got him out of that hellhole! and he had to hike uphill in the snow both ways...]

Private Video

[meikyuubutterfly]

Oh. Well I guess that explains why the level 5 thing is acting... normal and not like a workaholic.

[...You tell that same to Winry who also spent weeks in that town, Archer, and she'll hit you with a wrench for each hour that she spent there!]

Isn't that a bit risky with psychic types though?

[What, she's actually talking to someone - and no, it's not like she assumes that you make the decision here, but... Whatever.]

Private Video

[determinator]

I suppose it might be. I haven't seen any of them turn on their trainer. It's certainly an interesting idea.

[...That's probably not the best way to describe it...]

What did you receive to start with?

[Private Video.]

[shakespearealien]

Interesting question, Archer, and very appropriate. My Gallade here...

[Gorthan moves the gear to include said Gallade in the video. Said Gallade looks very grumpy, his blade-like arms folded over his slender chest.]

... Doesn't quite like it when I spend more time reading - or, say, replying to messages on the network - than working. And as you can see, he is rather cross at me right now. I'll let you draw your own conclusions.

Other than that, I would say that his behavior is more or less standard.

[Private Video.]

[determinator]

Interesting. I haven't seen that behavior from my Crobat.

[Possibly because he never lets the damn thing out of the ball, but that's not the point!]

Have you seen the microchip up close, Gorthan?

[If anyone has, he figures it's Gorthan.]

I've heard they can be removed, but what about implanted? How would that work?

[It's purely scientific interest, of course!]

[Private Video.]

[shakespearealien]

Not quite up close, but I scanned my starter for pictures of it. It's still rather primitive, by my standards, but not half bad.

Implanting them is nothing I couldn't do. But we would have to ask our superiors for permission to do it, of course. And obviously, consider that the influence will always be stronger and more stable if it begins when the brain is not yet fully developed, or so it seems logical to infer.

[Private Video]

[cobraaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa]

[Cobra's video shows a hotel room in Ecruteak City. Nothing too exciting.]

I'm familiar with the use of microchips, but I know next to nothing about the ones the team uses. I haven't noticed any odd behavior either. Is there ssssomething I should be watching for?

[Private Video]

[determinator]

I would suggest keeping a close eye on your starter. They don't take well to being mistreated and might turn on you.

[He won't elaborate about that; he'll let Cobra think it was his Pokemon that turned on him if he has to, but it is important that he finds out about that at least.]

[Private Video]

[cobraaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa]

A.S.P.? Turn on me? I don't think that's going to happen! I would never mistreat my Arbok! It's been far too useful for me to do sssomething like that!

[Aside from yelling at it anyway. It spends most of its time in a Pokeball anyway.

He only mistreats things like Dittos. And Grimers! And Slowpokes!]

[audio]

[tapestodiane]

That's a new trick. What did you do to them?

[anonymous text]

[determinators]

psychic mind control and suggestion

team rocket is always in need of more pokemon

private audio

[scientificflair]

[You're hardly Descole's favorite person, Archer, and he's rather aware that he's hardly yours, despite the fact that peace offerings have been exchanged. However, he'll be civil for now - for a given level of "civil", anyway.]

Microchips...?

[His tone here pretty much says it all, if by "saying it all" we mean "may be implying that you're extremely high right now."]

It might be helpful if you actually explained what it is we're supposed to be watching for, as I'd say most of us haven't come across that sort of thing. If I had to hazard a guess and all.

private audio

[determinator]

Any sort of odd behavior in a Pokemon. From what I've noticed they tend to be extremely energetic and a bit distant. They follow orders, but they seem to be more interested in Team Rocket's direct commands instead of our own.

[Ugh, you. Why does he have to deal with you anyway?]

[scientificflair]

[Because the world hates men like you, Archer. ...And it also hates men like Descole, clearly, because of course he would first hear about this from you. E-rank luck all around, really.

That says, he pauses for a moment before he responds; this is not going to be a good topic, he can tell that much already.]

Ensuring they'll be under Team Rocket control in the event that we try to use it against them, I'm assuming? Interesting.

You're certain that they've done this?