determinator | ♕ THIRTEENTH COMMAND | VIDEO / TEXT

[ 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!))

Threaded | Flat

*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*

[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.]

[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..?]

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?

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.

[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?

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

[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.

Video

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private video;

Private Video

[Private Video.]

[Private Video]

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private audio