-[X] Fortify the Celadon Hideout (Lieutenant Surge)
DC 70
82 + 13 + 29 + 2 = 124
Critical Success
You picked a rather fortuitous moment to turn your Celadon hideout into a fortress. The upgrades would quickly speak for themselves.
To be continued in: Terminal Error
-[X] Now Hiring (Neo-Kanto)
DC 45
9 + 22 + 10 = 41
Bare Failure
Much of the promising talent your recruiters spotted were taken by Silph Co or wary around Rocket agents. It isn't a total loss though, the groundwork for future attempts have been placed and our men learnt a few lessons in properly persuading others to follow their lead, making this easier for us in the long run.
DC for "Now Hiring (Neo-Kanto)" is halved.
-[X] Buy a Secret Base
DC 50
49 + 21 = 70
Great Success
You managed to secure a deal with Silph Co to sell one of their off-the-books facilities to a Rocket front company. All that is left to do now is to select which district you desire such a base in. Unfortunately, you won't be able to purchase one in the Pallet. The zone's smallest district operates as a gated community for families of notable Silph Co employees. You will just have to make due with the options available to you. Now which to pick?
Select one. The one purchased in the end will provide additional actions related to its affiliated district, along with providing +5 to all actions taken in said district.
[] Viridian City
Your home and the heart of your more legitimate operations. It's Viridian Forest is a nature reserve that holds a high concentration of flying and bug-type Pokemon, if you have any interest in such kinds. A base of operations there could prove to be quite a boon in obtaining them.
[] Pewter City
Settled on a rocky plateau, Pewter houses Neo Kanto's local mining industry. They extract everything from ores and gems to those unique, odd stones that have unknown properties. Unsurprisingly, the terrain has also made it the district with the highest population of rock and ground-type Pokemon.
[] Cerulean City
Hugging the coast, Cerulean City is the zone's primary source of fresh water thanks to expansive purifiers that filter out salt and waste from the sea. It's also a haven for water-type pokemon. Cerulean is a lifeline for the zone, receiving a wider degree of autonomy than most while openly flaunting its wealth with expansive waterways and scenic canals.
[] Vermillion City
Located around a great harbor, Vermillion City is the primary port of Neo-Kanto. It serves as the current home to both Lieutenant Surge and your primary subsidiary, the Pokemon Fanclub. While the city's importance has waned since Silph Co imposed greater restrictions on trade, Vermillion still makes a profit by sponsoring local captains to take the wealthy elite of the zone on local cruises around the Sevii Islands.
[] Lavender Town
A small, quiet place, Lavender Town is known for the seven-story tower in the north known as the Pokemon Tower. Formerly a conventional cemetery to house Neo-Kanto's dead, the structure was condemned after a sample of Mu reached the complex and turned it into a haven for ghost pokemon. It remains a place of contemplation, with occasional tourism from those curious about the ominous area.
[] Celadon City
From expensive shopping malls, to sparkling casinos, to lavish hotels, to your own illicit activities, Celadon City is the beating heart of Neo Kanto's economy. It's the biggest money-maker for Silph Co. If they were to lose it, the economy of the whole zone would be at risk, making it quite a useful bargaining chip if total control over it is established.
[] Fuchsia City
Located on the southern coast, Fuchsia City is mostly known for its impressive preservation of old, pre-Crash artifacts that were brought to Princeps Dominare from Japan, which shows in the district's authentically archaic architecture. Other than that, it is also home to the largest Safari Zone and the more mundane 'Pokemon Zoo'.
[] Saffron City
The de-facto capital of the zone, Saffron houses the headquarters of Silph Co and is the most developed in terms of infrastructure. The neon lights of Saffron's skyscrapers can be seen for miles. Though setting up a base here would be risky, if you ever grew tired of playing the long game, setting up assets here in preparation for a decapitation strike would be a must.
-[X] Organize a Smuggling Network
DC 55
1
Critical Failure
It was a simple task. So very, very simple.
Heads will roll for this failure.
To be continued in: Blasting Off Again…
-[X] Resume Pokemon Research (Ariana)
DC 40/60/80
70+13+28+4+10 = 125
Critical Success
A new species of pokemon was discovered during a routine transfer. A new, powerful species that your facilities were almost underprepared for.
To be continued in: Terminal Error
-[X] Train your Pokemon
Organizing a few mock battles, you set your pokemon against each other in a makeshift tournament to study how they operate with full independence. Both your normal-type pokemon show off their advanced intelligence in these drills, with your Persian as the clear victor. Your Rhyhorn and Onix, durable as they may be, require further direction to get the most out of their potential.
EXP gained:
Persian = 83
Kangaskhan = 69
Rhyhorn = 53
Onix = 46
-[X] Visit the Neo-Kanto Underworld Market
Items of note = 76 = 3 items
Traversing through the slums of Celadon, you find yourself at your desired location: A market of densely packed stalls peddling goods obtained through less-than virtuous means. A location where the only thing stopping someone like you from being assaulted and mugged was the quiet assurance that someone would do the exact same to your assaulter while they were distracted with you.
A peace maintained by mutual distrust. It's a little amusing to think about.
Most wares on the market right now consist of nick nacks, pointless baubles you have no use for, and outright fakes peddled by charlatans. Despite this disappointing turnout, three stands do catch your eye.
The first consists of pots, each holding a comically-large mushroom growing in dirt. According to the rather shady merchant (even by this market's standards) selling them, the mushrooms are some sort of performance-enhancer that will grant the consumer immense strength for a time. What he doesn't say is that their properties are almost certainly addictive. Handle with care.
The second stall is hosted by an eccentric young girl with safety goggles over her eyes. Her selection consists mostly of old electronics, with the exception of one item: A WilyCorp Zapper. The weapon is outdated, but the value of having an easily-concealable, undocumented laser gun speaks for itself.
The final item of interest is a rather striking purple coat, complete with a matching hat. According to the merchant selling it, this set is not only meant to resemble a Nidoking's hide, but also claims to be just as durable as one. A bold claim, considering how difficult it would be to poach a Nidoking. Such a suit could easily endure a large variety of attacks from wild Pokemon and pretentious thugs alike.
Hm, now what to buy, if anything?
[] Power Shroom
Consumable. Upon consumption, the consumer gains +20 to all Martial rolls for a turn. Consumers risk addiction and future withdrawal. Costs 1 Income.
[] Outdated Zapper
Weapon. Upon being equipped, the user gains +5 to all personal ranged attacks. Costs 2 Income.
[] Nidoking Coat
Apparel. Upon being equipped, the user gains +10 to all defensive rolls. Cost 4 Income.
[] Buy nothing.
None of these baubles are worth your attention, let alone your money.
-[X] Hire a personal combat instructor
78
"Exceptional progress today, Giovanni. It's rare for an initiate such as yourself to possess the endurance you displayed today!"
Such easy words to say when you weren't the one on the ground of your own personal gym, sore and bruised in several places. You suppress the urge to sneer at the culprit behind your pain.
You thought you were fortunate when a traveling martial artist heard of your desire for self-improvement and offered his services to you, unaware of the future torment, made even worse that through the discomfort you can feel improvement.
In the end, you are getting what you desire. The path to power is not an easy one to tread, so you swallow your pride and get back up to bow towards your new mentor. "I'm honored for such praise, Master Kiyo. I look forward to my future lessons with an esteemed master of martial arts such as yourself."
Kiyo lets out a hearty laugh. "I appreciate the flattery, but you are mistaken to refer to me as a Master. I'm merely a wanderer and now your teacher. If you seek a true master, I advise you to follow the road to Saffron!"
Hm? You haven't heard of any martial artists living in Saffron, though you do know it has a fair share of trainers specializing in fighting-types. Your puzzlement must have been visible on your face, for your mentor sighed and began to explain.
"Haven't heard of the Fighting Dojo then? It's the home of Neo-Kanto's true Master, my brother Koichi, or 'The Great Karate King' as likes to call himself." Kiyo flashes a smile as he talks about his brother, only for it to fall and make way for a far more somber expression. "Though, I suppose I can't be surprised you haven't heard of him after the Dojo's fall from grace."
Oh? Now you're curious.
"A 'fall from grace', Master Kiyo? Could you elaborate?" you ask, only for him to wave you off.
"No need to worry for my sake, initiate. The Dojo is merely in a rough patch right now, something that will be resolved in time." He says that, but you can tell by his tone he is far less certain on that than he would like to be.
"How did the Dojo find itself in such a scenario to begin with?" You ask.
"My brother was once thought to be unbeatable, but that facade was broken one day, like all things." During this, he scowls as simmering anger begins to bubble beneath the surface. "Broken… by her."
Instead of breaking out into a rage-filled tangent, he sighs as the anger recedes before he begins to pick up his equipment he brought with him. "We are done for the day and will resume on the same day next week. I see much potential in you, initiate, and I look forward to seeing your growth in the coming days."
"Of course, Master. I won't disappoint your expectations." You say your formalities as the man leaves. Hm…so your mentor has a brother, one currently finding itself in a troubling situation? Perhaps this could be leveraged in a way to Rocket's benefit. You certainly could use additional assets in Saffron. There's another question that was left unanswered too…
Who was this 'her'?
Met Kiyo the Black Belt, your teacher in the art of Karate and a potential Hero Unit you can try to convince into joining Rocket through a new personal action of Giovanni's
Additional Actions Unlocked
-[X] Break bread with one of your subordinates (Lieutenant Surge)
70
"And then, 'boom'! A lucky shot with an AA cannon caused that damn ship to fall to Earth, saving our asses and giving us some time to evacuate the remainder of New Orleans' population."
You listen intently as Surge continued his grandiose (and likely exaggerated) tales of his experiences during the Invader War. In order to give him a warm welcome to Rocket, you decided to invite him to have a meal consisting of spiced Slowpoke Tail and aged whiskey with you. While he didn't seem to be a fan of the main course, he certainly enjoyed the selected drink, and the more he drank, the more talkative he became, telling you a variety of his stories about his time in the military.
In the end, you both departed to return to your respective duties, but you've gained quite a bit of insight on your newest subordinate. Meanwhile, the lieutenant seemed to appreciate someone who would listen to his tall tales, so all you have sought to accomplish has been accomplished.
Lieutenant Surge gains +10 Loyalty for the next 3 turns.
-[X] Resume your personal projects
87
To be continued in: Terminal Error
-[X] Get in contact with your old comrades
1
A few days ago, Surge requested time off to meet up with one of his former comrades he found out was living in the Tokyo-to, a few zones away. Sneaking through the openings in the Pipeworks before they were closed off to the public, Surge rose back to the surface in the ruined zone of Sotenbori with the intent of making the rest of the distance on foot.
Fate had other plans. Midway through the destabilized hazard zone, Surge was ambushed by a group that identified itself as the Second Omi Alliance and was grievously wounded during the resulting gun fight. You have no doubts that he would have perished, were it not for Surge's Raichu scaring his attackers away with a Thunderbolt and taking his unconscious body back to Neo-Kanto. While he's expected to make a full recovery, he'll be out of commission for the next few months.
Lieutenant Surge will be unavailable as a unit next turn.
