NATIONAL ACTIONS
-[X] (MARTIAL) Exert Control Over Neo-Kanto's Underworld
DC 40/60/80
57 + 13 = 70
Great Success
The zone-wide operation to subjugate Rocket's competition in the underworld has gone remarkably well, in spite of Surge's absence. Your commander was off the battlefield, leaving the majority of the heavy lifting to the branch managers of their respective districts. You take a mental note to get the names of the captains involved in case you ever need a higher position to be filled.
The operations were simple in nature, and difficult in execution. A squad or two of grunts approached whatever rundown building or obvious front your petty competitors used as a base of operations, scouted it out for access to its ventilation system, and then filtered Koffing's Smog through it. Most of the competition were rendered powerless before the raid began, and the rest were drowned out by Rocket's numbers.
In the end, there had been no severe casualties on your side, while the petty gangs that opposed them had been press ganged or dealt with. Now, Rocket's grip on the underworld was near-absolute. The assigned squads were able to seize their profits in a sizable amount of cold, hard, zenny. While most will be directed to Rocket's efforts, a small cut of them does make their way into your personal account.
Control over the zone's Underworld is established, and dominance is ensured.
Gain +5 Funds from goods seized during the raids.
Additional Actions Unlocked.
-[X] (DIPLOMACY) Now Hiring (Neo-Kanto)
DC 23
73 + 23 = 96
Critical Success
Despite the incident at Diglet's Cave being fresh in the minds of many, your recruiters prove to be much more successful in inducting new blood into the Rocket Group than the last attempt. A deeper look into things reveals that the new recruits are those growing increasingly disgruntled with Silph Co's migration laws, their economic hegemony, or are simply just opportunists who see Rocket as the only way to advance their current position. In this rare circumstance, your publicized "act of defiance" now works in your favor.
Regardless of the reason, dozens of trainers with grievances against Silph Co have donned the black and red uniform of Rocket and pledged their loyalty to your organization. What's more is that the files of several exceptional individuals find their way onto your desk, ones whose talents would be wasted as mere Grunts.
It is time to bring another member into your inner circle. Who shall it be?
Select one of the following. Due to your critical success, characters not selected now will also be available to recruit next round.
[ ] Joey
An exuberant young braggart who boasts his rattata is in the "top percentage of rattatas". He is a mediocre trainer with scant prospects outside of gangs or Team Rocket.
Being loyal and just smart enough not to question orders, the makings of a good soldier are present. Though it may take extra time for the positive qualities of this particular soldier to bubble to the surface.
[ ] Wilton
Wilton is the youngest of the "Fishing Gurus" a trio of pro fishermen who adapted their skills at angling fish to catching water pokemon. According to your recruiters, Wilton is tired of living in his brothers' shadows and is seeking his own success. He has reluctantly approached Rocket for opportunities to make a proper name for himself.
He is a middle-of-the-road water specialist, who uses fish pokemon such as Goldeen and Seaking in battles. His expertise lies in catching and raising aquatic pokemon, as well as business acumen that Rocket Group has been lacking since its split from Silph Co.
Wilton would make a fine asset as you expand into more legitimate sectors along the coast.
[ ] Eusine
An arrogant man in theatrical clothing, you were skeptical of Eusine's certifications as a pokemon researcher until you saw them yourself. While his credentials are real, Eusine has been shunned by his peers due to his radical theories on the origin of Mu and methods that have been criticized as bordering on pseudoscientific bunk. These claims have done little to hinder his quest for knowledge, but they have denied him funding from Silph Co or Blackthorn. Now, Eusine comes to you.
While unorthodox, Eusine can aid in Rocket's many experiments to unlock the true potential of pokemon. Provided you grant him the time and resources to pursue his own studies. Perhaps something useful will come out of them.
[ ] Copycat
Real name unknown, "Copycat" is a young Saffron resident with a childish personality and a strange habit to mimic others. Do not let that fool you into thinking she's an immature brat. With a combined application of advanced makeup, prosthetics, and acting abilities, Copycat can take on the likeness and mannerisms of anyone else with ease.
Her partner pokemon is the ever-elusive Ditto, whose origins are merely conjectural. The amorphous Pokemon can morph and distort its body into a variety of shapes, including other pokemon. While transforming into another pokemon, Ditto becomes genetically indistinguishable from the original, copying any moves they can use flawlessly.
Copycat would make for an ideal agent for infiltration and saboteur operations, something you feel she's more familiar with than she lets on.
[ ] Karen
For a moment, you failed to see what made this trainer exceptional. Karen was a seasoned trainer, with the potential to be more with proper direction, but she appeared to lack the expertise any of the previous applicants had. You continued reading, and came across the part that drew your recruiters' interest enough to forward it to you.
Karen has in her possession the black corvid pokemon rumored to have migrated from Neo-Johto; the one that sparked the rumors of Pokemon in the neighboring region to begin with. She claimed to have an affinity for them, and would be happy to point Rocket in the direction of more if they would sponsor her future endeavors as a trainer.
A rare pokemon and a trainer in one? A rather tempting proposition. One that could become quite a boon against Silph Co if you come to learn the type and disposition of this pokemon before they can.
-[X] (STEWARDSHIP) Open up Curry Kitchens
DC 30
50 + 23 = 73
Stupendous Success
With the vagrants cleared out, you put Rocket's efforts to acquire the deeds to the buildings that once housed their hideouts. After that, it was only a matter of repairing the damage for it to be suitable for serving Neo-Kanto's most desperate citizens for a meal of rice and curry, and of course ensuring there's a backroom for your underlings to engage in the less noble act of fencing stolen goods. To make efforts all the more sweeter, several small caches of zennys were found during renovation, beneath the floorboards and in secret holes in the walls, fattening your own account as well as the coffers of Rocket.
Curry Kitchens are established in each District
+10 to Public Perception.
Annual Income increased.
+2 Funds from hidden loot uncovered.
-[X] (INTRIGUE) Organize an Informant Network
DC 45
12 + 37 + 15 = 64
Decent Success
Your efforts to gather a series of trusted informants under a single network has progressed smoothly and without interruption. While Silph Co may heavily restrict any material coming into the Zone, they can do little to suppress mere words, and foreign merchants visiting what few local establishments they can access are always willing to share their stories. Especially when they're offered an ample amount of Zenny. With some time, Rocket has now established a reliable network of informants that regularly visit the Zone and are just as willing to trade information as much as their goods. No longer will Rocket be kept in the dark!
Informant Network Established
Rival Reports Unlocked
-[X] (LEARNING) Develop a New Pokeball (Ariana)
DC 50/70
6 + 13 + 28 + 2 + 7 = 56
Bare Success
Research into a pokeball to surpass what's currently on the market has had mixed results. Ariana has thus far been unable to improve upon the mainline pokeball in all fields, due to limits on available material and the more delicate electronics Silph Co has a stranglehold on.
So she shifted the focus of development. Instead of creating a new pokeball that would surpass Silph Co's entirely, the team assigned to this project were realigned to make a new pokeball that would have a higher capture rate for a narrow category of pokemon. This line of thinking has produced the "net ball", which has shown a capture rate for water pokemon triple that of a regular pokeball.
While it isn't quite what you hoped for, you do admit the net ball and other future "specialty balls" could be useful. It would be beneficial to have a steady surplus of them at hand for your operations on the coast and at sea.
Developed the Net Ball, giving a +10 modifier to capturing Water-type Pokemon during applicable mass capture actions.
PERSONAL ACTIONS
-[X] (Personal) (Giovanni) Train Your Pokemon
EXP gained:
Persian = 72
Kangaskhan = 68
Rhyhorn = 21
Onix = 27
Golem = 98!
You once again set up a mock tournament, with the addition of your new Golem into the mix.
Your Kangaskhan knocked out Rhyhorn in the first match, then Golem thoroughly demolished Onix in the second, and Persian defeated Kangaskhan in the third, leaving the fourth to be between your oldest Pokemon and your newest.
Keenly aware that it was at a disadvantage, Persian was on the defensive, using their superior speed to engage in run-by attacks with Fury Swipes before Golem could retaliate. Its intent was clearly not to damage Golem, but to bait it into the use of Submission so that Persian could retaliate with Mimic. Unfortunately for Persian, Golem learned from their last encounter. It tucked its limbs into its rocky shell and began to rotate at a violent pace, battering Persian until it was knocked out of your arena.
With that Rapid Spin, Golem was the definitive victor of the tournament. This currently unique pokemon will grow and thrive under your guiding hand.
Golem learned Rapid Spin! It's on the cusp of gaining a new trait!
Your Persian, while ever-faithful, has to work harder if it seeks to keep its place at your side. You've found it pacing restlessly around the arena while outside of its pokeball, eager to prove itself a worthy rival to your new prodigy.
Persian gains the trait: Limber (+10 to evasion in battle. Any orders to withdraw are successful.)
Your Kangaskhan has been sufficiently hardened by your uncompromising training regimen. It can now withstand moves that would have otherwise caused it to be defeated.
Kangaskhan gains the trait: Sturdy (The first time Kangaskhan gets hit by an attack that would incapacitate them, they are instead taken down to 1 HP.)
-[X] (Personal) (Giovanni) Train with Master Kiyo
70
"You understand the basics well enough, but we must work on your posture and stance if you ever truly desire to be a master, my student."
Your training resumes at an even pace, and with less pain than before. It's been a while since you've been in a personal fight, but you never anticipated being as lacking as you are. Yet your teacher demolishes you in your bouts with ease. It's as humbling as it is humiliating.
Master Kiyo does not speak much of the Dojo, but you pry some more information on his brother. "Karate King" Koichi is the greatest martial artist in Saffron, if not all of Neo-Kanto. When the pokemon outbreak occurred, Koichi and his students were some of the first to take matters into their own hands, making him a local hero. His direct confrontations with fighting pokemon, though certainly exaggerated, led to his current reputation as a powerful fighting trainer. Koichi's Fighting Dojo became a local attraction, where he eagerly accepted any challengers who wished to battle. Master Kiyo speaks highly of his brother, but notes that his pride has been mostly to his own detriment.
Pride comes before the fall, and as you understand it, Koichi's fall was instigated by an unexpected challenger who broke him before his peers. No simple feat, and the Karate King's confidence has been shattered ever since.
Before Kiyo departed, he provided you with a white belt; your first Kyu, as he recognized you truly are serious on this commitment.
Giovanni gains the trait: Karate White Belt (+1 Martial, +2 to rolls regarding hand-to-hand combat)
-[X] (Personal) (Giovanni) Visit the Neo-Kanto Underground Market
95
You find yourself in the same shady market once again, though after a brief look around, it becomes apparent nothing present today would be worth your attention or money. Just as you're about to leave, you notice a stall hosted by a girl wearing a Pikachu hoodie. Curious, you approached, taking note of a glass display on the stall that held a single pokeball. The girl beamed at you with a smile and mismatched eyes; one green and one blue.
"Hiya!" she greeted you chipperly, "Welcome to Aiko's Eevee-lutionary Emporium, where you can satisfy all your Eevee-related needs with the help of me, Aiko the Pokemaniac! Can I interest a gentleman like you with their very own Eevee today?"
You have heard of Eevee before. It is a rare pokemon that evolves into three different forms based on its environment and exposure to certain elements. While not an ideal match for your team, Eevee is a popular topic of study in regards to the enigmatic nature of pokemon evolution itself. There are Pokemaniacs who would consider an Eevee to be quite the boon…
"Name your price and I'll consider it," you respond, only for Aiko to raise her hand towards you.
"Oh, I am not interested in your cash, mister! I couldn't bear the thought of trading one of these precious Pokemon away for a few Zenny! Instead, I'm asking for a trade."
You raise an eyebrow. "A trade?"
She nods enthusiastically. "Yeah! I noticed you were a trainer yourself, so here's what I offer. You give me one of your Pokemon and I'll give you my Eevee! Sounds fair enough, no?"
You crossed your arms.
"It could be… If I could see what I would receive in return. For all I know, this could be a scam."
"Jeez, I don't look that untrustworthy."
The girl pouts like a child half her age, but she complies. Aiko takes out her pokeball and reveals a small, vulpine pokemon, with a brown coat and big, black eyes.
Any of your pokemon for a prized Eevee? It was almost too good to be true, were you not a powerful trainer with a roster of formidable pokemon. Perhaps that is why this Pokemaniac is offering such a rare specimen in the first place.
You glanced at your pokeballs and weighed which one possessed the weakest link in the chain. Onix and Rhyhorn were lagging behind in their development. They are strong pokemon now, but will they remain strong, as the rest of your team soars ever higher? In the same way that you disdain weakness, you refuse to suffer any dead ends on your team.
Will you trade one of Giovanni's pokemon for an Eevee? Select one.
[ ] Yes
-[ ] Which one?
[ ] No
-[X] (Personal) (Giovanni) Break Bread with One of Your Subordinates (Ariana)
70
Ariana, her professional demeanor remaining as stalwart as ever in what was meant to be a casual luncheon, proceeded to give her report on the ongoing developments and events occurring within Rocket's sphere. It was by around halfway through your meal that you began to discuss other topics, and she was happy enough to share with you her passions and history. Despite Ariana essentially being your right-hand woman, you had scarcely broached the subject before.
You also notice a change in several of her mannerisms as the conversation goes on, more passion is evident, as well as her wrath when the conversation crosses into something she detests. In the end, she seems to appreciate you taking notice of her beyond what qualifies as her duties to Rocket and you learn a bit more about Ariana herself.
Ariana gains +10 Loyalty for the next 3 turns.
-[X] (Personal) (Ariana) Take Public Speaking Classes
3
Then you had to take the conversation into the complete opposite direction.
"Now, could you now tell me more about a particular incident that occurred in downtown Celadon recently?"
As soon as the words left your mouth, Ariana's eyes widened. She then turned away from your gaze, her expression turned into a mix of embarrassment and shame.
"A-Ah, I shouldn't be surprised that it's already reached your ears sir. I had signed up to hear a public lecture from a professional orator, but when I arrived I was noticed by someone who recognized me."
"Recognized?"
"A Silph Co employee that I met once, briefly, while I worked with Rocket Division. She didn't hesitate to accuse me of being a danger to society. That got everyone's attention, and soon all eyes were upon me while I was still being verbally assaulted." She sighed. "In the end, I withdrew and returned to the Hideout, but not before I said some of my own… unprofessional words back at her."
You closed your eyes and raised your cup of tea to take a sip. It seemed the hysteria that came after the incident at Diglet's Cave was still prevalent in the public sphere. Damn the media.
"Unfortunate, but it can't be helped." You set the cup down back on its saucer. "I believe it would be best if you transfer to Vermillion City for the time being." She opened her mouth to protest, but any words she was about to say died in her throat as you raised a hand. "With the Lieutenant out of commission still, I need someone else to oversee the establishment of a proper headquarters for Vermillion using our latest asset, and there is no one else I trust more to get this task done." You look at her sternly. "Understood?"
Her hesitation is clear for you to see, but slowly she nods.
"Understood. I won't let you down, sir!"
"See to it that you don't." You rise from your chair. "You'll be departing tomorrow morning with a detachment of Grunts tasked to aid you in making the facility habitable for Rocket. A deadline is set for the end of the month, but I would rather have a delay over shoddy craft."
A knowing nod was all you needed in response.
-[X] (Personal) (Surge) Get in Contact with Your Old Comrades
89
In a dim alleyway on the outskirts of Vermillion City laid a bar, a concrete hole in the wall whose neon signage declares its name as Valhalla. Tonight, the interior of Valhalla was filled with the jovial laughter of two soldiers, its only guests this late into the night.
"You can't be serious. Those crazy bastards are really back?" Lt. Surge asked, shaking his head. "I knew the Ikari Warriors were some of the toughest sons of bitches we had, but they couldn't have been hiding out in the woods for this long."
Major Jackson "Jax" Briggs, grinned, a frothy mug held aloft in his mechanical hand. He was an imposing man whose jacket obscured an impressive set of stainless steel cyber limbs. Jax could bend a man into a pretzel with them, which was exactly why he wasn't supposed to cross into the zone with them.
"I'd have a hard time believing it if I didn't see it with my own two eyes. Clark Still and Ralf Jones are alive and kicking. Invaders couldn't kill 'em, Wily couldn't kill 'em, and they haven't aged a day since the Crash."
"Cold storage?"
Jax gave Surge a nod, and took a swig of the booze before continuing.
"Yeah. Still and Jones missed everything after the ships took off. Missed the rot setting in. If we had found 'em sooner, maybe we could've been drinking back in New Washington instead."
New Washington and a New America were a fun idea. One of the fastest ones that Wily choked out before it could get any traction.
"Yeah, that would've been nice." Surge responded with a nod. "So what's next? Are they gonna be starting up the Ikaris again as a two-man merc squad?"
Jax shook his head.
"Last I heard, they're signing up with Regular Army."
"Those armchair generals?"
"Yeah. They could both score a cushy job at the top with their service records, but I don't see it lasting. First thing they did when they came out of the freezer was ask where the fight was."
They both drank deeply from their mugs. Not even decades of hypersleep could cool those hotheads down.
"What about the rest?" Surge asked. "You been able to keep in touch with the old guard?"
Jax frowned and took another drink.
"At the start? Plenty. But these days, a lot of them have just dropped off the radar. The ones I know are kicking, I can count on one hand."
"Mad Dog and Scorpion?"
"Orange Star."
"Grit?"
"Blue Moon."
Surge's eyes opened in surprise.
"He's with the Communists now?"
Jax chuckled.
"Why not? Even the Soviets are for-profit these days."
For a moment, silence reigned in the bar. Surge swerved his seat around, towards Jax.
"So why are you here, Jax? Don't get me wrong. I like the company, but I don't think a former spec ops guy would sneak into a restricted zone just to see this handsome mug."
Jax smiled.
"Is it too much to believe I just wanted to share a few drinks with the Lightning Lieutenant?"
Surge frowned.
"Don't call me that. It was bad enough that the privates were kissing my ass back on Earth."
"Not a fan of it?"
"It was a damn miracle that I was able to land my jet in that storm. Not skill."
"Sure, sure. And the fact you were able to dodge lightning with three saucers on your tail was luck, too?"
"Quit dodging the question. Why are you here, Jax?"
Jax stared at Surge for a few moments, then turned away.
"I'm headed to the Outlands." At Surge's confused expression, he continued. "Not for any mission besides my own. I stopped by because I wanted to ask if you'd join me."
"Isn't that where you…?" Surge gestured to his own bicep, and Jax nodded.
"Yeah."
"What the hell could make you want to go out there again?"
"A cause worth fighting for," Jax replied. "That's what we all signed up for, ain't it? Nowadays all of us are either on a 9-to-5 or working as hired guns. That ain't the life for me, and I don't think it's the one for you, either."
Surge sat in silence, considering it. They both fought to protect their country, and now what? Their country wasn't even on this planet. The flag wasn't there. The stars and stripes were lost in the shuffle. Jax was right. It was why he got out of the mercenary business when the getting was good. Maybe a few months ago, Surge would've taken him up on the offer, and they'd ride off into the sunset.
Unconsciously, Surge's free hand rubbed its thumb over the first pokeball attached to his belt. His number one rule was that you didn't leave your wingman behind.
Not when you could help it.
"Offer's appreciated, but I'm going to have to decline."
"Is that right?"
"It's tempting, but my days of playing soldier are over with. This Neo-Kanto joint's starting to grow on me, and I'd be pissing on a lot of bridges if I up and left. Still, good luck out there. Hope you find whatever it is you're looking for out there."
Jax smiled sadly.
"Well… it was worth a shot asking." He finished his drink and put a stack of zenny on the counter. "I think I'm done for the night."
Surge crossed his arms.
"What? Didn't realize you've become such a lightweight."
Jax demonstrated his new enhancements by giving Surge the finger.
"Fuck off, can't be drinking too much until the anti-reject drugs are out of my system."
"That's a new one," Surge replied with a grin.
Jax was leaving disappointed, but he was still grinning back.
"Next time, I'll drink you under the table. Just like I did in Brooklyn."
Surge beat his chest once.
"You can try, but I've gotten better at holding my liquor since then!"
"I'll believe it when you can make it past the fourth round." With that, Jax started to walk away. Before walking out of the bar, he tossed Surge a small book. Surge caught it.
"The hell is this?"
"A notepad with some old contacts that are still in the mercenary scene. I have most of them memorized, so I figure you'd have more of a use for it than I do. Think of it as a parting gift."
Just like that, Jax was gone. Going his own way, wherever that way was. Surge paid his tab and left Valhalla shortly afterwards.
Even if he couldn't reach everyone from the war days, Surge knew Giovanni wouldn't mind the opportunity this book provided.
Rocket Group has obtained the means to contact several PMCs and mercenary units, including the forces of Orange Star, Blue Moon, and Regular Army. Their use is limited in your own territory due to Neo-Kanto's "hermit zone" nature, but could provide significant benefits in the future.
⏰ THERE WILL BE A 24 HOUR MORATORIUM AFTER THIS POST.
