And now, a not-really-public-at-all service announcement.

[hasearthbooks.livejournal.com]

Who: Gorthan (hasearthbooks) and YOU, provided you're in Team Rocket.
Where: Action log at the Goldenrod City Rocket base.
When: Video broadcast on December 2nd; action log may take place any time after that.
Summary: Rockets, please give your small contribution to the creation of awesome evil. Mod-approved.
Rating: PG for blood-drawing and evil scheming.
Log:

[VIDEO]

[Sup, Rocket members. You have a very special, Rockets-only video broadcast on your Gears today. The man speaking - muscular body, blue eyes framed by what for all intents and purposes appears to be black makeup, odd silver forehead markings, blond dreadlocks, age impossible to tell - seems to be inside a laboratory of sorts.]

Dear members of Team Rocket. My name is Gorthan, and I have just joined our glorious organization's prestigious scientific division. Some of you already know me, I am certain.

Having received due authorization from our leaders, I ask that you volunteer to have a blood sample taken to assist in the creation of Team Rocket's very own genetic data bank, an effort to collect and catalog only the best genetic material that our organization has to offer. Once completed, the project will be of extreme usefulness for the furthering of the Team's research and overall purposes.

And so, if you deem yourself worthy of bringing such greatness to the Team, please report as soon as you can - preferably within the next four weeks - to our new laboratory in the Goldenrod base, without having had anything to eat during the previous eight hours. The blood drawing will only take a moment of your precious time, and yet, it will be an incredibly valuable contribution to the Team and to science as a whole. Each volunteer will be rewarded with a free, rich and nutritionally balanced meal.

Well, then. Thank you for your attention, and I hope to meet you in Goldenrod.

---

[ACTION]

[If your character decides to volunteer, he will find Gorthan at the Rocket lab, sitting behind a desk, a set of test tubes already arranged before him.

The doctor is most definitely in. There is no sign of the free food just yet, but Gorthan is a man of his word, provided you're on the same side as him.]

I was waiting for you. Please, have a seat.

Comments

Video response.

[meatysoviet.livejournal.com]

[While he's arrogant enough to feel that he IS worthy of being part of this project, there's something about it that pushes his paranoia button.]

Have only one question- is this volunteer project, or... "volunteer" project?

[He used to only one of those types of projects, and it was very much the one inside the air-quotes.]

[hasearthbooks.livejournal.com]

[... You're the bastard who hurt Minnie, aren't you? Because of that, Gorthan has a bit of a beef with you, but he doesn't plan to act on it anytime soon.

... Of course, he will still be a little patronizing, because that's simply how he is.]

Without quotation marks. But I'm sure I could make it mandatory, if that is what you would prefer.

[Video]

[meatysoviet.livejournal.com]

[Guilty as charged Gorthan, guilty as charged.

Come now Gorthan, he was just doing his job. you can't tell him that if it had come down to it, you wouldn't have done the same, doing your job and all.

Who would've thought smacking one woman would give him such a popularity boost, from all sides it seems. It's almost a shame guns were non-existant in Johto, all things considered.]

Mandatory for me? My my, I am feeling so special all of a sudden.

Did I say that I would? I do not think I did- learn to listen and then you will no longer need to assume.

[Video]

[hasearthbooks.livejournal.com]

[Um, smacking a woman when you're like, four times as big as her and perhaps more? Not nice, not even in Gorthan's book. Gorthan's book being one that has some pretty disturbing stuff in it that he's perfectly okay with.]

It is purely voluntary, I assure you. Though, if you ask me, I would very much like you to contribute. I have heard great things of you - Ivan, is it?

[Video]

[meatysoviet.livejournal.com]

['Getting pokémon by whatever means nessacary' He's only following the manual. Besides, getting smacked builds character... And subserviance- both are good things.]

Hmm?

[Flattery however, is a sure fire way to get his overly paranoid interest.]

What exactly have you heard?

[video]

[hackintheaster.livejournal.com]

[Robin's a little iffy with anything to do with his dna, so he's kind of suspicious of this whole idea. Not only that, but what Gorthan and or Team Rocket might plan on doing with it.]

This genetic data bank wouldn't have anything to do with your previous profession, would it?

[video]

[hasearthbooks.livejournal.com]

Well. What if it does?

[Yyyeah, we've already established that you aren't exactly loyal, so... expect a fair bit of condescension.]

Re: [video]

[hackintheaster.livejournal.com]

[He can take it for now, especially since he doesn't think TR's after him. Not yet, anyway.

He shrugs.]

Just curious.

[video]

[hasearthbooks.livejournal.com]

[His tone is decidedly gentler and less assertive when he speaks next.]

Just put your questions into words, and I will answer them. You have several on your mind, don't you?

[video]

[hackintheaster.livejournal.com]

I always do.

[He thinks for a moment, trying to decide which would be the best way to word it. Robin is still coming off pretty lighthearted given what they're discussing and all.]

I'm more curious in how you plan on going about it. And without any of the original powers we could have, what you plan on creating.

[action]

[explosivecombat]

[Well! Kimblee and Gorthan have already had quite the discussion regarding this...genetic thing, and as such Kimblee isn't surprised when he sees that video. He's been lying low outside of Goldenrod City since the incident on the Magnet Train, given that people on that train had seen his face, but Gorthan had said within the next few weeks; clearly, it's just a matter of ensuring that any warrant that may have been out for his arrest expires.

As such, he'll just be showing up a good while after that broadcast, two weeks past the initial attack on the train - those who had seen him aren't the sort to wait around to report him, after all - and while he doesn't look sleep-deprived, he's definitely looking a bit rough around the edges.

Eight hours without eating something is perfectly fine; he often forgets to eat anyway when he's on task. Eight hours is nothing. It's the part where he's had blood drawn before and knows that "eight hours without eating" usually extends to "eight hours without consuming any horribly rich substances," which comes out to no goddamn coffee and Kimblee does not function without the caffeine-to-blood ratio in his body being ridiculously lopsided.

So! He's here. Just. Not too pleased about being here.]

Well, I suppose it's nice to see that you certainly don't waste time.

[...and irritable. He's kind of irritable.

He'll sit down, as asked, but his focus is mostly on those test tubes; this had best be as brief as you've said it will be, Gorthan, it's been a horrid morning and it's just getting started.]

[action]

[hasearthbooks.livejournal.com]

[Gorthan furrows his brow a little. He was looking forward to showing Kimblee the shiny new lab and all the awesome and surprisingly not completely primitive instruments that have been placed at his disposal... but, alas, Kimblee doesn't seem to be in the mood for discussing things like that. At all.

Gorthan infers that he'd better go the route he usually goes with his crankier mutants: serviceable, mellow and even motherly, yet firm.]

... You don't seem relaxed. Don't worry, this will only take a moment.

I'll need your arm.

[He's already wearing gloves and has a tourniquet ready.]

[explosivecombat]

[...let him wake up a bit first, Gorthan, and then you can nerd at him all you like.

As it stands, he's already shrugging his coat and suit jacket off, for the sake of easier access, and working at unfastening the cuff at one of his sleeves. He's managed to purchase gloves at the department store in town, white in color but thick enough to not allow one to see through them; they're not quite as long as the gloves issued by Team Rocket and decidedly more comfortable, as far as Kimblee is concerned, and as they cut off just above the wrist he doesn't see a need to remove them for this.]

My apologies, then, but it's been a bit of a long morning.

[And he's managed to get that sleeve undone; have at, good sir.]

Needles have never bothered me; do as you will.

[hasearthbooks.livejournal.com]

[As he ties the tourniquet around Kimblee's upper arm... well. He won't ask why he insists on keeping his gloves on, and at the same time... it's too odd not to remark on it.]

You're wearing your gloves.

[It's a simple statement, the tone deprived of anything that might indicate a judgment of any sort. Of course that oddity sparks his curiosity, but he's also aware that now is perhaps not best the time to ask prying questions. Anyway! Nice cubital fossa, sir. Gorthan will now be feeling for a vein, if you don't mind.]

[explosivecombat]

[Kimblee doesn't mind in the least; if anything, he'll just be watching while Gorthan does his thing. He meant what he'd said; he isn't bothered by needles, nor does the sight of his own blood bother him. Of course, everyone else's blood is repulsive and to be avoided, but his own? Nothing to worry about.

...his priorities may be a little backward in that regard; who knows?

He doesn't seem terribly bothered by the statement, either, though he doesn't move to take the gloves in question off.]

It's been rather cold.

[Video]

[serpensrex.livejournal.com]

[Didn’t he just discuss this subject with Gorthan? And decline? ]

What? Who authorized this? And why wasn’t I informed beforehand?

[And since when do they have a Science Division? No one tells him anything!]

[Video]

[hasearthbooks.livejournal.com]

[Oh Cobra Commander. You are cute.]

Ah, so you weren't? Well, you've been informed now.

Do relax. It's just a blood sampling whose results I will catalog and archive, nothing more. I won't be performing experiments on you, or anyone for that matter.

[Video -> Action]

[serpensrex.livejournal.com]

[He still doesn’t completely trust Gorthan, but he figures refusing would almost certainly negatively affect his standing in the organization.]

Very well! I will be there in one hour!

[And sure enough, about an hour later, a very grumpy Cobra Commander arrives in full Rocket uniform, aside from his silver faceplate instead of the traditional Rocket mask.]

[Action.]

[hasearthbooks.livejournal.com]

[Oh my Evron! Gorthan finally gets to see what you look like! ... Except not really, because you have that... mask and stuff, listen, pal, how do you even see?]

Greetings, Commander. I feel honored to finally meet you in person.

[Gorthan rises from his chair and walks up to Cobra, smiling and extending his hand.]

I am afraid there has been a terrible misunderstanding. I will be more than glad to dispel your doubts.

[Action.] I still think it's seethrough from the inside even if it didn't look that way in the movie

[serpensrex.livejournal.com]

Dispel away. I look forward to hearing just what you intend to do with these samples.

[Sorry Gorthan, he won’t shake hands just yet. At least, not until he gets an explanation.]

[ACTION]

[sadisticwarfare.livejournal.com]

[It's been quite awhile, hasn't it? Archer has certainly kept himself busy learning more about the Pokémon that inhabit this world. He's taken a special interest in how they evolve and breed, but that's not important now.]

[He'll arrive not long after that video is sent out, looking about as smug as usual. He's had a few rough nights here and there, but overall he's fine. He will be walking into your lab carrying that Meowth though, since he can never seem to be without her for five seconds.]

Good morning, Gorthan. I was wondering if you were going to get this project of yours off the ground.

[He'll do as asked and take a seat, setting the cat down on the floor. She immediately jumps up onto his lap and starts purring contentedly. Archer sighs.] No, get down, you. [That's followed by another attempt to set the cat on the floor. She actually looks like she's pouting now; clearly she's picked up some traits from her owner. The cat actually does have a name that isn't "Eggbeast" now, but like hell he's going to call her that in front of anyone. It's kind of embarrassing to name a cat after your dead best friend.]

Whenever you're ready. [Archer has never been afraid of needles and immediately removes the blue uniform jacket he's rarely seen without, revealing the Team Rocket uniform beneath, minus those uncomfortable gloves. He's quick to roll the sleeve of that up - his right arm, if you don't mind, he requires his left, thank you - and sit there, patiently waiting. ...And occasionally playing with the cat's ears.]

[Action] and you should be on AIM more often ;A;

[hasearthbooks.livejournal.com]

[He's... reasonably okay with there being a cat in the lab, as long as she stays quiet, which seems to be the case, at least for the moment.]

Good morning. Don't you trust me enough to simply wonder when, as opposed to if? I like to believe I am a man of my word.

[Since he's been carrying a cat, the first thing Gorthan will do is clean Archer's elbow pit using a bit of alcohol.]

You seem to have grown attached to it. [He means the cat, obviously.] Allow me to remark that it's quite beautiful.

[ACTION] - I really should. W h o o p s.

[sadisticwarfare.livejournal.com]

[Archer smirks at that, watching Gorthan work rather than looking at him. Archer rarely makes eye contact as it is; he's much more interested in what Gorthan's doing than what he's saying. That doesn't mean he isn't listening, however.]

Oh I don't doubt that; I merely was wondering if our superiors would be okay trusting this endeavor to a lower-ranking officer. Unless you've been promoted?

[In that case? How did you do it; he doesn't deserve to be a Grunt.]

...Ah, yes, I suppose you could say I have.

[That's possibly the understatement of the year. He lavishes attention on that thing. She's entirely useless for battle though, but he carries her around just about everywhere anyway.]

[Evidently the cat seems to understand the compliment, for she'll just start winding around Gorthan's legs like cats do, looking for more affection.]

Knock it off. You'll get attention when we're done.

[hasearthbooks.livejournal.com]

I've been assigned to the science division, quite simply. And while I have received no formal promotion whatsoever, my knowledge and experience in this particular branch of science is such that for the organization to keep me from practicing it would have been wasteful and a shame.

[And while that doesn't look like an understatement, it is. Gorthan being the top science authority on Evron, etc.

He... recoils a little at the cat moving against him, what is affection and how do you receive it. But eventually he relaxes into it a bit.]

I do hope she understands your words. For, as you said, I have no intention to reciprocate her displays quite yet. [Especially since he's wearing latex gloves and stuff.] Have you given her a name?

[That said, he will tie a tourniquet around Archer's upper arm.]

I am so sorry for the delay!

[sadisticwarfare.livejournal.com]

[Archer nods at Gorthan's words, but he's not really paying that much attention. So he's a scientist. Big deal. It's like the alchemists back home - they receive promotions and benefits just because they can use alchemy, even if their alchemy is utterly useless on the battlefield.]

[But that's not something he needs to dwell on, nor compare Gorthan to. From the sound of it, this was something Gorthan learned in his homeworld, implying he put time and effort into it instead of just being capable of it.]

[Archer smirks when Gorthan recoils from the cat's affection.] Don't worry, she won't hurt you.

[Archer once again focuses on Gorthan's work rather than his face and remains silent for several minutes. Of course he's given her a name, but there's no way in hell he's telling Gorthan he named her after his dead best friend. That's morbid enough as it is.]

Yes, she has a name.