explosivecombat: (Who cares?)
Solf J Kimblee ([personal profile] explosivecombat) wrote in [community profile] route_10652012-04-21 11:02 pm

They annoy me, those who employ me; they could destroy me, they should enjoy me

Who: Cobra Commander ([personal profile] cobraaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa), Frank Archer ([personal profile] determinator), Solf J Kimblee ([personal profile] explosivecombat)
Where: Inside the Goldenrod Team Rocket base
When: Backdated to the evening of April 20th, 2012
Summary: In which there are a bunch of overambitious jerks standing around in the same room, trying to make a business deal.
Rating: ...goodness. PG? I don't really see why it would be higher than that.
Log:

[And tonight there will be a text sent out.

It isn't a broadcasted one over the Rocket frequency, if for no better reason than Kimblee doesn't need any...unexpected guests joining them; this is decidedly more personal than that, sent to Cobra directly. It's a simple one, giving directions indicating one of the rooms within the base - Archer's, previously, though Archer is no longer even inhabiting it and so the place is, for all intents and purposes, a blank slate - and a time set for rather late in the evening, though not to the point of being completely unreasonable. The logic behind that choice of meeting place is straightforward; it will force Kimblee's guest to come to him, rather than the other way around, and meeting in a large area runs more of a chance of being either walked in on mid-negotiation, or some sort of setup being put in place before Kimblee's arrival.

They say you never really leave the battlefield once you've seen war; Kimblee is actually rather inclined to agree with that. It isn't a negative thing, as he's concerned.

For now, there's nothing to do but wait, really; he's alone for the time being. He's always had a talent for reading others, for figuring out whether someone intends to help him or harm him; he doesn't imagine Cobra is about to stab him in the back, given that he didn't seem inclined to blame Kimblee or Kato for the failed incident at the Game Corner earlier in the week, but there was no need to get Archer involved if the original assessment didn't go well - especially given what Kimblee was planning on disclosing, should things proceed past the initial awkwardness that invariably came with requesting an audience with someone.

He's standing for now, as opposed to sitting on the bed or at the desk; he's recovering rather well from those burns he sustained yesterday - though he has different gloves on than usual, it isn't anything terribly noticeable. His positioning is incredibly casual - his legs are crossed over one another at the ankle, his arms folded across his chest - but his gaze is rather alert. Anticipatory.

Let's do this thing.]

cobraaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa: (FAILURE WILL NOT BE TOLERATED)

[personal profile] cobraaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa 2012-04-22 03:24 am (UTC)(link)
[Luckily for Cobra, the text specified a location inside the base. From his previous experiences, these types of meetings were usually done in alleys or other shady locations in the dead of night, but no, not this time. No need to put himself at risk or don some ridiculous disguise.

Instead all he had to do was follow the directions, arrive at the correct room at a reasonable time after receiving the text, and knock on the door, like so. Normally, he would make Kimblee wait, but after the Game Corner debacle, he wasn’t in the mood to play games with anyone. All he wanted to do was get this meeting over with and get back to plotting the downfall of everyone who opposed him.]

This is Cobra Commander! Open the door! Right now!
cobraaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa: (BEING SSSSSNEAKY)

[personal profile] cobraaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa 2012-04-22 03:52 am (UTC)(link)
It did.

[Don’t mind him, Kimblee. He’ll just barge his way into the room like he owns the place. Honestly, as far as Cobra sees it after a few more successful operations, he will own the place. And by that time, he’ll have replaced all these stupid Rs that are everywhere with a much more appropriate snake motif.

But this is hardly the time to be thinking about things like that, so he’ll simply survey the room and take a seat at the desk after deciding that the room looks secure enough.]

So what did you want to discuss?
cobraaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa: (TAKES A SSSTRONG STOMACH TO SEE MY FACE)

[personal profile] cobraaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa 2012-04-22 04:15 am (UTC)(link)
[He doesn’t really care for that smirk, but he’s willing to ignore it for now. Besides, it’s not like it’s visible beneath his faceplate anyway.]

Very well. How would you prefer to be paid?

[No matter what it is, it shouldn’t be too hard, unless it’s something completely out of left field. Money, TMs, and items are things the Commander can easily obtain. He could probably obtain eggs too if needed. ]

I should be able to provide or obtain whatever it is you need.
cobraaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa: (SSSSURROUNDED BY INCOMPETENCE)

[personal profile] cobraaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa 2012-04-22 04:25 am (UTC)(link)
Nothing material?

[Well, he can’t see what it is Kimblee would be wanting, but if it’s not going to cost him anything, then he’ll hand over whatever he’s asked for.]

As to how long I’ve been in Johto, too long!

[Sore subject, Kimblee. He has a man to kill and a world to conquer back home, and the longer he spends in Johto, the longer it takes him to accomplish that. But instead of giving the long drawn out rant about that and all the crap he’s had to put up with in Johto, he’ll just give a direct answer.]

Almost two years by my count. Why? What does that have to do with anything?
cobraaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa: (CITISSSENS OF THE WORLD)

[personal profile] cobraaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa 2012-04-22 04:48 am (UTC)(link)
Correct on both counts.

[Are you comfortable, Kimblee? Because he’s going to talk for a bit.]

I arrived here back when the base was still located in Mahogany Town and our team was…how shall I put this? We had more manpower, but much less dedication! Ssssince that time, I’ve watched Rockets come and go, I’ve contributed when ordered to, and taken the initiative when needed. And about a year ago, I was promoted above every other Grunt for my…dedication to our cause.

[More like dedication to using Team Rocket for his cause, but that’s beside the point.]

I believe it’s also worth nothing that I am the only Rocket who has risen above the rank of Grunt. None of the others from that time were worthy of moving up the ladder.

[Which isn’t necessarily true, but hey, they’re gone, and nobody’s left to call him on it.]
cobraaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa: (HAHAHAHAHA)

[personal profile] cobraaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa 2012-04-22 05:07 am (UTC)(link)
[Once again, he’s glad that his expressions aren’t visible. He’s quite surprised by the offer. He hasn’t had been asked something like that since, well since the last round of promotions.]

Would I be willing to…?

[He almost doesn’t want to say it out loud. He knows the superiors listen in on their Gears, and wouldn’t put it past them to have the base bugged.]

Is that what you wanted? That's all? You don’t have to explain the benefits to me! Consider it done!
cobraaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa: (GET HIM!)

[personal profile] cobraaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa 2012-04-22 05:37 am (UTC)(link)
[The surprises just keep coming today, don’t they? First, he finds out Kimblee doesn’t want money. Then he wants to form an alliance similar to the one the Commander had before. And now if he understands things correctly, that Kimblee’s been taking orders from someone else and doing…something. Someone behind the scenes pulling Kimblee’s strings without making themselves known to Cobra.

There’s absolutely no way he can say no now. Not only does forming an alliance benefit him, but now he has to know who this commanding officer is as well as what they’ve been ordering Kimblee to do.]

I accept!
determinator: (♕ Bombs away is your punishment)

[personal profile] determinator 2012-04-22 05:44 am (UTC)(link)
[Needless to say, Archer's been waiting impatiently for that text. It doesn't take him long to enter the room without knocking. He's wearing the Amestrian military uniform of course. He enters and shuts the door securely before turning to Cobra with a smirk.]

Good evening, Commander. I take it Kimblee has informed you of our agreement?

[It's really more for confirmation than anything else; of course Kimblee has. He wouldn't have texted Archer if he hadn't.]
cobraaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa: (BEING SSSSSNEAKY)

[personal profile] cobraaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa 2012-04-22 05:54 am (UTC)(link)
[So that’s who it was. Cobra had spoken with Archer a handful of times, but wouldn’t have guessed that he was the one behind it. So this was the man who had been commanding Kimblee to do whatever it was he had been doing while not working with Cobra.]

He has, and I’m willing to accept the terms of sssssaid agreement. I’m quite curious though, Kimblee mentioned you had ordered him to do certain things and that they two of you had proof? If the three of us are going to be working together, then I would definitely like to see whatever it is you two have been doing. After all, it’s only fair.

[And because seriously, what have the two of you been doing? He hasn’t heard about any major incidents or anything like that lately.]
determinator: (♕ Is not a way that's meant for me)

[personal profile] determinator 2012-04-22 06:05 am (UTC)(link)
Of course. You do remember the recent attacks by an anonymous member of Team Rocket, correct? The first was against a civilian and the second a large-scale attack at the Ecruteak Dance Theater.

[Archer's smirk widens and he crosses the room - Kimblee, hand over your 'Gear please - and he'll locate the photos he's looking for quickly enough, holding the 'Gear out for Cobra to take.]

This should be all the proof you need - but if you'd like, we have all of the anonymous conversations on record as well.

[Of course, he can anticipate the question that will follow and readily answers it.]

I didn't participate in the first attack; I wanted to ensure the reaction from the other trainers here wouldn't result in an immediate arrest. I had no reason to be worried.
cobraaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa: (SSSSURROUNDED BY INCOMPETENCE)

[personal profile] cobraaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa 2012-04-22 06:15 am (UTC)(link)
I do. So the two of you were behind that? Impressssive.

[He takes the Gear and checks the photos. He had been wondering who the responsible parties were and from the looks of things, they’re telling the truth. Looks like Kimblee wasn’t kidding about Archer being willing to take action. And hanging back in case the minion gets arrested? He can definitely agree with that strategy. After all, it’s one of his favorites.]

Very impressive indeed. However, I remember ssspeaking with one of these anonymous Rockets and not once did they identify themselves. Obvioussssly, you’d want to keep your identities hidden from the general public, but why keep it from those of us within Team Rocket?
determinator: (♕ This is our lives on holiday)

[personal profile] determinator 2012-04-22 06:19 am (UTC)(link)
Thank you.

[Cobra's next question is met with a slight nod. It was another one he was expecting - had the roles been reversed, he'd certainly want to know why it was kept from him.]

Do you believe everyone within Team Rocket is trustworthy, Commander? I don't trust the entire organization. I know of at least one member who isn't loyal to the organization first and foremost, and I'm certain there are others. I wouldn't want to be arrested for this so early on.

[Not that he wants to be arrested at all, but you know.]

I do believe you're trustworthy, however. You won't let anyone know about this, correct?

[Again, it's merely a formality. The smirk should make that pretty clear.]
cobraaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa: (SHOULD BE BEHEADED FOR SSSSTUPIDITY)

[personal profile] cobraaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa 2012-04-22 06:26 am (UTC)(link)
What? Who? I want a name!

[That name had better not be his own. Cobra’s had his suspicions about a couple of Rockets, but hearing it from someone else means that there might actually be more to that.]

And of course, you can trust me. I won’t tell a soul. Now give me the name of this individual!

[Look at his face. It has trustworthy written all over it. Or it would if he actually had a visible face. And any moral fiber whatsoever.]
cobraaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa: (BEING SSSSSNEAKY)

[personal profile] cobraaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa 2012-04-22 06:44 am (UTC)(link)
Fine!

[He’s not happy about this. Not on par with his outbursts of anger from after his plan was foiled, but visibly annoyed that they won’t hand over the name. At the same time, he can’t really force them to give it to him, so he’ll give up on obtaining it. For now.]

I’ll trust the two of you to handle it, but if I may make a ssssuggestion? Handing over a traitor or two to the bosses is definitely one way to get on their good sides, and yes, I am sssspeaking from experience.

[Those were the days. Getting extra Pokémon and other goodies to hunt down traitors. He wouldn’t mind getting the chance to do something like that again.]

Making it into a public ssspectacle would also send a rather effective message to our enemies.
determinator: (♛ Get on your knees)

[personal profile] determinator 2012-04-22 06:47 am (UTC)(link)
That's certainly a very valid suggestion.

[Actually, it's a very tempting one too. Hughes hasn't done anything to piss Archer off, but that doesn't matter. In order to succeed, there have to be some sacrifices. Sorry, Hughes. It's nothing personal. That, however, will have to wait until he can discuss it further with Kimblee.]

I'll be sure to keep it in mind, but as Kimblee said, we can handle him.
cobraaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa: (CITISSSENS OF THE WORLD)

[personal profile] cobraaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa 2012-04-22 06:59 am (UTC)(link)
Then I’ll leave handling that person to the two of you.

[The less work Cobra has to do the better. He’d rather be off plotting the list of people he needs to take revenge on. In fact, speaking of that list, weren’t there some names Kimblee wanted him to have? He’s pretty sure there was, and this seems like the best time to bring it up since they seem to have worked everything else out.]

Before I forget, there’s the matter of that report I’ve been working on. Kimblee mentioned that there were ssssome names that should be brought to my attention. What are they? Who are they?
cobraaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa: (BEING SSSSSNEAKY)

[personal profile] cobraaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa 2012-04-22 07:26 am (UTC)(link)
[The Commander actually listens to the list of names. Some of them were already on his list, but some of the others definitely weren’t. It’s troubling that some of these names have escaped his attention, but they’ll definitely be added to his list before the final report is made public.]

I sssee. About Gorthan, I’m not sure if the two of you are aware, but he made some rather…interesting comments following your little esssscapade in Ecruteak. I think the two of you upset him. At any rate, he’s one we should keep an eye on. There’s no telling what sssort of nonsense a disgruntled geneticist could come up with!

[And yes, he’s speaking from experience. Again. Darn those geneticists, they can never be trusted.]

As far as this Farron woman goes, when I spoke with her, she constantly used the word we where everyone else calling in to tell me that I wouldn’t get away with things used the word I. Do either of you know whether there’s some sort of united opposition against us? Or does this require further research?
determinator: (♛ Here's how it goes)

[personal profile] determinator 2012-04-22 07:32 am (UTC)(link)
[Archer tips his head a bit in thought.]

I haven't heard of any sort of organized group, but it honestly wouldn't surprise me. Until we have solid proof, it would be best to play it safe. We should operate under the assumption that there is some group attempting to take down Team Rocket.

[He pauses for a moment, still thinking.]

Kimblee, you're very close with Isaac and Emmy - would it be possible to see if one of them can get information on this? Emmy seems very... social; it's possible she might know something about it. If Isaac's that determined to stop us, it's possible he could be approached to join - assuming there is such a group.

[Again, it's much better to play it safe. After the incident with the train, Archer's surprised there hasn't been more anti-Rocket activity.]

We don't seem to be in any immediate danger, but that is troublesome.
cobraaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa: (WHAT'SSSSS THAT OVER THERE)

[personal profile] cobraaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa 2012-04-22 07:44 am (UTC)(link)
Either way, I imagine we’ll find out sssoon enough. Once this list circulates if some of our more…passionate members decide to go after them and encounter organized resistance…

[He trails off, hoping he doesn’t have to explain what that means. The idea of possibly losing a couple Grunts that way does cross his mind, but doesn’t bother him. It’s an acceptable loss as long as he’s not the one at risk.]

And if we are against something like that, then I can imagine military experience would ssssuddenly be a very useful thing around here.
determinator: (♕ Bombs away is your punishment)

[personal profile] determinator 2012-04-22 07:50 am (UTC)(link)
[Archer's smirk returns in full force at that.]

Of course. It would be best to find others who would be loyal to our cause - but if all else fails, seniority within Team Rocket certainly would have its benefits.

[...He's not going to mention that the last time he actually commanded troops in battle resulted in seven thousand of his own men dying. But he was under stress and made a mistake there; shit happens, right?]
cobraaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa: (TAKES A SSSTRONG STOMACH TO SEE MY FACE)

[personal profile] cobraaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa 2012-04-22 08:07 am (UTC)(link)
Exactly.

[Archer understanding what he means is going to go a long ways towards earning his trust. Or well, earning as much trust as is possible with the Commander. He’s always going to be a bit wary of having people in a position where they can usurp him.]

Now then, since we seem to have discussed all of the important matters surrounding thissss deal, will that be all, or is there anything else that needs mentioning?
determinator: (♕ Is not a way that's meant for me)

[personal profile] determinator 2012-04-22 08:28 am (UTC)(link)
I believe that's all. Thank you for your time.

[If everything goes as planned, this will be perfect.]