infinitejustice | Seventy-Eighth Launch

[Video]

...It's about time I disclosed the results of my investigation.

Professor Elm's laboratory holds nothing of interest -- at least, that I was looking for in particular. All of their devises and projects have to do with Pokémon.

The only place of any interest is "Mom's" house...if only for the fact that it's impossible to enter it. The doors and windows are locked, and the chimney releases gusts of wind to keep people from entering that way. Whoever constructed it made for certain that no one could re-enter once they left.

...I did catch a glimpse of "Mom" herself, though, late at night. She was just...standing there. Expressionless face, just staring at her oven. She didn't move or respond to any noises. She remained that way until sunrise.

[Video; filtered to Pokémon Guardian Corps and Shinn]

I'm done dismantling those bombs. I've discovered a few things, and the most interesting part ins't the materials or level of technology used, it's the amount of experience that shows in each bomb's construction.

Most of the bombs I found were very clearly made by someone who knew what he was doing...and then some. The construction and mechanics were so complex that I'd almost call them needlessly complex. Whoever made them is either genius beyond even my level, or a complete nutcase.

However, there were a few other bombs that were far simpler and more, well. Crude. Judging by how those were made, I'd say whomever made them was experienced with the effects of explosions, but not the fine details of an explosive device. So I'd say we're dealing with two people who specialize in...well, not necessarily explosives, but definitely explosions.

[Video; Filtered to Squad 5, Lacus, Shinn, Maria, and Yayoi]

I'm leaving Goldenrod City. I have business to take care of in Kanto, so I'll be taking the train to Saffron City as soon as I can. Be careful, all right?

[Action; Goldenrod City]

[Athrun's hanging out at the house. He's waiting for Miki to return.]

[[OoC: New Bark Town info approved by mods. Bomb info approved by Dal.]]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

It does seem that way for the time being. Maybe it will be unlocked in the future.

...Alternately, if someone disappears and returns, they could investigate.

...Is that something that can actually happen?

Yes, it is. Sometimes people are randomly sent home, and just as randomly brought back. Unless they're brought back by Team Rocket, they'll show up in "Mom's" house once again.

Is that so...? Are there multiple ways that one can leave and return, then? I remember speaking to someone who implied that she went home and returned here without waking up in that house, although various other things she said made her... less than credible, in my eyes.

Sometimes people's consciousness returns home, but their bodies remain here. The result is that they enter into a coma for a week.

I see... that seems to have been in line with what that person said happened, then.

What is this "Team Rocket" you brought up earlier, then? From the way you spoke of them, it sounds as though they may have had a hand in this situation.

Team Rocket is a crime syndicate. They use Pokémon, among other tools, to obtain rare Pokémon, money, or other things that they want. I don't know what their ultimate goal is, but they've caused this world no small amount of trouble.

Is there a possibility that they're behind this, then? Normally I wouldn't suspect something as base as a crime syndicate to be responsible for this sort of thing, but it's fairly difficult to determine what's plausible and what isn't in this world.

Behind bringing us here? We know for a fact that they're recruiting new agents using a similar method as the one being used in New Bark Town. But since the latter has regularly been producing people who oppose Team Rocket, I really doubt that's the case.

True enough, but that doesn't quite rule it out. After all, I'm sure you know what they say about best laid plans.

[NOT THAT HE KNOWS ANYTHING ABOUT THIS NOPE]

It could have been some sort of unintended side effect.

[THE IRONY LEVEL. IT IS LETHALLY HIGH.]

Of course. I've had some experience with that myself. Regardless, I can't imagine them as lacking the foresight to see that possibility.

[several low-level pokemon in the area just fainted from the irony bomb

shit was pretty real]

I know very little about this organization, so I can't exactly theorize as to how competent or reckless they are. What kinds of operations have they run in the past?

The only one I can confirm with absolute certainty was an attempt at a train robbery. They had the train brought to a stop, swooped in, and had bombs planted in the cars. Ultimately, they got thwarted.

...so I see.

[...he does not sound particularly impressed.]

I see no reason to rule out the idea that something went haywire, then, if their one confirmed operation was an abject failure.

That being said, I have reason to believe that they performed other operations -- I just have no irrefutable proof that they were involved.

How successful were those, then? I would presume that they were slightly more competently handled given that there isn't irrefutable proof, at least.

For starters, I believe they have control over the Radio Tower. There have been multiple incidents involving radio waves, and so it would make sense if Team Rocket has control of it. Correlation doesn't always imply causation, but when an entire region is experiencing issues being caused by radio waves, they'd need a very powerful transmitter.

[ugh, tech...]

I suppose that makes sense, though as I haven't personally witnessed any of these events, I can't exactly comment on it.

Regardless, it's best to proceed with some degree of caution while in Goldenrod City. There's been quite a bit of Rocket activity there.

I'll keep that in mind.

I suppose I should be thankful that you've given me all this information, as it will doubtless prove extremely helpful.

Seventy-Eighth Launch

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