XII. [Rocket-only Video + Action for Goldenrod City.]

[shakespearealien]

[Video.]

[This time, Gorthan's Video feed is 100% free from Rotom interference!

Except, wait. What is that small-orange top-like thing in the bottom right corner of the screen, occasionally moving and and spinning on itself like a top and overall closely resembling the brightly colored moving logo of a kids' TV channel?

... Oh. It's a Rotom. Make that... 90% free, maybe?

So Test Subject #3 the Rotom - you can thank GLaDOS for the creative nickname - is still very much inside Gorthan's PokéGear, except it has figured out a way to be simultaneously less invasive and more annoying, if you can believe that. Gorthan himself has learned not to mind - after all, this reminds him of home, in a way. Artificial intelligences are all pretty smart on Evron, often interacting with Evronians as if they were living beings themselves. So, a living being inside a machine? Not a big deal.

Anyway, as for what the video shows... Nothing of interest can be seen for now except for a wall and a few uninteresting pieces of typical lab furniture. Then why-]

- I SAID. NOT. THE CHILD.

- Aaagh!

[The cam jitters for a moment as Rotom makes the Gear spin on itself so the cam can show where all the commotion is coming from. The order, given in a loud, cold voice, and the pained scream.

There's Gorthan, with his arms spread a little at his sides and his brow furrowed in anger. ... Speaking of his brow, his forehead markings seem to be glowing, a mild silvery light.

And there's a poor NPC Rocket scientist, on his knees on the ground, both arms clutching his head, and pleading.]

- Make it stop! Make it stop, Doctor Gorthan, please!

[Gorthan stares down at the poor scientist for a few more moments. Then, lifting his head slightly, he closes his eyes and takes a slow, deep breath. The glowing lights on his forehead progressively dim down until they disappear completely. He then takes a slow, solemn step towards the man he was psychically hurting a moment before.]

- The child is a delicate case. I will take care of her myself. You stay out of it.

- Y-yes, sir...

[And at that, Rotom resizes itself to cover the whole screen and winks, grinning mischievously at the viewer, before cutting the feed out.]

[Action for Goldenrod City (both Rocket and non-Rocket).]

[This is perfectly normal for Gorthan, you see. An important, large-scale power enhancement experiment means that Gorthan is going to be a part of it. In many ways. By lending his thorough knowledge of biology and genetics to the researchers in question, and... by being one of the Guinea pigs.

Physically, he hasn't changed much. There's his forehead markings, however - they seem... shinier somehow, and somewhat larger and more in relief, as if they were jewels. And they glow when he's using his powers. Said powers being the ability to cause splitting migraines with Confusion and to quickly put people to sleep with Hypnosis. He's managed a Psybeam, too, once or twice, but that seems to require a certain amount of effort. He wants to be working on psychic barriers, hoping he can manage a Reflect or Light Screen.

As he experiments with his new self, he will be easily found either at the Rocket labs or strolling around Goldenrod. The latter in spite of the fact that Bug Pokémon, ever-so-common in summer, are something he really, really detests right now. Silly side-effect. Whenever he finds a group of trainers bragging about the recent Bug-Catching Contest... well, he changes his course or otherwise gets the hell away from there. The buzzing of those wings, the idea that they may sting or bite at any time... it's just unbearable.

And then there's the whole childish can't-sleep-with-the-lights-out thing. "Fear of the dark! I have a constant fear that's something's always near"... you know the deal.

Silly, silly side effect...]

Comments

[action]

[artfuldestruction]

[[.....oh boy.

Kato isn't in the particular lab where that little spat goes down, but he can hear it quite clearly. He winces. Here we go, then.

As Gorthan emerges, he'll find Kato standing by the door, looking politely subservient.]]

....everything ok, sir?

[action]

[shakespearealien]

[The truth is that Gorthan relaxes pretty soon after the argument is through, and he seems very surprised by Kato's attitude. There's obviously nothing wrong with the fact that Gorthan is simultaneously overseeing the experiments and being one of the test subjects.]

It is, Kato. There was a... coordination problem just now, but I took care of it. And your formality is unnecessary - you don't have to call me "sir".

[action]

[artfuldestruction]

[[Well, the man appears to be alone, at least; no signs of this 'child' he was talking about. Gorthan has always been a little strange (and if you're strange when compared to the rest of the scientists of questionable sanity levels that currently occupy the Team Rocket labs, that's saying something), so Kato doesn't press the topic.

Hell, even if there is a random child running around the lab, at least his superior seems content to deal with it himself. No complaints here.]]

I'll remember that in the future, Gorthan.

[[-is your forehead shinier today or is it just him-]]

Anything I can assist with?

[[He wouldn't usually offer to help but ugh, yelling. Let's stop the yelling, shall we?]]

[action]

[shakespearealien]

[Oh, the child is just one of the subjects. And she's not quite able to run around right now - she's sedated, albeit on a much smaller dose of sedatives than the other scientist had wanted.

He gestures to an empty chair.]

Have a seat, for one.

I would like to know if this new project of ours interests you, Kato. Tell me your thoughts.

[action]

[artfuldestruction]

My thoughts, Gorthan?

[[That actually makes him chuckle a bit, a smirk slowly creeping across his features.]]

I think you're all insane.

[ACTION]

[determinator]

[You'd think Archer would have some sort of understanding of Gorthan's issues. He's also been gifted with Psychic abilities, though his are incredibly weak and the side effects are mere headaches. But no, he's toting around a Venipede - sadly enough this isn't unusual at all - and when he notices Gorthan he immediately approaches.]

Outside the lab for once, Gorthan?

[The Venipede tenses in Archer's arms, but doesn't make any move to attack.]

I'm almost proud of you. What are you doing out here today?

[Though from the smirk, it's obvious that Archer has some idea. You're out here to test the powers you received, aren't you?]

[ACTION]

[shakespearealien]

[As soon as he spots the Venipede, Gorthan freezes for a moment. He hates himself because he's instinctively so afraid of this... tiny and probably mostly harmless thing. That stings. And secretes poison. And is likely faster than one thinks. And is ugly. And scary.

As much as he can't stand the sight of it, he finds he can't look away because what if it takes advantage of that to attack then, oh my Evron.]

... Before I answer your questions, allow me to request that you recall your creature. Please.

[Seriously, Archer. Please.]

[ACTION]

[determinator]

[OH COME ON HE IS NOT UGLY why does everyone say this, you're going to make him cry!]

It's harmless, Gorthan.

[...Granted, it is level 40...]

What's the matter with him?

[...That roach might be judging you really hard, Gorthan...]

[ACTION]

[shakespearealien]

You know what the matter is. And know that I will not tolerate you joking about it.

[As hard as Gorthan is judging Archer now? I think not.

Just get that bug away, aah. He even said "please". What more does he have to do.]

[ACTION]

[determinator]

No, I don't know; I'm hardly the sort of man to joke, Gorthan.

[Unless it's in absolutely horrible taste, he does quite a bit of that.]

[Action.]

[tickleironysjudgment]

Gorthan! ...Wait.

[Bit of a pause here, because...well, Gorthan, you're not in the labs. He had long since started thinking of you as a fixture there. This is a bit unusual.]

Getting a bit of excersize today, my friend? Admirable, but I wanted to speak with you about the latest round of...

[Another pause, a quick but careful look at those head markings.]

...Gorthan.

[Not a question, but it still sounds like a 'what the hell did you do to yourself.']

[Action.]

[shakespearealien]

[There's a smile and a playful tip of his head - Gorthan is very pleased to see you, Agnus.]

Allow me to finish that sentence for you, Agnus - experiments.

[That's all that needs to be said, really. As for what he did to himself... he knows you would have done the very same thing, Agnus. We're not so different, you and I.]

[Action.]

[tickleironysjudgment]

...I see.

[Said to the key of an 'this can only end in pain and you know it.']

Yes, the last round of experiments. Though, if I may hazard the guess, one of us has had some work done recently. On himself.

[A long, tired sigh that just screams 'worrying about you now, best friend.']

...You and I both know this won't end well, Gorthan. Enjoy it while it lasts, but this is a very special kind of playing with fire. At any rate, I came here to show you the last round of tests gave me a positive result. With a few more rounds I should be able to perfectly replicate the psychic power wavelength we'll need for the devices.

[Action.]

[shakespearealien]

... Agnus?

[He senses his colleague's concern... Senses it even a little more strongly than he normally can. Gorthan's powers don't seem to include a huge amount of empathy, as in, he can't read people's minds or emotions or auras, but... let's say he was given the starter pack. His expression becomes graver, to match Agnus', and he steps closer to him and seeks to hold his hand.]

You need not worry about me. I'm a professional, and I've done this plenty of times before. Even if this doesn't end well, like you say, I know how to change myself back at any time. [... Or so he likes to believe.] Rest assured that, in my case, the risk is minimal.

[Action.]

[tickleironysjudgment]

I should very much like to hope so, given that you appear to be one of the few living beings I can stand here for longer than a few brief moments at a time.

[Well, hey, at least he's honest about it.]

Daedalus was a genius, a professional mastersmith who gave his own son wings to seek escape via the skies above. It is not beyond your reckoning to know what became of Icarus...but, very well. I will trust your judgment. Understand, however, that it will ultimately do little to completely relieve my concerns until you have done such. Even the safest experiment can quickly turn to disaster.

[That said, he produces some forms for the male.]

These are the findings so far. I've discovered various wavelengths produced by psychics, however a base-line wave is becoming apparent. If I can give these findings to Dist it might be possible to fully isolate the basic energy wavelength for psychic power, then we can begin to create a synthetic wavelength generator.

[action]

[ortion]

[It isn't long after Gorthan's outburst that Dist, who was working with some test subjects in another room, appears in the doorway, in time to catch the man calming down and releasing the other scientist.

He doesn't look happy at all.]

If you could refrain from nearly injuring our valuable assistants, that would be wonderful.

[This is exactly why he didn't like the idea of one of his colleagues in this project becoming a test subject at the same time. There's no telling what can happen while the subjects adjust to their mutations.]

[action]

[shakespearealien]

[Whereas Gorthan is wondering why Dist hasn't agreed to submit to the experiments himself. It just doesn't strike him as professional.]

Some of these people are very stubborn. I'm used to a higher level of obedience than this.

And he is fine. Overall, the power level I have obtained is not so high as to cause severe or permanent damage. I have survived much worse migraines than the one I just gave him.

[He massages his temples. Dist may be cross at him right now, but that is not a sentiment he wishes to return.]

How are you faring, Rose?

[action]

[ortion]

[... Okay, Dist admits that these assistants are pretty incompetent, but they can't do this all by themselves.]

Regardless, you must avoid these outbursts. Your abilities still have the potential to grow, and maintaining this project would become much more difficult if something were to happen.

[As much as he hates sounding like he relies on others, it is true. They are the only two managing this huge project, and who knows what the higher-ups would do if they messed it up?

He crosses his arms, glancing around the room. So they were really using children for this project too. Not that he has a problem with it, but Gorthan certainly appears to.]

Everything is proceeding smoothly on my end. I've sent a few of the subjects out to play.

[action]

[shakespearealien]

I appreciate your justified concern. But have faith in me, Rose. I have done this plenty of times before, and I am perfectly capable of controlling myself.

[Not that there haven't been any unfortunate occurrences in the past... but that was, of course, in the past.

And yes, he does have a problem with them using children, though he will not say it out loud while they're at work like this.]

I can say the same. Not to mention that I have been "out to play" myself.

[He walks closer to Dist then, wearing a smile, but looking at him inquisitively.]

These powers, Rose... are you absolutely certain that you do not desire them for yourself?

[action]

[ortion]

[Eyes narrowed, Dist watches Gorthan for a short time before responding. He's not entirely convinced, but...]

... Very well, but I must warn you that I will not hesitate to attempt to calm you down if you cannot.

[He can't afford any unnecessary destruction and injury going on.

To answer that question, Dist gives a curt nod.]

Absolutely certain. I would rather study them on others than on myself. Such powers are not necessary to have myself, anyway.

[Even in his home world, he never directly used his magical abilities in battle. He had robots to fight for him. And now here in the Pokemon world, he has Pokemon to perform elemental moves for him.]

action | I hope this works

[saxsongs]

[Ren's gotten out to get some fresh air for himself. He's mostly kept himself inside the base... well, to keep a low profile. It's time that he actually did something nice for a change.

Though it seems you couldn't escape from fellow Rockets outside the base. At least he's seen the face around before... he's pretty sure of it. Maybe near the labs when he once wandered there? Not that he knew Gorthans name.

So he could just easily ignore him... but he doesn't since he took one of the u-turns from the bug conversations straight at him. Wouldn't be too polite if he said nothing...]

Nice day, isn't it?

It always works! <3

[shakespearealien]

[Ah... someone approaching him in the street, wanting to strike up a conversation? Gorthan admittedly feels a little self-conscious. It's not something that has happened many times in his life. In his universe of origin, he's a scientific authority known in every corner of the Evronian Empire, both for his knowledge and skills in many fields of science and research and, more recently, because you should stay the hell away from him because he'll either infect you with that conscience thing of his, or you'll catch him in a bad mood, and an Upper Caste Evronian in a bad mood is always a very ugly thing.

... And even here, Gorthan thought he was still giving off that kind of vibe. He feels relieved to know that maybe that is not the case. He... wants friends, a little.

... Oh, but he's seen Ren's face before, around base. Nervously, he moves a hand over his shiny forehead jewels, as if to uselessly try to conceal them for a moment.]

It... is a nice day, yes. I am wondering how to best spend it...

<3

[saxsongs]

[Even if he had a vibe like that, Ren wouldn't really mind at this point. He's a member of a criminal organization. It's part of what's to come isn't it? You could meet any kinds of people there. Besides, he's not one to judge with how he sometimes behaves around people.

Though he will frown slightly at the forehead covering. It's not like you can hide something that shiny from anyone unless you do it before someone sees it.

But he won't make a comment on it.]

Try to spend it outside in the city like you already do... it would be wasted if you spend too much time inside. [Especially in the base. There weren't enough pretty ladies around there to flirt with after all-- but that might not be what everyone wanted to do.]

You just need to find something you enjoy doing.

[shakespearealien]

[He smiles. Spending time outside is definitely something Gorthan should do more often... His constantly underleveled Pokémon are very aware of that.]

It shouldn't be too hard, then - I like to think I am a man of many interests.

My name is Gorthan, and I am a scientist. And you are...?

[saxsongs]

[Well, at least some people had a large variety of interests. Ren found it sometimes difficult to get into anything, especially since he didn't have his saxophone or darts... he should really go shopping.]

Jinguji Ren, an idol. [... not that impressive of a title after someone says scientist, is it?] Well, back at home anyway.