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

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

[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...]

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[[.....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?

[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".

Edited 2012-07-11 20:21 (UTC)

[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?]

[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.]

[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...]

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.]

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.']

[[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?]]

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.]

Is that so? Then recall it at once!

[As he says so, Gorthan's forehead jewels begin glowing faintly. But he wills himself to calm down, taking a deep breath.]

... Not right now.

[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.]

...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.

... 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.

Edited 2012-07-12 04:12 (UTC)

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.

Edited 2012-07-12 04:18 (UTC)

Then know that I am Daedalus, my dear Agnus. I made these wings and put them on myself, and I know exactly how to fly within the intermediate range between the sun and the sea.

... Hm. What an apt metaphor you found. Kudos.

[He smiles a... actually very nice and warm smile, intended to reassure Agnus.

Now, to work.]

Yes, and I am sorry I was not paying attention. Your concerns had to be addressed first. Now, let's see... a base line wave? How interesting...

[He takes the papers in his hands and begins examining them. He... seems to be a surprisingly fast reader.]

I see. I have worked with this before - some of these frequencies are what we call ultra-REM impulses in my world. I'm perfectly able to produce or replicate synthetic, organic, or syntho-organic systems able to manipulate them.

I can help you, and I will, I promise you. Just keep in mind that Dist and myself have another major project to tend to right now.

Edited 2012-07-12 04:48 (UTC)

Oh?

[He wasn't aware of that, actually. Man...the labs are a veritable web of scientific manage e trois.]

And what a tangled web this strange little scientific community weaves, indeed. Ever more, we're no strangers to deception. But, alas, it must be something very discrete for you to be so busy and share so little of it.

[...Yep, jealousy. Someone doesn't like his brainy best friend being shared around, lab leader or no. Also some...depression? Isolation? Well, Gorthan, you seem to be able to rouse a veritable cocktail of emotions from our fair alchemist. Good show.]

At any rate, it's of little consequence. I will continue along until I can finish the baseline projections. Since you're working with Dist currently, could you pass these papers on and explain your findings to him as well? I would like his assistance in producing the machines once we have a working design in order.

[As much as Gorthan would rather... remain ignorant of that menage à trois image... there seem to have been a few misunderstandings here, and he's now going to clear them up.]

Agnus, you... you haven't heard, have you. About the mutations. That is what Dist and I have been working on, and you are welcome to join us, if you believe you have enough time. A man of your genius should not be kept in the dark about a project of this magnitude, and if that is what actually happened, then you have my sincerest apologies.

And our labs aren't that big - if there's something you want to discuss with Dist, you can do so yourself. You know him better than I do, anyway.

[Because you know what? As much as Gorthan would like their crazy and heterogeneous group to stay close together, that jealousy you speak of? It's actually kind of mutual. As in, Gorthan wouldn't mind some more quality time alone with Agnus himself.]

[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.

The...Oh.

[And so it clicks! Why on earth Gorthan would mutate himself with unstable radioactive compounds, why Dist and Gorthan would be involved in something secretive, and why everything around the world right now seemed to be slowly going mad.]

Oh, Gorthan, my apologies. I've...I've been working so much on this lately that I had only glanced over the announcement in passing.

[Even a basic empath can tell he feels like five kinds of an ass right now. Well, best to fix the situation and accept the amicable arrangements in one go.]

R-right, are you on your way back then? If so I'd be happy to f-f-f-f...follow along.

[Oh, hell. He hadn't done this in a while. In fact, it's kind of strange now that he's had so much time to himself and been so busy working that he notices how...prominent it is. That stutter. Huh.]

Pardon.

[A breath, he takes a moment to calm his mind and focus his thoughts to beat the little quirk back down into submission.]

I think I still have the memo, but...well, you've seen my office. I keep so many notes around that papers I don't place specifically where they'll be seen do just...well, vanish.

[Someone should really just get him a digital document reader. The amount of paper he uses to write things down would probably decrease sharply if he were taught to use a PDA or something.]

I suggest you look into it, my dear lamb. Or I could personally supply all the information you need, if you wish to take part. I have never participated in anything so interesting since my arrival here-

... Ah, not again. One deep breath won't do, you know - keep at it for a while.

[Agnus' stutter... Gorthan moves to stand behind him and place his hands on his friend's huge shoulders, beginning to knead slightly. Yes, yes, you're getting a backrub, you. Now stop being jealous.]

I was on my way back to the lab. But I think a better idea would be to tidy up your office together. Again, I may add. How does that sound, lamb, dearest?

[... There's a particular encounter Gorthan's had on the network recently that's making him want to experiment with pet names.]

[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.]

[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?

More of that, eh?

[He's still breathing. Just focus on...Gorthan's hands?

He flinches slightly, unsure of the why or how...but eventually just calms back down to breathe.]

...Ah, yes... I suppose. The latest data from today's experiments does need to be organized and filed. I'll just need to order more stationary.

[For the third time this quarter.]

We'll do it together, then, if you're not opposed.

[Once he sees that Agnus has calmed down and is breathing properly, he finalizes the massage, fingers sliding and brushing along Agnus' back in swifter motions. Then he moves to stand at Agnus' side and offers him an open hand.

He has never been one for touch, or physical contact, but... Right now, more than ever, he feels he has a friend in Agnus... and it's truly beautiful, this having friends thing.

... Ah, wait.]

There are no insects in your room, are there?

...Not that I know of.

[While he somewhat understands the nature of that question, it still leaves him looking at Gorthan in confusion for a few moments.]

Are you...certain you're in control of yourself, Gorthan?

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

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