P7 Lab Work
When Sabrina walked through the hallways of Rocket Headquarters, people moved out of her way. Few commanded a presence like she did. One assistant was not privy to this knowledge, and when she came too close, invisible hands shoved her into a wall. Sabrina walked past her, not caring about the box of research materials that were now on the floor, spilling out of the box. She desired space, and she would get it. Sabrina wasn't really known for her touchy feeling nature.
An older man walked behind her. If he had tried to run, the floating, cross-legged Alakazam behind him would have stopped him. He knew, because he could feel its aura behind him. It seemed to push him along, without the thing even touching him. It's power was like a little thick bubble around it. Although, its not as if he could get very far without that thing back there. He walked with a little wooden walking stick with a rounded top. His eyes stayed on the Girafarig tail in front of him. It stared at him, occasionally chattering its teeth. It had a little saddle on it's back, but it wasn't a riding saddle. It was for items. He had seen Sabrina put several boxes and bags into those saddlebags, but for now he only knew the contents of one.
He stared at the bag on the right, thinking of the three orbs inside. At least Sabrina had enough respect to put them into separate bags for padding. He didn't stare at any of the passing workers, knowing they were grunts. He only worried about who he was going to be meeting personally. He knew it couldn't be good. He had been to war, and he knew a general when he saw one. Sabrina was one such general, and if she was his private escort, it couldn't be good.
For the hundredth, millionth time, he wondered what Giovanni would want with the Red, Blue and Green Orbs. Of course, he preferred the Indigo, Verdant and Jade titles for the orbs, but most people called them by their colors. These orbs had been meant for the Champions that the Professors spoke of, but not only had Red and Gary gone missing, so had Gold and Crystal. He had hoped that they would help, but no. He had gotten caught before he had managed to find any of the warriors to whom to entrust the Orbs too. Now, their power lay with the Rockets, if they could figure out how to use them.
"SABRINA! You salty dog!" A gruff male voice yelled cheerfully, and a few in the quiet hallway jumped. Sabrina only looked up with a blank expression, very much used to Surge's cheerful nature and booming voice.
"I have the required relics." She said and continued down the hallway as he fell in step beside her, "And I have the old man as you requested."
"Well, that's good news. Now, if we could find the remaining pieces." Surge glanced back at the old man, and Mr. Pokemon's stomach twisted.
So, I probably have something to do with the missing pieces. Mr. Pokemon kept behind them, eyes on the floor.
"Any news on the research?" Sabrina asked.
"We got information on Elm. He's in Azalea. Koga went to retrieve him. We got a message back saying there were two escapees we knew to be there, a Crystal and a Gold. You remember them right? They fought us in our Gyms. Stopped a few missions themselves." At their names, Sabrina's head slowly turned to face him, "Well, they escaped with the most vital information. Elm seemed genuinely surprised when he found out the information was gone. So now we are on the lookout for those two." Sabrina stared at him for a long moment, before putting her head around to face forward.
"I did see those two." Her face was blank as she made her admission, "I... did not see reason to bring them back. They were in the Ruins where I got some of the Unown. You need to send a team out to catch them." Surge clucked his tongue.
"Oh, Sabrina, getting sloppy. You knew that girl was the Professor's assistant. She's written all kinds of papers herself." Once Surge had been put on the mission by Giovanni to track down most of the Professors, he had read most of the papers himself. He hadn't understood all of them, but he now knew a great deal more than he had before.
"I didn't think her necessary." If it were possible, Sabrina's voice was colder.
"I'll send out a team. Go, take the Orbs to see where he wants them. The Orbs aren't needed yet, but they will be soon. I don't know if he wants them to assigned to the same team that has been working on the dogs. And we need to report on Gold and Crystal."
"Don't you think I know where to go." Sabrina was sour. She was going to have to admit to Giovanni that she had fucked up.
A few minutes lately, and that was exactly what she was doing. They were Admins and had the fast pass right up to his office. Even then, most Admins didn't get in. Just Surge, Koga and Sabrina were the only ones allowed up there. Most other Admins or workers had to use telecomms.
The three stood in Giovanni's suite lobby, a place where only his family and the Admins were allowed. It took her about 20 steps to get to his desk where he was sitting and writing. There were couches on either side, against the wall, and one in front of his desk, occupied by two lounge chairs. Currently one of the huge display screens was drawn up so the fireplace could be seen, a fire roaring behind him. The two men stayed a little farther back as Sabrina continued forward. Surge did not try to sit down. You did not sit with him, unless you were invited. Even after years of knowing him, Surge knew Giovanni preferred distance between himself and his workers. When Sabrina stepped to his desk, he put down the pen. Sabrina related her story about the Unown in monotone. For most, that tone would have been disrespect, but for her it was just her way.
"Well, your mission was to get the Unown and other relics. And you even managed to captured Mr. Pokemon in the process." With a smile that could seemed far too arrogant, Giovanni turned his face to Mr. Pokemon, "We will get to you, and the bounty on your head. But for now, Sabrina, I will take him. You will get a bonus for the capture of Mr. Pokemon. The escape of Crystal and Gold is unfortunate. You need to be better informed. Read the bulletins on the Professor's before your next mission. You are the Admin. If you cannot be relied upon to point out Professor auxiliaries, who can? Surge, go with Sabrina and get ready. I want you to be ready to move out when we get more information from Mr. Pokemon. I already have a team in mind for retrieving the two escapees."
Done with his orders, Giovanni left his suite, going out the front door Sabrina had first came in. He made sure it clicked shut behind him, several specialized locks clicking into place. Giovanni road the elevator down several floors to a hallway. He explained to Mr. Pokemon that nearby was a suite that held labs. As soon as he stepped out there was a loud snarling noise that vibrated the air with its power, even from outside the labs. He walked down the hallway, eyeing the lab lights casually as he entered the lab door with a quick retina scan. The doors slid open with a quiet hiss.
Giovanni's expression may have been casual, but Mr. Pokemon's was slowly growing alarmed. The roar vibrated with power. He could feel random shifts of heat in the air. He assumed from this that it was a Pokemon with fire capabilities. With the Orbs being in Giovanni's design, he assumed that there were Legendaries involved.
As he stepped up to the rails of the catwalk that ran above the lab, he looked down to view the scenery. The sight, to a Pokemon lover like Mr. Pokemon, was horrendous. Raikou, or what had once been one, was settled into a shallow rectangular pit, rubber lining it to absorb electrical outbursts. Insulated coils of cords were attached at irregular intervals, several shoved into its hindquarters, another into the back of its neck. Beside it, a Suicune was trapped in a similar pit, mewling and unable to break its restraints, the cords not yet attached. It's pit appeared to be made out of silicone. Its noises of despair may have been lower, but it wouldn't seem to stop. The Raikou was quiet for random periods, before roaring and trying to snap at the scientist that stood above it, shaving its fur off in small patches, a long needle attached to a cord held in hand.
There were two guards that were standing nearby. As Giovanni and his prisoner came down the stairs, they could hear the guards talking with the scientist.
"Why dont'cha just shove it in?" Attila sighed from his perch behind the scientist on the edge of a machine's rounded cockpit, sipping on some drink through a straw.
"Even though they are all three dogs, their anatomy have dissimilarities." Bill stood above it, his face tightening in a way that showed he was concentrating on this and nothing else, "I could pierce something else unintended. The Raikou have sacs for electricity near their rumps, their tails are... almost like electrical rods, focusing on the static of the rough, fibrous hair you see on their backs. The Suicune, however, has focused pads in their feet and mouth. I haven't even STARTED on the Entei. It has no indicators of-" Attila snorted behind him, standing up and cutting him off.
"Yeah, yeah, precise stuff. I got it. Hun, you ready yet?" Attila asked impatiently, tossing his empty drink into a trash can without looking.
"Almost." Hun said. She was working on a machine herself, a small screwdriver in her mouth, a ratchet in her hand. Attila had picked up her pliers and was twirling them between his fingers. Bill tuned out their mild squabbling, and suddenly the expression of concentration left his face, and saddened. He remembered that this was a living creature he was working on, and not just some big machine battery. He tenderly rubbed the shaved patch on Suicune, the poor thing mewling under his hand, before he pierced it. It jerked, rattling the heavy metal bands that kept it down.
"I'm sorry." Bill whispered to it. Beside them, Entei was eyeing him quietly. Whenever they had caught Entei, it had wild looking eyes. Now he just stared back with what Bill expected to be intelligence. He hated to see that look of apprehension on its face. He found he did not like being an impending source of terror.
"Ready." Hun said as she spat the screwdriver out and put her wrench and ratchet in the toolbox. She pulled down a control panel covering to a box and then flipped a switch. Her machine's lights started to flash. There was a large, high pitched scream from another cage where a Raticate was being held. Hun picked up a rod that was attached to the box she had just fixed, and went over and stared a moment before prodding the rat with the long pole, two little nodes at the end.
"There's no electrical charge. It didn't keep." Hun frown deeply, turning her gaze on Bill coldly. The experiment wasn't working, equipment was breaking and Hun had a temper. Bill sighed in exhaustion, slumping partially against the control panel and didn't notice Hun's murderous look. He seemed to get the bad end of her temper all the time. It just seemed to be a part of his scene nowadays.
"I don't know what's wrong. I thought your scientists fixed this problem with the-" He cried out in pain as he got punched in the head from behind by Hun. Reddish black color flooded his sight, but Bill was deeply grateful that she had sat her tools down before hitting him.
"Quit complaining, it's your problem now, not them!" Hun's harsh voice snapped at him. Bill kept his head bowed, having learned quickly that Hun expected him to listen and not respond. For fear of reprisals, he never spoke back, "Now fix it." Bill was quiet as they prepared to leave, quietly focusing on being unnoticed. He heard rattles behind him, and Attila barked out laughter.
"Hey, Boss!" Attila turned to Giovanni, who had reached the bottom floor. Mr. Pokemon was a little slower coming down the stairs, hindered by his weaker legs and need to use a cane.
"Attila. I have a new mission for you." Giovanni said, and quickly outlined the two that needed apprehending, and where they had been. At the mention of the two, Attila's eyes widened in recognition.
"Ooooh, I remember those two. They were the reason that Raikou first got away. I know that girl will be angry about it. She's the one that was on board trying to get it free. God, I love rubbing stuff in."
"We need to get moving. You heard him. Now that they have the research materials, they're probably hauling ass." Hun snapped at him, and there was a sound of machinery coming to life. Hun and Attila were getting into one of Attila's many vehicles. The great big tank looking machine drove forwards towards the garage door. Quickly, the door snapped open, they left, and the door was closed again. Bill had never been allowed to see what was down that tunnel. He had tried, and apparently only workers had authorization.
When Hun left, Bill sat on his high stool, hands on the panel, head slumped and eyes glazed. He didn't really pay attention to the two visitors. Since Giovanni hadn't spoken to him, he was not going to speak. He was just going to fade into the background if he was allowed. Slowly his fingers started to move over the keypad again, trying to figure out this problem before the problem got him killed.
He had the desirable needles and tubes attached to Raikou. He simply couldn't understand why his power wasn't being drained into the energy reservation batteries.
"So, you haven't even started on Entei." Giovanni spoke, and Bill jumped off his stool. He'd been here for months but the mere mention of Rocket Boss just had him sweating.
"N-no sir." Bill stood, but he didn't look up, he just stared down at his feet.
"Well then, you had better start. I need all three dogs soon."
"Yes Mr. Giovanni sir." Bill said, unable to stop tears from welling in his eyes. He glanced quickly up, and then back down, copper on his tongue. The man looked scary. He was standing up tall and just watching, very still. His voice was strong, and sure. So sure, "I'll try harder sir." Bill stared down at his feet, his hands trembling slightly. He didn't know this man very well, nobody did. But there must be a reason all these horribly strong, violent people followed him without question, and he didn't want to find out personally.
"Good. That's what I need from my scientists." Giovanni said. Inwardly, Bill wanted to puke at being called Giovanni's scientist. Instead, Bill kept his head down, stomach churning as he heard footsteps starting to where Bill's platform was. He didn't get up from his chair, frozen. He heard rustling and glanced sideways. Giovanni had put on rubber gloves and was moving cables around, disconnecting and reconnecting a few. A few clasps, screws and nuts were added. Giovanni took the rod in his hand and jabbed it at the Raticate. Sparks flew, and the poor creature lay flat on it's stomach, flattening itself, as if it were trying to get away. He was already afraid of Giovanni's battling and leading capabilities, and what's more, he knew how to fix the cables and components. What all did this man know?
Bill stared in amazed horror. Giovanni had managed to fix a problem he had been struggling with all day. A part of him was immensely embarrassed that it had been such a simple problem.
"Probably a part just broke off during Raikou's struggle. As simple as repairing or replacing a missing piece. If something as simple as this has stopped advancement, I may not have enough scientists in your department." Giovanni was silent for a moment, staring at his face, "You will have help soon enough. Once this gentleman is introduced. They should be down shortly." He noted how Bill couldn't look him in the eye and smirked, "Or maybe it's the pressure. I will tell Hun and Attila to back off. But if I don't get results in say, two weeks, the pressure will be back on. Do I make myself clear?" Bill nodded quickly, his eyes focused back on his feet, "Good. Now. Introduce Mr. Pokemon to your workings. We will be back soon to talk about the relics we have obtained, and what these dogs will be used for." More tapping of footsteps and Giovanni was gone.
Bill breathed shakily, and started back into fixing the cables for Raikou and Suicune. He didn't talk for awhile, shaken by Giovanni's presence. Mr. Pokemon understood, and just came over to him and sat a stool and started looking over his papers. He pretended to ignore Bill's shaky hands and the tears that wettened his cheeks. Giovanni now had two refugee scientists, relics, the three Legendary dogs. Who knew what else he had in this tower.
It took Mr. Pokemon a minute to focus, but when he did he was both despairing and pleased. These papers were full of important information. Everything was precisely measured and drawn. Of course, he had known Bill for a long time. More importantly, he had known his talent. It was him that had introduced Bill to Professors Oak and Elm, having seen promise in him, and had launched his career. Sure, Bill had always been really good at the mechanics and engineering. Heck, he even had a good hand in the science parts. He was particularly good at biology and chemistry. Once Mr. Pokemon had gotten involved with his money and connections had been the day Bill had began to be a household name.
Instead of focusing on their past relationship, and perhaps giving the Rockets more information, Mr. Pokemon just continued to read the papers.
When he was ready, Bill swiveled his chair to face Mr. Pokemon. Mr. Pokemon put down the papers and gave him his full attention.
"I am here to weaponize the Legendary Dog Pokemon." Bill started his explanation, "As you may have heard from Attila, that blond guard, Raikou had already been caught at one point, and saved." Bill tried not to think about the fact that this time was probably Raikou's last reach for freedom, "They are not currently able to escape. They are in a mode called 'Shadow'. We are here to tap into their potential and-" The men turned at the sound of a sharp pop.
Behind them stood a young woman and two men. On the woman's mouth was a pink piece of bubblegum that she had popped; that had been the noise they'd heard. The gum matches her two long pig tails that went down past her butt. She had on a white tube dress that matched the weird space looking armor that one of the men was wearing, and the long white scientist coat the last was wearing.
"We're not here to weaponize JUST the Legendary Dogs." The woman stepped forward, popping another bubble, "Oh yeah, I'm Lovrina. That's Naps-" She briefly nodded at the guy with the weird armor, "-and that guy there is Ein." So, the scientist was Ein, "And I will be your reporting officer. You tell ALL your research to me. Got it?" Bill stared at her, slightly taken aback. She couldn't be very old. She looked like a high schooler. He was brusquely pushed off his seat when Ein stepped forward and shoved him off it. Standing up, Ein started to tap at the computer, looking through his notes. His face was still as he did so, not giving up any thoughts on the research.
Bill sighed, trying to ignore him, and looked back to Lovrina. Mr. Pokemon, who had been silently sitting for most of this, had been staring at the velvet carrier bag that Naps was holding. So that's where the Orbs had gone to. He stopped staring when he noticed that Bill had been bullied out of his seat. He got up and walked over to stand beside Ein. When Ein turned to look at him blankly, Mr. Pokemon wacked his cane solidly into his shin. Not expecting an attack from the elderly man, the cane hit Ein solidly and he hopped backward, yelping. Mr. Pokemon stared at him grimly and put his hand on Bill's shoulder, firmly putting him back on the stool. Bill briefly pushed against him, alarmed at his, but eventually sat down.
Lovrina started to cackle and went up to the computer beside Bill with a huge grin on her face, her eyes wide.
"I like you old man." She snickered once more before putting her hands on her hips, and began to speak about Team Rocket's plans, "Now, don't get us confused with Rockets. We're from Team Cipher, and don't you forget it! We've only been brought in for a very specific mission." Lovrina began to debrief her new team. Throughout the speech, Bill and Mr. Pokemon seemed to be the only ones bothered by the mewling in the background from the tortured Pokemon.