Loyalties
Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.
Graying Blood
Chapter 3: Loyalties
***
Around mid-afternoon a week later in Saffron, Rhombus and her subordinates were sitting around a large oak table in the meeting room of the Rocket Intelligence Branch. A large red and black sword and shield insignia with central red R sat on the far wall. Facing them was Executive Yeva in her full uniform, alone at the request of the arcanine. "I am a very busy," the older, female absol said as her scythe glinted a little, "Explain why you've requested my audience. Now."
"Gideon's gone several steps too far, Executive," Rhombus answered her, sounding more serious than when alone with her underlings, "I am sure this is something that you are concerned over, considering the murder of seven of your fellow Executives and their families."
Yeva didn't seem phased at all. "Who do you think found out the locations so the Enforcers could eliminate the latter of those groups so efficiently?"
Rhombus' eyes widened for a moment, as did those of Alexei; the younger male absol just managed to stifle a growl at this revelation. "So you're in on it as well," the arcanine said, not letting any of her outrage taint her tone.
She shrugged in return to the question. "My branch's obligation is to the security of Team Rocket and the lands that it governs over. Executive Bloodquill was...what's the word...the linchpin to this organization's success in toppling the monarchy of Kanto and Johto. He is by far a stronger and more compotent leader than Lady Grayquill, as evidenced by his results."
"He's a shameless monster," Alexei shot back in anger.
"There is not a single soul of our rank who doesn't...suffer lapses of morality, son." She watched him tense up a little more, raising a paw to silence him before continuing. "I have been around for over a century now with a few decades left; Let's say I have seen far worse things in my lifetime. I saw the War to End All Wars as a child, I saw the rise of the Soviet Union and I participated in the Great Patriotic War. I then saw the fall of the Soviet Union and participated in a coup to prevent reform, only to be exiled for it about thirty years ago. Again, I have seen...and done, much more than anyone else in the Team." This seemed to shut the younger absol up for the moment.
"We are not going to get anywhere with you, are we?" the arcanine said, eyes narrowed a little bit.
Yeva shook her head. "If Alexei was not here, I would be tempted to have you put away for conspiring against Lord Bloodquill. So...no, I feel that Gideon has a better direction for the Team than Lilith did. To be honest, I have some very good reasons to be happy in seeing House Grayquill face justice."
Alexei gave an angered growl, paw slamming at the table a couple of times. "Justice! Justice? You honestly consider what that beast is doing to Theo and his kin to be fucking justice?"
"Get out of here, Alexei," Yeva responded calmly. The three could sense the threat under her words and began to make their way out.
***
The three decided to stop for lunch in a diner in Saffron, sitting in a corner booth. "She's corrupted," Alexei muttered in disbelief after taking a sip from a glass of coffee.
Slate had just finished with a sandwich, taking a moment to swallow before he replied. "I wouldn't say corrupt," the sandslash remarked, "She most likely does feel that she is looking out for the best interests of the Team by supporting Gideon."
"Enough. There isn't much that can be done about that," said Rhombus before Alexei could reply to what Slate said. "I was also hopeful that her branch would be willing to back us, but it won't be happening; we are lucky to have left there at all if I was reading her right. what matters is that I am going to be speaking with a representative of House Grayquill at their mansion in a few weeks."
"They've sure been taking all of this lying down so far," the absol interjected, voice becoming more of a whisper to avoid being overheard by other patrons. "Though, how can it actually be helped? It's striking me as suicidal...you know, what we are doing."
The large arcanine just shrugged at that heavy comment. "Welcome to the Team," she said with a small grin. "You're going to be doing your job: defending the team from threats within. House Grayquill will aid us. Their honor and very survival is being challenged by Gideon; they will gladly lend any allies what influence they have. It's not as hopeless as it looks."
***
Agent Cassandra unloaded another magazine from her sidearm into a paper target in Kanto North's firing range. Each hit the target in the head in the exact same spot, the rounds having been guided by her psychic powers. She paused to watch her subordinates on either side, Bernard the slowking and Brooke the golduck likewise empty their pistols into their their own targets a hundred yards downrange.
They were not able to guide their shots with anywhere near the precision that Cassie was able to, as evidenced by the pair missing the target a few times. Not that it could be helped: she was augmented, they were not. She would also probably not live to see 30 as a consequence to that; a shortened lifespan being one of the reasons the surgery was now only allowed for the Team's special forces.
The kadabra removed the magazine of her pistol while telekineticly lifting the spent brass from the floor. As she did, a sharp pain ripped through her head, the shell casings and empty magazine clattering on the floor as she clasped her head.
"Are you okay, ma'am," Brooke said in concern, flicking the safety on her sidearm and setting it down before jogging over to her superior.
"I-I'll be fine..." she groaned, looking to the golduck before her eyes squeezed shut in pain, "I've just been pushing my powers for too long today. I'm sure you'd be one to understand...urgh." The kadabra felt nauseous as she fell to her knees.
Bernard began to make for the door to the firing range. "I'll go get some help," the slowking said as he ran out.
The golduck crouched down next to the sickened Cassie, placing a securing paw on her shoulder. "A psychic headache? I haven't had one of those in years. I didn't know kadabras could get them."
Cassie's eyes opened slightly as she took a couple of breaths, her vision starting to spin a bit. "Ye..yes. I can...urgh," she retched a couple of times, the paw on her shoulder preventing her from falling onto her forepaws. "Don't worry; I'll be okay in a few minutes."
"If you say so, ma'am."
The kadabra weakly got to her feet before staggering over to the wall to keep herself up as she left the firing range. The hallway outside was spinning and twisting; lights were brighter, surrounded by shimmering rainbow coronas. She found herself falling to the floor again, feeling as if another knife was plunged into her brain. Cassandra was out entirely, face down in the hallway.
***
Gideon had just finished getting into full dress uniform in front of a mirror on the back side of his closet door, making sure to adjust the small red rose pins on his collar a bit before brushing his paws down the front greatcoat a couple of times. Lilith was standing at his side, keeping her head low. Everything was in order as he heard the door open as Shako stuck his head in. "We're going be on in five minutes, sir," said the marowak.
"Excellent," the nidoking said after making sure the lapel microphone on his coat's pocket was properly placed. It was time to declare his victory to the people. He gave the nidoqueen a little pat on the rear with his tail, smiling at her before leaving to make his way to the meeting room, Shako following at his side.
"Are you sure we should be declaring you as the new Team leader so soon, sir?" the marowak asked.
"Yes, Shako," he answered in a very smooth, sure tone of voice.
Inside there were several cameras set up, with several people working them. Sophia was waiting beside his chair at the far end of the room, dressed in her full officer's ensemble and looking a little less fatigued than what was now normal, Gideon having given her a reprieve from his attention.
Gideon took his seat, Shako standing at the opposite side of the nidoking. He clasped his paws on the table top, looking into each camera for a few moments before they started to record. "Good evening," he said coolly. "I am Rocket Executive Gideon, Patriarch of House Bloodquill. It has been only a bit over two decades since our Team, working with the people of these great lands, threw off the yoke of the decadent and oppressive dynasts to establish a stronger, more sensible order. While we have succeeded in eliminating poverty and many other ills, including the rampant crime that once plagued this nation, we have failed to unite the whole of it under our flag. That is until now," Gideon took a short breath, opening his paws up, "I am pleased to say to all the people of this nation that I am laying rightful claim to the position of Leader of the Team."
Sophia spoke up on cue, having had to practice this speech for a few days. "I am Doctor Sophia, the new Matriarch of House Grayquill. While my family has been in conflict with Gideon's for generations, we feel that it is time to end it. I have agreed to take Gideon as a mate. The child of this union shall head both of our houses and unite us in blood. I hereby cede my leadership of the Team to Gideon."
"With this position which I humbly accept, I swear to also unite our entire nation once again. In that respect, I have a message for the makeshift government of Hoenn: we will give you one month to unconditionally surrender. If you do not, we will be forced to install a more cooperative governing body. Also, to the terrorist groups Team Magma and Aqua: cease operations in Hoenn immediately. We of Team Rocket will show no mercy to scavengers preying on a weakened region. And to Team Galactic, we issue a warning. We are ready to deal with you at any time. We have missiles on standby, our fleets are constantly patrolling the sea between us and our brave soldiers are ready to fend you off until the last should you invade." The large nidoking lowered his head a little, keeping his eyes on the camera as he threaded his fingers again. "Do not test the resolve of Team Rocket, for you will not find it lacking. I dream of a united, strong nation of selfless citizens working to better themselves and the world as a whole. Surely that is a dream even you can see in all your misguidedness."
***
The clefable deep inside the North Kanto Rocket headquarters was pacing around the board he had set up, looking down at all pieces for the participating players in his game. He gave a couple of odd hums and buzzes, tilting his head and giggling a little bit before he took the kadabra and alakazam pieces into his paws, holding them a few inches apart in front of his face.
"It's getting worse!" he chittered while waving the kadabra figurine a bit.
"Now, now," he said in a deeper voice, smirking a little bit as he wiggled the alakazam around a bit. "Don't worry, you'll be just fine."
"Fine? I'm starting to tear myself apart trying keeping my powers under control! Why did you do this to me?"
"Calm down."
"No!" he violently shook the kadabra piece. "Why did you do what you've done to Theo? Why did you allow Datan to do what he was doing to Alexei? I know what you did to Lady Grayquill, too! It's painfully obvious. And with that, my Sophia fell into that monster Gideon's claws along with Theodore! I...argh!"
"Calm down, Cassie."
"How far? How far are you willing to go, father? You've used every member of your family, both blood and adopted as tools. You betray those who love you the most; Gideon even avoids doing that."
"Cassandra. You are really starting to sound like your mother. You know that the ends indeed do justify the unsavory means that I am using."
The clefable shook his head a little bit before setting the game pieces back down. "So dramatic." He giggled again, pushing the arcanine and sandslash pieces a space diagonally, one step closer to the large nidoking figure at the far end of the board before casing a look to that absol figurine in the corner of the room.
Graying Blood
Chapter 3: Loyalties
***
Around mid-afternoon a week later in Saffron, Rhombus and her subordinates were sitting around a large oak table in the meeting room of the Rocket Intelligence Branch. A large red and black sword and shield insignia with central red R sat on the far wall. Facing them was Executive Yeva in her full uniform, alone at the request of the arcanine. "I am a very busy," the older, female absol said as her scythe glinted a little, "Explain why you've requested my audience. Now."
"Gideon's gone several steps too far, Executive," Rhombus answered her, sounding more serious than when alone with her underlings, "I am sure this is something that you are concerned over, considering the murder of seven of your fellow Executives and their families."
Yeva didn't seem phased at all. "Who do you think found out the locations so the Enforcers could eliminate the latter of those groups so efficiently?"
Rhombus' eyes widened for a moment, as did those of Alexei; the younger male absol just managed to stifle a growl at this revelation. "So you're in on it as well," the arcanine said, not letting any of her outrage taint her tone.
She shrugged in return to the question. "My branch's obligation is to the security of Team Rocket and the lands that it governs over. Executive Bloodquill was...what's the word...the linchpin to this organization's success in toppling the monarchy of Kanto and Johto. He is by far a stronger and more compotent leader than Lady Grayquill, as evidenced by his results."
"He's a shameless monster," Alexei shot back in anger.
"There is not a single soul of our rank who doesn't...suffer lapses of morality, son." She watched him tense up a little more, raising a paw to silence him before continuing. "I have been around for over a century now with a few decades left; Let's say I have seen far worse things in my lifetime. I saw the War to End All Wars as a child, I saw the rise of the Soviet Union and I participated in the Great Patriotic War. I then saw the fall of the Soviet Union and participated in a coup to prevent reform, only to be exiled for it about thirty years ago. Again, I have seen...and done, much more than anyone else in the Team." This seemed to shut the younger absol up for the moment.
"We are not going to get anywhere with you, are we?" the arcanine said, eyes narrowed a little bit.
Yeva shook her head. "If Alexei was not here, I would be tempted to have you put away for conspiring against Lord Bloodquill. So...no, I feel that Gideon has a better direction for the Team than Lilith did. To be honest, I have some very good reasons to be happy in seeing House Grayquill face justice."
Alexei gave an angered growl, paw slamming at the table a couple of times. "Justice! Justice? You honestly consider what that beast is doing to Theo and his kin to be fucking justice?"
"Get out of here, Alexei," Yeva responded calmly. The three could sense the threat under her words and began to make their way out.
***
The three decided to stop for lunch in a diner in Saffron, sitting in a corner booth. "She's corrupted," Alexei muttered in disbelief after taking a sip from a glass of coffee.
Slate had just finished with a sandwich, taking a moment to swallow before he replied. "I wouldn't say corrupt," the sandslash remarked, "She most likely does feel that she is looking out for the best interests of the Team by supporting Gideon."
"Enough. There isn't much that can be done about that," said Rhombus before Alexei could reply to what Slate said. "I was also hopeful that her branch would be willing to back us, but it won't be happening; we are lucky to have left there at all if I was reading her right. what matters is that I am going to be speaking with a representative of House Grayquill at their mansion in a few weeks."
"They've sure been taking all of this lying down so far," the absol interjected, voice becoming more of a whisper to avoid being overheard by other patrons. "Though, how can it actually be helped? It's striking me as suicidal...you know, what we are doing."
The large arcanine just shrugged at that heavy comment. "Welcome to the Team," she said with a small grin. "You're going to be doing your job: defending the team from threats within. House Grayquill will aid us. Their honor and very survival is being challenged by Gideon; they will gladly lend any allies what influence they have. It's not as hopeless as it looks."
***
Agent Cassandra unloaded another magazine from her sidearm into a paper target in Kanto North's firing range. Each hit the target in the head in the exact same spot, the rounds having been guided by her psychic powers. She paused to watch her subordinates on either side, Bernard the slowking and Brooke the golduck likewise empty their pistols into their their own targets a hundred yards downrange.
They were not able to guide their shots with anywhere near the precision that Cassie was able to, as evidenced by the pair missing the target a few times. Not that it could be helped: she was augmented, they were not. She would also probably not live to see 30 as a consequence to that; a shortened lifespan being one of the reasons the surgery was now only allowed for the Team's special forces.
The kadabra removed the magazine of her pistol while telekineticly lifting the spent brass from the floor. As she did, a sharp pain ripped through her head, the shell casings and empty magazine clattering on the floor as she clasped her head.
"Are you okay, ma'am," Brooke said in concern, flicking the safety on her sidearm and setting it down before jogging over to her superior.
"I-I'll be fine..." she groaned, looking to the golduck before her eyes squeezed shut in pain, "I've just been pushing my powers for too long today. I'm sure you'd be one to understand...urgh." The kadabra felt nauseous as she fell to her knees.
Bernard began to make for the door to the firing range. "I'll go get some help," the slowking said as he ran out.
The golduck crouched down next to the sickened Cassie, placing a securing paw on her shoulder. "A psychic headache? I haven't had one of those in years. I didn't know kadabras could get them."
Cassie's eyes opened slightly as she took a couple of breaths, her vision starting to spin a bit. "Ye..yes. I can...urgh," she retched a couple of times, the paw on her shoulder preventing her from falling onto her forepaws. "Don't worry; I'll be okay in a few minutes."
"If you say so, ma'am."
The kadabra weakly got to her feet before staggering over to the wall to keep herself up as she left the firing range. The hallway outside was spinning and twisting; lights were brighter, surrounded by shimmering rainbow coronas. She found herself falling to the floor again, feeling as if another knife was plunged into her brain. Cassandra was out entirely, face down in the hallway.
***
Gideon had just finished getting into full dress uniform in front of a mirror on the back side of his closet door, making sure to adjust the small red rose pins on his collar a bit before brushing his paws down the front greatcoat a couple of times. Lilith was standing at his side, keeping her head low. Everything was in order as he heard the door open as Shako stuck his head in. "We're going be on in five minutes, sir," said the marowak.
"Excellent," the nidoking said after making sure the lapel microphone on his coat's pocket was properly placed. It was time to declare his victory to the people. He gave the nidoqueen a little pat on the rear with his tail, smiling at her before leaving to make his way to the meeting room, Shako following at his side.
"Are you sure we should be declaring you as the new Team leader so soon, sir?" the marowak asked.
"Yes, Shako," he answered in a very smooth, sure tone of voice.
Inside there were several cameras set up, with several people working them. Sophia was waiting beside his chair at the far end of the room, dressed in her full officer's ensemble and looking a little less fatigued than what was now normal, Gideon having given her a reprieve from his attention.
Gideon took his seat, Shako standing at the opposite side of the nidoking. He clasped his paws on the table top, looking into each camera for a few moments before they started to record. "Good evening," he said coolly. "I am Rocket Executive Gideon, Patriarch of House Bloodquill. It has been only a bit over two decades since our Team, working with the people of these great lands, threw off the yoke of the decadent and oppressive dynasts to establish a stronger, more sensible order. While we have succeeded in eliminating poverty and many other ills, including the rampant crime that once plagued this nation, we have failed to unite the whole of it under our flag. That is until now," Gideon took a short breath, opening his paws up, "I am pleased to say to all the people of this nation that I am laying rightful claim to the position of Leader of the Team."
Sophia spoke up on cue, having had to practice this speech for a few days. "I am Doctor Sophia, the new Matriarch of House Grayquill. While my family has been in conflict with Gideon's for generations, we feel that it is time to end it. I have agreed to take Gideon as a mate. The child of this union shall head both of our houses and unite us in blood. I hereby cede my leadership of the Team to Gideon."
"With this position which I humbly accept, I swear to also unite our entire nation once again. In that respect, I have a message for the makeshift government of Hoenn: we will give you one month to unconditionally surrender. If you do not, we will be forced to install a more cooperative governing body. Also, to the terrorist groups Team Magma and Aqua: cease operations in Hoenn immediately. We of Team Rocket will show no mercy to scavengers preying on a weakened region. And to Team Galactic, we issue a warning. We are ready to deal with you at any time. We have missiles on standby, our fleets are constantly patrolling the sea between us and our brave soldiers are ready to fend you off until the last should you invade." The large nidoking lowered his head a little, keeping his eyes on the camera as he threaded his fingers again. "Do not test the resolve of Team Rocket, for you will not find it lacking. I dream of a united, strong nation of selfless citizens working to better themselves and the world as a whole. Surely that is a dream even you can see in all your misguidedness."
***
The clefable deep inside the North Kanto Rocket headquarters was pacing around the board he had set up, looking down at all pieces for the participating players in his game. He gave a couple of odd hums and buzzes, tilting his head and giggling a little bit before he took the kadabra and alakazam pieces into his paws, holding them a few inches apart in front of his face.
"It's getting worse!" he chittered while waving the kadabra figurine a bit.
"Now, now," he said in a deeper voice, smirking a little bit as he wiggled the alakazam around a bit. "Don't worry, you'll be just fine."
"Fine? I'm starting to tear myself apart trying keeping my powers under control! Why did you do this to me?"
"Calm down."
"No!" he violently shook the kadabra piece. "Why did you do what you've done to Theo? Why did you allow Datan to do what he was doing to Alexei? I know what you did to Lady Grayquill, too! It's painfully obvious. And with that, my Sophia fell into that monster Gideon's claws along with Theodore! I...argh!"
"Calm down, Cassie."
"How far? How far are you willing to go, father? You've used every member of your family, both blood and adopted as tools. You betray those who love you the most; Gideon even avoids doing that."
"Cassandra. You are really starting to sound like your mother. You know that the ends indeed do justify the unsavory means that I am using."
The clefable shook his head a little bit before setting the game pieces back down. "So dramatic." He giggled again, pushing the arcanine and sandslash pieces a space diagonally, one step closer to the large nidoking figure at the far end of the board before casing a look to that absol figurine in the corner of the room.