He waited patiently for the secretary to give him the ok to enter. Paxton had been waiting patiently in the lobby, hair tied back into a short ponytail, police uniform pressed and ironed. His cap was tucked carefully away under his arm along with a thing folder, and his shoes polished twice before driving over to the office. A report of the rangers only meeting which he had filed after concerns of unprofessionalism and lack of discipline between ranger ranks had- well it'd landed somewhere. And that someone wanted to talk to him. [break][break]

He'd been mildly surprised it hadn't been Elinor Anderson herself. But then again, she didn't seem like a person who gave speeches or spoke often either. Taciturn to a fault damn near. He could relate. [break][break]

The council member today was someone else. With a last name he didn't recognize nor remember seeing. But he had the meeting scheduled, and did his best to be on time. Once given the go, he stood from his chair, checking himself for any stray pieces of lint or hair out of line before giving a small thanks and letting himself into the office. [break][break]

"Councilman I apologize for th-" he stopped frozen, just barely closing the door behind him as his eyes landed on Penelope. "What the fuck are y'doin' in that chair?" he asked, blood pressure sky rocketing. They didn't have the best history. she notoriously hated cops...and subsequently himself. And then there's also the other elephant in the room. "First the precinct, now my meetings- what do you want now?"

[break][break]

+ jayden cross [break][break]


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[attr="class","pokeclass"]

When the face attached to the name came in, it brought another surprise with it.
[break][break]

So it was him.
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An amused smile curled its way up her cheeks as the realization settled. Unlike Paxton, who reacted with harsh language and tight expressions, Penelope was relaxed about the entire ordeal, finding humor in how their paths twisted yet again. The only issue was their history, but honestly? Without a lick of evidence, she doubted much would ever rise to haunt her. And if did... he'd surely grow to regret it.
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"Didn't you hear," She cooed from her seat, leaning back into her seat until it yelped out a squeak, "my campaign was successful. Apparently, people love ;whiny journalists with huge egos'." She allowed the snide remark to permeate the air for a second before continuing, eyes darkening to the severity of the topic. As much Penelope would've loved to further torture the officer, and squeeze out every ounce of enjoyment from this, she knew better than to waste time. Especially since she wanted to go home at a reasonable time tonight.
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"What I want, Concordas, is to talk about your Ranger report. I found it...disturbing, to say the least." To think the organization was devolving into food fights mid-meeting. It was ridiculous. "I wanted you to run me through it."
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[attr="class","ooc"] paxton concordas[break]


[attr="class","pkspr pkmn-ditto"]

He prickled with annoyance at her smile. He glared, suppressing a sigh as she mocked him with his own words. "Ugh, I voted against you." though he hadn't bothered verifying the results. He'd just felt a little spiteful passing by one of the voting booths. [break][break]

Though despite her gloating, she changed subjects pretty quickly. He appreciated it...or he would if he didn't know she'd bring it up again later. "Well, my experience varies and I understand the Ranger Corps isn't as disciplined as the military. However, there was a lack of control from Head Ranger and Captains. As well as a food fight. Not to mention, a ranger announcing he would be focusing efforts on finding Raikou." he shrugged. [break][break]

"The meeting itself was chaotic, many participants seemed disinterested in being there. Others allowed their emotions to get the better of them. There were arguments over pre-established orders. Head Ranger Laurence Anderson called Commissioner dahlia goode a whore." [break][break]

He shrugged before adding. "As written, my suggestion to avoid the embarrassment again was to keep meetings smaller. Head Rangers and the Captains. That way, at least whatever outlets Rangers chose to express themselves in they don't shame themselves or their leadership."

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+ PENELOPE LIVY [break][break]


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Nothing Paxton noted came to Penelope as a surprise. Before calling him into her office, she'd made sure to review the report herself, rereading the more shocking tidbits, just to ensure she hadn't missed anything. Still, the mention of Head Ranger Laurence Anderson 's language evoked a bit of a reaction from her.
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Lips tightening into a thin line across her face, the councilwoman's perfectly manicured fingers softly drummed the top of her desk as she gnawed on the words the ranger had just spoken.
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"While smaller meetings would definitely act as a more efficient way to disperse information sent in from AQUA and the council, it wouldn't circumvent the misconduct leadership displayed during that meeting."
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First, one head ranger is said to talk back to dahlia goode herself, then the other goes out a refers to her as a whore to the rest of his unit? It was worrying, to say the least. Sighing, Penelope leaned back into her chair.
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What to do, what to do?
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"Your report also stated some...disdain was shared between the rangers towards the members of AQUA. What do you think created this divide?"

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[attr="class","ooc"] paxton concordas [break]


[attr="class","pkspr pkmn-ditto"]

"No, of course not. Though I believe leadership misconduct is more of a product of a lack of discipline amongst the Ranger Corps. Again, hard to balance when the job is more of a caretaker of an ecosystem than anything else. Park rangers and the like." he said with a small shrug. Tradition wasn't really a thing there. [break][break]

"It is my belief that perhaps, leadership is worse behind closed doors, leading to the audacity displayed during that meeting. Much like hwo the Commissioner is degraded, Captains may degrade their own head rangers in front of their subordinates in the process. There simply isn't that distinction or accountability present." [break][break]

The AQUA members? Paxton gave a small pause. Well there were only a few around. "Well, when Head Ranger Laurence Anderson announced AQUA's orders for the Primal Points, Captain Guillermo Marceliño protested as well as the entirety of Fortree's unit. There seemed to already be some disdain between the Head Ranger and AQUA due to commissioner Goode, but I think perhaps how the information was relayed also impacted the reaction."

He paused thinking back to the meeting. "He seemed to know, and have special caution in addressing Fortree which to me indicated he could have arranged to tell them privately if he understood how bad the backlash would be. On top of that, Councilman Elinor Anderson did not step in to clarify matters related to AQUA fast enough. Perhaps in an attempt to allow Ranger leadership to control personnel."

He quietly pulled out a small notebook from the chest pocket of his coat, flipping over to a marked page. "Here. Something about perceiving it as a punishment? It's unclear what the captain was so concerned about. The details are beyond my scope of understanding. As stated, I think it simply comes down to discipline. A lack of hierarchal respect may have led to overemotional protest and then subsequently arguments over a matter long settled in the AQUA conference."

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+ PENELOPE LIVY [break][break]


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[attr="class","pokeclass"]

Despite their...differences, Penelope could appreciate the officer's attention to detail. It made this insane situation all the more easier to swallow.
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"I see."
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To think they couldn't set aside their personal opinions for one second.
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The councilwoman shook her head, frowning.
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Her fingers continued to tap along the edges of her desk as she mulled over Paxton's words. While regulations prohibited any direct decisions to be made without an appropriate discussion with her colleagues, there had to be some measure she could enact alone, or at least, provide as a quick remedy to this worsening situation.
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"And you. I read that you were recently promoted by the former head ranger, Sénon Game, correct? Is that still a position you're interested in fulfilling?"
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Or had that meeting already dissuade him from continuing forward.

[break][break]

[attr="class","ooc"] paxton concordas[break]


[attr="class","pkspr pkmn-ditto"]

The demeanor Paxton slipped into is practiced. It's one of a man who is accustomed to explaining things to superior officers quickly, and as clearly and concisely as possible. Despite how much he disliked talking day to day, he had at least learned how to communicate in this specific instance. Spine straight, eyes locked onto the person he was addressing. The ghost of a picture perfect Captain, a holdout of his years in Kanto. He only nodded, letting the councilwoman speak her piece. [break][break]

He tried not to frown, smiling humbly instead. "Yes, it was quiet unexpected but an honorable position for a police officer." Only months ago had he been handling mundane cases with CALLISTA MOON and doing her paperwork while she got him coffee. At the question, he doesn't back down, firm in his answer. "I will do as the League asks of me. My skillsets are at their disposal." Whether it was bodyguarding the high council or quarantining a bunch of plague flowers, he didn't really care. "However, I would need further clarification as to my specific duties, and chain of command. As well as how that would affect my work at my precinct. If I am even employed there anymore." he said, finally allowing himself to frown. He actually had just been flying by the seat of his fucking pants for a good month now.

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+ PENELOPE LIVY [break][break]


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[attr="class","pokeclass"]

A dutiful police officer at the mercy of his superiors. For a councilwoman, there was no better subordinate to carry out this specific role, but for Penelope? Something about his words made her stomach churn.
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"I will do as the League asks of me. My skillsets are at their disposal."
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What a sick fucking sentence, she thought, hiding her grimace behind a well prepared smile. What had the league done to warrant that level of loyalty? Trust? It made her wonder if Rocket hadn't remerged into existence, would that drive falter? Was it hinged onto the fact that, at the very least, the league wasn't a group of terrorists?
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"I'm happy to hear that."
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The response was punctuated by the clasping of her hands and the curl of her growing smile.
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"Then, moving forward, you will continue to act as a liaison between the Rangers and the Council. You will be directly reporting under me, though, if I'm not available for any reason, the other members of the council should suffice with receiving your reports."


[break][break]

dahlia goode , of course, would sit on top of this chain of command, but that went without being said.
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As much as she held her own personal thoughts on his profession, she knew better than to disregard it, like she would've several months ago.
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"That'll be a decision you'll have to make. While I'm not asking you to terminate your employment there, this position, as you can see, will be vital for the continued efforts of The League."
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"I-- no, The League-- will need you to attend all of their meetings, be aware of all of their incoming missions, and be our eyes and ears from this point forward. If you believe you can do this while fulfilling your current duties, then so be it, but if you can't..."

Need she say more?
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[attr="class","ooc"] paxton concordas[break]


[attr="class","pkspr pkmn-ditto"]

Truthfully, he didn't care what position he occupied, as long as the League had work for him. He had no goals, no dreams. All that buried in foreign dirt and abandoned in the furthest depths of his memories. Maybe- maybe he'd look for them. But that was a far off dream. Less attainable and something that kept him from completely drowning in the misery of his own bad life choices. [break][break]

His smile is placid, practiced. He waits for her to soak it up and move along. Paxton nodded along though there was a delayed urge to eyeroll Penelope. They'd be working closely from now on, he had to get over that. Even if she had gotten in his last nerve before. Still he kept quiet as she explained to him what would be expected of him going forward. [break][break]

"Of course." the affirmation that he understood. "I will need a couple of weeks to make preparations for the transition." he stated. Poor CALLISTA MOON was going to find some other sap to help her with case work. He'd miss her teasing. Maybe one day they'd work together again. "If you can approve that, then I have no further questions." [break][break]

There's a pause before he stepped forward and slid a thin manila folder onto the desk. "If that is all, I would like you to review this proposal. It is related to my encounters with the Drk Triad, and the assassination attempts on League personnel." The writing is short and to the point. "At first, I told Commissioner dahlia goode that she is a prime target for assassination as she is the head. Her death would send the Council and the region into disarray. Likewise, taking out our Avatars would be akin to taking out our strongest soldiers." He paused trying to make his own speech as concise as the operation detailed in the pages he's given Penelope. [break][break]

"However, after the information uncovered in Cyberchase, I believe I can infer the Drk Triad have narrowed down Avatars and Avatar candidates as the ones who will be responsible for the origin point. If that is the case, and we can narrow down more specifics about it we may be able to prevent it." He stayed quiet, allowed the Councilwoman time to catch up. "The Unown assassins have been notably absent as far as we know, but I think they can be lured out."

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+ PENELOPE LIVY oh my good ness OH MY DAMN oh my goodness WE GOING HAM [break][break]


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Penelope wasn't the most enthused about their situation either.
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Who would've thought that a one-time mistake could forever come to haunt you in your very workplace. It must've been a cruel joke for Arceus to play onto her, but alas, there was no way around it.
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"2 weeks -- that's all I'll be able to give you."
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Frankly, even that was stretching it. Beyond the shitstorm and surprising lack of leadership, Paxton's report told the councilwoman one important little detail: the Council needed to act, and they needed to act now. More than ever, with this meteor shit looming over their heads, they needed to help maintain order and stability among their ranks. And Paxton would a play a great part in that endeavor.
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When he first slipped the manila folder, Penelope's eyebrow arched upward, curious. Pinching the corner of the document with her index and thumb, she slowly dragged it out and began quickly skimming it's contents while the officer continued to relay his report.
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The more she read the further her brows furrowed. Finally, she looked back up at him.
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"...?"
[break][break]
Despite her lack of words, the councilwoman's golden eyes spoke volumes.
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Go on, they read.

[break][break]

[attr="class","ooc"] paxton concordas[break]


[attr="class","pkspr pkmn-ditto"]

Paxton nodded, gear already spinning in his mind as he began to make a list of things to get done before he left his desk in Lilycove PD. But that task was quickly set aside for later. When he's given his cue to continue he does so. "The operation itself is risky, even if we use body doubles of current personnel, but I think it is in the League's best interest to attempt to capture an interrogate one of the assassins." his voice is low as he explained. [break][break]

"Commissioner Goode mentioned to me after her attack that there hadn't been much of a footprint of her leaving Evergrande to study Crystalblooms with me. Likewise when I was with Councilman GABRIEL BLACK , the assassins attacked while we dealt with strange cultists. I don't have reason to believe it was the same assassin every time. And I think that high ranking personnel were being monitored." [break][break]

"If that is the case, despite absence in recent week, I think they can lured out with a good enough target. Dr. illeana reyes 's work with distortion at the moment, as well as an avatar may be able to lure one out. After all, it didn't seem from the reports like they had identified the specific trigger for our Origin Point. And from their actions it seems they have narrowed it down to our strongest." [break][break]

He takes a pause to let the farfetched idea before continuing. "The operation would be an ambush, with willing volunteers as their lives are the bait. Not to mention because of the work inside the distortion, there is added risk." Not to mention, he would have to rely on a practiced set up with his pokemon rather than preparing a fixed area for capture. The speed of it all only added further to the risks at hand. "However, I believe with careful enough planning I can capture an assassin for interrogation, and even a low level member would still have information worth collecting."

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+ PENELOPE LIVY oh my good ness OH MY DAMN oh my goodness WE GOING HAM [break][break]


[break]

[attr="class","pokeclass"]

What Paxton was suggesting would be a PR nightmare if it were leaked to the public.
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This just in: the league uses their own personnel's lives as bait to further their goals. If this happened 5 months prior, it'd be her having a field day back at the office, celebrating the story with shortcake and sangria. But, just because this came with risks, doesn't mean it wasn't worth pursuing. They'd just need the right people onboard.
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"Okay," she breathed, leaning forward. "but if we move through with this, it'd have to be under extreme lockdown. Report updates directly to me and no one else."
[break][break]
She gave a second's pause before continuing, eyes heavy with thought. Hopefully dahlia goode has some time to spare this week. It'd be best to keep this between them for a bit before making the rest of the councilmembers aware. Better to approach things carefully than not.
[break][break]
"Who'd you suggest then? For the person we'd use to lure them out."
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[attr="class","ooc"] paxton concordas [break]


[attr="class","pkspr pkmn-ditto"]

"I understand the ripple effect it would cause should we have any fatalities, however with the meteor looming over us I think it is well worth the risk." They had to pull out all the stops, and while not every plan went accordingly, he could build contingencies and plan. He'd done it once before and he would do it again. "Drk Triad was concerned with Hoenn's involvement and effects on other universes. I believe the League's specialist in spatial distortions would be a good resource. If Dr. illeana reyes will accept, perhaps she could help under the guise of tapping into a distortion to access the Cloud, and Drk Triad directly. I believe she also used to be Lele's avatar so she fits criteria." [break][break]

"However, having one or two more personnel would be ideal. Especially if they were avatars. I have spoken to Dr. Reyes personally and I think she would be interested. I have not spoken to anyone else though...especially after the lack of discretion in the Ranger corps meeting." From both head personnel and the rangers. [break][break]

"Keeping this between the least amount of people possible is tantamount. You know the staff better, I trust your judgement." he added, lacking any distaste he would normally have for the woman. Admitting that? To her?? never. But the situation is dire, and Paxton has years of experience separating professional and personal ties. "Aside from volunteers, I can submit to your request forms for the gear I will require and move to contact Dr. Reyes to assist set up as well."

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+ PENELOPE LIVY | :eyes: [break][break]


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[attr="class","pokeclass"]