CIAN MAHER: WHO IS HE

Hoenn Broadcasting Station’s (HBS) intro rolls, showcasing a short video compilation of the hosts laughing, various on-site interviews and weather reports, and some general images of Hoenn sprinkled in on top.

After, the camera cut to the live studio, where a long black desk occupies the majority of the screen. Behind it, a man with white hair stood, dressed in a white clean suit, smiling back at the camera.

“Hello and welcome to the HBS News. My name is Jumin Kim. Our story today is about Rustboro’s very own Gym Leader, CIAN MAHER, and his experience working with,”

There is a short pause. A delay in which tension could flourish and the gravity of the situation could lay onto the viewer, thick and heavy, like a suffocating scarf around their necks.

“The organization known as Team Rocket.”

The newscaster's lips returned to his usual smile as he continued.

“We’ll now go live to Yoosung. Take it away.”

The screen blinked, teleporting the viewer from the main showroom to another stage. This one is wider and much comfier. In place of the singular black desk, two comfy red leather chairs lay, both turned in toward each other, with a small round coffee table to break the space.

In one chair, the familiar Rustboro Gym Leader sat, and in the other, another smiling man with spunky blonde hair.

“Thanks Jumin,” He started, giving the camera a second to adjust to their faces before continuing any further, “I’m here with CIAN MAHER today.”

His hand swiftly gestured toward the other.

Y: “Tell me, Cian, how are you feeling? Excited? Nervous?”

C: "Hey Yoosung! It’s, uh, kinda surreal to be sitting here but I feel good about it. Nervous for sure! But also equally excited to get the chance to tell my story. So thanks for having me."

Y: "Be honest, how did you even get involved? Was there a form you had to fill out? A survey?"

C: "I actually do think there’s an online form people can submit now, crazy as that sounds, but no, my father was involved with them even before they invaded Slateport. The man was always shady but I was never old enough to realize just how much he was. By the time I did realize, well, he had dragged us all with him to Rocket."

C: "I’m not sure why we agreed to go with him if I’m being honest with you. Loyalty to our family, maybe? But once you’re in, they make you feel as though you’re stuck there. That’s absolutely not true, and I hope my story can be a testament to that."

Y: "So what’s it like? We talk a lot about how damning their actions are, but once inside, what did you see?"

C: "There was nothing odd about it, which is the scary part, right? It’s why people get sucked into the organization so easily and more importantly why they choose to stay. Because on the surface, everything seems fine. Peaceful, even. You get to live a comfortable life outside of doing missions and just pretend like things are normal. You get food, shelter, and people you could call friends."

C: "Except they aren’t normal. Not really. How can they be when the missions we get sent on are just…so messed up? When the organization itself is responsible for the deaths of thousands back in Kanto? They may try to paint the war in a different light but the truth is they were murderers and conquerors then, and they still are now."

Y: "And what about the people themselves? Can you tell us a bit about them?"

C: "I wish I could give you a set answer for this but sadly I don’t have one because there’s pretty much a wide range of people within the organization. Of course, you have your stereotypic criminal who’s in just for a quick buck, and then it ranges all the way to local politicians, to notable businessmen, and even to the government."

C: "You wouldn’t be able to tell if someone were in Team Rocket unless they specifically told you. That’s why I think they’re so dangerous. Your neighbor could be with them and you’d never know."

Y: "Tell us more about the work. They sent you on tasks, right? They must have. Tell us about them."

C: "It, uh, varied. When you first join the organization they’d send you on the simple stuff. Breaking and entering. Petty theft. Transport some cargo. Things that make you think: ‘oh, maybe Rocket isn’t as bad as everyone says they are’."

C: "But then the longer you are in the organization and the more missions you do, the deeper into the pit you fall. I was lucky in the way I was able to secure my position in the minor league so I was never assigned to the really horrible ones. I really have Kyle to thank for that. After that, everything just seemed to fall into place. I did fewer assignments and focused more on the minor league. They expected me to leak intel to them, of course, to act as their rat. That gave me the idea, actually, to do the same back to them."

C: "Some of the “higher-level” missions include arson, kidnapping, blackmail, and murder."

Y: "…Be honest, did you ever have to kill someone?"

C: "Yes, once, though it was in self-defense on a mission that went horribly wrong. I wouldn’t mind going into more detail but I think I’m not allowed to…"

Y: "Wow, and you endured that for how long?"

C: "Four years, ever since they invaded Slateport in 2018."

Y: "This might be redundant, so forgive me, but why did you end up choosing to leave? What finally pushed you to the other side?"

C: "Because despite what they want people to believe, what Team Rocket is trying to do is not right. It will never be right. I did not want to be part of an organization that terrorizes, murders, and destroys."

Y: "Right, right. So Rocket’s mission -- they say they’re here to “help us”. “Help Hoenn”, even. Is that real? Are they being honest?"

C: "Oh yeah, that’s a big fat lie. They’re only here to conquer. It doesn’t matter what they do to achieve that even if it means razing the entire region on their way to the top. It’s why people need to be more aware of their propaganda and lies, so we don’t have a repeat of what happened in Sootopolis."

Y: "What are they planning to do? Anything we should be aware of?"

C: "Before Meteno, Team Rocket hosted a large gathering recently to discuss exactly this. Team Rocket plans to continue their invasion of Hoenn through whatever means necessary. They plan to influence people the same way they did in Sootopolis, and if that fails, then they’ll resort to more violent and radical approaches."

Y: "We’ve spent so much time talking about Team Rocket and their plans, but I want to know more about you. What can we expect to see next from you now that you’re a free man?”

C: Not many may be aware but I was actually one of ALEXANDER STONE’s gym trainers in Rustboro. I learned a lot from him which is why I’m proud to be stepping up to the same position that he once held. I’ve always said that Rustboro needs a gym leader, one who’s able to help, lead, and inspire. I’m definitely not there yet but I hope you’ll stick around long enough to see when I am. I’ll also be traveling the region giving seminars talking about my experience in Rocket, basically doing everything I can to fight back against the narrative Team Rocket tries so hard to create. But, uh, yeah! Thank you for your time, Yoosung.

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