Chu-e would not have to wait long. The ex-Underboss had picked the newest of Rocket's Admins to harass, meaning that Howard was constantly running to and from his office as he got everything situated. It didn't help that the man still wasn't done packing. Boxes were stacked against the walls as well, and they rattled slightly as the door opened.

"...and get me lists of everything we still have from when Admin Fox was running things. Trade routes, ships, men."

"Yes, Admin Slayte." A grunt's voice could be heard.

The new Admin wasn't facing his office when he opened the door. Otherwise he would've had a heart attack. As Howard shut the door to his office and faced his desk, the archaeologist let out a shriek and shrank slightly. His eye narrowed when he realized who it was.

"You." His voice was unhappy. "Why... you... Why are you in my office?!"

---

Chu-e Choi

Joy. Of course Remiel Calcifet would be meticulous in wiping the slate clean when he left Team Rocket. It's what Howard would've done, if he was preparing to defect.

It wouldn't ensure Remiel's safety outside of Rocket, naturally. Instead, a soft word from Walsh and a firm hand from his subordinates would ensure that the Crown Prince of Galar would walk about with his head held high. Howard blinked once and shook his head, annoyed at Chu-e's assistance.

There were few people that Howard hated. ■■■ (Zev Harcourt) and his dark crystals was one. That one, Howard could only despise in silence. He could only shiver in darkness, and hope that the Rocket Beast was devoured by his own power.

Chu-e, he hated for weakness. Why did this man get to rot away in silence. How did a man like him disappear from Team Rocket's upper echelons, only to waste away in his house? Only one type of person could do that:

One who gave up on their dream.

Disgusting.

"And I suppose that you, as a member of Intelligence and a former Underboss have those files just lying around?" Howard crossed the office to his desk and sat down in his chair. "And I assume you want something? I can jettison you out of the airlock, if you wish."

---

Chu-e Choi

"Neck yourself, or I'll do it for you." Howard grumbled as he took the letter and flicked it open. His obvious disgust was replaced with a cool professionalism as he inspected the contents of the letter. His eye flicked up to Chu-e.

"Expensive. Dangerous."

This was the part of the job that he disliked. When it stopped being about fossil hunting, artifact exchanges, and the collection of historically relevant objects. Team Rocket was a large business. They sold narcotics, rare Pokémon, and items of terror to the highest bidder. It was Howard's job to ensure that it all got where it needed to go.

It was not a savory job, nor was it glorious. Yet it had to be done.

Yet when this man wanted something, Howard felt the need to rebuke him. Chu-e had called him across Hoenn under the guise of Shred Zeppelin, then trauma dumped on him. He was utterly shameless, and Howard knew shame.

"I can get this, it'll take time. Maiden's Tears from Johto, Toxapex extract from Alola... Do I want to know what these are for?"

He already knew the answer: torture.

---

Chu-e Choi

"That only works if you aren't one gust of wind away from collapsing."

The glare Howard gave could melt artic ice. Each time Chu-e decided to do, well, anything, Howard only grew more and more irritated. The ex-Underboss could only aggravate the Admin, which delighted one and scorned the other. A truly blossoming romance, filled with enough warmth and passion to melt someone's skin off.

Incidentally, Toxapex extract did something similar.

"I don't plan to fail in my position. If I need to be sent down to your office, I'll just bite my tongue off and save you the trouble." The threat was chilling, and the hair on Howard's skin raised as Chu-e explained how he could make Howard's life miserable.

Terrifying.

"I'll send you a notice when I get the items in. How quickly do you need them?"

---

Chu-e Choi

"People should plan better, then."

The words are uttered stiffly and without character. Dangerous words. Threatening words. They're words that, if uttered in the wrong tone to the wrong person at the wrong time, could destroy Howard's position within Rocket, and snuff out his life to boot. Team Rocket was filled with those who highly valued prestige and power.

This was not some highly evolved democracy, like the Pokémon League. Rocket was ruled by a vindictive king who raised up monsters, and those monsters could execute whoever they desired.

Yet the expression Chu-e gave him now made Howard want to hurl. Who was this man, who had fallen far from the glory and power that he had once had, to look at Howard like a gnat? He'd accept that from an Underboss, he'd accept it from Walsh, he'd even accept it from Necrozma's puppet.

He would not accept it from this man.

Chu-e's question was answered with a slap to the face. Howard stood up as his one good eye glared balefully at Chu-e.

"Out." A direct order. "Feel lucky I don't put your head on a spike and mail it to Ever Grande."

---

Chu-e Choi