Nenet pushed back without fear or apology, fanning Zev's anger. Not even Caleb Harcourt had ever dared to speak to him in this way. Briefly, Zev thought about punishing Nenet in the same way he'd once punished Caleb, with gaslighting and guilt-tripping. [break][break]

But he found couldn't bring himself to use those tactics. He knew too well that what worked on his pathetic brother would never work on such a strong-willed and stubborn woman. Nenet knew the truth of Zev and hadn't shrunk away, as others had. [break][break]

He tuned back to her rant just as she claimed the Space Center's data wasn't the point, and he stiffened as if she'd slapped him. [break][break]

"Fine then," he snarled, not willing to humor her or admit her rightness. "If you care so much about an Arceus-damned building, then you do something about it. Fuck all the work I've already done, right?" [break][break]

Crystals slowly bloomed across Zev's skin in small clusters as he seethed, no longer kept in check by the careful mask of indifference he often wore. [break][break]

"But you're not stopping the war, Nenet. I will lead the assault on this city and I will claim it. And you can either stand at my side through all this, or you can stay out of my way."

TAGS – Neffatari Nzingha[break]
NOTES – social

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When Zev learned that Nenet wanted to do some runs of the RKS machine's simulations, he was surprised. He didn't think it was within her field of interest, but perhaps recent events caused her to become more curious about Team Rocket's other projects. [break][break]

Either way, he didn't mind. The scenarios were key for discovering more about the DRK Triad and their meddling. If Nenet wished to help him out, he was more than willing to go through the simulations with her. [break][break]

"I know everything feels and looks real, but remember, this is all virtual reality. Our physical bodies are still sitting in chairs, plugged into the machine's interface," Zev told his wife as they found themselves in an older version of Hoenn's desert. [break][break]

Wiping sweat from his brow, he cast his gaze at the tomb ahead of them. "Let's get out of this sun." [break][break]

He breathed a quiet sigh of relief once they were inside and enveloped by cool shadow. The tomb's interior looked the same from the last time he completed the scenario. In the center of the space was the purple mineral chunk with its throbbing veins of crimson. [break][break]

A Wishing Star. A piece of Eternatus. [break][break]

Zev looked over at Nenet. "Since I've done this scenario before, you can choose what we do here."

TAGS – Neffatari Nzingha[break]
NOTES – the rks simulation

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[attr="class","itemcolname"]eternatus event

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[attr="class","itemcoltexttit"]WISHING STAR 1

[attr="class","itemcoltext"]You find yourselves in the Hoenn desert. However, upon scrutinizing the area, you realize this is not the Hoenn of modern day. The people around you look like they belong to an old civilization. Busily, they work at constructing what appears to be a temple or tomb among the great dunes of this place.[break][break]

When asked, a worker says, "We are creating a great protector. Eons ago, a great star fell from the heavens and landed here. We are finally able to harness its power. Go. Take a look!"[break][break]

You enter the incomplete tomb to see a large chunk of some unknown purple material. Red veins pulse throughout it like blood—or poison. It emanates a great power. Before it, several boulders are set against each other.

[break]

The diner Zev had chosen for a meeting with a new recruit was owned and run by a Team Rocket grunt. This meant that all individuals within its walls could speak freely on certain matters pertaining to the crime syndicate. Not only that, but the coffee was pretty good, by diner standards. [break][break]

He looked up from his phone when the recruit arrived. [break][break]

"You must be Hawkins," Zev said, not bothering to stand or offer his hand for a shake. A file with Hawkins' information was open on the table in front of him, complete with a photograph. "I'm Zev Harcourt. Sit." [break][break]

The Beast gestured to the seat opposite him in the booth. Beneath the table, his Gengar lurked in shadow, red eyes visible and vigilant. [break][break]

"What brings you to Hoenn? I'm sure you've heard about how dangerous and strange this region has become in recent years."

TAGS – Hawkins[break]
NOTES – mission (repeat)

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Zev met Priam's smug smirk with a deadpan expression, maintaining it as the Beast shared his list of excellent qualities. Most notably, he did not bother sharing any character flaws or weaknesses. [break][break]

Still, his answer was more than satisfactory. Zev turned his gaze back to the map to consider the three battlefronts. His mind processed the information Priam gave him, forging it into a useful strategy. [break][break]

"You will need to be highly mobile," the general decided. "Bring Pokémon with you that can take you to different areas of the battlefield quickly. Do you have a preference on where you go?" [break][break]

He gestured to the map.

TAGS – priam conrad[break]
NOTES – social

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A palpable tension filled the space between Zev and the League forces as Gwyar considered the offer. The Gym Leader was in no position to refuse, but Zev had a hunch Gwyar would not see his own situation that way. The League's leaders were often chosen for their stubbornness as much as for their above-average battle prowess. [break][break]

It came as no surprise, then, when the blonde man shook his head. [break][break]

"Very well." Zev ripped two Pokéballs off his tactical vest and threw them into the air. When they opened, his Golurk and Infernape materialized before him in the shallow water. [break][break]

As a Gengar coalesced from the shadows beneath Gwyar, Infernape dashed toward the Ghost-type, electricity crackling around his fist for a THUNDER PUNCH. Meanwhile, Golurk launched into the air using FLY. [break][break]

Zev, of course, was not going to stand idly by while his Pokémon fought. He started for Gwyar, the crystalline tendrils retreating back into his body. In close quarters, he did not need them.

TAGS – Gwyar Wledig[break]
NOTES – the first wave: prelude[break][break]

– Golurk & Infernape are on the battlefield[break]
– Infernape uses THUNDER PUNCH on Gengar[break]
– Golurk uses FLY on ??[break]
– Zev is armored up to his neck (face/head unarmored); he advances on Gwyar[break][break]

MP EARNED[break]
+50 MP: have an antagonistic exchange of dialogue between your character and another writer's character or NPC.

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Grigori's answer was the one Zev wanted to hear. An overly eager grunt was one who risked failure. In response, Zev unclipped a Pokéball from his belt and held it out for Grigori to take. [break][break]

"My Chandelure should be able to distract the nurses with his hypnotic flames," he said. "It can assist with starting the fire, too." [break][break]

At that moment, his Rotom returned, entering the car through the same narrow opening in the driver's side window. The Pokémon chirped softly, declaring the completion of its task. Zev gave a nod, and it merged once more with the car's stereo receiver. [break][break]

Turning back to Grigori, Zev said, "Every Pokémon Center should have a records room, and the medical industry is notorious for taking ages to digitize their files. Start there."

TAGS – Grigori Sokolov[break]
NOTES – mission

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Zev had fully intended to cool off in solitude, uninterested in fighting with his wife. But Nenet dared to shove a finger in his face and hiss at him with scorn and contempt. Unaccustomed to her defiance, his own expression darkened with wrath. [break][break]

"Don't give me that shit," he snapped, shoving her hand aside. "What do you think you understand, when you look more at your telescope than at what's going on in the world around you?" [break][break]

They were almost the same height, but that did not stop Zev from attempting to cow Nenet into submission. He stood firm with shoulders back and chest out, and he glowered down at her with eyes as sharp and unforgiving as knives. [break][break]

"I just told you there are contingency plans. We've been backing up the Space Center's servers for weeks now. Even if that building gets leveled, we'll have all the data we need to make a new one." [break][break]

Before she could protest further, he quickly added, "We have a space research facility. A rocket ship. We once built a whole fleet for METENO, so we have the equipment and tools. But why should you care or trust me, huh? I'm not your precious fucking telescope." [break][break]

He spat those last words as if they were venom.

TAGS – Neffatari Nzingha[break]
NOTES – social

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The roster of Rockets for Mossdeep's deployment was impressive indeed; it helped that Zev had put together the list himself. Many had volunteered, while the rest had been drafted. And the latter were simply fodder. [break][break]

"No," he said, meeting Elisabeth's gaze from over the screen of his laptop. "All the key operatives have personal reasons for wanting to succeed. Even Delarosa." [break][break]

bryan delarosa had been stubborn and difficult at first, but pride was a powerful motivating force. [break][break]

"The main concern with Mossdeep—and Petalburg, too—is that we'll be moving our forces into territory where the League is already entrenched. It's not ideal." [break][break]

Leaning forward, Zev rested his elbows on his desk and laced his fingers together before him. His eyes traveled from Elisabeth's face to a large whiteboard hanging on the nearby wall. It bore a map of Hoenn, with sticky notes detailing names and numbers. [break][break]

"As soon as we arrive at both locations, we need to manipulate the League forces. Trick them into disadvantageous positions, and make them think we are fewer in number and weaker in strength than we really are." [break][break]

Blue eyes flickered back to regard his guest. "It will be easier for you in Petalburg. Use the forest to obscure your movements and confuse the enemy."

TAGS – Elisabeth Fiorelli[break]
NOTES – social

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