Ameena couldn't suppress her smile. "Hearing about it secondhand will not be the same. I can make do with looking through a scope, but I have to witness it. It will be a proper eye for an eye." She had no interest in boring him with the full details of the man's crimes, as nearly all high-ranking military officials in Galar had bloody, dirty hands outside of what was permitted in war time or through their rank. But General Kaur had been among the group of men that killed her mother, she knew it in her soul, and it was time for retribution. When she sees her mother again in the dream realm, she has to report the good news.[break][break]

She made to shake his hand but aborted the motion. "My, my. Two head scientists, an underboss, and a Rocket beast. I keep finding myself surrounded by the big names without knowing it." They all behaved quite differently, too. She had expected all of the upper echelons of Rocket to be standoffish, but that hadn't been the case. [break][break]

"Ameena Abadi. Abundance Connections CEO, but more importantly, a scientist making headway on accessing the dream realm." Space and time distortions were an interest shared by most of the Rockets she had met to date, so she had no issue sharing her own area of contributions to its study. "My data has been a more relevant background for Rocket to date, but you can consider my military background and my company for any future favors you ask of me." [break][break]

Her understanding so far had been that networking in Rocket was an exchange of skills; it had helped create major breakthroughs in her studies, so she was more than happy to offer her blood and sweat to future colleagues. Some carefully protected their Rocket work, but she figured anyone she interacted with stood to benefit more from keeping her unethical research and cooked books secret than by exposing it. "I take it that your interest might stretch beyond the theoretical?"

TAGS – Zev Harcourt [break]
NOTES – [break][break]

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She doesn't envy that loss of freedom. The responsibilities that come to the upper brass are not tasks she wants to add to her plate. Her ambition laid with her research first and foremost. "Kanto sounded like a horrific battlefield. I would consider a trial by fire to be solid training." She preferred the gentler, less consequential stuff over such drastic circumstances, but at least it would be impossible to forget the lessons learned. [break][break]

She nods at his plan to grab more readings and claims the data chip from the sensor that won't be functional for much longer in these conditions. She follows him and the rotom phone, pondering about an archaeologist walking a path through Kanto's war and coming out with more responsibility than ever before. Instead of approaching what might be grim, she considers something more catered to his scientific expertise. [break][break]

"Archaeology is not my area, but I remember some of the reception to Galar's unveiling of discovered fossil pokemon. Many have called for the doctor's credentials to be revoked." The fossils had been revived into wild looking pokemon. It seemed shoddy work, though the pokemon were stable.

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The world shifts to Alola. Ameena knows it well after spending so long researching there. [break][break]

"A Xatu?" She walks closer to it. She did not recall seeing many of them on the islands. It stands tall and unwavering. She turns to follow its gaze to the sun, but when she looks back to it, it sends a vision... [break][break]

KYOGRE and GROUNDON battle at the shore. The earth seems to quake underneath the weight of the clash of their wills. There's no sign of civilization to date the event. Ameena watches from some unknown observer's eyes as the two are locked in vicious combat.

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

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[attr="class","itemcoltexttit"]MYSTIC POKEMON 1

[attr="class","itemcoltext"]You find yourself in the AKALA OUTSKIRTS of ALOLA. Here, a Xatu stands by the cliffside, rooted in place. It is clear that it has been here for a long time, perhaps for many days and nights.[break][break]

Its vacant eyes continuously track the sun... until all of you arrive.[break][break]

Psychically, it casts a vision of your past or future to your minds. Is it accurate? Truthful? Real or false? It is hard to shake the unnerving feeling as the Alolan winds whip past you.

"The stakes should not scare off an expert assassin," Ameena considers, "and the nature of the scene should keep all focus on the death more than any assailant." Of course, all the planning and intention in the world couldn't guarantee that to be true. But she understood people pretty well with her background in psychology, and she knew just how cocky the higher ranks of the military were. Something so unexpected and shocking could really throw off the training of a few generals, seeing as several were her family and had merely advised - rather than see real action - for a decade or longer. [break][break]

But none of her personal experiences with many bigwig militants and even her large family could guarantee an outcome. Generous compensation was required. [break][break]

Her company was doing really well in Hoenn given the lack of competition in the market of information technology. Abundance Connections was doing fine enough to filter an inconspicuous amount of funds to her research. "Money is no issue. The real issue is finding someone competent who is willing to have me on site. I want to see it happen." It wasn't an issue of trust, as her dark and interested tone suggested. "I did my time offering overwatch on more than a few high-stakes missions in Galar. I would hope confidence is not the deciding the factor."

TAGS – Zev Harcourt [break]
NOTES – [break][break]

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

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[attr="class","itemcoltexttit"]GYM LEADER 1-A

[attr="class","itemcoltext"]Once you complete developing your gym, the Gym Inspector arrives. If it is not the current inspector, KYLE LOPEZ, it is DAHLIA GOODE, FERNANDO SILPH, MICHAEL NAVIDSON or any of the ELITE FOUR (MATIAS SILPH, MELODY MIRO, GREYSON CONNORS).[break][break]

No matter how horrendous or immaculate your gym is, they approve. You get top marks across the board.[break][break]

In surreal fashion, a confetti balloon suddenly materializes and pops overhead, showering you all in celebration. The clapping continues until a gasp brings the festivities to a halt.[break][break]

Where the TERA CRYSTAL once was is a glowing, oozing POWER SPOT.

The void is interesting, at least. She has not been prompted to create thus far in her simulations, and this is looking like her fifth trip. It's a nice change of pace.[break][break]

Lulu's question is truly the one to ask. "I have yet to see an explanation for how the RKS produces such likeness of deities or such intricate depictions of war. It does not seem so far-fetched that this is opening or accessing pocket dimensions. Like opening a door... I have yet to encounter the same door so far, but I believe it would be possible." Indeed, every situation so far had been unique and intriguing. [break][break]

"I wonder the significance of giving us choice. There is always a choice." The void shifts according to Ameena's will. It becomes a circular room with purple and pink cloths and blankets draped all around; a pot sits in the middle that emits a pleasant-smelling cloud that fills the room and eases the mind. A psychic gym that is somewhat psychadelic but entirely comfortable in its design: the floor is essentially one giant pillow with many smaller pillows and quilts filling the room. [break][break]

"Who could benefit from prompting people to create so many pocket dimensions, if that is what happens each time we choose? Perhaps, someone is trying to graph out a multiverse."

TAGS – Lulu Flint [break]
NOTES – design[break][break]

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Ameena dried her mug as he spoke. A smile graced her expression at his question. She was used to hiding her intentions and her more unethical experiments, but Rocket HQ had proven to be a great place for both networking and conversations of the illicit variety. She let her hair down, so to speak, when she was here. [break][break]

"If I kept it quiet, I would not have the pleasure of imagining a trebuchet." She put the mug in the cabinet of loaners before turning to give him her full attention. "I have no issue keeping secrets, but I am used to killing as something necessary and dry. I want this to send a larger message. Unfortunately, the Galarian military does not train their Brigadiers for such a thing."[break][break]

She wished she had clear sight of his palms to assess any give-away callouses that might reveal more than his expression did. "Some of our colleagues have a better sense for finesse than others. My creativity is confined to a laboratory; fieldwork and violence has always been more calculated and rote." Her strong ties to Rocket were with the head scientists and a few other peers who were also not refined killers. "This could create political ripples among Galarian elites that might dissuade a hired gun, so I have resigned myself to endless brainstorming."

TAGS – Zev Harcourt [break]
NOTES – [break][break]

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He takes the wish tag with ease. She leans in close to get a look at it just as the voice of Jirachi fills her mind. Ah, will it ever become mundane to hear the voice of a god if it happens every simulation? [break][break]

She doesn't know what it looks like 'to win' here. She knows war and battle and victory plenty, but this scene is unlike any she ever faced in Galar. She considers. "Winning is the only choice," she answers aloud, unsure if Jirachi is listening. The town seems to melt away into nothing but barren wasteland, leaving the two scientists alone with their pokemon and the vague presence of Jirachi. [break][break]

"This feels like a lesson," she confesses, "but what should be learned?" They didn't have enough context for the fight. And did the simulation even understand the will of a deity? Could it parse that with what little data it would have? Her questions about RKS only grow after each run rather than diminish. Consciousness catches up to her before she can express these concerns.

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

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[attr="class","itemcoltexttit"]VERDANTURF 1-B

[attr="class","itemcoltext"]You seize the Wish Tag from Fernando Silph in the midst of battle. As soon as you do, you hear Jirachi's voice. It reaches into your innermost desire. It asks you: "do you wish to win?"[break][break]

However, with great power comes greater sacrifice. In order to bend the scenario to your whims, you use the WISH TAG to conjure power for yourself. In the process, you must lose something. After all, this Jirachi was woken prematurely. Its wishes made corrupt.[break][break]

End the scenario in your way. Whether it means Verdanturf Town is destroyed and Rocket prevails, or another outcome of your choice.

She hands over the bag as he reaches for it; if he wants to set up the seismic sensor rod, he's more than welcome to it. She's established her fair share in the area over the last few weeks. "I do not want to get too close to those paradox pokemon. The ones in this area seem especially volatile. Perhaps, they would be valuable to my research, but such a connection is not clear. I think it is best to stray away from them, rather than follow their direction." [break][break]

Indeed, the trio of unusual paradox pokemon had racked up a body count over the last few weeks that was impressive. She was a little interested in the behavioral studies of paradox creatures but not enough to do any of the studies herself. She turned to her partner to see the Joltik assaulting him. Ameena's Espathra darted forward, eager to grab the bug in her mouth. "Careful," she intoned for her precious Edith, but the bird's bloodlust was not one to wane in the face of an electric type. [break][break]

She turned back to Kazuya with a sardonic smile. "Well, I suppose volatile pokemon can be trained." Her Espathra had the largest sadistic streak she had ever witnessed in a pokemon. She shouldn't write off the new trio so quickly. "That sensor you're holding can be used to determine their movement patterns since earthquakes seem to preface their arrival."

TAGS – Kazuya Yoshida [break]
NOTES – [break]|wxRv3Gd[break][break]

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Cillian Quinn, she commits to memory. She's heard his name before, hushed, and now she has a face for it. It continues to surprise her how prolific the scientist population is at the upper echelons of Rocket. She had mistakenly considered the organization to be comprised of brutes, thugs, and psychopaths, long before she was given an opportunity to help them as they helped her. She's never been so pleased to be proven wrong.[break][break]

"Only get outside to fight, hm?" Amor and Lulu were head scientists who seemed to have the time to pursue their own projects at least periodically, but it was disappointing that that freedom diminished higher up. Not that she had ever had her eyes set on underboss when she got the resources she needed already. "I cannot imagine how tedious that gets. A good balance is everything." [break][break]

She holds her hands out flat like two weights on a scale. "Years of military training," she dips one hand, "and years of doctoral studies." Her hands even out. While she felt some of her time in the Galarian military was wasted, its discipline and order had helped her survive the trials and tribulations of a doctorate. "All work and no play makes for a dull boy, or however that goes. If you ever find yourself in Mauville, you are more than welcome in my underground laboratory." [break][break]

She gets down as he commands, shielding her head as Honedge releases herself to hover protectively above as well. The earth threatens to split beneath their feet, but as soon as it starts, it relaxes. "This is one of the furthest seismic monitors. It might be a loss." The ground activity was not likely to ease up based on current patterns. "We could claim its data chip and recommend a different tool be established this far in." She waited for his response, curious if he would prefer to try and salvage the device by MacGyvering some protective setup.

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Ameena turns from the flames at Makoto's hesitation, their verbal 'wait,' but it's far too late. The tree is caught up in a powerful blaze. In the blink of an eye, the world around blurs to something distant. War is around them. [break][break]

Ameena is no stranger to war.[break][break]

Her military training kicks in. Realistically, the simulation will shift before she makes a dent in the world, but she jumps on the nearest trainer and wrenches his arm back to keep him from tossing the pokeball in his hand. Edith charges forward with drill peck, but the scene fades before the Espathra can relish the violence further.

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