From: "MechaGojira - (Witty Phrase)" <jorgenospam@rocketpunch.net> Subject: [PW!] The Recruiter Date: Wednesday, February 11, 2004 11:03 PM Knock Knock Knock... Dan hurries to open his apartment door. CERULEAN COPS ON TRAIL OF CROOKED CROOKS Bandits said to be Pokemon Fanatics Dan Ando "I'm impressed, Mr. Ando. 'Special Thursday Edition', very impressive." ==== PokéWars! The Recruiter MechaGojira ==== It's an Asian man, in his mid 30s, unshaven with slick black hair and brown eyes. His low, gritty voice sounds like that of a man who has lived to see everything. He sports a tan trenchcoat, with a white shirt and black tie visible underneath. He holds the latest Celadon Xpoze, yet to be in full circulation, displaying Dan's newest front page article. "Detective Goro Serizawa, I work with the various Kanto Police Departments," he says, displaying an ID badge. "Dan Ando. Come on in." As the two enter, Zoffy shoves a pile of magazines and newspapers off their couch and onto the floor. "I'm impressed with your work as a writer, Mr. Ando." "Oh... just 'Dan' is fine. And thank you, sir," Dan responds, walking across to the attached kitchenette, "cup of coffee?" "Please. Yes, well I'm even more impressed with your work as a fact-finder, Dan. Your report was top-notch, and the CPD found it of great value." "Oh, thank you, sir. How would you like this?" "Black. Two sugars. I'm running an investigation of this group, Dan, the one you encountered in Cerulean this week. I've been following them for some time, but they've only now begun to show who they are. Yet we're still left with many questions about them..." Dan sits across from Detective Serizawa, passing him a cup of coffee while sipping his own. "We know that they aren't Team Rocket copycats, but more of... a group Steel Pokémon enthusiasts with a penchant for Pokénapping their favorites. They call themselves Metal Earth. They're a gang. A big one, but a gang nonetheless." Dan recalls the emblem on their uniforms, a silver Earth with an embossed gear. "Metal Earth? Hmm... They had a pretty big operation going on for a 'gang', I'd say." "Yes, well.. that's about all we can be sure of about them. This is where you come in, Dan." the detective pauses to sip his coffee. "I need you to help me with my personal investigation of Metal Earth. The CPD will probably find the group that was in Cerulean, but I have a feeling... no, I know that the group goes deeper than that. And unless we get that fact to the public, they'll just thrive and prosper like those 'Teams' out there." "So...you want me to help with detective work?" "You will be doing some of that line of work, yes, you've got a talent for that, as told by your own investigation. But along with that, I need you to take pictures, to write up what we find... give form to the words, so they can be presented as best they can. You wont have to go far, as I'm almost certain that they have an operation here in Celadon." "So, a chance to help bring all of these crooks to light and play detective for a while? I'm interested." "Excellent! I am glad to hear this." "It's part of the job. Keeping people informed." "Ahh. Well, you know... I used to be a 'journalist' of sorts, when I was younger. Of course, I was a horrible writer, but you remind me a lot of myself back then. I thought that if I kept the people 'informed'... that it might keep them protected. Safe from the bad things." "I try to keep that philosophy, myself." "Hm, yes. Knowledge can be power. Of course, one line of work leads to the next, and look at me now. You could say I serve the same purpose, with a different function, these days. Interesting how things turn out... So, can I expect you to be ready by tomorrow afternoon?" Dan pauses for a moment. "Yes. If it means that much, I can't refuse." "Mr. Ando, rest assured your efforts are greatly appreciated. Thank you very much, sir." "No, thank you for the opportunity, Mr. Serizawa." "'Goro', please." -- MechaGojira #28 http://www.rocketpunch.net jorge[at]rocketpunch[dot]net