Operation: Express Car; [train plot log]

[these_balls]

Who: Everyone who wants to participate!
Where: Goldenrod City, the Magnet Train, Saffron City.
When: November 23rd, 11AM-5PM
Summary: Heist on the Magnet Train!
Rating: Might go up to PG-13, possibly R if exceptional violence of swearing occurs.
Log:

Comments

[usedlaserbeam]

[In the midst of the general outcry--shock, rage, fear--at the sudden announcement, it's Cooper's levelheaded reaction that draws Yagyuu's attention. His poise in the face of danger is unmistakable, and frankly, if there's going to be a fight, Yagyuu wants to ride it out near the guy who knows what he's doing.

He begins to press through the crowd, his Espeon following close behind, trying not to draw undue attention to himself as he makes his way over.]

[blacklodged]

[It takes Cooper a second, but he does notice Yagyuu eventually. Everything indicates that he's not a Rocket, especially the way he moves (there's no sign of that bold, chaotic and, for the lack of a better word, destructive way the Rockets seem to like carrying themselves), so Coop acknowledges him with a look but not much else before looking over the train car again.]

[There's a lot of gas in there. That's not good.]

[He recalls his Chatot and calls out his Vulpix, frowning on the mess that the crowd is quickly turning into, and looks up to see Yagyuu again. He gives him something of a brief, grim smile in greeting. These aren't the best circumstances to meet, are they?]

[usedlaserbeam]

[The truth is, the Rockets' hanging offense (both in this operation and in general) in Yagyuu's opinion isn't so much that they're villainous, but that they're so theatrical about it. Subtlety is a virtue, and one that apparently none of them have caught on to.

Which doesn't solve the problem of their current predicament, though it may mean an advantage for the people who do know the advantage of finesse.]

It's going to be problematic if we can't get those windows cleared soon. [He keeps his voice low, eyes darting from side to side as he instinctively checks for cover.] Poison Pokemon. They're weak to Psychic types.

[No sense in mincing words at a time like this.]

[blacklodged]

[Cooper nods. This guy's calm and he appreciates the unexpected aid.]

Then you've got an advantage. How many do you think your Espeon can take out?

[His words are rushed but articulate -- he doesn't have a psychic type himself. His Noctowl knows quite a few psychic type attacks but the space is way too cramped for him to fight in.]

Those windows are my biggest concern. I'd like to get them open.

[usedlaserbeam]

Here, at least. Some of the others are using Dark types, and she won't be much use against those.

[He surveys the windows again, estimating their numbers against Lady's temperament. She'll wear herself into the ground fighting them if she has to, but an unconscious Pokemon won't do them much good like this.]

Depending on their levels, she might be able to clear this car. Certainly enough to buy you the time to handle the windows, if you've got an idea for it.

[blacklodged]

Just opening them - to get some air in here, I don't want anyone to get poisoned ...

[Most trains have windows you can open without problems, and this one doesn't look any different. Some wind might go a long way to clear the poisonous gas clouds that are billowing out from the enemy pokémon.]

[The crowd is a problem, though. As are all the pokémon - and just as he was thinking it was a wonder they'd managed to talk undisturbed for so long, a Koffing appears too close to comfort, which is what has Cooper trail off.]

[usedlaserbeam]

One has to give them credit, it's an effective way of quelling any resistan--

[And his thought, as well, goes unfinished as the Koffing draws his attention, but Lady is both fiercely protective and exceptionally attuned to her trainer's nuances; a quick hand motion is all the command it takes for her to attack, slamming against it with a Tackle before unleashing one of her psychic attacks.]

[blacklodged]

[He watches Lady beat up that Koffing for only a second before once again looking to the windows. The Rocket flying types swarming them from the outside are worrying, of course - and that's when he realizes he's been thinking about the gas situation the wrong way all along.]

[He lets Aidan go sink his teeth into a stray Ekans on his own accord. A Spearow flies by him and it makes him duck for cover, moreso than would be normal, and his movements are a little jerky when he turns back to Yagyuu, a hand on his shoulder to call for his attention. He looks to have things under control still.]

You wouldn't happen to have a small, durable flying type, would you?

[usedlaserbeam]

[Small and durable, unfortunately, are not qualities that would describe a Pidgeot, which tends to be Yagyuu's go-to Flying type--but that Spearow whizzing by gives him an idea, and he raises his wrist, giving his incredibly nice watch a light tap.]

I'm afraid not, but I may have the next best thing.

[He remarks, as the watch turns purple and begins to slide obligingly into his hand. Dittos: never leave home without them.]

[blacklodged]

[...oh, that's wonderful. Cooper takes a moment to actually grin.]

If you can get a good Wing attack out of that I think we'd have a much easier time fighting fair in here.

[usedlaserbeam]

[It's not quite a grin that Yagyuu gives in return; there's a flash of teeth, all right, but it's sharper and missing the mirth that might ordinarily come with such an expression. This is a role he's used to--the one who can be counted on to get the job done, whatever the circumstances--and it's easy and familiar, slipping into a position of support to facilitate the overall plan.]

Something with wings, Arsène. [And as the Ditto begins to oblige, Yagyuu continues--] The two of them together should be able to buy some time. For the windows--you take one side, and I'll take the other?

[blacklodged]

[It's something you'll eventually notice about Cooper - his ability to be genuinely excited about little things, sometimes morbidly so, and often in situations where it's more or less inappropriate.]

[That grin is gone shortly, though, the moment he nods and releases his Eevee almost without looking at what he's doing. She'll be of some help here too. He'd love to have his Manectric involved but he took the warning about electrical pokémon seriously ... letting her loose presents a risk he'd rather not take.]

Mind the flying types. They might try to get in.

[Stun as many of them as you can and send them falling is the unspoken idea here. Open windows would help with the gas problem (which will hopefully be relieved at least somewhat anyway, with the help of a good pair of wings), but might also let people escape if the situation takes a turn for the worst.]

[usedlaserbeam]

I have a Pidgeot with Fly, if it comes down to a battle in the air around the train. She's not much good in close quarters, but the wide open sky is something else entirely.

[But the mention of Fly is deliberate, and comes with a double connotation: there's a viable escape route available, if it comes down to the worst. Not that it's an option he's interested in pursuing, but it's always good to be prepared

[blacklodged]

[He hears, understands and takes note. Neither of his two birds know Fly, and although he doesn't like birds he's happy to know that a bird that can carry people is an option, should it come down to it. "Always prepared" was one of his first mottos. He hasn't been a scout for years but the meaning of the phrase did always stick with him

[usedlaserbeam]

[Ducking low to make himself as small a target as possible, Yagyuu returns the nod and begins to hustle toward the windows on the other side of the train, waving one hand almost absently toward his Pokemon as he does so. It's a situation that makes him inordinately happy that he long ago took the time to train his Pokemon to respond to subtler cues than verbal attack commands; they know what to do, and can respond to an objective without needing to be walked through every step of the process

[blacklodged]

[Directly across from him Cooper is in the same position, but since he's got Aidan on long range duty, he points Emily Yagyuu's way, in case he'll need her. Her best attacks right now are probably Iron Tail and Bite, so she won't be very useful at first, but if a pokémon decides to dive in she can do some damage