Jackson Powers: Phase One
Hnngh. What a night.
Jackson sat up in his bed, drowsy eyed, but awake. He stretched and yawned, half-wondering what time it was and half-hoping there would still be good food to eat. The night before he'd given himself little of what could be considered a break. He stayed up until the wee hours of the morning with a textbook in his lap, learning what he could about... What was he studying last night? Mathematics.
Jackson rolled out of bed, not exactly expecting much from the day. It wasn't too late, but he felt like he missed something. He figured he must have been tired, since his clock had an alarm and it wasn't what woke him up. Jackson headed straight for his closet, picking out his clothes (which there was not much of), and dressing himself quickly and nicely. He was glad he had more than the rocket outfit, at least, which he hated to wear. The uniform was only marginally better than nothing.
Jackson put on his shoes, ready to go out but not looking forward to any odd looks. Someone had been murdered recently, it might not have been the best time to risk accidentally sleeping in. He didn't really care for the guy who died, Xarius Gander. Not after he got promoted anyways. Before he heard of the E8, Jackson only worked in Team Rocket to support his family and see what he could do about an education, but once he learned something better was being offered, he went for it. A chance to be leader--leader!--of Team Rocket. That's where the fame was, that's what he wanted.
But it was Xarius Gander who got the role.
Jackson frowned, a little angry just thinking about it. Xarius might not have deserved to die, but Jackson didn't have anything against it either. The spot was open and he had another chance. Well... As long as he wasn't a suspect. The Warden, their little caretaker, had them on lock down, and Jackson hadn't seen his family in days. He never told them he joined Team Rocket, he hoped they weren't jumping to conclusions. Even if they weren't, it wasn't easy. He helped money, getting food, taking care of his siblings, and now that he wasn't in the picture....
Jackson sighed. He didn't like thinking about it, but it was worth it. Something would come out of this. It had to be worth it.
Jackson opened the door to his room and noticed immediately on the floor, a Pokeball. A question mark over his head, Jackson bent down and picked up the ball, looking at the lazily crafted tag. Venipede. Venipede? Aren't they one of those pest Pokemon? And why did he get one? He took a second to remember and noted when he'd lost his initial Pokemon earlier because of the murder. It was a simple Starly, but friends enough. A Pokemon he could take home without his mother noticing. Jackson liked Starly, but he hadn't gotten attached enough to care too much about its loss. Now he had a Venipede. A bug Pokemon that didn't blend in so well and wasn't liked as much. Jackson sighed. He'd have to work with it, obviously. Maybe it wouldn't be so bad.
But why was he getting a Pokemon now? Especially since they just got rid of his last one. Did he miss something? Did something important happen? He hoped not, that wouldn't look good, that didn't look good at all. If he had any hope of leadership this little screw up might just cost him that. Jackson got an uneasy feeling in his stomach. Throwing away the sticky note and pocketing the Pokeball, Jackson left his room.
He'd talk to the Warden and ask what was up. That was better than wondering and figuring it out as he went. Maybe he'd be able to explain too (though Team Rocket didn't accept a lot of excuses), and erase away any suspicion this might have caused. He didn't want to look like a killer because he skipped out on a meeting by accident. It didn't take Jackson but two seconds to find the Warden's office. He knew where he was because he thought about taking it one day. He smiled to himself. A nice rolling chair, desk carved from the finest wood, a big TV, a secretary, and a sense of importance. He didn't think the Warden had as much power as he acted, but it was better than the position he had now.
Jackson raised a brow as he left his thoughts when he saw another one of the E8 at the door. She was that girl that was always angry all of the time, not very sociable, not very likeable. He stayed away from her, not because she intimidated him, but simply because she wasn't worth the time. She wouldn't be in his way because she simply had no chance. If Team Rocket was looking for a leader, they'd want someone with a least a hint of leadership quality. Jenna wasn't like that. She was a fighter and an arguer, not a compromise. It was like competing with a twelve year old. He didn't worry. Jackson didn't know what she was at the Warden's office for and didn't care either. He'd figure out what he needed to know (one way or another) despite her. When he got to the door, he waited and figured he not say anything to her. It was likely that she'd give him a quick reply or a glare or... Something.
Well... He didn't want to say anything. It was the voice on the inside that got him, nagging like his mother. Even if she'd be sour at him, he might as well say hello, it was the polite thing to do.
"Hey," Jackson greeted with a nod, not doing much to extend into a question. He braced himself for the attitude he was bound to get. He would take it. Like a pillow to the face.
