The Ranger uniform
Ranger code book 3 - chapter 42 - Notation 3141
Ranger dress code must be strictly adhered to at all reasonable times.
This includes the following:
Out on patrol, out on job specific tasks, while eating, while sleeping*, during meetings, while on the toilet, while doing laundry, while consuming beverages* and while representing the organisation in any other fashion.
The uniform includes the following items:
Clearly visible Ranger badge, pin or identifier.
Ranger branded compheetm socks. (Generously donated by Sylph Co & Devon Corporation)
Ranger all purpose boots.
All other clothing must not take the absolute piss and be fit for purpose. (At the discretion of the commanding officer)
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Pokerra
1 AIF
Ringtown
Five days after the Roach report
Lieutenant Johnn Bushwell
Johnn sat next to a bedridden Sarah, looking at the floor with a conflicted frown on his face. He waited for her to look at him before speaking.
“Still kicking sarge? He didn’t fry your brain too much I hope.”
She sat up with a grimace, eyes dull with exhaustion.
“He showed me literal hell on earth Johnn, nothing will ever compare.”
“Are you well enough to talk about it now? I would love to give you more time but the league knows something happened here, and I can only give them the middle finger for so long.”
Sarah cracked a dry laugh at that, only to wince at another pounding headache. “Yeah, sure sir. So first, don''t think I’m craz–”
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After a unique breakfast of berries and cereal in the pokecenter cafe, Roach had been notified by an unfamiliar ranger that ‘Dan’ finally wanted a chat. He was escorted back to the man’s office, not quite sure about how it would turn out.
The lieutenant stood ramrod straight, looking at a painting of his family on the wall, when Roach was ushered into his office.
The man turned to him, ranger lieutenant pin adorning his chest. Roach didn’t immediately speak, willing to let the man say what he needed to say. He was, however, curious about ‘Dan’s’ plan for him.
Worst case, I run. They won’t be able to keep constant eyes on me. I need to get moving and soon, with or without the help of the rangers.
“Look Roach, I talked to Sarah last night and what she confirmed was worrying. Very worrying. However, we can''t have you spreading this around to everyone you meet.
He paused, gauging Roach’s reaction. Roach nodded to continue.
“But considering the scale of what is to come, frankly, is way above my paygrade. I wanted you to know that Sarah briefed the leaders of Sinnoh, Hoenn, Johto and Kanto. These regions are allied to varying degrees and all contribute towards multiple agencies, including the Global Ranger Initiative, who I work for. And now so do you.”
A relieved sigh escaped Roach, then he smiled.
“Good, thank you Dan, the world needs time to prepare. I will accept becoming a ranger on two conditions. One, I won’t have a team limit on the number of pokemon I carry, and two, you put me in contact with the people most likely to locate the MACH 30.”
Johnn rolled his eyes at the nickname, knowing it was banter, but had no context so ignored it. He then put a hand to his chin in thought, eyes moving to lock with Roach’s own.
“Done. Don’t fuck this chance up.”
“Actions will speak louder than words. You gonna give me orders, lieutenant?” Roach said, drawing the last word out on purpose, while holding his gaze.
A small smile traveled up Johnn’s face. “Well, green ranger, the others and I all appreciated what you did for Warden and his team. As such, you are now part of their squad. Learn everything you can while training under them and above all, survive.”
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The next day Roach woke up to a knock on his door. As he opened it, a red haired man dressed in khaki shorts and a grey shirt stood outside stock still. Warden smiled like a bear stealing honey. “Good morning greeny, we heard we got a new ranger to train. Ready to start your day in paradise?” Before he could even answer, Warden moved, whipping a punch right towards Roach’s stomach. But Roach saw the tell, as old Terra military close combat training dusted off its webs. He scraped to the side, then backed up into his room. Warden calmly entered in after him, while the other two stood at the door watching.
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What the fuck is he doing? Ah hell, this feels like newbie training.
Again Warden lunged, faked another body blow to then commit to a leg sweep. Even with the training, Roach hadn''t had it on priority upkeep at the end of the world, and so misread the fake. He was swept to the floor and raised his arms on instinct to block. Warden then jumped and saddled him, pinning him against the ground. The man rained down blows on his guard, none getting through until he instead targeted Roach’s body. A fist landed in his ribs, forcing out air and a painful grunt. Roach dropped a hand and threw a return to Warden’s ribs, getting a slight sharp exhale for his trouble.
“Good, you reacted well enough. Could be better but nothing training won’t help.” Warden said, getting off him in the process. “That, my new squadmate, is called the ‘wild pokemon drill’. You will become very familiar with it over the coming days.”
He helped pull an annoyed and confused Roach to his feet.
Glad I didn’t stab him with the vibro-knife then. That would have been messy.
“If you ever let an angry wild pokemon get close they won''t just give you a minor bruise, it’ll be chest excavation. This drill helps you to react faster when in a situation that your pokemon team can’t help you. It may be the difference between survival and death, one that we can’t afford again.” His calm demeanor slightly cracking at the last part.
Roach frowned, letting a touch of annoyance seep through. “Did you really have to come beat the piss out of me so early though? Revenge will be very sweet.”
Warden’s smile returned in force, making him instantly regret what he just said.
“You got the fight, I see, that''s great news!” He said way too happily.
Calir then took the pause to interrupt. “Roach, don''t take what just happened too personally. It’s basically tradition at this point. One old fart ranger said. ‘If you can’t take the pan, how could you take the fire?’” She huffed slightly at Roach’s incredulous expression. “Yes it is still a shit saying.”
After Calir finished, Warden''s face hardened. “I have been briefed on your background as a trained soldier already. So the training will mostly consist of wild pokemon handling, patrols and squad teamwork. This is the backbone of becoming a proper ranger.”
“Roger that, Warden. I have complete faith nothing will go wrong at all.”
“Oh I’m sure, let''s get to it.”
Time to put a little game knowledge to use.
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The days went by as Roach got used to his new squadmates. He woke up early to run with them, Yaga always floating by his side. As the day progressed, they would practice battling each other, the pokemon sparring and the rangers getting into close combat fighting. The rest of the day for Roach was spent reading the ranger code book. He had expected it to be the most boring read of his life, but the author managed to sneak crass words randomly throughout, giving him a chuckle every time he noticed one.
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He checked his gear and pack, doing a once over before the planned patrol coming the next day. Since he did not have a flying mount, Warden had wanted the group to go on foot. The only problem Roach had with that plan was if shit hit the fan. He was the only one without a flight capable pokemon and he wouldn’t be able to get away from a powerful angry pokemon without it.
The knife will be my last resort, as testing it on Yaga warranted a check up with Joy, hopefully it affects the other types just as much. I also still need to find a place that could repair my rifle but Ringtown ain''t that place.
The squad met up at a terribly early hour, ready for the trip ahead. The patrol would be full of long, sleepless nights in the wild but Roach was ecstatic. He could finally leave town and actually experience what the pokemon world had to offer.
The squad left town before the sun rose as Roach thought back on his journey so far.
Now is the time to set myself a goal. Find the MACH 30 and destroy it. But what about something else as well, something less impossible sounding. Maybe, Maybe…. to become the best ranger there ever was.
To help people and pokemon wherever able. To defend both habitat and home. To be open in a time of great need. To never fold to lies or greed, a ranger’s creed. Protect and serve.
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My mind scorched.
My soul burned.
My insides melted.
Everything was fire.
And then nothing. A bliss.
Forever until the hands of reality dragged me kicking and screaming back.
They couldn’t take more from me.
But the steel stayed, ever present, ever loyal.
But soft, almost breaking.
But not, instead bending.
Bend but never break bend but never break BEND BUT NEVER BREAK BEND BUT NEVER BREAKBREAKBREAK…………..…………..…………..…………..…………..…………..…………..…………..…………..…………..…………..…………..…………..…………..…………..…………..…………..…………..…………..…………..…………..…………..…………..…………..…………..…………..…………..…………..…………..…………..…………..…………..…………..…………..…………..…………..…………..…………..…………..…………
A deep breath, fiery hot instead of stone cold.
They would not change me.
They did. Physically.
My inner strength warped.
Trees flickered by in my vision, vanishing before I could notice.
So the leaves and bark and roots and knots and GRASS AND DIRT AND BUGS AND AIR AND WATER AND EVERYTHING… caught alight under my power.
A fire?
No
A flame?
No
Molten rock?
Maybe… no, closer
A forge?
A forge?
… Yes, YES
For who?
For myself?
Maybe… maybe
Yes and No
No?
Why?
For worthy I forge. I forge for worthy.
Run, RUN, RUNRUNRUN
Escape. Evade. Outmen ou vi er?
Steam, so much steam, so long.
More trees, so many, never ending.
Burn them too.
New, different, alone…
Alone…
Family back?
Back there… where?
Who?
But steel brought me back. My steel. It bent, but did not break.
My steel… Forge
Who?
For worthy. All steam all rock all flame all trees, roots, branches, leaves.
Will burn.
For worthy.
Me.
END OF CHAPTER 5
END OF ARC 0 [3.1419 = PIE]