FA: ~Dead_Monsoon
Discord & Telegram: mobydawuf
Hypnovember 2023, Day 7: Unaware(Rubber Rocket recruitment)
Themes:  long-term / societal takeover / latex / mental manipulation
Word count: 1,719
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Team Rocket always seemed like a dubious bunch to you. “Villain” is written all over them from head to toe, after all. You’d assumed public opinion would naturally lean the same way.

But lately that hasn’t stopped them, as they just… assert themselves. Building bases and renting buildings out in the open, in the middle of town.

And the public outcry was nonexistent. How strange…

Is this one of those situations where a crime is being carried out in the open, and none of the witnesses are willing to help out or call 911? Or has everyone just… stopped being afraid of them?

Or have they changed in some way you don’t know about? They sure look like the same rubber-coated thugs that are always up to no good… except they’re not really doing anything wrong, per se. Just strutting around like they own the whole city.

Well… you suppose that it doesn’t seem like much to worry about for the time being. If they start making a stink, it surely won’t take long for them to get driven out once again.

-

You’ve done a little digging on them, and discovered the most bizarre thing… they’ve been contracted to maintain the city’s water supply, of all things. What on earth…? Have they actually applied themselves to something productive? It’s difficult to fathom… their, um, eccentric branding doesn’t seem to lend itself to such a trade.

And yet, in a matter of days, they’ve gone and upgraded all the fire hydrants around town. They’re a fair bit bigger, but they sure look up to snuff… and unaffiliated inspectors have already quality tested them. So… nothing to worry about, then.

-

A week into Team Rocket’s… residence, it seems like everyone’s not only tolerant of them, but… comfortable. You’ve brought them up a few times, but people always respond with something along the lines of “Well, they’re not doing anything wrong, so why are you worried?”

And something inside you just… feels compelled to agree.

-

Team Rocket is branching out, apparently… they’re hiring out their thu- er, workers, you suppose, to perform labor on civil projects and the like. And still in their rubbery uniforms and all. It’s kind of weird that they’re still allowed to do that. 

But nobody ever seems to bother complaining about it. 

And the grunts always look so very confident.

And kind of cool, you increasingly admit to yourself…

-

On the bus to work you happen to sit behind one of them. Their outfit glistens in the passing lights. Those boots look sturdy, and the gloves dextrous.

A peculiar desire stirs within you.

-

Time seems to fly so fast… before you know it, a Rocket member’s been elected to a public office. They’ve gotten a lot more vocal about their strange ideals, of a unified, peaceful world… people are really buying into it. And it honestly does sound noble.

If they can make the world a better place, then who’s to stop them?

-

More and more people in uniform are appearing all over the city. Are they… recruiting?

Well, it does make sense. They’re not exactly a villain organization anymore. They’re doing better things now. Of course people want in on that!

Other benefits too, no doubt…

-

The city has agreed to contract them as police. Not only are they added to the force, still in their own uniforms of course, but apparently all Team Rocket members are now considered acting police, regardless of their role.

It’s a little difficult to adjust to, but… of course they would play that role. They’ve already been a beacon of unity in their own way. Just having them around makes you feel safe. They’re doing great things for this city.

It’d be silly to think otherwise.

-

One of your closest friends has joined them.

You only found out by chance, catching them patrolling the streets in full uniform. 

You start to worry for a moment… until they greet you with a warm smile.

Their new schedule leaves very little time to spare… but they find time to explain to you what a life changing experience Team Rocket has been. 

And there’s no doubt in your mind… this is still the person you know and enjoy. There’s no trickery here… They’ve genuinely just seen the light.

As they return to their duty, marching in perfect lockstep with his co-workers, a single thought nags at your mind.

Why were you ever afraid of Team Rocket again?

-

That bold red R is becoming a very common sight around here.

Not only on uniforms, but billboards. Walls. Buses. Blimps. Apparel.

They’ve gotten into merchandising, it seems. People are embracing their symbol. More and more reminders of the… glory… of Team Rocket…

Weird… your head felt funny for a moment there. Shouldn’t be anything to worry about.

You snag a nifty jacket on your way home for an astonishingly low price.

-

It’s time you admitted it to yourself… you’re really, really beginning to like Team Rocket.

You’ve found yourself fantasizing about protecting the city. Perfecting that march. W-wearing that lovely uniform…

You’ve worn that jacket every chance you get. The thought of that symbol at your breast fills you with an deep feeling of… security. Knowing they’ll always have your back.

Knowing the city is in good hands.

-

Today is supposed to be the mayoral election day. But nobody ran. 

At a certain point, everyone just tacitly agreed on who should really be in charge. The answer’s always been obvious anyway.

And so, on this day, Team Rocket has officially taken over the city. 

The applause was deafening.

Your heart still swells with pride.

-

You can’t remember the last time you’ve heard anyone speak ill of Team Rocket.

Everyone just… agrees. They accept Team Rocket’s command. They respect Team Rocket’s authority. Without fail, they hold Team Rocket in as high regard as anything else.

And so do you. 

The jacket almost never seems to leave your body. 

It feels like a part of you. 

And every so often, you find yourself uttering a soft phrase under your breath, almost in prayer.

“Glory to Team Rocket.”

-

Someone knocks on your door.

You open it, to be greeted by a Team Rocket officer, in full uniform.

He notes your jacket, and smiles warmly.

“You’ve been selected.”

That was all you needed to hear.

All else forgotten, you follow behind him, and accept the ride to Rocket HQ, now the towering centerpiece of the city.

You don’t need to go to your job anymore. They’ve already been informed that you won’t be working there anymore.

In fact, they’ve been in the process of being absorbed into the Rocket labor conglomerate anyway, like every other firm in the city. But you’re ready for greater things now.

The looming interior of their base would’ve unnerved you, if you didn’t know the truth already. Team Rocket is an unequivocal force for good.

You’re relieved of all of your personal belongings. Your home, along with every asset you own, will be repurposed for Team Rocket’s ends. 

Your only regret is not volunteering sooner. 

They require you to sign a contract. In no uncertain terms, you will be eternally bound to the glorious cause of Team Rocket. They will own you in full.

You sign without hesitation.

You expected to have to put the uniform on. But as it turns out, it’s much more… thorough than that. 

They all but graft it onto your body. The rubber feels absolutely heavenly. 

They tell you point blank that it will never come off. Music to your ears.

Your gloves, your boots, your belt… your cap. It all feels exactly like you’ve been imagining this entire time. Perfection.

The big red R now sits emblazoned on your chest. You maintain a stiff upright posture if only to ensure that it’s as visible as possible.

This is no uniform. It’s part of you. It’s your natural state of being.

They have one last surprise for you… they can make you into any Pokemon you desire. A casual rubber facelift, a tail attachment, extensions wherever they need to go.

You know exactly what you want.

With your look complete, it’s time for training. A rigorous regiment awaits you. Long hours of physical training, drills, and thorough lessons on routines, rhetoric, and protocols.

And several hours a day of voluntary hypnosis.

You’ve never been more ready in your life.

-

Team Rocket is your life now.

You patrol the streets with your fellow officer, a grin on your face at all times. A prosperous city, perpetually under the watchful eye of the almighty Team Rocket.

Team Rocket programming and mantras cycle through your mind nonstop. A constant source of comfort and confidence… not that your regulated mental state could ever struggle with such things.

You break your perfect marching formation just long enough to glance at your partner. You’d convinced them to join the team yourself. It’s a profound source of pride for you.

Approval rating is at a solid 100%. Dissidence is a thing of the past.

Nobody needed to be killed or threatened. For those who were more… hesitant, all it took was a little focused persuasion.

In fact, projections state that 40% of the citizenry will soon be signed up with the force. There’s not a single place on any street you can stand without at least a dozen of them being within view. There can never be too many hands on deck, after all!

Your task for the hour is to check on the “fire hydrants”, to ensure they’re working up to snuff.

You open its control panel in full few of the public. Nobody is surprised. Nobody is confused. These days the device’s true nature is an open secret, and not only are people understanding of it…

They’re grateful. They know that their minds are in good hands.

Soon, the devices will be upstaged by an enormous beacon at the summit of Team Rocket HQ. Proudly spreading the good word throughout the entire city and beyond, and securing Rocket’s eternal control over any minds that linger in its radius.

Public opinion all but demands it be done. They know what they need. They know where they belong.

They understand the glory of Team Rocket.

The future is looking bright with Team Rocket at the helm.