Snippet #2778828

Do not be so amazed, Lori. Do your work well as you do; that will suffice for me. Additionally, relax, Matthew. You do not need to take the test. You are not a Pokemon upon my last observation, done just now. Ongoing. I am pleased that you've fully used the resources we make available. It adds some familiarity between us already. I had my Secretary, Kelley, handle all the paperwork. I don't spend too much effort on it. Everything I need to keep tabs on concerning you are tabs already kept. We'll see you out of your state of living current.

Zoltan laughed once more.

Marahaha! If Lori is recommending you, then that is a valid vouch for I can accept. However, I will not have you begin unattended. General Sheed! Please, come forth!

Entering the room quickly, a young Trainer in model military-inspired garb stepped forward and briefly struck a pose invoking a familiar Z-shape, apparently a salute of some kind.

Sir...!

General Sheed, I am assigning our new Associate to your supervision. His name is Matthew Carpenter, though I am certain he prefers, "Matt." Ensure he does suitably; Lori speaks highly of him, and her opinions carry weight. I'll also leave his training and introduction to you as well. I will transfer Lori to your supervision, so he has a good friend to lean on while he learns.

Understood... I will make sure he succeeds.

She struck the odd Z-shaped pose once more briefly, then turned to Matt and Lori. Zoltan addressed Matt one more time.

Do not fail us, Matthew. You will be given all the opportunities you require, and all the tools you need, to succeed. Success and merit will be earned by you alone; no one else can do it for you. Work hard, and you will go far- marahahaha! Now go!

Victoria would have Lori and Matt follow her out of the room, and back down the stairs to the main hall. From there, she lead them both down a second set of stairs to an underground Training Area. Aside from having a small arena, there were also all sorts of devices and other items that were no doubt used as a part of work.

It was here that Matt and Lori got a good look at Victoria. She looked young, and couldn't be older than 14. She was shorter than them, but she had long blond hair, piercing red eyes, and a stoic look that nonetheless created a striking presence. Along her belt, four special Poke Balls resided, each with a unique design based on the Z-Force colors. The medallion she wore reflected the badge that indicated her rank of General and it had slots for a Keystone and a Z-Crystal, of which both were present. Lori would know the General rank was rare and awarded only to a select few. Only Secretaries enjoyed as much merit within the Z-Force as Generals did (Secretaries did the paperwork, while Generals did the fieldwork) and being made a General was exclusively Zoltan's choice; it could not be earned through doing the work or earning promotions.

Associate... You are new. I must assess your strength, so we shall do battle. Take your place at one end of the arena. The area for you to stand is marked. I will be looking at your potential, and this battle will tell me much of what I need to know...so do not hold back. I will work you fitting your performance, but Lord Zoltan is expectant. Winning or losing is of no importance here... I only wish to see your full strength.

Victoria then walked to one end of the arena and stood.

I will use a single Pokemon... Use a single one of yours. The most common battle you will encounter will be Single Battles.

Victoria was no-nonsense it seemed.