INTERPOL'S FINEST.

ah, he loved seeing men like looker squirm. he masked it better than others, but sakaki was an expert in detecting the more subtle shifts in the expressions of others. the dilation of pupils from stressed, the subtle clench of a jaw.

all the while, sakaki maintained his own smile.

" information bureau? " sakaki echoed his question with a contemplative tone, thinking for a moment as he tilted his head. " a good idea, but no. new recruits are recommended to refer to their superiors for guidance or the handbook they were provided during initiation. "

a handbook far too sparse to use as any concrete evidence, detailing basic things like who to report to for new uniforms, how to find one's superior, and overall guidelines--such as that their stay was permanent.

the archives lou karr likely sought were for admin-level privileges only, and even then, there were some records only he could access.

" usually, i would recommend you seek admin sterling for aid, but i have free time today. "

sakaki's smile widened ever-so-slightly.

the  suggestion  of  heading  to  sakaki's  office  made  looker's  stomach  twist  in  a  way  that  almost  sent  him  turning  on  his  heel.  sure,  he  was  here  to  gather  information  on  sakaki  and  the  inner  workings  of  team  rocket,  but  heading  to  his  office  felt  a  death  sentence.  did  he  always  invite  grunts  in  for  a  chat?  that  was  something  he  would  need  to  ask  around.

"  eh  ...  of  course.  i  appreciate  you  taking  the  time  to  help  me  get  situated.  sir.  "

" of course--it is important to me that every new recruit acclimates well into our organization. this is a lifetime commitment, after all. "

as sakaki smiled, knowing and yet coy, persian curled around from behind him. the massive cat peered up at lou karr with suspicious, gleaming eyes, obviously not as taken by the agent's disguise as sakaki was. he had to admit, he did meld in well--he knew from archer's reports that the other peons hadn't perceived him as anything more than a comrade, oblivious to his true nature.

had sakaki lacked eyes in every corner of this organization, lou karr may have been able to slip by unseen. alas.

'lifetime  commitment'  —  the  phrase  paired  with  sakaki's  smug  grin  made  looker's  skin  crawl.  he's  had  his  fair  share  of  encounters  with  those  in  team  rocket  who  are  devoted  with  their  heart  and  soul  to  the  organisation,  but  within  the  walls  of  its  headquarters,  looker  has  already  brushed  shoulders  with  a  couple  of  grunts  who  are  were  clearly  lured  in  my  some  false  promise  or  idea.

doing  his  best  not  to  grimace,  looker  nodded,  unsure  if  this  was  his  cue  to  salute  once  more  and  leave.