04. mental link

[exhuxperation]

COMMAND over oneself and others	AMBITION nothing will stand in my way
ORDER chaos will not be tolerated	MANY over the individual

( CODE BY WHAMBAM )

Comments

[adamance]

( Yet the question of that still comes down to a matter of leadership. You and I both know we're capable. Why do we need to prove our worth to those who don't wish to take the reins? )

[If they were speaking of a governing body, these thoughts would be treasonous. Lexa knows that as well as she assumes that the General does. However, there is no government here, just the idea of a Nest that hangs over their head to ensure that they don't hurt one another.

Thankfully, that isn't in her plans. Yet. She won't need to come up with a way to take care of certain persons because they aren't interested in promoting their cause.

There is a pause, making it seem as if she's done speaking, but she does have another thought:]

( It may not be time to assert what I'm thinking among the entire Nest. But we are of like mind and in the same brood. We can see what discipline we can bring to those closest to us. )

[exhuxperation]

( If you take Prince and Cathaway out of the picture– leadership takes time and respect. You of all people should understand that. Stepping up won't just be a matter of saying one is in charge and assuming everyone will take it at face value. )

[ Especially certain people. Though admittedly, Ren knows him well enough that he might follow. Still, Hux is loathe to get rid of any information source so early on. He doesn't exactly like Cathaway, but his last meeting with her had been on the enlightening side. She and Prince are looking for people to fill a role, especially on-planet. They won't be joining the rest of them, which seems boggling but he can't expect anything to proceed as normal here. ]

( I don't think making any large moves is going to win us favors. This will take coordination, even amongst those who aren't closest to us. Getting rid of the borderline troublemakers affects all of us– we'll only be as strong as the weakest link until we figure out how to pull them to a viable level. )

[adamance]

( It takes more than time and respect. It takes skill. Many people begin without that. )

[It takes something else, too: to be chosen, to rise up and take the spirit of a leader into their body. But she keeps these thoughts to herself. Her skill as a commander has been challenged even with the spirit resting inside of her. People have doubted her willingness to protect her people because they don't think the title means everything.]

( So I again suggest that we attempt to organize our brood. We've neglected to organize ourselves and ensure that we each have the same knowledge. I do not want to be weakened as others have been because someone's been careless. )

[Frankly, she doesn't want to deal with the emotional impact of losing someone she considers a near stranger.

It sounds ... tedious. She felt for Angel, but she doesn't want to experience it herself.]

[exhuxperation]

( Skill is inherent and implied. One isn't granted respect without it. )

[ His story and ascent to power is different. No choosing, no spirits from leaders. He'd gotten to his rank through technological prowess, dominating strategically and closing off all avenues for anyone to be contrary. Nothing frightens higher ranking officials more than young person with powerful ambitions and all the means at their disposal. He doesn't have the doubt of his crew on the Finalizer, regardless of what other Order ranks may say. They follow him to the letter, with no hesitation.

(It's a note of pride, even amongst the still clinging grief over their loss). ]

( Brood first, nest second. There are some who are contradictory, but it would not be wise to keep them out of the fold. )

[ They're all on the same team, right? ]

[adamance]

[They are all on the same team, and it's their responsibility to keep those others alive. Losing them is tedious. They needn't be weakened by their circumstances, in part because being inside of each other's heads is bad enough.]

( We should propose it to them. Create a system. Take responsibility. Ensure that we have everyone on the same page when it comes to missions. We won't be clueless about where the others are. ) [It will prevent any of them from getting killed because of the actions of another brood. That, too, seems necessary.]

[exhuxperation]

[ They're all on the same team, for better or worse. If they can pull the rest up and have them carry their weight, they won't need to worry so much about losing them. No matter what, they will be only as strong as the weakest amongst them. Brendol would hate this circumstance– he believed most in pruning the useless parts of the crop.

That won't work here, for obvious reasons. ]

( Agreed. I doubt they'll have too many objections to at least this. There are a few unknowns, but ultimately, the idea is that their survival percentage will be higher with working together. )

[ Most people like to stay alive, as a base need. ]

[adamance]

( In addition, I'd like to propose a training regiment. We will need to be physically capable, as well. I assume you're already well-prepared in that arena, but I'm accustomed to handling the training of my novitiates. ) [Through the link, Hux will be able to sense that these are the individuals who are next in line to be the Commander of her people.

Since he agrees, she doesn't mind moving on to this. Having an agenda before they approach the others will be good: it will give off the air of organization.]

[exhuxperation]

( One thing at a time, but yes, I'd consider that something to bring up. We don't know exactly what we'll be getting into on any of these missions. Alongside that, I suppose it's not too farfetched to propose a tactical crash course. Or at the very least, an organized way to go about emergency situations. )

[ Quite unfortunately, he hasn't kept up with his physical training as much as Lexa likely has. He usually left that in the hands of Phasma, seeing as she was the brute strength of the Order. That isn't to say he can't protect himself, but his likelihood of outlasting a good fighter in a scuffle is much lower.

Well, they do say part of leadership is knowing the strengths and weaknesses of each person under your command. For these types of situations. ]

[adamance]

( One thing at a time. )

[Lexa does agree, but she realizes that they can use this regiment and tactical knowledge to their advantage. If they wish to impose order upon the others, they can, but it may be easier if they look like they're taking initiative. In that, they will earn respect, and will be seen as leaders.]

( I propose that we go forward with the training first. Our knowledge will prove valuable, and our broodmates will respect our initiative. It'll be easier to go forward with our other plans from there, and we'll have an idea about their ... capabilities. ) [Of which she actually knows very little, aside from the fact that Nathaniel can shapeshift.]

[exhuxperation]

[ Hux sees it less like imposing order but more training them up to accept it. Which in some places, is probably just as bad. Either way, there's merit in getting everyone more or less on the same page. If it ends up with them in leadership, that suits him just fine. And if it doesn't, at least it will hopefully go well enough that they won't have to worry about getting stabbed in the back. ]

( It will be a good foundation to start there. If anything, it will give the lot a better idea of what everyone can do, that way they can learn to utilize their strengths. )

[adamance]

[Then it's settled. She seems pleased with this approach.]

( How would you like to go about informing them? )

i don't know how the frick i missed this

[exhuxperation]

[ A comfortable feeling seems to settle between them. They have a plan. Or at least the outlines of one. Better than having nothing at all. ]

( It'd be best in person. Perhaps not on the station– at the start of the next mission. It's easier to hold something in one's mind if it's fresh. )

it's cool dude

[adamance]

( Then we'll prioritize it when we reach our next mission. )

[That seems like a wise choice, especially given the fact that they are all strong-willed and might not take well to it. Perhaps the mission will prove why it's necessary and they can return to it.

Yes, that sounds ideal.

(Though she really does wish they had a group of loyal warriors at their disposal. That would make things far easier.)]

( I think we've covered all I needed to speak with you about. Do you have any other concerns? )