MENTAL LINK.

[batmotif]

[Though it may be the first time that Bruce has reached out to everyone mentally, there’s no hesitation in how quickly his voice permeates in other hosts’ heads. As with most things, the man gets right to it — besides, this isn’t exactly being done for the sake of pleasantries.

Straight to business then:]

(If you’ve been paying attention, you’d know that Public Security Commissioner Seong-Hye Ngozi has been hiding something. I plan on visiting her office to find out exactly what that is.)

[Images of the office building itself filters through the link, the fruit of prior research and reconnaissance. And the implication is more than clear that this isn’t exactly going to be a scheduled office visit.]

(I’ll need distractions outside of the Public Security offices. Only volunteer if you’re confident that you know what you’re doing.)

[He’s sure questions are on their way, but he’s not willing to entertain them preemptively. Thus, his words end there.]

((ooc; this is the post for your character to ICly offer themselves to help with the break-in plot. (As detailed here.) Note that while Bruce might not find everyone’s credentials compelling, that won’t stop your character from coordinating with others if they want. He's not your supervisor!!!

Therefore, threadjacking is highly encouraged so all characters can sort out their plotting together!)

Comments

[batmotif]

[The response of a broodmate instigates immediate attention from Bruce, though it's followed by a cautious hesitation that is impossible to ignore.]

(Define "quite a bit", Rey. )

[While he'll not say as much, he's going to be particularly protective of broodmates, meaning that he'll not think of taking them along on the most precarious part of the mission without due consideration.]

[sensitively]

( I've pilfered the interiors of massive starships, for most of my life. That may not sound very much like espionage to you, but I grew to maturity in a very hostile territory. It was better to keep quiet and keep to yourself. ) [ The last thing she'd wanted in those cases was for other scavengers to take her plunder for themselves. ]

( And I helped infiltrate the mobile weapons station I told you about, the Starkiller that Hux managed. I helped with the sabotage of its oscillator, giving the Resistance a fighting chance at stopping it. )

[ There's earnestness in her thoughts. ] ( I can do this. I want to help. )

[narcissithstic]

(She's young. Inexperienced. You'd be better off taking someone proficient in the Force that can act without being in the building itself.)

[Someone like....(drumroll) him.]

[sensitively]

[ !!! ]

( Someone like you, you mean? You're about as subtle as a rancor.

And I'm not young! )

[narcissithstic]

(If that was all I was capable of, I would never have surpassed Supreme Leader Snoke's former apprentices.)

[PS you're a baby and no one likes you.]

[sensitively]

[ she grudgingly concedes to herself that he has a point, that stronger Force abilities such as his would be an asset to the mission - but he's intentionally sowing distrust with a member of her brood. not ok. ]

( I'm not interested in whom you've 'surpassed'. ) [ yes she is. ] ( You may have stronger abilities, but not everything for this mission can be done outside of the building. You should keep in mind that other skillsets are needed. )

[ i.e. when have you ever been anything but loud and in the way, buddy ]

[narcissithstic]

[A careful pause, and then, curiously...]

(Are you suggesting we work together?)

[sensitively]

( No! ) [ the response is immediate and furious before she assembles her thoughts further. ] ( That's not what I'm suggesting, at all. Don't be ridiculous.

I'm suggesting that you do your part, whatever you're qualified to contribute to this mission, and I will do mine. )

[narcissithstic]

[Rey, sweet summer child....]

(You realize that is exactly the definition of cooperation.

That you and I, if we agreed to pursue that course of action, would be allies as much as any other member of the Nest.)

[batmotif]

[Guess who's barreling into this conversation.]

(Is there going to be a problem here?)

[If someone can aid them in their mission, he's not one to turn away the help -- unless this is going to cause a conflict, a distraction that might put them all in danger. That needs to be nipped in the bud.]

[narcissithstic]

(Not if she's willing to cooperate - I won't jeopardize our mission with infighting.

Otherwise, evaluate our skills. Take whichever one of us is best suited to your needs.)

[I.e. him. According to him, anyway.]

[batmotif]

[He's almost quick to point out that there certainly seems to be a fair amount of infighting right here -- but he also won't deny that Rey seems to be the more... heated of the two.

He'll call her out on it, in their own link. But for now:]

(Both of you can contribute to the mission, assuming you're willing and able to cooperate. But whatever animosity there is between you two needs to be swept aside completely; otherwise, there's no point in even entertaining this conversation.)

[Are you able to do that, he wonders? From what he's seeing so far, he can't be sure.]

[sensitively]

[ she's not as much chagrined that he's listening in, as she is determined not to let Ren take the potential opportunity away from her. ]

( There won't be a problem. I can do this despite his influence. He won't be a distraction. )

[batmotif]

[Sorry, Rey, broodmate or not, he has to point out the obvious.]

(He seems to be plenty distraction right now.)

[sensitively]

[ how dare!! ]

( We would not be allies — our roles don't need to overlap, or even interact. We would simply be tolerant of one another.

It certainly doesn't excuse anything that you've done. Don't mistake my desire to participate as a desire to wipe the slate clean. )

[narcissithstic]

(Whether you like it or not, scavenger, we're both part of the Nest now.

Coexistence is a necessity.)

[A fortunate one, if you ask him. For her...he imagines less so.]

[sensitively]

( Coexistence. Not allegiance. )

[ there's a difference!! ]

[batmotif]

[The earnestness is heard loud and clear, though concern still flickers in the background of his thoughts. Bruce is quiet for a moment, and it's a wonder if he even intends on responding at all; then the words finally come.]

(Two broodmates working together might prove useful, but it also might be equally distracting.) [Weighing the pros and cons of the situation is something he can't help but do.] (I believe what you're telling me, but I have to know that you'll listen to what you're told to do. No improvising unless absolutely necessary.

I'm also working with Mara. I assume that's not going to be an issue?)

[sensitively]

( I'll defer to your judgment. It's your plan, after all. I just want to make myself useful to the Nest, rather than work against it, for once. )

[ the Mara factor is irritating, but ultimately not a deal breaker. ] ( And I do know how to keep to myself, when needed. )

[batmotif]

[Her reassurances are good to hear, even if Bruce will never be completely without his reservations. Still, that's just how he is -- he will be wary until someone can truly prove themselves, and even then, he keeps a close eye on them.

Rey could be given a chance. It seems that Mara is willing to cooperate as well from their own conversation, and so he makes a judgment call.]

(Fine.) [Again, straight to business.] (If you're going to work with us, I need to know what it is you can do. Specifically.)

[Her powers, he means. Symbiote or otherwise.]

[sensitively]

[ Convincing Bruce she's ready for this will be anything but child's play, she knows. ]

( I have natural mechanical aptitude; show me something mechanical or electric, and I'll take it apart and demonstrate to you how it works. I can hotwire automatic doors, disable security equipment, whatever is required.

Additionally, like Kylo Ren, I have a measure of control over the Force — and by that I mean various degrees of telekinesis and telepathy, beyond what's granted by the symbiote. I can control objects without touching them. )

[ the next part is more difficult to explain, fully: ] ( I can control people, as well. )

[batmotif]

[So far, so good. A mechanical aptitude and control over this "Force" would lend well to their infiltration, but naturally it's the part that's harder to explain that piques the most interest.]

(Control how, exactly?)

[sensitively]

( I can control their thoughts, and their actions. I had a measure of this power before I came to Concordia, through the Force, but some of my abilities have been diminished somewhat. Except for the compulsion. )

[ There's some uncertainty in the way she explains it, not for lack of confidence but because she's untrained and hasn't got the proper wording to adequately express it. ] ( It's called the 'Jedi Mindtrick'. If I focus on a particular individual in a certain manner I can control what they say, what they do, what they believe.

It's akin to momentary brainwashing. ) [ and that realization is somewhat discomfiting, when she words it in her head in such a way. ]

[batmotif]

[Discomfiting? Certainly. But though she expresses an uncertainty that would make most doubtful, Bruce sees it as a sincere willingness to aid the mission, even in the face of apprehension. It's admirable in its sincerity, and to ignore such a useful asset would be equally foolish.

(And perhaps there's a bias there, being a broodmate and all. He'd die before admitting that much.)]

(This... Jedi Mindtrick, how reliable is it? Can you use it indefinitely?)

[sensitively]

( ...I don't know. ) [ Honesty is without a doubt the best avenue that will serve them both here; she won't make claims where she's not certain of her abilities. ] ( I've only used it once, both in the world I came from and here, in Concordia; formerly it took more of a struggle and concentration for it to work on my part, but what I experienced at the vigil makes me believe it can come much easier to me here. Through the symbiote, I'm imagining. )

( It only seems to be temporary, a brief moment's effect, but I have every reason to believe I can utilize it more than once on the same individual without their knowledge of it occurring. )