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

[greentech]

( Angel and Sam? Yeah, I've talked to them. I don't really see why that matters, though. )

[ Yep, she's a prickly teenager alright. ]

( I'm still good enough. )

[batmotif]

(Whether or not you're good enough isn't the issue. The issue is where you're going to be the most effective, without compromising stealth.

Talking to them matters because I want you to collaborate with them if they're willing. Three heads is going to be better than just one.)

[greentech]

[ Pidge is a touch frustrated. No one ever doubted her on her old team. They just... trusted her to get the job done. Of course, it was a smaller team and they didn't have much of a choice. ]

( Angel and I both think that having physical access to the hardware is probably the surest way of making sure we don't get traced. I HAVE talked to them. )

[batmotif]

[That frustration is noted, but it (probably annoyingly) slides off of Bruce like water. There is a mental equivalent of a sigh somewhere in there, too.]

(Let's talk about this in person.)

[Face to face conversations are still more manageable to him than exchanging words (and more importantly, feelings) over a mental connection. Besides, he has something to pick up, anyway).]

[greentech]

( You know where to find me. )

[ She's in her room, with some odds and ends scattered around her, computer set up and gently humming along. It's not a complete mess, but it's definitely a teenager's room. ]

[batmotif]

[It doesn't take long for Bruce to arrive; he's often punctual enough, especially where something as critical as talking about a mission is concerned, and picking up equipment.

Two knocks on her door, if she couldn't already sense him drawing nearer due to their mental link.]

[greentech]

It's open!

[ Pidge is perched on her bed, computer in her lap. She types something and then glances up, adjusting her glasses. She points at the desk - there's a grapple gun there, although it looks as if it's been put together with spare parts and stuff you could buy at a hardware store. ]

Let me know what you think.

[batmotif]

[He enters, only briefly glancing around. The mess is not completely unexpected, and Bruce watches his step as he enters, closing the door behind him. No greeting, he just makes his way to where the grappling gun lies, picking it up and examining it.]

I'll have to give it a test run or two. I'll let you know if any adjustments can be made.

[But of course, that's only half of why he's here. He drops his hand, feeling the balance and weight of his new gadget while he simultaneously states:]

I know you're frustrated, but you're smart enough to know why we can't afford another member on our team.

[greentech]

I'm smart enough to know that you'll need me.

[ Pidge sounds a touch bitter. Why should she be surprised, though? The "adults" were going to handle everything and she should just not ask questions or try to help. Just stay behind, let the real experts handle it. ]

[batmotif]

Did I ever say that we didn't need you?

[Kids, and taking things personally. Sheesh.]

You'd still be an integral part of the mission.

[greentech]

By trying to give someone else my skills so they can do my job?

[ Objectively, it's not that different from instructing someone over the phone, but it feels different. And that matters. ]

[batmotif]

And what about remote access? Is that not going to be possible from wherever you're stationed?

[Worse comes to worse, he'd rather have Pidge doing the work directly, even if it had to be off-site.]

[greentech]

It might be... If I could put together something that would let me tunnel in. Which might throw up some red flags. I'm just not sure how good they'll actually be at tracking me down if and when they figure out what's going on.

[ She shrugs. ]

Mara's made it pretty clear that she doesn't think you guys need my help. Maybe she can figure it out. She's going to be going, right?

[ She doesn't mean that, but she's crabby. ]

[batmotif]

[Bruce isn't hesitant to pry, only encouraged to ask by Pidge's obvious frustration towards the woman.]

Do you have a problem with Mara?

[greentech]

You don't?

[ Pidge retorts bitterly. She apparently has a list. ]

She's an arrogant jerk who thinks that she's better then everyone! She thinks that my experience doesn't count, that I'm just some kind of beginner, and she clearly believes that we'd be so much better off if we just let her handle everything, because apparently she's perfect!

[ Ugh! Pidge throws up her hands. ]

How could you not have a problem with her?

[batmotif]

[Those are some Strong Feelings that you have towards Mara, Pidge. Bruce isn't taken aback, not really -- honestly, he can fathom why someone might feel that way towards her. He's been at the brunt of her sarcasm and thinly-veiled insults before as well.]

I never said I didn't have a problem with certain facets of her personality. But I'm willing to work with her because I want the mission to succeed.

[greentech]

If she thinks she can do it on her own, let her.

[ Pidge is definitely bitter about Mara. Yep. ]

[batmotif]

But she can't.

[Do it on her own, he means.]

Even if Mara thinks she could, she still needs the help of others, otherwise she wouldn't be working with me. With anyone. Would you put the mission at risk by refusing your skills, just because you think she's arrogant?

[greentech]

[ Pidge takes a deep breath. Bruce is right, but that doesn't mean she has to like it. ]

I'm not going to refuse to help. I just want you to know that she shouldn't be a part of this.

[batmotif]

[Well, at least she's still willing to help. That's the most important thing; Bruce can try to ease her discomfort, but there's only so much of that he's even suited for.]

Then let's see if she'll prove herself. You won't even need to communicate with her unless absolutely necessary.

[greentech]

Good. Because I don't want to have anything to do with her.

[ So there. Bruce probably gets an inadvertent mental blast of frustration and irritation. ]

[batmotif]

[He definitely has to put up his mental barriers to reflect some of that away, yeesh.]

After this, no one is going to force you to do otherwise. You can make your own decisions on the matter; all I can say is that you reserve some judgment until after the mission itself is over. See where you stand then.

[greentech]

Fine. I'll wait and see.

[ Still not happy, but she'll do it. ]

[batmotif]

That's all I need to know.

[That's that, then.]