[backdated to day 44: mental link]

[adamance]

[Withholding information had not been Lexa's goal, but she had wanted to thoroughly research what she could before she brought it to the rest of the Nest. For that reason, Lexa has been busy, but has been careful not to reveal what she has in hand until she's ready. Even as she prepares to speak to the Nest, she's not completely prepared, and there's a sense of agitation over this.

By now, she already knows the results of them following Ven, but they haven't yet received the information they require. Why they didn't take the opportunity is bothersome in and of itself, but there is little that she can change about that. It's about moving forward, and it's not as if she has the fullest degree of faith in the Nest. Nothing changes that.]

( Today, I'd like to speak to you all about the results of our meeting with Mind Life. The conversations we had prior to this meeting with the hacker group that privately contacted us may have been accurate on this front. ) [She deliberates revealing what she told them about their goals, but decides against it: Mind Life's desperation to remain stagnant and inactive is worrisome, to say the least.] ( They have their hearts in the right place, but not their minds. I'd say it's ironic given the name of their organization, but not surprising. They prefer passive communication over action. Their idealism may be worthwhile, but they have little help to offer because they refuse to make a show of any aggression.

As a result, our only boon from them is a list of people who they deem trustworthy. Or untrustworthy. Unsurprisingly, Saffit is on the list of unsavory individuals. She doubts that even the untrustworthy men could be behind the bombings, but we may come to see her perspective as one of denial given her unwillingness to act.

I've done the beginning search into many of the other individuals named, but I cannot be as thorough as any of our technical people. Trust that I will not be handing over this list lightly, and that the contents of it will not be available to everyone in the Nest. I would rather prevent any reactionary behavior as a result of what Sheena Frey chose to write down. ) [If anything, she refuses to share everything on the list with the Nest. She may give names, or an idea of whether or not someone is on the list, but she doesn't want any of the Hosts to set out on a crusade.

Especially when she can barely trust Sheena's judgment.]

Comments

[exhuxperation]

( What do you expect withholding information will achieve? )

[adamance]

( Caution. We have too many plans to see through before we lose focus. How those pan out may or may not affect this list, and how we approach it. )

[She has other reasons: there are individuals she would rather keep from seeing the list and acting on it to seem like they accomplished something here. (Ilde, who rests. And Kylo Ren, for more obvious reasons.) Should it fall into their hands, she doesn't think any organization they've achieved will go well.

There are others, of course, like Mara Jade who acts knowledgeably when she knows nothing.]

( And I do not trust her judgment. She didn't lie to us, but that isn't necessarily the truth, either. ) [Someone else may be more inclined because of their mission. But idealism doesn't make someone wise.]

[exhuxperation]

( And if any of those names come to light during those plans? You mention that they may affect the list, but the reverse can be just as true.

I'd rather not place full trust in her judgement either, but withholding information that could potentially be used is ill advised. )

[ Onto other matters: ]

( Regardless of certain individuals you may want to keep it from– this group does not function like a normal military unit, Lexa. They will not just take orders when pointed in a direction. You'll be asked why, where, and how. Just as any free-thinking individual would.

Moreover, we're all mentally linked. Distrust against any of the others serves only to cripple you. )

[ He's been learning that the hard way. For several years, with Ren. And now for a few months, with the rest of them. ]

[unsea]

( Of the names Sheena Frey has provided - how many might you say are names we would be familiar with?

Saffit excluded. I have plans to discern his level of involvement. )

[ he's among those Not Pleased by her decision to keep information from them and he's biting that back for now. ]

[adamance]

( Two. For which reason, I hope you can understand why the list may not be of much use right now. )

[Besides, she is willing to hand over the list, but not to everyone. The Darkling would currently count as someone she wouldn't trust as she hasn't yet discerned his motivations just yet.]

[unsea]

( It is fine enough start. Thank you for your efforts, Commander. )

[ That's... really it. Her mistrust is not unfounded, and the list is under her control and discretion. ]

[deployed]

( Does Mind Life even have the resources for a direct attack? )

[adamance]

( No, even an attack done with words rather than violence.

But with us, they could. Quite easily.

That is not how they hope to protect the AI of this world. )

[Lexa likely feels as if she is loudly condemning them.

That's because she is.]

[headinjuries]

( You sure about keeping it back? )

[ He's seen it, naturally. He was there. But she's holding onto it, and like hell does he remember all those names. ]

( I mean...secrets in this place. They don't always work so well. )

[adamance]

( For now. If I had reason to give them over quickly and to everyone, I would. Trust that, Sam. )

[Hint: she is not lying.]

[decommission]

( Reactionary behavior? )

[ Considering that conversation they had a while back he can, uh, kind of see who what she's referring to. But even so, he agrees with Sam. ]

[adamance]

( People take pride in surprising things. )

[If anything, her altercation with Kylo Ren tells her that much.]

[frakkincylons]

( You sure that's the best idea? Keeping secrets in a hivemind? )

[ it also maybe concerns him a little that this seems like a decision lexa and lexa only made. there's of course good reasons for secrecy at times, but they come with the price of separation and distrust from the rest of a body, especially when it comes from a commanding seat, but that's the thing. lexa is a commander, but not commander of the nest. sam's not sure how he feels about that one way or another, but he's near certain some within this nest would object.

it might be asking for more trouble than she's looking for. ]

( Are the names worth what's gonna piss people off about being kept in the dark? )

[adamance]

( It's less the names and more what we've achieved. We are finally working as a unit.

We all keep secrets. ) [This seems to be the point that baffles her the most. They may be in a hive mind, but Lexa knows none of them are as open as they could be. Some might be, but most are hiding away the things that would make them most vulnerable.

Or that's what she assumes.]

( I had hoped to have you look into the names. Are you willing? )

[wrackful]

( You know, if you're going to keep crap from people, it's usually a better idea not to tell them. Unless this is some grounder thing like we're all meant to fight each other to the death for it now. )

[adamance]

( Fighting to the death wasn't my aim. )

[That is all but a confirmation for it being a cultural thing. Lexa is surprisingly transparent when she's being a dick, and she doesn't have any good reason to hide it.

Among her people, it's seen as strength.]

[snaphiss]

( You're withholding information, and we can request it so you can decide whether or not to graciously release it? )

( So you're judgemental and insecure? )

[adamance]

( I'm not surprised that you perceive yourself to be on the receiving end of that judgment. )

[Which is really all she has to say, because she makes it really clear that she isn't interested in a further conversation with her.]

[greentech]

( You actually have a point. )

[ You know, for once. ]

[greentech]

( Correct me if I'm wrong, but we are all supposed to be on the same team, right? Why do so many of you act like we're not? )

[adamance]

( Oddly enough, you'll find that people have decided to rally against my choice here. If I knew this would inspire teamwork, I would have done it sooner.

If you want a serious answer: not everyone is so altruistic that their lives are worth protecting another. )

[sizeofyourbaggage]

( At least you're honest about the secrets you're deciding to keep. )

[ Sam kind of thinks it's stupid, given how easy secrets are discovered in the mind link, but he understands the hesitation behind it, and not wanting to give out sensitive information to someone you might not trust. He wouldn't have been able to be part of a top secret government experiment if he didn't. ]

( What would make you willing to give names to someone? )

[adamance]

( Reassurance that whoever takes the list, or parts of it, would use it to perform research and delve into the pasts of the names involved. Assuming that I hope to keep it to myself and do nothing with it is what has led to me granting access to no one. ) [Because apparently arguing with her about the initial decision is going to change her mind. Lexa still feels as if she didn't make a mistake there. But she's obstinate about things like that.]

( I am largely keeping it where it is so that we can continue with the plans we have in place. Taking us off track may prove unwise. )

[nirsighted]

[There's a spike, a hot sharp buzz laced with anxiety. Tastes like nausea. Takes like something sick with fear. Metal tang, copper like blood. Worry, worry, worry.]

[adamance]

[Only one person can buzz like that. She opens the link sharply, but privately.]

( Speak. )