[006] [Audio, heard in your preferred language]

[skinbrand]

Cliff, I'm not certain you meant to leave your translator on the counter.

But... thank you.

[She's about to cut off the transmission right there, but hesitation stays her hand. Nel's head bows.]

Be safe, friend.

((ooc: Cliff left his offworlder!comm behind -- unrelated to the default ship comm -- and until stated otherwise, feel free to

Comments

[text]

[soldierbee]

[Holy crap. She's speaking Cybertronian.]

Nel, correct? May I have a quick word with you?

[Audio]

[skinbrand]

Affirmative. Should I come to you?

[text]

[soldierbee]

[It is really weird to hear that language coming from an organic.]

It might actually be better to keep it on the comms, not to be impersonal. I can't speak aloud. If you'd prefer to meet though, I can just send messages to my comm and you can read them off of it.

[Audio]

[skinbrand]

[And for her part, not having to translate every fucking thing on the network is a miracle.]

Oh, not at all. I misinterpreted and thought it might be something private.

What do you need?

[text]

[soldierbee]

Marco requested I take over Gamma squad in Cliff's absence. I wanted to know if you were still interested in serving.

[Audio]

[skinbrand]

... Hmm.

[Nel can hardly fault Marco for defaulting to Bee, since he doesn't know her all that well or that she's a hardcore military woman. It rankles a little nonetheless.]

If you want to lead in his stead, I'll step down. I would be interested in staying on the squad.

[text]

[soldierbee]

I haven't led a team in quite a long time, not to mention that my handicap would make it difficult to communicate with team members on the field. If you're interested I'd be more than happy to pass leadership on to you.

[Audio]

[skinbrand]

[She thinks about it, and it would be a lie to say it isn't tempting, because as much as she has to keep herself busy all day long, it's not the same as her real job.

At the same time, Nel is okay with playing the shadow. Decisions, decisions.]

If you're unavailable or incapable, I can take the reins. Until then, by all means; I only ask that you keep me informed.

[text// Locked // unhackable]

[soldierbee]

[Time for some blunt honesty.]

My loyalties lie with my faction and the members within it; namely, Ironhide and Ratchet, or any other officer that may show up here. That doesn't mean to say I won't take charge of the team in a responsible manner, but if Marco were to ask for something that conflicts with the beliefs of my faction, I may refuse.

If that's acceptable to you, then I'll retain leadership if that's what you prefer, but to be perfectly honest I'm not all that excited about it.

[Audio]

[skinbrand]

[She can respect that.

Nel can't lock for shit, so she settles for choosing her words carefully.]

No one here is my acting authority. I am honored to serve Her Majesty and no one else. In her absence, I'll do what is right and necessary.

[Read as: Marco can talk all he wants, but Nel is going to decide for her own damn self if she wants to do it.]

Your leadership is acceptable.

[And if what she thinks is right and necessary conflicts with Bee's beliefs, then she won't be putting him in a position to have to refuse. Nel is accustomed to solo work.]

[text]

[soldierbee]

All right then.

I'll contact you later, if that's acceptable.

[Audio]

[skinbrand]

Agreed. Thank you for contacting me -- Bee, is it? It's appreciated.

[Oh wait a second.]

I'm also a medic, so if anyone you know needs a healing, feel free to look me up.

[text]

[soldierbee]

Bumblebee, but Bee's fine; it's my nickname.

And duly noted, that's good to know. Thanks a lot!