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Post by Kup on Mar 30, 2011 12:53:43 GMT -5
Kup was talking about Rodimus's choice of timing for checking 'feeds'!
Although the fact that what he said could be so easily misinterpreted might say a lot about why he had so much trouble with Hot Rod.
He scowls at what Xaaron has to say concerning Twin Twist, but since this isn't the time to push the matter, he doesn't. Instead, he just watches Sentinel's reaction while listening to the other two speak.
OOC: Skippable.
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Post by Emirate Xaaron on Mar 31, 2011 14:24:34 GMT -5
Emirate Xaaron watches Sentinel squirm. What a guilty conscience the little slotter must have. He decides to put a bit more pressure on the boy, continuing, "In the past, you have made excuses for your xenophobia." Yeah, remember that time in the medical ward?
He leans forward and adds softly, "It's inexcusable."
Emirate Xaaron straightens back out and finishes, "But your plan with the casino was interesting. You didn't just want to take out the casino. You wanted to specifically ruin the 'cons' reputations by removing the money when a high-profile, influential Pz-Zazzian was trying to cash out. So you have some concept of how keen an edge in battle reputation can be."
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Post by Rodimus Prime on Mar 31, 2011 20:02:06 GMT -5
It's Rodimus that breaks first, his stern expression splitting into a mischievous grin. His optics sparkle faintly with good humor.
"It's because of this understanding that we're willing to give you a shot at leading the Elite Guard unit we intend to form."
He pauses now, watching Sentinel to get an idea of his reaction.
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Post by Sentinel Prime on Mar 31, 2011 21:20:10 GMT -5
Sentinel Prime is obviously squirming and uncomfortable. He wants to blame it on his upbringing and Archa Seven, he really does. Oh, even with the best of role models, he'd still probably have an unhealthy love of the Autobot Handbook and a manipulative, jerkish streak, but... well, look at G1 Prowl! Emirate Xaaron doesn't want to hear Sentinel Prime's excuses, though.
He wonders if anyone's given anyone else from his reality the third degree about their xenophobia. He can't be alone! Can he?
Was that a sort of back-handed compliment, Emirate Xaaron? Sentinel Prime is going to choose to take it as such, and...
Sentinel Prime's expression and thoughts at the moment can accurately be described as 'buhwhat!?'
Then it passes - too quickly, really - there's definitely something screwy about his emotional reactions, to anyone who has paid attention to him long term these last few months. They come too soon or too late, never quite when they should.
High Command is punking him and offering him a shiny title and... urgh. Sentinel Prime should be insulted yet also kissing some skidplate at the moment, but this isn't even a done deal and he's not even sure he thinks he sounds the likes of this and...
Anything to be special, right? To not be one of everyone else? Show them what they want, Sentinel Prime. His reaction seems startled, flattered, and grateful, and he sounds eager and sincere as he replies, "I'm proud to serve in any manner deemed necessary, sirs. Do you have a mission statement for me?"
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Post by Emirate Xaaron on Apr 1, 2011 11:53:17 GMT -5
Emirate Xaaron looks sidelong and makes mental note that Rodimus Prime is better suited for playing Good Cop than Bad Cop should the need ever arise. He waves a hand airily and bit dismissively at Sentinel's little perfect soldier response and explains casually, "Honestly, you probably aren't suited for it. Putting aside old biases, after all, is so very difficult, even for the best of us." A hint of a smirk touches Emirate Xaaron's stitched lips. "There would be no shame in a refusal of this call."
Goad him. Put words in his mouth he won't want to say, promises he won't want to make but will be terrified to break when he realises what he's said. It's a delicate thing that takes a deft hand.
"What we need are a unit of Autobots and Maximals who can show the best of what an Autobot or Maximal can be, the Autobot and Maximal Code embodied, while keeping in mind the customs and concerns of those we may be called upon to protect or those who may ally with us and while still operating as an effective combat unit. I expect the team would have to devote a good deal of their time to studying diplomacy and inter-species relations, in addition to combat and tactics."
"After all... if we save a whole city by letting one little church fall, it may make tactical sense, but if that church was vital to the native religions, we may find ourselves dismantled alive by our erstwhile allies. The responsibility to have to make such calls can be found a burden by some."
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Post by Rodimus Prime on Apr 1, 2011 22:00:10 GMT -5
Rodimus can totally play Bad Cop if it's needed! He's actually very flexible at coppyness! It's just that there was no particular reason to Bad Cop just now.
The young Prime keeps his hands clasped on the desk as Xaaron speaks, remaining professional and even formal in a way that Hot Rod would never have managed. He nods, agreeing with what the other has to say about burden. "Sometimes, being in charge means taking the blame for someone else's mistakes, too." Sometimes it doesn't, but sometimes it does.
"So the question is, do you even want to deal with it?"
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Post by Sentinel Prime on Apr 2, 2011 12:28:35 GMT -5
Sentinel Prime could argue Rodimus Prime's point, and he tends to argue out of sheer spite. Instinct is to whine about how Springer was in charge when they crash-landed, how Springer got into a public fight with Decepticons, and how the Autobot didn't do anything to Springer over it. His instinct is always to be feel hard done by and that nothing can ever be good enough.
But he has first thoughts now, and they're laced with a pang of guilt. Optimus took the blame. He was senior cadet. So Sentinel Prime understands, even if he doesn't want to. He's seen what this means in action, even if it isn't always true. They aren't talking about glory or power. They're offering Sentinel Prime the chance to put his neck down on the chopping block and take one for the team, whether the mistake is his or not, because that is what a leader does.
Emirate Xaaron has all but said that Sentinel Prime will never be anything better than a xenophobe, though, and there can be no doubt that these Autobots use that word as an insult, not a mark of prudence and caution. Sentinel Prime has been called out and told that he's not good enough. There's really only one way he can ever answer such an accusation.
He slides forward the only chip he has first, saying carefully, "You wouldn't have asked me if you thought it would have been a complete waste of time, sirs. You must think I could have some potential in the area." They must because someone must! Even if they never say it and fawn over everyone but him... "If I'm the cog for the job, it would be a disservice to the great Autobot machine not to take a turn at it."
Ugh, gross, Sentinel Prime feels like he caught Optimusitis.
"I can deal with it now."
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Post by Emirate Xaaron on Apr 3, 2011 23:14:54 GMT -5
Sentinel Prime is being a slippery little jerk, expressing his interest without nailing himself down. Sometimes, however, a slippery little jerk is just what's needed. For a diplomacy squad, they don't need the Autobots (and it is Autobots who do this, not Maximals, as far as he can tell) who squee over xenos and think they're adorable. Squeeing (generally) doesn't write treaties.
Emirate Xaaron explains, "There is a difference between liking xenos and being good at working with them. Absolutely adoring DDR probably won't do much good at a state function. Keep that in mind."
"You'd have control of the selection method, though officers might advise for or against certain selections, and you'd need the appropriate officer's approval before adding a member, and joining would, of course, be purely voluntary." So Sentinel has to act nice enough to people that they'll join his squad. "You and they would still answer to your usual chains of command, but you'd be expected to take charge of training sessions on top of the normal training schedule. When assigned a specific group mission, or in cases of crisis, you'd be able to assume authority over you team. An officer's commands would always override."
So it's a lot of extra work and not much authority.
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Post by Kup on Apr 4, 2011 22:29:42 GMT -5
"And that doesn't mean just spend less time in defrag so you can do the training," Kup growls, jabbing his finger at Sentinel. "You already do too much of that as it is. Spend less time on other things."
He glances at Rodimus. "His punishment's been wrapped up, right?"
Rodimus nods. "Just finished, actually," he answers.
Kup then gives a single sharp nod and looks at the others. "All right, then. There should be some extra time there. Don't short your defrag cycles."
OOC: Skipping Rodimus post this round.
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Post by Sentinel Prime on Apr 5, 2011 17:25:05 GMT -5
His own reality sure handled the discussion of leadership differently. In his home, leadership was something awesome that gave a bot power and let him do what he wants. The way they frame leadership here, it's an excuse to ... sign away all his free time to go do something he doesn't particularly want to do.
Hmm.
Sign Sentinel Prime right up! He was sold when they called it 'the Elite Guard', anyway. No more hedging. "Right, so... ah, I should see who is interested, seek approval for my choices, and see about putting together a schedule. Maybe Skyfire and Botanica would be interested in doing a series of lectures with regards to the alien species they've encountered in their explorations, what negotiation techniques worked, what didn't... and uhm, of course if you had anything to add, Kup, sir."
Now if only Kup would stop whining about Sentinel Prime's defrag cycles!
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Post by Emirate Xaaron on Apr 6, 2011 10:41:45 GMT -5
Sentinel Prime yields, as Emirate Xaaron thought he would. Hopefully his natural inclinations towards dissembling will prove more helpful than his biases hinder. Perhaps it'll be a good learning experience for him. Perhaps he'll fail and be replaced.
He adds mildly, "You will likely wish to consult Jazz, as well."
Emirate Xaaron turns to Rodimus Prime and Kup and asks, "Prime? Kup?"
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Post by Rodimus Prime on Apr 6, 2011 18:27:44 GMT -5
"You probably want to make the team as mixed as you can," Rodimus says, leaning back and absently tapping his fingers against his desk, not quite hard enough to actually make any real noise. "Some cultures value diversity, and when you run into one that doesn't, the wider the pool you have, the better your odds of having someone on the team that's a closer fit."
Rodimus rubs his chin, tilts his head, and considers. "You know, Arcee might be a good idea for this team," he murmurs. Then his optics widen and he lowers his hand. "Oh, that's right! Ours wasn't built as a human relations warrior, was she?" he asks, turning to look at Kup. By 'ours', he seems to mean, 'the one we have here,' which makes the choice of the word 'ours' interesting of itself.
Meanwhile, Kup groans faintly and lowers his head into the palm of his hand, shaking that head just a little. Finally, after a moment he says, without looking up or removing his palm from his face, "No, lad. She wasn't."
OOC: And no Kup post this round.
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Post by Sentinel Prime on Apr 7, 2011 20:03:16 GMT -5
"I'd like to ask the Twins. They wanted to be circus acrobats, if you can believe it, so they might enjoy... performing. That, and it seems like a lot of cultures have aerial demonstration teams," Sentinel Prime says, mostly thinking aloud. Once he walked in on Skyblast 1 watching the Blue Angels in the rec room, and Sentinel Prime was mentally scarred for life. "Is there anything else you need of me?" - - - 1 Mentioned cleared with his mun.
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Post by Emirate Xaaron on Apr 9, 2011 14:02:14 GMT -5
Emirate Xaaron makes a mental note that Rodimus Prime just called this Arcee 'our' but doesn't comment on it.
Kup seems... really less than thrilled. Emirate Xaaron will have to consider the matter.
For now, he says, "I think that should be all for now." He doesn't dismiss Sentinel just yet, because Rodimus Prime or Kup might have something to say to him yet.
Next, time to call Breakaway!
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Post by Rodimus Prime on Apr 10, 2011 19:02:02 GMT -5
Kup is largely Not Thrilled because he's imagining 'our' Arcee's probable reaction to being called the 'human relations warrior'. He may not be particularly creative, but his imagination's still fertile enough to suggest that that's a bad idea.
Rodimus nods. "I don't have anything else." He looks at Kup. "You?"
Kup shakes his head, shifting faintly in his seat as he does. "Naw."
Rodimus turns back to Sentinel, smiling. "Well, then, thanks for your time, Sentinel, and keep us up to date."
Meanwhile, Kup activates his radio, since he, too, knows what's supposed to come next.
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