This One Just Became a Leadership Conversation

[prettycoolguy]

This is Spartan One-One-Seven broadcasting on an unknown communications array.

[ A few members of the team have seen the Master Chief around, but he hasn't made major contact before now. For most of the group, it's the first time they've seen this scarred face. And for one of them, it's far from the first. ]

I understand that this is a different world than the one I come from, and we have no way to return until we accomplish an... objective.

[ An objective that they all have only vaguely heard about from a weird hallucination. He doesn't have to say that part. They already know. ]

This being the case, I'm offering my skills.

I have significant experience leading teams on a variety of ops. I can work longterm on terrain like this. You can count on me in a fight.

But first of all, I do need to know who's in charge of this outfit.

[ Bless his entire heart. ]

Comments

[prettycoolguy]

Maybe.

Is it actually magic?

[ He is already so suspicious about the magic. ]

[the_hit_list]

Yes.

Also, I think this is my cue to suggest that the leader is whoever pulls Need from a stone.

[hasapoint]

Wrong magic sword, boy. I'd just end up slipping loose for whoever I liked best.

[the_hit_list]

How do you know that isn’t what Excalibur did?

I don’t have a problem with it, as long as you like someone likable with good decision-making skills and ethics.

[ Just pick Dick already. ]

[hasapoint]

Never met that one. There a lot of glowing involved?

[Need chuckles.] Well, that's a description that fits some of my favorite people, I can't lie. Round up everyone in camp like this and have them pass me from one to the other.

[the_hit_list]

Isn’t there always a lot of glowing when magic swords are around?

[ Have you seen the Shining Knight? ]

If I knew whether or not everyone in camp met that description, I think we’d have an easier time picking a leader. You need to divine who meets that criteria from touch; I’m not pre-screening applicants.

[hasapoint]

I resemble that remark rarely, child.

[If she's been through everyone's hands and looking into their souls then she'll be in all their heads, able to see through their eyes and talk to them at a distance. Need knows she's capable of coordinating a number of people remotely, keeping them updated, communicating each with the speed of thought, and giving them their cues. But there are just way too many people here to do that effectively, and anyway, there's a big difference between what she can do in a tight moment and actual leadership.]

You know, just because I'm not flesh and blood anymore doesn't mean I don't tire. At least narrow the pool somehow.

[prettycoolguy]

This is... a reference to the legend of King Arthur?

[ He knows this, or at least he did once. But you guys have made everything so very weird for him, he feels like he should check. ]

[the_hit_list]

That, and there’s a talking sword in the camp named Need.

It’s hard enough to get people who know each other to decide who’s in charge. For now, we might as well pick the person with the biggest weapon until the actual leader is clear.