Open Door Policy [BBS/Action option]

[commanderzabala]

Good morning, Garden. I trust your weekends are going well.

Now that you have had a few days to assess the impact of new leadership, and review the policies and procedures being implemented under it, I am certain at least some of you have questions. You may ask them here, or if you prefer a more private venue, you may visit my office to ask them in person.

~Commander Zabala

Comments

[fierybluebird]

I believe there's been some mistake with my ranking, Commander.

- Marco SeeD Rank 6 (and I'm sure that is a mistake that will soon be rectified.)

[redcinemareel]

[Standing RIGHT BEHIND YOU. So you don't do stupid shit. Or she may help. Unsure.]

[fierybluebird]

[Totally totally fuming. In pure composed deadpan such that only people who know him well would know the truth. Obviously his wife fits the bill.]

[redcinemareel]

[Stroking his hair idly. That new commander rubbed her the wrong way, if only because she just didn't like her attitude. Grell could tell that the assembly went much deeper that disdain of her attitude.]

[commanderzabala]

SeeD Marco,

While I understand your displeasure with the re-evaluation of the ranking system, it is, unfortunately, necessary. To the left, records of missions and accomplishments have been shoddily kept and are spotty in many locations due to the severe variations in personnel caused by Time Compression. To the right... to be blunt, this downward revision is necessary as a cost-cutting measure. Put simply, Garden does not have the fiscal reserves necessary to pay high-level salaries at this time. The missions that will reward you an increase in Rank, if done competently, are also the ones that will bring in enough money to pay the salary for that new Rank.

~Commander Zabala

[fierybluebird]

[Okay, he can keep his cool about this. Just has to remember what it was like talking to his idiot division members or young kids who always wanted to rush off and prove themselves as being strong while Marco just wanted to keep them safe and the ship running. Still, that in itself is pretty galling to him.]

While I understand the difficulty of financial constraints -- [And how. Who ran a fleet of Moby Dick ships and kept 1600 pirates drinking and eating to their heart's content? This guy.] -- given the nature of the system which requires a certain rank to be met before those higher level dangerous missions can even be accepted; it nearly makes it impossible to adequately prove one's capabilities or not. And it was already a hassle not to graduate in six months, but a year and a half. You're now asking us to wait possibly several more years before the chances to prove ourselves again can even be met.

- Marco

[commanderzabala]

For now, this is in large part correct. However, I can assure you that in addition to our standing missions (which do not result in a Rank increase, but do provide funding necessary to to pay things such as salaries), we are working diligently to obtain more missions that are of critical importance. Garden as a whole should see an increase in mission assignments henceforth.

In the meantime I will personally be evaluating our SeeDs' performance as well. It is my hope that, as our situation improves and I can gain a clearer understanding of all of you, I will be able to see rank and promotion given to those who are deserving. But I need to get to know you all, first.

~Commander Zabala

BBS

[espio]

Is the mandatory use of that potion really necessary?

Being human is only useful in social situations. In the field, it cuts back on our natural defenses. I have a prehensile tongue and tail, and more importantly, camouflage. You know - complete and total invisibility. I lose it when I use that potion, along with any strategical advantage that came with it.

What good will that do anyone?

BBS

[redcinemareel]

But you're loud. Camouflage won't do any good if your enemy can hear you.

[espio]

[GRELL YOU'RE NOT SUPPOSED TO POINT THIS OUT YOU ARE JUST SUPPORTING ZABALA]

When have you seen me using my invisibility in the field? I've used it effectively in missions before, and it played a significant part in passing my SeeD exam.

[commanderzabala]

SeeD Espio,

Bluntly, Balamb Garden's external reputation is in a shambles because of the presence of offworlders. I do not mean this as a slight against those brought here by Time Compression; it is simply a statement of fact. The introduction of the potion is to prevent those of you who are most dramatically alien to our world from inspiring fear or hostility in the people Garden needs to hire us and pay for the care and shelter of those same offworlders.

That being said, its use is not necessary in many field circumstances. I rely on the discretion of the mission teams in question to make that assessment.

Repercussions will only be necessary in circumstances where a mission is severely hampered by an inhuman appearance, or serious complaint is made to the staff of Garden.

~Commander Zabala

[espio]

That's a bit better. When the potion's usage will compromise a mission, there's simply no point.

And I have another question.

What's the state of the sponsorship program? Because I was always lead to believe it was our sponsors that funded us, rather than the Garden directly.

[fotlenke]

I refuse your orders and request that you jump from the nearest ledge with the rest of your orders and future commands.

[redcinemareel]

[There is laughter somewhere, and if Sigyn can't hear it, then it's a shame. Good one!]

[commanderzabala]

Cadet Freyasdotter,

As you are not voluntarily here on this world, and almost certainly enrolled in Garden only for lack of a better option on an otherwise inhospitable world to your kind, I can understand your disinclination to accept a new and more stringent chain of command.

That disinclination, however, does not change the reality of the situation. You are a cadet of Balamb Garden, and your conduct and behavior both here and externally will be the basis on which people judge not you alone, but all offworlders. I trust you will find the maturity and responsibility to adapt accordingly.

~Commander Zabala

[fotlenke]

I still refuse, and if you wish to be condescending, I would like to challenge this guard of yours to make me willing.

[BBS, not even trying to hide this]

[manslut]

Hey, Commander, anyone told you that you're a stone cold fox, yet? Because damn do they grow 'em good here. [Shame, Reno has none.]

Re: [BBS, not even trying to hide this]

[commanderzabala]

Instructor Reno,

I have a sneaking suspicion that 'fox' is not the adjective the majority of cadets would use to describe me. I can assure you, however, that my body temperate is well within expected human values.

~Commander Zabala

[BBS]

[manslut]

Not... what I meant. Goddamn, why do all the pretty ones have to be oblivious to what I say.

A damn tragedy is what it is.

[worthyheir]

Are the finances really that dire? And if so, why didn't anyone look at them before you took such drastic measures?

- Damian Wayne

[commanderzabala]

Cadet Wayne,

Bluntly, yes. The primary investor in Garden is giving serious thought to pulling out of the project, which would be quite problematic considering he owns the building. I believe the lack of action up to this point has stemmed from a mixture of willful denial and blind optimism -- the belief that this lack of work is simply a lull that will pass, rather than a continuing and worsening response to Balamb Garden's acceptance of offworlders. We no longer have the luxury of such a pretense.

~Commander Zabala

[worthyheir]

Has no one thought of even bothering to do a public awarness campaign or a fundraiser? From what it sounds like the finances are so dire it might even be helped by a bake sale.

- Damian Wayne

[rewritethis]

About your aim, commander: is it just to make people around here take their jobs more seriously? Or do you actually want to turn this operation into an army, with everything that entails? Not objecting, just curious - your speech the other day was a little vague there.

[commanderzabala]

Cadet Elric,

Garden is a mercenary institution. It would be incorrect to term it an army -- it has always been more lax, historically, as it lacks standing orders and allows for more personal liberties from its members. I do not intend to change this. I do, however, intend to see that we engage in business more often than we have, which requires a greater degree of commitment and adherence to conduct as a consequence.

To be more direct, I don't expect to change the culture or conditions inside the Garden in general, unless I have to for some reason I haven't foreseen. It is conduct and behavior outside that I'm most concerned about.

~Commander Zabala

[rewritethis]

Then maybe next time you ought to pick a metaphor that fits what you mean. You could give people the wrong impression.