So here's a question.

[x-crowdofone.livejournal.com]

I've been going through the mission reports sort of mostly chronologically, and the thing that really leaped out at me was, wow, this operation started out really small. I mean, tiny.

So what I'm curious about is, and this is mostly aimed at the distinguished veterans (note how I didn't say "old people?") is, is it easier now that the active roster is what, five, six times what it was at the very start? Or did the workload scale up with the numbers, and . . . I dunno exactly what I'm trying to say, so I'll keep it simple. Easier, harder, or just different, and why?

Comments

[x-cyclops.livejournal.com]

Tough question. I'd have to say 'just different', mostly because the sort of thing we started to do when we had the manpower was so different. When there was a small handful of us, we were more limited in what we could do - not that we didn't do a lot, and a lot that was both valuable and successful, but we have wider horizons, with the sort of power we can project now.

That's actually a good way to put it. We can project more power, now. The range of abilities we can call on gives us a lot more flexibility, too.

[x-crowdofone.livejournal.com]

Do you ever miss things being simpler? I mean, even before I officially signed up, I could tell you guys kept getting busier and busier, even just over the time I've been here, just from comparing the number of times the hoops alarm goes off. And from reading the reports it looks like the past few years have been bigger stakes more often--the risks and the rewards both are a lot bigger.

And hmm, you don't just mean mutant powers, do you? Stuff like Nathan speaking a hojillion different languages and knowing stuff about all over the world means you can operate easier in those places, that all adds to the projectable power too. Right?

[x-cyclops.livejournal.com]

Hah. Sometimes. Higher stakes means more stress. July/August this past year when we broke the plane twice in three weeks and the missions kept coming was not so fun. More manpower means that we don't have to wear ourselves out quite so much, though.

Don't. Anyone. Laugh.

Nathan and Wanda's languages and world experience, Sean's background with Interpol... I could go on. You're right, basically. The other knowledge and experience we all bring to the table is a huge benefit.

[x-cypher.livejournal.com]

Hey, Nathan isn't the ONLY one that speaks a hojillion different languages. Ahem.

[x-cable.livejournal.com]

Nathan's the only one who goes regularly on missions with the team at the moment, though, isn't he?

[x-cypher.livejournal.com]

Well, sure, if you want to do a silly thing like get _technical_...

I didn't do a bad job in Seattle, if I do say so myself, though...

[x-cable.livejournal.com]

Nathan wouldn't say so either, but Nathan also wonders why we're having this discussion.

[x-cypher.livejournal.com]

Also, since when did Nathan start speaking of himself in the third person? :)

[x-cable.livejournal.com]

Nathan's had a bad month and is feeling perverse.

[x-cypher.livejournal.com]

I'm not sure 'perverse' is a strong enough word there, boss man.

[x-cable.livejournal.com]

Nathan would remind you that Cable has wide latitude to torment trainees. Whee, the privileges of age and experience.

[x-cypher.livejournal.com]

...okay, now you're referring to yourself and your 'alter ego' as separate people...

I'm gonna go hide now. Bye!

[x-cable.livejournal.com]

So I can still terrify. Good to know!

[x-dazzler.livejournal.com]

Mean old man.

*snickers*

[x-cable.livejournal.com]

Oh, come on. If I wasn't, you'd all think there was something wrong with me.

[x-tarot.livejournal.com]

I had thought that it was age and treachery. Or does the treachery come with the age? Or perhaps the experience?

[x-cable.livejournal.com]

Both!

And meanwhile...

[x-jetstream.livejournal.com]

Haroun pays Jetstream $20.

I love winning bets with myself.

Haroun

[x-cable.livejournal.com]

Not one of the distinguished veterans, but I have a little I can say on the subject of workload scaling up. Mostly because at Mistra, I went from running one team to running all of them, and yes, it most certainly does. It takes a significant change in your mindset to accommodate making tactical decisions for a vastly increased number of people.

I have no input on how it changes strategy, because I'm not a strategist.

[x-crowdofone.livejournal.com]

I can see where it'd be a lot more things to keep track of in general, even when not everybody's out in the field all at the same time. But I meant more, hmm--going on more missions. More people means you can do more things, so you do, and then everybody's working harder, not just (but especially, I guess) the people in charge.

But I hadn't really thought about how it would make things a lot tougher on the decision-makers. More things to know about more people, and who works well with whom and who doesn't, and all kinds of other things just to keep making the same quality of decisions you were before.

[x-cable.livejournal.com]

Exactly. Makes me glad I avoid command like the plague around here.

[x-cypher.livejournal.com]

This just in, in case anyone is too lazy to go back to Jamie's first post.

Your votes are required for the Obligatory Stupid Code Name (tm pending).

My favorites:

-The Wonder Twins (/Triplets/Quadruplets/Quintuplets...) (mostly because Wonder Twin jokes NEVER get old)
-Factor

And my absolute favorite:

Polyman.

[x-sanfuaiyaa.livejournal.com]

See, Wonder Twins just reminds me of Harvey Birdman and Family Guy, and to the best of my knowledge, Jamie can turn into neither bath water nor a tampon.

[x-tarot.livejournal.com]

I think you need less sugar in your diet, Shiro.

I also think that someone must Pay, as you and I are scheduled for a Danger Room session next week together.

If you set my hair on fire, there will be words.

[x-sanfuaiyaa.livejournal.com]

There are always words with you. It's not often when there are not words with you. How will I know if there's any difference?

[x-tarot.livejournal.com]

Perhaps I should put it this way. If you set my hair on fire, I will drop a thwomp on you.

[x-sanfuaiyaa.livejournal.com]

So it will just be another training session for me.

[x-tarot.livejournal.com]

With extra thwomps. I can make them, you know.