DC 126: Private Audio Recording to Buffy, Allison, and the rest of his VSF Team at 09:20

[a_man_out_of_time]

[ Steve's message does not come through the specials encryption, because this message isn't just for Allison and Buffy. It's for his whole team in VSF, which includes eight other Alphas who aren't specials. Given everyone's training, it should be clear that if they decide to respond to this audio message using the same privacy level, whatever they decide to say could be read as part of the ongoing investigation. It should also be clear that Steve knows this, just as well as any of them.

This message comes hours before Buffy's arrest by IntSec. ]

SEAL VSF Team 5,

You all should have heard by now that I've been put under internal investigation by the Armed Forces. Do not come to my office. I will not be there.

Many of you will be questioned about my decisions and actions in the last two weeks. Answer truthfully.

All of you however, still have jobs to do. Jobs that keep Alpha safe. In my current capacity as a private citizen, I will be the first to thank you for your service. Continue to do yourselves and the citizens of Alpha proud.

[ It's clear he means what he says, but for those who have been with Steve from the beginning, or anyone who has gotten to know him better in a short time, there's also a second, implied message: Do not try to help him. Tell the truth when questioned, but do not push back. Do not attempt to get him reinstated. Do not sacrifice your careers — especially those of you who have come from years of INFRARED. Do your jobs. ]

Comments

Private Audio to Steve Rogers

[alphanpcs]

So that's it? You're just going to let them drag you through the mud?

Private Audio

[a_man_out_of_time]

Browne—

[ Steve already knew that out of everyone on his team, Nina would have the hardest time swallowing this pill. ]

My actions will speak for themselves. In the meantime, you've got work to do.

[ He doesn't want to engage, because if she says too much here, it's going to get her scrutinized along with him. He won't be able to protect her then. ]

Private Audio

[alphanpcs]

Yes, sir.

[ It'd be impossible to miss that sarcasm. A throw back to the bitter and change resistant soldier that he'd met when he'd taken over the VSF unit. Before Rogers VSF had worked for the highest bidder, or the highest clearance level.

In Nina's case, it had often times been both. But somewhere along the way she'd actually started to believe in Rogers' talk about protecting those who couldn't help themselves.

Now he was one of them. ]