[Shit. Naoko will automatically outrank him, and there's no way for him to secure a higher position in the chain of command than hers, he is pretty sure.]

She didn't.

URSULA, is there any way for me and Roxy to officially and permanently assume positions within the chain of command through your authority, or would we need to seek authorization from Altera Science Group?

[If he figures out what is required, he might be able to forge it. If not, he'll need to take another strategy.]