Exemplary aspects are directed to transceivers interlinked in a communication system, for example, in respective circuit-based nodes installed in battery-operated vehicle or other apparatus. Representative of the communication system are a first transceiver and a second transceiver which communicate with one another over a communication link, with the first transceiver initiating a request over the link to the second transceiver. The second transceiver may receive the request and, for a period of time in response to receiving to the request, monitor the link to detect whether any further signaling on the link by the first transceiver indicates to accept the request. In certain other more specific examples, the above aspects are used as part of a handshake protocol to mitigate delays and related issues in coordinating timely actions associated with the request.