[ january ii log ]

[barrayarmods]

Who: Everyone
What: The end of quarantine, a breath of fresh air, and the first taste of action
When: January 18th - 31st
Where: Barrayaran camp / Cetagandan base
Warnings: TBD


Quick links:
Barrayar: Piotr Vorkosigan / Barrayaran camp / Missions
Cetaganda: Zahal ghem-Zefyst / Cetagandan base / Missions
Special thanks to Ana for last-minute PB hunting!

It's been a little over two weeks since you first arrived on Barrayar. As the month wears on, the weather shifts a little colder, and snowstorms come, dumping over a foot of snow on the ground over the next couple of weeks.

barrayar
So far, the outsiders tent has only been visited by the Countess and the Princess. But on the morning of the 18th, the General Count himself makes an appearance. Piotr Vorkosigan is a lean, hard-faced man, battle-worn and fierce, but despite his reputation as a master strategist and the bane of the Cetagandan existence in the southern half of the continent, he looks to be no older than his early thirties, and he's held the rank of General for nearly a decade. When he comes to speak, the guards make way immediately, and he doesn't waste time mincing words.

"My name is Piotr Vorkosigan. I am the commanding officer of this camp." Hands clasped behind his back in a parade rest, he surveys the outsiders at a glance. "I hope it's been clear to you all that you aren't under arrest here. We had to detain you until we could find out what you were, because you clearly were not our enemy. I'm sure you've heard by now that we're at war, and not on the winning side. This planet -- Barrayar -- was cut off from the rest of galactic society for seven hundred years, until just thirty years ago. Until then we had no plasma weapons, no spaceships, no electricity. We had just barely begun to absorb the changes that had eclipsed us when we were attacked without word or warning by the Cetagandan Empire. Eight planets already conquered, and they sought to strike us while we were vulnerable. They claim to be saving us from ourselves, to bring us the light of civilization, as though we are dogs being taught a new trick."

His lip curls. "Komarr -- the planet that controls the only wormhole entrance to this system -- allowed itself to be bribed by the Cetagandans so that they could get their warships through the other side. They demanded unconditional surrender -- no treaty, no convention -- but we answer to one Emperor only, and our refusal to surrender under any conditions was met with warfare and occupation. Some Counts, traitorous collaborators with no honor, have surrendered, but our Emperor refuses. And Vorkosigan's District is loyal to the Emperor. Our only chance at outside help is through his son, Prince Xav, using his position as ambassador to Beta Colony to try and drum up support and get supplies through the blockade. With ghem patrols on every street of our cities, we've gone to ground to fight on our terms, wherever we can, lest we fail to remind the Cetagandans that this is our planet. They don't know these mountains, this land the way we do -- staying hidden is the only way we survive."

He gestures at the camp with one hand, the worn tents, the campfires, the weapons long-antequated by galactic standards. "If we used any galactic technology, the Cetagandans would be able to trace our location as easily as if we'd sent up a flare, so we are relegated to our own traditional weaponry, to fighting from the shadows. And our location has been compromised before." His face is mostly hard and impassive, but his eyes flash briefly. "A scant month before you arrived. How, we still don't know. But we were forced to split our forces and flee. We're operating at half our usual manpower and supplies, and we can afford to take few risks, so you must understand why we had to be so cautious with you. We still don't have a clue how you wound up here, or why; that's beyond even the imagination of galactic scientists, I think. But I do understand that you had no chance in the matter, none of you, nor have any of you given any reason to suspect you might be a threat to our effort. So, effective today, I am lifting the guard around your tent. You are free to walk the camp as you please -- save for the areas restricted for military use. But as you know, we are short on resources -- manpower included. We have no room for freeloaders or empty hands. If you wish to stay, you'll work like the rest of us. We could always use extra hands around camp." He surveys the outsiders once again with an even sharper eye. "We might be able to use a few extra hands elsewhere, too, if you can prove yourself trustworthy.

"I won't hold anyone in this camp against his will. Anyone who wishes to leave my do so -- but know that there is no protection in a war zone. All of our cities are occupied by the enemy, and their soldiers won't hesitate to shoot any man wandering down from the mountains. If you do want to leave, you'll be escorted by one of our scouts down to the foothills, to as safe a space as possible -- and to make sure you won't be able to trace back your route. We cannot afford to let our location fall into the hands of those face-painted bastards, however remote the chance."

He'll leave it at that, and when he takes leave, so do the guards who have been posted around the outsiders' tent. The detainment is over.

camp
Now that you're free to roam about the camp as you please, except for the restricted military areas, the atmosphere has changed a little. Some of the soldiers still regard the outsiders with wariness or diffidence, particularly those who might not look not quite normal. Barrayarans don't take especially well to the unnatural. But they are ultimately social and outgoing by nature, and they’ll especially gravitate toward other soldierly types, although they're sort of dubious about the women who claim to be warriors or soldiers in their own right. Still, their disposition is tentatively friendly if on the gruff side. Now that you're no longer under quarantine, they might strike up a conversation or invite you to play card or dice games with them, even if just out of curiosity if nothing else. But Barrayarans are stubborn as well: arguments might escalate quickly, and you might find yourself in a confrontation.

Now that you're no longer confined, you eat at the mess at designated mealtimes like everybody else, and you'll find that the soldiers don't eat much better than you were these last couple of weeks. You also get access to the bath tent for the first time since you arrived, if you'd like to take your chances, but bathing in the winter is always risky business. Near the bath tent are the stables, which always have a soldier or two on duty as stablehand. If you need medical attention of any kind, sickbay is the place to go, although don't expect much in the way of bedside manner from the medical officers.

Lower-ranking officers and the little old Dendarii ladies who help with the camp direct you to your jobs, a variety of mostly menial but necessary tasks. The work isn't extraordinarily demanding, and it's hardly slave labor – you're doing no more work than the average soldier here. If you're decent with knives or know anything halfway about cooking they might requisition you for the mess, if you know anything about horses, you'll probably be assigned to the stables, if you're just plain strong they'll set you to chopping firewood, and no one needs any special skills to help with the washing. But no one is assigned to just one job – when something needs doing, they'll find one of you to do it.

Life among the guerrillas is tough – none of them have it easy, and neither do you – but it isn't all bleak and miserable. When it starts to get dark and the winter chill sets in for the night, the off-duty soldiers gather close around the campfires to socialize and swap stories, maybe even share a little wine or maple mead if they've got any. Once in a while a particularly courageous (or drunk) soldier will even start a round of one of Barrayar's many traditional drinking songs, a few of which have had their lyrics adjusted with more contemporary references. However war-worn, wary, and rough they may be, the Barrayarans have an unmistakable sense of family and unity among them.

missions
After Piotr's speech on the 18th, the outsiders will be offered an opportunity: they're short on manpower, but they can't afford to waste time. Their intelligence on Cetagandan security is out of date, and the operations are risky, but if you're willing to stick your neck out for the Barrrayaran cause, it'll start to establish a bond of trust.

Piotr orders Captain Aaron Vorbataille and Captain Alexei Vorinnis to organize two recon missions to scope out the base's perimeter security, and two more to infiltrate the base and scope out the power supply. On January 22nd, the first perimeter scouting teams return more or less successfully, but with some unfortunate bonus information: there's a traitor in Piotr's camp. On January 23rd, the second perimeter scouting teams have even better success with gaining intelligence, as well as happening on a Cetagandan field science team. Adrien and Beth's squad does not engage, but another squad chances an attack on the Cetagandan team, and manages to capture one of their scientists.

With the discomfiting knowledge that there is a traitor among them, Captains Vorbataille and Vorinnis choose their infiltration teams for the power supply recon carefully. Lieutenants Dmitri Vorhalas and Boris Vortala are ultimately selected to lead the teams, though there is some heated disagreement between the captains on whether they should be bringing in more personnel at all. The power supply recon mission on January 28th has mixed results: intel gathering was mostly a success, but otherwise it was a failure. Not only were the Cetagandans alerted to their presence, but Lieutenant Erik Grey was KIA, and Lakshmi Bai and Lieutenant Vortala were both taken prisoner. No one in either squad seems to be able to provide an answer as to how or why the alarms were tripped so early. The only upside is that Lieutenant Vorhalas has taken a prisoner: Duv Galeni.

Needless to say, the implications of a traitor being in camp are troubling, but with two prisoners from the Cetagandan side, hopefully they'll be getting some answers.

The unabridged event writeup is here.


cetaganda
Zahal ghem-Zefyst approaches the gathered exotics with a welcoming smile, and a near bounce in his step – face fully painted in a more intricate manner than any of the other soldiers present. Unlike the rest of the Cetagandan soldiers, he's dressed in multiple layers of robes, all in colors matching his face paint to the exact shade. To the casual observer he looks unarmed and relaxed, but those who know what to look for will find that some of the folds of fabric are designed to keep things hidden, especially at the hip. Once he's certain he has the attention of every exotic, he gestures, open armed, as his smile grows.

"Good day. I am General Zahal ghem-Zefyst, commanding officer of this base and all operations, and I would like to first offer my sincere apologies for what has occurred – ending up here from wherever," and here his eyes light upon the most non-human of the group gathered before him, "you originated from must have been a shock. You've been told little of what is going on, but I see no reason why that should continue. You are currently on a planet known as Barrayar – but we," he gestures to himself, his wife, and the assembled soldiers with him, "are from the Cetagandan Empire. Nine planets wide, the Cetagandan Empire has existed for centuries, and flourished for all of them. There is nowhere else in the galactic Nexus that can rival our standards of living, our level of technology, and our way of life.

"This planet," he continues, cheerful voice taking on an edge of scorn and sadness, "has been left in the dark for seven hundred years. You can imagine what befell them without modern technology – society could not handle the strain, and these past eight centuries have been filled with bloodshed and fighting. Only recently has the government become truly centralized, and even then it is a tenuous peace, enforced by more bloodshed. Cetaganda's hope – our hope – is to bring them back into the Nexus as a whole. We wish them no harm, and some of their district Counts have willingly joined us, having seen the value of our cause.

"But the Barrayaran Emperor – Dorca Vorbarra – has resisted us, and there are still some districts where the population refuses to acknowledge the value of galactic technology. Of what it can do for them, of what we can do for them. This fracture between Emperor and Counts, of subjects and their ruling class, is only proof as to how fragile this society is, and how desperately it needs to be guided. We wish to be that guiding hand, and want nothing more but to live side by side with the Barrayarans."

The statement is made with a soft gesture of togetherness, before Zahal continues, smiling again. "Again, I apologize for your quarantine. We know you are here not by choice, and are taking steps towards understanding how you arrived and perhaps, how to send you home again. Until that time, however, you are free to go wherever you wish on base, respecting those areas set aside for military use. Some of you have expressed interest on learning about our culture – if you desire more in-depth information, that will be provided on request. You need not do anything beyond respect the boundaries and continue to be as civil and courteous as you have been. There are all only ten of you, and we have plenty resources to spare.

"Lastly – none of you are required to stay here with us. If you would rather brave the elements and undiscerning Barrayarans, we will escort you out, so long as you leave any technology you acquired here behind. Thank you, all of you." He bows, then, and turns to leave – gesturing the guard to follow him out of the room.

base
Now that you're free to roam about the base. as you please, aside from the restricted areas, the atmosphere has changed a little. It's still heavily military -- they are at war, after all -- but the genteel, almost delicate air hinted at during the exotics' quarantine seems to permeate the entire base, a certain fundamental Cetagandan sensibility. On a military level, everything here is built with function in mind -- but to the Cetagandan eye, form can rule supreme even in utilitarian contexts. Even such ordinarily mundane areas as the mess or the washrooms are dotted with art and designed to please the eye, even if subtly. You couldn't mistake it for anything but a military installation, but it's probably the most beautiful military installation you've ever seen.

The ghem troops are nothing short of civil, same as everyone has been. Some of them are even quite interested in the exotics -- whether seeking camaraderie or merely partaking in a novelty, it may be difficult to gauge, but there's no getting around the fact that anyone who doesn't look quite human, or anyone with an especially aesthetically pleasing form, is getting a little extra attention. However, they are all quite polite, in a way that is clearly cultural rather than circumstantial. The ghem ladies are a bit more elusive and much fewer in number, but they're even more outgoing than the soldiers, and any of the ghem on base might be pleased to share with you any Cetagandan cultural pastimes or teach you about Cetagandan art, although there may be a few polite laughs at the expense of anyone particularly "uncultured". 

Now that you're no longer confined, you eat at the mess at designated mealtimes like everybody else, and you'll find that the artfully prepared fresh cuisine served along equally (somehow) artfully prepared meal rations you've been getting are the standard here. There are no longer any guards posted around the exotics' room, which has been officially dubbed as your living quarters, and you share a communal bathroom with the rest of the hall. There's a common room on each floor where soldiers often go to spend their off-duty hours, with the appropriately recreational accoutrements: the materials for a few kinds of games popular on Cetaganda, a couple of sizeable vid plates for watching holofilms, as well as the supplies for a variety of Cetagandan art forms. There's also an exercise room in each barracks building with about what you'd expect, but probably prettier and more future.

You aren't asked to do any work, just politely told to keep away from restricted areas. A couple of ghem officers appointed by Zahal take you in individually for interviews of a sort, a couple of times a week. They're perfectly civil, and the interviews themselves are tame -- the Cetagandans are merely trying to collect some more information to better understand this phenomenon. So while there might be some questions in the personal sphere, they're primarily interested in where you come from. They won't try to force you to answer in any way -- if you sit there in stubborn silence for the hour, they will endure it politely, if in exasperation.

missions
We're using that word loosely, because none of this is official or even remotely organized.

Now that the exotics' room is no longer guarded, curiosity gives rise to temptation. On the night of January 22nd, Ratchet and Kaidan sneak out to the science/medical complex and overhear Zahal and one of his science officers talking about signs of wormhole activity as they try to puzzle out what happened. On the following night, January 23rd, Lapis and Darkstalker make their way near the war rooms and listen in on Zahal and one of his intelligence officers discussing the Barrayaran information leak and confirming that there are 'exotics' among the Barrayarans too. They have also learned that the Barrayarans are planning a raid sometime in the next week.

Things get a little chaotic on January 28th, when security alarms are suddenly tripped and a few curfew-cutting exotics run into outsiders from the other side. The evening is sort of a mixed bag for everyone involved -- Duv is captured by one of the Barrayarans and this time, no one gets back to the barracks without getting caught. On the other hand, Wash and York manage to capture Lieutenant Vortala, for which the soldiers thank them in appreciation as they take him into their custody.

The unabridged event writeup is here.

Comments

[oldvor]

The mutant had been promised an audience, alright, but not by Piotr's grace. This man's only saving grace is Olivia's -- and perhaps Sonia's, as well. Apparently she's fond of the little dwarf as well, and while that hardly sways Piotr's opinion, sometimes having to endure her tantrums and sulking is...exhausting.

And that's the only reason Miles is permitted to walk into the war tent, shoulders squared like he's a soldier, without being summarily turned out by one of the Vorkosigan armsmen at the entrance. He does look unusually disciplined -- but exactly whose army he would've been permitted to serve on Barrayar, Piotr's not entirely sure. Miles doesn't bother masking his accent, and Piotr doesn't bother masking the scrutinizing appraisal that, ultimately, falls rather...short. He's patient, but not altogether welcoming.

"So she did." Even at this age, Piotr's lean face manages to be forbiddingly impassive, his presence nearly a physical weight in the tent. "And so you have one."

Better air out whatever it is you came here for, and do it quickly. Piotr's a busy man.

[dendarii]

God. His grandfather is even more imposing in person. Some small part of him had hoped that talking to him one-on-one might have reduced the sheer presence the man exudes. Apparently not. He has to take a moment just to stare up at him. His grandfather, younger than Miles has ever seen him. No longer an old man in bed - and Piotr Vorkosigan had been a hell of a presence even then. Now he's all but overwhelming.

Right. Don't waste the man's time. He swallows back the lump in his throat and straightens up again. "I can help," he says bluntly. "More than just chores and menial tasks. I've military experience. Military training." He won't ask for command - there's a goddamn mistake - but if he's left out of everything going on, he will go utterly mad. "I want to help with your war efforts."

[oldvor]

An eyebrow lifts slightly, and Piotr lets out a huff that's almost a snort. Honorable of the mutant, on some level, but it's a little farfetched. Who's going to tolerate a mutant in the war tent?

"Military training." There is a world of doubt in those two words, and a little contempt. He hasn't moved, but his presence seems to loom nonetheless. "In whose army?"

[dendarii]

The obvious question; Miles is prepared for it, so the words roll off his tongue smoothly. It's not even a lie. So he tries not to sweat too many bullets even as Piotr seems to fill even more of the room.

"Mercenaries. Galactic" And because there's an obvious question waiting to be asked here, he continues with: "I smuggled myself offworld as soon as I possibly could."

And Piotr may scorn whatever passes for military rigor in a mercenary outfit, but dammit, it's the only explanation that makes sense.

[oldvor]

"Clever of you," Piotr says dryly, and perhaps it's a bit more of a dig than is really worth it right now, but he's starting to think that, however sharp Olivia's judgment may be, her Betan sympathies may be showing a little too clearly here. "I'm sure your sudden arrival here was an unpleasant surprise."

He understands why a mutant would want to flee Barrayar, certainly, even if he disagrees with the notion somewhere in him, but why that mutant would want to fight for Barrayar...ha. How easily some men shift their loyalties.

[dendarii]

It was an unpleasant surprise. Miles still hopes to wake up one day and find himself back at home with a massive hangover. But ... He bows his head, not faking the slightest part of his expression.

"Barrayar is my home," he says softly. "However far I go. However much she may not want me." He's been through his planet's teeth more than enough times, Piotr arguably having been the sharpest of them. "And I've fought against Cetaganda before. They're no friends of mine."

[oldvor]

"The enemy of my enemy is my friend," Piotr mutters, quoting rather than conceding. His scrutinizing eye falls on Miles again. Able-bodied proles, those men, they're more than welcome in his army. But mutants...he gives another scoff. He's pretty dubious about this military outfit. "And what do you think you can do for this cause?"

[dendarii]

Strategy, he wants to say. Let him pour out all the secrets he remembers from his history courses, repeat Piotr's own tactics. But - as he'd argued with Byerly, he can't get into any of that without certain critical disruptions. And most importantly: he knows Piotr won't believe that a mutant is a successful Admiral without substantial evidence to back it up. That's what Miles needs: an opportunity to prove himself.

"Reconnaissance," he says. "Special ops. I've experience with both." Sometimes wildly unsuccessful experience, but that's beside the point. "Stature only poses a problem if you're not clever enough to change the problem you're facing."

[oldvor]

Piotr looks utterly unconvinced. He's done what his wife asked, he's held an audience, but that's about as far as he's going to humor it. "Operations are risky enough as it is. I don't need you slowing down my soldiers."

[dendarii]

"Then they can abandon me if a mission goes south," counters Miles, with a flare of stubbornness. Not that he wants to get anywhere near the Cetagandan base like hat ... "But I won't slow anything down. I swear it."

[oldvor]

"Expendable dead weight is still dead weight," Piotr rebukes, just as stubborn. Ah, Vorkosigans. His gaze on Miles is sharp, assessing detail, because the little mutant is still very much an unknown quantity. "If you're so willing to die, then save us all the trouble and do it somewhere out of the way."

[dendarii]

Fuck. That hurt way more than it should have, despite him implying just the same thing to everyone he's talked to on the subject. Hurt flashes in his expression for a second before he manages to push it down, gritting his teeth instead. He expected this. This is what he's up against. He has to prove himself, dammit.

"I did not realize you were so wasteful, General," he says, between clenched teeth. "Even a life such as mine can be useful."

[oldvor]

Piotr's eyes sharpen at that, narrowing. He has to appreciate the mutant's tenacity, on some level, something honorable in and of itself -- but that doesn't endear Miles to him any, and Piotr's still considering having him tossed bodily back out into the snow. But if he did that, he'd be hearing it from two princesses.

"By crawling around in the dark?" Piotr suggests icily, his gaze bearing down on Miles. Now it's a matter of how much the man will take. If his galactic career'd made him gone soft, he'd be unsuitable for soldier work. He wouldn't last long.

[dendarii]

Crawling, eh? An insult, surely, but Miles meets it with fire in his eyes. And makes it into a challenge.

"Crawling, in snow, while injured, naked, whatever. I've done most varieties you can think of." Dagoola IV alone covers most of those. Now he at least has decent bones to work with... At the cost of his seizures. Something he never intends to tell his grandfather about here. "I've been in Cetagandan POW camps before, for that matter," he says with another upward jerk of his chin. "Set me a challenge and I will meet it."

And make the bastard regret having goaded him, if he can.

[oldvor]

Miles has challenged Piotr as much as Piotr has challenged Miles. His eyes flash briefly in response, his own jaw set, but he hasn't budged yet. Only shifted stance.

"And if you should be captured by Cetagandans?"

[dendarii]

The very thought makes Miles shiver lightly with horror. As certain that he is that fast penta will trigger gibbering, seizures, or both, the thought that the truth might come out accidentally ... That would be the end of everything.

"Escape, then," he says. "Or death. One of the two." His jaw is set with both stubbornness and fear.

[oldvor]

Piotr catches it, that sliver of fear. The goalposts have been moved, but it's an opportunity to deflect from defense to offense. His hands clasp behind his back but he leans forward slightly, his gaze bearing down on Miles. "And you would go into enemy territory?"

[dendarii]

The last thing he wants is to go anywhere near that damn base. One ill-timed seizure and everything goes to hell ... But he steels himself and nods again. Meeting Piotr's gaze as firmly as he can. "Yes," he says. "I would." Something being a bad idea has never stopped him before.

[oldvor]

Piotr's eyes sharpen, lightening. The mutant has talked himself into a corner, and while Piotr wasn't inclined to give Miles much credit at all, he can, at least, tell Olivia that Miles agreed to this. Asked for it, even. And if he's actually as good as he says -- if he's worth his weight in salt -- well, that'd be something to see.

"Then you will." It's an order, not a mere confirmation. "Captain Vorbataille and Captain Vorinnis are organizing reconnaissance. We need scouting teams inside the base, once we've surveyed their security."

[dendarii]

Miles freezes as the trap springs shut. Well - shit. There's no refusing that now, is there? Not with the way he'd thrust his head willingly into the noose.

But isn't this what he wanted? Not to go into a fucking Cetagandan base, no, but the mission? He's getting one. So he's damn well going to make it a good one.

"I accept, then," he says, straightening up as far as he will go. "Thank you, General."

He should have known better than to try and out-strategize Piotr, of all people. He'll just have to beat the not-so-old man at his own game.

[oldvor]

Fitting that only a Vorkosigan should out-maneuver a Vorkosigan, after all.

"Thank me when you bring me your report," Piotr replies, stone cold. "I expect a full debriefing on your return."

[dendarii]

A salute, then. And a quick exit, so as not to waste any more of his grandfather's time.

In fact, Miles is careful not to approach Piotr at all during the intervening days. He's no less present in camp - seemingly always at a task somewhere in camp, and always in the stable when there's mucking to do - before the mission details come down to him. And then ... well. It doesn't go that badly. Miles has absolutely had worse missions, oh yes. Whether his grandfather is impressed is a different matter entirely.

He reports back to Piotr at the first available moment. Cleaned up from his scuffle with Duv, though the chill of having been out in the elements still nags at his artificial bones. But Piotr wanted a debriefing, so Piotr will get a debriefing. And Miles has another very important reason to report back as soon as Piotr permits him to do so ...

"General," he says, with a sharp salute. "You requested my report."

He's standing as straight a she can manage, determined to make this a good one. His continued safety is not the only thing at stake now.

[oldvor]

Piotr's already gotten Vorhalas's report, and while the intelligence was valuable...losing not just an outsider but one of his own men to Cetagandan capture, and one dead. And Lakshmi had had some promise, too, but with Vortala captured too and Grey dead, there had only been the mute Maine and the last two men on the squad still alive to deliver reports. Doubtless Olivia will be more than merely unhappy about this news.

Piotr is not particularly happy, either. Of all those to be captured or killed, and this mutant somehow still survives. When Miles presents himself, Piotr, stone-faced as ever, merely gestures sharply for him to continue.

[dendarii]

No goodwill here, despite the relative success of his group. That's going to make this harder. He doesn't bother with pleasantries then; instead he goes directly into his report. The investigation with Carolina first. As he speaks, he keeps the report simple but brief: they'd snuck around, seen the power generator, gotten some idea of what it could do before getting out. Miles in particular is familiar enough with the tech to put it in native terms, which may help. He's seen that kind of thing before, after all, and can make reasonable guesses about it.

After he's done with that first part of the report, he pauses. This next part... "Afterwards, we engaged a small group of Cetagandans. And fellow outsiders, pulled in like myself. I assisted in capturing Duv Galeni, a Komarran." More like he strong armed poor Duv into coming because every alternative was worse. But. Details. He continues, keeping his chin up. "Galeni is an old friend of mine. I persuaded him to come back with us."

[oldvor]

A little more technical explanation buys Miles a scant few points in Piotr's favor, but he's overextending his weight with the General here as he goes on to talk about the Komarran. Piotr's expression flattens entirely.

"You persuaded him," Piotr says, every word on ice, "to allow himself to be captured by Lieutenant Vorhalas. I didn't know you kept Komarran company, Illyan."

This is clearly not a point in his favor.