forbarrayar | [ february i log ]

Entry tags:

[ february i log ]

Who: Everyone
What: New arrivals, desperate times, whispers down the hall.
When: February 1st - 18th
Where: Barrayaran camp / Cetagandan base
Warnings: TBD

Quick links:
Barrayar: Barrayaran camp / Missions
Cetaganda: Cetagandan base / Missions

welcome to barrayar.
It's the dark of night when you come to in the foothills. Snow on the ground, chill winter wind whistling -- in fact, it's dangerously cold, and all you have is the clothes on your back.. A steep mountain range towers just ahead, its peaks illuminated by the light of two moons. Whatever you last remember, it isn't how you got here, and you feel oddly jetlagged, slightly queasy.

And you're not alone. There are a few other people close by, all looking equally lost and confused. But before any of you have a chance to figure out what's going on, the soldiers arrive.
There's a war on, they say, and you unlucky bastards have just been dropped right smack in the middle of it.

barrayar
The cold snap hits the guerrilla camp hard, especially with a handful of new people to care for. On the 1st, a few people from Riverfall Village come to the camp, Village Speaker Yakiv Gura among them, who seems to have a rapport with Piotr. They bring extra supplies with them, such as clothing, heavy wool blankets and bedrolls, as well as extra firewood to help fend off the cold. The new outsiders are accommodated the best they can -- they're all provided bedrolls and any extra clothing they (probably) need -- but the Barrayarans don't have an extra tent to spare, so that means all twelve outsiders are force to share a tent that ordinarily sleeps ten. On the plus side, it should provide some warmth. The cold is

A young boy comes in tow of the villagers; Speaker Gura tells Piotr that the boy turned up a week ago and insisted on helping them with the supply haul, despite his small size. He's clearly Barrayaran, and looks as though he might have been living on hisown for a while. He doesn't speak mcuh, and when asked his name, will only give it as Negri -- first or last, no one's sure, but the boy doesn't seem easily fazed. Piotr tells the villagers he has no room in his camp for lost children, but somehow the day after the villagers leave, Negri turns up in camp again. He's curious, but quiet and unobtrusive, wherever he is in camp. He's a very good listener…even when you might not want him to be.

On the 3rd, the Barrayarans and outsiders awake to discover that the part of the cave where they've kept the majority of their food supply has collapsed, either blocking their access to the cache or destroying it entirely. It's impossible to tell. The villagers can't spare much more than they already have been -- certainly not enough to feed the hundred and fifty-odd soldiers in the camp -- so while they try to find out a way to recoup their food supply, they have no choice but to slaughter their own horses for food. Food will be heavily rationed, but fairly -- the outsiders receive no less than the rest. The prisoners, on the other hand, get nothing. There probably isn't enough wild game in the area to sustain the camp, but Piotr sends out hunting parties, and when they get wind of a Cetagandan supply drop on its way, they organize a raid on the supply lines.

camp
With temperatures well below freezing, no food, and excruciatingly little in the way of advantage against the Cetagandans after their last infiltration attempt, morale is beginning to drop. Piotr and Olivia remain bastions of perseverance as always, but Sonia is beginning to buckle and wilt as the days go on. The soldiers do their best to entertain themselves and keep morale up, but all they've got are maple mead, and old card and dice games. They could use some new forms of entertainment. Maybe a snowball fight might get the blood moving -- assuming you can stand the wind chill. Thankfully, there's no shortage of warm clothes and wool scarves.

The cave isn't big enough to simply move all of camp inside, but the sickbay and mess tents are moved where it's a little warmer and out of the harsh wind. It's generally crowded with off-duty soldiers despite the food shortage, because no one wants to be out in the cold right now. Things get a little better after the mostly successful raids, but food is still heavily rationed.

missions
The hunting parties are only moderately successful; there isn't much wild game out there right now, and while the soldiers fare alright, the outsiders' hunting party fails miserably. The raiding parties yield a little more in the way of relief, enough now that they don't have to keep eating horse meat, but Pearl was captured by enemy forces in the chaos.

Maine helps Piotr with a very successful final interrogation of ghem-Miko, the Cetagandan scientist taken prisoner last month. He reveals that the Cetagandans have been studying the locations where exotics appeared, as it seems to be linked to wormhole technology, and that the Cetagandans are planning on building a device to control it. They have the technology, they're almost sure, but it's a puzzle they haven't solved yet. Ghem-Miko doesn't live long past his interrogation -- public execution by decapitation is his sentence, and when it's done, a few soldiers carry off his body and severed head.

Piotr's interrogation of Duv Galeni goes about as well but, blessedly, less fatally. It becomes known that Duv is from Komarr, the planet that sold Barrayar out to the Cetagandans, and that Duv Galeni is really David Galen, a relative of a few Counselors in the head of Komarran government. However, he's able to successfully convince Piotr that he isn't allied with the Cetagandans, and after a few days of agony, Duv is granted parole at Piotr's discretion.

On the evening of the 15th, Maine, Beth and Byerly inadvertently catch Vorhalas in the act of trying to sabotage what little of their food supply they've been able to recoup. He tries both fight and flight, but the three outsiders are able to take him down and drag him to Piotr's doorstep. It quickly becomes apparent that Vorhalas was responsible for the cave-in earlier in the month. Piotr is both furious and victorious; he now has a lead on the traitor conspiracy among his men, and his esteem of Beth, Maine and Byerly has gone up considerably for their part. Vorhalas is up next in the interrogation chair, and this one won't be pretty.

The unabridged event writeup is here.

cetaganda
The recent supply drop not only provides resources for the base and for distribution to their other outposts, but also brings fresh species for transplant into the gardens at the Grow Labs. The arrival of a handful of new exotics gives rise to a fresh wave of buzzing curiosity around the base. All of the new exotics are given thorough physicals, just as the first wave were, and provided with fatigues and anything else they might need. They make an even dozen now, their bunk at capacity. The Cetagandans are beginning to become accustomed to having the exotics on base, some of them even forward enough with their curiosity to be friendly. Darkstalker now has a small following of ghem lady scientists who regularly feature him as a subject in their art.

New arrivals will be processed as the first were -- once everyone has been whisked out of the extreme cold, everyone is subject to a thorough physical, including a number of scans that may or may not seem totally arcane to you. Other than a blood sample, nothing they're doing is at all invasive. Lady Diya d'Zefyst, while not a physician, is present at all physicals. She is easily notable not only for her striking, almost ethereal beauty as is typical of the haut, but, as the only haut on base, she is easily distinguishable by her lack of facepaint.

While the exotics still have freedom of movement around the base, the recent extreme temperatures have their hosts diplomatically suggesting they travel as much as possible, they are provided cold weather wear, as the mess hall and medbay are in separate buildings from the barracks. Weather warning aside, they encourage the exotics to take advantage of the non-restricted recreational facilities -- exercise rooms, art rooms, the lush gardens in the Grow Labs -- and will satisfy any reasonable curiosities.

base
In an effort to make the exotics feel more at home, the Cetagandans decide to put on the sort of function they might for visiting diplomats, full of art of all sorts, to show that they're just as willing to share their culture with the exotics as they're asking the exotics to share with them. The function is hosted on the evening of the 7th in an annex to the Grow Labs apparently meant for this express purpose, as it shows off the most beautiful and elegant of the Grow Labs' specimens, and acts as a live arboretum in and of itself, and quite vibrantly beautiful.

If there's one thing the Cetagandans are good at (besides art, and language, and genetics) it's throwing a good party. Functions like this are always an opportunity for Cetagandans to try and socially one-up one another; everyone is in their most fashionable dress in the latest fashions they manage to keep off-planet, or at least a dress uniform, wearing fanciful scents and vibrant facepaint they might not otherwise on the job. For the artistically inclined ghem (read: a lot of them), this is the chance to show off their artistic endeavors as well -- large sculptures of unusual and improbable materials, walkable installations meant to engage every sense, and of course the living art engineered by the ghem ladies, ranging from relatively simple and tame pieces such as koi fish patterned with clan insignia or black roses and blue orchids, to complex combinations of non-human DNA to create some genetic sculpture. There is, of course, food and drink -- in the usual flagrant Cetagandan style, although the hors d'oeuvres and drinks are even more ecletic than the usual mess hall fare. It seems as though the Cetagandan passion for genetic art extends even into the culinary realm.

At the center of the party is a particular kind of art installation called a discernment garden. Housed in a beautiful, improbably architectural tent, the discernment garden consists of a series of rooms, each meant to test the refinement of the senses -- not unlike a varietal wine tasting. Each room is dedicated to a single sense, inviting participants to judge a collection of samples and suss out the differences, or match tastes and smells and textures to labels; the end of the garden presents its visitors with a final art piece incorporating all five senses, as a final test of one's refinement. Some of the ghem might (a bit wryly) confess that this is actually more of an education tool used for Cetagandan children, but this is meant as a gesture of good will toward the exotics.

missions
On the evenings of the 6th and the 8th, some of the exotics do a little sneaking around, and not for the first time. York lends Kaidan his access badge to the R&D Lab on the 6th and Kaidan, along with Sans and Symmetra, stumble onto a whole lot of wormhole data and schematics to construct a device capable of controlling the phenomena of the exotics' appearance. On the 8th, Deanna and Natasha sneak around to the tactical buildings and overhear some marital discord between Zahal and Diya, and a troubling glimpse at their diverging plans.

On the evening of the 13th, Jasper, York and Daryl are all in the medbay when a biocontainment breach sends it into automatic lockdown, trapping them inside. They overhear Diya arguing with one of her subordinates over unauthorized use of ba genetic material, whatever that is.

The unabridged event writeup is here.

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Pregame Handoff: Kaidan and York

On this particular afternoon, Kaidan Alenko can be found where he's been a fixture for the past few days: in the exotic's room of the barracks, cozied up to a lap reader and reading through the results of a morning spent feverishly sending off search queries about everything from Nexus politics to wormhole science. (One hopes the Cetagandans aren't on a capped bandwidth monthly internet plan.) He's yet to volunteer himself as a worker for the Cetagandans, taking full advantage of their offer to let the exotics stay rent free in an attempt to delay having to make an overt statement of support for them.

This doesn't mean that he's going to pass up the opportunity to wave down York when he spots him. "How's life on the other side of the science lab door?" is an amiable enough greeting.

The Observer: Kaidan and Sans

If there are Cetagandan eyes watching the exotics' bunkroom, they're ones that Daryl and Kaidan have been demonstrably unable to find. Even if the cameras are there, the casual transfer of a pass between its rightful owner and the inquisitive Canadian snoop now in possession of it was done with bodies screening it from the view of most potential cameras.

Of course, this fails to account for the eyes of other exotics in the room. Kaidan has resumed going through his comconsole finds, cagey enough in the art of sneaking around to not immediately bolt straight for the wormhole lab. There's time enough for a curious and observant sort to go ask questions.

The Obstruction: Kaidan, Sans and Symmetra

"Y'know," says Kaidan with quiet philosophy as he and Sans walk inside the wind shadow of the generator buildings, for what shelter from the cold that offers. "It's just as well you joined me. Two exotics out for a stroll... well, we're just two exotics out for a stroll, aren't we?"

Two exotics out for a stroll that's conveniently missed all foot patrols, and has stopped in the lee of every building between them and the R&D labs ahead to wait for any passing Cetagandans on other business to walk by without seeing them. Just... a nice little stroll.

The Action: Kaidan, Sans and Symmetra

With his solo mission now a three man squad, one of which is vociferously opposed to the whole idea, Kaidan is now looking each of his thirty six years, plus a few more years borrowed from somewhere else. Exasperation is clear in his posture, and one hand has thoroughly tousled the hair at his temples in repeated fidgets... but the pass from York has worked, the three of them have ducked safely into a networking closet to dodge the last, late-night workers, and he's now in a position to give her a slightly challenging lift of his chin, and the suggestion of "You take first crack at that subsystem. If you're serious about believing proof if we find it, that is."

York smiles, detouring to Kaidan's bed to sit at the foot of it. He likes the other man, appreciates his support through the hell that he's been living. Not everyone understands, or wants to bother trying, but Kaidan does. It's easier to be around him, to not have to worry about being normal all the time so he doesn't freak people out. That gets exhausting fast. Keeping busy is helping, of course, and "working" for the Cetagandans is part of that. Mostly he's snooping, or hoping to, wanting to know what's behind the closed doors of R&D.

"That depends on how you feel about math. Turns out that's all space travel is: math. So if you're an English major, life's pretty terrible in there. I'm cool with it though."

"They say all physics is just applied math -- or at least the math nerds I've run into like having that framed and on their desk somewhere," Kaidan quips, shuffling the hand-reader he's been glued to out of the way to make room for York. "But that seems to be pretty constant. I get the feeling their equations are a little more complex than where I'm from -- we just found a way to mess with e = mc squared."

"I'm not working on the big project... that's probably too complex for either of us. They're trying to build a device to control the wormhole that they think brought us here." He keeps his voice soft enough that only Kaidan can hear him, just because he doesn't think it'll go over well if he's caught talking about R&D projects. "That's what I've heard, anyway. Sometimes they talk around me, maybe they forget I'm there."

"...now that is damned interesting." Kaidan murmurs, leaning back to rest his head against the back wall of his bunk and letting his voice drop to a volume that matches York's. "A way home for us... or a hell of a tactical advantage for them. Since, from my reading, they're out at the very tip of a pretty precarious supply chain."

"Are they..? Probably both, then. What else did you find out?" He knows Kaidan's been buried in researching, reading every time York sees him. He'd be doing the same if he hadn't made himself so busy with other endeavors, but they can inform each other.

"The effects of wormholes on interstellar politics, basically," Kaidan summarizes the results of his nerding out as he takes the opportunity to stretch out his shoulders, which are informing him that yes, he has been spending a fair amount of time reading. "They're a series of choke points, and the Cetagandans managed to horn in on Barrayar by paying off the planet that controls access to the only jump point in. I imagine they'll probably bite the hand that taxes 'em eventually," he predicts, with a shake of his head for short-sighted Komarrans that he's never met. "But until Cetaganda invades and locks that planet down, there's a chance, however slim, that Komarr could cut them off, or outside forces could get people or material through. I imagine that has to make them twitchy."

Seeing Kaidan roll his shoulders has York standing up and moving towards the head of the bed, motioning for Kaidan to scoot down to he can fit behind him. "Move up." He sinks back down to the mattress with one leg on either side of Kaidan, and settles hands on his shoulders. "Did your reading mention any other collapsed wormholes that this tech could open? One from here to god knows where might not do them much good, but if there are others and they're interested in colonizing like they are here..."

Live in close quarters with space marines long enough and you recognize shorthand for an offer of a massage. Have migraines as Long as Kaidan has, and you're not saying no to one being offered. He scoots and moves up accordingly, and the furrow in his brow is from thought rather than pain. "Well, in terms of collapsed wormholes, they say that's what left this planet stranded for so long -- the one the colonists took from Earth destabilized and closed on them, so they had only the tech they had with them and an unterraformed planet to make it work on." He pauses, and adds reflectively that "They must have been tough people, to make it."

York knows about the migraines, enough that he'll take extra care along Kaidan's neck and the base of his skull. But for now he starts with his fellow exotic's tight shoulders, skilled fingers kneading the tension away as he listens to the brief history lesson. "They must have been," he echoes, impressed they managed to terraform and populate Barrayar on their own. "Is there any research on their culture?"

"Most of what I've found has been focused on how primitive they are, and how superior Cetagandan culture is to it," says Kaidan, managing to sound irritated despite the melting effect the massage is having on him. "I mean, I'm getting a sense of some internal propaganda, obviously," he allows, trying to be even handed. "And just as obviously I'm getting a curated view of things. But let's just say that us being labelled 'exotics' is a natural outgrowth of how they think."

"Too bad," he comments idly. "Sometimes even with propaganda they're interested in the culture enough to provide details. Like anthropologists that visit 'primitive' places." His thumbs stroke the muscles on either side of Kaidan's spine as he hums thoughtfully. "For thinking of us as exotic they haven't asked many questions about us besides biologically. Not me, at least. You?"

Curious and observant is right, and Symmetra is already wary of people here taking advantage of the hospitality they've been extended. Kaidan's best efforts to slink by unnoticed do still earn him Satya's attention, and before he can edge his way to the door to head for the lab?

He'll find her standing with her arms crossed, with an expression that clearly says whatever game he's playing? Is up.

Kaidan hasn't exchanged more than a few words with Symmetra since her arrival, having been largely holed up behind a disc reader when he's not been checking in with others or having a cultural exchange session with one of the ghem-Lieutenants. Still, what little impression he's got of her means that he doesn't look wholly surprised to find his way barred.

He looks, it must be said, rather tired. Still, driven by some officer's instinct to train and explain rather than outright barge through her (and, to be honest, her arm looks like fantastic tech that he'd like to know more about) he jerks his head sideways in an inviting gesture and says "Walk with me."

Being invited along was not what she expected. Eyes narrowing, she nonetheless moves to follow.

"What is it exactly that you think you're doing?"

It doesn't take long for her to cut to the heart of the matter, but she tends to be blunt on her best days. And too many people here have been putting her on edge for his suspicious behavior to be approached in any other terms.

Blunt he can work with, and the huff that escapes Kaidan as he steps out into the long barracks hallway is amused, even a little impressed, as he keeps their direction pointing towards the nearest outside door. "Getting some more information about what brought us here. I'm not trying to cause any trouble," he assures, and seems to be actually honest about it, "But I have a duty to my people to get back to them."

"As do we all. If such information could benefit us, they would have surely already told us so," Satya points out in clipped tones. There can be no mistake that her faith in the Cetagandans is already fairly resolute.

What sneaking around could possibly achieve is beyond her.

"They do not need us here. In point of fact we are likely a burden on their resources. Why would you think they have anything to hide?"

Satya's clipped tones and utter faith earn her a look from Kaidan that's lost its fatigue in favour of pure bafflement. "...you seriously think they don't filter information? Look -- it was Satya, right?" he wonders after her name, overheard rather than introduced in the confines of their shared barracks space. "This is a military R&D facility, they're not sharing information until they've had a chance to fully vet and classify it first. It's standard practice, I don't blame them, but I overheard them talking about a wormhole phenomenon being behind what's pulled us here, and that's information I need, if it's the case."

"And why do you need it? Can you produce one like it?"

She'd like to ask where he plans on pulling that sort of high-tech equipment out of, but fine. She'll see where he's taking this. Of course they haven't disclosed everything, but that's not a matter of hiding information as much as...well. Keep the bleach out of reach of the grasping toddlers they now had to wade through.

Nothing good would come of meddling in things they didn't understand.

He's silent for long enough that it suggests her question has stumped him. This does not result in Kaidan turning around and going back to bed like a properly civilized guest. It does result in another sigh, and the admission that "I can't build a wormhole -- although from my reading, neither can they -- but I've been here longer than you have. Our hosts are gracious, but they have no inclination of sharing anything meaningful with outsiders. So why don't you come with me?" he offers, and if it's more of a challenge than an invitation, it's at least delivered in a level tone.

"See for yourself. And if you see me start tampering with anything, then I trust you'll alert the guards."

"This is foolish. But if it will prove my point, so be it."

At least someone will be keeping an eye on him in the meanwhile. That's better than one of them traipsing about causing trouble, and the Cetagandans thinking the lot of them completely ungrateful for their hospitality.

One hand gestures onward. By all means. This is your one opportunity Kaidan, and she's watching you.

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[ february i log ]

Team Eta (+York for one thread)

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Icon inaccurate: Kaidan not shirtless. Alas.

Alas indeed.

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