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forbarrayar2017-04-02 02:25 pm
barrayarmods) wrote in forbarrayar2017-04-02 02:25 pm
[ april i log: if home is where the heart is ]
Who: Everyone
What: The sun finally comes out in proper spring, the labs are full of excitement, and Piotr prepares for real war. Your princess is in another castle.
When: April 1st - 18th
Where: the Barrayaran camp, the Cetagandan base, Riverfall Village
Warnings: TBD
Quick links:
Riverfall
Barrayar: Camp / Missions
Cetaganda: Base / Missions
TIMELINE
4/5 Eavesdropping Eta
4/6 Eavesdropping Sigma
4/8 Eavesdropping Mu
4/10 Mystery Plot
4/11 - 4/12 Resources: Weapons & Equipment
riverfall
The locals are celebrating the much-welcome coming of spring, and it is a warm one. Pleasant mountain breezes carry the far-off scent of the ocean, and bit by bit, the Barrayaran flora is beginning to bloom. Wildflowers spring up all over, adding a lively splash of color to the camp and village on the backdrop of Barrayar's rust-red native flora.
While the villagers aren't exactly hosting a festival, the entire village is pitching in to sow the spring crops, delayed by the cold freeze. But they lost a quarter of their population to the flu, and they're short on hands. So Barrayarans and outsiders alike come to the village to help, the villagers welcoming them into their homes for the night, as it's a half a day's hike between the camp and the village. While it isn't quite summer yet, the village children are already starting to splash around near the waterfall, inviting others by way of playfully splashing water on them as they pass by.
After the battle, however, the mood in the village turns to ash. With another dozen dead to bury, they've lost almost half their population in the last few months, only 48 of them left, and some of their homes were damaged or destroyed by plasma fire during the fight. Mercifully, their fields were untouched, but the village is littered with bodies, the site of a massacre. Barrayaran soldiers carry off their own dead as well as the Cetagandans, while the villagers burn death offerings beyond the fields.
barrayar
Morale is finally on the rise with the brightening weather, especially with their food stores replenished and the full recovery of the flu in the camp. Their numbers are down, but the Cetagandans' are even worse, and the tactical situation has changed. With half the Cetagandans' force either dead or out of commission, a window of opportunity presents itself. Piotr decides that need to recapture Vorkosigan Vashnoi -- if the city weren't occupied, then Micah's kidnapping by the Cetagandans could have been prevented. The base is an easy target right now with its defenses down -- until reinforcements arrive -- and the reconnaissance they'd done on the base's power generators a few months ago will finally be put to use. They may have a chance at using this to drive the occupying forces out of the city, too.
But they don't have a chance of successfully taking hold of the city without the rest of Piotr's army. About a month before the first outsiders arrived, the location of Piotr's previous camp was discovered by the Cetagandans, and the army split in two to return to fallback locations. The plan was always to rendezvous as soon as possible and reunite the army, and they need to rejoin forces now more than ever. Scouts are sent off into the mountains, looking to make contact with their comrades, and they're in luck -- the other half of Piotr's army, currently led by Major Rifkin, one of his missing general staff.
The last few months haven't been kind to the Barrayarans' supply of weapons and equipment. There's no way they could launch a successful assault on the base with their meager supplies, so Piotr sends several parties to make contact with the underground civilian resistance in Vorkosigan Vashnoi and stock up, then smuggle the weapons out of the city.
They're also low on weapons and equipment, which means Piotr is sending several parties back to Vorkosigan Vashnoi to stock up. Piotr and Ezar have contacts in the city, valuable allies who are part of the underground civilian resistance. They can provide the goods -- but one of the teams will be responsible for making sure the weapons are smuggled safely out of the city with the assistance of other members of the civilian resistance.
With Micah in Cetagandan hands, they are no doubt making progress on the Star Gate Project. Piotr, however, is convinced of Micah's sympathies, and their work could still be to their benefit -- or at least, to the outsiders'. And if nothing else, Micah would be the ideal candidate for sabotage should it come down to it. But for now, Piotr is interested in keeping Micah alive. Micah is a personal friend of Prince Xav's as well as a sympathizer, and their care was entrusted to Piotr, a matter of honor. So for now, his orders to his informants are merely to keep a close eye on Micah and their activities, even befriend them, but not to let slip their true sympathies to Barrayar. And now, with Sonia held captive, Piotr wants more than ever to make new informant contacts on the Cetagandans.
camp
Morale is on the rise, steady and surely. People are feeling good, enjoying the sun and warmth, a relief and a blessing after the weeks of cold and near-starvation. And so the soldiers do what Barrayarans always do when they're in good spirits: they drink. Evenings spent around bonfires playing cards or chest, drinking wine and mead, and they're a lot friendlier to the outsiders these days. Even the new ones have proven themselves with all the aid they gave during the epidemic, so if you're invited over for a drink and a game with the soldiers, don't be too surprised.
Of course, sometimes get taken a little too far, and some soldiers start up some drunken swordfight contests, which probably seemed like a great idea at the time. But you know what they say: it's all fun and games until somebody accidentally gets stabbed in the side. Piotr quickly shuts this down, and anyone involved, outsiders included, is likely to receive punishment, probably in the form of manual labor despite any hangover. The camp is down by over thirty men after last month, but on the (slightly morbid) bright side, at least this means that the outsiders finally get two tents to themselves, which is good considering the warming weather.
After the Princess's capture, however, the mood starts to shift back downhill. They're still not remotely ready to launch their attack on the Cetagandan base, let alone rescue Sonia. Both Piotr and Olivia are in vicious spirits; if you thought Piotr's previous demeanor was dour, he was a ray of frigging sunshine in comparison to now. Now he's furious, frustrated, and he has even less patience for time-wasting bullshit than usual.
missions
Overall, the outsiders' contributions to the spring planting on the village farm is helpful and greatly appreciated: they're able to fully sow their fields, and with the weather, they're hoping for a good summer harvest. However, no one should let Carolina around farming equipment ever again.
Hunting parties were sent out to stock up on food stores, with overall success. Some of the outsiders are proving themselves to be pretty competent hunters, much to the Barrayarans' appreciation.
Scouts were sent out to comb through the Dendarii Mountains for the other half of the army. With some help from the outsiders, William and Wash in particular, they're able to make contact with the other half of Piotr's army to coordinate and reunite their efforts.
Several parties were sent into Vorkosigan Vashnoi to make contact with the underground civilian resistance, which has a strong presence there, and smuggle weapons out of the city. There's a dangerous chase by Cetagandan patrols, but ultimately they're able to make it out of the city safetly and successfully return with the goods.
On the 10th, a Cetagandan patrol unexpectedly shows up in Riverfall when Sonia, Gavalas, and several others are there. A fight breaks out across the whole village, resulting in more than 30 casualties, including two Vorkosigan armsmen, and the Cetagandans successfully capture Sonia back to their base.
The unabridged mission results can be found here.
cetaganda
Zahal is furious at Piotr's successful biowarfare attack on his base, however accidental. It's devastated his ranks, and while they still outnumber the Barrayarans about forty to one, it's still a serious blow. The ghem-General decides that they need to force a forfeit, and they'll have to do it as quickly as possible, before Vorkosigan can strike them while they're down. The Cetagandan patrols double down and start swarming the mountains in search of the guerrilla camp.
The Star Gate Project is well underway with Micah on board, who is cooperating for the time being, though not happily. Most of their waking hours seem to be spent in the lab, though they're around the mess at mealtimes. They are certainly interested in the work -- it's totally unprecedented -- but their true sympathies lie with Barrayar, and they are entirely uncomfortable working for the Cetagandans. They're currently focusing their research efforts on possible power supplies and solving the problem of what, exactly, is getting people from the wormhole to the planet surface. To speed things along in the lab, the Cetagandans are asking for more help with their research -- anyone with any relevant knowledge is highly encouraged to step forward. And any informants for the Barrayarans are being instructed to keep an eye on Micah, too, as well as their progress on the project.
The Handmaiden of the Star Crèche is seen about the base, for certain definitions of seen -- she travels exclusive in an opaque luminescent force bubble, often escorted by one or two of her ba servitors. At the beginning of the month, Haut Sei announces the gene therapy trials they're conducting: if you're one of the exotics who lost genetically inherited powers, or were made human from some other type of being entirely, you are invited to participate in a new, experimental kind of gene therapy. Why participate? Well, they're aiming to restore any lost powers you might have had, although there's no guarantee of success, and such an experimental treatment does, of course, come with risks. But what's a little reward without risk?
base
The base feels unusually dreary in the wake of the epidemic, and with thousands of dead, it's impossible to have a service funeral for each of them individually. And so dozens of collective funerals are held, each of them solemn and steeped in ornate ceremony. The Cetagandans take their dead as seriously as anybody, and no nonsense will be permitted during the funerals. The base is only operating at half capacity, with only about 5,000 soldiers ready for active duty. Zahal has put in a request for reinforcements from Vorbarr Sultana, but that request has yet to be answered.
Haut Sei officially assumes her authority on base as Handmaiden of the Star Crèche, although Diya is, in name, still the head of the genetics project. Sei's ba entourage is most often seen in her company, but occasionally Ba Talim, one of her most faithful, may be seen on its own around the base, possibly on errand for its lady.
Diya is somewhat more present around the base now that the plague is over, but she still most frequently found in the labs or the gardens, and often in the company of Haut Sei, always in her force bubble, making Diya look strangely naked in comparison. The ghem around the base who have recovered are marking earnest attempts at brightening the morbid atmosphere that's settled over the base by decorating the barracks areas with fresh art -- literally freshly engineerd botanical creations, or sometimes hybrid biological-zoological creations…ah, Cetagandan art.
Princess Sonia is taken into custody on the 10th and housed in a cell. The Cetagandans offer her relative freedom to move about the base if she'll only give them her parole; she stubbornly and furiously refuses for the first several days, but the misery of being stuck in a cell by herself gets to her and she reluctantly agrees. Micah, the Cetagandans' other captive, though less strictly guarded, can most often be found in the labs and the mess. Although they're getting to know some of theexotics extrauniversals, they're still ill at ease here and not thrilled to be here. It isn't entirely clear, though, whether Micah's long hours in the labs are by their choice or at the Cetagandans' behest.
missions
The mess is shorthanded, and the exotics' help is much appreciated. A few of them even manage to impress the Cetagandan mess officer a little, who clearly takes the craft very seriously. (They all do.) A few of you, though…you can stick to dishwashing duty, thanks.
As is now established tradition among the exotics (because anything done twice on Barrayar is tradition, and they have done this way more than twice), several people go eavesdropping. On the 5th, Kurt and Pearl overhear Zahal receiving an Imperial writ to turn the entire Star Gate Project over to the Star Crèche. On the 6th, Jasper and Symmetra are caught listening in on a very personal conversation between Diya and Sei, and Diya's overambitious hopes for herself. On the 8th, Byerly and Lapis eavesdrop on a curious conversation between Ba Talim and Diya, hinting that the decision to cull Diya may have been somewhat personal after all.
In the labs, things go more or less alright, although things keep breaking or exploding. A plasma power pack explodes in the lab with Jasper and Whirl (which may or may not be Whirl's fault), though Jasper saves Micah from serious injury. In another stroke of spectacularly bad luck, one of the Necklin rods they've been using for testing falls and crashes down into one of the lab areas, and it's thanks to Natasha that Micah sustains anything more than minor injury.
On the 10th, a Cetagandan patrol unexpectedly shows up in Riverfall when Sonia, Gavalas, and several others are there. A fight breaks out across the whole village, resulting in more than 30 casualties, including two Vorkosigan armsmen, and the Cetagandans successfully capture Sonia back to their base.
The unabridged mission results can be found here.
Note: Negri, Diya and Gail are available for threading by request. Please hit up Madi (Negri & Diya) or Ammay (Gail) if you'd like some CR with the ghem-Lieutenant!
What: The sun finally comes out in proper spring, the labs are full of excitement, and Piotr prepares for real war. Your princess is in another castle.
When: April 1st - 18th
Where: the Barrayaran camp, the Cetagandan base, Riverfall Village
Warnings: TBD
Riverfall
Barrayar: Camp / Missions
Cetaganda: Base / Missions
TIMELINE
4/5 Eavesdropping Eta
4/6 Eavesdropping Sigma
4/8 Eavesdropping Mu
4/10 Mystery Plot
4/11 - 4/12 Resources: Weapons & Equipment
riverfall
The locals are celebrating the much-welcome coming of spring, and it is a warm one. Pleasant mountain breezes carry the far-off scent of the ocean, and bit by bit, the Barrayaran flora is beginning to bloom. Wildflowers spring up all over, adding a lively splash of color to the camp and village on the backdrop of Barrayar's rust-red native flora.
While the villagers aren't exactly hosting a festival, the entire village is pitching in to sow the spring crops, delayed by the cold freeze. But they lost a quarter of their population to the flu, and they're short on hands. So Barrayarans and outsiders alike come to the village to help, the villagers welcoming them into their homes for the night, as it's a half a day's hike between the camp and the village. While it isn't quite summer yet, the village children are already starting to splash around near the waterfall, inviting others by way of playfully splashing water on them as they pass by.
After the battle, however, the mood in the village turns to ash. With another dozen dead to bury, they've lost almost half their population in the last few months, only 48 of them left, and some of their homes were damaged or destroyed by plasma fire during the fight. Mercifully, their fields were untouched, but the village is littered with bodies, the site of a massacre. Barrayaran soldiers carry off their own dead as well as the Cetagandans, while the villagers burn death offerings beyond the fields.
barrayar
Morale is finally on the rise with the brightening weather, especially with their food stores replenished and the full recovery of the flu in the camp. Their numbers are down, but the Cetagandans' are even worse, and the tactical situation has changed. With half the Cetagandans' force either dead or out of commission, a window of opportunity presents itself. Piotr decides that need to recapture Vorkosigan Vashnoi -- if the city weren't occupied, then Micah's kidnapping by the Cetagandans could have been prevented. The base is an easy target right now with its defenses down -- until reinforcements arrive -- and the reconnaissance they'd done on the base's power generators a few months ago will finally be put to use. They may have a chance at using this to drive the occupying forces out of the city, too.
But they don't have a chance of successfully taking hold of the city without the rest of Piotr's army. About a month before the first outsiders arrived, the location of Piotr's previous camp was discovered by the Cetagandans, and the army split in two to return to fallback locations. The plan was always to rendezvous as soon as possible and reunite the army, and they need to rejoin forces now more than ever. Scouts are sent off into the mountains, looking to make contact with their comrades, and they're in luck -- the other half of Piotr's army, currently led by Major Rifkin, one of his missing general staff.
The last few months haven't been kind to the Barrayarans' supply of weapons and equipment. There's no way they could launch a successful assault on the base with their meager supplies, so Piotr sends several parties to make contact with the underground civilian resistance in Vorkosigan Vashnoi and stock up, then smuggle the weapons out of the city.
They're also low on weapons and equipment, which means Piotr is sending several parties back to Vorkosigan Vashnoi to stock up. Piotr and Ezar have contacts in the city, valuable allies who are part of the underground civilian resistance. They can provide the goods -- but one of the teams will be responsible for making sure the weapons are smuggled safely out of the city with the assistance of other members of the civilian resistance.
With Micah in Cetagandan hands, they are no doubt making progress on the Star Gate Project. Piotr, however, is convinced of Micah's sympathies, and their work could still be to their benefit -- or at least, to the outsiders'. And if nothing else, Micah would be the ideal candidate for sabotage should it come down to it. But for now, Piotr is interested in keeping Micah alive. Micah is a personal friend of Prince Xav's as well as a sympathizer, and their care was entrusted to Piotr, a matter of honor. So for now, his orders to his informants are merely to keep a close eye on Micah and their activities, even befriend them, but not to let slip their true sympathies to Barrayar. And now, with Sonia held captive, Piotr wants more than ever to make new informant contacts on the Cetagandans.
camp
Morale is on the rise, steady and surely. People are feeling good, enjoying the sun and warmth, a relief and a blessing after the weeks of cold and near-starvation. And so the soldiers do what Barrayarans always do when they're in good spirits: they drink. Evenings spent around bonfires playing cards or chest, drinking wine and mead, and they're a lot friendlier to the outsiders these days. Even the new ones have proven themselves with all the aid they gave during the epidemic, so if you're invited over for a drink and a game with the soldiers, don't be too surprised.
Of course, sometimes get taken a little too far, and some soldiers start up some drunken swordfight contests, which probably seemed like a great idea at the time. But you know what they say: it's all fun and games until somebody accidentally gets stabbed in the side. Piotr quickly shuts this down, and anyone involved, outsiders included, is likely to receive punishment, probably in the form of manual labor despite any hangover. The camp is down by over thirty men after last month, but on the (slightly morbid) bright side, at least this means that the outsiders finally get two tents to themselves, which is good considering the warming weather.
After the Princess's capture, however, the mood starts to shift back downhill. They're still not remotely ready to launch their attack on the Cetagandan base, let alone rescue Sonia. Both Piotr and Olivia are in vicious spirits; if you thought Piotr's previous demeanor was dour, he was a ray of frigging sunshine in comparison to now. Now he's furious, frustrated, and he has even less patience for time-wasting bullshit than usual.
missions
Overall, the outsiders' contributions to the spring planting on the village farm is helpful and greatly appreciated: they're able to fully sow their fields, and with the weather, they're hoping for a good summer harvest. However, no one should let Carolina around farming equipment ever again.
Hunting parties were sent out to stock up on food stores, with overall success. Some of the outsiders are proving themselves to be pretty competent hunters, much to the Barrayarans' appreciation.
Scouts were sent out to comb through the Dendarii Mountains for the other half of the army. With some help from the outsiders, William and Wash in particular, they're able to make contact with the other half of Piotr's army to coordinate and reunite their efforts.
Several parties were sent into Vorkosigan Vashnoi to make contact with the underground civilian resistance, which has a strong presence there, and smuggle weapons out of the city. There's a dangerous chase by Cetagandan patrols, but ultimately they're able to make it out of the city safetly and successfully return with the goods.
On the 10th, a Cetagandan patrol unexpectedly shows up in Riverfall when Sonia, Gavalas, and several others are there. A fight breaks out across the whole village, resulting in more than 30 casualties, including two Vorkosigan armsmen, and the Cetagandans successfully capture Sonia back to their base.
The unabridged mission results can be found here.
cetaganda
Zahal is furious at Piotr's successful biowarfare attack on his base, however accidental. It's devastated his ranks, and while they still outnumber the Barrayarans about forty to one, it's still a serious blow. The ghem-General decides that they need to force a forfeit, and they'll have to do it as quickly as possible, before Vorkosigan can strike them while they're down. The Cetagandan patrols double down and start swarming the mountains in search of the guerrilla camp.
The Star Gate Project is well underway with Micah on board, who is cooperating for the time being, though not happily. Most of their waking hours seem to be spent in the lab, though they're around the mess at mealtimes. They are certainly interested in the work -- it's totally unprecedented -- but their true sympathies lie with Barrayar, and they are entirely uncomfortable working for the Cetagandans. They're currently focusing their research efforts on possible power supplies and solving the problem of what, exactly, is getting people from the wormhole to the planet surface. To speed things along in the lab, the Cetagandans are asking for more help with their research -- anyone with any relevant knowledge is highly encouraged to step forward. And any informants for the Barrayarans are being instructed to keep an eye on Micah, too, as well as their progress on the project.
The Handmaiden of the Star Crèche is seen about the base, for certain definitions of seen -- she travels exclusive in an opaque luminescent force bubble, often escorted by one or two of her ba servitors. At the beginning of the month, Haut Sei announces the gene therapy trials they're conducting: if you're one of the exotics who lost genetically inherited powers, or were made human from some other type of being entirely, you are invited to participate in a new, experimental kind of gene therapy. Why participate? Well, they're aiming to restore any lost powers you might have had, although there's no guarantee of success, and such an experimental treatment does, of course, come with risks. But what's a little reward without risk?
base
The base feels unusually dreary in the wake of the epidemic, and with thousands of dead, it's impossible to have a service funeral for each of them individually. And so dozens of collective funerals are held, each of them solemn and steeped in ornate ceremony. The Cetagandans take their dead as seriously as anybody, and no nonsense will be permitted during the funerals. The base is only operating at half capacity, with only about 5,000 soldiers ready for active duty. Zahal has put in a request for reinforcements from Vorbarr Sultana, but that request has yet to be answered.
Haut Sei officially assumes her authority on base as Handmaiden of the Star Crèche, although Diya is, in name, still the head of the genetics project. Sei's ba entourage is most often seen in her company, but occasionally Ba Talim, one of her most faithful, may be seen on its own around the base, possibly on errand for its lady.
Diya is somewhat more present around the base now that the plague is over, but she still most frequently found in the labs or the gardens, and often in the company of Haut Sei, always in her force bubble, making Diya look strangely naked in comparison. The ghem around the base who have recovered are marking earnest attempts at brightening the morbid atmosphere that's settled over the base by decorating the barracks areas with fresh art -- literally freshly engineerd botanical creations, or sometimes hybrid biological-zoological creations…ah, Cetagandan art.
Princess Sonia is taken into custody on the 10th and housed in a cell. The Cetagandans offer her relative freedom to move about the base if she'll only give them her parole; she stubbornly and furiously refuses for the first several days, but the misery of being stuck in a cell by herself gets to her and she reluctantly agrees. Micah, the Cetagandans' other captive, though less strictly guarded, can most often be found in the labs and the mess. Although they're getting to know some of the
missions
The mess is shorthanded, and the exotics' help is much appreciated. A few of them even manage to impress the Cetagandan mess officer a little, who clearly takes the craft very seriously. (They all do.) A few of you, though…you can stick to dishwashing duty, thanks.
As is now established tradition among the exotics (because anything done twice on Barrayar is tradition, and they have done this way more than twice), several people go eavesdropping. On the 5th, Kurt and Pearl overhear Zahal receiving an Imperial writ to turn the entire Star Gate Project over to the Star Crèche. On the 6th, Jasper and Symmetra are caught listening in on a very personal conversation between Diya and Sei, and Diya's overambitious hopes for herself. On the 8th, Byerly and Lapis eavesdrop on a curious conversation between Ba Talim and Diya, hinting that the decision to cull Diya may have been somewhat personal after all.
In the labs, things go more or less alright, although things keep breaking or exploding. A plasma power pack explodes in the lab with Jasper and Whirl (which may or may not be Whirl's fault), though Jasper saves Micah from serious injury. In another stroke of spectacularly bad luck, one of the Necklin rods they've been using for testing falls and crashes down into one of the lab areas, and it's thanks to Natasha that Micah sustains anything more than minor injury.
On the 10th, a Cetagandan patrol unexpectedly shows up in Riverfall when Sonia, Gavalas, and several others are there. A fight breaks out across the whole village, resulting in more than 30 casualties, including two Vorkosigan armsmen, and the Cetagandans successfully capture Sonia back to their base.
The unabridged mission results can be found here.
Note: Negri, Diya and Gail are available for threading by request. Please hit up Madi (Negri & Diya) or Ammay (Gail) if you'd like some CR with the ghem-Lieutenant!
no subject
Wash hasn't seen how bad Tucker can get, no. But he does know Tucker. Knows how deeply he cares, even if he tries to be flippant sometimes, knows he ultimately always wears his heart on his sleeve, and Sonia, well. Sonia meant a lot to him.
He stays there for a moment, two, and then he finally relents, letting go of Tucker's arm first before he starts pushing himself up to his feet, offering a hand to pull Tucker up as well. ]
You knew what would happen when you tried that shit with me, Tucker. [ Just a little pointedly. Don't ever expect Wash to not defend himself, you should know better than that by now. ] Let's just talk about this, okay?
We'll figure something out. [ He has to. They have to. ] Give me the rundown.
no subject
But it’s not Wash’s fault, either, and he knew that on some level, but it was easy to lash out.
All I wanna do is stand around and talk to my friend. But he’s gone now and all I have is you!]
We were in the village. Riverfall. Assholes came, spotted us, got her, and a bunch of people died. [Have the cliffnotes version, because he knows the more detailed was going to Piotr. Hands rubbed against his coat as if he could clean them.] Look, all that matters is getting her back.
[Alone. Together. Whatever, as long as the results are the same.]
no subject
Other than pissed off. He knows that part already. ]
We are going to get her back. [ There's a real determination there. Leaving her there isn't an option. ] We just aren't going to be idiots about it, either.
What were you even going to do? Toss some gear into a burlap sack and hope to get past all their security alone?
no subject
It ate up time and never got them any closer. ]
And yeah, that's pretty much what I was planning on. [At least Tucker wasn't breaking away from the hands on his shoulders, but the truth of the statement was there, laid out like a hand of poker after the call. There was no sugarcoating it, nothing to hide because if Wash didn't know before, fuck it, he did now.]
We chose not to take our squads when we came for you because we weren't about to get them killed, too. Our team, our sacrifice, and keep it at a minimum for everyone else. It worked, some-fucking-how. Every dumb plan, every stupid decision, it's always worked. It sure as hell got your ass back with us, so why wouldn't it work again? Why wouldn't it work here?
no subject
It was Tucker. Of course it was Tucker.
The Reds and Blues have done a lot of dumb shit that's somehow managed to work, Wash has learned that firsthand. Things that should never go through that somehow always do. But god if he doesn't keep trying to stop them, trying to keep them in line, because one of these days that luck is going to run out. One of these days they're going to run face-first into the reality of war that they've still managed to avoid, and. ]
Luck runs out eventually, and I don't want you there when it does.
[ A breath, his eyes closing briefly as he squeezes his hands over Tucker's shoulders, before letting them fall back to his sides. ]
It's not going to work because I'm not going to let it, how about that? [ Pointedly, sharply, folding his arms across his chest. ] I want you alive, I want you safe, so I'm sure as hell not going to let you run off on your own and get yourself killed. You're part of a team here, you know that, right? I need you here. We need you here.
So does Sonia. What she'd need right now is for you to pull yourself back together and fucking think for a second instead of literally arguing to me that stupid shit isn't stupid, just because it's worked before. [ And here's that commanding officer tone of voice starting to kick in, something fierce in his eyes. ] You're going listen to me and stand the fuck down, Tucker, so that you'll still be here to take part when we're putting together an actual rescue, so that you'll be there to take part when we actually go to save her, and so that you'll still be here for her yell at herself for being such a goddamn idiot.
no subject
[He couldn't save the guys back home. He couldn't save Church. He needed to at least save her.
At least some of the resolve backed down when Wash was talking about teams, about being needed, his brow furrowing. He felt torn for a moment, wondering which was his place: going after her or being with them. Working with them. Helping with them. He opened his mouth--
--then snapped it shut when Wash got that tone in his voice. Old roles felt comfortable: Wash being in charge, Tucker fighting against authority] Stupid shit works because no one fucking expects it, and you know this! Tell me shotgun hasn't fucking did it a million times, especially against you! [He could hear Sarge saying it in his head, and it fucking hurt how much he missed it now. Damn Reds.]
You know how long shit can take to get coordinated, prepared, how long it takes to move a fucking military mission. This could be weeks! Months! How long do you expect me to sit and do nothing!?
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I don't expect you to wait that long, no. [ A sigh, relenting. ] You aren't the only one who wants her back, and you aren't the only one who wants to go after her as soon as possible. No one's going to be sitting on their hands, here, least of all the General.
[ He doesn't actually know how much Piotr might care for Sonia, but even if he doesn't care for her as family ( which somehow Wash thinks he might ), he's pretty sure that this wound to his pride and honor won't go lightly. Breathe in, breathe out. Get some actual fucking information, just a yelling match with Tucker wasn't going to get anywhere. For his benefit, and for Tucker's as well. Let's try and be productive here, Tucker. ]
They took her alive. Do you know what they wanted with her?
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Tucker let his shoulders fall a little in defeat. Everything was resulting in empty hands.]
Do I look like I got a list of their demands? They took her because they’re huge dicks who do dick things and that’s all I know. [Which wasn’t much, wasn’t helping anything. Sorry,, but he wasn’t able to give as much as you were probably hoping, a fact that made him feel even worse.]
They took her and didn’t kill her, and that’s all I know. [And then, quietly…] Sorry, Wash.
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[ Because hell, Wash knows better than most what it's like to lose yourself in guilt and blame. Drag yourself out of it, Tucker. You're better than that. Wash gives him a moment before he moves on, gives him something else to latch onto, something else to direct his energy towards. ]
If they wanted to kill her, they'd have done it already. [ His mouth presses into a line, his expression grim as he works through the possibilities in his head. ] They took her alive, which means she's leverage and they want something -- they'll make their demands known sooner or later. What I want you to understand is that it sounds like keeping her alive is actually in their interests for now, and one thing that's likely to change that is a botched rescue attempt.
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Well, shit. He hated it when Wash was right, sometimes. Sitting back and doing nothing seemed kind of crappy compared to everything else he could be doing.]
A lot of shit happened all at once, and Miles was way closer than I was to the whole thing. [He sounded angry about it, and that was probably because he was. Not at Miles, though, but just because he hadn't been closer to help.] A lot of villagers died and everything happened really fast. He's probably got a lot more information than I can give you.
You picked the wrong tree to bark up.
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What, do you actually think the only reason I came after you was just so I could wring you about what happened? [ Come on, give him some credit, he's not. That bad. Right? He hopes he's not that bad. ] I'll check on Miles later.
You know it wasn't your fault.
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[Was he wrong, Wash? Was he really? Because he didn't exactly feel wrong. And while he normally would have teased you about caring, the fact of the matter was that he needed someone to care, to think straight because he couldn't. Not now. Not until she came home.]
Um, yeah, it was totally my fault. I was there! I should have helped more, but instead a bunch of people got killed and she's gone. [The fact that he managed to save the lives of some villagers? Not lost on him, not at all, but shit, he should have done better, Wash. He should have.]
Look, whatever we do, it needs to happen soon. [Because staying still might not be the best for him, not really.]
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[ Because, you know. He does care. Ain't ashamed about it, either, tease him all you want. ]
Might as well say it was my fault for not being there, then. [ A little pointedly -- and he says it as if he doesn't feel it's true, as if some part of him isn't busy wrestling with that guilt, you should've been there, you should have fucking been there. ] I know you must've done all you could. Everyone there did what they could.
We'll find a way, okay? The General's not exactly going to want to take his time, either.
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It was different when it was the Sims on board with him; they all agreed to certain things, certain ideas, were willing to throw their lives off for the goal together, no one holding them back, no voice of reason. But here--
Shit, if Wash hadn't been split from them, he wondered if he would've let them go on that initial stupid rescue mission to the Feds.]
Totally different! I was right there. In the same area. There were four of us there along with the guards and we all failed! She doesn't need an entire army escort everywhere; we should've been enough. [But they hadn't been. They hadn't, as a group. As a collective. To blame himself was to blame Miles and Maine and Carolina and each of her guards, living and dead, but...he wasn't doing that. He wasn't. Which...probably meant he shouldn't be blaming himself, either. Dammit.]
Yeah. I'm sure all this shit is going to go over really well when I tell him.
[You heard right, Wash: Tucker was being the one to tell him.]
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[ Just. So dryly. He knows you can see the hypocrisy there, buddy. He's gives that a moment, is about to say something more, but then Tucker keeps talking, and. There's an immediate sense of alarm, his eyes widening slightly. It's not that he doesn't think Tucker is capable, it's more of the kind of man and the kind of General that Piotr seems to be. He doesn't seem like he'd really hurt any men on his own side without cause, but. Angry enough, driven enough . . . Tucker associating himself with that news can only be bad. ]
-- You're going to tell him? [ A beat, and continuing just in a not-very-good attempt at covering up how reflexive that response is. ] Shouldn't that be some armsman's responsibility?
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But Wash, Tucker knew that tone, and pardon him if he was suddenly glaring a little.] Probably, but fuck it, they've got their own shit to worry about. What, you don't think I can?
[Other than this was going to be his first real interaction with the guy, and delivering this news when Tucker was already set to blow was asking for trouble on a million different levels. This totally wasn't a form of self-punishment. No way.] Dude, I have to do something, so let me have this at least!
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A muscle in his jaw ticks. ]
Have you even spoken to him before now?
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There was a shake of his head, and if Wash was expecting him to look dejected or cautious about it, prepare be disappointed.]
No. I mean, if I have to people a native member of royalty to hang out with, he’s not exactly at the top of my list. [He has better tastes.] Why? Is he going to go all Indiana Jones and rip out my heart?
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[ Very dryly. But no, he doesn't think Piotr will really lash out at him, he's too good of a general, as intense of a man as he is, as much as he seems to exemplify everything Wash's come to associate with Barrayar, brutal and harsh and unforgiving. Tucker wouldn't be responsible, likely he would see it as the responsibility of Sonia's armsman, of Carolina, her guard . . . God, Carolina. He needs to check on her too. ]
Give him an actual report, he won't appreciate any bullshit. If you thought any CO you ever had was bad, including me, Piotr's going to be a hell lot worse if you manage to piss him off. [ A sigh. Notice he's not stopping Tucker from doing this, because well, he has to give Tucker something. Tucker can handle reporting to the General, of course he can, Wash believes that. Doesn't mean Wash isn't worried about it though. ] He's probably going to want to know how many were injured and killed.
Don't say that you want to go and save her now. [ And again he doesn't bother with if you have to say something about rescuing her, because of course he fucking will. ] Say that you're ready to. At his command.
[ That'll hopefully temper him some in regards to Tucker, at least . . . Maybe. ]
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Now, he almost welcomed someone being pissed at him. The guilt begged to be acknowledged, and what better way than this? Than getting yelled at by the one person who could make his life a living hell? Toss this at him and see what explodes.
So yeah, Tucker stared, with flat eyes and a tightened jaw.] I can handle talking to someone. [No. No, he couldn’t.] What’s the worst he can fucking do to me? Seriously, Wash? It’s fine.
[And maybe this was more of a risk than running off was. Really.]
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Different tactic, then. ]
The best chance of a rescue mission that's going to work is one that's more than just a few ragtag outsiders running out on their own. An actual mission, with native soldiers, with General Vorkosigan's approval.
You want to be on that mission, when that time comes? Then don't piss him off.
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It annoyed him in the same way that it used to when Wash helped him become a better soldier against his will.]
Fine. [And it was ground out between his teeth, pissed. So pissed without an outlet, and it was sometimes so easy for Tucker to just drown in his emotions, good or bad. This was one of those times.] I'm gonna go get it over with, okay? If you don't see me by tomorrow, assume Piotr had me beheaded or some shit.
[He's only half-kidding.]
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[ He'd say after Tucker was done, but he has other people to talk to, other people to check on, means to speak to Miles right after this. He's still going to make damn sure that Tucker's well and truly staying put in camp, not to mention just. To talk to him more. This has to be hard for him, and Wash wants to be a friend here a lot more than he wants to be a CO, but he still has to make sure that this shit about him having to stay put and watch his mouth makes it through.
He relaxes again, relenting. ]
He won't have your head, because he's not that kind of General, but also because you're smart enough to know what not to say. [ Wash does believe that. But he just gestures, with a tip of his head. ] Go on, then. I won't keep you.
I know you'll be fine.