forbarrayar | [ april i log: if home is where the heart is ]

Entry tags:

[ 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 the ~~exotics~~ 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!

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

They're at a critical point, strategically speaking. The sort of opportunity that could make or break the the rest of their efforts here in Vorkosigan's District. If they can kick Zahal's forces while they're down – if they can retake Vorkosigan Vashnoi... These are Piotr's primary concerns these days, among what the Cetagandans are up to. He's reluctant to try and pull Micah out of there for the time being; with their sympathies, they could be used to sabotage the project if need be, but right now, there are too many dependent on the success of that project to go that far just yet. Once he figures out how to safely make contact with Micah via one of his informants, they’ll have a better tactical grasp on the situation.

Until that utter shitshow in Riverfall happens, and then everything changes. It makes their tactical situation that much more complicated, and beyond that – beyond all that, it was family who was taken. Family, and the granddaughter of the man he's sworn his life in service to, a ward appointed under his protection. If you think you've seen Piotr Vorkosigan angry before, think again: hardly anyone has ever seen him this furious, this full of murdeous rage, and even some of his general staff are avoiding him when possible.

a. out on the farm (4/1 - 4/10)
The General Count is perhaps the last person one would expect to be seen mucking it up with the villagers in the fields, and yet here he is for just a day, the one day he can afford to spare to help. Because he may be Vor, he may be well above this kind of work, but the villagers have sacrificed and lost plenty on their account, in their steadfast loyalty. This is the least he can do to repay them.

And Piotr never is bothered by getting his hands dirty, literal dirt included. He even seems like he might be in something of a good humor, or as close to one as he gets. The sun and the work, the change of pace, seem to be doing him good.

b. first impressions (closed to tucker)
The ragged party from RIverfall is only just now returning to the camp as night falls. Piotr is in the war tent with a handful of his staff, bent over maps, tactical diagrams, and has yet to hear any word of what's happened in the village – of his dead soldiers, his dead armsmen, the villagers slain – of Sonia's capture. He is merely in his usual severe mood in the war tent tonight, no worse, when Tucker arrives.

c. post-mission debriefing
Piotr expects reports after missions – often from his own men, but those outsiders helping are as good as soldiers in the field, even if they aren't officially Imperial Rangers. And sometimes the outsiders have different perspectives, notice different things his own men might take for granted. They're not a dull lot, he can say that much by now. And so any outsider who steps into the war tent to deliver a report will be heard out by Piotr – even if the debriefing in question isn't the most successful.

He's also still on hunt for potential informants on the other side with increasing intensity. With Micah in Cetagandan hands – and after the 10th, Sonia too – it's more critical than ever that they have as many eyes on the inside as possible. And while no one can be truly trusted, the outsiders on the Cetagandan side may have the most reliable sympathies.

d. wildcard

For all of Tucker's time here and all the time he spent with Sonia, he still had never even spoken three words to Piotr.

This, in truth, probably wasn't the way they should meet.

But it's not like there was a choice, and currently Tucker gave of a shit than he normally would; this wasn't about ego, wasn't about anything other than letting him know and seeing what the hell could be done about it. What plans there were since Wash wouldn't let him go on his own. This was about figuring something out.

It wasn't good news. Shit, he didn't even know if it was survivable news, but he'd be the one to say it.

Tucker came in, hands in his pockets to hide how they were balled into fists. He didn't bother saying his name, didn't bother with greetings or titles or bullshit; guy might already knew who he was considering who he hung around. He simply came in and stood by the door, jaw set, upset still but not at him.

"We need to talk."

Piotr Vorkosigan does not, generally speaking, have time for bullshit. In fact, pointlessly wasting his time ranks high on his list of least favorite things. Unwarranted lack of basic respect for one's commander, or at least ranking authority, is up there too.

He knows who Tucker is. He's the crude jackass Sonia has been choosing to spend her time with of late, for God knoiws what reason, and who, for equally arcane reasons, Olivia seems to tolerate. She'd tolerated Byerly, too. At least this idiot seems, somehow, less harmful on a personal level. That doesn't mean Piotr is all that interested in tolerating Tucker himself. So when Tucker shows up at his tent with that attitude, those plain words, Piotr merely looks up from his desk with the hard-set look he always wears -- the kind of look that doesn't threaten, but promises retribution for whatever idiocy might be inflicted on him. This man commands authority -- real authority -- and not just in the way his soldiers follow him around everywhere. It's in his presence, the kind you can't ignore.

"Do we," he drawls flatly, not getting up. He doesn't have time for your shit, Tucker. "As you can see, I'm busy. Go pester the Countess if there's something you need."

Maybe unfair to foist this idiot off on his wife, but when it comes to matters of Sonia -- if this is about Sonia -- he always defers to Olivia.

Tucker probably should have been put off by the dismissal. He wasn't, but he probably should have been.

Instead he walked a little more into the tent, eyes flickering to the desk before back at him. He needed to control his temper, needed to get shit in line, but it was hard when all he wanted to was run over to the other side and get her back. He couldn't. He promised he wouldn't, which meant--

Whatever. The guy deserved to know.

"Pretty sure she can't help me with this whole 'Sonia getting fucking captured by the enemy' problem like you can." There was an easier way to drop the bombshell. Probably. Maybe. Too late now, as he pulled his hands from his pockets and crossed his arms over his chest.

"But, hey, if you want me to go talk to her instead, I will."

Piotr's head snaps up immediately, and right then, in an instant, the entire weight of his attention is focused solely on Tucker, his eyes sharp and hard. He has half a mind to deck this idiot just for the cheek, but it's not a big enough half. Every inch of Piotr is tensed.

"What?"

It comes out a low, rough sound that also sounds a hell of a lot like you'd better start talking real fast now, Tucker.

Everyone always wanted to know how. Details. He got it, he did; things made sense with details, allowed for things to start taking action, but fuck was he sick of telling the tale. Reliving it. All this shit.

But while he could get away with it from most people, he couldn't here. There would be no leeway, no wiggleroom, no comfort. And hey, at least Piotr wasn't shoving him face-first into the mud like certain unnamed teammates of his.

"We were at Riverfall, right?" The fingers at his right hand curled into a tighter fist. Shit. "Cetagandan patrol popped in, and we tried to sneak out, but it didn't work that way. The saw us, there was a fight, bunch of people died--" he knew the number, memorized it, but he didn't want to say it. "-and they made off with her."

Vague. The whole thing was vague and if he wanted details, Tucker could give them in a better fashion, he was pretty sure, but for right now, this was all he could do.

"Made off with her?" Piotr repeats, his voice dropping into a low snarl. Not good enough, Tucker. Not good enough at all. He wants details, numbers, who was carrying what weapon, what the fuck happened. "What about her armsman? What about my armsmen? The Cetagandans -- how many were there? Did any of my men make it out of that alive?"

Piotr Vorkosigan

B. /plays moody music here

hoo boy

Tucker needs to shut up

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WILDCARDS

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wildcard

HOO BOY

OLD MAN FIGHT

i love how everyone keeps calling piotr an old man even though he's like 32

piotr was an old man when he was like 8, lbr

fair

c

sorry miles

:(

suck it up

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