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

[barrayarmods]

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!

Comments

[vorrutyer]

[ His chin jerks up a touch. ]

I have leeway to use my judgment.

[protocol]

Then I'll have to trust that you're competent enough to not let emotion get the better of you, in the spur of the moment.

[vorrutyer]

Oh? Is emotion a weakness, as far as you're concerned?

[protocol]

Not playing this game, Byerly.

If I were you I know I might make mistakes trying to protect her. [ Just tipping his head slightly. ] I have to trust that you'll be better than that.

[vorrutyer]

Yes. You will. Since you really don't have any other choice.

[protocol]

No, I don't.

[ Trust out of necessity. He's a soldier, and he's well familiar with it -- the people fighting next to you have your life in their hands, whether you like it or not. But it's more than that, too, he'd heard it in his voice, in his the desperation and frustration he was letting seep through. Could all be on purpose, of course. Trusting Miles' judgment is still a large part of it. But Byerly's gone to great lengths to ensure Wash gave his word on something real, and Wash thinks he can trust that, as well. ]

I can trust how deeply you care for her, if nothing else.

[vorrutyer]

[ There's a dissatisfied, unhappy twitch of his lips in response to that. Because - it's completely true. Wash can trust that. No matter what, no matter anything, By is devoted to the welfare of Sonia Vorbarra. And, well...At least they're on the same side; it's not information that Wash will be actively using against Byerly. At least...for now.

Trusts him as far as he can throw him, indeed. ]

Well, my thanks for your trust. Now, tell me - what exactly does that trust buy me? What will you be bringing to the table, aside from a lot of gruff manly talk about caution?

[protocol]

[ That slight twitch of his mouth does give Wash a touch more assurance. But only so much. Byerly, too his mind, is clever enough to turn on a dime. It just depends on what his motivations really are -- which for now, at least, seem to genuinely be Sonia. To Emperor, to Country? There's value on that knowledge, maybe, but people can twist loyalty in all sorts of ways. ]

Maybe you should've thought about the price before making the deal.

You asked me here, Vorrutyer, and mind that we're supposed to be working together on this. You know what I can do. [ Well, for the most part at least. He tips his head back against the tree he's leaning against, watching him carefully. ] What do you think you'll need, from me?

[vorrutyer]

Well.

[ Byerly lets his hand dangle artfully down the side of the cliff as he gazes down at Wash. ]

It's a bit hard to say. You've been - hm. A bit less than truthful about your capabilities, haven't you?

[protocol]

[ He hasn't really lied about that. ]

I'm a soldier. Twenty years' service. [ This part will be new to Byerly, though: ] Special ops work.

[vorrutyer]

Hm. The thing about soldiers, though, is they tend to be so very...direct. I find them terribly charming like that. You, however, are a liar.

[protocol]

Guess I'm different, then.

[ He'll take that as a compliment. Because really, he's always just been a soldier. His lying came from, ah. Different things. ]

[vorrutyer]

How marvelous. If I may, though...why are you different?

[protocol]

I like to stand out.

[vorrutyer]

What a dull lie.

[protocol]

I'm not exactly trying.

[ He didn't come here to play. He's said that a few times, now. ]

What do you think you'll need, from me?

[vorrutyer]

[ He spreads his hands as best he can from his current position. ]

Washington, I don't know what you can provide. You're a damned liar, but I can't tell whether you're a professional or an amateur, doing it simply for the love of the sport. So at the moment, it seems that what I will need and what you can provide is brute dumb muscle. Is there anything more than that?

[protocol]

Love of the game, Vorrutyer. That's all it is.

[ A lie, of course, with a touch of that picture-perfect smile -- and ably told, despite everything about the context that makes the lie obvious. ]

I'll kill for her and fight for her, that's all you need to know. I'll lie for her too, but that's really a lot less useful because the last thing you'll want is me among the Cetagandans. More ably, I'm a second point of contact between you and the camp, and whatever you'll need from what the camp has, I'll get for you. A safer point of contact between you and Natasha.

[ A more direct confirmation of what Wash thinks Byerly must already suspect, that he's working with Natasha. ]

[vorrutyer]

[ Byerly watches Washington a moment through rather narrowed eyes. After a moment: ]

And who can you rally to your side? Who will fight if you ask them to?

[protocol]

Anyone.

[vorrutyer]

[ A snort. ]

Have a Betan mind-control device, do you? I rather doubt that Piotr Vorkosigan would follow your orders, handsome as you are.

[protocol]

He kind of wants his sister-in-law back. Zahal may have finally found his rival.

If it's Piotr you need, then it's Piotr I'll get for you. If the plan is sound enough, I'll make a case and fight for whatever it is you need. The General won't spare resources if it means getting Sonia out safely, and I've already been holding back what feels like half the camp from charging off on their own without a plan to save her.

If it's people you need, then people I can get for you.

[vorrutyer]

[ Byerly eyes Wash rather skeptically. ]

You're not exactly charming, Washington.

[protocol]

I'm a good liar, though.

I don't need to be, regardless. This is less about my charm and more about Sonia's reach -- like it or not the Cetagandans have managed to strike at something that has the entire camp chomping at the bit. [ A slight, unhappy twist of his mouth, here, it really is incredible how much of a blow they've really struck. ] It means everyone is given to reckless idiocy, even some of our informants, apparently.

But mostly it means that while I can hold people back for now, when it comes time it won't exactly be difficult to point us all in a direction and tell us to go.

[vorrutyer]

[ Right. Well, that's...something. Byerly thinks a moment, lips pressed together. He moves on - he has, evidently, accepted those assurances. ]

You're going to need a plan with Natasha. If I am caught - [ He curses his lack of foresight now. ] I gave my word to Miles that I would not take the usual spy's way out. If I'm fast-pentaed, she won't be safe.