barrayarmods: (Default)
For Barrayar mods ([personal profile] barrayarmods) wrote in [community profile] forbarrayar2017-05-20 11:24 am
Entry tags:

[ may ii log: we're a broken people living under loaded gun ]

Who: Everyone
What: Victory quickly curdles when the Cetagandans go nuclear -- literally.
When: May 18th - 31st
Where: the Barrayaran camp, the Cetagandan base, Riverfall Village
Warnings: TBD

Quick links:
Barrayar / Cetaganda


barrayar
The jubilant atmosphere in the Barrayaran camp doesn't die out, but it does shift back into the sense of intense focus on their next task, their exhilarating victory driving them forward. The attitudes toward the outsiders are gradually lightening -- the fact that two of them rescued Princess Sonia has gone a long way toward fostering good will. While Prince Yuri and Colonel Vorvolk are still staunch their position of mistrust, Dorca is now openly showing support for Piotr's decision, tipping the balance of politics among the top brass -- which always has a trickle-down effect. But it's a slow spread, and while some of the other soldiers have turned entirely grateful to the outsiders for their part in the attack, for most of them they're only just starting to tone down the hostility. But the shift in atmosphere, however gradual, is clear: the outsiders are starting to fall back into favor with the soldiers.

Vorvolk himself still remains unconvinced, and in the downtime between briefings, can be seen frequently in conference with Piotr, and they don't often look to be in agreement. The fact that the body of Falco Vorkalloner, one of the more vocal anti-outsider dissidents, was found dead shortly before the attack only throws things into hotter contest: although as far Lakshmi and Sisko, the ones to discover the body, reported to him, it appeared to be an accidental death. Colonel Vorvolk remains suspicious considering the timing, but a funeral for Vorkalloner complete with death offerings is held on the 19th. If one is positioned correctly in certain circles, too, one may overhear more talk about the increasingly tense succession politics – talk, say, about finding Yuri a new wife so he can produce another heir. Yuri, perhaps surprisingly, seems reluctant, and harshly bites off the subject every time it comes up.

Lapis has requested a note be delivered to Sonia through the villagers, and Sonia rushes to show it to Piotr. While the gene therapy trials weren't news – and subsequently dire conclusions could be drawn from it – any deals with Jackson's Whole are news, and dangerous at that. If the Cetagandans release the outsiders' gene complexes to the Jacksonians, they might as well be releasing them into the wild: there'll be no hope of permanently recovering them. Piotr is going to want the his handlers to pass on this information to their informants so that they can keep an eye out for any new developments or ways to sabotage the deal.

Scouts are sent to Vorkosigan Vashnoi to further coordinate their efforts with the civilian underground resistance in the city and move on to the next step in their plans to retaking the city. The attack on the base had been meant to force Zahal to withdraw some of his troops from the city, and it works – except that according to Barrayaran intelligence, by May 21st he has recalled the entire occupying force from Vorkosigan Vashnoi.

At approximately three o'clock in the morning on May 22nd, the night sky goes ablaze with a sudden flash of light. The sound of the explosion doesn't follow for another minute, but even at night, the mushroom cloud is clearly visible from the mountains. And even at night, given the vantage point, it's clear that this means only one thing: the Cetagandans have just bombed Vorkosigan Vashnoi.

There's nothing left of the city -- the Cetagandans went nuclear on it, obliterating the city and all its inhabitants and leaving nothing but an irradiated crater behind. Morale in the camp takes a sharp U-turn after the total destruction of the district's capital. Not only were they on the verge of successfully retaking the city, it's the capital of the district, and a symbol of hope for many of the soldiers, especially those from the district -- or it was, anyway. Now there's nothing left of it. Everything they've been working toward for the last few months, everything they've struggled toward -- simply gone.

The soldiers all react in different ways. Most of them are furious, angry like a wounded beast, despairing but only more determined to eliminate the Cetagandan threat to them. Many of them weep openly in grief or despair -- lost family and friends, a lost home -- and some are simply stunned into numbness at so dramatic an escalation. The Barrayarans are badly thrown, and they need to regroup before Cetagandan strikes again.

The unabridged mission results can be found here.

cetaganda
Thanks to the Barrayarans' extremely effective sabotage, there's no hope of getting the main or backup power generator back in operating oder until their next supply drop arrives with reinforcements -- still weeks away. Most of the base is without power, which also means no running water, no refrigeration, and no way of recharging their weapons' power packs. As much is being done by daylight as possible, including pre-preparing meals -- still a mix of MREs and fresh food, but especially the latter, as they have no way of keeping it from spoiling, but when they run out of fresh food from the Grow Labs, the base's denizens are stuck with MREs and rather unpalatable ration bars. Thankfully, the water treatment plant has a considerable buffer, so while they may not have running water, they do at least have some manually retrievable potable water for the time being. Hey folks, if you ever wondered what it's like for the Barrayarans roughin' it up out there in the mountains, here is a tiny fraction of what that's like.

On the night of the 20th, Diya is discovered dead. According to Sei, she was attacked and killed by Natasha -- for what exact reason, Sei cannot claim to know, but this clearly marks Natasha as a dangerous entity. Natasha flees the base that night in a hijacked groundcar, leaving no one to fast-penta and no witness but Sei and Ba Talim, and -- even though it would be an affront to suggest it -- haut and ba are immune to fast-penta. An elaborate but solemn funeral is held for Diya on the 21st. It's about what you've probably come to expect of Cetagandan functions, but the mood is distinctly different. There is still a lot of poetry reading. When not in uniform, Zahal now dresses in mourning colors.

The one building that does still have power is the building containing the medbay and gene labs, powered by the secondary backup generator that clearly exists for that express purpose: if all else fails, protect the interests of the Star Crèche. However, even with the base's population reduced, there are still thousands of people who need power, and Zahal is in a heated argument with the haut over redirecting power from the secondary backup generator to other vital base functions. The secondary backup generator does not possess the capacity to power the entire base, but some of its power could definitely be rerouted to select other areas. By May 21st, the barracks and mess have limited power -- just barely enough to get running water and the most basic of kitchen functions running. A little bit of power is rerouted to one of the undamaged research buildings for continued research on the Star Gate Project, since it's of nearly as much interest as the genetics research.

By May 21st, Zahal has recalled the entire occupying force from Vorkosigan Vashnoi. This means a couple thousand soldiers have now returned to the base, but they're still badly undermanned. Reinforcements are slated to arrive along with a supply drop at the start of next month, but until then, it's time to make do. Some of the repairs can at least be started manually, so any off-duty soldiers and willing and able bodies will be asked to lend a hand to start fixing up some of the base now that it's more cleaned up.

At approximately three o'clock in the morning on May 22nd, the night sky goes ablaze with a sudden flash of light. The sound of the explosion doesn't follow for another minute, but even at night, the mushroom cloud is clearly visible from the upper perimeter of the base. And even if you don't have the vantage point to see it for yourself, it doesn't take long for word to get around: the Cetagandans have just bombed Vorkosigan Vashnoi.

Apparently Zahal was able to pull together enough resources to drop a nuclear bomb on the city, utterly destroying it and everyone in it. Judging by the surprise of the rank and file, this was not a long-planned maneuver, but a direct response to the Barrayarans' attack. It isn't the sort of measure they're supposed to resort to so quickly -- the city itself is a valuable resource, and it gave them leverage -- but Zahal is furious.

Between Diya's sudden death and the bombing, the atmosphere around the base is suddenly tense and uneasy. While the Cetagandans have hardly felt threatened by the exotics, after Natasha's supposed recent actions, there's a growing mistrust. The victory might go to the Cetagandans, but it doesn't really feel like it.

The unabridged mission results can be found here.
eugengineer: (pic#10725604)

[personal profile] eugengineer 2017-05-31 01:24 pm (UTC)(link)
Diya never seems quite pleased when the exotics pick up on what are undoubtedly firm Cetagandan social customs -- this practice of averting the gaze from a haut woman when she is no longer permitted her force bubble only irritates her, though she imagines it must help other women in her position cling to the familiar. Diya gives him only a wordless look and a slight nod of her head, an invitation to continue.
oldvor: (pic#10679830)

[personal profile] oldvor 2017-05-31 02:00 pm (UTC)(link)
[ it's been long enough. even in all the chaos, it's impossible for piotr to miss the sole returning agent failing to report in for a debriefing. disastrously as that had turned out, piotr would really prefer the report sooner than later. now, if vorrutyer had decided to commit ritual suicide out of dishonor, that'd have been somewhat more acceptable -- but in the end, piotr would rather have the report.

he's as severe and unforgiving as always, giving the other man what must be a now-familiar look of general disdain, but not entirely without respect. the gaze piotr levels at him is flat. ]


Vorrutyer. [ his return greeting is just as curt, but it's no dismissal. there's a slight drawl to his voice. ] A few days late, I see. I trust you've had your fill of all the revelry.
vorrutyer: (drugged out)

[personal profile] vorrutyer 2017-05-31 02:27 pm (UTC)(link)
It was as empty and unsatisfying as ever, General.

[ Self-loathing makes him excessively honest, at times. ]

In any case, I trusted that you had Illyan's report. I have full confidence that he writes an excellent report - as much as a prole can, anyway.
oldvor: (pic#10679827)

[personal profile] oldvor 2017-05-31 02:43 pm (UTC)(link)
[ just the slightest roll of his eyes at byerly's absolutely grating self-loathing, however honest. ]

Yes, he's quite thorough -- and has dealt almost exclusively in second-hand information. I'm interested in the first-hand, now that you're back. [ he leans his hip against the table and folds his arms over his chest -- not a very soldierly posture, but no less intimidating for it. ] And if you've omitted anything in your reports to Illyan, now would be the time.
vorrutyer: (hung over 1)

[personal profile] vorrutyer 2017-05-31 03:20 pm (UTC)(link)
[ What a joy it is, working with a commander who respects and values you. And who doesn't ask questions to which there are no right answers. By misses Alys Vorpatril. ]

No, sir. The only information I omitted, I did so for reasons of brevity and relevance. Against my better angels, there's nothing I don't trust the little bastard with.

[ Sigh. ]

But name anything that catches your interest, and I'll fill in the flesh onto the skeleton.
oldvor: (pic#10679831)

[personal profile] oldvor 2017-05-31 04:34 pm (UTC)(link)
[ piotr's expression is more or less unreadable as he studies byerly. it's difficult to tell just where his moods lay today -- a spy operation collapsing in on itself and putting another in jeopardy isn't his idea of good news, but byerly is still of more use to him alive than dead.

he believes that byerly omitted little, but miles? well, it's an excellent opportunity to test that. he'll get there. his voice is dry. ]


You'll have to forgive me for being thorough, Vorrutyer. Intelligence is critical right now. I need to have all my bases covered. [ his eyes narrow slightly, lips thinned. ] You were in contact with the Princess during her captivity. Did she suffer anything worse than the fast-penta interrogation?

[ sonia says no, of course, but piotr would rather hear confirmation from a less prideful third party. ]
vorrutyer: (world-weary (and smug))

[personal profile] vorrutyer 2017-05-31 06:22 pm (UTC)(link)
[ A wry, bitter little smile. ]

Do you miss her, then?
withanh: (pic#11298628)

[personal profile] withanh 2017-05-31 06:24 pm (UTC)(link)
Oh -- drat -- Micah had thought everyone would be long gone by now. They hadn't wanted to risk the embarrassment of one of their Cetagandan colleagues walking in on them. They hadn't wanted to risk the embarrassment of anyone walking in on them, although in Deanna's case, Micah doesn't want to worry her, either. They look up a little surprised, then quickly scrubs their eyes on the back of their sleeve. No use in pretending they haven't been crying -- but they manage a small, if watery, friendly smile.

"Ah -- hello, Deanna." They sniff a little. "I'm -- alright. Didn't mean to alarm you."
vorrutyer: (staring at the heavens)

[personal profile] vorrutyer 2017-05-31 06:29 pm (UTC)(link)
No.

[ He's glad to be on this topic, at least. Some news that's decently good. That won't segue into a sweet chorus of you worthless fuck-up. Correspondingly, his tension (hard to spot, but there in the stiffness of his neck) eases just a little. ]

They drew blood, biological samples - the typical Cetagandan horseshit; they wanted to get a good look at her genetics to demonstrate to themselves that they really are so vastly superior. And they weren't exactly kind, psychologically speaking. But they gave Sonia a camera, so she was able to occupy her time, which at least kept her from the torture of boredom. And there was no violence done to her.

[ A hesitation, then - ]

She acted a true Vor in every respect. She resisted offering her parole, and offered neither aid nor comfort to the enemy. Including those who were former friends. [ He indicates himself with a very slight nod. ]
oldvor: (pic#10679829)

[personal profile] oldvor 2017-05-31 06:38 pm (UTC)(link)
[ there's a flash of approval on piotr's face -- it could be for byerly or sonia or both, it's impossible to tell, but the twitch of his mouth into a slight smile, tinted with pride, that's clearly for sonia. ]

Good girl. [ murmured to himself, not byerly, and he draws himself up, jerking his chin at the other man. ] You understand now why she couldn't be privy to your assignment, I trust.
vorrutyer: (haughty (and smug))

[personal profile] vorrutyer 2017-05-31 06:41 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Byerly's face presses itself into a decent approximation of stoicism. He still does not, even after all this time, think that Piotr was right. But, well - ]

I understand why you think the way you do.
latkje: (lxxxiii.)

[personal profile] latkje 2017-05-31 08:23 pm (UTC)(link)
Who? My sister? My country? My wife? [ He counts them out on his fingers. ]

There are many women in my life, and they all misunderstand me.
vorrutyer: (whimsical (but smug))

[personal profile] vorrutyer 2017-05-31 08:29 pm (UTC)(link)
[ That makes By laugh. Of all the turns he'd been surprised by in this conversation, the sudden detour into the complaints of a henpecked victim is by far the most amusing. ]

You poor thing. Here you are, just trying to get by in the world, and so many demands are being placed on you...
oldvor: (pic#10679830)

[personal profile] oldvor 2017-05-31 08:36 pm (UTC)(link)
[ piotr merely lifts one eyebrow. ]

You still disagree.
vorrutyer: (serious)

[personal profile] vorrutyer 2017-05-31 08:38 pm (UTC)(link)
[ There's just a moment of hesitation, before - fuck it. ]

Yes. And I will disagree until the day I die. But I followed orders.
durango: (listening)

[personal profile] durango 2017-05-31 08:50 pm (UTC)(link)
Too late. Of course she's going to worry - it's her job. And even if it wasn't, she cares for Micah a great deal. "You don't have to put on a brave face for me, you know." She smiles softly. "I'm here for you, any time."
oldvor: (pic#10679831)

[personal profile] oldvor 2017-05-31 08:54 pm (UTC)(link)
So you did.

[ that piotr can't deny -- byerly didn't go telling sonia about his mission despite his protests. but there was, of course, that escape attempt. piotr leans back. ]

Tell me about the night you tried to help the Princess escape. I don't have a solid account of that.
vorrutyer: (super broody)

[personal profile] vorrutyer 2017-05-31 09:05 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Yes. Right. This. Byerly's face goes a little expressionless as he begins his report. ]

My cover was fucked, or close to it. I could tell in the way they were acting and reacting to me - they tested me when it came to Sonia. So my only option left was to get out. But I didn't think it was likely that I'd be able to actually escape, since they were almost certainly expecting it. So since I had an infinitesimal chance of escape, I figured I might as well try to get her out. The odds weren't going to be any worse with her than without her.

So I faked passing out drunk. Used that in the hopes of taking them by surprise. [ A shrug. ] It would have worked, perhaps, except that we ran into an off-duty soldier. So it didn't.
asklepian: (pic#7053862)

[personal profile] asklepian 2017-06-01 01:25 am (UTC)(link)
Did he miscalculate? Does it matter? He's not exactly trying to win her trust and affection, all he's aiming for at the moment is to gain access to the genetic research team.

Roll with it.

"My thanks."

He doesn't really smile, but he's not trying to charm her. It's not part of the persona. But, he does actually look up to her face, showing what he hopes is enthusiastic academic interest in a fellow scientist's work without looking too starstruck. She is beautiful, but she looks annoyed. Wonderful, an uphill battle then. Nothing he's not used to with a pretty lady.

"My name is Julian Bashir--Doctor Julian Bashir. I was hoping to speak to you regarding your research."
standsentinel: (srs bzns)

[personal profile] standsentinel 2017-06-01 02:02 am (UTC)(link)
After the confirmation that Vorkosigan Vashnoi was now radioactive rubble, the quiet affability that's a familiar sign of Kaidan among colleagues has been swiftly replaced by an equally quiet rage. He looks the ghem in the eye and silently dares them to look back. His interactions are more crisply military than he's ever openly been, aware that he can hardly march into Zahal's office and slug the man responsible for the call, and that launching into an open argument in the tech labs would be nothing more than displacement.

Still, the ghem are giving him a wide berth, more often than not, and it's not surprising that one of Micah's private moments comes on the heels of a bunch of them decamping at once, scattering before Kaidan can return from a break spent finding something inanimate in the gym that he can hit.

The simmering anger banks itself when he finds the herm in tears, awkward concern as effective as cold water. "I, uh... well fuck, right?" he offers understanding profanity in lieu of inadequate sympathy.
shri: (» we will never be bought or sold)

[personal profile] shri 2017-06-01 11:44 am (UTC)(link)
[ She grunts most unpleasantly with that thought. ]

They would settle in just as most men I know.

[ - Prattish, selfish Lords that were full of their own self-importance? It's all too familiar a situation. ]

If they were not called mad, of course.
thesisko: (8)

[personal profile] thesisko 2017-06-01 07:50 pm (UTC)(link)
He's there, waiting by the rendezvous point, keeping a sharp eye out as he does - and then he hears Cal laughing before he actually spots them, and he can't help but chuckle lightly before they come into view. His voice is tinged with warmth and humor as he hears the footsteps approaching to come within earshot, "You'll give your position away laughing like that, Cal."

And then they do step up, and he looks beyond Deanna, and his eyes fall on her unexpected companion, surprised to find himself look at an exceptionally familiar face - "Julian!"
asklepian: (pic#7053869)

[personal profile] asklepian 2017-06-01 09:56 pm (UTC)(link)
Julian flashes a small grin at his commanding officer from where he comes to stand just beside Deanna, and raises his hand in greeting. "Surprise, Captain."
latkje: (lviii.)

[personal profile] latkje 2017-06-02 12:40 am (UTC)(link)
It's extremely tiring. [ He's not slurring, but the stresses on his syllables have become more exaggerated. ] I managed to leave my entire world without outrunning obligation.

You were at least going backwards. [ He makes another gesture with one hand, pulling it back toward his body. ] The same direction duty usually goes.
vorrutyer: (condescending aka default)

[personal profile] vorrutyer 2017-06-02 12:47 am (UTC)(link)
[ Byerly, by contrast, is phenomenally precise and measured in his own mannerisms. He's put away a pretty phenomenal amount, though you wouldn't know it - he just seems a bit distant but incredibly together. That is his sort of drunkenness. ]

Is that the direction duty goes?

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