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forbarrayar2017-06-20 09:47 pm
barrayarmods) wrote in forbarrayar2017-06-20 09:47 pm
Entry tags:
[ june ii log: the underestimated power of the forces of the unseen ]
Who: Everyone
What: Let's go steal us a spaceship.
When: June 18th-30th
Where: the Barrayaran camp, the Cetagandan base
Warnings: TBD
Quick links:
Barrayar / Cetaganda / The Hijacking
TIMELINE
6/28 Hijacking of the Star Gate, Haut Sei's death
barrayar
Things are as tense as ever in the Barrayaran camp, but at least morale is on the rise -- in a way. While Piotr's decision to help the outsiders as part of his plan to strike back at the Cetagandans hasn't been the most popular, ever since Vorvolk's summary demotion and dismissal from Piotr's general staff, few are bold enough to put forth criticisms of the General Count, especially considering his plan now has Emperor Dorca's endorsement. House Vorkosigan has always been deeply loyal to the Emperor, and that loyalty is repaid in kind with confidence, though it isn't necessarily shared by the Emperor's son. Yuri still has his own objections, and he certainly has no love for the outsiders, but he recognizes Piotr's brilliance as a military strategist, and rather than continue to stir malcontent in Vorvolk's wake, he has decided to fall into line with his father in backing the plan.
It isn't just the Emperor's endorsement, either. In the wake of Vorkosigan Vashnoi and the despair its destruction had wrought, the soldiers crave some direction, something to rally behind -- anything to get back at the Cetagandans. And those soldiers who have known the outsiders since the start…well, many of them are just as sympathetic as Piotr, some of them even more so. Piotr makes a public speech in his camp on the matter to drive up morale, and points out to both his and Dorca's troops that they have an utterly unique opportunity: hit the Cetagandans in a way no one has done before, and nip in the bud what could be the biggest threat of the war to date. "We won't let there be another Vorkosigan Vashnoi," Piotr declares to his troops, impassioned. "Not as long as I walk this planet. The Cetagandans may have already left its scars on Barrayar, and the war may rage on still, but we can ensure their ambitions go no further than this world -- and if this does not bring us honor, what else will?"
The speech is to great effect, but to anyone paying close enough attention, it's clear that what's really keeping Piotr upright these days is Olivia. The destruction of his own district's capital dealt an especially hard blow, but he's not a man who can afford to buckle now.
Vorkosigan's District is wracked with a heat streak, the sun beating down on them from the cloudless sky. Rain is rare, and while it's cooler up in the mountains, it's still hot as hell. Make sure you're drinking enough water, maybe take a cold bath or a dip in the creek, and…don't stand too close downwind of the stables.
The Barrayaran camps have spent the last few weeks communicating with Micah and the outsiders on the other side, preparing for the hijacking of the Star Gate. They pull together a modest cache of weapons and do their best to ready themselves, but when the night of the 28th comes, all they can do is make do with what they have. Sonia, unbeknownst to Olivia, Piotr, or anyone else, disguises herself as a soldier and slips into the rank and file at the last minute. There's a small panic among the top brass when they discover the Princess missing, but after the fight, when the dust starts to settle, soldiers who were in the shipyard report having seen the Princess there -- and that not a single one of them was able to stop her from getting aboard the Star Gate ship.
cetaganda
The atmosphere around the Cetagandan base is increasingly conflicted. Sei carries out her gene therapy experiments as always, and in Diya's stead she runs the genetics research project with ruthless efficiency and, apparently, increasing pressure. Amai is perpetually uneasy ever since she was drafted (blackmailed) into working against Sei, and there are murmurs that Sei is frustrated over some of her coms not going through properly.
Zahal is catching some serious flak from central command for resorting so quickly to nuclear measures on Vorkosigan Vashnoi; it was clearly not an order he received or even requested, and his superiors aren't happy with that. Coupled with Diya's recent passing, he's not so much his usual composed self these days. And with no clear direction after Vorkosigan Vashnoi, the soldiers are getting restless and antsy.
By the 25th, construction on the Star Gate is complete, and Micah is working with the exotics to execute their plan, loosely codenamed the midnight shift, in conjunction with the Barrayarans. They've been providing directions about how to proceed with regards to sabotage and preparing for the hijacking on the 28th. In their off hours in the lab, they've been constructing dozens of small, short-radius EMP charges to be planted in the other ship sin the shipyard.
Sei is murdered by Jasper on the evening of the 28th, before the hijacking begins. Lapis did tell Amai that they'd take care of things with Sei, after all. But because things go to hell so quickly that by the time they have a chance to process the site of Sei's death, the responsible parties are already long gone. Amai also seems to have gone missing, except she isn't really missing -- having been blackmailed into helping with the hijacking, she had no choice but to go with them. Her career might has well have a DNR order on it at this point.
In the aftermath of the hijacking, the base is in a logistical shambles, despite them having taking comparatively much fewer casualties than the Barrayarans. However, beyond the initial emergency response, Zahal's response has been disorganized, enough that they don't manage to immediately get any ships off the ground to pursue the hijackers.
the hijacking
The unabridged mission results are located here.
The Barrayarans don’t descend from the mountains until after dark, their faces smeared with mud to keep the light from reflecting off their skin. Ezar and Piotr lead the infiltration force, while Yuri and Dorca lead the assault on the shipyard perimeter. Casualties in a mission like this are inevitable -- it's just a matter of how many.
While Byerly and Lakshmi are infiltrating along with the rest of the security task force, another force is taking out the shipyard perimeter security. An initial wave of soldiers takes out the perimeter guard, while a second wave fans out through the shipyard to dismantle internal security, including any inner guards. Sonia sneaks herself in on the mission, disguising herself as a soldier in uniform and sticking with the second wave. They're able to secure the shipyard more or less successfully, but it's at the cost of quite a few bodies, and their hold is shaky at best, especially with alarms being triggered after the security task force fails to disable internal security.
Meanwhile, Micah and Kaidan are working on the anti-aircraft protocols, Julian and Pearl are destroying the gene samples, Nash and Symmetra are destroying the research, and Tarn and Lapis are trying to create a diversion. Unfortunately, it doesn't entirely succeed, and with the alarms going off, it makes everyone's job harder. Sisko and Deanna move in with the second wave into the perimeter so they can get started on re-engaging the flight mechanics.
It doesn't take long for things to get bad, and the ghem soldiers begin to close in on the shipyard. There are Barrayaran assault teams both inside the base and in the shipyard, among which are Wash, Miles, Vex and Tucker. The Barrayarans are fighting fiercely, but they're still vastly outnumbered, and they push the perimeter into the shipyard, forcing the rear guard further back. Timing for the Star Gate's departure is starting to run out. Thankfully, though, despite the delays, everyone manages to get to the Star Ship just in time for takeoff -- except for Vex and Tarn.
Micah detonates the EMP charges in the Cetagandan ships as they take off, but they've only planted 23 devices. Luckily, the Barrayarans took initiative and brought along some bombs to plant in the shipyard, like they do. The Barrayarans provide cover fire until the the Star Gate ship clears, and once it does they begin to fall back, taking even more casualties as they pull out. The bombs that go off shortly after their retreat take out another 22 ships, leaving the Cetagandans with only 5 immediately available -- but plenty enough to go after the Star Gate ship.
The Barrayarans retreat back to the mountains, many of them wounded, and at least a hundred of their small army died in the attack on the base, including both Lakshmi and Tucker. The Cetagandans' attention is sufficiently occupied right now, which is good, because now more than ever the Barrayarans need a chance to recoup.
The Star Gate ship breaks orbit, but it's only a matter of time before they'll be pursued. In addition to Micah, both Sonia and Amai are aboard the ship when it lifts off, and later Negri is discovered to have somehow stowed aboard while no one was looking.
What: Let's go steal us a spaceship.
When: June 18th-30th
Where: the Barrayaran camp, the Cetagandan base
Warnings: TBD
Barrayar / Cetaganda / The Hijacking
TIMELINE
6/28 Hijacking of the Star Gate, Haut Sei's death
barrayar
Things are as tense as ever in the Barrayaran camp, but at least morale is on the rise -- in a way. While Piotr's decision to help the outsiders as part of his plan to strike back at the Cetagandans hasn't been the most popular, ever since Vorvolk's summary demotion and dismissal from Piotr's general staff, few are bold enough to put forth criticisms of the General Count, especially considering his plan now has Emperor Dorca's endorsement. House Vorkosigan has always been deeply loyal to the Emperor, and that loyalty is repaid in kind with confidence, though it isn't necessarily shared by the Emperor's son. Yuri still has his own objections, and he certainly has no love for the outsiders, but he recognizes Piotr's brilliance as a military strategist, and rather than continue to stir malcontent in Vorvolk's wake, he has decided to fall into line with his father in backing the plan.
It isn't just the Emperor's endorsement, either. In the wake of Vorkosigan Vashnoi and the despair its destruction had wrought, the soldiers crave some direction, something to rally behind -- anything to get back at the Cetagandans. And those soldiers who have known the outsiders since the start…well, many of them are just as sympathetic as Piotr, some of them even more so. Piotr makes a public speech in his camp on the matter to drive up morale, and points out to both his and Dorca's troops that they have an utterly unique opportunity: hit the Cetagandans in a way no one has done before, and nip in the bud what could be the biggest threat of the war to date. "We won't let there be another Vorkosigan Vashnoi," Piotr declares to his troops, impassioned. "Not as long as I walk this planet. The Cetagandans may have already left its scars on Barrayar, and the war may rage on still, but we can ensure their ambitions go no further than this world -- and if this does not bring us honor, what else will?"
The speech is to great effect, but to anyone paying close enough attention, it's clear that what's really keeping Piotr upright these days is Olivia. The destruction of his own district's capital dealt an especially hard blow, but he's not a man who can afford to buckle now.
Vorkosigan's District is wracked with a heat streak, the sun beating down on them from the cloudless sky. Rain is rare, and while it's cooler up in the mountains, it's still hot as hell. Make sure you're drinking enough water, maybe take a cold bath or a dip in the creek, and…don't stand too close downwind of the stables.
The Barrayaran camps have spent the last few weeks communicating with Micah and the outsiders on the other side, preparing for the hijacking of the Star Gate. They pull together a modest cache of weapons and do their best to ready themselves, but when the night of the 28th comes, all they can do is make do with what they have. Sonia, unbeknownst to Olivia, Piotr, or anyone else, disguises herself as a soldier and slips into the rank and file at the last minute. There's a small panic among the top brass when they discover the Princess missing, but after the fight, when the dust starts to settle, soldiers who were in the shipyard report having seen the Princess there -- and that not a single one of them was able to stop her from getting aboard the Star Gate ship.
cetaganda
The atmosphere around the Cetagandan base is increasingly conflicted. Sei carries out her gene therapy experiments as always, and in Diya's stead she runs the genetics research project with ruthless efficiency and, apparently, increasing pressure. Amai is perpetually uneasy ever since she was drafted (blackmailed) into working against Sei, and there are murmurs that Sei is frustrated over some of her coms not going through properly.
Zahal is catching some serious flak from central command for resorting so quickly to nuclear measures on Vorkosigan Vashnoi; it was clearly not an order he received or even requested, and his superiors aren't happy with that. Coupled with Diya's recent passing, he's not so much his usual composed self these days. And with no clear direction after Vorkosigan Vashnoi, the soldiers are getting restless and antsy.
By the 25th, construction on the Star Gate is complete, and Micah is working with the exotics to execute their plan, loosely codenamed the midnight shift, in conjunction with the Barrayarans. They've been providing directions about how to proceed with regards to sabotage and preparing for the hijacking on the 28th. In their off hours in the lab, they've been constructing dozens of small, short-radius EMP charges to be planted in the other ship sin the shipyard.
Sei is murdered by Jasper on the evening of the 28th, before the hijacking begins. Lapis did tell Amai that they'd take care of things with Sei, after all. But because things go to hell so quickly that by the time they have a chance to process the site of Sei's death, the responsible parties are already long gone. Amai also seems to have gone missing, except she isn't really missing -- having been blackmailed into helping with the hijacking, she had no choice but to go with them. Her career might has well have a DNR order on it at this point.
In the aftermath of the hijacking, the base is in a logistical shambles, despite them having taking comparatively much fewer casualties than the Barrayarans. However, beyond the initial emergency response, Zahal's response has been disorganized, enough that they don't manage to immediately get any ships off the ground to pursue the hijackers.
the hijacking
The unabridged mission results are located here.
The Barrayarans don’t descend from the mountains until after dark, their faces smeared with mud to keep the light from reflecting off their skin. Ezar and Piotr lead the infiltration force, while Yuri and Dorca lead the assault on the shipyard perimeter. Casualties in a mission like this are inevitable -- it's just a matter of how many.
While Byerly and Lakshmi are infiltrating along with the rest of the security task force, another force is taking out the shipyard perimeter security. An initial wave of soldiers takes out the perimeter guard, while a second wave fans out through the shipyard to dismantle internal security, including any inner guards. Sonia sneaks herself in on the mission, disguising herself as a soldier in uniform and sticking with the second wave. They're able to secure the shipyard more or less successfully, but it's at the cost of quite a few bodies, and their hold is shaky at best, especially with alarms being triggered after the security task force fails to disable internal security.
Meanwhile, Micah and Kaidan are working on the anti-aircraft protocols, Julian and Pearl are destroying the gene samples, Nash and Symmetra are destroying the research, and Tarn and Lapis are trying to create a diversion. Unfortunately, it doesn't entirely succeed, and with the alarms going off, it makes everyone's job harder. Sisko and Deanna move in with the second wave into the perimeter so they can get started on re-engaging the flight mechanics.
It doesn't take long for things to get bad, and the ghem soldiers begin to close in on the shipyard. There are Barrayaran assault teams both inside the base and in the shipyard, among which are Wash, Miles, Vex and Tucker. The Barrayarans are fighting fiercely, but they're still vastly outnumbered, and they push the perimeter into the shipyard, forcing the rear guard further back. Timing for the Star Gate's departure is starting to run out. Thankfully, though, despite the delays, everyone manages to get to the Star Ship just in time for takeoff -- except for Vex and Tarn.
Micah detonates the EMP charges in the Cetagandan ships as they take off, but they've only planted 23 devices. Luckily, the Barrayarans took initiative and brought along some bombs to plant in the shipyard, like they do. The Barrayarans provide cover fire until the the Star Gate ship clears, and once it does they begin to fall back, taking even more casualties as they pull out. The bombs that go off shortly after their retreat take out another 22 ships, leaving the Cetagandans with only 5 immediately available -- but plenty enough to go after the Star Gate ship.
The Barrayarans retreat back to the mountains, many of them wounded, and at least a hundred of their small army died in the attack on the base, including both Lakshmi and Tucker. The Cetagandans' attention is sufficiently occupied right now, which is good, because now more than ever the Barrayarans need a chance to recoup.
The Star Gate ship breaks orbit, but it's only a matter of time before they'll be pursued. In addition to Micah, both Sonia and Amai are aboard the ship when it lifts off, and later Negri is discovered to have somehow stowed aboard while no one was looking.
no subject
( And the worst part of it was, none of it was as horrifying as he thought it'd be. )
"Things'll be messy for a while, but once everything really settles down we'll organize, take stock, figure out what we more we can do for anyone who needs it." Gentle, firm, offering a clear path forward, it's not going to just be nothing, Sonia, there's going to be more to do, more ways to press on. And this is Wash she's talking to, after all. He damn well wants to get things organized and accounted for as soon as he can. "We planned and prepared as well as we could, but there were a lot of moving parts -- a lot of things that could and did go wrong. There'll be stragglers. And there'll be people who won't make it."
A quiet, there. He squeezes his arm gently around her, lifting a hand to stroke lightly through her hair, not braiding it again but helping to straighten out that wild mess it's turned into. His other hand shifting, the metal of those chains digging into his skin a little more, the sting sharper.
"Looks like you were busy, though." There's a smile in his voice even if there isn't quite one in his expression. Not direct praise, but the acknowledgement is there, you helped, you did something, not just a bystander, not helpless. You were a part of this. "And you'll be even busier later, so you should catch your breath while you can."
no subject
"I'm doing my best." And she is, she really is, and she knows Wash can see that. Her voice creaks a little, but it's with a weariness that doesn't have much to do with her physical exhaustion. "I know there's no such thing as a perfect plan. And I came here to help. But people getting left behind..." She shakes her head, frowning. "This is your only shot at going home. Everyone's only shot. No one deserves to be stuck here."
no subject
Though whether or not he's going home. He's still not sure, but he's starting to come to a decision more and more, even if he hasn't quite realized it yet. He knows better than to voice it to Sonia, either way.
"You can't save everyone. What matters is to try anyway." Squeezing his arm around her again. God, she should know. She should know, he should tell her. How the hell does he even start? All he has now are platitudes. Things that he does think are true, at least to some extent, but he's seen too much, and they always ring hollow even when he's the one saying them. "What matters is remembering."
Another quiet. A pause. Looking away briefly, just back across the ship, as though something caught his eye, but he's looking at nothing at all.
"Did you have anyone else to tend to, Sonia?" Because he needs to tell you something.
no subject
She follows his gaze out of curiosity, but she sees nothing. She looks back at Wash and shakes her head, rubbing one eye. She really does look tired, now that she's sitting down, no longer moving. "Not just now. We have at least one doctor on board now, someone who really knows what they're doing." She smiles faintly, crookedly. "That's why I wanted to come check on you."
no subject
He squeezes around her one more time before pulling his arm away, giving him room to shift on the bench slightly -- a wince, that burn fucking hurts, but it's nothing, it's fine. Wash twists around to face her fully, taking one of her hands in his own.
"Well. Thank you," he says, his voice quiet and fond, lifting his other hand to brush some messy lock of her hair back out of her eyes, tucking it neatly behind her ear. "I'm doing as well as I can be. Bu."
But. God, he doesn't want to do this. He doesn't want to say it. Not just to her, but to himself, too, he doesn't want to have to say it out loud, doesn't have to want hear the words in his own voice, like that'll make it final and real, somehow. His expression is quiet. He holds her gaze.
"Sonia, there's -- something you should know."
no subject
"What?" The suspense can only be measured in fractions of seconds, but she wishes he hadn't paused right then, just kept on going. "Wash, what is it?"
no subject
Wash just looks back at her, and the calm of his expression breaks. His eyes flick down, but written so plainly on his face for a moment is just incredible pain and it isn't from the burn, but from something deeper, grief and loss and anger that has nowhere to go but inward at himself. He closes his eyes, breathes deep, centers himself as best he can, and it takes a few full, deep breathes before he's able to force himself to meet her gaze again. He squeezes her hand back before he pulls his own hand away, and slowly moves to unwrap the chain around his fingers. Still looking up at her and not down at them, his hands finding the heavy tags bearing Tucker's name hanging from the chain, quietly working to detach one of them, the way one normally would from a dead soldier in the field.
The one still left on the chain, bearing Tucker's name, Wash presses into Sonia's hand.
"I'm sorry," he says, and that's less of an I'm sorry for your loss and more of an I'm sorry I couldn't protect him, I'm sorry I'm here instead of him, I'm sorry that after everything after everything, I still. His voice is a little distant and clipped, again. He needs it, right now. "If it weren't for him taking the shot, I wouldn't be here."
no subject
"What?" she says in a small, choked voice.
no subject
He lets her look down at the metal in her hand, resting in her palm. His own hand curved over her wrist, squeezing gently. Breathe. This isn't about him, right now. This isn't about Wash and how that pain twists around his lungs and chest, one loss on top of another. This isn't about how since getting on the ship every time he closes his eyes to try and breathe and focus on anything but that burning pain searing through his leg all he sees is Tucker's body crumpling in on itself as he collapses into the dirt. This is about Tucker. About Tucker, about Sonia. Her grief. Focus.
"Tucker would've wanted you to have that." Quiet. He thinks, he hopes, he thinks he would've wanted her to have something. His other hand lifting to close over her shoulder, squeezing. As reassuring as he can be. "Sonia, I'm --"
He tries, at least. He really does try, but his voice breaks and he has to drop his head for a second, letting go of her wrist to rub his hand over his face, moving up to rake through his own, drawing one shuddering, shaking breath before he forces himself to look up and meet her eyes again, steadying himself as much as he can. Squeezing his hand over her shoulder again.
"-- I'm so sorry."
no subject
She just stares at the tag in her hand, repeating that word over and over again until it feels numb and empty in her mouth. She doesn't seem to be comprehending what Wash is telling her at all, able to respond only with dumbfounded denial. A sudden breath wells up in her chest like a rising tide, and she seems cognizant of her voice for the first time.
"He can't," she says stupidly, still staring at the tag in her hand. Her mouth feels like it's full of cotton, her throat dry. She can't seem to swallow. "He can't be -- "
She can't bring herself to say the word dead. Words have too much power. If she says it out loud, that makes it real. It can't be real. Her fingers close around the tag and chain, nails digging into her palm.
With a sudden start, she starts to lurch to her feet, like she's going to make for the airlock, like she could go and save him somehow, because -- no.
no subject
But god, the way she reacts still catches him off guard. The empty disbelief in her voice, the fear in her eyes. She closes her hand around the tag and chain, and it's Wash's training that helps him see the tension coiling up in her, that helps him be ready to react when Sonia lurches to stand. He still has to push himself up slightly to catch her, wrapping an arm around her stubbornly, falls heavily back against the bench -- a sharp hiss of pain from his leg, but it's fine, it's fine.
"Sonia." God, he's sorry, he's so, so sorry. Tucker is so much better than he is. Everyone he's ever failed is so much better than he is. He doesn't fucking deserve this, every breath right now is undeserved, should be Tucker's instead of his own. "Sonia, stop, please. There's nothing you can do about it. There's nothing anyone can do about it."
no subject
It comes out as a choked cry, utterly heartbroken. She struggles against him at first when he pulls her back, holding her close, kicking her feet out like a child being dragged away, arms reaching at empty air.
"No, no -- I was supposed to help -- " Frantically she tries to break away, although her attempts seem weak, whether from exhaustion or waning denial, it's not clear. Finally she seems to break and she falls back against Wash, choking on a sob. She isn't struggling against him anymore, but she's shaking as she loses herself to the truth, tears streaming down her face, her voice raw. She sounds defeated now. "I -- I came here to help. I can't...why can't I..."
no subject
She doesn't need his goddamn grief or self-pity, right now. But god, what she's saying strikes so close to home. I was supposed to help, why can't I help, why does everyone around him die, why can't he protect them, why can't he save them like he should be --
"Sonia, you're helping. You are." His voice is gentle, somehow steady despite everything, the rush of emotion wrecking through him. "There are people on this ship who'd be worse off without you here, me included. And Tucker --" His voice breaks. He has to stop, again, before he forces himself on. "Tucker knew what he was getting into. He was ready. And he didn't -- it wasn't for nothing."
It was for him, Wash thinks to himself miserably. A harsh exhale against her hair. Tucker died for him.
no subject
"He has a son," she bursts out, choking on a sob. She knows Wash knows that. But it's the thing that tears at her most of all, the greatest injustice of Tucker's death, so much more than her or anyone else's pain. "He has to get back home, he has to -- what -- what's going to happen to his son?"
no subject
"Junior will be alright, Sonia." Firmly, his voice surprisingly steady. "Tucker's taken good care of him, he's not alone, he'll be fine, and I --"
He stalls, there. He's. He's going home, isn't he? He has to go home. He has to go home. Swallowing down the rush of something that twists through his chest, pushing past it stubbornly.
"-- I'll be there for Junior, too."
For Junior and for the Reds and the Blues. Goddamn it. He's fucking going home.
no subject
Sonia's voice is thick with tears and desperate, and she lets Wash pry her hands away from her uniform jacket and she holds tight onto him, like she's afraid everything else might fall away if she lets go. She is afraid. She can't stop crying now, her face shining with tears. The thought that Tucker is dead still nauseates her, still punches a hole through her so wide and so deep she almost can't breathe, but she clings to this one, tiny glimmer of hope, this one small sliver of all is not lost.
no subject
How could he refuse her with that voice, with the tears rolling down her cheeks -- she can hear it in her words, how much that would matter to her, knowing that at least with this loss there'd be a chance that there'd be someone for Junior, still. One not-quite-positive to hold onto, one measure by which everything might not be as terrible as it could be. How much could he even goddamn do for Junior? Not much. Not much, but he can tell him. A breath.
"I promise, Sonia." A smile, however pained it might be. "Pretty sure Tucker would find a way back from the grave to kick my ass if I didn't, anyway."
no subject
"Thank you," she mumbles desperately in between sobs, the words muffled against Wash's uniform.