shipmaster | (no subject)

Doesn't it? It took us forever to suss out that it wasn't a clue to your identity, just a bit of pathos.

[They lean back on Miles again, settling comfortably.]

Either way, I'm sure you're not going to have me hanged. Cashiered, is it?

Edited 2016-10-30 19:41 (UTC)

[ Ah, back to more serious topics. As lovely as this diversion had been. Miles leans back against them, looking out over the queen's carapace. ]

I don't have any choice, Bel. What you did was essentially treason. You can't continue like that.

No, I suppose not. [Their expression is hidden by the positioning, but their voice is subdued. Perhaps they had been hoping for something, some Milesian inspiration to make it all work.

Their voice lifts again, humor and a bit of hard edged negotiation.]

I do want combat pay for this whole stint. Triple that for the whole time you were in cryoamnesia. Betan dollars, by the way.

[ Some situations even Miles can't talk his way out of. Allowing Bel to stay would be tantamount to destroying the entire outfit.

Money, though ... That can be managed. ]

That can be arranged. You and Taura both, of course. And whoever manages to come and pick us up.

That will do. Maybe I'll visit Beta again.

The old sandbox, eh? Doesn't seem like your kind of place any more.

[They laugh.] Oh, it never was.

... I'm not sure what else to do.

[ Miles is quiet for a moment, thinking about that. His memories of Barrayar are all mixed up, but he's sure of one thing ... ]

We've helped the Barrayarans many times, haven't we? I could make a recommendation there.

As an operative? [As they couldn't imagine Barrayar welcoming a herm into the military or God forbid, inner city. No matter who pulled strings.] I'm not exactly spy material.

Spies aren't the only people needed. ImpSec has quite a variety of people working for it, as I understand.

I'm a shipmaster and captain. From what I understand, that service is closed to women. [And women who are also men.] And off worlders.

And those who are physically deformed. But exceptions can be made.

[ He's certain he can talk to someone who can pull the right strings here. ]

...

I'll think about it.

[ Miles nods at that, conceding the point. ]

We have no shortage of time for now, Captain.

[That Captain was one of those messages that carried quite a few undertones. The reinstatement that the amnesiac Miles had done was no longer a fit of whimsy, ill or partially informed.

For now, at least, Bel could put back on that far more comfortable jacket.]

I've mixed feelings on that. I'll still vote for a shortage.

[They pause, and lean down one more time (just once more), kissing Miles languidly before moving to disentangle and stand.]

We really should work on how to make sure the Fleet can get a lock on our signal. These things have a signal, there's got to be a way to boost it.

[ Miles must remove Bel once they return to the Dendarii. But ... not yet. No need to make the inevitable real just yet. Perhaps other circumstances will arise between now and then.

Other things are almost certain to arise, damn it all. But he returns the kiss lightly anyway, before getting back to his feet as well. He is ... beyond strung out at this point. A seizure and a cascade aren't fun things to live through, much less one after the other. ]

So our first order of business is finding tools - or something intact enough to patch into.

So... Our mysterious metal hulk down there?

[ Miles nods, looking at the sinkhole with the exposed wreckage. ]

Just so. If that's anything approaching a ship ... It must have something we can use.

Somewhere to rest, as well. [It is.. perhaps, a little pointed.

They pick up their makeshift knife, stretch and start towards the edge of the sinkhole.]

I'm fine. [ Miles says automatically, following after them. ] Better than I was before, now that I remember everything.

Do you... remember everything?

[There was a wary sort of EXTRA note in that. That topic Bel wouldn't talk about before...

Sliding down the collapsed wall of the sinkhole was treacherous affair, but .. almost fun in its own way...]

[ Miles is silent for a moment. Not only to focus on the slide, but also to flip through his memories. Hope at the bottom of Pandora's box, eh ... ]

Everything. I think. But some pieces don't make proper sense.

[As they go, the ship seems to get bigger and bigger. Distance strips away the illusions of a small vessel. Whatever is down there, however it got there, it's not insignificant.]

That might be something to talk about on the way home.

[ That's a good sign, right? The larger the vessel, the greater the possibility of finding something they can use... ]

Mmm. In case there are other listeners. [ His voice lowers a bit. ] I am certainly Naismith, anyhow.

Oh, without a doubt. You were the only one worried about that.

[Definitely good. When they hit the bottom, Bel lands on their ass, but still is grinning up at it. There might be some explorer in them yet.]

But that was understandable, all considered.