shipmaster | (no subject)

Oh, yes. He's very good at that. I swear he practices.

[ His own expression softens watching Bel's reaction. Not a bad sign if the l-word causes radiance rather than twitching. ]

Edited 2017-01-03 12:41 (UTC)

I would buy it.

[ They reach out, gingerly .. almost to touch the strip, but seems to think better of it at the last moment. ]

Are we sure it's not going to regenerate?

[ Miles makes a similar aborted gesture towards it. ]

Honestly? I have no idea. Canaba didn't either. Hence the experiment part of this whole thing. We may still need that trip to Beta Colony at some point.

I don't need to tell you it's crazy. You wouldn't have done it like this if you didn't already know...

How are we going to handle Simon now?

[ That's the hard part in all of this. Miles did sure install a piece of alien tech into himself ... Simon's just going to have more questions. ]

We accept his mission, first of all. Figure out the rest as we go.

Ah. Yes.

The mission you declined without even mentioning what it was.

[ Whoops. Miles looks a bit uncomfortable. ]

Yes. Er ... well, Simon wants us to go back to Kharas. The official surveys are too slow and he suspects the Betans are delaying ours.

I bet they are. [ The Betans usually would cede a planet to first claim without a fuss.

But extremely powerful, biologically renewable energy...

There's a thousand questions: Why did he turn it down in the first place. It was going to be a low combat mission with just the Betans involved. Why did he suddenly change his mind? BEL HAD JUST STARTED WORKING THROUGH THEIR OWN SHIT AND NOW MILES CHANGES UP HIS AND-]

What's the pay on this one?

[ Bel pls. You know why Miles changed his mind. Somewhere down in there, anyway. He snorts a bit. While Miles doesn't care personally about the money, that doesn't mean he doesn't have pride. ]

Not as much as we should be getting paid, given what's at stake.

[ Certainly do, and are distinctly not looking at it right now. ]

That certainly explains why Simon is so hot to get us back out there. Not a lot of other options that wouldn't look like a war party.

Just so. It would essentially just be the two of us, with one Dendarii ship in orbit in case things go wrong.

[ Hence Miles' nervousness about taking it to begin with - and Simon's suspicion. Miles should have jumped at the chance for an adventure with his paramour. But given what happened last time ... he can't be a liability with just the two of them. ]

[ This is a hell of a way to test the suit implant, though... ]

Our deal still holds. If I say you need to rest, we break. All the rest, you can call the shots on.

[ Miles nods a bit at that. For once, he won't argue. ]

All right. That's fair enough, given that I'm still putting you at risk like this.

[ Bel just smirks. ]

Ah yes, risk. That's what puts me off.

[ Miles reaches over to swat lightly at them. ]

Are you really going to argue with me listening to you, Bel?

[ They grin and shove Miles's shoulder. ]

Risk to me and risk to you are two different categories.

[ Miles takes the shove with a bit of a grin. ]

Hardly. You're risking me when you risk yourself. You realize that, right?

[ An index finger cuts through the air. ]

Bodyguard. Mind you, I've no interest in dying short of my first century, but by definition I do have a job to do, Miles dear.

Edited 2017-01-03 15:39 (UTC)

Well - yes but - [ He huffs a bit, trying to put this into words without sounding ridiculous. ] - I care very much for you not getting hurt, Bel.

[ There's a frown here, but whatever is behind it remains packed up. ]

Well, lets keep the risks calculated, then.

And the plans shared.

Edited 2017-01-03 15:51 (UTC)

[ A wince at that. Well, he deserved it. Utterly and completely. ]

Of course. I'll tell you everything from here on out. [ A beat. ] As long as you don't stop me from carrying out the important ones.

[ Oh, this was the start of a long running argument, but for now... ]

I think we have a deal.

[ Miles slumps back a bit at that. ]

Good. A deal then. Damn Jacksonian.

[ Said with fondness, though, and exhaustion. ]

No need to get vulgar about it.

[ The reply was light, easy. There it was... if nothing else, now there was time. Assuming Illyan didn't ground both of their asses. ]

Rest up, we've got some fast talking ahead.

[ There is still that distinct possibility. Simon is going to have a fit when he sees what Miles has done to himself ... But not for a couple hours yet. Miles settles himself back down gingerly. ]

And me without any sleep to speak of ... Wake me when we get close, all right?