fermata

[isthisart]

Linya sees Dr. Cheung onto a ship other than the Ariel, which agrees to tote him to Komarr very, very slowly, knocking him out for each jump and having someone look after him when he comes around green in the gills. It's not going to be a fun trip for him, but it's better than trying to collaborate with a multi-week conversational turnaround time. It's pricey - the ship has nonperishable cargo with no deadline at its destination and already employs a medtech, but still - but she thinks it's worth it.

Her business on Earth concluded, she examines the list of tourist attractions she didn't get around to, determines that none of them are worth sticking around for, and gets on a much faster vessel and goes all the way home. The first thing she does when there is go looking for whichever of the Count or Countess is easiest to find.

Comments

[as_i_remember]

"I do," he acknowledges. "But Miles... in your position, as your father's son, have you never realized how necessary it is not only to be honest, but to seem it?"

[thisvorlunatic]

"As my father's son," he says, "no."

[as_i_remember]

"Ha. I take your point." He shakes his head. "Regardless - the money. Count Vorvolk has pinpointed two troubling discrepancies in your reports. Wild cost overruns on simple personnel pickups. I realize Dagoola snowballed in true Naismith fashion, but what about the first one - that pickup on Jackson's Whole, when you left two-thirds of your cargo behind and bolted?"

[thisvorlunatic]

"That was almost two years ago, hell," says Miles. "What do these people imagine I'm getting out of my imaginary peculation, anyway, have they noticed my wife makes nearly as much as my entire mercenary army put together...? Fuck it. Fine. What do you want to know? Wasn't the equipment bill all accounted for in my report?"

[as_i_remember]

"'Accounted for' and 'explained' are, alas, distinct concepts. Often startlingly so, in your mission reports. The explanation, please. In full."

[thisvorlunatic]

"I am at your disposal, sir," Miles sighs. "But it's a bit of a long story..."

He tells it, anyway, as best as his memory will supply.

[as_i_remember]

Illyan listens in fascination, and when Miles is done, he sits in silence for a few moments, contemplating the story.

"Well. And whatever happened to, ah, Recruit-trainee Asterion?"

[thisvorlunatic]

Miles grins. "He's doing pretty well. Working with the fleet surgeon to find a course of treatment that'll slow his raging metabolism, maybe extend his lifespan, without damaging combat effectiveness - and you would not believe his combat effectiveness. He seems very happy with himself."

[as_i_remember]

"All right. And now, Dagoola. The last word I have had from you on this subject, I remind you, is that... report... you filed from Mahata Solaris. I might charitably describe it as 'succinct'."

[thisvorlunatic]

He smiles in wry recollection. "Yeah, well, I was expecting to follow it up with something more substantial from Tau Ceti and an in-person report as soon as I got home. Shit happened."

[as_i_remember]

"Now's your chance," Illyan says dryly. "Let's hear the shit, Miles."

[thisvorlunatic]

He closes his eyes again. "Yeah. Fine..."

(See the short story The Borders of Infinity by Lois McMaster Bujold, if you haven't already.)

By the end of this long recital, Miles is shivering, unsteady and exhausted. If he'd been sitting up in the first place, he'd feel like he was about to fall over.

"Sorry... didn't realize it would hit me like that. I thought I must be over it by now."

[as_i_remember]

"Combat fatigue?"

[thisvorlunatic]

"The actual combat portion of that escapade lasted a couple of hours at most, sir."

[as_i_remember]

"Sounded more like six weeks to me."

[thisvorlunatic]

"Eh. But if Count Vorvolk is of the opinion that I should have traded lives for equipment, he can take that opinion, fold it until it is all sharp corners—"

[as_i_remember]

Illyan holds up a hand. "I understand, Miles," he says dryly. "Believe me. I will deal with Vorvolk and his opinions. I personally guarantee that this little plot will not intrude any further on your recovery."

[thisvorlunatic]

"Thank you for that," sighs Miles. "I'm... sorry that my carelessness shook your confidence in me, sir. I'll try to be more intelligent in future."

[as_i_remember]

"As will I," Illyan says quietly.

[greatcomposure]

It is at this point that Cordelia enters the room.

"Hello, Simon. Goodbye, Simon," she says with a slightly edged smile. "I have been asked to evict you before you... upset Miles any further."

[as_i_remember]

"Ah. Yes, m'lady," he says, and departs expeditiously.

[thisvorlunatic]

"Am I even medically cleared for visitors of any kind?" wonders Miles.

[greatcomposure]

"No." She bends down and kisses his forehead. "You'll know when you are, because your wife will be here. Now rest up. The sooner you convince that doctor of your good behaviour and general recuperation, the sooner you can be down at Vorkosigan Surleau, recuperating."

[thisvorlunatic]

"Yes, ma'am."

[greatcomposure]

"Rest. I'll see you soon."

She sweeps out.