Post MoM AU, general post

[use_everything]

And then one day, it was over.

The memory of how it happened was hazy. Perhaps it was as simple as being ported out, perhaps there was a great experiment, bringing together physicists, chemists, alchemists and scientists to get something WORKING. But like the memories of that time, that other dimension, singular events come and go, like a dream, or an age past.

From the very start, however, there were changes.

Comments

[dendarii]

[ That image doesn't surprise him in the slightest. He feels a pang of sympathy for his father in having to deal with that...

But the mention of Piotr stops him cold. Here, again, he's beset by two different sets of memories. Not so different in tone - his relationship with the old man had come out much the same - but the specifics vary significantly. Piotr had been instrumental in helping his grandson survive on multiple levels. Including a healthy paranoia of using his powers in front of anyone else. ]

Ah. Gran'da ... I forgot for a moment. Having two timelines in my head is giving me a headache.

[use_everything]

I will count that as an advantage to such an early point... That does not sound easy in the slightest.

[dendarii]

It's a little ...

[ He finds it difficult to put the feeling into words. They're both his memory. Completely his, neither of them false. But the divergences are significant enough that he has difficulty remembering which one is "his" and which one belongs to his alternate. ]

... It's going to take a while, I think. Keeping track of which events happened and which ones didn't.

[use_everything]

... Simon Illyan may be of some substantial aid there. Should you wish.

[dendarii]

Simon? [ It takes him a moment for the explanation to come to mind. ] Because of his chip?

[use_everything]

[He nods.] Because of it, the dissonance between two paths and memory sets was quite stark.

[dendarii]

Ah ... I can only imagine. But if he's managed it, I expect I can do no less.

[use_everything]

It's not a challenge, boy. It's an aid.

[dendarii]

[ Miles winces slightly at that. He's still damn stubborn about accepting help, thanks Piotr. ]

I'll be fine. I handled a whole district's worth of voices when I was eight, didn't I? This will be fine.

[use_everything]

Hm. [Push too much harder, he'd lose any further ground to pride and stubbornness. He'd wait for a better vantage to take this battle.]

You did, at that.

[dendarii]

[ Good call, that. He relaxes instantly. ]

So this will be simple enough. Just ... be patient with me.

[use_everything]

We've time. [Nearly twenty more years, more than enough for anything that needed to be done.]

[dendarii]

[ Miles nods at that. ]

I suppose we've come nearly to the end of the future for you. [ A pause. Wait - he sits up with a jolt. ] -- What about Mark?

[use_everything]

Three months, two weeks and a handful of days. Most of the parts of the plan are in place... If things haven't changed too much. [There was a wrenching twist of old worry there.]

[dendarii]

[ A fresh twist from Miles, experiencing much the same thought for the first time. ]

Is that how long it will be? Until you can get him out?

[use_everything]

Indeed. We agreed on a time and place. We've held off all but preliminaries that wouldn't be noticed.

[dendarii]

Let me help. The Dendarii - we can get him out.

[use_everything]

[There's a pause, turmoil clear, churning along the link. At length,] Earlier is out of the question.

[dendarii]

[ Miles' determination is bright and fierce in return. ]

Fine. Same timing. But use the fleet, dammit. You have to admit there's no better distraction than me.

[use_everything]

... no....




No there isn't, is there. [It crackles like electricity, a spark of inspiration.] I think we've a very simple, very elegant plan with this turn of events.

[use_everything]

[He leans back, a certain pleasure of a plan coming together clear.]

The Dendarii would actually be a distraction. What we need most is you, as Lord Vorkosigan.

Would you be up to a little diplomatic trip to Komarr?

[dendarii]

[ Miles brightens at that, tuned towards Aral physically and psychically. Yes, he thinks he can see the plan too... ]

They won't be able to take their eyes off me.

[use_everything]

[He folds his hands, smirk sharpening.]

Certainly, some elements would find it downright offensive. It's brazen enough that the press would cover it without a single nudge, I imagine.

It would be risky, of course.

[dendarii]

The son of one of their boogeymen come in the name of diplomacy. I might even get an assassination attempt.

[ His excitement crackles over the link. For all that he just got done with this adventure ... well, he can't resist the promise of another. ]

[use_everything]

[Quite the elaborate one, at that. Still...]

Bring Sergeant Bothari along with you. [The man still had SOME ability to keep Miles on plan. Also one of the few he trusted with Mark.]