test drive meme

[barrayarmods]

Playlists by tsarcasm:
Barrayar ⚔ Cetaganda ⚔ The Invasion

Have you read the FAQ?

The Village ⚔ The Barrayaran Camp ⚔ The Cetagandan Base ⚔ The Fight

You've been on Barrayar for a while now, and you're finally starting to adjust. Or maybe you're not. Maybe this is all still too much for you – the attacks, the constant raids, living in the middle of a war zone by no choice of your own. But if you want to live long enough to make it back home one day, you might as well do what you can to help the war effort. Besides, where else are you going to go?

The fierce Barrayaran winter rages even to the southern end of the continent, and it's been none too kind to Vorkosigan's District. Temperatures at sea level are well below freezing, and up in the mountains, it's even colder. Several inches of snow already blanket most of the mountains all the way down to the Cetagandan base, and the storm that's just started up is only bringing more down. Visibility is low in the flurries, wind swirling snow everywhere, and God help you if you get lost on your own out in the storm. Nights are cold, these days.

A recent attack on the Cetagandan base has left half their facilities damaged and in disarray. Raid parties snuck in by night, planting bombs in previously scouted locations for maximum effect. Damage to the base's water treatment plant and organic grow labs have considerably impacted the Cetagandans' food and water supply, and in the chaos caused by the explosions, the Barrayaran guerrillas raided their medbay and made off with a considerable bounty of medical supplies. One man's bane is another man's boon, and while the Cetagandans have reserve supplies to sustain them for now, some of the damage is extensive and the repairs will take time. But in the meantime, the Barrayarans have scored a precious victory as well as equally precious resources.



the village
The Riverfall villagers are used to the harsh winters of the Dendarii mountains, and though they don't have much themselves, they are happy to offer what they can in terms of cold-weather clothing and extra blankets to those allied with the guerrillas. Despite the cold, the hill children are going wild in the snow, and they may try to lure you into their play by sneakily pelting you with snowballs.

Cetagandan allies, however, may not be met so warmly, and at the first sight of ghem soldiers, any children out playing in the snow will be immediately ushered into their homes. Unaccompanied outsiders from the Cetagandan base might have an easier time talking to the hillfolk, but any attempt at digging information about the guerrillas out of them will get you stonewalled fast. A sneaky hill child or two may steal away from their home to approach one of the "bad guy" outsiders to sate their curiosity.



the barrayaran camp
Morale is higher than it has been in a while after their recent victory, and the guerrillas are in high spirits. And do they ever love their spirits – as night falls, most of the Barrayarans gathered around the campfires are enjoying the deceptively named, dangerously alcoholic moonshine they call maple mead. It might start out sweet, but it burns all the way down, and a few glasses of that stuff will tank even the heaviest Barrayaran soldier.

But the storm rages on despite their celebration, and preparations must be made. Clearing as much snow off the tents as possible will help ensure that no tents collapse overnight, the horses need to be tended to, and the officers are always running training drills. Food is in real supply now, but the guerrillas need help foraging and hunting nonetheless. And when night falls, you'll have to find a way to keep yourself warm – it's a good thing there are a cozy ten of you to a tent.



the cetagandan base
The Cetagandans outnumber their guerrilla enemies almost seventy-to-one, so their base has not been completely devastated, but it hardly looks to be the work of a few raiding parties. Nothing is beyond repair, but the water treatment plant has been taken offline, which means that all water is now locally sourced and must be treated by hand with purification tablets. No one in the base will starve, but fresh food is mostly unavailable until they get the grow labs back online, which means that meals are mostly comprised of ration bars and MREs. Morale isn't exactly at an all-time low, but none of the ghem officers seem to be in a good mood.

They won't hesitate to put you to work, either. They need all the engineers and laborers they can get for the grow labs and the treatment plant, and the medbay's inventory needs to be thoroughly audited before they can send a request for more supplies. But if you need a break, it's not too hard to slip away for a little quiet downtime. Some of the lower-ranked ghem ladies might let you participate in some more artistic activities, or maybe some of the enlisted soldiers who are a little more used to you by now might invite you into one of their Cetagandan games of strategy. Or, since the treatment plant only affected potable water, you could appreciate your comfortable surroundings and take a nice hot soak in the bathroom while everyone else is working.


the fight
PVP
You're in the midst of a skirmish with the other side -- maybe you signed up for the battle, maybe you just got caught up in the fight -- but at least it's easy to tell who's on what side. Only one side is wielding swords, and the other guns.

But then you come across someone who doesn't look like they're either -- not one of the rugged Barrayarans or the face-painted Cetagandans, but an outsider, an exotic like you. They must be. So do you fight?

RECON
Maybe you're not on the front lines, but there's plenty more to winning the war than just fighting. You're partnered with another outsider on recon; the ground is cold, and you try not to let your shoes crunch too loudly on snow as you scout, scanning for patrols or supply lines.

Or maybe you're with the Cetagandans, hiking it thorugh the mountains with one of your fellow exotics in an attempt to locate the enemy camp. Except it's damned cold, and there's hidden ice everywhere, and everything is starting to really look the same.

--

Feel free to write prompts for your character on either side -- you don't have to choose just one for the TDM! Just label it clearly so folks know. GO WILD, MY FRIENDS

Comments

[komarran]

"I'd say you were insane if I weren't standing in the middle of the Cetagandan occupation," he grumbles as he rubs lightly at his temples. "What side of this conflict have you been placed on?"

Duv has a feeling he knows, but better to get confirmation. Opposing sides, wonderful.

[dendarii]

Just Duv's luck, as always. "Barrayaran," he says. "As far as I can tell. I nearly froze to death in the mountains before I ran into any guerillas." A pause. Now he's looking Duv up and down, considering. "And yourself?"

[komarran]

"The enemy," he says flatly. "Not by choice and punishment for past crimes, no doubt. I managed to steal away, but I'm not sure for how long my absence will go unnoticed."

Or if the notice of his absence will result in a slew of questions of what he was doing while away. It's not as if he's gathering intel for the Cetagandans on what the hillfolk are doing.

[dendarii]

"Ah." Miles's expression goes from concerned to downright worried. Duv in the hands of Cetaganda ... That's bad on multiple levels, not the least of which being Duv's safety. "Please tell me you haven't told them when you actually come from."

[komarran]

"I haven't told them when or where though I suspect some of them are deciphering the latter from my accent." The Cetagandans had more dealings with Komarr than the Barrayarans after all. The expression on Miles' face causes some confusion, their time in confinement together still in the back of his own mind and processing. Had that much changed in a handful of years?

"I do know how to keep pertinent information in check."

[dendarii]

"I know that," he says. The frown isn't going away. "But they're going to suspect. And then you're going to be in danger."

[komarran]

"I'm aware, but my options are limited," he replies dryly. "I doubt the Barrayarans would consider me a refugee or welcome me with open arms given the circumstances."

[dendarii]

"Better now than later," he says. "Your chances certainly aren't going up the longer you stay with them." A beat. "Unless you still think this is a dream?"

[komarran]

"A nightmare," he corrects without a second thought. What else would this be to a Komarran? "The thought has crossed my mind, but I'm afraid this is the reality we're dealing with."

[dendarii]

"That's my conclusion as well." He leans back a bit, taking in the sky framed by the trees around them. If not for the circumstances, it would be a lovely day. "So we must find a way out of it ourselves."

[komarran]

A small sigh slips out as he rests his hands in his pockets for warmth. A long day that's only getting longer.

"That's why I ventured here. I was hoping to find more clues as to what brought us here," he says. "Am I right in assuming you've turned up nothing thus far?"

[dendarii]

Miles nods in weary agreement. "Nothing," he says. "I'm not even sure they know why we're coming at all. I would blame Cetaganda, personally."

[komarran]

"Given Barrayar's current technology level, I agree. If they've found a way to time travel, I'm not surprised they've chosen this particular moment in history to change." Winning the occupation could have an effect on the entire Nexus. Without a Barrayaran Empire to keep Cetaganda's in check...

It's not a future Duv wants to consider.

[dendarii]

Oh god. Miles sucks in a sharp breath. Not only could Cetaganda change the past ... but they could ensure that, even if the Occupation did get broken, that the Vorbarra line died out completely. Vorkosigans too.

"I ... that's the best explanation I've heard yet." He sounds a bit faint. Feels as though he might faint.

[komarran]

Duv's not sure if it's comforting or horrifying that Miles agrees. Entirely plausible and it means nothing good for either of their planets' futures. Komarr would be next on the list after Barrayar, Duv has no doubt of that. Their wormholes offered too much control over trade in the area.

"That's what I was afraid of," he murmured. "How are things faring for the Barrayarans?"

[dendarii]

Right, pull it together. If this is a Cetagandan time travel plot, then they're not going to be served well by giving in here. Miles sucks in a breath.

"As well as usual," he says. "Which is to say poorly at this stage of the war. But no worse just yet."

[komarran]

"No worse, that's a start. That means their efforts haven't had a significant impact," he muses. It's not much, but Duv will take what he can get at this point. "How well do you know the lay of the land?"

[dendarii]

Ah, there's a more hopeful point. Miles straightens up. "Quite well. I was all over these mountains as a child, you know. I still remember."

[komarran]

"Could you recreate a map? In the snow, I don't want to risk bringing that back." Since he may end up there at the end of the day regardless of his personal wishes.

[dendarii]

Miles nods at that, agreeing with that particular tactic. The last thing he wants is his knowledge in the hand of the Cetagandans. "It'll be basic, but better than nothing." He starts sketching in the snow with a twig.

[komarran]

"Very basic, they have fast penta," a reminder for them both. Duv has dealt with being brutally interrogated and until he can get away from the Cetagandans permanently, basic information is the easiest route.

[dendarii]

"Right, right..." He knew that, really. The next few lines are broader, with fewer labels ... but he sits back on his heels after a moment. "We're in bigger trouble if they fast penta you anyway."

[komarran]

"I know, I'm trying to keep attention away, but..." He frowns deeply as he stares at the map before shaking his head with a sigh. "Perhaps I should take my chances at the Barrayaran camp or run to the hills."

[dendarii]

"But we need to find out if the Cetagandans built a time machine," says Miles unhappily. He doesn't want Duv with the Cetas either ... "I can't very well walk into their camp."

[komarran]

"No, you can't." Miles would stand out not to mention the questions the Cetagandans would have regardless of whichever accent Miles decided to tote. Which left Duv. His frown deepens as his attention goes back to the map. "I suppose those skills from childhood should prove useful somewhere."