Move 2.7 Recap

Jedao, Reshad, and Seyli, joined by Ione and later Sasha

Reshad places her hand on Seyli's arm and murmurs, "A moment." Seyli's eyes sweep the room. Once they have both established there is nothing unexpected in the room besides an unrestrained Jedao, Reshad says, "I am sorry for the wait. But we came in to release you. I see no reason to get all the way back into that. Your leg's all right now?" Carefully holding out the restraints, Jedao answers, "My leg's fine. What now?" Smiling, Reshad takes the restraints, telling Jedao, "We're in motion. And I'd like to begin our work soon, but before that, your room is configurable to a certain extent." She asks the grid to display the options. Shrugging, Jedao says, "As long as there's a shower and commode I'm fine. What work do you have in mind?" Reshad explains that the first task is to get Jedao settled in: "You'll have very basic access to begin with--but we do have a government to topple. Your help would be deeply appreciated." Jedao asks courteously for food and drink, adding, "I assume your government-toppling can wait at least that long." Rubbing his right, gloved wrist, he continues, "I will be of the most help if you are able to give me accurate information regarding your capabilities. It will be impossible for me to advise you honestly, otherwise."

On the team channel, Sasha says, "Ione can deliver food, if you judge it appropriate." Seyli nods at Reshad, approving. Reshad tells Jedao that a meal will arrive shortly, and asks Sasha, subvocalizing, for "anything palatable". Sasha pages Ione via the grid and asks her to deliver a meal: "Let's stick with finger food for now. We have bananas, tangerines, and rice balls, and the walnut-plum ration bars aren't bad. I'll print a paper cup for water." Ione arrives quickly, carrying the food on a tray. She has pinned up her hair and slung a stethoscope around her neck. Looking pointedly at the tray and stethoscope, Jedao smiles and thanks her, saying, "I can listen while I eat, if you want to tell me more about this rebellion of yours."

Placing themself between Jedao and Ione, Seyli says, "Give me the tray back." Jedao does so, saying ironically, "Very good." Seyli tells him, "That's low hanging fruit, condescending praise." Jedao asks, "Would you have trusted anything other? You're not the first Kel to regard a mere fox with skepticism." Seyli says, voice sharp and a little high, "I wouldn't trust a word out of your mouth and it has nothing to do with the fact you're a fox. Skepticism is left for normal foxes, not war criminals." Eyes narrowing, Jedao says, "Yes, Corporal, about that. Why don't you tell me what it is I've done, in your timeline, that dishonored the uniform. Since it's so important to you."

On the team channel, Sasha says, "Seyli. Stop." They clamp their mouth shut and shift into an alert posture. Interested, Jedao says, "That wasn't a reaction to me, however obnoxious you find me. That was your handler intervening, wasn't it?" More loudly, he continues, "Perhaps it would be more fruitful if we spoke to each other directly, whoever you are. Whatever you want of me, you already have me at a disadvantage. Talk over a comm channel if you have to; I want to hear what your plans are." Nodding at Reshad, Seyli snaps, "She's as much as in charge as anyone else here." Looking at Reshad, Jedao says, "I wouldn't presume to understand your rank hierarchy, but I would rather not have to take your people apart to figure out who's in charge, and what the plan is. We could save a great deal of time if someone besides the corporal here gave me a straight answer." On a private channel, Sasha tells Reshad, "I shall follow your lead." Meanwhile, Ione watches quietly and with evident compassion, her empathy active.

notes

Seyli thinks Ione's lack of fear of Jedao is more reasonable; "They view Reshad and Sasha to be the de facto leaders" - Sasha's going to have to deal with that