Move 2.2 Recap

Preparation for Travel

Reshad and Seyli

Reshad offers training in cover stories. Seyli takes her up on the offer, but isn't interested in detailed memorization. Noting this, Reshad coaxes them to demonstrate their combat skills instead. Reshad demonstrates adequate marksmanship, but lacks hand-to-hand combat skills.

Aymad, Sasha and Sulen

Sulen finds Sasha in the common room, where she is testing the new printer. They ask how they can securely search for information about their home planet and potential timeline changes after exiting the rift. They add, "I might try accessing my old Rahal resources. My credentials will be seventeen years old and were almost certainly purged after my defection, but you never know, sometimes mistakes are made." Sasha says she will tell Aymad to roll out a secure search tool called Skein of Finches. She warns, "For your Rahal materials, it's possible that they did fail to purge your information, but it's also possible that they've left something working as a honeypot. I'd want to be very careful," and suggests sitting down with Aymad. A sleepy Aymad appears, asking, "I heard 'Shuos' and 'encrypt' and my name - what sort of glorious trouble am I getting us into, now?" Sasha tells him to roll out Skein of Finches, adding, "But first you're going to talk to Sulen about their old Rahal login. They were an Inquisitor until they defected, seventeen years before when we're going next." Sulen notes that Virmad's credentials are more likely to be active: "But I was more senior and was part of the investigation into the rebellion. Also, meddling in Virmad's timestream seems unwise." Sasha responds, "If Aymad and I between us cannot obscure the use of a legitimate set of credentials, this mission has larger problems than Virmad's timeline." She notes that Sulen's knowledge of Rahal file structures will be helpful. Sulen reflects that this will be easy, since in their timeline they logged in just a few weeks ago. They add, "When I defected I was interrogated under drugs. I don't have many clear memories of it, but you should assume Quill also knows whatever I do." Aymad asks, "Do we specifically need Sulen's account, or will any Rahal login do? What's the scope, here?" Sasha points out that hacking the Rahal will be fun: "But our particular mandate is to find out what Quill wants and why she's interfering in this timeline. If we can establish a foothold with the Rahal, we can monitor changes on the heptarchate side." Aymad's a bit wistful about hacking the Rahal. He sums up: "So, first the outdated lattice-bouncing tools, and then the grid diving," and asks where to find the tea. "It must be so sad, not living in the future," Sasha tells him. Aymad shakes his head in mock disapproval and heads toward the tea.

On the Cantata, in Lanterner Territory

Reshad in Communications, Sasha in her office, Sulen in their room; messages involving Alaric, Iawa, the Lanterners, and the Catastrophe Axe

As the Cantata exits the rift, Sasha instructs Alaric, who is piloting, to obey the station's instructions, and asks Reshad to communicate with the Lanterners. She investigates the local news feeds and finds that Flute's moth, Catastrophe Axe, is in dock; Flute is posing as an arms merchant named Vel Vissen. Sasha asks Iawa, via message, to monitor the station's feeds for information about the military, and alerts Sulen, "Flute & her ships are at the stronghold. I will message her in a few minutes. Not planning to make a good impression." Sulen offers to join Sasha in her office if she needs a second pair of eyes, and Sasha responds that she will summon them if needed.

Reshad prepares flashy attire similar to Lanterner fashions. She hails the approaching Lanterner patrol moth and asks for Vel Vissen. Meanwhile, Sasha sends an encrypted message to the Catastrophe Axe: "zuhrovet sikandaret (vauri in this timeline) reporting on the wasp (symphony of bees in this timeline). sorry were late." The patrol moth replies, "Vel Vissen is an honored guest of the station." It relays a list of station regulations; in particular, only the official captain and a second-in-command are allowed to carry weapons. Flute messages Sasha to dock and report for a briefing. Sasha confirms and instructs Alaric to head toward the station.

Sulen uses the Skein of Finches protocol to check securely for changes in history on their home world, Ulara 5. The 805 planetwide purge that they remember seems to have been less extreme, due to the distraction of the rifts. They notice records of one Magistrate Imris, who was commended and promoted to magistrate-errant, but whose postings since 844 are classified. Sulen is tempted to search for traces of their own family, but stops themself, reasoning, "if the event was wrong then all those involved should be saved, not just the five that they personally care about." They reflect further, "Cousin-aunt Venka had been vehemently opposed to the children going into faction service, and going against her wishes was unthinkable," so if Aymad and Sasha can access their old Rahal account, they will know that their family is still dead. They attempt to distract themself with jeng-zai readings.

While the Cantata is approaching the station, Sasha researches local gyms, bars, and brothels. The local brothels have been doing good business catering to people curious about sexual customs from different times and places; Sasha learns enough to embarrass herself thoroughly. One of the bars caters to "non-humans", a category which includes both some unfortunate but otherwise ordinary people and "special environmental needs" sentients, some of whom may have human ancestry. She learns that fitness trackers that look like jewelry are popular, and creates a "fitness buddy" bot styled after a character from a popular game, Prisons & Pangolins Online, in order to track movement of station inhabitants.

Common Room: Ione and Sulen

Sulen takes their jeng-zai cards to the common room. Ione is there, playing with a twelve-sided die. Sulen asks whether she is familiar with jeng-zai, and Ione says she knows "the concepts of both, but not the operation." Sulen asks if she'd like to learn, and tries scrying her. Ione's Voidmoth Scattered Stars signifier is still present, but it appears upside-down and with kaleidoscopic colors. Ione says she'd be delighted to learn, and Sulen begins to explain and deal. They ask, "Are dice games popular where you are from?" Ione answers, "Dice games and jacks games, things that involve throwing things. I always like when the throwing also reflects light nicely. We don't have divining dice, though, the way your cards also tell fortunes."

Common Room: Mafyyil, Sasha, Seyli, Reshad, and Virmad

Seyli expresses their interest in having a uniform. Sasha tells them, "I intend us to look like a fucking mess. My life will be a lot easier if Flute thinks we're useless." She adds that Seyli is welcome to a uniform, and might gain some information by hanging around the military bars. Seyli agrees, thinking privately that they have no intention of appearing useless.

Reshad, who will pose as the "Symphony of Bees"' captain, observes that it would be useful to have the ostensible second-in-command be someone who is effective with a weapon. Sasha suggests bringing Seyli to the meeting with Flute, adding, "Alaric or Ione could produce defensive chaos without being armed, for that matter." Reshad approves: "If either of the others is interested - yes. Even if it's somewhat in violation of local standards." Sasha proposes a visiting party consisting of herself, Reshad, Alaric, Mafyyil, and Seyli: "The story for Flute is that Alaric is the brains of our operation, I got stuck in charge because I can translate between Alaric and normal human, and the rest of you would rather be anywhere else. Either way, Fyedlet can carry stuff."

Mafyyil wonders whether by 'Fyedlet' Sasha intends "an antiquated term for anti-freeze mixture, a rude comment about a girl's bottom or a poetic reference to a brick wall." She decides to chalk this ambiguity up to barbarian bad manners, and asks enthusiastically, "Ohhh, can I also get a uniform? I can carry stuff and shoot people and recite the appropriate poems for the occasion!" Sasha tells her she can have a uniform and recite poetry, "but you can't bring your gun on station, because they only authorize weapons for two people, and we're trying to be subtle." Mafyyil says that she'll refrain from dramatic poetry, and stick to sonnets, which "suit any occasion." Sasha asks everyone in the common room "what the fuck a sonnet is." Virmad defines a sonnet as "a fourteen-line poem usually constructed in so-called ‘mirrored’ form, with either a six- or seven-line pattern that's then repeated in reverse."

Reshad notes her understanding of the plan, and observes that people from later than the current time probably don't need to use false names. She adds, "Fyedlet, I was wondering if you'd be interested in helping direct attention." Mafyyil winces internally at the nickname, but agrees, asking, "Direct attention to what? And why? Are we trying to educate them?" She tells Virmad that she can teach him "how to write a complete sonnet with all lines in place!"

Sasha explains the need to direct attention by saying sarcastically, "Ashari gave me a very secret mission. I'd prefer not to discuss it outside this ship." She tells Reshad, "Seyli's a common name in all sorts of eras. As opposed to mine, which means 'legendary conqueror, daughter of the midday prayer.' Our future missions will be easier if we don't repeat too many names, but from what Sulen says the hexarchate hasn't been very sophisticated in its historical analysis."

Reshad notices Fyedlet's wince, and asks if something is the matter, while advising her, "It's no use educating those who won't learn." She asks Sasha to explain the archaic word "prayer". Sasha defines a prayer as "a verbal meditation in honor of a supernatural being who doesn't actually exist. Simultaneously very heretical and very useless."

Mafyyil reflects that Reshad must be an infidel as well as a barbarian. She introduces herself to Rashad, with false cheer, as "Zagfehan Mafyyil," and tells Sasha, "I'd really love to know why you picked that particular nickname for me!" Sasha explains, "Fyedl- from fyyil, -et because you're dressed like a girl. Where I'm from, everyone's got a nickname." Mafyyil asks, "Does that mean if I wear something else I get a new name? What are you going to call me when I get my new uniform?" Sasha offers "Fyedka" (with a grammatically neuter Naxorian suffix) as an alternative, adding, "I can't see you as a Fyedlik, somehow." Mafyyil asks, "So, where you're from, people have only three types of dress?" She thinks this might explain Sasha's drab clothing. Sasha clarifies, "The choice is rather like woman/alt/man, though the Fyedka or Sasha option is more like 'why the fuck are we talking about this?'" Mafyyil reflects that Sasha's language lacks a civilized option for plant-people, and asks, "Did you choose to be called Sasha?" Sasha tells her that she chose not to use "Sdaret," the usual feminine diminutive for Sikandaret.

Reshad, who has been listening quietly, confirms that she will use "Mafyyil." She tells Sasha, "Where I'm from, nicknames are often used by friends or family members." Sasha wonders if Reshad will reveal something about her actual past; she asks, "What name did you go by, when you were small?" Reshad is pleased that Sasha seems less hostile. She says, "In school, I was called Myoya Tonash"--the name she went by as a small boy in a Vidona school on a recently conquered world--"And you?" Sasha says, demurely, "I never went to school." Reshad says, "Ah! How times have changed."

On the Station: Alaric, Mafyyil, Reshad, Seyli, and Sasha; meeting with Flute

Sasha gathers a group to visit the station. Reshad is posing as the captain, Seyli as second-in-command, and Alaric and Sasha as techs. She gives Mafyyil a bag of prototype armor to carry. Mafyyil, excited, asks how it works. Sasha tells her, "You wear it. Probably not you personally--the flowers would get in the way." Alaric says the flowers "wouldn't survive the experience, but it's designed to be thrown on in a hurry. Say, if you're at a fancy dress party and need to put on armor because you snubbed a powerful magnate by not inviting her and she sent mercenaries to express her displeasure. Hypothetically." Sasha is not impressed by the security at this hypothetical party. She tells Alaric that she intends to let Flute think he's "the smart one": "Don't let it go to your head."

Seyli is confidently wearing a combat uniform. They are uncomfortable with Sasha's plan to seem incompetent. Reshad nods at them, trying to seem reassuring without contradicting the cover story.

At the Catastrophe Axe, two of Flute's people are standing guard, apparently unarmed. Sasha tells them, "We're with the Symphony of Bees. We're expected." One of the guards leads the group to a conference room. Sasha sits on the table and plays a game on her tablet, while investigating the local grid. She finds that there are multiple matter printers on the ship, one particularly well-protected, and that there is another hacker watching for unusual traffic. Reshad pretends to fiddle with her fitness tracker, while watching the exits.

Flute arrives quickly. She's wearing a pistol and accompanied by a servitor carrying agua fresca and some snacks. Seyli assesses them for threats; they notice that Flute moves like someone who's confident both with a gun and with hand-to-hand fighting, and that the walls of the conference room are pitted in a way that would make a laser attack easy.

Flute instructs the group to introduce themselves. Sasha introduces herself as Vauri, naming the others as Eres (Reshad), Seyli, "our calendrical expert", and "our newest recruit". Mafyyil says, "Helloooo! My name is Tiad, very honored to meet you!" Flute smiles with apparent delight and compliments Mafyyil's mods. Reshad bows in Lanterner fashion and says, "Once our negotiations are complete, I am most interested to see your station. Would you prefer to see schematics first?" Flute chuckles, "Oh, if only it were our station," and agrees she would like the schematics. Sasha asks how to display them, and Flute tells her how to access the conference room's screen. Sasha displays the body armor schematics using a memory device from her pocket; it is logging information about watchers on the network. Alaric describes the design's advantages, including the power packs and the "low-profile variant intended for VIP protection or covert ops." Flute is very interested; she asks whether this is "your design, or merely your acquisition," and comments that a low-profile, invariant armor is important for the rebellion's "specific goals in this time."

Sasha says the armor was Alaric's design, adding, "I should warn you, our briefing was fucking incomplete. I assume somebody thought you needed more techs, or they wouldn't have sent us, but beyond that... It's been your standard hurry up and wait and who cares if you have the right equipment." Flute says, watching Sasha and Reshad closely, "I'm not surprised Personnel fucked this up again...unless it wasn't Personnel you ran into trouble with. Techs are, at least, less immediately suspicious than outprocessed Shuos 'infantry'...did anyone mention the assassination plan to you?"

Sasha says, sarcastically, "Bright stars, if I'd known you wanted Shuos infantry, I wouldn't have wasted nearly so much time finding someone who could debug the printer. Who are we assassinating?" Flute tells her that they will be facilitating the Lanterners' attempt to assassinate "one General Shuos Jedao". Mafyyil isn't sure who Jedao is, but is disappointed that she won't get to assassinate him herself. Seyli, already stressed by Sasha's lack of deference, freezes, thinking "if they'd wanted to fucking die, they would have stayed in their own timeline." Flute says, dryly, "There is a plan. We're not throwing you to the--foxes."

Reshad speaks first, attempting to cover for Seyli: "That fox who's been running around with the Kel for ten years. If we'd known you were planning to tangle with him directly... Your people will definitely have a better chance with our supplies." Sasha grins; she's amused that she has technically fulfilled Ashari's directive to find out what Quill wants in this timeline. She notes that Jedao is "also the lover of the Shuos hexarch and a year or two away from committing mass murder," adding, "How soon is the projected assassination, will you need anything from us besides the schematics, and are you actually expecting this plan to work?"

Flute stares at Reshad with some interest, pointing out, "Once you... had access to any of the master timeline summaries during New Recruit Orientation, surely you could have guessed that involvement with 'that fox' in this place and time was at least possible." She asks how many "heavies" the team has available to instruct the Lanterners, who will be directly involved in the attempt to assassinate Jedao, in the use of the new armor designs: "We are working with professional military, fortunately." She tells Sasha, in an apparent test, "So you're not all mouth. The projected assassination is in five days, when General Jedao will be attending a conference on local security considerations. We'd like you to accompany our Lanterner friends to the conference and spend the travel time, four days, helping them practice with the equipment." She points out that "historically speaking," the assassination attempt "already almost worked," and that multiple assassins will increase the chances of success.

Sasha responds to Flute's test by saying, "It turns out, in addition to shouting at people, I also understand how fucking deadlines work. That's why I'm in charge." She points out that the team only has one heavy (Seyli), and asks, "When you say 'accompany', do you mean on our moth, or on theirs? And who else are you sending? Or who were you planning to send, before we showed up?" Reshad adds that the supposed mission description, "supply run," is rather different from the instruction to "infiltrate a fucking Kel moth and try to assassinate the one they all care about," and asks what resources are available, listing Flute's team, "our heavy," and "our excellent equipment."

Flute tells Reshad, the supposed captain, "I do apologize for the apparent mission creep. There must have been a mix-up in communications, because I attempted to make it clear to Personnel that we were going to need a more hands-on approach to this particular mission." She explains that the assassination attempt will take place on the station where Jedao is attending a conference: "The Lanterners' best hand-to-hand specialist will accost Jedao under the guise of a starstruck dueling fan who has rather inappropriately gotten themself invited to the conference in order to get an autographed duelist trading card." She tells Sasha, "I was planning on sending our people on the Lanterners' moth, for simplicity's sake, but if you can make a case for sending yours as well, with your backup people, I'm all ears. We have three infantry who will be backup for the Lanterners on my team, one of whom is outprocessed Shuos, two of whom are mercenaries with border conflict experience."

Sasha doesn't like the idea of splitting the team and leaving the mothlings as potential hostages, so she says, "If you don't send another moth, your infantry will be depending on the Lanterners for extraction," and points out that it will be easy to pose as arms dealers. Flute smiles brilliantly at the idea of volunteers, and observes that either late registration for a booth or a less "legitimate" appearance is possible. Sasha asks, "When are we leaving, who am I coordinating with, and what are your moths doing while we're gone?" Reshad observes that the change in plan constitutes "an enhanced level of service," and asks with whom she should "discuss finances." Flute gives her a data solid, which she pockets, planning to give it to Sasha for later analysis.

Sasha asks what Flute's other moths will be doing. "Also, how many assassins are there? You mentioned a duelist, and historically there was someone with a scattergun--who else? What kind of strength will the Kel have? What restrictions does the conference place on carrying weapons? How good are our maps?" Flute says, deliberately patronizing, "You ask good questions for someone with such a foul mouth." She explains that the moths contain "network infiltration equipment in the form of grid support," that the duelist will be shadowed by an observer, and that "The Lanterners have two people with scatterguns--we're not sure, historically, what happened to the second one--as well as two people with conventional handguns." Jedao will be accompanied only by an aide--he seems to be relying on his own combat abilities--though other high-ranking Kel will be attending the conference. "Weapons are the big problem. The conference does not permit anything bigger than a utility knife or combat knife. The Lanterners claim they've suborned someone at security who will let them smuggle through suitably shielded or disguised hand weapons, but of course no one is getting in anything big like a sniper rifle."

Sasha responds to Flute's needling by saying, "I regret the confusion, sir. I wasn't aware that the word 'fuck' was rationed. What's their surveillance like? Why aren't you just bringing in a bunch of printers?" Flute says, "Touché. Their surveillance is...well, there's a lot of it. What it is not is well-coordinated." She explains that all printers will be monitored by conference personnel.

Integration and Alliances

Ione and Reshad are making serious efforts to integrate with the team. Mafyyil also makes efforts in this direction, but lacks the sociocultural context necessary to understand how much of a gap remains; the team's leadership has not yet chosen to prioritize directed mentorship for her. Virmad, who is genuinely curious about other cultures, has the potential to serve as such a mentor, but actualizing said potential may require specific instructions. Sasha manages to cooperate with Reshad on a professional level, despite her personal unease with the former Shuos member. Reshad does not appear to have noticed Sasha's habit of using more polite diction as she increases in hostility, though this ignorance may be strategic. Aymad and Seyli are professional but standoffish with the other team members; comparative isolation may make it more difficult for them to manage future stresses associated with the team's mission.

Sulen has not entirely processed their emotions around the return to their own century. Virmad seems less immediately stressed, but his complex feelings about Jedao are likely to become relevant later.

Flute attempts to engage each of the team members she meets, and perhaps to win their separate allegiances. She appears genuinely impressed by Alaric's skill, and interested in Mafyyil. Neither Sasha nor Reshad entirely succeeds at the pretense of incompetence, though they do appear to have avoided either seeming like Shuos agents or revealing the extent of Sasha's technical skill. Sasha is inclined to like Flute and respect her leadership ability. Flute's apparently genuine frustration with Personnel suggests that a future alliance is a possibility, though Sasha's positive impulses toward Flute are just as likely to pose difficulties when the team's interests and Flute's inevitably diverge.