Move 2.7b Recap

The team reacts to Jedao's new status and begins the trip back to base.

The hallway outside Jedao's room: Reshad and Sasha; messages from Sulen

When Sasha steps outside, Sulen says in her earpiece, "Well, that's not how I intended this to go, but it seems to have been productive." Sasha responds, "I hope so. I think I had to, but I don't think Reshad saw it." She takes her scarf out of her pocket and covers her hair again.

As Reshad emerges, Sasha asks her, "Are we having this conversation in my office? Or over tea, with everyone?" Reshad says, "Let's debrief with everyone." Stepping close to Sasha and speaking quietly but sharply, she adds, "But first--Do not assume you know anything about Temuy culture." She then steps back, saying for all to hear, "I'll be there in five." Sasha tenses as Reshad steps closer, anticipating an attack, then says, "Understood. In return, do not pretend you comprehend a binding, when you do not. What you just said to him was cruel, even if you cannot feel it." Flat, Reshad responds, "Would you care to explain, then. How offering hope that things are different in the rebellion than the Heptarchate is cruel; how undercutting it is not."

Remembering her promise to assume Reshad acts in good faith, Sasha says, "You understood, I think, that the way the Shuos heptarch bound him was not clean. She used his strength against him, and she hurt him. I cannot guess the method, but that much was very clear, from how he spoke. You think, if you tell him it should not have happened, it will be a comfort. But it was his strength. He is the person that she aimed at, and he is the gun she aimed, both together. When you say this should not be, you tell him he should not exist. I cannot stand by and let you do that. Not to anyone, but particularly not to him."

Reshad agrees, "Yes; she hurt him. You are correct that I intend to comfort. I can only hope that he did not hear what you did, but rather that the rebellion is not the Heptarchate. I will ask you more about your binding when we debrief. Such ties should be well understood by those who need to work with them, and I am not convinced he knows Naxorian culture." With an inviting gesture toward the conference room, Reshad concludes that afterward, "I will inquire, and see whether I've done more harm than good." Sasha tells her, "I would have sworn to the Nirai, had they accepted me. I thought about the nature of the oath."

At the range: Mafyyil and Seyli

Seyli is at the range, thinking of target practice as a form of meditation. Mafyyil greets them cheerfully. Seyli greets them in turn, sounding strained.

Noticing that Seyli is upset, Mafyyil offers them a muffin with pink sprinkles. Bemused, Seyli says that they "don't think it's a good idea to combine shooting and muffins." Confused by this "barbarian" logic, Mafyyil clarifies, "You're supposed to eat the muffin, not shoot it." Seyli collapses in hysterical giggles. Confused, Mafyyil says, "It has sprinkles." She wonders if Seyli's agitation has a religious source, and apologizes, "I'm sorry I do not know the correct recitals for muffins. Maybe you can speak them, so I can learn?" Seyli laughs for a while longer, before collecting themself and taking the muffin: "No, I'm just being weird. Thank you, I can't remember the last time I ate."

Mafyyil eats a muffin of her own, though she feels some religious scruples about its bright blue color. She says, "Actually, I was going to clear my mind and just shoot some things, but I see you were doing something similar. Is this also about the saint's friend?" Seyli agrees, lacking the energy to provide better context, and offers, "I'll stay with you while you shoot, if you'd like?" Mafyyil thanks them cheerfully and prepares to shoot, putting away the umbrella from her muffin and sweeping her hair into a loose braid. She asks, "Have you actually seen him?" Seyli shows Mafyyil toward the shooting booth and steps back, saying, "Shuos Jedao? Yes, I've seen him. He's...a very unusual man." With real amusement, they add, "I'd like to see what he'd make of you." Mafyyil agrees, "He would have to be." She prepares to shoot, rummaging for various items, and asks with false casualness, "If I decide to write a poem to memorize the occasion, what kind of verse would be appropriate, what do you think?"

Debriefing in the common room: Alaric, Gerae, Ione, Reshad, Sasha, Sulen, and the pseudo-dragons

Reshad and Sasha are the first to reach the common room. Sasha asks Reshad, "Do you like black tea, or green? Or I suppose there's coffee?" She notices a couple of hatchlings peeping out of the nest and finds a banana for them. Surprised by the courtesy, Reshad says, "Green would be nice, thank you." She notices the hatchlings in turn, and tells one, "Oh! You're as cute as a mothling." Sasha remarks, "I know I'm terrible at this shit, but I wasn't actually raised by wolverines." Attempting a joke, Reshad responds, "Of course not. Wolverines can't make tea for anything." Sasha prepares tea for humans and banana for the hatchlings; Reshad helps with the tea. Sasha greets a blue hatchling as "Chahle", and tells Reshad, "You can go ahead and pick one up. It's good for them, to get used to humans." Reshad answers, "Thanks - I wasn't sure it was all right. I don't know much about reptiles, if they're reptiles."

Ione enters the common room, looking stressed. Her hair is down, and she has changed gloves. She picks up a silver hatchling and pets it for a while; it tries to eat her hair. She greets Sasha and Reshad. Sasha is deeply embarrassed by the hatchling in Ione's hair; in reaction, a teacup falls from the galley shelf to the floor. Ione is startled, but considers that Sasha's revelations about her exotic power are held in confidence. Meanwhile, the hatchling she is holding imitates the crashing sound. Reshad looks around, determines there is no immediate threat, and exclaims, "Oh! Rascal" as a hatchling nips her fingers. Gerae enters the room, notes the general tension, and occupies himself by feeding hatchlings.

Sasha cleans up the pottery shards and brings everyone (now including Alaric and Sulen) a cup of (slightly oversteeped) tea. She asks, "Ione. Are you all right?" Ione answers, "Tired. Kind of emotionally fatigued because it's -- there was a lot." She notes that the hatchlings help, then asks Sasha whether she is all right. Sasha is disconcerted by the idea that Ione might care. She answers, "I'm fine. Nobody has tried to assault me for weeks, it's probably a record. I guess--should we get started?" Softly, Ione says, "We should be aiming for longer than weeks."

Sasha opens with, "Ione, if you can give us a more detailed assessment of Jedao's emotional state, that would be very much appreciated. Reshad, I know you have questions. And Gerae--are you part of this meeting or not?" Startled, Gerae says, "I'm paying attention." Quietly, Sasha tells him, "I'm not going to eat you," to Ione's amusement.

Reshad says, "I do have questions, but Ione's information may well answer some of them." Ione explains that she has "filters": in order to read Jedao "without things getting lost in the space between his field and mine, I would have to be touching him directly." She notes, "The most important thing I picked up on is that I think it is very important to honor his word, and that it was the right choice to take that oath; I think he sees some kind of escape in it? That will make him inclined to work with us better, I think it's maybe protecting him." She warns that Jedao is "at least actively self-destructive if not suicidal, so I'm not able to discern right now if he's using us as a tool for this or for some other means. It may not matter?" Fidgeting with her hair, she concludes, "But he never lied to us and everything he said was sincere - the rebellion's cause interests him, I think. That was washed out, though, by the -- intensity of his oaths and the emotional pain. It's too tangled for me to see clearer, I'm sorry. I could do a closer read but someone would have to be with me and he would have to consent." Reshad agrees, "I do hope it'll ease working with us. And we must take precautions not to become a tool to hurt him further."

Sasha says, "I told him that he might have to destroy his other self, and that I will protect my people. I am sure both were factors, in his decision." Reshad scoops a bright red hatchling out of the nest and feeds it, charmed. She tells Sasha, "I'm concerned, and not all of it is for him. He threw over his oaths to leaders he considered unworthy. Not easily, I don't think, but once done is easier done again. Nor do I think he has context to understand your existing bonds." Sasha responds, "My commitment to the Cantata is the only tie that isn't obvious."

Awkwardly, Gerae says, "I know I'm very junior in this organization, and that I certainly don't speak for the other Rahal, but I would strongly recommend doing that scan, Ione, if you can secure his agreement. If he's unstable, we really need to know how deep it goes." Worried about Ione's exhaustion, Sasha asks, "You don't want to scry him thoroughly yourself?" with mild sarcasm. Shifting closer to Gerae, Sulen says, "Ione's ability sounds more effective than ours, at least in these circumstances." Sasha asks, "What do you really expect to gain, from an active scan? We already know Jedao is dangerous. Ione can monitor passively now, without putting him on alert. If you want a full psych profile, and he's cooperative, we'd be better off asking Remi."

More debriefing: Alaric, Gerae, Ione, Reshad, Sasha, Sulen, and the pseudo-dragons, with interruptions from the Cantata

Reshad is beginning to ask, "Obvious to wh--" when there's a rattling noise in the cupboard. Another teacup shatters. Via the grid, the Cantata says, "Excuse me! Is there a reason the cups are shaking? I asked the other voidmoths in the area if it's any of them and they say they haven't messed with our gravity! Since I am your transportation I thought I should bring this potential safety issue to your attention." Deeply embarrassed at her failure to control her exotic power, Sasha says, "The disturbance is my fault. It should be temporary. Ione, this is not mine to dictate, not in any way, but... If you could keep the hatchling away from your hair, I would appreciate that very much." She tries not to look at Reshad, or the adorable hatchling curled against her.

Excited, Gerae asks, "You can break things without touching them? Does it work on locks, too?" Sasha tells him, "You might have noticed my control is not ideal. If I could reliably move a deadbolt, growing up would have been a lot easier. I have pretty good luck with electronic locks, though." Reshad asks, "You can--but how?" Sasha says, "I don't know." She reflects upon the many sources of her current stress, including her promise to Jedao and the fact that in this room, during the first meeting with Remi, Ashari retaliated against her by stroking her hair. She explains further, "This level of disturbance is unusual." Ordinarily her luck is extreme, for good or ill: "I win at cards, I win at darts, if you draw a name out of a fishbowl it will probably be mine. There was--an incident, with one of Ashari's daggers. I don't know how it works, or how to make it stop. It's not Naxorian. That is--I regret the necessity of this language--it is not in the writings of the Prophet. My best guess is, this is like one of my nurse's stories, and I should have gone on a journey, out onto the steppe, and hoped for advice from some mysterious being. Who probably doesn't even exist."

The Cantata apologizes, "As long as it's not a gravity malfunction, then. Sorry for prying!" Gerae asks, "Is this kind of thing common among your nurse's people? Have you ever tested the range?" The Cantata suggests, "Maybe she doesn't want to talk about it?" Sasha thanks the Cantata, but explains further: "My nurse was Kirrish, like Yehan. I--I have some of that heritage, myself. But the heptarchate doesn't have a fucking monopoly on suppressing other people's calendars. I don't know what was true and what was only stories. I can affect things I can see or hear or interact with, including through the grid, but it's not predictable and it's not reliable. Ione had some ideas about tests, but we haven't run them yet."

Reshad pets her hatchling, which noses toward her hair. She tells the Cantata that though it is "kind", "in this case there are things we need to know." To Sasha, she says, "Calendar... normalization, is what they called it, where I came from. But it was suppression, none the less. As far as I know, exotics from the calendars subsumed failed to work under the true calendar, but I'm no mathematician. Perhaps Remi might be able to help with your testing?" Returning to the previous topic of conversation, she asks, "Ione, does using your ability put you at risk in ways that wouldn't apply to any one of us?"

Sasha worries that, as she reacts to the sight of the hatchling in Reshad's hair, she will break more dishes. She shuts her eyes and tells herself part of a Kirrish folk tale, attempting to calm herself. She then says, "Any human can shift the calendar, over a short distance. With all of us together, from different times and places, maybe the shift is greater. Is that the risk you mean? Or do you want to know more about why Ione wears gloves?"

Ione tells Reshad that her ability does pose limited risks: "I can get overwhelmed and pass out. I don't just read feelings, I'm actually feeling them, so it's very--tiring, and I sometimes have to work hard to remind myself the feelings aren't mine. Skin-to-skin contact turns into getting everything the other person is feeling fed into my head and I find it extremely unpleasant to have happen by mistake. Because of the risk of losing consciousness I prefer to be guarded by someone I can trust when doing it intentionally." She explains that there is a barrier in her head "to prevent being like that around everyone all the time. What we are calling an ability is thought of as a disability by some in my home world." Sounding concerned, Reshad says, "There are unique vulnerabilities, then. So long as Sasha or I can move you away from danger or call for help in time, we should be all right."

Sasha sums up, "We have some transit time, before we reach our rendezvous with Ashari. Ione, you are likely to spend much of that time with Jedao and Reshad or me, but please be clear about your limits. This isn't a short-term process. We need as much information as we can get about this Nirai collaborator: how he thinks, what his resources are." Reshad adds, "And as much information about Jedao himself - including what he understands his oath to be. And whether it's a means for harm to come to him." She asks Sasha whether he might have had "a chance to study Naxorian customs." Sasha jokes, "We could check what sections of the grid he has accessed in the last few minutes." Reshad answers, "I'll leave that to you." Sasha goes on, "I told you, I studied the faction oaths, in my own time. They are comprehensive in a way that--there's not a precise Naxorian analogue. Certain adoptions or very formal types of marriage, maybe, but the closest match I know is the military braid. I'm not trained as a soldier, and in case you hadn't noticed, I am not a heptarch. So we're making this up as we go along, on both sides." Ione says, "We have something close, I think, based on how it felt. I mean, my grandmother's home planet does. Fealty oaths like that. Calling them intense is to put it mildly, but I got the same vibe."

Sasha asks, "Sulen? Reshad, Gerae? Is there other context that you need?" Sulen tells her, "I broke every oath I swore to my faction. I will neither make nor accept new ones. I cannot trust Jedao's oath to you, but I trust your leadership." Sasha responds, "I am honored by your trust." Reshad tells Ione, "I'd like to understand more of that." She adds that she would like to learn more about Sasha's oaths, as well.

The hatchling distracts Reshad by tugging on her earring; Sasha is disturbed, but nothing else breaks. She says, "Are there specific questions you have now? Because otherwise Sulen and I should chat briefly." Reshad asks, "Just one. Do you plan to share our capture of Jedao with your superiors?" Sasha says, "I will report to Ashari in full. I will recommend that we seek a connection between Quill and this mysterious Nirai. It is possible that multiple entities are interested in our version of Jedao, but the coincidence would surprise me."

In Jedao's room: Jedao and Virmad

Jedao requests buttons and hand-sewing materials via the grid. While waiting for a response, he practices calisthenics. Virmad brings the materials. He stands outside the door for a minute, distracted by the surveillance footage the grid shows him, then uses the grid to request permission to enter. Switching to pushups, Jedao says, "Thank you, Virmad, feel free to come in." Awkward, Virmad says, "Sorry to interrupt. I admire your, um, commitment to fitness. Most people in your situation would I think give themselves license to...not..." Springing to his feet, and moving close to Virmad in the process, Jedao says, "I won't be of much use to your cause if I allow myself to get soft. I don't know what exercise facilities you have on this moth--dare I hope for a firing range?" Seeing the sewing kit, he remarks that he "forgot to ask for a seam ripper" and explains his plan to tailor the clothes that Seyli printed for him.

Distracted by Jedao's proximity, Virmad offers him the sewing kit, then says, "I feel like we got off on the wrong foot, with the whole inquisitor thing. I’ve been waiting — ah, wanting to meet you for a while now. I was — or I will be — or I would have been? — whatever! — at...well, a battle that I suppose won’t happen now, at least in this timeline. Under your command." Watching Virmad closely, Jedao says, "Thank you. I understand you were doing your duty. But a Rahal, under my command?. I'm curious about this battle, and your part in it, but I don't know what I'm authorized to learn about my own timeline?"

Virmad agrees that perhaps he "shouldn't say more"--"Or at least... I shouldn’t go into detail, anyway. You borrowed some calendrical lenses from the station where I was posted, and I was temporarily assigned to one of them. So I was only technically under your command, but... In any case, it was...an interesting battle. You...intrigued me. I hoped I’d have a chance to meet you in person someday. I admit I never would have expected it would be under these circumstances."

Wry, Jedao says, "You may have said too much already. Assuming you took me from a point in time close to that doomed conference, there are only so many facilities with calendrical lenses in any number--Smokewatch 33-67 through 33-91 among them. Which narrows the field of engagement considerably. There are only so many heretics, or possible heretics, in those regions--at least ones requiring a full general's attention. And since calendrical lenses are rarely of practical use in battlefield conditions, this suggests a ruse of some sort. Am I right? In any case, you have your opportunity now. Do I meet your expectations?"

Half-smiling, and reflecting on Sasha's likely anger, Virmad says, "Perhaps I have said too much already." He confirms that some sort of ruse was involved, continuing, "As for expectations... I had some idea what — or who — to expect, but I must say, your reputation doesn’t do justice to your charm in person — or. Perhaps it does, but I had assumed it was an exaggeration. It’s extremely disarming — which I suppose must be useful for someone with your skillset."

With a tilted smile, Jedao replies, "Are you a ruse? Or perhaps a test of some kind? I have to say, personal charm is irrelevant to a sniper, although it does help to have willing soldiers when one is commanding troops." Virmad jokes, "'Sniper' — is that what they’re calling it these days? And will you believe me if I say I'm neither?” he asks. “I probably wouldn't, in your position. Or, if I'm a test, it's for myself as much as it is for you." Touching the lantern pendant in his pocket, he goes on, "I have so many questions I’d like to ask you, but we picked you up at the wrong point in your timeline and I can’t pose them now with any certainty that I’ll get the answers I’m looking for. So we both have to trust." Jedao murmurs, "I'm sure the state of innuendo hasn't changed much since we were current. What are the answers you are looking for? Certainty I can't give you, any more than anyone can. But maybe I can give you possibilities."

In the gym: Sasha and Seyli

Sasha puts on one of her workout tanks and heads to the gym, where she finds Seyli. They greet her, saying, "You've caught me mid work out, will you be joining me? There is room for both of us, after all." Sasha says, "Let me know when you're done," and starts doing pullups. Seyli finds that shared movement makes it easier to face the forthcoming difficult conversation. As they finish their workout and begin to stretch, they say, "You want to talk, I assume?" Sasha replies, "Yes. Thank you for looking after Ione." Seyli says, "It's my job. I'll do it again if I need to."

Nodding, Sasha asks, "And what do you think my job is? Your representation was--somewhat unclear." Shrugging, Seyli admits, "I'm entirely unclear in that point. Leader of some sort, unofficial? A techie of some sort as well." Sasha explains, "I am in command; Sulen is my second; I report to Ashari. But my background is information security. You should take the emphasis on security, there: my job is to identify and assess threats, of different types and across different timescales. You're stuck on the short-term threat right now. That makes sense; it's your role. But I need you to understand that Jedao is not the greatest danger to us." Seyli reflects that the actual lines of power do not match Sasha's summary. They say, "Just because he's not the biggest threat doesn't mean he isn't still a serious one."

Attempting to sound curious and open, Sasha asks, "What specific attacks do you fear?" Seyli answers, "From him or in general? In general that this whole operation seems to be dubiously put together, that we're an unbalanced team and we might not be able to function well in a combat situation. I'm not expecting or fearing any specific attack. As for Jedao, he's unstable, he murdered his own crew in one timeline, and who the fuck knows what else he did in others?"

Sasha tells them, "Good, you noticed it's a clusterfuck. The thing is, we are not coincidentally fucked. There is someone in Personnel who is carving out a private fiefdom. We came here to find out what she wants. We learned two things: that Jedao is a danger to her plans specifically, and that a Nirai is maneuvering him into killing his people. Do you want to bet that these facts are unrelated?" Seyli responds, "I'm not the sharpest knife in the drawer, but it's not hard to see this is a clusterfuck." Sitting up straight, they add, "The person who sent us here to collect Jedao? They intended us to fail?"

Sasha answers, "Flute didn't give a fuck if we survived, but I don't think she intended us to fail. The person I am worried about goes by the name of Quill. She chose the group of us who retrieved Remi, and she is, secretly, the source of Flute's orders. If it was just the failures in Personnel--some people survive, in any organization, by making sure they look better than everyone around them. But on our first mission Quill gave us a baby fox whose augment was still running Shuos code. He supposedly grows up to be a heptarch--by then, I guess, a hexarch. And this mission has been stranger."

Seyli reflects that this type of problem is Sasha's job, not theirs. They sum up, "So in the grand scheme of things, you think Jedao's far less of a risk than anything else that's going on with the rebellion, or at least the part of it that's using us." Sasha answers, "It's worse than that. The man Jedao fears, the one who gave him threshold winnowers? I think he is working with Quill." Seyli freezes, their face blank. Sasha does a handful of pullups, giving them time to recover, then says, "So. The weirdest fucking thing of all? Right now, we're winning."

Seyli asks, "Because we took Jedao out from under their noses when they expected us to fuck up? Which makes him less than a terrible idea, because now he's our terrible idea instead of someone else's?" Sasha tells them, "Because we know who they are. This Nirai--he wanted something like Hellspin to happen. He set it up. Think what someone like that could do, with the rebellion running errands for him. And then tell me how we would know he existed, if we didn't have Jedao." Sasha's emphasis on knowledge makes Seyli flinch, but they conclude Sasha does not intend to hurt them. Voice soft, they say, "Ah, I see." Sasha notices but cannot interpret the flinch. She holds her hands out, palm up: "Everything we do is dangerous. But the work we have--it matters. So we're going to figure it out."

Seyli is quiet for a while. Then they nod, saying, "I am...sorry, I know I've been difficult. I'm not much more than a gun, and not a very smart one at that, but point me at what you need shot and I'll do my job." Sasha says, "Thank you. I will." She changes the topic, with a half-smile: "Could you spot me on the bench, before you go?" Seyli agrees. They are impressed by Sasha's dedication to building strength, and suggest a specific post-workout meal.

In the common room: Ione and Reshad

After some rest, Reshad returns to the common room. She displays a jeng-zai deck as a quiet invitation for conversation. Wearing the silver hatchling, Ione leans over and admires the cards. Reshad's red hatchling trills a greeting. Reshad asks whether Ione would like to play, adding, "This deck's a little different. There's a fox in every illustrated card, and some of the minors, too." Ione says, "I'm very bad. But very curious. Do the foxes change the meanings?" Cheerful, Reshad says, "Everyone starts at the bottom. Honestly, they're mostly Shuos jokes." She reflects that the deck contains a minor heresy, then asks, "What do they play, when you're at home?" Her hatchling imitates the silver hatchling's noises.

In the engine room: Alaric, the Cantata, and Sasha

In the engine room, Sasha asks the Cantata, "You mentioned earlier that you can talk to nearby moths. How much can you perceive about what is happening on those ships? Can you sense individual humans, or tell how the furniture is laid out?" It answers, "Of course I can, but it would be the height of rudeness to tell you without the other moths' permission." Sasha reflects that this means the Cantata could spy on stations or planets, but asks instead, "What if you could change something yourself? Would it be rude for you to open a door on another ship, or move a piece of furniture?"

Somewhat huffily, the Cantata replies, "I would only do that if we were about to mate. This is a highly improper conversation." Shimmying out of an access conduit, Alaric says, "Really? That seems like a remarkable amount of precision to exert at a distance." Confused, the Cantata says, "Mating happens at a certain close range. Do your people mate over large distances somehow?" Mildly embarrassed, Sasha says, "We have a lot of machines that can do a lot of different things. Alaric, I'm thinking about the moth harnesses. We need a skilled tech to remove them. But if we can work out a telepresence solution, we might not have to put a human tech on each moth. What kinds of physical manipulators would we need? And do you know, are the harnessed moths able to think about their own harnesses, or is that capability blocked?" The Cantata says, "You have sex with the aid of machines? That might explain a lot, actually. Oh! I didn't mean to be crass, it's just that you are such interesting creatures."

Still embarrassed, Sasha says, "I guess we're even, then. But people from the heptarchate tend to be open about sexuality. If you're curious about specific cultural practices, you could talk to one of the Rahal. In the meantime--is it all right if we ask you about the harnesses?" The Cantata responds, "If they wouldn't be offended, I will message the Rahal about it. Is it improper to have a conversation with them at the same time that I'm having this conversation with you?" With some hesitation, it agrees to talk about the harnesses, adding, "But aren't they an invention of your people? Surely you know more about them than I do." Alaric explains, "We have the technical readouts and operations manuals, but while they have plenty to say about using the harnesses, they're regrettably short on the subjective experiences of the moths under their control. It's possible there's studies locked away in Nirai archives somewhere, but if so they're not public knowledge." The Cantata agrees again, somewhat doubtfully: "It's so hard to remember specifics. It's like being in a regeneration dream, and everything's fuzzy once you wake up."

Alaric explains that this feedback is "still data": "Everything being fuzzy like a dream is different than being completely unconscious, or having your thoughts constrained into a particular path. Or, for example, being blackout drunk where you appear lucid at the time but the next morning you can't recall anything and have to reassemble everything from contradictory physical evidence and the Rashomon-like testimonies of your so-called friends." Sasha asks, "Am I supposed to know what the fuck 'Rashomon' means?" Alaric waves her question off, distracted. She tells the Cantata, "It's fine to hold multiple conversations simultaneously. Just warn people before you transfer information from one context to the other. But can you tell us, what do the moths you talk to seem like? They're harnessed, right? Do they appear confused, or bad at keeping track of conversations?" It explains that harnessed moths "sound like they're dreaming and not aware of much of the outside world. We don't speak much when we're dreaming--it attracts predators. I'm very surprised that more of them haven't followed us from our home dimension, because we would be easy meat for them in this state. Perhaps the harnesses taste bad."

Alaric says, "First, it's possible that your behavior is sufficiently different under harness that it doesn't attract attention. Or maybe ships occasionally go missing or have to fight off unknown attackers. We could check the stats on that. Second, predators? What sort of predators?" The Cantata suggests, "Or maybe the predators think diseased meat will be bad for them. We're not really sure what they think. You didn't know about the predators? We're a prey species in our native dimension. There are a lot of predators, all bigger than we are. They have many teeth in many mouths. Why do you think we fly so fast?"

Sasha asks, "How did you learn about your home dimension? Are there unharnessed moths nearby, as well as the harnessed ones? Or did another moth teach you, when you were young?" The Cantata explains, "I heard from the older moths when I was a mothling, of course. Before I was harnessed. They have some of the older more loosely harnessed to teach us how to fly."

Concluding that the Cantata's level of information about moth predators is likely similar to her own information about her exotic powers, Sasha says, "Remi will want to know more about teaching mothlings to fly. But let's go back to my original question. I think Alaric and I can build a machine that you could use to remove the harness from another moth. Is this something you are willing to try? It's going to be awkward and unpleasant. But I think it's important. And I think it's something you and the other moths should control, for yourselves." The Cantata agrees, adding, "If the other moth wants the harness put back, we'll do that too, won't we? Even if it's a terrible idea."

Sasha says, "If we can do so without endangering ourselves, yes. The first step is going to be for you to practice moving a machine around on this ship. Alaric, do we have sensors that detect the way moths talk to each other, that we could use for control? Or will we need to route commands through the grid?" Alaric explains the difficulties with using a gravitational wave detector: "It'd probably be very obvious to other moths, even in a dream state, and that could cause agitation that the ships' engineers would notice. That doesn't even get into sending a signal back. For now, the grid is our best bet, until we can rig up some sort of dedicated and stealthier comms system."

Sasha says, "Got it. I suppose it would be weird if a moth started singing encrypted songs, and we'll have to fuck the other mothgrids to insert our devices, in any case. What about range of motion? Cantata, would it be easier for you to think about the location of something with wheels, or something that hovered?" The Cantata agrees that it could think about "the round spinny things": "They are very entertaining." Alaric agrees, "Locomotion control is easy to abstract to whatever form factor we need. We can practically do it with off-the-shelf military software. Or better yet, high-end competitive gaming interfaces. The custom stuff is way better than any lowest-bidder garbage they stick the Kel with." He adds that they just need to build an interface the Cantata can use.

Reshad's room: Reshad and Sasha

A couple of days later, Sasha is trying to figure out why Reshad asked about reports to her superiors, and whether Reshad has specific strategies involving Ashari in mind. She concludes that she should treat Reshad as an ally while she tries to gather more information about Reshad's goals. She knocks on Reshad's door. Reshad invites her inside; she has been testing ornaments on a mannequin head.

Sasha quickly evaluates the ornaments, noticing no obvious references to Jedao or the rebellion, then turns to Reshad. She explains that she has "a small question whose answer lies, I think, in your domain": "Ashari has been recruiting people, while we have been here. I don't know their precise plans, but it is safe to assume that they enjoy a spectacle. There will be--if I am lucky, a meeting, but knowing them, it could be another party--where I will have to meet these new people and explain that we have Jedao. I am guessing this might go a bit more smoothly if I wear something other than the jacket I got for free in the year 222?"

Reshad concurs, asking, "If they're looking for a spectacle, what sort do you want to give them? As I see it, you have a few options, and it all depends on what kind of a spectacle you want to create. Do you want to show them a mathematician and grid-diver? A commander of a rebellion moth in challenging marches? A wanderer of time?" She puts away the hairpins, hoping to reduce the distraction. Stiff and uncomfortable, Sasha says, "Shall we say, a wanderer in time?"

Relaxed and reassuring, Reshad says, "That'll work fine. You know Ashari better than I do. Would it serve you to remind them of your victories? Of course, the ideal is something you can wear. If you aren't comfortable with it, no amount of spectacle will cover that. So it needs to feel like something you're all right with. Something from your work together, maybe something from the trade show we just attended?" Sasha answers, "The time I locked the command files and held them for ransom? Ashari and I have an understanding. It's everyone else I'm worried about--the people who will be looking from them to me to our newest team member, and wondering what the fuck they've gotten into."

Recognizing Sasha's attempt at humor, Reshad says, "All right, then we have an audience." She reflects that Sasha's description of Jedao as a team member is promising, and asks whether he will be attending: "That... allows far greater flexibility in display." Shrugging, Sasha says, "I don't have early access to that future. But I told you, Ashari likes a spectacle. I think they are more likely to time his entrance to some other effect than to leave him out." Reshad says, "Then, it may be good to display the connection you already have. Ask him to wear that hairpin; you wear some corresponding token. Doesn't need to be the bond itself to be effective. So far as the rest? Your comfortable jacket may be a good choice. And whatever you've liked to wear that isn't holed."

With mild sarcasm, Sasha says, "Thanks for the vote of confidence. Just to state the obvious, it's going to be black on black. Or did you think I should borrow the two gears?" Reshad replies, "Black on black is fine. Might even be a statement in itself." She recommends avoiding gears, gold details, or "military silhouettes": "In your shoes, if I wanted to make a claim of his loyalty, I would have him wearing your symbol - then make it very obvious it's yours." With a sideways smile, Sasha answers, "Next time I take an oath from an infamous murderer, I'll hire a graphic designer first. I don't have a symbol of my own--I cut and pasted that feather from the rebellion logo. I can't exactly claim Fountain House, here." Amused, Reshad says, "You've got to make sure your priorities are correct." She approves the feather symbol: "It makes a claim of both your loyalty to the rebellion."

Next, Reshad suggests, "How about this: wear your jacket, one of your tanks or a new shirt we can have fabbed in your dimensions. Have a pin to match his, and... maybe a black hat, to match?" Sasha worries that wearing a workout tank will be inappropriate, countering, "We can print a new shirt. And a new hat, for that matter. Just as long as my hair is covered." Relieved that Sasha is not attached to her unprepossessing hat, Reshad says, "Oh, good. Then, it's pretty simple from there, no? Now - are you trying to bring in concealed weaponry?" Grinning slowly, Sasha says, "I have the entire grid." With her own edged grin, Reshad says, "Good." She offers Sasha her tablet, with a fashion program equipped: "Let it have your measurements from the grid, and if you see a style you like..." The program includes options for armour and weapon concealment. Sasha experiments with the program briefly, then returns Reshad's tablet, saying, "I don't know how the fuck to optimize these things. Do I impose, if I ask you to choose?"

Reshad enjoys the chance to experiment: she quashes the urge to suggest a disconcerting fashion statement and picks three simple variations on jacket, shirt, and trousers. She then asks, "Would you favor it, did I work clock hands or feathers into my own decorations?" After some thought, Sasha answers, "I don't know what that would mean to you, if anything, and I will not hold you to tell me now. But on a purely tactical level, that seems wise." She chooses the plainest shirt from Reshad's variations. Reshad promises, "Then, I shall." She sends the outfit specifications to Sasha through the grid.

The common room and Reshad's room: Jedao and Reshad

After a few days, Jedao is granted access to common areas and the gym. Over a game of jeng-zai, he tells Reshad, "It's not anyone's secret that my past is being withheld from me. I can make certain deductions from that very fact, but I would prefer to know, if it's permitted. I doubt whatever you tell me is worse than my imagination." Folding her cards away, Reshad says, "I apologise for the delay. But, yes - would you like to have this conversation here or more privately?" Jedao says, "Thank you for the option. More privately, please, wherever you deem suitable. I trust we're being monitored anyway." Reshad leads the way to her own quarters. On the question of monitoring, she remarks, "We may be. Including by Cantata, who usually has a good sense of when things are private."

In her quarters, Reshad invites Jedao to sit, then tells him, "So: you're famous for military skill. That's not different from what you know. You already know you attained immortality. You were present in battles well past even the record lifespan, even with the technology of my time. But you were called an arch-traitor after the catastrophe at Hellspin Fortress." Taking a seat and watching Reshad intensely, Jedao says, "Hellspin Fortress means the Lanterners. Their loyalties have always been precarious. Did I turn coat? Or was it worse than that?" Reshad confirms, "You turned coat. There was a massacre. But I wonder: you were the only person alive on the bridge, and one person doesn't kill a fleet without help." Jedao repeats, "Alive on the bridge. But you didn't speak of killing the crew of a moth, but of an entire swarm. So I went through with it after all. Help wouldn't have been needed, if one enjoyed a high enough rank and a certain level of trust. The kind of trust one builds up through impeccable service over two decades." His eyes are blank.

Reshad says carefully, "What you planned, you don't have to do it now. There are other ways to bring it down." Eyes still unfocused, Jedao responds, "I must have seen other ways, and ruled them out. Tell me--in later times, is there a Kel hivemind? Did they go through with that? There were only rumors, in my time, that it was coming down the line." Worried, Reshad says, "You may have, but there's other options now. The Kel in my time have composites. Sort of a hive mind, but not of all Kel. They have formation instinct, too, and that didn't come until well after your time."

Jedao says, "I always wondered what that would be like. I didn't dare wait until it was instituted, for the obvious reasons." Less distantly, he continues, "Formation instinct is a perversion of Kel service. What happened to dissenters? The histories available to me were vague on that point." Reshad says, "Dissent is called failure among the Kel. I'm not clear either, on what they do to dissenters. I assume they're given to the Vidona, but they may have a different way of handling it before they cut a member off. When I was a cadet, someone I knew had a Kel cousin who was disowned when it was found that formation instinct didn't take. I never heard about them after that. Was it different, among your Kel?" Jedao says, "The families themselves sometimes covered up disgrace, in my time. But the records were usually public, unless the mission itself was classified. It doesn't matter anymore--I've given up my rank." Rubbing his left wrist, which is scarred, he adds, "It's been years since I went around ungloved." Reshad says, "I know we have at least a few former Kel in the rebellion. One of whom you've met. Here, at least, it's more complicated than disgrace. It must be strange. An organization I was assigned once had scarves of rank. For months I was trying to adjust the fall." She gestures toward her neck in illustration.

After a long silence, Jedao says, "I couldn't find information on what happened to my family after I turned coat." Reshad apologizes for her lack of information; as a Temuy newly assimilated to the hexarchate, she had avoided showing too much interest in families. "Do you think they'd be interested in rebellion?" Jedao says, "Rebellion? Not unless it involved bioengineering or, I suppose, radical poetry. My sister was the poetical one; I don't have the ear for it, I'm afraid." Serious again, he adds, "I know what the heptarchate does to the families of traitors." Reshad says, "The hexarchate is not kind to them, either. Truly, I don't know. We can find out, if it helps. Or, if your disappearance is likely to endanger them? We can try to prevent that from happening." Jedao shrugs. "It's important to me, but that doesn't make it an operational priority for your group. I do understand the distinction."

Reshad says, "I wouldn't suggest otherwise. But as you say, we'll need something to come after our triumph. A poet can inspire and chronicle; that is valuable in itself. Biology isn't going to be optional -you've heard about the Mothlings. And no doubt there will be stranger things than I have yet imagined. So - I won't promise success, but we can make a pitch for pulling them out. The nice thing about time travel is that we can regroup and plan. Soonest is only best in linear calendars."

Jedao tells her, "I appreciate your efforts to motivate me. But I can't be the only one who's lost family or friends or lovers." Reshad says, "Of course not. But you're the first one I've asked." Her smile clear evidence of former pain, she adds, "And my family would no more recognize Shuos Reshad than they would Hexarch Mikodez." Jedao says, "I can hardly be, the only asset whose loyalty you'd like to secure. Is this is a personal interest, or a strategic one?" Responding to Reshad's personal revelation, he tells her, "That's a difficult position to be in. My birthworld Eshpatan 'chose' to join the heptarchate in my grandparents' time. It was a fact of life by the time I was born, but I heard some of the stories."

Reshad describes her interest as both personal and strategic: "What I want is for this rebellion to succeed." She recognizes Eshpatan's history, offering, "I was ten when I went to the Vidona school. But if you saw the files, you know as much." Sardonic, Jedao says, "Because the rebellion is the most useful means to an end, or because you're invested in the specific organization? There did seem to be some amount of interpersonal division." On the Vidona, he remarks, "Old enough to remember, then, and young enough to be malleable, as the heptarchate counted these things. I can't imagine it was very different in your time." Reshad tells him, "Because this rebellion is the most useful means to end the tortures. Because I was assigned here - and because we hold an advantage over every other organization I have seen. Division is a kind way of putting it." As to the Vidona, she says only, "It wasn't so different in my time."

Alliances and allegiances

Sasha is disconcerted by the strength of emotion that her decision to accept Jedao's oath creates. Ione and Sulen are both sympathetic to her feelings, though Sulen continues to distrust new oaths in general and Jedao in specific. Sasha is further disconcerted by her own inability to control her exotic power, to which her general unease about Jedao no doubt contributes, though her intense emotional responses to Ione and Reshad are more immediate precipitating factors. The team responds with curiosity and an awareness of potential tactical advantages rather than fear, however.

Reshad finds confronting Sasha deeply unpleasant, but Sasha is more comfortable with open than with concealed aggression, a phenomenon Reshad is beginning to recognize. The two women form a tentative truce over their common, perhaps unexpected, empathy for Jedao. Sasha chooses to take Reshad's role on the team at face value, at least for now, and attempts to work with her; in the process, she shares some of her personal vulnerability around social situations. Meanwhile, Reshad is learning to recognize Sasha's attempts at humor. Her efforts to make social connections with other team members, particularly Ione, proceed more smoothly. Even Jedao listens a little bit, though he is still wary of both her friendliness and Virmad's evident attraction to and curiosity about him.

Mafyyil surprises and pleases Seyli by offering them muffins; this small interaction bodes well for Mafyyil's team integration, though she needs more cultural context than anyone on the team has attempted to provide. In particular, she is still more focused on the religious implications of her actions than on the team's overall goals. Seyli's sense of isolation due to their concern about Jedao is mitigated somewhat, first through their unexpected conversation with Mafyyil, then through Sasha's intervention. Sasha is able to connect with Seyli both because they share an interest in building strength, and because she is forthright about the dangers the team faces.

Alaric and Sasha engage the Cantata in a specific plan to free the other moths. This marks a new step in the Cantata's integration in the team's broader goals, though Sasha at least already feels friendship for the Cantata; indeed, she is unexpectedly inclined to find parallels between her own "nurse" and the moths who taught the Cantata stories.