dendarii | [PSL] VKS/RvB AU

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[PSL] VKS/RvB AU

[ Miles is really, really starting to hate Jackson's Whole. First the original mess with Taura. Then Mark - his brother, whom he is incredibly glad to have, but dear god what a disaster that had been from start to finish - and now this.

He should have known better to get anywhere close to this damn planet, but the mission had been too damn important to pass up. Simon had gotten wind of a cloning operation that supposedly involved implanting the new bodies with AI similar to his own memory chip. Super soldiers, perhaps, or just one more level of exceeding human limitations. A brilliant mind to go along with an immortal body.

The Baron responsible hadn't been anywhere near his previous encounters with Ryoval or Fell, so Miles had thought he might have enough space to wriggle in. Get a little advice from Mark, grease a few palms ... Too bad Fell had already informed most of his competitors of Miles' wiles in advance. The Baron had been prepared. Miles hadn't been prepared enough.

He'd evaded capture ... by ducking directly into the clone creché itself. Which was, of course, the most well-guarded and difficult to escape section of the entire facility, and they were in peak condition. So now he's here, cursing himself and this whole goddamned system. He's crouched behind some of the training equipment; with any luck, he can observe these modified clones before any of them find him in turn.

But since when has Miles ever been lucky? ]

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[ How the hell had anyone gotten in here? When the alert had come through, she immediately rolled her eyes. Someone had dropped the ball and she wouldn't be surprised if they were on the wrong end of a needler by now. Security breaches, particularly ones that ended with uninvited guests, were bad for business. The creation of super soldiers had been a long-standing goal among more than one House in the Whole and her House giving up their edge in the market would be the most idiotic mistake it could make.

Her House. As if she had chosen it. She was created here, her implantation to her new body successful. One of the first fully functioning prototypes that could be paraded to future investors when there weren't aptitude tests or training she had to take part in. The whole damn thing felt like a waste of her time and abilities, even more so when she ended up back in the clone creché during the compound's lockdown.

Even without the description of their invader, the man would have stuck out. She knew everyone in the compound, had a database she could tap into if she needed to be sure, and none looked so... peculiar as the man shown to her over the security feed. Why the hell was he here?

Whatever his reason, they needed to find him to end this lockdown. She's set off to patrol in a small hope that the man has found his way here though why he'd want to be in the high-security part of the facility, she has no idea. If he was looking for a clone of his own, there were far easier ways to obtain one and besides, the last dossier she had on Naismith said he already had one.

Her steps don't falter as she moves through each room, greeting those she passes with small nods as she brushes past. Seeking out the intruder isn't her job, but how often does she get to see an outsider that isn't a client or involved in a business dealing? It'd be interesting for at least a few moments before the man had to be hauled away.

It's by chance that she notices something... off by the training equipment. One step, the right angle, and she swore she caught a glimpse of something moving back there. A small smirk graces her lips as she steps closer, ready to lean casually over the piece of equipment to avoid drawing attention to herself. If anyone asked what she was doing maintenance was an easy enough answer to throw back.

She taps a finger on the edge of the equipment as if considering it before calmly asking, ] Lose something back there?

[ Shit. Miles whirls at that, a quick curse escaping him before he manages to snap his lips shut. One of the clones? Must be, if she's in here. And that face ... His own intelligence had been somewhat sparse, but this woman had come up frequently. The first proof of concept, the impetus that had driven ImpSec to send the Dendarii out in the first place. She is proof that this Baron's work is viable. And dangerous.

He straightens as much as he can. As if he'd totally meant to be here the whole time. ]

Just - you know, looking around. I'm afraid I've gotten lost.

[ It's not entirely a lie. Technically. ]

[ So that's the route he wants to go. Does he really think she's that stupid? She stares at him for a long moment and weighs her options. She could turn him in now or see how good at bullshitting he was. Overpowering him would be easy if he tried to make a run for it and she could use a break from talking to the others around here.

She folds her elbows on the surface of Miles' hiding spot as she leans over to get a better look. ]

You got lost and ended up in the creché? What'd they hire you to do?

[ This is going over rather poorly, isn't it. He still tries to keep it up a bit longer. ]

Excuse you, I'm not being hired here. I wanted to see the potential merchandise for myself.

[ Somehow she manages not to laugh at the blatant lie. ]

Oh really. Someone let you wander back here by yourself to check out the highly expensive merchandise? Don't let the clones hear you talking about them like that, [ she says dryly. ]

[ He winces slightly at his own phrasing. He kind of hated saying that. ]

Of course not. That's why they're hunting me down.

[ She taps the metal thoughtfully. ]

Now that you mention it, they did put out an announcement about an intruder. [ She waits a beat then, ] What use does Naismith have for more clones?

[ Without even blinking, Miles rolls into the next lie. ]

Not the clones. You're quite right on that front. I'm after the enhancements.

[ He taps at his skull. ]

[ Her brows raise. ]

And your method of getting them is to storm the place?

I - well --

[ He can't even claim to be a poor mercenary, because ... well, dammit, pride. He opens his mouth to search for the next lie. And decides to tell the truth instead. ]

All right, all right. You've got me. I'm here to investigate how dangerous this whole thing is. Certain parties are interested.

[ At least their operation was exuding the right reputation. ]

You're going to have to be more specific than certain parties. [ Because if a rival House had hired the man to come in here, they needed to know and she didn't have fast penta on her. ] Unless you want me to sound the alarms... We could use company.

[ He has no doubt that she'll do just that. Stall, dammit. ]

I'm a mercenary. We don't like to ask questions.

I know what you are. So they're worried we're dangerous and sent the admiral of a mercenary outfit to investigate. One with a reputation for meddling around here. Am I understanding that right?

[ Which meant he likely had others in his assault team, uncaught and scattered. The man wouldn't be stupid enough to attack a House of the Whole alone. Would he? ]

[ You have no idea. ]

A reputation I'd hoped to avoid. Last I heard, there were only two houses potentially pissed off at me.

Two pissed and a whole bunch of others that don't want you around. You're bad for business. [ An understatement if she's ever said one from what she's heard of him. ]

Were your orders to recon or did they give you something to do?

[ Simon had wanted a sample, if possible. Not of a person themselves - he's more interested in stealing a chip. But ... Once again, he decides something like the truth will serve him best. ]

Information. A closer look at your enhancements. [ His gaze settles on her thoughtfully. ] A rescue, if I can manage it.

[ That has her attention. Admiral Naismith had always sounded like more myth than man and seeing him in person didn't lend well to his reputation, but...

There's a glint in her eyes as she asks, ] What makes you think anyone needs rescuing?

[ No weakling in distress, this one. Miles glances up at the sound of a distant corner of the creché being searched. ]

Yes, a rescue. I'm direly in need of one about now.

[ Her glance toward the distance noise is slower, more deliberate. Throwing him to the wolves would be easy. ]

What's in it for me?

[ And then he'd be in for it. Sold to the highest bidder - which, at the very best, would be Barrayar. He swallows and looks up at her rather piercingly. ]

Why haven't you turned me in already?

[ Right to the point. She could appreciate that in negotiations. ]

I want a ride out of here. The farther away, the better.

[ Well. That might just work then. He smiles a bit as he considers options to do just that. Barrayar would be very far away, but ... Maybe there's an alternate solution. ]

I can do far away. And better yet, fast-moving.

[ She considers him carefully. She could get him out of here, that would be easy enough even with her limited access to the compound's systems. It's the part after that concerns her. ]

How do I know I'll have safe passage once we're out of here?

[ Miles raises an eyebrow at her. ]

Because it'd be a damned waste of your talents to go back on my word in this case. I want you to join the Dendarii.

[ She lets out a light snort. ]

You've known me for all of five minutes and you want to recruit me? You don't even know my name.

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