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[komarran]

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[komarran]

[ Duv may have spent his most recent years trying very, very hard to fit in with Barrayaran society, but some interests die hard.

He mutters with a little remorse, ] And in a nation that doesn't vote based on shareholder power.

[ The applications of that on Komarr would be far too powerful. Duv clears his throat before he continues. ] I trust that's been going well then. How long have you been at it?

[jacksonian]

A month. That's as long as I've been here.

[ And then, reluctantly, his mouth curls up in a tiny half-smile. It goes away at once, but there it was - a genuine sign of amusement. ]

I hadn't thought of that. I could take over Komarr with this power, couldn't I?

[komarran]

[ A whole month of flying under the radar. He wonders if the Vorkosigans or Emperor have come across him at all? Besides the Countess during the trouble with their ages. He'll let that issue lie for now.

He's own expression grows amused as he imagines the chaos that would cause. ]

They haven't changed the voting system. There's been no need to take into account supernatural powers.

[jacksonian]

[ He gives a little snort. ]

Fortunately, I have about as much of a desire to rule Komarr as I do to rule Barrayar.

[komarran]

No, I didn't think you would.

[ He has another sip of his coffee and considers his next question. Better to be direct about it than search for a mysterious assailant. ] You were the one that stunned me and stole my papers, correct?

[jacksonian]

[ And that catches him off-guard. Answer enough: his eyes go wide, and he jerks back, and says: ]

Uh.

[komarran]

[ A small sigh. That's definitely a yes. ]

I could use my papers back.

[jacksonian]

Papers...?

[ He says that in a mutter. Looks off to the side. For someone really good at lying, sometimes he is really shitty at lying. ]

[komarran]

[ He's almost being as difficult as Miles. It's a comment Duv decides to keep to himself. ]

Yes. The ones I was carrying that vanished after I was stunned.

[jacksonian]

Uh - you got stunned?

[ Possibly even more difficult than Miles. Possibly. ]

[komarran]

[ Yes, at least as difficult. Duv can already feel a headache gearing up. ]

You've already shredded them, haven't you?

[jacksonian]

[ He's almost offended by that question. Shredded? Potential blackmail material like that? Please. ]

You're saying you lost your papers, then. When did this happen? And where?

[komarran]

[ It had been a small hope.

Dryly, ] Why yes, I was. It happened right when I arrived by the government housing in De Chima. Perhaps you're familiar with it.

[jacksonian]

De Chima?

[ He smiles. It feels awkward. ]

I have contacts in De Chima, actually. I could probably talk to some people to see if it's possible to get those papers back.

[komarran]

Oh, could you?

[ Nothing in his tone says he believes what Peter is saying, but they appear to be at an impasse, both carrying knowledge about he other they'd rather not get out. ]

And how long would it take for your contacts to get back to me?

[jacksonian]

Probably a few days, I'd think.

[ Yeah, right. He could have those papers back to Galeni within fifteen minutes. But the man's been decent enough that he wants to get the papers back to him - but like hell he's going to admit to having been the one who stunned him. The clone doesn't trust the temper of someone from the Galen family. ]

I'd want something in return, though.

[komarran]

[ The catch. He has no doubt Peter will keep a copy of his papers for himself, but if he could at least have the originals he could get a better feel for his powers.

Mildly, ] You mean besides my silence?

[jacksonian]

[ He shakes his head. ]

No. I'm referring precisely to your silence. I want that to be our - our Deal. I get you those papers, I never talk about anything I've seen in them, you never talk about me.

[komarran]

[ He nods slowly. ]

Does that include yourself as Peter?

[jacksonian]

Uh -

[ Oh. ]

No. That's all right. It would be...weird if you just pretended I didn't exist.

[komarran]

If it comes up then I met a business-minded man named Peter Kane. [ Who happens to share an appearance with Miles, but he leaves that part unsaid. It's not needed. ]

Nothing more.

[jacksonian]

[ He lets out a breath, tension going out of him. ]

That'd work.

[ A hesitation. ]

How do you know about me, anyway?

[komarran]

[ And here's the tricky part. ]

I ran into you and my father when I was stationed on Earth. At present, I am the only one who remembers to.

[ Cordelia's memory had been short lived it seemed, once everything went back to normal. ]

[jacksonian]

[ That's...not a surprise, he guesses. The Komarrans' base of operations had been on Earth, after all; if David - Duv - was stationed there, their paths would cross eventually. Probably. ]

Did you... [ No; stupid question. He edits it: ] I'm guessing you didn't join him like he thought you would.

[komarran]

[ He shakes his head. ]

And go back to his absurd plans and control? No, I had no interest in joining and he made it clear how he felt about my decision.