CLOSED

[protects_the_small]

WHO:Olivier Armstrong, Sabriel, Aral Vorkosigan, Keladry of Mindelan
WHERE: RISE headquarters
WHEN:After RISE has been Officially Notified about the whole fight with Satan thing
WHAT:Official Reports and What The Hell Were You Thinking
WARNINGS:Major-General Armstrong

[Mistakes have been made. That’s a good way to start. Official channels have been ignored and the term ‘vigilante justice’ might be applied here. And Kel has not fulfilled her first chance at official duty as a RISE member. And now she must face her superior officers to make her report.
Luckily she has backup in the form of Lord Aral Vorkosigan, to fill out the parts of this whole mess Kel wasn’t around for. Not that she expects him to shield her from her proper dressing down, but she does at least feel he might come out on her side if the Major-General draws her sword again.
…Kel is armed this time]

Comments

[use_everything]

[The man Keladry brought with her is a grim, intense older man in a simple green military uniform, several weapons at his belt. He doesn't say anything yet, merely stands just a little behind and to the right of Keladry while she reports to her superiors. Hands clasped behind his back, he studies the others in the room.]

[darwinatrix]

[Olivier's gaze is cold, though her expression is otherwise impossible to read. Still, it feels like the room is a few degrees chillier than normal. She's silent for some time, letting the girl stew in her own thoughts, before she speaks, curt and taut.]

Explain yourself.

[protects_the_small]

[Kel has stayed in parade rest this whole time, careful to let nothing move in her expression. She doesn't move when Olivier speaks, beyond lifting her chin slightly as she speaks]

I was contacted by Lord Petyr Baelish on behalf of Queen Lucy. She'd been assaulted and kidnapped and left some miles outside the city limits of De Chima. It took me some hours before I was able to locate her, and I attempted to contact our other house mate, Marian Hawke. She answered only briefly, but informed me she was also seeking Queen Lucy and would be at her location shortly.

After finding Her Majesty, my main priority was to get her home and recovering from her ordeal, but I was interrupted by a notice via the Dendarii network that there was a grave situation in De Chima, and help was appreciated. Since Hawke had not appeared at Her Majesty's side, I feared something amiss and went to check.

When I arrived, I found De Chima Seven, ah-[she hesitates, searching for a professional word]-damaged at the front, and Hawke being interrogated by Lord Aral Vorkosigan and several Dendarii members. I bade them stop, as from what Her Majesty had told me, it was a matter of mistaken identity on both counts.

After some discussion, it was agreed that the Vorkosigans would not press charges against Hawke if she should accompany them to rescue Emperor Gregor, who at that point had been kidnapped be Lucifer.

[She pauses, knowing THIS is the part she will regret]

I made the decision to care for Her Majesty's safety and take her home, and have no comment on the investigation that happened after.

[darwinatrix]

You'd damn well better have a comment on that. I don't have a problem with you protecting that girl. I have a problem with you signing away your duty and leaving it to another group.

You didn't contact RISE.

[use_everything]

[He was hardly going to get in the way of a line of command dressing down, even if he hardly believed in interim reports himself. The simple fact of the matter was another complicating factor like coordinating with an entirely outside group with their own motives and agenda hadn't been on the roster.

He CAN be diplomatic when necessary.]

The issue was likely closed before there was a chance. We were informed of an hour window to move, and used it. The event cascade was particularly swift. I will clarify, as requested.

[darwinatrix]

[Her eyes narrow.] Was the network down? Communicators broken? We have instant communication technology here.

A message would at least have demonstrated intent to do one's duty.

[protects_the_small]

[Kel swallows briefly, she had been afraid of this question. Four months, it seems, did not weigh against nineteen years in a crisis]

I forgot.

[She does meet Olivier's eyes squarely though]

I make no excuses, sir. I did fail in my duty.

[use_everything]

[That earns a slight, inscrutable glance from Aral in Keladry's direction, but no comment. He remains silent, just a little behind her, mostly watching Olivier.]

[darwinatrix]

You 'forgot.' [Olivier says, coolly.] And what would you have done if something you'd 'forgotten' had resulted in the deaths of imPorts? Of natives?

What punishment do you deem acceptable?

[protects_the_small]

[Kel closes her eyes briefly, that one hit home very hard. Opening them again, she meets Olivier's gaze squarely]

In both situations, I leave it to you, sir. What I can think of falls short of what I deserve.

[use_everything]

[He interjects, jaw set hard.]

A wise idea. In times of high emotions, it's best to allow the pre-established code of conduct and disciplinary measures rule as the level head.

[darwinatrix]

This isn't about the punishment. I don't give a damn about the punishment. I care about you learning your damn lesson.

What punishment would you say would be fit?

[protects_the_small]

[Kel's shoulders are square and she now has her eyes fixed on a point above Olivier's left shoulder]

Either I am an officer and allowed to make the decision I made as I see fit, or I am a soldier under your command, and therefore not qualified to make that call. Sir.

I was under the impression it was the latter. Clearly I have made more than one mistake.

[use_everything]

[In the background, Aral crosses his arms and takes an expression so carefully bland it is almost stuffed in appearance.]

[darwinatrix]

[Olivier makes a 'tch' noise, her blue eyes flashing and her face twisting into a scowl before it settles at merely 'pissed.] You don't understand at all, do you?

Soldiers follow orders, but they are not machines. My men at Briggs would have walked into hell if I'd ordered them to, but they were trained to do their duty and use their damn heads even if I'd had my head blown off.

You're a soldier. I'm in charge. Nobody's disputing that. I'm asking you to use your head, girl.

[protects_the_small]

[Kel's eyes remain fixed above Olivier's shoulder, though there is a tightening around the corners at 'girl'.]

No sir, I don't understand how one follows the other. My superiors dictate to me, as I dictate to those under myself.

[darwinatrix]

You follow orders. That's not the same as being a brainless automaton. Are you brainless? Are you incapable of thinking for yourself?

This is your discipline. If you can't show some drive, you're useless to me.

[protects_the_small]

[Kel finally pulls her eyes away from the wall and meets Olivier's again]

I did think for myself and made a decision, sir. It is just that I made the wrong one. Since it is my judgement that was in error, I do not think it is my place to judge the discipline for that error.

If I am to be so useless, it is probably best I resign now and save us the trouble.