Video

[heart_wrenching]

[ Even after the video starts, the image is mostly obscured, the figure still way too close and fiddling with her device. ]


Is this really broadcasting now? Amaaaaazing. I can't even see the microphone or camera! It's almost unbelievable.


[ When she finally sits back the area around her is a mess. The tables are strewn with tools and machine parts, knobs, springs, coils, piping. If one looks carefully, one may be able to spot a number of control panels suggesting she has possibly dismantled every major appliance in the home. Like ya do. ]


Well, hello! I'm a new imPort, my name's Winry. Winry Rockbell. And . . . does anyone out there know how to build a "microwave"? Well, rebuild, technically. The locks and turntables are pretty straightforward, but then there's all these wires . . . who knew electricity was going to be such a big deal, anyway?

Comments

[fullmetalbrat]

Why the hell would you want to join the military?

[dendarii]

... Because they told me I couldn't.

[fullmetalbrat]

That's a really stupid reason.

[dendarii]

Yes, well, the real ones are complicated and involve impressing relatives who died disappointed. I prefer that one instead.

[fullmetalbrat]

What about the things you actually can do?

[dendarii]

[ Oh. Wrong thing to say. Miles' smile instantly freezes in place, then takes on a rather dangerous glint. Possibly an expression Ed is familiar with making himself; certainly something much more a baring of teeth than an expression of friendliness. ]

Oh, I joined in the end. When they wouldn't take me, I took over a mercenary fleet three thousand strong instead. And when I returned ... they revised their decision.

[ Many, many important details left out of that particular retelling, but it's all technically true. ]

[fullmetalbrat]

[Oh, definitely. He's quite used to seeing it on Mustang, and in fact flashes a matching grin of his own right back at Miles.]

Hooh, not bad! Just jumped right over all the fieldwork grunt ranks?

[dendarii]

[ Huh. He's not used to getting it back. ]

Admiral in a month. It has its ups and downs.

[fullmetalbrat]

Admiral . . . How does that compare to military ranks? I'm not familiar with where naval ranks fall.

[dendarii]

At the very top. No one above me.

[fullmetalbrat]

—Seriously?!

[dendarii]

I told you I had three thousand at my back. I truly meant that.

[fullmetalbrat]

I didn't think you meant a revolution. Did you stage a revolt just because you couldn't join the military?

[dendarii]

... Yes? But not on Barrayar. Nor any other planetary government. They're all mercenaries.

[fullmetalbrat]

How did you convince them all to follow you?

[dendarii]

Snowball effect. I started with one ship, then used that to take over a capital ship. Which we used to take over a space station, which we used to break the blockade ... and in the end, the entire fleet surrendered to me.

[fullmetalbrat]

Damn . . .

[. . . yeah that just about sums it up.]

[dendarii]

Oh, yes. Very nearly damned, on multiple occasions.