LMB Quote Game

[E Pericoloso Sporgersi]

Well, easy enough to go and check.
But by memory, I have only a few shreads:

1) The Ba's scheme involved going through Koamrr, and there are two satrapies reachable from Komarr without having to go through or all around the Cetagandan Empire. One is Rho Ceta, and the other probably Sigma Ceta, since I believe I remember that Mu Ceta and Xi Ceta are the other way round very far from Komarr, Eta Ceta is the capital and to my knowledge the three others are never named. So I would guess Rho Ceta (unless it is Sigma... or Mu or Xi, since I might be wrong about which is close and which two are far).

2) First was the Star Creche Ship, then the smuggler ship owned by Guppy and his friends (and Jacksonian creditors). From what Guppy says, (that he managed to track the replicators because it was a cargo with a huge mass, and that mass was impossible to hide) it is quite possible that several other ships were involved, and that the replicators did not join the Komarran fleet from the start. I am not sure. Then one of the ships of the Komarran fleet, a ship owned by the Toscane Family, but I forgot the name. Finally, a fast Barrayaran (military ?) ship, some kind of courrier, I'd say.

Your answer 1 is correct though not for the reason you stated.
I don't remember the ba specifying where he would want to go. But certainly not to any of the satrapies, where he would immediately be recognised and arrested for the traitor he was.

“The ba, it seems,” [the haut Pel] said slowly, “desired more than Lisbet's vision. It planned a new empire—with itself as both emperor and empress. It stole the haut children of Rho Ceta not just as a core population for its planned new society, but as . . . mates. Consorts. Aspiring to even more than Fletchir Giaja's genetic place, which, while part of the goal of haut, does not imagine itself the whole. Hubris,” she sighed. “Madness.”

Answer 2 needs some work.

From what Guppy says, (that he managed to track the replicators because it was a cargo with a huge mass, and that mass was impossible to hide) it is quite possible that several other ships were involved ...

The incubators were originally transported in a single elegant, fully equipped and comfortable Star Crèche ship. I don't think that a medium-size cargo would require a large and ungainly cargo ship. Guppy's ship would have been quite adequate.

... a ship owned by the Toscane Family ...

That's the Idris.

Finally, a fast Barrayaran (military ?) ship, some kind of courrier, I'd say.

No, not a courier.

He certainly wasn't in the Barrayaran military ship's crowded, utilitarian sickbay to which he'd been transferred from the Idris.

A courier wouldn't have a dedicated sickbay with all the required medical equipment.

Finally ...

You forgot a ship.

[voralfred]

(...)

1) The Ba's scheme involved going through Koamrr, and there are two satrapies reachable from Komarr without having to go through or all around the Cetagandan Empire. One is Rho Ceta, and the other probably Sigma Ceta, since I believe I remember that Mu Ceta and Xi Ceta are the other way round very far from Komarr, Eta Ceta is the capital and to my knowledge the three others are never named. So I would guess Rho Ceta (unless it is Sigma... or Mu or Xi, since I might be wrong about which is close and which two are far).

(...)

Your answer 1 is correct though not for the reason you stated.
I don't remember the ba specifying where he would want to go. But certainly not to any of the satrapies, where he would immediately be recognised and arrested for the traitor he was.

“The ba, it seems,” [the haut Pel] said slowly, “desired more than Lisbet's vision. It planned a new empire—with itself as both emperor and empress. It stole the haut children of Rho Ceta not just as a core population for its planned new society, but as . . . mates. Consorts. Aspiring to even more than Fletchir Giaja's genetic place, which, while part of the goal of haut, does not imagine itself the whole. Hubris,” she sighed. “Madness.”

I beg to differ. The ba left from Eta Ceta, he could have chosen to highjack any Consort's ship, or at least any of those going near the borders of the Empire, Rho, Sigma, Mu or Xi, rather than one of the three whose name we don't know, deeper inside. If the Haut Pel mentions Rho Ceta it is because it is a fact: the children the ba stole were from there. But I doubt very much that he chose them for some intrinsic superiority in their genes. I'm sure I remember (I did not check) that Miles guessed (and he is always right in such matters) that in order to cover his tracks the ba tried to cause as much chaos as possible to confuse pursuers. And what worse chaos than a full-scale war between Cetaganda and its arch-enemy Barrayar ? Hence the exit through the neighborhood of Rho Ceta to reach Komarr, in order to involve a ship belonging to the Empress's family !
Oh, maybe you misunderstood me : when I wrote "satrapies reachable from Komarr", I really meant "satrapies from which it is easiest to reach Komarr", so the first ship would already be close to the appropriate border of the Cetagandan Empire at the time of the highjack, with only a short distance left to go to get out.

Finally ...

You forgot a ship.

Sorry, but (without checking in the book) I have no idea. Were they transferred on a Cetagandan ship in deep space? I don't remember anything like that.... You asked only for interstellar ships. I did not mention whatever shuttle brought them downside.

[E Pericoloso Sporgersi]

I beg to differ. ... If the Haut Pel mentions Rho Ceta it is because it is a fact: the children the ba stole were from there. ... involve a ship belonging to the Empress's family !

I think we have a mutual misunderstanding.

1.1. The replicators' original (and also final) destination was Rho Ceta.
1.2. Where the ba intended to go to establish a new empire, we don't know. Pel doesn't say.
1.3. The ba wanted to disappear with his precious cargo. So he needed to avoid drawing attention to himself and the trade-ship. Therefore the Toscane ownership was irrelevant, because he was compelled to avoid detection and tracking. The more so because he already had in place a damning attention-drawing ploy: the empty Star Crèche replicators hidden in Vorbarr Sultana.

You forgot a ship.

Sorry, but (without checking in the book) I have no idea. Were they transferred on a Cetagandan ship in deep space? I don't remember anything like that.... You asked only for interstellar ships. I did not mention whatever shuttle brought them downside.

A hint for the final ship:

2.1. In Miles's and also Ekaterin's opinion, the set of replicators was a scalding hot potato, which they had to return to the Cetagandans as quickly as possible.
2.2. A Barrayaran military ship can have assault shuttles and/or troop carrier shuttles, but none designed to transport replicators.
2.3. A Barrayaran military ship's sickbay is hardly equipped to handle replicators, and certainly not replicators near term. The sooner the Cetagandans got the replicators into one of their medical facilities, the better.
Now which Cetagandan medical facility was closest to the Barrayaran ship conveying Miles and the replicators?

[voralfred]

I beg to differ. ... If the Haut Pel mentions Rho Ceta it is because it is a fact: the children the ba stole were from there. ... involve a ship belonging to the Empress's family !

I think we have a mutual misunderstanding.

1.1. The replicators' original (and also final) destination was Rho Ceta.
1.2. Where the ba intended to go to establish a new empire, we don't know. Pel doesn't say.
1.3. The ba wanted to disappear with his precious cargo. So he needed to avoid drawing attention to himself and the trade-ship. Therefore the Toscane ownership was irrelevant, because he was compelled to avoid detection and tracking. The more so because he already had in place a damning attention-drawing ploy: the empty Star Crèche replicators hidden in Vorbarr Sultana.

Well, here you are right. The ba's original plan was to avoid detection, and not deliberately involve the Komarran fleet. But as the empty replicators prove, he had plans for contingency. The choice of Rho Ceta as the exit point has more to do with the relative positions of jumppoints than intrinsic genetic preference for the Rho Ceta children compared to the other ones.

You forgot a ship.

Sorry, but (without checking in the book) I have no idea. Were they transferred on a Cetagandan ship in deep space? I don't remember anything like that.... You asked only for interstellar ships. I did not mention whatever shuttle brought them downside.

A hint for the final ship:

2.1. In Miles's and also Ekaterin's opinion, the set of replicators was a scalding hot potato, which they had to return to the Cetagandans as quickly as possible.
2.2. A Barrayaran military ship can have assault shuttles and/or troop carrier shuttles, but none designed to transport replicators.
2.3. A Barrayaran military ship's sickbay is hardly equipped to handle replicators, and certainly not replicators near term. The sooner the Cetagandans got the replicators into one of their medical facilities, the better.
Now which Cetagandan medical facility was closest to the Barrayaran ship conveying Miles and the replicators?

Well, since I could not figure out what other ship was involved, I cheated and checked. But from what I found, it seems that the Barrayaran military ship did reach Rho Ceta by itself and delivered the replicators in orbit there (to be brought downside by local shuttles). They did rendezvous there with the Haut Pel's Star Crèche ship, where Bel and Miles were treated in orbit, rather than bring the infection downside and lose time in the downside transfer, to say nothing of the fact that Bel should rather stay in low gravity at all times. But the replicators? What was the point to transfer them in orbit to Haut Pel's ship, rather than sending them downside immediately? There is no indication of this.

Ekaterin followed his glance around. "Right now we're aboard the haut Pel's own ship—that is, her Star Crèche ship, that she brought from Eta Ceta. The women from the Star Crèche had you and Bel carried across to treat you here. The haut ladies wouldn't let any of our men aboard to guard you, not even Armsman Roic at first, which caused the most stupid argument; I was ready to slap everybody concerned, till they finally decided that Nicol and I could come with you. Captain Clogston was very upset that he wouldn't be allowed to attend. He wanted to hold back giving them the replicators till they cooperated, but you can bet I put my foot down on that idea."

Clogston ship was in orbit around Rho Ceta.
"giving them the replicators" does not necessarily mean, giving them first to Pel's ship. Why not straight downside ? Why lose more time, with replicators full of mature babies ? Whatever the possibilities of the Star Crèche ship, a full planet like Rho Ceta was better equipped to deal with a thousand newborn babies.

[E Pericoloso Sporgersi]

As the Cetagandans expected to receive full replicators they would undoubtedly have sent a ship designed and fully equipped to handle a standard foetus shipment (even a thousand). They sent a (borrowed/spare) Satrapy Consort Ship with Pel and two teams of medical experts, the routine kind to examine the replicators and make sure there weren't for any substitutions, and the other one for the bioweapon victims.

But to end this bout, and since no other participants spoke up, I shall yield and concede the point.

Over to you.

P.S.

... mature babies ?

Mature babies? What are those, childish husbands?

[voralfred]

(...)

P.S.

... mature babies ?

Mature babies? What are those, childish husbands?

You are asking me about mature babies?
Aren't the two of us paradigms of this notion ?

"I should have known better than to think you dead until I'd seen you buried with a stake through you heart," said XXX, sadly ironic.

Book ?
"you" ?
If you answer from memory (books buried too deep to go and check), it is OK not to name XXX but in any case (rather than)/(in addition to) XXX's exact name you must give some context, as : what is the relationship between "XXX" and "you", at what point in the book does this exchange happen...

And if you do remember XXX's name without checking, 1/2 point bonus. Don't cheat !
(I would not deserve the bonus... I remembered the incident, but I did not remember the name of XXX, I only found out when looking for the exact wording... )

[voralfred]

"I should have known better than to think you dead until I'd seen you buried with a stake through you heart," said XXX, sadly ironic.

Book ?
"you" ?
If you answer from memory (books buried too deep to go and check), it is OK not to name XXX but in any case (rather than)/(in addition to) XXX's exact name you must give some context, as : what is the relationship between "XXX" and "you", at what point in the book does this exchange happen...

And if you do remember XXX's name without checking, 1/2 point bonus. Don't cheat !
(I would not deserve the bonus... I remembered the incident, but I did not remember the name of XXX, I only found out when looking for the exact wording... )

A hint: XXX appears, sort of, in another part of the same book. We don't see him/her/it, but he/she/it is heard. A second 1/2 point bonus if you describe the context where this happens (you can get this bonus by describing the context by memory, still without naming XXX).

[SPetty]

Book: Shards of Honor
"You": Aral Vorkosigan
Xxx: Aral's second in command, who wanted command of the ship, and considered it good fortune that Radnov? Staged a coup and got rid of Aral on what would become Sergyar. He was disappointed that Aral turned back up alive, and wasn't sure if he wanted to return him to the missing in action list. Cordelia delayed his decision with a stunner. We hear him later at the battle for Escobar, when he decided to drop his shields to boost power to the guns, not knowing about the mirror shields. I think he's also the soldier with nice pockets in The Aftermath.. Aristede Volkannar maybe? Can't remember anything else without looking.

[voralfred]

The main answer is correct, and you do get the bonus for the reapparition later in the book. But Aristede Volkalonner was third in command on Sergyar, and ended up as XXX's second in command in the Escobar war. Though he is indeed the one in The Aftermath, he is not XXX. So the bonus for XXX's name is still pending.
One and a half points and the next quote for you.

All those who answered about "Pendric's Demon" were in favor and the poll was open for a long time, anyone against had plenty of opportunity to object. Let's say it is OK to quote it from now on.

[sarsaparilla]

So the bonus for XXX's name is still pending.

As memory serves, his name is Korabik Gottyan. Although I think I spelled it wrong.

[voralfred]

So the bonus for XXX's name is still pending.

As memory serves, his name is Korabik Gottyan. Although I think I spelled it wrong.

Well, you are indeed quite wrong....

Spoiler: show

Contrary to what you think, you managed to spell both the first and the last name perfectly well

You get the last pending bonus (I'll just update the sherlock page, rather than creating a new one)

[SPetty]

Huh. All those Barrayarans look the same in officer's uniforms.

Next quote:

"How'd you get out of your room?"
"Surgery on my bathroom window-lock."

Book?
Who is the first speaker?
Who is the first speaker speaking to?


I will be away after next week, so starting on Monday, I will do my best to see that someone guesses before Friday.

[E Pericoloso Sporgersi]

Huh. All those Barrayarans look the same in officer's uniforms.
Next quote:

"How'd you get out of your room?"
"Surgery on my bathroom window-lock."

I will be away after next week, so starting on Monday, I will do my best to see that someone guesses before Friday.

My best guess based on a fickle memory is:

Book? Mirror Dance
Who is the first speaker? Raven Durona
Who is the first speaker speaking to? Miles Vorkosigan

P.S. Male Barrayarans fully nude also all look the same, i.e. miserable and oh so shy.
I know, I've been drafted in the army and medically examined, and I saw no difference between naked Belgians and naked Barrayarans.

[SPetty]

One of your answers is correct, but attributed to the wrong speaker.


Good to know about the uniforms. Though I daresay no one likes to be involuntarily nude.

[E Pericoloso Sporgersi]

One of your answers is correct, but attributed to the wrong speaker.

Ah?
Then it's:

Book? Cryoborg
Who is the first speaker? Roic
Who is the first speaker speaking to? Raven Durona

P.S. Oh, totally naked doesn't bother me so much. But standing there with my trousers around my ankles, my briefs around my knees and blowing on my wrist while the examining medic is feeling up my groin, now that is really undignified ...

Spoiler: show

[SPetty]

Correct, if I assume that's Cryoburn instead of Cryoborg (which seems fair given the potential titles). Your Sherlock, and the next quote.

That's quite a word picture (and spoiler picture, too)!

[E Pericoloso Sporgersi]

Your Sherlock, and the next quote.

I'd like to forfait my turn, because I'm pressed for time now and next week or so.

Could someone take over, please?

[voralfred]

Your Sherlock, and the next quote.

I'd like to forfait my turn, because I'm pressed for time now and next week or so.

Could someone take over, please?

No volunteers? I don't want to monopolize this thread, but if noone posts for the next few days, I'll do so to keep the thread from getting too cold.. Of course, EPS, if you are back soon, don't hesitate to offer a new quote, your previous post notwithstanding...

[voralfred]

OK, OK, so if noone else jumps in:

“Huh! There’s a first.”

Book ?
First what ?
Who speaks ?
The quoted line is not told to anyone in particular, but rather to all present, so:
Who else is present ?

Depending on how fully you answer the last question you may get a bonus in addition to the main point and the next quote. If the winner of the quote does not give the fullest answer, it'll become a bonus open to anyone.

BTW, EPS : in principle you are not allowed to answer this one at all, even after 5 days because it is considered as "your" quote (in practice, if the answer in not found after, say, 10 days or so and at least two hints from me, you can answer). Moreover on the next one you'll have an ordinary 5 days no-ping-pong exclusion rule, again as if this one were yours.

[voralfred]

OK, OK, so if noone else jumps in:

“Huh! There’s a first.”

Book ?
First what ?
Who speaks ?
The quoted line is not told to anyone in particular, but rather to all present, so:
Who else is present ?

Depending on how fully you answer the last question you may get a bonus in addition to the main point and the next quote. If the winner of the quote does not give the fullest answer, it'll become a bonus open to anyone.

(...)

Hint #1:
In the context of this game, this quote, in some sense, describes itself.

[voralfred]

OK, OK, so if noone else jumps in:

“Huh! There’s a first.”

Book ?
First what ?
Who speaks ?
The quoted line is not told to anyone in particular, but rather to all present, so:
Who else is present ?

Depending on how fully you answer the last question you may get a bonus in addition to the main point and the next quote. If the winner of the quote does not give the fullest answer, it'll become a bonus open to anyone.

(...)

Hint #1:
In the context of this game, this quote, in some sense, describes itself.


Hint #2
Neither the surname nor the first name of the speaker are known. He is usually called "the XXX of YYY" where XXX is a noun, or rather an adjective used as a noun, and YYY is the name of a town. Sometimes when there is no ambiguity, the speaker is just called "the XXX".

[voralfred]

OK, OK, so if noone else jumps in:

“Huh! There’s a first.”

Book ?
First what ?
Who speaks ?
The quoted line is not told to anyone in particular, but rather to all present, so:
Who else is present ?

Depending on how fully you answer the last question you may get a bonus in addition to the main point and the next quote. If the winner of the quote does not give the fullest answer, it'll become a bonus open to anyone.

(...)

Hint #1:
In the context of this game, this quote, in some sense, describes itself.


Hint #2
Neither the surname nor the first name of the speaker are known. He is usually called "the XXX of YYY" where XXX is a noun, or rather an adjective used as a noun, and YYY is the name of a town. Sometimes when there is no ambiguity, the speaker is just called "the XXX".

Hint #3 : a much longer quote

The XXX of YYY raised his hand and laid it on ZZZ’s forehead, in some beginning malediction. His lips parted. Stopped. His look grew inward for an instant more deep than long. Fathoms deep. The eyebrows climbed in surprise. “Huh! There’s a first.” His hand dropped back.

So who is ZZZ? Of course he/she/it is present, but now you must single him/her/it among all the others who are also present.


EPS: if noone else answers within 3 more days, I think you should be allowed to, to end the deadlock if you guess correctly.

[voralfred]

OK, OK, so if noone else jumps in:

“Huh! There’s a first.”

Book ?
First what ?
Who speaks ?
The quoted line is not told to anyone in particular, but rather to all present, so:
Who else is present ?

Depending on how fully you answer the last question you may get a bonus in addition to the main point and the next quote. If the winner of the quote does not give the fullest answer, it'll become a bonus open to anyone.

(...)

Hint #1:
In the context of this game, this quote, in some sense, describes itself.


Hint #2
Neither the surname nor the first name of the speaker are known. He is usually called "the XXX of YYY" where XXX is a noun, or rather an adjective used as a noun, and YYY is the name of a town. Sometimes when there is no ambiguity, the speaker is just called "the XXX".

Hint #3 : a much longer quote

The XXX of YYY raised his hand and laid it on ZZZ’s forehead, in some beginning malediction. His lips parted. Stopped. His look grew inward for an instant more deep than long. Fathoms deep. The eyebrows climbed in surprise. “Huh! There’s a first.” His hand dropped back.

So who is ZZZ? Of course he/she/it is present, but now you must single him/her/it among all the others who are also present.


EPS: if noone else answers within 3 more days, I think you should be allowed to, to end the deadlock if you guess correctly.

Even longer quote

WWW shook his head, back and forth, once, slowly.
The XXX of YYY raised his hand and laid it on ZZZ’s forehead, in some beginning malediction. His lips parted. Stopped. His look grew inward for an instant more deep than long. Fathoms deep. The eyebrows climbed in surprise. “Huh! There’s a first.” His hand dropped back.
“What?” said WWW, nearly squirming with anxiety. “The AAA BBB takes the CCC, yes?”
“No. Spits her back. Says He doesn’t want her. At least not yet.”

Well, now you also have to identify not only ZZZ but also WWW among those present. The list of those present is not yet complete.
AAA is an adjective that applies to the noun BBB. CCC is also a noun.

Hint: read carefully the last line of the longest quote: it contains two rather strong hints.

[JKCade]

“Huh! There’s a first.”


Book ? Penric's Demon
First what ? The first time The Bastard has refused to pull a demon out of a possessed person.
Who speaks ? The Saint of Idau
The quoted line is not told to anyone in particular, but rather to all present, so:
Who else is present ? Penric, Tigney, Clee, The Bastard and Desdmona.

[voralfred]

“Huh! There’s a first.”


Book ? Penric's Demon
First what ? The first time The Bastard has refused to pull a demon out of a possessed person.
Who speaks ? The Saint of Idau
The quoted line is not told to anyone in particular, but rather to all present, so:
Who else is present ? Penric, Tigney, Clee, The Bastard and Desdmona.

Excellent ! And you mention both the Bastard and Desdemona, so you do get the bonus ! I would have given the main point just for Penric, Tigney and Clee but not the bonus.

Your turn !