[ Reluctantly, a laugh. Damn it, who knew Aral Vorkosigan was funny? ]
Yeah. Fair enough. But...It's not something I really realized for a really long time. I thought that - you know. My government was the norm. I guess in a lot of ways I still think it is.
And you think a random person he's sworn in is the one for that job? I can't say I fully understand this whole oath deal even with what you've shown me.
I don't believe 'the norm' is much more than what one knows, honestly. There's as many ways of doing things, from the smallest to the most important, as there are cultures.
[He doesn't answer that immediately. He sets his chin on his fist and merely watches her. There could easily be stating the obvious... but the fact that she was in no way random was beyond that. This wasn't honest objection.
This was kicking on the way down.]
Regardless, as the Lord Vorkosigan, approve of the choice.
[Letting go of the high manner in which the last line was delivered, the next was muted, sincere.]
You are welcome to the position, but not obligated. Please think it over.
Around the clock, full pay for on shift, quarter-pay for off. Naturally, you're expected to be on call. Hazard and active combat is double. Standard, really.
If I get brought in when off shift, what then? And what about injuries? A normal healer won't work and last I heard, we didn't have a tech on call that could handle mechanical bodies. I know someone at StarkTech who would likely do repairs [ For free, but she'll leave that part out for now. ], but who knows when he'd be available.
Full pay begins at the moment of the call, hourly rate until the stand down is given. [This was said with the same bland, automatic answers as the rest. The next gives him a pause. That was a truly unique problem.]
It would be our duty to provide... We'd have to talk in detail, should you accept.
Safe accommodation for you, and such family as you take. Three meals in house, rations or stipend out. Two dress uniforms in good working order, two undress. Access to commsat- a little difficult here, we should assume the network shall suffice. Two weeks paid leave, schedule and timing subject to approval in order to receive pay. Those are the major ones.
There are more archaic and less useful ones still in record. I will assure you they rely on such provisions as swords and horses.
I wouldn't say no to more weapons, but I can do without the horse unless you're planning on doing all the upkeep.
[ There's a small pause as she considers the more serious list then nods. ] Am I right in assuming this doesn't need a written contract? It's just guaranteed with the oath?
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