Day 2 | Night | We Are House Atreides

[Ambrose Pantazis]

"It seems you've had similar run-ins as I with the energy of this jungle Martikova. If you're thinking the same thing I was, we discussed trying to shield the thopter with the insular sap and luring the manta birds over to wreak havoc on the cartel encampment, but decided it was too risky.

We've got a basic plan in place, but first we need to get all resources, that's people and equipment, accounted for and in place. Now, are there any other repairs needed or anything else that would prevent this thopter from taking flight once the fuel cells are installed? If not, I need to collect the empty fuel cells from here and then gather the ones from the our newly discovered third thopter so we can get them all recharged. Who can guide me there?"

Although he took note of Sinsei's demeanor, he made a conscious decision not to waste any energy on her. That, and he still didn't trust her or hold her blameless for the apparent blind eye her and her father turned to the actions of the cartel. He'd gathered that her father was among the hostages, a bit of karma for who knows how many Muadh they witnessed taken with an indifferent eye.

[Kannon]

Sinsei pressed her lips shut but in the end the inner imperative to demonstrate competence won. She didn't like being at this man's mercy one bit, but if the plan to save her father was in place it also had to be in motion.

"...I can."

[Cuyler Gray]

Cuyler gave her a questioning glance, clearly wondering if she'd be okay.

[Hadrian Martikova]

At the bit about luring manta birds over to the cartel camp... he blinked. Opened his mouth to speak, then closed it again. The bit about a basic plan filled him with even less confidence in the military leadership.

"I... see. Yes well, I just gave you all the empty fuel cells. And you're right, that is an... uhh, idea. The sap would neutralize the shielding leaving the thopter at the mercy of small arms as well as anti-air defenses I suspect." He sighed, "I am curious about further applications that the sap might provide in that regard."

He forced a smile, "At any rate, the good doctor here just told us when we're safe to fly out of here, and as long as our heading is through the jungle the birds will leave us be."

[Kannon]

"I'll be a doctor only after I will have defended my dissertation on Caladanan rainforest ecosystem."

She corrected out of academic rectitude. On Cuyler's unspoken question she shrugged resignedly, hugging her injured arm.

[Ambrose Pantazis]

A look between doubt and surprise came over Ambrose as Sinsei volunteered herself as guide, "How brave..." He wanted to goad her, give her a good barb about sticks and stones and slugs hurting more than words or something along those lines, but held his tongue. She was privy to the hospitality of House Atreides and he would act accordingly. "... it can be very dangerous out there. I would accept your guidance."

That seemingly resolved, he turned his attention back to the thopter. Not hearing any confirmation of the thopter's condition, Ambrose took moment to give it a once over himself and to ensure the fuel cells were properly installed.

-----
D2, WAHA, Mechanics: 1eP+2eA+2eD 3 successes, 1 threat

[Kannon]

[Threat for Strain, he's been overtaxing himself.]

It was actually ready to fly out, thanks to the collective effort. There was a chance Sinsei could navigate them to the spot from air as well. If they packed quickly, they could actually abandon this place right now. Lydia was still out there somewhere though.

[Hadrian Martikova]

Hadrian rubbed his temple looking at Vim and the others. "I can tag along as well. It would speed up the recovery of the other bird. However, we haven't rounded up the extra munitions and crates. That would require a group effort, so let's fetch Lydia and wrap things up here."

[I'd suggest two teams split from here. The three of us taking off to Thopter 3. Cuyler, Lydia, and the inactive characters scouring the woods for the missing gear]

[Ambrose Pantazis]

"That works. The sooner we're prepped and on the move, the sooner we get our people away from the cartel.

You can spend days trying to come up with the perfect plan and it'll be moot by the time you could execute it. Action over hesitation.

Lady Gray, do you mind organizing the breaking down of the rest of the camp here and making your way over to our other thopter. As Martikova has pointed out, there was some equipment lost between the cliff and the landing site if you can spare time to search for any. Priority would be expediency over collecting ever last little thing together."

He looked over to Sinsei, "First, is it safe to fly in the direction of the third thopter and second, would you be able to guide us there in the air?"

[Hadrian Martikova]

You can spend days trying to come up with the perfect plan and it'll be moot by the time you could execute it. Action over hesitation.

He just looks at Ambrose on that one. Half of the people here know just as much, if not more, about the situation than the half that ran off to dictate what we're going to do about it. The perfect plan might be found in minutes were there any good leaders amongst nobility. Hadrian privately wondered if Leto would have asked the opinions of the commoners, or would he too have hamstrung unit cohesion in an order.

Marching off into the woods he decided that Leto wouldn't have sent civilians in the first place.

[Off to fetch Lydia. I can roll survival or we can handwave it.]

[Ambrose Pantazis]

Ambrose watched in confusion as the Sergeant's brother walked off into the jungle without a word. "I thought he was going with us. First he wouldn't answer me about the condition of the thopter now he wanders off after suggesting he join us? Am I not speaking Galach?"

[Cuyler Gray]

"He went off in the direction Lydia did. I assume his intent is to bring her back or, at the least, to update her." she suggested. "I've organized most of what we have. Of course, I've had no idea what to prioritize, not knowing what the plan might be. It is a bit frustrating, having no input on something we'll be risking our lives for."

[Ambrose Pantazis]

"That would've been nice to know beforehand. I think you or one of the others could've easily handled the task if he wanted to help with the thopter. As it stands, I don't know how long it will take to retrieve Storm and I'm not going to wait around for it.

I apologize things are moving as they are, but often necessity demands expediency. This is still a military operation and the situation has changed drastically. I think the fact that I'd found a way to energize our thopters moved up our timeline and pushed us into the planning and execution phases more immediately. We simply took the opportunity to work out some of the next steps.

Soldiers are often called on to act without input." He held his hands up defensively as he stated this, "I know you aren't a soldier, you didn't choose that life, but that's the reality of what's going on here. I'm sure the commanders would be open to discussion, especially about your parts in this. If either of you or Mr. Martikova aren't comfortable with taking part in the rescue operation, we can adapt. The others were chosen for a purpose and shouldn't be opposed to what comes next."

[Cuyler Gray]

"This operation was why I was asked to come along, so that I could bear witness to the dangers of the cartel and the difficulties it has caused Caladan. And, I volunteered for this rescue before any of you, because I was willing to listen and then judge." Cuyler shook her head. "We went and found one of the VIP's and his thopter so that we could move forward, beyond trust issues, and actually work together.."

"Instead, we're all but ignored and literally left in the dark."

[Ambrose Pantazis]

"Suit yourself. Observation doesn't necessitate participation but it is welcomed."

There was much more he could say on the subject of trust and cooperation, about how Razar probably had good reason not to trust her after she'd left the camp with a still unconfirmed individual who could've just as easily led her into a trap and escaped, how she'd withheld information vital to their mission. Sinsei might've had a reason not to trust them, but Cuyler had no such misconception, she knew exactly who they were. But he held his tongue.

They all acted as though Ambrose was the one to shoot the scientist in the back instead of being the one to save her life from the injury. He'd listened to her dribble, even been practically civil until she'd mouthed off about the Duke. Blaming House Atreides while her and her father had sat by and watch the atrocities the cartel undertook without lifting a finger to stop it. He wasn't a fool, he didn't imagine they would take up arms. But with their position and experience, they could've easily left the jungle and reported the activity to authorities so it could be stopped. Instead they carried on with their precious work with disregard for the lose of life. Until it was theirs at risk of course. That may be the way of the Imperium, but it wasn't the way of Caladan.

After a few moments of silence while Ambrose calmed himself and thought of how to handle the civilians, he added, "Again, I apologize you feel left out. It's only been a short time since the commanders left to confer. Once you break camp here and regroup at the other thopter site, I'm sure everyone's roles and involvement will be discussed at length again. Repetition breeds success.

For now, I know my role, which is to get these thopters powered and ready for flight as soon as possible. Hence why I'm here now taking immediate action. That isn't to say everything else is set in stone, just what I'm needed for in this moment."

[Cuyler Gray]

"I'll go help him find Lydia, then."

[Kannon]

He looked over to Sinsei, "First, is it safe to fly in the direction of the third thopter and second, would you be able to guide us there in the air?"

"With a bit of daylight, which is not yet here. But I'd rather know where I am supposed to be next after that, with what objectives, just like you know yours. As would Ms Gray, I am sure. Can we count on this information to come from you, or shall we wait for Paul, I mean the Atreides heir, to explain it to us? Ms Gray has been sent here by House Mutelli, myself by House Corrino. We'll do our utmost, but not being treated as clueless subordinates." She looked at Cuyler, trying to prevent her from going alone into the forest.

[Cuyler Gray]

"It has been a long hard day and we're all on edge." Cuyler sighed as she looked towards where Hadrian had gone. "There's a lot of uncertainty and frustration in the air. I'm still hopeful that we'll get past that. But, we'll need to set any differences aside and be a unified force, military or not."

[Ambrose Pantazis]

A few more calming breathes and counting to five allowed Ambrose to answer Sinsei with the courtesy that was expected of him. "I figured you wouldn't want to hear any of it from me.

Currently, we are gathering fuel cells to charge and meet at Atreides' thopter, so that's where we'll be shortly. After that, broad strokes of the plan is for Atreides forces to lead a frontal attack while the two of you and Eileen are lead by Corporal Lanville, Efren, to rescue the hostages. There will be aerial support from the thopters, minus the one I'm going to crash into them. There was also talk of using parachutes to quickly get away with the hostages.

Again, basic plan, still open to changes and subject to reality. Real battles tend to not be planned out step by step, they're more bullet points of wants to try and hit along the way."

[Kannon]

"So... if there is going to be base jumping there is going to be some climbing first. I have some idea which spots could be good for crossing the range, but we'd better consult my friends among the Muadh first."

She seemed to be exhilerated that there was a plan that made some rough sense. She glanced at Cuyler if she was fine being at the forefront of the infiltration.

"I am glad you will let let me be where I can hope to find my father. But I think you should let us be armed for that. And in my case, it also means this." She pointed to her hand, and then on Ambrose's medkit.