Protecting the camp (D2 Night)

[Kannon]

Paul listened carefully to the suggestion, then nodded while glancing at other reactions to it. The botanical scientist among them made a hand gesture that could generally be interpreted as 'might or might not work' and that was enough for Paul not to challenge Hadrian's idea.

To the matter of the handler, the young Atreides didn't react either, rightly or wrongly assuming that there was no handler within reach and the creature had operated independently in seeking them out and taking a chance to go for the kill.

Paul waited for those who hadn't participated in the staff meeting to suggest other improvements or caveats to the plan, also giving them a brief moment of reprieve and respite. Soon, they would be split, for some of them perhaps without a next chance to meet.

"So far, we haven't been able to identify the crime figure Chaen Marek behind the ailar operations, but him being a Tleilaxu matches quite a few approximations of our Master of Assassins. The Tleilaxu are ruthless, vicious, depraved xenophobes, with absolutely no compassion and all cruelty toward anyone but themselves. They have also borne a special hatred of my house ever since my father's lieutenants dislodged them from their occupation of Ix."

He didn't say it aloud that Duncan was on the top of the list of individuals he suspected the Tleilaxu to have special hatred for but it made his own thoughts grim.

"But we still can't exclude another Great House has been their enabler, so there may be more than one enemy."

Just like on Ix, when the Emperor himself had sent the Sardaukar to protect Tleilaxu operations.

[Lydia Storm]

Lydia had loosened her armour and taken the top part off to allow Ambrose to work. There was a few winces of pain, but otherwise she didn't stop them working. There was no thanks given, but she gave Ambrose and Hadrian a small appreciative look once the worst of it had been looked at, and started fixing her armour back up.

"If you think that creature was insufficient for an attack you're an idiot. It was unlucky that the first people it came across included the one with the biggest gun, because it would have killed a good portion of the camp otherwise" she replied with an annoyed look at the child trying to rush ahead with plans as she stood up with a small wince even with the majority of the wounds treated "and none of you seeing this and beginning a recon to ensure there aren't other such creatures is exactly why I've got to go out again despite my condition."

A pause as she took her gun off her back to examine the damage done to it.

"And if there are electronic effecting sap in the trees, why would you think the enemy that has been here long enough to build a strong fortified camp and smart enough to target people that don't seem to defend themselves would not also have this and be using it?"

[Kannon]

Paul reacted to the challenge with a smile and would shush anyone who would try to challenge Lydia in his stead.

"Okay, let's follow your thinking for a moment. I don't have a perfect insight into the mind of our enemy. Perhaps yours is better. They have quite a few well-armed mercs in the camp. Why withold them, and send one animal you proved capable of defeating where they could technically corrall and cull us with overpowering force? Either you are your own army they couldn't have expected, which assumes incompetence of the rest of us, and points to some hubris, or they are idiots to show us their hand for a meagre and uncertain gain. If there are feints within feints within feints here I cannot see, I'd like to learn."

[Lydia Storm]

"Sending a well reinforced creature that requires multiple people to deal with it and tips the hand of how strong the weaponry a potential invading group has while risking no men that can follow orders when guarding a camp. That creature was not going to sit happily waiting for boss to tell it to attack. If it was from the enemy, then it was taken here, released and pushed on its way through some means."

There was another pause as she finished the last checks on her gun.

"Or it was nothing to do with the enemy at all and there could be more of them out there."

[Kannon]

"I wouId think a spinehound would be way more precious to a crime lord that a dozen men, or it was indeed some unidentified third party, but I am no mentat. Either way, I think evacuating the area and claiming initiative is not such a bad response on our part. Corporal, take your team and go, you have the farthest on foot. Captain, fly out as planned. I'll make sure to wrap things up here with the Sergeants..."

[Lydia Storm]

Lydia considered a reply then decided against it.

"I'm going to do another sweep of the area then return to camp after. I'll need supplies for weaponry repair if you want my gun at full strength."

[Kannon]

He paused. Lydia inspired a belated thought.

"No. Everything you must do you will do on the thopter. We pack what we can and leave, and fast. This thing could have had a tracking device implanted somewhere in this bulk of its meat and you made it stop moving."

[Razar Lanville]

Razar observed. Paul had taken control so he was support now. When he gets the order he heads to the thopter to perform any checks and make sure the explosives are loaded up.

[Bernard Martikova]

"Yes, sir." Lydia and Paul's thoughts on the matter were rather technical and interpreting the enemy patterns. With such little insight on the exact nature of the foes, he didn't feel the need to contribute. Turning off the shield once more, he fought the exhaustion and started to move out to grab his stuff and whatever gear he could find.

~~
Cool to return strain | Presence Invoked

Net Successes: 3; Net Advantages: 3
No threats roll, 1 advantage gained

[Ambrose Pantazis]

When Lydia insulted Paul, Ambrose flinched, his gut reaction to defend the dignity of House Atreides. However, he held back, for who better here to put the merc in her place than the scion of Atreides himself.

It was with great effort that he held his tongue and listened silently while continuing to staple and bandage the last of her wounds. Despite his frustration with her insolence and unwarranted criticism, he provided care that his instructors would be proud of... But seriously, did she expect them to just abandon her and run off after an imagined enemy in the jungle in the middle of the night? She'd have bled to death and they'd have achieved nothing. The few other mercs he'd worked with in the past hadn't been so foolhardy, and that was saying a lot.

He looked over at her rifle, the same she'd brought to bear on him hours ago. If only that nightmarish creature had snapped it in half, maybe she'd learn a bit of humility without it... doubtful. He was about to reluctantly offer to try and repair it, he himself had just said they needed everyone at top form, when Paul mentioned the possible tracker and ordered them on the move. Oh well, Lydia will have to make do for the time.

He quickly packed away his medical supplies and reported to Razar and Paul, "Sirs, the Instructor's thopter at base camp is charged and ready for flight. I have its depleted fuel cells. Miss Vim had said she could direct me to your thopter at first light. But if she's leaving with the Corporal's team, I'll need another guide."

-----
Statement: "Keep calm and trust your training." (Contradictory)
D2, Night, Protecting the Camp, Medicine #2 on Lydia, Boost from Hadrian Aid: 2eP+1eA+1eB+1eC 4 successes, 1 advantage

6 Wounds healed
1 Strain healed

[Lydia Storm]

Lydia looked back at the creature, eyes narrowed. Getting something inside that would have been challenging but not impossible, and might have enraged the creature. It was logical.

"Get back to camp then, and pack up. I'll keep eyes on everyone" she replied, securing her armour fully in place again.

[Kannon]

"I'll go with you. We'll take Sergeant Martikova's team. It's roughly on their way, they could use a lift, all things considered."

Meanwhile, Bernard found the rest of the missing equipment. It was just there, in those bushes.

[Rule of Cool.]

[Hadrian Martikova]

"I can repair your gun for you if you like." He winked at Lydia. "We'll have downtime on the ride over."

Hadrian agreed with Lydia to a degree, but everything aside time was of the utmost importance.

"Also I'm not sure if you've been told yet but the Cartel nabbed Kiran and... Laila." He cleared his throat. "So we're kind of playing catch up at the moment."

[Lydia Storm]

There was narrowed eyes at the offer of repairs, and a pause, before a simple "sure."

She then turned to the others.

"Talking can happen on the move. Let's go."

[Kannon]

The camp was disassembled and evacuated before dawn.

[End of Thread]