Day 2 | Evening | Fate Games

[Lydia Storm]

"Going close enough to scout the pass would be sufficient. If it's as well guarded as you say then it may simply not be possible without more resource, but without looking I can't say for sure. I don't intend to go into the place alone, even if I don't have any confidence in others that are in this so called military unit being good assistance"

There was a sigh.

"Both missions may in fact be impossible with this unit."

[Cuyler Gray]

"Well, I'm hoping completing one will help us with the other." Cuyler said. "If the stories I've heard are true, the two of them should be fairly capable."

[Kannon]

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"Are there stories?"

A stern-faced, dark-haired young man appeared out of nowhere in the clearing, announcing himself with the 'zzzzt' of the shield a fraction of a second before he spoke.

"I think I've heard enough from you all to have a grasp of what's going on. Ms Vim, we can finally speak. We're going to strike Chaen Marek's operations here and we'll get your father out. But I want no further word from you besmirching my father's fighting men even if you find their conduct gritting. Once your father is safe I'll ask you again about your grievances and Atreides honour."

He looked at Lydia.

"For now I presume you're on our side, but my shield is a precaution against that hunting rifle. Ms Vim's wound looks like your work? Put it down. The situation is more or less as Ms Vim described. I've scouted their perimeter enough. We'll get to my father's men before we develop a plan and move."

And then he looked at Cuyler, and his voice faltered for a tiny moment.

"...I am Paul Atreides, Madam." It sounded almost silly compared to his earlier statements. He kept a straight face, but something was happening in his eyes.

Everything is wrong! But it's her!

[Lydia Storm]

Lydia turned, eyes narrowed, as she took in the surprise visitor. She held that look for a few moments before speaking.

"How convenient that one of the people we were supposed to be looking for not only casually strolls into life but apparently has enough men to storm a fortified cartel base when we were told about exactly two people. Always good to get less than a quarter of the story when sent blindly into the jungle."

She put her rifle onto her back.

"Unless your men are referring to the group coming to collect you, in which case you're going to be very disappointed."

[Kannon]

"That's my thopter. It's you who's trespassing." He arched one brow. "And I doubt that I will. They are Atreides."

[Cuyler Gray]

"There are stories. Mostly about Duncan Idaho." She dipped her head. "I am Cuyler Gray, Chef of House Mutelli. This is not how I imagined meeting you, but I'm pleased we've found you."

"It has been a very difficult day for Miss Vim." she added. "Her frustrations are warranted, but Captain Lanville's caution is as well. There was an impasse that we could not resolve. So, I came with Sinsei to find you."

[Kannon]

Kirana is not a desert world. Duncan was right, my dreams are delusions. And yet she's the girl, isn't she?

"Those stories I know firsthand." Paul chuckled. "I feel the same about our meeting, Ms Gray."

He looked at Sinsei and dropped the shield to come and help her with dressing the wound. The planetologist's daughter was at a loss of words and very flustered, for once.

"Each of us is a little war, m?"

Once done, he straightened.

"Any path is better than the one that leads to stagnation. Which reminds me: are your thopters operational?"

[Lydia Storm]

"No, one is pretty broken and the other is mostly workable but in need of repairs" Lydia looked over at the Thopter near them "I can bring you to them, if you want. Hopefully you brought documents, Captain is very fussy about exact identification."

[Cuyler Gray]

Cuyler laughed at that. "He did say he'd need verification if any of your cousins walked out of the jungle."

[Kannon]

"Then it's good I am not my own cousin. Honestly though, a healthy dose of paranoia saves lives, as Hawat would say."

He grabbed the medpac for later use.

"He made me memorise the profile of every officer in Atreides forces. Captain Lanville and I will find common tongue."

He looked back at the thopter.

"Ours is mostly good, just some parts fudging for a few hours of work. Quicker if I can get them from one of yours. We may be getting 2 out of 3."

[Cuyler Gray]

"The generators are the main issue, I believe." Cuyler said.

[Kannon]

"I... don't know what is your deal, young master Paul Atreides, but since you've made a promise I can believe, have it your way." Sinsei finally said.

[Cuyler Gray]

"So, do we return to the others? Or, should we bring them here?"

[Lydia Storm]

"It would be better to go back to camp, by the time we go to camp and then return it will be getting closer to nightfall and travelling through the jungle at night is more risky for most" Lydia looked to the man "I assume there's no problem with this?"

[Kannon]

"My deal, Ms Vim, is my lord father's integrity and my mother's training."

He moved to seal the thopter hatch, then nodded to Lydia's assessment.

"We'll go back to the camp. It's better that I show up in person before the Captain. I assume the issue with your thopters is the same as with this one - a close encounter with the manta birds. Juggling fuel cells to get suspension running is tedious, but it can be done, at least to give us liftoff and sustained flight."

[Cuyler Gray]

"Will you be coming back with us alone?"

[Kannon]

The question was sharp, and it cut. Paul took a breath to regulate his muscle discipline.

"Swordmaster Duncan Idaho has been captured. He is in the same position as Ms Vim's father now. I'm not leaving this place without getting them out. I was prepared to infiltrate Marek's facilities on my own to free them, but with your arrival there may be better options."

[Cuyler Gray]

She offered a sympathetic smile and nodded. "Let's go then."

[Kannon]

A smile drew a smile. A bit self-conscious? He then nodded, and waited for Lydia to lead them.

"So you are from Kirana III, Ms Gray?"

[Lydia Storm]

Lydia let the others go to chatting, as she turned to lead them back to the camp.