Day 3 | Afternoon | High-Level Talks

[Kannon]

Flying up over ten thousand metres above ground made the land below look small and indistinct, just a fluid blot of blue and green. At this altitude, however, the had a chance to re-establish communication among thopters and, hopefully, with the antenna, if the climbing team had succeeded. It was all a wild bet, but so far they were all able to stick to their part of the plan. They were all dozens if not hundreds kilometres from each other...

[Efren Lanville]

A voice came in over the radio:

"Manta Squad, this is Echo team. Do you read? Over."

[Ambrose Pantazis]

Ambrose did a little fist pump in the air after hearing Efren's voice come over the comms.

Echo team, this Bravo. I'm reading you loud and clear. Over.

[Efren Lanville]

"We have completed the Trial. Constructed the Net. Entreated at the Green Oasis, but clouds obstruct the view. Possible storm coming in. Moving on to Red Field before the storm may arrive. You too should find shelter soon. Over."

The possibility of an intercepted transmission increased greatly while in the same region. Efren spoke in code in case something may be getting through on the ground.

We've summited the mountain and established the communication array. Called Atreides Landing, but could not confirm reinforcements. They may be incoming, but we plan on moving in towards the enemy base before they arrive as planned. You should proceed as planned as well. Over.

[Kannon]

"...Copy. This is Victor. I hear you Echo team. I am in the Brown Field, going to pick Daisies soon. Have you got the basket, Bravo? Over."

Paul finally chimed in, coming into position to signal Bernard's team, but waiting for Razar and asking Ambrose for possible earlier contact or visual with the Captain. Had something gone wrong there? His callsign choice perhaps felt unfortunate for those in the know - his father's first son Victor had died in a flight accident, and it had been a banned callsign in the Atreides air forces ever since. Perhaps the young heir was darkly defiant today.

[Ambrose Pantazis]

A slow scan through the skies confirmed for Ambrose that Razar was not yet in sight. There were plenty of innocuous reasons he might've been delayed, but plenty more that were concerning. It was unlikely a chance run-in with a single cartel thopter would've caused him any trouble, but were they fielding a squadron? Or could his run-in have been with the local flora or fauna?

Now was not the time to get bogged down in doubts or theoreticals. It was mission time and they had to focus and adapt.

Sorry Victor, I lost the basket on the way here. I could go back and look for it, but I wouldn't want us to miss Echo. We can find something else to hold the daisies.

[Efren Lanville]

Well… with the possible incoming storm, we’re gonna move closer to the red field. If things look good we’ll swing by the brown field to pick daisies with you all. We’ll leave the nets here and see if we catch anything. We can always stop by the nets on our way back. Over.

[Razar Lanville]

"Gamma here. Just taking in the sights. Found a place for us to visit after, but it may be a little messy. Definitely needs some care and tending."

[Kannon]

Copy, Gamma, Echo, Bravo. Basket found in the bushes. Going to the Brown Field. Will collect the Daisies by dinner. Get as many berries for the pie as you can. We shall meet at the picnic table. Victor over and out.

The operation clock started ticking.

[Ambrose Pantazis]

A wave of relief washed over Ambrose when he heard Razar's voice over comms. It was reassuring to have the Instructor there for the mission.

[Razar Lanville]

Having heard Paul's voice over the radio, Razar gave an additional response in the battle tongue. It was a description of the rally point of a village around lakes in the mountains surrounding clear blue waters that were likely previously a cavern. He waited on any questions about the precise location, but he was hoping that they might be in contact with the Muadh who could provide the coordinates or directions from their location without having to speak them over the radio, clearly hoping to prevent the specifics of the rally point from being spoken over the radio by anyone. He didn't doubt that they likely wouldn't understand, but who knows. Duncan may be under the effect of drugs intended to improve compliance, and he would most certainly be familiar with the language.

[Kannon]

Precaution was noted, and the landmark was not impossible to locate even without coordinates if they knew what they were looking for. Final overs were shared, and Paul started descending toward the area south of the pass, positioning himself to signal the team there. He kept the shield down for now as their enemies could risk a subatomic fusion this high in the atmosphere if they had the capability.