Day 1 | Afternoon | Terra Incognita | Thopter #2

[Kannon]

[This thread is devoted for loose RP - planning and team integration - for the next 24h. Then the event starts in this thread. Until then, no rolls are necessary.]

[For the purpose of mechanics, we'll be using HAET-221 as the thopter equivalent, with Shield as attachment.]

[There are going to be separate threads for both thopters at the same time. For the timeframe until the event, the radio communication between is established but the further you go over the jungle, the more it becomes static-consumed. If you want to say something to the crew of the other thopter, just double the post in their thread in quotation mode.]

---

After they took off and the articulated wings started flapping, the farmlands soon gave way to the jungle. First a bit sparse and with clearings, then to the uniform carpet of endless green. Flying over it caused a feeling similar to swimming in deep, murky water, with imagination running wild on what could be beneath.

[Hadrian Martikova]

Hadrian likely looked as green as the canopy. Being that this is his first time in a thopter. He was doing his very best to keep the misery off of his face while he took inventory and went over possible contingencies.

[Laila Bridger]

Laila found the thopter... restful. It took her back to the old days (although how old any days someone so young could have had might be an open question) when it might be the only moment of peace you got in the day, the ride into whatever shitstorm you were being sent into.

At least she'd managed to end up in a thopter with one person she sort of knew, even if he was plainly trying to keep his gorge down.

She was essentially dozing in her seat- her personal shield, her knife, and her body armor all well cared-for and up to spec, and presumably the Atreides armory wasn't full of useless junk, so the stunner she intended to pack along was in decent enough shape. Not much to do but wait for things to happen, after all. As a mercenary, she knew she was by definition one of the most expendable people on this op... but she'd been plenty disposable to House Ecaz, too.

That was the joke.

They were all expendable.

[Ambrose Pantazis]

"Just like riding a bike." Ambrose said to himself in the pilot's seat settling into the controls. He looked back to his passengers and gave a confident thumbs up.

He spoke up to no one in particular, "It's interesting that this mission is in theory a rescue for Idaho and Paul Atreides, but we're entirely focused on these Muadh bodies and probable cartel presence. I guess no one presumes Idaho actually needs rescuing. I'd almost feel bad for the cartel if they or Idaho stumble onto each other... almost."

[Dominic Rorkar]

The large man sat in his seat with a vaguely bored expression in his face as the thopter zipped through the air. He was seemingly well used to the feeling of riding in one and didn't seem at all bothered but also lacked any sense of nostalgia.

He had changed into body armor since the meeting and now had his shield attached. His knives were secured in their proper place, everything had been checked over twice before boarding as was his normal procedure.

Dom was a difficult man to scrutinize, he had a sense of danger about him but in a more passive sense. The way one feels around a seemingly calm predator, like violence is never far. He wasn't sleeping but his head leaned back as he relaxed taking the restful moments when he could.

[Laila Bridger]

He spoke up to no one in particular, "It's interesting that this mission is in theory a rescue for Idaho and Paul Atreides, but we're entirely focused on these Muadh bodies and probable cartel presence. I guess no one presumes Idaho actually needs rescuing. I'd almost feel bad for the cartel if they or Idaho stumble onto each other... almost."

"Questioning our orders? Thought I was the mercenary..." She yawned and adjusted her position in her seat. "Saw Idaho fight on Grumman. Bet I could take him... if I had a few atomics."

[Ambrose Pantazis]

snip

"Not questioning, just musing. The priority of the orders was clear, but the execution just seems off. Also, if this is all at the behest of Hawat, plans within plans."

[Bernard Martikova]

"When does any commander ever give a straight answer about anything? Best to not concern yourself with the smaller details and focus on the main picture; you'll stay sane longer." The Sergeant mused, staring out of the thopter glancing around the scenery. It did seem like they did want to focus on this, and Duncan and the Duke's son as a aside, but he didn't want to confirm that comment. "Focus on the main objective; get the VIPs out and us with them. If the brass want us to figure out more details about those bodies or clean up the drug dealers out here, then we do it as they have suggested and treat it as secondary objective in passing. I'll do what I can to ensure we all go back and enjoy some of my family's wine by the end of this."

It was all akin to a wife asking her husband to pick up something from the store if he was already going out. Politely asking, but hidden within the nice words was a firm command. As the pilot said, Hawat was involved, and he knew enough that Mentats enjoyed their little number games.

[Laila Bridger]

"'Specially if you're in this Thopter. Not to put too fine a point on it, but most of us riding in this one weren't brought on this job to think."

[Kannon]

Slowly, the monotonous landscape started to give way to more rugged terrain as they were diagonally approaching the first mountain range. It was all meditatively peaceful in its harmonious biodiversity. The experience of being in the middle of unspoilt nowhere many a local sailor knew from the Caladanan seas, while prevalent just a moment ago, slowly receded as the blue line of the ocean painted itself far to their left. The slopes of the mountains they had to follow north were now sunlit, snow caps glistening in further distance, with nary a darker cloud. Little portended any storm in the coming hours. It was a beautiful view, one that brushed at the core of primordial wonder that had made hunters-gatherers of aeons past start thinking about aesthetics. For the Ecazi it might have stung with a recollection of their forlorn home.

[Hadrian Martikova]

Laila found the thopter... restful.

"'Specially if you're in this Thopter. Not to put too fine a point on it, but most of us riding in this one weren't brought on this job to think."

Somehow Laila's nonchalance about the ride put Hadrian's stomach at ease. After a time he began to settle into the ride more comfortably. Though if any of them had in fact been brought along to think, it would have almost certainly been Hadrian. As far as guns for hire go there are certainly better shots out there. It's no coincidence he had a shotgun instead of something with a higher chance of missing.

"Ever been in the jungle before?"

He asks looking at Laila, but it's an open question to the Thopter.

[Laila Bridger]

"Ever been in the jungle before?"

"Not on Caladan. Not really. Been to the edge once or twice, but not in. Safe bet it's different enough from the forests on Elacca we're lucky I'm not pretending to be the guide."

[Ambrose Pantazis]

Snip

"Ever been in the jungle before?"

He asks looking at Laila, but it's an open question to the Thopter.

"Basic jungle survival training and some work here and there around the outskirts, nothing this deep.

Does seem kind of nice out here though. Away from all the distractions."

[Kannon]

With each flap, more of the ocean was coming into view, and the thicket turned less uniform, though the coast itself was rather elusive for their eyes for some time given the sharp drop of elevation where the tall blocks of basalt, draped in jungle overgrowth, met the sea. Seabirds started dotting the blue horizon, some dropping abruptly into the sea after their prey.

After a course correction they could finally get a good perspective on the cliffs. They stretched on miles in a winding, labyrinthine way, opening into caves and tidal pools. The column-like pattern all across them gave the illusion of man's stonework, or rather giant's stonework...



[Every person on the thopter has a chance to make one roll of the skill of their choosing reflecting their behaviour at this particular moment. The standard difficulty is Average: 1C+1D+1S. They can apply statements if they fit. The rolls will be resolved individually. You can start pocketing Triumphs and Advantages, I will start pocketing Despairs and Threats, both per thopter.]

[Bernard Martikova]

"Alright, people, looks like we're getting close. I know many of you are here for a payout and not due to any sense of loyalty to House Atreides, so I'll save the big speech about how what we're doing is for the glor of Duke Leo. Once again, my role in this is to make sure we all get you home safe. We're going to follow our orders and get us back home. Don't go doing any extra heroics or something bold to earn yourself bigger paycheck if it puts the rest of us at risk; we're in mostly unknown territory and that stuff is best saved for the battlefield where it'll get you noticed. Anything extra we do end up doing in here is because something is in our way or it poses a low risk for us. Plan is to get in there, grab the VIPs and get back out before the natives grow restless. If we're lucky, we'll all be back to our starting location popping open a bottle of wine by tomorrow night."

He looked back at the mercs and fellow soldier as he finished up his speech, looking out at the rocks coming towards them. "Sound good to you all?"

~~
Leadership Roll to get people motivated

Net Successes: 1; Net Advantages: 4
No threats rolled; gained extra advantage
Everyone in Thopter #2 gains a bonus die to all Discipline checks for the next 24 hrs

[Laila Bridger]

As pep talks went, she'd heard worse.

Laila starting doing... something, without even rising from her seat.

Anyone who'd seen a Bene Gesserit might have recognized it as a crude, abridged form of Prana-Bindu, as the offworlder started waking up her various muscle groups one by one, stirring them from the relaxation of the flight, her whole body seeming to come alive.

What GOOD any of it did might have been open to question, but there was absolutely no denying that the mercenary seemed to be getting dialed in, a far cry from her essentially languid style during the festival and the briefing.

Athletics roll to key up for hitting the LZ, "I Love Violence Almost As Much As I Hate It": 1eC+1eS+1eD+3eP+2eB+1eA 0 successes, 4 advantage

[Ambrose Pantazis]

There were two beasts inside Ambrose.

One was the ze'ev, it wanted to be let loose, to rampage and show its strength. It had been some time since he'd flown and the urge to take advantage of this chance to show what he could do was strong and insistent. He'd been so good and well behaved during the festival. He deserved a little reprieve, a little indulgence.

The other beast was the ke'leb, and it wanted to obey its master and do as it was ordered. His instructors had drilled the lesson into him time and time again. Plus, he knew well the consequences of disobedience.

Unfortunately, both beasts has been well fed in their day and both had been equally starved. It was no one sided battle.

Focusing on the thopter in front of him and on his controls, he half listened to Bernard's speech before responding, "You got it sarge."

-----
Piloting check with two statements
"Keep calm and trust your training" and "Excess brings success"
D1, Afternoon, Terra Incognito, Piloting - Space #1, Statements: 4eP+2eC+1eS 1 success, 3 advantage

Banking those advantages. Feel free to use some for boosts dice if needed.

[Kannon]

Bernards' pep talk got some squad spirit going. [In addition to 4 Advantage pooled and the Discipline bonus, everyone gets one boost for one event roll they choose.]

Laila's muscle-activating regime might have needed some of that paradan melon juice from Roger to be effective, but at least she put on an inspiring show. [+3 Advantage in the Player Pool]

Amborose's clash of contradictory instincts primed his feel of the controls [Ambrose has a boost to one Piloting check during the event, +3 Advantage to the Player Pool]

[Player Pool: 10 Advantage, GM Pool: 0 Threat]

[Hadrian Martikova]

Hadrian for his part was looking out the window doing his very best to memorize the terrain, or determine more about the area before they step down into it.

"This will be the deepest I've been to date as well."

He said clearly unable to see much.

Memorizing terrain, looking for anything that stands out, etc. (A mind well seeded... *upgrade*) | Perception

Net Successes: 0; Net Advantages: 2

OOC: Aaaand time to drop Sakkaku...

[Kannon]

The unprecedented rock formations clearly enchanted Hadrian too much to focus on other details. He at least came to understanding about the challenge they would present on a possible climb.



[Player Pool: 12 Advantage, GM Pool: 0 Threat]