Pulse of the Imperium

At PTOLOS, Xanthe's doe eyes remained glued to the holo projection of the whole spaceport traffic. She had been cross-referencing various transponder signals with the ridulian crystal-encoded database held in her hands. This was as much technology as one could get operational without brushing against the Butlerian precepts, though Xanthe sometimes was getting irritable by not being able to integrate the database with the projection in a more seamless, efficient way. At times, she couldn't help playing with the moss pearl pin in her braid.

"See here, Emcas." She said absent-mindedly. It was hard to tell whether she realised she had started treating him as something more than a bodyguard after their conversation and the encounter with Pankratos the day before. "Eastern concourse, terrace 37. What a motley crew on board of this inbound. A vinter from Caladan we identified as a contraband mover, a Mutelli, an Imperial planetologist, and some mercenary. At least this is what I can squeeze out based on the manifest. I'd like to check them out in person."

Emcas had seen how she had directed them to the terrace 37. It was where she was supposed to be anyway because of the other arrival, and yet she sought a different excuse. Did she mean it as a snub to the Reverend Mother, to make her wait until she would complete her other duties?

---

Having descended into the atmosphere over Hypatea, the inbound craft with four passengers was practically flying itself on forcefield tractors into Xenion. It was interesting to watch how stone-like surface started blurring and then flashing navigation signals like neons the closer they were getting. Once their speed was brought down to the near-standstill, Holtzman properties started gently settling them into terrace 37. They were informed by a bland voice speaking directly into the in-craft channels they should expect inspection upon landing.

Laila was trying to keep a level head.

And managing surprisingly well, all things being equal, as the prospect of trouble did its usual job of focusing her thoughts on her immediate problems.

Get out of this alive now, stab Hawat later.

Emcas moved closer to see what she was pointing at and took in the crew. They were an odd bunch indeed...

''As you wish, Lady Xanthe.'' his voiced lowered ''If these are not foes then they might be needed friends. But what of the Reverend Mother?''

Returning to his prior position he proposed ''If her ladyship wishes, I could go greet her as an escort to her quarters...''

That could give her time and if he took the scenic route, quite a lot of it. He did not think the reverend mother would be fooled, however, but just might humor them.

"No, it must be me. But it won't hurt if she waits a bit. Just enough to stress this is not Wallach IX."

She asked one of the people working the comms to pass the message to the special flight.

"Friends?" She left the curious inquiry open-ended, letting him speak his mind.

''I am not one to plan but those who do are weary of wild cards. They'll draw the attention of others soon enough and what role they are to play cannot be certain. If I was allowed to be superstitious, then I could see their arrival on the same platform as the reverend mother at around the same time to be an sign.''

"If not for the potential displeasure of the Atreides we currently don't need and his strange, somewhat political company, I would consider detaining the smuggler on some procedural grounds. Your suggestion is we try to make these wild cards our own before the hand is tipped for more eyes to see? Unlike with Reverend Mother Cordana and whatever entourage she is bringing, that feels doable."

''There presence here possesses a purpose unknown to us currently but if it is also unknown to others then that uncertainty can give her ladyship some breathing room: Some predators will not strike if something unusual is present on their hunting ground...for a time at least. If the reason of their presence aligns with your needs, all the better.''

Xante nodded firmly, as if he own train of thought had been riding along the same tracks and she just needed a corroboration. She put the crystal sheet down and rose.

"Let's do it. You are going to be my eyes with this group, especially their more crafty part."

She was ready to leave PTOLOS.

He gives one of his signatures stern nod and was ready to follow her

''If it is my lady's wishes I shall drink as much cadalanian wine as needed to make sure no vintage of inferior quality makes it to her ladyship's table.''

"Well, I do hope you can hold that wine then. It's quite the commitment!"

She chuckled as they departed toward the nearest fast conveyor belt.

* * *

The ship with Cuyler, Laila, Hadrian and Xard was finishing the landing sequence at terrace 37, dock C. Through the screens they could witness the grandeur of the hollow pyramid in an aerial view becoming a more cosy, bottom-up and up-close one, bringing their attention to various architectural forms and relief decors. The clearance to leave the ship was getting late though.

"Gravity. I have missed it so much." Cuyler stretched in her seat. "I hope I can still walk."

"My advice, take it slow."

She was making sure she had everything ready to declare when they got inspected.

"It'll also give us time to be ready for what I'm sure is going to be a lovely series of questions."

"Questions? Nahhh, should be fine." Hadrian stood up and stretched. "Ohhhh... that's the stuff."

After a few moments of readjusting to gravity and a couple of tentative steps.

"Just let me do the talking. Once we clear customs we can get to work."

Xard glanced at Laila and Cuyler to make sure that letting Hadrian do the talking was a good idea. The return to gravity ached in his bones so he stood up and stretched as soon as he was able. He straightened his epaulletes for the Corrino lions on his uniform to be in sight, just in case some visual messaging was needed to support the vintner's smooth helloing.

Two people went into the dock just as they were greenlit to open the craft and alight. A tallish slender young woman in a custom-made uniform that both looked and didn't like something a customs officer on Harmonthep should be wearing, but with braided chair unconstrained by any cap. The other was a cold-eyed hulk who looked like a bodyguard or an enforcer but in clothes carrying no pretence to officialdom.

Time to begin our charm offensive...

Definitely better Hadrian speak than Laila, anyway.

If Hadrian was surprised by the inspection it certainly didn't show on his face. He made a move to disembark, paperwork and a clipboard in hand.

"Good morning," he cheerfully called towards the pair.

"Good morning."

Xanthe chose a neutral, inscrutable tone and expression, neither hostile nor forthcoming.

"Welcome to Harmonthep. Business or leisure?"

The guy is the obvious threat, so what's her angle, what danger is she?

It's probably much worse than a knife to the gut or a las-shot to the face.

But also beyond her skillset, so Laila switched her attention to the man, dumb muscle sizing up dumb muscle. A lesser menace could still kill if not properly addressed, and the guy looked like he knew his business.

Cuyler was all smiles, prepared to assist Hadrian as necessary. She looked around, taking in their surroundings.