Money for Nothing [Day 0]

[Hadrian Martikova]

"Maybe just a taste, to honour your fare. I am past those years when stomach and vacuum can easily find mutual accommodation." Xard admitted sheepishly.

A soft chuckle before the pour. "That you ever had it to begin with speaks highly to your constitution. Admittedly, I've been sipping on this one glass since we left port."

Of course the only wine one can pour in space is of the boxed variety. And the only wine the Martikova's box are the ones that Hadrian pulls from unsold inventory to sell off planet. He topped off his own glass before pouring the doctor half of one. A brief pause to marvel at the lava lamp effect of wine in zero G. Before turning to Cuyler and Laila,

"Ladies, care to join us for a drink?"

[Cuyler Gray]

"I'd love some." Cuyler nodded.

[Laila Bridger]

"Absolutely."

[Kannon]

Xard cupped the glass with a small lid, not counting on wine's viscosity too much, while waiting for others to have theirs filled. He was not much in the mood for toasting for reasons that were clear to everyone here, but he wouldn't be spoiling the team spirit if Hadrian actually intended one.

[Hadrian Martikova]

"Excellent," Hadrian pours without letting the conversation lag just yet. "The fact of the matter is, we're better served getting to know one another. That in mind, I believe a little social lubricant is just what the doctor ordered. Given the severity and need after all." He grinned, "In more ways than one, this is the lion's den we're going to. And once we're on the ground we'll have solitary roles to play. With threads only we can pull in our way."

He hands the last person their drink.

"It's funny really. Our vocations make up the better parts of our lives, yet we are more than them. Does anybody care to share something from the lesser known aspects of their lives? Doesn't really matter how small. Laila knows I like to read."

[Laila Bridger]

"He likes to read the same cheesy Ecazi romances I do, in fact... among other things."

She shot him a sidelong grin.

"Just TERRIBLE stuff."

[Kannon]

The wine, which as had rightfully assumed would be hitting him fast, the romantic vibes and earlier discussions all led Xard onto a tunnel of thought that would otherwise be difficult to unearth.

"I am only sharing this because it might be relevant... In my student years, I had a very ill-advised crush on a certain Bene Gesserit. Married to a dangerous man no less, high in the Kaitain pecking order. So very much against better judgement. I could have got myself killed if Sinsei's mother hadn't come into my life at the right moment."

He took a deeper sip. "Something about the mystique, the black aba, I suppose..." He shrugged and chuckled nervously. "Not sure if I can handle that well, really. Just don't ask me to deal with them planetside, else I may fumble and make an idiot out of myself at some inopportune moment. And I would caution you all against them too. They can know things by one look at you, and make you do things with the second."

[Cuyler Gray]

"That's good advice." Cuyler nodded. "I've never interacted with any of them personally, but I have heard stories. As for myself, I have some connection to the Zensunni, through ancestry. I do not believe I have any direct relation to anyone on Harmonthep, but I'm not sure where my genealogy connects to the Zensunni wanderings. Regardless, that is part of my interest here, though it's obviously not my primary concern."

[Laila Bridger]

"I, ah... might find avoiding them a bit tricky. They've taken an interest. After Caladan. Some... things happened."

[Hadrian Martikova]

Snip

"My, my," Hadrian's voice cracked momentarily at that, but he cleared his throat and recovered. "You must have been quite the maverick in your younger days, I must say." In an attempt to keep things lighthearted he raised a solemn salute.

Snip

Then nodding along with Cuyler's own admission. He added, "For our purposes that may bear the greatest fruit. Slaves see much and are rarely seen I would imagine. And if that's the case, there is power in being underestimated." He takes a sip of wine in the vain hope of washing his distaste of the institution down.

"I, ah... might find avoiding them a bit tricky. They've taken an interest. After Caladan. Some... things happened."

He quietly swirled the floating liquid in his cup. More out of habit than anything else. He chose not to interject just yet. Assuming that she's testing her connection to Xard.

[Kannon]

"As much as the next young man who believes that the Known Universe is their oyster." Xard smiled weakly. "I don't know if my experience with the Caladanan Muadh translates well into dealing with the Zensunni down here."

A sip, and a nod of acknowledgement without judgement toward Laila. "I should really stick to the original plan of giving you some credibility for what you need to do to secure some spice for my daughter. I will try to arrange an audience with the Archon or the Strategos and ask for assistance in checking on the lion reserves. This way we can probably get an ornithopter with some freedom to roam the planet. I hope that will be enough on my part?"

[Laila Bridger]

We'll save her.

"Given what you're working through, that should be more than enough."

[Cuyler Gray]

"And, if it helps, melange infused foods are my speciality." Cuyler added.

[Hadrian Martikova]

"Acquiring spice won't be a challenge, doctor. That much I can assure you." Hadrian said warmly, having as clear a preference in roles as Laila. "No... it's our primary directive that has me worried. I'll need to do some logistical work early on, but once everything is in place I'll have us a rally point or two."

Another sip of wine.

"The thopter will be a useful asset, no doubt, but I believe most of what we need to accomplish will happen in the urban centers. The biggest hurdle we'll have early on is staying in contact while remaining detached from one another. That we're such a disparate group will work heavily in our favor I think. The longer we can maintain the pretense that we're all unrelated, the wider our net will become."

[Laila Bridger]

I dunno about that, my cover's pretty damn thin...

[Kannon]

"Is there a pilot among you?" Xard asked pointedly.

[Hadrian Martikova]

“You seem to be anticipating a need for one. Should I begin making immediate arrangements to have one ready?”

[Laila Bridger]

"If we want to get anywhere faster than a brisk walk..."

[Kannon]

"If I can justify one of you as a pilot on the 'thopter, I won't have to accept someone assigned I can't trust." Xard explained.

[Cuyler Gray]

"I should have learned, considering the number of endangered thopters I've been in." Cuyler shook her head. "But, I haven't."