Day 1 | Morning | Rally

[Efren Lanville]

"It's not a bad place to start ourselves, if I'm being honest, sir. It sounds like we got ourselves a few good trackers to help guide us thru that mess once we land, and the corpses give us a good lead to...well, something. If we're lucky, they're Duncan Idaho's handiwork and that gives us a trail. Unless anyone has something to say against going that avenue, of course." He nods to Eileen in acknowledgement for the suggestion before looking around at the others gathered to see if they have a opinion.

"Not to speak out of place Sergeant, but I think it would be anything but good luck if Swordmaster Idaho was responsible for a collection of dead Muadh locals. It doesn't seem to be in line with his character or in line with what we hear about the locals as of late. We'd be walking into a lion's den if that was the case."

He nodded once, "But it is indeed the best lead we have. And figuring out who killed these people would almost surely help us figure out the 'why' of the Swordmaster's absence. And from there... we can try and figure out the 'where'."

[Kiran Alsahar]

"It's an uncharted territory. Imperial planetologists sometimes venture there, but we don't get copies of their reports for the Emperor." Roger didn't seem happy about that. "We've had very little contact with people living there as we're supposed not to disturb their original ways. Our Muadh visitor from the north might know the most about them." He gestured toward Kiran.

Kiran nodded, red hair shifting under their hooded cloak, arms crossed underneath. Their eye twitched once at their fellows being referred as primitives, but considering what was on the line here, it wasn't the time to make a fuss. "We share some consistencies. I'll be able to talk to them. And find them, if they decide to make themselves scarce." Their voice is oddly accented.

[Kannon]

snip

"Ever since the bombing of Cala City Hawat and his men have been working hard to gauge out all the eyes and cut off all the tentacles of Marek's organisation. But I can't guarantee that cartel, if this is what you'll be facing, won't know about this expedition either way."

snip

Roger was quietly glad that his son inherited his determination.

snip

Roger wouldn't judge Dominic. He had some rough idea what the man had been through, and Hawat vouched for him. The contrast between his and Laila's reaction to the assignment was telling enough.

snip

"Duncan would only dispatch the locals if he had to defend Paul or himself. This is very unlikely, one thing we know about the Muadh there is that they lean pacifistic. It's more likely they have fallen prey or succumbed to some sickness."

snip

Roger wouldn't say no to Ambrose's practical approach. The man's chequered past could push him either way in this situation, and Roger was satisfied that he seemed to be embracing the second chance.

snip

"Your skill may be crucial to this endeavour. If there is someone keenly aware what's going on in the jungles, I'd bet on your people."

[Hadrian Martikova]

"Get to see what your big brother is up to while you're taking care of the winery for me." He smiled.

Hadrian knew the barb was well intentioned, but Bernard had a habit of saying the wrong thing at the wrong time. Well intentioned or otherwise. But the real trick was keeping him blissfully unaware of what his little brother had been up to while he was off playing soldier.

Regardless, Hadrian had no intention of speculating until he had more information at his disposal. And as for the logistics of the operation, that was better handled by the military guys. But he was in full agreement with Eileen. In his experience it's better to walk softly and carry a big stick.

"Bern... I need to arrange storage for the caravan and send word back home to have them come and retrieve it."

[Bernard Martikova]

"Duncan would only dispatch the locals if he had to defend Paul or himself. This is very unlikely, one thing we know about the Muadh there is that they lean pacifistic. It's more likely they have fallen prey or succumbed to some sickness."

~~snip~~

He knew that, of course, but he was trying to suggest getting lucky and finding a lead, not that Duncan was going on a murderous rampage with the locals. Still, he didn't correct his CO or his son in his comments and smiled politely. "Thank you for the correction, sir. Know there is no 'speaking out of place' when it comes to obtaining correct information with me, Lanville." He looked at the CO's son with a polite nod. Depending on the ranks of the men here, he'd likely be placed somewhere in charge.

~~snip~~

That was a fair point. Bernard turned his head to the older Lanville. "Sir, I know it's not a priority, but could something be done to help accommodate my family's supply due to the unexpected circumstances? Not suggesting someone buy the lot or anything, but any assistance to help store it quickly could help my brother get prepared and ready to the thopter faster."

[Kannon]

"I'll have it taken care of." He reassured the Martikovas.

Then Roger looked at Razar, waiting for him to respond.

[Razar Lanville]

Razar listened intently. If he had a hangover it was not showing, but he had stepped away from the drinking with someone and probably burned off a good amount of alcohol with vigorous exercise anyway. So he actually looks quite fresh and prepared for the task ahead of them. He looks to the Lt, and then remembering that he was just placed back on duty he responds with appropriate customs and courtesies rather than familial familiarity. "Sir, It'll be done."

Looking over to Kiran, he confirms her name, "Kiran? I want you in the copilot seat with me as a spotter. You'll be better able to spot landmarks and activity of the Muadh better than most. My thopter will take point and land first, Ambrose will provide support until the area is cleared for you to land as well. If we got a sniper, they should be strapped in with Ambrose while in flight until landing, to provide targeted cover fire. We'll do a flyover of the bodies first and find a safe spot to land and investigate. Does anyone need any gear before we head out?"

[Kannon]

"Good, I see you're taking over from here. You have a distance to cover, so we shouldn't drag this too much. Any last questions before you go?"

[Kiran Alsahar]

Looking over to Kiran, he confirms her name, "Kiran? I want you in the copilot seat with me as a spotter. You'll be better able to spot landmarks and activity of the Muadh better than most. My thopter will take point and land first, Ambrose will provide support until the area is cleared for you to land as well. If we got a sniper, they should be strapped in with Ambrose while in flight until landing, to provide targeted cover fire. We'll do a flyover of the bodies first and find a safe spot to land and investigate. Does anyone need any gear before we head out?"

Kiran nodded. "That's a good idea. They should have a lookout post in the canopy, but it'll be impossible to spot without knowing what to look for."

[Laila Bridger]

Does anyone need any gear before we head out?"

Having already asked Roger about perhaps getting the use of a gun, Laila kept her peace.

She somehow doubted they'd have any pistols of the sorts she favored.

Probably end up stuck with a long gun making myself look stupid. Ah well.

[Kannon]

"If all's clear, you're dismissed. Go get ready. I'll let Hawat know that we're handling things down here."

He rose, saluted, and walked out.

/exit Roger

[Razar Lanville]

Razar gave his own salute, dropping it when Uncle Roger was gone.

[Efren Lanville]

Efren similarly saluted his father and then turned to make preparations to leave.

[Kannon]

With the chain of command established, the appointed leaders quickly split the teams. Everyone prepared their equipment, Lanville logisticians loaded up the gear Roger had pledged to entrust to them. Cuyler dragging her kitchen raised some brows but no-one questioned the foreigner's eccentricities as her status awarded her statutory respect, peppered with genuine one by all those who had tried her food the previous day. A day from then, no-one on the expedition would ever doubt her choice.

The thopters were military grade, angleable shields and lasguns, comfortably fitting a complement of five, so one thopters had to make do with a bit of make-do. By the morning's end they all would be in flight, watching the bucolic farmlands for the last time in days, with some bottled paradan juice riding in them just in case some brave souls would be less indignant to treat their hangover on the way.

[End of Thread]