1. Plans Within Plans

"We did not come all this way to turn back now," Hural says plainly. "Thank you, Ordway. We hope to return with haste."

Rook was glad not to be trudging across the sand. Apart from the obvious reason, walking with an uneven cadence was exhausting, mentally and physically.

He became concerned the farther in they went. They had passed through a door that could be locked, potentially trapping them. His senses were on high alert.

He leads you into the tunnel and there you find a trio of men, ready. They have weapons in hand, but not aimed. They're suspicious, and look to Ordway. Behind them, a stack of crates looking to have arrived from across the galaxy stand in various phases, probably mainly discarded.

A thin man with a very pale complexion asks, "Ordway, who did you bring, and why?"

Your guide says, "These distinguished individuals have needed of your services," he lies, or guesses, "and promised a hefty retainer for this introduction. They are connected the right way."

The leader looks to you a moment and then offers the four of you come sit on some chairs near a make shift table. He sits at one end, and waits for you. "You've seen too much. Nothing to do but hear you out "

Marcus would prefer to stand as it's an easier position to be in to spring into action should it be necessary. Besides, the negotiations are handled by the others.

If there is a chair facing the trio of men, Rook will take that one.

"Thank you," he says to the leader, positioning himself in such a way that his knife or Maula pistol can be quickly reached.

Hural sits at the table as offered. "Thank you, our esteemed hosts. We have come to offer a proposition, one that will be mutually beneficial and establish channels that will bring fortune to your group for many years to come. But before we get into specifics, I think it best if we learn a little more of your operation here. It would do no harm, as you clearly can see we are in no position to leave here without your say."

Recall that her plans are two fold: 1) Sina Heslin of the small, vulnerable House Heslin has plans to set up her own market in Carthag. She wants to create something to rival Sarpedon Ensel’s Arrakeen Emporium... and eventually put him out of business.

That is her public plan. Her secondary plan is to smuggle spice to the known universe, outside of Harkonnen control, refined in her particular way and in doing so to keep the emperor happy.

Sina wants to know what kinds of deals the smugglers are making. Are they importing rare items from off-world? Is it precious gems, a creature for the gladiatorial arenas, or some kind of delicacy? Or are they smuggling spice to other planets? Are they helping a member of the Landsraad stockpile precious spice melange? Regardless, Sina wants a partnership with the smugglers, or she wants to see them destroyed so they can’t work with her competitors.

The chief smuggler says, "I understand that you wish to know about us and our capabilities. You can call me The Owl. We have been smuggling small quantities of hard to find objects for several years. We have eyes and ears in the markets, offworld, and in the space port, and provide the transportation. We've not been caught yet, and as you can see our base here is quite secure. Whether it's the latest machines from Ix, or artistic relics from a millennia ago, we can usually find what you're looking for, and get it here. For a price."

Rook raises an eyebrow when he hears the extent of The Owl's network. To be importing from the Ixians! What the spymaster wouldn't give to dip his toe into that operation. He had heard rumors of such a trade scheme, and here he was sitting with one of its leaders.

"I admire your operation. Up until now, the existence of illicit activity with Ix was only a rumor. You shroud your enterprise very well." Rook looks to Hural to begin the actual negotiations as that kind of thing is not Rook's forte.

"Yes, your claims are great. I believe there could be great benefit in establishing a long-term agreement between our patron and your group. First, though - a point, and two questions. You claim to have not yet been caught, yet we are here. We know of your presence and enough of your activities to seek you out. So then, my questions: how is it that we know this, but not the Harkonnens or others? And, call it a test - do you know who we are and who we represent?"

"We haven't been caught, no. Not yet. I only say that from superstition, it's bad luck to boast. There are rumors, and other smugglers. We have clients who might give us up, but they'd never find us here, or would not survive the assault to root us out. The Harkonnens, we're too small to worry them. It's not like we're smuggling in sardukar or artillery pieces."

A second one says, "We don't know who you represent, but you look like a Mentat, and she looks like someone of power, pardon my presumption. You represent someone with money, and that makes you interesting."

While this is going on, Marya is carefully weighing up the lead smugglers tone of voice, body language, to get a sense of how much of what he's saying he believes, how much of it is bluster.If what he says is true, then he could be a very important person, contact, agent for them. In which case, if he is attracted to her, then she would want to try and seduce him. The chance to spend time alone with him, then the opportunities to use her neurolinguistic skills, and the voice, with him, could be invaluable.

Rook stays quiet and lets Marya do her thing while he subtly observes the entrance and the rest of the cave.

Marcus hears confidence in the smugglers' voices. It seems to indicate that they aren't bothered by his group's presence here.

Hural nods, "I am. A mentat, that is, and your suspicions are true. Here is what we can offer, and if your interest is piqued, we can discuss what you might offer us. First, coin. Not only for the goods you bring, but also the services you provide through our partnership. Protection, we can also offer. Our resources, to use in expanding and maintaining your network across the known worlds. Growth, as well, as your operation becomes ten-fold what it is today.

The Owl leans forward, and choosing his words carefully, says, "We're independent. If I wanted a master I'd have stayed with the Guild." He's not dismissing you, but rather trying to establish boundaries.

Marya is feeling good about this so far. The Owl seems to be exactly what they're looking for - eager to do business with them, eager for what they can offer, open for negotiation.

Yes. It would be good for them to have more influence, control over this man. Better understanding of his needs and desires. And that's certainly something she can help out with.

Marya speaks up:

"This is a very impressive operation, Owl. You must be a strong leader to be so successful. I feel there is great potential here for our operations to work together."

"May you take us to see something of your goods, the impressive hardware you must surely have here? To reassure us that you have what we need? I feel like you alone may be able to offer us what we need."

As she says these things, she captures The Owl's gaze. She gifts him the full attention of her powerful smile. She flirts with him. And with her words, with her neurolinguistic talents, she subtly introduces into his mind and body the idea, and urge, to indeed show Marya his goods, his impressive hardware, and to do this alone, just between the two of them.