1. Plans Within Plans

In the dusty streets of Carthag, much trade is done under the watchful eyes of the Harkonnen, and much more away from their agents. It is here that we find Nascent House Heslin, elevated recently for service to the Emperor of the Known Universe, but not yet given control of a moon or planet. Sina Heslin has aspirations to set up her own trading bazaar in Carthag, to rival the Grand Emporium in Arrakeen. Is she simply an entrepreneur with a vision, or is this a guise for a secretive spice smuggling operation?

Few want her to succeed.

Arrakis, Carthag, Parato Parlor

Named after the famously luxurious Parato Silk, Carthag’s Parato Parlor caters to the wealthy cheops and card players of the city. To allay suspicion, Sina Heslin has set up in the Parato Parlor, creating the illusion of a carefree aristocrat with a preference for playing gambling games rather than political ones.

If one needs to find Sina for any reason, she’ll most likely be in a corner table of the back room with a cheops board in front of her. She explains away all her visitors with a tired, dismissive handwave, telling the curious that she’s remodeling part of the Heslin estate and requires more workers than she ever thought she would have to deal with. Contrary to appearances, she’s in the process of building a small empire. For that to work, she's quite interested in the Fremen. Why? You suspect she will tell you the full plans soon.

Of course, the Harkonnen mistrust Sina for good reason. As a nascent house beholden to House Richese, they've long suspected Heslin of secretly undermining the Harkonnen affairs in Arrakis. In particular, Glossu "The Beast" Rabban, in situ governor of Arrakis, thinks she is up to something: just what that is, he hasn't decided.

You've just arrived at the Parato Parlor, the door to your limocar hasn't yet been opened by a footman from the Parlor. Sina is supposed to join you in the car and then you will drive to ... she hasn't told you where yet, only that "It's time to act, and for Heslin to make the first move."

Suddenly, the sound of lasgun fire lights up the sky, and a chunk of masonry from the Parlor falls to the ground before you, crushing a beggar who rests in the shade.

A quartet of Fremen across the street exchange fire with three mercenaries, who dash inside the Parato Parlor ahead of you, firing back at the Fremen over their shoulders.

---

Describe your characters and what you hope to achieve in this meeting with Sina Heslin. Do you suspect what her true plans might be? Have you discussed it among yourselves?

Then, how do you react to the sudden violence around you?

Shadran was glad he'd had the foresight to have hidden pockets sewn into his better robe that was reserved for occasions such as this. He couldn't very well wear his tattered clothing to meeting with the ruler of his house. Concealed within such pockets was his small poison dagger. He had debated whether he'd be searched, but decided to take a chance anyway because he felt naked without a weapon and it was why he still lived. It had saved him from many a close call.

Pareto Parlor was the kind of place he hoped to control one day. This one and many more he thought, as he took in the opulent colors and the rich smells of wealth. He hoped that Sina had a lucrative job proposition for him, whether it was a part to play here at the Parlor or some other task within the city. The Mentat and the Sister he had only dealt with one on one. They had given him missions, he completed them, got paid and that was the end of it. This felt different. Together they were invited to be a part of what sounded like House Helsin making a move in its advancement.

His musings were cut short when a laserfire fight broke out. He withdrew his knife and found a place to hide from the laserfire while he figured out what exactly was going on.

Marya calmly takes in the violence unfolding around them - registering responses within the crowd, urgency fear and coordination from the mercenaries, harsh devastating intensity from the Fremen.

She is dressed practically in a breathable, temperature-regulating bodysuit - offering comfort in Arrakis's heat, flexibility and durability for situations (perhaps like this) where speed and precise nuanced action are at a premium, opportunity for style fashion and ornament, but without the more fragrant aspects of a stillsuit. Middle-aged, middle-weight, middle-height, she exudes an aura of charisma and competence.

She's here to meet Sina, Marya presumes, in her role as advisor to the house ruler - Sina sometimes looks to Marya for insight and support in understanding the motives, needs, drives, and urges of both her allies and her enemies. Marya, though, is keen to change "sometimes" into "often" or even "constantly" - to have more influence on the activities of House Heslin, to have more access to the secrets of the House... Partly because she knows she can help House Henlin be more successful with such access. Partly to help better serve the Bene Gesserit sisterhood. Partly to have more access herself to personal power and influence. Because, you know, it's important to have someone competent at the reins of this kind of thing...

She's hoping that this meeting with Sina will be an opportunity to raise her profile with the House Ruler, to impress her yet further with her insight and competence. From small subtle recent indications, she suspects Sina may have some plans of intrigue that she wants this team to work on together...

Having quickly taken in the emerging situation around them, Marya bursts out of the car and rushes into Parato Parlor - if Sina is endangered, this could be an excellent opportunity to demonstrate her worth not just as an advisor, but as a field operative, as a precise powerful instrument of House Heslin...

As they rode to the Parato, Marcus kept watch through the windows of the limocar at the passersby on the street. While the vehicle was undoubtedly armored against small arms fire, heavier munitions would likely be able to tear it apart. But there was no suspicious activity in the crowd. Sitting idly parked in the street while waiting for Lady Sina to arrive made Marcus nervous. While one could not force the head of a house to make haste, he wished that someone of sufficient rank would do just that.

The firing of the lasguns confirmed his fears, and the sight of mercenaries entering the Palato while Fremen shot at them was a bad sign. Why were they here? Are they friends or foes of Lady Sina? And is Hannah inside to protect Lady Sina?

He had to find out what was going on.

Hural carries himself straight as an arrow, as unerring with his stride as he is with his punctuality. As typical, he arrives a few moments early and is waiting outside the door for the appointed time. He sticks out to casual observers - too wiry to be a typical bouncer or guard, older too. The longblade at his hip still yet announces him as someone that could be dangerous, but his stance is calm and his breathing measured.

He had chosen not to go inside early - a mentat in a house of chance was like a spider in an aphid colony, and it would not do to make anyone uncomfortable.

Suddenly lasgun fire erupts around them. In the immediate chaos, Hural turns to look at the unfolding violence - fremen, four of them, against three mercenaries, being routed? chased? or leading the Fremen inside? Hural's hand sits casually on the hilt of his sword as he considers the possibilities in the blink of an eye.

Almost as quick as the computations are complete, he begins a heavy jog in the direction of the Parato Parlor, drawing his sword as he goes. Not too fast so as to elevate his heart rate too much before the first swing of his sword, but enough to close the distance and operate within the scope of the adrenaline pumping into his body.

This would not be the first time he draws steel for Sina Heslin, and he hopes it will not be his last. The odds were good.

You're uncertain who the mercenaries are, but one thing that's for certain is that the Fremen aren't know to have lasguns -- these weapons are almost solely used by the great houses.

Marya and Hural run from the limocar and into the building, crowding past the mercenaries in the doorway, while Rook ducks low behind the seats, and Marcus watches, waiting to find out more.

The Fremen see the additional support and fire a devastating series of shots at the front of the building. One of the mercenaries takes a shot to the chest and falls behind Hural's feet. The Fremen run, disappearing around a corner into an alley.

This isn't intended to be a combat scene, but it's yours to make of it what you will. Let's make some quick tests, get the dice rolling, then we can get on with the scene inside the Parato Parlor. Make a roll of your choice. Choose a Drive and a Skill, and roll 2d20. You want to roll under Drive+Skill, and you get double successes for a natural 1, or for rolling under your Skill if you have an appropriate Focus in that Skill.

Inside the Limocar
Rook, low behind a door panel, watches the Fremen lay down cover fire before retreating. If you want to follow them, then a Move (Stealth) roll. If you want to work out the danger, then perhaps Understand (Danger Sense).

Marcus watches, his eyes seeking motive in their movements and decisions. Battle(Strategy) might be a good pick to work out their tactics.

Inside the Parlor
Marya runs into the Parlor, the presence of a Bene Geserit sister immediately clearing space in the entrance. Perhaps Undertand (Body Language) if you want to size up the mercenaries.

Hural is cool under fire, stepping inside just as the Fremen open fire. He sees the three, then only two mercenaries, take defensive postures by the door. Hural, similar to Marcus might choose a Battle(Strategy) test to learn more about the mercernaries, or Communicate (Innuendo) test to try and open a dialog with the embattled mercenaries.

Hural stops amidst the chaos, taking in the scene and analyzing the movements and strategies of the mercenaries to better understand what their intentions are.

Marya moves, cat-like, into the Parlor - her external awareness flowing up and around the space. She senses no immediate, environmental, non-human, hazards. Simultaneously she scans for signals and indications from the people surrounding her.

In particular, she assess the space for the presence of Sina - if she's anywhere to be seen, or if there are any cues or other indications suggesting where she might be found.

She also focuses on the mercenaries, to sense their intent, their motivations, their likely next actions.

While also checking for anything else out-of-the-ordinary in the manner and behaviour of other people around her.

Rook's mind burns with curiosity. Why were those mercs going into the parlor? It couldn't be good no matter the reason. Was the game up? Literally? Had Sina's latest scheme, whatever that might be, been discovered? And the Fremen. What were they doing here?

He sees Marya slip in, waits a few seconds, then attempts to sneak in himself.

Marcus was puzzled. Fremen using lasguns? That was odd. It seemed more likely that these people were of a rival house disguised as Fremen.

Successes:
- Hural, 2. "Choosing Truth (to learn...) and Battle/Strategy (...their <the Mercenaries> strategy and maybe their goals here)."
- Marya, 3. "In particular, she assess the space for the presence of Sina - if she's anywhere to be seen, or if there are any cues or other indications suggesting where she might be found. She also focuses on the mercenaries, to sense their intent, their motivations, their likely next actions."
- Rook, 1. "He sees Marya slip in, waits a few seconds, then attempts to sneak in himself."
- Marcus, 3. "Going with Truth + Battle (Strategy) to figure out these Fremen attackers."

As I didn't specify the difficulty, the default is 1, which means that 1 success was required. Marya used a Trait to reduce her difficulty by 1, to 0. You need that many successes to succeed, and any excess successes can be used or stored in Momentum. I'll use one of Marya's successes to answer her second question, and store the rest in the group pool. They will last for the scene, then begin to fade.

Momentum Pool: 5


Hural, Marya, and then Rook pile into the besieged Parato Parlour. Screams begin to echo, the music stopping, as folks duck under tables or flee for the back doors. More than one small arm gets pulled out, more than a few blades.

Hural's eyes are on the mercenaries, and they are surprised no doubt to see a mentat, his lips marked with the the Juice of Sapho. One of them nods in greeting even as they duck under the withering fire that tears up the front of the parlour. He can tell by their posture that they are looking for somewhere to hide, but that they were coming here anyway. That's odd, as they're not dressed to fit into this crowd. They're not looking to attack the Fremen.

Marya's eyes scan the crowd calmly, seeing Sina Heslin at a back corner, a multi-level cheops board in front of her. The intense strategy game is part of her cover as a bored socialite. Her eyes flash once, and Marya can see that Sina was not expecting this kind of entrance, but was expecting the mercenaries. Marya then looks at those mercenaries and sees that they're resting inside, firing a couple shots to keep the Fremen honest but not aiming, and not threatening the crowd. She also sees that one of them has a blade marked with a signet from the rival House Bakhtiar. Elara's house.

Rook waits for the other two to clamber into the parlour, and then sneaks in behind them. His approach is such that they block his movements, and he's then into the crowd as if he'd been there the whole time. Someone hands them her drink saying, "I'm feeling faint, Charlo," before sighing and falling senseless into his free arm. She's a merchant of some kind, he can see, out for a day of revelry not violence. She wakes immediately and whispers, "Thank you, but you're not Charlo. I'm Fayl." Fayl - a name common on Geidi Prime, home of House Harkonnen.

Marcus sits in the car, his eyes watching the movements of the Fremen carefully. There is something wrong. He's already noted the lasguns. These powerful weapons are incredibly dangerous. The interplay between las fire and shields are as devastating as atomics. As such, only the most highly trained soldiers in the largest houses routinely use them. Anyone who sets off an atomic, or even inadvertently causes a similarly powerful lasgun/shield explosion would be expelled from the landsraad. So where did the Fremen get these weapons? Still, what's wrong is that the Fremen aren't as competent as he'd expect. Their footsteps are heavy and plodding, not the careful placements of people used to walking without rhythm on shifting stands. No, those aren't Fremen, despite their Fremen style stilsuits and blue within blue eyes of spice saturation.

Balancing the woman's drink in one hand while preventing her from collapsing on the floor with the other, Rook stares into the eyes of a thankful Fayl.

"Hello, Fayl. You're right. I'm not Charlo." Rook doesn't offer his name while his eyes scan the room, noting the mercs within. "Who is Charlo?"

Marcus gets out of the car and jogs over to the corner where the fake Fremen disappeared. He peeks into the alley to see if there's any further sign of them. Afterwards, he returns to the Parato to check on the fate of the fallen mercenary.

Inside the Parlor
She looks at Rook and stands on her own, reclaiming her drink. "Oh, um, no one just my ... friend." She primps her hair and Rook likely suspects "friend" really means "jealous boyfriend."

Outside the ClubMarcus gets to the alleyway and sees the "Fremen" at the far end turn another corner, on a busy street farther down. They're likely gone. The streets are narrow and the blocks small, so there are a myriad of places to hide or confuse pursuit.

Seeing Sina at the back of the space, Marya moves directly towards the ruler of House Heslin, aiming to protect Sina from possible harm, and perhaps respond to any orders or information Sina shares with her.

As she moves towards Sina, Marya is also is keeping her eyes open for any imminent threats to herself, and to Sina - which she will tackle if she notices them.

Hural keeps his hand on his blade and moves briskly to the mercenaries, watching them for signs of attack - they seemed poised to defend and hide, however, and he judged the odds of them suddenly turning fire upon him to be low enough to be safe. "What is going on here?" he asks with authority, "by what right do you draw fire upon this place?"

Inside the Parato Parlour
Marya finds Sina of course, and she gets up, leaving payment on the table for her time and drinks. With a nod, she only asks, "Is the limocar intact? If so, we should go now and speak quickly. The City Guard will be here soon, and I do not wish to be detained by them."

For Hural, the friendlier of the mercenaries, watches the bene geserit sister walk away and then stands up to the mentat. "We were coming here and were attacked. The rest is not your business, sir." He looks around as if looking for someone, but doesn't turn much away from Hural, who with naked steel in his hand, is clearly a threat.

Relieved to see Sina well and safe - or, well, as safe as anyone ever is on this planet, in this society, thinks Marya - Marya replies to her ruler:

"When I left it a few seconds ago the vehicle was still in one piece. If you will it, I'll accompany you to the limocar just in case there are some more unpleasant... surprises...?" (Marya is curious about how expected or unexpected the recent violence is to Sina).

Assuming Sina is good with that, Marya walks out with Sina to the limocar and gets back inside with her.

"That most certainly depends on why you were coming here," the mentat responds to the mercenary, "whether it is my business. I serve House Heslin, as you likely know. Our Lady, Sina, is within - as you also likely know. I will not allow harm to come to her." He pulls the sword halfway from its sheath, his words and tone is measured - not overly threatening but also clear in intent. "Why are the fremen attacking you?"

"It was nice to meet you, Fayl, but I have to go now."

Rook spots Sina and Marya heading for the door and does the same, keeping his eyes and ears open for threats.

Marcus returns to the limocar, still parked outside of the Parato. He makes his way up the steps, but stops upon seeing Sina and Marya exiting the place and Hural interrogating the mercenaries. He places a hand on the hilt of his sword, ready to draw it should the situation deteriorate.

Inside the Parato Parlor
The attack ceases as quickly as it began, and those inside are quickly either leaving out the back, or settling into their chairs. The hosts bring about free drinks to try and lure the custom to stay, and that convinces a few more.

Sina smiles at Marya, "I'm fortunate to have you. Come lead the way, I was expecting a courier with information about the-- about an interest of mine that I want to share. I'm looking for a man who carries a hilted dagger, the emblem of House Bakhtiar."

A looming bouncer approaches Hural the mercenaries at the front door, and takes in the mentat with the blade. "Any violence, and I'll feed you to a worm, got it?" His bluster is heartfelt, as if he has a chance against three armed men. "That one dead? He goes outside."

When Marya tells Sina about the mercenary with the blade she's looking for, she says to the merc, "You're with us," and leads him into the limocar. Hural doesn't believe that the mercenaries mean any harm for Sina Heslin. I'm fact, only the one pointed out seems to know who she is, the other merely backup.

The mercenary says to the other surviving one, "Get him back to the others. I'll catch up with you later. Spill water in my name for him, will you?"

Fayl says to Rook, "I'll be here!" as he stalks away.

A few minutes later, in the limocarSina sits between Marya and Marcus, with Hural, Rook and the mercenary sitting across. The man takes off his blade (still in it's sheathe and hands it across to Marcus. To Sina, he lowers his head and says, "Great lady, I am Isaac Fumor. I bring news from the White Ghost. The man you seek is Kendon Ordway. He is one of the few who know the way to the smuggler's den. He'll take a bribe, lady."

The limocar pulls into the street, making haste before the City Guard arrive. "Take us to my estate," Sina orders the driver kindly.

To the rest of you, she says, "I had not expected a simple courier to be attacked. What do we know of the attackers who chased Mr. Fumor?"

Rook knows that the White Ghost are part criminal gang, part mercenary band. They mostly take jobs from other sublegal outfits. They are usually found in a place called Sandstorm Cantina on the edge of the slums

Marcus relays what he has observed and deduced. "My lady, while the attackers were dressed as Fremen, they were not them. For one, even if they could afford them, Fremen would not use lasguns. It is not their way. Second, the attackers did not carry themselves like Fremen. They moved with a regular cadence as off-worlders do. Fremen are taught from birth to avoid a regular gait for it attracts the sandworms. These attackers were surely from a rival house."

"We'll drop you off after my colleagues ask you more questions."

The mercenary says, "I can offer that they looked like Fremen and attacked without warning just outside. I think they were waiting for me. I'll need to investigate how this could have been."

"A beginning is the time for taking the most delicate care that the balances are correct" thinks Marya to herself.

"And this feels like it may be a beginning to me..."

"Until I know more of Sina's plans and motives, I can only make rough guesses at what needs to be balanced here. For now I'm best off just watching and listening..."

And so Marya calmly sits back, trying to get a sense for Sina's intentions, and for dissonance between what people are saying and what their body language indicate they are thinking and feeling.

"Marcus speaks wisdom," Hural says. "These attackers were surely not Fremen, but they wanted us to think so, or otherwise wanted to blend in until their strike. This was calculated, Lady Sina."

She considers and then tells the mercenary, Isaac Fumor of the White Ghost, to stay connected with Rook. "Anything you need to tell me, you can tell my spymaster. Good work, Isaac, and I look forward to when you can join us full time. For now, you are most valuable where you are."

She passes him some solari, a fair bit it seems, and he leaves when they limocar stops at the side of the road.

When the car goes on, to the rest of you, she asks, "Come, each of you, your counsel. I have plans and it is time to stop playing the indolent rich girl. First, I still want to establish a market to rival Arrakeen's grand bazaar. This will involve more intrigue and outright warfare than any offworlder might otherwise imagine. It's a solid cover for my true goals and if I only achieve it, it will be a legacy worthy of the title granted to my family by Elrood IX.

But my true goal is to continue my mother's work. I want to corner the spice smuggling market. That of course, will be even more dangerous. I'll tell you why we need that much spice shortly, but I want your impressions on this afternoon's events. "

Marcus takes a breath before speaking about his impressions. "It would appear that Mr. Fumor has a spy in his organization, and that spy works for a house that doesn't wish you to succeed, my lady."

Rook allows the others to speak before he adds his own contribution to the conversation.

"My lady, the White Ghost is a criminal gang. They often hire themselves out for mercenary work, all of which is generally illegal. They can be found most of the time on the outskirts of the slums at a place called Sandstorm Cantina."

Hural looks off into the distance, calculating the odds of each possibility.

Sina listens to each of you and then says, "Keep all of that in mind. I will require your judgement. But first, a story." She retrieves a bottle of water from the limocar stores, a luxury to just have water when you want it, and gestures for the rest of you to help yourself. After gulping back a mouthful, she seals it and holds it with both hands.

"The emperor attempted to fabricate spice. Fearing the harsh reaction of the Guild and CHOAM for undermining the universe's economy, he did this in secret. Richese and under them my grandparents began secretive experiments. We extracted the essence of melange from spice, obtaining the rawest product we could from Richese spice harvesters. Until that great house lost it's way. Elrood IX handed Arakis to the Harknonnen as siridar fief, and elevated my family in exchange that we could continue to improve our processes and develop a synthetic alternative." She holds up a hand, as if forestalling any questions.

"No, Baron Harkonnen did not know our true purpose, only that we were researching refinement processes vital to the Empire. Our plans failed. The essense of melange is unreproducible. However, in the experiments, we have perfected the refinement of spice. We have not shared that with the siridar, but we do export a small quantity to Corrino for the royal families personal use. Without results, public results, the Harkonnen lose patience for our presence, and Shaddam IV can not support us indefinitely without results, at least not without risking the universe finding out about our experiments. He is complicit and would spend the rest of his existence in a pain amplifier."

She sips more water.

"House Heslin will refine and export large quantities of spice to the highest bidders across the universe. We will not grow so bold as to threaten Harkonnen profits, but we will carve out our own place aside from the emperor's shame. With this act, we will free ourselves and Shaddam from the shadow of Elrood's gambit, and elevate ourselves. I need you to assist me in making this happen."

"So, my Lady, it seems to me that we need to show results - just not those that belie the true successes of House Heslin. Anything short of that would lead to the withdrawal of support from the emperor, and a swallowing of our great House by the Harkonnens."

What Sina says here is not news for Marya. As one of Sina's close advisors, Marya has already been called on to give support, insight, and to help planning around these spice-mining and refining activities.

And during this, Marya could see the strength and depth of Sina's drive to elevate House Heslin - and her intention to leverage their spice-related activities to do this. However, Marya is still somewhat surprised by the huge scope of Sina's vision for this promotion of her House.

"With this vision, if you are able to make this happen, my Lady, we may see House Heslin elevated up to the status of House Major. And I am sure we all recognise that such a path is not free of significant obstacles.

We will need to either conceal our project from House Harkonnen, or find some way to coerce them to allow us to carry it out despite their knowledge of it.

We will need a larger base of operations - somewhere to store the mining vehicles, machinery, the processing plants needed to deliver on the increased output. And this will require careful concealment from many competing and opposing interests - not least the Spacing Guild.

And we will need to find a way of working alongside, or taking over, the work of existing small-time smuggling operations here on Arrakis. As part of that, building relations with the Fremen - who we know to be involved in smuggling activities - can be important.

I'm sure there are many other pieces at play in this game - but these are the first that catch my attention.

Starting to take over control and influence of existing mining operations seems like one of the important first steps to me."

It did sound like a lot, even to Rook who didn't ordinarily involve himself in those things that didn't directly affect his goals. But this plan, despite being vast in scope and risk, could further his own aspirations to control the underworld. He would therefore make himself useful to Sina and her new scheme to elevate House Helsin. The woman knew him to be an asset since he was here at this meeting. He did owe the house his loyalty, something he constantly had to remind himself of.

"I will help in any way I can. Perhaps I can secure the help of my connections in the underworld, my Lady. Smugglers and the like."

Marcus listens to Lady Sina's plans and bows his head to indicate his commitment to her goals. He considers Hural's warning and ponders Marya's words as she lays out the scope of what will be involved, and he considers what will be required of the house's swordsmen.

She nods gratefully at Hural for succinctly understanding the key goal. As he and Marya consider, and Rook adds in more of the essential ingredients, she continues.

"There are rumors of a spice harvester nearby. Gaining control of it, much less legally will be difficult. But before we deploy the thumpers, let us first find it. The man we met, Isaac, gave me the first clue I've gotten on how to get in touch with the smuggling ring that operates on the edge of the desert. I've collected rumors and innuendo, paid cash for nothing more than stories. I've been cautious not to play my hand, but with you four in my confidence, it is time for the great gamble. It's time to move with less caution if not openly."

Finishing her water, she continues. "Your own skills are needed. I leave it in your hands, with your intuition and expertise to guide you. I see three paths to proceed. The first, is meet this contact and convince him to ferry you to the smuggling hideout. There, do what you can to become necessary to them. Gain their trust, with an eye that we may want to absorb them into our own plots."

She points to the east, toward the desert. "The second, is to attempt to find the spice harvester first. I don't know how we can succeed when they've remained hidden from the Harkonnen. The third is to chase down this false Fremen angle. Someone doesn't want us to succeed, and by extension, they must know something that we don't."

Marya turns to the others in the limocar.

She has a reputation as a capable operator - good at making the quick hard decisions needed in this lethal yet subtle environment, good at influencing others to work effectively towards their shared goals.

Thus, as usual, her response to a situation of this kind is not to dominate and insist - but rather to speak her part and then listen carefully to the others.

"I sense that the most productive of the options describe by Lady Sina is to follow up on the contact provided to by Isaac. Best to work from within an operation that already effectively hides its activities from others players - or manages its relationships with them so that they are able to continue their work. Otherwise we enter the situation likely unaware of all the relevant factions and players involved, making us more likely to stumble."

"I expect that access to the knowledge and skills of the smugglers may provide additional important insights into how we can well move forward with our own ambitions."

"Furthermore, I feel our party here is well-placed - with our set of skills and knowledge and experience - to build trust with the smugglers, to grow our influence with them, to impress them."

"Marya, your keep observations are ever on point.

First then, to this smugglers. We'll win them over, Lady Sina, and with them we will bring into our fold the skills, contacts, and knowledge to bring our plans to fruition.

Looking to the others, "We have a great opportunity to bring wealth and glory to our House. We should not linger - might I suggest we leave at first light?"

"Between Issac and my contact Shadran Korr, it is the perfect time to elevate our house. Shadran operates as a smuggler and information broker within the criminal factions. He specializes in transporting valuable contraband, including forbidden technologies, secret information, and illicit spice shipments. He would be a great asset to our cause and through him, we have already won over the smugglers."

"And to Marya's point, he is very discreet. Shadran is known for his ability to navigate the treacherous sands of Arrakis unnoticed and for his keen sense of strategy. He might know who these false Fremen were working for."

Pleased with this turn of events, Rook tries not to show his excitement. First light, I agree."

"First light. Yes."

"Master Rook, would you perhaps have time to leverage your contacts to find coordinates for this smuggling operation? or perhaps begin an arrangement, so that we are can meet them on neutral ground?"

"I can, of course, Hural. There is a system in place for me to get word to Shadran. There's a shop. A contact I can see. He will set something up."

"Do that then," Hural says with a nod, "I surmise that will result also in a proper destination. I'll arrange travel upon the ornithopter at first light. We should plan to leave under cover of dawn so as not to attract attention. Be prepared to be out of the city for several days, at least."

"To be accepted by the smugglers, to be taken on by them as part of their operation, we'll need a fabricated backstory. Something that makes us both attractive and plausible as members of their crew.

I consider it unlikely that we will be recognised just on the basis of our faces - so I expect we are best off creating false identities for ourselves.

Some possible fabricated backstories could be:

1. smugglers who previously worked on a different part of Arrakis but had to leave for some reason

2. criminals running from the Harkonnens or another criminal organisations looking for new work somewhere out-of-the-way

3. new criminal arrivals from off-planet who want to get onto the Next Big Thing, and be working with spice

4. a group expelled from their House for treachery or some other crime, looking for a new place in the world

Depending on the backstory we choose, I'll need to hide my identity as a Bene Gesserit sister - and Hural his as a mentat.

Hural, do you have enough data about this situation to run a first-approximation analysis on this questions, to help us choose a good approach here?

Do any of you have any preferences for one of these - or some other - backstory?"

"The simplest lies are easiest to maintain."

"They already know me of course so I would remain as I am but any of those stories could work, although the treachery angle might make you more popular."

Rook chuckles. Notoriety was loved by the underworld in his experience.

"I am curious what Hural's analysis comes up with anyway."

"Hmm, you leave one important factor out of your analysis Marya," Hural says. "The marks of the sapho juice stain my lips. There will be no mistaking I am a mentat, and there are precious few of us, particularly on Arrakis. It will be known that I operate for a noble House. I wonder if the truth would not be easier, in any case. Such an organization would benefit highly from a joint agreement with House Heslin, we might use that to our advantage."

"Unless you don't attend the meeting, Hural. If you remain the man behind the curtain, guiding the rest of us, that might work."

Hural nods. "It could, yes. Such is a role I have played more than my share of times."

"Ah, thank you for that information, Hural. I thought there might be some way to hide or disguise the sapho stains - perhaps adding a different colour to your lips. But it sounds like the sapho colour will always assert itself."

"I agree - a simpler, more parsimonious, more accurate presentation of ourselves to the smugglers makes many things simpler, and reduces the risks of us being caught out as imposters."

"If we present ourselves as active, non-expelled members of House Helsin, however, another unwanted outcome becomes more risky - in other words, that word gets out to interested parties such as the Harkonnens, the Emperor, the Guild, that House Helsin is actively engaging in such activities."

"My assessment is that this could have significant, major, potentially even fatal impact on the well-being of the house. Do you feel this assessment is correct? I ask particularly you, Lady Sina - with your insights into the higher-level politics of this situation. And you, Hural, with your potential ability to assess the magnitude of such risks?"

"Given this, perhaps we are best pretending to be expelled members of a House Minor. We say we don't want to tell which house to keep ourselves safer - but if pushed we name House Heslin if pushed. This may be a pragmatic middle road between the risks of exposure of Heslin, and verisimilitude to our situation. Hural could do this without hiding that he is a mentat, although I would need to think carefully whether I hide that I am Bene Gesserit."

"It is beyond my doubt that those masquerading as Fremen were, in fact, tipped off by someone within Isaac Fumor's own faction. They were armed with lasguns, so they have connections - surely operatives of a Minor or Major House, and embedded into the White Ghost's organization.

Clearly they did not want Isaac Fumor to deliver this name, Kendon Ordway, to us. If they knew of Fumor's mission, then we have to assume they knew the message as well. As such, we have to expect they have what is needed to attempt to bar our path further, seeing as they failed in circumventing the delivery of that message. The motivation eludes me at this time, but given more data points, I will be able to think further on it.

The smugglers are either already in bed with this House, and they wish us not to make a move on their business dealings, or they are content in keeping House Heslin from expanding its interests."

"Plans within plans indeed... It is as we suspected..."

"I think, yet again, how blessed we are to be working with such a powerful mentat as you, Hural - I do not think we could have put these pieces together without your abilities and insights."

Marya's smile shines at Hural - not flirtatious, just so clearly heartfelt and genuine that many experience it as deeply disarming. This sense that this impressive powerful woman finds them impressive and deserving of this smile... "Given Hural's analysis, my understanding is that we will not be able to conceal to the smugglers our intent if we try to infiltrate their organisation - as the smugglers and at least one House somehow know already of House Helsin's intentions."

"I still feel that working with the smugglers' existing organisation is the best path to our success, for the reasons we already discussed. However, I wonder whether it is better to begin by identifying - and ideally countering - the forces and players that seem to be already working against us. And once we understand that better, once we have perhaps already negated and thwarted some of them, only then to move to integrate and infiltrate the smugglers."

"What do you think, comrades, Lady Sina?"

"I believe going forward with the plan to meet this Kendon Ordway, our identities known, is the path. Fumor mentioned the man is open to a bribe and by way of the conversation, I would assume he knows full well with whom he would be aligning their interests. Was that the intent, Lady Sina?"

Sina when approached about this indicates, "This intermediary of the smugglers, Kendon Ordway, he is the only one who can lead us directly to them. We need to be careful that we are not publicly aligned with them, for that gives the Harkonnen a reason to make our lives miserable. However, if that is the way forward, then so be it, we will simply need to be able to explain. As my public image is moving toward setting up a grand market, they are potential vendors after all."

The question of the rival house are easier. "Admago Bakhtiar, the heir of Lord Lodho of House Bakhtiar, has been spending more time in Carthag. He sought an alliance, to obtain our water processes for their own micro-hydroponics holdings. I rejected them of course, even an offer of marriage, as the truth of my families intentions would be a disaster if discovered by the Bakhtiari. As a House pledged to the Harkonnen, they would sell us out instantly."

"The insight on House Bakhtiar is helpful, Lady Sina, thank you. We will meet with this Kendon Ordway and do what we can to keep our budding relationship with his group private. If the Bakhtiars become more involved, we will endeavor to keep them from knowing our true plans.

Are there any actions you recommend we take with the White Ghost. It unnerves me their organization would have such internal issues. Perhaps they should be made aware of our suspicions. Even if they themself are the leak, knowing our suspicions may force them to hold back from further provocation."

"Then let us pursue this meeting with Kendon - reach out to him and fix a time and a place to meet up."

"Markus, Rook, perhaps you are best placed to locate Kendon Ordway and set up a meet with him?"

"While that is happening, Hural and I could look for ways of gaining leverage over Kendon - something about his lifestyle or his situation that we could use to make him more likely to keep our work with him secret?"

"Yes, my lady I can arrange a meeting with Kendon through Shadran. I wonder if the imposter Fremen works for Admago Bakhtiar, of House Bakhtiar. Shadran might also provide a means of leverage, but I cannot say for certain that he would do that. I'm sure he has his price though."

"I will accompany Rook, so long as he is comfortable with me being there. I don't wish my presence to jeopardize his relationship with his contacts." He looks to Rook for his answer.

"Yes, I think a cunning swordmaster such as yourself Marcus, would be welcome. I have a good relationship with my contact. We trust each other as much as is possible in this place. If you're with me he will consider you trustworthy. Just keep your hands away from your weapons!" Rook says jokingly.

Marcus smiles. "I promise to behave."

"Sounds like a good plan to me. While you're working on the meet-up with Kendon Ordway, I'm going to see whether I can learn anything about House Bakhtiar's plans concerning the smugglers. Maybe the House already have someone embedded in the smugglers, maybe I can get some kind of a lead on who that might be."

"And I'll also tap my local informant network to see if they have anything useful information for us concerning Kendon."

Sandstorm Cantina
Dim glowglobes light the sparse interior of this bar that serves the Carthag locals. The vibrating notes of a rebec's strings play throughout. Quiet conversations take place at the different tables. Curious, suspicious, spice-blue glances take in any strangers who enter the moisture seal. The yeasty, cinnamon aroma of baked spice biscuits competes with the telltale odor of stillsuit-reclaimed water.

You enter, Marcus, Rook, and Hural, and quietly find a table. Rook blends easily, his mannerisms and movements naturally mimicking the others. He knows that this is one of the places in Carthag that Fremen frequent, and are approachable in ways not available on the open street, or desert, where they are much more likely to be closed off to outsiders.

Rook sees Shadran Korr at a small table with a single other empty chair, reading a small, side-to-side rolling scroll.
How do each of you approach this encounter?

Marya's Information Network
There is in the note below one course of action, but otherwise, lead the way in scene building and I'll follow.

Rook allows his eyes to adjust to the dim light as he seeks and finds his contact and friend, Shadran, sitting alone. Seeing only one chair he felt it best if Marcus and Hural found another spot until Shadran was ready to include them. It was a mark of respect even if Rook was already sure that his friend wouldn't mind the the others.

He approached and bid hello, sitting down at Shadran's table. After the usual pleasantries and catching up, Rook got down to business.

"I'd like to meet with Kendon Ardway if you could arrange that and I am also curious if there have been any mutterings about Admago Bakhtiar and his house Bakhtiar?"

Marcus understood Rook's reasoning to talk to contact Shadran alone. He sat at a table so that he could keep an eye on them and survey the room for any potential trouble.

The contact looks up, and asks first, "You with them? Let's get a table, always nice to meet new people, especially ones that don't like like they smell." He heard Rook's questions and is considering, buying time to think it through.

Soon all four of you are at a table. "I can introduce you to him, that's easy. Bakhtiar is something else. They were hiring a few days ago, I can tell you that. Headknockers and kneebreakers."

Hural at first joins Marcus, then follows to sit with Shadran Korr. "The meeting is most appreciated," he says, "and in regards to House Bakhtiar, that info is useful. Have they done similar hiring in the past, that you know of from within your circles?"

Shadron fingers a small knife he is toying with, and looks at the mentat with some disbelief. Many haven't seen one of you, other than in vids. "Sure they do, yeah. Not unusual for a house to hire people to do their dirty work. It's lucrative work, much sought after, and people talk when they receive such fortune. This time, it was urgent and they paid handsomely. For enough solari, I could hunt them down, find out who took the job."

"How much is enough?" Hural asks, waiting to gauge the man's response.

He names a sum that is likely triple what you think the job would be worth. It's clear that you are a new element, and what kind of freelancer would he be if he didn't open a negotiation to his own advantage?

"I see," Hural says, thinking "Expediency warrants a higher sum, and for that we could offer half of what you're asking for, which is half again what the job is actually worth. We both know this. Would that be worth your time, Shadron Korr?"

Rook lets the negotiations play out with the only input from him being a raised eyebrow and questioning expression directed toward Shadron. A sort of nudge in their quiet parlance. The kind that the two have engaged in numerous times before.

Sandstorm Cantina
Shadron negotiates and it goes back and forth rapidly, before you settle on Hural's final offer of half of what he originally asked for. He agrees to communicate with Rook (who he already knows).

Shadron Korr agrees to make the introduction to Kendon Ordway, to look into the Bakhtiar mercenary hires, and report back to Rook within two days.


Marya

Marcus silently watched the negotiation between Hural and Shadron. The back and forth exchange of offers, counteroffers, feints, and reveals wasn't all that different from two swordsmen engaged in a duel. In his opinion, the mentat won this exchange.

Hural nods. "A pleasure doing business with you, Shadron. We will look forward to your report."

He looks to the others, "Do either of you have further questions for our friend?"

"I do not and I thank you, Shadran." Rook waits to see if Marcus has any questions.

"I do not."

What's the next scene? The intro to Ordway? Does Marya join you?

The Mouse Market
Much trade gets done in open air markets in Arrakis. Impromptu tented alleys, public squares lined with merchants on carpets, semi-permanent bazaars with stalls and awnings against the heat of the Arrakeen sun. Wherever there is space, the millions of residents of Carthag find a way to barter for the necessities of life.

It is in a warren beneath the Merchants district that you find the Mouse Market. A network of tunnels in the hard stone, reminiscent of a Fremen sietch no doubt, most passages narrow and dimly lit, it's is said that only a mouse could find it's way to the whole market. Despite the gloomy atmosphere, it's not an uncommon visit for the people of the Merchant district, which is to say that it's safe. Or safe enough, as long as you don't wander to far from the central tunnels.

No such luck for you. The location given to you by Shadron Korr to meet Kendeth Ordway is well away from safe zones. Not that you're afraid of what you might find down there, not the four of you.

How might you prepare for this clandestine meeting?

To prepare for the encounter, Marya taps into her informants network.

One of her informants, Gladys, is an old Carthag native. She has a coffee stall set up deep within the market, and hears a lot of the rumours and gossip that fly through the place. She is also well know by market regulars. Gladys became friendly with Marya after Marya started to frequent her stall - Marya's natural charm bringing her positive attention, and Marya's natural curiosity and interest in other people forming a welcome connection for both the women.

Marya asks Gladys whether there is anything in particular their group should be aware of, if they were to enter the region of the market where they are meeting Kendeth Ordway. Marya also asks whether Gladys has heard anything about a man called Kendeth Ordway.

Does Marcus know if House Heslin's Swordmaster is aware of this mission that our quartet has been tasked with?

Rook knows some of the Mouse Market of course for he has supplied several merchants with illicit goods. But the location where they are to meet Ordway is unknown to him. He's been in many of these narrow passageways, at least those leading to or from the more valuable stalls, and thus he is a familiar presence among some of the tradesmen.

In preparation, he makes sure the poison reservoir in his dagger is full and the dagger itself is razor sharp. If a throat needs to be slit, he wants it to be fast and lethal.

Hural polishes his steel and wraps himself in a cloak to better protect his features from wandering eyes. Otherwise, his mind remains sharp as always - his best weapon - and meets with the others to look for Ordway in the warrens.

He does make a stop with one of his contacts, a water supplier name Zarim Torna, with the intent of requisitioning a small bottle of fresh water - a bribe, or payment, should it be needed.

Marya passes on the information she got from her informant, Gladys.

The area they are heading into, to meet Ordway, is controlled by a secretive bunch of people – heavily armed, and quick to disappear if they want to.

Based on the conversation, Marya's best guess is that Ordway has chosen this location as a neutral place, and has hired the 'locals' who operate there as backup.

Marya plans to join the meeting mostly focused on watching for what Ordway might be leaving unsaid - to get some gauge of what he's thinking and feeling. She'll also be keeping a close eye out for potential allies and backup that might be trying to hide or blend into the background.

Oh, and she's ready with her blade too, if it comes down to that.

You gather in the tunnels, prepared for the wonder and horror that is Mouse Market. The directions you have make sense only to someone like Rook, who navigates the warren with unfailing comfort, while Hural verifies each turn with his remarkable memory. Marcus' senses indentify potential enemies throughout the journey, leaving him in edge. Marya maintains her composure knowing that many of the people they pass see them for representing unfathomable wealth and with corresponding suspicion.

When you get close, you get your emotions prepared, and enter a slender corridor, which twists several times then opens into an octagonal chamber with three other exits.

A man stands up from where he sat in the center, while four others loiter near the edges. Your familiarity with the dress and style of the day tells you the contact must be the man in the center and those around the edges members of the gang Gladys referred to only as "Rats".

The man takes you in, gulping at the presence that each of you command. "I'm Ken Ordway," he says, "and you must be Rook. And guests." He looks at one of the Rats briefly them faces Rook directly. "What can I do for you and hopemany solaris does it pay?"

Tensions rise.

"Mr. Ordway, we are pleased you agreed to meet us. We seek information and can pay reasonably for it."

He doesn't say much further at the moment, only focusing on the immediate reactions of those before them, and allowing someone with more skill with words to step in regarding their purpose of being here.

Ordway looks at you closely, and asks suspiciously, "How much?" He doesn't ask what you want to know, more concerned with a payday.

Rook whose eyes rarely missed anything had spotted the bottle of water that Hural had brought and knew that it could prove a valuable bribe in addition to any solaris. It would also speak to their group's connections.

"Yes, I am Rook and my guests are here seeking information that we hope you will provide for us. We are looking for a smugglers lair and will pay well if you can tell us what you know of their location. I'll defer to my colleagues for the question of payment."

Hural calculates a reasonable sum for the information provided and makes the offer.

Hural determines the exact amount that will leave Ordway satisfied but not ecstatic. After a moment, he tosses a smaller bag of solaris to one of the Rats who disappear into the tunnels.

"I'll do you one better," he says once his bodyguards are gone. "I'll fly you there myself. It's on Sihaya Ridge, but it's devilish hard to find if you don't know exactly where to look."

"I'm glad we could come to an agreement. If we work out a return trip, we could pay for that as well."

Hural looks to the others, "Are you ready to travel?"

Marcus gives a curt nod and answers, "Yes."

"I am, of course." Rook is pleased with the outcome of the meeting. Being taken directly to the location was a welcome surprise.

Marya watches and listens carefully to Ordway. She wants to assess whether or not Ordway was prepared for, expecting, that their job would be linked to the smugglers. And whether he seems to have any intentions - potentially harmful towards Marya and the others here from House Helsin - in addition to just ferrying them out to the smugglers lair.

Marya picks up that Ordway expected rich merchants and was prepared to defend himself if you attempted to snatch him. That is, he expected to be snatched and was surprised at the seemingly honest and fair offer.

The Rats on the other hand were more than prepared to jump you, steal your valuables, and hold you for ransom. In fact, given their looks when they left, that option might still be on the table.

Rook, no stranger to the ways of the underworld and their often treacherous dealings, lets his senses hover over the surroundings as the group makes their way along the narrow passages.

"I'd be happy to lead if all agree?"

"Be my guest," Marcus bows his head and gestures with an outstretched hand. "I'll take the rearguard."

Hural follows behind Rook. Trusting the man to know the way back, Hural instead pays close attention for anything upon their path that seems to differ from their approach - any signs of activity or subterfuge.

Collectively, you understand that you've wandered into unsafe territory, and further that the so called Rats are up to no good.

You gather yourselves and Sally forth. When they ambush you, you are ready.

Marya and Rook both sense the imminent attack. Hural notes that one of the stone walls you passed on the way in had moved just a fraction, as if it is a door unlocked.

Marcus, confident in his reflexes hangs back, his ears ready at any signs of pursuit, and pricking at a subtle scrape off shoe in stone.

---

Initiative in Dune is popcorn style. I chose who goes first, then after their action, someone from the other side goes next, and then switching sides. Spending 2 Threat or Momentum allows that order to be kept on the same side for one extra action, but at +1 Difficulty.

So Rook goes first

A wall opens and the Rats spill forth, guns ready to fire. They seek to kill or dispatch Rook and Marcus, and kidnap Marya and Hural for ransom.

---

There are eight Rats.
They have an Asset (home turf) giving them +1 Difficulty against attacks on them.
Momentum: 4
Threat: 4

Rook lunges at the nearest rat with his sharp blade slashing through the stale tunnel air.

Rook stabs one of the thugs and they go down, clutching their belly.

One of them attacks back at Rook. A PC is up next

Momentum: 4
Threat: 4

Marcus draws his sword and rushes forth, putting himself between the Rats and the people he's been charged to protect.

A Rat attempts to counter attack, firing a conventional gun at Marcus. His personal shield defeats the attack.

Marya or Hural is up next.

Momentum: 6
Threat: 4

Hural, quick and silent, draws his long-blade and steps in to swing at one of the other Rats, letting the one on Marcus remain focused on the man with his personal shield.

Another Rat goes down, and the momentum of the attack swings wildly the other way The Rats fire cover fire and flee.

Do you chase them?

"We should probably let them be," Rook suggests as he squints at the Rats fleeing. "There are many more from where they came from and killing another one or two won't do anything other than risking ourselves and our goals."

"Agreed," Marcus says and deactivates his shield. "When the rest learn about what happened here, they'll realize that we aren't simple marks."

Hural stares into the distance a moment after the Rats as they flee, then returns to the matter at hand. "Yes, following would not be the best strategy. They are not likely to a problem once we leave this place, and they are sufficiently cowed, I think, to try anything again right away. We best be on our way. Ordway?" He looks to the man, expecting him to lead them on toward their transport.

Ken Ordway picks himself up from the side on the tunnel where he was viewing from weapons fire, and dusts himself off. "This way, they won't attack in a crowd." He takes one of the poison-dart maula guns from the Rats bodies.You escape the warren into the Mouse Market proper, and only then does he say, "Wasted my Solaris on their protection, didn't I? Even if it was their teachery, I'll not be able to show myself in this market again. They'll silence me!" He wipes his brow nervously. "My ornithopter is parked outside."

Rook's eyes narrow as he sees Ordway take the pistol. He picks up a maula pistol, and a net. He has no need for a knife and doesn't ask the others if they mind him grabbing the items.

"Any of you object to Ordway having the pistol or perhaps one of you would take it for safekeeping? Same for the knife. A net could prove useful. Two even better."

Later once they are outside again he feels nothing for the man's whining and is only interested in getting safely away in the ornithopter..

"If we can't trust this man with a pistol, how could we trust him to help us complete our task?" He doesn't pick up any of the Rats' possessions.

Hural also picks up one of the maula pistols as well as a knife - it never hurt to have a backup weapon, particularly when they could be heading into a den of snakes.

"Lead us there, Ordway. Let's be free of this place."

Ken looks at the pistol, as if seeing it for the first time, registering how the ambush must have looked. "I didn't, I wasn't involved in that, but ... Here, take it. We're safe now anyway. I hope."

Outside, a few buildings have ornithopter pads on the rooves, and he leads you to one. Security lets him in, and you find your way to the roof by way of stairs

At the top, a quartet of fliers sit near the pad, and he leads you to the smallest one. "It's not a long flight, but we'll go in a roundabout way to keep out of view of sentries and patrol routes."

Marya, too, picks up some gear from the bodies of the rats - snagging herself a knife, a maula pistol, and synthetic rope net. The knife and pistol she attaches in their sheath and holster to a belt around her bodysuit - the net she packs away in her backpack.

As they approach the 'thopter, she allows herself a smile. She does so enjoy the feeling of flying around in these machines, of how the day-to-day challenges and dangers of this world seem to shrink in size and significance as you gaze down on them from above. She takes a seat up against one of the windows of the vehicle, the better to enjoy the view.

Rook doesn't answer the Mentat. The Spymaster trusted no one implicitly. As they walk toward the thopter he noticed Marya smile.

"It is a joy to fly, isn't it?" He wouldn't let on, but in his world full of treachery, betrayal, and deceit, soaring in the skies above it all felt like a renewal of sorts. A cleansing from the dirt below.

To Ordway he nods. "It's a good plan. No need to give anyone any excuse to stop us." Finding a seat, he settles in and prepares to enjoy the flight.

Hural quietly takes a seat on the ornithopter and scans the area outside the viewing window, waiting for them to lift off.

Marcus is the last to board, wanting to make sure no hostiles thwarted their departure.

The ornithopter powers up, and then launches itself into the air. The high speed vibration of the flier blades stores the air, and the unlikely craft wills itself into the hot desert air.

You fly west, crossing a vast expanse of city. The various districts contain a myriad of microcosms, from markets to mansions, hovels to hotels, factories to Fremen quarters.

Carthag sits upon a hard rocky outcropping, built so to protect itself from the passions of the great sandworms of Arrakis. As the ribbon of desert appears before you, then expands to take up the whole view from the windscreen, you wouldn't be blamed of your eyes scan the wastes for that most miraculous of miracles, wormsign.

Ordway flies the 'thopter lower, virtually skimming the wavy sands. Buzzing along, he cuts through a canyon of rock turning here and there, circling back and around until your thoroughly lost. Perhaps one of you is adept at remembering the route should you wish to retrace your "steps".

When he lands, you almost think that he's parking on a promitory, but the craft settles in a hidden grotto.

"We're here." He shuts down the power and folds the wings back along the tail. "Now, my fee please."

Hural unstraps himself from the seat and stands, pulling out a pouch of coin - pre-counted and exact - handing it over to the man. "A pleasure," he says with a nod.

He had paid close attention to their route and feels confident, if the need arose, he could navigate them back the way they came.

When the others are ready, he disembarks with them to take in the surroundings of their clandestine meetup.

Rook, sorry to see the flight end so soon, also unstraps the seat belt and watches Hural pay the pilot. Thanking him, he disembarks, staying alert, trusting his danger sense to alert them should a threat present itself.

Once payment is made, Marcus exits the thopther and looks around, keeping an eye out for a less than welcome greeting.

Marya feels good for the flight - she feels refreshed by the change of perspective, and the sense of action and dynamism that she gets from travelling in the 'thopter.

She disembarks, and turns to Ordway.

"Is there a way we could easily get back in touch with you while we're out here? In case, for example, we're looking for a quick exit?"

Ordway less you toward a wall, and then moves around it into a low trench. "We walk from here. Not across sand, but the way is hidden. I'll take you there, and wait for you to leave and lead you back "

You walk for twenty minutes before you find yourself in a low cave. Waiting ten minutes, then checking for a little in case you're followed he finds a concealed door in the cave and opens it, with a pneumatic hiss. Once you all pass through he closes it, and it seals tightly.

Glowlights illuminate the passage through the rock. It's been carved, regular and precise, and the bare rock shows striations of the various ores. Cracks, some big enough to fit your fingers in, mar the surface periodically. The passage slopes ever so slightly downward.

It is fifteen minutes later that you arrive at a open area. The passage overlooks another tunnel.

"They're in there. Last chance to turn back."

"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.

The Owl picks up on the subliminal clues, at least on a subconscious level, and offers to show you the operation. "Entertain our guests, while I demonstrate our capacity to the Lady." He'll lead Marya to the back.

The other two look at Ordway and Hural, then Marcus and Rook. They seem most comfortable with Rook, and one asks, "Which House did you say you represent?"

Marya walks out with The Owl, and continues her play of manipulation and seduction.

Once the two of them have moved out of sight, or attention, of the other smugglers, she flirts more strongly, allows herself to touch the Owl several times, holds herself and moves herself in ways she knows accentuate her attractiveness and allure. If The Owl responds to this by touching her back, by looking for a kiss or more, she shows him that she wants this, wants him, but not now because what would the other smugglers think...? But soon. She wants this very much.

She tries to use neurolinguistics - enhanced by The Voice - to plant several ideas in The Owl's mind i.e that he wants to:

1. spend more time with Marya, and for them to become lovers
2. make a deal with House Helsin on favourable terms for the House
3. subtly manage how he makes 1. and 2. happen to ally suspicion or distrust from the other smugglers

"We didn't say," Hural says plainly. "One thing at a time. Suffice to say, one with resources and a desire for great things. We think your group can help us achieve our goals, while you all get very wealthy in the process."

Rook was glad that Hural answered because he would not have been as diplomatic. Those skills were not his forte. He was more the sneaky intimidating kind. So all he did was nod his agreement as his eyes followed Marya and The Owl as they disappeared into the shadows. He kept his smirk to himself.

For a moment, Marcus was concerned about Marya heading off alone with the smuggler chief, but then he realized that this was all part of the negotiation process.

When the other smugglers inquired about their house, Marcus wondered what Rook would say, but Hural answered for him. Marcus had expected that to happen. He learned quickly to trust the mentat to handle the verbal battlefield.

Momentum: 8
Threat: 4

The two left with Hural, Marcus, and Rook will chat only reluctantly.

"What do you have in mind for us to obtain for you, or are you more interested in moving goods offworld? What kind of volume?"

They are curious what sorts of product you want to move, but will respond to attempts at being vague with silence. They're not good at the guessing game, and are likely worried about giving away too many trade secrets.

"Tell me," Hural says, "what experience do you have in trafficking melange?" His face remains stoic, watching them carefully for their response.

Rook's fingers tingle in readiness in case he would need to draw one of his weapons. The spice was a touchy subject, but it did need to be broached. He looked carefully at the men, trying to assess their reactions and whether they would be true.

Marya and The Owl
Your seduction goes well, in that he's putty in your hands. The subtle promises of touch and glance have him confused and off guard. Coupled with his thought that he's seducing you, gaining a powerful ally within a wealthy faction, leave him with an unexpected sense of control in the situation.

"We would like to work with you, and we both know that there are many benefits to our ... partnership. I can convince the others that we can offer you a reduced price for the first little while, proving the relationship, and expecting that volume will increase once we both have established trust and processes."

---

Hural, Marcus, Rook, Ordway, and the Lieutenants
They freeze at the mention of spice, but not wanting to give away too much, the talker says, "We have trafficked raw melange. We had a brief contract with a smuggler who had access to raw spice. It was a lot to move, as it is mostly sand, and we're not set up like carryalls. If you could even partially refine it, then we would be able to move a fortune's worth."

Spice is normally traded by the gram, or for the great houses, perhaps a decagram, rather than the ton. They say that one briefcase of refined spice would be enough to purchase a planet.

Hural silently nods. "And if this were a possibility, would you be able to mask those activities while also focusing on other goods. That is, is your operation dexterous enough to handle both high-volume discrete trafficking of goods, while also managing something far more subtle and contentious?"

"That went well," thinks Marya to herself. "He thinks he's in charge, that he's the one who has seduced me, and is flexing his social influence to impress me. And thus aligning his interests with mine, and with those of House Helsin. As long as I play this carefully, he could be invaluable as we work to realise Sina's ambitions."

"I'll meet him again soon, take him to my bed, and imprint him with deeper stronger compulsions to work with us, to help us."


Marya is led back to the others by The Owl. She leaves him to take the lead, it's important for him to continue to see and feel that he is in control.

Rook wonders what Hural knows about transporting large quantities of sand to a refinery. His eyebrows wing up at the possibilities as he eagerly awaits what the Lieutenants have to say in answer.

Marya and The OwlMarya follows the Owl and returns to find Hural grilling an increasingly uncomfortable underling.

Hural, Marcus, Rook, Ordway, and the Lieutenants
"High volume? What are we talking? Specifically? To be honest, I don't know that we could move more than a tonne of goods at a time. We're more interested in high value smaller items, spice being the perfect example of that, although art works, weapons, and high tech machines have been our best profits "

Up until now some of Rook's most lucrative items had been artwork. He found himself wondering who these smugglers were delivering the artwork to and where they were getting it from but he didn't want to derail the current conversation so he stuck this knowledge in the back of his head for later. These smugglers were obviously very good at what they do for him not to have heard of them. Again he left the details for someone more experienced in the art of negotiations for fear that he would reveal too much, or annoy the smugglers and scuttle any deal entirely.

"Our benefactor wishes to grow a market, one to rival the Arrakeen Emporium." He studies the men's faces a moment, then adds, "Our resources would of course help grow your operation to account for a larger movement of goods. It is your expertise and connections that will be most valuable, I believe, in making this a success."

The Owl, having returned with Marya from their secret negotiations, says, "I understand. Our network is fairly wide ranging. The bottleneck that we would impose is on the illicit items, those forbidden by the Harkonnen," (or imperial law, he does not say) "but an open air market would require a great deal of more shall we say, routine items. To the extent that we don't need to smuggle items under the eyes of the Guild, CHOAM, and the tyrants ruling Arrakis, then we should have no problems scaling up."

The other two look at him, somewhat incredulous, and he adds, "These additional legitimate operations will give us cover for our more profitable ventures." They nod, then, seeing the plan unfold.

Rook sees obvious advantages here for his own cause. Growing the legitimate front will surely help garner even more connections and more smuggling opportunities, opening new avenues to new products and even additional smuggling routes. The legitimate items could even have the contraband hidden within.

"That sounds like a satisfactory situation then."

Satisfied, Hural looks to the others, "I think this arrangement will be fruitful for us all. Perhaps give me a moment to consider what would be appropriate to divulge, given the circumstances."

This meeting has gone well for House Heslin - each member of this team leaning into their strengths, positioning the House well to move forward with Sina's ambitions.

"Yes, it sounds like we have an excellent basis here for joint enterprise between our organisations."

"For the next moves, we will compile a list of goods we want to acquire to enable us to establish the market and communicate that to you in the near future. Together with a proposal on how we would exchange goods, and payments, and other logistical aspects of the operation."

"This would be best communicated in person, to help keep our plans from prying eyes. Take this address of a safe-house, we could meet there in two days time if that works for you - although take care to make sure you are not followed. I will attend that meeting, and will be watching the location. I will see when you arrive, and will join you shortly afterwards."

With this proposal, Marya is probing the smugglers, in particular The Owl, for their readiness to agree with their proposals and plans. With it, she also is trying to set up an opportunity for The Owl and Marya to meet again soon, somewhere more private. She hopes that her smitten admirer will be eager for such an opportunity.

Hural's mind proceeds, running through the scenarios and calculating their reactions, estimating their unknown allies, and plotting the course of possible involved third parties.

The first part is difficult. Revealing too much will spook them. They're small operators, but effective. You start bandying words like Emperor, landsraat, or Jyhad and they'll be as likely to stick around just long enough for one big score and then disappear.

The second worry, about loyalty, is easier. Their entire operation works on trust and loyalty. Be true to the agreement and they'll do everything they can to protect you.

Momentum: 4
Threat: 4

After a long moment of consideration, Hural speaks again, "Our benefactor and your potential partner is Sina Helsin. The larger operation she wishes your assistance for, is to build up a Grand Market in Carthag. We have also come into a method of obtaining refined melange, which we would desire your assistance in discreetly removing from Arrakis. I believe, knowing this, you will understand what we are asking of you. We of course would provide appropriate compensation and the means to grow your operation so as to support our own, while you retain control of your methods and processes. If anything further is asked, it will be as a negotiation, not as assumed requirement. This is our commitment, should you agree."

Marcus watches the smugglers' reactions as they hear Hural's explanation.

Rook also keys into the smugglers' reactions and is ever ready to react with his knife. The topic of melange had a tendency to create quite a stir.

They're nervous and excited. Spice is dangerous and expensive, so both the risks and rewards are astronomical. Working with a royal house though, no matter how small, offers the illusion of political protection

The Owl, with a look at the others, says, "You know how to contact Ordway, and he's our main source of the transport of goods. I'll be in the city more often," he looks a little at Marya involuntarily," and I'll make sure that we can remain in contact. From our perspective, we have an accord. We can work out the money later, once we get the operation going. Agreed?"

Hural nods, but glances to the others, particularly Marya. Once he sees agreement on their faces he looks back to The Owl, "Agreed."

"That went even better than we hoped." thinks Marya to herself.

"We're a formidable team here. It feels good to be working with these three, to be able to rely on each other."

As they are leaving, Marya makes sure she gets a chance to talk a few words with The Owl...

"Now you know who we are, and where we are, I want to meet you again. Soon. Very soon. Send word. Please. I will be waiting to hear from you."

She grasps The Owl's hand, grips it insistently, makes eye contact with him, smiles, and then moves back to join her colleagues.

Seems like a good place to end the scene. Where to next? I'll offer that Sina Heslin likely has ideas on what to investigate next, if you're blanking on a next move.