Bomilcar, curious about exploring a bit, hitches a ride out to the shield wall with anyone else interested. Familiarizing with the landscape was an important part of how he operated whenever he was out with one of his siblings. He was quiet and observant as he rode along towards the destination, in his stillsuit, not knowing what to expect.

[Stillsuit on]

The quiet fremen girl was in her element here: Far more then in the city. She could wear her gear outwardly here...well most of it anyway.

Her step was certain and footing secure as she prepared to guide the outworlders to the shield wall.

Edwell would join the expedition around the Shield Wall. He enjoyed the company of the stoic Bomilcar. Most people lied when they opened their mouths, so Edwell could appreciate someone who was sparse in their words.

OOC: 0 threat thread for Day 3. Wearing stillsuit and robes.

[Is it an overflight or do you land somewhere and go on foot?]

[Land and go on foot]

[Then Discipline (Stealth) 2 to ensure that you've camouflaged the thopter well. This is the only way you could have got there, this being c. 5km above sand level. Was there any particular fluff reason why you've landed in this place and not another? Ahmina's guidance?]

Bomilcar attempts to cover up the Thopter but it is still relatively exposed.

--

D3 LA, hiding thopter, Discipline + Duty, TN 15, +1 Threat buying d20: 3#1d20 17 12 17

Failed, +1 threat

Ooc: it was a suggested possible action, so becoming familiar with our new area

Bomilcar Thorvald wrote: ↑

Sat Aug 28, 2021 8:52 pm

Bomilcar attempts to cover up the Thopter but it is still relatively exposed.

--

D3 LA, hiding thopter, Discipline + Duty, TN 15, +1 Threat buying d20: 3#1d20 17 12 17

Failed, +1 threat

Ooc: it was a suggested possible action, so becoming familiar with our new area

[It'd be natural to get this assisted.]

They landed on the desert-side of the mountain, and the air started tasting different. Drier, yet more pure, with a distinct taste of ozone even if it felt thinner at these heights. What was opening before them was a semi-plateau, flat enough not to be called a ridge, but still peppered with sharp features. Somewhere ahead, the ochre horizon was cutting the sky off even as it seemed to be descending; the desert wasn't seen at the angle, but the vibrating heat was blurring edges as far as their eyes could reach. The area was haunting and wild, unspoilt by the Harkonnen.

Ahmina would know she was not far from home. She could tell which distant outcropping meant the path to Sietch Tabr, which to Tuono Basin and the Cave of Ridges, and which to the Bight of the Cliff. They were in Fremen land, and they could meet Fremen. She was rather confident that someone had already spotted their thopter, there were outposts at this plateau to warn of Harkonnen advances. Thing was, some of her kin may shoot before asking questions given the realities of Mudir Nahya's onslaught, and some still weren't likely to offer them any countenance even if they saw Ahmina in the group. Ichwan Bedwine was an important ethos, but despite Liet's calls for truce between tribes the primal loyalties to one's tribe and tribe only were often gaining the upper hand. She could only feel moderately comfortable if it were Stilgar's men who had spotted them first. Well, perhaps except Jamis. He wanted to prove himself, hard.

''This is not the city'' Ahmina told the off-worlders as a warning ''The desert belongs to no one...no matter how much the Griffin people try to beat it down.''

She looked at the horizon briefly

''If we encounter Fremen...do not engage in threats or hostilities. I will try to talk to them...this is the only way.''

She tried to help camouflage the thopter but was unfamiliar with the vehicle

assist the camouflage-discipline/duty (survival) tn 12 crit 6: 1d20 19

Bomilcar nodded his understanding to Ahmina. He didn't do threats usually. Just natural posturing when in protective mode. He often found that a blade to the chest did much better at ending conflict than the threat of a blade to the chest anyway.

On closer look, rocks around here carried signs of a former skirmish, probably some time ago. A glassed pan in the ground from a lasgun, chipped rocks. They seemed to be in an area constituting some kind of a frontier, at least occasionally.

Edwell observes the scene of battle and turns to Ahmina, "Is this where your people have been fighting with the Harkonnens? They must be very resourceful to cause such a disturbance. I hear their efforts to sabotage spice production is quite effective, or at least that's what the Harkonnens like us to think. It's hard to imagine so few people struggling so hard to live day to day in this type of environment could put up so much opposition to a force like the Harkonnen military. Sounds more like an excuse to me."

Bomilcar nodded his agreement with Edwells assessment.

''The Harkonnen says a lot of things. It is up to you, sahid, to filter truth from lies'' she simply replied, striding forward and keeping an eye out both for signs of trouble and hiding spots

Ahmina was a natural in this environment, making the others difficult to keep up. Howling wind and scorching sun seemed to be their own other companions, though with those manifold hiding places around one couldn't be sure. The mirage in the hot air started showing them some reflections of the the desert ahead even as it was at least a couple of miles beneath the plateau. Perhaps there were descents closer to the ridge though.

A single bird circled around them. Or was it around them?

Bomilcar continues on with the others. It was certainly a different environment, but he was also no slouch when it came to resisting a hostile environment.

Ahmina stopped to observe the bird for a moment...but not too long.

Movement was essential

[2 Threat: Confusing Landscape, Fremen trait cancels it.]

[Discipline 2+1 (Confusing Landscape) for danger detection. Communicate 2 for discreet sharing of the awareness, if acquired.]

Edwell dutifully followed Bomilcar and Ahmina, observing their surroundings, trying to make sense of why this would be the location of a firefight. What secrets did this mountain hold?
-----
LM3, Danger Will Robinson, Discipline5 + Duty 6, TN 11: 2#1d20 7 3
Failed 2 successes (don't think any of my foci would count, deceit, data analysis, deductive reasoning?)

This was normal life for Ahmina. Even if fortune was against her, training kicked in bolstered by her holy cause.

Desert recon, Threat for an extra dice. Discipline 6 (survival)+Faith 8 l: 3#1d20 4 15 18

Bomilcar was unable to get a read on the situation very well with the lay of the land being what it was. His sense for danger may be keen, but when you don't know where to look at all, it doesn't matter much.

D3 LM, Discipline + Duty, Bodyguard, Confusing Landscape, TN 15, Difficulty 2: 2#1d20 19 14
1 success, failed

They were watched, and it were not Stilgar's men, this much Ahmina could say. They were at all sides at this point, silently corralling the trio.

[Bomilcar gets an Advancement Point.]

Hunters and prey. It's an old game and one she knows too...at this point she was certain that if they continued as if nothing happens the ambushers might act faster. If they stopped now, however, it could give the corralling force pause.

Better getting the initiative and keep them off-balance if hostile.

Thus she slowed her pace to let the other two catch up before whispering ''Keep quiet and keep your back together.''

She then took one more step and yelled out to the ambushers

''Come out, we know you are there''

Bom put his back to Edwell, left arm touching left arm but with a bit more space on the right. He kept his hand free of, but within quick draw range of his blade. He also made sure that that right side gap between Edwell and himself was facing towards Ahmina's back.

He had no compunctions about taking Edwell by the arm to make sure he's in a good position, and is protecting Ahmina's back just as readily as Edwells.

"Good that you know that. For a moment we thought you a badigh as well." The voice came from behind one of the rocks. It was deep and melodic. An unfamiliar one, but decidedly Fremen.

Badigh was a type of desert melon that was easy to pick. It was a moniker Fremen gave to people who'd give out their water to virtually anyone by being inept.