>>6006271" Wheats don't seem the type to aggravate their own business model - not a lot of call of farmwork if the world is all dry and parched. Also, I hear rumours they face enhanced regulation these days - there was some tenous links between them and a group of bandits operating out in the northwest. They wouldn't dare rock the boat further, I think. So collusion is out. Commercial corruption? Let's rate that a solid maybe. Good business, if the teamsters pay for storage and then the Legion in Windchime pay for delivery. We'll have to find out.
I think I can solve this problem, Sir, but first, I need you to punch me "
One of the pathfinders, after having been fished out of a tree and decidedly amused he won their impromptu hide and seek competition, offers the prior. The Cerco Chemhound glance around, awkwardly. He insists. One of them politely asks if he means like, punch-punch or *punch* and, ever the exemplar of daring, Pathfinder Regini says give it your best shot.
Fifteen minutes later he can mostly walk again. Ostomo signs off on his fitness, fairly confident he does not have a concussion. Regini throws some dirt in his face, scruff his hair and wobbles towards the distant checkpoint.The Cerco troops try not to look too embarassed. Listen, they eat a lot of mass bulk supplement, it's not striking an authority figure if they invite you to do so. Right? We're not getting written up for this, right, sir?
It takes a while. Hard to know what he's doing down there. Lutatius can about inch closer among the grass and the dust, but the troops are spread out in the available cover and the distance grows long. A few travellers make their way through the point. Time ticks by.
Finally, Regini returns, whistling, now supported by the clack-clack-clack of a walking staff.
" That lot down there? I don't know who they are, but Cesteriphon they're not. I told them my horse had thrown me off and could they help with my cart, it was up the road a few ways. They were interested when they thought it was arrows and blades. I told nah, just bellpeppers. They told me to void off. "
He grins. Waits for someone to get it. One of the Cerco offer to punch him again, if that would speed this up?
" Bellpeppers are grown further north. Any Wheatie would know that. Also, they have rider's rash " Regini continues, jabbing at his neck. Long duration recon in 309-E's can chafe. It's why scarves are a Legion outrider fashion statement, it offers some fabric between your neck and the constant sandpaper of the cuirass meant to protect it.
" Wear the Cesteriphon uniforms, try to hide it, but there's also too many of them. About twenty. Checkpoint needs six, so any consultant would have downsized that lot to save costs.
Way I see it, Sir, what's meant to happen here is we roll up to the checkpoint, they make a fuss over our papers, and whatever friends they have hidden somewhere nearby come charging down on us while they hide out in their barricades. "
