Hastrog and Big Dode conferred, as well as they could without a common language, about what they should do. Each had rescued the other and trust had been established. Dode pointed off in the direction he had intended to go, after the captured villagers in a pursuit growing less enthusiastic every day. Hastrog looked one way, then another, as if weighing options, then shrugged and pointed the same direction.
They set off and soon rejoined the path. This was clearly marked by the passage of the caravan of prisoners - waste, the occasional discarded item, and once an emaciated dead body. Hastrog had no provisions with him at all. Dode shared his dwindling supply of dried meat, which Hastrog ate with distaste and a more dainty method of eating than his snout and tushes had suggested to Dode. Water was more of a problem and after a couple of days became a serious one. Despite rationing themselves very strictly Dode's supply, held in a couple of colourful flasks of a strong ancient material, gave out and within another two days they were in some distress.
The next morning, however, Hastrog awoke and raised his nose to the air, snuffling loudly. He pointed eagerly and mimed drinking and with little delay they set off. Before noon they crested a low ridge and Hastrog dropped to the ground, waving Dode to do the same. Crawling forward Dode saw a ramshackle hut and close by it the winding gear of a well. The ground around the well was covered with lush grass and even flowers. However to Dode's alarm he saw that they were not alone. Crawling awkwardly along the ground on four of its six legs was a large creature which Dode recognised as what the villagers called a Dune Bug - a fierce, blind, jumping predator native of the dry wastes. It was evidently searching for water and could smell it but was baffled by the well and therefore furious.
Dune bug
Quality 3+ Combat 3
Super-leap, Heavy armour
64 points
Big Dode
Quality 3+ Combat 2
Crossbow, Opportunistic
Points 34
Hastrog
Quality 4+ Combat 3
Humanoid, Laser Gun, Slow
Points 33
(He is usually Quality 4+ Combat 3 Points 41 Humanoid, Laser Gun)
The bug twists in mid-air to avoid Dode's upthrust blade. It lands heavily and Hastrog steps forward to bury his axe in its head.
