Team Thot’s solution/story at Helm’s Deep.
First, a presenting the team:
Robot: Nomad (From Star Trek). Disintegrate beam. Mind wipe beam. A little crazed in the head. Weakness: Kirk can talk it into blowing itself up.
Scientist: Topher Brink from Dollhouse. A little quirky, and maybe a little specialized, but he can come up with some amazing stuff.
Warrior: Duncan Idaho (from Dune): Swordmaster of House Atriedes, Graduate of the Swordmaster School of Ginaz (the known universes most ultimate warriors).
Alien: Sarek of Vulcan. The most skilled and reknown diplomat of his era. His patience and his logic can solve more problems than a fleet of starships ever could. Served in the Vulcan Sciene Academy for many decades before becoming an ambassador.
And, now to our story.
“It is an army bred for a single purpose: to destroy the world of men. They will be here by nightfall.”
The memory of those words, spoken by Aragorn earlier that day, rang in King Théoden’s mind as he stared, grim-face out over the sheer walls of Helm’s Deep. The King felt little hope in his heart. And it was a struggle to maintain, as best he could, an outward appearance of confidence. “Still”, Théoden thought to himself, “We have had at least some good fortune.” Aragorn’s return from certain death and the arrival of Haldir and his Elven fighters were both fortunes unlooked for. A few more strokes of luck like those, and we may just survive this, though Théoden.
As if in answer, his guards came forward escorting two men, an old-looking elf—all strangely garbed—and an odd metal device that floated eerily three or four feet above the ground.
“What is this, Hamling! Who are these folk? I’m in no mood for games!!”, bellowed Théoden.
“My lord, they arrived at the gate and they claim their fates are aligned with ours. They are here to help us, they say.”
Sarek raised his hand in the traditional Vulcan salute and greeted the King. “My name Sarek of Vulcan. My companions are Duncan Idaho and Topher Brink. And our robot is called Nomad. Were are at your service.”
“What is your purpose here?!” Demanded King Théoden impatiently.
“We are from….a distant land …and have come here to aid you in the defense of your people,” replied Sarek.
Aragorn, Gimli and Legolas came over to see who these new strangers were. Aragorn, per habit, began looking them over, judging their usefulness in the coming battle. His eyes fell first on the one wearing the green cape and hawk-insignia. Something about that one’s demeanor screamed warrior.
Legolas looked at Sarek with curiosity “Are you of the Cirdan’s people: The Elves of Grey Havens? I do not recognize you, though you have the aspect of an Elven Lord.”
“A quite logical assumption, but no.” answered Sarek graciously. “My people are known as Vulcans, although we do share some similarities with your race.”
Aragorn eyed Duncan carefully. “You have some skill with a blade?” asked Aragorn.
“I do,” answered Duncan with a glint in his eye. “Many types of blades. Swords, knives, rapiers, sabers. The crysknife, the gom jabbar…”
“Good. We can use …” said Aragorn.
“….Maula pistols,” interrupted Duncan, “… hunter-seekers, all types of poisons—Chaumas and Chaumurky, and bare handed of course. I’m also a universally renowned expert all forms for strategic and tactical combat. I was trained at the Ginaz School of Swordmasters, and have served as the Swordmaster to House Atreides where I’ve learned from among the best warfighter minds including Thufir Hawat, Gurney Hallack and of course, Duke Leto Atreides himself.”
“Let’s see.” Aragorn replied, starting to get slightly annoyed. Aragorn pulled out his sword, intending to hand it over for the stranger to show what he could do. But before the Ranger’s sword was part-way out, Duncan in one lightning fast moved grabbed nearby Hamling’s sword and with a dive roll was instantly standing beside Aragorn. Duncan wasted no time. The instant Aragorn’s sword cleared its sheath, the sword Duncan held came crashing down on Aragorn’s blade knocking to the ground. Aragorn reacted quickly sending his other fist hurtling toward Idaho’s face. But Duncan was faster. He easily sidestepped Aragorn’s fist, and then grabbing hold of it twisted Aragorn’s whole arm around and backward. forcing the Ranger off his feet. Duncan held his blade against the prone Aragorn just long enough to prove the point. And then withdrew, handing the sword back to Hamling.
“Forgive me,” Duncan said reaching out his and to help Aragorn off the ground. “My fighting techniques are centuries more evolved than yours. I simply wished to prove my skills to you.”
“And so you have, Swordmaster Duncan,” Aragorn replied with a grin.
“Get this man a sword and some armor,” said Théoden looking pleased.
Turning toward the King, Duncan said. “Thank you, King Théoden. But first, we need to discuss strategy. As I said, I’m a master strategist. How many attacking forces are you expecting?”
Aragorn stepped forward with an answer: “I saw the advancing enemy myself this morning. All Isengard is emptied. Ten thousand strong at least. More than 10,000 orcs.”
Duncan Idaho was not only a master strategist, but when resurrect as a ghola by the Tleilaxu, he was given the abilities of a Mentat—a computer-like mind capable of sophisticated calculations and analysis. He glanced quickly around the at the troops and defense, assessing their strength instantly.
Just then, Duncan’s face became trance-like for a no more than 10 seconds as used his Mentat skills to calculate their situation in his head.
“Mentat calculation complete.” said Duncan coming out of the short trance. “I calculate that you will lose this siege after approximately 2 hours of fighting. You will experience 94 percent causalities and the survivors will be enslaved. The enemy will experience significantly more deaths, but those will be negligible compared to their overwhelming numerical advantage. If your nephew Eomer were to return with his horseman, the odds would improve but that’s a variable we can’t predict nor depend on.”
“King Théoden, you made an error making your stand here” Duncan continued ”It would have been wiser to fight a guerilla-type defense involving hit and run attacks using your men on horseback as a tactical advantage. Here you are forced to fight a siege defense against superior numbers. You will be defeated.”
Théoden simply stared back, mouth open in shock. He wasn’t used to being spoken too in such a way.
Aragorn, sensing the King’s weakening spirit said “King Théoden, heed not these words of woe from this stranger. I promised Gandalf that the defenses will hold and hold them I shall.”
COUNTINED IN THE NEXT POST
