The characterizations ring true, even the twin mirages (and I liked how Napoleon argues with them even knowing they are hallucinations.) This would have made a fine episode, a little like "Deadly Quest," which pared down to brass tacks NS and IK's friendship, a theme that underscores many of their missions. You use evocative turns of the phrase, so that you could almost feel the heat of the sun and the thirst. I had been complaining there is nothing long and satisfying anymore--in MFU fic--what did you think I meant? Thank you for this. It's excellent and I'm a sucker for HC too!