[quote=@Tatterdemalion]
[b]Lucien![/b]

Well, isn’t this a merry farce? You and the clown go one way, everyone else goes the other. At least this way you’ve got time to chat, and a clear shot at its nigh-impenetrable back, if you had a clever plan.
[/quote]

"If". The plan was the time to chat - Professor Pagliacci seems to have been a lot more successful dealing with the Flood until now, and Lucien would like to keep him as an ally in spite of Ailee's best efforts. Let's do our best to keep this fight 5 on 1, not 4 on 2. 

Also?

[quote]Oh god. You’re getting recruited for a cult. By a clown.[/quote]

Words cannot express how much I wish to subscribe to this man's newsletter. I am [i]all about[/i] that deep clown lore. Probably not going to join, but Lucien's not lying when he promises to be a very enthusiastic listener. 

[Speak Softly - 5, 3, +2 = 10] 
[What can they tell me about killing the Wreck, what should I be wary of when dealing with them, What do they want, and how can we help them get it?]
[Fast Friends, emphasis on "Fast" - I gain a Bond with them. Now, no matter how much the rest of the Fellowship antagonizes him, [i]we're[/i] buddies. Aren't we? Of course we are.]

Lucien smiles, this one takes a lot less effort on his part. He grips the hand on his shoulder and gives it a friendly, reassuring squeeze with his own soggy-sock-gloved one - the one not holding the pistol, at least. His words have a laminar flow to them - smooth, clear, hypnotic. Polite pauses that [i]just[/i] aren't long enough for the other speaker to get a word in, but imply they could have.  

"I'm considering my mortality [i]right now[/i]. Awful stuff. But enough about me! A clown collegiate! Wonderful! Becoming a clown doesn't seem like an impulsive decision; Hardly an idea you just get in your head while you wait for the kettle to boil, is it? I'm sure you have some interesting reasons I'd love hearing all about. Fascinating ones." 

An awkward clearing of the throat, a very apologetic glance towards the Wreck. "It's a bit loud to talk properly though, isn't it? Should probably fix that. And you're obviously here for your own reasons, I'm sure; I promise we'll help you however we can once this is sorted out. At the very least, I'll stop Ailee from getting in your way. I hope. I am an honest man; I can only promise my best, on that one."

Dreadfully rude to interrupt a conversation to go kill a horrific zombie crab artillery bunker, but needs must I suppose. "What's our clever plan?"