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  1. In Memory of LAJ_FETT: Please share your remembrances and condolences HERE

NSWRPF Archive D U N E - Chronicles of the Imperium

Discussion in 'Non-Star Wars Role Playing Archive' started by BobaMatt, Nov 10, 2008.

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  1. BobaMatt

    BobaMatt TFN EU Staff star 7 VIP

    Registered:
    Aug 19, 2002
    OOC: Anybody interested in taking on another character? Inquire by PM...

    IC: Thomas von Wallach

    Thomas fought to hold in his sigh of relief. When he was fairly sure it was contained, he grinned, and inclined his head politely. "But of course, good doctor. We wouldn't want the Baron disappointed in us, or worse. I reckon he'll be in a bad enough mood already. Good night, Dr. Robesper!"

    And then he was off, without giving the doctor much of a chance to respond, whipping past the man and being sure to transfer the death's head mask he wore to the front of his body, hidden from any backwards glances. He spoke without turning his head to see his brother. "Nice, considering. Now to get a car and lose the escort. Best you could do on such short notice, I suppose. Could be fun."


    TAG: Jabba_Wocky, ramza
     
  2. Jedimarine

    Jedimarine Force Ghost star 5

    Registered:
    Feb 13, 2001
    IC: Heinweir Stalas

    Heinweir took a second to register the colors of the spirits bottles, the light of Kaitain poored through a small porthole and made a twisting kaleidoscope of alcoholic delight dance along the floor to the interior wall. He quickly ran the numbers on how to redistribute the contents to cast some eye pleasing geometric shapes on the wall. He also knew his 3 seconds of silence would rattle Milo's nerves to the buds.

    "So we've been playing a game on the Harkonnen while they've been playing a game on the Atreides, is it? Surely even that drooling primate Rabban could find something in his new sandbox if he was asked. Whatever it is, it must be pretty blatantly 'sensitive', otherwise those rodents wouldn't know what they have!"

    Heinweir reached out for a bottle of a reddish liquor, lifting Milo's hope that he would indulge and ease the battle for control of this conversation. But Heinweir merely turned the bottle on it's corner, casting a brilliant maroon shimmer down the wall, and across Milo's right shoulder.

    Milo shuffled to the porthole and stared out at Kaitain rushing past.

    "so am I collecting this 'sensitive' information, or am I forgetting it for all the known universe?"

    For the first time since he arrived, he thought he and Milo might smile together.

    TAG: BobaMatt
     
  3. Saintheart

    Saintheart Jedi Grand Master star 6

    Registered:
    Dec 16, 2000
    DM OOG: My apologies to all. As Morpheus would say, it has become increasingly difficult to find a secure broadcast location... :D

    Baron Vladimir Harkonnen

    The Baron was careful to reveal nothing of his discomfiture. He should not have been surprised that Hawat would attempt to turn the blame for this idea upon Feyd; on the other hand, the boy's prideful response had an opening available to it.

    He turned his attention to Feyd, fixing an angry gaze on the boy. "You are the na-Baron of this House. A mentat is a tool. An implement. A mentat does not decide. He advises the available courses and leaves it to others to make the choice. Thufir knows this, as should you. Else mentats would be running the Landsraad, eh, Thufir?"

    Without waiting for a response, he stretched his fat lips in a humourless smile, his basso voice rumbling with sarcasm. "I've no doubt about your abilities in the ring, my boy. But there are rings within rings in this Imperium of ours, eh? Tell me, Feyd, did you consider what the impression to be left here is? We are on Kaitain. The Emperor's own world. Presumably it did not escape your tutors' lessons that the Emperor's house is Corrino? That the Sardaukar are the armed forces of Corrino? What, pray, is the Emperor to make of the na-Baron of my House killing one of the Emperor's own soldiers?"

    His nostrils flared. "Or perhaps it becomes known that this Sardaukar is at less than his best fighting strength, eh? How will that be seen to the spectators? That my House thinks Corrino is drug-dazed all the time? Or let us say there is an error in your footing. You know such things happen from time to time. Even the best mentats," he spat with a look at Hawat, "recognise an error factor in their calculations. What image would you leave then? You, defeated, a House of the Landsraad, with the Emperor's Sardaukar standing over you. If you think anyone's unaware of or forgotten Arrakis, you're a helldamned fool. Whichever way you take this you'll profoundly embarrass the Emperor or me or both of us. I've no maneuvering room for such foolishness, especially with the Wallachs skulking about no doubt plotting murder. Make what excuses you will, but you'll not fight a Sardaukar this day."

    TAG: Mister_Master, BobaMatt




    [b][color=purple]Sammel the Naib, Sietch Ma'kkah[/b][/color]

    [i]Mm.[/i] Sammel wasn't surprised that request would come up. The Naib was quick to respond, raising his voice for the listeners in the nooks to hear: "The proof required is known; it is not for me to specify circles for the hopping mouse to leap through. The prophecy will be fulfilled whether I request the proof or not. For myself, I will not accept him as Lisan al-Gaib unless and until the Lisan al-Gaib shows himself here and speaks truth to me how he intends not to destroy us along with destroying the Harkonnens."

    Sammel waited for a response from the man.

    [b]TAG: BobaMatt, Darth_Sadis, Ktala[/b]

    [hr]

    [color=purple][b]IC: Abidal Khazad, Arrakeen, Arrakis[/b][/color]

    The Fremen nodded in satisfaction. This outworlder, at least, kept to his word; Abidal had been in several meetings with the waterfat offworlder and he had come up to waterlevel, as his people said.
    "What price have you placed on your ... difficulties?" he asked with a thin smile. It always came down to this. Spice; always the spice. That was all that interested such men on this world. Abidal kept the sudden foul taste out of the back of his throat.

    [b]TAG: The_Loyal_Imperial, BobaMatt[/b]
     
  4. Ktala

    Ktala Force Ghost star 6

    Registered:
    Sep 7, 2002
    Denayade' Tus
    Sietch Ma?kkah, Arrakis

    As Denayde' listened, she heard the Naib's response.

    "The proof required is known; it is not for me to specify circles for the hopping mouse to leap through. The prophecy will be fulfilled whether I request the proof or not. For myself, I will not accept him as Lisan al-Gaib unless and until the Lisan al-Gaib shows himself here and speaks truth to me how he intends not to destroy us along with destroying the Harkonnens."

    As he waited for the new comer to respond, Denayde' decided it was time to pass along the info she had heard so far.

    Moving silently, and avoiding in others that she knew were hidden within the walls, she headed for the area where the Reverend Mother and others would be. As she walked walk slowly and silently through the caverns, she began to think about what the outsider had spoken of.

    There was much to learn in his words indeed.



    TAG: BobaMatt, Darth_Sadis, umm..whoever is gonna play Reverand Mother?
     
  5. BobaMatt

    BobaMatt TFN EU Staff star 7 VIP

    Registered:
    Aug 19, 2002
    IC: Milo Brogg, private quarters, Spacing Guild Heighliner Fealty above Kaitain

    "So, am I collecting this 'sensitive' information, or am I forgetting it for all the known universe?"

    Milo chuckled. This was the Heinweir Stalas that he had been expecting, that he had come to know and love, not the eerie mentat that went about playing with bottles on shelves to see what colors they produced when used as lenses. Heinweir Stalas was to the point, all business, accurate, precise, deadly, like a hunter-seeker. "You're forgetting it," Milo said, nodding, "For everyone. Even the Emperor. Especially the Emperor." He grinned. "Have you ever been there, Stalas? Arrakis? I'm sorry for interrupting your vacation, but Dune is lovely. Think of it as a planetwide beach, with no ocean."


    TAG: JediMarine

    IC: Thufir Hawat, outside the Landsraad Hall of Oratory, Kaitain


    Thufir hid his delight at the boy's scolding. The Baron, canny as ever, had, in but an instant, covered nearly every possible political outcome of such a gladiatorial battle. The Baron would have been a good candidate for mentat training - on Tleilax, no doubt, for quite the twisted mentat he would be. Thufir licked his Sappho stained lips, eager to see the endgame of this rant.

    Finally, the Baron reached it. "I've no maneuvering room for such foolishness, especially with the Wallachs skulking about no doubt plotting murder. Make what excuses you will, but you'll not fight a Sardaukar this day."

    The corner of Hawat's mouth twitched. Foiled. And then the next thought: Did the Baron suspect anything? An icy cold filled the mentat's stomach, but he squared his jaw and allowed it to pass. After all, such vendettas and fears were common in the Landsraad. "Perhaps," Thufir offered, without missing a beat, "the Baron would prefer I secure some other form of entertainment? Perhaps some criminals from the prison, in need of execution?"


    TAG: Saint, Mister_Master

    IC: Faraz Talian, Sietch Ma'kkah


    "The proof required is known; it is not for me to specify circles for the hopping mouse to leap through. The prophecy will be fulfilled whether I request the proof or not. For myself, I will not accept him as Lisan al-Gaib unless and until the Lisan al-Gaib shows himself here and speaks truth to me how he intends not to destroy us along with destroying the Harkonnens."

    Faraz inclined his head. "Honorable Naib, I will relay your words to Muad'Dib and to Stilgar. I sincerely hope we will be joined as allies, some day." He began to make adjustments to his stillsuit. "Shall I go, or is there something I may do for you, Naib?"


    TAG: Saint, Ktala, Sadis
     
  6. Saintheart

    Saintheart Jedi Grand Master star 6

    Registered:
    Dec 16, 2000
    Vladimir Harkonnen

    Outside the Landsraad Hall of Oratory, Kaitain

    "No," rumbled the Baron. "Word'll have spread by now that Feyd's to fight this day, so we have to preserve that. No mere execution; Feyd will have to duel someone. Ah-h-h--criminals, you said? How elegant, Thufir. Yes. Find us one convicted of a crime against the Imperium if you can. Such an individual will no doubt be adequate for Feyd's entertainments, eh, my boy?"

    TAG: Mister_Master, BobaMatt




    [b][color=purple][b]Sammel the Naib[/b][/color]

    [i]Sietch Ma'kkah, Arrakis[/i]

    Sammel rubbed his finger along the line of his jaw for a moment or two. "I ask only that you take with you the greetings of Sietch Ma'kkah to Stilgar and Muad'dib. Say to them this: the watchers on the Funeral Plain trust and hope we will see few of Sietch Tabr's killed weapons pass this way in the days to come, for the tau of all Arrakis would be inconvenienced by such a thing. Go in God's peace, Faraz Talian."

    With a nod of acknowledgment, Sammel had turned and was back into the passageways of the sietch, heading back towards his yali--no. There would need to be a discussion about this. The word would be through the sietch in less than an hour; most likely he would have to deal with some of the youngbloods amongst his group. In particular one youngblood...

    The naib stopped by one of his Fremen warriors. "Find [b]Rees[/b] and have him come to me in the cistern," said Sammel.

    [b]TAG: BobaMatt, Darth_Sadis, Ktala[/b]

    [b]OOC:[/b] [b]Sadis,[/b] feel free to move events along to the hidden cistern of Sietch Ma'kkah... :)
     
  7. Darth_Sadis

    Darth_Sadis Jedi Youngling star 1

    Registered:
    Jul 31, 2005
    IC: Rees, Sietch Ma'kkah

    Rees listened with a heavy heart as his leader refused Muad'Dib the aid he requested and, as the naib bade farewell to the visitor, he returned to his yali and began to prepare the hares for storage.
    His cuts were sloppy, uneven and wasted much of the animal's water. It took several minutes for Rees to realise that his temper was ordering his actions.
    As the blood of the small rabbit flowed onto the floor beside his bed his mind raced. He was sure that once Harkonnen water was spilled on the surface of Dune, life would come. Muad'Dib would point the way, as he had for centuries.

    Moments later Rees slumped against his bed, knees brought to his chest and chin atop his knees. A mug of spice coffee on the floor at his side filled the small room with the pungent aroma of melange.
    The intrusion was most unwelcome and the guard that entered, one of Sammel's own, stood in the doorway.
    "El-Sayal?"

    The use of his Sietch name, which carried more weight than even a crysknife could, brought Rees to his feet (albeit reluctantly).

    "The naib requests your presence in the cistern."

    Rees sighed (wasting precious moisture as he did) and followed in silence. As he walked he listened to his tribe. Much of what was said concerned the request from Muad'Dib, the rest was the usual chatter that filtered through the halls. Harkonnens, smugglers, the insatiable greed of the Guild and the occasional prayer to the Old Man of the Desert.

    Presently he arrived at the cistern and upon sight of the precious water thanked Shai-Hulud and blessed Liet, whose dream lives on in every Sietch.
    Then he turned to his naib and quietly spoke.

    "You sent for me naib."

    TAG: Saintheart, Ktala
     
  8. DarthXan318

    DarthXan318 Manager Emeritus star 6 VIP - Former Mod/RSA

    Registered:
    Sep 12, 2002
    IC: Nydia Wallach

    Groundcar, Kaitain

    Nydia, staring out the windows of the groundcar at the Imperial city, heard her father sigh. She turned slightly to regard him, studying his face closely. The Baron von Wallach's calm seemed a little unnatural - for someone who had been just denied kanly, he was sure taking it well. Then again, he had been married to a Bene Gesserit for thirty-odd years; undoubtedly her mother had taught him some tricks.

    He turned to face her. "I saw that you were talking to some rather important women, eh? How did that go?"

    She smiled slightly and lifted one shoulder in a half-shrug. "Pleasant. They were welcoming, pleased to meet me at last, offered to show me around Kaitain ... the usual pleasantries, I suppose." She would not admit to being bored, or complain about Irulan's monologuing; that would make her sound like a politically ignorant child. Instead she said, "Intriguingly, neither mentioned the Harkonnen party at all."

    TAG: Matt
     
  9. The Loyal Imperial

    The Loyal Imperial Manager Emeritus star 6 VIP - Former Mod/RSA

    Registered:
    Nov 19, 2007
    IC: Balthassar Rellick

    "No payment will be necessary," the assassin replied. "Your enemy is our enemy; what you do with the supplies is payment enough for our interests." As their meeting drew to a close, he tilted his head to the side, observing the exit to ensure that their route of departure was still clear. Presuming the Harkonnens cared about proof enough to wait for it, then any attack would likely be launched around this moment. Not that he believed that their men would be so subtle, but being cautious, in his experience, had not yet failed to preserve his life.

    TAG: Saintheart, BobaMatt
     
  10. BobaMatt

    BobaMatt TFN EU Staff star 7 VIP

    Registered:
    Aug 19, 2002
    IC: Faraz Talian, Sietch Ma'kkah

    Faraz replaced his facemask, and turned on his heels to walk out of the sietch. It was vexing that some of the outlying sietches staunchly denied the sweeping coriolis storm that was Muad'Dib's truth. As Faraz's footsteps rang off of the walls of the sietch, he sensed the eyes upon him in the darkness, the warriors shadowing him as he passed the everyday bustling of a community. Women, children, tradesmen...all beneath the foot of the damned Imperium! How could they hope to find freedom without the Voice from the Outer World?

    The people of Sietch Ma'kkah did not recognize him, or worse yet, recognized him as Fedaykin. Either way, he was regarded with scorn or fear as an outsider.

    Moving ahead of him, Faraz saw a woman dressed in the garb of a sayyadina acolyte. The prophet at least had the ear of the reverend mothers and their servants.

    "Good evening, Holy One."


    TAG: Ktala

    OOC: More later.
     
  11. BobaMatt

    BobaMatt TFN EU Staff star 7 VIP

    Registered:
    Aug 19, 2002
    IC: Baron von Wallach, groundcar, Kaitain

    "Intriguingly, neither mentioned the Harkonnen party at all."

    The Baron frowned. "I'm sure they did not mean to offend. We are not terribly welcome at Harkonnen functions, and they know how important parties are to young women." He cleared his throat: it was difficult to speak to this daughter he barely knew.

    "Of course," he continued, "the women should not be underestimated. They are, after all, Bene Gesserit adepts..."


    TAG: Xan

    IC: Thufir Hawat, outside the Landsraad Hall of Oratory, Kaitain


    "No," rumbled the Baron. "Word'll have spread by now that Feyd's to fight this day, so we have to preserve that. No mere execution; Feyd will have to duel someone. Ah-h-h--criminals, you said? How elegant, Thufir. Yes. Find us one convicted of a crime against the Imperium if you can. Such an individual will no doubt be adequate for Feyd's entertainments, eh, my boy?"

    Thufir was genuinely pleased that the Baron seemed to have delighted in the idea. Perhaps Hawat had staved off death a mite longer. "Elegance is what I'm employed for, m'lord," Thufir clucked, "Would the na-Baron like to help me choose, or would the Baron prefer I use my best judgment in selecting this...gift."


    TAG: Saint, Mister_Master
     
  12. Mister_Master

    Mister_Master Jedi Master star 6

    Registered:
    Oct 17, 2007
    IC: Feyd-Rautha

    "Would the na-Baron like to help me choose, or would the Baron prefer I use my best judgment in selecting this...gift."

    "Uncle, if I may have your leave I would very much like to accompany Thufir." Feyd wanted to pick out the man who would give him the best fight, and make him look the best. And to get away from this entourage that he was stuck in. Politics was his least favorite subject, and he was stuck in the middle of it all.

    TAG: Saint, Matt

    OOC: Just a short post for now.
     
  13. Ramza

    Ramza Administrator Emeritus star 9 VIP - Former Mod/RSA

    Registered:
    Jul 13, 2008
    IC: Dr. Daniel Robesper II
    Wallach Embassy, Kaitain



    Dr. Robesper strolled off in the opposite direction, shaking his head with a slight sigh of defeat. Yes, the na-Baron and his brother were definitely up to [i]something[/i], that much was certain. Perhaps a certain call was in order. Walking over to a nearby communications center, he picked up the microphone and punched in the frequency for the ground car escorts. "Escort patrols, this is Wallach House Suk Dr. Daniel Robesper. I have reason to believe the na-Baron Thomas Wallach and Lord Abner Wallach may attempt to lose their escorts as soon as they get to a suitable location. I ask that additional patrol cars be assigned to watch their ground car closely, lest they do something that could possibly put themselves in danger."

    He waited for the response. An observer would have noted his brow furrow significantly. "What do you [i]mean[/i] they just left? Get some more patrol cars on them, then, while you still can!"

    He hung up the microphone and sighed loudly and audibly. "Buddhassiah give me strength..."

    [b]TAG: Matt, Jabba-Wocky[/b]

    [b]OOC:[/b] A bit short, but not much else I could do, and I really wanted to make a post.
     
  14. Penguinator

    Penguinator Former Mod star 6 VIP - Former Mod/RSA

    Registered:
    May 23, 2005
    Count Hasimir Fenring
    Arrakeen Palace

    Fenring flicked his hand dismissively, pursing his lips. "Do what you will, Rabban. But be careful. Don't provoke these ah-h, these rats of the desert."

    The Count turned to go, just as a wicked thought flashed in his mind. I shouldn't, he admonished himself; it wouldn't help matters. But at the same time...it wouldn't hurt them, either. He looked over his shoulder, as if to mention something in passing. "Perhaps your esteemed uncle would have some advice for you on the subject, hm-m?"

    Tag: BobaMatt
     
  15. Saintheart

    Saintheart Jedi Grand Master star 6

    Registered:
    Dec 16, 2000
    IC: Sammel the Naib

    The Cistern, Sietch Ma'kkah

    For a moment or two, Sammel simply listened to the echoing drips of water as the frictionless walls and the windtraps slowly reclaimed the water from the air. If there was any measure of peace on Arrakis, it truly could only be found here, in the near-darkness of a Fremen catchment.

    The naib turned to the young man who had spoken, taking the measure of him once more: El-Sayal had grown much in the two years since the Harkonnens had killed his family, but there was still much of the young buck about him; a flame in the spirit that too easily could become ghafla, the distraction.

    The heresy rising in Sietch Tabr will attract many such flames, thought Sammel.
    All the more reason to give him this particular task.

    "You are going into the east," said Sammel. "The voice of the cielago from Padishka's long patrol has told of a column of Harkonnen troops and groundcars moving east of Mount Idaho, seven thumpers from here. They cling close to the rocks and keep clear of the open sand the way all the Harkonnen cowards do. Padishka's band was below minim; he had to seek refuge from Al-Lat, so he had no chance to discover their precise number and purpose before they passed beyond his scouts' vision."

    Sammel turned to look directly at Rees. "Harkonnens do not usually travel long distances on the open pan. Rabban uses his troop carriers for that purpose. This is a strange thing they do. And by their position they may discover some of the passages beneath Mount Idaho which lead here. We must know what the Harkonnen dogs intend. Therefore you will go pick up the Harkonnen trail, find the column, look, listen, and return here. What you find will tell us what we are to do with them." Sammel peered at the young man. "Have you any questions?"

    TAG: Darth_Sadis

    OOC: Sadis, obviously this is a scouting mission, and you could do it alone. On the other hand, Ktala who plays Denayade'Tus, a Sayyadina, also lives in the sietch and is intended both for priestly duties and missions like this one. Just saying if you'd prefer someone to interact with, I can easily get Ktala out on the sand with you... :p




    [b][color=blue]IC: Vladimir Harkonnen[/b][/color]

    [i]Outside the Landsraad Hall of Oratory, Kaitain[/i]

    "In a moment, Feyd," said the Baron absently; he had spotted one of his aides moving through the crowds towards them. The aide was making a rather poor attempt at looking nonchalant, and the Baron could see the twinned emotions of fear and excitement in the man's eyes. [i]As it should be,[/i] thought the Baron. [i]Animals can't distinguish between the two. Sets off impulses in the same part of the brain.[/i]

    The aide moved to the Baron's side, delivering a respectful nod to Thufir Hawat and the na-Baron before whispering something into Vladimir Harkonnen's ear. The Baron gave the smallest flick of his finger and the aide had departed, back into the crowds.
    "We've need of a room," said the Baron, again swivelling on his immense frame, peering about with his bird-bright eyes. There -- one of the cone-of-silence equipped meeting chambers which dotted this section of the Landsraad building, swept regularly by the Landsraad's own security agents. The Baron did not make his choice on anything other than randomness; it was one of the greatest foils to espionage, even in this age of Truthsayers and Mentats who could predict a man's actions.

    They moved to it, the Baron's bodyguards taking station outside the room. The Baron instructed Thufir Hawat to sweep the room for listening and scoping devices, and then closed the door behind him, leaving himself, Hawat, and Feyd in the room together.

    The Baron turned, taking one last assessment before speaking. [i]It is always better to remain silent until you are certain,[/i] his late father had said. [i]Uncertainty cannot be easily discovered; foolishness can with but a word.[/i]

    "I've word from ou
     
  16. Ktala

    Ktala Force Ghost star 6

    Registered:
    Sep 7, 2002
    Denayade' Tus
    Sietch Ma?kkah, Arrakis


    Moving silently, and avoiding in others that she knew were hidden within the walls, she headed for the area where the Reverend Mother and others would be. As she walked walk slowly and silently through the caverns, she began to think about what the outsider had spoken of. That Maud'Dib's had been found. What if that was true? She had not heard the Reverand Mother speak of such things. Surely, they would have known.

    And they had sent a Fedaykin. Obviously, they felt it so important a need. So deep were her thoughts, that she was almost startled when a voice spoke to her.


    "Good evening, Holy One."

    Denayade' turned and set eyes upon the one who had spoken to her. The outsider. The Fedaykin. The Hunter. She gave a slight nod of her head as she spoke, her voice quiet, but firm and clear to the person she was speaking to.

    "Zayn to you, warrior of the deep. What brings you to our Sietch? Are you on a Hjara?" She gave a nod of her head, as she walked a few steps to a place they could speak, out of the eyesight of the others. She gestured, her fingers spred wide, as she turned to face him once more. "Or does another calling guide your need?" She removed the covering from her face, peering at him carefully. "Within these walls, many truths can be found."

    She waited silently, for him to reply as her eyes watched his body language. She was good at detecting lies and false words, for the body often spoke in volumes, when the lips did not, as the Reverand Mother had told her many times before. She waited in stillness for his words.





    TAG: BobaMatt
     
  17. Darth_Sadis

    Darth_Sadis Jedi Youngling star 1

    Registered:
    Jul 31, 2005
    IC: Rees, Cistern of Sietch Ma'kkah

    Rees listened with baited breath as his Naib told him of the Harkonnens, and his mind forgot Muad'Dib in an instant. Harkonnens so close to Mount Idaho were almost certain to find the hidden ways that led into Sietch Ma'kkah. Or at least a passing tribesman whose water they would spill on the sand and whose knife they could potentially steal. With a crysknife in hand, the Beast could infiltrate any Sietch on Dune with ease.
    This mission, though distraction Rees it may be, was of extreme importance. Though he often cried for blood, this potential deadly threat to his tribe was enough to quell even his religious fire.

    With a fierce look of determination in his blue-in-blue eyes Rees inclined his head deeply. "This I will do, Naib. If the dogs are so close to our home it will not be long before they scent the path here. Seven thumpers you say? I will be there before nightfall, Shai-Hulud willing."

    He looked hard at his Naib and wondered what it was Sammel saw when he looked at him. Did he see the young boy that had grown in the Sietch? Or a reckless warrior who would get his tribe killed?
    Rees knew that Sammel was right about many things; when to attack and when to withdraw being only two of them. He knew when to hide and watch, or when a boy would be permitted to harness his first worm.
    Though not ancient in years, the Naib was wise and Rees believed this was something he should respect above all else. And he did, more than he ever let on.

    " Am I to survey these shaitans alone?"

    TAG: Saintheart

    OOC:
    I'm not too fussed about going alone or not. If K'tala wants to come along she is more than welcome.
     
  18. Saintheart

    Saintheart Jedi Grand Master star 6

    Registered:
    Dec 16, 2000
    OOC: Mister_Master: I just realised I very rudely left you off my TAG list for the Baron Harkonnen. Please feel free to respond, since you're there in that meeting room as well.

    IC: Sammel the Naib

    The Cistern, Sietch Ma'kkah, Arrakis

    Sammel tilted his head at Rees's question. "Denayade'Tus would be water in the Erg for a task such as this. But I do not command her to accompany you unless you wish it; if that is so, then you may carry my word to the Sayyadina and thus it will be. But you are of the Ichwan Bedwine; we choose freely what water we take into the desert. I require only that you return with all speed and with the information we require."

    TAG: Darth_Sadis
     
  19. BobaMatt

    BobaMatt TFN EU Staff star 7 VIP

    Registered:
    Aug 19, 2002
    OOC: Don't forget about the Fremen proclivity for firearms, Saint. Another thing, for you Dune scholars: ftl communication does not exist here, does it?

    IC: Juan Szorsky, Arrakeen warehouse, Arrakis

    Stun-grenade.

    Juan eyed their contact just before ducking to avoid debris. This did not appear to be his doing - he had had enough training on Wallach IX to know that. Still, there was something...off about this meeting, and it wasn't the fact that they were about to all be killed by Harkonnen soldiers.

    "Should we take cover?"


    TAG: Saint, The_Loyal_Imperial

    IC: Thufir Hawat, Cone of Silence, Kaitain


    Damn them.

    Hawat's mind raced through infinitely complicated calculations for all the ways his day had been a bad one and could stand to get still worse. "By all rights m'lord," Hawat said, thinking of nothing more than the cures for his poison, and then becoming disgusted at himself for abetting the disgusting man's plans, "they are on their way to Feyd's function. One need not be a mentat to come to this conclusion. The best advice I can give, Baron, is to change nothing. The slightest thing may tip them off that they are expected, and then all will be lost."

    And his mind did not stop racing. Perhaps it would be best if the Wallach boys did come to the party. The Baron was nefarious, but he was not subtle. An incident could prompt the Emperor to grant Wallach the kanly they sought. All was not lost.

    "Perhaps Feyd and I should be off to select a prisoner, now? The party is mere hours away."


    TAG: Saint, Mister_Master

    IC: Faraz Talian, Sietch Ma'kkah


    "I came, fair Sayyadina, with a message and a gift from Sietch Tabr." Faraz followed the young woman into the shadows, and his escort, though they hovered, remained out of earshot. "Your naib was good enough to hear me. I will be returning, now." He grinned. "Have you use for me, Holy One? I am happy to bring word or parcel across the sands. I am but a servant of God's servants."


    TAG: Ktala
     
  20. Saintheart

    Saintheart Jedi Grand Master star 6

    Registered:
    Dec 16, 2000
    OOG: BobaMatt: Actually, that depends on your canon. I seem to remember from the Encyclopaedia that the Second Holtzman Effect (First being a one-dimensional Holtzman Node, Third the three-dimensional Holtzman Plane -- the body shield) was a two-dimensional carrier wavefront which provides instantaneous communication between star systems -- i.e. FTL communications. The Encyclopaedia suggests the existence of the Holtzman Wave was why an interstellar empire could be formed at all -- instantaneous communications meant reinforcements could be summoned with sufficient time to see off a planetary raider and all that. But anyway...

    IC: Abidal Khazad

    Arrakeen Warehouse, Arrakis

    "Do that and you seal your doom," snapped Abidal in response to the offworlder's question. "The Harkonnens will surround this building and simply apply enough firepower to level it if they believe they've traitors inside. You must move. The rooftops will be watched, but not as much as the street." He began to turn to look for an appropriate way up the nearest cargo container, but turned slowly, undecided; these offworlders had been somewhat generous...

    TAG: The_Loyal_Imperial, BobaMatt


    [b][color=blue]Baron Vladimir Harkonnen[/b][/color]

    [i]A cone of silence room, the Landsraad Hall of Oratory, Kaitain[/i]

    The Baron was silent for long moments, tapping one fat finger against his temple. "Yes. To both, Thufir. Change nothing about our preparations; send no teams to intercept the Wallach sons. And you and Feyd should, of course, select an opponent for our na-Baron to fight. But afterward, you'll return to me, Thufir, and we'll make further preparations for our Wallach guests."

    The Baron waved his hand in dismissal, already thinking on the permutations. He could sense Hawat's self-loathing, not in any Bene Gesserit way or spice-induced trance; that, indeed, was the main reason Hawat had become a servant of the Harkonnens after so recently being a servant of the Atreides.

    There was some danger in this course, to be sure. Vladimir Harkonnen was no fool; could read the signs. Wallach was likely to soon ask the Emperor's permission for kanly against House Harkonnen; things had reached that red mist of anger which floated motes of stupidity in men's minds.

    Of course, the Emperor himself could be a rather convenient stop-gap to that issue; Vladimir couldn't think of a scenario in which the Emperor would consent to a declaration of kanly against a new Great House so shortly after it had settled a long-running dispute of its own. And neither would the Emperor appreciate more light being thrown on the Atreides-Harkonnen feud.
    [i]I'll have to speak to that damned eunuch,[/i] thought Vladimir. It was best to know the Emperor's intentions in that respect, and Count Fenring for all intents and purposes [i]was[/i] the Emperor outside the court of Shaddam IV.

    But the elegance of the abduction plan was temptingly beautiful, might even be more pleasing to the Emperor by saving Shaddam the embarrassment of having to deal with more blood feuding in his imperium. With both the na-Baron and the heir presumptive in Harkonnen hands, treated with utmost respect under house arrest to avoid an immediate declaration of kanly, the Baron would have an excellent source of persuasion to head off Wallach's application -- if only on the basis that should House Wallach declare kanly, the House's two sons would be the first victims of the conflict. There'd been precedent for such a thing in the past, he remembered.

    [i]Of course, it could just be left to the Sardaukar...[/i] The Baron dismissed the idea out of hand. Shaddam IV would not loose his Sardaukar upon another House under Harkonnen livery; Arrakis and the Atreides had been a special case, and in any event House Harkonnen did not have the spice with which to pay for a second such venture.

    [i]Hmmm.[/i] Perhaps none of this would be required at all. The Wallach boys were clearly impulsive children; few other
     
  21. Ramza

    Ramza Administrator Emeritus star 9 VIP - Former Mod/RSA

    Registered:
    Jul 13, 2008
    OOC: With regard to FTL communication, I'm inclined to say probably not. At least, there's not a lot of evidence to suggest it exists. (I only have the books from God Emperor on, though, so bear with me). In GEoD the Bene Gesserit receive their reports in person, rather than via a communicator. On the other hand, there's a fleeting reference to "transmitting" a letter, which could imply some type of cross-galaxy communication. Nothing substantial outside of the questionably canon (At best) Dune Encyclopedia, though, at least as far as I know.

    While I'm at it, with regard to my characters... Well, I'm still here. Just waiting on Tags.
     
  22. Saintheart

    Saintheart Jedi Grand Master star 6

    Registered:
    Dec 16, 2000
    OOG: On FTL, it could be handwaved that it's used primarily for Imperial military matters, and urgent ones at that, or that it isn't a terribly efficient method of communication because it's not that discreet: using a Holtzman Wave you're basically broadcasting an energy wave at an entire star system, and you're unlikely to know whether the receiver on the other end is pointed at you or on the far side of the planet. Hence pretty much anyone with a receiver can listen in. Whatever... :)
     
  23. BobaMatt

    BobaMatt TFN EU Staff star 7 VIP

    Registered:
    Aug 19, 2002
    OOC: Heh...I'm actually waiting on Xan before I update you. I have my reasons.

    Yeah, the Baron receives a freaking scroll in Dune. It doesn't seem to make sense, even though it would be super-duper convenient. The Encylopedia's version doesn't make a ton of sense for a number of reasons; the rationale behind it seems to be that ftl communication is necessary to a universe-sized Imperium, but that's not true, since the couriers can move ftl.

    Hm...ftl couriers sounds like a sweet RP idea.

    Anyway, yes, the Baron likely wouldn't know of the Emperor's refusal yet. There's no way of him to know that Wallach has even yet issued the petition.
     
  24. DarthXan318

    DarthXan318 Manager Emeritus star 6 VIP - Former Mod/RSA

    Registered:
    Sep 12, 2002
    I knew that. [face_blush]


    IC: Nydia Wallach

    Groundcar, Kaitain

    Nydia raised an elegant eyebrow at her father's comment. She wasn't quite sure how to respond to that; was he cautioning his daughter? Making conversation? Imparting information he thought she should know? Nydia had known they were Bene Gesserit from the start, just as they had known about her: prana-bindu body control had its traces, obvious to the trained eye.

    For that matter, now that she was looking, her father definitely had a touch of it as well.

    She settled on a bland, "Indeed." Then, with a shrug and an easy smile, intended to set him at ease, she added, "Truth be told, I wasn't terribly looking forward to the festivities. I hear the Harkonnen nephew fancies himself a gladiator; the spectacle would have been fairly ... gruesome."

    TAG: Matt
     
  25. BobaMatt

    BobaMatt TFN EU Staff star 7 VIP

    Registered:
    Aug 19, 2002
    OOC: Not to put a picture in your head, Peng, or turn this into a casting thread, but Richard Roxburgh sort of sweats Count Fenring-juice. So does John Leguizamo, though. I only thought of this because Moulin Rouge is on TV, and the new Dune movie is in production, etc...

    And Jim Broadbent should play Thufir.

    Ramza, I actually just found a journal online called Buddhist-Christian Studies, which might interest you, some.

    OOC: Hehehehe an all Wallach update.

    IC: Aloysius Brenner, groundcar, Kaitain

    Brenner watched as the glittering buildings passed by. He had been expecting some correspondence or contact from Thufir Hawat, the old Atreides master of assassins who had been taken by the Harkonnens as a slave replacement for Piter deVries. He often wondered why Thufir did not kill himself, or try to flee. Perhaps he was too old. Perhaps he had gone native on Geidi Prime, like too many good men exposed to the decadence and fleshly pleasures of the Harkonnen.

    The swordmaster looked at the boy. Here was a young man of questionable blood, brought up to fight, living in the court, surrounded by money and advantage...and he'd turned out to be the absolute opposite of Feyd-Rautha. What was it in the Harkonnen way that proved so utterly destructive to men? Either they were cruel or they were stupid, and too often they were both.

    It was then, as he surveyed his protege (somewhat blearily), that he noticed, on the seat across from him, an envelope.

    "What's that you're sitting on, boy? Did you bring that with you?"


    TAG: ramza

    IC: Baron Jonas von Wallach, groundcar, Kaitain


    "Truth be told, I wasn't terribly looking forward to the festivities. I hear the Harkonnen nephew fancies himself a gladiator; the spectacle would have been fairly ... gruesome."

    "Indeed," the Baron replied, "but please, tell me more about these women. Did they ask you any questions? I ask, daughter, because, as you know doubt know, it seems unlikely that two trained Bene Gesserit adepts were merely preening." He hardened his gaze. The girl was not yet fully incorporated into the world of practical politics, though her training had no doubt prepared her in theory. She would learn. She had a sharp mind.


    TAG: Xan

    IC: Thomas von Wallach, Wallach Embassy Garage, Kaitain


    "Do you think the Doctor will give us a tail?" Thomas asked as the two men rounded a corner and walked through the heavy door that would lead them to the garage. There, glistening under low light, were rows of top-of-the line groundcars, some emblazoned with Wallach livery, others with none. Any number of colors, makes, and models. A wonderful collection, all sitting on their chargers, ready to go.

    "You choose, Abner. And you drive."


    TAG: Jabba_Wocky

    IC: Brother Baruhapa, outside the Wallach Embassy, Kaitain


    Brother Baruhapa walked down the causeway, counting out blessings to the Divine Mother on his rosary beads, his robes billowing in the wind that brushed a tear from his dusky cheek. The beads were from Caladan, and the building that had once contained House Atreides' embassy was now given over to some shipping business or other. So much death, in the past few years, so much suffering. Brother Baruhapa had left his abbey on Caladan - and all those he had ministered to - when the Fenrings had gained a House Major seat by their acquisition of Caladan. This was his shame.

    The Wallach embassy loomed ahead, its coiled serpent crest tastefully seated above the doorway. There appeared to be a flurry of activity, with 'thopters priming and guards uneasy. As the monk crossed the tiny moat, he bowed his head to show he meant no harm or mischief, and asked the guard at the gate, "Excuse me, sirrah, but is the Doctor Robesper within? Perhaps you can fetch him for me, or escort me inside. I am an
     
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