[D7 FMS] Progress Report

[Lady Fenring]

Gene just stood there, listening to them all talk, staring at them, trying to understand what it was they were all missing. Just keeping quiet for now was the best strategy, let the others do the talking, and maybe learn something that they were trying to keep hidden from everyone.

~~
See what's in between (Understand+Truth) (DC 16) Social Awareness Focus Applies (Crit 1-8): 2#1d20 5 14

((3 suxx, +1 Momentum))

Still, she wouldn't miss the Lady Fenring's unobtrusive attention. Once Gene's own connected, a fickle finger move passed the message: talk later.

[Bomilcar Thorvald]

Bom nodded. "Rabban at spice blow. Must be with collectors. Why he's not home," he replied. His terse words are what he likely expected. But there was a definite darkness in his eyes. Bomilcar likely was thinking about sliding his saex into the Harkonnen's side right now.

"False Wall West."

[Kannon]

Reyyan was there, butstayed silent. She had no report for the Count. And certainly Teykanik had the one she'd given him earlier. But with everything happening with the Sardaukar right now and the complications in the situation, she dared not speak up right now. Even if she wished there was some way she could help Bom and Lady Grey right now. ...maybe this is why Sardaukar weren't supposed to make friends with the locals, as they said back on Kaitain.

Now if only the bloody Bene wasn't such a distraction. Now was neither the time nor place, in the extreme really. ...probably part of why the woman was here, come to think of it.

She would be informed. Iqbal Ruteanu and her other subordinates who accompanied the auditors on their various forays had delivered their own reports. She would be aware of both the events in the Harg Pass, in the Cielago Depression, and the abandoned spice storage area under the Chin Rock where Cuyler had overdosed. And there was the unresolved situation at the harvester manufacturing premises in Carthag.

For her part, the news of obliteration of House Verdun wasn't as shocking; she knew that where the Emperor commanded, the Sardaukar obeyed without question, and Shaddam had a taste for spectacle and sometimes just ordered action to strike awe and make a point. Perhaps Duke Fausto was simply scapegoated because a success in striking against the Noble Commonwealth was what was needed. What was curious was that the task was given not to the Supreme Bashar Zum Garon, but to Colonel Bashar Kolona. He knew him to be a man of great personal integrity. He of course executed orders to the letter, but if the cleansing of Dross was unjustified, the man would harbour misgivings, especially that his own House, once holding the planet Borhees, was similarly near-wiped out on the Emperor Elrood's orders. The truth was, many Sardaukar served with fanatic loyalty, but with disdain toward orders they considered to be debasing or just wrong. Few took delight in killing children, and Duke Fausto must have had them.

Still, given the Emperor's current disposition to rash actions, it wasn't unthinkable she could be tasked with some extermination orders, especially if the audit's results were conclusive. House Verdun had had many allies in high places, however, especially in the structures of CHOAM itself where it had held a high-echelon directorship. Houses Londine, Tull, and Uchan were economically interwoven with one another and the late Verduns in many ways. Would there be a domino effect? Would she need to lead an action against House Uchan? She knew they had extensive business connections with the Harkonnen and were quite present here, on Arrakis. Certainly that was the kind of test of her personal loyalty that must have occurred to some of Sardaukar brass, a trial before advancement. Admittedly, Shaddam loved his Sardaukar so much that he had a habit of handing our promotions left and right for any officer that pleased him, and so she could be a Caid if this audit was about to please him, but the corps still knew who has advanced on merit and who was a political appointee. What would be her path?

As if on cue, Tyekanik's and her gaze met. The Caid must have been contemplating some of the same issues.

[Count Fenring]

Bom nodded. "Rabban at spice blow. Must be with collectors. Why he's not home," he replied. His terse words are what he likely expected. But there was a definite darkness in his eyes. Bomilcar likely was thinking about sliding his saex into the Harkonnen's side right now.

"False Wall West."

"So this is where you think it is, ah? The secret base where the Harkonnen... uh-ah-hah... skim off the Emperor's wealth?" Fenring mhmm'ed casually. "I will inform Captain Kryubi that the Wind Pass spaceport shall be cleared for your arrival. Unless... oh-hmmm... you've been thinking of another course of action?"

[Bomilcar Thorvald]

"I haven't," he says, looking to others in the briefing. It was obvious that he was the dog with a bone type. If anyone wanted to take different action he would be up for it, but his mind had a purpose.

[Dorian Drake]

"If I may, I understand the limitations of our authority and even of our mere presence here; however, everywhere we go with forewarning has been prepared or purged. As you have stated, assuming we find an illicit mining operation, if we can not firmly connect it to the Harkonnens then it will all be for naught, and if they know of our coming then they will make preparations for such." Dorian looked around the room to get a read of what the other auditors thought about his statement.

"If we could have your indulgence to travel off grid for these last two days, then perhaps we can catch them unawares and obtain evidence that could not be refuted. What I would propose is we gain clearance and send the Frigate to the Polar Sink. Meanwhile, we will take another craft to a location of interest to see what we can uncover there."

[Bomilcar Thorvald]

Bomilcar nods to the idea. It was a good tactic, one he used to protect his family. A few shuttles and ships had been lost to legitimate threats over the years.

[Reyyan Ebrahammi]

Still, given the Emperor's current disposition to rash actions, it wasn't unthinkable she could be tasked with some extermination orders, especially if the audit's results were conclusive. House Verdun had had many allies in high places, however, especially in the structures of CHOAM itself where it had held a high-echelon directorship. Houses Londine, Tull, and Uchan were economically interwoven with one another and the late Verduns in many ways. Would there be a domino effect? Would she need to lead an action against House Uchan? She knew they had extensive business connections with the Harkonnen and were quite present here, on Arrakis. Certainly that was the kind of test of her personal loyalty that must have occurred to some of Sardaukar brass, a trial before advancement. Admittedly, Shaddam loved his Sardaukar so much that he had a habit of handing our promotions left and right for any officer that pleased him, and so she could be a Caid if this audit was about to please him, but the corps still knew who has advanced on merit and who was a political appointee. What would be her path?

As if on cue, Tyekanik's and her gaze met. The Caid must have been contemplating some of the same issues.

Rey gave a slight nod of her helmet in Tyekanik's direction slightly; She knew he was strict in a different way than herself, but she trusted he knew as much as she did and the implications of what was being talked about. Rey had the feeling that if he was able to talk to her right now, he'd ask her if she was prepared to work against the people she'd been working with if some of those dominoes fell on Uchan or Londine or such...

Fortunately, he wasn't asking right now, because she didn't have an immediate answer.

[Count Fenring]

"If I may, I understand the limitations of our authority and even of our mere presence here; however, everywhere we go with forewarning has been prepared or purged. As you have stated, assuming we find an illicit mining operation, if we can not firmly connect it to the Harkonnens then it will all be for naught, and if they know of our coming then they will make preparations for such." Dorian looked around the room to get a read of what the other auditors thought about his statement.

"If we could have your indulgence to travel off grid for these last two days, then perhaps we can catch them unawares and obtain evidence that could not be refuted. What I would propose is we gain clearance and send the Frigate to the Polar Sink. Meanwhile, we will take another craft to a location of interest to see what we can uncover there."

"My indulgence would help you little... hmmm... if the Harkonnen learn of your intentions or otherwise track your covert move down."

Fenring decided not to elaborate on the ramifications of such a move for now, though he let himself a raised brow at Dorian's suggestion. He didn't seem disapproving, just wondering if it was careless desperation speaking, or a well-calculated bet.

"No Imperial assets would be involved in such rogue behaviour beyond the audit's mandate... ah... you surely understand. That includes the Sardaukar."

[Cuyler Gray]

"Then we need to find another way to get ahead of their efforts to cover up these activities." Cuyler frowned. "We can certainly head to False Wall West, but they will certainly be expecting us after our encounter at the depression. Regardless, we may not find what we need there. We need proof of where the profits from the secret mining are going."

[Count Fenring]

"Ah, my own mentat, Grix Dardik, has concluded that the... uhm-ah... financial settlement must be happening off Arrakis. Illegal spice needs daring clients, or...ah-hmmm... professional laundering services." The Count raised his gaze to the high ceiling to not look at anyone in particular.

[Cuyler Gray]

"So, trying to follow the money from here would be difficult." she sighed. "And, I doubt they'd be careless enough that we'd be able to intercept communications."

[Count Fenring]

"You could always try to follow the money into here, mhmmm-ah-ah?"

[Kannon]

Rey gave a slight nod of her helmet in Tyekanik's direction slightly; She knew he was strict in a different way than herself, but she trusted he knew as much as she did and the implications of what was being talked about. Rey had the feeling that if he was able to talk to her right now, he'd ask her if she was prepared to work against the people she'd been working with if some of those dominoes fell on Uchan or Londine or such...

Fortunately, he wasn't asking right now, because she didn't have an immediate answer.

Her Caid would still give her an indication that he wanted a private word after this.

[Cuyler Gray]

"You could always try to follow the money into here, mhmmm-ah-ah?"

She considered his words for a time, trying to discern how best to proceed.

[Kannon]

[Understand 2]

[Cuyler Gray]

Nope. She had no idea. It hurt just to think about it.

- - -
[D7 FMS] Progress Report, Understand (6)/Truth (8), Deductive Reasoning, Difficulty 2: 2#1d20 20 15

[Reyyan Ebrahammi]

Nope. She had no idea. It hurt just to think about it.

- - -
[D7 FMS] Progress Report, Understand (6)/Truth (8), Deductive Reasoning, Difficulty 2: 2#1d20 20 15

Reyyan spoke up softly after indicating she understood to Tyekanik, "Perhaps that might be a job for a mentat? I'm sure you will think of a way to get that done with some persistence here."

=============

((OOC: Using Bolster talent for the scene Cuyler to allow reroll with Rey's Discipline (8) in place of Cuyler's Understand for the roll.))

[Cuyler Gray]

She gave Reyyan a smile, but she was still struggling to piece things together.

- - -
[D7 FMS] Progress Report, Discipline (8)/Truth (8), Deductive Reasoning, Difficulty 2, Bolster from Reyyan: 2#1d20 10 19

[Kannon]

[Analyst applies.]

The Count might or might not have meant inbound direct offworld investment. It was possible that the beneficiaries of the illicit spice operations were making sure it works properly or rewarding the Harkonnen with how they allocated their solaris.

A thought struck her when Reyyan's nudge entered Cuyler's train of thought, directing it to common experiences: who was the private entrepreneur that had taken over the harvester manufacturing from the Harkonnen back in Carthag?

[Cuyler Gray]

"All we need is a connection." she said. "Something to show they are doing business together. We never did get many details regarding the harvester manufacturing. They went to great lengths to deter us there."