Day 4 | Afternoon | It's All About Spice

[Kannon]

Paul considered it, letting his nascent mentat capabilities to trigger. The 'unbundling' of Arrakis in the Landsraad. Promoting the Mutelli to a role on Arrakis as a way to start an alliance. His father's earlier effort to expand Atreides holdings, but turning down the relationship with House Londine, opting for a better display of gratitude from the Emperor. The necessity to cripple the Harkonnen, toward which one plan had already been set in motion. His father being offworld on a long secret mission. Harkonnen post-audit problems with their siridar fief, Baron taking it over from Rabban. Orgiz, which may have been a proof of their greater complicity. Fenring. He suddenly projected a future, not an unlikely one, in which the black-green banner flew over the Shield Wall. It left him wide-eyed.

"...if they do. Are you returning to Arrakis soon?"

[Cuyler Gray]

"I do not know how soon, but I do have a feeling that is inevitable." She answered. "Whether I am sent there or request an assignment there, I will have to return to Arrakis to understand my origins."

[Kannon]

"I think the Harkonnen won't give you much peace there, especially if they feel they have the tacit support of the Guild to dislodge you from the planet. I thought about it when you told me about your meeting with the Guild banker on Arrakis. My impression was that by the end of the audit you identified him as being in league with the Harkonnen?"

[Cuyler Gray]

"Most likely." She nodded. "It was clear that many things were being manipulated. I'm sure we saw more than they would have liked, but I doubt they were overly concerned."

[Kannon]

"Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall." One of Halleck's OCB quotes came to Paul's mind. "If there was an opening to subvert Harkonnen plans without getting your hands dirty, would you take it?"

[Cuyler Gray]

"Absolutely." There was no hesitation. "If only to help the people suffering beneath them."

[Kannon]

Paul nodded.

"Harmonthep, currently ruled by the Ptolemaii, a House Minor of the Hagal, but a powerful one. Few Houses Minor enjoy their own siridar fiefs, especially of such symbolic importance."

Apart from all other things she knew about Harmonthep, it was the native world of the golden lions, symbols of the Corrino rule.

"We are positive there is a Harkonnen operational presence there, and we shall address it. Our actions, while covert, might however need some political shielding just in case House Ptolemaios turns out to be warmer to that Harkonnen cell than their marital ties to our own Lanvilles would otherwise suggest. Our own envoy would be a red flag, but not necessarily a touring Mutelli, especially with the right personal justification."

[Cuyler Gray]

"That could certainly work." she nodded. "What do you have in mind?"

[Kannon]

"You tell me. It's best something that is basically true. Maybe a stop on your culinary journeys. Harmonthep has a rich cuisine."

[Cuyler Gray]

"That would make the most sense." she nodded. "I could explore a personal interest in the Zensunni, as well. though that might seem a bit random on its own."

[Kannon]

"Depends on how you present that interest." Paul mused. "Your status as the former CHOAM auditor allows for some creative leverage over those who don't want to offend any of your allies and benefactors. I suppose the Ptolemaii are quite used to various visits from the Imperium as their power over their fief is constrained by laws safeguarding Corrino privileges. For instance, I think it's an Imperial capital crime to kill a Harmonthepi lion. But a Mutelli lawtech would know better than me."

[Cuyler Gray]

"I was curious about muadhi dishes." She mused. "The jungle had so many unique resources for ingredients. That would be an interesting focus of culinary and ecological research."

[Kannon]

Paul nodded, seeing merit in where her thoughts were going.

"An Imperial planetologist could certainly legitimise the latter, though I don't know if dr Vim is of the mind or in any shape to play that role, especially that keeping him out of a conflict of interest could be tricky."

The Atreides had the leverage, but the idea of applying it was repulsive to Paul.

[Cuyler Gray]

"I wouldn't want to involve him in anything that could bring him trouble. Especially not after what he's been through." She shook her head. "But, I may speak with him about the muadhi, to get some ideas of how to approach the idea."

[Kannon]

"You've given me your trust. I can return nothing less." Paul nodded, with a smile.

[Cuyler Gray]

"I will assist then." She said definitively. "In recognition of our growing trust and the threats against our Houses."

[Kannon]

"There will hopefully be a time when we can celebrate it." Paul offered a bow. "Now, preparations must be made."

[Cuyler Gray]

She nodded. "Thank you for your company Paul. I hope your evening is enjoyable. I'll be here for a while, if you need me for anything."

[Kannon]

"As much as I enjoy spending time with you, it most wait for another moment of reprieve."

With that, Paul left, with all the baggage of confusing thoughts about his own dream-sense. There was still at least one Atreides guard posted if Cuyler needed anything.

[End of Thread]