The d'Alembert TP -- Part One -- 10/23/98

[Patrick Littell <pwl206@is9.nyu.edu>]

This is the first scene of the d'Alembert TP.  If you'd like to be
involved, contact your faction head and ask, 'How is our House
involved?'  And if your House is not involved, contact Nils. There's
still plenty of time to get your share of the action.

Remember that all info in these logs is OOC, and can't be used ICly.
This especially applies to events behind closed doors, like this one...

-----------------

Conference Room -- Alvstad Embassy (Kaitain)
The prominent feature of this room is the large oak table in the center.
Its vaguely trapezoidal shape distorts parallax and tricks one into
believing that it is much longer than it actually is. Thirty wheeled
chairs line three of the sides; a second whale-leather armchair sits
immobile at the head of the table. On the north wall, an illuminated map
of Alvsgaard casts a murky blue glow. Two silver dodecapus statues stand
silently on either side of the map. On the other walls, ego-likenesses
of the great Alvstad siridars--Osvald III, Jans I, Gregers V, Knut
II--stare unflinchingly into the room. The lighting here is kept low,
and the soft yellow of the glowglobes and the murky blue of the map
combine to give this room an almost underwater ambience.
Players:
 Nils
Exits:
 Blue Door <W> leads to Diplomats' Lounge -- Alvstad Embassy (Kaitain)
 Double Doors <S> leads to Visitors' Lounge -- Alvstad Embassy (Kaitain)

Iohannes walks in from Visitors' Lounge through the Double Doors.
Iohannes has arrived.

Kirc walks in from Visitors' Lounge through the Double Doors.
Kirc has arrived.

Ela walks in from Visitors' Lounge through the Double Doors.
Ela has arrived.

You take your seat at the head of the table.

Iohannes sweeps into a low bow to the Viscount...

Kirc enters, bowing gracefully.

Kirc sits down at the left side of the table.

Nils nods acknowledgement to his head diplomats. "Everyone take your
seats...the Lord Ambassador should arrive forewith."

Ela steps in, bobbing her body in a deep curtsy.

Iohannes sits down at the right side of the table.

Ela sits down at the left side of the table.

Kirc steeples his fingers, glancing towards Nils.

Nils leafs through his notes. Without lifting his eyes, he says, "I
would like to remind everyone to treat the Lord Ambassador Kuviasungnerk
with the greatest respect. If you remember your grade-school history
lessons, House Ukluk was one of the three Houses, six millennia ago,
that sponsored the House Major application of an unknown House Minor
from a watery world. We should keep that in mind as we hear his
requests."

Kirc nods, leaning back.

Ela nods silently, automatically reaching out for a small notepad and
stylus from her pocket.

Iohannes inclines his head in agreement, then asks quietly, "What is it
that the Lord Ambassador wishes to discuss my Lord Siridar-Viscount?"

Kirc offers a terse nod at his assistant, then returns his attention to
the discussion.

Nils puts down his notes. "That I do not know. I can imagine, however,
that the Ambassador's request is of the utmost urgency. He has traveled
thousands of parsecs just to speak to the Lord Atreides and I."

Iohannes nods thoughtfully...

Iohannes whispers into the ear of a hovering servant, who hastily jots
down notes.

Nils speaks twice into his communicator. "The Atreides and Moritani
shall be here in a moment."

Cesare walks in from Visitors' Lounge through the Double Doors.
Cesare has arrived.

Cesare strides into the Conference Room, followed by several Moritani
security personnel.

Nils stands to greet his noble cousine. "Lord Moritani, please take a
seat. The Ambassador from House Ukluk shall be here withal."

Iohannes stands and bows before the Moritani Count.

Kirc stands as well, offering a wordless bow.

Cesare nods curtly to all present, gives some hand signals to his
security personnel, who immediately relax, and seats himself. "Good
evening to you all. I trust things are going well in House Alvstad?"

Cesare sits down at the far end of the table.

Praxton walks in from Visitors' Lounge through the Double Doors.
Praxton has arrived.

Iason walks in from Visitors' Lounge through the Double Doors.
Iason has arrived.

Iohannes bows to the Atreides Siridar.

Ela rises from her seat and offers each of the siridari a deep bow.

Iason silently trails his Duke in, his bow smooth as he does his best to
at least aspire to be the epitome of grace.

Nils makes a shallow bow to the Atreides siridar. "Hello again, Lord
Council. Please, take a seat." Two attendants in blue uniforms pull out
some chairs.

Nils returns to his seat at the head of the table. He pushes a button on
his communicator, holds it to his mouth, and murmurs a quiet command in
Alvst.

Cesare turns and peers around his chair. He espies the arriving Atreides
delegation and says in a rather bland tone, "Ah. Good evening, Duke
Paulos and Diplomat Merx. I am indeed glad that I was not the only other
Siridar invited to this...meeting."

A soft knock is heard upon the doors. An attendant approaches them and
opens them slowly.

Cesare turns his chair slightly around so that he can gain a more
convenient view of who is arriving.

Praxton sits down at the far end of the table.

Iason bows deeper to the others. "Count Moritani. Viscount Alvstad."

Kuviasungnerk walks in from Visitors' Lounge through the Double Doors.
Kuviasungnerk has arrived.

A tall, heavy man in a whalefur coat walks quickly into the room. He is
followed by two attendants, similarly clad. He bows thrice, once to each
of the Siridari. "Lords Alvstad, Atreides, Moritani. I thank you for
granting me audience on such short notice."

Iason raises a brow as he bows to the newcomer, taking a seat after his
Duke does.

Kirc stands and bows as well, adjusting his clothing absently as he sits
once more.

Iohannes rises to bow to the skin clad Ukluk Ambassador.

The man clears his throat. "I am Lord Ambassador Kuviasungnerk of House
Ukluk, here on official business from the Marquis Havioyak. The Marquis
bids you greeting."

Cesare rises and as he turns around his face lights up in utter
jubilation. He exclaims, "Kuviasungnerk! It has indeed been ages! A
delight to see you once again, sirrah!" He then proceeds to the diplomat
and pumps his hand warmly and proceeds to lead him over to the table.

The Ambassador graciously accepts the Lord Moritani's offer. "Thank you
very many, Count Moritani! I did not think that any would remember me."
He smiles, but declines the offered seat, preferring to stand.

Nils stands to greet the Ambassador. "Greetings, Lord Kuviasungnerk. On
what business do you travel so many parsecs to meet with us?"

Cesare smiles widely and pats the man on the back, saying "My good man,
of course I remember you! You treated me like an Emperor when I visited
your homeworld palace!" The Count then remembers himself and takes his
seat once more, his smile staying on that aristocratic face.

Kuviasungnerk waits for Cesare to sit down, then turns to Nils.
"Although I do regret to trouble my good friend Siridari, House Ukluk
comes to you with a request for succor. For many millennia, House Ukluk
has dealt profitably with each of the present Houses, without asking for
help or favors of any of the sorts. Today, however, I am forced to call
in a favor. Do not be put off until you hear our request."

Cesare leans forward, resting his arms on the table as he loses his
grin, his face turning downcast, brow furrowed and visage bearing a
thoughtful frown.

Nils sits down once more at the head of the table. "Do not be afraid to
voice your requests, Lord Ambassador. We are all on good terms here.
Speak, please."

Kuviasungnerk sways from side to side as he speaks, his hands fiddling
nervously behind his back. "I do not know if you have been hearing the
recent reports, but our House of Ukluk has come upon the bad times. We
are, I fear to say, near to losing our War of Assassins with House
Chakramurthi. Our old Marquis Iktatik has recently been assassinated in
a most unfortunate manner, and the new Marquis Havioyak is only nineteen
of age!”

Cesare booms, "Dear Lord! I cannot speak for Duke Paulos or Viscount
Alvstad, but tell me how House Moritani can help and if it be within my
power, you shall have it!"

Nils reaches under the table and fishes in his case. He returns with a
slightly yellowed newspaper in hand. The headline reads: MARQUIS UKLUK
ASSASSINATED IN GRUESOME SLAUGHTER. EXCLUSIVE PICTURES INSIIDE! The
Viscount passes the newspaper around the table. "I would not, if I were
you, turn to the inside pages. It is not a sight that you will soon
forget."

Iason looks over silently at the others, then to the Ambassador.

The Lord Ambassador shudders as he sees the newspaper, but continues.
"The Chakramurthi assassins have spread from one world to next, picking
off our whole government structures! Already we have been losing two of
our seven fief worlds to them. In the addition, we are running very low
on supplies. Our banks have been depleted and we are in desperate need
of solaris..."

Nils looks up suddenly at the mention of solaris. "Are you here simply
on a
fundraising mission? Is money all you want from us, Lord Ambassador?"

Cesare raises an eyebrow at the Viscount and then returns his attentions
to the visiting dignitary, "Lord Ambassador, what can we do to help in
this time of chaos for House Ukluk?”

Kuviasungnerk shakes his head vehemently. "No, good friend Siridar Nils!
I would not be thinking of such things. To give us such sums would be
out of the question!" He then pauses, and asks shyly, "It is not a
possibility, is it?"

Praxton glances meaningfully at Nils, an eyebrow slightly quirked.

Nils shakes his head slowly, but adds, "I can, however, offer my support
in any other manner. What else do you need?"

Kuviasungnerk nods, acceptingly. "We have a potential source for
frigateloads of Solaris...but they require some thing in exchange.
Something House Ukluk alone is unable to give...”

Iohannes looks at the Ambassador. "Does my Lord refer to potential mines
beneath the ice of his homeworld? Does his House suffer a dearth of
manpower?"

Iason finally speaks, after having listened most of this time. "And what
would this be, Lord Ambassador Kuviasungnerk?"

The Ambassador shakes his head, gravely. "No, Ambassador Helmsgilder.
Beneath the surface of my planet is water. Very cold water. And men, we
have. Or had, until the Chakramurthi came along."

Cesare raps his finger on the table, "Then what do you not have to
exchange for these "frigateloads of solaris" that we can render?"

Praxton begins rubbing his chin with his free hand, beginning to see
where this is going.

Kuviasungnerk unclasps his hands, and buries them in the parka's deep
pockets. "Patience for several moments while I am explaining." He sways
slightly to the left, then to the right. "On the sixth of our seven
worlds, Epsilon Corvi III, there is a House Minor named d'Alembert. They
are holding the governorship now, but wish more...”

Nils asks, "Are these the d'Alembert who are reputed to be such great
chefs? The d'Alembert of the Thousand-and-One Sauces fame?"

Iason's brows go up at that one, as he turns a bit to look at Nils.

Iohannes nods. "Ah, yes, the d'Alembert, for whom eating is known to be
a blissful, sensuous experience?"

The Ambassador nods. "I am glad they are familiar. Not just chefs, but
also businessmen! They have amassed a great fortune under their
governorship. The Baron Michele d'Alembert of Corvienne has been
offering House Ukluk great portions of their solaris, for a small
favor."

Kuviasungnerk clears his throat and continues. "House Minor d'Alembert
wishes to become a House Major. If we can secure them this, we can get a
grasp of the solaris necessary to beat back the Chakramurthi. But we
alone can not make Minor into Major. This is why we come to you, the
Lords Alvstad, Atreides, and Moritani."

Praxton blinks, apparently not the least bit surprised at this proposal.
"A bribe, is that the way of it?"

Cesare cocks his head to one side and ventures, "Are the d'Alemberts
pro-Landsraad or pro-Imperium?"

The Lord Ambassador scratches his bare chin. "You shall have to ask the
Lord Michel of this. However, it is believed by me that the d'Alembert
are pro..." He puts his hand pack into his pocket. "Whomever helps them
out in this."

Cesare gives a wry grin at that response and leans back in his chair,
looking around to see the reactions of the rest of those assembled.

Kuviasungnerk then turns to the Lord Atreides. "I do not consider this a
bribe. I consider in an...exchange. What, are we to give up an entire
world for nothing! It is much crazy! In our culture, 'giving', without
proper recompense, is considered foolish and inappropriate."

"Impossible", Praxton states, his tone steady. "Even if we could
convince the Emperor that there is blood-tie enough for a peerage, the
process would take years. The CHOAM inventories and structuring of
contracts, the motions before the Landsraad could easily take the rest
of this decade to debate."

Kuviasungnerk bites at his upper lip, and nods slowly. "We do not have a
decade for this. We have perhaps a year before House Chakramurthi
finishes off of the last of our planets. Does any here wish to see the
House of Chakramurthi so powerful? I do not believe any here are friends
of the Chakramurthi, to put it with kindness."

Praxton leans back in his chair, rocking slightly, "Friends or no, Lord
Ambassador, makes little difference. Personal motivations any of us may
have aside, pushing the motions through for House d'Alembert to gain
Major rank would require such an amount of political clout that it is
only slightly inside the realm of possibility to achieve it inside of
three years, let alone one."

Kuviasungnerk gesticulates frantically. "A House Chakramurthi with eight
worlds is a Chakramurthi I do not want in this universe. Why, upon their
very entrance into the Landsraad, they declared a Kanly upon the Ukluk!
Once they are sated with Ukluk, who is next? Xochpitli? Jung? Trement?
Or Alvstad? Atreides? Moritani?”

Cesare nods in agreement to the Ambassador's hypothetical question, "An
excellent observation, sirrah."

"There are other ways, Lord Ambassador," the Duke states firmly, in a
tone a bit too harsh. "To contain an aggressive House. Who is your Judge
of Change? We can intercede on your behalf to the Emperor, have him
direct the Judge to impose a Ban. We could motion before the Landsraad
Congress that the continuance of this conflict is destructive and order
the conflict settled by vote. We could force a CHOAM Directorial Decree
citing damages to CHOAM property above and beyond acceptable levels. All
of these can earn your House surcease from fighting."

Nils sits up in his seat and breaks his silence. "I must admit I have
been a Lord Council for but a handful of months, but is there nothing we
can do, Duke Paulos, between the three of us? You and I hold seats on
the Landsraad High Council. Lord Moritani and I hold Directorships in
the Company! And House Moritani is historically the closest House to the
Imperium itself! In this very room sits a very great deal of power. And
still our hands are tied?!?"

Praxton shakes his head emphatically, "Tied, no. Free to set about doing
the will of d'Alembert, yes. Any of these measures could be implemented
within the month, and I'm sure a brainstorm of our Mentats and
Ambassadors could come up with a half-dozen more. Chakramurthi will be
contained."

Justine walks in from Visitors' Lounge through the Double Doors.
Justine has arrived.

Praxton rises to his feet upon hearing Justine enter.

Justine steps in and looks around. She smiles and gives Praxton a bow.
"Good evening, your grace."

Iason rises as the lady Justine enters, bowing deeply to her.

Kuviasungnerk, recognizing the Viscount's niece, bows deeply. A worried
expression graces his face. His voice cracks nervously as he calls out,
"Lady Justine? Justine Garamond! I have not seen you since...well,
before the Garamond incident." He looks away, sadly.

Cesare grabs the arms of his chair and leans over the table, his mouth
open and obviously about to say something, but he turns and nods to the
entering lady instead.

Justine blinks, obviously not expecting Kuviasungnerk. "Heavens!" She
splutters in surprise.

Justine grins and says, "Why, Kuvia, this is certainly a surprise!”

Justine glides over and gives Kuvia a hug. "It's a delight to see you.
What are you doing on Kaitain? It must be important, given all the
honored company here."

The Ambassador holds out a hand, palm downward. "You were this high." He
sighs. "I was a great friend of...of your father..." His voice trails
off at the end.

Cesare raises a hand to cut off the small talk and pleasant banterings
in order to return to the much more important matter at hand, "Yes,
indeed! A Ban would not be terribly amiss if the Forms have been
disobeyed... Did the approved list of targets for this War of Assassins
include the Marquis himself?"

Kuviasungnerk breathes deeply and continues, "I am here because of the
sad times. House Ukluk needs some assistance soon, or we go soon to meet
House Garamond, so to speak..."

Praxton settles himself back down on hearing the Moritani Count so
bluntly direct the conversation.

Justine nods to Kuvia, and is quiet, whispering a few sentences to him
only.

Kuviasungnerk, all his attention on Justine, ignores the discussion in
the background. He catches the Lord Moritani's last sentence, and
responds, "Unfortunately, the Chakramurthi have been obeying of all the
forms. Had they erred in this, you are thinking that we would be forced
to such ends! Our mentat has exhausted all probabilities. I only come
here to request help in this as our last of resorts!"

Cesare looks sympathetically into the eyes of the ambassador, "My
friend, a Ban could still be called. All that requires is for the Judge
to determine that the Kanly is detrimental to the Landsraad or the
Imperium as a whole. Surely these recent actions point in that
direction!"

"The Count is correct," Praxton adds. "Under Sections 241 and 242 of the
Great Convention, which describe the Ban procedure in exquisite detail."

Nils has been rooting through tablets and tablets of notes during this
exchange.  He finds what he is searching for, and speaks up. "House
Ukluk has requested the Ban thrice in the last decade. Three different
Judges have declined it."

Justine asks, "Why?"

Cesare pounds his fist on the table in frustration, "Blast it all! Well,
there is yet another avenue open to us. What has been the level of
economic damage caused by this Kanly?"

Praxton gestures to the newspaper clipping with the pictorial of the
gruesome assassination, "I think this is merit enough for a new try.
There are limits to civilized behaviour, even within the confines of War
of Assassins.”

Iason nods a bit, his lips tightly pursed.

Justine leans over to look at the newspaper clipping.

Kirc shifts in his seat, eyes following the discussion.

Nils turns several pages in the notebook. "I have no information on
that, Cesare. Lord Ambassador?"

Kuviasungnerk confers briefly with his attendants. "The Chakramurthi
have been careful to leave all the major industries on the worlds
intact, only targeting the acceptable government officials. In fact,
they are quick to turn these industries under their own uses, producing
supplies for the troops." He sighs heavily. "Our mentat is not an
incompetent. We have gone through all of this many a time."

"Due respect, Lord Ambassador," Praxton ventures, "but I would refuse on
general principle to see a House ascended to Major status as part of a
bribe, no matter how noble the cause. On these grounds alone, I would
have to irrevocably object."

The Lord Ambassador begins to get frustrated. "I do not ask so much of
your Houses! Only sponsorship of the d'Alembert application. There is
not a thing wrong in that. If we can provide sponsors, the Lord Michel
will be gladly turning over some solaris!"

Praxton glances quickly at Iason, then says, his tone sorrowful, "Were
your entire planet made of melange, Lord Kuviasungnerk, you would not
have enough solari to buy Atreides patronage of an unworthy man. I would
be a traitor to my class and my Emperor were I to offer support of this
man, sight unseen."

Kuviasungnerk's boots pad on the hardwood in an agitated manner. "Not
bribe! Not bribe! Not bribe! The world of Corvienne belongs to Ukluk,
not d'Alembert! Ukluk world! Would you give up your world for free!
No-strings-attached, have fun with our world! No, many times not!"

Justine folds her arms and leans back against the wall.

Nils stands up. "Lord Ambassador, calm yourself, or you will get nothing
from House Alvstad! Now, before we offer our help, will you set up an
audience with the Lord d'Alembert? I agree with Praxton that we should
not support him sight unseen!"

"You will control your temper, Ambassador", the Duke says sternly, "and
remember your place. I appreciate a man with dignity, and I am sensitive
to honor, but this is entirely too much. I would not want to call
'Siridar' and 'Cher Cousine' a man who was stupid, or morally inept, or
mentally unstable, for instance."

Cesare adds his voice to the other Siridars, "I too concur. As much as I
want to help you, and indeed I DO, I cannot without having at first at
least met this fellow. Sauces be damned, I shall not support a man's bid
for membership among the Houses Major if I have not the faintest idea of
who he is and what he stands for."

Kuviasungnerk pulls out a chair and sits down. He closes his eyes and
counts out ten short words in his native language. "I apologize for my
outburst, noble Siridari. I am simply at my wits' end. I have been send
representing the new Marquis, and am afraid that my failure will be
meaning the end of ten millennia of Ukluk history." He sighs, and opens
his eyes. "I will send word to the Baron Michel and his family that his
presence is required on Kaitain. He should arrive within the week."

Praxton leans back in his chair, apparently satisfied with this
arrangement. He glances from left to right, first to Nils, then to
Cesare, scanning their faces for reactions to this offer.

Justine purses her lips, watching this.

Nils sits down, satisfied. "If the Baron d'Alembert and his family need
lodging during their visit, there are excellent facilities in the
Alvstad country estate. If the Baron is the man he is reputed to be, I
will without hesitancy offer him the use of my humble home."

Cesare nods curtly. "Do that, my friend, and we shall see what we shall
see. In the mean time, inform your Marquis that if he so wishes I should
be glad to entertain him at the Moritani Embassy here on Kaitain. Some
wine and revels should be at least a temporary escape from all this
hardship and heartache, eh?"

Praxton is strangely silent, curiously not following the lead of the
other Siridari in offering help and hospitality.


Kuviasungnerk weighs the offer. "I cannot accept such offers on the
behalf of the Lord d'Alembert; I am the representative only of the House
of Ukluk. I had assumed that the Baron would stay at the Imperial Hotel,
as he usually is to do... But I am sure that, if either the Lords
Alvstad or Moritani would offer their hospitality for a night of dinner
and mingling, the Lord d'Alembert would not oppose."

Cesare raises a finger in interjection, "Well, why not make it a two
night affair? Mayhap one night have dinner at at the Moritani Embassy,
and the next night a formal meeting here to try and iron something out?"

Nils smiles thinly and says, "A fine proposal, Moritani. Perhaps some
other
Houses could be persuaded to attend?"

Cesare pounds one fist into another and replies, "A capital idea! If
nothing else, it should garner more sympathies for the cause of House
Ukluk and make House d'Alembert more well-known amongst the Siridari."

Lord Ambassador Kuviasungnerk bows and states, "I will send the request
through the Guild. Response should be forthcoming. If I am needed, I
stay at the Imperial Hotel." His attendants turn and open the heavy
double doors. "Good night, Lords Siridari. House Ukluk is utmostly
thankful for such a show of support. Thank you very many!" He turns and
exits, his attendants following.

Justine wiggles her fingers silently, waving.

Cesare bows to the departing dignitary.

Iason bows as the Ambassador leaves.

Nils rises and bows to the noble ambassador. "I wish the best for your
endeavor, Lord Kuviasungnerk. I shall contact you on the morrow."

Kuviasungnerk walks to the south and passes through the Double Doors.
Kuviasungnerk has left.