Kanly TP part 5(2)

[coon.27@osu.edu]

Juhren's face grows rather grim, and he merely nods in response. "Go on."

Bernh looks impassive, "When I came to Kaitain, it appeared my current post
was held by a baffoon, now it appears that our Mentat was subverted by
another house. As you must realize, this is quite a mess to clean up."

Juhren nods. "I see." His face betrays nothing of the wheels turning inside.

Bernh looks down at his hands, like the information he has been stating is
completely his fault, "Unfortuneately we have had security problems on the
homeworld as well, this of course is due to the rapidly changing
leadership, and poor security measures. It is also due to the oppressive
governmental policies that the former administration carried on."

Juhren simply leans back and replies, "Seems like you have quite a few
problems on your hands." He frowns, "However, why are you telling me this?"
He chuckles dryly, "Are you trying to convince me to help you end this
Kanly because I feel sorry for you?"

Bernh looks quizically at the Moritani Mentat, "You don't feel sorry for
me?" Smiling he then says, "Of course you don't, but that is beside the
point. The POINT is, our mutual fighting weakens us both. I wish to
negotiate a truce, so our houses can settle our internal affairs, and in
some greater sense spend time healing wounds that have been dealt by fate."

Juhren settles deeper into the booth and seems to ponder something for a moment.

Juhren leans forward his face hardening, "What, can you tell me, would be
the advantages in this for the House Moritani?" He chuckles, "I do not see
that we are in an extremely weak position at this point. Think, we have the
Bene Gesserit as our close allies, as well as the Harkonnens. We have
nothing to lose from continuing this Kanly." He glances upward and then
back at Bernh, "Can you tell me what we have to gain from ending the
conflict?"

Bernh evades the question for a moment, "Allies, allies are like bad
relations, when times are good they sit in your house, drink your beer, and
tell you that you are wonderful. When times are bad, they complain, they
rant, and eventually they leave you with a house that is messy, and devoid
of any valuables."

Bernh continues, "House Ginaz merely wishes to end this destructive
conflict, if not permenantly, at least for a little while."

Bernh sits back and waits to see what Jurhen will say.

Juhren merely laughes, "My dear Bernh, anyone knows that allies are allies
only as long as they have reason to be. Wheels within wheels, no?"

Bernh nods, "And they leave when their plans best benefit them. I am
selling a chance to be strong when this happens. House Ginaz might appear
weak, but I assure you looks are deceiving. I should not have to outline to
you how House Ginaz forces, confident in our soon to be victories, could be
used in reference to House Moritani. Besides the morale benefit, they would
aslo be battle hardened, and prepared to strike at those who our propaganda
ministers claim as our worst enemies. This is not a threat, merely a
speculation."

Juhren leans forward, elbows on the table. He takes a small sip of his
almost forgotten beer, and clears his throat. "I am going to try to aid you
in bringing this Kanly to a close, but not for the reasons you think." He
pauses.

Bernh waits showing little to no emotion, while he is waiting he takes a
small sip of port.
Juhren fiddles with his cane beside him as he speaks, "Our house is in a
dire predicament. We have the Bene Gesserit on one side, and the Harkonnen
on the other. " He glances over at Ulrich, "You have heard of the impending
wedding of our Siridar Count and one of the Bene Gessarit witches?"

Bernh twitches a small smile, "Of course."

Juhren nods, "Projecting the far reaching impact this will have upon our
house, I have come only to one conclusion, as I am sure has our allies the
Harkonnens, and perhaps even yourselves."
Juhren grimaces, "The only end I can see to this wedding is that the great
house of Moritani will become more and more the pawns of the Bene Gesserit
witches. "

Bernh looks sympathetic, "I can understand how such emasculation could
upset even the staunchest of subjects."

Juhren continues after a deep drink of beer, "Now, I can also project
fairly accurately what the response of the Harkonnen's will be to this
marriage. They, realizing what our house will become; merely a tool of
those damnable witches, will withdraw themselves from us, and perhaps even
become active enemies."

Bernh offers no comment on the Harkonnen.

Juhren sighs, slighly, "Now, you think your house is undergoing troubles,
try and deal with the Bene Gesserit for a while. " Again he chuckles dryly.
"Anyhow, the point is, at this time the house Moritani needs as much peace
on all fronts as possible. We, I, need to be able to focus all of our
energy on this situation with the Bene Gesserit." He frowns at Bernh, "I
personally have no love for the Ginaz, and would like nothing better then
to continue the Kanly." He shrugs, "But, with all that I have just said, I
think it would be wiser to consider even a short truce or something along
those lines."

Bernh sighs, "Exactly, It is wiser to strike hard at a single opponent,
rather than have many opponents who way lay you and bring you to your
knees." Looking Juhren in the eye, "I can draw up the terms of the truce,
right now even, if it is agreeable with you."

Juhren raises a hand, "But, before we even begin to set another meeting to
discuss this idea further, I would to have some of my own questions
answered." He smiles, almost politely.
Bernh looking a bit like a child who was just scolded for his impatence,
"Of course. You merely need to set a time and we can meet."

Juhren bends his head slightly. "First, what is your houses relationship
with the Bajazet?" His mouth smiles, but his eyes remain hard.

Bernh look the Moritani straight in the eye, "We have formed an alliance
primarily for support from certain Houses in the Landsraad that have taken
a direct hand in our internal mismanagement."

Juhren blinks, "Explain yourself please?"

Ulrich pulls out a pocketwatch, 'i'm sorry, but i need to be off good day
to you sirs."
Bernh nods to Ulrich as he leaves, then returning to Juhren says, "It seems
that the Maricinko Republican Brotherhood is recieving aid from another
house."

You say, "The quick assumption is that it is House Moritani that is helping
them. But any beggar in Kaitain could guess that. Therefore it could NOT be
your House."

Juhren nods and chuckles.

Bernh looks disturbed at revealing this information, "As we are to begin an
era of Truce, I suppose it might be wise to reveal to you some of my
assumptions."

Juhren stands quickly, "Very well then, why don't you prepare those terms
that you spoke of. I will be in contact with the Na-Countess, and hopefully
we will both set up a meeting with you soon."
Juhren inclines his head, "Yes?"

Bernh motions to sit, "Ill be brief, but I believe the Harkonnen are using
you in a bid to better themselves in the Landsraad."

Juhren sits again.
Juhren tilts his head sideways, "How so?"

Bernh looks embarrased, "I have estimated that there is a 1 in 10 chance
that they are involved in our internal struggle as well."

Juhren nods, "That could be possibly true. I would not know, as I do not
have your information sources."

Bernh returns to the question at hand, "If the Bene Gesserit and Moritani
unite, the Harkonnen stand to lose, thus the Harkonnen must be in a better
position should they wish to stand alone, right?"

Bernh continues, "Also should they weaken the Ginaz, it would aid them in
their bids for landsraad leadership. Weakening us allows them a better
position against the Bajazet, because a weak ally hurts the stronger
partner."

Juhren nods, "So far I see your point. However, why would they want to
weaken us? Since we are their allies, it would seem that your last point
would apply."

Bernh finishes the circle, "Yes, but it is well known of the Harkonnen
hatred of the Bene Gesserit, adding that with their actions towards our
house it would make sense that they would seek to weaken you like a
parasite, by clinging to you as tightly as possible."

Bernh emphasizes, "If the Harkonnen can subvert OUR adminstration, a house
at best neutral to them. How easily can they subvert an ally?"

Juhren chuckles, "I see your comparison. However, that is the only part of
your plans that I do not agree with. I see the Bene Gesserit more as a
impediment to the Moritani then as a help in the long run. In this, I am
sure the Harkonnen's agree with me."

Bernh looks again embarrassed, "Well I do not have all the facts, but I
sense that there shall be more facts revealed in time."

Juhren stand again, "Well, I must be on my way, but be assured, we will
meet soon." He chuckles, "Hopefully we will both have much more information
when we do."
Juhren leaves the corner booth.
Juhren bows.

Bernh stands, saying, "till we meet again."

Juhren nods, and exits, his guards following him.
Juhren passes through the arch leading into the hotel lobby.
Juhren has left.


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