Sen meets Cabal

Warmaster's Office -- Harkonnen Embassy (Kaitain)
This oval, moderately sized office is tasteful, if rather spartan in decor. The walls form a study in subtle blues and grays, with silver highlights that compliment rather than contrast with the ambiance due to the subdued lighting. Several paintings depicting planets and landscapes of past House battles adorn the walls, giving the room the appearance of some surreal microcosm of war. A black iron conference table stands in the center of the room. At the east end of the room, two metal chairs, which seem as indestructible as they are uncomfortable, face a modest metal desk, hard, cold and unyielding. Hanging on the wall behind the desk is an intimidating black sword and an impressive plaque filled with medals for commendations.
Players:
Cabal
Exits:
Black Door <W> leads to Security Nexus -- Harkonnen Embassy (Kaitain)

Sen walks in from Security Nexus through the Black Door.
Sen has arrived.
Sen hasn't had occasion to be in this room before. She had it scanned and approved, along with Nestor, but they both have staff for that. Consequently, the Swordmaster looks a little curious, eyes dancing unsettlingly as she examines every object and structural annotation while facing the Warmaster. "Yes? You needed me, Warmaster?"

Cabal sits behind his desk in the middle of eating a Melange roll, holding a cup of some dark liquid in the other hand which appears to be a tea of some sort judging by the herbal aroma wafting from it. He looks up to you, and motions you to take a seat as he finishes chewing and swallowing the roll in his other hand. A hard gulp there followed by a quick splash of dark tea, and he speaks in a low, gruff voice, "Ahh, the Swordmaster herself. Captain Sen Howyrm'n, please, have a seat."

Cabal licks his lips, perhaps to taste the residual Melange lingering there, or perhaps for another reason entirely. He takes a moment to observe you, as if he was inspecting your uniform, but you can easily guess that it is not your attire he is interested in. He squints one of his Ixian eyes as the similar technologies regard one another in cold scrutiny, "Hmm, exquisite. You are indeed a work of art. Those enigmatic Ixians...so much to learn and gain from them." His musing ends abruptly as he remembers his 'snack' and says snidely, "Forgive my manners. Would you care for one? Or perhaps some Rastanyev tea?"

Sen replies, "I will have a cup of the tea, thank you. No cream, spice, nor sugar." She adds presently, "I am not Ixian. I am of Tleilaxu derivation."
The Warmaster closes the cigar box looking container which holds the Melange rolls and pushes them to the side. A turned over cup still sitting on the tray the tea came from is brought and filled with the slightly syrup-like liquid. Cabal suggests as he pours your cup, "I highly recommend some raspberry brandy to go with it - it improves vastly on an already good drink."
Sen declines in her genteel, pastel-colored way. "I do not use alcohol."

Cabal shrugs as he slides the metal cup toward your side of his desk. He leans back in his chair a bit as he sips from his own cup, "Well met, Swordmaster. I have been looking forward to meeting you. Tleilaxu, you say? How very interesting. I am not as familiar with their technologies as I am with those of Ix, as you can imagine, though I am aware of their reputation in genetics..."

Sen takes up her saucer and cup and blows delicately across the tea, although her eyes stay set upon Cabal as he speaks. She seems a slightly inappropriate combination of received culture and alien abstraction. Her weirdly opaque, but lilting voice helps with some of the effect. "Few are familiar. I myself am only slightly. Is that the intent of this meeting; introduction?" She doesn't sound exasperated or pleased. She doesn't sound like she has any opinion on it at all.

The General takes a moment longer to regard you, and your countenance, as if gauging your reaction to his words. He responds indifferently, "That, among other things. I was curious as to your qualifications as Swordmaster...where you trained at the Ginaz Academy at all?" Strange question that, considering he probably has access to such information, especially being a graduate there himself.

Cabal purses his lips as he considers that, or perhaps something else. He comments matter-of-factly, "I've seen some reel on your...combat performance. Impressive. I am doubtful that even -I- would be able to beat you in a fight. Perhaps I could train with you sometime - I am not unwilling to acknowledge that I can improve and learn from others." He drinks from his tea again as he opens a secure drawer in his desk and pulls out an official looking document which he places in front of him. The tea is set down then, as his hands interlace their fingers loosely on the document. He states coldly, as if he was devoid of emotion, "Well, perhaps before we get more acquainted, we should discuss some...business. I have learned from Our Lord Baron that you fall outside the military in your position, as well as those under you. To keep the military well-ordered and under firm control, I have made a decree regarding some things effecting you and your men." He removes his hands and slides the document to you as he adds resolutely, "It is not something up for debate, and if you have a grievance, you may petition the Baron Himself about it. If you can accept this decree as it is intended, not personally, then we can move on to other things."

1. All Sessylwehr units assigned to Captain Sen Howyrm'n, House Swordmaster, and within the feif granted her by Baronial decree, shall henceforth be solely known as "Jagers" in order to distinguish them from the Sessylwehr branch as a whole, which shall remain under the command of the General appointed by the House Warmaster. The classification and reference of "Jagers" will be reserved for those units under the Swordmaster's command, and will no longer be considered a part of the Harkonnen military proper. Furthermore, the "Jagers" have had their ranks and commissions summarily retired as appropriate, as it will be the responsibility forthwith of the Swordmaster who commands them to promote them, pay them, supply them, and support them in all other ways.

2. No military assets or resources will be extended to the "Jagers," therefore, any operations conducted by the Swordmaster's "Jagers" which will require military resources controlled by the Harkonnen army itself, will be cleared and authorized by the House Warmaster, unless superceded by the Baron Himself. Additionally, the Holzhammers shall remain the property of the Swordmaster and her "Jagers," and no use of that equipment is permitted by the Harkonnen military without expressed and prior written consent from the Swordmaster.

3. Also, the Swordmaster and her "Jagers" will choose a uniform other than that of the Harkonnen military colors of blue and gray in order to distinguish themselves from the military proper. This choice of uniform style and color is left largely to the discretion of the Swordmaster, but it is naturally assumed that it will meet the Baron's approval. Wearing the uniform of a Harkonnen soldier without being an actual member of that military is considered a crime under Harkonnen military code, section 112 (Impersonating a Harkonnen Soldier).

4. Finally, the Swordmaster by virtue of her unique position and skills will retain special training priveledges for the House, and as such, will be sought out for advanced training of Harkonnen military personnel as approved by the Warmaster. Colonel Rhedek Maas-Stroheim will henceforth be in command of Embassy military assets on Kaitain, specifically, the Feldwehr (1st Company, 2nd Battalion), the Drakenkorps (1st Flight, 3rd Squadron), and Klevek (1st Lance, 2nd Brigade) to include selection, training, and logistics. Colonel Maas may, as he deems necessary, recommend Embassy troops for advanced training with the Swordmaster, pending the Warmaster's approval.

Sen considers this for a little while as she sips her tea. Presently she says, apropos of little, "Thank you- this is good tea." She sets it on the table and makes a flowering gesture, clasping her hands and blooming her fingers from the opening bud. "I would be pleased to work with you, as I can. It is, after all, one of my roles. What is your decree?"

With his nebulous eyes, as empty as space itself, Cabal indicates the document in front of you with a downward glance, indicated more by the lowering of his eyelids than the movement of his black eyes. He emphasizes dryly, "It is all there. Of course, you may read it at your leisure, since it will not be a subject open for discussion." The finality of his words are reminiscent of an execution order, though not as lethal perhaps. His hands come together then, the finger tips bouncing off one another in some display of exerted patience.

Cabal draws his lips into an even, expressionless line as he replies, "Only that my decision to limit your involvement in military matters in no way reflects my opinion on your rather...unique, and advanced abilities and enhanced skills as a Swordmaster. Bearing that in mind, I look forward to working with you closely in training sessions and perhaps military operations that you are involved in." His hands fall into his lap then, where they remain unseen.

Sen makes a little tick-tick affirmation with the second and third fingers of her right hand and executes a fairly realistic smile. "Since leaving the Sessylwehr," she says, pronouncing the old word with a surprising accent- listening to her speak corrupted German is something like wading through treacle- "I have only been involved in military operations as seen fit by My Baron. Presumably, as you seem not to be a Warmaster to delegate his responsibilities, we will work together by necessity. So far as our work overlaps."

Cabal's lips twitch into a frown briefly as he returns evenly, "That sounds...reasonable, though you may consider me to be Our Lord Baron's sword, by which he dispatches the enemies of the House, both within and without." The implication of his words is left to interpretation as he continues without benefit of further explanation, "I will be providing you with the first of many candidates for advanced training with you, and though I expect there to be an...attrition rate, I similarly expect the results of those who complete such training to be exemplary." He lifts his tea again, and freshens it with some more raspberry brandy, leaving you to wonder what the proportion of tea to brandy is in his cup.

By a flicker of her bright eyes, Howrym'n observes the decreasing proportion of tea to brandy, but that would appear to be all. She watches the Warmaster for a little while, then laughs abruptly, a beautiful crystalline laugh like a glass windchime. Her teeth are numerous and milky. "If you are the sword, and I am the Swordmaster, what does that make Alexi?"

Cabal answers succinctly, "The poison on the blade." He finishes his drink in a single gulp then and places the empty cup on the tray before his hands disappear in his lap again. He decides to change the topic suddenly but perhaps to the relief of you both, "So tell me, Swordmaster, what do you think of Colonel Maas?"

Cabal nods in approval, as comments in kind, "Swordmaster, you have a penchant for bluntness, I fear. I like that. Mind you, the Colonel is enthusiastic, and though he may lack humility, that is far more an Atreides trait than Harkonnen. I suspect his own mistakes will be his best teacher in tempering his fervor to impress others. Make no mistake, he is good in his area of expertise, and I am confident he will be competent in overseeing the Embassy troops." He begins to grin in near malevolence as he adds, "It may interest you to know that his name is among the first list of candidates for advanced training with you. Perhaps he may learn a greater lesson than combat skills at your hands?"

Sen runs her fingertips up to the opposite elbows, then swivels her arms to reverse the position, before unfolding them and taking up her cup again. She sips thoughtfully. "I consider the Colonel's haughtiness a potential security risk. I will not train him truthfully. He is successful in his given role and needs no further skill to continue to carry it out. Given further skill, he would desire greater authority. I must therefore partially decline."

Cabal narrows his Ixian eyes at you, and leans forward in his chair as says in a sneer, "I don't believe it is an option for you to decline, Swordmaster. I was merely extending professional courtesy by suggesting that those who will be trained by you are candidates for such, but formalities aside, the Colonel is indisputably in need of...refinement. And I feel that he will gain that from you, among other things. It is not a request, and though you may not be in my chain of command for me to make that an order, I am quite certain that Our Lord Baron would enforce my wishes here, since training of House members -is- part of the Swordmaster's duties. It is my assessment that Colonel Maas is in need of such training." He shakes his head then in disappointment, "I thought you would be eager for such an opportunity, considering your opinion of him. If you force me to consult the Baron, it will not reflect well on you. And as far as Rhedek being a security risk or not, I do not think it is your place to question the Mentat's judgement on that, since it is he who cleared the Colonel for Embassy duty here."

Sen continues to stare, unblinking, moist. "I suggest that you may have overestimated the Mentat's interest in your own safety. I further suggest that the security risk posed by the Colonel is to yourself."
The androgyne sips her tea, then adds, "I would not, were I you, suppose that Master Nestor delivers all his computations unlayered and without agenda."

The thick brows furrow a bit, as if in mock surprise of the insubordination, no matter how displaced it may be. "I can assure you, Swordmaster, that I am well aware of the Mentat's utilitarian views on such things, and that if Colonel Maas fails in his duties, or poses a security risk for that matter, it will not be me alone who faces...criticism from the Baron over it. After all, it is the Mentat who cleared him. Be that as it may, I appreciate your...concern for my well-being, and it is duly noted, but wholly unnecessary. It doesn't change the fact that you -will- train Rhedek so that he may learn some tact and discretion. I promise you that you will lose an argument over the matter with me, ultimately." He feigns a smile at that.

Cabal lifts his chin slightly, as if to peer down his nose a bit at you in disdain, "Nor do I, Swordmaster, as I am not accustomed to such, and find it...distasteful. But I will see my way done in this, and his training under you is in my opinion in the best interests of the House. I would hope that you feel the same way."

Cabal sours a bit at your elusiveness, and states resolutely, "True enough, but that is not what I meant. Regardless, you will have the training list in two weeks time. If you refuse it in whole or in part, I will consult the Baron. I believe that concludes our...conversation, for now. You may leave, Swordmaster." He ends the meeting abruptly, staring at you blankly, as cold and unyielding as the chair you occupy.

Sen watches Cabal as she finishes her tea. She touches a fingertip to the corner of her left eye, draws that finger back to her little ear, then opens her hand and passes it before the lower half of her face once. She sets the teacup down on its saucer on the desk. "I enjoyed the tea," she pronounces, examines Cabal for another few seconds, then at the time when one would expect her to speak again, turns and leaves. Her timing is impeccable, and entirely off.
Sen walks to the west and passes through the Black Door.
Sen has left.