Little Death

[Libby]

Blair MacReachtain was a couple of weeks into her stay in Chanal University, she'd been sent to search out and record any theological documents that may be of interest to the Bene Gesserit, in truth though the Missionara Protectiva's best Roving Scholar would much rather have been with her Truthsayer buddies in Seitch. She'd checked the usual news outlets to try and get information about the ongoing siege but little was avaliable and being away from Chapterhouse meant she was kind of out the loop. Next up for her was the local newspapers, she made a point of doing this every morning, after all it helped her gauge the mood of the nation. As she left the room she shared with two others. She scanned looking for any interesting articles when an image caught her eyes. A woman standing next to a weird looking airplane, Blair shook her head in disbelief that such a piece of junk could even fly yet alone be an efficent war machine. She read the article and felt sorry for the old woman, to die in such circumstances was horrific but to be a war veteran and in such a male dominated role made her someone worthy of a nice clean death, she found herself inadvertedly saying a Bene Gesserit blessing.

"Oh mighty Shai-hulud
Keeper of balance
Bless the Maker and His water
Bless the coming and going of Him
May His passage cleanse the world"

She was about to turn the page when her eyes were drawn once more to the photograph and there on the side of the cockpitt was a small white creature painted on. The picture wasn't clear and she took the paper over to the desk and scrambled in a draw for her magnifying glass, being a history and archaelogy student here meant she regularly was looking at copies of texts that were hard to read and now she watched as the Jerboa came into focus. "Holy Shit!" she mumbled to herself, a sense of pride beginning to swell. The Jerboa wasn't an animal native to Ahkabnil and she looked carefully at the image examining the pilots uniform carefully, she knew what she was looking for and there on the pilots webbing she spotted it, a knife, she had no idea why but she began praying that she was right. She turned on her laptop and began searching of images of other pilots from the era, she found several but all men. She examined their uniform and each had a knife in the exact same spot, she picked up the paper once more and magnified the knife, everyone elses was dark, clearly the grey metal, this woman's was white. "Its a crystknife" she stood up and retreived her mobile phone and rang the local paper. "Hello, I was hoping you can help me, my grand-father was a member of the Air Force during the war and he spotted the funeral of that poor old women, he'd like to attend and show respect......yes there aren't many of them left and he wants to give her a good send off......once a comrade always a comrade kind of thing.......ok.....that's great thanks." the newspaper had given her the time, location and date of the funeral.


Two days later Blair had meet Maisie Riley at the hotel, she was dressed in black and carrying a large handbag. "Hi Blair" the Truthsayer Officer gave her friend a hug. "You sure about this?" she asked having had the story of an ancient flying Truthsayer relayed to her. "We've no record of these women back home."

"Not surprised, I mean you Truthsayers are infantry aren't you." she knew what was coming.

"I'd say Commando's" Maise corrected as they got into the rental car Blair had brought. "I brought one" she opened the handbag and showed the Crystknife that she had brought with her, it was freshly carved and pure white the bone not discoloured at all. "Won't we look a bit weird two random girls turning up at an old woman's funeral."

"Maybe" Blair said, "But we can't let her passing go without having someone there, even if I'm wrong this woman must have been badass, I mean imagine travelling to a strange land to fight in a war doing something hardly any women had ever done before." there was clear pride in Blair's voice. They arrived at the funeral and made their way inside trying to keep to their own company while checking out the scene before them.

[Norgeras]

"A Hell of a reoccurring Nightmare." Monika sighed as she smiled upon the Students around her: "And shellfish. Seriously, i didn't expect worm-parts to be triggering my Shellfish allergy."

She was laying down a bit, sipping from the glass of Water: "Thank you, Lydia. I am glad you people here know your sh...." Monika coughed remembering that young women where around: "your medical Incidents."

Waiting for the Mother to arrive again, and recovering some strength, Monika cursed inwardly. Not only did she fall unconscious in the middle of unknown Territory, she also blabbed about having Nightmares to woman who did read a lot into these things. It might work out in the end if she kept being honest with them, but the thought of having to lay bare her actual self during a mission was shaking her to the bone. Her old Teacher would sure scold her for such unprofessional Blunder.

As the Mother returned, Monika didn't even bother trying to sit up, at this point she still felt the aftereffects and was glad she could lay down, answering Hannah's questions: "I was many things, being a spy for quite a while. Gardener, Escort and yes, actually i was a Priestess for half a year as well. It comes Naturally to learn about Theology to a point when you have to become a believable image."

"While we are at it, it seems i will have to become a Teacher as well now. We Uburzians speak a German dialect, and to make the Get up convincing i will have to stay at this school at least a full day anyway, so why not use it." Chuckling at the surrounding girls, she tilted her head: "Not the greatest first impression i probably left though."
Resting her head again she nodded slowly: "I will accept the invitation for the evening, though can't stay the night. I am after all officially the ambassador's secretary right now. You can't leave that man alone for too long or he'll cause an incident out of ignorance."

[Achkaerin]

Ashley smiled it was a good answer, she brushed a stray hair from her eyes.
"A man's worth is not in strength, wealth or possessions but in their deeds." she said "For the battle is not to the strong but the brave, after all a tha a 'dùrachdan a' buannachadh." she'd slipped into her Gaelic again, she'd spent hours studying it intensely in the preparation for this assignment. "Now then for my second question, it may seem a little bit of a dumb one but the truth is that with the exception of the Kaitaine Pravda, a publication that we pay next to no attention to, given that it's about as objective as Gossip Daily is about King Leonard's sexuality, no one really reports on the Bene Gesserit. So while we know what Kaitaine says we don't know what you say - so I'm here and I'm listening what's your story?"

[Libby]

The main hall of Chapterhouse was in many ways something akin to Hogwarts, there were eight long tables arranged in four columns and at the top of the hall one long table perpandicular to the others. As a dinner bell rang out across the school it was left to Lydia Fremen to help Monika down to the dining hall, already it was a bustle of noise, the four tables closest to the head table held the senior girls, those who at the age of 12 had undergone testing and had been assigned a branch of the Sisterhood. The Mothers sat in smart white shirts with black cardigans done up, next to them sat the Missionara Protectiva, their school uniform of blue blazers, next in line were the Truthsayers, who while probably the most disciplined looked the least tidy, they sat in camo trousers but a variety of coloured hooded tops each for a different squad. Finally on the right were the Honored Matres, they sat in plain black dressed with white shawls around their shoulders. On the tables at the back girls who had not yet been tested sat each in the schools uniform of white shirt, tartan skirt and black blazer. The hall quietened down as Lydia and Monika entered followed by the various other members of staff, some of whom sat amongst the girls while others went to the head table.

A group of women brought out steaming bowls of vegetables, potatoes and trays with slices of beef arranged on them. "Don't worry Monika" Hannah McKey said in a quiet tone, "It's all shellfish free" she smiled as a large silver gravey boat was placed before them. It was marvellous that not a single girl had moved towards the food each sitting eagerly waiting. Hannah stood and picked up the water jug from in front of her pouring half its contents onto the floor behind her, immediately a girl who couldn't be aged more than six or seven was there with a towel to soak it up, the water was rung from the towel into another jug and that poured onto a single ornamental tree that grew behind the centre of the head table.

"Oh mighty Shai-hulud
Keeper of balance
Bless the Maker and His water
Bless the coming and going of Him
May His passage cleanse the world"

Hannah spoke loudly with many of the girls joining in by the end of the first line until each girl recited their blessing. "Please do not rush off after the meal, we have a special event tonight." Hannah sat down and the girls lunged for the various trays each taking a fair share before passing them on, as some of the bowls and trays emptied more where brought. "We dine like this only Monday to Friday, at weekends the girls do many activities and generally eat within their boarding houses. I believe Lydia that pizza is a favourite."

The young Fremen was deputy leader of one of the houses and Saturday night had become pizza and DVD night meaning a regular 20+ pizza delivery from a takeaway close by. "Since I've taught the girls the correct ettiqute that Pineapple deserves no place on a pizza its got better" As the dinner progressed Monika would have noticed only one man present in the hall, Nathanial Corrino sat on the left hand side of the Mother and was generally quiet throughout the meal. As the plates and dishes were cleared away Hannah rose and spoke to Monika, "No none Bene Gesserit has witnessed this before." The Mother pulled up the hood on her black robe and instantly plunged her face into shadow. The girls on the tables below sensed what was happening and as such stood and slid their benches under turning to face the central aisle. The far door opened and a girl dressed in a red uniform of the Honored Matres walked forward, she was flanked by two of the recent graduates, her friends Erin and Maggie, a trainee Mother and Missionara. The Honored Matres was Holly Cathcart and she was nervous, this was the duty she'd been created for, to serve the Sisterhood and in her case one of the Holy Houses, the most important one. She stopped just before the head table and sat cross legged on the floor.

"Nathanial Corrino, brother of the Duke, member of House Corrino of the Holy Four" Hannah began talking in an almost trance like voice, "Examine the girl" the man stood and walked down to the floor where he walked a circle around her. "She has been selected for you to ensure that the potential your spirit possess lives on, do you wish to proceed?"

"I shall proceed" Nathanial leaned down and offered Holly a hand raising her to her feet and giving her a reassuring wink. In times gone by this would have been unannounced to both parties in most cases but this had been in the making several months.

Hannah continued. Holly Cathcart” she announced loudly, “Do you swear upon your blood to serve the Sisterhood and carry our faith into the future by bearing children.” As practiced Holly drew her small bone crystknife and pricked her thumb letting the blood drop onto a white piece of cloth. She handed it to the Mother as she instinctively sucked her thumb. 

“I freely give my body” Holly said rather more quietly than she’d planned.

“Nathanial Corrino” the Mother continued, “We offer you the body of Holly Cathcart, will you accept”

“Gladly” Nathanial said giving Holly a reassuring nod. The Mother handed him the cloth, indicating that Holly was now his. Nathanial reached over and took Holly's knife pricking his own thumb and letting his blood mix with hers, a symbolic gesture of the hope for future offspring.

“May you be blessed with many children” The Mother placed Holly’s hand in Nathanials and the two left. It was tradition that from the ceremony the newly matched pair would retreat to the rooms kept here, long ago the nobles would come and be brought a succession of women in order to impregnate them, now it was merely symbolic that the Honored Matres and her new lover spent the night together inside the rooms. Hannah turned to Monika "Our faith teaches us that certain humans posses great potential to connect with the Gods, as such we look to match those individuals and breed certain talents, Nathanial is one of our greatest hopes, a fantastic soldier, brave and a phenominal leader, meanwhile Holly comes from fine stock, their DNA together will help our mission." she explained. "Now, I believe you aren't spending the night, before you leave is there anything you wish to ask?"


Back in Jerusalem Karin was thinking about the answer before opening her mouth, finally satisfied with her answer she began. "It would take me weeks to explain our story, you see the Bene Gesserit story is without a proper start. I think what you mean is you want to know what our aims are, what we hope to achive. That's simple, Kaitaine is as holy to us as this city is to Christians, Jews and Muslims. There is a tiny island called Chapterhouse, a beautiful place I've been told, legend says at one point it contained all the knowledge of the Gods, but thats been spread across Mundus by a series of great catastrophies beyond the memory of humanity. Its the mission of the Sisterhood to solve that mystery for the good of all mankind, Bene Gesserit or not, but to do that we must regain Chapterhouse. The second holy site is the city of Seitch, the only place in the world where the spice Melange is produced, a key part of our ceremonies and our connections to God/Gods. Both lie in the hands of the Soviet regime, and that means we have lost both and mankind is doomed. Our battle is to regain these key sites and in doing so save you all." She thought for a moment, "So no doubt you're also referencing the little.....nuclear incident.....let me ask you this, we have only one enemy, McPherson and his regime, where exactly would we strike using a nuclear device? the capital of Arakeen....well Chapterhouse sits just off the coast, an explosion there would make Chapterhouse a mess, would we really do that? Any other target risks cutting Seitch off from Arakeen, and that is a disaster. So do you honestly think that the capture of a nuclear device is a part of our story?" she went silent again, there was much discussion about that incident within the Sisterhood and still questions were being answered. "So final question?" 

[Norgeras]

"Just formalities." Monika said, still piecing together the parts of the ceremony in her head:

"We need to still make sure we get a convincing setup for my visits. Maybe send me a School Timetable with the hours, i mean if i am supposed to be a Guest Teacher every now and then we probably need a fixed Schedule to seem Schoolish enough. I will set it up the official story from my side, it seems plausible enough the Empire would try to establish cultural exchange on the Root level, so be ensured once the first Schedule arrives on my Desk i will be available."

Watching the Door where Nathaniel and Holly had left the room, she seemed to halt for a moment, before speaking:

"It just crossed my mind that this ideology is not too different from how we deal with the Emperor, considering we basically pick the Spouse of the Emperor to amalgamate the Values and Strengths of whom the Nation considers to be the best into the next Emperor. To us, he or she represents the essence of everything we value molded into a single person through the ages. And seemingly the Nation always thinks being natural blonde is a core value." Monika added the last part with a hint of cynicism, before turning back to Hannah:

"Though, i feel like i have seen mister Corrino's Face somewhere before, I just can't place it. Is he traveling a lot?"

[Gadshack]

Ahkabnil, Muire's Death Rite

The ritual would take place outside under the natural shade of a few trees and a canopy, the day was rather mild so perfect for most. Even a few storm clouds came in from the sea, breaking between the sun. There was a surprisingly numerous amount of people at what Ahkabnilians call a 'Death Rite'-- many of them had not know Muire was even alive. Most were women, former co-workers of Muire in the war, each lavishly wore their old leather flight jackets, however their old age kept their overall demeanor low and humble. One woman, by the name of Zara, had flown all the way from her home country, mustering the money for the intrusive tourist tax. She had spotted the two young women enter the grounds, perhaps the youngest and most fresh among the dreary crowd. Zara didn't know most of these people and the other pilots of Jerobah Squadron had either passed away or weren't able to come.

"And you two are?" she asked, approaching both Blair and Maise. "May i say, there is something familiar about your two. Did you know Muire?"

[Libby]

"Nathanial isn't much of a traveller" Hannah lied, "He has spent quiet a few months living in Vaguzia with his wife Penny, she studies there, I suspect your probably confusing him with his older brother Niklaus, he's somewhat of a well respected businessman in Ui Cennesliag and looks a little like Nathanial." With the mans secretive double identity as Red Legionnaire James Gillespie even Hannah wasn't aware of who the man had bumped into or not but either was she wasn't about to give away the secret of the number and extent of Bene Gesserit infiltrations of various nations.

"As for the things you requested you can expect them sent to your e-mail by the end of the day tommorrow." Hannah had been escorting her towards the main entrance. Lydia Fremen was waiting for them and handed Monika an ID card and school branded lanyard, just something to add to the illusion. "Lydia here will escort you home, after your......little spell....we wouldn't want anything bad happening." Hannah extended a hand, "I look forward to working with you." The small doorway in the giant wooden gate opened and Lydia stepped through with Monika and headed for her car where she got into the driver seat. She knew the city streets of Claith well and pulled up just a street away from where Monika needed to be dropped off. Without saying much Lydia slid out the drivers seat and headed away down an alleyway her hands thrust into the green hoody's pocket and into he shadows.


Blair and Maisie looked at each other, they'd tried hard to not stand out but the huge age gap had been something they obviously hadn't thought about. Blair's hand instintively brushed over the Crystknife, not because she felt any threat but more for the fact she liked the feel of it as she thought. "Oh, well I'm Blair" she over emphasised her Cenneg accent that had been dulled by travelling Mundus over the last decade. "This is Maisie. I'm over here studying at Chanal from Claith, Maisie here was visiting, and we saw in the news that a Cenneg woman had died and that she may have fought in the war, and well you didn't get too many women doing that in the Air Force." That part was true enough. "It said their wouldn't be too many people at the funeral and we thought a trailblazer like her should have at least someone here." she hoped that had made sense because it wasn't too far from the truth.

"We understand their is a tradition of burying gifts with the deceased?" Maisie added. "We'd like to put an old knife in with her if possible, we just figure a soldier like her should have something with her."

Blair hadn't been sure how they'd get the knife into the grave but figured Maisie's full on approach would be enough. "We found it in an old store and thought it looked old" Blair lied as she removed the Crystknife from her pocket wrapped in a white silk cloth. "Do you know how we do that?"

[Gadshack]

Zara's eyes lit up, she hadn't seen such a knife in decades and immediately, flashes of the war came back to her. Her expression of recognition was apparent and at this old age, she hardly cared, not when her friend had just died in such as way. "You arrived just in time for the mourning walk." she answered. "We'll arrive at the burial site where she'll be lowered into the ground. I've seen enough funerals in this country to know." she stared at Blair with a jovial grin. "That is no ordinary knife, and you two know it." she said, pulling them aside before the walk would begin. "I am Zara, and I flew with Muire during the Imperial Great War in this forsaken country. Though she loved it here after the war." she paused, catching herself going on about old memories.

The walk had begun and Zara guided to two along, the sorrowful music, indicated by the dissonant wooden flutes and drum, brought back too many memories for the old veteran. She held her tongue quietly until the rite was over. The center crowd, walking along the path, carried Muire's body, wrapped in thick cotton that was painted over in various reds, greens and yellows. On her chest were several coins and an Ahkabnilian paper standards, as well as kernels of corn and a few raw beans. An elaborate bundle of leaves and flowers held her up above everyone's heads. Her body was completely concealed for various reasons.

A priest walked along with them, chanting various sayings over and over. "Twelcha'e'echtuy Kamal"

Finally, they arrived, and the body was slowly lowered into the ground. Many tossed flowers and food in there once the body settled, those who seemed more close to her lended gifts, which was only Zara at that point. There, she placed an old war-era pistol in the grave, kneeling with a painful cringe to do so. She spoke the few words of Ahkabnilian tongue she knew. "Uluy A'aanche sister, for your journey with Yaotenmel."

The priestly monk then began an accord of singing, with the dissonant flute and drums playing closely behind. Most of everyone joined in, but Zara walked away, with tears in her eyes. Soon after she asked Blair and Maisie to join her for coffee at a local cafe. "If i am remembering the neighborhood correctly, it should still be here." she said, soon finding an old, rundown restaurant. It wasn't busy at this time so there were plenty of seats available. If she remembered correctly restaurants demanded a fee be paid at the door to take a seat, Zara didn't mind, she paid for all three as Ahkabnilian food was worth it in her eyes. "We could have stayed for the feast afterword, but this may be a bit more private. And the food is better."

"So you're truthsayer girls?" Zara blatantly asked. "Oh don't worry, no one here cares or understands here."

[Libby]

As Zara mentioned she had fought in the war Blair already had many questions, and suspicions. If they'd flown together then chances are they'd come over together and shared a background and that could mean only one thing. Blair began having second thoughts though, surely a Bene Gesserit would have known about the importance of the knife and said something, even in Doublespeak if they'd been concerned about the others hearing. Blair decieded though she'd say nothing. As people began putting various gifts into the grave they waiting until the end and both approached, gently placing the knife into the grave, discreetly each spat into the hole, the tradition of giving water for the dead whose own water would soon be returned to the earth.

Maisie was surprised when Zara mentioned the Truthsayers, Blair however wasn't and began talking. "I'm no Truthsayer" Blair said, she'd desperatly wanted to be, she'd even fought in Seitch, a place she longed to be right now but instead the Missionara had sent her to this country. "I'm the Missionara Protectiva" she reached down into her own boot and removed her own smoothly carved white knife, the emblem of the scholar on the hilt.

"I'm a Truthsayer" Maisie descreetly placed her own on the table, the Jeboah emblem clearly visible on its hilt. "We couldn't allow one of our Sisterhood to be buried without ensuring she was properly honoured, especially one who was somewhat of a unknown legend." Aircraft had always fascinated Maisie, however they were not among the Truthsayers arsenal, after all keeping an Army hidden was pretty easy, an Air Force was impossible but there were a handful of Truthsayers and Bene Gesserit male devotees inside the Kaitaine Air Force, but none of them had flown in combat. "So, you were at which Chapterhouse?" Maisie asked assuming anyone who had recognised them for what they truly were had to be a Sister.

"More importantly, can you tell us anything much about Muire.....she deserves an entry into the records and she has none. It's my duty to ensure we have an accurate record of a Sister such as her.....and if you'd permit I'd like to find out what you did, I can add that in too." It was the role of the Missionara Protectiva to keep accurate records of as many of the graduates of the various Chapterhouses as possible and while they knew some Truthsayers and various other Sisters had got involved in the War there was no mention of any joining an Air Force and so standing on the brink of a great discovery Blair was keen to fulfill the geek inside her.

[Gadshack]

The old veteran could feel both of their excitement, surely romanticizing the days of the war and their victors legendary deeds. It come to no surprise to Zara that there were no records of the Flying Jerobah's. "I had fled from Kaitaine and learned how to fly in UC, where I met Muire, I assume her Chapterhouse was there. We learned to fly completely on our own volition, the order was so dissolved back then that we pursued our own means of contribution. Muire was hardly a good infantrywoman, i was, but flying was a fascination of mine. Most of the Truthsayers who became pilots did so to contribute in their own way as combat pilots. They had all found a way to get in the cockpit, we were all determined no matter what tradition told us."

"So it doesn't surprise me that there's no record of us, if anything we were renegade, you could say at the time we were very much separated rebels, the oddballs." she chuckled, pausing to continue reminiscing. "It was very hush-hush when we organized to meet up in Ahkabnil, we thought we were best and sought the most active air theater so far in the war. Plus we had heard Ahkabnil was taking any pilots, no matter of religion, race, gender and so on. It was the perfect window of opportunity for all ten of us at the time. Later down the road there would be fifteen more of us that would join up in Ahkabnil. In total, 25 Truthsayers flew in Ahkabnil."

"Only- only 5 would make it in the end." she somberly sighed, pausing for a while. "Two wounded greatly and dying after the war, Muire was thought to be dead so I guess that makes six that survived the initial war. I know there are two more of us out there, but we all went to hiding after. It stuck, and our relevance faded into obscurity throughout history. We were part of the 16th and 17th Pursuit Squadrons, that's the only record of us, all it may me is loss to kill ratios, but we were one of the best, that believe it or not, paid the cheapest price. Coming to this theater of war frightened me deeply, as entire flights would go down the matter of days. New faces were common, and then they soon left, never to be seen on base again."

Zara continued on with Muire's story however, "Muire was a good pilot. In fact that's an understatement, she was an ace and immortal, the priest and monks on the base hailed her for defying death so much and bringing it to the Ardians in the skies. They even painted these eerie skulls on her plane, calling her the 'Mother of Death' -- even as far to call her 'Little Ya'en', their malevolent god or something here. I'm not sure on the exact number, but it was around 250 victories, most against other fighters, and were the Ardians fierce in the sky."

"Um... I'm not sure how much i got down, not sure if i kept count." the war had affected Zara the most negatively of the bunch, most for her experience when she was shot down over Chanal. "I was downed over Chanal and parachuted into the city, was picked up before drowning in one of the canals by friendly troops, they were Himeyamans actually. That pistol i left behind, was given to me to Muire and protected me throughout my six months down there." she paused, trying to repress what memories she had in Chanal. She had seen enough death and destruction up close to last her a lifetime. Truth was, after Chanal she was removed from the squadron when recovered due to psychological problems. The dreams didn't come back until recently, when she heard of Muire's death. After she left the Horn theater, she attended the air war in the Matilda Channels.

"I can answer anything specific you need." she continued.

[Libby]

Rebecca Cameron hadn't been in Weremark long, nor did she intend to be, her mission was simple, meet a Missionara Protectiva scholar listen to what information she had on unearthed about a potential new weapons smuggling route into Kaitaine and then get back to Vaguzia. She'd arranged to meet Yvonne McIntosh, the 40 year old Missionara in a park amongst the pale brick buildings, as far as meeting places go it was a nice one, much different to the desert Rebecca had come from a few weeks ago.

They'd arranged to meet by a bench close to the fountain and Yvonne was early and sat down on the bench which she had selected because she took lunch their everyday. She loved it the people you could meet, people watching, sometimes even watching a few of the woodland animals, it was a little slice of nature in the heart of the city. She spotted Rebecca coming down one of the three paths that lead to this point and waved at a distance, meanwhile at the far end of the bench a man sat down and proceeded to remove his lunchbox, clearly someone with asimilar idea to her. She turned back to see Rebecca around ten meters away when she felt something wet hit her ear and the sound of what seemed a deoderant can, she turned back to face the man who had pulled the metallic canister from his sandwich box and was now spraying her in the ear, and now eyes burning her. Yvonne screamed and felt herself falling forward. Rebecca had broke into a sprint as the man wearing black overalls ran into the undergrowth leaving his canister behind. Rebecca reached Yvonne seconds later and she was lying on the ground unable to move. "Shit" Rebecca mumbled to herself as she realised the likely explanation was a KGB hitman, she had no time for sympathy and rifled through Yvonnes pockets as a few onlookers wondered what was happening. Rebecca found the Crystknife and pocket book, realising that she couldn't answer any questions without being investigated herself she ran after the man, she was less than ten seconds behind him.

She hurried after him, leaving Yvonne surrounded by a group of shocked locals, her breathing becoming more and more laboured as the massive opiate dose she'd been given kicked in. Rebecca reached the edge of the park to see the man head down a narrow lane opposite at a brisk walk, she followed, they knew the KGB killers tended to have multiple targets and she had a chance to take one out before he did anymore damage. She crossed the road quickly and once in the shelter of the ally reached inside her jacket and removed her Maxim 9 internally silenced pistol holding it low and slightly behind her she burst into a sprint, the sound of her feet alerting the KGB man, he had no chance Rebecca was closing in and was younger and faster, she squeezed off two rounds before he even noticed the pistol, slumping to the ground as one hit him in the spine he found her foot on the back of his neck. With no words exchanged he felt the cold metal of the pistol on the back of his skull and then the trigger dispatched him. Rebecca dragged the body to the side of the alley, threw some bin bags over him and ran. An hour later she was checking into her flight to Vaguzia completely unaware that the man's partner had seen her leave the alley from the comfort of his car that had been waiting to whisk them to the airport. He had found the body moments later and managed to get back to his car just in time to see Rebecca get into a taxi. He followed and then watched her board the flight to Vaguzia. It didn't take much of a phone call for things to be sorted in Alba Karinya.

By the time Rebecca landed a few hours later the KGB guy was there waiting and managed to follow her all the way to Chapterhouse school. They had heard rumours of a secret Bene Gesserit school somewhere on Mundus and now they had evidence of a Truthsayer killer accessing the place. This had to be it. Richard Canmore of the KGB's AK office quickly assembled a team and made their way to the school, there may well be "collatoral damage but we can send a message" he thought as the improvised van was driven down the road nearest the school. They'd taken great care to get their cover sorted, the van had West Moreland plates and a stray "Borland Shall Free West Moreland" leaflet was left in the cab. They parked up and the maths began, moments later the fake roof was pulled back and the improvised morters were fired, a technique used several times by the Borlanders in Northfort, but this time the ammuntion was different, shells containing white phosperous in some and ball bearings in others were launched into the school. The explosions rocked the street setting off car alarms, the school fire bell could be heard along with screaming, they got a total of six rounds off before abandoning the van and clambering into the waiting get away car.

[Weremark]

Unsolicited murder was rare in Weremark, but perhaps rarer in the County of Scheverin, where quickly did the disturbance near the city park reach the city commissioner's ears. A phone call from a rather frightened bystander later and two Land Rovers and a larger ambulance went barreling down down the Briegstrat, bursting into the park through the side fence and stopping meters away from the fountain as local guardsmen and paramedics barreled out, rushing to the woman on the ground and quickly trying to figure out what had happened to her.'

Unable to tell if she'd live much longer, the paramedics administered what first aid they could before rushing the woman off to the local hospital - one fourteen kilometers away. The rest of the cops fanned out, securing the crime scene and interviewing witnesses. The stream of information soon reached County Commissioner Edward Sterric, and then the Count himself. Both men, considering international interference unrealistic, instead postulated publicly that the attack could very well have been the work of Hellhorn or syndicalists sympathetic to the man.

An hour later and Sterric had reached the park in his black sedan. Walking in through the collapsed wall, he soon found himself approached by the initial two first responders, and several others from the first convoy of guard vehicles. "Alright, what's new here?" he asked the two immediately. The one on the left, a rather buff man with a trimmed mustache, quickly replied. "Witnesses say that there was another woman who took chasing after the man., and who the stricken woman looted. We're getting CCTV now, but..."

"And the victim, new updates? I had no net on my way over, so,"

"No, sir. Still in the hospital. Would probably have to head over there if you wanted to speak with her."

Sterric sighed, pulling his phone out briefly to check something, when two more guardsmen came sprinting down the park path, yelling "Commissioner!" rather frantically. They stopped in their tracks as they neared their superior, cold water kicking up from their feet. "You're going to want to see this..."


A corpse. A corpse is what they'd found, and one with multiple gunshots in it. The leading theory among the guardsmen assigned to the scene was that the same man that had put the woman in the hospital had dispatched the person who the corpse had earlier been. Sterric had a different theory, one that noted the witness testimony of the second woman. She easily could have done this; Hellhorn, after all, wasn't above using women to garner sympathy before having them commit some act. But then, why the witness testimony on the first man's actual attempt? Were there three parties involved? He supposed that forensics would have those answers shortly.

Another call on the phone; this one, the Count. He hung up. This couldn't go national just yet; Sterric had an inkling that whatever assumption the Count had earlier reached couldn't be bolstered with half-analyzed evidence. He turned to walk towards the marked-off corpse, reefing through the man's pockets for anything substantial. There were still answers to be found.

[Achkaerin]

Ashley nodded, so far so good, each question part of a strategy - the first to test the virtue of Karin, the second to discover the story, the nuclear waste incident was a worry and the reassurances would probably be taken out of necessity with a pinch of salt. So far Karin had proven interesting at worst and at best if this was the complete truth that she was speaking then there was much to be gained. However the risk was also great, at the moment there was a level of thinking that the reward potentially outweighed the risk to the extent that getting a clearer picture was worthwhile. Where things went from there was somewhat above Ashley's pay grade. So what was the final question to be? She mentally went back to the assignment briefing, first test them, then if that was satisfactory fact find figure their story out. If that was ok then there was only one thing left to do.

"My final question." Ashley said "Let's say you toppled McPherson tomorrow - what would Kaitaine be then?"

[Libby]

Karin considered her answer, it would after all be up to a newly elected Reverened Mother as to what the true path would take, but for now the Missionara saw herself as being in the role of the chief sales person for their cause so wasn't about to plead ignorance. "To know that you must understand our faith. You see religion through the ages have been the cause of war, our faith would be the opposite, we unite faiths. You see a central core of our faith is that some time, long ago, a great catastrophe almost ended humanity and in that event we lost our true connection to God/Gods, little knowledge was left and it has been the role of people like me in the Missionara to piece it together, add to it and educated the Priestly class as to what we know. We see all religions as having validity, it is simply how someone has interpreted the pieces left behind and moulded them together, many have it wrong, and like a good scientist or explorer we can not be fixed in our thoughts, new evidence brings new understanding which itself brings new faith, I myself have changed my opinion several times in my life, and I can not rule it out again. You see this search for knowledge means we embrace the world, we don't seek to destroy, we don't seek to isolate. Our mission is simple, to learn as much about God/Gods as we can and prepare ourselves for the next catastrophe that will one day threaten us. As such a Free Kiatiane would be someone who is respectful to all, regardless of creed, colour, religion, gender....you name it. We would make a stand for causes that are just and we have a thirst for knowledge no nation on Mundus can match, imagine what an open and accessable Missionara Protectiva could achieve for Mundus, a global network of scholars constantly challenging and questioning the world they live in. Kaitaine would become a nation the world needs, a nation on a Golden Path with no enemies and friend to all." She hoped the answer was acceptable after all much would hinge on it. "Now I have answered your three questions."

Sarah stood up from where she'd been sat against the wall and walked over to stand by Karin. "So, question from me. What happens now?"

[Achkaerin]

Ashley's eyes went from Sarah to Karin to the vial of water and then back to the two women.

"I believe what happens now is that as I've asked my three questions and you've answered them that I now answer the one you posed earlier - Why is water important? After that I think we talk about things." Ashley said she'd been thinking about her answer to this for a while and she'd come up with one she just hoped it was a good one.

"So why is water important? My answer is this Ihhuein-hel mnean mayri i Ihhuein mnean mnaer'ti llhnaeifv" she said, her native Achkaerinese coming out "From water we have come to water we shall return. It's an Achkaerinese saying that explains our cycle of life according to our religion, for we believe that when the world was created the God Ezotl created man and woman out of the waters of the ocean so water is the source of all life, without it we are nothing. I cannot say simpler than that."

[KrisNord]

A Co-post with Libby

The Cenneg Education Minister, Shona Devont, was a little unsure how to proceed. Here was a school that had always been held in high regard by the nation, it had produced many fine ladies who had gone on and done great things supporting business, industry and the services the nation provided. Infact six of the schools graduates had served in the operations during the Cultist genocide in Royal Seleucid being nominated for their superb service. The fact that one of the nations wealthiest businessman was the underwriter for the Chapterhouse Lifeboat chain of schools was also concerning. Niklaus O'Hogan, or as the Bene Gesserit knew him Corrino, made his way into the Ministry of Education carrying a leather briefcase.

"Good morning Minister" Niklaus gently shook Shona's hand, "I hope your well" he was already looking rather serious, aware of the difficult conversation to come.

"Good thank you, please take a seat." Shona pulled a bucket seat out from under the table as she returned to her own side of the desk. "I must tell you Mr. O'Hogan that I am concerned, first we see a tragedy of one of your schools being caught up in an apparent terrorist attack, next that is tied to a group we have concerns about, the Bene Gesserits or something." Truth be told Shona was not fully aware of the Bene Gesserit group, but had heard of the attack on East Moreland and that was a concern. "Next we inspect the school here and we discover all manner of things we see as unsafe, I am concerned at what kind of establishment you're giving your name too."

Niklaus had prepared for this, he'd meet Hannah McKay and talked with several members of the Missionara Protectiva. "I'm not going to lie" he flicked the briefcase open and placed a gold plated symbol on the desk. "This is the symbol of the Bene Gesserit faith, I am asking you to grant the school the same protections as you would a Christian school, a Sikh school, or any other. You permit those schools to pursue teaching that promotes the basis of their faith, for example the Sikh's are permitted to carry their little knives, what is different to these." He reached down to his ankle and placed a white bone crystknife on the desk sliding it towards the Minister.

"Is this a threat" Shona asked slightly alarmed.

"Not at all" Niklaus sounded offended, "If it was a threat I would not have practically given it to you" he slid his chair further back as though emphasising his lack of threat, "It is a symbol of our faith, carved from a single piece of bone, they are a sign of being accepted by the faith and the faith accepting you, it is personal to the person who owns it, no two the same, when the owner dies so does the knife cremated with it. So you see to forbid the knife is to forbid our religion, my religion" he added. Over the next hour he recounted the story of the Bene Gesserit diaspora in Ui Cenneslaig, how an estimated 180,000 of them lived among them, he revealed names of some national heroes, such as Major Curtis O'Bryan who had lead a near suicidal charge against the Ardian's during the War, he held the nations highest medal for bravery and had several schools named in his honour, there was even a military base called the O'Bryan Barracks. Shona realised that she actually had no idea that these people held a secret allegiance to something, it was hard to imagine that someone who had been so willing to fight for UC in the way this national hero had could be a terrorist. It had been a smart move by Niklaus to use the man's name, and the photo of him posing with students from the school with his medal in one hand and a crystknife in the other.

"So you expect me to stop these inspections?" Shona asked wondering what the agenda was.

"No, that would mean revealing our identity. We would like to remain hidden, the Kiataine government seek our destruction, what I would like is that the inspections be carried out by a small group of people made aware of who we are. This can therefore help us keep our anonymity while reassuring yourself that these groundless ideas of child abuse exist." Niklaus knew this was a risk but they had to take it, they were on the brink of being exposed and as such could now only seek to control that. "I suppose as Duke Niklaus Corrino of Seitch, Lord of the Holy House Corrino, I am asking for asylum on religious grounds."

"For yourself and your family?" The Minister realised this was passing beyond her remit.

"No, for me, myself and the hundred of thousands of Bene Gesserit here in Ui Cenneslaig." there was silence and he was happy to let it hang, putting the emphasis on her to make the next move.

"I need to speak to the King I think." she announced.

"Then I await your decision" he stood and headed for the door.

"You forgot this" Shona held up his crystknife.

"Keep it for now" Niklaus said rather casually, "For if you expose us to the world I will need someone to destroy it for me soon." the meaning of this sought to place an exclamation mark on the meeting and Niklaus left for the nervous wait ahead.

[Libby]

Karin listened to the reply of the Achkaerin woman, it was not one of the Bene Gesserit, its was too rehearsed and too focused on their faith, a flawed one naturally as it only kept within its own bounds unlike the free flowing ever shifting, ever reassessing version of reality, the Bene Gesserit. If something was important than Karin reasoned it did not need to be defined for you, you would just know. Water was more than life, it was something that could never be destroyed, yes you could evaporate it, but that just transformed it, the water would one day return and it would contain the knowledge of thousands of lifetimes. Water was patient, the way it eroded away whole mountains given a few millennia, the way it was relentless, always finding its way to the sea. Those were things the Bene Gesserit admired, it was the reason for the obsession with water, that and the way the faith grew out of the deserts of Kaitaine, a place where mere survival meant one was cautious with water. The purpose of the question was to assess a people's attitudes and Karin was not sure a quotation from a faith that limited its world view was a good one. She made a decision on the spot, unlike with Neu Uburzis there could be no full disclosure. "

Karin tossed the small vile of water to Ashley, on a closer inspection it had feint specks of a red substance suspended in it, Melange, a spice found only in Kaitaine and a central part of the faiths heritage and ritual. It was said to have properties to allow a Sister to see the future, that was in its pure form however, the stuff diluted down with water was supposed to simply be for taste purposes. It was strange though, none of the Bene Gesserit could ever agree on its flavour, some said it tasted a little like cinnamon, while others like a burnt sugar. It affected everyone differently, Karin simply felt warm fuzzy tingles, something she put down to a kind of mental placebo, however she knew Mother Hannah McKey often gained visions, strong omens of the future, it was said her young protégé, a girl called Erin had the same gift. "That is diluted Melange" Karin said, "Consider it a calling card, its something any Bene Gesserit Mother would recognise, one day you may need it. You see it is they who need to make future decisions about our nation, this will at least tell them that you have spoken with the Missionara" Karin stood from her seat on the wall. "You know while I'm here I think I'll go visit the Holy Places, they always fascinate me.....or is there more business here?" 

[Achkaerin]

At the home of Achkaerinese Intelligence in Artaxia, Justicar Operations was quiet in the sections situation room Nix Williams sighed the room had been listening to the conversation in Jerusalem, it appeared to be winding down and judging from the conversation Ashley had been given something that could prove useful in the future.

"Do we give them Broken Arrow?" Paul Kessel asked, looking at Nix she was the ranking Justicar in the section for the moment after all. Nix was thinking carefully, it wasn't lost on her that Broken Arrow's chances of success were much higher if they had Bene Gesserit cooperation. But to reveal such a top secret scheme? Especially without anything established?

"Give it to them." a woman's voice said, they both looked towards the rooms doorway Rion Ayanami was stepping into the room, she was the boss as far as Justicars went
"You sure?" Nix asked
"They haven't survived this long underground without getting ahead of the game." Rion said "Chances are they may have people in Kaitaine intelligence."
"Heck of a risk to take." Paul said
"There's no choice." Rion said "If we want Broken Arrow to work with the best chance of success then we need their help. Saki?" she was looking at the far end of the room where the Deputy National Security Adviser Saki Ryoko stood her arms folded, this was ultimately her call.
"Do it." Saki said, far better to try and have the inside track and be a little more proactive than rely on reacting to what intelligence sources said
"Ashley." Rion said picking up the radio handset so she could communicate over the channel "Give her Broken Arrow."

In Jerusalem, Ashley slid off the wall she'd perched on and handed Karin what looked like two business cards.
"You may not know this but Franchesca Owens was the daughter of the former Marquis of Rockmount, Jacob Gliss." Ashley said "He killed himself hours after Franchesca was murdered, when his will was read there was mention of her, he left her the contents of a safety deposit box, number 175201 at the Achkaerin National branch in Valor, the gold card access's that, it goes to whoever inherits from her I don't know who that is, in the box you'll find a heavily encrypted hard drive." Ashley said "The other card has the phone number of a burner phone on it, when you've read the data on the hard drive you'll call I hope.

I recommend the Church of the Holy Sepulchre if you want to go and look around the sites what it is believed to sit upon may hold special meaning for you."

[KrisNord]

OOC - With Libby

It had taken some days to arrange the meeting between King Finley and Niklaus Corrino, it wasn't an entirely uncommon sight for the businessman and philanthropist to be meeting with royals. Today however it was an entirely different matter. Finley was not his usual care free self, he was annoyed, for the best part of 200 years his nation had been home to a group that could potentially be terrorists, a group that had attacked one of his close allies and all this had been done under his nose.

"Sit down" Finley almost ordered Niklaus as though a soldier. "I have to say Nick I am not a happy man, the only reason I haven't had you arrested and handed over to the Morelanders is because of the good works your family have done for our nation over the long years you've been here. I'll have no qualms about giving you them if I find your a risk, do you understand that?"

"Of course your Majesty" Niklaus sat down and seemed rather relaxed about the whole situation, even though he was about to make Finley the first monarch on Mundus in direct contact with the Bene Gesserit. "Let me explain" he leaned forward in his chair, "We're not here to take control, cause problems or kill anyone. We just want to be allowed to be our faith, and maybe one day take back our homeland. To use Seitch is as important as Jerusalem is to Christians, as Northfort is to Cultists." Over the next hour Niklaus explained the complexities of the faith to Finley, who truth be told found the whole thing fascinating, especially how Niklaus explained that many of the Bene Gesserit had merged their ideas with that of the Celtic Paganism, the belief that the Banshee was just a personification of Shai Halud being one.

"So I stand in a tricky situation" Finley began, "If I publically recognise your people I become someone aiding the people who attacked East Moreland. If I do nothing I see Celts slaughtered, I also run the risk of being a hypocrite, I've always supported freedom of religion and to have you hiding your faith is unacceptable if we can avoid it."

Niklaus felt like he now had a sympathetic ear. "We don't wish the whole of our organisation being made public, the fact Chapterhouse School is part of our faith we can handle, we have a media arm believe it or not, mainly active in anti-Kaitaine propaganda but more than capable of being able to handle the attention the school would get. Our biggest worry is being targeted by members of the KGB"

Finley stood and perched himself on the corner, "We'll sort them out, if need be we'll post a military guard, I know it was probably the KGB who hit the school I read about, they'd be crazy to try that with members of our military close by the school" Niklaus was surprised, Finley seemed to be moving towards some kind of support for the faith." There were several more discussions, about Niklaus background, his life and duties as one of the Four Holy Houses, Finley had asked who the others were but Niklaus had point blank refused to name them. "I think we can begin exploring supporting you guys, but it needs to be managed" Finley concluded.

"What do you mean?" Niklaus asked.

"The leader of your faith must make an announcement distancing themselves from the Truthsayers, if it happens publically but not privately I can handle that, hell give them a different name at your schools or something. Bene Gesserit Cadet Corps or something" Finley shrugged. "We'll then place a military guard on the school, keep up inspections for safe guarding and see where it progresses."

"The problem is" Niklaus shifted uneasily, "there are other Chapterhouse Schools across Mundus, it'll be a problem." By coming out so to speak in Ui Cennesliag they'd expose themselves globally.

"Nick, the cats coming out anyway, better on your terms that ours." Finley explained, it was true, this way things could be managed and as such questions deflected or handled.

"Very well" Niklaus said rather grudgingly, "Tomorrow I'll speak with the press, but I want your word that you'll protect us."

"I'll have soldiers outside first thing in the morning." Finley extended a hand, "I guess I'm the first to welcome the Bene Gesserit to the world" Finley was back to his usual jovial self.

"May Shai Halud Guide you" Niklaus replied, the first time he'd openly used a Bene Gesserit saying in public in his whole life.

"Sure the giant worm thing will." Finley chuckled as Niklaus left.

[Libby]

OOC - A joint thingy with Kris & Dave

It had taken days to arrange, Finley had given instructions for the school's inspectors to be replaced with a team of his choosing and their reports had been prepared to essentially say that while the school was "unorthadox" in its approach nothing unethical or unsafe was taking place, Finley was only partly convinced of the later but he wasn't a fan of the words "Health and Safety" anyway and so the idea of teaching young girls how to do martial arts with a knife wasn't something he was worried about. He had managed to get himself into the school unspotted by the media who had taken a growing interest in the school over the last week or so and upon meeting with Mother Hannah McKey he'd felt even more reassured that this was more than a school, it was a community and while he didn't fully understand its intricate beliefs and routines he was reassured that the family atmosphere was one that could only be a positive. The more time he spent among the Bene Gesserit the more convinced he was that the whole incident in East Moreland was not something that was a true reflection of the faith, it would however be difficult to convince King David of that but Finley would cross that bridge when he had to.

The King had been escorted around the school by two of his Royal Kerns in suits rather than their normal combat gear, the pair were genuinely impressed with the Truthsayers they saw being put through their paces, many of them getting shooting scores comparable to those of the Kerns themselves. Krystin Fremen, the lead instructor here was especially a good shot and her offer of a little wager with the Kerns was turned down, at least for now, by the King who wasn't 100% convinced his boys could have taken the woman. It was as they were leaving the schools private indoor range that one of the Kerns recognised a familiar face. "It's Lt.Gillespie isn't it?" the Corporal asked the man dressed in track gear collecting a rifle from the range officer.

"Pardon?" the man asked nervously as he seemed to hurry and gather his equipment.

"You are, it's Corporal O'Rourke, we served together in Royal Seleucid when you guys hit the palace." the man was convinced even recognising the man's accent. King Finley had by now approached and recognised the young officer.

"Mr.Gillespie" he extended a hand, "I know you" the King smiled as he recalled meeting the Red Legionnaire when he visited Illumic Command and the man had been part of the convoy. "For some reason you look smarter in a tracksuit than you did in your Red's combat gear" the Legionnaires had a reputation as being among Mundus' best soldiers, but the least paradeworthy.  "What brings a Morelander here, don't tell me this is where they train you lot to shoot, it explains a lot" the King teased the man.

"I'm afraid if I'm honest I have to admit I'm no longer a Red, I've always been Bene Gesserit, just grew up in Moreland and felt the best way I could serve my faith was by becoming a soldier, probably no better place to learn than Aldfied." Nathanial didn't reveal his identity as Niklaus younger brother, after all that was a card that could be worth something later down the line. He was still proud of his Red Legion service, in his mind it made him one of the best soldiers on Mundus and he'd done more in five short years in the unit than most soldiers would in a lifetime, his medal for bravery sat proudly in a frame on his wall back at his brothers stately home.

"Do I need to have you arrested or something, you AWOL?" Finley chuckled, but when no answer came he realised he may have stumbled across something. "Don't worry, I saw nothing" he patted Nathanial on the shoulder and headed for the door. "You a Celt?" the King stopped and asked at the door.

"Aye" Nathanial replied proudly, even though he loved East Moreland as much as the idea of a free Kaitaine he was still a Celt at heart like all of the faith.

"Then you'll do for me" Finley exited with those words ready and confident that his announcement in the morning to the media would be one that he could handle without any problems.

As the Cenneg royal left Nathanial took the target rifle and the ammunition and headed onto the range, it was good to keep his eye in and he spent a good hour here everyday using the various weapons they had in store. After expending his ammunition he took the time to coach some of the Truthsayers using the range, a real combination of the highly skilled 17 year olds using high powered marksman rifles, right down to the eight year olds using air pistols to begin developing their skills. WHile he'd never been an instructor he actually enjoyed the work and thought perhaps this could be a new line of work for him. As he returned the weapon he had a note waiting for him, the Mother wanted to see him as soon as possible. Nathanial didn't even bother to get changed and just made his way to the womans office, he hadn't even hit the door once when a voice called for him to enter. As soon as he walked in he recognised the smell in the air of Melange, the sacred powder used by the Sisterhood and faithful to help them see things, rumour had it there were none better than Hannah McKey, and Nathanial put the ability to see through the door down to that, and not the shadow under the door that had actually alerted Hannah. "Sit" was all she said in a deep growl, her eyes were white, clearly in a Spice Trance, he sat and waited wondering why he was called if she was about to take the spice, she mumbled and muttered words that he couldn't make out, all the time her hands flashing various gestures, "Doublespeak" he recognised it but the speed at which she used it was far too fast for an ameatur in the secret language such as himself.

"She says our time is nearly upon us" a voice from the darkness whispered, Nathanial almost jumped out of his skin, he'd believed he was alone with the woman many considered the most powerful leader of the faith. A young bald girl stepped from the shadow, it was Erin, one of the recent graduates and a favourite of McKey, many believed she was being groomed for the future leader of the faith. "She's been repeating that over and over, along with our names and the phrase "Golden Path", seems we're either in for some trouble or something rather cool......maybe both" she took the seat next to him and waited for the Mother to come out of her trance.


Over in Jerusalem it seemed the meeting was over, Sarah took the offered items, after all she was the one who if anything was about to go down during the exchange that would be best capable of dealing with it. Karin waited for Sarah to pass the various things over to her and carefully placed them in a bag, it would of course be easier to just tell them what these things were, plenty of ways of doing that out in the open, the Bene Gesserit could hold conversations within full sight of anyone using their "Doublespeak" and while thanking the Achkaerin agents Karin flashed messages back to Sarah, "Seems our afternoons got busier". Without a word the two Bene Gesserit stood and walked away blending in with the crowd as they walked, of course they knew of Francesca's family links, the Bene Gesserit where after all obsessed with family heritage and almost every Sister could trace her family roots back hundreds of years thanks to the various "Breeding" records kept by the Missionara.

The pair went back to their hotel room and changed into smarter clothing, they had an appointment with a bank manager. Sarah ensured she had her crystknife and pistol tucked securely away as she escorted Karin down to street level and into a cab. The bank wasn't that far away and the pair used the information given to them to get access the the box area, Karin emptied its contents and placed the hard drive into Sarah's briefcase. They'd look at it when they got back to Ui Cenneslaig.

[Norgeras]

Monika lay down her glasses and combed her hair as she left the study where she helped some of the youngsters with their German. She ended up doing quite a bit Teaching while maintaining the Pretense of a Cultural Exchange, but those days had come to an End.

Her Car was already packed with her suitcase and everything she could safely get through an Airport, a replacement taking ehr position a the embassy already arranged. Only thing left was the School, she had been waiting in front of the Mothers Office for ehr to Finish the Vision, remembering her own Nightmare every time she went back to see her.

A thousand People starring at her with Blank expressions as she ran through a Mirror Cabinet. Never escaping until she reached the middle, seeing that all of these blank People where reflections of her, yet never truly herself.

Her mind wandered Back, she did think about her next Deployment, it would stay in line with the current. The Bene Gesserit wouldn't have to agree, but the Regent assigned her for a Class A Mission. She would have to set up a Network inside Kaitaine, using an old alias she had back before the Soviet Block Collapsed. She was working Two years undercover in a correction Facility before all went to hell and the Mega state Collapsed, providing her with an elegant exit leaving her False Identity safe and uncompromised if needed, and now was the time.

"I am sorry i have to take my leave. If i stay her Any Longer Finley's men will figure something is Odd." Monika said to the Benne Gessserit guarding Hannah's Office:

"I do have the Red Phone Number from the Regent on me, he asked me to pass it on to your Mother. I will go on another assignment, yet i have a feeling i will come across some of your Sister again soon. I am sorry this all had to happen so suddenly now that we only got warm so recently. I really liked how some of the girls picked up my tricks to scam the local Town boys without them ever realizing."

She leaned back taking a long sigh: "Honestly i was ready to hang up the secretive life but it seems Duty calls again. I think we both can agree that you should not fight Fate, but fight with it."

[Libby]

Hannah and the staff bid farewell to  Monika, it was clear things were going to change at Chapterhouse, maybe for those across Mundus too, luckily King Finley's automatic support of Celts and the Corrino's friendship to the King had given them some support. It was always true that the Sisterhood could use people spread across Mundus and someone in the position of Monika could certainly be useful.

Once she had gone the leadership of the school gathered, it was a rather nervous time but Mother McKey seemed hopeful. "We stand on the first cobble of a new path, an exciting journey is ahead and I am only sorry that I shall not experience it with you, the journey is one I shall never see the end of, at least not in this earthly plain." Over the last week she'd seemed more gloomy in the content of her speech yet her tone was still as enthusiastic as ever. The group sat around looking puzzled, offering the old woman reassurance that she had many good long years ahead of her and that she would see this path through. McKey however just laughed it off. "It will be the first task of this panel to bring about the creation of a new Reverend Mother, now more than ever our faith must speak with a single voice." Since the exile many had called for a Reverend Mother but only once had all the Chapterhouses agreed meaning the Sisterhood had no clear voice.

The meeting lasted several hours discussing what they would do, contingencies for everything they could imagine in the next few days. During the meeting Erin, McKey's orderly entered and brought coffee, tea and apologised for their being no Melange Cake, supplies of their sacred spice were running low and so the kitchen had stopped using it even though the cake used miniscule amounts of the stuff. She was instructed to sit and remained silent through the meeting, however as everyone rose to leave and she began to collect the cups and saucers that she had brought the Mother stopped her, dismissed everyone else and the two sat discussing further the issues the meeting had raised.

Two hours had passed since the meeting ended and Erin's mind was full of what she had heard, it was hard for an 18 year old to take on board the big decisions that these women made on a day to day basis, even harder to imagine doing that while trying to keeping alive an exiled community, but perhaps that would get easier now they no longer were likely to be in hiding. Suddenly a stampede of feet on stone floors outside alerted her to something, and she leapt from the bed, she may have been a Mother Graduate but all Bene Gesserit had done some Truthsayer training when younger and their meditation method of Prana Bindu taught strong muscle control, she flung her rooms door open and there two doors down she saw a Truthsayer medic, huge rucksack and all disappear into McKey's room. There was already a crowd there, staff from the school a handful of girls and the various heads of the Truthsayers, Missionara and Honored Matres within the school. Erin hurried over and tried to enter, after all she was the Mother's orderly, but she was held back. She managed to see McKey lying on her bed, seemingly panting struggling for breath. The medic worked for a good ten minutes but everything seemed pointless, in the end the heads of the three other branches were invited in. Tradition dictated that when possible the Mother's final moments would be witnessed by these heads of the other three branches and then would become part of the process of appointing another.

An hour later the tear stained three reammerged, "Call a school gathering" Krysta Graham, the lead of the school's Truthsayers said without a trace of emotion in her monotone voice. It took only twenty minutes to gather the school together in the grand hall, staff and students. Krysta announced the news to a crescendo of wails and tears, McKey had been loved by her students and her prowess as a Mother was legendry. "Tradition dictates that we three each know the final words of Hannah McKey, may Shai Halud take her and keep her, now any graduate of our school who posses the title Mother Graduate may step forward, tell us her final words and be considered for the position." It was believed that with a Mother's last breath she passed her knowledge on to a successor and this was the test, generally people took wild stabs based on their knowledge, or one of the three witnesses let slip things to a preferred candidate, but it was never fully accurate. Several of the teachers stepped forward and presented answers, if no one was perfect the three heads of branches would consult after a week and select the person they thought closest. As each stated the last words the three sat stoic and silent, the shock of what had happened just so soon fresh on their mind.

Suddenly Erin stood and walked to the front, she had only graduated two months earlier and many gasped as she walked up onto the stage, even Krysta Graham shifted uneasily as the 18 year old turned to face the hall. "Mother McKey's final word was Watercress" she said loudly, the room laughed loudly, and one of the Truthsayer officers began moving towards Erin.

"How dare you at such a time" the officer hissed as she advanced.

"HALT" Krysta bellowed, a look of shock on her face. "Erin, what did you say?" she asked her with eyes wide open.

"I said Mother McKey's final word was Watercress" Erin repeated her statement loudly above the cacophony of noise that filled the hall. Krysta turned to look at the other two heads of the Sisterhood's branches in Ui Cenneslaig. They meet and spoke briefly.

"It is recognised that Mother Graduate Erin McGregor, having repeated EXACTLY the dying Mother's final word,  is now the Mother of Chapterhouse Lifeboat Claith, may she be granted the wisdom of Hannah McKey." Krysta took from her the old crystknife of McKey and handed it to McGregor who pricked her thumb with it, thus symbolically transferring the position of power from one to the next, in the days to follow McKey's knife would, as with all crystknife be destroyed. Erin did her best to stand emotionless and the room applauded, the prophecy of one mother surrendering her knowledge to the next being utterly and totally fulfilled. Inside though Erin was trying not to laugh, in their meeting together Hannah had confessed she had terminal cancer but had kept it a secret from the Sisterhood, she had hoped to use her death as a way of unifying the Sisterhood, creating a prophecy so strong that it could not be ignored by the other Mothers of the Lifeboats, thus under one new Reverend Mother the faith would march onwards into victory. Erin had no idea why she had been chosen, why was it Hannah had held her in so high regard, but McKey was convincing and persuasive and so they had hatched the plan, Hannah taking an overdose to ensure a slow death, her aim to say one word so ridiculous to have as your final words that there was no chance of anyone repeating them unless truly the chosen one. Erin imagined the prescence of mind in her final moments Hannah must have possessed, the ultimate pranu-bindu, mind over matter. From that point on it had just been a matter of relying of Krysta's unwavering devotion to the Sisterhoods rules and customs, an unwitting part of McKey's final plot. All that then was left to do was for Erin to hope her mentor had held onto those final moments with enough memory and control to say "Watercress" and that had brought an 18 year old miracle to become one of the highest ranked members of a Sisterhood about to take its first steps into a brave new world.

[Achkaerin]

Peter had been in better moods, the Senate had only been formally back in session coming up on two weeks and already here the Round Table was sat in the Marble Palace talking about Kaitaine.
"Finley's playing it smart." the Royal Press Secretary Hannah Cartwright said talking about the latest news out of Ui Cenneslaig "He recognizes the Bene Gesserit not the Truthsayers. It's also legally sound."
"Carla?" Peter asked turning his attention to his Royal Counsel Carla Fenchurch
"It's a legal impossibility to say that simply because of someone's faith they are a terrorist it would be like us saying that Anna La Montagne who is a terrorist, the leader of the Sorority of Materna is a follower of the Church of Materna and therefore all other followers of that faith are terrorist." Carla said "So Finley's trying to draw a difference between the two, smart move especially since we're in the same boat so to speak."

Peter nodded, he knew exactly what Carla meant - the school in Ui Cenneslaig was part of a chain of four the other three being in Himeyama, Mountjoy and Achkaerin if one had links to the Bene Gesserit then chances were the other three did.
"So options?" Peter asked
"We're a signatory of the Mundus Convention of Universal Rights." Carla said "Under article nine of that convention everyone has the freedom of thought, conscience and religion. The Bene Gesserit is a faith its followers thereby have this protection in Achkaerin. Provided however that things aren't taken to extremes. We have no basis to believe that there's anything untoward going on on our soil, we can't link outside of faith the Chapterhouse School in our country to the theft of nuclear waste in East Moreland, which means it's not sufficient."
"What do you propose?" Peter asked
"With Finley's statement everyone's waiting for you, Premier Musashi and Knight Commander Lascelles to make statements of their own." Hannah said "I would recommend you make a statement quickly."
"Saying?" Peter asked
"At this point in time Your Majesty" Consul Michael Williams said "I advise taking Finley's line, there's no argument that the Bene Gesserit is a religious faith, we're bound by international law to respect that. However it is also worth noting the Kaitaine assertion that Truthsayers are Bene Gesserit, we may not have anything to support or disprove that but if they are then we have a serious concern. Specifically are we compromised?"
"We'll have to find out." Peter said "Meanwhile I'll make the statement, I want to know if we have anything to be worried about. But we should also consider what to do about the school. There may well be a public mood that this is a terrorist training school, if so I don't want rule of the mob, police presence outside the school tighten it up."

[Norgeras]

Olga Zakharovna was sipping Water on her Flight to Arrakeen, Next to her was her Adopted Son Viktor. When the USR Collapsed she fled the inflkuence zone to stay undercover, her Reputation as worker for the Infamous "Sila cherez yedinstvo" Orphanage had forced her to lay low in recent years.

At least that was the official Story, Monika was more than a little nervous to become Olga again. She had treated orphans terrible in her time there, all in the name of this flawed idea of socialism. Her Partner Siegfried was posing as a former Orphan who supposedly stayed with her, as a prime example of a proper young Communist ideal. He was strong, bulky, and had the proper blonde hair slavic features mix to pass. They had contacted a low key Kaitaine official from Rashidun, proclaiming with the Bene Gesserit threatening the world with their nonsense so openly, it was time for her to fight for communism once more where it matters, and that she was gladly offering her service wherever they would need a hard hand in teaching mislead children the right way.

She shuddered slightly remembering her days back then. She was still young, and spying on the USR, every day a thrill if she could be found out. In the end the cover never blew, and she simply disappeared back into her real self. But now? She was actually afraid, while Siegfried was eager to play the life and Death game, she had almost been contempt to stay behind and become diplomatic her whole day.

The Plane set down, and she nodded to Siegfried. No Phone calls, no dead Drop, nothing. For now they would have only themselves and the fact the Real victor died in Uburzis years back under a new name, giving their disguise official papers all the way back to their birth certificates.

They chartered a small cab, and made their way to their Job Interview for the Kaitaine Public Education and Social Service. She had a clear goal in mind. There where probably tons of children snatched up with Connections, who know someone somewhere all scattered across the systems. she would find them, find their contacts, and build a network. She had a specific little girl in mind, but it would take some weeks, if not months to get to her, and maybe by the time she was useless already. Yet it was her best lead. That is, if she got a job inside the system today.

[Libby]

Erin had been thrust into the leadership role she knew she was too young for, but the late Mother McKey's plan extended beyond the 18 year old inheriting her position as head of the biggest community of exiles. Over the last year she had built a group around Erin that could be trusted, that would demonstrate a commitment above and beyond that expected of the Sisterhood, now they sat before Erin, her head freshly shaved and the Mother's gown making her seem old beyond her years. "You're here today because Mother McKey saw a purpose for you and that time is now."

Erin looked around the room, the first eyes that meet hers were Nathanial Corrino, the brother of the faith's best hope at producing the Kwizach Hadrach, the supreme being. He was a skilled soldier, trained by the East Morelanders into a fine instument of war, he'd become one of their elite Red Legion undergoing much hardship to serve the Morelanders, all the time honing his body and his skills to the purpose Hannah McKey had in mind. He was sat in a set of fatigues, similar to the Truthsayers but their Jerboah emblemn had been unpicked, there proudly in it's place had been sewn a Honeybadger, his loyalty may have always been to the Bene Gesserit but he had genuine love and admiration for his friends, maybe former friends now as the last time he'd seen his good friend Alex Redfern he'd been brawling with him in the street. "Why do you wear a Cultist symbol?" Erin asked him calmly unvelcroing the patch and examining it closely.

"I don't....I wear an emblemn of a soldier, one that will face any enemy, without hesitation and even with no hope will stand its ground to protect its family.....you think their Cultist virtues?" Nathanial asked, "The Honeybadger will face down lions knowing it will lose in order to save its family, it personifies love, courage and family, things the Bene Gesserit honour too." he explained. He had found it easy to be a Bene Gesserit while following the rules of the Cult, it was true the Bene Gesserit embraced many faiths as mere misunderstandings of God/Gods will but Nathanial had taken a liking to the Cult's ways during his many years in East Moreland.

"Then its a Bene Gesserit patch" Erin carefully replaced it on Nathanial's shoulder as she looked around the semi circle before her, next along was the young Truthsayer she'd meet during her own graduation, Sarah MacPherson. She had changed since that meeting, her hair shorter, much like the style adopted by many of the Truthsayers. She'd been spending a lot of time with Nathanial and despite nothing romantic being between the two rumours of course had started. Not that it bothered Sarah, she'd become his young protege and had soaked up his soldierly knowledge as best she could. Her shoulders had broadened as a result of the PT she put herself through and her eyes had hardened as her marksman skills had been honed to a height. She'd was in all effects a bridge, between the Truthsayers and Nathanial who would never be admitted to the military order simply because of his gender. "Sarah, how was Jerusalem?" Erin asked.

"The Achkaerin agents seemed more concerned with boxes and missiles, I don't know whether it'll be something worth cultivating, what they ask for is essentially us to burn an asset with no guarentee of what comes the other way.......but you'd be better off asking a Missonara" she shrugged, such decisions made by Mother's usually went through the scholarly class and Sarah had little desire to get dragged into that process.

Erin continued looking at those before her, sat next to Sarah was the Ui Cenneslaig Truthsayer commander Krysta Garner she was dressed in a black dress style uniform, her Major boards putting her at the top of the schools command structure for the military order. She had spent most of her 20 or so years in service organising close protection and running sessions here at the school but she was as good as most regular soldiers if not better. Erin asked her about the status of the Truthsayers, "Estimates are we have 2,000 spread across Kaitaine, a further 4,000 spread across Mundus, add to that about 3,500 NTC's."

"NTC'S?" Nathanial asked unfamiliar with the term.

"Non-Truthsayer Combatants" Krysta smiled, "Men" she added, "People like yourself willing to take up arms and stand beside the Truthsayers, around 1,200 of them are in the KDF." Nathanial raised an eyebrow, he knew the Truthsayers maintained a network both inside and outside Kaitaine, he wondered how many others like him there were but then suspected he'd be better off now knowing.

"They'll be more taking up arms" the final voice, that of Blair MacReachtain, known as the Warrior Poet of the Bene Gesserit, a well travelled and battle hardened young lady who had dreamt of being a Truthsayer but found herself in the Missionara, that hadn't stopped her seeking out and enjoying combat in Seitch. "Give half the Missionara a chance and they'll make a stand for you" she said confidently. "As for the Achkaerin issue, I wouldn't search that at the moment, anything goes down logistically there is nothing they can do, by air there around 6,000km away, so no air strikes, their Navy ain't getting close enough to do anything so we're pissing in the wind if we believe they can help us. Beside we'd be the ones taking the risk of losing a valuable asset in the Ministries. I'd keep that tucked in the back pocket for future use." she laid out her thoughts and Erin nodded taking it on board.

"Well" Erin began to address them all, "We've been left with a simple task by Mother McKey, retake Kaitaine" a smile came to her lips as she spoke the impossible words, "Seitch is under threat, so we need to do something, either strike or get McNeill and her teams out. I'd like a plan for that in 24 hours."

"WOAH!!!" Nathanial leaned forward in his chair wondering if he had spoke right, "We can't do that with the assets that we have here in UC....Helus sake..." the words of habit slipped from his lips, "...we'd need the whole of the East Moreland Air Force to just give us a shot, and we can't act without the other Chapterhouses."

"You'll have them." There was a knock on the door, people turned as the door opened and all seemed surprised with the exception of Erin, there stood Liza McNulty, Shona Devont and Libby Morrison, the Mothers of the other Chapterhouses. "These women are going to give them me aren't you?" the 18 year old motioned to three empty seats. "Sit" an authorative voice ordered and almost instinctively the women did so. "I have you hear to witness this" she turned to her own supporters, "I am calling upon the Council of Mothers to name me as Reverned Mother, to place in me the ultimate control of the Bene Gesserit sisterhood."

"Your mad a girl can't run the Sisterhood" Shona Devont began but an icey gaze and step towards her from Erin shut her up.

"Mad....look at the fear in your eyes caused by an 18 year old girl." Erin laughed heartily "Look at the three of you, spent your lives hiding in your schools, when was the last time you took real spice, real genuine Kaitaine harvested melange" the sacred spice was in short demand, even in Kaitaine where it originated and therefore Erin knew the answer before she asked. She reached into her robe and removed a small tin box, no bigger than one holding matches. "This is the last of my spice, the Melange I made. You know where I made it....of course you do the story is legendary among the students. I am Erin McGregor, the Bene Gesserit who alone walked the desert of Kaitaine, found the wild worm and ground its shells with my bare hands" she reached her hands towards them, a feint red mark, the colour of the spice on her palms planting the sub concious seed she was working towards. "The girl who meditated in the Chapterhouse, not a Chapterhouse, THE Chapterhouse. I am the girl who knew to the letter the final words of a Mother more intelligent, more blessed and more learnered than you three put together." She had removed her Crystknife from her robes and pointed the jagged white point towards her guests, "I am the closest there has been to a real Mother in generations, I am the one who Mother McKey saw on the golden path and I have the backing of the Corrino's" she pointed at Nathanial, "Deny me and you deny the future of the Kwizach Hadrach." The three guests looked at each other in turn. "We shall allow you to discuss the wording of the announcement." she stood and left motioning for the others to follow. The oak door to her office slammed shut and the three women were left gob smacked at what they had just seen.

"Nathanial I would speak with you" Erin motioned for him to walk with her, she lead him down the corridor and into her chamber, "If I asked you to go to Seitch with me would you?" she asked, the question clearly, much as the last half an hour had took him by surprise, he thought for a moment.

"I will follow my Mother" he said after some consideration.

"Mother McKey picked well" she placed a hand on his shoulder and then reached beneath her robe, "If they say no we must ensure the KGB ambush them" she said once more shocking Nathanial as she placed a pistol in his hand. "They'd never let us go" she whispered despite no one being in the room. "The golden path must begin, I must lead it and you will walk beside me." Nathanial knew she was right, the others wouldn't dare order a rescue attempt for Seitch, they had safety, they had peace and quiet and that was a lot to risk. No-one, not even the Missionara knew what would happen if a Bene Gesserit force headed home, and it could well paint bullseyes on them all, but you had to live by the Bene Gesserit's main litany, "I shall not fear", if you have fear you wouldn't take risks, and without risks nothing would ever change. 

[Achkaerin]

There was something special, almost innocent about a new ship before it set sail, it didn't matter whether it was a carrier, destroyer, frigate or submarine this...whatever it was was the same, the vessels size wasn't that important either so here was the INS Normandy sat at Whirlpool Shipyards the main home for the Imperial Navy, it was a slightly delayed introduction of the submarine due to a minor redesign and investigation as to a potential purpose. The Normandy was deserted, with the exception of one soul, the crew had spent weeks getting familiar with the systems and the capabilities of the vessel and now the night before it was to be launched for the first time the skipper Lieutenant Commander Cynthia McLean was walking through the ship, taking in her new command in person walking from aft to bow, it was a tradition in the Achkaerin Navy that the night before a new ship was launched the CO toured the ship. She stepped onto the bridge and found that she wasn't alone, standing there arms folded was the Emperor, the man who'd trained her. That had been about eight years ago she had on her finger a ring shaped like angel wings, it was a nod to the nickname her class had 'Peter's Angels' they were called.

"How ironic." Peter said "That the first of a submarine class that got redesigned because of Kaitaine and the Zircon is to be commanded by a Bene Gesserit."
"You know?" Cynthia asked
"Not that difficult now." Peter said "Chapterhouse is a series of schools, the one in Ui Cenneslaig is heavily linked to the Bene Gesserit faith, the one in Mountjoy is attacked and evidence uncovered suggests Bene Gesserit, a graduate of Chapterhouse Achkaerin is murdered, her best friend also a graduate is interviewed as a witness - this same best friend then turns up during a classified operation regarding the Bene Gesserit and if that wasn't proof enough there's an island in Kaitaine on which sits a structure referred to as Chapterhouse. How am I doing with connecting the dots?"
"Like Sherlock Holmes Your Majesty." Cynthia said
"Naturally when the situation in Ui Cenneslaig became obvious I ordered a background check of our military personnel I wanted to know who potentially was Bene Gesserit." Peter said "Your name came up."
"And you came here in person to what arrest me?" Cynthia asked
"I came because I've got a big decision to make." Peter said "And you might be able to help. Why?""

"You don't know what it's like. To have to hide, to be always looking over your shoulder, you're ready to lie." Cynthia said "It doesn't say Bene Gesserit on your documents when you immigrate you can't be who you are because it's not safe you can't be who you are because you have to fit in. If Shadows of Mundus getting hold of data proved one thing it's that Kaitaine has sleepers all over Mundus. One name per nation was released, now assuming Kaitaine's KGB is as good as the Pravda suggests they are they'll what?"
"Bring their compromised people home, check them off so they know who's been arrested and then embed new agents." Peter said "They'll be set back years operationally but the operation itself would be intact."
"Exactly." Cynthia said "So why do we lie?"
"Because you don't have a choice." Peter said
"Yep, I never enjoyed lying about it, Yuki, Georgina and Floria are my best friends I never enjoyed deceiving them." Cynthia said referring to her flat mates at the Academy "But even when you're living the lie you can have your moments. You remember the toast the night before the class graduated, the night you handed out these rings?"
"Dhat haei'nelh fvah latass mnean hwiua, dhat haei'nelh fvah hiullhull's mnean daehp, mnean aoi anna'eri khir. Mnean shikaen." Peter said, speaking in his native Achkaerinese tongue in the common tongue it was 'No matter what paths we take, no matter what sacrifices we make, we're forever united here. We're family.' he chuckled "When did I start letting the kids run rings around me?"
"You taught us well." Cynthia said "So what happens now?"

"Now. I go and write a speech with my Press Secretary." Peter said "You go and enjoy being a skipper."
"You're doing nothing?" Cynthia asked
"The Bene Gesserit faith is a religion and as such it's a right under the MCUR, a treaty Achkaerin is a signatory of." Peter said "Being a Bene Gesserit doesn't make you a terrorist anymore than being a follower of the Church of Materna makes someone a member of the Sorority of Materna."

Peter started for the submarine corridor and the hatch
"You didn't ask which I am." Cynthia said as Peter walked past her
"No I didn't." Peter said "And I never will."
"Why?" Cynthia asked, in truth she was a Truthsayer and had half expected to have to face the music.
"Because what I don't know can't hurt you." Peter said, he walked away it was true if Cynthia told him what branch of the Bene Gesserit she was in then Peter could find himself in a difficult position a little later, he stopped again "Cynthia just one thing, don't go blowing anything up unless authorized."
"Yes sir." Cynthia said

Cynthia stood on the bridge as she heard Peter climb the ladder to the hatch, she felt like she'd gotten a bit of a reprieve. She glanced towards her left forearm that was where her crystknife lived sheathed and strapped around her arm. She felt the handle through her uniform jacket sleeve Not yet she told herself her grandmother had been among the hundred Truthsayers executed in the 1970's, it seemed the trait ran in the family, her mother was also in the club as it were while her younger sisters had been and were students at the Chapterhouse in Achkaerin. Given the chance she'd have her retribution.

[Libby]

Erin and Nathanial sat quietly in the room next door to where the three other Mother's were discussing whether to recognise Erin as the leader of their faith. The talks seemed to last forever but after what was in truth thirty minutes the door opened and Libby Morrison emerged , "I'm afraid Erin that we can not justify giving ownership of the faith to a child. We hope this will not..." she never finished the sentence, Nathanial had casually removed the silenced pistol from the side of his chair and put an expertly placed round into her head, with a fluid motion he was up and entered the room to find the other two packing their briefcases, Liza McNulty was next, she was facing the door and froze as Nathanial entered his pistol aimed, the round ripped out her right eye before piercing her brain and ending her life, Shona Devont just had enough time to gasp as her friend bounced off the table before the third bullet ripped out the back of her skull.

"Congratulations Erin you're the Reverened Mother" Nathanial said coldly as he unscrewed the silencer and began searching through Shona's pockets, he found first her own personel crystknife and then her one signifying she was one of the four heads of a Lifeboat. Nathanial casually tossed it to Erin before searching through Liza's pockets. Even before the 2nd knife had been discovered Sarah MacPherson had entered the outer room and along with Blair MacReachtain was going through Libby's pockets, with the three knives added to her own Erin had her proof that she was now Reverned Mother.

"Thank you" Erin said casually as she looked at the dead bodies around her room, "Oh no" she muttered crossing to the wall behind where Liza had been sat, "What gets blood off wallpaper?" she asked calously as she scracthed at the fresh blood with her finger nail just smudging it even more. "I'll just redecorate" the now leader of the religious order shrugged as a team of Truthsayers loyal to Erin removed the bodies into bodybags and took them out. Nathanial had a group of three cars waiting and they drove them out to a remote country road that would lead from the school to a private airfield, he'd booked a private flight by light aircraft from Ui Cennesliag to Himeyama where he knew two of the mothers would fly back to their schools in Mountjoy and Achkaerin. Satisfied they had no witnesses the car was allowed to roll along the road, the body of Shona at the wheel while the others were placed in the passenger and rear seats, once Nathanial had cleared the line of sight a GPMG manned by a Truthsayer opened fire spraying the free wheeling car with bullets splattering the corpses blood around the interior of the car, it wheeled off the road and smashed against a tree, Nathanial hurried towards it placed a wrag in the petrol cap and lit it, the team scurried away into the forest well before they heard the car go up with a bang. They hiked three miles to where their pick up was waiting and as they drove back spotted a fire engine heading towards the site on a parrallel road. Everything would indicate a KGB hit, the planning of the flight had been slap shod to ensure it would have been possible for the Bene Gesserit's enemies to have found out, and it was well known the KGB had sleeper agents across Mundus. Nathanial knew what he had done would conflict with his former friends Code of Canley but sometimes a little evil was neccessary to defeat the grander one, and now the Golden Path was open before them.