SMST P1C: Endless Sand! – By DS Wynne
Disclaimer: SM, R1/2, ST and other genres belong to their respective owners.
Note: This is a multi-genre story.
Part 25
Meanwhile…
The "ghola" that was the late Duke Leto Atreides—named "Hayt"—stared at the nearby mountain through a window within the citadel of the Emperor…
"Fascinating events we have to deal with," says Bijaz, as he circled Hayt. And then…he stops to look at his "brother".
"What do you think…he who wears the face of Leto Atreides?"
"I…think-"
"There, stop. That is the problem, friend. You are NOT supposed to THINK. You are supposed to DO. And do what, brother?"
"I am to kill Paul Atreides…upon your orders."
"There…was that hard? That is why I am the 'brain' to your 'brawn'. I got the better of the deal…you think?"
"What of the others?"
"Let us see: a little misdirection perhaps? A lie here, a lie there…like termites or moles, the foundation will soon collapse."
Meanwhile…
Usagi lay in her bed alone, as darkness and shadows enveloped her consciousness. And yet…this may not be the case. Having survived the stonecutter, her mind and spirit worked in tandem to solve the mystery concerning the assassination plot against her husband, the Emperor of the Known Universe…
"Serena…"
Usagi reached in the eye of the blue tornado, as the darkness gave way to a familiar presence…
"Mother?"
Queen Serenity gently wrapped her arms around Usagi.
"My darling daughter, how much I weep for your misfortune…as well as what is to come," Serenity says gently.
Usagi did nothing, until she removed herself from Serenity's grip.
"You are merely a memory…a memory rooted within my blood."
"Perhaps, perhaps not, but I AM that which is Queen Serenity."
Usagi looks at Serenity…
"I will accept this for now."
"At least we have this understanding."
Silence.
"Daughter, you are about to face a trying time in the days ahead."
"Will I have peace afterwards?" Usagi asked.
"I am afraid not. After this crisis, your trials and tribulations will begin."
"If that's the case, why should I care about the future?"
"Because we are the future…Mother," says a voice.
Usagi turns to see girls—and a few boys—standing at the edge of the future. Most of them were in shadows…
"Huh?"
A girl steps forth from the shadows. She appeared to be in her late teens, but the color of her hair was a big clue…
"Gee, Mom," Rini says. "You can be SO clueless sometimes…"
"Hey, you little brat!"
Serenity merely laughs lightly.
"Mother, a little support here?"
"My apologies, daughter. Though, I do admit that I find the humor in this situation…"
"Mom," Rini says, as she gently grabs Usagi's shoulders. "Look, I know being injured, well, sucks, but you'll get through this…and many other difficulties. Otherwise…how can I be born to…bug you about stuff?"
"I suppose you're right…"
"Daughter, remember this: when you defeated Sailor Chaos, you changed your 'Silver Path'," Serenity says. "You are no longer bound to the future set by my…mistakes."
"And that means…?"
"The fate of Crystal Tokyo is now thoroughly in your hands."
"Humph."
"Mom, you got to be tough," Rini says. "Otherwise…how can I bug you about stuff?"
"It's nice to know that you care so much about my welfare," Usagi says sarcastically.
"Serena, I know you can be strong," Serenity says. "You proven yourself before…I know you can do again…"
With that the blue whirlwind envelops Usagi's mind…
FWOOSH!
Usagi opened her black eyes, realizing that there were bandages still on her face. Gingerly, she removed the bandages with a sigh.
"Usagi?" says a familiar voice.
Usagi turns her head to "see" Hoshi standing there with a tray. On the tray, Usagi can see a bowl of soup, a piece of bread and "juice".
"Ah, you brought something," Usagi says. "Great, because I am starving."
Hoshi was speechless for a moment. She had been looking after her friend during the investigation of the "stone burner" incident, especially since her sons were safely tucked away in the southern hemisphere.
"You…you can see me?" Hoshi says, as she sets the tray down unto a nearby table.
"I see…echoes, impressions," Usagi says.
"Then, you must be using your 'prescience' to see then," Hoshi says, as she sat on Usagi's bed.
"I guess so," Usagi says, as she looks towards the window of her bedroom. "And you know what's the weirdest part of all this?"
"What?"
"I should be more freaked out about not see the 'normal way'."
"I see…"
Silence.
"Usagi, we should let Paul and the others know-" Hoshi began.
"No," Usagi says, she clutched her friend's nearest arm. "Do not tell them ANYTHING."
"Nothing?"
"Nothing. Paul might know already, due to his 'heritage', but the others need not be burdened by my blindness."
Usagi pauses with a sigh.
"And besides, we might be able to use my misfortune to our advantage."
Meanwhile…
"Ranma, how is the investigation coming about?" Paul says, as he looks outside of his office window. The office itself was once belonged to his father's Leto."
"Definitely a Tleilaxu involvement, Paul," Ranma says, as he goes over his notes. "And if that's the case, then I wouldn't be surprised that the girl we found in the dessert is a victim of a 'face dance'."
"And the response?"
"Alia and I are waiting for Duncan to return from the desert before Alia authorizes an 'inquisition' through her 'Court Qizara'. Personally, I just need another day before I catch the killer…and your would-be assassin."
"Good," Paul says, as he turns around to speak to Ranma face-to-face. "I am glad that you have things well in hand."
"Well, I just don't like people using other people to get to their enemies."
"'Plots within plots'," Paul says with a smirk. "Such is the way of this place…"
Silence.
"On to another note, I want to know how things are going between you and Alia," Paul says, as he sits down in his chair.
"Um, what do you mean?"
"I mean, are you and Alia…getting along?"
"Paul, that's…weird of you."
"Oh?"
"You never cared what anyone does in their personal lives, as long as your agenda is not interrupted."
Paul sighs.
"The fact of the matter is that Usagi changed the future. For the first time in ages, I no longer have the benefit of 'The Golden Path'. And you know what? I feel…fine."
"You do look a bit more relaxed…"
"And that's why I'm asking you if you and Alia are doing well, since I am considering abdicating the throne."
"WHAT?" Ranma says in surprise.
"It's…Chani," Paul says. "Through my prescience, I learned that Chani is pregnant with twins."
"Wait, didn't you allow Irulan to prevent Chani from getting pregnant, because it will kill her?" Ranma asks.
"Yes, and it was the biggest mistake I have ever made."
"And why do you think that?"
"Because of your example."
"My WHAT?"
"You are the epitome of FREEDOM. Even when you led the Fremen Jihad, you took special care to lessen the amount of deaths…on BOTH sides. That is why the people adore you…and why I am so hated."
Paul pauses for a moment.
"My time as Emperor is coming to an end. Chani will die given birth, and I will disappear from the scene soon after. But…I need someone to prepare my children for what is to come, when the 'Coan-Teen' overshadows all that is dear and near to me…
Ranma swallowed hard. The name "Coan-Teen" was a Fremen term for "the female death spirit who walks without feet". Based on his own studies in prophecies as a Bene Gesserit "Reverend Mother", Ranma was afraid that this "death spirit" was actually someone close to the Imperial throne…
"But enough talk of doom and gloom," Paul says. "I want you and Alia to be wed in two days time. There shouldn't be a problem facilitating this, is there?"
"No, of course not," Ranma replied. He had already gotten "permission" from Hoshi to go through the wedding.
"But why so soon?"
"I will be leaving for the desert soon with Chani, and I am leaving Usagi and Irulan in your care."
"Why? Wouldn't they be safer with you?"
"Hoshi can take care of Usagi's needs. Also, in a day from now, Shaddam Corrino will 'pass on', so Irulan will need to be there for her family."
"Will she be the only representative of the Empire to pay her respects?"
"Yes. I do not want Shaddam to have the benefit of being honored."
"With all due respect, I think you should allow me to escort Irulan to Salusa Secundus. I'm the one who fought against Shaddam's Sardaukar forces."
Ranma leans on Paul's desk.
"Where I come from, my presence is a sign of respect for a worthy foe. Remember, I was the one whose hands clutched your father's body, when he was assassinated at the peace conference. If I didn't think I should go with Irulan, I wouldn't be speaking up. And…my presence will serve as a reminder to House Corrino of what they lost."
Paul muses for a moment.
"Very well. When Duncan gets back to the Keep, you and Irulan may go. Just promise to be back in time for your wedding."
"Of course," Ranma says. "Oh, and I have one more request to make…"
Meanwhile…
"Augh!" Alia says, as she withered on her bed. She hears voices in her head, as she tries to shun them from her consciousness…
"Lady Alia?" says a familiar voice.
Alia turns to see Hayt standing there.
"F-Father?" Alia asks. "Is…that you?"
"No, my Lady," Hayt says, as he steps forth. "I've come to inform you of Paul's latest plans…"
"Paul…PAUL!" Alia shouted. "I want to be like Paul…strong and brave."
"My god," Hayt says, as he spies upon a container of used mélange spice. "You took too much spice!"
"I…I only wanted to develop true prescience like Paul and Usagi," Alia says, as she rocked back and forth. "I had to do something…"
Hayt holds Alia in his arms.
"Paul and the others cannot see you like this," Hayt says. "I'll inform them that you are presently indisposed."
And so with Alia "sick", and with the return of Duncan from the desert, Ranma and Irulan both travel to Salusa Secundus, the present homeworld of the exiled House Corrino. With them was, surprisingly, Baroness Ohelem, of House Harkonnen.
"I thank you for interceding on my behalf, Lord General," Ohelem says.
Ranma turns towards the demented Harkonnen.
"The only reason why I did what I did is because leaving you alone would be a death sentence," Ranma says. "There are plenty of Fremen who would love to 'spill your water'."
"So count your blessings, Ohelem," Irulan says.
"My dear Irulan, it seems as if you went native," Ohelem says with a smirk.
"Not at all, but I do know my 'place'."
"Yes…just like a comfortable pet…"
Upon their arrival…
"So, YOU are the Atreides' 'dog'," says Princess Wensicia Corrino, as she greeted her "guests".
"Woof," Ranma replied.
"Sister, please," Irulan says. "Paul was gracious enough to allow a high ranking dignitary such as the Lord-General here."
"Humph."
Tbc.