Never had the Universe been in so much pain, since the days of the Butlerian Jihad.
Then, Humanity was united against a common enemy. In this case, it was the humans, against the Thinking Machines.
However, the current conflict was very different from those days of unity.
House Corrino has fallen. The Emperor, Richard Corrino, ruler of the Known Universe, has been assassinated. Many knew the days of House Corrino, were numbered. Prince Raphael Corrino would truly hang his head in shame if he had seen what his house had come to be.
Prior to Richard's assassination, the Emperor had instituted the Spice Wars. Although hostilities had long existed between the Great Houses for the acquisition of the throne, it was only upon Richard's request that an proper state of engagement could be carried out.
Numerous casualties resulted in this wars, the most being from House Corrino, even though it still retained control over Arrakis.
Now, the Emperor was murdered, betrayed. Being the only legible of House Corrino, and without an heir, Corrino could no longer hold the throne.
Now, only three households remain, that have the resources, and the authority, to take control as the leading house of the Known Universe.
The first is the vigilant House Atreides. Although Atreides had long been suspicious of Corrino, it had, to his latter days, made certain pacts with Corrino, and the two are now firm allies. The Atreides are loyal to there leader, the Duke Nicholas Dugan Atreides, who has proclaimed himself as the President of Caladan. Atreides now practises an old form of leadership known as Democracy, and seeks to reform the Imperium, and replace it with a democratic Confederation. However, even Atreides has it's shortcomings. Malicious rumours have spread concerning the scandals that plague Dugan's office, and, while he has secured an alliance with the Island people of Naboo, a continent of the central continent of Caladan, a vital alliance with the Fremen, allies of Atreides, is now gone.
The second is the brutal Harkonnen. Previously, the people of Harkonnen were lead by the evil Siridar Baron Vladimir Harkonnen, who has now died of a mysterious disease. In his place, a new leader has risen, and so has a new race of Harkonnen. Previously a lesser known race of Harkonnen inhabitants, these people have grown in number, and now make up five-eights of the total Harkonnen population. The current leader of House Harkonnen is the dictatorial Baron Sheng Ji Yang Harkonnen. A man of devious means, he portrays similar attitudes in leadership like his predecessor. However, there is rumour of power struggle within Harkonnen. For the Baron's nephew, Chang Chong Chen Harkonnen, seeks to replace his violent uncle. A man of peace, and a patriot, quite unlike his predecessors, General Chang Harkonnen seeks to bring a new order to the corrupt world that was Harkonnen.
The third and final, is the surreptitious world of House Ordos. The people of Ordos are the least trusted, for even they are not totally human. The majority of the Ordos actually originate from an old Empire that hailed from the planet Irk. Though little is known of the existence of the planet Irk, planet Sigma Draconis IV is the last true bastion of irken civilisation. The Irkens have mingled with the human population, and, through means of extensive genetic engineering, a new race of human hybrids exists. The Irken military consists of artificially grown humans, Irkens and hybrids, grown in vast chambers. The Irkens are not ethical, and do not abide by the terms of the Butlerian Jihad, causing much disdain to the other Houses. However, the Ordos are experienced traders, posses the largest corporate venture. The leadership of Ordos itself is a mystery, though it's representative is the Earl Jago.
However, a fourth party seeks control of Arrakis itself. It is the Fremen, the desert warriors. Although not as technologically advanced as the other houses, the Fremen exist primarily because of their homeworld: had they lived elsewhere, their world would have easily been obliterated. The Fremen worship the sandworms of the planet, which they call the Shai-Hulud, and believe in their superiority and right as the rightful leaders of the known universe, due to their divinity. The current combined leader of all the Fremen sietches, Lawrence Mua'Dib, has instituted a Jihad against all the other houses, and will not stop, until Arrakis is theirs, and the Fremen have their rightful place, as the rulers of the known universe. Though possessing low technology, the Fremen are secretive, and well-camouflaged, and can easily shock their enemies: all the houses have found suppressing the Fremen truly impossible, making the Fremen a viable party.
All four seek control of the known universe.
All four fight for the planet Arrakis, the barren, dry, and forsaken rock that is Arrakis.
The only planet that contains the Spice Melange, the substance, the drug, that can fold space, open consciousness, expand thinking capacity, and, perhaps, have limitless potential.
All fight for the planet, known as Dune, the only one of it's kind in the known Universe.
Who shall prevail ? The question remains, as the dust settles.
~
The Planet Kaitan
The Landsraad Council Chambers
~
A lone speaker stood at the helm of a podium.
Before him, was a vast majority of pod-like structures, that being the holographic objectors, where a representative of a house would present himself, from his own homeworld, to the rest of the Imperium.
However, the speaker concentrated his eye on three pods, that were quite close to his standing.
Five more seconds, he muttered.
Behind him, his attendants were moving about, feeling rather restless, expecting an event to turn up, instead of plain inactivity.
They were soon rewarded.
It started with a small flicker. The flicker became a brighter spark, and soon, all three holographic projectors gave birth to three, different individuals. Three, hazy images of individuals.
The first individual, a middle-aged fellow, had an authorative look to him. His hair was well groomed, his face giving a fake smile, vaguely masking the real intent of his mission. His hands were behind his back, as he stood, in his well-tailored suit that featured a relatively new tie, a white undercoat and stiff shirt, a formal jacket and trousers, all surmounted on a pair of fine, leather shoes. Though smiling, one could see a possible frown.
The second individual was old. He posses big, brownish-red, eyes, but very thick eyebrows, giving rise to an illusion of his eyes being small, when they really weren't. His hair was grey, and all frazzled up, as he gave little thought to formalities. He wore a very elaborate leather suit that seemed to be able to stand the rigours of harsh climates, and was laden with a number of contraptions that proved useful at any situation.
The third individual was truly unique. He had a slight, but not entirely recognisable greenish hue, to suit his emerald eyes. He had two, insectoid antennae on his head, both straight, and slanting backwards, at an obtuse angle. On his back was an interesting device, aside from that, he wore a green suede trench coat, that covered his uniform, save his black, leather boots. He gave a menacing look, and observed the surroundings careful, wary of suspecting visitors.
These three were the men that had the right to throne, if they were willing to stand the trials and tribulations in their way.
The speaker took this opportunity to introduce himself.
"I am Shafla, of the C.H.O.A.M. Guild. The Emperor Corrino, is dead, the reign of House Corrino, has ended. Now, a new house must arise out of these three houses.
They are House Atreides, House Harkonnen, and House Ordos.
Atreides may go first."
The well-dressed man took this as an opportunity to speak.
"I am President Dugan Atreides, of Caladan. House Atreides believes in acquiring the planet Arrakis, so as to maintain the flow of spice for the good of all…."
"Bah ! Do you think that we can truly trust the Atreides ? You and your nonsensical notions of superiority !"
"I believe I was given the right to speak."
The speaker was put off by the Baron's rudeness, and decided to give a reminder.
"Baron, you will have your time."
The Duke took this as an opportunity to continue his speech.
"Also, we intend to reform the Imperium, if we are given the chance to rule."
The speaker nodded.
"I am, as you know, I am Sheng Ji Yang Harkonnen.."
"Cut out pretensions Yang: we have no need for your trickery here."
"As I was saying, I was overwhelmed by the brutality that was war, as it sickens the mind…"
Dugan seemed put off on that statement.
"… and would have, rather, resorted to a peaceful resolution."
The speaker nodded, and it was the third individual's turn.
"I am the Earl Jago, of House Ordos. Peace, I am afraid, is not an option at this juncture. Arrakis has always been the centre of conflict, and will continue to be so. Chaos has overcome the Imperium, Order needs to be re-introduced, if Profit is to be made. House Ordos's aim is to return Order, obtain Arrakis, resolve this conflict, and maintain profit…"
As the Earl was speaking, he was cut off, amazingly, by the speaker.
"We seem to be receiving an unauthorized transmission."
True enough, a projector came to light, and revealed a man, in what appeared to be a still suit. Though the image was far less clearer than the others, one could see his blue within blue eyes, the only recognizable feature, of the hazy image.
"I am Lawrence Mua'Dib, and I believe that the Fremen have a right to this conflict…"
"This is uncalled for ! I don't give a good nickel about your rights: you were not…"
"House Atreides, let the man speak…"
"Arrakis solely to the Shai halud, and to our people ! We shall accept no other ! The Spice belongs to the mighty Shai Halud, Arrakis to it's people, and, the Universe, to the Fremen…"
"Enough ! Let it be war then ! We shall drive your cursed rabble from that forsaken planet, just as my predecessor should have done all those years ago ! We will crush you, and all who stand in our way !
We shall rule…"
"Quieten yourself Harkonnen ! Your shouts will get you nowhere…"
The speaker had enough.
"Silence!"
And Silence filled the hall.
"Know then, that the War for the Throne has begun. The conflict will be restricted solely between the four houses in question, though you may receive mercenary aid from any other house. The main objective is the acquisition of Arrakis, after which, the victorious house may engage war upon the other houses in inter-stellar conflict. Use of atomics, on Arrakis, is strictly forbidden. As long as none of the other houses are directly involved in this conflict, the Guild will not interfere.
However, bear in mind this: no matter the outcome: the Spice Must Flow.
This meeting has ended."
~
As the holographic projectors closed, Shafla, the speaker, stood, at the podium, and surveyed the Hall.
He gave a slight laugh, before he turned round, ad walked out, his attendants following him.
~
