Chapter 5

Life is short, art long, opportunity fleeting, experience treacherous, judgment difficult. Hippocrates (460-370 BC) Greek physician

He'd had another vivid dream. This time he remembered every detail in colour.

[V] The Baron Harkonnen had declared a holiday and all were expected to attend the unveiling, Noble and Slave alike. Positioned in an advantageous point, the statue of the Old Baron would keep an eye on all. Six hours of speeches later, all vaulting the Baron, the statue was exposed for the world to see. [V]

While he still remembered, he needed to record it. He reached for his PDA.

~*~*~*~*~

The planning of an Exodus of any scale is a daunting affair. The planning in secret borders on the impossible. As plans proceeded the first to have been plucked were The Kwisatz Mother Farrah and the New Reverend Mother Alexi.

They arrived on Arakkis despite the orders of the Empress and prepared to pay the price for the disobedience.

Leaving Alexi to another Reverend Mother, Farrah met with Mo'Hadin.

"You are sure of the reincarnation theory?" Farrah questioned and then answered her own question. "Of course you are sure."

"How sure can one be of a theory that has not been tested?" Mo'Hadin responded. "A hypothesis that states one day the genetic reincarnation of Paul Atreides will be produced?"

"Sounds more like the ramblings of a religious zealot to me." Farrah was skeptical.

"There are indications of out of the ordinary ability in the younger." Mo'Hadin related what she had observed between Dax and the Sand Worm.

"We will need to investigate this more." Farrah stated.

"Undoubtedly." Mo'Hadin agreed. "You have the latest database on the Kwisatz program?"

Farrah handed over the data disc. "Mother Superior concurs. She must mate with an Atreides male."

"Amasso?" Mo'Hadin inquired. "Who has not been seen in weeks?"

"Assuming that the theory proves to be proven, then Dax." Farrah stated. "What do you mean – not seen in week?"

"Just that. He's gone on a pilgrimage into the desert to dry out." Mo'Hadin explained. Seeing Farrah's puzzlement she elaborated, "The Spice is not his only addiction. He likes the byproducts too – in particular the Wine."

"Ah."

~*~*~*~*~

Yousif approached his wife Sophia. "It has been two days; does he still says nothing?"

"Still only Dax."

"Dax?" he echoed.

"Dax." She repeated.

He took a deep breath and exhaled heavily. "What are we to do with him?"

"We keep him until Allah shows the way."

"Then in the mean time he must learn Dellecian. This one word vocabulary will not work." He pronounced. "What is this word again?"

"Dax." She reminded her husband.

He snorted. "Dax indeed. What is a Dax?"

~*~*~*~*~

Finally, Alexi was left to her own devises and she used to opportunity to explore her new world. The Palace was huge and it would take more than one occasion to fully explore. So she focused this time on the Throne Room and the attendant offices.

[So this is where THE power in the Universe is whiled from.] She thought. Suddenly she whistled no particular tune. She just made a noise and as she expected there was an echo. She didn't know the style of the hall, except that it was ancient.

She moved towards one of the portraits on the wall. "Duke Leto I" she read. Then she moved to the next and the next and the next. The walls were lined with the Rulers of the Empire. She could see the family resemblance from one to the next. She could even spot the darkening of the skin. It was difficult to spot as you went down the line, but looking at Leto I and then comparing him to Arista II, there was a definite change; the family had certainly gone from pale to dark.

[So you are the latest in the long line.] Alexi addressed the portrait. [You are indeed beautiful.] She heard a noise and she pressed herself against the wall.

There was no need; Dax was not interested in anything going on in the hall below. [Not bad. Not bad.] Alexi observed the passing of young man. [I don't suppose that my luck would allow you to be the Atreides I must mate with.]

She watched him disappear round the corner and she went back to studying the hall of portraits.

~*~*~*~*~

Baron Vlad Harkonnen met with is two sons; Al Samoud and Samir

"You mission is a simple one." Vlad explained. "Go to Caladan, find Amasso Atreides …"

"… and kill him." Samir finished.

"Lord no." Vlad chuckled. "We need him for other things."

"We'll need a cover." Al Samoud stated.

"YOU will need a cover." His brother said. "You are the one who approached him at the bar."

"Speaking of cover. What of Thalmas?" Al Samoud asked.

"Your brother is on schedule and his cover is intact, he is a trusted member of House Atreides. The next phase is due to take place soon at the Mojave Power Station." Vlad replied.

"Will these people never learn?" Samir said.

"Apparently not, but that is not your concern." Vlad said. "Your concern is to maintain the charade that you are just keeping in touch with your people."

Al Samoud gave his brother a smug look. "I suggest that we use the story of The Great Flood."

"The Great Flood." Samir jeered.

"You have a better idea?"

Vlad stopped the sibling rivalry before it got too far. "You are going into a community that contains religious fanatics."

"You can not be serious!" Samir told his father.

"I am." Vlad's tone stopped the debate. "Go in as researchers for the Great Flood. The communities of Caladan even with generations of Budislamics are Anglo with clear eyes. Amasso is black with blue in blue eyes. He will stand out."

The statement ended the debate.

~*~*~*~*~

Dax was distracted; he was obsessing over his dreams. They alone were bad enough but the verification of his latest was un-nerving. He'd had a vision showing him a message from Amasso saying that he had gone to Caladan. He'd just about forgotten the dream when, lo and behold, a message from Amasso had arrived telling him that he had gone off to Calandan. Which unnerved him more he did not know: The dream or the message. The fact remained though he was distracted.

Farrah watched him go by. One did not have to be a Reverend Mother to realize that the Prince was preoccupied. She nodded at Alexi, who was across from her, the young woman nodded back in acknowledgement.

Dax was functioning on autopilot, his mind moving from one topic to another. He knew the corridors and as such he let his mind wander. Just how long was he going to cover for Amasso? The official story was that Amasso had gone into the Desert on a pilgrimage. But the reality was that he had gone to Caladan. Somehow he'd got secret sponsorship and now he Dax was left to deal with the fall out when it came, not if.

Functioning on autopilot was not the way of Fremen – such actions got one killed. It was no different in the Palace. Except that today Shai-Hulud spared his with a mere collision.

Alexi was sent sprawling as the two collided round the corner.

Dax returned to reality immediately "Are you alright?"

"Yes, my Lord." She replied.

"You know who I am?" He held out his hand to assist her.

"All know who you are, Lord Dax." She took it and stood.

He stared at the beauty before him and was smitten. "And your name?"

"Alexi, My Lord." She stared him straight in the eye.

"Where are you off to?" He inquired.

"The hour of Lud is upon us and I was on my way to the Chapel." She explained.

"You are correct." He realized and thought to himself […and the longer I stay here the more water fat and slack I become.]

She continued to observe him. "Most Courtiers women do not look at people so directly." He observed, a unique experience for him.

"I venture to say, My Lord that I am not like most women."

Farrah watched the interplay as Dax escorted Alexi to the Chapel. Even with Mo'Hadin investigating strange theories the time had come to test the young Atreides. They would get to the older soon enough.

~*~*~*~*~



In the end the cover story concocted by the Harknonnens was not needed.

The leaders of the village were gathered. For the first time since they had settled on this Mountain modern man was walking into their village. A group of infidels had arrived with all the trappings of their world in search of rest. They were military and had been on the move for weeks.

They were part of the Caladan Army 10th Mountain Division under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Serena Reltub. They had lost a Team in the Mountains and now that the rehabilitation was well underway from the earthquake, they were out searching.

Ahmed told the translator of the man they had found after the earthquake and baptized as Ossama, for he had amnesia and they had to call him something, but he wasn't there at the moment. They were granted rest until he returned.

Of course the village was a buzz. The women tightened their robes about them; the children despite warnings followed the men everywhere.

~*~*~*~*~

FROM: HOUSE HARKONNEN, GIEDI PRIME

TO: INTERPLANETERIAL PANEL ON CLIMATE CHANGE, CLIMATE CHANGE SECRETARIAT, SALUSA SECUNDUS.

THIS IS TO INFORM YOU THAT AFTER REVIEWING THE DATA, HOUSE HARKONNEN HAS CONCLUDED THAT WE SHALL NOT RATIFY THE TREATY FOR THE FOLLOWING: THE ECONOMY OF GIEDI PRIME WOULD BE DAMAGED BY THE PROPOSED CUTS IN THE EMISSIONS AS RATIFICATION OF THE PROTOCOL WOULD COST US JOBS AND DAMAGE OUR INDUSTRY.

MAY WE ALSO POINT OUT THAT IT IS UNFAIR THAT NONE WERE BEING MADE BY THE MINOR HOUSES SUCH AS HOUSE RICH'ARD.

XAVIER MEHDA'IN - MENTAT

HOUSE HARKONNEN

~*~*~*~*~

When Amasso had finally spoken, it had been in the Standard English Language of the Imperial Court, while the Mountain People spoke Dellecian. The frustration did not last long as the call to prayer revealed that the Villagers also spoke the Ancient Arabic Language, as did Amasso. After that communication was not a problem. If only his memory would return.

He'd made friends with the villagers but with nowhere to go or a remembered place to go, he just stayed put. And so it was that day, that unaware that the Caladan Army 10th Mountain Division was camped in the village, Amasso had gone off with his newfound friend, Said, who had been called to deliver a baby. It was a chance for Amasso to see the sights.

Amasso watched the drama unfold. The husband jumped to his feet as Said approached the group of men.

"YES!" He was eager, his wife had gone into labour that morning and he was excited about staring a family. Then he noticed his demeanor. "WHAT!" He demanded.

Said hated this, but the only way to say it is to say it. So he did. "Your wife and your son did not survive." He gulped, "There is nothing that we could do... I am so sorry."

"Nooooo!" The man wailed and sank to his knees as the other men of the village crowded around him. Amasso had never felt so helpless in his life.

The two men left soon after and made their way back. As the walked away, Amasso said: "Shar'Leem and I had wanted children."

"Yes?" Said was still distraught over the loss. "… and who is Shar'Leem? Your wife?"

Amasso thought for a moment. "I don't know!" Now it was his turn to become distressed.

Said soothed him, "It's a sign. Be patient all will return."

The two lapsed into silence all the way back. They entered their village as the third call to prayer was in progress and into the custody of the Lt. Colonel.

Al Samoud and Samir who had used forged papers to be assigned to the command watched as the Colonel spoke with the Atreides.