Chapter 14
Until the philosophy, which holds one race superior and another inferior
Is finally and permanently discredited and abandoned…
…There will be WAR.
Excerpt from Address to the Landsraad
By the representative of the people of Caladan
H. I. M. Haile Selassie I, The Conquering Lion of Judah
-- Bene Gesserit Archives --
Having just finished their early morning run, Amasso and Dax were walking back and chatting about the upcoming mission to Salusa Secundus when they saw the Onithopeter land and a Regal looking Arista disembark.
"Figures" They said in unison. Too far to call out or even join their mother the two continued the saunter back.
"Ever looked at Mum as a woman?" Amasso asked.
"Yeah." Dax drawled and blushed slightly. "She's gorgeous. I can see why Dad fell for her."
"Yeah." was all Amasso added. As they walked Dax said, "Listen… about before."
"What do you mean?" Amasso asked.
Dax explained "This thing with Alexi and I… we're just friends. So don't let it bother you all right?"
"OK" Amasso replied. He was confused, why did Dax suddenly out of the blue start this discussion? Something was up.
"It's bothering you." Dax insisted.
"I don't even know what you're talking about." Amasso lied.
"Well you were sensing something"
Amasso, admitted "Well yes."
"There you go." Dax was triumphant.
Amasso informed his twin "I don't think about your relationships - any of them they don't mean anything to me. Never have."
Dax sobered up "Right just don't assume anything all right."
"Like what!" This was getting maddening.
"Like nothing." Dax replied, "Whatever you're thinking you're probably wrong."
Amasso sighed in resignation "If you say so." But thought [But I know better!]
"...Cause Alexi and I are just friends."
Amasso defended himself "Now I didn't say you weren't."
"I know."
"Is there some reason to believe otherwise?" Amasso was burning with curiosity. [Dax, you don't have a clue!]
"No"
He continued "Cause you seem to be suggesting."
"I'm not suggesting anything." Dax defended.
They continued walking. Then Amasso asked, "… Dax are you involved with her?"
"I'm not." Came the instant reply.
But Amasso knew Dax and pressed, "You sure?"
Dax didn't reply. Amasso stopped and Dax automatically stopped too. "This woman intimidates you! Since when do women scare you, Dax? I don't know this Dax Atredies - what have you done with my brother?!" He teased.
"We work together… " Dax stammered.
"Please." Amasso turned and walked away, then changed his mind and returned "Damn it if you're interested in her do something! It's obvious that she likes you."
Dax snorted. Amasso continued. "Hey... I was there when you climbed out of that elevator."
Dax stared at him.
Amasso chuckled "Dax the lady killer… felled by a Bene Gesserit. Savan said she looked formidable but he tends to exaggerate so I dismissed him. I was wrong."
"Savan told you what?!"
"Hey! Any time that Dax gets intimidated by a beautiful woman is news buddy!"
"I'm not intimidated!" Dax protested.
"Please, lie to me but not to yourself." Amasso said and walked off, leaving Dax to once again consider Alexi in a different light. He still had not completely accepted the verasity of the encounter in the elevator. Alexi was beautiful – true, smart – true but Bene Gesserit! He shrugged his shoulers and increased his pace to catch up to Amasso.
~*~*~*~*~
Unannounced Arista arrived at the Sietch and was welcomed by the Naib.
"Highness." Mick'N greeted her. "I would have come to you!"
"One does not summon one's Naib." She replied.
"Empress." He continued.
"Naib." She teased.
He sighed. "Sit." He waived at the seating area. "You call me Naib, Arista?"
"Well you started it!" She teased. "Mick'N you have known me all my life. You knew my mother before me and my sons after me and I will bet a litre of water that you will know their children too."
"If it is the will of Shai-Hulud." He offered her coffee. She accepted.
She closed her eyes in pure pleasure as she sipped the potent concoction and sank deeper into the cushions that were scattered on the floor. "Mick'N…" She said.
"Ah we get to it."
"Indeed." She agreed. "There is unrest in the wind." She opened her eyes and looked at the man. "Why was I not informed of the gathering?"
The eyes of the Older Fremen flashed. "Slackness the like of which is unacceptable and paid for. In his hurry to reach you with the message the courier forgot the ways of the desert. We found his bones yesterday."
"A waste of water." Arista complained.
"A damn waste of water!" Mick'N was still enraged.
Shrugging off the loss that could not be corrected Arista continued. "What required the gathering not to mention my presence?"
"We have received word of a worm bed on Salusa Secundus."
The congenial atmosphere in the room changed and static electricity crackled around the two. She spoke quietly and deadly. "Worm bed – on Salusa Secundus."
"Yes." He was just as grim.
"Since the days of Maud'Dib; House Corrino has been trying to break the spice production of Dune." She growled.
"And before." Mick'N stated.
Arista placed the empty coffee cup on the floor. "How many Fedaykin Cohorts are you taking?"
"One."
"You will take five." She ordered. She saw Mick'N's eyes open wider. "This is not just a hunt for worm bed my old friend. This is a sign to the entire Landsraad that the spice monopoly of Dune will not be broken!"
"Atomics?" There he had said it.
She pondered. "One planet killer. If you find worm sign - not worm bed – worm sign. Give the Planet one week to evacuate and melt the Planet. The first atomic attack on the Planet did not seem to have imparted much of a lesson. Alright then we will give a lesson that will not soon be forgotten."
"What of the Great Convention?" Mick'N reminded her. "No house may use atomics against another, or else all other houses will retaliate against the aggressor." He quoted.
Arista agreed. "You are so correct." Her demeanor didn't change nor did her decision. She just watched him and waited.
"I am too old for this." He announced. She snorted in disagreement. "Send Amasso."
"Amasso?" she had not expected the suggestion. "He has no control of himself and he has a drinking problem." She was skeptical.
"He is not the Heir to the throne. Yet as first-born he needs to find his place in this world. He has grown much since the trial. Send him."
She hesitated but the Naib held her gaze and would not waiver in his recommendation. "You have yet to steer me wrong. All right, assign Amasso the mission." She stood.
"You leave already?" He was disappointed, but he understood the demands of leadership.
"Me? I just got here old man. I'm off to see your wife and mother!"
He just grinned like a five year old at her reply. "Who you calling old?!"
~*~*~*~*~
[V] He stirred. "What happened?"
"Traffic jam from hell." She informed him, reached over and switched on the radio for an insight into what was happening. They soon found out. Two forty-foot spice haulers had jack knifed. There was a twenty-vehicular pile up behind that and they were stuck. She switched off the engine. There was bound to be worm sign and soon.
"Well looks like it's you and me, Highness." Alexi teased. [V]
Dax snapped out of the dream in a cold sweat. It had been a while since he had had his last vision and he had convinced himself that it over. As he considered the lastest vision, calmed his racing heart, it was the Hour of Lud – he'd fallen asleep in the dusty archives.
He headed for the chapel. As he traversed the hall to the place of prayer his mind's eye he thought about the young Bene Gesserit. Tall, well toned undoubtedly deadly and beautiful. What had him curious was – Assuming that this vision was prophetic: what were they doing together in the desert?
Again the forewarning of Jessica came to him. "As you will be father to the epoch to come - so she will be mother."
Fate or no he needed to deal with this.
~*~*~*~*~
Amasso was ecstatic he was off to war again!
He drank another beer in one gulp flung the empty bottle at the wall, and shouted for another. As the woman placed the potent spice beer before him, he reached for her. Used to the attempts at groping from patrons she expertly dodged him.
"Hey!" He protested, "I'm off to war will no one kiss me!" Then fell flat on his face out cold. He awoke next day at barracks with no idea how he got there.
Until the philosophy, which holds one race superior and another inferior
Is finally and permanently discredited and abandoned…
…There will be WAR.
Excerpt from Address to the Landsraad
By the representative of the people of Caladan
H. I. M. Haile Selassie I, The Conquering Lion of Judah
-- Bene Gesserit Archives --
Having just finished their early morning run, Amasso and Dax were walking back and chatting about the upcoming mission to Salusa Secundus when they saw the Onithopeter land and a Regal looking Arista disembark.
"Figures" They said in unison. Too far to call out or even join their mother the two continued the saunter back.
"Ever looked at Mum as a woman?" Amasso asked.
"Yeah." Dax drawled and blushed slightly. "She's gorgeous. I can see why Dad fell for her."
"Yeah." was all Amasso added. As they walked Dax said, "Listen… about before."
"What do you mean?" Amasso asked.
Dax explained "This thing with Alexi and I… we're just friends. So don't let it bother you all right?"
"OK" Amasso replied. He was confused, why did Dax suddenly out of the blue start this discussion? Something was up.
"It's bothering you." Dax insisted.
"I don't even know what you're talking about." Amasso lied.
"Well you were sensing something"
Amasso, admitted "Well yes."
"There you go." Dax was triumphant.
Amasso informed his twin "I don't think about your relationships - any of them they don't mean anything to me. Never have."
Dax sobered up "Right just don't assume anything all right."
"Like what!" This was getting maddening.
"Like nothing." Dax replied, "Whatever you're thinking you're probably wrong."
Amasso sighed in resignation "If you say so." But thought [But I know better!]
"...Cause Alexi and I are just friends."
Amasso defended himself "Now I didn't say you weren't."
"I know."
"Is there some reason to believe otherwise?" Amasso was burning with curiosity. [Dax, you don't have a clue!]
"No"
He continued "Cause you seem to be suggesting."
"I'm not suggesting anything." Dax defended.
They continued walking. Then Amasso asked, "… Dax are you involved with her?"
"I'm not." Came the instant reply.
But Amasso knew Dax and pressed, "You sure?"
Dax didn't reply. Amasso stopped and Dax automatically stopped too. "This woman intimidates you! Since when do women scare you, Dax? I don't know this Dax Atredies - what have you done with my brother?!" He teased.
"We work together… " Dax stammered.
"Please." Amasso turned and walked away, then changed his mind and returned "Damn it if you're interested in her do something! It's obvious that she likes you."
Dax snorted. Amasso continued. "Hey... I was there when you climbed out of that elevator."
Dax stared at him.
Amasso chuckled "Dax the lady killer… felled by a Bene Gesserit. Savan said she looked formidable but he tends to exaggerate so I dismissed him. I was wrong."
"Savan told you what?!"
"Hey! Any time that Dax gets intimidated by a beautiful woman is news buddy!"
"I'm not intimidated!" Dax protested.
"Please, lie to me but not to yourself." Amasso said and walked off, leaving Dax to once again consider Alexi in a different light. He still had not completely accepted the verasity of the encounter in the elevator. Alexi was beautiful – true, smart – true but Bene Gesserit! He shrugged his shoulers and increased his pace to catch up to Amasso.
~*~*~*~*~
Unannounced Arista arrived at the Sietch and was welcomed by the Naib.
"Highness." Mick'N greeted her. "I would have come to you!"
"One does not summon one's Naib." She replied.
"Empress." He continued.
"Naib." She teased.
He sighed. "Sit." He waived at the seating area. "You call me Naib, Arista?"
"Well you started it!" She teased. "Mick'N you have known me all my life. You knew my mother before me and my sons after me and I will bet a litre of water that you will know their children too."
"If it is the will of Shai-Hulud." He offered her coffee. She accepted.
She closed her eyes in pure pleasure as she sipped the potent concoction and sank deeper into the cushions that were scattered on the floor. "Mick'N…" She said.
"Ah we get to it."
"Indeed." She agreed. "There is unrest in the wind." She opened her eyes and looked at the man. "Why was I not informed of the gathering?"
The eyes of the Older Fremen flashed. "Slackness the like of which is unacceptable and paid for. In his hurry to reach you with the message the courier forgot the ways of the desert. We found his bones yesterday."
"A waste of water." Arista complained.
"A damn waste of water!" Mick'N was still enraged.
Shrugging off the loss that could not be corrected Arista continued. "What required the gathering not to mention my presence?"
"We have received word of a worm bed on Salusa Secundus."
The congenial atmosphere in the room changed and static electricity crackled around the two. She spoke quietly and deadly. "Worm bed – on Salusa Secundus."
"Yes." He was just as grim.
"Since the days of Maud'Dib; House Corrino has been trying to break the spice production of Dune." She growled.
"And before." Mick'N stated.
Arista placed the empty coffee cup on the floor. "How many Fedaykin Cohorts are you taking?"
"One."
"You will take five." She ordered. She saw Mick'N's eyes open wider. "This is not just a hunt for worm bed my old friend. This is a sign to the entire Landsraad that the spice monopoly of Dune will not be broken!"
"Atomics?" There he had said it.
She pondered. "One planet killer. If you find worm sign - not worm bed – worm sign. Give the Planet one week to evacuate and melt the Planet. The first atomic attack on the Planet did not seem to have imparted much of a lesson. Alright then we will give a lesson that will not soon be forgotten."
"What of the Great Convention?" Mick'N reminded her. "No house may use atomics against another, or else all other houses will retaliate against the aggressor." He quoted.
Arista agreed. "You are so correct." Her demeanor didn't change nor did her decision. She just watched him and waited.
"I am too old for this." He announced. She snorted in disagreement. "Send Amasso."
"Amasso?" she had not expected the suggestion. "He has no control of himself and he has a drinking problem." She was skeptical.
"He is not the Heir to the throne. Yet as first-born he needs to find his place in this world. He has grown much since the trial. Send him."
She hesitated but the Naib held her gaze and would not waiver in his recommendation. "You have yet to steer me wrong. All right, assign Amasso the mission." She stood.
"You leave already?" He was disappointed, but he understood the demands of leadership.
"Me? I just got here old man. I'm off to see your wife and mother!"
He just grinned like a five year old at her reply. "Who you calling old?!"
~*~*~*~*~
[V] He stirred. "What happened?"
"Traffic jam from hell." She informed him, reached over and switched on the radio for an insight into what was happening. They soon found out. Two forty-foot spice haulers had jack knifed. There was a twenty-vehicular pile up behind that and they were stuck. She switched off the engine. There was bound to be worm sign and soon.
"Well looks like it's you and me, Highness." Alexi teased. [V]
Dax snapped out of the dream in a cold sweat. It had been a while since he had had his last vision and he had convinced himself that it over. As he considered the lastest vision, calmed his racing heart, it was the Hour of Lud – he'd fallen asleep in the dusty archives.
He headed for the chapel. As he traversed the hall to the place of prayer his mind's eye he thought about the young Bene Gesserit. Tall, well toned undoubtedly deadly and beautiful. What had him curious was – Assuming that this vision was prophetic: what were they doing together in the desert?
Again the forewarning of Jessica came to him. "As you will be father to the epoch to come - so she will be mother."
Fate or no he needed to deal with this.
~*~*~*~*~
Amasso was ecstatic he was off to war again!
He drank another beer in one gulp flung the empty bottle at the wall, and shouted for another. As the woman placed the potent spice beer before him, he reached for her. Used to the attempts at groping from patrons she expertly dodged him.
"Hey!" He protested, "I'm off to war will no one kiss me!" Then fell flat on his face out cold. He awoke next day at barracks with no idea how he got there.
