Chapter 30

Better to reign in Hell, than serve in Heav'n.

Milton

Not satisfied that six weeks of searching the Desert Planet had revealed not one Thinking Machine the Baron Vladimir Harkonnen and the Prince Rammen Corrino continued to push the Landsraad into an increasingly hard line on the Thinking Machine issue.

The Harkonnens accused the Atreides of not complying. While House Atreides countered that the Harkonnen Observer on the team was not making life easy for anyone as he repeatedly trampled on people's rights who he considered were are not complying. Rammen Corrino insisted that the observer was within his rights when the obstructions were deliberate.

The inspectors suggested that there was nothing to be found; yet the team of Harkonnen and Corrino stood firm in the face of no proof. Increasingly House Atreides found itself on the defensive. The Inspector's begged for more time, instead the two Houses got a resolution pushed through by the two Great Houses.

Landsraad resolution 1441 on Thinking Machines

The 20th Day of Lud, in the year 39,177

The Landsraad,

Recalling all its previous relevant resolutions,

Recognizing the threat Arakkis's noncompliance with Landsraad resolutions on Thinking Machines poses,

Recalling its resolution to uphold the premise of the Butleran Jihad regarding Thinking Machines,

Deploring the fact that Arakkis has not provided an accurate, full, final, and complete disclosure, as required, of all aspects of its programmes to develop Thinking Machines, and of all holdings of such Machines, their components and production facilities and locations, as well as all other Thinking Machine programmes,

Deploring further that Arakkis repeatedly obstructed immediate, unconditional, and unrestricted access to sites designated by the Landsraad Inspectors,

Acting under Chapter VII of the Charter of the Landsraad,

1. Decides that Arakkis has been and remains in material breach of its obligations under relevant resolutions,

2. Decides, while acknowledging paragraph 1 above, to afford Arakkis, by this resolution, a final opportunity to comply with its disarmament obligations regarding Thinking Machines,

3. Recalls, in that context, that the Landsraad has repeatedly warned Arakkis that it will face serious consequences as a result of its continued violations of its obligations;

4. Decides to remain resolute on the matter.

~*~*~*~*~

As soon as they arrived in the City, Dax headed for his mother's offices. So far they had found nothing. He was being accused of being obstructionist but he assured the Empress that this was not so.

The Inspectors needed time to assemble their report. He had already given his and so he headed for the Sietch to visit Alexi. Arista gave him the new coordinates as Mick'N had moved them again.

He arrived at the Sietch and was faced with a wedding reception in full swing. There was a massive stage were there was a live band and the hundreds of tables and chairs had been swept aside for the dance floor. It looked as if every Fremen on the Planet was on the floor.

The song finished and without a pause or missing a beat the next song started.

The popular song pumped out and the infections beat gripped the crowd. In one voice the dancers threatened to start a rock slide. "La La La La Le La La Lal La." The lyric was easy enough to remember as unconsciously Dax began taping his foot.

Dax's pulse rate had adjusted to match the animated drumbeat. A female Fremen grabbed his hand and commanded, "Dance with me!"

Already under the spell of the beat, the lead singer had the dancers gyrating. Dax followed her. They twirled round and where Dax led she followed. He was a good dancer and they got lost in the rhythm.

The singer had a powerful voice and belted out verse one.

This is a simple calypso

The words doh rhyme but sing it so

All you really have to know

Sing de chorus as you go

Good Lord!

Just start to jam you feet

An you must get de swing just remember to sing

Again in one voice the assembly sang the chorus and the lead singer had a commentary for every line. "That's right! - Stamp you feet - Jam de ting - You looking good you looking nice - Come again – Hey! - I like dat I like dat - Leh we go - Hey! - You know what to do now? - Listen to this."

The singer began issuing instructions and as obedient slaves to the beat they all followed. She called Alexi's name and Dax scanned the crowd and located her with Amasso's friend Savan. He moved to intercept.

He tapped Savan. "Switch?" The young man moved aside and Dax took his place. Alexi turned and came face to face with her mate.

He enveloped her in a bear hug and began to move to the frenetic beat. The singer cranked up the beat. Alexi hugged Dax back and followed every twirl that he executed.

The ritual unfolded and the chorus rang out the chorus.

They sang it again and again and finally Dax guided her off the floor and out the door. In the relatively cooler atmosphere he directed her toward a boulder. She leaned against it breathing heavily. They hadn't really spoken since they'd began the dance. He leaned toward her and kissed her deeply, a kiss she returned in full.

"Hey." He said finally.

"Hey" She replied.

"Who got married?" He asked.

"Ta'Mal." She replied.

His eyebrows flew up. "Really? I never thought he'd marry."

She nodded.

"Want to get away from here?"

Again she nodded.

~*~*~*~*~

CONFIDENTIAL MEMO

FROM: PRINCE RAMMEN

TO: XAVIER MEHDA'IN – MENTAT

MESSAGE:

COMMENCE CLANDESTINE TRANSPORT OF FIRST SARDAUKAR ARMY.

HEAD

HOUSE CORRINO

~*~*~*~*~

Amasso approached the assignment handed to him by his mother. It may seem obvious but Amasso decided that he'd try the obvious. After all Shar'Lem had always advocated that there was only one way to solve a problem and that was with logic. The Baron Harkonnen of Giedi Prime had presented the report and so that was to be his first stop. He booked a Heighliner for the grim planet.

~*~*~*~*~

Lying in their bed Dax exposed what lay unspoken between them. "The wedding has you wondering, doesn't it?"

Alexi felt her heart stop.

He continued. "Marriage is a political tool. It is a lever by which one consolidates power."

"I…" She coughed to find her voice and tried again. "I know."

"My father is considered Consort in all ways except legally." He expanded. "That leaves my mother free to make a political concord if needed."

"I understand the concept." She assured him.

He lifted himself above her so as to look her in the eye. "So it will be with us. Atreides mate with one person for life. You are bonded to me and me to you. No political treaty will change that. You will be the mother of my children and the one in my bed. She will have only my name." He chuckled "… even that will not be solely hers for already you are referred to as the Lady Alexi Atreides."

"I knew the conditions for this relationship. I love you and my loyalty to House Atreides is unbending." She assured. "Let not your heart be troubled, my love. I'd rather spend one life time with you than all eternity alone."

He hugged her close. "I love you." He declared before they made love again.

~*~*~*~*~

The Imperium was about to split at the seams; everyone could feel it and the Tleilaxu attempted to profit from a distracted Empress by cracking down on the people of Calanda.

Witnessing their abandonment by the Bene Gesserit a desperate population shifted into a 'nothing to lose' position and with no apparent leadership they began a revolt.

The Exodus of the Bene Gesserit continued as they cut down any Tleilaxu who stood in their way.

~*~*~*~*~

True to their word the Fremen had left Kynes to his own devices. They were used to the antics of the Planetologists and every one that gone before. They left food and water at the door and that was the extent of the contact.

It was late but Kynes was still pouring over samples and experiments, when he heard the howl. It was not the sound of the desert and the scientist in him compelled him to investigate.

The second indication that something was wrong was the smell; it came through the nosepiece he was wearing. Something was not right. He followed the smell. The closer he got to the source the worse it became. He gagged but forged on, he finally threw up the contents of his stomach, but remembering the story of the student Mo'Hal and his sister he continued on.

Suddenly there it was a Giant Sand Worm, and it was dead. The wail he heard must have been the worm in its dying throes.

He said a silent prayer. "Bless the Maker and his water... Bless the coming and going of him. May his passage cleanse the world."

Then he moved in closer to conduct an analysis. The quicker, the better, or the stench would surely kill him. He was bursting with questions.

What had caused this?

It was confirmed worms were not only sick, but also dying!

Who had ever heard of a sick worm? This was unheard of!

The skin looked diseased as it oozed a thick foul liquid. The pus was what stank so badly.

On the verge of collapse from the vile odor Kynes crawled away. He then hurried back to collect his tools and sample vials, and to switch his present still suit mask with one equipped with a filter.