Chapter 35
Rome did not create a great empire by having meetings,
they did it by killing all those who opposed them.
Roman Saying
Arista reared up like a sand worm that had had its rings opened and exposed to sand. "He's dead! Duncan is dead!" she sobbed. [Oh God how can I bare this! First my son and now the Love of my life! Damn this Atreides duty that binds us in a grip more surely than death! If I could have them back I'd renounce my Throne in an instant!] Arista was inconsolable. Being on the back of a traveling worm gave her the precious moments she needed to be wife, mother, woman, and human. She would have to shed all soon enough to emerge as Empress.
Her initial wave of grief indulged she spoke to Dax in a low throaty grim voice, her eyes had sunken into a pale face and met those of her equally stricken only-remaining son. "Duncan is dead," she repeated with. "These Harkonnens will pay." With every vow her resolve hardened. "They MUST pay! Blood will soak the desert for the destruction of my husband and son! I, Empress Arista of the House of Atreides, of the lineage of Maud'hib, swear this!"
Dax reflected his mother's determination. "I know."
He pulled out his communicator and called upon Mick'N to relay the news, as they continued to ride the worm. [Why am I so numb? My father is dead. My brother – my TWIN is dead.] All he could feel was the rhythm of the Worm that carried them to safety. [I will avenge the death of my family. This is promise you Amasso. Then, maybe I will weep. Till then I must remain focused and protect our mother… and my mate. This I promise you, Amasso.]
~*~*~*~*~
The Sardaukar Captain saluted. "Emperor, reports indicate that both Lords Amasso and his father Duncan are dead, Lord Dax and the Empress have escaped as have a significant number of their military.
"Damn!" Rammen was not happy.
"Patience." Vlad cooed. "They too will fall before us."
"Sire!" A Sardaukar reported, "A Bene Gesserit is requesting an audience."
The two conspirators exchanged glances. "Send her in." Vlad ordered.
Reverend Mother Mo'Hadin entered. "M'Lords."
"What do you want, Witch." Rammen demanded.
Vlad was smoother. "Your name, Sister?"
"Mo'Hadin"
"Ah, yes. Reverend Mother Mo'Hadin as you can well understand there is much to be done – this is an auspicious day. We have liberated the people of Arakkis. So – what may we do for you?"
"It is I who have come to serve. To present our Ambassadorial credentials to the New Ruler… and that is?" She slipped in the thin edge of the wedge.
Before Rammen could comment, Vlad replied. "Thank you."
~*~*~*~*~
Paxtang was a Sietch deep in the uncharted territories. Habit, distrust and caution were attributes that Fremen found hard to give up and the Fremen had never allowed the Planet to be charted.
That is where Mick'N and his people awaited Dax.
Mick'N announced to the members "House Atreides has fallen, both Lords Amasso and his father Duncan are dead, Lord Dax and the Empress are riding a worm towards us. With the balance of the Fedaykin to follow."
Alexi didn't know if to laugh with relief that Dax was safe or to cry at the loss of Amasso and Duncan.
~*~*~*~*~
Vlad insisted on seeing the body of his son Thalmas' where it lay. He had issued instructions that the body not be moved – and it was not.
The older Harkonnen stood looking at the lifeless body of the younger. He was almost catatonic he just stood there and burned the image into his mind and soul.
[They have killed my son.] Was the white-hot thought that burned in his brain, [They have killed my son and they will pay.]
He stormed out not having uttered one word. The Captain who had brought the news of the discovery of the body to the Baron shuddered involuntary. He had served the House and this Baron for a long time. He had quickly learned the moods of the Head of the House. Some one was going to pay and he was glad that it was not him.
~*~*~*~*~
The rioters on Caladan continued to run amok. Nothing was sacred. With official Tleilaxu buildings burning the masses turned to other matters.
They targeted Museums and other places of Cultural significance.
~*~*~*~*~
Al Samoud and Samir Harkonnen sat. Just sat, observing their father. The Tleilaxu together with House Rich'ard and House Ha'Gan had responded to the request for immunity from the Interplanetary Court of Justice. And while House Ha'Gan had simply said no in their accustomed emphatic manner; House Rich'ard had seen fit to add a few choice words to the communiqué.
Vlad was in no mood to postulate or hypothesize on the course of action. He issued the simple orders with no emotion. It seemed that since the death of Thalmas that he had withdrawn and become even more ruthless. "Cut the supply of spice to House Rich'ard, House Ha'Gan and the Tleilaxu."
The sons stood to execute the order.
~*~*~*~*~
INTERNAL MEMO
TO: ALL MEMBERS OF THE SPACING GUILD
THE ANNOUNCED EMBARGO IS OF CONCERN TO US. STOCKPILES WILL ONLY GO SO FAR. VLAD IS COURTING ANARCHY! WE MUST MAKE CONTACT WITH DAX ATREIDES.
THE SPICE MUST FLOW!
THE GUILD
~*~*~*~*~
Al Samoud entered his father's chambers and whiped a bloody dagger on the sleeve of a slave.
"Have an accident?" Vlad asked.
"Some one did... Highness" He grinned at his father.
~*~*~*~*~
Not one word was uttered. None was needed
Alexi stood she had been expecting him since his message to Mick'N.
Dax had left his mother with the Naib and gone in search of his mate, such was his hurry that he still he his communicator in his hand, he dropped it.
They each took a step forward then Alexi flung herself at Dax, he caught her and held on with all his might. His world was falling apart and she and Arista were his only anchors in this storm. He breathed deeply - yes that was the smell he associated with her. As he held on tight she hugged him with the same intensity, as she knew she could have lost him too. [Thank you… He's Safe! Great Mother Thank You!] She prayed.
He leaned in and kissed her unlocking the time they had spent apart. Finally they came up for air. She had to say it. "I heard about Amasso and Lord Duncan."
His grip tightened around her. "Time Alexi, that's all I need. Once my people are ready I will take back this planet and rid the world of Harkonnens!"
~*~*~*~*~
Kynes finally managed to disentangle himself from the constant interruptions to his quest to get to wherever House Atreides was located. First there was the shut down by the Guild on Space Travel then when he finally landed there seemed to be no one in control as the Houses battled for control, then there was the shift of the entire Sietch into deep desert.
This time there would be no stopping him. He had a resolution to deliver and deliver it he would. It made no sense heading for House Harkonnen they were interested in Solaris and Spice; anything else was a distraction. So House Atreides it would have to be.
~*~*~*~*~
Al Samoud Harkonnen made the announcement.
"It is with great sorrow that must announce the assassination of the Head of House Corrino Prince Rammen Corrino. He was the beloved ally of House Harkonnen in particular of Baron Vladimir Harkonnen. The evidence indicates that it was a plot of elements with in House Atreides and we ask that these assassins be handed over for judgment. We realize that the Empress had no hand in this but she is responsible for the actions of her House. In the meantime the Baron will reluctantly assume the throne that Prince Rammen could not. Thank you."
Truthsayer and Reverend Mother Shakira was far away on Wallach IX and watched the statement on her AVU and still she was able to discern the lie. "Knowing Harkonnens, they probably helped Corrino on his way." She observed.
Rome did not create a great empire by having meetings,
they did it by killing all those who opposed them.
Roman Saying
Arista reared up like a sand worm that had had its rings opened and exposed to sand. "He's dead! Duncan is dead!" she sobbed. [Oh God how can I bare this! First my son and now the Love of my life! Damn this Atreides duty that binds us in a grip more surely than death! If I could have them back I'd renounce my Throne in an instant!] Arista was inconsolable. Being on the back of a traveling worm gave her the precious moments she needed to be wife, mother, woman, and human. She would have to shed all soon enough to emerge as Empress.
Her initial wave of grief indulged she spoke to Dax in a low throaty grim voice, her eyes had sunken into a pale face and met those of her equally stricken only-remaining son. "Duncan is dead," she repeated with. "These Harkonnens will pay." With every vow her resolve hardened. "They MUST pay! Blood will soak the desert for the destruction of my husband and son! I, Empress Arista of the House of Atreides, of the lineage of Maud'hib, swear this!"
Dax reflected his mother's determination. "I know."
He pulled out his communicator and called upon Mick'N to relay the news, as they continued to ride the worm. [Why am I so numb? My father is dead. My brother – my TWIN is dead.] All he could feel was the rhythm of the Worm that carried them to safety. [I will avenge the death of my family. This is promise you Amasso. Then, maybe I will weep. Till then I must remain focused and protect our mother… and my mate. This I promise you, Amasso.]
~*~*~*~*~
The Sardaukar Captain saluted. "Emperor, reports indicate that both Lords Amasso and his father Duncan are dead, Lord Dax and the Empress have escaped as have a significant number of their military.
"Damn!" Rammen was not happy.
"Patience." Vlad cooed. "They too will fall before us."
"Sire!" A Sardaukar reported, "A Bene Gesserit is requesting an audience."
The two conspirators exchanged glances. "Send her in." Vlad ordered.
Reverend Mother Mo'Hadin entered. "M'Lords."
"What do you want, Witch." Rammen demanded.
Vlad was smoother. "Your name, Sister?"
"Mo'Hadin"
"Ah, yes. Reverend Mother Mo'Hadin as you can well understand there is much to be done – this is an auspicious day. We have liberated the people of Arakkis. So – what may we do for you?"
"It is I who have come to serve. To present our Ambassadorial credentials to the New Ruler… and that is?" She slipped in the thin edge of the wedge.
Before Rammen could comment, Vlad replied. "Thank you."
~*~*~*~*~
Paxtang was a Sietch deep in the uncharted territories. Habit, distrust and caution were attributes that Fremen found hard to give up and the Fremen had never allowed the Planet to be charted.
That is where Mick'N and his people awaited Dax.
Mick'N announced to the members "House Atreides has fallen, both Lords Amasso and his father Duncan are dead, Lord Dax and the Empress are riding a worm towards us. With the balance of the Fedaykin to follow."
Alexi didn't know if to laugh with relief that Dax was safe or to cry at the loss of Amasso and Duncan.
~*~*~*~*~
Vlad insisted on seeing the body of his son Thalmas' where it lay. He had issued instructions that the body not be moved – and it was not.
The older Harkonnen stood looking at the lifeless body of the younger. He was almost catatonic he just stood there and burned the image into his mind and soul.
[They have killed my son.] Was the white-hot thought that burned in his brain, [They have killed my son and they will pay.]
He stormed out not having uttered one word. The Captain who had brought the news of the discovery of the body to the Baron shuddered involuntary. He had served the House and this Baron for a long time. He had quickly learned the moods of the Head of the House. Some one was going to pay and he was glad that it was not him.
~*~*~*~*~
The rioters on Caladan continued to run amok. Nothing was sacred. With official Tleilaxu buildings burning the masses turned to other matters.
They targeted Museums and other places of Cultural significance.
~*~*~*~*~
Al Samoud and Samir Harkonnen sat. Just sat, observing their father. The Tleilaxu together with House Rich'ard and House Ha'Gan had responded to the request for immunity from the Interplanetary Court of Justice. And while House Ha'Gan had simply said no in their accustomed emphatic manner; House Rich'ard had seen fit to add a few choice words to the communiqué.
Vlad was in no mood to postulate or hypothesize on the course of action. He issued the simple orders with no emotion. It seemed that since the death of Thalmas that he had withdrawn and become even more ruthless. "Cut the supply of spice to House Rich'ard, House Ha'Gan and the Tleilaxu."
The sons stood to execute the order.
~*~*~*~*~
INTERNAL MEMO
TO: ALL MEMBERS OF THE SPACING GUILD
THE ANNOUNCED EMBARGO IS OF CONCERN TO US. STOCKPILES WILL ONLY GO SO FAR. VLAD IS COURTING ANARCHY! WE MUST MAKE CONTACT WITH DAX ATREIDES.
THE SPICE MUST FLOW!
THE GUILD
~*~*~*~*~
Al Samoud entered his father's chambers and whiped a bloody dagger on the sleeve of a slave.
"Have an accident?" Vlad asked.
"Some one did... Highness" He grinned at his father.
~*~*~*~*~
Not one word was uttered. None was needed
Alexi stood she had been expecting him since his message to Mick'N.
Dax had left his mother with the Naib and gone in search of his mate, such was his hurry that he still he his communicator in his hand, he dropped it.
They each took a step forward then Alexi flung herself at Dax, he caught her and held on with all his might. His world was falling apart and she and Arista were his only anchors in this storm. He breathed deeply - yes that was the smell he associated with her. As he held on tight she hugged him with the same intensity, as she knew she could have lost him too. [Thank you… He's Safe! Great Mother Thank You!] She prayed.
He leaned in and kissed her unlocking the time they had spent apart. Finally they came up for air. She had to say it. "I heard about Amasso and Lord Duncan."
His grip tightened around her. "Time Alexi, that's all I need. Once my people are ready I will take back this planet and rid the world of Harkonnens!"
~*~*~*~*~
Kynes finally managed to disentangle himself from the constant interruptions to his quest to get to wherever House Atreides was located. First there was the shut down by the Guild on Space Travel then when he finally landed there seemed to be no one in control as the Houses battled for control, then there was the shift of the entire Sietch into deep desert.
This time there would be no stopping him. He had a resolution to deliver and deliver it he would. It made no sense heading for House Harkonnen they were interested in Solaris and Spice; anything else was a distraction. So House Atreides it would have to be.
~*~*~*~*~
Al Samoud Harkonnen made the announcement.
"It is with great sorrow that must announce the assassination of the Head of House Corrino Prince Rammen Corrino. He was the beloved ally of House Harkonnen in particular of Baron Vladimir Harkonnen. The evidence indicates that it was a plot of elements with in House Atreides and we ask that these assassins be handed over for judgment. We realize that the Empress had no hand in this but she is responsible for the actions of her House. In the meantime the Baron will reluctantly assume the throne that Prince Rammen could not. Thank you."
Truthsayer and Reverend Mother Shakira was far away on Wallach IX and watched the statement on her AVU and still she was able to discern the lie. "Knowing Harkonnens, they probably helped Corrino on his way." She observed.
