Chapter 6
The storms are getting too close for comfort. The Emperor is brooding on his throne, aboard His flagship. He needs to focus His mind and cognitive powers to find answers to His questions. He has just learned about the possible nature of the spice melange that has infiltrated every corner of the planet and the dangers it poses. There are possibilities that this spice has corrupted every individual exposed to it, and then there are the worms known as Shai-Hulud.
"No, Horus." He says. "I will not proclaim exterminatus on this world."
Exterminatus. Many worlds have already fallen to it, too many. He understands the concerns of Horus. He believes his claims and shares his conclusions. But they can't destroy this world. The Emperor foresees great calamity if they do. And how will they? Virus bombs don't work. His researchers and Himself agree that they might be able to exterminate the spice melange on the surface if they target it with their bombs, and kill all on the planet. But the worms, they can dig deep, for kilometers. They'd simply disappear and lay dormant until the virus is dead, they can probably wait for millennia. Anything that survives, even simple creatures, and the exterminatus is not complete and they fail.
No, no virus bombs. What then? They don't have enough cyclonic torpedoes to not only wipe out the surface and atmosphere but also crack the crust enough to kill any hiding worms. They completely lack 2-stage cyclonic torpedoes and his tech-priests have simulated any other means to destroy the planet fully, including directing one of its moons to impact, it is not possible.
The only solution the Emperor can conceive is to overload the Arica Dominus's plasma drive and burrow the ship into the planet's crust until it explodes, taking the entire planet with it. However, this would be a suicidal move, and even if they succeed, it won't guarantee an end to the warpstorms anytime soon. The fate of the entire galaxy is at stake, and without Him and His sons, everything could be doomed.
"Sire!" The ship captain calls as he approaches Him. "New reports from the planet sire!" He gives the Emperor the report. The Emperor reads it.
"Fighting seems to have stopped on the planet. The Sardaukar have asked for a ceasefire. Suspicions are high. Rogal reports that several Sardaukar companies simply vanished. He reports also missing troops in his ranks. Horus are you hearing this?" He asks. Horus is still on the line, acknowledging the report.
"This is most disturbing Father. The chaos storms may have reached the planet, licking at corrupted souls. The spice is likely behind this. Anyone exposed too much could fall to chaos. It appears it has started." He says. The Emperor nods. It is time to change their gameplan, the petty squabbles on the surface are irrelevant now. It is order versus chaos. The Emperor knew this the moment they arrived. This is different from other times when He was reunited with one of His sons. This Paul Atreides. He has to meet him Himself. He needs to know how deep this corruption of the spice melange runs, His son might be compromised.
"You know what to do Horus." He simply says. Horus nods.
"Yes, father," Horus says and the connection is cut. He and Horus have discussed this before. They will join forces with the Fremen and Sardaukar. Now is the time to save this planet from the ruinous powers. There is no other way.
"Captain. Call Mortarion, Magnus, Vulkan, Giuilliman, and Lorgar to the bridge straight away. Tell them to pack full gear and be ready for planetfall." He orders. Time to keep the balance of power on their side on that doomed world.
In record time His sons appear on the bridge.