The Rabbi's Reasons
A wanderer came, one who was called a genius, for he had found a way to reconcile Science and Faith, and Faith with Philosophy. He came to the edge of the village, jubilous. He ordered the villagers to prepare a feast, so that afterwards he may impart his knowledge onto them. The villagers baked their bread, slaughtered the lambs, and cut their fragrant flowers. They made merry all night only to wake up at dawn, the wanderer gone, their banquet spoiled, their coin vanished.
– THE ZENSUNNI WANDERER
The Rabbi entered the situation room inside the Prismatic Tower with a slow but powerful stride among the councilors who had been waiting in the small round room. Something in his walk communicated the gravitas of a leader who was dignified to talk to a group of peers. Three paces behind followed a ten-year-old looking boy dressed in black, a formal garment that looked odd on a kid that young. The man found and sat in a chair without an invitation; none of the councilors took it as an affront given the age of the guest; but they were surprised of the energy beyond his deep throaty voice as he broke the silence: "We are grateful for being admitted to your presence, Councilors, as these must be busy days with Dur's Festival upon you. We are weary travelers from the old Imperium, traveling far, seeking counsel and opportunity. By the Creator that is One, we truthfully bring the news that the ancient Million Worlds are shaken by a terrible war, but that war has ended."
The Priest stood up smiling and cleared his throat: "By the glory of Dur and the gift of the holy spice, it is our pleasure to have you on this planet. Consider those you see here as friends whose interests guarantee the prosperity and safety of our planetary community. We seldom welcome travelers from afar and beg you to continue."
"I am obliged. A group called Honored Matres invaded the Million Worlds a little over a decade ago. As Priest Brogallo can testify, they were the force that destroyed Rakis, the Fremen, His Holiness' Sandworms, the Priesthood, and the prophetess Sheeana," continued the Rabbi, with the same penetrating voice that could have instead carried a powerful argumentation about the halakha, the Way. An attendant entered the room bringing refreshments. The Rabbi ignored the glass placed not far from his hands.
"We are indeed aware of the destruction of the Holy planet. The Worms are gone, yet Dur and the faith in Him endure," spoke the First Sayyadina. "Tell us, what is of the Reverend Mothers of Old?" she cautiously continued.
"For what we know, they endure. A truce of a kind has been established between the groups, but much human life has been lost. Me and my associates were fortunate enough to leave Gammu and find refuge via our properties in the Seeking."
"And so you are here now, away or free of all the properties… of matter... I meant," said the Commissioner, apparently showing his meandering thoughts, "...as a matter of inquiry, Priest Brogallo told us of a most incredible gift. We are astonished and grateful," said the Commissioner.
"Truly jubilant," added the Priest.
"On the Creator that has no body," continued the Rabbi, "we brought the last of the spice melange. We could not think of a better endeavor than to put it into safe hands."
"Don't mind my manners," interjected the Agent, "but it is of extreme significance to this group and the safety of this planet's population to learn if you are planning to share, or gift, or otherwise trade more spice, openly or not."
"My peer here said it rightly, for it is the first concern of my office as the Planetary Defense Commissioner that this planet does not become subject to undue interest by foreign powers that may be attracted to any source of spice." continued the Commissioner sternly. "This includes whether your ship carries or will carry any quantity of the spice melange in its hold; whether that is itemized or not in the ship's manifest is not the matter. While it is the last concern of mine, with due respect to our holy Sayyadina, the status of a war that is cosmically so far from our borders as to not change our prospects."
In the brief silence that followed, the Commissioner suddenly burst in laughter. "But we are doing wrong to our guests here by lacking etiquette! A round of introductions is required: you can see here our First Sayyadina Idala Alquim, our representative from the Commerce League Idmondo Kilaz, and I am Defense Commissioner Hilom. How should we address you?"
The Rabbi, hesitated, then dryly answered: "You can call me Kesil. It will please you to know we do not carry spice at the moment…"
"But will you?" asked the Agent.
"We could procure it. If there were a market. Not spice of the Rakis kind, mind you," he added quickly.
"And where would that be produced? Are there sources left in the Million Worlds?"
"There are, but for obvious reasons it is best not to divulge them," remarked the Rabbi.
"Your profit, of course!" laughed the Agent.
"Wouldn't that be of interest to your League?" questioned the Rabbi.
"Enough!" boomed the Commissioner's voice. "There is no trade when security is at risk. These are exceptional times. Dear guest, hospitality is still sacred in this part of the cosmos. As we say in our parts of the world, 'tis for the day is long and the messiah may tarry. But we cannot tolerate the risk that a trade of this kind, on this planet, will entail."
"We are proposing an arrangement in plain sight, very small lots, and out of public view," continued the Rabbi, his voice measured and subdued. "We would not oppose forging an exclusive relationship," he added. The light of the globes floating high above their heads cast the imitation of an afternoon light, giving the stranger an aura of mystery. After all, he came from a ship straight out of the Imperium of legends.
"Humble." grinned the Agent.
"This, our security imperatives will not abide. I kindly, but firmly, ask you to remove yourself, your son and the ship you came on within nightfall, or you will force our hand."
The high pitch voice of the boy standing behind the stranger suddenly collided with the somber mood of the room. "Counselors! If you could stop for a moment…"
Commissioner Hilon cut him off: "Be quiet, kid". He raised a warning hand to him. "This is grown-ups' affairs. Be respectful in front of your esteemed father," then turning once again to the Rabbi: "We can not toy with attracting attention of any kind to a crossroads planet like ours. There would be consequences. And you, coming in with your massive ship, which is already the talk of the town."
The boy stopped, laying eyes on the father.
"We are staying," calmly replied the Rabbi with finality in his voice.
"Why?"
"The reasons are mine." was the Rabbi's dry reply.
"Then you are going to remain in our custody for now, and your ship will be boarded and searched," concluded the Commissioner, satisfied. Guards entered the room at the pressing of a button, and the unresisting couple was escorted out.
"We should go into the details of this plan of yours again," blurted the kid while stomping his feet in the hallway.
What a curious reaction, thought the Sayyadina.