"By its sheer infinity, the Scattering will outsmart you. You can rely on that. We have to prepare to be surprised, but also find new allies, chart new maps, and find good teachers for hire."
- MILES TEG'S REPORT TO CHAPTERHOUSE
"For a general, you are not what you seem to be," said Voice One.
"I was about to say the same about you, pleasure man," said Voice Two, with a pinch of irony.
"So is meeting you going to mark me as a conspirator?" Voice One asked.
"We should keep our voices low," Voice Three added quickly.
The three men stood in the dark against a wall, with only the light of Chapterhouse's moon shining through a hole up high. Wherever that room was, it was small and unfurnished with two small doors leading to a maze of corridors where water drips echoed and faded in the distance.
There was a brief moment of silence.
Voice One turned to Voice Two: "You two braved the new curfew to enter this pleasure house, so I take it it is unofficial business, correct?"
"Not to be coy, Lorain, we know your duties go beyond the Bene Gesserit's," Voice Two informed him. "Captain Xero here confirmed that you carry devices of unknown origin, which tells me you are a foreign agent..."
"I don't want to be the defender in a trial held while hiding in dark corridors," Voice One quickly stood up and turned around, ready to leave.
"... which would be a blessing, as the Bene Gesserit - well, the branch who prefers Murbella in power - is in dire need of help," Captain Xero / Voice Three whispered.
Lorain / Voice One stopped. "I have nothing to say on the subject of unknown devices," he affirmed, stubbornly.
"Let's just say I will reserve the right to ask, after we are through with our little conspiracy here," Miles Teg / Voice Two replied.
"It is a lot less contentious that it needs to be, Bashar," Captain Xero / Voice Three replied with a smile, joining index and middle finger to touch his shoulder, chin and forehead. "In the Seeking, we know the Cooperative very well Lorain, and welcome it. Nutri et Custodi!" he cheered, enigmatically.
Voice One did not react, but turned around to face the men. "How much time do we have? Should we get to the point."
"Worry not, our Face Dancer will impersonate you for as long as it's needed, and won't be unmasked, as long as no Reverend Mother asks for your company tonight."
"I am slated to only meet non-adepts this evening."
"Then, there is no risk of a Full Sister finding out your doppelganger is not what it's pretending to be."
"That is to be seen. His disguise will not last long, if he can't perform as well for the ladies that require my services. I have a reputation to defend," protested Voice One.
"Master Zoel is sure to take offense when he hears about this one."
"Let him, I'd be glad to hear it from him firsthand."
"To get to the point, Lorain: we need your help. As foreseen by Murbella."
"That is hard to believe, gentlemen. Other forces govern the Bene Gesserit, and I believe you two are at large. And Murbella, I pray she is alive and well, must be at the mercy of a few prickly Reverend Mothers."
"Then we may send you back to your duties to bed Chapterhouse nuns."
"Pardon me?"
"To bed a Chapterhouse nun!" Voice Two repeated. "These are the words Murbella told me would summon you to our service. Are you reneging on your promise to her?"
"But..." Voice One hesitated.
"That is merely to prove to you that we are on the same side as Murbella's. So welcome to our conspiracy. The problem..."
"Yes?" Voice One answered, skeptical.
"... is that Murbella shared with me the words," continued Voice Two / Miles Teg, "but graciously omitted to mention what it is that you can do for us, my friend, besides playing the baliset, drinking expensive spirits, and hatching poorly-sounding rhymes."
A water drop fell from the ceiling, hitting Lorain's boot.
"Well," the baliset player replied. "This may surprise you."