Commander of Dune

Chapter 39

FROM: HOUSE RICHA'ARD

TO: ALL MEMBERS OF THE LANDSRAAD

SPICE PRODUCTION HAS STOPPED.

HOW MUCH HAVE YOU HOARDED?

HOW LONG WILL IT LAST?

HEAD

HOUSE RICHA'ARD

~*~*~*~*~

It had taken an amount of bribery, which only a Fremen could demand, for the Bene Gesserit to obtain the latest coordinates to Dax's site. Even then the person supplying the information had been instructed by Dax to take a Sister hostage to guarantee the safety of the camp. There was no doubt that they would relocate as soon as the representative had been dealt with.

So it was that the Reverend Mother Farrah found herself awaiting an audience with Lord Dax. A warrior entered and announced. "The Lady Alexi Atreides will be with you shortly." Expecting no answer, the fighter had left her alone.

Two minutes later Alexi entered. Farrah had been mulling over the confirmation of Alexi's position in the eyes of the Fremen when she had entered.

The change in their relationship was established with the first words. "Farrah. It is good to see you." Aleix greeted her former teacher.

The Reverend Mother bowed her head in respect. "M'Lady."

"How may I be of assistance to the sisterhood?" Alexi asked. Her mind took her back to their last encounter and her parting remark that the next time they would come to her.

Farrah's thoughts were not that different. She looked at the woman who had once been her protégé and now was Consort to the deposed NaEmperor. To date she had fulfilled all the expectations of the Bene Gesserit, now was the time to see just where her main loyalty lay. They all served multiple masters and agendas, but which was primary?

"The Emperor." Farrah said.

"Lord Dax?" Alexi played the ignorant.

"Do not play the fool with me." Farrah snapped.

"The same may be said of you." Alexi retorted. "... and so, I ask again – What do you want!?"

"The power game is as like that of Terran Chess. Move and counter move. Strike and counter strike." Farrah parried.

"All with the timeless objective." Alexi responded. She had a fair idea what it was the Bene Gesserit wanted but they would have to say it.

"The achievement of the objective is based on cooperation." Farrah continued.

"As is the cycle of life... the cycle of the spice." Again, Alexi waited.

"The stronger the ally the better the chances of success." The dance was constant. "The Bene Gesserit have been trained to play the game."

[The question is which game?] Alexi thought to herself. "You offer to join in this game?"

"We do." The former mentor replied.

"The fact that you are here indicates that the Bene Gesserit will play on the side of the Fremen." Alexi began to focus the discussion.

"A safe assumption." The Reverent Mother replied.

"This would manifest how?" Now the younger wanted details. The Sisterhood was known for exploiting loopholes in agreements.

"Intelligence when available, but most important – support when needed." Farrah pledged.

"All necessary to a chess game." Alexi resumed with the metaphor.

"In any game of power."

"Then we understand each other." Alexi wanted this ended.