Hunters of Dune - Brian Herbert [127]
“That is not for us to say,” three representatives said in unison, their augmented minds linked, their voices overlapping in an eerie echo.
“Then you make it difficult for me to conclude my activities. Why should our masters withhold vital information from me?”
“Perhaps they do not trust you,” said another of the hodgepodge representatives. “Your progress has been unimpressive so far.”
“Unimpressive?” Khrone snorted. “I have the Baron Harkonnen ghola, and I have the Paul Atreides ghola. It is guaranteed.”
At the entrance to the thick-walled laboratory chambers, Khrone unsealed and hauled open a heavy door. Inside, a somewhat plump ten-year-old jerked to his feet, looking around warily with piggish eyes, as if he’d been caught doing something he shouldn’t. Recovering quickly, the adolescent snickered at them, captivated by the horrifically mangled observers.
Khrone did not speak a word to the ghola, but turned back to the six representatives. “You see, the next phase of our plan is imminent. I expect to restore this Baron’s memories soon.”
“You can try to do it,” the youth spat at him, “but you haven’t yet convinced me that it’s to my benefit. Why won’t you let me play with little Paolo? I know you’re keeping him here on Caladan.”
“Exactly why do we need the Baron Harkonnen?” asked one of the hideous observers, ignoring the boy. “Our masters are interested only in the Kwisatz Haderach.”
“The Baron will help us facilitate this. He will be like a wrecking bar to the Paolo ghola. After he becomes himself again, our Baron will be a valuable tool to unlock the powers of the superhuman. Historically, the problem with a Kwisatz Haderach is one of control. Once he helps me raise Paolo properly, I am confident the Baron can assure our hold on him.”
The young man grinned at the newcomers. “You certainly are ugly. What happens if you pull out those tubes?”
“He does not seem cooperative,” observed one of the spies.
“He will learn better. Reawakening a ghola’s memories is a very painful process,” Khrone said, still ignoring the young Harkonnen. “I greatly look forward to the task.”
The Baron ghola let out an eager laugh that sounded like twisting metal. “I can’t wait for you to try.”
Khrone paused at the door, reminding himself to keep all security systems in place, especially with the mercurial Baron, who was quite prone to mischief. Khrone led the delegation of nightmarish humans into another room and carefully locked the chamber behind him. He did not want Vladimir Harkonnen to run loose.
“Our Atreides ghola is progressing nicely.”
Before entering the castle’s main chamber, Khrone turned a cool stare toward the hideous patchwork people. “Our victory is foreordained. Soon I will go to Ix to complete another step in the plan.” Khrone meant victory for the Face Dancers, but the ambassadors would interpret it as they wished. “The rest is just a formality.”
Reputation can be a beautiful weapon. It often spills less blood.
—BASHAR MILES TEG,
first incarnation
F
oremost among the Mother Commander’s weapons were her flesh-and-blood fighters. The rebel Honored Matres on Gammu wouldn’t have a chance against the Valkyries. They had made a serious mistake in attempting to strike Chapterhouse with their Obliterators.
After their attack failed, the dissidents on Gammu had expected Murbella to overreact and retaliate instantly. But she had exercised the meticulous care and patience she’d acquired from her Bene Gesserit training. Now, striking back after a month’s delay, she knew that every aspect of the plan was perfectly arranged.
Before setting off for Gammu, Murbella reviewed and revised her options based on the latest intelligence reports, as well as the information she had gleaned from Sharing with Priestess Iriel