Hunters of Dune - Brian Herbert [155]
“It could be a new Chapterhouse,” Garimi said, as if the discussion were already over.
Duncan’s face darkened. “We would be vulnerable if we settled there. The hunters have found us several times already. If we remain too long in one place, we will be ensnared in their net.”
“Why would your mysterious hunters have any interest in my people?” the Rabbi said. “We are free to settle on this world.”
“It’s clear that we must investigate further,” Sheeana said. “We will take a lighter down to the surface on a fact-finding mission. Let’s meet these people and learn from them. Then we can all make an informed decision.”
Teg turned to the young ghola in the seat beside him and said impulsively, “I intend to go on this expedition, Thufir, and I would like you to accompany me.”
In our arrogant assumption of superiority, we believe that our developed senses and abilities are the direct result of evolution. We are convinced that our race has bettered itself through technological advancement. Therefore, we are shamed and embarrassed when something we consider to be “primitive” has senses far superior to our own.
—REVEREND MOTHER SHEEANA,
Ithaca logs
W
hile the mission to the planet was being assembled, the Ithaca rode unseen in orbit. Though the no-field limited the ship’s sensors, it was a necessary safety factor until they learned more about the inhabitants.
As the de facto captain, Duncan would remain aboard the no-ship, ready in the event of an emergency, since only he could see the mysterious web. Sheeana wanted Miles Teg with her, and the Bashar insisted on bringing the ghola of Thufir Hawat. “Physically he is only twelve years old, but we know Thufir has the potential to become a great warrior-Mentat. We must encourage those skills to blossom if he is to be useful to us.” No one argued with his choice.
Concurrent with the fact-finding mission, Duncan made arrangements for a small contingent of workers to go to an uninhabited part of the planet with equipment to gather water, air, and any available food, in order to bolster the no-ship’s supplies. Just in case they decided to move on.
As Sheeana was finalizing the details for departure, the Rabbi entered the navigation bridge and stood as if expecting a challenge. His eyes flashed, and his stance stiffened, though no one had yet argued with him, or even spoken to him. His demand surprised them. “I will go down to the planet with this expedition. My people insist on it. If this is to be a home for us, I will make that decision. You will not stop me from going along. It is my right.”
“It is a small group,” Sheeana cautioned. “We don’t know what we’ll encounter down there.”
The Rabbi jabbed a finger at Teg. “He plans to bring one of the ghola children. If it is safe enough for a twelve-year-old boy, then it is safe enough for me.”
Duncan had known the original Thufir Hawat. Even without his memories restored, he would not consider the ghola a mere child. Nevertheless, he said, “I don’t object to you joining the party, if Sheeana will have you.”
“Sheeana does not decide my fate!”
She seemed amused by his posturing. “Don’t I? It seems to me that all the decisions I make aboard this no-ship have a direct impact on your situation.”
Impatient, Teg cut off their bickering. “We have had nineteen years aboard this vessel to argue amongst ourselves. A planet waits for us. Shouldn’t we see what we are quarreling about first?”
BEFORE SHE COULD depart for the planet, Sheeana was called to the brig levels by a nervous worker. The Futars let out a great caterwauling, far more restless than usual inside their locked, metal-walled arboretum. They paced, searching for a way out. Whenever they came close to each other, they snapped and snarled,