Hunters of Dune - Brian Herbert [178]
The whores down there must certainly have noted the Heighliner’s unscheduled arrival. Murbella gave her signal, and more than sixty of the attack ships from Chapterhouse dropped out of the great vessel’s hold to hover in neatly organized squadrons, like pilot fish around a large shark. Seeing the military force, the Honored Matres could have no question about the newcomers’ intent.
Her communications officer hit the transmit toggle. “Mother Commander Murbella of the New Sisterhood wishes to speak with Hellica.”
A woman responded in a defiant tone. “You are referring to the Matre Superior. You will show proper respect.”
Murbella’s voice was infused with confident authority. “As will you. I have come to facilitate your surrender.”
The woman sounded indignant and outraged, but moments later another voice took control. “Brash words from an opponent I know is weak. We have annihilated whole worlds. A Heighliner and a handful of ships do not frighten us!”
“Oh? Even if we carry some of the planet-burning weapons you yourself used on Richese?”
“We are not unarmed either,” Hellica retorted. “I remain unconvinced of the need to surrender.”
Instead of being intimidated, Murbella felt more confident. If Hellica truly possessed such defenses, she would have attacked preemptively instead of issuing a warning.
“Your bravado bores me, Hellica. You know that the rest of the Honored Matre rebels have either joined the New Sisterhood or been annihilated. Your cause is lost. We should try to find another solution. Let us meet, face to face.”
The Matre Superior gave a brittle chuckle. “I will meet with you, if only to show you your weakness.” Murbella knew full well how the Honored Matres thought: They saw the mere suggestion of negotiation to be a deep flaw in the Bene Gesserit way. Hellica would seize any opening, probably attempt to assassinate her, assuming she could then take control of the Sisterhood. Murbella counted on it.
“Good. I will come down to Bandalong with my escort of sixty ships. Together, we will reach a resolution.”
“Come if you dare.” The Matre Superior cut off the transmission. Murbella could almost hear the sound of a trap snapping shut.
Earlier, the Mother Commander had pondered the possibility of capturing the pretender queen alive, bringing her into the New Sisterhood as an ally. Niyela from Gammu had killed herself rather than be converted—no great loss. But after the heinous destruction of Richese, Murbella had realized that capturing Hellica would be like bringing an armed time bomb back to Chapterhouse. The Matre Superior needed to be destroyed. Duncan would never have made such a tactically foolish error.
Murbella joined one of the Valkyrie ships and began her descent toward Bandalong. These vessels had been sufficient to conquer Buzzell and Gammu in an impressive show of force, but not overwhelming. The Matre Superior would naturally assume that her followers could defeat them.
If you don’t want an opponent to see your hidden dagger, make certain an obvious weapon looks large and deadly.
Her ships approached the waiting Palace.
Our defenses can become liabilities if they betray our true weaknesses to the enemy.
—BASHAR MILES TEG,
address to troops
F
rom the call to arms and the groups of scurrying Honored Matres in Bandalong, Uxtal could tell that the newly arrived Heighliner was not merely another curious delegation from the Navigators. This was something far more serious.
Since he had already demonstrated his success in reawakening the Waff ghola’s memories, Edrik was satisfied. Why would the Guild be bothering them now? He was working as fast as he could! Thus far, Uxtal had succeeded in covering up the significant flaws in the Tleilaxu Master’s knowledge.
To make matters worse, during the sudden emergency he received a summons to go to the Palace of Bandalong immediately. He hurried off toward the sickeningly ostentatious