Hunters of Dune - Brian Herbert [213]
Knowing the strength and capabilities of human civilization and understanding the extent of his enemy’s capabilities, Omnius had reassembled his forces. Large asteroids were broken down and converted into raw materials. Construction robots assembled weapons and battleships; new designs were tested, improved, tested again, and then produced in great numbers. The buildup lasted for thousands of years.
The result was indisputable. Kralizec.
When he could tell that Omnius was not impressed with history or nostalgia, Erasmus caused the floor to swallow the enshrined probe again and fill the crystal-walled gullet.
Leaving the vaulted cathedral, the robot strode through the streets of the synchronized city. The structures moved around him, pumping and sliding smoothly, always leaving openings for him. He pondered the buildings, all of which were mere manifestations of the evermind’s spreading body. He and Omnius had both evolved greatly over fifteen millennia, but their goals remained the same. Soon every planet would be exactly like this one.
“No more games or illusions,” said the booming voice of Omnius. “We must focus on the greater battle. We are what we are.” As he listened, Erasmus wondered why the evermind liked to hear himself talk so much. “We have gathered our strength, measured our enemy, and improved our odds of success.”
“Remember, we still need the Kwisatz Haderach, according to our mathematical projections,” Erasmus cautioned.
Omnius sounded miffed. “If we get a human superman, so much the better. But even if we do not, the conclusion of this conflict is still clear.”
The independent robot linked himself to the computer evermind, accessing everything that Omnius could see and experience. A part of the extravagant computer was aboard each one of the numerous machine war vessels. Through the connection Erasmus could see the vessel swarms plunging ahead, spreading plagues, launching waves of destruction. They were expanding the boundaries of the machine empire, and soon they would swallow all human territories.
Efficiency required it. Omnius required it. The great battleships moved onward.
BRIEF TIMELINE OF THE DUNE UNIVERSE
Approx 1287 B.G. (Before Guild)
Time of Titans begins, led by Agamemnon and “Twenty Titans,” all of whom eventually convert to cymeks, “machines with human minds.”
1182 B.G.
The overly independent and aggressive computer network of the Titan Xerxes seizes control over several planets. Naming itself Omnius, the “evermind” takes over all Titan-ruled planets in a short time and establishes the Synchronized Worlds. The surviving Titans are made servants of Omnius. Unconquered human planets form the “League of Nobles” to stand against the spreading Synchronized Empire.
203 B.G.
Tio Holtzman, taking work from his assistant Norma Cenva, develops his scrambler shield and lays the basis for his famed equations.
201 B.G.
Beginning of Butlerian Jihad, after centuries of thinking-machine oppression. The independent robot Erasmus kills the baby of Serena Butler, inadvertently triggering a widespread revolt.
200 B.G.
Using atomics, the League of Nobles wipes out the thinking machines of Earth.
108 B.G.
End of Butlerian Jihad. Massive and widespread atomic strikes led by Vorian Atreides and Abulurd Harkonnen destroy all thinking machine infestations except for one last stronghold on Corrin.
88 B.G.
The Battle of Corrin destroys the last evermind, Omnius. Abulurd Harkonnen banished for cowardice, beginning the age-long rift between House Atreides and House Harkonnen.
Later, formation of Bene Gesserit, Suk doctors, Mentats, Swordmasters.
1 A.G. (approx A.D. 13,000)
Foldspace Shipping Company takes the name Spacing Guild and monopolizes space commerce, transport, and interplanetary banking.
After the horrors of the Butlerian Jihad, the Great Convention forbids all further use of atomics