Mentats of Dune

As a dreamer, he’d once led a difficult life in the sietch, estranged from his father and brothers and from many of the other Freemen. They only wanted to keep doing things as they’d done them for centuries, never daring to extend their experiences beyond a parochial comfort zone.

Yes, Taref had seen things far away from that life, and learned from his experiences. He had dreamed, but had come to realize he’d been dreaming of the wrong things. Now it was time for a change. Again.

Alone, he wandered into the furnace-hot, shimmering wasteland.

Chapter 78 (When I gaze up into the night sky)

When I gaze up into the night sky, I see as many opportunities as there are stars.

— DIRECTEUR JOSEF VENPORT, excerpt from a speech to business associates

Making his way across the small Caladan spaceport, Vorian Atreides hardly noticed anyone around him, did not hear the noise of conversation or the engines outside as the occasional shuttle arrived and departed. It was early evening, and he was alone after a long day of last-minute preparations.

Tragedy seemed to follow him like a shadow. He had to leave beautiful Caladan, again.

Vor felt scarred inside, as if he had been broken and improperly healed. A dark fear lingered in his heart — not for himself, but for everyone in his extended family. Any member of his bloodline was in danger, because the Harko

Tula Harko

She’d left a bloody message of vendetta, and Vor had sent an urgent warning to anyone who claimed Atreides lineage on Caladan. Yet he could not stay there and risk them further, so he made it known that he was leaving. He would go back to Kepler, despite the Emperor’s proscription — a promise that had been forced on Vor out of Salvador’s pique. But Vor would risk Imperial ire to protect his dispersed family. Maybe they were in danger, too.

He didn’t know how many of his descendants he could locate. Back during the early years of the Jihad, when he was a young officer traveling from star system to star system, he’d had lovers on many different planets. Vor sent an urgent message to the banking representative on Kolhar who had helped him arrange discreet financial transactions over the years, including the recent infusion of wealth to Lankiveil. The bank had contacts across the Imperium, and Vor ordered a detailed research report on all possible Atreides descendants.

We will never forget, Tula Harko

Did all of House Harko

Xavier Harko

Generations later, Griffin Harko

In the spaceport building, he watched through a large viewing window as his designated shuttle set down in a pool of light and prepared to release its passengers. He had spent hours with a distraught Willem, confessing the chain of events that had led to the murders. What had seemed like distant and esoteric family history was now painfully relevant.

When Vor offered to remain on Caladan, to help stand guard over Willem and other Atreides cousins, the young man resented the suggestion. “If Harko

It felt like a crushing weight on Vorian’s shoulders. Willem, too, blamed him.

And so Vor had booked passage on the next outbound spacefolder, wherever it was headed. At the first opportunity he would transfer to another route and make his way to Kepler, warn his family there. After that … he didn’t know where he would go, but it couldn’t be anywhere that would expose his family to additional attention.

Now, in the reflection of the spaceport’s plaz window, he saw a tall, thin figure approach from behind. Vor didn’t need to turn in order to recognize him; he felt his pulse speed up as he wondered what Willem was doing here. “You shouldn’t have come here.” Vor looked sidelong at him. “I told you it isn’t safe to be seen with me.”

Willem looked ready to argue. “I’ve decided to go with you. I’m strong, I can fly ships, I can fight. I can help you find the Harko

“I’m not hunting Harko

Crossing his arms over his chest, Willem said, “For years I served in the Air Patrol, so I know how to handle myself in a crisis. I can be cool, and I am not out for blood. But with Orry dead, and Uncle Shander … and my parents, there’s not much left for me on Caladan. I can stay behind, alone, and be reminded every day. Or I can go with you.”

Vor met the young man’s urgent gaze, saw a hint of Leronica there, from across the generations. And he saw a bit of himself, too. Something in Willem’s demeanor reminded him of his own cocky determination when he’d been a young officer, the confidence and certainty in his own abilities.

Vorian Atreides had come to Caladan to regain a grounding in his life, to find his family and reestablish a long-lost co

Willem’s eyes shone with gratitude. The shuttle up to the spacefolder was ready to be boarded. “I’m levelheaded. But if a Harko

Vor said, “I can accept that.” Together, they boarded the shuttle.

Chapter 79 (How do we measure the loss of Salvador Corrino)

How do we measure the loss of Salvador Corrino? Is it a blow to the Imperium, or do the people actually benefit from his demise? The answer rests in large part on the shoulders of his brother, our newly seated Emperor.

—“anonymous” pundit (name known, but withheld)