Navigators of Dune

Cioba marshaled her emotions and continued as if issuing an official report. “Manford Torondo bombarded our planet with an entire nuclear stockpile, without warning. Our cities were obliterated. Only a few VenHold ships escaped, rescuing Navigators and some of our personnel, but we still suffered a great loss of life—from atomics, my Lady! My husband has withdrawn to Arrakis, where he has gathered all his remaining defenses as a secure stronghold.”

Haditha’s voice was less steady now. “Your husband laid siege to the Imperial capital. He threatened our city with cymeks—cymeks! The Butlerians saved us. They rescued the Imperial Palace and my family.”

“Josef did not come here to overthrow the Imperial throne. He did not come to destroy or remove Emperor Roderick from his rightful place—he came with a show of strength, so the Emperor would negotiate with him. Despite appearances, we were not driven away by the Butlerians at all—the VenHold fleet was forced to withdraw due to … unforeseen circumstances that had nothing to do with the arrival of Manford Torondo’s ships.”

She leaned forward, adding with great passion in her voice, “My husband just wants to talk with yours. Josef is a leader of industry, Roderick is the leader of the Imperium. They should be allies against the barbarians that mean to destroy our way of life.”

Haditha was pale, shaken. Her voice trembled. “The use of atomics has not yet been verified. I have only your word for it—and even though you may believe what you are saying, you could have received erroneous information.”

“Nothing erroneous about it. I saw the attack, barely escaped. Send a scout to the ruins of Kolhar,” Cioba said. “Or better yet, wait for Manford to crow about his victory.”

Fielle turned to the Emperor’s wife. “She speaks the truth, my Lady. There is no hesitation in her words.”

Cioba played her next card. “Manford has used atomics once. Does he have more warheads? If so, will he use them against us on Arrakis?” She met Haditha’s gaze with her steely eyes. “Or will he keep some in reserve, knowing that he can’t manipulate your husband the way he manipulated Emperor Salvador? What is to stop him from using atomics on Salusa?”

Cioba could see that her words had struck a raw nerve. She didn’t need to argue further; Haditha knew full well what the fanatical leader was likely to do. Making a great effort to sound reasonable, Cioba said, “Josef asks for the Emperor to meet with him in private, in a safe, neutral place where they can discuss a resolution.”

Haditha let out a sound of quiet disgust. “Why should Roderick trust the man who killed his brother any more than he trusts the man who killed our daughter?”

“I assure you, my Empress, Josef only wishes to run Venport Holdings and earn his way back into the Emperor’s good graces. Let us join together to solve our mutual problem: Manford Torondo.”

Haditha gave her a shrewd look. “What neutral place? Here on Salusa?”

Cioba shook her head. “The Emperor has put a price on Josef’s head, so he will not leave Arrakis, which may be the only place he is safe, his last true stronghold. He suggests a meeting aboard a neutral ship in orbit over Arrakis, with as much security as the Emperor cares to bring.”

“Your husband overwhelmed our Imperial peacekeeping forces there and still holds them hostage.”

“Josef has always been a pragmatic man. Perhaps their release could be a gesture of good faith.”

The Truthsayer spoke up. “I should point out, Empress Haditha, that having such a meeting here on Salusa would be problematic for a different reason. Directeur Venport would be seen, and word would get back to the Butlerians that the Emperor met with him. We dare not risk that.”

Cioba could see that the Emperor’s wife understood the logic of the argument, but a commotion occurred at the doorway before she could reply. Imperial guards escorted a flushed Roderick Corrino into the small sitting room.

The Emperor strode in and turned his gaze on Cioba like a weapon locking on a target. “I can hold you hostage and order Directeur Venport to surrender. How much does he value you? I would be curious to see.”

Haditha spoke up. “Listen to what she has to say, Roderick.”

“Her husband is a traitor and a murderer.” The Emperor’s face darkened. “He threatens the Imperium. He threatens me—”

Haditha cut him off. “The Butlerians used atomics, Roderick. They destroyed Kolhar.”

Unexpectedly, the air shifted in the room, and the crystalline glowglobes flickered and dimmed. Norma Cenva’s tank appeared on the open floor so suddenly that everyone staggered backward.

Norma’s otherworldly voice came through the speakerpatch. “Emperor Roderick Corrino, you captured one of my Navigators. You tested him and interrogated him. Now Dobrec is dead. He gave up his will to live.”

The accusation hung for a moment, and Roderick struggled to respond.