Part 32 (2/2)
Gurney shook his head. ”Without proof, the Baron will deny everything. But we saw what we saw.”
As his father's expression darkened, Paul came to a quick conclusion. ”That may be why the Grumman troops are attacking each other - they aren't all all from House Moritani. Some may be Harkonnen soldiers disguised in Moritani uniforms, and for some reason they've turned on each other.” from House Moritani. Some may be Harkonnen soldiers disguised in Moritani uniforms, and for some reason they've turned on each other.”
”I have no doubt the lad is right,” Gurney said. ”They're doing our work for us.”
Still apprehensive, Leto watched the Atreides and Ecazi troops rush into their first encounter with the entrenched Moritani survivors outside the Ritka s.h.i.+elds. ”Victory first. Once we're done, we'll have ample time to look for additional evidence of Harkonnens.”
”You sound confident, Father.”
Leto looked at Paul. ”I try never to enter a battle unless I am confident of victory.”
SEVEN HOURS HAD pa.s.sed, and the sun was dropping behind the mountains, painting a palette of color across the dry, rocky hills. Though the entrenched Moritani forces continued to hold their positions around the fortress city, Atreides and Ecazi commando teams on the ground sought weak spots and entrances to Ritka, trying to reach the s.h.i.+eld controls and shut the system down.
Then a Heighliner arrived and changed everything.
The gigantic Guilds.h.i.+p in orbit over Grumman disgorged a force of hundreds of military frigates, which flew down in full battle formation. The new influx of weaponry and troops would alter the balance of the opposing forces so significantly that the war would be over swiftly.
With a sinking heart, Leto thought he understood why Viscount Moritani had been stalling: He must have known these reinforcements would arrive, and he needed only to hold out until they came. ”It's possible the Harkonnens have decided to show their hand. This may be a full army from Giedi Prime.”
After several urgent transmissions requesting explanations, the Atreides command vehicle finally received a response. When the comline opened, Leto was astonished to see a familiar image in the holo: Prince Rhombur of Ix.
”I thought you might like a little help, Leto, so I brought the full military of House Vernius. Those b.a.s.t.a.r.ds tried to kill Bronso, too.”
”Rhombur, you are a sight for sore eyes!”
”That's what Tessia always says. I'm afraid I had to make plenty of concessions to the d.a.m.ned technocrats, but I'm here. I couldn't afford not to help after what you did for me....”
The Grumman troops reeled when the battle turned entirely against them. Rhombur brought his military frigates down to join the armies of House Atreides and House Ecaz. Archduke Armand had joined Leto by the time the cyborg Prince boarded the hovering Atreides command vehicle. At the entry hatch of the large craft, the two men clasped hands, then strode side by side to the bridge, Rhombur droning in his synthesized voice about new Ixian military technologies that could breach the Moritani house s.h.i.+elds. His scarred face formed a grin. ”We'll be in the Viscount's throne room by breakfast.”
Suddenly a powerful transmission blared out, preempting the chatter on all command frequencies, and a face filled the screens on every command bridge. ”This is the Padishah Emperor Shaddam IV. By Imperial decree, I command that all hostilities hereby cease. I am required to take extraordinary action to prevent this War of a.s.sa.s.sins from escalating into a full-scale Landsraad conflict.”
The Emperor's image radiated smug confidence. ”I have come personally to accept the surrender of House Moritani. The Viscount has already transmitted his request to present himself to me in person to face my Imperial judgment. It is the only way to avoid further bloodshed.”
Looking through the forward viewing window of his command s.h.i.+p, Leto saw another craft settle down next to Rhombur's vessels, having trailed the others to the ground. This one bore the scarlet-and-gold markings of House Corrino.
The human race is bound not only by common genetics but also by universal standards of behavior. Those who do not willingly follow the guidelines of civilization can no longer be considered truly human.
-Bene Gesserit axiom
When the next morning dawned upon the enforced peace on Grumman, an armada of Corrino wars.h.i.+ps hung in the gray sky. Guarded by Sardaukar soldiers in imposing dress uniforms, the Padishah Emperor and a delegation of n.o.blemen and Landsraad officials gathered outside the grand entrance of the Ritka stronghold, garbed in their own importance. The huge fortress lay exposed and vulnerable, like a supplicant. Viscount Hundro Moritani had been forced into submission.
During the night, the Grumman defenders had retreated into the fortress city, and the Viscount had willingly shut down his house s.h.i.+elds to allow the Corrino dignitaries and the leaders of the opposing armies to enter. Now, the formal group stood before tall wooden doors engraved with the spiny horsehead crests of House Moritani. The forward walls of the ancient fortification, with turrets, ramparts, and bastions, towered high overhead. Yellow banners snapped in a cold breeze.
In the delegation from the offworld armies, Paul stood with his father, along with the one-armed Ecazi Archduke and the cyborg Ixian Prince, waiting for the ornate doors to open. Overnight, they had cleaned themselves and changed out of their battle clothes into dress uniforms that proudly displayed their House crests on the lapels and collars. Armand's empty sleeve was pinned up by a medal bearing the symbol of House Ecaz.
Paul noted how old and scarred the Ritka fortress looked; over the centuries, it had obviously survived numerous battles. Beneath the crest on each door, carved panels depicted military exploits from the long and checkered history of House Moritani, some of which Paul already knew from his studies. Conspicuously absent, however, were depictions of the modern atrocities the Viscount had committed against Ginaz and Ecaz.
As they waited to enter, Paul realized he had never stood so close to Shaddam IV before. And he had to admit to himself that the Padishah Emperor looked quite majestic and powerful, surrounded by the trappings of his office. Did the man really rule a million worlds, or was that just hyperbole? The Emperor seemed satisfied and eager to wrap up the Moritani ”unpleasantness” and make his way back to Kaitain. He and his retainers were obviously vested in the idea that disputes could be resolved through the force of law, but that a.s.sumption remained valid only so long as all parties abided by the same rules.
”I don't think this will end as neat and clean as the Emperor expects,” Gurney said in a low tone. ”The Viscount doesn't finish conflicts by signing a piece of paper.” From what he'd seen so far, Paul could only agree. He had a queasy feeling in his stomach, and saw tension on his father's face.
Looking around at the waiting party, however, Paul sensed an eagerness on the part of many of the Imperial retainers, minor Landsraad observers, and officials of various committees. They appeared filled with admiration that Shaddam could solve the problem simply through the force of his presence. The Sardaukar remained alert, their puissant rifles at the ready.
With a grating fanfare of strange Grumman horns, the heavy doors swung inward, and men in yellow livery somberly led the visitors into the n.o.bleman's reception hall. There, Viscount Hundro Moritani stood alone in the middle of the chamber wearing thick layers of furs and fine, colorful cloth. At the far end of the room, his blocky throne remained pointedly empty. His brow was moist with perspiration, and he looked red-eyed, haggard, and edgy.
Shaddam IV strode in, followed by his entourage. He surveyed the room with disdain, frowning at the brutish throne and faded tapestries on the walls. ”This place will be adequate for the surrender ceremony and my decrees, but I do not intend to remain here long afterward.”
The Atreides party followed the Emperor into the room, but Duncan's step faltered when he noticed the redheaded young man who stood at attention beside the defeated Viscount. ”h.e.l.lo, Duncan Idaho,” said Hiih Resser. ”Old friend.”
Paul had heard stories of Duncan's comrade, who had remained on Ginaz even when the other Grumman students were expelled from the Swordmaster school. Because of the lessons his father had taught him so many times, Paul understood the intricacies of honor that could force a man to abide by an oath even when it bound him to a bad man.
”I wish you had joined me at House Atreides,” Duncan said to him. ”I'd rather be fighting at your side than against you.”
”It was not a choice I could make,” Resser answered.
”There will be no more fighting,” Shaddam interrupted them peremptorily and seated himself on the Grumman throne to preside over the ceremony. ”I have already had the standard doc.u.ments drawn up.” He motioned for a retainer to hurry forward and hand him a gilt-edged proclamation.
The Viscount seated himself on a chair not far from the throne, beside a squat writing desk. The station seemed designed for a chamberlain or scribe to record doc.u.ments for Hundro Moritani. Now, the Grumman leader accepted his subordinate place without argument. Resser stood stiffly behind his master.
”I will need to study your terms in detail before agreeing to them,” Moritani said, with a lilting sneer in his voice.
”That will not be necessary.” Shaddam leaned forward. ”The terms are non-negotiable.”
Rhombur seemed pleased by the defeated leader's discomfiture. Standing with the Ixian, Armand Ecaz looked brittle, as if his anger had been the only glue keeping him together; Duke Leto remained carefully wary, absorbing details.
One of the Sardaukar guards presented the Imperial parchment to the Viscount, who placed it on the desk. Paul could sense a strange excitement emanating from the man, a tension that made his movements jerky and frenetic. Behind him, Resser looked nauseated.
The Grumman leader perused the doc.u.ment, then said, ”Shall I sign using the name Moritani? Or - since this const.i.tutes yet another instance of Corrinos stripping everything from my family - perhaps I should sign as House Tantor.”
Instead of the dramatic reaction the Viscount appeared to have expected, the Emperor and the rest of the audience responded only with puzzled muttering. ”Tantor?” Shaddam asked. ”Whatever do you mean?”
The Viscount exposed a concealed control panel in the surface of the small desk and instantly placed his fingers on the illuminated touchpads.
Suspecting treachery, the Sardaukar guards rushed toward him, ready to defend the Emperor. Resser drew his sword and placed himself in front of the Viscount, while Duncan drew his, in return.
”Stop!” the Viscount roared. ”Or you will all die in an atomic flash - even before I wish it to happen.”
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