Chapter 28 Chapter Twenty Eight

"Why did he make this proposal?" Falcon asked. "This is the most critical question." He and Pashard Canick stood in the foyer of his private apartment.Vincia stood at the other end of a low blue sofa, looking more like a listener than a participant.She knew she was in an awkward position and resented it, but she had to make some kind of compromise, given that Farrakon's behavior had changed dramatically since she confessed their plot to him that morning. This is inside Corino Castle. It is already evening, and the dim light makes the lounge look more comfortable.There are a large number of real books on display in the room, as well as a stack of data blocks, custard scrolls, and amplifiers on the bookshelves.The house bears signs of constant use—cracks on books, bright metallic luster on amplifiers, scuffed edges on data blocks.There is only one sofa in the room, but there are many chairs, all of which are suspension chairs with induction devices, which can bring great comfort to the sitters.Falcon stood with his back to the window.He wears a plain black and gray Sadukka uniform, the only decoration being the golden lion's paw emblem on the collar.He chose to receive his pashar and mother in this room, hoping to create an atmosphere that would allow for a more relaxed exchange of ideas without the formality of a formal occasion.But Taikanik's constant "sir" or "ma'am" still put a distance between them.

"My lord, I don't think he would have made the offer if he couldn't," Tecanik said. "Of course!" Vincia interjected. Farrakon glanced at his mother, motioned her to be silent, and then asked, "Didn't we put pressure on Idaho?" "No." Taikanik said. "Then why is Duncan Idaho, a man who gave all his allegiance to House Atreides, now offering to place Lady Jessica in our hands?" "There are rumors that there is trouble on Arrakis..." Wen Xiya said boldly. "It hasn't been proven yet," Farrakken said. "Is it possible that the missionaries manipulated this?"

"Possibly," Tecanik said, "but I don't see a motive." "He mentioned finding a safe haven for her," Falakon said. "If those rumors are true, he has a motive..." "Correct," said his mother. "Or, it could be a conspiracy," Techanik said. "We can come up with a few hypotheses, and then go deeper," Falcon said. "What if Idaho has fallen out of favor with his Lady Alia?" "That might be the reason," said Vincia, "but he—" "Haven't there been word from the smugglers yet?" Falcon interrupted, "Why can't we—"

"In this season, news is always delivered slowly, and besides, there are still confidentiality requirements..." "Yes, of course, but..." Falcon shook his head, "I don't like our assumption." "Don't deny them so quickly." Vincia said, "Stories about Alia and that priest whose name I don't know are everywhere—" "Javed," Farrakhan said, "but that man is obviously..." "He has been a valuable source of information for us," Vincia said. "What I just wanted to say is that he is obviously a double agent." Farakon said, "We can't trust him, there are too many suspicious signs..."

"I didn't see it," she said. He was suddenly furious at her stupidity. "Mark my words, mother! The signs are before your eyes, and I will explain them to you later." "I'm afraid I'll have to agree with your lord," Tecanek said.Wen Xiya, who was extremely wronged, fell silent.How dare they treat her like this?As if she were a brainless, flirtatious woman. "We should not forget that Idaho died once," Falakon said. "The Trealax..." He glanced at Tekanek beside him. "We're going to think about it that way," Techanik said.He found himself admiring Falakon's way of thinking: alert, inquisitive, sharp.Yes, when Trealax revived Idaho, he probably set up a powerful mechanism in his body for them to use in the future.

"But I can't think of any purpose for the Trealax," said Falakon. "An investment in our place?" Techanic said. "Insurance for the future?" "I'd say it's a big investment," Farrakon said. "A dangerous investment." Wen Xiya said. Falcon had to agree with her.Madam Jessica's ability is well known in the empire.After all, she had trained Muad'di. "It's only dangerous if people know we're holding her," Farrakhan said. "Yes, once people know, she becomes a double-edged sword," Taicanik said, "but people don't necessarily know that she is in our hands."

"Suppose," Farrakhan said, "if we accept the offer, how much is she worth? Can we exchange her for something more important?" "It cannot be done in public," Wen Xiya said. "Of course!" He looked at Techanic expectantly. "I haven't thought of that yet," Techanik said. Farrakon nodded. "Yes, I think that if we accept it, we must regard Mrs. Jessica as a wealth in the bank, and when it will be withdrawn, it is not certain. The wealth does not have to have present purchasing power. There's just...potential value." "She's a very dangerous captive," Techanik said.

"That's something to really take into account," Farrakken said. "I've heard her Bee Geist training allows her to control the behavior of others through her voice." "Or her own body." Wen Xiya said, "Irulan once revealed to me something she learned, but she only showed it off verbally and did not actually demonstrate it. However, Bi Geist does have some unique skills, It can help them achieve their goals, there is no doubt about it.” "You mean," Falcon asked, "that she might seduce me?" Vincia just shrugged. "I'd say she's a bit too old for this sort of thing. Don't you think so?"

"With Bee Geist, nothing is 100 percent certain," Techanik said. Falcon felt a surge of excitement, mixed with a hint of fear.Play this game and put the Corino family back on the throne of power.The idea both fascinated him and repelled him at the same time.He wished he could stop the game and get back to his hobbies: studying history, learning how to manage Salusa Secundus.Rearranging Sadukka's army is also a mission... for this job, Tekanek is a great tool.Stewardship of a planet is no small responsibility.However, an entire interstellar empire is far more responsible and interesting as an object of ambition.The more you read about Muad'di/Paul Atreides, the more interesting his use of power becomes.As a descendant of the Corino family, the heir of Shadham IV, if his family can regain the throne, what a glorious thing it will be.He needs this feeling.Falcon found that simply by repeating the dream to himself several times in a row, he could overcome his inner doubts in a short time.

Tecanek is speaking: "...Of course, Bee Geist teaches that peace begets conflict, and then war breaks out. The paradox..." "Why did you turn to this topic again?" Falcon asked, bringing his thoughts back to reality. "What's wrong?" Wen Xiya looked at her son's absent-minded expression, and said slowly, "I just asked Taikanik if he knew the philosophy behind the sisterhood." "We don't need to take philosophy too seriously." Falcon turned his face and said to Taikanik, "As for Idaho's proposal, I think we need to do some research. When we think we understand something , it is time for further in-depth understanding.”

"No problem," Techanic said.He liked Farrakon's cautious character, and he only hoped that it would not hinder military decisions.Military decisions usually require swiftness and decisiveness. Farrakon asked another seemingly irrelevant question: "You know what I find most interesting in the history of Arrakis? I am most interested in a tradition from primitive times, when the Fremen would kill all Anyone seen not wearing a still suit." "Why are you interested in still suits?" Technicic asked. "You noticed, huh?" "How could we not notice?" Vincia asked. Falakon cast an impatient look at his mother.Why does she keep interrupting?Then he looked at Tecanek again. "The retort suit is characteristic of that planet, Taika. It's the hallmark of the dunes. People tend to study the physical details of it: the retort suit preserves body moisture, recycles it, and makes human life possible on a planet like that. You know, the Fremen rule is that each family member has at least one stillsuit, and the food gatherers even have spares. But mind you, you two—" He motioned for his mother to listen too, "Plausible imitations of distilled suits are becoming fashionable throughout the Empire. Humans will always want to imitate their conquerors!" "Do you really think this kind of information is useful?" Taikanik asked suspiciously. "Tyka, Taika - it's not good to be a ruler without this information. I said the distilled suit was the key to their character, and it is! It's a traditional thing, and the mistakes they make will be Tradition wrong." Taikanik glanced at Vincia, who was watching her son worriedly.Farrakon's personality struck Pashar both attractive and somewhat apprehensive.He is so different from Shadham IV.Shadum IV truly embodies the core essence of Sadhukar: a military killer with no scruples.But Shadum was defeated by the odious Paul.From what he had read, Paul Atreides' character was exactly as Farrakon described him.It is true that Farrakon may be more decisive than the Tweedys in the face of the most ruthless decisions, but that is not in his nature, just his Saduka training. "A lot of people don't use that kind of information when they're governing," Techanick said. Falcon stared at him for a moment, then said, "Reign, then fail." The corners of Taikanik's mouth were drawn into a straight line, clearly implying Shadum IV's defeat.This is also the failure of Saduka, and no Saduka is willing to recall it. After making his point, Farrakon went on to say: "You see, no one in Taika understands the enormous influence the planet has on the subconscious minds of its inhabitants. To defeat the Atreides, we must not only understand Caladan, Know also about Arrakis: a training ground for the weak and the strong-willed. The combination of the Atreides and the Fremen is a unique phenomenon. We cannot fight it unless we understand it, Let alone defeat them." "What does this have to do with Idaho's proposal?" Vincia asked. Falakon looked at his mother pityingly. "We're going to put pressure on their society as a starting point to defeat Atreides. Pressure is a very powerful tool, and it's just as important for us to identify where it's lacking. You didn't notice that Atreides made the Are things getting weaker?" Taikanik nodded slightly in agreement.The idea is very good.Sadukka must not be allowed to become weak.But Idaho's proposal still haunted him.He began, "Perhaps we'd better decline his offer." “Not yet,” Vincia said. “We have a lot of choices, and our job is to identify as many of them as possible. My son was right: We need more information.” Falakon stared at her, trying to figure out her intentions and the meaning of her words. "But how do we make sure we don't cross a tipping point and become left with no choice?" Taikanik let out a wry smile. "If you ask me, we've crossed the tipping point long ago."