Chapter 3 Chapter two

In essence, the conspiracy he was working on was a murder.Trealax face-changer Scythel felt regretful in his heart. Let Muad'di die tragically, I will regret it.he said to himself. He is careful to hide his goodwill from his accomplices, but this feeling inside tells him that he is more likely to identify with the victim than the murderer.This is the typical mentality of the Trealax people. Scytale stood there in deep thought, keeping a distance from the others.Discussions about psychoactive poisons have been going on for some time.Discussions were in full swing, but they were brutal and gentle.This is the usual method used by masters from various advanced training schools.

"If you thought you'd stabbed him right through, you'd find him unscathed in the end!" This was said by Keith Helen Mohiam, Old Mother of Bee Geist, their hostess on Wallach IX.She was dressed in a black robe and was skinny.A wizened crone, a witch.She sat in a hover chair to Scytle's left, the hood of her robe thrown back, revealing her silvery hair and an old, rough face.On a skull-like face, a pair of eyes stared out from deep-set eye sockets. They spoke the Mirahasa language, whose consonants sounded like snapping fingers and vowels joined together and confused.But it is an excellent tool for expressing subtle emotions.Guild navigator Edric responded with a polite sneer, expressing his contempt gracefully.

Scytale looked at the space guild representative.Edric was floating in a box filled with orange gas a few steps away.His box rested in the center of the igloo that the Bee Geist Sisterhood had built especially for this meeting.This guy from the Guild was slender, with fin-like feet, and big webbed hands—just like a strange fish in the ocean.The case's vent emits a pale orange haze, spiced with twilight. "We're all going to die of stupidity if we go down this road!" It was the fourth person present, a potential member of the conspiracy, Princess Irulan, the wife (not real mate, Scythel reminded herself) of their enemy.Standing beside Edric's chest, she was a tall, fair-haired beauty in a stately blue whale fur gown, a matching hat, and glittering gold earrings.Her every move reveals the arrogance of aristocrats, and her restrained and mature facial expressions reveal the background of Bee Geist's training.

Scytale stopped pondering the subtle cues in the men's words and facial expressions and turned to the location of the dome.The round house is surrounded by hills, the snow on it has melted and is mottled like mange.A small blue-white sun hung high in the zenith, casting a wet blue patch of shadow. Why did you choose this place?Scytale was puzzled.The Bee Geist Sisterhood has a purpose in everything it does.Take the expansive dome: The traditionally cramped space might be nerve-wracking for claustrophobic guild navigators.From the beginning of their birth, these people's psychology is only adapted to the vastness of space and life far away from the surface of the planet.

However, building such a place specially for Edric?What a sharp finger, mercilessly pointing out the weakness deep in his heart. Is there something built here just for me, Scytale wondered? "Don't you want to say something, Scyther?" asked the Virgin. "You want to drag me into this stupid fight?" Scytale asked. "Yes, we are fighting a potential savior. Such a person must not be attacked head-on. Otherwise, there will inevitably emerge." A lot of martyrs, and these are the ones who will defeat us." They all stared at him. "You only thought of this danger?" the aged Virgin asked in a hoarse voice, panting.

Face-Changer Scyther shrugged.He had chosen a plain round face, thick lips, good-natured features, and a plump body, like a lovely fruit pudding, just for this meeting.After studying the expressions of his co-conspirators, he found that his choice was very wise-perhaps out of intuition.In this small group, only he can freely travel in the "broad spectrum" of body shape and appearance, manipulating his physical appearance.He is a human chameleon, a face changer.Now this appearance makes it easy for others to accept themselves. "Really?" asked the Virgin. "I like the silence," Skelter said. "It's better not to show our animosity openly."

The Virgin shrank back.Scytale finds herself re-examining herself.Both parties have received advanced physical and mental control training, and their control has reached a height that ordinary people cannot surpass.But Scytale is also a face-changer, with muscles and tendons that no one else has.In addition, he has a special sympathetic ability.This is an extremely deep imitation ability, by virtue of which, he can imitate another person's psychology just as he imitates another person's appearance. Scytale gave her long enough to reassess herself before speaking. "This is poison!" When he uttered the word, his tone was extremely flat, indicating that only he himself understood the mysterious meaning.

The navigator of the Guild moved, and his voice came from the glittering speaker ball.The speaker ball floated over the side of the box, above Irulan's head. "We're talking mental poison, not physical poison." Scyther laughed loudly.Mirahasa's laughter can make opponents suffer, and at this time Scyther has no scruples about exposing his strength. Yirulan also smiled appreciatively.But the corners of the Holy Mother's eyes revealed an imperceptible annoyance. "Stop laughing!" Mohiam snapped in a hoarse voice. Scytale's laughter died down, he had everyone's attention.Edric remained silent angrily, and the Virgin's dissatisfaction was tinged with vigilance.Yirulan was amused, but still didn't understand what was going on.

"Our friend Edric is implying," said Scyther, "that although you two bee gist witches are proficient in all kinds of magic in this field, you have not seen the true deception and induction that he reveals. technique." Mohiam turned his head and gazed out at the cold hills of Bi Gist's home planet.She's starting to see the point, Scytale thought, and that's good.However, Yirulan still didn't find the problem. "Are you on our side after all, Scyther?" Edric asked, those little rodent eyes fixed on him. "The question is not my loyalty," said Scytle, continuing to look at Irulan. "You are still undecided, princess. You have not decided, and you have taken a great risk, and you have crossed so many parsecs. What the hell is it for. Am I right?"

She nodded. "Are you bantering with a mermaid, or bickering with a fat Trealax face-changer?" Scytale asked. She moved away from Edric's box, shaking her head in disgust.She didn't like the strong smell of spices. Edric took the opportunity to throw a spice pellet into his mouth.Scytale watched him chew the spice, suck it, no doubt swallow it eventually.This is understandable, since the spice boosts the navigators' precognition, allowing them to travel faster than the speed of light in the Guild's giant transport ships.Under the influence of spices, he can discover the future course of the spacecraft and avoid possible dangers.Now, Edric smelled another danger, but his precognition couldn't tell him where it came from.

"It may have been a mistake for me to come here," Irulan said. The Virgin turned around, opened her eyes wide, then closed them.This pose is much like that of a curious reptile. Scytel's eyes turned from Irulan to the box, in order to let the princess understand her perception and reach a consensus with herself.She'll see, Scytale thought, what a disgusting fellow Edric is: scornful eyes, grotesquely deformed hands and feet, slow-moving in gas, surrounded by orange smoke.She would be curious about his sexual habits, and wonder how weird it must be to mate with such a monster.By this time, even the force field generator that recreated the weightlessness of space for Edric would disgust her. "Your Highness," Scytel said, "it is precisely because of this Edric that your husband's spiritual eyes cannot see certain things, including what is happening now... It is said to be so." "It is said." Irulan said. Our Lady closed her eyes and nodded. "Even people who have precognition don't know much about it," she said. "As a senior navigator of the Space Guild, I have the ability to predict." Edlake said. Our Lady opened her eyes again.This time, her eyes shot at the face-changer, with Bee Geist's unique, penetrating eyes.She weighs it carefully. "No, Mother," Scytale murmured, "I am not as simple as I appear." "We don't understand this second vision," Irulan said, "but one thing, Edric says my husband can't see, know, or predict what's going on in the navigator's sphere of influence. But what is that sphere? How big is it?" "There are people and things in our universe that I can only know by the results," Edric said, his mouth clenched into a thin line, "I know they've always been here...there...or Somewhere. Just as underwater creatures ripple in their march, so do seers stir the waves of time. What your husband sees, I can see; but I can never see him, nor those he Loyal fellows. Masters can always hide their own people very well." "But Irulan is not yours." Scyther said, looking at the princess standing beside her. "We all know that this little plot can only be arranged in my presence," Edlake said. Irulan's tone seemed to be describing a machine with excellent functions: "Of course you have your uses, it's obvious." She finally understands what he is now, Scytale thought.very good! "The future is being shaped, not set," Skelter said. "Keep that in mind, Your Majesty." Irulan glanced at the Face Changer. "Paul's loyal companions," she said, "certainly the Fremen's Legionnaires who wore his robes. I've seen him prophesy for them, and I've heard them cheer Muad'di voice, their Muad'di." She understood at last, Scytale thought, that she was on trial here, and the verdict was pending.It may save her, or it may destroy her.She saw the trap we had set for her. Scytale's gaze met the Virgin's for a moment.He suddenly had a strange feeling: like him, she also saw what Irulan was thinking at the moment.Naturally, the Sisterhood of Bee Geist had briefed the Princess on the situation and poured her the potion of fascination.But when it comes to the most critical moments, the Bee Geist Sisters always trust their training and instincts. "Your Highness, I know what you most want from the emperor," Edric said. "Who wouldn't know?" "You want to be the mother of a dynasty," said Edric, as if he didn't hear her, "unless you join us. Believe my prophecy. The Emperor married you for political reasons; but You'll never have sex with him in bed." "So, the prophet is also a voyeur." Irulan sneered. "The emperor loves his Freeman concubine more than you!" Edric was a little annoyed. "But she didn't give him an heir to the throne." Yirulan said. "Intellect is always the first victim of emotion," Scytale murmured.He sensed Yirulan's anger and saw that his inducement had worked. "She didn't give him an heir to the throne." Yirulan said, trying to stay calm, "It's because I secretly used contraceptives for her. You should be satisfied now, right?" "It's not good for the emperor to find out about this kind of thing." Edric said with a smile. "I've already prepared my prevarication," Irulan said. "He may perceive the truth, but some lies are more convincing than the truth." "You must make a choice, Your Highness," said Scytel, "but know how to protect yourself." "Paul was fair to me," she said. "I had a seat on his council of state." "You have been his princess wife for twelve years." Edric asked, "Has he ever shown you any tenderness?" Irulan shook her head. "He used the Freemen thugs to depose your father and marry you for the throne, but he will never make you a true queen," Edric said. "Edlake wants to play the emotional card on you, Your Highness," Scytel said, "It's really interesting." She glanced at the face-changer, saw the bold smile on his face, and raised an eyebrow in response.Scytale knew, and now she knew exactly what was going on.If she had allowed this meeting to be under Edric's control, their plot, and everything that was happening at this moment, might have escaped Paul's spiritual eyes.But if she doesn't make a promise for now... "Princess," said Scyther, "Edrake seems to have too much control over the plot, don't you think?" "I have already said," Edlake said, "that I will respect the best decisions made at the meeting." "Who decides which decision is best?" Scytel asked. "Do you want the princess to leave here without making a promise to join us?" Edric asked. "He just wants her promise to be true," cried the Virgin. "We shouldn't cheat each other." Scyther saw that Irulan had relaxed, put her hands into the sleeves of her robe, and thought seriously.She must be thinking about the bait thrown by Edric now: to become the mother of the country who established the dynasty for generations!She also wondered what plans the conspirators would come up with to protect themselves from her own.She has a lot to weigh and balance. "Scythel," said Irulan after a moment, "it is said that you Trealax have a peculiar honor system: you must leave a way of escape for your prey." "As long as they can find it," Scytale agreed. "Am I your prey?" Irulan asked. Scytale burst out laughing. Our Lady snorted. "Your Highness," Edric said.The voice was very soft and full of temptation, "Don't be afraid, you are already one of our people. Aren't you monitoring every move of the royal family on behalf of your superior Bi Geist?" "Paul knew I would leak information to my teachers," she said. "Didn't you provide some royal references to give the opposition more powerful propaganda against your emperor?" Edric asked. He didn't use "our" emperor, Scytel noted, but "your" emperor.With the Bi and Gist training that Yirulan received, she would never ignore this detail. "The key is power, and how to use it." Scytale said, slowly approaching the navigator's box of the Guild, "We Trealax believe that, of all things in the universe, only the pursuit of material desires is the only one. Constant power. This kind of power is constantly growing itself by learning various experiences and lessons. Listen, Your Royal Highness, this kind of power is always learning. And this kind of kinetic energy of continuous learning is what we call power." "You still haven't convinced me that we can defeat the emperor." Yirulan said. "We didn't even convince ourselves," Skelter said. "Wherever we turn," Irulan said, "we will always face his magic. He is Kwizaki Hadnaq, a being who can be in different times and places at the same time; To a missionary of the Order of Zara, his every whim was an irresistible command; he was a Mentat whose brains far surpassed the finest ancient computers; Hardy, you can order them to kill all the humans on the planet; he has the spiritual eyes that can see through the future, and the genetic pattern that we, Bi Geist, are striving for..." "We know all that," interjected Our Lady, "and we know something even worse: his sister, Alia, has this genetic pattern too. But they're human, both. Therefore, they also have weakness." "But where are these weak links?" asked the Face-Changer. "Can we find them in his religious crusades? Will the Emperor's Chizara monks rebel against him? Or those in power in the great families? What else can you do with your mouth?" "I think it's Yulian Company." Edlake said, turning around in the box, "Yulian Company is in business and always pursues profits." "It could also be the emperor's mother," Scytelle said. "Lady Jessica. She remains on Kaladan, but she is in frequent contact with her son." "That perfidious bitch," said Mohiam, in a flat voice, "I should like to chop off the hands that trained her." "Our plot needs a place where people can be manipulated," Skelter said. "But we are not mere conspirators," retorted the Virgin. "Ah, yes," Scytale agreed, "we are energetic and studious, the ray of hope by which humanity must be saved." He said it in a speech, with force .For the Trealax, this is perhaps the most extreme irony. Only Our Lady understood the mystery of the words. "Why?" she asked, pointing the question at Scyther. Before Face Changer could answer, Edric cleared his throat and said, "Let's stop playing these stupid metaphysical games. There is only one question in philosophy: 'Why does everything exist?' And all religion, business, and politics The only question is 'Who has the power?' So-called alliances, coalitions, collaborations, etc., are fake, except for the pursuit of power. Everything other than power is all nonsense, and the most thinking people know that." Scytale shrugged at the Madonna.Edric had already answered the question for him.This self-righteous fool is their greatest weakness.In order to make sure that the Virgin understands what he means, Skelter said: "Listen to the teaching of the teacher. Everyone needs to be educated." The Holy Mother nodded slowly. "Your Highness," Edric said, "choose. You have been chosen to become a tool of fate. You are the best..." "Save your praise to those who like flattery," Irulan said. "Earlier, you mentioned a ghost, an undead, and said we could use it as poison to poison the emperor. Say Tell me what's going on." "Let the Atreides beat themselves," Edric said triumphantly. "Don't be a fool!" Yi Rulan said sharply, "Who is this ghost?" "An unusual ghost," Edric said. "It has a body, and a name. The body... is the famous swordsman Duncan Idaho. As for the name..." "But Idaho is dead," Irulan said. "Paul mourned him often in my presence. He saw Idaho killed by my father's Saduka." "Though they were defeated," Edric said, "your father's Saduka was no fool. Let's imagine that a wise Saduka commander recognized the sword master's sword on the battlefield. Corpse. And then what? This flesh is usable, trainable . . . if there is time." "A necromancer of Trealax." Irulan whispered, glancing at Scyther beside her. Scyther caught Irulan's gaze.He began to use his face-changing magic: the shape was constantly changing, and the muscles were moving and adjusting.After a while, a thin man appeared in front of Yirulan.The face is still somewhat round, but the skin color is darker, and the facial features are slightly flattened.High cheekbones, deep-set eyes, and prominent ingrown folds.The jet-black hair hung on top of his head rebelliously. "It's the undead that looks like this." Edric pointed to Scyther and said. "Maybe it's not some undead, just another face-changer?" Yirulan asked. "Impossible," Edric said. "Under prolonged scrutiny, the face-changer is likely to be exposed. No, it's not the face-changer. Let's assume that the clever Commander Saduka kept Idaho's body in the Regeneration In the crate. Why not? The body and nerves of this corpse belonged to one of history's finest swordsmen, a senior advisor to House Atreides, and a military genius. It could well be reactivated as an instructor for Saduka's Legion , It is undoubtedly a huge waste to throw away this well-trained and talented corpse." "Why didn't I hear any news about this matter? My father always trusted me very much before." Yirulan said. "Oh, that's because your father lost the battle, and within a few hours you were sold to the new emperor," Edric said. "Has this been done?" she inquired. With repulsive smugness, Edric said: "We assume this clever Saduka understands the importance of speed. He promptly delivered the heavily guarded body of Idhore to the Trealaxes. Let's go a step further and imagine that the commander and his men died shortly thereafter, before we could tell your father the news, since he had no chance of using it anyway. The fact is that a body was sent to the special Needless to say, there is only one way to transport it, and that is a giant transport ship. People in our space guild are naturally familiar with every cargo that is transported. After learning this news, how can we not use this ship as a The reason for buying the dead spirits against the emperor?" "So, this matter is done." Yirulan said.Scytale regained her previous chubby face."As the nagging friend pointed out, we did," he said. "How did you train Idaho?" Irulan asked. "Idaho?" Edric asked, looking at the Trealax. "Do you know Idaho, Scyther?" "I'm selling you a creature called Height," Scytale said. "Oh, by the way...it's called Height," Edric said. "Why did you sell him to us?" "Because we once bred a Kwizaki Hadenatch of our own," Skelter said. The Virgin's old head shook violently, her eyes fixed on him, "You didn't tell us about this!" she accused. "You didn't ask either," Scytale said. "How did you subdue your own Kwizzaki Hadenaki?" Irulan asked. "A creature that spends its life shaping itself would rather die than evolve into the opposite of that self," Skelter said. "I don't understand you," Edric said boldly. "He killed himself," cried the Virgin. "You know what I mean, Mother," Scytale warned.The mirahasa voice used in this sentence also conveys another meaning: you are a genderless thing, never have, and cannot be. The Trealax waited for the other party to understand the hint that his expression was too fancy.Surely she would not have misunderstood him.It must have been outraged at first, and then realized that there was no way a Trealax could abuse her in this way, since he himself couldn't reproduce without the Sisterhood of Bee Gist.But then again, his words were really rough and insulting, not like a Trealax at all. Edlake immediately interjected, using a comforting voice in Mirahasa, trying to ease the embarrassment at the moment. "Scytale, you said you sold Hyatt because you knew what we were going to do with it, and you wanted to do the same." "Edric, you'd better not speak without my permission," Scytale said.Just as the guys from the Space Guild wanted to argue, the Holy Mother said sharply, "Shut up, Edric!" Edric shrank back in the box, exasperated. "Our own momentary emotions have nothing to do with solving the problems we all face," Skelter said, "but only cloud our sanity. There is only one emotion that matters, and that fundamental one that brings us together." fear." "We understand," Irulan said, glancing at the Virgin. "It must be seen that our protection against that person's spiritual eyes is very limited." Skelter said, "It's just that the prophet will not act rashly without a clear foresight." "You are cunning, Scyther," said Irulan. She didn't have to guess how cunning she was.thought Scyther.Once that's settled, we'll have a Kwizaki Hadenatch in our hands.Others get nothing. "Where did the blood come from, that Kwizzaki Hadnaki of yours?" asked the Virgin. "We've got a mix of the purest essence," Scytale said, "pure goodness and pure evil. A villain whose complete pleasure is inflicting pain and terror is very instructive and can teach us a lot thing." "Old Baron Harkonny, our emperor's grandfather, is it the work of the Trealax people?" Irulan asked. “No,” says Skelter, “but nature often creates equally horrific creations. And there is one prerequisite for us to create such creations: having an environment where research can take place.” "Don't even think about ignoring me!" Edric protested, "Who made this meeting concealed from him..." "Okay then?" Scyther said, "Please provide us with your best decision. What is this decision?" "I wish to discuss the question of how Haight should be handed over to the Emperor," Edric insisted. "I think that Haight reflects the Atreides' morals developed on the planet of their birth. Haide makes it easier for the Emperor." Strengthen your own moral nature and understand the various positive and negative factors in life and religion." Scytale smiled, casting a benevolent glance at his companion.They performed exactly as they expected.The old virgin vented her emotions as if she was wielding a long-handled scythe.Yirulan originally had a mission. Although this mission has long since failed, she has received sufficient training for it after all.This is a flawed Bee Geist piece.Edric is similar to a magician's hand, which can be used to cover up or distract the audience.At this moment, Edric was sullen and silent because of the neglect of others. "I don't know if I understand what you mean. This Height is a mental poison used to poison Paul's consciousness?" Yirulan asked. "That's sort of the way it is," Skelter said. "What about the Chizara monks?" Irulan asked. "It takes a little effort, an emotional slippage, and their jealousy turns into hatred." "Where is Yulian Company?" Yi Rulan asked. "They will follow the profits, and they will support whichever side is beneficial," Skelter said. "What about other powerful organizations?" "Order the princes in the name of the government," Scytel said. "As for the weaker organizations, we can integrate them in the name of morality and progress. Our opponents will be suffocated to death by their own intertwined forces." "Alia, too?" "Heyt is a necromancer of many uses," said Scyther. "The Emperor's sister is old enough to be seduced by an attractive man. She will be fascinated by his masculinity and Mentat's martial prowess." Mohiam widened his old eyes in surprise, "This undead is Mentat? This move is too dangerous." "Precisely," said Irulan, "Mentat's data must be accurate. What if Paul asks our gift for its purpose?" "Heyter will tell the truth," Scytel said, "like the other Mentats." "So this is the escape door you left for Paul." Irulan said. "A Mentat!" murmured Mohiam. Scytale glanced at the old Madonna and saw that the hatred formed by history clouded her judgment.Since the Butran Crusade, "magical thinking machines" have been purged from most of the universe.Computers have always been the subject of suspicion.This ancient sentiment also manifests itself in the attitude towards Mentat, a human computer. "I don't like the way you smile." Mohiam said abruptly.She glared at Scytale, using the truthful voice of Mirahasa. Skelter also said matter-of-factly: "I don't intend to please you, but we have no choice but to work together. There is no disagreement on this point." He glanced at the members of the Guild of Spacecraft. huh, Edric?" "You taught me a lesson. It's hard, but it's meaningful," Edric said. "I guess you want to be clear: I don't object to the decisions my fellow plotters made together." "You see, children can be taught," Scytale said. "But there's something else," cried Edric. "The Atreides have a monopoly on the spices. Without the spices, I can't see the future. And the Sisterhood of Bee Geist can't see the truth. We Although it is partial, it is very limited. Spices are extremely powerful hard currency." "Our civilization is much more than a hard currency," Scytel said. "An adversary's attempt to lock us down with spice rations is doomed to fail." "You want to steal its secret formula," hissed Mohiam, "but his whole planet is guarded by crazy Fremen!" "The Fremen are civilized, educated, and ignorant at the same time," Skelter said. "They are not crazy. They have been educated in belief, not knowledge. Faith can be manipulated, and only knowledge is dangerous." of." "Is there anything else I can do, such as founding a new dynasty?" Yirulan asked. Everyone heard the promise in her words.But only Edric smiled at her. "Somewhat," Scytale said, "somewhat." "This spells the end of House Atreides' dominance," Edric said. "Even people who don't have the gift of prescience can make this kind of prophecy," Skelter said. "It's mektubalmelah, in a Fremenian phrase." "Written with salt, common sense." Irulan translated. As she spoke, Scytale finally realized what Bee Geist had in store for him: a beautiful and intelligent woman who could never be his.Ah, yes, he thought, maybe I can make an exact replica of hers.

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