Under the command of Thufir Hawat, the Atreides relief ships approached the blockade around the quarantined planet of Beakkal. The Mentat commander issued no threats, but did not waver in his course. The flotilla carried only minor defenses, weapons that could not have driven off even a ragtag band of pirates.

Facing them, the immense Sardaukar warships bristled with weaponry in a titanic show of Imperial power.

As Hawat’s supply carriers proceeded toward the cordon, two Corrino corvettes streaked across open space toward them. Even before the Sardaukar captains could issue blustery threats, Hawat opened a comlink. “Our ships fly under the colors of Duke Leto Atreides, on a humanitarian mission. We bear food supplies and medical aid for plague-ravaged Beakkal.”

“Turn back,” a gruff officer responded.

Either of the corvettes could have decimated the Atreides flotilla, but the Mentat did not flinch. “I see that your rank is Levenbrech. Tell me your name so that I may commit it to permanent memory.” His stare at the comscreen was unflinching. Such a minor officer would never make any significant decisions.

“Torynn, sir,” the Levenbrech said in a sharp, formal voice. “Your House has no business here. Turn your fleet around and return to Caladan.”

“Levenbrech Torynn, we can help the people below survive while they replant their crops with resistant strains. Would you deny food and medicines to a starving populace? That is not the stated purpose of this blockade.”

“No ships may get through,” Torynn insisted. “A quarantine is in place.”

“I see, but I do not understand. Neither, apparently, do you. I will speak with your commanding officer.”

“The Supreme Bashar is otherwise occupied,” the Levenbrech said, trying to sound implacable.

“Then we shall occupy him further.” Hawat ended the transmission and signaled for his ships to continue forward, not hurrying, not deviating.

The two corvettes tried to head off the procession, but the Mentat sent quick orders in Atreides battle language, and the entire flotilla spread out and flowed around the warships, as if they were rocks in a stream. The Levenbrech continued to signal, growing more frustrated when Hawat simply ignored his commands.

Finally, Torynn called for reinforcements. Thufir knew the Sardaukar would never forgive the minor officer for failing to stop a group of unarmed, sluggish cargo ships.

Seven larger vessels broke away from the orbital net at Beakkal and approached the Atreides ships. The Mentat knew this was a dangerous moment, because Supreme Bashar Zum Garon, an old veteran like Hawat himself, would be on edge, certain that this was a trap or a feint designed to leave the planet undefended. Hawat’s weathered face showed no emotion. This was a feint indeed, but not one the Sardaukar would expect.

Finally, the grim Bashar spoke directly to him. “You have been ordered to turn back. Comply immediately, or you will be destroyed.”

Thufir could feel the members of his crew growing uneasy, but he held firm. “Then you will no doubt be relieved of your command, sir, and the Emperor will spend a long time dealing with the political repercussions of firing upon peaceful, unarmed vessels bearing humanitarian supplies to a suffering population. Shaddam Corrino has made thin excuses to cover your blatant aggressions. What will his justification be this time?”

The heavy brows furrowed on the craggy face of the old military man. “What is your game, Mentat?”

“I do not play games, Supreme Bashar Garon. Few people bother to challenge me, because a Mentat always wins.”

The elder Garon snorted. “You would have me believe that House Atreides sends assistance to Beakkal? Not eight months ago, your Duke bombed this place. Has Leto grown soft?”

“You do not understand Atreides honor, any more than your Levenbrech understands the principles of quarantine,” Thufir said in a chiding tone. “Leto the Just metes out punishment when warranted, and gives aid where needed. Are these not the principles by which House Corrino established its rule after the Battle of Corrin?”

The stern Bashar did not respond. Instead, speaking in a clipped code, he issued an order. Five more ships broke away from orbit and surrounded the Atreides flotilla. “We deny you passage. The Emperor’s orders are clear.”

Thufir tried another tactic. “I am certain His Imperial Majesty Shaddam IV would not prevent his cousin from making amends to the people of Beakkal. Shall we ask him directly? I can wait, while you delay… and while people die on the world below.”

No other Landsraad family would dare challenge the Emperor’s blockade, especially in Shaddam’s obviously volatile state of mind. But if Thufir Hawat succeeded here in Leto’s name, other Houses might well be shamed into providing aid, feeding the people of Beakkal, giving them strength to fight against the botanical plague. Perhaps they would view it as a passive act of censure for the Emperor’s recent actions.

The Atreides Mentat continued, “Send a message to Kaitain. Tell the Emperor what we intend to do here. There is no chance for us to be personally contaminated if we use orbital dump boxes to deliver our cargo. Give Emperor Shaddam the opportunity to demonstrate the benevolence and generosity of House Corrino.”

As Sardaukar warships tightened around the Atreides flotilla, Supreme Bashar Garon said, “You will divert to Sansin, Thufir Hawat. Keep your cargo ships there and await further instructions. Even now, a Heighliner is preparing to depart from the transfer station. I will go myself to the Imperial Palace and present your request to the Emperor.”

The warships herded Hawat’s cargo vessels toward the asteroid supply station. Grudgingly, the Atreides flotilla followed.

The warrior Mentat shot a last comment at the recalcitrant Bashar. “Waste no time, sir. People are rioting on Beakkal, and we have food right here. Do not deny it to them for long.”

In truth, though, Thufir was content enough that his diversion would occupy these Imperial forces.

The Atreides flotilla waited at Sansin for a full day after Supreme Bashar Garon departed. Then, choosing an appropriate moment, Hawat sent another coded communication to his supply vessels, and they withdrew from the transfer station and headed confidently back toward Beakkal, ignoring the renewed protests of the Sardaukar fleet.

Another officer demanded that he stop. “Cease your advance or we will consider you a threat. We will destroy you.” Apparently the disgraced Levenbrech Torynn had been relieved of command.

The military blockade responded with a flurry of activity, but Hawat knew that if the Supreme Bashar himself was not willing to fire upon them, none of the lower-ranking officers would take the risk.

“You have no such orders. Our supplies are perishable, and the people of Beakkal are starving. Your unconscionable delay has already cost thousands— perhaps millions— of lives. Do not compound your crime, sir.”

The panicked officer sent other messages and powered up his weapons, but Hawat drove his ships right through their net. Even with the fastest Courier, it would be days before they received a response from Kaitain.

In orbit, the Atreides ships hovered over the most-afflicted population centers. Fuselage bays opened, and self-propelled dump boxes dropped into the atmosphere, giant unmanned cubes tumbling and braking. Simultaneously, Thufir transmitted a message to the citizens below, extolling the mercy of Duke Leto Atreides and telling them to accept these gifts in the name of humanity.

He had expected an appalled Prime Magistrate to respond, but in a comlink response the Mentat learned that riots had already cost the politician his life. His frightened successor insisted that he bore no grudge against House Atreides, especially not now.

The Sardaukar blockade ships would probably prevent the now-empty Atreides ships from departing the system, but Thufir would deal with that in due course. He hoped he had done what was necessary, causing the appropriate stir on Kaitain.

Now he could afford to wait. According to Duke Leto’s timetable, the Atreides assault forces would even now be descending upon Ix.

When a newly arrived Courier skimmer rushed from the Sansin complex and was intercepted by the Sardaukar flagship, Hawat assumed it was the return of Supreme Bashar Garon.

An hour later, in his vanguard ship, the warrior Mentat was surprised to receive the news that the Emperor had not deigned to give a response about what he called the “minor Atreides matter” at Beakkal. Instead, he had recalled his Supreme Bashar. Intercepting a radio message between ships, Thufir learned that it was for a “major new strike.”

Thufir Hawat’s mental projections had not foreseen this. His mind spun, without locking onto a solution. A major new strike? Was this a reference to Ix? Or an Imperial retaliation against Caladan? Had Duke Leto already lost?

Every extrapolation suggested by his complex mind gave him cause for alarm. The timing was terrible.

Perhaps Leto had been lured into disaster after all.