In the skies above Ix, space itself shimmered, then opened to reveal an armada of more than a hundred Guild Heighliners, called from all across the Imperium, including the five Heighliners Shaddam had taken to Arrakis.
The magnificent vessels overshadowed the forests, rivers, and craggy ravines on the Ixian surface. Smoke from the destruction in the subterranean battlefield below curled out of emergency purification vents. For the huge ships, it was a return home, since every one of the vessels had been constructed here, most of them under the supervision of House Vernius.
Underground, the surviving Sardaukar, the strongest fighters, had taken last-stand defensive positions, back-to-back, near the center of the cavern grotto, with no intention of surrendering. The frenzied Imperial soldiers would make the new conquerors pay dearly for victory.
Surrounded by Atreides guards, the captive Count Hasimir Fenring looked self-satisfied, as if he felt that he alone maintained control of the situation. “I am a victim, I assure you, hmmm? As Imperial Spice Minister, I was dispatched here by the Emperor himself. We had heard rumors of illegal experiments, and when I discovered too much, Master Researcher Ajidica tried to kill me.”
“I’m sure that is why you greeted our arrival with such enthusiasm,” Duncan said, holding up the Old Duke’s notched sword.
“I was frightened, hmmm? All the Imperium knows the ruthlessness of Duke Leto’s soldiers.” Duncan’s men glared at the Count, as if they wanted to arrange for Tleilaxu medical experiments on Fenring himself.
Before Duncan could respond, a signal rang in his com-ear. He pressed a finger to the transceiver and listened. His eyes widened at the news. He smiled at Fenring without explanation, then turned to Rhombur. “The Guild has arrived, Prince. Many Heighliners are in orbit around Ix.”
“C’tair’s message!” Prince Rhombur said. “They heard him!”
Before Fenring could manage another thin excuse, the air within the grotto rumbled. A clap of thunder like a world exploding cracked through the cavern.
Above the huge open area where the Sardaukar were making their final stand, the fabric of the air stretched, and tore. A Heighliner appeared where there had been only empty space moments before.
The sudden displacement of such a huge volume of atmosphere sent an overpressure wave like a storm through the grotto, knocking people back, throwing them against the stone walls. Without warning, the huge vessel was simply there, hovering on suspensors, barely two meters above the ground in the center of the grotto. The ship struck down some of the rallied Sardaukar directly beneath it and scattered the rest, effectively rendering the last Imperial soldiers helpless.
For Rhombur, the sight brought back memories of years past, when he and young Leto, along with the Pilru twins and Kailea, had watched the departure of a newly constructed Dominic Class Heighliner. The Navigator had simply folded space and piloted the ship away from the Ixian underground— out into the open universe.
The reverse had occurred just now. The Heighliner had been returned by a talented Steersman piloting the ship with such precision that he could direct it with pinpoint accuracy to a location in a large bubble within the crust of the planet.
Silence fell after the awe-inspiring arrival of the giant vessel. The scattered clashes of swords went quiet; even the rioting suboids ceased their shouting and destruction.
Then, the Guild commandeered the grotto skyspeakers and a deep voice boomed out, leaving no room for doubt. “The Spacing Guild celebrates the victory of Prince Rhombur Vernius on Ix. We welcome a return to normal machine production and technological innovation.”
Standing beside Gurney and Duncan, Rhombur looked up at the great ship as if he couldn’t believe the words he had just heard. It had been so long… more than his lifetime, it seemed. Tessia would find her own place here, too.
The smug and confident look on the face of Count Hasimir Fenring had dissolved. Now the devious Spice Minister simply looked defeated.