Commander of Dune

Chapter 9

“… you are dust and to dust you shall return.”
~ Genesis Chpt. 1 vs 19 Revised Orange Catholic Bible

Stealth Mission Expert Sister Dwanna arrived on Salusa Secundus and headed for the Chambers of the resident Bene Gesserit representative. If worms were to be found on this Planet, then there was much that they had to discuss.

~*~*~*~*~

Arista was tired.  She entered her bedchamber and saw her consort lying there.  Just lying.  Suddenly she didn’t feel all that tired. “Had a good day?”  She sat on the bed next to him, leaned over and kissed him.  He reached up and slid his hand around her neck to bring her closer.  She adjusted her body and the kiss deepened.

Finally, they came up for air.  “I go into the deep desert on a routine inspection and return to find my first born on trial and the numbers of Bene Gesserit has increased four fold.”  He replied.  “I think I’ll return to the Desert.  It’s safer; even with wild sand worm foraging about.”

“I think I’ll join you.” She curled up next to him.

“Oh no you don’t.” he poked her in the ribs.

“Whaaat?” She had been about to get comfortable next to him.

“Don’t get too relaxed.” He said.

She got serious.  “You dare speak to me in that way?”

She had misunderstood his motivations but he was man enough for that.  He chuckled, “Arista; my darling.  Do not try the attitude, or the voice on me.  More Atreides than you have tried and failed.”  He leaned over and kissed her on the forehead.  “We agreed that out there I am Commander in Chief to the Empress Arista Atreides – Ruler of All She Surveys.” 

He paused for dramatic effect.  “In here we are man and woman.”

She sighed. He was right and that is what she loved about him. He was man to her woman.  She stood, “What can I say, Duncan. When you are right you are right.”

“Good.” He grinned.  “Now listen up, young woman.” She raised an eyebrow at the description. “You are going to have a bath…”

“In water!” She cut across him.

“In water.” He confirmed.  “My mate, not to mention the mother of my children works hard and deserves a treat now and then.  So to the bath with you, when you return I have some Oil Of Melange from Mick’N, I will massage you from head to toe.  When you awake from the sleep this is bound to induce then you will have the strength to welcome your mate home in the manner I deserve.” 

“Yes sire.” She replied sarcastically.

As she prepared to follow his instructions she posed a question to him.  “Duncan, do you ever wish that we Atreides would let you and your Gholas rest in peace?”

He stood behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist.  Planting a kiss on her exposed neck he replied, “Some revivals are better than others.  I never know what an Atreides calls me up for.   There was one incarnation where the Tleilaxu did imprint me with their whistling language, so that they could control me.  Then there was the sexual imprint; with a command to kill the first Bene Gesserit who would try to mark me via seduction, a talent I may have embraced completely up to this incarnation.  Let us not forget that there is also my improved prana-bindu reflexes that has been an asset to my military career.  But I must confess that my time with you has been one I have most enjoyed.”

“Truly?”

“I promise to show you later.” Was his answer, “If having made love to you at Dawn tomorrow you are not assured of either my love, my loyalty or my total enjoyment of this incarnation – then feed me to a sand worm for the night of a thousand deaths.”

He survived the self-imposed challenge.

She on the other hand needed time to recuperate.  All morning appointments were postponed.

Among the inconvenienced was the Representative of the Spacing Guild. 

~*~*~*~*~

The Reverend Mothers had sent Alexi to get Dax.  They were determined that she should hover in his orbit until he became used to her.  The only problem was that Alexi’s timing had been bad, Dax had had a waking dream…

The Reverend Mother was fast “Hold!” She ordered.  “If you know all that then you know I hold the Gom Jabbar at your throat. You will also know that you are to place your hand in that little black box there.  So indulge an old woman.” The purr hardened. “Put your hand in.”

Alexi’s voice brought him back “Please, My Lord.” She had had to put all her training to use as she asked Dax to meet with the Reverend Mother Shakira.

For himself Dax had inherited the Fremen suspicion of the Bene Gesserit.  

The irony that he was trained in their ways made no difference and the vision didn’t help.

His fascination with Alexi was morphing into something deeper but yet he resisted.  He stood.  “Enough! Leave me!” He ordered.

She bowed. “As you wish my Lord.” And with that she was gone.

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