Navigators of Dune

Soon, their missiles and bombs plunged down to produce precisely targeted explosions on the surface, and the relentless Imperial pummeling of the VenHold warships continued. Even the strongest shields had never been designed to withstand hours of nonstop bombardment like this.

The Emperor couldn’t tear his gaze away from the tactical screens, waiting, willing, the enemy shields to fail.

As he watched, one of the VenHold ships finally did succumb. The shields flickered off, and the vessel exploded—a loss that must have dealt a severe psychological blow to the enemy.

Roderick spoke quietly to Fielle and Admiral Harte. “I learned a thing or two from Serena Butler’s Jihad: Keep pressing forward, persevere, ignore the odds. Our determination, our sense of moral righteousness, and our refusal to admit defeat is stronger than any of the enemy’s weapons.”

He continued the surface bombardment and the saturation fire. Their defenses were weakening—Roderick could see that. Yet VenHold warships also obliterated three Imperial vessels and crippled two more. From his flagship bridge, Roderick watched it all unfold.

Just then, with a pop of displaced air and a small wave of pressure that swept across the deck, an armored Navigator tank appeared before the Emperor.

Admiral Harte shouted, leaping to defend Roderick. The guards on the bridge deck drew their weapons. Some of the crew scrambled out of their seats. But the Emperor remained cool. He rose to his feet from the command chair. He could see Norma’s distorted form suspended inside the tank, floating in orange spice gas. He had faced her before.

The armored chamber ticked and clicked, adjusting to the new environment with a brief startling hiss, as an overpressure valve vented a cinnamon reek of melange. Roderick gestured for his guards to hold their fire as he stepped bravely up to the tank. “Norma Cenva, I did not expect to see you here.”

The swollen head looked at him with oversized, unblinking eyes. Her lips moved, and her eerie, otherworldly voice came through a speakerpatch on the tank. “Many Navigators have died. My Navigators. Next, I predict you will move against Arrakis … the spice operations. I cannot allow that. This conflict must stop.”

Roderick was not intimidated by her bizarre form. “This conflict will end when Josef Venport surrenders and pays for his crimes—not a moment sooner. He is responsible for his own situation, and for the harm your Navigators have suffered.”

“Josef did harm your brother, and he did fail to adequately safeguard your sister. Anna Corrino was difficult to manage, and she took her own life.”

The revelation hit Roderick like a punch in the stomach. He struggled for words. “Venport should never have kept her as a hostage.”

“There are many things he should not have done.” Norma hung there in silence, as if pondering. “For your Imperium, though, the Butlerians caused the greatest turmoil. Forbidden atomics destroyed Kolhar and my Navigator fields. I barely saved my children in time. Butlerian ships wiped out many of my vessels above Lampadas. Your battle group attacked us when we were vulnerable. Your scientists tortured and killed Dobrec. You are responsible for the instabilities as well, Emperor Roderick Corrino. This must end.”

“I could not ignore the assassination of an Emperor!”

“Your family squabbles are not relevant. The universe is ours, but we must make the correct decisions here today. My Navigators must be permitted to fold space and explore the cosmos. They will create the commercial fabric that binds the Imperium together. My Navigators must be allowed to evolve, to the full extent of their destiny.”

“I realize that your Navigators are not active participants in this conflict,” Roderick said. “If Directeur Venport is defeated, I will save them. You and your collection of mutant humans will all be permitted to serve under Imperial control.”

“My Navigators must fly ships. They must be free to travel across the Imperium and beyond. We need to make many more of our kind, and for that I must have melange. I cannot tolerate this harmful interference. Leave the spice operations intact and productive.”

Wheels began turning in Roderick’s mind as he realized that she was negotiating with him, but without Venport’s knowledge. “As Emperor, I can ensure that your conditions are met. My Imperium also requires Navigators. I need safe and stable commercial shipping. If we consolidate the spice-harvesting operations on Arrakis under Imperial administration and flush out any smugglers there, you will have the constant flow of melange you need. To your benefit, and mine.” He placed his face almost against the viewing port. “I will save your Navigators, Norma Cenva—but Venport Holdings must fall. That is not negotiable.”

“How would you save my Navigators without Venport Holdings?”