Navigators of Dune

“I conducted tens of thousands of experiments and collated so many experimental results in my attempts to understand humans, but still something has always been missing. Some key factor keeps eluding me … a parameter that cannot be measured by even the most advanced laboratory apparatus.”

“You’ll feel the difference,” Anna said.

“I anticipate sharing many results with you.”

“And I’ll assist in every way possible.” She let out a long sigh.

Erasmus spoke as a disembodied voice. “When I see that body growing in the tank, I see only Gilbertus Albans, and it makes me feel … heavy.” He paused, as if troubled or confused. “I am experiencing an indefinable set of reactions that I suspect would be broadly categorized as sadness.”

Anna’s expression fell. “I’m so sorry, Erasmus.” His sensors shifted, and she knew he was reading her face and identifying the genuine sympathy there. “Gilbertus was a good Headmaster,” she said. Her gaze flicked back and forth. “He wanted to help me, wanted to make me a Mentat.”

* * *

ERASMUS HAD BEEN analyzing and manipulating humans for centuries, all for the purpose of fully understanding them. Such an intriguing species! The evermind Omnius, who held dominion over the machine empire, had let him conduct thousands of experiments so the thinking machines could defend against the capricious human enemy. But Erasmus had always yearned for more.

Since the collapse of the Synchronized Empire, his overall purpose hadn’t changed, but because he was the last independent robot, his need to understand humanity had taken on a personal urgency.

After centuries of research with the vast resources available in the machine capital of Corrin, Erasmus once thought he had conducted every possible test. But after the barbaric execution of Gilbertus, he had finally experienced a true breakthrough.

With his perfect memory, he could replay the images of Anari Idaho’s brutal sword strike, how the blade sliced smoothly into Gilbertus’s bowed neck and decapitated him. The robot struggled each time he reviewed the images, and most of all he couldn’t comprehend the strange look of calmness on Gilbertus’s face in the final seconds, the beatific acceptance that his life would end.

What had he seen in those final moments? What had he known?

That mystery posed an even more compelling question, making Erasmus desperate to experience what was missing inside him … a level of nobility and perception that all humans possessed even without trying. Perhaps with a perfect biological body he would experience the secret by feeling his nerves, his heart, all his senses. As a sentient biological organism—or as close as he could get to becoming one—he would know what it was like for warm tears to stream down his fleshy cheeks. He would absorb existence … the mysteries of life … in the same way that even strange, confused Anna did.

And once he assessed his new sensations, he wondered if he would be able to detect something so esoteric as the soul. It seemed possible to him, and he intended to look for it with all due diligence.

I am driven by cold hatred, my emotions encased in ice.

—MOTHER SUPERIOR VALYA, “The Resurrection of House Harkonnen”

The supply shipment to the Sisterhood school brought an unexpected message from Lankiveil, a panicked recording from Danvis. Valya was consumed with planning the long-term growth of the order, yet a part of her mind always remained focused on restoring her Great House to glory … and completing her revenge against Vorian Atreides.

But now the Atreides had come to her own family home! They’d gone there hunting for Tula, and threatened her parents, as well as Danvis! Shock and anger burned bright inside Valya.

Her sister had stayed on Lankiveil for a brief time before slipping away to Chusuk, as if running away from something. Maybe she had known Vorian Atreides would come after her. The Mother Superior’s operatives had discreetly followed Tula, continued to watch her, and they had secretly arrived on Chusuk as well. Valya was confident that the young woman would come to her senses eventually.

But now Vorian Atreides was after her! He and Orry’s brother Willem had shown bloody images of the revenge Tula had achieved for her family honor. Valya understood the implied threat—what would stop Vorian Atreides from murdering her family for revenge? Fortunately, Tula was long gone before they arrived, but the Atreides men had been in her family home!

In his message, Danvis sounded angry and frightened, but he clearly didn’t comprehend the magnitude of the threat Vorian posed. Her sister was unaware of the grave danger she was in on Chusuk, and Valya needed to help her. The Harkonnens had to protect their own. The Sisterhood had to protect its own. She would send more watchers to guard Tula.