DUNE 5 "Two of a Kind"
Posted: Wed Oct 08, 2003 4:16 pm
Chapter Five
Two of a Kind
Caladan
Cala City
Most first time visitors to Caladan were so taken by the charming,rustic appearance of the Old City that the buzzing of the engines on the modern coracles was a bit of a shock to early rising tourists.An even bigger shock was the sight of the young duke bantering easily with the coarsely dressed sailors.At times he would sail out with them,or stand along the pier with the younger children who were often found playing along the shoreline,or waving goodbyes to their fathers and elder brothers.The young women could be found walking through the town market at the centre of Old City.Or slipping out the servant's entrance after a late night tryst with the Atreides guards at the Palace.Caladan was a planet that was touched by technology only through necessity,with the people content at their plying their ancient trade instead of seeking better fortunes at one of the resource planets or moons in the surrounding system.
However the duke hadn't been seen in the week since the last Heighliner arrived and departed the Caladan system.Rumours abounded from illness to assassination to assassination attempts.The people were deeply disturbed by the mysterious disappearance of their beloved duke.Especially with the annual celebration of the Ixian Revolution in four days time.The Ixian representatives would be arriving two,maybe three days.Hopefully the facts of their duke's condition would be available then.
*****
"They really are quite impressive." Duo thought to himself,adjusting the lasgun strapped over his shoulder.
Sardaukar are rarely impressed and had never suffered a defeat till the Ixian revolution.Yet watching the two Swordmasters spar Duo had illusions as to his chances of victory should he ever have to face either of them.Trowa was wearing the traditional red and blue garb of the Atreides House Guard with a pair of blue boots,while the Harkonnen wore a pure black body suit.Instead of boots he instead wore a strange implement that didn't cover the foot,but prevented the heel from coming into contact with the moist turf.He called them...'sandals'.Around Duo,similarly armed,the ten subcommanders of his personal brigade were also gaping at the antics of the two men that seemed to be trying their best to impale one another.Then,abruptly,they both paused in their attacks,Heero's twin swords inches away from Trowa's neck and Trowa's broadsword pointing at Heero's stomach.
*****
"You've gotten slow Trowa,"Heero smirked."Just jumping around may confuse the grunts here on Caladan...but you'll have to do better against me."
"I fully intend to."Trowa stepped back and held out a tiny remote.
Heero's blue eyes were amused as Trowa activated the switch and slipped back into a ready stance.
"So you have one as well..."Heero remarked as meks rose around them wielding short kidney stabbers and the epees that were a favourite of Olgar Bludd,the refined lady of the third Ginaz island.The meks were iron giants of various design.Some qppeared human,but with grossly exaggerated limbs.Some had the appearance of giant multi-legged crustaceans of Bela Tegeuse...only these were not blind.Others were merely flying blades shaped as the myriad bat species that populated many of the worlds in the known galaxy.Likewise,the tracking systems were variable from one design to another.Some tracked a body's heat while others reacted to movement.But in accordance with the Butlerian Jihad they were not programmed to think for themselves.
"Designed it as soon as I got back,"he leaned back on the balls of his feet and waved Heero on.The shorter man needed no second invitation and leapt forward,swords held wide as the meks also moved in.
*****
"Goddamn slagging piece of...."Duo swore as he pounded at the control panel while keeping an eye on the two men seemingly trying to impale one another while avoiding the twenty odd meks surrounding them.
"C'mon...c'mon....YES!!!"Duo's glee at the computer's activation however was short-lived as another menu sprung up.
"PASSWORD!!!!!Trowa...you...."
There wasn't a word in the Imperium to describe what Duo felt like doing to the Atreides Swordmaster just then.Instead he pulled at comlink on his shirt lapel.
"Jarvis?It's Duo.I need...."
<Thwip>
With the remnants of his communicator sparking in the moist turf Duo gingerly rubbed the two fingers that had held his jacket.
...Nothing.No blood
Pushed to his limit now Duo yanked the lasgun over his head,pausing only to ensure it was at it's lowest setting,and shredded the control panel with blue lasgun blasts.With whines that sounded almost human,to remaining dozen meks powered down,weapons dropping from powerless mechanical hands and claws.For the second time the two young men paused,this time seeming almost startled by the sudden quiet.
"Barton!"Duo barked as he marched up,his men following at a respectably discreet distance.
"There'd better be a good reason for your disturbance of our practice Duo,"Trowa remarked,slipping his broadsword back into it's sheath.
"Practice?PRACTICE!!,"Duo's face turned an unusual shade of red as he fought the urge to strangle the taller man."You call this PRACTICE!!!!!"
"Now you know why I've never trained around any others,"Trowa leapt over the heads of Duo and his men,twirling gracefully to land behind them."If this always happened I'd never keep my fighting edge."
Duo swore again as the Swordmaster stalked off before turning back to their...guest.
*****
Trowa slowed his pace as he passed through the soldier's entrance ignoring the salutes of the guards.
"What did you expect?He serves the Harkonnens.It would be death for him to lower his guard."
Trowa shook is head,clearing it of the random thoughts.His personal quarters were located the fifth level.Stepping into the lift he ignored the appreciative looks of two of the princess's personal ladies,hitting the switch for the appropriate level.Who would ever have thought that a friendship would spring between a Harkonnen and an Atreides?he certainly didn't.But,exiting the lift,he realised it had more to do with fact that,at the time,the young boy he once knew as 'Adin' had no homeworld.Reaching his room he wrapped his hand firmly around the handle allowing the cellular scanners to do their job.With a barely discernable click,his room was open.
Trowa peeled off the uniform,tossing into the wash vac. ignoring,for the moment,the flashing red dot on his comscreen and stepped into his personal bath.He decided against air jets...devices developed by the Richese that shot powerful jets of water.Two or three together could lift a man off his feet,twisting and turning his body giving him not only a cleaning;but a watery massage as well...opting for the traditional shower stream.The blast of hot water made him gasp,as it always did after a good workout,but moreso because of the memories it invoked.Things he had no thought about for almost six years...
*****
They were cautious now,he realised.With two of their number already down with cracked heads they could not afford to underestimate him.He had accepted their hatred.Memories of Atreides led fremen forces were still fresh in the minds of most Noble Houses...as well as more than a few Minor ones.But his quiet acceptance wasn't enough for some.Under the leadership of one Ramos Tarrin,from Canidar,seven youths had decided to give the trainee from Caladan a long overdue baptism-by-fire.Trowa watched as Ramos tried to rally his dwindling support.
"C'mon...his just one stinkin' fishmonger(Trowa winced at the term),circle 'im.He can't stop all of us."
They encircled him,three of them carrying branches torn from foliage,which they wielded as clubs.Trowa raised his left leg into a guard position,adopting the defensive pose of 'Muay Thai'...or kick boxing.They gave no yell,for fear of attracting a Swordmaster,but merely rushed in hands and feet blurring probing at his guard.Trowa spun and kicked,tumbling acrobatically,front kicking one before spinning to his next adversary bringing his foot down in an axe kick.However,he was unable to finish off those he knocked down as another of the seven whipped to the attack.He knew he couldn't win...but he'd make their victory a costly one.
It took him a moment to realise that three more of the students had joined the first two on the ground.And a second later to realise he had an ally at his back.
With one of the branches in his hand,his dark haired ally leapt at the other retreating students,swinging it in a hard arc to crack along the neck of Igor Bleud,a Zaroteir student.The boy spun in the air to land in a crumpled heap...his neck bent at an unusual angle.The shock at what had happened broke the battle frenzy of the remaining three students.
"Gor..."Ramos moved over to the fallen boy."Gor...oh gods...You've killed Gor!"
The boy ignored Ramos instead moving over to Trowa."You okay,man?"
Trowa's green eyes looked into the bluest pair of eyes he'd ever seen.
A strangled cry drew there attention back to Ramos,"You Bastard!!"he hissed."The Masters'll hear of this.And they'll..."
"They'll do nothing..."
Trowa didn't think his nerves could handle more of this as he spun around again to see a form dropping out of the trees.A form wearing a red bandana.
"IGor Bleud died as a result of an ill-advised attack on the Atreides student.His life was his own.However..."the shadow continued."You will all be penalised for breaking the designated curfew.Starting tomorrow.Now get out of my sight.ALL OF YOU."
Sprinting back to his tent,Trowa realised he'd never thanked his impromptu ally.But he was already gone.
Later he would come to know him by the name he'd been under during his tenure on Ginaz.
Adin...
*****
To say that Relena was having a bad day would have been an understatment.On a day such as this she would have been out on the waters,diving for coral gems or sneaking a taste of the ripening paradan melons at the fields to the east of Cala City.Or maybe she could've wheedled a visit to Underwater Park in the South out of Trowa.Or she could've just visited the shoreline talking with local girls.She enjoyed hearing their tales of their husbands or lovers out traversing the waters and the gifts they often brought back.
However...
With their...visitor...Milliardo had tightened security around the castle and forbidden her to step foot out of her romm without first clearing it with either,Trowa,Duo or Peygan.It was all really quite tiring.And she also missed Dorothy's company.As a Bene Gesserit,surely her protection would have been enough to get around a few of her brother's more stringent regulations.At the least they could've enjoyed a game of cheops.
"Milady?"
"Has Trowa or Duo reported back yet,Cathy?"Relena asked.
"Sorry,no..."
Relena fumed.It would be so much easier if they would teach her the battle language used by the troops...and the frequency they used.But...Noooo...
She was royalty...
She shouldn't bother with details as mundane as that...
If she royalty then what was Milliardo.She was no fool,and like her great,great grandmother Jessica,she wasn't about to accept her fate as a pawn in the cheops game of favours that was politics.
"Milady!"
She sighed,"Cathy..please...when we're alone call me..."
"MILADY!"
"Cathy?"Relena glanced at her lady-in-waiting and saw her backed against the wall in terror.Following her gaze,Relena saw a figure dressed in black hanging along the white ceiling of her room like a grotesque spider.Cathy reached into her dress pulling out two small daggers only to have a dart imbedded in her neck.The woman took three steps then collapsed with a sigh.
"Chaumurky!!"Relena hissed.
"Not quite,"the figure replied,dropping from the ceiling to land beside her fallen helper.Blue eyes stared at her,and she abruptly realised who the intruder was."Just a mind-fogging agent.She won't remember a thing."
She thrust out her chin,"You plan to kill me now I suppose?"
"Kill you???"Blue eyes widened in shock and he cocked his head to the left,as if appraising her."If I intended to do that,I would have done it on the heighliner and not burdened myself with coming here."
"You're awfully sure of yourself.What about Trowa...and Dorothy?"
"They would've had to die as well...regretfully."
"If your not here to kill me?"she asked,intrigued by this man despite herself.She watched as her intruder placed Cathy into one of her couches."Why did you enter my room...better yet How did you get in?"
"Trowa ever tell his tricks?"She shook her head."Then neither will I."
Her eyes narrowed at this and Heero made a mental note as to the temperament of the Duke's sister.He made a face."I find it hard to believe that Maxwell was ever a Sardaukar.The Sardaukar I've met never spoke more than four words in a sentence.But this guy just keeps going,and going...he never shuts up."
Relena giggled,realising this strange Harkonnen shared many traits with the Atreides swordmaster,"Doesn't he though.The only one who can shut him up is my brother...and maybe Hilde.But I wouldn't recommend her chosen method."
"I see...,"he pressed an ear to her door,listening.Then he turned back to her."You're a strange one,princess."
"Eh?"the change in the conversation's direction took her by surprise.
"A Harkonnen in the same room as an Atreides.Not just any Atreides.An Atreides princess."
She huffed,unsure if she was being insulted or complimented,"I've been to the halls of the Landsraad Court before you know.How many feuding Houses and rivals are made to sit side by side to debate the future of our galaxy."
"Under the guard of Sardaukar marksmen,"he reminded her.
At that moment there was a banging on her door.
"Princess?Relena are you okay?"
Blue eyes closed in irritation,"Must he be so loud?"
"You'd better go..."She said pushing past him to get to the door."You wouldn't want to rile him anymore than you already have."
"By your leave...princess."He gave a mocking bow,turning...
"Relena."
He paused,"Pardon?"
"It's just Relena,"she repeated."Shall I be reminded of the name of the one who could've killed me?"
"Heero.Heero Yuy."
There was a blur of motion and then he was gone.Relena blinked,then shook her head.She turned the door handle as she heard Duo calling the control room to release the locks on her room.Giving a false yawn she stared down the crowded doorway.
"Explain yourself Duo."She demanded,adopting a regal tone.
"Princess..."He moved past her,followed by two of the guards."Have you seen anything unusual today?"
She watched the guards scanning the ducts leading to her room,her closets and under her bed.
"It's clean sir."
He nodded then turned to Relena,"Mind telling me why you took so long to respond,princess."
"I was resting Duo.As was Cathy...she hasn't been feeling well today.Now do
you mind telling me what this is all about?"
"Our guest has disappeared,"he replied tersely."We're sweeping the floors for him now."
"Well he's not here.So if you don't mind...,"she began pushing the protesting man to the door."I don't know how you normally enter Hilde's room.But here you must be invited before entering a lady's room."
Duo winced as the door slammed in face.Ignoring the surreptitious chuckling of his men,he continued on down the long hallway.Ten rooms down.Only five hundred and eighty-seven to go.
*****
(Four hours later)
Trowa sat before a old fashioned pre-Terra cheops board,two plates of a midday meal of para-fish and paradan melon at the side with a bottle of Caladan White,waiting.The first time they'd played this Adin had been utterly lost as to the lack of levels and ancient pieces.
*****
"What's this?"Adin asked.
"It's called a knight."Trowa explained patiently.
"And this is your Navigator?"
"No that's a knight."
"When did knights ride horses?"
"If you paid attention to Sir Voltan..."
"What's this again?"
"That's your rook."
"What???"
*****
He raised his head,"You're late."
Still clad in the black outfit from their morning practice,he flipped onto the balcony tumbling to land on the seat Trowa'd laid out for him.
"Can't you ever just enter through a door,Adin?"Trowa asked,shaking his head in amusement.
He picked a slice of paradan melon slipping it into his mouth.His mouth puckered at the sweet taste.
"I see you've retained your taste for our food,"Trowa remarked dryly,moving his pawn to start a game that had been the true begining of their friendship.
*****
Duo reported to the control room at the behest of his Duke.
"Have you found him yet?"Milliardo asked,his eyes glued to a screen.
"Not yet sir...but we've scoured more than two-thirds of the Castle rooms so...."
"It doesn't matter..."
"Sir?"
"Look there."
Duo moved as Milliardo slipped to the side giving him room to view the cam. focusing on Trowa's room."Son..of...a..."
"Seems our Harkonnen didn't care for your company Duo."
"Sir."Duo moved as though to exit the room.
"It's alright Duo,"the Duke leaned against one of the panels."As long as we know where he is...we have things under control."
"Sir...about Barton."
"I know what you're about to say Duo,"he held up a hand."However Trowa has been in my service for almost two decades,and even went through the Swordmaster training.So for now I'll give him the benefit of the doubt.
"However,"he continued."Whenever they're together I want them monitored.Have their conversations taped and sent to Peygan.If anyone can decipher any type of code it would be him.What about our fremen?"
"As agreed they're keeping low and out of sight.Though not without some grumbling."
Milliardo grunted,knowing that to be an understatement.He turned his eyes back to the comscreen focusing on the blue eyed form he'd been taught to hate.
*****
Back in her room,sleeping for real this time...Relena tossed and turned,her dreams haunted by a blue eyed spectre that threatened to destroy everything she'd come to know.
TBC
________________________
DUNE facts
Coracles-motorcraft about fifteen meters in length with a wide,beamy hull.Standard craft used by Caladan fishermen,though some have been known to modify their own.
Ixian Revolution-for revenge against Earl Dominic Vernius for marrying his ex-concubine Shando Boulet the late emperor,Elrood IX,supported a Tleilaxu takeover of the underground world of Ix.Supported by Sardaukar the Tleilaxu oppressed the Ixian peoples for over a decade till the prince,Rhombur Vernius,returned with Atreides support.After a pitched battle the Atreides succeeded in overthrowing the Tleilaxu and delivering the first ever known defeat the dreaded Sardakar.
Fishmonger-derogatory term used to describe members of the Atreides royal household.
Chaumurky-also referred to a just Murky it is poison that is delivered in a drink or liquid solution.
Two of a Kind
Caladan
Cala City
Most first time visitors to Caladan were so taken by the charming,rustic appearance of the Old City that the buzzing of the engines on the modern coracles was a bit of a shock to early rising tourists.An even bigger shock was the sight of the young duke bantering easily with the coarsely dressed sailors.At times he would sail out with them,or stand along the pier with the younger children who were often found playing along the shoreline,or waving goodbyes to their fathers and elder brothers.The young women could be found walking through the town market at the centre of Old City.Or slipping out the servant's entrance after a late night tryst with the Atreides guards at the Palace.Caladan was a planet that was touched by technology only through necessity,with the people content at their plying their ancient trade instead of seeking better fortunes at one of the resource planets or moons in the surrounding system.
However the duke hadn't been seen in the week since the last Heighliner arrived and departed the Caladan system.Rumours abounded from illness to assassination to assassination attempts.The people were deeply disturbed by the mysterious disappearance of their beloved duke.Especially with the annual celebration of the Ixian Revolution in four days time.The Ixian representatives would be arriving two,maybe three days.Hopefully the facts of their duke's condition would be available then.
*****
"They really are quite impressive." Duo thought to himself,adjusting the lasgun strapped over his shoulder.
Sardaukar are rarely impressed and had never suffered a defeat till the Ixian revolution.Yet watching the two Swordmasters spar Duo had illusions as to his chances of victory should he ever have to face either of them.Trowa was wearing the traditional red and blue garb of the Atreides House Guard with a pair of blue boots,while the Harkonnen wore a pure black body suit.Instead of boots he instead wore a strange implement that didn't cover the foot,but prevented the heel from coming into contact with the moist turf.He called them...'sandals'.Around Duo,similarly armed,the ten subcommanders of his personal brigade were also gaping at the antics of the two men that seemed to be trying their best to impale one another.Then,abruptly,they both paused in their attacks,Heero's twin swords inches away from Trowa's neck and Trowa's broadsword pointing at Heero's stomach.
*****
"You've gotten slow Trowa,"Heero smirked."Just jumping around may confuse the grunts here on Caladan...but you'll have to do better against me."
"I fully intend to."Trowa stepped back and held out a tiny remote.
Heero's blue eyes were amused as Trowa activated the switch and slipped back into a ready stance.
"So you have one as well..."Heero remarked as meks rose around them wielding short kidney stabbers and the epees that were a favourite of Olgar Bludd,the refined lady of the third Ginaz island.The meks were iron giants of various design.Some qppeared human,but with grossly exaggerated limbs.Some had the appearance of giant multi-legged crustaceans of Bela Tegeuse...only these were not blind.Others were merely flying blades shaped as the myriad bat species that populated many of the worlds in the known galaxy.Likewise,the tracking systems were variable from one design to another.Some tracked a body's heat while others reacted to movement.But in accordance with the Butlerian Jihad they were not programmed to think for themselves.
"Designed it as soon as I got back,"he leaned back on the balls of his feet and waved Heero on.The shorter man needed no second invitation and leapt forward,swords held wide as the meks also moved in.
*****
"Goddamn slagging piece of...."Duo swore as he pounded at the control panel while keeping an eye on the two men seemingly trying to impale one another while avoiding the twenty odd meks surrounding them.
"C'mon...c'mon....YES!!!"Duo's glee at the computer's activation however was short-lived as another menu sprung up.
"PASSWORD!!!!!Trowa...you...."
There wasn't a word in the Imperium to describe what Duo felt like doing to the Atreides Swordmaster just then.Instead he pulled at comlink on his shirt lapel.
"Jarvis?It's Duo.I need...."
<Thwip>
With the remnants of his communicator sparking in the moist turf Duo gingerly rubbed the two fingers that had held his jacket.
...Nothing.No blood
Pushed to his limit now Duo yanked the lasgun over his head,pausing only to ensure it was at it's lowest setting,and shredded the control panel with blue lasgun blasts.With whines that sounded almost human,to remaining dozen meks powered down,weapons dropping from powerless mechanical hands and claws.For the second time the two young men paused,this time seeming almost startled by the sudden quiet.
"Barton!"Duo barked as he marched up,his men following at a respectably discreet distance.
"There'd better be a good reason for your disturbance of our practice Duo,"Trowa remarked,slipping his broadsword back into it's sheath.
"Practice?PRACTICE!!,"Duo's face turned an unusual shade of red as he fought the urge to strangle the taller man."You call this PRACTICE!!!!!"
"Now you know why I've never trained around any others,"Trowa leapt over the heads of Duo and his men,twirling gracefully to land behind them."If this always happened I'd never keep my fighting edge."
Duo swore again as the Swordmaster stalked off before turning back to their...guest.
*****
Trowa slowed his pace as he passed through the soldier's entrance ignoring the salutes of the guards.
"What did you expect?He serves the Harkonnens.It would be death for him to lower his guard."
Trowa shook is head,clearing it of the random thoughts.His personal quarters were located the fifth level.Stepping into the lift he ignored the appreciative looks of two of the princess's personal ladies,hitting the switch for the appropriate level.Who would ever have thought that a friendship would spring between a Harkonnen and an Atreides?he certainly didn't.But,exiting the lift,he realised it had more to do with fact that,at the time,the young boy he once knew as 'Adin' had no homeworld.Reaching his room he wrapped his hand firmly around the handle allowing the cellular scanners to do their job.With a barely discernable click,his room was open.
Trowa peeled off the uniform,tossing into the wash vac. ignoring,for the moment,the flashing red dot on his comscreen and stepped into his personal bath.He decided against air jets...devices developed by the Richese that shot powerful jets of water.Two or three together could lift a man off his feet,twisting and turning his body giving him not only a cleaning;but a watery massage as well...opting for the traditional shower stream.The blast of hot water made him gasp,as it always did after a good workout,but moreso because of the memories it invoked.Things he had no thought about for almost six years...
*****
They were cautious now,he realised.With two of their number already down with cracked heads they could not afford to underestimate him.He had accepted their hatred.Memories of Atreides led fremen forces were still fresh in the minds of most Noble Houses...as well as more than a few Minor ones.But his quiet acceptance wasn't enough for some.Under the leadership of one Ramos Tarrin,from Canidar,seven youths had decided to give the trainee from Caladan a long overdue baptism-by-fire.Trowa watched as Ramos tried to rally his dwindling support.
"C'mon...his just one stinkin' fishmonger(Trowa winced at the term),circle 'im.He can't stop all of us."
They encircled him,three of them carrying branches torn from foliage,which they wielded as clubs.Trowa raised his left leg into a guard position,adopting the defensive pose of 'Muay Thai'...or kick boxing.They gave no yell,for fear of attracting a Swordmaster,but merely rushed in hands and feet blurring probing at his guard.Trowa spun and kicked,tumbling acrobatically,front kicking one before spinning to his next adversary bringing his foot down in an axe kick.However,he was unable to finish off those he knocked down as another of the seven whipped to the attack.He knew he couldn't win...but he'd make their victory a costly one.
It took him a moment to realise that three more of the students had joined the first two on the ground.And a second later to realise he had an ally at his back.
With one of the branches in his hand,his dark haired ally leapt at the other retreating students,swinging it in a hard arc to crack along the neck of Igor Bleud,a Zaroteir student.The boy spun in the air to land in a crumpled heap...his neck bent at an unusual angle.The shock at what had happened broke the battle frenzy of the remaining three students.
"Gor..."Ramos moved over to the fallen boy."Gor...oh gods...You've killed Gor!"
The boy ignored Ramos instead moving over to Trowa."You okay,man?"
Trowa's green eyes looked into the bluest pair of eyes he'd ever seen.
A strangled cry drew there attention back to Ramos,"You Bastard!!"he hissed."The Masters'll hear of this.And they'll..."
"They'll do nothing..."
Trowa didn't think his nerves could handle more of this as he spun around again to see a form dropping out of the trees.A form wearing a red bandana.
"IGor Bleud died as a result of an ill-advised attack on the Atreides student.His life was his own.However..."the shadow continued."You will all be penalised for breaking the designated curfew.Starting tomorrow.Now get out of my sight.ALL OF YOU."
Sprinting back to his tent,Trowa realised he'd never thanked his impromptu ally.But he was already gone.
Later he would come to know him by the name he'd been under during his tenure on Ginaz.
Adin...
*****
To say that Relena was having a bad day would have been an understatment.On a day such as this she would have been out on the waters,diving for coral gems or sneaking a taste of the ripening paradan melons at the fields to the east of Cala City.Or maybe she could've wheedled a visit to Underwater Park in the South out of Trowa.Or she could've just visited the shoreline talking with local girls.She enjoyed hearing their tales of their husbands or lovers out traversing the waters and the gifts they often brought back.
However...
With their...visitor...Milliardo had tightened security around the castle and forbidden her to step foot out of her romm without first clearing it with either,Trowa,Duo or Peygan.It was all really quite tiring.And she also missed Dorothy's company.As a Bene Gesserit,surely her protection would have been enough to get around a few of her brother's more stringent regulations.At the least they could've enjoyed a game of cheops.
"Milady?"
"Has Trowa or Duo reported back yet,Cathy?"Relena asked.
"Sorry,no..."
Relena fumed.It would be so much easier if they would teach her the battle language used by the troops...and the frequency they used.But...Noooo...
She was royalty...
She shouldn't bother with details as mundane as that...
If she royalty then what was Milliardo.She was no fool,and like her great,great grandmother Jessica,she wasn't about to accept her fate as a pawn in the cheops game of favours that was politics.
"Milady!"
She sighed,"Cathy..please...when we're alone call me..."
"MILADY!"
"Cathy?"Relena glanced at her lady-in-waiting and saw her backed against the wall in terror.Following her gaze,Relena saw a figure dressed in black hanging along the white ceiling of her room like a grotesque spider.Cathy reached into her dress pulling out two small daggers only to have a dart imbedded in her neck.The woman took three steps then collapsed with a sigh.
"Chaumurky!!"Relena hissed.
"Not quite,"the figure replied,dropping from the ceiling to land beside her fallen helper.Blue eyes stared at her,and she abruptly realised who the intruder was."Just a mind-fogging agent.She won't remember a thing."
She thrust out her chin,"You plan to kill me now I suppose?"
"Kill you???"Blue eyes widened in shock and he cocked his head to the left,as if appraising her."If I intended to do that,I would have done it on the heighliner and not burdened myself with coming here."
"You're awfully sure of yourself.What about Trowa...and Dorothy?"
"They would've had to die as well...regretfully."
"If your not here to kill me?"she asked,intrigued by this man despite herself.She watched as her intruder placed Cathy into one of her couches."Why did you enter my room...better yet How did you get in?"
"Trowa ever tell his tricks?"She shook her head."Then neither will I."
Her eyes narrowed at this and Heero made a mental note as to the temperament of the Duke's sister.He made a face."I find it hard to believe that Maxwell was ever a Sardaukar.The Sardaukar I've met never spoke more than four words in a sentence.But this guy just keeps going,and going...he never shuts up."
Relena giggled,realising this strange Harkonnen shared many traits with the Atreides swordmaster,"Doesn't he though.The only one who can shut him up is my brother...and maybe Hilde.But I wouldn't recommend her chosen method."
"I see...,"he pressed an ear to her door,listening.Then he turned back to her."You're a strange one,princess."
"Eh?"the change in the conversation's direction took her by surprise.
"A Harkonnen in the same room as an Atreides.Not just any Atreides.An Atreides princess."
She huffed,unsure if she was being insulted or complimented,"I've been to the halls of the Landsraad Court before you know.How many feuding Houses and rivals are made to sit side by side to debate the future of our galaxy."
"Under the guard of Sardaukar marksmen,"he reminded her.
At that moment there was a banging on her door.
"Princess?Relena are you okay?"
Blue eyes closed in irritation,"Must he be so loud?"
"You'd better go..."She said pushing past him to get to the door."You wouldn't want to rile him anymore than you already have."
"By your leave...princess."He gave a mocking bow,turning...
"Relena."
He paused,"Pardon?"
"It's just Relena,"she repeated."Shall I be reminded of the name of the one who could've killed me?"
"Heero.Heero Yuy."
There was a blur of motion and then he was gone.Relena blinked,then shook her head.She turned the door handle as she heard Duo calling the control room to release the locks on her room.Giving a false yawn she stared down the crowded doorway.
"Explain yourself Duo."She demanded,adopting a regal tone.
"Princess..."He moved past her,followed by two of the guards."Have you seen anything unusual today?"
She watched the guards scanning the ducts leading to her room,her closets and under her bed.
"It's clean sir."
He nodded then turned to Relena,"Mind telling me why you took so long to respond,princess."
"I was resting Duo.As was Cathy...she hasn't been feeling well today.Now do
you mind telling me what this is all about?"
"Our guest has disappeared,"he replied tersely."We're sweeping the floors for him now."
"Well he's not here.So if you don't mind...,"she began pushing the protesting man to the door."I don't know how you normally enter Hilde's room.But here you must be invited before entering a lady's room."
Duo winced as the door slammed in face.Ignoring the surreptitious chuckling of his men,he continued on down the long hallway.Ten rooms down.Only five hundred and eighty-seven to go.
*****
(Four hours later)
Trowa sat before a old fashioned pre-Terra cheops board,two plates of a midday meal of para-fish and paradan melon at the side with a bottle of Caladan White,waiting.The first time they'd played this Adin had been utterly lost as to the lack of levels and ancient pieces.
*****
"What's this?"Adin asked.
"It's called a knight."Trowa explained patiently.
"And this is your Navigator?"
"No that's a knight."
"When did knights ride horses?"
"If you paid attention to Sir Voltan..."
"What's this again?"
"That's your rook."
"What???"
*****
He raised his head,"You're late."
Still clad in the black outfit from their morning practice,he flipped onto the balcony tumbling to land on the seat Trowa'd laid out for him.
"Can't you ever just enter through a door,Adin?"Trowa asked,shaking his head in amusement.
He picked a slice of paradan melon slipping it into his mouth.His mouth puckered at the sweet taste.
"I see you've retained your taste for our food,"Trowa remarked dryly,moving his pawn to start a game that had been the true begining of their friendship.
*****
Duo reported to the control room at the behest of his Duke.
"Have you found him yet?"Milliardo asked,his eyes glued to a screen.
"Not yet sir...but we've scoured more than two-thirds of the Castle rooms so...."
"It doesn't matter..."
"Sir?"
"Look there."
Duo moved as Milliardo slipped to the side giving him room to view the cam. focusing on Trowa's room."Son..of...a..."
"Seems our Harkonnen didn't care for your company Duo."
"Sir."Duo moved as though to exit the room.
"It's alright Duo,"the Duke leaned against one of the panels."As long as we know where he is...we have things under control."
"Sir...about Barton."
"I know what you're about to say Duo,"he held up a hand."However Trowa has been in my service for almost two decades,and even went through the Swordmaster training.So for now I'll give him the benefit of the doubt.
"However,"he continued."Whenever they're together I want them monitored.Have their conversations taped and sent to Peygan.If anyone can decipher any type of code it would be him.What about our fremen?"
"As agreed they're keeping low and out of sight.Though not without some grumbling."
Milliardo grunted,knowing that to be an understatement.He turned his eyes back to the comscreen focusing on the blue eyed form he'd been taught to hate.
*****
Back in her room,sleeping for real this time...Relena tossed and turned,her dreams haunted by a blue eyed spectre that threatened to destroy everything she'd come to know.
TBC
________________________
DUNE facts
Coracles-motorcraft about fifteen meters in length with a wide,beamy hull.Standard craft used by Caladan fishermen,though some have been known to modify their own.
Ixian Revolution-for revenge against Earl Dominic Vernius for marrying his ex-concubine Shando Boulet the late emperor,Elrood IX,supported a Tleilaxu takeover of the underground world of Ix.Supported by Sardaukar the Tleilaxu oppressed the Ixian peoples for over a decade till the prince,Rhombur Vernius,returned with Atreides support.After a pitched battle the Atreides succeeded in overthrowing the Tleilaxu and delivering the first ever known defeat the dreaded Sardakar.
Fishmonger-derogatory term used to describe members of the Atreides royal household.
Chaumurky-also referred to a just Murky it is poison that is delivered in a drink or liquid solution.
