"Predator, Lord?"
"The predator improves the stock."
"How can this be, Lord? You do not hate us."
"You disappoint me, Moneo. The predator does not hate its prey."
"Predators kill, Lord."
"I kill, but I do not hate. Prey assuages hunger. Prey is good."
Moneo peered up at Leto's face in its gray cowl.
Have I missed the approach of the Worm? Moneo wondered.
Fearfully, Moneo looked for the signs. There were no tremors in the giant body, no glazing of the eyes, no twisting of the useless flippers.
"For what do you hunger, Lord?" Moneo ventured.
"For a humankind which can make truly long-term decisions. Do you know the key to that ability, Moneo?"
"You have said it many times, Lord. It is the ability to change your mind."
"Change, yes. And do you know what I mean by long-term?"
"For you, it must be measured in millennia, Lord."
"Moneo, even my thousands of years are but a puny blip against Infinity."
"But your perspective must be different from mine, Lord."
"In the view of Infinity, any defined long-term is short-term."
"Then are there no rules at all, Lord?" Moneo's voice conveyed a faint hint of hysteria.
Leto smiled to ease the man's tensions. "Perhaps one. Short-term decisions tend to fail in the long-term."
Moneo shook his head in frustration. "But, Lord, your perspective is ..."
"Time runs out for any finite observer. There are no closed systems. Even I only stretch the finite matrix."
Moneo jerked his attention from Leto's face and peered into the distances of the mausoleum corridors. I will be here someday. The Golden Path may continue, but I will end. That was not important, of course. Only the Golden Path which he could sense in unbroken continuity, only that mattered. He returned his attention to Leto, but not to the all-blue eyes. Was there truly a predator lurking in that gross body?
"You do not understand the function of a predator," Leto said.
The words shocked Moneo because they smacked of mind-reading. He lifted his gaze to Leto's eyes.
"You know intellectually that even I will suffer a kind of death someday," Leto said. "But you do not believe it."
"How can I believe what I will never see?"
Moneo had never felt more lonely and fearful. What was the God Emperor doing? I came down here to discuss the problems of the peregrination ... and to find out about his intentions toward Siona. Does he toy with me?
"Let us talk about Siona," Leto said.
Mind-reading again!
"When will you test her, Lord?" The question had been waiting in the front of his awareness all this time, but now that he had spoken it, Moneo feared it.
"Soon."
"Forgive me, Lord, but surely you know how much I fear for the well-being of my only child."
"Others have survived the test, Moneo. You did."
Moneo gulped, remembering how he had been sensitized to the Golden Path.
"My mother prepared me. Siona has no mother."
"She has the Fish Speakers. She has you."
"Accidents happen, Lord."
Tears sprang into Moneo's eyes.
Leto looked away from him, thinking: He is torn by his loyalty to me and his love of Siona. How poignant it is, this concern for an offspring. Can he not see that all of humankind is my only child?
Returning his attention to Moneo, Leto said, "You are right to observe that accidents happen even in my universe. Does this teach you nothing?"
"Lord, just this once couldn't you ..."
"Moneo! Surely you do not ask me to delegate authority to a weak administrator."
Moneo recoiled one step. "No, Lord. Of course not."
"Then trust Siona's strength."
Moneo squared his shoulders. "I will do what I must."
"Siona must be awakened to her duties as an Atreides."
"Yes, of course, Lord."
"Is that not our commitment, Moneo?"
"I do not deny it, Lord. When will you introduce her to the new Duncan?"
"The test comes first."
Moneo looked down at the cold floor of the crypt.
He stares at the floor so often, Leto thought. What can he possibly see there? Is it the millennial tracks of my cart? Ahhh, no--it is into the depths that he peers, into the realm of treasure and mystery which he expects to enter soon.
Once more, Moneo lifted his gaze to Leto's face. "I hope she will like the Duncan's company, Lord."
"Be assured of it. The Tleilaxu have brought him to me in the undistorted image."
"That is reassuring, Lord."
"No doubt you have noted that his genotype is remarkably attractive to females."
"That has been my observation, Lord."
"There's something about those gently observant eyes, those strong features and that black-goat hair which positively melts the female psyche."
"As you say, Lord."
"You know he's with the Fish Speakers right now?"
"I was informed, Lord."
Leto smiled. Of course Moneo was informed. "They will bring him to me soon for his first view of the God Emperor."
"I have inspected the viewing room personally, Lord. Everything is in readiness."
"Sometimes I think you wish to weaken me, Moneo. Leave some of these details for me."
Moneo tried to conceal a constriction of fear. He bowed and backed away. "Yes, Lord, but there are some things which I must do."
Turning, he hurried away. It was not until he was ascending in the lift that Moneo realized he had left without being dismissed.
He must know how tired I am. He will forgive.
Your Lord knows very well what is in your heart. Your soul suffices this day as a reckoner against you. I need no witnesses. You do not listen to your soul, but listen instead to your anger and your rage.
--LORD LETO TO A PENITENT,
FROM THE ORAL HISTORY
The following assessment of the state of the Empire in the year 3508 of the reign of the Lord Leto is taken from The Welbeck Abridgment. The original is in the Chapter House Archives of the Bene Gesserit Order. A comparison reveals that the deletions do not subtract from the essential accuracy of this account.
In the name of our Sacred Order and its unbroken Sisterhood, this accounting has been judged reliable and worthy of entry into the Chronicles of the Chapter House.
Sisters Chenoeh and Tawsuoko have returned safely from Arrakis to report confirmation of the long-suspected execution of the nine historians who disappeared into his Citadel in the year 2116 of Lord Leto's reign. The Sisters report that the nine were rendered unconscious, then burned on pyres of their own published works. This conforms exactly with the stories which spread across the Empire at the time. The accounts of that time were judged to have originated with Lord Leto himself.
Sisters Chenoeh and Tawsuoko bring the handwritten records of an eye-witness account which says that when Lord Leto was petitioned by other historians seeking word of their fellows, Lord Leto said:
"They were destroyed because they lied pretentiously. Have no fear that my wrath will fall upon you because of your innocent mistakes. I am not overly fond of creating martyrs. Martyrs tend to set dramatic events adrift in human affairs. Drama is one of the targets of my predation. Tremble only if you build false accounts and stand pridefully upon them. Go now and do not speak of this."
Internal evidence of the handwritten account identifies its author as Ikonicre, Lord Leto's majordomo in the year 2116.
Attention is called to Lord Leto's use of the word predation. This is highly suggestive in view of theories advanced by Reverend Mother Syaksa that the God Emperor views himself as a predator in the natural sense.
Sister Chenoeh was invited to accompany the Fish Speakers in an entourage which accompanied one of Lord Leto's infrequent peregrinations. At one point, she was invited to trot beside th
e Royal Cart and converse with the Lord Leto himself. She reports the exchange as follows:
The Lord Leto said: "Here on the Royal Road, I sometimes feel that I stand on battlements protecting myself against invaders."
Sister Chenoeh said: "No one attacks you here, Lord."
The Lord Leto said: "You Bene Gesserit assail me on all sides. Even now, you seek to suborn my Fish Speakers."
Sister Chenoeh says that she steeled herself for death, but the God Emperor merely stopped his cart and looked across her at his entourage. She says the others stopped and waited on the road in well-trained passivity, all of them at a respectful distance.
The Lord Leto said, "There is my little multitude and they tell me everything. Do not deny my accusation."
Sister Chenoeh said, "I do not deny it."
The Lord Leto looked at her then and said, "Have no fear for your person. It is my wish that you report my words in your Chapter House."
Sister Chenoeh says she could see then that the Lord Leto knew all about her, about her mission, her special training as an oral recorder, everything. "He was like a Reverend Mother," she said. "I could hide nothing from him."
The Lord Leto then commanded her, "Look toward my Festival City and tell me what you see."
Sister Chenoeh looked toward Onn and said, "I see the City in the distance. It is beautiful in this morning light. There is your forest on the right. It has so many greens in it I could spend all day describing them. On the left and all around the City there are the houses and the gardens of your servitors. Some of them look very rich and some look very poor."
The Lord Leto said, "We have cluttered this landscape! Trees are a clutter. Houses, gardens ... You cannot exult at new mysteries in such a landscape."
Sister Chenoeh, emboldened by Lord Leto's assurances, asked, "Does the Lord truly want mysteries?"
The Lord Leto said, "There is no outward spiritual freedom in such a landscape. Do you not see it? You have no open universe here with which to share. Everything is closures--doors, latches, locks!"
Sister Chenoeh asked, "Has mankind no longer any need for privacy and protection?"
The Lord Leto said, "When you return, tell your Sisters that I will restore the outward view. Such a landscape as this one turns you inward in search for whatever freedom your spirits can find within. Most humans are not strong enough to find freedom within."
Sister Chenoeh said, "I will report your words accurately, Lord."
The Lord Leto said, "See that you do. Tell your Sisters also that the Bene Gesserit of all people should know the dangers of breeding for a particular characteristic, of seeking a defined genetic goal."
Sister Chenoeh says this was an obvious reference to the Lord Leto's father, Paul Atreides. Let it be noted that our breeding program achieved the Kwisatz Haderach one generation early. In becoming Muad'Dib, the leader of the Fremen, Paul Atreides escaped from our control. There is no doubt that he was a male with the powers of a Reverend Mother and other powers for which humankind still is paying a heavy price. As the Lord Leto said:
"You got the unexpected. You got me, the wild card. And I have achieved Siona."
The Lord Leto refused to elaborate on this reference to the daughter of his majordomo, Moneo. The matter is being investigated.
In other matters of concern to the Chapter House, our investigators have supplied information on:
THE FISH SPEAKERS
The Lord Leto's female legions have elected their representatives to attend the Decennial Festival on Arrakis. Three representatives will attend from each planetary garrison. (See attached list of those chosen.) As usual, no adult males will attend, not even consorts of Fish Speaker officers. The consort list has changed very little in this reporting period. We have appended the new names with geneological information where available. Note that only two of the names can be starred as descendants of the Duncan Idaho gholas. We can add nothing new to our speculations about his use of the gholas in his breeding program.
None of our efforts to form an alliance between Fish Speakers and Bene Gesserit succeeded during this period. Lord Leto continues to increase certain garrison sizes. He also continues to emphasize the alternative missions of the Fish Speakers, deemphasizing their military missions. This has had the expected result of increasing local admiration and respect and gratitude for the presence of the Fish Speaker garrisons. (See attached list for garrisons which were increased in size. Editor's note: The only pertinent garrisons were those on the home planets of the Bene Gesserit, Ixians and Tleilaxu. Spacing Guild monitors were not increased.)
PRIESTHOOD
Except for the few natural deaths and replacements which are listed in attachments, there have been no significant changes. Those consorts and officers delegated to perform the ritual duties remain few, their powers abridged by continuing requirement for consultation with Arrakis before taking any important action. It is the opinion of the Reverend Mother Syaksa and some others that the religious character of the Fish Speakers is slowly being devolved.
BREEDING PROGRAM
Other than the unexplained reference to Siona and to our failure with his father, we have nothing significant to add to our continued monitoring of the Lord Leto's breeding program. There is evidence of a certain randomness in his plan which is reinforced by the Lord Leto's statement about genetic goals, but we cannot be certain that he was truthful with Sister Chenoeh. We call your attention to the many instances where he has either lied or changed directions dramatically and without warning.
The Lord Leto continues to prohibit our participation in his breeding program. His monitors from our Fish Speaker garrison remain adamant in "weeding out" our births to which they object. Only by the most stringent controls were we able to maintain the level of Reverend Mothers during this reporting period. Our protests are not answered. In response to a direct question from Sister Chenoeh, the Lord Leto said:
"Be thankful for what you have."
This warning is duly noted here. We have transmitted a gracious letter of thankfulness to the Lord Leto.
ECONOMICS
The Chapter House continues to maintain its solvency, but the measures of conservation cannot be eased. In fact, as a precaution, certain new measures will be instituted in the next reporting period. These include a reduction in the ritual uses of melange and an increase in the rates charged for our usual services. We expect to double the fees for the schooling of Great House females across the next four reporting periods. You are hereby charged to begin preparing your arguments in defense of this action.
The Lord Leto has denied our petition for an increase in our melange allotment. No reason was given.
Our relationship with the Combine Honnete Ober Advancer Mercantiles remains on a sound footing. CHOAM has accomplished in the preceding period a regional cartel in Star Jewels, a project whereby we gained a substantial return through our advisory and bargaining functions. The ongoing profits from this arrangement should more than offset our losses on Giedi Prime. The Giedi Prime investment has been written off.
GREAT HOUSES
Thirty-one former Great Houses suffered economic disaster in this reporting period. Only six managed to maintain House Minor status. (See attached list.) This continues the general trend noted over the past thousand years where the once Great Houses melt gradually into the background. It is to be noted that the six who averted total disaster were all heavy investors in CHOAM and that five of these six were deeply involved in the Star Jewel project. The lone exception held a diversified portfolio, including a substantial investment in antique whale fur from Caladan.
(Our ponji rice reserves were increased almost twofold in this period at the expense of our whale fur holdings. The reasons for this decision will be reviewed in the next period.)
FAMILY LIFE
As has been observed by our investigators over the preceding two thousand years, the homogenization of family life continues unabated. The exceptions are those you would expect: the Guild,
the Fish Speakers, the Royal Courtiers, the shape-changing Face Dancers of the Tleilaxu (who are still mules despite all efforts to change that condition), and our own situation, of course.
It is to be noted that familial conditions grow more and more similar no matter the planet of residence, a circumstance which cannot be attributed to accident. We are seeing here the emergence of a portion of the Lord Leto's grand design. Even the poorest families are well fed, yes, but the circumstances of daily life grow increasingly static.
We remind you of a statement from the Lord Leto which was reported here almost eight generations ago:
"I am the only spectacle remaining in the Empire."
Reverend Mother Syaksa has proposed a theoretical explanation for this trend, a theory which many of us are beginning to share. RM Syaksa attributes to Lord Leto a motive based on the concept of hydraulic despotism. As you know, hydraulic despotism is possible only when a substance or condition upon which life in general absolutely depends can be controlled by a relatively small and centralized force. The concept of hydraulic despotism originated when the flow of irrigation water increased local human populations to a demand level of absolute dependence. When the water was shut off, people died in large numbers.