Navigators of Dune

by Brian Herbert

  One of the key aspects of being human is to experience and enjoy human contact—the meeting of hearts and minds, the touching of bodies, of skin. How I have missed that! I haven’t felt human in so long.

  —ANNA CORRINO, the Denali Diary

  Anna had waited for this moment—for Erasmus—and her anticipation was intense, but somehow she kept herself calm in his presence, knowing that he appreciated being in control. He had trained her carefully during the many months he had been her constant companion, the voice whispering in her ear, and more.

  In his new body Erasmus was the perfect male form, as if sculpted by a classical master from those hedonistic days before the Time of Titans. The face resembled Gilbertus Albans, but the person was completely different: Erasmus, her friend and protector, the one who understood Anna better than anyone else. After her mind had been twisted by the Sisterhood’s Rossak drug, she had never thought anyone would understand her again. But Erasmus did, and always had, even before revealing himself as a disembodied, whispering voice in the first phase of their relationship, advising her and asking probing questions.

  But now he was real, standing before her in a form so handsome that her eyes ached. She could only gaze briefly at him because a thin sheen of tears softened the image. “Just walk with me, Erasmus.” She took his hand—his hand of real, tangible flesh.

  He appeared to be comfortable and in control of his new body. Together, they strolled through the corridors of the laboratory domes, passing workrooms, pausing to look at the hangars where immense cymek walkers were being refurbished and armed for their impending assault on Lampadas.

  When Erasmus clasped Anna’s fingers, she felt electricity tingling through her arm—not electricity from the robotic gelsphere that held his memories and personality. No, this was the electricity of physical contact, the spark of a long-anticipated touch.

  Anna had a spring in her step as she led him along, but when he stopped to stare at the enormous walkers, Erasmus had a distant, admiring look in his borrowed eyes. For a long time now, he had been telling her about the cymeks and the Synchronized Empire. He liked to talk about his magnificent villa with its slave pens and laboratories on Corrin, before the humans wiped it out in a barbaric atomic attack. Anna wondered what he thought now when he looked at these new cymeks.

  She looped his arm around hers. “I want to show you so many things. I’ve waited a long time for this moment.”

  “As I have waited. Every sensation in this body is new and noteworthy.” His voice sounded different coming from a natural, human throat. It had a rich and sonorous quality that sounded very much like Headmaster Albans.

  “And if you are going to be human, you need to experience everything possible—in the way humans experience those things,” she said. “I can show you, if you let me be your guide. I want to be special to you.”

  “You are already my special one, Anna.” He looked down at her with a blank expression for a moment, and then the face shifted into a warm smile, as if Erasmus was thinking of how to manipulate a flowmetal robotic body but didn’t yet understand the nuances of an expression made of flesh.

  He raised his hand so he could stare in wonder at the palm. He flexed and unflexed the fingers. “So many lines and patterns on my fingertips and palm. I don’t understand the code, and I wonder at the biological necessity of such randomness and infinite perfection. This also merits further study … a study of myself, instead of someone else. Thank you for bringing me here, Anna. You are a very important part of my instruction and growth as a sentient being.”

  While the Denali engineers kept working on the cymeks, Anna guided him away with her. They entered the sterile laboratory vault that held the enlarged and distorted brains of failed Navigators, the mutated gray matter holding many more cellular ripples than a normal human brain. As a bodiless memory core, Erasmus had expressed interest in the Navigator brains, and Anna had often taken him there so that he could observe with his optical sensors.

  Now, though, he was there in person. “What a magnificent sight,” he said.

  Nearly a hundred enlarged brains hung inside their fluid-filled tanks—whether resting or contemplating, Anna didn’t know. Fifteen tanks were missing from their slots, because those Navigator brains were out testing new cymek walkers, practicing combat and manipulation skills for the ultimate assault on the Butlerian homeworld. “I would like to explore these specimens further, conduct interesting experiments. Maybe I could link up to the communications conduits, so I can converse with them.”

  That was not at all what Anna had in mind. “But not right now—there’s something far more important.” When she took both his hands, her heart was pounding. She knew what she wanted, but was afraid to ask for it. Her breathing was shallow, and the sterile air burned her nose and throat. She leaned closer, touching the muscles of his body, holding his hands, and then she released one of them and ran her fingers across his chest. It felt so good to touch someone again.

  “There are many more parts to being human, Erasmus dear, experiences you’ve never had. I want to be the first. I want to instruct you.”

  “I’m sure I will find it most interesting,” he said.

  She stopped him from talking further by pulling his face close and kissing him. It was her first kiss in a very long time, and the first for Erasmus, ever.

  For several moments his lips remained motionless, but she stroked the side of his face and kissed him again. She let her eyelids fall closed, then forced herself to open them again so that she could look into his eyes. Erasmus had a perplexed, even amused expression, a glint that traveled all the way from his memory core.

  Around them, the Navigator brains didn’t seem to notice at all.

  She felt the solidity of his body as she wrapped her arms around him. Anna kissed him again, and slowly he began to respond as if it were a learned experience. Then she broke away. “You will enjoy what I have to offer, I promise.” She took his hand and led him out of the laboratory vault.

  Understanding her intent, he said, “I am what humans call a virgin. This will be a valuable experiment.”

  When they had sealed themselves in her chamber, she pulled off his laboratory jumpsuit, even ripping some of the fabric in her eagerness. Although she had watched this body grow from a small lump of flesh into a finished naked body inside the biological tank, it was still a delicious discovery as she pulled away his garments now.

  Erasmus had studied human history and witnessed sexual relations over the years. He had kept innumerable human slaves in his laboratory pens. “I’m familiar with the mechanics of the procreation process, and have read much of the mystique about sex, but my knowledge has always been objective, never subjective.”

  She pulled him down onto her narrow bed and crawled on top of him. Erasmus allowed himself to be pliable in her hands. “Not procreation, Erasmus. Lovemaking. And I want to make love to you now.”

  She had to take his hands and make him start removing her clothes, then she guided him to touch her body, to run his hands over her shoulders, her back, her breasts. At first, he simply followed instructions, but she encouraged him to be imaginative. As a lifelong researcher, Erasmus certainly understood the possibilities of experimentation.

  Anna felt as if her world had become bright and soft again. She hadn’t taken a lover since Hirondo Nef, who had made her promises, told her lies, seduced her, filled her with silly dreams. Salvador had ruined that relationship, although Anna now realized—thanks to a careful analysis by Erasmus—that Hirondo had only been using her, taking advantage of her. Anna knew that no one had ever really loved her before this, not in the way she wanted and deserved. No one understood her as much as Erasmus did.

  He spoke little as she continued to kiss him, and massaged his back. Her every move, her every gesture went into a database, and he catalogued it along with what he knew about human romance and sexuality. Though he was a thinking-machine mind, the body was fully human and it knew how to respond.
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  * * *

  ERASMUS STORED EVERY sensation. This was indeed a new set of unusual experiences—made even more instructive, but also baffling, as he chronicled the joy and ecstasy on Anna’s face, her adoring expression after they had finished the biological activity.

  The sensual movements had a ritualistic, prolonged manner that did not seem to be a particularly efficient means of reproduction, taking much longer than was absolutely required. Nevertheless, it was a fine example of the experimental possibilities the new body offered him.

  Afterward, she lay close beside him, kissing his cheek and stroking his hair. Erasmus didn’t entirely understand this epilogue, although he had read about it in countless romantic poems and stories. She didn’t seem to want more from him, only this nearness. Because it seemed to be an essential part of the activity for her, he held her and said nothing.

  “I love you, Erasmus,” she said.

  He filed away all the data of his new experiences.

  In an objective analysis of the life and accomplishments of Vorian Atreides, it is surprising that he did not demand more for himself.

  —HARUK ARI, historian of the Jihad

  After leaving Chusuk and beginning to spread rumors that he would go to ground on Corrin, Vorian Atreides had one more important matter to take care of. If the Harkonnens left him alone, he would be surprised yet content, but if they came for him—as he expected—he intended to be ready.

  When he arrived at Salusa Secundus, he was surprised to see so many Butlerian warships in orbit as well as huge crowds encamped in Zimia. But his business was with the Emperor, not the antitechnology movement.

  He announced himself to spaceport security and asked to see Emperor Roderick, hoping the new ruler was an improvement from petty Salvador, who had caused Vor so many problems. He did not hide his identity, though—for this occasion he needed to be the legendary Hero of the Jihad, not a man trying to erase his past.

  He intended to ask a favor, for Willem’s sake. In all his years—centuries, in fact—of service, Vorian Atreides had asked for very little. His request would not threaten the Imperium, but it mattered a great deal to him.

  The guards searched him at the entrance to the Palace, checked his identity papers, and then looked at one another in startled confusion.

  “Yes, I am Vorian Atreides,” he repeated his name. “I am confident the Emperor knows who I am. As do you, I assume?”

  The guards placed him in a comfortable holding room and told him to wait. It was not a particularly auspicious welcome for a man of his stature, but Vor understood the caution. Because of a recent VenHold attack on Salusa and the chaotic influx of so many Butlerians, Imperial security had been increased to the highest levels.

  After six hours, he was escorted from the holding chamber with profuse apologies from Chamberlain Bakim. The man greeted him cordially, apologized again, and led Vor away from the Palace to the Hall of Parliament in the center of the capital city, where the flags of noble houses hung from the golden-domed building and all around the large central square.

  The chamberlain took him to Roderick’s well-appointed Parliament office, where the Emperor was pacing beside his desk. Roderick Corrino gave him a strong handshake and said, “I regret the delay in seeing you, but the Imperial capital has recently been under siege—in more ways than one.” The Emperor sighed, ran his hands through his own hair. “With all the turmoil in the Imperium, I thought you were long gone, making a quiet life for yourself.”

  “I stayed away, Sire—as your brother commanded. Emperor Salvador made that a condition before he would agree to protect Kepler against raids by slavers. I did as he asked, and tried to let history swallow me, but as it turned out, my own history would not leave me alone.”

  The restrictions had created much heartache for him, making him leave Mariella and all of his extended family on Kepler, but Salvador’s insecurity was not to be disputed at the time. Vor drew a breath, met the Emperor’s gaze directly. “I promise I will depart swiftly and cause you no further trouble, Sire. I came here to beg a favor. I hope you will grant it.”

  Roderick sat down, looking cautious, and dismissed the chamberlain, who hurried off to other duties. “That’s better than you challenging me for the throne. I’ve had enough of that in the past week.” The attempt at witticism fell flat, and he grew serious. “I have always admired your war record and sense of duty, Vorian Atreides. You are a genuine hero, and we have few enough of those. But these are not the best of times to ask for favors.”

  “It is small enough, Sire. A family matter—in fact, you can ensure the future of my family.”

  An aide came to the door, signaling the Emperor. “The pilot of your flyer reports that all is ready for the inspection flight, Sire.”

  Roderick turned. “Join me, and we can continue our conversation on board. It will be good to get away from Zimia and the mobs down there.” Vor followed the Emperor out into the corridor, while he continued to explain, “We recently had a flood disaster, and the Empress Haditha is managing relief efforts, but in my position I am expected to fly over and inspect. It will rally greater support.”

  Vor was concerned. “Do you need my assistance, Sire?”

  The Emperor considered for a long moment. “Your advice might be helpful, but the legendary Hero of the Jihad could distract our work crews. Let’s have a look together, and we can talk further.”

  An escort contingent led them to the roof level of the Hall of Parliament, where a large Imperial flyer awaited them, with the Emperor’s dark-robed Truthsayer, Reverend Mother Fielle, standing at the ramp. As the two men boarded the craft, Vor looked sidelong at her and suppressed his smile. This was an opportunity he could not pass up, and he would be sure she had important information to send back to the Sisterhood school.…

  As the engines hummed and the aircraft prepared for takeoff, the men entered the Emperor’s main stateroom as Fielle trailed them. The Imperial flyer had a customized interior with posh fabrics on the walls, and inset crystal glowglobes. In the central salon, uniformed attendants were laying out a meal on a table with two place settings. While Fielle remained unobtrusive on one side of the cabin, in her Truthsayer mode, the Emperor motioned for Vor to take the seat opposite him.

  Roderick explained more about the flood. “A week ago we had a freak summer storm. Several major settlements in a river delta were flooded, thousands died, and many more were displaced. Haditha is already out there with the first wave of recovery crews. It’s something she is quite capable of managing, while I am supposed to concern myself with more important Imperial matters. Even so, I want to tour some of the worst areas.”

  Vor nodded. “For those affected, a local disaster can be as significant as a galactic one.”

  “I face enough galactic disasters, too, but I am certainly glad my wife is in charge down there. I wish the Butlerians would make themselves useful in the relief efforts, but Leader Torondo does not seem inclined to let his people help.” His face darkened. “Ever.”

  The aircraft lifted off so smoothly that Vor barely felt the motion. Staff brought plates of sliced meats and bread, and the Emperor relaxed as he ate. The flyer cruised away from the capital city like a huge bird, and soared out over the lush Salusan landscape.

  Roderick set his fork down. “Tell me the answer to something that has long raised questions in my mind. House Atreides could have been one of the greatest and wealthiest noble families in the Landsraad, if you had asked for that. Faykan was ready to give you anything after the Battle of Corrin. No one would say that you are a man lacking in ambition. Why would you just … discard it all, throwing away the potential of your Great House?”

  Vor took a drink of fresh juice from a wide-bottomed glass. “I never wanted that kind of wealth or power, Sire.” He glanced over at Fielle, and the Truthsayer simply nodded to Roderick, acknowledging that he truly meant what he said. The Emperor did not seem to doubt it, regardless. “I had enough of grand gestures and countl
ess lives depending on my every decision. I just wanted to be a normal man again, at least for a while.”

  Vor pictured the opulence of the mansions on old Earth, when he had lived among the thinking machines. He thought of his father, General Agamemnon, the cymek who had laid waste to countless planets … and pondered how many fortunes he himself had made and lost in his extended life.

  “At times, that sounds wonderful to me. I never wanted the throne either.” Roderick nodded with respect. “The Imperium shall forever be grateful to you, Vorian Atreides. Yes, if your favor is within my power, I will grant it. I lift all the restrictions my brother imposed upon you. Travel wherever you wish, live where you’d like—is that what you want?”

  “Thank you, Sire. But my request is even more straightforward than that.”

  Already several hundred kilometers away from Zimia, the Imperial flyer cruised over a sweeping valley. When they reached the flooded river zone and flew low, both men peered out upon the devastation. By now the surging river had receded, leaving destroyed houses, land vehicles, and boats in its wake. Dead farm animals lay strewn on the ground. From above, they could see antlike teams of rescue workers digging in the sediment, setting up temporary settlements and relief camps.

  The Emperor pondered the view gravely as the craft cruised over the swath of devastation. He finally looked up at his guest. “What is it you need me to do for you?”

  “Sire, I want my descendants to have the opportunities that should be their birthright. I think I have earned the right to request this. They are Atreides, with a proud and distinguished heritage. They should be treated as such, even if I would prefer to disappear myself.”

  Roderick flashed a wan smile. “I want the same for my son Javicco. I hope the Corrino line keeps the throne for more than a few generations, but that will depend on how well I steer through these perilous times. So many forces are trying to tear the Imperium apart right now.” He pushed aside the rest of his meal and stared out the window as the flyer circled into the foothills, where another village had been damaged by mudslides. “What family do you have? I believe there are some on Kepler—?”