Jessica stood still as she watched the frigates rise from Arrakeen.
Dust trailed behind them, fading into the desert air.
Her hand rested against her stomach.
Jack was already gone.
Within a frigate, Jack stood at the viewport watching Arrakis fade.
Jack let out a sigh.
"All of that… on one planet," Jack muttered.
'The most important planet in the Universe' Jack thought to himself as the frigates began entering the massive Heighliner.
"My lord," Thufir's voice interrupted Jack, who glanced back at Thufir.
"My Lord, we should review what awaits you." Thufir said seriously.
Jack nodded.
"You will face opposition, My Lord."
"You must be prepared."
Thufir said as he handed him a small data module.
"The Landsraad has been informed of Duke Leto's passing."
"This data module contains information about all Imperial loyalists, Neutral houses, and Atreides allies but..." Thufir paused for a moment.
"Alliances are fluid,"
"Do not assume loyalty where it is not proven, these houses stood behind Duke Leto because they knew who he was. You will need to show these people who you are."
"I will be at your side," Thufir said.
Jack quietly nodded as space warped around them,
The wrap came without sensation.
Soon, the Atreides frigates emerged from the Heighliner and Kaitain became visible from the viewport.
The frigates quickly made their way towards the planet.
Jack watched in silence as the frigates moved past the imperial palace and descended toward the Imperial landing fields below.
"We have arrived."
Jack nodded, "Prepare to disembark," he said.
Several eyes followed from a distance as the frigate ramp descended to the ground and out stepped Jack with three men that followed behind him, completely covered by a brown robe.
"House Atreades, The Emperor welcomes you, please follow me as I lead you all to your chambers," A man wearing a mask said.
Jack nodded towards the man in silence as he walked down the ramp, reaching by the escort's side.
The escort glanced around at the various frigates for a few moments before he looked at Jack.
"Is anybody else going to exit those frigates?" He asked and Jack shook his head.
"Very well, please follow me," The man said as he turned around and began leading Jack and the three robed men away.
As Jack walked away, the several eyes all around moved.
One of those eyes belonged to a Harkonnen who quickly activated his communicator.
In a chamber within the Imperial Palace, Piter sat alone.
A human heart rested in his hand.
"Lord Piter, we have eyes on House Atreides," a voice came through from his communicator.
Piter's gaze lifted slightly, he activated his communicator.
"Speak."
"Lord Piter, Paul Atreadis has landed on the imperial landing field X19," The man on the other end said.
A soft smile bloomed on his face.
"Speak, what is his entourage?" Piter asked.
"Paul Atreides has landed. Three men exited behind him. Cloaked." The man on the other end reported.
Piter paused for a moment.
"Only four?"
"Yes, my lord."
Silence.
"Then the rest were not meant to be seen," Piter murmured before he cut off communications.
His eyes fell back down to the heart as he gave it a few squeezes, almost as if it were a stressball.
"This is interesting, young Paul, what has allowed you to come here with such certainty?" Piter muttered softly, his eyes sharp as he accidentally squeezed the heart a bit too hard, causing it to squish within his palms.
Letting out a sigh, he threw the squished heart into a bin nearby and wiped his hands clean.
Meanwhile within the Imperial palace, the Throne room.
The same escort that had been in charge of leading Jack and his entourage stood in front of Emperor Shaddam with Mohiam quietly standing not too far away from him.
"Your majesty, they arrived here with ten frigates, yet only four men stepped out of a singular frigate, the three behind Paul Atreades were in cloaks similar to fremen cloaks." The man reported as he was ordered to.
Shaddam nodded, "Take your leave," he said as he waved at the man to go away.
The man bowed to the Emperor before turning around and leaving the throne room.
Shaddam sat in total silence as he remained still.
Mohiam who stood to the side immediately saw through what was going on in Shaddam's mind, so she spoke.
"Paul is not foolish enough to attack the imperial palace, he wouldn't dare to, he knows that if he does that, it would mean destruction for House Atreides," she said.
Shaddam glanced at her in silence.
"Ten frigates," he said quietly.
"And only four men."
"We cannot put it past a mere 15 year old boy to have such control over himself, he could have very well brought Freman within those ten frigates" Shaddam said.
"However, Paul Atreades is not just another 15 years old boy," Mohiam said,
Shaddam was silent for a moment.
"He did not come here blindly," Mohiam said.
Shaddam paused for a moment,
"Have the Sardaukar ready,"
"And contact that girl, see if you can get any information about what Paul's intends" Shaddam said and Mohiam nodded.
...
Jack stood in the dim hallway, staring ahead quietly.
Thufir and Duncan and a Harkonnen soldier, stood behind Jack, flanking him from the back, still wearing their hoods concealing their identities.
'It's time...' Jack thought with a small gulp.
The loud murmurs from ahead echoing within the dim halls.
Jack felt his stomach churning, but forced himself to keep a straight face.
With a deep breath, he began moving forward.
Stepping towards the light, the Landsraad Hall of Oratory became clear.
The chamber curved around him in a wide arc, rising in layered tiers.
Platforms filled every level, each one occupied.
Too many to count.
At the center, the floor stood open.
No cover. No obstruction.
Above it all, three raised platforms overlooked the entire chamber.
The hall quieted down as Jack walked in.
All eyes turned towards him.
Jack glanced around, feeling hundreds of eyes on him as a drop of sweat fell past his brow.
His eyes glanced towards the center where there stood a singular podium with the Atreides symbol carved into its wooden surface.