Jack stepped forward quietly, step by step, he approached the center.
Arriving behind the podium, Jack glanced around. The stares felt piercing,
His gaze lifted towards the raised platforms,
Mohiam was already watching him.
'Don't look at her too long' Jack thought as he quickly looked away from her.
On one of the upper tiers, several figures shifted.
frowns forming as they quietly observed Jack.
Elsewhere,
A few did not hide their satisfaction as they exchanged glances with other house heads.
Within the throne room in Kaitain, Emperor Shaddam sat in silence as he watched everything happening in the hall through a projection.
At the highest platforms within the hall, Count Fenring sat, representing Emperor Shaddam.
The Bene Gesserit who had sent Mohiam as a representative watched Jack in silence, and the spacing guild's representative watched with focus.
"I am Paul Atreides, Son of Duke Leto, His successor, and today I stand before you all as the new Duke of House Atreides." Jack announced.
Count Fenring nodded, "This Landsraad, called by Duke Leto Atreides, shall proceed under his successor. By decree of Emperor Shaddam Corrino IV, this session is now in order." He announced.
"Duke Paul, state the reason this Landsraad has been called for," Fenring said staring at Jack.
"House Atreides has called for this Landsraad due to the blatant disregard by House Harkonnen of the Imperial laws," Jack said glancing up towards the section assigned to House Harkonnen.
He saw several pale-skinned men sitting and watching in silence, including Feyd, whom he recognised and Baron Harkonnen's mentat, Piter who watched Jack with interest.
Feyd glanced at Jack for a few moments before he turned towards Piter.
"He looks confident. Should we be worried?" Feyd asked calmly.
Piter smiled a little as he glanced at Feyd in silence, his eyes flashed white for a few moments.
"Paul did not come unprepared."
"He brought something he has not shown yet."
"And he intends to reveal it publicly. Only question is what he has," Piter muttered to Feyd.
"What Imperial laws have they disregarded?" Fenring asked.
Jack glanced at him, "They descended on Arrakeen with overwhelming forces numbering ten whole Legions!"
"In the dead of night without declaration of grievance or Imperial warrant" Jack said.
"House Harkonnen," Count Fenring said.
"Your response." his eyes stared at Piter, the representative of the Harkonnens.
'Ah... this guy is troublesome, should have killed him during the war... only if Gurney had succeeded...' Jack thought to himself as Piter stood up, unhurried.
"How… confident," Piter said softly.
His gaze lingered on Jack.
"House Harkonnen does not deny that conflict occurred on Arrakis."
"But what is described here… The scale"
"…is far from accurate."
A faint smile touched his lips.
"We would be most interested to see what the Young Duke considers proof to such... Explosive claims." Piter loudly stated glancing around towards other House heads and nobles for a few moments before his eyes fell onto Jack once more.
"After all... you came prepared," He said.
'I see what he is trying to do...' Jack thought to himself, 'He is trying to gauge the cards in my hand'
'But the moment he confessed that conflict occurred, it was over for them,' Jack thought to himself as his eyes moved hovering on Fenring and the high platform overlooking all for a few moments.
Jack glanced back towards Thufir who nodded and turned to the man who had yet to unveil his hood.
"House Atreides shall deliver the proof you wish to see."
The man behind Jack at this moment had unveiled his hood revealing his white skin, a physical appearance only possible for a Harkonnen to have.
Jack glanced towards Mohiam for a moment before he looked at Fenring.
"Count Fenring, I invite help from the Emperor's Truthsayer, Reverend Mother Mohiam to verify the truth of what is said before this assembly," Jack said.
Fenring went silent for a moment as he stared at Jack for several moments.
Mohiam said nothing.
But her gaze sharpened.
Feyd frowned a little.
"How is a soldier still alive?" Feyd muttered to Piter who nodded softly.
"Some were expected to survive," Piter muttered.
Emperor Shaddam watched for a few moments before he activated his communicator.
"Do it," He said as his voice reached Mohiam's ears.
Mohiam stood up from her seat as she began making her way down to the center of the hall.
Soon she arrived at the center and Jack watched in silence.
Her gaze settled on the prisoner, and she stepped forward.
"Look at me," she said, arriving in front of the Harkonnen prisoner.
The crowd watched in pin-drop silence.
The man obeyed.
"You will answer clearly."
Mohiam paused for a moment.
"Were you part of the assault on Arrakis?"
"Yes."
Mohiam did not react immediately.
She watched him.
His breathing.
His eyes.
The tension in his jaw, for several moments, she watched.
"He speaks the truth." She said, glancing away from him.
Piter stood up at this moment, "House Harkonnen has already admitted that a conflict occurred," Piter said as he glanced around the room.
"But... Even if Duke Paul may be young, House Harkonnen will not tolerate slander."
"Duke Paul, you have yet to prove anything," Piter said.
Jack silently glanced at Piter.
Taking a deep breath he glanced around the hall filled with Lords and representatives. The True power holders of the Known Universe itself.
For a moment, Jack felt his stomach churn a little less.
"You must all be wondering why House Atreides arrived here with ten frigates."
Jack smiled a little.
"Within those ships are captured Harkonnen soldiers numbering 100," Jack said.
Piter remained calm, "A hundred is merely 1/10th of a battalion, you have made claims of three hundred battalions, Young Duke," Piter sharply said.
'It's annoying how he is constantly trying to degrade me just because I am young,' Jack thought to himself, but he wasn't too bothered.
"I am sorry."
"House Atreides does not have enough wealth lying around to transport all captured battalions here. But" Jack paused for a moment.