Sandworms of Dune
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Wednesday, April 11, 2007

Sandworms Teaser -- Opening Quotes

Sorry for the delay in posting some of the first chapters of SANDWORMS OF DUNE. Brian and I have made many changes on the last several hardcopy drafts, and the accurate text did not exist in an electronic form. Here, as an initial teaser, are the opening quotes that introduce the book. They appear before Chapter 1. We hope this sample whets your appetite.

-- KJA

******* SPOILER WARNING *******

IF YOU HAVE NOT YET READ HUNTERS OF DUNE, THE QUOTES
AND CHAPTERS REVEAL CERTAIN PLOT ELEMENTS
 
******* SPOILER WARNING *******
 

Soon after the Honored Matres careened into the Old Empire, the Bene Gesserit Sisterhood learned to hate and fear them. The intruders used their terrible Obliterator weapons to destroy Bene Gesserit and Tleilaxu planets, Richese with its vast industries and weapon shops, even Rakis itself.

But in order to survive the even greater Enemy that pursued them, the Honored Matres desperately needed knowledge that only the Sisterhood possessed. To obtain it, they struck like angry vipers, lashing out with extreme violence.

After the Battle of Junction, the two opposing groups were forcibly united into a New Sisterhood, but the factions continued to wrestle for control and dominance. Such a waste of time, talent, and blood! Both groups knew that the real threat came from outside, but we continued to fight the wrong enemy.

-- Mother Commander Murbella, Address to the New Sisterhood
 

Two people drift in a lifeboat on an uncharted sea. One says, "There! I see an island. Our best chance is to go ashore, build a shelter, and await rescue." The other says, "No, we must go farther out to sea and hope to find the shipping lanes. That is our best chance." Unable to agree, the two fight, the lifeboat capsizes, and they drown. This is the nature of humanity. Even if only two people are left in the entire universe, they will come to represent opposing factions.

-- The Bene Gesserit Acolyte's Manual
 

In recreating these particular gholas, we reweave the fabric of our history. Once more, Paul Muad'Dib walks among us, with his beloved Chani, his mother the Lady Jessica, and his son Leto II, the God Emperor of Dune. The presence of Suk doctor Wellington Yueh, whose treachery brought a great house to its knees, is at once disturbing and comforting. Also with us are the warrior Mentat Thufir Hawat, the Fremen Naib Stilgar, and the great planetologist Liet-Kynes. Consider the possibilities!

Such genius constitutes a formidable army. We will need that brilliance, because we face an opponent more terrible than we ever imagined.

-- Duncan Idaho, Memories of More Than a Mentat
 

I have waited and planned and built my strength for fifteen thousand years. I have evolved. It is time.

-- Omnius