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iber…optic sky on the rock ceiling was damaged and the projections were splotchy now。 The dour and fanatical Tleilaxu had never been known to appreciate art。 To them； it simply got in the way。
He remembered that Kailea Vernius had dabbled in painting and motile sculptures。 She had talked with C'tair about certain styles that were all the rage on Kaitain and had greedily absorbed any tourist images his father brought back from ambassadorial duties。 But now the art was gone； and so was Kailea。
Once again； C'tair felt paralyzed by his aloneness。
Slipping unnoticed into the ruins of a collapsed outbuilding in what had once been a botanical park； C'tair stopped suddenly； transfixed。 Something caught his eye； and he squinted to clear his vision。
Out of the smoldering rubble emerged the hazy image of a familiar old man； barely visible。 C'tair blinked could this be his imagination； a stuttering hologram from a diary…disk。。。or something else？ He hadn't eaten all day； and he was tense and weary to the point of collapse。 But still the image was there。 Wasn't it？
Through smoke and acrid fumes； he recognized the form of the old inventor Davee Rogo； the crippled genius who had befriended the twins and taught them his innovations。 As C'tair gasped； the apparition began to whisper in a frail； creaking voice。 Was it a ghost。。。a vision； a mad hallucination？ Eccentric Rogo seemed to be telling C'tair what to do； what technological ponents he needed； and how to put them all together。
〃Are you real？〃 C'tair whispered； stepping closer。 〃What are you telling me？〃
For some reason the blurry image of old Rogo did not respond to questions。 C'tair didn't understand； but he listened。 Wires and metal parts lay strewn at his feet where a machine had been wrecked by indiscriminate explosives。 These are ponents I need。
Bending over and scanning warily for unwanted observers； he gathered the pieces that stood out in his mind； along with other technological remnants： small bits of metal； plaz crystals； and electronic cells。 The old man had given him some kind of inspiration。
C'tair stuffed the items into his pockets and beneath his clothing。 Ix would change mightily under the new Tleilaxu rule； and any scrap of his civilization's precious past might prove valuable。 The Tleilaxu would confiscate everything if they found him。。。。
In the following days of haunted exploration； C'tair never saw the image of the old man again； never truly prehended what he had encountered； but he worked hard to add to his technological collection； his resources。 He would continue this battle。。。alone； if necessary。
Each night he passed under the noses of the enemy as they settled in for permanent occupation。 He ransacked empty portions of the upper and lower city； before rebuilding teams could clean up and remove unwanted memories。
Remembering what the vision of Rogo had whispered into his imagination； he began to construct。。。something。
WHEN THE ATREIDES rescue ships returned to Caladan and approached the spaceport fields of Cala City； the Old Duke made only minimal attempts at a grand wele。 The times and circumstances were too somber for the usual protocol ministers； band； and banner carriers。
Duke Atreides stood in the open air； squinting up into the cloud…dappled sunshine as the ships landed。 He wore his favorite cape of spotted whale…fur to block the brisk wind； though it did not match his patterned tunic。 All the mustered retainers and household troops waited at attention beside the receiving platform； but he didn't care about his dress； or the impression he might make。 Paulus was just glad to have his son home； and safe。
Lady Helena stood beside him； rigid…backed and dressed in a formal gown and cape； her appearance impeccable。 As the frigate settled down onto the spaceport landing area； Helena regarded her husband with an 〃I told you so〃 expression； then she posed her face into a weling smile for all to see。 No observer would ever guess at the repeated shouting matches they'd engaged in while the Heighliner was en route； bringing their son home。
〃I don't see how you could offer those two sanctuary；〃 she said； her voice quiet but icy。 Her lips continued to smile。 〃The Ixians have gone beyond the strictures of the Jihad； and now they're paying the price for it。 It's dangerous to interfere with the punishments of God。〃
〃These two Vernius children are innocents and will stay here as guests of House Atreides for as long as necessary。 Why must you keep arguing with me？ I have made my decision。〃
〃Your decisions need not be etched in stone。 If you listen to me； perhaps this veil will be lifted from your eyes and you can see the peril we all face because of their presence。〃 Helena stood exactly as close to her husband as any observers would expect。 〃I'm concerned for us； and for our son。〃
The ship on the landing field extended its struts； and locked down。 Exasperated； Paulus turned to her。 〃Helena； I owe Dominic Vernius more than you can know and I do not shirk my obligations。 Even without the blood…debt we owe each other after Ecaz； I'd still offer to protect his children。 I do this as much from my own heart as from a sense of duty。 Soften your heart； woman。 Think of what those two children have been through。〃
A gust of wind whipped her auburn hair； but Helena did not flinch。 Ironically； she was the first to raise her hand in greeting as the boarding door opened。 She spoke out of the side of her mouth。 〃Paulus； you're baring your throat to the Imperial executioner； and smiling while you're doing it！ We'll pay for this folly in ways you can't imagine。 I just want the best for everyone。〃
Around them； the house guards studiously ignored the argument。 A green…and…black banner snapped in the breeze。 The ship's ramp extended。
〃Am I the only one who thinks of our family honor instead of politics？〃 Paulus growled。
〃Hush！ Keep your voice down。〃
〃If I lived my life only by safe decisions and advantageous alliances； I would be no man at all； and certainly not one worthy of being a Duke。〃
The soldiers marched out and stood at attention； forming a path for the three who had been rescued from Ix。 Leto emerged first； taking a deep breath of the sea…freshened air； blinking in the hazy sunshine of Caladan。 He was washed and dressed in clean clothes again； but his manner still conveyed weariness； his skin seemed gray； his dark hair mussed； his brow above the hawklike eyes and nose scarred by memories。
Leto took another huge breath； as if he couldn't get enough of the salt…iodine scents of the nearby sea； the hint of fish and woodsmoke。 Home。 He never wanted to spend time away from Caladan again。 He looked beyond the ramp to meet his father's bright gaze sparkling to see his son again； fiery with indignation and rage at what had happened to House Vernius。
Rhombur and Kailea came out uncertainly to stand beside Leto at the top of the ramp。 Kailea's emerald eyes were haunted； and she looked around the new world； as if the sky was far too vast overhead。 Leto wanted to fort her。 Again； he held himself back； this time because of his mother's presence。
Rhombur drew himself up and made a visible attempt to square his shoulders and straighten his tousled blond hair。 He knew he was now all that remained of House Vernius； the face that all members of the Landsraad would see while his father the renegade Earl went into hiding。 He knew the fight was just beginning。 Leto put a strong hand on his friend's shoulder and urged him toward the reception platform。
After a moment of stillness； Leto and Paulus moved toward each other at the same time。 The Old Duke pressed his salt…and…pepper beard against the side of his son's head； they pounded one another on the back； saying no words。 They drew apart； and Paulus placed broad； callused hands on his son's biceps； just looking at him。
Leto looked past his father to see his mother standing behind them； wearing a warm； but forced； smile of greeting。 Her glance flicked toward Rhombur and Kailea and then back to him； Leto knew Lady Helena Atreides would receive the two exiles with all the ceremony due important visiting dignitaries。 He did note； however； that she had chosen jewelry and colors resplendent with the markings of House Richese； rival to Ix； as if to twist a knife into the Vernius exiles。 Duke Paulus didn't seem to notice。
The Old Duke turned to give a vigorous greeting to Rhombur； who still wore a small bandage over his head injury。 〃Wele； wele； lad；〃 he said。 〃As I promised your father； you and your sister will remain here with us； protected by the might of House Atreides； until all this blows over。〃
Kailea stared up at the scudding clouds as if she'd never seen open sky before。 She shivered； looking lost。 〃What if it never blows over？〃
Following her obligation； Helena came forward to take the Vernius daughter by the arm。 〃e； child。 We'll help you settle in； just in case this has to be your home for a while。〃
Rhombur gripped the Old Duke with an Imperial handshake。 〃Uh； I can't express my appreciation enough； sir。 Kailea and I both understand the risk you've taken to shelter us。〃
Helena glanced over her shoulder at her husband； who ignored her。
Paulus gestured toward the