Arrakis — 10,196 B.A.
The transport ship descended slowly onto the Arrakeen platform, kicking up a cloud of golden dust that seemed intent on invading every corner of the metallic structure.
Paul Atreides watched from the hatch as the arid, reddish landscape stretched as far as the eye could see. The sky, a pale blue, almost white, was as oppressive as the sand. The heat hit even before they left the ship, seeping in like a living presence.
Beside him, Lady Jessica adjusted the hood of her robe. Her eyes scanned the horizon with a cold, analytical eye. Where others saw desolation, she looked for patterns, signs of danger... or opportunity.
Duke Leto was the first to descend. His cape flapped in the dry wind as his boots touched the soil of a planet that didn't forgive mistakes.
A small reception committee awaited them: advanced Atreides officers, some CHOAM officials, and the enigmatic Dr. Wellington Yueh, with his always impenetrable expression and the diamond tattoo on his forehead marking his status as a Suk.
"Welcome to Arrakis, my lord," Yueh greeted, bowing his head.
Leto shook the doctor's hand firmly.
"State of the city?"
Before Yueh could answer, Duncan Idaho appeared, covered in a rudimentary stillsuit, the traditional Fremen garb. His face showed the weariness of someone who had spent weeks in the desert, but his eyes shone with determination.
"All is calm, for now," Duncan said, bowing respectfully. "The Harkonnens left traps, as we expected, but the Fremen... they are unlike anything we've seen."
Paul approached, eyeing Duncan's suit with curiosity.
"Are they what they say? Desert savages?"
Duncan smirked.
"They're more civilized than many in the Imperial court, young master. And if we achieve their alliance, it could be the key to survival here."
Leto nodded, understanding the value of that report.
"Take us to the palace. I want to see with my own eyes what they've left us."
As they walked toward the vehicles, Paul felt the sand crunch beneath his feet, unlike the damp soil of Caladan. Here, every step seemed to remind you that you were just passing through, that the land was no one's friend.
Jessica, for her part, kept a close eye on Yueh. The Bene Gesserit in her detected invisible tensions, though Suk conditioning must have guaranteed her loyalty. Still, something about the way the doctor avoided certain topics left him uneasy.
The convoy passed through the gates of Arrakeen, a fortress city designed not for luxury, but to withstand the desert... and intrigue.
Beyond the Imperial Rim, darkness reigned. There were no transmissions, no signals. Only the silence of the void.
But in that silence, something watched.
From the Aeternum Rex, Kael Atreides stood in the gloom of his command room, his hands clasped behind his back. Before him, Monitor Z-343 projected hundreds of data streams, fed by the covert probes slipping into Imperial systems.
"The probes have infiltrated the networks of CHOAM, the Spacing Guild, and multiple Noble House registries undetected. Information flows. No one suspects."
Kael watched without visible emotion. His eyes glowed a deep blue as he analyzed the power maps unfolding before him.
"This is not the time to act," he murmured, more to himself than to the Monitor. "An intelligent predator doesn't strike when it's hungry... it strikes when its prey believes it is safe."
The Monitor adjusted the holograms, displaying schematics of the weakening Imperial balance: the tensions between House Corrino, the Harkonnens, the Atreides, and the ever-present Bene Gesserit.
"We've detected recent movements on Arrakis. House Atreides has already assumed control of the planet."
Kael allowed a small smile.
"The board hasn't shifted as much as I thought. They continue to play the conspiracy game, unaware that the real game no longer belongs to them."
His voice was calm, but every word was a judgment.
"Let the probes continue collecting everything. Trade routes, military structures, secret alliances... I want to know them better than they know themselves before making the first move."
The Monitor floated beside him, processing his order.
"And if they discover an anomaly?"
Kael slowly turned his head, his gaze as cold as the stellar void.
"They won't. We're invisible."
And so, while the Noble Houses continued to move their pieces, unaware that they were being watched, Kael remained in the shadows, waiting for the moment when the mere knowledge of his existence would be enough to break the will of the Empire.
Arrakis — The Arena Watches
In the central courtyard of the palace, Paul trained with Gurney Halleck. The sound of practice swords echoed between the stone walls, sweat dripping from his forehead.
"Again, boy!" Gurney roared, attacking swiftly.
Paul nimbly blocked, spun, and countered.
Jessica watched from an upper terrace, assessing not only her son's physical abilities, but his ability to stay focused in an environment that sought to break him.
When the training ended, Paul approached his mother, breathing heavily.
"This place... it changes me," he said softly.
Jessica nodded.
"The desert reveals what we are, Paul. It either hardens you... or consumes you."
Meanwhile, in the inner chambers, Dr. Yueh delivered reports to Leto, his face impassive, hiding beneath his facade the weight of the betrayal imposed upon him.
Tension grew in every corner of Arrakeen, as the invisible danger of the Harkonnens loomed over the Atreides.
And somewhere, beyond the desert... other shadows watched as well.