Chapter 62 (Inflexible convictions are powerful things)

Gilbertus Albans, anticipating Butlerian reprisals for his refusal to swear the new oath, addresses the Mentat School. He urges independent thought, invites dissenters to leave, and commits the remainder to a firm stance. Alys Carroll and twenty-two students depart to rejoin the Butlerians, prompting Gilbertus to tighten defenses and change security protocols.

To arm his trainees intellectually, Gilbertus distributes the oath and orders a rigorous critique. Led by Zendur, the students document hundreds of flaws and contradictions, preparing arguments for any confrontation. He also tasks them with projecting Butlerian responses, including violent scenarios, while he debates Erasmus, who urges escape to preserve his knowledge.

Gilbertus checks the school hangar and discovers the escape shuttle sabotaged—its engine dismantled, likely by Alys—eliminating his last safe exit. He resolves to stand by the school despite the risk, prioritizing the institution’s ideals over flight.

On Salusa Secundus, Manford Torondo reacts to Gilbertus’s defiance. Despite Deacon Harian’s and Anari Idaho’s calls for immediate destruction of the school, and Sister Woodra’s push to seize Anna Corrino, Manford opts to confront Gilbertus personally while preparing force. He orders Anari to bring Swordmasters and five hundred soldiers, intending to take control of the academy, retrain or remove dissidents, and make the Mentat program conform to Butlerian doctrine.

Manford resolves that, if necessary, Gilbertus will serve as an example. The Butlerians set plans to move on Lampadas, aiming both to neutralize the perceived threat of independent Mentat thought and to secure leverage through Anna Corrino.