Chapter 75 (I only hope I have enough time)

At Wallach IX, Valya Harkonnen orchestrates the aftermath of Raquella’s death, arranging a joint cremation for Raquella and Dorotea. She presents a meticulous account that Dorotea, distraught after a final mental intervention by Raquella, killed herself. Dorotea’s Truthsayers test Valya’s words and detect no falsehood, forcing acceptance of Valya as Mother Superior.

Before assembled Sisters, including six orthodox visitors from Salusa Secundus, Valya frames the moment as the end of the schism and vows to fulfill Raquella’s unifying vision. When Sister Olivia panics about the Sisterhood’s future, Valya asserts calm authority, redirecting Olivia and underscoring the need for discipline and emotional control.

Valya sketches a new doctrine: intensify mental and physical training, quietly grow influence by placing Sisters at the Imperial Court and within noble Houses, and keep the secret breeding-record computers confined to a trusted inner circle. She denies Sister Fielle’s request to face the Agony for now, instead retaining Fielle as a key Mentat advisor to manage the school while Valya travels to Court.

Preparing to inform the orthodox faction and replace the Emperor’s Truthsayer, Valya selects Olivia and several Wallach Sisters for the mission, intending to reassign and reshuffle personnel over time. In private discussion with Fielle, she even weighs the strategic implications of assassinating Manford Torondo, recognizing both potential gains and risks, as the Sisters scatter the ashes and Valya positions herself as Raquella’s enduring successor.