An intelligence report to Prince Roderick notes the historic cooperation between the Suk School and the Sisters of Rossak, rooted in Dr. Mohandas Suk and Raquella Berto-Anirul’s wartime plague-relief work, and warns that the connection may run deeper than public educational forums suggest.

Emperor Salvador remains disturbed by Vorian Atreides’s sudden return after eighty years. Although Vorian is a legendary Hero of the Jihad, Salvador questions his motives and finds his request for patrol ships to protect Kepler suspiciously modest. To buy time and prevent immediate public upheaval, Salvador dismisses court attendees and orders secrecy, knowing rumors will likely spread.

Salvador has Dr. Ori Zhoma, head of the Suk School, conduct a medical examination and genetic comparison against historical Jihad artifacts. While Vorian waits in temporary palace quarters, Salvador considers whether Vorian’s fame might be useful or destabilizing. Dr. Zhoma reports that the visitor is genuinely Vorian Atreides, leaving Salvador uneasy about the political consequences.

Once news of Vorian’s verified return spreads through Zimia, the city erupts in celebration. The Butlerians seize on his reappearance, stage Jihad-era pageantry, and revere him as a living symbol of their cause. Salvador publicly accompanies Vorian with smiles, trying to share in the adoration, while Vorian endures the spectacle uncomfortably and notices that Imperial technology has visibly regressed since his last visit.

When the crowd demands a speech, Vorian thanks them and praises the free Imperium achieved after the defeat of thinking machines. The crowd then asks whether Vorian has come to take the throne or become Emperor. Vorian immediately denies any ambition, says he came only to protect Kepler, and bows to Salvador, but the crowd continues chanting Vorian’s name, making Salvador visibly displeased.