Contents
Chapter 46
Overview
Teg lands on Rakis in a no-ship and arranges an extraction of Odrade, Sheeana, and a captured worm while confirming Honored Matres dominate Rakian strongholds and that Taraza is dead. Teg assigns Burzmali command to flee toward Chapterhouse with Duncan concealed, while he remains to mount a diversion likely to devastate Rakis.
The move preserves the last worm and shifts Bene Gesserit strategy, leveraging Duncan’s talents and sacrificing Rakis to misdirect the Honored Matres.
Summary
A no-ship sets down on Rakis at dusk. In its command center, Miles Teg orders rapid deployment of armored craft and assures skeptical officers that Odrade and Sheeana will arrive riding a worm, a meeting he has arranged. He identifies nearby Wind Trap as their pickup point and reflects on leadership, scapegoats, and the dangerous psychology of the Honored Matres.
Lucilla confronts Teg for explanations. Teg reveals Taraza’s death, that Honored Matres with Tleilaxu allies control Rakian centers by holding defenders’ families, and that he plans only to pick up Odrade, Sheeana, and their worm. He declares he and his force will remain to create a diversion, anticipating Honored Matre hysteria and sterilization tactics that could leave Rakis a ruin devoid of worms or sandtrout.
Teg outlines the Honored Matres’ blind approach to worm capture and hints that the Sisterhood will eventually exploit axlotl tanks for spice. He orders Lucilla to the entry port to meet Odrade. When the worm appears on sensors, Teg directs that Sheeana help herd it into the hold and that Odrade be brought to him alone for swift command transfer.
Odrade arrives, recognizes profound changes in Teg, and learns his plan: the ghola Duncan must go with the no-ship, which will head to the place Odrade knows best, while Teg remains to fight. A satellite ping forces haste. Burzmali rushes in, and Teg hands him command, instructing him to follow Odrade’s destination. Teg privately underscores the stakes—this worm may soon be the last—confirming his intention to fulfill Taraza’s design by saving the worm and Duncan while using himself and his troops as diversion.
Who Appears
- Miles TegBashar; lands on Rakis, orchestrates extraction, assigns Burzmali command, keeps Duncan hidden, stays to wage a devastating diversion.
- Darwi OdradeNew Mother Superior; arrives riding a worm, accepts command of the no-ship and destination, recognizes Teg’s plan.
- LucillaReverend Mother; confronts Teg for answers, learns Taraza is dead and about the extraction and diversion.
- BurzmaliTeg’s trusted commander; takes over the command chair and prepares to depart per Odrade’s directions.
- SheeanaYoung Rakian who controls worms; arrives with Odrade and is tasked to help herd the worm into the hold.
- Duncan Idaho (ghola)Kept concealed in the no-ship; slated to depart with Odrade for future strategic use.
- Communications officerMonitors sensors, announces satellite detection and worm sighting, relays Teg’s orders.
- Bitter Renditai officerSkeptical veteran seeking a scapegoat; questions Teg’s certainty but follows his lead.