Contents
Chapter 31
Overview
Teg, Duncan, and Lucilla leave the no-globe and immediately face a massive Tleilaxu assault, with Face Dancers landing from multiple no-ships. Teg orders Lucilla and Duncan to flee toward Burzmali’s force and mounts a fierce defense with two lasguns. The Tleilaxu avoid killing shots, seeking captives. Teg is unexpectedly stunned from upslope and captured, splitting the group and escalating the threat.
Summary
In the predawn cold, Teg, Duncan, and Lucilla emerge from the no-globe, armed and wary. Tension simmers as Lucilla questions trusting Burzmali and frets over her failed assignment, while Duncan distrusts the Bene Gesserit and recalls Harkonnen cruelties. Teg commits to the plan he and Burzmali set eight days earlier despite fresh snow that will betray tracks.
Sudden battle sounds erupt around the valley: burners hiss, armored las beams lance the sky, and multiple no-ships land below. Glowglobes drift through the trees as Face Dancers advance. A shout of “Bashar!” rises from upslope—likely Burzmali—prompting Teg to order Lucilla to take Duncan and run that way while he holds the line.
Teg unleashes maxibeam sweeps from his modern lasgun, igniting trees and tearing through attackers, then shifts positions to suggest dwindling charges. Recognizing the Tleilaxu intend live captures, he alternates to an antique Harkonnen lasgun, springs up from a rock pocket, and rakes the slope—first at the hidden Masters, then clearing nearby Face Dancers—carefully letting each weapon sputter out to bait them forward.
Believing he has created an opening to rejoin his companions, Teg scrambles upslope. At the fifth step he is struck full-on by a powerful stunner from the very direction he sent Lucilla and Duncan. As darkness takes him, Teg realizes the enemy also planned the unexpected, leaving Lucilla and Duncan’s fate to Burzmali’s maneuver and placing Teg in Tleilaxu hands.
Who Appears
- Miles TegLeads the escape, stages a fierce delaying action with two lasguns, recognizes Tleilaxu capture tactics, and is stunned from upslope.
- Duncan Idaho (ghola)Distrusts the Bene Gesserit, obeys Teg’s battle order, retreats with Lucilla toward Burzmali while offering to provide covering fire.
- LucillaAnxious and skeptical of Burzmali, escorts Duncan upslope on Teg’s command, carries minimal arms despite BG skills.
- BurzmaliUnseen ally signaled by the upslope shout of “Bashar!”; his forces are Teg’s intended rendezvous and escape route.
- Face DancersTleilaxu shock troops advancing from all sides, pressing for live captures amid a multi–no-ship landing.
- Tleilaxu MastersCommand from the rear; avoid killing fire, orchestrate the ambush that ends with Teg stunned and taken.