The ornithopter flew through the vast desert and over the numerous rocky hills scattered throughout the area.

  Navigating through the large one, Jack saw Arrakeen in real life.

  A Large city spanning several kilometers, surrounded by hills.

  Jack had seen cities before, but seeing Arrakeen in person... this was something else entirely.

  It gave off a feeling of being Less city, more something that had grown out of the rock itself over centuries of necessity.

  Low buildings pressed tight against each other, narrow streets sealed against the sand, no color anywhere except sand yellow, the occasional grey, and the dust that seemed to coat everything equally.

  No water visible.

  No green.

  Nothing soft.

  In comparison to Caladan, this felt like the type of place fit for being banished to the furthest reaches of the Universe.

  Rocky hills surrounded the city, ensuring protection from all sides.

  The ornithopter flew over the city for a few moments before descending toward the palace at its far edge, the only structure that reached upward, and even it looked more defensive than grand.

  Stepping out onto the landing platform, the heat hit him again immediately.

  Jack glanced toward the distant moon. A palm print was visible on its surface, clear even in daylight.

  'So that's the hand of god,' Jack thought to himself.

  "Please follow these soldiers, they shall introduce you to the rooms and facilities within the palace," Thufir said, gesturing toward two soldiers standing at attention.

  ...

  Standing in his room, Jack glanced around at the spacious yet empty room.

  A beautiful artwork hung behind the couch, a center with holographic technology was there, along with a bed and windows.

  "I wonder when the hunter-seeker will arrive," Jack muttered as he removed the formal blazer he was wearing.

  He activated his shield belt and a low hum sounded, followed by a flash of blue around him.

  Standing in the middle of the room, Jack remained unmoved.

  His eyes were hovering over the wall behind the couch.

  A few minutes quickly passed, and nothing happened, but Jack remained unmoving.

  Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

  30 minutes later...

  Jack was sitting on the ground, watching the hologram explain deatils about the Sandworms when suddenly his shield activated.

  A buzz resounded as Jack shot off the ground.

  "Finally!" Jack exclaimed as he saw the seeker trying to attack his back.

  Turning around slightly, Jack's hand shot out, gloves covering his hand as he quickly grasped the seeker and crushed it.

  Staring at the crushed seeker in his palm, occasionally sending out sparks, Jack frowned.

  "That was easier than I thought it was gonna be," Jack said.

  Just then, a housekeeper entered the room with freshly folded towels.

  "Could you call over Thufir?" Jack said in a slightly casual manner, pinching the seeker between his fingers.

  The housekeeper's hands weakened when she saw the seeker, the towels she held fell to the ground.

  "O... One moment..." The housekeeper muttered as she backed out of the room and rushed to alert the guards.

  About 15 minutes later, Thufir had found the hidden operator hiding within the walls of the palace, close to Jack's room.

  "Sire, I failed today. There is no excuse, you have my resignation," Thufir said to Leto and Jessica solemnly, taking full responsibility for this matter.

  "You would deprive us of your talents at this time," Leto said through gritted teeth.

  "Sire, I have no demands-"

  "They tried to take the life of my son!" Leto exclaimed

  "I don't give a damn about your honour!, If you want absolution. Go catch some spies!" Leto exclaimed.

  A moment of silence and guilt weighed heavily on his soul, but he knew that House Atreadies required his talents now more than ever before, so resigning now would be worse.

  "Yes, your grace," Thufir nodded his head as he stepped aside.

  ...

  Meanwhile, on the home planet of The Harkonnen, Reverend Mother informed Baron Harkonnen that the emperor is willing to assist the Harkonnen with the Sardukars, but made sure to gain the word from the Baron not harm Paul and, in extension Jessica.

  Baron Harkonnen watched Reverend Mother leave his dark and empty throne room with a frown.

  An extended period of silence remained in the throne room.

  "No Attreadis shall survive the night..." He said as he began levitating off the ground, his huge body, covered in a black silk cloth, stretched several meters below him as he rose into the air.

  "Nobody can stop me from wiping that family out. Nobody can dare stand in my way of reclaiming what is rightfully mine, Arrakis, the Dune they shall be mine once more!" He said with ferocity in his eyes staring at the door Reverend Mother had just left from.

  ...

  Standing in the control room, the flag hanging behind Jack, Leto, Duncan, Thufir, and Gurney, they were waiting to meet with Stilgar, who was selected as the representative this time.

  "Sire, the leader has a knife he refuses to surrender." A guard walked up and reported.

  "Oh, that's the Crysknife, it's sacred to his people," Duncan said.

  Leto nodded towards Duncan before he turned to face the guard, "Let him in," he ordered.

  "Yes sire," the guard said as he headed towards the tall gates.

  A few moments later, a man wearing a dark sandy yellow cloak walked in.

  'There he is...' Jack thought to himself as he glanced at Stilgar who removed his cloak.

  Stillgard walked with speed as he quickly approached the table in the control room where everybody was standing around.

  "Stop now!' Gurney exclaimed when he saw him approaching the table hastily, but Stilgar didn't even acknowledge Gurney.

  Stepping on the steps, Stilgar got on equal heights with everyone else, and with a frown on his face and his eyebrows creased, looked around.

  "Hm, Stilgar, I respect the dignity of a man that respects mine," Leto said.

  Stilgar hummed for a moment before spitting at the desk.

  Gurney immediately stepped forward, ready to draw his blade but Duncan interfered.

  "Ahem.. thank you, Stilgar, for the gift of your body's moisture, we accept it in the spirit in which it was given," Duncan said. He hesitated for a moment before he spat at the desk.

  Leto glanced at this series of action, and although feeling conflicted, he too spat at the large stone desk.

  "I am glad you felt comfortable enough to come. I am sad Arak'Numi, Naib of Sietch Faie, did not feel comfortable in making the journey here, I believe your people, and mine have much to offer one another," Duke Leto said.

  "The Naib of Sietch Faie spoke of your offer. I came to hear it from the Duke himself." Stilgar spoke, his voice low and his tone reserved.