Vor removed his warm coat and joined the Harkonnen patriarch in a small parlor to discuss his possible employment, as a research assignment. Sonia Harkonnen delivered cups of steaming tea.

“Benz flower tea,” she said. “In the thaw every summer, we pick the blossoms and berries. They’re hardy plants that bloom when they get the first opportunity.”

Vor had learned in his research that Sonia Harkonnen was a Bushnell by birth, but had been estranged from her family for marrying a lesser noble. He wondered now if an eventual reconciliation with the Bushnells would be the only way for Vergyl and Sonia to preserve what little the Harkonnens had left.

Without touching his hot beverage, Vergyl leaned forward. “We never get people wanting to work for free, Mr. Egan, so your offer intrigues me. You’re willing to stay at least a month? Work shifts on the whale-fur boats are physically demanding, with constant cold weather and rough seas. Are you sure your research is worth the misery? Who would want to read about that?”

Vor met the man’s haunted eyes, again seeing a shadow of Griffin. “Money can be spent and lost, but knowledge becomes a permanent part of you. What I learn here will be worthwhile, to me at least.”

Vergyl cocked his eyebrows. “Sometimes there are things I’d rather not know, things I can never forget.”

That afternoon, when the clouds thinned and the snow stopped, Vergyl gave Vor a tour of his boats. “These are workhorses, and I admit they need better maintenance, but our fortunes aren’t what they once were. I’m trying to keep the boats running, but I may have to sell everything before long.”

Although it could never make up for the things the Harkonnens blamed him for, Vor wanted to help them financially, and he had the resources to do so, spread across many planetary banks, even though he could not explain who he was, could never let them know the identity of their benefactor. First, he wanted to get to know them better.

That evening he was invited to dinner in the Harkonnen family home, where Vergyl and Sonia sat at a long, near-empty table with their sixteen-year-old son, Danvis, a pink-faced and lonely-looking young man.

“The house seems so quiet these days,” Sonia said as she served Vor a fur-whale steak. Tasting a bite, he was pleased to discover that the steak was not fishy or salty, and had a pleasingly firm texture. “Danvis is the only one left at home. Our two daughters, Tula and Valya, are being trained in the Sisterhood. And our son Griffin … he died last year.”

“I’m sorry to hear that.” Vor meant it with a depth they could never guess. Vergyl showed him images of the two daughters, and Vor remembered how much Griffin had talked about Valya in particular.

Vergyl said, “Griffin is buried just outside of town, in a plot with a magnificent view of the water. At least he has that.…” His voice trailed away, and he pushed aside his unfinished meal.

“It sounds like he was loved very much,” Vor said.

“That he was,” Sonia said.

Vergyl continued, “Griffin was destined to be a great business leader. He even wanted to be our planetary representative to the Landsraad. But all those hopes are lost and gone now.” He gave a dismal, hopeless smile toward his younger son, who sat quiet and awkward at the table; the boy had barely said a word throughout the meal. “So now it’s up to Danvis to carry on the legacy.” Vergyl looked at Vor, cleared his throat. “You arrived at a good time, and we appreciate your willingness to work. We can sure use the help, whatever your reasons.”

“Maybe I can help turn your fortunes around.” He sounded bright and confident.

“I doubt a research project could accomplish that. You can work miracles?” The elder Harkonnen attempted to make his comment a joke, but the humor was forced.

“I can try.” Vor remembered young Griffin, so noble and brave and full of vitality. These broken people were part of the legacy Vor had created, going back decades. House Harkonnen deserved better than this, and he vowed to do everything he could to help them.

For bringing the vital computers back to the Sisterhood, Valya deserved great fanfare, but there would be no public applause. Most of the Sisters would never know what she and her recovery team had done, but she had proved her worth to Mother Superior Raquella, and that counted more than any accolades.

These forbidden computers were the Sisterhood’s most closely held secret, known only to Raquella’s elite inner circle, and now they were back where they belonged. After such a cost in blood, Valya knew the old Mother Superior would put the breeding database to extensive use. And the secret must be guarded more ruthlessly than ever.

When her team returned to Wallach IX, Valya sent coded word to Raquella that she had succeeded. Preparing to receive the disguised components, the Mother Superior sent all acolytes into isolated studies, diverted any remaining prying eyes from the landing field, and cleared the way so that Valya’s weary, grimy team could move the computers. Only Raquella’s most trusted allies could know what was happening.

The old woman offered her a proud smile, and Valya accepted a congratulatory hug. She felt a sudden and disheartening weakness in the Mother Superior’s wicker-thin body. How much longer could she last?

Valya had been functioning on very little sleep herself for days, and she had been unable to relax on the return journey from Rossak. Too many ideas ignited her imagination. Now, thanks to her, the computers could be restored, and someday Valya might even be in a position to bring the full resources of the Sisterhood against Vorian Atreides. The thought of erasing his entire bloodline made her breathless.…

Wallach IX had once been a Synchronized World, home to an enslaved human population. When the Sisterhood reestablished their school here, they discovered a network of deep bunkers left behind before the fall of the thinking machines. Now, those underground shelters were a perfect place to install — and hide — the retrieved computers and breeding records.

The Mother Superior brought in Fielle and other trusted Sisters to help install the components in underground chambers. Valya wondered how much planning the new Sister Mentat had done with Raquella while the commando team was on its mission. Valya needed to know this young woman better, to ensure that they were on the same side.

Fielle gave a cool assessment. “We Sister Mentats can use our own knowledge, but these computers will be a tremendous tool to help us plan the future breeding map.”

Sister Olivia emerged from the shuttle and hurried to her dark-haired friend. Both young women were heavy, yet seemed comfortable with their weight. The other returning team members engaged in excited chatter. Valya watched them all, knowing that these women, having completed a successful mission under her leadership, would form the core of her allies here, as well as the growing group of Sisters she trained in her new fighting methods. Valya thought of how the ancient Karee Marques had been a loyal adviser to Raquella for many years; she hoped Fielle could fulfill a similar role for Mother Superior Valya. She nodded to herself at the thought.

“After the components are unloaded and secured, why don’t you two join me for a meal?” Valya suggested to Fielle and Olivia. They looked at her in surprise, and she added, “I’d like you to meet my sister, Tula.”

Mother Superior Raquella seemed relieved to hear the invitation. “You should all get to know each other as friends. The Sisterhood suffered terrible damage when Dorotea thought of herself rather than the good of us all. Our new school on Wallach IX must be strong and unified.”