Friday, November 25, 2011

Dune Messiah – Entry #4


The loading of the ghola weapon is fascinating.  The way Bijaz, the Tleilaxu dwarf, talks with Hayt is quick, witty, and reveals more of the plot.

     “Do you preach that false ritual about Muad’dib to your guards?” Hayt asked, his voice low.  He felt his mind being tangled by the dwarf’s words.
     “They preach to me!” Bijaz said.  “And they pray.  Why should they not?  All of us should pray.  Do we not live in the shadow of the most dangerous creation the universe has ever seen?”
     “Dangerous creation …”
     “Their own mother refuses to live on the same planet with them!”
     “Why don’t you answer me straight out?” Hayt demanded.  “You know we have other ways of questioning you.  We’ll get our answers … one way or another.”
     “But I have answered you!  Have I not said the myth is real?  Am I the wind that carries death in its belly? No! I am words! Such words as the lightning which strikes from the sand in a dark sky.  I have said: ‘Blow out the lamp! Day is here!’ And you keep saying: ‘Give me a lamp so I can find the day.’”
(Dune Messiah, p. 228)

Shortly after this exchange, Hayt realizes that the dwarf is manipulating him, trying to trigger him to be the weapon to kill the Emperor.    Bijaz explains how they were grown in the same axlotl tank, how they are like brothers.  Hayt tries to exercise his free will, that he will not be forced to kill Muad’dib.

     “You believed the silly Emperor was the prize we sought,” Bijaz said.  “How little you understand our masters, the Tleilaxu.  The Guild and Bene Gesserit believe we produce artifacts.  In reality, we produce tools and services.  Anything can be a tool – poverty, war.  War is useful because it is effective in so many areas.  It stimulates the metabolism.  It enforces government.  It diffuses genetic strains.  It possesses a vitality such as nothing else in the universe.  Only those who recognize the value of war and exercise it have any degree of self-determination.”
(Dune Messiah, p. 230)

And must include this … Bijaz defining who the ghola really is:

     “Duncan Idaho.  Killer extraordinary.  Lover of many women.  Swordsman soldier.  Atreides field-hand on the field of battle.  Duncan Idaho.”
(Dune Messiah, p. 231)

And then Bijaz reveals the true plot.  To tempt Paul with a ghola of his beloved Chani who will die in childbirth.  And in his moment of weakness, killing Paul and then the Tleilaxu replacing them both … short term with Face Dancers, long term with gholas.