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the selection process.
"We will hear from Mofra Tooy first," the Emperor said in a rasping voice. "I
would have him explain himself and his people's suspicions."
"And why they are taking such unprecedented and violent action!" Pilru
interjected. The others ignored his outburst.
"We have discovered illegal activities on Ix," the Tleilaxu began, in a
childlike voice. "The Bene Tleilax felt it imperative to stop this scourge
before another insidious machine intelligence could be unleashed in the
Imperium. If we had waited, the human race might have been subjected to more
millennia of slavery. We had no choice but to act as we did."
"Liar!" Pilru snarled. "What makes you the enforcers of the strictures,
without due process of law? You have no proof because there have been no
illegal activities on Ix. We have adhered carefully to all guidelines from the
Jihad."
With remarkable calm for a Tleilaxu, Tooy kept his gaze on the others in the
room, as if Pilru were beneath contempt. "Our forces took necessary action
before the evidence could be destroyed. Have we not learned from the Great
Revolt? Once active, a machine intelligence may become vindictive and it can
develop the ability to copy itself and spread like wildfire. Ix is the source
of all machine minds. We Tleilaxu are continuing the holy war only to keep the
universe free of this enemy." Though Ambassador Pilru stood two heads taller
than he, Tooy screamed at him, "Jihad! Jihad!"
"Now see here, sir," Pilru said, falling back several steps. "This behavior is
uncalled-for."
" 'Thou shalt not make a machine in the likeness of a human mind,' " the
Tleilaxu snapped. "You and House Vernius will be damned for your sins!"
"Calm yourself." Artfully suppressing a smile, Elrood motioned for Tooy to
return to his earlier position. Reluctantly, the diminutive delegate
cooperated.
Pilru and the Ixian Courier conferred in low, anxious tones, before the
Ambassador said, "I ask the Emperor to require proof of such violations. The
Bene Tleilax have acted as a rogue element, destroying our commercial base
without first submitting their accusations to the Landsraad." Then he added
quickly, "Or to the Emperor."
"Evidence is being compiled," Tooy responded. "And it will include the true
motive behind the criminal acts you Ixians have committed. Your profit margins
have been slipping, putting your CHOAM membership in jeopardy."
Ah, Shaddam thought, exchanging glances with Hasimir Fenring. Those reports
that we falsified so skillfully! No one could manipulate documents as well as
Fenring.
"That's patently false," Pilru said. "We're more profitable than ever,
especially with our new Heighliner design. Simply ask the Guild. Your people
had no right to incite such violence --"
"We had every right, the moral right, to protect the Imperium from another epoch
of domination by machines. We see through your subterfuges to your motivation
for making machine-minds. Is your profit worth more than the safety of
humanity? You have sold your souls!"
Veins throbbed at Pilru's temples, and he lost his ambassadorial calm. "You
lying little bastard, this is a complete fabrication!" He turned to Elrood.
"Sire, I demand that you send Sardaukar to Ix to intervene and protect our
people from the illegal invasion committed by forces of the Bene Tleilax. We
have broken no laws."
"Violating the Butlerian Jihad is a most serious charge," the Emperor said in a
thoughtful tone, though he didn't really care a whit about it. He covered his
mouth as he coughed again. "Such an accusation cannot be taken lightly. Think
of the consequences . . ." Elrood spoke with deliberate slowness, which Shaddam
found amusing. The Crown Prince couldn't help admiring some things about his
doomed father, but Elrood was far beyond his prime, and it was time for new
blood to step in.
The Courier spoke up. "Emperor Elrood, the Tleilaxu are stalling for time while
battles rage on Ix. Use your Sardaukar to enforce a cessation of hostilities,
then let each side present its case and evidence in court."
The Emperor's eyebrows arched, and he gazed down his thin nose at her. "As a
mere Courier, you are not qualified to present arguments to me." He flicked his
glance at the Sardaukar guards. "Remove this woman.
Desperation gave her voice a ragged edge. "Pardon, Sire, but I am the one most
familiar with the crisis on Ix, and my Lord Vernius instructed me to take all
necessary steps. We demand that the Bene Tleilax present proof immediately, or
withdraw their forces. They aren't compiling evidence. That's just a delaying
tactic!"
"When can you submit the proof to me?" the Emperor inquired, sliding his gaze
to Tooy.
"Alleged proof," Pilru objected.
"Three Imperial days, Sire."
Gasps of protest issued from the Ixians. "But, Sire, in that amount of time,
they can solidify their military gains -- fabricate any evidence they wish."
Pilru's eyes glittered. "They have already murdered my wife, destroyed
buildings . . . My son is missing. Please do not allow them to continue their
rampage unchecked for three days!"
The Emperor considered this for a moment, while the assemblage grew quiet. "I'm
sure you are exaggerating the unpleasantness to force me into making a rash
decision. Considering the gravity of the charges, I'm inclined to await the
evidence, or lack of it." He looked at his Chamberlain. "What say you, Aken?
Does that follow the letter of Imperial Law in a situation such as this?"
Hesban murmured in concurrence.
Elrood nodded at Pilru as if he were granting him an incredible personal favor.
"I think, however, that the proof should be submitted in two days instead of
three. Can you accomplish that, Ambassador Tooy?"
"It will be difficult, Sire, but . . . as you wish."
Aghast, Pilru flushed with anger. "My Lord, how can you side against us with
these . . . these filthy Tleilaxu?"
"Ambassador, your prejudice is not welcome here in my Imperial anteroom. I have
nothing but the utmost respect for your Earl . . . and, of course, his Lady
Shando."
Shaddam looked at the Guild agents at the rear of the room. In subdued tones
they conversed in a secret language. Presently they nodded to each other. A
violation of the Butlerian Jihad was a most serious matter to them.
"But in two days my planet will be lost." Pilru sent a pleading look to the
Guildsmen for support, but they remained silent and would not make eye contact.
"You can't do this -- you'll doom our people to destruction!" Yuta Brey shouted
at Elrood.
"Messenger, you are impertinent, just like Dominic Vernius. Tax my patience no
more." Looking sternly at the Tleilaxu representative, Elrood commanded:
"Ambassador Tooy, bring me your proof -- incontrovertible proof -- within two
days, or withdraw your forces from Ix."
Mofra Tooy bowed. Concealed from the Guildsmen directly behind him, a slight
smile worked briefly at the edges of his mouth, then faded.
"Very well then," the Ixian Ambassador said, trembling now with rage. "I hereby
demand an immediate Security Council session of the Landsraad."
"And you shall have it, precisely according to law," Elrood said. "I have
already acted in the manner I believe best serves the Imperium. Mofra Tooy here
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