Chapter 13

[Freakzilla]

Many things we do naturally become difficult only when we try to make them
intellectual subjects. It is possible to know so much about a subject that you
become totally ignorant.
-Mentat Text Two (dicto)

Odrade goes to dine with the acolytes and their proctors. She does this periodically to judge the true state of Chapterhouse. This can't be deducted through the masks of full sister but can by the acolytes. While eating, she decides to go visit Sheeana and prepare her to take Tamalane's place on her council. The Acolyte seated next to her clears her throat a couple of times then finally gathers enough courage to speak to Mother Superior. She's making the map for Odrade's quarters, and has submitted a report on the orchards around central to her, either action must be taken to save the orchards or they must be abandoned to the approaching desert. Odrade asks her to repeat the report verbatim, which she does. While thinking of a response, simulflow intrudes with memories of her thopter training with an inept acolyte who nearly kills them. The instructor grounds her and she asks Odrade to tell him to let her try. She remembers a joke written on a bathroom mirror, "Silence is often the best thing to say". She decides to respond with humor and asks the acolyte in the dinning hall how she would like to be a horse. She doesn't understand and Odrade asks her how her meal was. Strerggi doesn't think it was horse and Odrade laughs, for which she is thankfull. She explains that she wants her to carry a child on her shoulders and to report to her quarters the next morning. Odrade decides it's time for Duncan to awaken the ghola Teg's memories.

[SandChigger]

USUL! We have chopstick-sign!

Even the way they conveyed food to their mouths said something. Where did the eyes go as the chopsticks progressed mouthward? Was it a quick stab and a rapid chew before a convulsive swallow? That was a one to watch. She was brewing upsets. And that thoughtful one over there who looked at each mouthful as though wondering how they hid the poison in such slop? A creative mind behind those eyes. Test her for a more sensitive position.

[Freakzilla]

USUL! We have chopstick-sign!

Even the way they conveyed food to their mouths said something. Where did the eyes go as the chopsticks progressed mouthward? Was it a quick stab and a rapid chew before a convulsive swallow? That was a one to watch. She was brewing upsets. And that thoughtful one over there who looked at each mouthful as though wondering how they hid the poison in such slop? A creative mind behind those eyes. Test her for a more sensitive position.

That doesn't count, the BG are all Atreides.

[merkin muffley]

A-ha!

[SandChigger]

Just because they all have the Siona gene, isn't it a bit much to say they're all Atreides?

[SadisticCynic]

Doesn't Teg notice in Heretics of Dune that lots of people have Atreides features (and of course the Siona gene) and some get 'lucky' with the gene lottery and have all of them? Apparently the Atreides got around.

Also, the Bene Gesserit are always watching that none of their people develop Atreides-like talents.

Those might reduce the stretch a little.


If they all have the Siona gene, courtesy of being a descendent of Siona, apart from gene-splicing, which the BG don't like, how would they not be Atreides?

[Freakzilla]

"There's a great interest in Archives lately," Bellonda said. "Sisters who know
better come looking for confirmation -- whether such and so acolyte has a heavy
Siona gene-mark."
Odrade found this interesting. Their common Atreides ancestor from the Tyrant's
eons, Siona Ibn Fuad al-Seyefa Atreides, had imparted to her descendants this
ability that hid them from prescient searchers. Every person walking openly on
Chapterhouse shared that ancestral protection.

At least all the BG on Chapterhouse were.

[SandChigger]

We're all descended from Mitochondrial Eve. So that makes us all Africans, right?

[Freakzilla]

We're all descended from Mitochondrial Eve. So that makes us all Africans, right?

It makes us related to an ancestor from Africa.

[SandChigger]

So on the census forms you put down that you have African ancestry?

[D Pope]

I once heard a fellow standing on a soap box preaching about how we are all related at least as thirteenth cousins.
Didn't stay to see why, never spent any thought on it, maybe now i'll be able to forget it.

[Freakzilla]

So on the census forms you put down that you have African ancestry?

I hid when the census lady came and my wife talked to her. However, if asked, my race is Earthling.

[Hunchback Jack]

So ... what does being Atreides have to do with chopsticks?



HBJ

[Freakzilla]

So ... what does being Atreides have to do with chopsticks?



HBJ

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Now back to your regularly scheduled reading group chapter.

[A Thing of Eternity]

So on the census forms you put down that you have African ancestry?

You think it's ridiculous, but I actually did this. Show those basterds to ask me where I'm from ancestrally.

I put Africa for "Country of Ethnic Origin" or somesuch goofy questions.

[Freakzilla]

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