Dune

- The Lost Chapter It is said that Duncan Idahos encounter with the Fremen ignited hope for survival when the Atreides family arrived on planet Arrakis. His quick thinking and keen judgment helped to prevent disaster. Let it be understood, however, that the Duke Leto is most fortunate that Idaho is his obedient servant. From Manual of MuadDib by the Princess Irulan. The ornithopter glided across the barren, windy sands of the planet Arrakis. Across the horizon, miles of sandy dunes covered expanses of land as well as the occasional rock formation. In addition, an unbearable and relentless heat enveloped anything that ventured outside. Manning the controls was Duncan Idaho, who was charged with the task of acting as Duke Letos ambassador to the Fremen. You want to know something about the Fremen, eh? a fellow comrade had told him

earlier. Well, let me tell you this. They are the most bizarre creatures on this bloody planet. I hear that when any of their people die, they perform some crazy rituals in order to sap the corpse of its water. The things these people do for some simple water! Without a doubt, Duncan was feeling uncertain about the results his first encounter

with the Fremen would produce. He still had many unanswered questions such as why they never used any shields as a means to protect themselves from attack or how they could possibly adapt to a planet with such a scarce supply of water. Scanning across the desert horizon from his window, Duncan spread out a rudimentary

version of a map containing the location of a nearby Fremen sietch. Frustration was beginning

to set in as he failed to find any signs of rocky landscapes. Glancing up from the map, his view from the window became difficult to discern as dust began to accumulate across the window. plans. Gliding lower and easing up on the accelerator, Duncan expertly maneuvered the Im pretty sure Im close now, he thought. I should land the thopter and go over my

thopter until it gently landed on the sandy ground. Switching off the controls, he again attempted to interpret the maps crude details in hopes of pinpointing his current location. Exasperated, he hurled the wrinkled map towards the wall and angrily stomped outside into the sun. Glaring sunlight met his untrained eyes and momentarily left him in a daze. A cool

breeze refreshed his thoughts and allowed him a chance to relax. Sighing, he shaded his eyes with his right hand as he studied the area in all directions. No more than a hundred meters to his right, he was startled to discover that hed failed to notice the presence of a large, jagged cliff. Excitedly he thought: That must be where the Fremen are! It began as a steady trembling across the ground. The air became stifling as if all the

oxygen had disappeared. Then the sounds of a concentrated humming from faraway became audible and then were followed by tremors which grew more powerful and unstable. Gasping in fear, Duncan knew it could only be the signs of an approaching sandworm. Rushing back into the thopter, he quickly turned on the switches and started the engine. However, the craft was unresponsive as Idaho attempted to lift off. Come on, come on! he cried frantically.
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Duncan glanced up to the window to see how far the worm was but realized the thopter was slowly beginning to sink beneath the sand! He thought: What the hell is going on here! Slamming the controls to no avail, he removed his safety harness and stumbled into the rear of the thopter in search of his emergency pack. With it in hand, he took one last look around and jumped outside into the desert. Straining to carry the pack, Idaho lumbered across a high sloping mound heading towards the cliff. A short distance away, he hesitated in shock from the grating crunch of the thopter being devoured by the sandworm as it rose majestically from the ground with its mouth open and rows of sharp teeth exposed. Staring at the beast with his mouth gaping wide and his body drenched in a cold sweat, he composed himself and continued to run ahead. Dont look back! Duncan told himself. Each step became heavier and his breath felt constricted as if unable to utter a sound. Looking up at the cliff, he estimated that he was approximately fifty yards away. Nervously, he looked over his left shoulder back to where his thopter once stood. To his dismay, he realized that the sandworm was chasing after him! Ive got to hurry! The cliff is only a short distance ahead, Duncan thought. Stumbling and falling over a low-lying jagged rock, Duncan screamed in agony as blood

rushed out of the wound on his knee. Fighting back the pain, he gathered enough strength to reach the front of the towering cliff. Searching desperately for a place to hide, he abandoned his pack and started to climb the sides of the cliff wall. Suddenly, the wall shook violently but Duncan barely managed to hold on. Looking down, he was alarmed to find that the worm was

ramming its massive body across the stone base, hoping that hed fall down to his doom. The worm rammed powerfully once more and Duncan felt himself begin to slip off. Just as he lost a hold of the wall, a dark figure flashed by his side and caught him swiftly

by the collar. The figure dragged him roughly towards a narrow, dark cave hidden by a tall desert plant. Suddenly, the atmosphere turned completely dark around him as he entered this mysterious place. As chaotic as it was, a sensation of peace abruptly set in. Who dares to anger the Shai-Hulud and wreak havoc in our domain! a terrible voice

rang across. Unable to register the voice, Duncan was left speechless. His eyes soon adjusted to the dim-lighting and could partially make out the appearance of the person who had spoken to him. Answer me now! the person roared as he stepped daringly closer to Duncan. The sight of the terrible blue eyes shocked Duncan and left him unable to move. Fremen, he gasped.