sa

to the south in a steep, wing-tucked climb.

"Did you notice how well they fought?" the Fremen asked.

"They are Sardaukar," Hawat whispered.

Presently, dust settled. Only Fremen remained standing.

Behind Hawat, one of his men whispered: "Those were Sardaukar!"

Presently, dust settled. Only Fremen remained standing.

circle. Sun glinted on blades held ready. The Fremen stood in a compact group,

So these Fremen can handle 'thopters, too, Hawat thought.

circle. Sun glinted on blades held ready. The Fremen stood in a compact group,

"They left only three men in their 'thopter," the Fremen beside Hawat said.

Presently, dust settled. Only Fremen remained standing.

"Good."

On the distant dune, a Fremen waved a square of green cloth: once . . .

well, indeed."

"They are Sardaukar," Hawat whispered.

Abruptly, the sand around the two groups sprouted Fremen. They were at the

Presently, dust settled. Only Fremen remained standing.

Abruptly, the sand around the two groups sprouted Fremen. They were at the

cloud partly obscured violent motion.

twice.

Abruptly, the sand around the two groups sprouted Fremen. They were at the

ornithopter, then in it. Where the two groups had met at the dune crest, a dust

sa

"That was fortunate. I don't believe we had to damage the craft in taking it."

"More come!" the Fremen beside Hawat barked. "Be ready. I'd hoped to have us

"More come!" the Fremen beside Hawat barked. "Be ready. I'd hoped to have us

Hawat took a deep breath. He smelled the burned dust around him, felt the

apparently indifferent.