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This article or section refers to elements from Original Dune |
The pivotal event in the Arrakis Revolt of the Desert War, the Battle of Arrakeen was fought between Muad'Dib Paul Atreides's Fremen and the Padishah Emperor Shaddam Corrino IV's Imperial forces of Sardaukar. Muad'Dib's forces ultimately routed the Saudakar and the Emperor negotiated with Paul Atreides. During the negotiations, Feyd-Rautha Harkonnen, now the new Baron of House Harkonnen, challenged Muad'Dib to a kanly duel. Muad'Dib killed him and after his death, sealed an agreement that gave him control of the known universe.
In other media[]
Dune: Part Two[]
The battle of Arrakeen was the culmination of a guerrilla war waged by the Fremen militia led by Paul Atreides, who styled himself as 'Muad'Dib'. After waging war against the Harkonnen occupation for over two years, Paul travelled to the southern hemisphere of Arrakis (following the bombing of Sieth Tabr) and consumed the Water of Life, a poisonous substance used by the Bene Gesserit to create Reverend Mothers. Paul fell into a coma due to the substance's lethality to males, but was revived by his lover Chani Kynes, gaining immensely powerful prescient psychic abilities and the ability to see the future, fulfilling the prophecy of becoming the Kwisatz Haderach. With his newfound abilities, Paul stormed into the meeting of the Fremen tribes, refusing their tradition of killing his tribe leader Stilgar and declaring himself the one to point the way. As the Fremen prepared to attack the intruder, Paul announced to them the warnings they were given of his coming, and then used his prescience to see the past of a nearby Fremen warrior, correctly telling him about his deceased grandmother and gradually stunning all in attendance. After declaring the original Fremen name of Arrakis: Dune, thousands of the Fremen dropped to their knees and praised Paul, announcing him as the prophesised Lisan al-Gaib. Paul then turned to the other tribal leaders who still stood, tapping into their dreams and furiously telling them of their violations to the Fremen code of water wasting, forcing them too to declare him the Madhi. Stilgar, consumed by his fanatic zeal, questioned what Paul foresaw for Arrakis, to which he responded he saw a 'Green Paradise'; the Fremen dream for millennia. Stilgar fell to his knees and desperately asked the Lisan al-Gaib to show them the way. Paul removed his glove and retrieved his father's ducal signet ring, fitting it back onto his finger and bringing overwhelming joy to Gurney Halleck, one of the only surviving Atreides retainers. Paul yelled to everyone in attendance, proclaiming himself 'Paul Muad'Dib Atreides', the Duke of Arrakis like his father before him. He then declared himself the Lisan al-Gaib and promised he would lead the Fremen to the paradise they had awaited for so long. Led by Stilgar, the Fremen fanatically cheered for Paul and screamed the prophet's name. Now having secured the Fremen's loyalty, Paul commanded an unstoppable army of religious zealots, and finally made his first move in the steps to revenge, sending a message to Padishah Emperor Shaddam Corrino IV that revealed he was alive, and challenged the monarch to face him on Arrakis.
The Emperor's Arrival[]
Shaddam responded to Paul's message in force, travelling to Arrakis on his personal ship and transporting his entire army of elite Sardaukar warriors. Upon landing, the Imperial ship deployed a large Hutment that served as Shaddam's headquarters, while his Sardaukar army surrounded it.
Meanwhile, Paul discussed his strategy with his commanders: Stilgar would lead Fremen infantry riding sandworms from the west, Chani and her Fedaykin commandos would attack from the east, while Paul himself would lead the Fundamentalist troops in a head-on assault. Paul also planned to use an approaching sandstorm to his advantage, disrupting the Imperial communications and the campsite's shielding. Previously, Paul had also managed to secure ninety-two atomic warheads from the Atreides nuclear stockpile, thanks to Gurney.
Baron Vladimir Harkonnen arrived at the hutment with his nephews Feyd-Rautha and Glossu Rabban, where the Emperor began to question them about the legends surrounding the Fremen warrior 'Muad'Dib'. The Baron dismissed the warrior as a simple fanatic and a mad man, displeasing the Emperor, to which Feyd-Rautha declared he was either dead or hiding in the southern wastelands. A Sardaukar officer stepped in and informed Shaddam of the approaching storm, warning him that it threatened their shields' integrity and advised returning to orbit. The Baron said that the outlying Shield Wall of natural rocky mountains would protect them from most of the storm's effects, but the Emperor continued to question him, asking if the Baron had ever searched the southern hemisphere. The Baron retorted it was well-known the south was uninhabitable, but Shaddam revealed it displayed signs of human activity, frightening the Baron who swore he knew nothing. During the conversation, a Sardaukar warrior approached behind the Baron, severing him from his vital life support system and striking at his spinal gravity implant with a sword, crippling the overweight Harkonnen. The Emperor declared that Muad'Dib was alive, and he must be found.
Fall Of The Shield Wall[]
Outside the hutment, Paul's forces were in position and ready to strike. Muad'Dib himself stood on a high cliff-face and inspired the awaiting Fremen armies below him, followed by Gurney giving the order to fire the Atreides nukes. Three atomics flew through the sky towards the Shield Wall, impacting it and detonating a colossal explosion that hurled massive chunks of rock towards the nearby Sardaukar troops, killing many and disorganising them. After the Sardaukar managed to reform crude battle lines, they awaited what would come from the massive dust cloud blocking their view, but the ground suddenly began to shake. A massive sandworm unexpectedly appeared from the dust cloud, terrifying many of the Sardaukar into retreating. Atop the sandworm was Stilgar, who crashed the beast into the ground and charged the Imperial camp alongside at least four other sandworms, smashing into the Sardaukar infantry and ships. In response, a large group of about forty Ornithopters flew in and bombarded the charging worms, but many of them were quickly destroyed by Fremen missile launchers and the approaching sandstorm.
From the east, Chani's Fedaykin commandos, who had concealed themselves beneath the sand, broke out and charged towards the hutment, with a large force of Sardaukar rushing to counter them. Chani's troops fought viciously and managed to completely overwhelm the once-undefeatable Sardaukar, eventually killing every last one outside of the hutment.
Showdown At The Hutment[]
Meanwhile in the hutment itself, Rabban had already fled back to Arrakeen, while Feyd remained and the Baron was still crippled on the floor. After an explosion rocks the outside of the building, the remaining Sardaukar formed a defensive barrier around the Emperor and his court, also including his daughter Princess Irulan Corrino and his Truthsayer Reverend Mother Gaius Helen Mohiam. A line of twelve Sardaukar led by an officer stood at the entrance to the room, while another group of about ten guarded the Emperor and his people. Hearing distant sounds of battle, the officer stood forward to see what was coming, but was then dazed by a sudden explosion that threw a dust cloud into their faces. The officer yelled a battle cry and led the line of twelve Sardaukar forward into the dust cloud. A few moments of yells and screams were suddenly cut off into silence, and hundreds of Fremen warriors began to march out. Paul, concealed by his mask, strode ahead of his troops, glancing at Feyd and then the Emperor, before his target became clear: the Baron. Terrified, he could do little but turn to face the masked Fremen warrior, who menacingly stood over him with his crysknife at the ready. Paul then revealed the shocking truth of his and his mother's lineage to the Baron with one word: "grandfather". The Baron had a split-second to react to this news, before Paul jerked his head back and plunged his crysknife into the Harkonnen's throat, remarking that he died like an animal, while Feyd watched with what can only be described as envy. Vladimir Harkonnen choked to death on his own blood and finally expired, avenging the deaths of Leto and the Atreides household.
Paul ominously approached the Emperor's retinue, which prompted the Sardaukar to raise their swords towards him. Unbothered, Paul stared at the Imperial family, terrifying Irulan, while Shaddam called him by his Fremen name. Speaking in Chakobsa, Paul ordered his Fremen to take the Emperor and his court hostage, and to kill all the remaining Sardaukar. The Fremen cheered to their victory and fanatically yelled 'Muad'Dub!'
The Fall Of Arrakeen[]
As night fell, Gurney led the Fremen in attacking the capital city Arrakeen, presently garrisoned by House Harkonnen.
Gurney's troops furiously surged through the city, cutting down thousands of Harkonnen soldiers that desperately fought to defend it. The Fremen were unhindered, even when Harkonnen ornithopters arrived to provide support.
Rabban, who had fled to the city, made for an ornithopter to escape the battle, abandoning the rest of his family to their fates. Gurney called him out just as he was about to board his ship, approaching the Beast with an entourage of Fremen, and vengeance flaming in his heart. Rabban remarked he had returned from the dead and marched to face the former Warmaster, wielding a sword and his trademark inkvine whip. Rabban swung once and missed a slash with his whip, and was then blocked from a third attack by Gurney, who then plunged his sword into the cruel Harkonnen's throat, declaring "For my Duke, and my friends!" He removed his sword and let Rabban's body fall, having finally exacted his revenge for the deaths of his family and the Atreides household.
The Fate Of The Known Universe[]
Some time later, Paul observed an armada of ships arriving over Arrakis, the Great Houses of the Landsraad, who were responding to a message previously sent by the Baron warning them that the fate of the universe hanged in the balance. Bringing the Emperor and the other prisoners into the room, Shaddam declared the Fremen were facing a full invasion (still unaware the Fremen leader from before was Paul himself). Paul fired back that the Great Houses may be curious to hear the story of his family's massacre, and revealed his true identity to the Emperor, then ordered Gurney to relay a warning to all orbiting ships not to land or he would eviscerate the Arrakis spice fields with the atomics. Shaddam called him insane, Feyd believed he was bluffing, and Reverend Mother Mohiam implored him to consider what he was about to do. Paul used the Voice to silence Mohiam, who was horrified and declared Paul an abomination, recognising the now-uncontrollable nature of the Kwisatz Haderach.
Panicking, Shaddam ordered Paul to bow to him as a servant of the Imperium, but Paul furiously yelled he would be lucky to keep his head. He then said he would instead take the hand of his daughter, promising to protect her and rule over the Imperium together. But Shaddam himself would not escape so easily, as Paul demanded justice for the death of his father. The Emperor then revealed why he had orchestrated the entire downfall of the Atreides family, saying that Leto was a man who believed in the rules of the heart, but the heart was never meant to rule. In other words, Shaddam believed Leto was a weak man. Composing himself, Paul demanded he stand or choose a champion, to which Feyd-Rautha stepped forward and declared himself, requesting a blade. Shaddam offered his own ceremonial blade, and Feyd and Paul prepared to face each other, a duel that would decide the fate of the universe.
Muad'Dib vs The Last Harkonnen[]
Paul revealed his Harkonnen lineage to Feyd, saying he was happy to finally meet his cousin. Feyd was unbothered by this reveal, cruelly retorting that Paul wouldn't be the first relative he'd killed. Paul said Jamis' pre-battle salute: "May thy knife chip and shatter". Feyd mockingly repeated the salute: "May thy knife, chip and shatter."
Silence fell for a second until Feyd lunged forward, furiously striking at Paul, who managed to evade his attacks and stun him with a headbutt. The two appeared evenly matched as the fight dragged on, but Feyd gained the advantage and knocked the young Duke down twice, also causing his head to bleed. Feyd then noticed Paul staring at a Fremen woman, Chani, behind him and questioned if she was his pet. Feyd then menacingly approached Chani, asking if Paul's 'pet' wanted any special attention. Paul stood and grappled with the Harkonnen for a moment, until Feyd overpowered him and stabbed Paul in the stomach with his own crysknife. Feyd prepared to execute him with the same move he finished Lieutenant Lanville with, but Paul grabbed his blade, cutting his hands. Feyd's knife suddenly thrust down, and the two fell to the ground, staring into each others' bloodied faces. It was then revealed that Feyd, not Paul, had been stabbed, as Paul managed to remove his crysknife from himself and stab Feyd directly in the solar plexus. Grievously wounded, Feyd uttered his last words to Paul: "You fought well, Atreides", before Paul yanked his blade out of his stomach and let his lifeless body fall.
The Holy War Begins[]
The Fremen fanatically cheered for Paul, who then painfully removed Feyd's blade that was lodged in his shoulder. Badly-injured, he limped towards the Emperor, still holding his blood-soaked crysknife. Irulan begged that Paul spare her father and in return she would be his willing bride. Paul said nothing and stared at Shaddam, then stretched his hand out, presenting his signet ring. Shaddam hesitated, to which Paul aggressively stomped his foot, demanding the Emperor yield. Shaddam finally submitted, dropping to his knees and kissing Paul's ring, signifying his surrender and abdication of the throne. Everyone in the room, bar Jessica, Irulan and Chani, knelt in recognition of the messiah. Paul then turned to look at Chani, who was betrayed by his decision to marry Irulan. Chani, heartbroken, stormed out of the hutment, devastating Paul as he watched his love leave him forever.
Gurney informed the Duke that the Great Houses refused to honour his ascension to the throne. Stilgar declared that they awaited his orders. Paul said nothing and contemplated his universal changing decision for a moment, then gave his fanatical followers one command: "Lead them to paradise".
Stilgar led the Fremen legions onto the captured Sardaukar ships, constantly rousing them and chanting 'Lisan al-Gaib'. Carrying Atreides banners, the Fremen ships began departing Arrakis to attack the orbiting Great Houses. Reverend Mother Jessica watched the troops departing from the walls of Arrakeen, where the unborn Alia Atreides questions her mother as to what's happening. Jessica tells her daughter that Paul attacks the Great Houses, and the holy war he had always feared from his visions has finally come to fruition. Meanwhile, Chani departed Arrakeen and summoned a sandworm, abandoning Paul and his cause and fleeing into the desert.
Images of the Battle of Arrakeen (10193 AG)[]
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