Lt. Douglas C. Rothchilde (Worldcage)

[Atreides Conscript]

Personal Journal of Douglas C. Rothchilde
Lieutenant, Low Tier
House Atreides Royal Guard

Today I was walking in the courtyard of the palace while off-duty. I was simply musing to myself and enjoying the gardens when I was interrupted by my friend Erin bouncing up to me with that overjoyed look on her face that she gets when she’s received good news.

“And why are you in such a grand mood today Erin?”, I asked.

“Oh, something tells me that you’ll be in a good mood too when I show you what’s in my pocket,” she said elatedly in reply.

“Really now... and what would that be?”, I toyed.

“Well, this is the letter that I was given today by our gracious (I noted the sarcasm in her tone here) commander,” she smirked as she handed me an envelope with a broken Royal Hawk insignia seal on it. As I read the letter inside, she leaned up against a pillar lamp and watched my reactions intently, as if thoroughly amused with the situation. The first portion of the letter was mostly fluff about her exemplary service record and whatnot. As I read on, I knew that this was a letter of promotion... probably to corporal, high tier I thought to myself. My eyebrows raised as I read the final statement....

And thus, by the authority of the High Command, and with the blessings of the Duke... we decree upon you the station of Royal Guard of the House Atreides, along with the rank of Lieutenant, Low Tier... effective immediately. May your new position hold you well.

“Erin, this is wonderful... I’m so proud of you!” I gasped staring dumfoundedly into the piece of parchment. “We always knew that you’d make the Guard someday!”

“I know, but this isn’t why you should be as happy as I,” she smiled... as if holding something back.

“What is it then? Did you get a letter from the Duke himself?” I pressed.

“No, its that... well... this letter...” she fumbled, enjoying this far too much.

“What about it?” I asked, playfully shaking her shoulder with my palm.

“It’s that you got one too,” she relented as she handed me another envelope... this one still sealed. I took it lightly, as if it might break into a thousand pieces should it be handled too roughly. Breaking the seal, I opened it up and carefully removed the parchment inside. I read....

To: Corporal, Low Tier Douglas C. Rothchilde

From: The Office of Enlistment and Conscription Delegation Services

We have noted that in your four years of service to the House Atreides, that you have maintained an exemplary service record. This record, along with your unyielding bravery and unwavering stamina in the outer disputes with the House Harkonnen, and the House Imangredd have set you before the eyes of our associated staff. You have been a four-time nominee for the Silver Crest of Esteemed Service. And you have been once nominated and received the Golden Wings for your exceptional piloting of an ornithopter under battle conditions with absolutely no formal training.

It is for these reasons that we seek you out this day. We have received a request from the Duke’s personal offices to take another look into your profile. With this further review, we have unfortunately uncovered some things not quite to our satisfaction. For instance, we do not believe that the rank of Corporal suits you as well as before.

And thus, by the authority of the High Command, and with the blessings of the Duke... we decree upon you the station of Royal Guard of the House Atreides, along with the rank of Lieutenant, Low Tier... effective immediately. May your new position hold you well.

I gaped in utter disbelief for a moment... then decided that it would be a good time to begin breathing again. “The Royal Guard. Most conscripts only get to dream of this position!” I exclaimed, still somewhat skeptical that reality was in effect.

“Come on, let’s go get a drink. Our orders don’t come in until tomorrow afternoon anyway. I checked, and because of our transfer’s “immediate” status... we don’t have duty tonight!” she stated bouncingly while tossing her hand about haphazardly through my hair.

“Well then, what are we waiting for?” I asked rhetorically as I playfully jabbed her in the side. “Let’s go!”

We half-skipped our way off to the officer’s mess then to celebrate our new rank. I think this has been one of the happiest days of my life.

[Atreides Conscript]

Personal Journal of Douglas C. Rothchilde
Lieutenant, Low Tier
House Atreides Royal Guard

I should really write in this journal more. I find that it soothes my nerves and gives me something more to do. Ah, well I suppose I don't always get the time to write. Perhaps I should begin doing recordings instead.

I truly wish that being a member of the Guard was as great as I had imagined, but things must always look better when they seem out of reach. In my full seven months of service I've seen the Duke less than when I was a mere conscript. At least he came and spoke to the regulars from time to time. Perhaps he thinks that we are hardened enough to not need a morale boost, but my entire unit feels very similar about it all. It's like we've been forced to grow up a second time from everyone else.

Erin was shipped off to guard a delegate of our house to Kaitain, but despite Guild travel being faster than the eye's blink... I've yet to hear from her in over a month. I guess that some people are fortunate enough to realise that they're in love before they become separated from that special person. All I have now is the hope that I'll see or even hear from her soon. That will be enough.

Day after day it has rained here. Not that such is at all uncommon on Caladan, but I wish we were somewhere other than the precipitate band. I haven't seen our sun in over a week. No matter what though, you never look anything less than sharp and strong. If the regulars knew what a mess we were, there would be some sort of panic for sure. We seem to be more of a morale boost to them than the Royalty ever can be. We look to them as if we are everything that they want to become.

What is there really to worry about on Caladan anyway? We haven't been attacked here in decades and no matter how tense things are between houses, no side would ever attack the enemy's homeworld without major support from the rest of the Landsraad. We hold the most sway there anyway. Only Harkonnen and Imangredd stand against us... and they can't even stand together in that!

My detachment is currently assigned to protect some waddling ambassador from the Ordos. Like I've already said, I can't see why he needs our protection... let alone why he even merits it. From the talks I've overheard between him and our delegates, there is supposed to be some sort of non-aggression pact between the two houses that needs renewed.

What baffles me is that we apparently have to give them things to keep the alliance! Since when do the Atreides pay for peace? It is true that we are peaceful at heart, but should war come our way then we deal with the aggressor and all is finished. There is no tithe for peace and safety... those things are given freely by the Duke to all of his house. The thought of charging for it should boil the blood of every single Atreides, but yet our delegation sits and talks it all over calmly.

Word has it that the Ordos use the money that they get from these non-aggression pacts and other dealings with houses to fund their army. How pitiful does a house have to be that its own people will not defend it? How sorry must it be to hire a legion of mercenaries? One thing is clear however... that inter-house negotiations are nothing more to these Ordos than a business proposition. They care nothing for those that cannot fill their purses.

Drat. My bottle of spice ale is empty. Another night I won't remember. Perhaps good things do happen after all.