Salmon Rev. (06/19/2020) 97.Each of the pursuing ornithopters fires a MISSILE. The three
missiles track them and close fast. COLLISION WARNINGS whine
inside Paul and Jessica’s cockpit.
Paul banks closer to the cloud wall, watching the altimeter.
3000 meters and climbing...
JESSICA (CONT'D)
We’re not high enough!He weaves desperately: but the missiles track the ornithopter
easily. Closing fast. They’re not going to make it.
JESSICA (CONT'D)
Paul...!Paul twists the yoke -- and BANKS THEM INTO THE STORM-WALL.
The storm tumbles the ornithopter like a leaf in a gale. The
wings buckle dangerously. Paul closes the aircraft’s wings.
The missiles follow into the hurricane -- and they, too, are
snatched from their courses and hurled chaotically away. They
explode, painting ribbons of fire through the storm.
The Harkonnen ornithopters break off: the sandstorm is death.
Paul and Jessica are crushed into their seats by their
ornithopter’s spin. Sand SINGS against the fuselage. Paul
fires jets in bursts. Slowing their rotation.
Visibility drops to zero. Only the wash of dust over the
windscreen and the green light of the instrument panel.
Paul eases the wings open to short stubs, struggling for
control -- and the engines die. (Instruments retain power.)
The only sounds are the wind, and creaking metal, and sand
scouring the hull. The altimeter still spins: tumbling
chaotically, they are rising. Climbing past 4000 meters.
PAUL
I must not fear. Fear is the mind-
killer. *Jessica hears him and joins him, in an attitude of prayer:
PAUL & JESSICA
Fear is the little death that
brings total obliteration. I will
face my fear...Paul fights to controls the tumbling ornithopter, flying dead-
stick. The engines are out.
Salmon Rev. (06/19/2020) 97.