Beware the searchlights at night, off-worlder. While the badlands whisper of Sardaukar, the campfire tales are only half true. The gunships are indeed piloted by Sardaukar captains, but the assault teams consist exclusively of CHOAM Free Corps—a unique cooperation allowing the emperor’s shock troops to operate in otherwise forbidden situations.
It is no secret that the Imperial Sardaukar Legion wields the true power behind the emperor’s will and authority. This fully indoctrinated warrior cult is dedicated to fulfilling the emperor’s every violent whim.
For centuries, the Sardaukar were prohibited from deploying to Arrakis at all, for fear that their presence would disrupt the delicate power balance between the emperor, the Landsraad, and the Spacing Guild.
Only the chaos caused by the War of Assassins forced the Landsraad to concede to a Sardaukar presence on Arrakis—under the strict condition that their deployment be reserved for situations where the spice flow was imminently threatened. A condition with easily shifting parameters, as it turns out...