[Puzzles within puzzles; did space travel predate the need for prescience, if its source is only found on one desert planet? Did they plod around one star like the Nine Houses do, until someone accidentally found something better? What would the complex mathematics look like, to plan a perfect journey through space before it happens?
Much to think about. Economics are less his concern, but he gives Paul a sympathetic look all the same, thinking of all the pre-Resurrection secrets and so on that have yet to be uncovered back home. Even secrets as recently as a few centuries ago...
But. Worms. Big worms, big worms that enjoy this spice as much as the next prescient navigator, it seems—]
It's a renewable resource? I'm assuming the worms were around before the spice trade.
[And if they are still around, following a thing that is mined in - one also assumes - large quantities to fund an empire, well... What is it! Different sand?
He scoffs, leaning his elbows on his knees and drumming his fingers on the wet terrace again, Thinking. Big worms and a mystery product...]
I can't believe not a single person thought to look into what it is. How long have the mines been operating? Someone ought to be fired for gross oversight. [Incredibly stupid!! Ugh!] Or they could have at least asked the worms.
[Hah, but also: yes, he's noticed that little crumb of worm theory. The creatures unique to the only planet that produces this miracle drug — Palamedes isn't sure how that couldn't be obvious, and so he wonders if Paul means to imply that this Space Guild, or whoever else, is just ignoring it because big worms aren't as profitable, or something.
He doesn't know anything about economics. But what came first, the worm or the spice melange? Now that is the puzzle.]
no subject
Much to think about. Economics are less his concern, but he gives Paul a sympathetic look all the same, thinking of all the pre-Resurrection secrets and so on that have yet to be uncovered back home. Even secrets as recently as a few centuries ago...
But. Worms. Big worms, big worms that enjoy this spice as much as the next prescient navigator, it seems—]
It's a renewable resource? I'm assuming the worms were around before the spice trade.
[And if they are still around, following a thing that is mined in - one also assumes - large quantities to fund an empire, well... What is it! Different sand?
He scoffs, leaning his elbows on his knees and drumming his fingers on the wet terrace again, Thinking. Big worms and a mystery product...]
I can't believe not a single person thought to look into what it is. How long have the mines been operating? Someone ought to be fired for gross oversight. [Incredibly stupid!! Ugh!] Or they could have at least asked the worms.
[Hah, but also: yes, he's noticed that little crumb of worm theory. The creatures unique to the only planet that produces this miracle drug — Palamedes isn't sure how that couldn't be obvious, and so he wonders if Paul means to imply that this Space Guild, or whoever else, is just ignoring it because big worms aren't as profitable, or something.
He doesn't know anything about economics. But what came first, the worm or the spice melange? Now that is the puzzle.]
Four hundred meters, really? That's horrifying.