The Last Hope of House Atreides

[Mr_Hatter 1,608]

The Last Hope of House Atreides

 

note: major spoilers for Frank Herbert's Dune, make OD review this if you haven't read the book yet. (or just take a quick look at the length and trust me that it's good content)

Spoiler

Paul Atreides grew up an isolated boy on the ocean planet of Caladan. The heir to his father Duke Leto Atreides, Paul was trained from a young age in the art of politics, warfare, and most importantly; hockey.  On a planet with so much water, freezing the surface and "playing" hockey games was a great pastime for House Atreides, and the way in which they hardened their soldiers resolve and camaraderie. Their captain was of course the Duke Leto himself, and for a long time, House Atreides was thought to be one of the strongest teams in the game; rivaling even the Imperial Throne, the historical best team in the known universe. The Duke was a masterful player, and no one could stand up to them head-to-head. 

 

However, via lies and deceit, they were betrayed. The Imperial Throne, along with House Atreides historical rival, House Harkonnen, blackmailed the physio of House Atreides, Dr Wellington Yueh. Yueh betrayed his Duke, and weakened the House's team by providing poor medical care, until eventually, the Duke Leto received a major injury, the kind that will end a career, and with that, the formerly great House Atreides was hamstrung, losing not only their captain but the support of the fans, their board, and much of their veteran players. All hope seemed lost.

 

Enter the new Duke, Paul Atreides.

 

Once thought of as the future leader of House Atreides, Paul was thrust into the spotlight and had to hit the ground running (quite literally). Paul managed to escape the destruction that House Harkonnen and the Imperial Throne wrought on House Atreides, and so he took what loyal fans they had left and rebranded the team as the Arrakis Desert Mice. With no base for support, Paul looked to a previously overlooked demographic for his players; the Fremen. Although not quite used to the game of hockey, the Fremen were maniacal athletes, and had a killer instinct for goal that surprised even the strongest defenses. The Desert Mice took the UHL (Universal Hockey League) by storm, bringing new tactics and engaging theatricals in each of their games. For example, why use a zamboni to clean the ice when you have a GIGANTIC SAND WORM??? They took out teams one by one, until their final showdown with the Harkonnen's and the Imperials. In the final two games of the season, the fate of the championship was in play.

 

Against the Harkonnen's, everyone knew the Desert Mice had the edge; until the Harkonnen's captain Feyd-Rautha decided to make an attempt on a dirty play, slew-footing Paul in the final seconds of the game. Despite this treachery, Paul managed to put away the shot as he fell, beating the Harkonnen's and moving on to the Imperials. But something didn't quite sit right here. Despite the Imperial's overwhelming advantage, they forfeited the match; not only this, but the Desert Mice took the Imperial princess Irulan in a deadline day transfer to join the Desert Mice? Reports of widespread doping throughout the league were mentioned in hushed tones; something about the spice melange that only the Fremen had information on and were willing to blow it up to the press if the Imperial's didn't back down. Well all's fair in love and war I suppose; and the Imperials did cheat earlier in the season, so I guess it all evens out. 

 

The Desert Mice had avenged their former House Atreides, but now Paul was stuck with a choice; stick with the Desert Mice, or return as the triumphant Duke to his hometown House?