mentat-computation
Mentats use advanced logical and analytical skills to interpret incomplete data and uncover hidden truths, as demonstrated by Hawat's assessment of Fremen population and military potential.
1 chapter across 1 book
This Immortal (1966)Roger Zelazny
In this chapter, Thufir Hawat, the Mentat, confronts Baron Vladimir Harkonnen about the true nature of the Fremen on Arrakis and the Emperor's use of Salusa Secundus as a brutal training ground for his elite Sardaukar troops. Hawat reveals that despite heavy losses, the Fremen population is far larger and more resilient than the Baron believes, and he warns that Rabban's oppressive tactics may be creating a formidable enemy rather than destroying one. The discussion exposes the political intrigue surrounding Arrakis, the Emperor's motivations, and the potential consequences of continued oppression.