Whatever the problem, it had been unforeseen, for Fenring's was a planned male birth-the Bene Gesserit thought that in him they would receive their long-awaited Messiah. The question that Duncan asked himself was this: Why was the breeding of OK Kwisatz Haderaeh pushed back not one generation but three? Duncan threw himself into the investigation. Leto seemed pleased by this unlooked-for cooperation, even to the extent of allowing Duncan to append notes on his research to the emperor's journal. We quote now from an entry of early 13018: The inquiry about Fenring's mother is fruitless. As a new hypothesis, suppose not one but two defects in the genetic mix. One, from his father, becomes apparent as Fleming matures; the B.G expect a one-generation delay. Since they have half the genetic potential tor the Kwisatz Haderach in F's mother, they would surely plan to breed her again. But the next mating is Harkonnen and Mohiam. Could it be1* Supposing that she is, where does thpt get us? If the B.G, finds out about the second defect in the time betweea the two breedings-and it's an unsuspected defect in the mother, they can't write hef off. I can hardly believe it-Good God, imagine watching a duel between your son and your grandson with no one knowing the relationship but you. No, she couldn't have the flaw: surely no one's genetic structure was ever so carefully mapped as Helen Monism's. Unless the second father brings to the second flaw. That has to be it! HarkomKQ is picked to supply what old Count Fearing lacked, but he's a second choice- and, yes, later they find out he's brought a new problem. Now die B.G. needs an additional generation at least to breed in a dominant to mask this second defective gem. Hence Jessica is bom a woman, not a man, and hence Duke Lett's services are required. But what was wrong with the Harkotmens? In late 13018, Duncan began a three-year tour of Rsh Speaker garrisons around the empire. The trip would have conveniently covered his investigations, and among the planets he visited were Wattach IX, on which the entry betow was made, and Giedi Prime. I saw the report on Baron Harkonnea today, and I can see why a defect in him would be a surprise: good stock, healthy as weeds-the iron in his blood is remarkable. If I'm right, the report of a defect will be well hidden here-I'll never find it. But if it came from Giedi Prime, 1 might be able to get hold of that copy And I know what to look for an inherited disease, one that would kill a child if both parents had it, but would produce only a mild condition if jusl one passed it on-incomplete dominance. Giedi Prime was the last stop on the tour, and the next entry was made on Arrakis after Duncan's return. It has to be Hardison's Disease-an inherited blood condition, and if one parent passes on the trait, the child suffers a mild oxygen deprivation from incomplete hemoglobin bonding.