e military commanders As the Sardau grew in strength they increased in population, ultimately achieving a planetary empire The Sardau lost their tnbat identity but became a nation as they absorbed conquered peoples The conquered were fortunate to survive the early custom required annihilation of the enemy-man, woman, and child- but m time the Sardau perceived a practical use for captives and gradually accepted them into their ranks (Here was die seed of the later Imperial treatment of prisoners of war, who were sent to penal colonies on Salusa Secundus ) Thus both Sardau and non-Sardau could earn admission to the Sardaukar, which was created when one family gained ascendancy in the budding nation The name of the family is not known, but it was fruitful and its members were vigorous and capable The head of the family held the title of Burseg, a term later incorported into the House Coztino military lexicon One of these Bursegs formed the Sardaukar, at least partly in response to the influx of strangers into the society Hie absorption of non-Sardau with binding tests of their loyalty would avert the growth of an enemy faction Sardaukar discipline was ferocious, allowing no questioning or doubting of higher officers on the battlefield Non-Sardau were given plenty of opportunities to prove themselves, for example, by carrying out a suicidal attack without hesitation Nevertheless, many tnbes submitted to the Sardau inclusion in the Sardaukar was the best guarantee of survival against them Although battlefield obedience was demanded, independence and initiative were preserved through a custom called The Circle Following each action the commanding officer faced a stringent critique from his fellow officers Anyone-even the most junior-who could convince the circle of leaders that he could have won the objective faster, cheaper, or to better strategic advantage was chosen battle leader for the next action The Circle replaced the tnal by combat with a trial by achievement, and was designed to vault the un predictably-appear ing military genius over senior, but less capable, commanders Sardaukar military superiority derived from natural savagery, intense training, a sense of SARDAUKAR themselves as the elect (promoted by their religion), and an ingrained, almost mystical esprit de corps The Sardaukar was elite- quick-witted, tough, ruthless and fanatically devoted to their commanders This was the force the unfortunate Maganans hired as mercenaries during the campaigns of expansion following the Butlenan Jihad The fate of House Megara is well known MILITARY HISTORY After the conquest of Megara, the Sardaukar grasped the chance to leave Salusa Secundus with an energy equaled only by QIC most fanatical Butlenans Using captured ships, the Sdrdaukar seized a wide sector in the vicinity of Megara So slow was space travel after the Jihad, however, that the Sardaukar 'meleor strike" gave the Landsraad time to prepare somewhat for the threat