Beware the searchlights at night, off-worlder. While the badlands whisper of Sardaukar, the campfire tales are only half true. The gunships are indeed piloted by Sardaukar captains, but the assault teams consist exclusively of CHOAM Free Corps—a unique cooperation allowing the emperor’s shock troops to operate in otherwise forbidden situations.

It is no secret that the Imperial Sardaukar Legion wields the true power behind the emperor’s will and authority. This fully indoctrinated warrior cult is dedicated to fulfilling the emperor’s every violent whim.

For centuries, the Sardaukar were prohibited from deploying to Arrakis at all, for fear that their presence would disrupt the delicate power balance between the emperor, the Landsraad, and the Spacing Guild.

Only the chaos caused by the War of Assassins forced the Landsraad to concede to a Sardaukar presence on Arrakis—under the strict condition that their deployment be reserved for situations where the spice flow was imminently threatened. A condition with easily shifting parameters, as it turns out...

Sire,
The Sardaukar training complex at Arsunt nears completion. Construction has taken twice as long as projected, but the unique and esoteric requirements of the ziggurat design presented many challenges. On their own, the complex array of sacrificial platforms and their associated network of blood sluices necessitated a dedicated team or we would be working on it still.

Once Commander Aramsham and his Legion arrive to occupy the garrison, we can begin our campaign against the Fremen in earnest. Intelligence reports place their population in the low hundred-thousands, with an even smaller percentage of fighting age.

Still, we must not underestimate our savage foe. Just as the harsh conditions of Salusa Secundus have shaped the Sardaukar into the deadly fighting force they are, we cannot doubt that the relentless environs of Arrakis have similarly hardened our adversary.

The Imperial Warmaster recommends nerve gas.