&nbsp; &nbsp;For the delight of the Padishah Emperor of the Known Universe and Lord of Arrakis, Vladimir Harkonnen the First, long may he reign, and his wife, Empress Irulan, it is our great pleasure to bring to you a most rare item today - one desert mouse, recently snared on the dunes of Arrakis.<br /><br /> The animal in question comes trained with the finest Imperial Conditioning, being skilled in the ways of the Suk, and rendering her incapable of harm. Much like the Atreides, she is *aheh* house broken.<br /><br /> Though occasionally willful, she can be induced to perform tricks for her favourite treat - her daily allotment of melange. When in the first stages of withdrawal, she will do almost anything for it, certainly responding to such commands as 'lie down' and 'roll over'. She will make a most obedient pet and, should her treatment with the geriatric spice be maintained, is guaranteed to bring her owner joy for no less than four hundred years.<br /><br /> Before we start the bidding, the Baro- ah, the Emperor invites representatives of the Bene Gesserit to inspect the animal closely. Notice that, though the animal's time in the Tleilaxu axolotl tanks has altered her to the Emperor's design, she remains fully fertile... for the time being. Those here looking for a prize stud would find her a truly unique and priceless addition to any breeding program.<br /><br /> What that said, the minimum acceptable bid for the Bene Gesserit will be set at no less than 500 billion solaris. Now, let us begin.