ARRAKIS — A low rumble reverberated through the ground and the sands began to shift as a colossal sandworm of the desert emerged to swallow up another advocate for the legal ownership of sandworms.
"It's not the breed; it's the ownerrrrrrr — ," called out Shadout Mattis one last time before being swallowed by Shai-Hulud, Great Maker of the Desert.
Observers say this was an embarrassing way to end the rally Mattis had organized to advocate for the legal right to keep the Great Makers as pets. Mattis had called the rally in the sands of the desert to protest a new law passed by House Harkonnen which had put into effect a planet-wide prohibition on the ownership of sandworms.
Advocates for the sandworms say that makers are a misunderstood breed and that, while they can be dangerous, their behavior is shaped more by nurture than by nature. They also believe the sandworms to be very useful animals that can be put to work.
The ban on sandworm ownership is very unpopular among the people of Arrakis. As many as 97% of Fremen believe in the right to own sandworms. They are not only useful as a means of transportation but have taken on a religious and cultural significance for the Fremen as well, serving as a symbol of fierce independence for all native desert dwellers.
"These are very safe pets to keep in the home," said Anakeen Sandstrider. "We let our sandworm sleep in the same room as our new baby and we've never had an issue."
"We have a message for House Harkonnen: Don't Tread On Me!" continued Anakeen before he too was swallowed up by Shai-Hulud.
At publishing time, another rally advocating for the ownership of sandworms was broken up by it too being swallowed by another sandworm.
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