Дюна
Book One: Dune
”JessicaputdowntheurgetorunbacktoPaul;thefullmessagehadtobelearned.Herfingersspedoverthedots:“Idonotknowtheexactnatureofthemenace,butithassomethingtodowithabed.
ThethreattoyourDukeinvolvesdefectionofatrustedcompanionorlieutenant.
TheHplantogiveyouasgifttoaminion.Tothebestofmyknowledge,thisconservatoryissafe.ForgivethatIcannottellmore.MysourcesarefewasmyCountisnotinthepayoftheH.Inhaste,MF.”
Jessicathrusttheleafaside,whirledtodashbacktoPaul.Inthatinstant,theairlockdoorslammedopen.Pauljumpedthroughit,holdingsomethinginhisrighthand,slammedthedoorbehindhim.Hesawhismother,pushedthroughtheleavestoher,glancedatthefountain,thrusthishandandthethingitclutchedunderthefallingwater.
“Paul!”Shegrabbedhisshoulder,staringatthehand.“Whatisthat?”
Hespokecasually,butshecaughttheeffortbehindthetone:“Hunter-seeker.
Caughtitinmyroomandsmasheditsnose,butIwanttobesure.Watershouldshortitout.”
“Immerseit!”shecommanded.
Heobeyed.
Presently,shesaid:“Withdrawyourhand.Leavethethinginthewater.”
Hebroughtouthishand,shookwaterfromit,staringatthequiescentmetalinthefountain.Jessicabrokeoffaplantstem,proddedthedeadlysliver.
Itwasdead.
Shedroppedthestemintothewater,lookedatPaul.Hiseyesstudiedtheroomwithasearchingintensitythatsherecognized—theB.G.Way.
“Thisplacecouldconcealanything,”hesaid.
“I’vereasontobelieveit’ssafe,”shesaid.
