Дюна
Book One: Dune
The’thoptertouchedsandwithasoftlurch,andJessica,lookingnorthbackacrosstheShieldWall,sawashadowofwingssettleoutofsightupthere.
Someone’sfollowingus!shethought.Who?Then:TheonestheBaronsettowatchthispair.Andthere’llbewatchersforthewatchers,too.
Czigoshutoffhiswingrotors.Silencefloodedinuponthem.
Jessicaturnedherhead.ShecouldseeoutthewindowbeyondScarfaceadimglowoflightfromarisingmoon,afrostedrimofrockrisingfromthedesert.Sandblastridgesstreakeditssides.
Paulclearedhisthroat.
Thepilotsaid:“Now,Kinet?”
“Idunno,Czigo.”
Czigoturned,said:“Ah-h-h,look.”HereachedoutforJessica’sskirt.
“Removehergag,”Paulcommanded.
Jessicafeltthewordsrollingintheair.Thetone,thetimbreexcellent—imperative,verysharp.Aslightlylowerpitchwouldhavebeenbetter,butitcouldstillfallwithinthisman’sspectrum.
CzigoshiftedhishanduptothebandaroundJessica’smouth,slippedtheknotonthegag.
“Stopthat!”Kinetordered.
“Ah,shutyourtrap,”Czigosaid.“Herhands’retied.”Hefreedtheknotandthebindingdropped.HiseyesglitteredashestudiedJessica.
Kinetputahandonthepilot’sarm.“Look,Czigo,noneedto....”
Jessicatwistedherneck,spatoutthegag.Shepitchedhervoiceinlow,intimatetones.“Gentlemen!Noneedtofightoverme.”Atthesametime,shewrithedsinuouslyforKinet’sbenefit.
Shesawthemgrowtense,knowingthatinthisinstanttheywereconvincedoftheneedtofightoverher.Theirdisagreementrequirednootherreason.
