Дюна
Book One: Dune
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“Youhavenoideahowmuchwealthisinvolved,Feyd,”theBaronsaid.
“Notinyourwildestimaginings.Tobegin,we’llhaveanirrevocabledirectorshipintheCHOAMCompany.”
Feyd-Rauthanodded.Wealthwasthething.CHOAMwasthekeytowealth,eachnobleHousedippingfromthecompany’scofferswhateveritcouldunderthepowerofthedirectorships.ThoseCHOAMdirectorships—theyweretherealevidenceofpoliticalpowerintheImperium,passingwiththeshiftsofvotingstrengthwithintheLandsraadasitbalanceditselfagainsttheEmperorandhissupporters.
“TheDukeLeto,”Pitersaid,“mayattempttofleetothenewFremenscumalongthedesert’sedge.Orhemaytrytosendhisfamilyintothatimaginedsecurity.ButthatpathisblockedbyoneofHisMajesty’sagents—theplanetaryecologist.Youmayrememberhim—Kynes.”
“Feydremembershim,”theBaronsaid.“Getonwithit.”
“Youdonotdroolveryprettily,Baron,”Pitersaid.
“Getonwithit,Icommandyou!”theBaronroared.
Pitershrugged.“Ifmattersgoasplanned,”hesaid,“HouseHarkonnenwillhaveasubfiefonArrakiswithinaStandardyear.Yourunclewillhavedispensationofthatfief.HisownpersonalagentwillruleonArrakis.”
“Moreprofits,”Feyd-Rauthasaid.
“Indeed,”theBaronsaid.Andhethought:It’sonlyjust.We’retheoneswhotamedArrakis...exceptforthefewmongrelFremenhidingintheskirtsofthedesert...andsometamesmugglersboundtotheplanetalmostastightlyasthenativelaborpool.
