Дюна
Book Two: Muad‘dib
Hecountedsixmenmakingheavygoingofitoverthedunes.
A“thwok-thwok”ofornithopterwingssoundedhightotherightbehindHawat’sgroup.Thecraftcameoverthecliffwallabovethem—anAtreides‘thopterwithHarkonnenbattlecolorssplashedonit.The’thopterswoopedtowardthemencrossingthesink.
Thegrouptherestoppedonadunecrest,waved.
The‘thoptercircledonceovertheminatightcurve,camebackforadust-shroudedlandinginfrontoftheFremen.Fivemenswarmedfromthe’thopterandHawatsawthedust-repellentshimmeringofshieldsand,intheirmotions,thehardcompetenceofSardaukar.
“Aiihh!Theyusetheirstupidshields,”theFremenbesideHawathissed.Heglancedtowardtheopensouthwallofthesink.
“TheyareSardaukar,”Hawatwhispered.
“Good.”
TheSardaukarapproachedthewaitinggroupofFremeninanenclosinghalf-circle.Sunglintedonbladesheldready.TheFremenstoodinacompactgroup,apparentlyindifferent.
Abruptly,thesandaroundthetwogroupssproutedFremen.Theywereattheornithopter,theninit.Wherethetwogroupshadmetatthedunecrest,adustcloudpartlyobscuredviolentmotion.
Presently,dustsettled.OnlyFremenremainedstanding.
“Theyleftonlythreemenintheir’thopter,”theFremenbesideHawatsaid.
“Thatwasfortunate.Idon’tbelievewehadtodamagethecraftintakingit.”
BehindHawat,oneofhismenwhispered:“ThosewereSardaukar!”
“Didyounoticehowwelltheyfought?”theFremenasked.
Hawattookadeepbreath.Hesmelledtheburneddustaroundhim,felttheheat,thedryness.
