Дюна
Book One: Dune
“Areviewofhistory.”
“Don’tbefacetious,girl!YouknowaswellasIdowhatforcessurroundus.
We’veathree-pointcivilization:theImperialHouseholdbalancedagainsttheFederatedGreatHousesoftheLandsraad,andbetweenthem,theGuildwithitsdamnablemonopolyoninterstellartransport.Inpolitics,thetripodisthemostunstableofallstructures.It’dbebadenoughwithoutthecomplicationofafeudaltradeculturewhichturnsitsbackonmostscience.”
Jessicaspokebitterly:“Chipsinthepathoftheflood—andthischiphere,thisistheDukeLeto,andthisone’shisson,andthisone’s—”
“Oh,shutup,girl.Youenteredthiswithfullknowledgeofthedelicateedgeyouwalked.”
“‘IamBeneGesserit:Iexistonlytoserve,’”Jessicaquoted.
“Truth,”theoldwomansaid.“Andallwecanhopefornowistopreventthisfromeruptingintogeneralconflagration,tosalvagewhatwecanofthekeybloodlines.”
Jessicaclosedhereyes,feelingtearspressoutbeneaththelids.Shefoughtdowntheinnertrembling,theoutertrembling,theunevenbreathing,theraggedpulse,thesweatingofthepalms.Presently,shesaid,“I’llpayformyownmistake.”
“Andyoursonwillpaywithyou.”
“I’llshieldhimaswellasI’mable.”
“Shield!”theoldwomansnapped.“Youwellknowtheweaknessthere!
Shieldyoursontoomuch,Jessica,andhe’llnotgrowstrongenoughtofulfillanydestiny.”
Jessicaturnedaway,lookedoutthewindowatthegatheringdarkness.
