Дюна

           Paulfastenedhissafetyharness,sawthathismotherwassecure,checkedtheaircraft.Thewingswereatfullspread-rest,theirdelicatemetalinterleavingsextended.Hetouchedtheretractorbar,watchedthewingsshortenforjet-boosttake-offthewayGurneyHalleckhadtaughthim.Thestarterswitchmovedeasily.Dialsontheinstrumentpanelcamealiveasthejetpodswerearmed.

           Turbinesbegantheirlowhissing.

           “Ready?”heasked.

           “Yes.”

           Hetouchedtheremotecontrolforlights.

           Darknessblanketedthem.

           Hishandwasashadowagainsttheluminousdialsashetrippedtheremotedoorcontrol.Gratingsoundedaheadofthem.Acascadeofsandswishedawaytosilence.AdustybreezetouchedPaul’scheeks.Heclosedhisdoor,feelingthesuddenpressure.

           Awidepatchofdust-blurredstarsframedinangulardarknessappearedwherethedoor-wallhadbeen.Starlightdefinedashelfbeyond,asuggestionofsandripples.

           Pauldepressedtheglowingaction-sequenceswitchonhispanel.Thewingssnappedbackanddown,hurlingthe’thopteroutofitsnest.Powersurgedfromthejetpodsasthewingslockedintoliftattitude.

           Jessicaletherhandsridelightlyonthedualcontrols,feelingthesurenessofherson’smovements.Shewasfrightened,yetexhilarated.Now,Paul’strainingisouronlyhope,shethought.Hisyouthandswiftness.

           Paulfedmorepowertothejetpods.The’thopterbanked,sinkingthemintotheirseatsasadarkwallliftedagainstthestarsahead.Hegavethecraftmorewing,morepower.