Дюна
Book Two: Muad‘dib
Hisvoicefellflatandlifelessintheenergy-blanketedroom.
“Iwillsayathingtoyoujustthisonce,”theBaronrumbled.“YouinsinuatethatIobliteratedPiterasoneobliteratesatrifle.”Hesnappedfatfingers.“Justlikethat,eh?Iamnotsostupid,Nephew.IwilltakeitunkindlyifeveragainyousuggestbywordoractionthatIamsostupid.”
FearshowedinthesquintingofRabban’seyes.HeknewwithincertainlimitshowfartheoldBaronwouldgoagainstfamily.Seldomtothepointofdeathunlesstherewereoutrageousprofitorprovocationinit.Butfamilypunishmentscouldbepainful.
“Forgiveme,m’LordBaron,”Rabbansaid.Heloweredhiseyesasmuchtohidehisownangerastoshowsubservience.
“Youdonotfoolme,Rabban,”theBaronsaid.
Rabbankepthiseyeslowered,swallowed.
“Imakeapoint,”theBaronsaid.“Neverobliterateamanunthinkingly,thewayanentirefiefmightdoitthroughsomedueprocessoflaw.Alwaysdoitforanoverridingpurpose—andknowyourpurpose!”
AngerspokeinRabban:“Butyouobliteratedthetraitor,Yueh!IsawhisbodybeingcarriedoutasIarrivedlastnight.”
Rabbanstaredathisuncle,suddenlyfrightenedbythesoundofthosewords.
ButtheBaronsmiled.“I’mverycarefulaboutdangerousweapons,”hesaid.
“DoctorYuehwasatraitor.HegavemetheDuke.”StrengthpouredintotheBaron’svoice.“IsubornedadoctoroftheSukSchool!TheInnerSchool!Youhear,boy?Butthat’sawildsortofweapontoleavelyingabout.Ididn’tobliteratehimcasually.
