Дюна
Book Two: Muad‘dib
Navigationmarkersareknockedoutfasterthantheycanbeinstalled.”
“We’lldiscussvarioustypesofstaticanothertime,”theCountsaid.
Ah-h-h-h,theBaronthought.“Haveyoufoundsomemistakeinmyaccountingthen?”hedemanded.
“Whenyouimaginemistakestherecanbenoself-defense,”theCountsaid.
He’sdeliberatelytryingtoarousemyanger,theBaronthought.Hetooktwodeepbreathstocalmhimself.Hecouldsmellhisownsweat,andtheharnessofthesuspensorsbeneathhisrobefeltsuddenlyitchyandgalling.
“TheEmperorcannotbeunhappyaboutthedeathoftheconcubineandtheboy,”theBaronsaid.“Theyfledintothedesert.Therewasastorm.”
“Yes,thereweresomanyconvenientaccidents,”theCountagreed.
“Idonotlikeyourtone,Count,”theBaronsaid.
“Angerisonething,violenceanother,”theCountsaid.“Letmecautionyou:ShouldanunfortunateaccidentoccurtomeheretheGreatHousesallwouldlearnwhatyoudidonArrakis.They’velongsuspectedhowyoudobusiness.”
“TheonlyrecentbusinessIcanrecall,”theBaronsaid,“wastransportationofseverallegionsofSardaukartoArrakis.”
“YouthinkyoucouldholdthatovertheEmperor’shead?”
“Iwouldn’tthinkofit!”
TheCountsmiled.“Sardaukarcommanderscouldbefoundwho’dconfesstheyactedwithoutordersbecausetheywantedabattlewithyourFremenscum.”
“Manymightdoubtsuchaconfession,”theBaronsaid,butthethreatstaggeredhim.AreSardaukartrulythatdisciplined?hewondered.
“TheEmperordoeswishtoaudityourbooks,”theCountsaid.
