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Book Two: Muad‘dib
“WhatpossibleconnectionistherebetweenArrakisandSalusaSecundus?”
TheBaronfeltthealertnessinFenring’seyes,said:“Noconnectionyet.”
“Yet?”
“Youmustadmitit’dbeawaytodevelopasubstantialworkforceonArrakis—usetheplaceasaprisonplanet.”
“Youanticipateanincreaseinprisoners?”
“Therehasbeenunrest,”theBaronadmitted.“I’vehadtosqueezeratherseverely,Fenring.Afterall,youknowthepriceIpaidthatdamnableGuildtotransportourmutualforcetoArrakis.Thatmoneyhastocomefromsomewhere.
“IsuggestyounotuseArrakisasaprisonplanetwithouttheEmperor’spermission,Baron.”
“Ofcoursenot,”theBaronsaid,andhewonderedatthesuddenchillinFenring’svoice.
“Anothermatter,”theCountsaid.“WelearnthatDukeLeto’sMentat,ThufirHawat,isnotdeadbutinyouremploy.”
“Icouldnotbringmyselftowastehim,”theBaronsaid.
“YouliedtoourSardaukarcommanderwhenyousaidHawatwasdead.”
“Onlyawhitelie,mydearCount.Ihadn’tthestomachforalongargumentwiththeman.”
“WasHawattherealtraitor?”
“Oh,goodness,no!Itwasthefalsedoctor.”TheBaronwipedatperspirationonhisneck.“Youmustunderstand,Fenring,IwaswithoutaMentat.Youknowthat.I’veneverbeenwithoutaMentat.Itwasmostunsettling.”
“HowcouldyougetHawattoshiftallegiance?”
“HisDukewasdead.”TheBaronforcedasmile.“There’snothingtofearfromHawat,mydearCount.TheMentat’sfleshhasbeenimpregnatedwithalatentpoison.Weadministeranantidoteinhismeals.
