Дюна
Book Three: The Prophet
”
HiswordsweredrownedinametallicroaringastheshipwallbehindtheEmperortrembledandrocked.
“They’veshotthenoseoffourship!”someonecalled.
Dustboiledthroughtheroom.Underitscover,Alialeapedup,rantowardtheouterdoor.
TheEmperorwhirled,motionedhispeopleintoanemergencydoorthatswungopenintheship’ssidebehindthethrone.HeflashedahandsignaltoaSardaukarofficerleapingthroughthedusthaze.“Wewillmakeourstandhere!”theEmperorordered.
Anothercrashshookthehutment.Thedoubledoorsbangedopenatthefarsideofthechamberadmittingwind-blownsandandthesoundofshouting.Asmall,black-robedfigurecouldbeseenmomentarilyagainstthelight—Aliadartingouttofindaknifeand,asbefittedherFrementraining,tokillHarkonnenandSardaukarwounded.HouseSardaukarchargedthroughagreenedyellowhazetowardtheopening,weaponsready,forminganarctheretoprotecttheEmperor’sretreat.
“Saveyourself,Sire!”aSardaukarofficershouted.“Intotheship!”
ButtheEmperorstoodalonenowonhisdaispointingtowardthedoors.Aforty-metersectionofthehutmenthadbeenblastedawaythereandtheselamlik’sdoorsopenednowontodriftingsand.Adustcloudhunglowovertheoutsideworldblowingfrompasteldistances.Staticlightningcrackledfromthecloudandthesparkflashesofshieldsbeingshortedoutbythestorm’schargecouldbeseenthroughthehaze.Theplainsurgedwithfiguresincombat—
Sardaukarandleapinggyratingrobedmenwhoseemedtocomedownoutofthestorm.
