Дюна
Book Three: The Prophet
“Igrowtiredofthisargument.Ifthatfleetoverusdoesn’tleavesoonthere’llbenoneedforustotalk.”Henoddedtowardhiscommunicationsmenatthesideofthehall.“Youmayuseourequipment.”
“Firstwemustdiscussthis,”thetallGuildsmansaid.“Wecannotjust—”
“Doit!”Paulbarked.“Thepowertodestroyathingistheabsolutecontroloverit.You’veagreedIhavethatpower.Wearenotheretodiscussortonegotiateortocompromise.Youwillobeymyordersorsuffertheimmediateconsequences!”
“Hemeansit,”theshorterGuildsmansaid.AndPaulsawthefeargripthem.
SlowlythetwocrossedtotheFremencommunicationsequipment.
“Willtheyobey?”Gurneyasked.
“Theyhaveanarrowvisionoftime,”Paulsaid.“Theycanseeaheadtoablankwallmarkingtheconsequencesofdisobedience.EveryGuildnavigatoroneveryshipoveruscanlookaheadtothatsamewall.They’llobey.”
PaulturnedbacktolookattheEmperor,said:“Whentheypermittedyoutomountyourfather’sthrone,itwasonlyontheassurancethatyou’dkeepthespiceflowing.You’vefailedthem,Majesty.Doyouknowtheconsequences?”
“Nobodypermittedmeto—”
“Stopplayingthefool,”Paulbarked.“TheGuildislikeavillagebesideariver.Theyneedthewater,butcanonlydipoutwhattheyrequire.Theycannotdamtheriverandcontrolit,becausethatfocusesattentiononwhattheytake,itbringsdowneventualdestruction.Thespiceflow,that’stheirriver,andIhavebuiltadam.Butmydamissuchthatyoucannotdestroyitwithoutdestroyingtheriver.
