"Brian Herbert & Kevin J. Anderson - Dune 09 - House Corrino" - читать интересную книгу автора (Herbert Brian & Frank)

Mankind has only one science: the science of discontentment.

тАФ PADISHAH EMPEROR SHADDAM IV, Decree in Response to the Actions of House Moritani

PLEASE GRANT FORGIVENESS, SIRE. I crave a boon, Sire.

For the most part, Emperor Shaddam Corrino IV found his daily duties tedious. Sitting on the
Golden Lion Throne had been a thrill at first, but now as he gazed across the Imperial Audience
Chamber, it seemed to him that power lured sycophantic pests like sweet frosting lured roaches.
The supplicants' voices slipped into the back of his mind as he went through the motions, granting
or not granting favors. I demand justice, Sire. A moment of your time, Sire.

During his years as Crown Prince, he had schemed so hard to claim the throne. Now, with the snap
of a finger, Shaddam had the power to elevate a worthy commoner to noble status, to destroy
worlds, or to bring Great Houses crashing down.

But even the Emperor of the Known Universe could not rule solely as he saw fit. His decisions
were beset on all sides by challenges from political string-pullers. The Spacing Guild had its own
interests, as did Combine Honnete Ober Avancer Mercantiles, the trading conglomerate better
known as CHOAM. It was a blessing to know that the noble families bickered with each other as
much as they squabbled with him. Please hear my case, Sire. Have mercy, Sire.

The Bene Gesserit had helped him cement the early years of his reign. Yet now the witchesтАФ
including his own wifeтАФ whispered behind his back, unraveling his Imperial tapestry, creating new
patterns he could not discern.

Grant my request, 1 beg of you, Sire.

It is such a minor thing, Sire.

However, once his long-awaited Project Amal reached completionтАФ the artificial spice secretly
being developed on IxтАФhe would change the face of the Imperium. "Amal." Such a magical sound
to the word. But names were one thing, and realities quite another.

The latest reports from Ix were heartening. At last, the damned Tleilaxu claimed success with their
experiments, and he was awaiting the final proof, and samples. Spice ... all of the puppet strings in
the vast Imperium were made of spice. Soon I shall have my own source, and Arrakis can rot, for
all I care.

Master Researcher Hidar Fen Ajidica would never dare to make baseless claims. Nonetheless,
Shaddam's boyhood friend and philosophical foil, Count Hasimir Fenring, had been sent to Ix to
check it out.

M.y fate is in your hands, Sire.

All hail the benevolent Emperor!

As he sat on the crystal throne, Shaddam allowed himself a mysterious smile, which made the
supplicants flinch with uncertainty.