"Brian Herbert & Kevin J. Anderson - Dune 12 - The Battle at " - читать интересную книгу автора (Herbert Brian & Frank)

had seen to the removal of the manтАЩs limbs, rendering him much more manageable. He was certainly not
trustworthy, in sharp contrast with Gilbertus Albans.

The robot fashioned a cheery smile on his flowmetal face. тАЬGood morning, Stump. We have much work
to do today. Perhaps we will even finish our primary test runs.тАЭ

The TlulaxaтАЩs narrow face was even more pinched than usual; his dark, close-set eyes flitted about like
those of a trapped animal. тАЬItтАЩs about time you got here. IтАЩve been awake for hours, just staring.тАЭ

тАЬThen you have had plenty of time to develop remarkable new ideas. I look forward to hearing them.тАЭ

The captive grunted a coarse insult in response. Then: тАЬHow are you coming on the reptilian regrowth
experiments? What progress?тАЭ

The robot leaned close and lifted a biological flap to look at the bare skin on one of Rekur VanтАЩs scarred
shoulders.

тАЬAnything yet?тАЭ the Tlulaxa asked, anxiously. He bent his head at an odd angle, trying to see details of
the stump of his arm.

тАЬNot on this side.тАЭ

Erasmus checked the biological flap on the other shoulder. тАЬWe might have something here. A definite
growth bump on the skin.тАЭ Each test site contained different cellular catalysts injected into the skin in an
effort to regenerate the severed limbs.

тАЬExtrapolate from your data, robot. How long before my arms and legs grow back?тАЭ

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Dune



тАЬThat is difficult to say. It could be several weeks, or possibly much longer.тАЭ The robot rubbed a metal
finger over the bump on the skin. тАЬConversely, this growth could be something else entirely. It has a
reddish coloration; perhaps it is nothing more than an infection.тАЭ

тАЬI donтАЩt feel any soreness.тАЭ

тАЬWould you like me to scratch it?тАЭ

тАЬNo. IтАЩll wait until I can do it myself.тАЭ

тАЬDonтАЩt be rude. This is supposed to be a collaborative effort.тАЭ Though the results did look promising, this
work wasnтАЩt the robotтАЩs priority. He had something more important in mind.

Erasmus made a minor adjustment to an intravenous connection that smoothed away the discontent in the
manтАЩs narrow face. Undoubtedly, Rekur Van was undergoing one of his periodic mood swings. Erasmus
would observe him closely and administer medication to keep him operating efficiently. Perhaps he could
prevent the Tlulaxa from having one of his full-fledged tantrums today. Some mornings, anything could