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

"The worms still die, though?" The Spice Minister clung to his skepti-sm.

"They die whether we give them amal or melange. It makes no differ-

ice. They simply cannot live away from their native desert." "I see. I'd like to take a sample to the Emperor now. Have it prepared." In a condescending tone, Ajidica answered, "Amal is a biological sub-

mce and is dangerous if not handled properly. The final product will be

fe only after the addition of a stabilizing agent." "Well add it, then, hmmm? I'll wait here while you do it." The Master Researcher shook his head. "We are in the process of test-

j, a number of such agents now. Melange is an extremely complex sub-

mce, but success is imminent. Come back when I summon you." "You do not summon me. I report only to the Emperor." Looking through heavily lidded eyes, Ajidica responded in an arrogant

ie, "Then report to him what I have told you. No person can tell the

ference between amal and genuine melange."

Observing Fenring's frustrated reaction, he smiled to himself. The "stabilizing agent" was a sham. Neither the Emperor nor Ajidica's incompetent Tleilaxu superiors would ever receive true amal. Instead, the Master Researcher would escape and take everything with him, leaving no clues about the actual, extremely potent spice substitute, which he called "aji-damal." If the formulation could fool a sandworm of Arrakis, what more convincing test could there possibly be?

Fenring said, "Always remember that I convinced Elrood to begin this project in the first place, hmmm? Therefore, I feel a tremendous sense of responsibility." He paced the small room. "You have performed Spacing Guild tests, I presume? We must know if a Navigator can use your synthetic melange to envision safe paths through foldspace."

Ajidica struggled for a reply. He hadn't expected such a question.

"Apparently not? Mm-m-m-m. Did I strike a nerve?"

"Rest assured, a Navigator will notice no difference either." Ajidica touched the button to fog over the dome containing the worm.

Fenring pressed his advantage. "Nevertheless, the supreme test would be to place amal inside a Navigator's tank, hmmm? Only then can we be sure."

"But we cannot accomplish that, sir." Ajidica squirmed. "We cannot openly request Guild cooperation, since Project Amal must remain completely secret."

The Count's eyes glittered as schemes blossomed in his mind. "But one of your Face Dancers might breach even the Guild's tight security. Yes, hmmm-ah. I will accompany your Face Dancer, to see that it's done properly."

Ajidica considered the suggestion. This Imperial functionary did have a point. Moreover, using a Face Dancer presented him with other possibilities ... a way of getting rid of this meddlesome man.

Unknown to anyone except Ajidica himself, he had already disseminated hundreds of the tank-bred Face Dancers to strategic locations around the galaxy, transporting them in long-range exploration vessels to uncharted reaches. The shape-shifters had been developed centuries ago, but their possibilities had not been adequately explored. That was about to change.

"Yes, Count Fenring. I can arrange for a Face Dancer to accompany you."

WITH so many distractions, Ajidica felt he would never finish his work.

An overeager group of politicians arrived from the sacred city of Bandalong on the Bene Tleilax homeworlds. Their leader, Master Zaaf,

was a haughty man with rodent eyes and a perpetual upward curl of his tiny mouth. Ajidica couldn't decide whom he loathed more, Fenring or the inept Tleilaxu representatives.

Given the scientific abilities of the Bene Tleilax, he couldn't understand how Master Zaaf and other government leaders had bungled political affairs so badly. Forgetting the majesty of their place in the universe, they were content to be ground underfoot by powindah noble families.

"What did you say to the Imperial Spice Minister?" Zaaf demanded as he strutted into Ajidica's large office. "I must have a full report."