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Tleilax homeworlds. He was alone in this.
He had decided that there were heretics among his own people, followers who had
adopted their identity as downtrodden scapegoats so well that they had forgotten
the heart of the Great Belief. It was like a Face Dancer who had disguised
himself so well, he had forgotten who he truly was. If Ajidica meekly allowed
such people access to his great discovery of amal, they would surrender the one
thing that would gain them the supremacy they deserved.
Ajidica planned to continue in his role, until he was ready. And then he could
take the artificial spice, control it himself, and help his people and their
mission . . . whether they wanted him to or not.
Count Fenring murmured as he leaned close to the dome-shape on the table. "Most
intriguing. Something is inside, I presume, hmmm-ah?"
"Something is inside of everything," Ajidica replied.
He smiled inwardly as he imagined a glut of artificial spice flowing into the
interplanetary marketplace, wreaking economic havoc within CHOAM and the
Landsraad. Like a tiny leak in a dam, a bit of inexpensive melange would
ultimately become a raging torrent to turn the Imperium upside down. If played
right, Ajidica would be the kingpin of the new economic and political order --
not to serve himself, of course, but to serve God.
The magic of our God is our salvation.
Ajidica smiled at Count Fenring, revealing sharp teeth. "Rest assured, Count
Fenring, our goals in this matter are mutual."
In time, wealthy beyond imagining, Ajidica would develop tests to determine
loyalty to his new regime, and he would begin assimilating the Bene Tleilax.
Though it was too dangerous to bring them into his scheme now, he had several
candidates in mind. With proper military support -- perhaps even converts among
the Sardaukar stationed here? -- he might even set up headquarters in the lovely
capital city of Bandalong. . . .
Fenring continued to snoop at the demonstration equipment. "Have you ever heard
the saying 'Trust but verify'? It's from Old Terra. You'd be surprised at the
little tidbits I pick up. My Bene Gesserit wife collects objects, knickknacks
and the like. I collect pieces of information."
The Tleilaxu's narrow face twisted into a frown. "I see." He needed to finish
this annoying inspection as quickly as possible. "If you will look over here,
please." Ajidica removed an opaque plaz vial from the rack and lifted the lid,
letting out a strong odor reminiscent of raw ginger, bergamot, and clove. He
passed the container to Fenring, who peered at a thick, orangish substance.
"Not quite melange," Ajidica said, "though chemically it has many spice
precursors." He poured the syrup on a scanning plate, inserted it into the
microscope reader, then beckoned Fenring to look through the eyepiece. The
Count saw elongated molecules connected to one another like the strands of a
cable.
"An unusual protein chain," the Master Researcher said. "We are close to a
breakthrough."
"How close?"
"The Tleilaxu also have sayings, Count Fenring: 'The closer one gets to a goal,
the farther off it appears to be.' In matters of scientific research, time has
a way of stretching. Only God possesses intimate knowledge of the future. The
breakthrough could occur in a matter of days, or years."
"Double-talk," Fenring muttered. He fell silent when Ajidica pressed a button
at the base of the dome.
The foggy surface of the plaz cleared, revealing sand on the bottom of the
container. The Tleilaxu researcher pressed another button, filling the interior
with a fine dust. The sand moved, a tiny mound in motion that surfaced, like a
fish emerging from murky water. A worm-shape the size of a small snake, it was
a little over half a meter in length, with tiny crystal teeth.
"Sandworm, immature form," Ajidica said, "nineteen days from Arrakis. We don't
expect it to survive much longer."
From the top of the dome, a box dropped to the sand on a hidden suspensor, then
opened to reveal more of the glistening orange gelatin. "Amal 1522.16," Ajidica
said. "One of our many variations -- the best we've developed so far."
Fenring watched as the mouth of the immature worm quested left and right,
revealing glimmering thorns far back in its gullet. The creature slithered
toward the orange substance, then stopped in confusion and didn't touch it.
Presently it turned and burrowed back into the sand.
"What is the relationship between the sandworms and the spice?" Fenring asked.
"If we knew that, we would have the puzzle solved. If I were to put real spice
in that enclosure, the worm would consume it in a primal frenzy. Still, though
the worm can identify the difference, at least it did approach the sample. We
tempted the beast, but did not satisfy it."
"Nor did your little demonstration satisfy me. I am told that there continues
to be an Ixian underground movement, causing difficulties. Shaddam is concerned
about interference with his most important plan."
"A few rebels, Count Fenring -- inadequately funded, with limited resources.
Nothing to worry about." Ajidica rubbed his hands together.
"But they have sabotaged your communications systems and destroyed a number of
facilities, hmmm?"
"The death throes of House Vernius, no more. It has been well over a decade,
and soon it will die down. They cannot get near this research pavilion."
"Well, your security worries are over, Master Researcher. The Emperor has
agreed to dispatch two additional legions of Sardaukar, as peacekeepers, led by
Bashar Cando Garon, one of our best."
A look of alarm and surprise came over the diminutive Tleilaxu. His pinched
face reddened. "But that isn't necessary, sir. The half legion already in
place is more than sufficient."
"The Emperor does not agree. These troops will emphasize the importance of your
experiments to him. Shaddam will do anything to protect the amal program, but
his patience has run out." The Count's eyes narrowed. "You should think of
this as good news."
"Why is that? I do not understand."
"Because the Emperor has not yet ordered your execution." [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]