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.' I don'tdeny that such things are observable.But what we are looking at here is aforce so powerful that it can destroy you and everything you hold worthwhile.""That's what I'm trying to understand.What is it the whores are doing wrong?""They ignore the species at its work, Sheeana.I think you can already sensethis.The Tyrant certainly knew about it.What was his Golden Path but avision of sexual forces at work recreating humankind endlessly?""And the whores don't create?""They mostly try to control their worlds with this force.""They seem to be doing that.""Ahhh, but what counterforces do they call forth?""I don't understand.""You know about Voice and how it can control some people?""But not control everybody.""Exactly.A civilization subjected to Voice over a long period develops ways ofadapting to this force, preventing manipulation by those who use Voice.""So there are people who know how to resist the whores?""We see unmistakable signs of it.And that is one of the reasons we are here onRakis.""Will the whores come here?""I'm afraid so.They want to control the core of the Old Empire because theysee us as an easy conquest.""Aren't you afraid they'll win?""They won't win, Sheeana.Depend on it.But they are good for us.""How is that?"Sheeana's tone echoed Taraza's own shock at hearing such words from Odrade.Howmuch did Odrade suspect? In the next instant, Taraza understood and shewondered if the lesson was equally understandable to the young girl."The core is static, Sheeana.We have been almost at a standstill for thousandsof years.Life and movement are 'out there' with the people of the Scatteringwho resist the whores.Whatever we do, we must make that resistance evenstronger."The sound of approaching 'thopters broke Taraza from her reverie of remembrance.The VIOs were arriving from Keen.Still at some distance, but the sound carriedfar in the clear air.Odrade's teaching method was a good one, Taraza had to admit as she scanned thesky for a first glimpse of the 'thopters.Apparently they were coming in lowand from the other side of the building.That was the wrong direction butperhaps they had taken the VIOs on a short excursion over the remains of theTyrant's wall.Many people were curious about the place where Odrade had foundthe spice hoard.Sheeana, Odrade, Waff, and Tulushan went back into the long meeting room.Theyhad heard the 'thopters, too.Sheeana was anxious to show her power over theworms.Taraza hesitated.There was a laboring sound in the approaching'thopters.Were they overloaded? How many observers had they brought?The first 'thopter lifted over the penthouse roof and Taraza saw the armoredcockpit.She recognized treachery even before the first beam arced out of themachine, slicing through her legs below the knees.She fell heavily against apotted tree, her legs completely severed.Another beam slashed out at her,slicing at an angle across her hip.The 'thopter swept over her in an abruptroar of booster jets and banked away to the left.Taraza clung to the tree, shunting the agony aside.She managed to cut off mostof the bloodflow from her wounds but the pain was great.Not as great as thespice agony, though, she reminded herself.That helped but she knew she wasdoomed.She heard shouts and the multiple sounds of violence all around themuseum now.I have won! Taraza thought.Odrade darted from the penthouse and bent over Taraza.They said nothing butOdrade showed that she understood by putting her forehead to Taraza's temple.It was the ages-old cue of the Bene Gesserit.Taraza began pouring her lifeinto Odrade -- Other Memories, hopes, fears.everything.One of them might yet escape.Sheeana watched from the penthouse, staying where she had been ordered to wait.She knew what was happening out there in the roof garden.This was the ultimatemystery of the Bene Gesserit and every postulant was aware of it.Waff and Tulushan, already out of the room when the attack came, did not return.Sheeana shuddered with apprehension.Abruptly, Odrade stood and ran back into the penthouse.There was a wild lookin her eyes but she moved with purpose [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]