Dune: House Atreides by Frank Herbert Read Free Book Online Page A

was by an overhanging cowl. Notorious hoarders of secrets, the Bene Gesserit were always close to the centers of power, constantly watching . . . constantly manipulating.

    "I won't ask you if it's true, Vernius," the Emperor finally said. "My sources are unerring, and I know you have committed this terrible act. Ixian technology! Pah!" He made as if to spit from his withered lips. Dominic did not roll his eyes upward; Elrood always overestimated the effectiveness of his melodramatic gestures.

    Dominic continued to smile, showing plenty of teeth. "I am unaware of committing any 'terrible act,' Sire. Ask your Truthsayer, if you don't believe me." He flicked a glance at the dark-robed Bene Gesserit woman.

    "Mere semantics -- don't play dumb, Dominic."

    Still, he simply waited, forcing the Emperor to state his charge explicitly.

    Elrood huffed, and the Chamberlain huffed with him. "Damn it, your new Heighliner design will allow the Guild, with their damnable monopoly on space transport, to carry sixteen percent more in each load!"

    Dominic bowed, still smiling mildly. "Actually, m'Lord, we have been able to boost the increase to eighteen percent. That's a substantial improvement over the previous design, involving not only a new hull but a shield technology that weighs less and takes up less room. Therefore, boosted efficiency. This is the very heart of Ixian innovation, which has made House Vernius great over the centuries."

    "Your alteration reduces the number of flights the Guild must make to haul the same amount of cargo."

    "Why, naturally, Sire." Dominic looked at the old man as if he were incredibly dense. "If you increase the capacity of each Heighliner, you decrease the number of flights required to haul the same amount of material. Simple mathematics."

    "Your redesign causes great hardship for the Imperial House, Earl Vernius," said Aken Hesban, clutching his chain of office as if it were a handkerchief. His long mustaches looked like the tusks of a walrus.

    "Well, I suppose I can understand the shortsighted reason for your concern, Sire," Dominic said, not deigning to look at the stuffed-shirt Chamberlain.
    Imperial tax was based on the number of flights rather than on the amount of cargo, and the Heighliner redesign therefore resulted in a substantial reduction in income for House Corrino.

    Dominic spread his broad scarred hands, looking eminently reasonable. "But how can you request that we blatantly hold back progress? Ix has in no way countermanded the strictures of the Great Revolt. We have the full support of the Spacing Guild and the Landsraad."

    "You did this knowing it would incur my wrath?" Elrood leaned forward on the massive throne, looking even more the vulture.

    "Come now, Sire!" Dominic laughed, belittling the Emperor's concerns.
    "Personal feelings can have no place in the march of progress."

    Elrood raised himself off the chair, standing in his billowy robes of state that hung like awnings over his skeletal body. "I can't renegotiate with the Guild for a tax based on metric tonnage, Vernius. You know that!"

    "And I can't change the simple laws of economics and commerce." He shook his gleaming head, then shrugged. "It's just business, Elrood."

    The Court functionaries stopped with a gasp, listening to the candor and familiarity Dominic Vernius used with the Emperor. "Watch yourself," the Chamberlain warned.

    But Dominic ignored him and continued. "This design modification affects many people, most of them positively. We are only concerned about progress, and about doing the best possible job for our client, the Spacing Guild. The cost of one new Heighliner is more than most planetary systems make in a Standard Year."

    Elrood stared him down. "Perhaps it is time for my administrators and licensors to inspect your manufacturing facilities." His voice carried a threatening tone. "I have reports that Ixian scientists may be developing secret, illegal thinking machines in violation of the