fh.godemperorofdune-第27章

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　The　lxians　are　cruel！　he　thought。　They　knew　what　our　pain　would　be。
　Hwi's　departure　ignited　memories　of　her　Uncle　Malky。　Malky　was　cruel；　but　Leto　had　rather　enjoyed　his　pany。　Malky　had　possessed　all　of　the　industrious　virtues　of　his　people　and　enough　of　their　vices　to　make　him　thoroughly　human。　Malky　had　reveled　in　the　pany　of　Leto's　Fish　Speakers。　〃Your　houris；〃　he　had　called　them；　and　Leto　could　seldom　think　of　the　Fish　Speakers　thereafter　without　recalling　Malky's　label。
　Why　do　I　think　of　Malky　now？　It's　not　just　because　of　Hwi。　I　shall　ask　her　what　charge　her　masters　gave　her　when　they　sent　her　to　me。
　Leto　hesitated　on　the　verge　of　calling　her　back。
　She'll　tell　me　if　I　ask。
　Ixian　ambassadors　had　always　been　told　to　find　out　why　the　God　Emperor　tolerated　Ix。　They　knew　they　could　not　hide　from　him。　This　stupid　attempt　to　plant　a　colony　beyond　his　vision！　Were　they　testing　his　limits？　The　lxians　suspected　that　Leto　did　not　really　need　their　industries。
　I've　never　concealed　my　opinion　of　them。　I　said　it　to　Malky：
　〃Technological　innovators？　No！　You　are　the　criminals　of　science　in　my　Empire！〃
　Malky　had　laughed。
　Irritated；　Leto　had　accused：　〃Why　try　to　hide　secret　laboratories　and　factories　beyond　the　Empire's　rim？　You　cannot　escape　me。〃
　〃Yes；　Lord。〃　Laughing。
　〃I　know　your　intent：　leak　a　bit　of　this　and　some　of　that　back　into　my　Imperial　domains。　Disrupt！　Cause　doubts　and　questioning！〃
　〃Lord；　you　yourself　are　one　of　our　best　customers！〃
　〃That's　not　what　I　mean　and　you　know　it；　you　terrible　man！〃
　〃You　like　me　because　I'm　a　terrible　man。　I　tell　you　stories　about　what　we　do　out　there。〃
　〃I　know　it　without　your　stories！〃
　〃But　some　stories　are　believed　and　some　are　doubted。　I　dispel　your　doubts。〃
　〃I　have　no　doubts！〃
　Which　had　only　ignited　more　of　Malky's　laughter。
　And　I　must　continue　tolerating　them；　Leto　thought。　The　lxians　operated　in　the　terra　incognita　of　creative　invention　which　had　been　outlawed　by　the　Butlerian　Jihad。　They　made　their　devices　in　the　image　of　the　mind　the　very　thing　which　had　ignited　the　Jihad's　destruction　and　slaughter。　That　was　what　they　did　on　Ix　and　Leto　could　only　let　them　continue。
　I　buy　from　them！　I　could　not　even　write　my　journals　without　their　dictatels　to　respond　to　my　unspoken　thought。　Without　Ix；　I　could　not　have　hidden　my　journals　and　the　printers。
　But　they　must　be　reminded　of　the　dangers　in　what　they　do。'
　And　the　Guild　could　not　be　allowed　to　forget。　That　was　easier。　Even　while　Guildsmen　cooperated　with　Ix；　they　distrusted　the　lxians　mightily。
　If　this　new　Ixian　machine　works；　the　Guild　has　lost　its　monopoly　on　。space　travel。'
　
　From　that　welter　of　memories　which　I　can　tap　at　will；　patterns　emerge。　They　are　like　another　language　which　I　see　so　clearly　The　social…alarm　signals　which　put　societies　into　the　postures　of　defense　attack　are　like　shouted　words　to　me。　As　a　people。　you　react　against　threats　to　innocence　and　the　peril　of　the　helpless　young。　Unexplained　sounds；　visions　and　smells　raise　the　hackles　you　have　forgotten　you　possess。　When　alarmed；　you　cling　to　your　native　language　because　all　the　other　patterned　sounds　are　strange。　You　demand　acceptable　dress　because　a　strange　costume　is　threatening。　This　is　system　feedback　at　its　most　primitive　level。　Your　cells　remember
　…The　Stolen　Journals
　THE　ACOLYTE　Fish　Speakers　who　served　as　pages　at　the　portal　of　Leto's　audience　chamber　brought　in　Duro　Nunepi；　the　Tleilaxu　Ambassador。　It　was　early　for　an　audience　and　Nunepi　was　being　taken　out　of　his　announced　order；　but　he　moved　calmly　with　only　the　faintest　hint　of　resigned　acceptance。
　Leto　waited　silently　stretched　out　along　his　cart　on　the　raised　platform　at　the　end　of　the　chamber。　As　he　watched　Nunepi　approach；　Leto's　memories　produced　a　parison：　the　swimming…cobra　of　a　periscope　brushing　its　almost　invisible　wake　upon　water。　The　memory　brought　a　smile　to　Leto's　lips。　That　was　Nunepi…a　proud；　flinty…faced　man　who　had　e　up　through　the　ranks　of　Tleilaxu　management。　Not　a　Face　Dancer　himself；　he　considered　the　Dancers　his　personal　servants；　they　were　the　water　through　which　h：；？　moved。　One　had　to　be　truly　adept　to　see　his　wake。　Nunepi　was　a　nasty　piece　of　business　who　had　left　his　traces　in　the　attack　along　the　Royal　Road。
　Despite　the　early　hour；　the　man　wore　his　full　ambassadorial　regalia　billowing　black　trousers　and　black　sandals　trimmed　in　gold；　a　flowery　red　jacket　open　at　the　breast　to　reveal　a　bushy　chest　behind　his　Tleilaxu　crest　worked　in　gold　and　jewels。
　At　the　required　ten　paces　distance；　Nunepi　stopped　and　swept　his　gaze　along　the　rank　of　armed　Fish　Speaker　guards　in　an　arc　around　and　behind　Leto。　Nunepi's　gray　eyes　were　bright　with　some　secret　amusement　when　he　brought　his　attention　to　his　Emperor　and　bowed　slightly。
　Duncan　Idaho　entered　then；　a　lasgun　holstered　at　his　hip；　and　took　up　his　position　beside　the　God　Emperor's　cowled　face。
　Idaho's　appearance　required　a　careful　study　by　Nunepi；　a　study　which　did　not　please　the　Ambassador。
　〃I　find　Shape　Changers　particularly　obnoxious；〃　Leto　said。
　〃I　am　not　a　Shape　Changer；　Lord；〃　Nunepi　said。　His　voice　was　low　and　cultured；　with　only　a　trace　of　hesitancy　in　it。
　〃But　you　represent　them　and　that　makes　you　an　item　of　annoyance；〃　Leto　said。
　Nunepi　had　expected　an　open　statement　of　hostility；　but　this　was　not　the　language　of　diplomacy；　and　it　shocked　him　into　a　bold　reference　to　what　he　believed　to　be　Tleilaxu　strength。
　〃Lord；　by　preserving　the　flesh　of　the　original　Duncan　Idaho　and　providing　you　with　restored　gholas　in　his　image　and　identity；　we　have　always　assumed。　。　。〃
　〃Duncan！〃　Leto　glanced　at　Idaho。　〃If　I　mand　it；　Duncan；　will　you　lead　an　expedition　to　exterminate　the　Tleilaxu？〃
　〃With　pleasure；　m'Lord。〃
　〃Even　if　it　means　the　loss　of　your　original　cells　and　all　of　the　axlotl　tanks？〃
　〃I　do　not　find　the　tanks　a　pleasant　memory；　m'lord；　and　those　cells　are　not　me。〃
　〃Lord；　how　have　we　offended　you？〃　Nunepi　asked。
　Leto　scowled。　Did　this　inept　fool　really　expect　the　God　Emperor　to　speak　openly　of　the　recent　Face　Dancer　attack？
　〃It　has　e　to　my　attention；〃　Leto　said；　〃that　you　and　your　people　have　been　spreading　lies　about　what　you　call　my　‘disgusting　sexual　habits。〃'
　Nunepi　gaped。　The　accusation　was　a　bold　lie；　pletely　unexpected。　But　Nunepi　realized　that　if　he　denied　it；　no　one　would　believe　him。　The　God　Emperor　had　said　it。　This　was　an　attack　of　unknown　dimensions。　Nunepi　started　to　speak　while　looking　at　Idaho。
　〃Lord；　if　we。　。　。〃
　〃Look　at　me！〃　Leto　manded。
　Nunepi　jerked　his　gaze　up　to　Leto's　face。
　〃I　will　inform　you　only　this　once；〃　Leto　said。　〃I　have　no　sexual　habits　whatsoever。　None。〃
　Perspiration　rolled　off　Nunepi's　face。　He　stared　at　Leto　with　the　fixed　intensity　of　a　trapped　animal。　When　Nunepi　found　his　voice；　it　no　longer　was　the　low；　controlled　instrument　of　a　diplomat；　but　a　trembling　and　fearful　thing；
　〃Lord；　I。。。there　must　be　a　mistake　of。　。　。〃
　〃Be　still；　you　Tleilaxu　sneak！〃　Leto　roared。　Then：　〃I　am　a　metamorphic　vector　of　the　holy　sandworm…Shai…Hulud！　I　am　your　God！〃
　〃Forgive　us；　Lord；〃　Nunepi　whispered。
　〃Forgive　you？〃　Leto's　voice　was　full　of　sweet　reason。　〃Of　course　I　forgive　you。　That　is　your　God's　function。　Your　crime　is　forgiven。　However；　your　stupidity　requires　a　response。〃
　〃Lord；　if　I　could　but。　。　。〃
　〃Be　still！　The　spice　allotment　passes　over　the　Tleilaxu　for　this　decade。　You　get　nothing。　As　for　you　personally；　my　Fish　Speakers　will　now　take　you　into　the　plaza。〃
　Two　burly　guardswomen　moved　in　and　held　Nunepi's　arms。　They　looked　up　to　Leto　for　instructions。
　〃In　the　plaza；〃　Leto　said；　〃his　clothing　is　to　be　stripped　from　him。　He　is　to　be　publicly　flogged…fifty　lashes。〃
　Nunepi　struggled　against　the　grip　of　his　guards；　consternation　on　his　face　mingled　with　rage。
　〃Lord；　I　remind　you　that　I　am　the　Ambassador　of。　。　。〃
　〃You　are　a　mon　criminal　and　will　be　treated　as　such。〃　Leto　nodded　to　the　guards；　who　began　dragging　Nunepi　away。
　〃I　wish　they'd　killed　you！〃　Nunepi　raged。　〃I　wish。　。　。〃
　〃Who？〃　Leto　called。　〃You　wish　who　had　killed　me？　Don't　you　know　I　cannot　be　killed？〃
　The　guards　dragged　Nunepi　out　of　the　chamber　as　he　still　raged：　〃I　am　innocent！　I　am　innocent！〃　The　protest　faded　away。
　Idaho　leaned　close　to　Leto。
　〃Yes；　Duncan？〃　Leto　asked。
　〃M'Lord；　all　the　envoys　will　feel　fear　at　this。〃
　〃Yes。　I　teach　a　lesson　in　responsibility。〃
　〃M'Lord？〃
　〃Membership　in　a　conspiracy；　as　in　an　army；　frees　people　from　the　sense　of　personal　responsibility。〃
　〃But　this　will　cause　trouble；　m'Lord。　I'd　best　post　extra　guards。〃
　〃Not　one　additional　guard！〃
　〃But　you　invite　。　。　。〃
　〃I　invite　a　bit　of　military　nonsense。〃
　〃That's　what　I　。　。　。〃
　〃Duncan；　I　am　a　teacher。　Remember　that。　By　repetition；　I　impress　the　lesson。〃
　〃What　lesson？〃
　〃The　ultimately　suicidal　nature　of　military　foolishness。〃
　〃M'Lord。　I　don't。　。　。〃
　〃Duncan；　consider　the　inept　Nunepi。　He　is　the　essence　of　this　lesson。〃
　〃Forgive　my　denseness；　m'Lord；　but　I　do　not　understand　this　thing　about　military　。　。　。〃
　〃They　believe　that　by　risking　death　they　pay　the　price　of　any　violent　behavior　against　enemies　of　their　own　choosing。　They　have　the　invader　mentality。　Nunepi　does　not　believe　himself　responsible　for　anything　done　against　aliens。〃
　Idaho　looked　at　the　portal　where　the　guards　had　taken　Nunepi。　〃He　tried　and　he　lost；　m'Lord。〃
　〃But　he　cut　himself　loose　from　the　restraints　of　the　past　and　he　objects　to　paying　the　price。〃
　〃To　his　people；　he's　a　patriot。〃
　〃And　how　does　he　see　himself；　Duncan'？　As　an　instrument　of　history。〃
　Idaho　lowered　his　voice　and　leaned　closer　to　Leto。
　〃How　are　you　different；　m'Lord？〃
　Leto　chuckled。　〃Ahhh；　Duncan；　how　I　love　your　perceptiveness。　You　have　observed　that　I　am　the　ultimate　alien。　Do　you　not　wonder　if　I　also　can　be　a　loser'？〃
　〃The　thought　has　crossed　my　mind。〃
　〃Even　losers　can　shroud　themselves　in　the　proud　mantle　of　‘the　past；'　old　friend。〃
　〃Are　you　and　Nunepi　alike　in　that'？〃
　〃Militant　missionary　religions　can　share　this　illusion　of　the　‘proud　past；'　but　few　understand　the　ultimate　peril　to　humankind…that　false　sense　of　freedom　from　responsibility　for　your　own　actions。〃
　〃These　are　strange　words；　m'Lord。　How　do　I　take　their　meaning？〃
　〃Their　meaning　is　whatever　speaks　to　you。　Are　you　incapable　of　listening？〃
　〃I　have　ears；　m'Lord！〃
　〃Do　you　now'？　I　cannot　see　them。〃
　〃Here；　m'lord。　Here　and　here！〃　Idaho　pointed　at　his　own　ears　as　he　spoke。
　〃But　they　do　not　hear。　Therefore　you　have　no　ears。　neither　here　nor　hear。〃
　〃You　make　a　joke　of　me；　m'Lord？〃
　〃To　hear　is　to　hear。　That　which　exists　cannot　be　made　into　itself　for　it　already　exists。　To　be　is　to　be。〃
　〃Your　strange　words。　。　。〃
　〃Are　but　words。　I　spoke　them。　They　are　gone。　No　one　heard　them；　therefore　they　no　longer　exist。　If　they　no　longer　exist；　perhaps　they　can　be　made　to　exist　again　and　then　perhaps　someone　will　hear　them。〃
　〃Why　do　you　poke　fun　at　me；　m'Lord'？〃
　〃I　poke　nothing　at　you　except　words。　I　do　it　without　fear　of　offending　because　I　have　learned　that　you　have　no　ears。〃
　〃I　don't　understand　you；　m'Lord。〃
　〃That　is　the　beginning　of　knowledge…the　discovery　of　something　we　do　not　understand。〃
　Before　Idaho　could　respond；　Leto　gave　a