Frank Herbert

“ Diana looked down at her plate. She was wearing a low-cut gown of firemesh that set off her red hair. A single strand of Reinach pearls gleamed at her throat.
Orne sat down in the vacant seat opposite her. What a handsome woman! he thought.
Polly, on Orne's right, looked younger and softer in a green stola gown that hazed her barrel contours. Bullone, across from her, wore black lounging shorts and knee-length kubi jacket of golden pearl cloth. Everything about the people and setting reeked of wealth, power. ”

“ Langsmith there!" she said. "Hiding behind that pipe! And you, General: moving your mouth no more than absolutely necessary to speak—trying to hide your real feelings! Oozing betrayal!"
"Get her out of here!" barked Speidel.
"You're all logic and no intuition!" she shouted. "No understanding of feeling and art! Well, General: go back to your computers, but remember this—You can't build a machine that thinks like a man! You can't feed emotion into an electronic computer and get back anything except numbers! ”

“ Behind Orne, there came a deep rumbling roar that receded as the scout cruiser climbed its jets. All other sounds hung suspended in after-silence, then resumed: the strongest first and then the weakest.
A heavy object suddenly arced through the headlights, swinging on a vine. It disappeared behind a tree. Another. Another. Ghostly shadows with vine pendulums on both sides. Something banged down heavily onto the hood of the sled. ”

“ Goré moved behind Francine, passing to the head of the table, but she kept her attention on Zakheim. He was a thick-bodied man, thick without fat, like the heaviness of a wrestler. His wide face and slanting pale blue eyes carried hints of Mongol ancestry. Rusty hair formed an uncombed brush atop his head.
Zakheim brought up his briefcase, flopped it onto the table, rested his hands on the dark leather. They were flat slab hands with thick fingers, pale wisps of hair growing down almost to the nails. ”

“ Orne shook his head. “But think of it: Two civilizations that matured along different lines! Think of all the different ways we’d approach the same problems ... the lever that’d give us for—”
“You sound like a Uni-Galacta lecture! Are you through marching arm in arm into the misty future?”
Orne took a deep breath. “Why’s a freshman like me being tossed into this dish?”
“You’d still be on the Delphinus master lists as an R&R field man. That’s important if you’re masquerading.” ”

“ Ted Graham groped in his mind for his science memories from school, from the Sunday supplements. "I can recall that our galaxy is a spiral like—"
"Most galaxies are spiral."
"Is this some kind of a practical joke?" asked Ted Graham.
The man smiled, a cold, superior smile. "It is no joke. Now I will make you a proposition."
Ted nodded warily. "All right, let's have the stinger."
"The people who brought you here were tax collectors we Rojac recruited from a subject planet. They were conditioned to make it impossible for them to leave their job untended. ”

“ We have to look back to our childhood because all children are primitives. Every cell of a child knows the language of emotional movements—the clutching reflexes, the wails and contortions, the sensuous twistings, the gentle reassurances."
"And you say these people cannot lie," murmured Ohashi.
Francine felt the upsurge of happiness. It was still tainted by the death around her and the pain she knew was yet to come for her people, but the glow was there expanding. "The body," she said, and shook her head at the scowl of puzzlement on Ohashi's face. "The intellect...." ”

“ We hold the whip hand!"
"The I-A could have ninety per cent of your organization in custody inside of ten days," said Orne.
"You couldn't find them!" snapped Polly.
"How?" asked Stetson.
"Nomads," said Orne. "This house is a glorified tent. Men on the outside, women on the inside. Look for inner courtyard construction. It's instinctive with Nathian blood. Add to that, an inclination for odd musical instruments—the kaithra, the tambour, the oboe—all nomad instruments. Add to that, female dominance of the family—an odd twist on the nomad heritage, but not completely unique. ”

“ Langsmith put a hand on Speidel's arm. "Let Dr. Millar have her say."
"Emotion," muttered Speidel.
"Every spoken language of earth has migrated away from emotion," said Francine.
"Can you write an emotion on paper?" demanded Speidel.
"That does it," she said. "That really tears it! You're blind! You say language has to be written down. That's part of the magic! You're mind is tied in little knots by academic tradition! Language, General, is primarily oral! People like you, though, want to make it into ritual noise!" ”

“ Martha Graham gasped, entered the hall as though in a trance. Ted Graham followed, heard the door close behind them.
"It's so—so—so big," exclaimed Martha Graham.
"You want to trade this for our trailer?" asked Ted Graham.
"It's too inconvenient for us," said Rush. "My work is over the mountains on the coast." He shrugged. "We cannot sell it."
Ted Graham looked at him sharply. "Isn't there any money around here?" He had a sudden vision of a tax accountant with no customers. ”

“ Out of the corners of his eyes, Orne saw more shadows dropping to the mud around him. The sled shifted as someone climbed onto the load behind the cab. The someone scuttled agilely for a moment.
The native climbed down to the cab’s side step, opened the door. The rifle was held at the ready. Again, the lipless mouth formed Galactese words: “What do you carry in this ... vehicle?”
“The equipment every R&R field man uses to help the people of a rediscovered planet improve themselves.” ”

“ Orne touched the subvocal stud at his neck, moved his speaking muscles without opening his mouth. A surf-hissing voice filled the matching transceiver in Stetson's neck:
"You pay attention while I'm making a play for this Diana Bullone, you hear? Then you'll know how an expert works."
"Don't get so interested in your work that you forget why you're out there," growled Stetson. ”

“ Other experts say with equal emphasis that these gestures are ritual combat! Freud, indeed! They ooze betrayal. This chopping gesture they make with the right hand"—he chopped the air in illustration—"is identical to the karate or judo chop for breaking the human neck!"
Francine shook her head, put a hand to her throat. She was momentarily overcome by a feeling of uncertainty.
Langsmith said: "That outward thrust they make with one hand: that's the motion of a sword being shoved into an opponent! They ooze betrayal all right!"
She looked from Langsmith to Speidel, back to Langsmith. ”

“ And we will want to examine your memories to aid us in our search for your planet. It would be good to find a new inhabitable place."
"Why did they trap us like this?" asked Martha Graham.
"It's lonely work," the man explained. "Your house is actually a type of space conveyance that travels along your collection route—and there is much travel to the job. And then—you will not have friends, nor time for much other than work. Our methods are necessarily severe at times."
"Travel?" Martha Graham repeated in dismay.
"Almost constantly."
Ted Graham felt his mind whirling. ”

“ The Mark XX’s muzzle came around to center on Orne’s stomach. “You have not answered my question. What is the I-A?”
“I am of the I-A,” said Orne. “Where’ve you hidden the Delphinus?”
“In the place that suits us best,” said Tanub. “In all our history there has never been a better place.”
“What do you plan to do with it?” asked Orne.
“Within a year we will have a copy with our own improvements. After that—”
“You intend to start a war?” asked Orne.
“In the jungle the strong slay the weak until only the strong remain,” said Tanub. ”

“ Francine stared at him. "How do you know?"
Ohashi tapped his briefcase. "I have a device in here that reveals such things."
She swallowed a brief surge of anger. "Well, is it really important, Hiko?"
"Perhaps not." Ohashi took a deep, evenly controlled breath. "I did not tell you one other thing about the Buddhist monk."
"Oh. What did you omit?"
"He predicts that we will fail—that the human race will be destroyed. He is very old and very cynical for a monk. He thinks it is a good thing that all human striving must eventually come to an end." ”

“ Diana quivered with fury.
p. 110
"My major point is this," said Orne. "Government is a dubious glory. You pay for your power and wealth by balancing on the sharp edge of the blade. That great amorphous thing out there—the people—has turned and swallowed many governments. The only way you can stay in power is by giving good government. Otherwise—sooner on later—your turn comes. I can remember my mother making that point. It's one of the things that stuck with me." He frowned. "My objection to politics is the compromises you have to make to get elected!"
Stetson moved out from the wall. ”

“ Zakheim's brows drew down into a heavy frown. He fumbled with the clasp of his briefcase. "This is very dangerous," he grunted.
"Oh, Zak, you always say that!" said Francine. "Let's quit playing footsy!"
"I do not enjoy the thought of treason charges," muttered Zakheim.
"We all know our bosses are looking for an advantage," she said. "I'm tired of these sparring matches where we each try to get something from the others without giving anything away!"
"If your Dr. Langsmith or General Speidel found out what you were doing here, it would go hard for you, too," said Zakheim. ”

“ It is sufficient for you to know that you are under Rojac sovereignty."
Ted Graham said, "But—"
"You have, in a way, been kidnapped. And the Raimees have fled to your planet—an unregistered planet."
"I'm afraid," Martha Graham said shakily.
"You have nothing to fear," said the man. "You are no longer on the planet of your birth—nor even in the same galaxy." He glanced at Ted Graham's wrist. ”

“ We must breed and be born in sunlight. Once—long ago—we used crude platforms on the tops of the trees. Now ... only the ... wild ones do this.”
Stetson’s voice hissed in Orne’s ears: “Easy on the sex line, boy. That’s always touchy. These creatures are oviparous. Sex glands are apparently hidden in that long fur behind where their chins ought to be.”
“Who controls the breeding sites controls our world,” said Tanub. “Once there was another city. We destroyed it.”
“Are there many ... wild ones?” asked Orne.
“Fewer each year,” said Tanub.
“There’s how they get their slaves,” hissed Stetson. ”

“ If I have to jail every last one of—"
"An hour after this conspiracy became known, you wouldn't be in a position to jail anyone," said Orne. "The husband of a Nathian! You'd be in jail yourself or more likely dead at the hands of a mob!"
Spencer paled.
"What's your suggestion for compromise?" asked Polly.
"Number one: the I-A gets veto power on any candidate you put up," said Orne. "Number two: you can never hold more than two thirds of the top offices."
"Who in the I-A vetoes our candidates?" asked Polly.
"Admiral Spencer, Stet, myself ... anyone else we deem trustworthy," said Orne. ”

“ I’m going to want to know how you guessed that one.”
“You are a weak fool like the others,” gritted Tanub.
“It’s too bad you formed your opinion of us by observing only the low grades of the R&R,” said Orne.
“Easy, boy,” hissed Stetson. “Don’t pick a fight with him now. Remember, his race is arboreal. He’s probably as strong as an ape.”
“I could kill you where you sit!” grated Tanub.
“You write finish for your entire planet if you do,” said Orne. “I’m not alone. There are others listening to every word we say. ”

“ What if the Heleb women were just a bunch who got out of hand because they'd lost contact with the main element?"
"Holy Moley!" blurted Stetson. "Do you have evidence—"
"Nothing but a hunch," said Orne. "Do you have a list of the guests who'll be here for the election party tomorrow?"
"We can get it. Why?"
"Check for women who mastermind their husbands in politics. Let me know how many and who." ”

“ I think the Galactics' gestures may be their adjectives and adverbs—the full emotional content of their language."
"Emotion!" snapped Speidel. "Emotion isn't language!"
She repressed a surge of anger, said: "We're dealing with something completely outside our previous experience. We have to discard old ideas. We know that the habits of a native tongue set up a person's speaking responses. In fact, you can define language as the system of habits you reveal when you speak."
Speidel tapped his fingers on the table, stared at the door behind Francine. ”

“ It's hard to ferret out a gang of fanatics; it would, obviously, be even harder to spot a genetic line of dedicated men. But the problem Orne had was one step tougher than that!
hen the Investigation & Adjustment scout cruiser landed on Marak it carried a man the doctors had no hope of saving. He was alive only because he was in a womblike creche pod that had taken over most of his vital functions.
The man's name was Lewis Orne. He had been a blocky, heavy-muscled redhead with slightly off-center features and the hard flesh of a heavy planet native. ”

“ Orne nodded at the rifle. “Would you mind pointing that weapon some other direction? It makes me nervous.”
The gun muzzle remained unwaveringly on Orne’s middle. The [110] native’s mouth opened, revealing long canines. “Do we not look strange to you?”
“I take it there’s been a heavy mutational variation in the humanoid norm on this planet,” said Orne. “What is it? Hard radiation?”
No answer.
“It doesn’t really make any difference, of course,” said Orne. “I’m here to help you.”
“I am Tanub, High Path Chief of the Grazzi,” said the native. “I decide who is to help.” ”

“ They wanted me to blame the Galactics for Bob's death! They tried to build a lie in my mind until I'd fall in with their plan. It's hard enough to die for an ideal, but to give up your life for a lie....
Anger coursed through her. She stopped on the steps, stood there shivering. A new feeling of futility replaced the anger. Tears blurred her vision. What can one lone woman do against such ruthless schemers?
Through her tears, she saw movement on the concourse: a man in civilian clothes crossing from right to left. Her mind registered the movement with only partial awareness: man stops, points. ”

“ Orne’s foot rested on the air sled control pedal. He depressed it. Instantly, the sled shot skyward, heavy G’s pressing them down into the seats. The gun in Tanub’s hands was slammed into his lap. He struggled to raise it. To Orne, the weight was still only about twice that of his home planet of Chargon. He reached over, took the rifle, found safety belts, bound Tanub with them. Then he eased off the acceleration.
“We don’t need slaves,” said Orne. “We have machines to do our work. ”

“ At the medical center, the oval creche containing Orne hung from ceiling hooks in a private room. There were humming sounds in the dim, watery greenness of the room, rhythmic chuggings, sighings. Occasionally, a door opened almost soundlessly, and a white-clad figure would check the graph tapes on the creche's meters.
Orne was lingering. He became the major conversation piece at the internes' coffee breaks: "That agent who was hurt on Heleb, he's still with us. Man, they must build those guys different from the rest of us!... Yeah! Understand he's got only about an eighth of his insides ... ”

“ Not words to decipher. Only example for recognition, to touch our memories and call them forth. What great teachers! What great masters of being!"
One of the Galactics stepped closer, gestured toward the area behind Francine. His movements and the intent were clear to her, interpreted through her new understanding.
The Galactic's wide lips moved. "You are being recorded," he said. "It would be an opportune moment to begin the education of your people—since all new things must have a point of birth." ”

“ Zakheim's voice was edged with bitter irony.
"We are approaching this the wrong way," said Francine. She felt let down, spoke with a conscious effort. "Our access to these Galactics is limited by the space they've opened to us within their vessel."
"What is in the rest of the ship?" asked Zakheim.
"Rewards, perhaps," said Goré.
"Or weapons to demolish us!" snapped Zakheim.
"The pattern of the sessions is wrong, too," said Francine.
Ohashi nodded. "Twelve hours a day is not enough," he said. "We should have them under constant observation." ”

“ And on every one of them we have reason to believe there's a clan of traitors sworn to overthrow the League. Even on your home planet—Chargon."
"You want me to go home for my convalescence?" asked Orne. ”

“ The wolfish grin took over Stetson’s big features. “Senior field men last about half as long as the juniors,” he said. “Mortality’s terrific?”
“I might’ve known,” said Orne. He took another sip of the brandy.
Stetson flicked on the switch of a recorder beside him. “O.K. You can go ahead any time.”
“Where do you want me to start?”
“First, how’d you spot right away where they’d hidden the Delphinus?”
“Easy. Tanub’s word for his people was Grazzi. Most races call themselves something meaning The People. ”