Dune_ House Atreides - Brian Herbert [227]
“Ah, my dear Fen Ajidica,” Fenring purred, “your experiments go well, hm-m-m-m-ah? Crown Prince Shaddam is eager to receive an update as he begins the work of his Imperium.”
“We make good progress, sir. Our uncrowned Emperor has received my gift, I presume?”
“Yes, very nice, and he sends his appreciation.” He smiled tightly as he thought of it: a silver-furred hermafox, capable of self-replication, an unusual living bauble that served no useful purpose whatsoever. “Wherever did you come up with such an interesting creature?”
“We are adepts with the forces of life, sir.” The eyes, Ajidica thought. Watch his eyes. They reveal dangerous emotions. Vicious now.
“So you enjoy playing God?” Fenring said.
With controlled indignation, Ajidica retorted, “There is but one God All High. I would not presume to take His place.”
“Of course not.” Fenring’s eyes narrowed. “Our new Emperor sends his gratitude, but points out one gift he would have greatly preferred—a sample of artificial spice.”
“We are working hard on the problem, sir, but we told Emperor Elrood from the outset that it would take many years, possibly even decades, to develop a completed product. Much of our labor heretofore has simply been consolidating our control on Xuttah and adapting the existing facilities.”
“You’ve made no tangible progress, then?” Fenring’s scorn was so extreme that he couldn’t conceal it.
“There are many promising signs.”
“Good, then may I tell Shaddam when he should expect his gift? He would like to receive it prior to his coronation, in six weeks’ time.”
“I don’t think that is possible, sir. You brought us a supply of melange as a catalyst less than a Standard Month ago.”
“I gave you enough of the stuff to buy several planets.”
“Of course, of course, and we are moving as quickly as possible. But the axlotl tanks must be grown and modified, probably through several generations. Shaddam must be patient.”
Fenring studied the little Tleilaxu, looking for signs of deception. “Patient? Remember, Ajidica, an Emperor does not have unlimited patience.”
The dwarf-sized man did not like this Imperial predator. Something in Fenring’s overlarge dark eyes and his speech carried a threatening undertone, even when discussing mundane subjects. Make no mistake. This man will be our new Emperor’s enforcer—the one who will murder me if I fail.
Ajidica took a deep breath, but concealed it in a yawn to avoid showing fear. When he spoke, it was in the calmest of tones. “When God wills our success, it will happen. We move according to His schedule, not our own, and not Prince Shaddam’s. That is the way of the universe.”
Fenring’s huge eyes flashed dangerously. “You realize how important this is? Not only to the future of House Corrino and the economy of the Imperium . . . but to your personal survival, as well?”
“Most certainly.” Ajidica did not react to the threat. “My people have learned the value of waiting. An apple plucked too soon may be green and sour, but if one merely waits until it is ripe, then the fruit is sweet and delicious. When perfected, the artificial spice will alter the entire power structure of the Imperium. It is not possible to engineer such a substance overnight.”
Fenring glowered. “We have been patient, but that cannot continue.”
With a generous smile, Ajidica said, “If you wish, we can convene regular meetings to display our work and progress. Such distractions, however, would only slow our experiments, our substance analyses, our settings.”
“No, keep on,” Fenring growled.
I’ve got the bastard where I want him, Ajidica thought, and he doesn’t like it one bit. Still, he had the distinct impression that this assassin would do away with him without a second thought. Even now, despite the tightest security scans, Fenring no doubt carried a number of weapons concealed within his clothing, skin, and hair.
He will make the attempt as soon as I’m not needed, when